Riderwood Resident Creates Family Heirlooms in the Community Woodshop

When Paul Rohr and his late wife Rita were preparing for their move to Riderwood, an Erickson Senior Living community in Silver Spring, Md., they packed up the belongings you might expect--clothes, furniture, picture frames.

Surprisingly, also on their checklist was 200 feet of lumber from a maple tree that once stood on their Enfield, Conn., property.

Paul, excited about using Riderwood's professional, on-site woodshop, had a plan to craft four grandmother clocks. "I planned to make four clocks, one for each of our children," he says.

Now, Paul can often be found in the woodshop, carefully cutting, shaping, and assembling pieces to create heirlooms his children will cherish for years to come.

Years in the making

Before Paul and Rita moved to Riderwood, a severe snowstorm damaged several trees on their property, including the large maple.

Living in Enfield for 42 years, the couple loved their house, but the increasing maintenance and tasks associated with homeownership--especially cleaning up those trees--was becoming a burden. Riderwood's maintenance-free residences, eliminating chores like appliance repairs and yard work, was a significant draw.

Recognizing the wood's potential, Paul had the tree milled, air-dried, and then kiln-dried, setting it aside for his future project.

Crafting at Riderwood

Soon after settling into their new home at Riderwood, Paul got to work on the grandmother clocks in the woodshop.

Slightly smaller than traditional grandfather clocks, grandmother clocks typically measure just under six feet tall. They feature the same longcase design, but with a slimmer profile and no pendulum.

Paul prepares each of the clock's components in batches, labeling and organizing each piece to ensure consistency. This breaks the work into manageable tasks that allow for steady progress and refinement.

Throughout the process, he collaborates with other woodshop members to get their opinion and learn how he can hone his craft.

Final touches

Earlier last year, he worked with a professional woodworker to complete his first clock, focusing on final assembly and the time mechanism's installation.

"At that stage, it was about precision and alignment," he says. "Having someone with that level of experience helped bring everything together."

The finished clock--modeled after Paul's custom design--now stands in his residence, serving as both a completed piece and a guide for the remaining three.

"I've done most of the preliminary work on the others," he says. "Now, it's a matter of working through each step carefully and finishing them to the same standard."

He adds, "It's turning out to be a much longer project than I expected, but I'm dedicated to the endeavor!"

Everyone is welcome

Paul notes that, at the woodshop, it's common for members to help each other with personal and philanthropic projects.

Recent philanthropic projects include building desks for local schools and creating wooden toys for local charities. Each project is structured so residents with varying levels of experience can participate in meaningful ways.

"For instance, one person cuts shapes, another drills holes, and others handle sanding and finishing," Paul explains. "That structure allows more people to take part and contribute to the final product."

He continues, "The woodshop is a very cooperative environment. People bring different skills, and there is always someone willing to help you think through the next step."

Lots to do

While the grandmother clocks remain his primary hobby, Paul also stays active in the community by participating in two musical groups, the Gentleman Songsters and the Acousticats Ukulele Band, attending weekly opera programs, and square dancing.

"Square dancing is new for me," he says. "It's been a good way to get to know people."

He is also enrolled in a weekly memoir-writing course through a local community college and volunteers as a weekly monitor for a resident-run composting initiative that diverts food waste from landfills.

And after Rita's passing in October 2022, Paul found a resident-led grief group, which has provided support and comfort. "There is a sense of connection right away," he says. "People check in, spend time together, and make sure no one feels alone. We support each other and stay connected."

Looking ahead

Paul is making steady progress on the remaining three clocks. With much of the preliminary work already done, he looks forward to giving them all to his children.

"It all started with that tree and those original plans," he says. "And now, it's turned into something I can pass along to each of my children. I'm thankful for the woodshop and the help [I've received] from members. It's really something special."

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By Kelly K. Shue