Cove Veteran Handcrafts Sturdy Wooden Canes

A resident of the Cove, Fred Gutshall, 76, often receives compliments on the handcrafted canes he uses in public.

“They ask where did you buy it — and I say I made it,” he said. “They are just amazed.”

Canes like the one he uses are personally made using materials he finds in the woods, and can take up to two years to finish just one.

Gutshall files the wood to take out the notches and create a smooth surface for each cane.

“It takes a lot of work,” he said.

The hobby was inspired by a friend a decade ago, who also crafts and sells similar canes. Gutshall decided to create wooden canes for him...