Decatur, TX - Wise County Messenger

8 ALL AROUND WISE, Decatur, Texas, Thursday, March 5, 2009BUSINESSLAKE BRIDGEPORTRetiree becomes ‘egghead’with cottage industryBy DENNY DEADYWhat began as a birthdaygift from his wife hasgrown into a cottage industryfor Doug Dunlap of LakeBridgeport.Cheri Dunlap went insearch of a 60th birthdaygift for her husband, wholoves to cook and is good atit. While looking for a standardbarbecue grill, she cameacross the Big Green Egg, aceramic appliance that isfashioned after the Japenesekamado. It is billed as“the world’s best smoker andgrill.” Something that couldgrill and smoke was exactlywhat Doug wanted.There are many accessoriesavailable for the darkgreen, egg-shaped cooker,including an “egg crate,” astand to hold the Egg. ButDoug wanted somethingmore substantial, somethingthat would raise theegg to a convenient heightfor cooking and somethingwith room for his utensils.So he headed for his workshop,where the sign by thedoor reads, “The Doug-Out,No Gurlz Allowed.” There hedesigned and built a 5-foottable for his Egg, the first ofmany he would build.“I have been interested inwoodworking all my life,”said Dunlap.He got serious about thecraft in 1998 when he andCheri moved to Lake Bridgeportand gutted their home,totally remodeling it, withhelp. They volunteered withHabitat for Humanity inMississippi, following HurricaneKatrina, and closerto home, they helped withthe local Habitat house inBridgeport.Doug and Cheri have alsopartnered on a home remodelingproject at the lake, andDoug is often called on byneighbors for help with theirprojects.What began as a projectto meet his individual needshas grown into a business.Doug has built Egg tablesfor a high-end barbecue accessoriesstore as well as forindividuals.He begins each Egg tableby allowing the lumber tocure at least three weeks.HATCHED AN IDEA — Doug Dunlap of Lake Bridgeport designsand builds custom tables for The Big Green Egg, a ceramiccooker that smokes and grills. Dunlap has built the tables fora high-end barbecue accessories store in the Metroplex aswell as for individuals.He uses 2X6 lumber that hehas run through his planer.He glues the pieces togetherand sands the top and lowershelf. The table is put togetherwith 2-inch, 14-gaugesquare steel tubing, and hedoes all his own welding.“It’s going to last as long asthe Egg,” he said confidently.He finishes each table witha minimum of three coats ofspar urethane, hand sandingbetween coats. The bottomshelf is finished to perfection,just like the top of thetable.Dunlap has stock plansfor various tables for thelarger versions of the Egg,but he also builds tables tocustomers’ specifications. Herecently completed a tablefor an Egg owner in the HillCountry who wanted a tablewith two different heightsand cabinet doors. The steelcan be painted to the customer’sspecifications.The former mayor of LakeBridgeport has cooked brisket,ribs, chicken, turkey,meatloaf, burgers, pizza andmuch more on his Egg andis sold on the quality of theitems he cooks. Because ofthe baffle between the grateand the charcoal, the meatdoesn’t come in direct contactwith the flames. The resultis a very moist meat.Breakfast can even be preparedin an Egg, and Cherisays she is anxious to trybaking a cake in it.The Egg will cook everything“from biscuits to briskets,”according to Doug.The Dunlaps look forwardto getting more involvedwith other Egg owners.“It’s kind of like a cult,”Doug said with a laugh.“There are egg fests, whereeggheads get together anddemonstrate their skills,similar to barbecue cookoffs.”To see Doug’s tables, visithis Web site at www.MrD-Stuff.com. He can be emailedat Doug@MrDStuff.com.Give Gifts through DonationsNon Profit OrganizationKim Saling - Gospel SingerGeriatrics Mission, Singing Ministry, OldGospel, Country & Seasonal MusicWe visit Nursing Homes, RetirementVillages, Assisted Living Homes,Childrens Homes, Hospitals, PrivateParties and Benefits. You make thismission possible with your donations.Be a blessing to someone today.GOD BLESS.AmenX-Press2605 S. Lipsey StDecatur, TXc / oLegendBank1706 FM 51 SouthDecatur, TX940-389-6571www.kimsaling.webs.com • amenx-press@yahoo.comBRIDGEPORTAdoptioncontest set forBengal tigerThe Center for Animalesearch and Educationn Bridgeport is having andoption competition open tohose interested in becomingn adoptive parent of a Benaltiger living in the facility.Carol Harney of McLean,Va., has offered to pay Tess’$1,200 adoption fee for thewinner of the competition.The competition calls for essaysfrom those interestedexplaining why they would bea good parent for Tess. Thoseapplying must be at least 18years old, must be dedicatedto visiting Tess at least oncea week and are asked to provideupdates on Tess to Harney.Tess, an 8-year-old tiger,came to the facility with emo-Continued on page 9FREEADMISSION10th AnnualWISE COUNTYHome and LawnDOORPRIZESSHOWMarch 7 - 8, 2009DOORPRIZESDecatur Civic Center • 2010 W. US 380Saturday, March 7 • 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday, March 8 • noon - 4 p.m.Ready to start your next remodeling project?Need advice for changing your decor and design?Searching for the right look for your lawn and garden?Wondering where to find help with organizing your home and garage?FREEADMISSIONSponsored by the Decatur Rotary Club • info@decaturrotary.com • 940-627-6070www.WiseCountyHomeAndLawnShow.com