Upper Lake >> Ron Raetz is committed to the children of Upper Lake. The retired teacher, school board member, football coach and woodworker recently donated his time, supplies and expertise to Arden Hyatt’s kindergarten class at Upper Lake Elementary when he crafted 26 weaving looms for the students.
Hyatt’s class had been using makeshift looms made of cardboard with notches cut into the sides. They were less than ideal. So Hyatt turned to Raetz, who didn’t hesitate to craft the wooden looms himself — free of charge, of course.
“She had a need and I could help her with it, so I did,” Raetz said.
It took him only a few hours to construct all 26 looms, which included attaching nails and adding a coat of paint to each. Now Hyatt’s students will have the opportunity to weave with ease for years to come, an act which is beneficial for a student’s manual dexterity. “It really helps with their hand-eye coordination and their fine motor skills,” Hyatt explained.
It’s not the first time Raetz has willingly given to the students of Upper Lake. Eight years ago, with the help of the booster club, he spearheaded Lights of Love, a project to obtain lights for the Upper Lake High School football field.
Just after daylight savings time fell back, Raetz attended a soccer game at the school. As the girls took to the grass, the sky grew darker and darker. While the athletes played on and shadows blanketed the field, one parent stated the obvious: the players needed lights.
“Upper Lake is the only school in Lake County that doesn’t have lights on the football field,” he pointed out.
To raise money, Raetz took up woodworking. Though he’d always been interested in the craft and had plans to become a wood shop instructor — he majored in Industrial Arts at Chico State — a knack for cars granted him the job of auto mechanic teacher at Upper Lake High School. He spent 20 years in the position before his retirement in 2000. Raetz dabbled in woodwork on the side, but didn’t immerse himself in it until Lights of Love, when he realized he could make a decent sum off his creations.
It’s not only about turning a profit, though. Raetz loves to work with wood. It allows him to shut off his mind and relax. And it’s a highly rewarding activity. “It’s kind of like, almost instant gratification,” he explained. “I can do it and I can have it done in a few hours or a few minutes.”
Witnessing others enjoy his work is also part of the appeal. “Most of the stuff I make people use it. I made a lot of really nice cutting boards that people have in their kitchens,” Raetz said. “It makes you feel good when you put something together and you know someone is going to appreciate it.”
He estimates his work brings in roughly $2,500 to $3,000. He sells bowls, cutting boards, breadboards and other items at the Lake County Wine Studio and Judy’s Junction, both in Upper Lake. And while Raetz doesn’t work from plans, rarely making an item the exact same way more than once, there’s a certain children’s rocking chair that he’s crafted six times now, it’s so popular. He currently has three more orders for the chair.
Raetz’s earnings from this work go entirely toward Lights of Love. In eight years he and the booster club have managed to raise $120,000 for the endeavor. Though he thinks they may come up shy of the funds needed after paying for an architect, poles and the lights themselves, Raetz hopes their installation will begin this summer.
Students aren’t the only ones profiting from Raetz’s generosity. Just before the holidays, Hyatt revealed that Raetz’ declined his benefits as a school board member and donated them back to the school district, all so the teachers could have a Christmas party at Running Creek Casino.
“He’s been doing all of this stuff out of the goodness of his heart,” Hyatt said.
Ever humble, Raetz insists he simply likes to keep busy. For nine years he acted as Chairman of Westside Community Park in Lakeport where he helped with the baseball field installation. In years past, he’s also served as President of the Konocti Youth Soccer League. At 76-years-old, his efforts are all the more impressive.
“Basically if someone needs help and I can do it I’ll do it,” he said. “It’s about what the kids need.”
Raetz is just one individual who deserves recognition for their efforts to Upper Lake students, Hyatt said. For the last ten years, retired teacher Rindie Bridges offers her assistance once a week in Hyatt’s kindergarten classroom. She’s currently helping the students weave — using Raetz’s looms — and regularly plays games and reads with the children.
“They’re good people,” Hyatt said. “This kind of people that really make the difference in schools.”
Jennifer Gruenke can be reached at 900-2019.
