NL_091318

newlenoxpatriot.com LIFE & ARTS
the New Lenox Patriot | September 13, 2018 | 21
Craftsman creates decor using wood and metal
Megan Schuller
Freelance Reporter
For more information,
or to see more of
ronders’ work, contact:
Email: Rdyrcz@gmail.
com
Phone: (815) 350-4561
Website: www.Ronders.
com
Instagram: @
Rondersdotcom
Blue sparks illuminated the
workshop of local craftsman
Ron Dyrcz as he welded two
pieces of metal together for a
project. The bright reflection
of the weld flickered on the
front shield of his welding
helmet and faded to black
once the metal was joined.
He reclaims discarded
lumber and scrap metal, giving
new life to the supplies as
furniture pieces.
What started as a hobby
for the 27-year-old New
Lenox native quickly became
a full-time job five years ago.
Ron works out of his garage,
where the idea first came to
him to make furniture after
a tree had to be cut down
from his yard. The tree was
planted by his mother and
grandparents, so he decided
to make a bench out of it to
have as a keepsake.
“I planted that tree with my
mom when it was about this
tall,” Ron’s mother Kris Dyrcz
said, as she held her fingers
about five-inches apart.
“It was a $1 tree from Johnson’s
Nursery. He made me a
bench out of it and I love it.
Even if the tree is diseased
or has bugs, he can turn it
into a functional work of art
that preserves the natural essence
of the tree.
“People see it [discarded
lumber] as garbage and I
wanted to change that,” Ron
said. “Honestly that’s the
main thing that drives me:
being able to make something
out of what other people
would see as nothing.”
Ron said that the need to
use diseased or bug ridden
trees is vital now more than
ever as some trees species,
like the ash tree, are becoming
endangered.
The ash tree is on the brink
of extinction due to the emerald
ash borer beetle. According
to the International Union
for Conservation of Nature,
tens of millions of trees in
the U.S. and Canada have
already died, and the numbers
may eventually reach
more than 8 billion. Other
bugs, like the twig beetle, are
killing the walnut trees. The
trees are often cut down and
turned into mulch, but Ron
sees the more potential in the
discarded wood.
“These trees need to be
preserved,” Dyrcz said.
Everything he makes is
custom and made to order.
Tables, benches and Murphy
beds are popular requests he
has had.
According to Ron, his
workshop is “where the magic
happens.” He does metal
working on the right side of
his garage and wood working
on the left side. His most recent
piece is a table using the
stump and root of a pine tree.
“This is my favorite thing
to do,” Ron said as he pointed
to a completed table inside
his home. “I take a straight up
slab and add metal legs and
metal on the sides. I welded
behind the metal plate because
I wanted it to flow into
the wood.”
Ron said that his style of
craftsmanship showcases the
wood in a way that is functional
yet artistic.
“I love welding and metalworking,
but I love woodworking,
too,” Ron said. “
I love a combination of the
two. I’ve done a little more
modern industrial than real
heavy industrial pieces. I
like metal glass and wood,
they’re all natural elements.”
Ron does not like to be
labeled as a welder or woodworker
because he said it
constrains his talent since the
work he does combines the
two skill sets.
“I always say I am a maker,”
Dyrcz said.
He is working on developing
a product line of items he
can produce more regularly.
Ron also plans to make connections
in the city with designers
and interior design
groups that stage properties.
“I always say if you put
your butt or your elbows on
it, I make it,” Rob said with a
smile as he looked at the root
table he’s working on. “Bed,
table, coffee table, benches,
rocker, I make it all.”
Pictured is one of many projects he has completed.
Pictured is another one of his completed projects.
New Lenox native Ron Dyrcz sets aside long pieces of pine and cherry trees so they can
dry out for one of his woodworking projects. Photos by Megan Schuller/22nd Century Media
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that at the General Election to be held on
Tuesday, November 6, 2018, the following proposition will be submitted to the
voters of the New Lenox Fire Protection District, Will County, Illinois:
Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation
Law for the New Lenox Fire Protection District, Will County, Illinois,
be increased by an additional amount equal to 0.2021% above the
limiting rate for the purpose of fire protection and ambulance service
for levy year 2017 and be equal to 0.59% of the equalized assessed
value of the taxable property therein for levy years 2018, 2019, 2020
and 2021?
(1) The approximate amount of taxes extendable at the most recent
extended limiting rate is $4,934,882.40, and the approximate
amount of taxes extendable if the proposition is approved is
$7,506,008.30.
(2) For the 2018 levy year, the approximate amount of the additional
tax extendable against property containing a single family
residence and having a fair market value of $100,000 is
estimated to be $67.37.
(3) Based upon an average annual percentage increase in the
market value of such property at 1.7073%, the approximate
amount of the additional tax extendable against such property for
the 2019 levy year is estimated to be $68.52, for the 2020 levy
year is estimated to be $69.69, and for the 2021 levy year is
estimated to be $70.88.
(4) If the proposition is approved, the aggregate extension for 2018,
2019, 2020, and 2021 will be determined by the limiting rate set
forth in the proposition, rather than the otherwise applicable
limiting rate calculated under the provisions of the Property Tax
Extension Limitation Law (commonly known as the Property Tax
Cap Law).
The polls will be open at 6:00 a.m. and continue to be open until 7:00 p.m.
on that day.
Dated this 7 th day of September, 2018.
NANCY SCHULTZ VOOTS,
WILL COUNTY CLERK
Will County Clerkʼs Office 302 N. Chicago Street, Joliet (815) 740-4616 www.thewillcountyclerk.com