In a small South Minneapolis basement, leaning over a table cluttered with wood scraps, hand tools, glue, and photos, Greg Kelly steadied a toothpick above a large, wooden geometric frame.

That frame became a strikingly accurate model of U.S. Bank stadium.  Made from roughly 6,000 toothpicks, countless bits of balsa framing and copious amounts of glue, the model— created for for Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis— is one of about 120 scratch-built masterpieces Kelly has assembled throughout his life, but it’s more.

“It’s stress relief,” says the 66-year-old Blue Cross and Blue Shield member. “When you’re working on a project, you’re putting your focus on the object that you’re trying to build. It’s a great stress reliever.”

Architectural modeling helps Blue Cross member Greg Kelly relieve stress and feel good

Creative hobbies important for seniors' mental health

Research has shown that taking up a creative hobby, such as crafting, painting, or quilting, can do wonders for mental health. Relieving stress, anxiety, and depression are all benefits—and there’s more. One 2017 study from the Mayo Clinic found that craft activities significantly reduced the risk of cognitive impairment in adults age 70 and older, helping with memory and critical thinking.

Kelly, a retired California hobby shop owner, has pursued modeling for decades, and he says it has helped him through tough times. He recalled taking on an intricate model of the Los Angeles Watts Towers, which he made largely of scrap soda cans, while looking after his ailing mother a few years ago. “That was extremely stressful,” he says. “So I had to find something extremely challenging to make to keep my mind from dwelling on that.”

Projects with a purpose

More recently, Kelly has battled prostate cancer through a range of treatments including chemotherapy. Building models, again, has helped him cope.

So has his wife, Dana, a high school classmate he married two years ago after a chance meeting at a reunion. Kelly made the unusual retirement move from California to Minnesota to be with Dana, and the two stay healthy riding bicycles, working out at a local gym, and walking around the lakes.

Dana fully supports the modeling and requested Kelly keep a couple specific pieces—including a Titanic grand staircase model that adorns the couple’s living room—when he was in the process of donating his work prior to relocating.

Kelly says the U.S. Bank model, his first to be built with toothpicks, will likely be donated somewhere. Kelly dedicated the model to construction worker Jeramie Gruber, who died in an accident at the site.

Kelly says he chose to build the model stadium, which he says is roughly 1:87 scale, because of the challenge of its unique design. “I’ve always been a real super sports fan, too,” Kelly says, “and this is my first sports-type project, ever. I figured that was a good excuse to do this.”

Editor’s note: The full version of this article first appeared in the Winter 2018 edition of thrive., a healthy living newsletter for Blue Cross Medicare members. The full issue, along with past issues, is available at bluecrossmn.com/PlatinumBluethrive.  

Read more about Gary's creation in some of the local media coverage that led up to Super Bowl 52  

• Man creates 4-foot-long replica of U.S. Bank Stadium using 6,400 toothpicks, Star Tribune
• Toothpick replica of Vikings' billion-dollar palace going to the real U.S. Bank Stadium, Star Tribune
• Toothpick replica of U.S. Bank Stadium to be displayed at Vikings playoff game, FOX-9
• Vikings fan builds stadium replica from toothpicks, KARE-11