Friends Of the Library Sponsor Special Raffle

It’s called the art of giving back and Riverside resident Tom Van Gyzen has mastered it. That - and wood turning. At the Spring Book Sale, Tom won a cordless drill in the raffle sponsored by Friends of the East Providence Public Library. He was happy because spends much of this time working with wood. When he retired from his job as a machinist nearly two decades ago, he was looking for something to keep him busy. Playing guitar didn’t work out, so he opted for something he was familiar with, working on a lathe, and started making things from wood. Wood turning is the art of using hand-held tools for making intricate wood designs as the project spins around on a lathe. Using a table saw, band saw, drill press and select sanders, in addition to the lathe, Tom is able to transform hardwoods into useful works of art. “I find it challenging,” he notes and adds that, “What I like best about it is the finished product. “

Tom has donated one of his signed works, an open segmented fruit bowl, valued at $150, as the prize in a special raffle sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Made of 109 pieces of cherry, gonco alves and yellow heart wood, the bowl measures 6.25” tall and 8.5” in diameter. Tickets for this unique piece can be purchased at the Welcome Desk at Weaver Library, 41 Grove Ave., East Prov. and at Riverside Library, 475 Bullocks Point Ave., Riverside, during library hours. They can also be purchased during the Fall Book Sale at Weaver, Oct. 13 to 16. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5. All proceeds will benefit the library.