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Show JR Reflections, June 14, 1984, Page 3 Erika Sisneros will pass on are the beautiful creations of their hands. Speaking of the satisfaction which has come to him through the furniture, Willie Sisneros said, "There is always the presence of what is made by you by your own hands. The furniture has been a part of our family. Everybody appreciates it, and everybody has done a little to preserve it and enjoy it. love my family for the good care they have taken of it," he added. The Sisneroses said that for many years they took the furniture for granted. It was just a piece of furniture that we needed to have. We needed a table and chairs, and so made them," Willie said. "I didnt realize that others would look at it with a different perspective. had no idea it was going to be so admired by other people." Mr. Sisneros added that everyone should have something they have made with their own hands and brain. "If you make something like this, it is going to be remembered long after you are gone. You may but a table or a dinette set, but no matter how pretty it is, it is still something you bought. But when you put a little sweat into it, it means more to those who will come after you." The furniture that was made for a humble home in a little town in New Mexico could easily grace the vast halls of a palace. And Willie Sisneros made it I I I This beautiful medicine cabinet has a rope effect carved on its spindles. It is used only for decorative purposes nowadays while a more There was no plumbing in the Sisneroses first home. The elaborately modem built-i- n medicine chest takes care of the carved washstand was made by Mr. Sisneros to hold a basin and pitcher. familys needs. Now it would add charm to any room in the house. with his own hands. the home because each is a unique neros chose the latter. A two year course in wood working personal creation, just as the PUT AN END TO YOUR DAMP BASEMENT! family itself is unique. was the only government sponsored II When World War No longer must you dread the thought ot course offered at the local Northern ended, Willie those messy and costly exterior methods Sisneros at a stopover of his New Mexico Normal School. Willie, who normally used In waterproofing basements! in unit He the had had some experience in measurePhillipines. requested Neither must you feel the dampness and smell the musty mildew or replace carpetduty with the Army of occupation in ment and woodworking jumped at the ing and other valuables damaged by the Germany. And as often happens, his chance to enroll. Intrusion ot water! Why not use your base- OO Jl r Over the meeting with his future bride came merit for what It was designed lor? Call NOW. Oo4"Of period, he furabout nished his home. "I pushed him to through a chain of interesting circumstances. Enroute to returning to make as much as possible," Erika said. his unit in the American zone, he got (He made more than anyone in the lost and missed his train. Instead he The students made one article class.) landed in Frankfurt and was sent to the at a time, and those who finished bezone to help with fore the others would be put to work on communications going to Berlin. other projects for the school. But Willie It was Christmas 1946, and Erika, a was an eager student, often sneaking in Leipzig happened to come student pieces out at night to be carved at home to visit her mother. Thanks to the home. German cooks in his outfit, who told When the course was finished, his him of the pretty young student, Willie career in woodworking came to an end. included a Christmas party in his plans. There was no money with which to buy It proved to be an historic occasion. the necessary machinery or to invest in I Eighteen months later after wading such a business. At the time, knew I through much red tape, they were nothing about loans, he said. married. to had in have the cash thought you But just before the Berlin blockade, hand." Willie as an American soldier, was sent He put all thoughts of a career aside. out of the Russian zone, while Erika TUNE-U- P "We were fighting for our existence," was detained for a month by authoriI he said. "And had to have a steady job ties. "We were lucky," they said of her to support my family." eventual release to the free world. cona 1952 for was he By working But close brushes with the Russians struction company, in a job which he was not a new experience for Erika, did not like. Then a sign posted in the born in Poland to a Polish father and a local post office told of several Army inGerman mother. The family, with the stallations in Utah looking for laborers. ever. of her father, fled Poland as uniquely exception he came Leaving his family behind, the Russian artillery neared their to Tooele and was hired immediately. Regular home. Erika never saw her father He borrowed $50 to bring his family to He was to taken a forced labor Plugs again. a rented apartment in TOD Park. The camp where he eventually died. Her furniture was left in New Mexico behind Resister mother and a sister managed to emiboarded windows and doors until he Plugs grate to Canada. was able to save the $100 it took to NOTHING SPARKS In spite of their Mexican and Polish bring it to Utah. 1 6th LIKE A CHAMPION thru June Prices good heritage, the three Sisneros boys, Although Mr. Sisneros woodcrafting Charlie and Steve were raised Richard, days were past, the furniture he as regular Yankees their parents said. created remained as the focal point of Willie's parents spoke only Although family living. Lovingly cared for by Erika herself spoke five and with Spanish, their Erika, and treated respect by the couple never thought of languages, looks furniture white the children, pine teaching or using any other language as good today as it did when Willie but English. "We regret it now," they course in Sisneros finished his said. woodworking. But part of the heritage Willie and in Each piece holds a special place d .. two-yea- 07 so DECORATIVE PROTECTIVE COATING Russian-occupie- d o BuGl GET A WITH COPPER PLUS SPARK PLUGS. Champions Copper Plus Spark Plugs are designed to perform better than Non-resist- er two-yea- r SB .Jr |