At Springfield High School in Delaware County, the expression they use is, "I'm going to Trout."

The kids all know what it means. It's shorthand for the furniture-making taught by George Trout, who is single-handedly responsible for beautifying the homes of Springfield with more handcrafted furniture than you'd find in a Shaker village.

When his students talk about him, they use words like passionate, caring, inspiring. Declares one admirer: "He's the man!"

He is one of those teachers who teach more than they seem to be teaching. He is one of those teachers you never forget.

Trout is of average height, softening around the middle, fast approaching 45. His hair is buzz-cut, and he wears metal-frame glasses. This is his 23d year teaching at Springfield High, and he estimates that altogether he has helped 3,000 students learn to handle tools and shape wood.
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Students at Nelson's Centre for Fine Woodworking have been getting the rare experience of seeing a world-renowned Japanese woodworker in action.

Tokyo University of Arts lecturer Suda Kenji was selected by the Japanese Cultural Agency to visit New Zealand as a cultural ambassador.

As well as exhibiting his work at Unitec in Auckland, Mr Kenji has spent this week in Nelson speaking and demonstrating aspects of the sashimono style to woodworking students.
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