Tom (Thomas) Lide is a writer and craftsman who made his living in corporate communications before retiring in 2020.

He has published a novel (available on Amazon), written a monthly newspaper column, “The Great Outdoors,” and built furniture (more than 20 years) and other woodworking projects since childhood. He credits his father for teaching him early on to not fear taking on various hands-on projects. 

“My Dad often said when referring to car or home repair needs, ‘You can do it yourself, or pay someone to do it and then do it yourself.’ He taught us to use our skills or to develop new ones when necessary, and that impacted my life more than I can express.”