Falls’ Van Wyk gets trashy for Merit Award
by Verla Peichl
Review Correspondent
SHEBOYGAN FALLS – Noah Van Wyk, age 13, of Sheboygan Falls is the son of Jeff and Nancy Van Wyk. He has been a member of the Ourtown Orioles 4-H Club for two years and his garbage can cabinet, which was entered in the woodworking category, has won him a Merit Award at the Sheboygan County Fair.
“I got the idea from my mom because she has wanted one, and my uncle had bought one so we had the design and built one from scratch,” Van Wyk said.
“I did get help from my dad, who is our woodworking leader,” Van Wyk added.
The cabinet is made out of oak. It has been stained and varnished and it’s very solid and stable. The door pulls open to reveal a full-sized trash container.
“The top is four boards and edge glued, and I used a biscuit cutter to cut grooves and put in the biscuits to make it stronger and glued them with wood glue,” Van Wyk explained.
“That makes the top stronger and will ensure it not to break,” Van Wyk said.
“The hinges are on the bottom of the door and are hidden,” Van Wyk continued, “and it has a magnetic catch and square stoppers so it doesn’t fall to the floor when opened.
“I helped cut out the pieces, but I sanded – a lot,” Van Wyk pointed out. “Then I stained it and let it dry, varnished it, and sanded a little again. There are three coats of varnish on it.
“I’m happy with how it turned out, and I’m excited to get a Merit and be able to bring it to the fair,” Van Wyk said.
“My mom can use this, but I’m not taking orders,” Van Wyk noted. “This is one of a kind.
“The judge really liked it and that it was smooth,” said Van Wyk, “and that it had the same quality on the front and the back and that it was stained and varnished nice.
“I learned a lot about doing different ways on the top,” Van Wyk said.
