The Arcanum man has crafted a child-sized oak table and chairs that will be entered in the Wooden Toy Contest held at the Ansonia Lumber Company on Dec. 18. The toys entered in the contest are crafted by local woodworkers and donated to the Toys for Tykes program. Toys for Tykes then distributes the toys to needy Darke County children for Christmas.
Alley began competing in the contest in 1994, when it was held in New Madison.
“When I first started, it seemed like everything was made for a boy,” he said.
During the years, he’s constructed toys that appeal to boys and girls, and a variety of age groups. His projects are quite involved and have included wooden sleds, a doll house, rocking horses, including one with a leather saddle, a goose that lays gumballs, a football game, carousel, a high chair, a jewelry box with lining, and a giraffe with clothes hooks.
The contest usually draws about 25 entries. Scott Phillips, host of PBS’s “The American Woodshop,” judges the event. Alley has won and placed in the contest numerous times.
“I think people enjoy having some place to display what they do,” he said.
Alley, who retired as a lathe operator in 1994, has been woodworking for years. His photo album of woodworking project includes one dating back to 1958. He made cabinets from old wood tables.
The house where he and his wife, June, now live contains many of his projects — kitchen cabinets, a clock, a cedar chest, a sewing cabinet, and more. Many friends and family members also have his woodworking projects.
In addition to donating his toys to the Toys for Tykes program, Alley also has donated his projects for fundraisers, including Darke County Habitat for Humanity. He volunteered for the organization and also made projects that could be raffled.
Alley said he uses both new and recycled wood, such as old barn siding and tobacco rails, for his projects. Contestants in the wooden toy contest receive lumber each year. For ideas, Alley often looks in magazines.
Once the toy project is completed, he usually puts a tag on it so that the child knows who made the toy.
Do you know of someone who should be featured in Hereabouts? Send an e-mail to Beth Sears at sears@erinet.com or call her at (937) 448-0101.
About the Author