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December 24, 2007

What a Career Ought to Be

Justin Katz

"A hobby that got out of hand."

That's what Ron Voake, of Norwich, a Vermonter of the old sort, says regarding his booming business as a wooden toy maker:

Mr. Voake, the owner of Vermont Wooden Toys, has been deluged with orders from customers leery of buying toys made in China after millions of toys manufactured there were recalled this year because they have lead paint.

"Every time there was a story about a toy recall, I got flooded with orders," Mr. Voake said. "This year stacks up as preposterous. I've never had a year like this, and I hope I don't have another one."

Wooden Toy Maker is certainly an option on the table for when I can't do the construction thing anymore. The question is: Do I have to move to Vermont?