PERU — Local entrepreneurs offer a surprising diversity of unique products and services for such a small community, from creative storage solutions to a “paint-anything-on-everything” company.
Have you ever wondered what to do with that wasted space under the stairs? Contractor builder Norman DeRoach offers a creative and useful idea — custom-made, under-the-stairs cabinets.
While DeRoach was out of work in 1990, a friend hired him to do some carpentry work. Nearly 30 years later, Norm is still building his custom cabinetry and is booked for his services years in advance.
DeRoach said his stairwell cabinetry work is his hobby. He also enjoys crafting other wooden creations, such as the desk he built for his son’s 16th birthday.
Speaking of woodwork, Glen’s Country Woodcrafts, across from Blaisdell’s Variety in Peru, features a variety of items handcrafted from native Maine pine — jelly cabinets, American doll furniture, folding Adirondack chairs, bird feeders and dozens of other products. One can also find Glen’s wares at most Renys stores in the area. His creations will be displayed in the Manchester Lions Club Home and Garden Show in April.
For artistry in another vein, visit Simple Things, a tiny shop on Greenwood Road. Fran Goodine has a special talent — she can “paint anything on everything.” Any design you can dream up can be artistically presented on literally any surface — even rocks and wood. Not only is Goodine gifted with a paintbrush, she is also creative with a crochet hook and a pair of knitting needles. She offers an assortment of afghans, hats, sweaters, mittens and other items.
For the local-produce aficionado, look no further than the Thurston Family Farm, a unique farm that is part of Community Supported Agriculture. Instead of selling produce the usual way, Jim Thurston offers shares of his locally grown vegetables to the public in advance. The shares allow the farm to receive the necessary funds to produce the vegetables that season, which are divided among the farm’s shareholders. According to Thurston, a full share of produce would feed a family of four for one week. Couples would probably need to only buy a half share.
This past year, the farm had approximately 44 shareholders, an increase from 18 the year before. Farm shares will likely become available for purchase in December.
The Thurston Family Farm is on Dickvale Road in Peru. Jim Thurston may be reached at 357-1329.
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- Builder Norman DeRoach stands beside his under-the-stairs pull out shelves.
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- Norman Deroach created this desk with inlaid woodwork for his son’s 16th birthday.
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