CityView Magazine

complicated and intricate styles and designs. They would take trips to the workshops of like-minded woodwork- ers to get tips and learn new techniques. Booth began working with higher- quality woods to use as building mate- rials. The sharing is par for the course in the woodworker world. "Woodworkers are just like baseball collectors," Dean said. "There's not a lot of us. But we're interested in what everyone is working on. So you may see something interesting online and email the person who made it. And they'll say, 'Sure, come on down. Bring pictures (of your work).'" The amount of work, the skill needed to execute a building plan, and the ex- pense associated with the hobby cannot be overstated. Between beautiful, high- quality woods — two-thirds of which wind up discarded, according to Booth — and specialized tools and machines, period woodworkers get walloped in the wallet quite a bit. "You can't just go down to Home De- pot to get the wood that we use," Booth said. "The tools that we use can be very expensive. So you build up your tools over time. And your skills can improve over time." In the time they've been, as Dean put it, "woodworking buddies," Booth said he's seen an improvement in his skills. But the dentist added that what he's ca- pable of is nothing compared to Dean's ability. Because the intricacies of period woodwork require an attention to de- tail and a deſtness with precise tools, a steady, refined hand is a major asset. Booth said Dean is blessed with such a giſt. "I teach up at UNC (School of Den- tistry), and I don't think I've ever seen anyone with better hands than Jerry." "When I first started I didn't view myself as much of an artisan," Dean said. "I thought anyone who wanted to build furniture could do it. I sort of take this for granted." Neither man takes for granted the feelings of contentment they get while they're busy at work in their workshops or their deep satisfaction when a pro- ject is completed. But Booth and Dean don't get nearly enough time to enjoy the craſt. Booth is busy with his prac- tice, Stout and Booth Orthodontics, and its offices in Fayetteville and Hope Mills. Dean recently retired from Wa- chovia — now Wells Fargo — aſter 34 years with the company and will now head VantageSouth Bank's foray into Fayetteville with its first branch in the market, and he remains a member of the Board of Trustees at Fayetteville State University and Cape Fear Valley Health System. In the moments they can spare to spend a chunk of time in the workshop, all other thoughts and cares fade away. "It's a diversion from the stress of career," Dean said. "I may work in the shop until 2 or 3 in the morning. There's no telephone. No TV. I work hard, but I find time to do this." Said Booth: "I have people ask me if I can repair something for them because they know I make furniture. But I really don't do that. I do this for me." CV Insurance Brokers and Consultants 2413-3 Robeson Street • Fayetteville • 910-486-4900 • www.jerrygregory.org Serving the health insurance needs of more than 160 businesses Independent broker for many carriers rated A or better by A.M. Best 0 Coverage for preventive services – with ZERO co-pays or deductibles – is a requirement for non-grandfathered health plans. That's just one of the provisions of the PPACA (Health Care Reform act) that went into effect in September of 2010. Several provisions already enacted – and those that will be phased in through 2014 – can have important implications for your benefits plan. At Jerry Gregory & Associates, we have the expertise to help you "navigate" and make the most of Health Care Reform. So call us today. CityViewNC.com | 21

• Cover