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photo by Cheryl White Steve Bliss pictured with his Blissful Creations

photo by Cheryl White

photo by Cheryl White

photo by Cheryl White

photo by Cheryl White

Tuesday December 9, 2014

By Cheryl White

Every once in a while as we go through life, we meet someone who leaves a lasting impression. Steve Bliss is one of those people. Soft spoken with a great sense of humor, this man is a  true craftsman when it comes to woodworking. His mother taught wood carving during the war years-- hence the interest in woodworking.     In the basement of his Middlebury home which serves as his workshop, he transforms pieces of wood which he buys locally,  into almost anything you can imagine. Tables, dressers, cabinets,  clocks, lawn ornaments, even a youth desk in the shape of a turtle.
   “Don’t see what you like or want,” says Steve I can make it for  you. How much will it cost? you ask. He replies with a grin, “got  to buy the materials, plus a little for my labor, the price will be  right, either unfinished or a little  more if I finish it.”
   Steve grew up on the family farm in Morrisville, graduated from  People’s Academy in 1956 and along with his brother, worked the  farm until “Uncle Sam” came calling in 1958. He joined the Army  and did a 3 year hitch serving in the states and Germany, being  honorably discharged in 1961. During that time he had the  opportunity to visit several European countries, England, France,  Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands. Steve related some his Army experiences during the time he served -- very interesting.
   In 1964 , he enrolled in the Ranger School in Wanakena, N.Y. a program that teaches land surveying and forestry. This was a very intense course and it reminded him of the military when he was on active duty. At that time it was an 11 month course where you learned from  books, but a lot of the training was hands on. Steve liked that part best.
   This program today is known as The College of Environmental Science and Forestry. which is part of the State University of New York (SUNY). After completing the course and receiving his certificate, it was back to Vermont. He worked for a private contractor, then CVPS as a surveyor re-routing the power lines.  When they shipped him off to St. Albans he was not a happy  camper. He would leave on Monday and did not return  home  until Friday.  this didn’t work for Steve because his girlfriend,  Marilyn, was  a nurse at the Rutland Hospital.
   They were married on May 1, 1965. Steve and Marilyn raised two sons and now have two grandsons. When we were there talking with Steve he introduced us to one of his grandsons, Tanner, who also shares his grandfather’s interest in woodworking.   Steve worked as an independent surveyor for a period of time. During that time he was hired by the Town of Arlington to create a survey map of the town. This was no small project but it offered a perfect time to use his skills learned at the Ranger School.
  In the summer of 1968 Steve took a 6 week course at UVM to become a certified driver training instructor, a position which he held for several years. Both full time and later part time through the 1970’s.
   In 1980 he took a job as a substitute mail carrier in the Arlington area. He jokingly remarks that he got alot more work in bad weather. It seems that the regular route carriers would develop some sort of illness which was weather related.  
   Moving onto 1985,he was appointed a full time mail carrier and eventually ended up with a route that covered the towns of Salisbury and Leicester. He enjoyed the
 interaction with the people on his route and would always go the extra mile to accommodate the special needs and requests. It was interesting to hear him relate his experiences as a mail carrier. He retired from his postal job in 1999.  Steve in addition to his woodworking ability is a very good story  teller. He is able to recall many interesting events that took place throughout his lifetime.  This was definitely a fun experience for the Valley Voice getting to know Steve Bliss.
   For the last 14 years or so he has pursued his love for woodworking, operating under the name of “Blissful Creations” He extends an  invitation to anyone to call him  at 388-2634 or email [email protected]

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