MT. JULIET, Tenn. (WTVF) — Middle Tennessee has been hit with a one-two punch these last two months -- starting with the tornadoes that ripped through middle Tennessee, followed by the COVID-19 pandemic right after.
But in the midst of these hard times, a Wilson County man who took up woodworking two years ago is helping transform heartbreak into hope.
As the tornadoes tore through town last month, they destroyed many trees -- some dozens of years old, large enough to be in the backdrop of many family memories.
Bruce Humphrey has been hard at work at the lathe in his garage, bringing a new life to those destroyed trees -- spinning sections of them into wooden bowls to give to the tree owners as keepsakes.
"I'm quite happy to make something memorable for them," said Bruce Humphrey, who is a sales manager in his day job. "It's a hobby for me, it's not a business."
Each bowl he makes from a damaged tree has a turnaround time of four to six weeks. If you or someone you know has a damaged tree that you'd like Humphrey to turn into a keepsake wooden bowl, you can email bruce@riverviewwood.com.
What is the rebound?
As Middle Tennessee works to rebound from the impact of the Coronavirus, we want to help. Whether it's getting back to work, making ends meet during this uncertain time, or managing the pressure, we're committed to finding solution. In addition, we want to tell your stories of hope, inspiration, and creativity as Middle Tennessee starts to rebound.
Find more in the sections below
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Safely Back to School
How schools are changing, and what you can do to help your child get the most from their education, in-person or virtual -
Making Ends Meet
Find help on topics from rent to food to new belt-tightening techniques -
Managing the Pressure
Feeling isolated or frustrated? Learn ways to connect with people virtually, get counseling or manage your stress. -
Doing What’s Right
Keep track of the way people are spending your tax dollars and treating your community. -
State of Education
Find ways to cope with the new normal around schools and celebrate students’ success in the age of Coronavirus. -
We're Open Y'all
Support local businesses doing their best to stay open and serve their customers during Covid.
