Canton Cooperage

Kori Newby

William Brady of Campbellsville, has been working at the Canton Cooperage for 15 years. The toasting process is done at precise temeratures. The open flames in each barrel must be controlled.

Billy Ross works in the toasting room at Canton. Ross is the fire chief of the Gravel Switch Fire Department and has a passsion for fire. "I love working with fire, that's what drew me to this job," Ross said. "I like the excitement of trying to keep it under control."

Richard Edwards takes barrels out of the steamers. The barrels are steamed to soften the wood, which allows the workers to easily bend and shape the staves.

Ronny Clarkson of Bradsfordville, Ky., places individual staves into a barrel ring just before it is pulled together to take its shape.

The 60 factory workers at Canton get three 10 minute breaks daily. By breaking up the day the factory work can becomes less monotonous.

Dallas ?Mccarty? and Danny Gribbons take an 'unofficial' break after transfering loads of wood on a fork lift from the lumber yard to the factory. I NEED TO CHECK SPELLING OF BOTH NAMES TOMM.

Richard Edwards tightens the staves on each barrel before rolling them to the next station.