Most of us have been there — we are passionately drawn to starting new projects, but need to improve at finishing them. Floyd Donley, a Sun City resident and member of the Woodchucks, recently completed a project he started many years ago.
Donley said, “I started woodworking in 1962. I had changed jobs. My wife wanted a secretary office desk. I started it, but it was stored in the basement until I had time to finish it.”
The most notable difference between a regular desk and a secretary office desk is their designs. While regular desks have a simple, flat surface, secretary desks feature a fold-out or drop-down writing area, which can be closed when not in use to save space.
“Along the way, my wife decided she couldn’t wait and bought one. We still have that one,” he said. But Donley didn’t give up.
Donley’s handmade secretary office desk is finely crafted and made from walnut. The wood used for the desk also has a history behind it.
“The wood came from an inherited farm. I cut the walnut trees,” Donley said. “I have had that wood for over 60 years. My wife is gone, but I have a son and daughter who will use it. I still have the one my wife bought, so each will have a secretary desk. In the meantime, we have a place for it in our home.”
Mike Shortridge, Vice President of the Woodchucks, said, “Besides actively building projects like his secretary desk, Floyd continues to volunteer for Foreman shifts every month and runs a Lathe Training Cluster for our new members once a month. When Floyd turned 90, the board voted to bestow the honorary title of Foreman Emeritus on him due to his contributions to the shop and because he is so well-liked and admired.”
