Local Craftsman To Receive National Attention

By Mike Scott

“I’m not really an artist or anything .  I really like doing the outdoor stuff,” said Kent Spory of Wayland.
A bench made by Spory was recently selected as a winner in Browning “Show Us Your Buckmark” contest.  Spory and his bench will appear in Browning advertisements in a number of magazines, probably next spring or summer.  In addition, Spory will relieve a Browning rifle as a prize.
It was Spory’s second attempt at the contest.  Several years ago he entered a swing in the competition.
This year’s entry is a bench made of southern yellow pine.  The Browning name and “Buckmark” are cut into the bench’s back with a router.  The back slats feature cutouts of various guns in the Browning catalog.
“We copied the guns from the catalog, and laid them out on the wood.  Then I had to find the center of each gun, and cut each out on the scroll saw.  Each of the 10 guns in the back  of the bench took over 40 minutes to cut.
The entire bench is finished in a red, white, and blue stained color scheme.
Spory has made benches and swings for a number of years, and has taken his work to a number of shows, and met people from around the world.
Locally, Spory is well-known for his generosity.  In the past, he has made several patio sets used as fund raisers for th CCR-1  band.  He is currently working on one for the CCR-1 FFA chapter.  His prize winning bench will be donated to the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action.
“I’m very proud of him,” said is wife, Sharon, who is often called into service helping Kent in the shop. 
“It just show’s what a little ‘ole fellow from Missouri can do,” Spory said.
“I really want to thank everybody that went to the Browning website and voted for me,” added Spory.