The Hillman outdoorsman has created many handcrafted items in his workshop behind his home, including a Detroit Lions bar that garnered a $4,500 donation recently at the Second Chance Animal Shelter Gala.

He enjoys creating unique, functional pieces for others to use and appreciate, such as an English rocking horse for his granddaughter, Charlotte, a fully functional spinning wheel for his daughter, Elizabeth, and an outdoor swing for a coworker’s birthday.

In additon to woodworking, the avid outdoorsman hunts, fishes, plays drums, and more. In his basement, also known as his man cave, about 60 mounts adorn the walls from his lifetime of hunting ventures, including a bison, a moose, and a bear, among the many deer.

“My passion is hunting,” Bruski said. “I play the drums, I play the saxophone, I love to draw.”

News Photo by Darby Hinkley The English rocking horse Conrad Bruski made for his granddaughter, Charlotte. He said every child should have a rocking horse.

He retired in September 2023 from working security at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center. He can be heard on 99.3 WATZ giving the Sportsman’s Report, as well as The Wild Life on 105.7 The Bird. In the spring and summer, Bruski manages the Lorien cottages on Long Lake, taking care of repairs and landscaping.

Bruski, 66, has been woodworking for as long as he can remember.

“My dad was a carpenter,” Bruski said. “He worked as a carpenter at Huron Portland Cement, at the time.”

Bruski has five brothers, and he said they all learned to be self-sufficient and practical.

“Don’t buy it if you can build it,” Bruski said.

News Photo by Darby Hinkley Conrad Bruski stands behind his handcrafted bar in the basement of his Hillman home. The bar is one of many items Bruski has made in his woodworking shop.

He said he and his wife Cyndi make a perfect pair.

“She’s the craftiest person I’ve ever met,” Bruski said of his wife. “She does stained glass … We work together real well. We’ve done everything from homes, log cabins, all the way down to dollhouses for the kids, for the grandkids, and miniature furniture.”

They have five adult children and six grandchildren.

Bruski does custom work, as well as creating beautiful pieces for fundraisers such as the Detroit Lions bar to raise money for Second Chance Animal Shelter.

He’s been woodworking for a long time, and now that he’s retired, he has more time to devote to helping the community by donating handcrafted items to raise funds for local charities and organizations.

Courtesy Photo Conrad Bruski handcrafted the Detroit Lions bar seen above, which garnered a $4,500 donation to Second Chance Animal Shelter at their recent gala.

“It just feels good to help out the community,” Bruski said. “I can do it in a wood shop. They’re fun projects.”

He loves challenging himself with custom work.

“Absolutely, my favorite thing is when somebody comes up to me with a picture and says, ‘Can you make this?’ I love that,” Bruski said.

To contact Bruski, call 989-590-3268.

Courtesy Photo Conrad Bruski made this wooden outdoor swing for a coworker’s birthday.