[Ashbys]

To all of you who donated to the auction and the friendship cane , I want to thank you for the fantastic work you produced. The cane is now mine , and the work is really unbelivable.
To give everyone an , the pieces will be in a slightly different order.
Ron Davisions piece will be first, The piece is a police officer and Ron I simply love it! When drilling the second piece it broke, but I was given the piece and I will see if I can repair it.
I asked goody to post the photos of the cane as right now my access to a working drawing program is a bit restricted. I hope to have it corrected soon but I do believe everyone will want to see the phots and the wonderful work which was given freely from this board.
It is a great honor to be the owner of this piece, which is made up of over 15 members work from this board. I will cherrish it always. Thank you all for your kindness and I hope the monies raise will indeed be a step in helping those with impaired vision .

Garry

[Ashbys]

Also It was indeed my lucky day!
I was able to get a wonderful Santa of Goody's , (tried for two but wasn't that lucky) .
Don by the lake donated a cottonwood bark carving which was just featured in an article. The Carving now resides in West Virginia and is simply outstanding ! Thank you Don!
Colin donated a wonderful double wood spirit in white cedar. The carving is simply outstanding and quite an eye catcher! It as well now resides in West Virginia. Thank you Colin!
Along with the frindship cane , and these carvings , I was able to add a work done by Alfie Fishgap. A man that has a spirit that reaches out beyond anything I would ever have expected. The term gentle giant comes to mind A medicine ring supported by two eagles mounted on a wonderful plaque , It bonds all the carvings together so very well. Thank you Alfie !

For those of you who have not had the pleasure of meeting these men, I can only say. It is not often in life we have the chance to meet great men of spirit. But within these men, I have found some of the most caring , giving and kindnest men I have ever had the great pleasure to spend time with!
Don, Colin, Goody, Alife , Tony, what amazing people you all really are. And how proud I am to call you my friends.

Garry

[Anthony Filetti]

...yeah but you're not tellin' the whole story, we we're actually the lucky ones as we got to see Ash's recent relief work he did of the 2 young ladies. Even more phenominal in person.

...I also got my fix, I took a lot of ribbing for encouraging Colin (the poor guy needed gas money) but I now am the proud owner of one of his Sumac spirits. Colin it is proudly displayed in the carving studio!!!

...I agree w/ Ash, if ya get a chance to meet up with these folks you will have an awesome time.

...BTW, I now know who Lori's freakin' parents are!!! (LMAO!!!)

[mdallensr]

Gary's reliefs were just amazing. At first, I was wishing I had brought some of my carvings along, then after seeing his I decided mine were better off at home. Very, very good work! Mike

[Ashbys]

Thanks guys , I like them are a work in progress ... me more than them at this point.

But I want to say something, after someone saw my carving this weekend I was asked how could I be impressed with someone elses work. You could have knocked me over with a feather. I am happy with my work , but I find the work of other carvers so very amazing!
I want to see it all because I learn from ever single piece I have ever seen.
Nothing is more pleasing to me than to see others work.
Never ever NOT bring a piece you have done or are working on where people from this board might be. Were your friends, and love to see the work. I took my pieces with me because only the Lord knows when I might again have the chance to see the people I meet this weekend. And without thier help I would not be producing the work I am now. I would love to see carvings from everyone here.

Ash