Harry Urban wearing a full-face protective respirator with filters for woodworking, seated indoors with framed photographs behind him.

Harry Urban – Creativity Through Woodworking – Oct 2, 14

Harry Urban, living with Alzheimer’s disease, continues to find satisfaction and purpose through creative projects.

In these two October posts, he shares the process of making redwood Christmas candleholders for Hazel—from the first pieces shaped on his lathe to the beautifully finished decorations.

His photographs offer a glimpse of the work itself, while his words remind us that creativity, practical skills, and the pleasure of making something for someone we love can remain meaningful parts of life with dementia.

Harry Urban wearing a full-face protective respirator with filters for woodworking, seated indoors with framed photographs behind him.
Harry Urban wearing his new woodworking respirator, October 2, 2026. Photo shared by Harry.

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02Oct2026

Today I started to turn the Christmas candle holders that Hazel wanted for the windows. She told me I only have to make 20 but first I had to get a new woodturning respirator. That thing is so big and makes me look like atom ant

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Three unfinished wooden Christmas candleholders turned by Harry Urban, standing on a woodworking saw in his workshop.
The beginnings of Harry Urban’s handmade Christmas candleholders for Hazel, October 2, 2026.

14Oct2026

Here are some of the Christmas candles I turned out of redwood. I just finished the first coat of polyurethane then I will give them a light sanding and then give them another coat. Maybe a ribbon will finish them off.. I think my goal is around 25 to make.

Four handmade redwood Christmas candleholders by Harry Urban, decorated with greenery and small pink flowers, each holding a candle-shaped electric light.
Harry Urban’s handmade redwood Christmas candleholders for Hazel, decorated and nearing completion, October 14, 2026.

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These reflections were originally shared by Harry Urban on Facebook in October 2026. They are preserved here as part of the Dementia Symptom Perspectives collection, honoring the voices and lived experiences of people with dementia.

Harry’s original words have been retained.

Harry’s index page is at .https://truthfulkindness.com/index-persons-with-dementia-pwd/harry-urban/.. .

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* Library Notes — This page is part of the Library – Voices of People Living with Dementia at TruthfulKindness.com. It has been prepared by Truthful Loving Kindness (Truthful Kindness) to help preserve pathways to the writings and lived experiences of people living with dementia. * Unless otherwise indicated, the words above are those of the original author. Copyright remains with the respective author or their estate. My introductory comments and editorial notes are Copyright © Truthful L. Kindness, 18Oct2026 (w/1hr invested). * If you have comments about my page, please use the comment section below. Questions regarding the original author or original publication should be directed to the original source whenever possible. * Nothing in this page is intended as medical or legal advice. The purpose of this library is educational: to help preserve, organize, and share the lived experiences of people living with dementia. * .  *** …  If there are advertisements on this page, I have no control over what is shown. 

*** tags: abilities, alzheimers, arts and dementia, craft, creativity, dementia, Harry Urban, hobbies, person living with dementia, PLwD, purpose, woodworking. ******* Add to Pgs/Harry’s index, S&S Categ: activities, hobbies, purpose.

short summary: Through his woodworking, Harry Urban demonstrates that creativity, purpose, and the satisfaction of making something for others can continue while living with Alzheimer’s disease. His handmade Christmas candleholders offer a glimpse of continuing abilities, personal accomplishment, and the joy of creating something meaningful.

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