What are they?
The Make-N-Take events are mini gatherings hosted by myself at my house. Originally, I attempted to have them the first Saturday of every-other-month until Halloween. However, lack of attendance (although I have never had an event where noone showed up to participate so that in-and-of-itself I find to be a success) and other obligations have persuaded me to cut back to only a couple per year. As my plans stand for now (April 2008), I have hosted two events earlier this year and I plan on hosting one the last weekend of September: It will be the annual family pumpkin carving Make-N-Take. Official announcements can be found here roughly two months in advance of the next Make-N-Take.

How do they work?
I or previous attendees decide on the prop or props to focus on at the next event. At the event, one or more individuals take the lead, act as the instructor and walk everyone through making their own item to take home with them. The goal is for everyone to be able to take home the prop they made at the event and have a new/better understanding of how to make the prop.

How much do they cost?
There is no admission charge for these events. If the prop being built requires a substantial investment in materials that can easily be purchased at local stores, individuals attending are expected to bring their own supplies or make arrangements with me ahead of time to meet before the event to go shopping (for bulky items like lumber and plywood). If the prop requires special items not normally available at local stores or the supplies required are of limited cost, I will obtain the supplies myself and individuals can simply reimburse me the cost of the supplies used. I am by far the cheapest haunter you will ever find. I have returned a case of duct tape because I found it for $0.50 cheeper a roll at another store. So you can be assured that I will do everything in my power to find the least expensive supplies that are still suitable for the prop when I go shopping.

Can children/young adults attend?
These events are friendly and open in nature with a family-style atmosphere. Children are welcome. HOWEVER, neither I nor my wife are child-care providers - we have our own children to look after. If you choose to bring young children, please understand that these events run for hours and I may not have the facilities to entertain them the entire time. There is a school playground at the end of the block, but it is far enough away that you will not be able to supervise your children as they play and participate in the event at the same time so please plan accordingly.

Young adults are more than welcome to attend. Anyone under the age of 16 that is participating in the event is required to have a parent/guardian present the entire event to supervise their use of tools. I reserve the right to make exceptions - ie members of my extended family or close friends of my children where I know the parents extremely well - ONLY I can make these exceptions and they will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Young adults aged 16 to 17 must have one of their parents meet me the first event they attend. Parents must know that for some props we will use full-sized table saws, rip saws, band saws, planers and routers. The use and dangers of these tools is not to be taken lightly. The last thing I need is anyone being hurt at one of the events. The second-to-last thing I need is an angry parent suing me because their child was hurt.

Last but not least, I make the rules at these events. Parents with children attending, if I correct your child, I am OVERLY cautious with child-safety and I am doing so only to keep them and the others around them safe. If you do not like it, I'm sorry, but it's my house, my responsibility, my rules. People who are injured while working with tools are always in control until the split second it took for them to loose control...