Bob Varner - Master Wood Craftsman

Bob Varner is a master craftsman with wood. Not only does he make exquisite gift items like the birdhouses pictured here; He even makes pens.

I have personally enjoyed getting to know Bob. We share a common faith in Jesus Christ and are active members of thesame local church. Incidentally, we also trace our family lines back to John and John Quincy Adams.

When Bob appeared in Sunday School recently with these crafts in hand, I had to capture them on disk. He told me they are made of Ambrosia Maple, New Zealand Pine and Camphor, finished with CA glue. That was the first time I realized Super Glue could be used as a finish.

Born and raised in Melvindale, MI, Bob has had a wide range of employment venues. He began as a journeyman pipefitter and worked on industrial robots for a corporation in Connecticut. His work with robotics put him on a team which developed the GM bird-and-robot ride at Epcot. In more recent years he and his wife, Julia, moved to Florida where he worked at Palm Harbor Homes in engineering. Somewhere along the way he picked up various hobbies including martial arts and scuba diving.

I might also add, storyteller. For anyone who gets to know him, Bob has a wealth of engaging tales such as leaving Mexico City just before its major earthquake and serving as a chauffeur for some noteworthy folks.

If you are in the Lakeland, Florida, area there will be two opportunities to meet Bob and Julia. They will be displaying his handwork at two upcoming fairs.

Friday, December 5, 2014 – Women’s Missionary Conference at the Church at the Mall in Lakeland, FL.

Saturday, December 6, 2014 – Highland Village, 375 W.Brannen Road.  (Be sure to park on the Road to the SPCA)

For more information Bob can be contacted at bobjulia1977@gmail.com

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Florida's ICON

In spite of the nationwide promotion of high profile theme attractions, a single tower still stands as an icon which makes many think of Florida. Probably, though, little more is known about the tower and even its name eludes us. Few have seen a photo of another monument just a path away – a memorial to the man whose fascination with an unimpressive mound of Lake Wales earth, inspired both the tower and the nearly fifty acres of gorgeous parkland which surrounds it.

Edward Bok, who arrived in the United States from the Netherlands at age six in 1869, became a forgotten man whose shadow may be found in many noteworthy places. Niagara Falls owes him gratitude for championing the effort to preserve it. Frank Lloyd Wright was launched forward through Bok’s association with the publishing world. The Ladies’ Home Journal became “one of the most successful and influential publications in America” under his management; and a host of environmental and social causes were energized by his hopes for his adopted country. And it was through the influence of his visionary passion that the familiar tower stands and the magnificent gardens charm us today.

In 1929, President Calvin Coolidge and a large crowd of people gathered at the base of “The BOK Tower” to dedicate both it and the gardens as a sanctuary for generations to come. 

Eighty-five years later Judy and I joined some friends and several hundred other people to celebrate the continuation of the gardens.

As we listened to the testimonials, including words from Edward Bok's great-grandson, I thought of the lives of many who mean nothing more to those around them than unimpressive knolls on the landscape of existence. Yet, one does not really understand environmental stewardship if he does not understand the value of a human life - even (or, perhaps, especially) that life so easily overlooked. It is often to the unimpressive soul that God draws the attention of those who embrace the One who came to seek and save that which was lost. His objective is not that they be patronized but that they be nurtured. Nurtured with an opportunity to discover peace with Him and  the vision of what He could do for others through them. There is nothing quite like the soul of a man or woman who has become a signal tower and a refreshing sanctuary where weary hearts may be encouraged to worship.

BOK Tower Gardens are by no means "secret." Step into them and you can feast on a wide ranging spectacle of plants. You can watch wildlife from a uniquely constructed building which hides you from their presence; and you can visit an elegant estate with well manicured gardens complete with topiary. There are facilities featuring a restaurant, bookstore, and displays as well as a full calendar of special events throughout the year.

To garner more information, follow either of these links to the official web site.

BOK TOWER GARDENS

http://boktowergardens.org/

I Can't Pronounce His Name, But I Can Applaud His Character

As I staggered out to my café-com-leite maker this morning I found a magazine conspicuously placed in front of it. My wife, a Binghamton University graduate, wanted me to be sure to see an article entitled “Advantage, Sven.”

Wow! An athlete with character!

Katherine Karlson highlights Sven Vloedgraven as a “nationally ranked tennis player,” and quotes Binghamton’s head coach for men’s tennis assessment of his college career as, “back-to-back championships in a region that has almost 40 different schools in it.”

Four things stood out as I read the article.

He is focused. Karlson quotes him – “A busy schedule keeps me on top of things, so I use my time well. I don’t have a TV.”

He is competitive and considerate. He has been called “the fairest competitor” who “constantly gives away his line calls, as well as applauds his opponent’s success.” Nevertheless, he is “a tiger between the white lines,” making his opponents “earn every point.”

He is, as a tennis player, an example of what I understand as a man of noble character. As one Columbia University competitor put it, “He’s also a terrific role model who is nice both on and off court.

He is others oriented. Although a singles player, Sven Vloedgraven is very much a part of the University’s team of eight players all from different countries. Their team is described as “a tight knot of friends who also relax by hanging out together.” Concerning the team relationship, Sven says, “Team victories are always more special than individual victories because you can celebrate together.”

I strongly urge you to read this article. I know nothing of where the young man is in terms of a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, but the impression he makes on others as an athlete is worth a long, hard look.

You can check out his career biography here.