When Ed Niespodziani retired from teaching in 2011, he didn’t technically retire.
The 70-year-old Columbus resident needed a creative outlet that would keep him busy and engaged in his community, he says.
“I was looking for something to do, but something I was interested in,” Niespodziani says.
In 2012, Niespodziani approached Mill Race Center with the idea of offering woodworking workshops and ever since he has offered annual week-long opportunities for MRC members to show off their creativity through woodworking.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery
“Every now and again, I will do a workshop where people build a piece of furniture, like a bench,” he says. “Oftentimes, if they don’t finish, we will come over to my house and finish the projects there.”
Dan Mustard, Mill Race Center’s executive director, describes Niespodziani as “a natural-born teacher” with a servant’s heart.
Mustard says there are many times that Niespodziani will be in the woodworking shop sharpening blades and MRC members are none the wiser. It is the little things like that that Niespodziani does for the simple fact that it needs done, Mustard says.
“He is one of those folks who want to serve others, and that is a rare quality,” Mustard says. “To me, the most important aspect is he will do something when he knows there will be no recognition for what he has done and that speaks to his character.”
But, soon after launching the workshops, Niespodziani quickly saw a need in the Columbus community for individuals who needed assistance with odd jobs, small repairs, or special additions to their homes.
“I knew there were people out there who either couldn’t afford it or couldn’t do it themselves,” Niespodziani says. “So, I opted to do that.”
And so in 2013 the Handyman Connection was born.
Niespodziani has most recently teamed up with Mission Columbus, a group of individuals affiliated with the Asbury United Methodist Church, who do similar work in the community.
“We just finished a wheelchair ramp,” he says. “Now, a lot of my time is spent with Mission Columbus, and I still get referrals from Mill Race Center every now and again.”
Also known as the founder of the American Pie concert series, Niespodziani says the passion that drives his work in the community is twofold.
“One, I get to help out those who really need help,” the father of two says. “And, secondly, it’s a creative outlet, like designing wheelchair ramps to fit the specific needs of a person. If they need something built in their home, I’ve creativity options there, too.”
He recalls a deck he and members of Mission Columbus completed for a local woman. She had not been able to spend time in her backyard and the deck allowed her access, he says. He recalls the woman’s reaction when the deck was finished and she was able to come out of her back door for the first time.
“We brought her out and she looked at me and said, ‘This is the first time in nine years that I’ve lived here that I can go out into the backyard,’” he says. “That night she went out on her deck and stayed out there until about midnight, she later told me. It is those kinds of things that make this all worthwhile.”
Niespodziani enjoys working with his hands and says his passion for woodworking goes back to the days when he and his wife, Katie, were first married and expecting. The couple looked around at furniture for their home and found that it was cheaper for him to build what they wanted. And so he did, which opened up a creative path that he continued to pursue over the years.
When he isn’t woodworking or doing handyman jobs, Niespodziani is spending time with friends and family, or hiking, he says.
Roughly five years ago, Niespodziani founded All Who Wander, a hiking group based out of Mill Race Center. The group, which boasts a membership of more than 50 hikers, gathers together monthly to hike Indiana state parks and forests, Niespodziani says.
A few times each year, the group travels out of state, he adds.
“For the past four years, we’ve been hiking the Ice Age Trail in Wisconsin,” he says. “The trail follows the path of the last glacier that came through. It is a 1,000-mile walk and there are 105 sections. We have completed about 22 of those sections.”
Mustard says when it comes to aging Niespodziani is an inspiring example of how to do so mindfully and with spunk.
“Ed, to me, is one of those people who you look at and say, ‘That is the way I want to age and stay active,’” Mustard says. “Even though he retired from teaching, he has never slowed down and has always found ways to stay involved and teach.”
Although Niespodziani has no plans of taking his daily activities down a notch anytime soon, he admits there are moments when he is reminded that he isn’t getting any younger. However, he is determined to continue helping others as long as he is able, he says.
“My philosophy is to do what is good for your society and your surroundings,” he says. “Because this is the only chance you have.”
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”At a glance” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
How to get involved
Those who are interested in volunteering with The Handyman Connection or have questions may contact Niespodziani directly via email at [email protected].
[sc:pullout-text-end]
