Thanks to the efforts of Shelburne resident Eric Morris, the names of Shelburne Community School (SCS) retiring teachers and Principal John Bossange will now be remembered for a very long time. Morris is a custom furniture maker and builds custom homes. Although orders for homes have slowed, the market for custom-made furniture is on the rise.

Morris is a neighbor of Randy Sweeney, the co-chair of the SCS Parent Teacher Organization. Sweeney suggested Morris build a custom bench on which to place the names of this year's and future retiring SCS employees, and Morris was happy to comply.

The walnut bench features engraved brass plaques with the teachers and principal's names. The bench was designed to serve its purpose long into the future with room for many more names and tributes. Morris said it took him merely two days to make the bench. He further explained that it was created without using any screws, an old-fashioned way of making furniture. The wood is hand selected by Morris each time he creates a piece. Morris purchases all of his wood from the Lathrop Lumber Mill in Bristol, a supplier that practices environmentally sensitive methods.

SCS bid farewell to five teachers this year, Karin Clarke, Ann Rainey, Dick Carlson, Cynthia Myers, and Cynthia Shedd, as well as to Principal John Bossange. Collectively these well-loved teachers and principal dedicated more than 100 years of service to teaching and serving young Shelburne minds.

Furniture made from sustainably grown and harvested wood, crafted by a local artisan, and a show of support for the community school and educator- it does not get much better than that. If you see the bench in the hallway at SCS and are interested in having Morris make a piece of furniture for your home, visit his website www.morrisdesignvt.com.