Newspapers / Olin Profile (Brevard, N.C.) / Sept. 1, 1983, edition 1 / Page 6
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Olin Miller Home Place To Warp And Woof It Up Ten years ago Barbara Miller took her first weaving lesson. Today she is famous for her reproductions of au thentic Appalachian weaving. With an assist from her husband, Bob, a film casting technician at Pisgah Forest, she operates a full-time weaving business from their home. “To me the process of taking thread and turning it into cloth is magical,” explains Barbara. “Weaving is also a very methodical process. You plan each project very carefully and you must carry out your plan in a very orderly way. Once you start weaving the project you are using your mind, arms, hands, legs and feet and you find that time flies by.” Bob has built a large studio onto Ask Us Don Haehnel Tuck Tanner In each PROFILE Tuck and Don from TREND Occupational Counsel ing Service will answer your questions about the Olin Employee Assistance Program. If you have a question write: EAP COUNSELOR, 318-A Fourth Avenue, Hendersonville, N.C. 28739 Birth Of A Quality Circle Why do Olin employees join Quality Circles? “I thought I could help out on jobs that were giving us trouble,” answers Joel Hamilton, a pipefitter in film maintenance.” We know the problems better than anyone else and should be able to work together to get the best solutions.” “I saw the successes the other Cir cles seemed to be having and decid ed to see what it was all about.” says Rusty Reece, carpenter. “I’ve learned a lot about our operation so far and I’ve seen how a democratic group can get things done.” “I knew where a lot of improve ments could be made,” adds Earl Powell, mechanical technician. “We're technically a very diverse group, but we all can get together on finding solutions.” “We are most familiar with persist ent problems and possible solutions.” comments Phil Connor, maintenance supervisor. “We are the best place to find cost effective answers.” Bob and Barbara Miller demonstrate a warping mill Bob made for his wife’s weaving studio, which he also built. Barbara Miller displays one of her wall hangings which uses an old Scotch-Irish pattern called Wig Rose. their home that lets in plenty of natural light. Barbara has five looms set up with different projects in pro cess. She finds it more interesting and less physical strain to work on a variety of projects. Dear Tuck and Don: My family has a alcohol problem— my dad. I’m married and have a family of my own and things are great until we go to my folk’s house. My dad has always drunk, but I never really considered it a problem until I was grown and all us kids left home. It doesn’t matter what time of day we go there, he’s already tipsy and by midday he’s smashed and starts get ting hard to get along with. It’s gotten so we dread family get togethers, because it always turns into a fuss. Momma and I have talked and she says he knocks her around when he gets real bad, but she won’t do anything and everyone is afraid to approach Daddy. Is there any way we can make him get some help? Dear Afraid: The only way you can make him get some help is by way of legal commit ¬ These comments are from members of one of our newest Quality Circles. It is a mechanical group made up of millwrights, pipefitters, machinists and carpenters working in the Pisgah Forest film plant. The Circle leader is Phil Connor, maintenance supervisor. “Some of us wanted to start a Cir cle for some time,” explained Phil. “We felt a group effort would make a difference in getting our ideas to management. Management listens better when 10 people agree on a problem and on a solution.” A meeting was held with all film maintenance people to introduce the Quality Circle idea and invite partici pation. In almost no time there were nine volunteers. The first meetings concentrated on learning how to brainstorm a problem and come up with a solution, not just talk. After eight meetings the Circle was ready to make its first presentation to management to seek approval and funds for a plan to solve a time con suming problem. Her fame has lead to a number of commissioned projects. Philip Morris Corporation is hanging a 10 x 22 foot woven mural in a new research and development building. The hanging is made up of 223 individual patterns ment to treatment. This is only possi ble if the person by reason of their behavior is considered to be an eminent danger to himself or others. You would then go to a magistrate and file a petition. If the magistrate sees “just cause,” he or she will order the individual to be picked up, examined by a physician and if a determination is made as to “eminent danger” the individual will be commit ted to inpatient or outpatient treat ment. The other action available to you or especially your mother, would be to take legal action when he be comes violent. Both of these actions are pretty drastic, but may be neces sary if all else fails. You might begin by becoming informed. The family needs to learn as much as it can about alcoholism. It’s great that you’re involved and concerned, but that’s not enough. Your family (includ- Damage to threads on shaft ends required three hours to repair the threads and change the bearings. Without the thread damage it was a 30 minute job to change bearings. The Circle solution involved bring ing all shafts to a standard length and then installing new cone spacers which will prevent thread damage. The projected savings will be over $6,000 per year. and 67 different colors and required 289 treadle variations on her looms. Dinner guest at the Governor’s West ern Carolina Residence can enjoy table linens made by Barbara and the vestments at a local Catholic church are her craftsmanship. Barbara’s work includes constant research on old American textiles. Besides using books and publica tions, she looks through a lot of closets and studies old fabric brought to her. Her work is being recognized in many ways. She discussed her craft on public television in September. She is library chairman of the Hand- weavers Guild of America and on the board of trustees of the Southern Highlands Handicraft Guild. Barbara can frequently be seen demonstrating weaving at Guild centers. She travels widely to teach and has 17 looms for teaching purposes. She has a waiting list of students. This winter she plans to travel less and teach from her home. O ing your mother) can either be a moti vator in your father’s recovery or a facililtator to his illness. I’d suggest you take two routes to becoming motivators. First, there is your mental health center where professional staff can help you develop an affirmative action plan of how to understand and possibly help your father see what he’s doing to himself as well as to his family. Next I’d urge you and the rest of the family (especially your mother) to become involved in your local Al- Anon group. This self-help group serves an important function in help ing those with friends or relatives that are alcoholic to get in control of their lives and not count on the alcoholic for their sanity and serenity. Through your action you may or may not be able to help your alcoholic father, but you will surely be able to help those who suffer with him. Good luck. O Film maintenance Quality Circle prepares to present solution to winding shaft prob lem. Left to right seated: Phil Connor, Earl Powell and Rusty Reece. Standing: C.D. Fletcher, Joel Hamilton and Eddie Ashe. Not available for photo: Bruce Smith, Doug Jarrett and Paul Shatley. With their first problem solved this new Quality Circle is already applying their experience and expertise to find ing other practical solutions. O People On The Move 9 Promotions Wanda Ann Gilbert has been employed as an engineer in the technical department. Gil bert received her Bachelor degree in the chemical engi neering cooperative program from Georgia Institute of Technology. Timothy D. Beever has been appointed assistant manager, industrial relations. Beever joined the Olin Works in 1979 as personnel supervisor and held that position until his promotion to Pisgah Forest. Valeria C. Gardin has been promoted to sales representa tive, specialty products. Gar din joined Olin in 1978 and was regional sales represen tative for film in Chicago. Doran Zane Morgan has been employed as an engineer in the technical department. He received a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from Kansas State University and was the recipient of five scholarships while in college.
Olin Profile (Brevard, N.C.)
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Sept. 1, 1983, edition 1
6
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