Step back in time

By Wayne Laepple
The Daily Item

June 13, 2008 06:30 am

— MILTON -- A Milton man's hobby will be a featured exhibit in the Milton Historical Society's Cameron House during the annual strawberry festival and garage sale Saturday.
John W. Kerstetter, who lived in Milton from 1927 until his death in 1941, carved miniatures of a variety of tools and other objects from wood.
According to Deb Owens, of the historical society, 17 of Kerstetter's carvings will be displayed on the first floor of the museum during the open house.
"Most of the pieces are identifiable, but we do have four mystery pieces," Owens said. "We just have no guess what they might be."
Kerstetter, who was born in 1883 and raised in Richfield, was a blacksmith by trade. After the advent of the automobile, the need for his skills diminished, and he went to work at Standard Steel in Burnham, near Lewistown. In 1927, he moved to Milton, where he worked for Milton Manufacturing and ACF.
Owens said the hand-carved tools are owned by a relative of Kerstetter's who lives in Georgia. They are on loan to the historical society.
A number of recent acquisitions by the museum will be displayed in the upstairs gallery, Owens said, including a number of items owned by the late Homer Folk.
The garage sale at the Cameron House runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes a plant and bake sale. Lunch will be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring strawberry shortcake, angelfood cake and strawberry sundaes.
Kimbo Reichley will provide live music in the gazebo from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The festival and sale will be held rain or shine, and there is no admission fee.
The Cameron House is on Route 405 just south of Milton.

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