Citizen Staff/Amanda Lutey
Chuck Schuster holds a wooden dump truck, one of many toys he creates. He will offer a variety of his creations at the Randolph Community Holiday Bazaar on Saturday.
RANDOLPH — Holiday shoppers can find unique gifts Saturday at the Randolph Community Holiday Bazaar.
The annual event, sponsored by the Randolph Chamber of Commerce, runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Randolph High School, 110 Meadowood Drive.
The bazaar features more than 60 booths, baked goods, and lunch served all day.
Event coordinator Tom Cornford said that the bazaar continues to grow, and may need to expand into another room this year.
Charles “Chuck” Schuster, of The Woodchuck Shop in Juneau, is one of the new vendors this year.
Schuster worked at Juneau High School for 30 years, retiring in 1990.
“Industrial technology is what they call it now,” Schuster said of the class he taught.
He said it was his first job, and he and his wife, Shirley, chose to stay because they liked the community.
They have lived in Juneau since 1960.
Schuster has been creating things to sell at craft fairs and bazaars since 1965, but said that he has been creating things with wood since he was a child.
“My grandfather started me out,” Schuster said. “He gave me my first tool box…I’ve still got it. “
The Schusters have four children, and Schuster said that one of the reasons he began making wood toys is that he was frustrated by plastic toys.
“You can’t repair them,” Schuster said. “I got into wooden toys because they last and they are repairable.”
Schuster makes a wide variety of products, from crafts, furniture and toys. The toys he makes range from rocking horses and baby doll cradles to pull-along toys, trucks, trains and more. He said that he makes parts, and then assembles toys as he needs them. He said that he does not have a favorite toy.
“I just enjoy working with wood,” Schuster said.
Schuster built a shop in Juneau after his wife became allergic to the sawdust of certain woods and said he spends time in the shop every day.
“It fascinates me to try and create something new,” said Schuster.
The Randolph Chamber of Commerce works with student groups at Randolph High School to set up and operate the bazaar. The chamber splits the proceeds from the bazaar with the student groups, and then uses its portion of the proceeds to fund a scholarship for RHS graduates.
Admission to the bazaar is free, but free will donations of non-perishable food or personal care items will be delivered to a local food pantry.