Page 4A THE BEACON January 2018

Continued from page 1 property to that end of the property . And we ’ ve got people that just stop in . They ’ re friends , and they just want to help . We go out and cut probably 125 trees . We drag ; well , now the kids are dragging the trees for the older people - all the Christmas trees are on the hillside , and it ’ s pretty tough pulling those trees up the hill ! But that ’ s about forty-something people .”

Tim remembers his parents , “ They were good people . They loved the kid and the family aspect of the whole thing . That ' s why we don ' t ever do anything that doesn ' t involve kids - even when we decorate for Christmas , we ' ve got some little bitty kids that can ' t do that , so we ' ve got a table in the back building , in the barn , and they sit there and color and paint … it ' s just a family thing all the time .” Once the holiday lights and decorations are in place , plenty of food and beverages are available for everyone to enjoy . Terry said , “ After you get it done , you sit around and have a few drinks and play some cards until the lighting at 6:00 … there again my mom and dad loved that type of thing ; that ’ s what they lived for . You know that holiday or those memories …”

“ They kind of burned that into us ,” interjects Tim .

Terry agrees , “ They did , and if we didn ’ t like it , we wouldn ’ t do it . But every one of the family members is pretty much all for it . They just love to do it .”

During the holidays the Weberding grounds sparkle , but throughout the year the carving shop is easily identified by the large white barn located along State Road 46 in Batesville . The actual age of the building is unknown . It is , however , original to the property that was the family farm of Monica Dirks long before she married William J . in 1940 .

Tim explained that his mother was a kind , hardworking woman , “ My mom never lived any place but that house . This was her homeplace … Her mom died when she was 15 or 16 ; then she took care of her dad till he died , then she took care of her brother till he died , and took care of her sister till she died … she baked bread and coffee cakes on Saturday morning , and fed every priest or nun that came in here .”

Tim made the remarkable woodcarving of the Holy Family on the side of the barn as a loving memorial to his parents . The carving weighs nearly four hundred fifty pounds , is four-inches thick , and measures 10 ’ x10 ’. Tim said , “ Our father died , oh ,

These to-scale samples allow potential clients to see what the finished wood working project will look like .

he ’ s been gone eleven years … after Mom passed away , we thought we ought to do something – we had the unveiling for the Christmas season . We wanted to make it as big as we could , but it took major work on the barn before we could put it up there .” That work included scaffolding , a large crane , special hook , and heavy-duty straps that are still attached , “… in case we need to take it down for any reason . In the barn , we used cables that go back to the post .”

The barn is the current workshop for the business , and the machinery used to create custom furniture and repair sentimental heirlooms is not exactly the stuff of cutting-edge technology . Terry Weberding explained , “… I mean we have table saws , but as far as technology like computerized machines - that we do not have . Every piece is made separately … a custom shop where you only make onesies , twosies … We have the tools that are necessary for us . I mean , we ’ ve got some great equipment out there ; it might be old equipment , but the older equipment is great .”

Many people think of Weberding Carving Shop in

This memorial woodcarving was a labor of love to honor the lives and legacy of Monica and William Weberding .

The elder Mr . Weberding enjoyed making gifts for people - including small books with hand carved wooden covers .

Photos by Susan Ray

terms of expensive , one-ofa-kind items , but the company is so much more than high-end design . Restoration and refurbishing are important aspects of the business as well . Free estimates are gladly provided to repair any piece , even if it might not have commercial value . The Weberdings understand that sentimental value is no less important . They apply the same quality workmanship to a wobbly chair as they would a custom clock housing .

The senior Weberdings taught their children by example ; be it love for family , dedication to quality

Marilyn Weberding began working in the family business in 1973 , in part to share the same working schedule as her husband Tim .

It ' s almost possible to hear the ringing of the bells and the jangle of the harness when looking at the sleigh that brought such delight to so many children over the years .

workmanship or how to hone individual talent .

Tim said , “ Dad was an Continued on page 5

“ Providing funerals and cremations with dignity and compassion .”

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