Comments on: Norm Abram Closes Up Shop

By: Richard Scott

Richard Scott — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 21:13:31 +0000

So Sad. The Fireplace Surround, Bedroom Nook, Glass Cabinet for my mother’s teacup collection all inspired by the NYW. He is an inspiration to us all

By: shadyb

shadyb — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:45:25 +0000

I`ve always been a big PBS fan, was raised on these type of channels. When I left home many moons ago and moved to a place far far away, the one constant in my life was that I could still watch PBS on Saturdays. How many of us have learned that life is about the doing, not just sitting on the sidelines through this wonderful medium! I watched all the greats, Roy Underhill, Bob Ross, Bob Villa and his scruffy sidekick Norm. He introduced Norm to the world as the "Master Carpenter" on the jobsite on that first episode, and the world was changed forever..

Since then life has progressed, life has brought so many changes over the years, but I still have that constant to hold onto. Through good times and bad, Norm has always been there, always a cherry smile and a new project every Saturday afternoon! Even though many were re-runs, I still watched as if for the first time, always learning something new, something I hadn`t noticed or missed on the last viewing.

So, for the end of an era, I thank you Norm, for always being there. Goodbye for now Master Carpenter, hope we`ll meet again either on the airwaves or in cyberspace…

By: Nick Nicoll

Nick Nicoll — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:58:44 +0000

I have been a fan of the show since it started and a fan of Norm since I first saw him on TOH way back in the late 70′s early 80′s. When I got out of the service in 1980 I was inspired to be like Norm. I went into contracting and made it my mission to be the best contractor I could be (just like Norm). When I decided to start my furniture business my inspiration to make the highest quality furniture also came from the teachings of Norm (I have your picture hanging above my workbench). Many thanks for all the inspiration and teaching through the years. I will miss having new episodes to watch, but I hope through syndication I will be able to continue to watch and learn, Thanks Norm.

Nick Nicoll
Hawk & Thistle Custom Furniture
hawkandthistle.com

By: richard armstrong

richard armstrong — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:47:26 +0000

its a shame but norm deserves to try new things anyway the wife must be putting presure on him to fix his own house, LOL,

and for the workshop, turn it into a school or hand it over to a local public to use as a comunity workshop, after all if you leave the tools to rust it would be a shame,

all the best norm

richard armstrong (UK fan)

By: Tom Lagreca

Tom Lagreca — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:35:26 +0000

NORM,
Sorry to see you go. Hope you’ll come back. You were my inspiration to get into woodworking. You will be greatly missed.

By: Dennis Vertrees

Dennis Vertrees — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:53:33 +0000

Norm has been an inspiration to me all my teen years and into adulthood. I am 46 and started watching him with my Father when This Old House started and then on The New Yankee Workshop. He kept the spark alive that I got in high school shop and taught many young people that working with your hands can be much more rewarding than video games or watching tv all day. The projects I have made with Norms inspiration and teaching will grace my home and many others for years to come. Dads been gone since 1997 but Norm will live on for generations to come.
Thanks old friend, enjoy your time off, You Deserve It. Dennis

By: Nick

Nick — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 08:22:42 +0000

Wow, I really hat to see the show go and wish Norm luck in his semi-retirement. I still look forward to learning from him on TOH. And yes, I would most certainly visit the Smithsonian if only to see Norm’s shop.

By: Dave Anthony

Dave Anthony — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 16:08:14 +0000

Thank you Norm for 20+ years of teaching! I’ll miss your down to earth style. I know you’ll never really leave the shop… even if it’s in the Smithsonian. You are an American Icon. Enjoy your semi retirement with your family and friends.

By: Scott Lewis

Scott Lewis — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:33:22 +0000

The show will be missed here as well but I’m not sad. I’m happy for Norm. After that many years offering us useful and interesting programming he deserves a break.

I guess if there’s no show to watch we should all go spend more time in the shop. Maybe bring along the video camera too. Perhaps the next phase of The New Yankee Workshop will be a participative web site where Norm has an occasional new project but lots of us share projects too.

Mine will feature routing done on the router table I built from Norm’s plans when I finally got off the couch and followed the inspiration he provided.

Thanks Norm.

By: Dave Migneron

Dave Migneron — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:31:29 +0000

Like everybody I looked forward to watching TNYW every Saturday and it won’t be the same now.I have learned so much from you over the years.Thanks Norm

Best Wishes

Dave Migneron