We announced last fall our All-Star Workshop Giveaway, sponsored by Franklin Adhesives. Porter-Cable, Delta Machinery, Lee Valley Tools, and Delta Machinery. Thats our publisher, Steve Shanesy, in the picture below, along with some of the prizes. We received thousands upon thousands of entries, and the random drawing that determined the winner was conducted shortly after the February 28 deadline.
Steve picked up the phone and placed a call to Mike Titsworth of Michigan. Mike’s wife answered the phone and believed that Steve was trying sell her a subscription. Although she was skeptical, Mike eventually got on the line and gave her the good news. Mike said that I didn’t remember what I entered. All I did was click the mouse. The good news took a while to sink in, but when the truckload of tools from Delta and Porter-Cable arrived it became real.
Mike retired from his career as an automotive machine repairman last July. He had been building a shop in his garage and recently bought a contractor saw. Mikes son, who is also a woodworker and has convinced his dad to put the new saw at his house, where he is currently building kitchen cabinets. When Mike got the news of his prize, which includes a new Delta Unisaw, he called his son to let him know he wasnt in any hurry to get the contractors saw back. When the son saw all the new tools in his dads garage he was speechless. He just looks and shakes his head, Mike said.
The Lee Valley Tools prize portion has been in our shop for several month. We brought it in to photograph the prizes before the contest announcement. Because were only a few hours away from Michigan, we asked Mike if he would like to come and pick it up, rather than have us ship it by truck. He called his brother, who is also a woodworker and said Road Trip!
Late last week Mike and his brother arrived at our offices and shop here in Cincinnati. In the picture above, Steve and Mike take a break from loading some of the winnings. I may not have gone to journalism school, but I have learned to pick up the camera and act busy when theres a truck to be loaded. Back home in Michigan, Mike is busy unpacking and setting up his new tools. Mike stated that I appreciate all of the tools, especially the hand tools, and look forward to learning new skills with them. First, I think I will have to build a shop building. All of it fits right where I am, but Im only able to work on things about two feet in length.
Our congratulations to Mike, and to all of the monthly winners along the way. If you didnt win, try your luck in our latest sweepstakes.
