A new angle on the industrial arts has been constructed for area youth.
Don and Linda Tauer of Pinewood Construction Services in Pinewood have been hosting classes for kids from Grade 6-12 called the Youth Entrepreneur Woodworking Program.
The first six youngsters—from Stratton, Devlin, Fort Frances, and Baudette—are home-school students who do not have the opportunity to get hands-on industrial arts experiences.
Don Tauer, a veteran carpenter of 40 years, is teaching that part of the program while Linda, a high school teacher in Baudette, is leading the business side of the program.
The students learn about drawing up plans, how to calculate costs, marketing techniques, and how to price their product (which is a wooden wastebasket).
Once that is mastered, then they learn how to make it in the Tauers’ garage, which is home to some pretty heavy-duty equipment.
Each Thursday since October, the students hold a half-hour business meeting before getting to the hands-on part of the evening class, which is two hours in length.
By the end of the school year, it is running as smoothly as a regular business and production is in high gear. “They have sold more than 40 wastebaskets this year,” noted Don Tauer.
“In addition to the skills they’re learning, the students also will receive credit towards their high school diploma. The hours they log will amount to about half of a full credit, and all of the six said they would like to return next year to learn with the Tauers.
Danielle VanderWekken said she really enjoyed learning how to run a T-nailer and the planer. “I got right into it!” echoed John Anns.
“I really enjoy it,” added Neil Rogoza. “I have learned how to use the table saw, nail guns, techniques, and some math. It is more than what I expected!”
“Don has really strong work ethic and that is passed down to the kids,” noted Rogoza’s mom, Daphne. “They have put a tremendous level of work from production to market.”
Tauer said that with every step, there is some degree of fear and excitement. However, he works one-on-one with the students to overcome their fear of the machinery—and it quickly turns into even more excitement.
He added he really looks forward to his Thursday night sessions with the kids. Doing construction work in the day is rewarding, but he really likes to see their faces light up when they learn something new and achieve their goals.
Tauer already is looking forward to next year and said there’s been interest expressed in having him teach students from a school in the Morson area.
He hopes to have the kids make and market bat houses next year. Until then, the production line will continue to pump out wastebaskets until May 29.
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