Noted Woodworker Will Be At The Matthew Curtiss House During March 1 Antiques Show

Newtown Historical Society will host Jay Hockenberry, known for his fine woodturnings from native and exotic hardwoods, at the Matthew Curtiss house on Main Street, Saturday, March 1. He will be showing some of his wares and demonstrating his skills. The open house is being held in conjunction with the 23rd Antique Show, to run the same day at Newtown High School. Mr Hockenberry will be at the Matthew Curtiss house from noon to 4 pm.

Mr Hockenberry comes to the event with an unusual background. A retired IBM executive from Southbury, he and his wife, Rae Ann, and six others from the United Methodist Church of Woodbury a few years ago visited Ghana and took a special fancy to the village of Awowbrew, about two hours from Ghana’s capital city of Accra. So entranced were the Americans with the village that when they returned to America they launched plans to help the villagers in as many ways as possible. Mr Hockenberry estimates that the Methodist Church and friends have raised about $15,000 which has helped build two school buildings and a storage facility, as well as purchase desks and books.

Last September Mr Hockenberry returned to Awowbrew, bringing with him $1,000 in donated materials to start a cottage industry. While there, Mr Hockenberry taught a Ghanaian cabinetmaker how to turn pens from his scarps of quality wood. The goal is to have the cabinetmaker teach others to make these pens, which can be sold in the United States. Because the materials and tools were donated, all profits from the American sales of these pens can be returned to the village. Mr Hockenberry hopes to sells the pens for about $35.

Mr Hockenberry will exhibit some of his unique bowls and wood carvings at the Matthew Curtiss House this weekend. In addition, he will show the prototype of the pen that he hopes will transform a village in Ghana.