CANTON – Having a hole in your seat is a terrible thing.

Wondering what can be done with that heirloom caned chair in the attic?

Interested in learning about a traditional handicraft that is both beautiful and functional?

Come to the St. Lawrence County Historical Association at the Silas Wright House, 3 East Main St., Canton for a few evenings and learn how to cane chairs.

The St. Lawrence County Historical Association is offering a low cost workshop on three consecutive Wednesday evenings, March 1, 8, and 15, from 7-9 pm.

Carl Stickney, instructor for the workshop, has decades of experience in chair caning. More importantly, he is a patient instructor in a craft that is both useful and enjoyable.

Participants in the workshop should bring a chair with the old caning removed.

The appropriate chair, which will take a caned seat, has holes around the inner edge of the opening in the chair seat frame.

These holes are also visible from the underside of the chair. It is expected that participants will be able to complete the caning of one chair during the course of the workshop.

Chairs that need to be caned are available through the SLCHA for a small fee.

The workshop fee is $48 for historical association members and $58 for nonmembers.

Class size is limited, so early registration is encouraged.

Caning materials are included in the cost of the workshop; additional supplies to bring from home are: scissors, awl, paring knife, a few clothespins, rag, and a small water container.

To register for the workshop send your name, address, phone number, email and nonrefundable payment to the St. Lawrence County Historical Association, PO Box 8, Canton, NY 13617.

For more information, call the SLCHA at 315-386-8133 or e-mail info@slcha.org.