The Eatons posing for a picture in the home they built together. (Photo by Clara Noelle)

VIENNA — Charles Eaton, former teacher at Parkersburg High School, and Bonita (Bonnie) Eaton, former teacher’s aide, have been married for 51 years. They went ice skating for their first date and 10 days later, Charles proposed.

“Of course I took another week to answer him,” Bonnie said good-naturedly.

Charles has spent his free time over the years practicing his skill in woodworking, going as far as to teach it at PHS. He has made several snake canes to which he refers to as his “snake pit.”

“This is Wilbur,” Charles said, holding up a cane with a snake and a squirrel. “The squirrel is named Dinner.”

Out of all his snakes in his snake pit, his favorite cane is the cane with a river rattlesnake. Charles carves and paints all of his designs, including the snake canes. He make sure he gets every detail, even the individual scales on his snakes. Most of his snake canes take 50 hours to make, start to finish.

Charles Eaton posing with his favorite handmade snake cane. (Photo by Clara Noelle)

“The scales by themselves take 14 hours,” he said.

Charles also makes miniature cars that come with moving wheels. In addition to those projects, he also made a carriage with moving parts, board games, pens and CO2 powered miniature cars. Additionally, he made a carousel in a bottle complete with moving parts, some of them made out of parts from an old grill. Though Charles uses all types of wood, the ones he uses most are pine or basswood.

Through their 51 years of marriage, the Eatons still find joy in the little things. Their favorite hobbies include working on their crafts, staying up late watching Netflix, playing with their grandchildren and playing board games.

Bonnie also enjoys cooking with her husband.

“I have two stoves and two fridges,” she said. “When I cook, I cook right.”

Bonita (Bonnie) Eaton reminiscing on her previous crafts. (Photo by Clara Noelle)

Cooking is not Bonnie’s only hobby. She enjoys a plethora of activities including, but not limited to, sewing, embroidering, flower arranging, jewelry making, scrap booking, gardening and photography. Even though she has different activities to take up her time, she has one true joy, being a grandmother. Though she has all these skills, she truly cares for the people around her. She gifts most of her crafts to loved ones and enjoys spending time with them. She cares for the children in her neighborhood, setting up play dates and picnics for them. She checks on another woman in the neighborhood who doesn’t have many people looking after her.

“I have been blessed with the life I have lead,” Bonnie said, “I want to spread that joy with everyone around me.”

The Eatons are talented in their skill and hobbies as well as their compassion.

Clara Noelle can be reached at intern@newsandsentinel.com

Charles Eaton’s handmade dulcimer. (Photo by Clara Noelle)

Charles Eaton’s handmade carousel in a bottle. (Photo by Clara Noelle)