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PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID WABASH, IN PERMIT NO. 233 Vol. 44, No. 8
County man enjoys retirement making frames By Joseph Slacian jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com Chuck King has always had an interest in woodworking. He has done almost all of the remodeling work at his rural Wabash home, including the building of a workshop, as well as an addition to the shop. He also enjoyed making lawn decorations for his home. That all changed about 2003, when his mother asked him a favor: Please make frames for her so she could put pictures in them and give them to family members for Christmas presents. About the same time, his father-in-law was a contractor remodeling houses a local farmer would buy and sell. “He was in one house and they had barn wood on a few walls,” King said. “He was over here one night and asked, ‘You want any barn wood?’ I said I would take it. He said to come over and take a look at it and we’ll throw it in my truck. “It still had nails in it. It was a good pile of barn wood, all natural. I brought it home and took all the nails out of it. At the same time my mom asked me about the pictures, so, OK, I’ll use some barn wood.” King had his photo on display in his workshop.
It shows him as a youngster, dressed as a cowboy, standing in front of the family tree. A piece of rope is in the center of the frame, adding some extra flair to the end product. “I just enjoy making things with my hands. To see a finished project like those hardwood …,” he said, pointing to a display of various frames he’s made over the years. “I just enjoy wood to start with, then this came along. “I was making odds and ends. I made my own building. I was making things for the yard. I made a little cradle, little, bitty kids’ chairs, and then I started (making frames) and all that went into storage.” He occasionally sells his products at flea markets. He also does custom work for those who learn about his talent through word of mouth. He also does consignment work with Borders and Beyond in downtown Wabash. “I keep pretty busy,” he said. “It’s all word of mouth. This year and most of last year I was doing something at least every three weeks. Sometimes, I’d be working on two or three projects at the same time. King worked at Dorais Chevrolet, retiring after 3 ½ years ago after 50 years at the dealership. Chuck King prepares to clean a saw blade (top photo), cut a piece of King designs his own frames, and enjoys workwood (bottom left) and show off various frames he made. Photos by Continued on Page 6 Harold V. Chatlosh
MHS names valedictorians, salutatorian
Officials at Manchester Jr. Sr. High School have announced Elijah Burlingame, Trescott Duffy and Gavin Mize as valedictorians and Torina Runkel as salutatorian, for the Class of 2021. All four of these students showcase immense academic acumen coupled with extensive involvement in extracurricular activities and community organizations. Burlingame has maintained highest honor roll and Academic Excellence from 2013 to 2021. He has been a member of the National Honor Society for the past two years and is receiving an Academic Honors diploma. His individual awards include four-time Squire Award winner and was a Rotary award winner. In community groups and organizations, he has been active at his church and in his youth group as well as FCA. His extracurricular activities and athletic involvement include Varsity Wrestling for four years, where he was Academic All-State, All-Academic MIZE DUFFY team, and two-time wrestling captain.
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He participated in soccer for two years and Science Olympiad for three years in high school. After high school graduation, Burlingame plans to attend college to study chemical engineering. He is the son of Matt & Julie Burlingame and his grandparents are Jim & Connie Lennert and Dick & Jane Burlingame. Duffy has earned Academic Excellence and highest honor roll during all four years of high school. He is a member of the National Honor Society. He has been actively involved with the First Brethren Church. He was also involved with team-based volunteer work and was a member of the Squires of the Round Table Wrestling Club. Athletically, Duffy played football and wrestling for four years. He won the Squire Award for football in 2018 and wrestling in 2020. He received TRC BURLINGAME RUNKEL Continued on Page 6
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