Carving out community

Woodworking has been a part of Bob Dares’ life for just about as long as he can remember. When he was 11 years old, he built his first soapbox derby car. Years later, when he and his wife moved into their family home, he filled it with furniture he crafted himself.

For decades, the Dares lived on a large property in Surrey surrounded by trees. There, Bob built a woodshop where he created everything from dining tables and coffee tables, to beds, chairs, and dressers. He even bought a sawmill so he could mill lumber from trees growing in his own backyard. “We could build exactly what we wanted,” Bob says. “And it was economical too.”

When Bob and Jomi moved to Elim Village Fleetwood in December 2025, downsizing meant leaving behind that space—but not Bob’s passion for woodworking.

Today, Bob has found a new workshop at Elim Village. As one of the volunteers who keeps the woodshop in The Bowron running, Bob enjoys helping fellow residents discover the satisfaction of creating something with their own hands.

The Bowron workshop, along with a second shop located in The Diamond, is available for Fleetwood residents who enjoy building, repairing, or trying something new. And no experience is required.

“I can show people how to use the equipment and teach them some techniques,” Bob says.

For Bob, woodworking is as much about the process as the finished product. Every project requires careful planning, measuring, problem-solving, and patience.

“It keeps your hands busy, and it keeps your mind busy,” he says. “There’s a great deal of satisfaction in producing something that is useful and beautiful.”

It’s also a hobby that continues to challenge him. Calculating angles, planning cuts, and figuring out how each piece fits together keeps his mind engaged with every project. As Bob puts it, “Anytime you’re involved in technical things, it keeps your mind going. You’ve got to use it or lose it.”

Residents interested in using either Fleetwood woodshop can sign up and learn more at Main Administration in The Harrison West. Whether you’re an experienced woodworker or simply curious to try something new, another pair of hands is always welcome!

This story was published in the summer edition of CONNECTION, Elim Village’s community newsletter. You can read the full issue here.