Makers Mill puts practical skills front and center this October

WOLFEBORO — From wiring and blade sharpening to rain barrels, carving and alternative energy, October at Makers Mill will be filled with opportunities to learn practical skills that can be put to use at home, in the workshop and beyond.

Makers Mill Instructor and Facility Manager Robert “Doc” Dougherty will lead seven programs throughout the month, all connected by a common idea: helping people become more capable and confident by learning how to do things for themselves and sharing those skills with others.

“One of the best ways to improve a person’s standard of living is to teach skills they can use themselves instead of always having to pay someone else to do the work,” said Dougherty. “It’s also community building. We get together, share what we know, and then bring those skills back home with us.”

October’s lineup includes the Monthly Carving Crew on Oct. 5; DIY Upcycled Rain Barrels on Oct. 7; STEAM for Kids: Alternative Energy Car on Oct. 10; Sustainability & Homesteading Club on Oct. 13; Taste of the Trades: Electrical Work on Oct. 14; Women’s Workshop: DIY Home Electrical on Oct. 21; and DIY Sharpening: Blades on Oct. 28.

The programs offer something for a range of ages and interests. STEAM for Kids gives younger makers a chance to explore alternative energy through hands-on learning, while Taste of the Trades is geared toward teens interested in getting a closer look at electrical work and the trades. The Women’s Workshop offers women a welcoming setting to learn basic home electrical skills and build confidence tackling practical projects themselves.

Other programs bring that same learn-by-doing approach to everyday skills, from creating a rain barrel using upcycled materials to maintaining and sharpening blades. The monthly Sustainability & Homesteading Club and Carving Crew also create free opportunities for people to gather, exchange knowledge and learn from one another.

That combination of practical knowledge, hands-on learning and community skill sharing is central to Makers Mill’s mission. By providing access to tools, instructors and one another, Makers Mill creates opportunities for people to explore new interests, become more self reliant, discover possible vocations and pass what they learn along to others.

Dates, registration information and details for all October programs can be found at makersmill.org/events.