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President Carter’s Intown footprints on the occasion of his 100th birthday
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Recently, I wandered into the anchor of the Virginia Highland commercial district, Highland Woodworking.
My search for furniture polish ended on the corner of Los Angeles and North Highland, across from Atlanta Fire Station 19.
This beloved woodworking store was frequented by President Carter who celebrated his 100th birthday this week.
Located high on the wall near the entrance and exit door, a 1984 woodworking class photo led by the celebrated craftsman Tage Frid, among the students, the 39th President of the United States, and passionate woodworker Jimmy Carter.
A political reporter for a national press service, Jack Warner wrote 40 years ago, the story of the woodworking gathering and the former president.
“Despite a lifelong devotion to woodworking, the Tage Frid seminar - which Mr. Carter was instrumental in arranging -- was his first formal learning experience.
“He's been a hero of mine for a long time,' the former president said. 'We had talked on the telephone several times in the past but this was our first meeting.'
The crew of Highland Woodworking still recall this special event and know Mr. Carter is a man of considerable skill and knowledge with small tools in his hands.
“He (President Carter) came in to attend classes and purchase woodworking supplies,” said Phil Colson, an expert in woodworking, a 40 year employee of the Intown store,” Mr. Carter was always surrounded by those tall guys with ear pieces.”
In 1948, when the US Navy sent him and his young wife to Hawaii, they rented an unfinished apartment and Mr. Carter began making furniture out of necessity, including a baby crib.
President Carter’s handiwork has sold at auction in recent years for $300,000 with the money going to charity.
Highland Woodworking is a short distance from the Carter Center, “He always knew what he needed, specific things for his project,” offered Bill Worden, a 28 year employee, “how I got involved with him, he wanted to update his dust collection, his shop in Plains, and like most woodworkers, was hoping for a simple solution, so he got to Plains, measured everything, and called me on the telephone, Bill? This is Jimmy Carter, what do I need?”
When Mr. Worden offered to bring the needed woodworking equipment to Plains, Mr. Carter said he would instead, drop by to pick it up himself.
“He was in here all dusty from working the wood, he was often with Rosalynn, such a regular guy,” added Mr. Worden and Mr. Colson, both laughing, “like everyone else Mr. Carter would complain about the prices.”
I asked if President Carter was offered discounts or freebies, both men laughed again, “no, freebies, not part of his visit here, Mrs Carter would always carry the checkbook and then sign,” said Mr. Colson,” if President Carter signed the check, no one would cash it, it would be framed.”
President Carter wrote an essay to a FineWoodWorking Magazine:
“Since I was a child, woodworking has played an important role in my life. It has given me a sense of belonging and a connection to a wide ranging and dedicated fellowship. The feelings of continuity and timelessness that the craft has brought to me are most gratifying.”
Like everywhere in our state, businesses frequented by the Carter’s, there is a quiet respect and appreciation for their remarkable yet simple lives among us, stories of public interaction now living in perpetuity.
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