Dawne Olson stands in her shop beside a wooden kayak she built herself. Hanging on the wall behind her is a wooden canoe, her first big project, and in the canoe are her handmade snowshoes. (Photo by David Lias) Olson And Her Four Winds Boat Shop Provide Connection with Nature While on a camping trip in Ontario, Canada not too long ago, Dawne Olson dared herself to try something new. What the rural Vermillion woman didn’t realize at the time is that accepting that dare would have a life-changing, redemptive outcome, and lead to the creation of Four Winds Boat Shop and Woodcraft. Four Winds is headquartered in the former Saginaw Country School building that’s been relocated to the farm where Dawne and her husband, Matt, live northeast of Vermillion. The old building, which once served as a tractor shed and was in Join Our Indoor Cycling Classes disrepair – its floor had nearly rotted away – has been restored, and is once again a place of learning. Four Winds came about after Dawne decided to challenge herself to do something that many would find overwhelming. She decided to build her own canoe. Out of wood. “I didn’t really have a goal to start woodworking; I just love the outdoors and especially canoeing. I’ve been doing canoe trips for about 10 years, and I ran across a boat building shop in Ontario one year while I was canoeing up there,” she said. “I had never thought it was possible to build a canoe, really, until 18 Sessions Over 6 Weeks January 16th through February 24th $135 (limited enrollment) Times to be determined Guaranteed to burn off some of those holiday calories!! Call 260-5003 Morgen Square 16vHERVOICEvJANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 605.260.5003