Pocket Life
October 2025
By Corky Mau
Built To Last
Neighbors love this carpenter’s creations
Elliott and Evelin Spoon created a unique landscape display in their Pocket front yard. The show changes with the holidays and delights all ages.
It started in 2023 when Elliott picked up an old wooden baby crib. Evelin said it looked like a sleigh. Elliott put his imagination and carpentry skills to work.
He repurposed the crib into a Santa’s sleigh yard display for Christmas. Neighborhood families loved it, posing in the sleigh for holiday photos.
The couple’s latest display was a clever way to announce the gender of their first child. Neighbors wondered, are they having a boy or girl? This summer, a whimsical sleigh sat on the driveway and answered the question.
A huge baby bottle was the backdrop for the “Baby Spoon” sleigh surrounded by daisies and pink embellishments. Yes, the Spoons welcomed a girl.
“Sawdust is in my blood,” Elliott says. “Like my father, I grew up around carpentry and woodworking. I spent a lot of time in Cottonwood with my grandfather in his shop. His hobby was making wood toys. I loved smelling the fresh cut lumber and watching him create wonderful pieces from scrap wood.”
Elliott carries on his elders’ love for woodworking. His garage is a woodworker’s dream. It’s filled with memorabilia, including tools Elliott received on his 18th birthday and a table his father built in a high school woodshop class.
After traveling and teaching English around the world, Elliott settled down at Rosemont High School. He teaches woodshop.
“I love sharing my knowledge and experience with young people,” he says. “Last summer, one of my students painted a beautiful surfboard that I attached to our summer sleigh. It’s gratifying to see students apply classroom studies to real-life projects.”
Busy with a newborn, the Spoons still have ideas for their next creation. Check out the corner of Durfee and Portugal ways in upcoming months. The garage door is always open for visitors. Have a camera ready.
FALL FESTIVAL
Elks Lodge No. 6 hosts its 35th annual Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free with vendors selling food items and gifts. Great opportunity for holiday shopping and meeting local artists.
HALLOWEEN FUN
Dress in Halloween costumes for a frightfully fun evening at Lake Crest Village on Friday, Oct. 24, from 4:30–6:30 p.m. Goodies for the whole family.
SPOOKTACULAR
Come to a free spooktacular party at Robbie Waters Library on Saturday, Oct. 25, starting at 7 p.m. Kids can come in costume or create one with the help of library teen board members. Treat bags will be distributed.
HARVEST FESTIVAL
A Harvest Festival with Halloween activities, bounce house, face painting and food vendors takes place at the River’s Edge Church on Riverside Boulevard. Everyone’s welcome Saturday, Oct. 25, from 6–8 p.m.
TRUNK OR TREAT
Greenhaven Neighborhood Church on Ark Way hosts its “trunk or treat” event Sunday, Oct. 26, from 2–5 p.m. Enjoy games, music, photo booth and petting zoo.
BRAIN-BOOSTING BREAKFASTS
Join Robin Withrow-Wong Thursday, Oct. 2, as she demonstrates breakfast meals to start your day and improve your memory skills. Workshop takes place at ACC from 10:30 a.m. to noon. To register, call (916) 393-9026, ext.330 or email classes@accsv.org.
Corky Mau can be reached at corky.sue50@gmail.com. Submissions are due six weeks prior to the publication month. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: @insidesacramento.
