Hell no, I don't want to make any damn pens," said Michael Ognibene, an Air Force Veteran in residence at the Arkansas State Veterans Home in North Little Rock, Arkansas. It was gently suggested that he could give them away as Christmas presents, and he retorted, "I don't give Christmas presents."
Ognibene initially pictured a stack of pen parts, many of them plastic, that needed to be assembled factory style: repetitious and mind numbing. But he was hooked the minute he reluctantly navigated his wheelchair into the workshop and saw lathes, local and exotic wood pen blanks, presses, brass parts, and unique finished pieces.
That was two years ago. Since then, Ognibene has made more than 100 pens, including the 35 he gave to his daughter to give her coworkers for Christmas.
Ognibene's story is just one of many stories here: of turning wooden pens, of camaraderie, of finding a meaningful pastime, and of heroes.
The Veteran's pen-turning program in Arkansas started in 2015 with one donated lathe; one recreational therapist, Alyssa Welch; one volunteer, Ken Leslie; and one willing Veteran. It originated in the Community Living Center of the Eugene J. Towbin VA Healthcare Center in North Little Rock and has touched the lives of more than 500 Veterans.
Since that time, the program has spread to the mental health program at the Towbin Healthcare Center and the nearby state-owned Veterans living facilities. Plus, seed programs in nine other states were funded through a nationwide Veteran's Administration innovation program.
Often, the Veterans are waiting in anticipation at the workshop door before the volunteers even arrive. Soon after the doors open, the smell of sawdust fills the room, as does the gentle hum of spinning lathes. Turning pens has become an integral and valued part of their weekly routines.
Denne historien er fra April 2024-utgaven av PEN WORLD.
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Denne historien er fra April 2024-utgaven av PEN WORLD.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Remembering Ward Dunham (October 11, 1941 - August 24, 2024)
On August 24, 2024, calligrapher Ward Dunham passed away.
The Black Pen Society and the D.C. Pen Show: Poobah in a Flower Pot
Do you like black pens? If so, you are probably already familiar with the fun, frivolity, and fellowship associated with the Black Pen Society (BPS).
Stationery Fest: This Is Not a Pen Show
Daisy and Neil Ni's twist on the traditional pen show is about community, not commerce.
"It Has Style:" A History of the Aurora Hastil (1969-1970)
The Italian pen company's experiment in modernism led to a revolution in late 20th century pen design. A two-part series.
GW Pens Scores a Critical Hit
With new collections inspired by Dungeons & Dragons and Fender guitars, artisan John Greco is tapping into cultural trends.
Roterfaden's "Pocket Companion' "
The Taschenbegleiter hand-made planner system from German artisan cooperative Roterfaden features a modular organizational system that grows with the user's ambitions.
S.T. Dupont Takes the Iron Throne
The French atelier continues its forays into popular culture with a new, officially licensed Game of Thrones collection.
More Mail, More Dip-Less
The six-part series on dip-less (or one-dip) fountain pens garnered some major attention through its run from October 2023 through August 2024 (Vol. 36 No. 6 Vol. 37 No. 5).
David Oscarson: A Reflection
The artisan pen maker celebrates 25 years of luxury writing instruments with a new collection that harkens to his Art Nouveau roots.
The Parkette Hopalong Cassidy Ballpoint Pen
The Jotter was advertised as Parker's first ballpoint pen, but a novelty item that played on the Hopalong Cassidy culture craze predated it.
