At 82, John Halsey has embraced a new kind of work — one that blends craftsmanship, creativity, and connection to his family’s roots. On his 65-acre farm in Water Mill, where five generations of Halseys have worked the land, he now spends his days in the old workshop turning blocks of local wood into beautifully crafted bowls, pens, and art pieces.
For decades, Halsey and his wife, Evelyn, ran The Milk Pail, a beloved East End market they started in 1969. After passing the business to their daughters, Halsey found it difficult to slow down. A beginner’s woodturning class rekindled his hands-on spirit, and the workshop quickly became his creative sanctuary.
His pieces — made from gingko, oak, locust, and other East End woods — are displayed at the farm and at The Milk Pail Market on Montauk Highway under the sign Wood Turnings by John Halsey. Each one is unique, shaped by the natural patterns and imperfections in the wood, and by Halsey’s patient craftsmanship.
Woodturning has become more than a pastime; it’s a way for Halsey to stay connected to his land and to the legacy of hard work and creativity his family built. In his quiet workshop, surrounded by wood shavings and the hum of his lathe, he’s found a new rhythm — one that proves it’s never too late to begin again.
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