Social studies teacher Mr. Benard is anything but ordinary.

Now in his 18th year of teaching, Mr. Benard enjoys an interesting and unique hobby: whittling.

Mr. Benard’s interest in whittling began when he was hiking with his wife and needed a hiking stick so he took his knife and scraped on the end of the wood until he had a point.

That’s when his passion for artsy wood-working began.

Over the years, Mr. Benard has carved a multitude of figurines, but there is one that is his favorite.

“I carved a small heart for my daughter, and it was very special,” said Mr. Benard, a Keene State graduate.

Whittling wood is not without its challenges, however. All the experience comes with its share of pain and injuries.

Mr. Benard said that one time when he was in Mr. Ricard’s woodshop, he cut himself and had to go to the emergency room. He said that Mr. Ricard threatened to fix it with electrical tape the next time.

Mr. Benard came back into the school with a finger cast. While he sliced open his finger he didn’t want to miss a full day of work.

Students also share Mr. Benard’s hobby in their free time, as well as the pain.

Senior Anna Nichols was whittling with Mr. Benard when she sliced the tendon in her thumb. “You should pay my medical bills,” she told me, joking.

Mr. Benard is also generous with his whittling. Last year, I had him for Economics class, and he graciously whittled a foot at my request.

I still have it today. And Mr. Benard, he’s still whittling.