North Quabbin Notes, April 24

Michael Coffey’s Aphrodite Rocking Loungue Chair, which sold for $48,000 at Sotheby’s Auction House. Coffey will speak on his career in woodworking at Royalston Town Hall on Sunday, April 28.

Michael Coffey’s Aphrodite Rocking Loungue Chair, which sold for $48,000 at Sotheby’s Auction House. Coffey will speak on his career in woodworking at Royalston Town Hall on Sunday, April 28. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Published: 04-24-2024 5:27 PM
Volunteer drivers needed to helpothers get to and from medicalappointments

LifePath has a program to help older people get to medical appointments, and matches local volunteers with individuals in need of transportation or medical advocacy. There is a waiting list of people with no other way to get to their appointments. All LifePath volunteers receive training, supervision, and mileage reimbursement. Learn more at lifepathma.org/volunteer.

Pancake breakfast at AtholCongregational Church

ATHOL – Saturday, April 27, 7-10 a.m., enjoy an ‘all you can eat’ pancake breakfast at the Athol Congregational Church, Uptown Common, Athol. Cost for $8 for adults and $3 for children. Menu includes pancakes, blueberry pancakes, French toast, gluten-free waffles, sausage, fruit, juice and coffee.

Sculptor andmaster woodworker Michael Coffey to speak in Royalston

ROYALSTON – The Phinehas S. Newton Library in Royalston will host Michael Coffey, well-known sculptor and master woodworker from Hatfield, on Sunday, April 28, at 2 p.m. at the Royalston Town Hall, 13 The Common. His book, “Michael Coffey: Sculptor and Furniture Maker in Wood,” was published last August.

After gaining a master’s degree and working as acommunity organizer, he kept working with wood, selling pieces to individuals who wanted a unique piece of furniture. His big break came in 1972 when Directional Furniture in Manhattan bought several pieces for their showroom. They kept him busy with orders for years and allowed him to start his first woodworking school.

In 2003, Sotheby’s Auction House sold his Aphrodite Rocking Lounge Chair for $48,000 and a new level of people interested in his furniture arose. While this provided many more orders, it also allowed him to create and build his dream home. Come learn more about his life and work and see his extraordinary pieces.

There will be refreshments and time for questions and inquiries. For more information about Coffey, visit michaelcoffeysculptor.com. Copies of his book may be purchased from Pointed Leaf Press at https://tinyurl.com/yekcf99z or other booksellers. This program is funded in part by a grant from the Royalston Cultural Council and sponsored by the Friends of the Library.