[AlArchie]

Our club held it's annual carving show in conjunction with Bessemer, Michigan's Pumpkin Fest this past weekend. As a new event we used Rick Ferry's idea of a kids carving contest. I don't know for sure why we had such a low response, but that is beside the point. Our winner was an 11 year old boy from Gurney, Wisconsin. (just across the state line)

I won't mention the youngster's name but want to include his background. He has been learning to carve by working with his grandfather for a short while. Sometime late this summer or early fall Gramps passed away, leaving this boy in quite a down mood.

For his entry into our contest he carved an 8" heart in pine and then carved his and his grandpa's initials into it.

As our contest winner, he recieved one of Rick's beginners carving kits and a beginners book of woodcarving. I tossed in a few blocks of basswood and patterns and Nancy Goff provided a basswood walleye carving kit.

Here's his entry!

Al

[bbeery]

Wish I could have been at the show to see the event. What a wonderful idea that young man had. I know many will feel sorry for him, having to live in Wisconsin. Maybe when he gets a little older, he'll move across the line to God's country!
Well deserved award.

[Mottles]

Hi Al, thank you for a wonderful story about a young carver. I love the carved heart with the initials of the boy and his grandpa. I bet the boy was thrilled with his 'Rick's' beginner carving kit and book. Wonderful of you and Nancy to donate wood and a kit. Way to go! The boy will remember this the rest of his life. I bet his grandpa would have been very proud of the boy and the woodcarvers with heart.
Kathy

[Lightningbolt]

Great story and a great carving! I still have my first "in the round" carving (a spoon) from the late 1960's and at about the same age as this youngster. I wouldn't take a thousand dollars for it and I'd bet that if he holds on to this one that it will have a lot more meaning in his later years.

Thanks for posting.

[Nancy_G]

Thanks for showing us, Al....... much appreciation. My heart has been touched.
And ditto what Lightningbolt said.

[Tom H]

Hey Al, Thanks for the post, and the photo. Great story, and some great folks you're carving with.

This was a great idea to add to a local carving show. I think we could all benefit from a sort of "clearing house" of ideas on how and what to do to increase participation in the carving shows, and to promote carving to young and "old" alike.

Tom H

[Kenny_S]

Thanks Al. Very touching story and I do hope that youngster keeps at it. It would be a fitting tribute to his Grandfather for sure.

Thank you to the rest who provided the prizes and I am betting they will be put to good use.

[GeorgiaCarver]

Tremendous story Al. You all did a good thing, I am very proud of you all. What a great carving as well, this young person had a future in carving.

Thank you for sharing.

Greg