[Colin_Partridge]

You may think I do nothing but play on his computer believe me that is not true. When I want a break from carving its my relaxation I am fasinated by these things. I was looking through the information sheets and noticed that a lot of you had not divulged where you are from, Maybe for good reason. 'America's Most Wanted') but I thought it might be fun to know where you are all from and what you do or did for a living.I am not being nosey I am genuinly interested in everyone on this board. As for me I am retired I was a police officer with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police retired five years ago and I live in the very small town of Thornton, Ontario, Canada it is about 60 miles north of Toronto population on a good day is about 300 people it is a small farming community.
Colin

[lorax]

Im from Wayland, Michigan. About halfway between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo.

I'm from Great Bend, Kansas (right in the center of Kansas). I am a CPA by day to pay for my carving hobby.

Barry

[AlArchie]

I'm a Yooper, in case anyone hasn't figured that out.

We, who live in the Upper Penninsula Â*(UP) of Michigan are known as Yoopers (UP-ers). Â*We refer to those who live in Michigan's Lower Penninsula, south of, or 'below' the Mackinac Â*(that's pronounced Mackinaw, not Mack-in-nak)Bridge, as 'Trolls'. Â*With all due appologies to you, Lorax, that is a term of endearment for all our downstate relatives! Â*

Uninformed, pushy, impolite, folks who come up here in the fall to hunt and raise cain, are referred to as Knockers, and we ain't particularly fond of them. Wecome! however, to all the good folks who visit us during hunting season, and throughout the rest of the year for our good hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, hiking, skiing and camping!

Hoo-boy, am I long winded!

Al

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Arizona, former police officer and director of casino security. Oil painter for past 40 years or so, woodworking, carving for past 1 1/2..glass engraving...if I see it, I have to try it lol :

[Ric]

Washington State......been in the fire department for 36 years. (Maybe its time to retire). Hi-Ho did you ever get over the donut habbit? LOL

Ric

[Nancy_G]

Back woods Missouri - smack dab between two towns, Leslie, Pop. 88, and Gerald, pop. 880. we're about 65-70 miles SW of St. Louis.
I've did flat painting all my life until I found carving........ otherwise I can pickles, bake cookies, feed critters and clean litter boxes. :

I live in the small town of Castlegar, British Columbia ( pop. 7000). If you know where Spokane, Wash is, we are about a 3 hr. drive straight north of there, about a 1/2 drive over the Canadian Border. I was a Hairdresser for 22 years, and I quit that job to persue carving full time about 2 1/2 years ago. I've been carving now for 11 years, and absolutely love it. Its a tough go of it sometimes, but it makes up for it by being able to spend your days doing something you LOVE to do. I've met more wonderful people through my artwork then I could have ever imagined. I mainly carve Santas...not because they sell...but because that is where my love of the artform is...I'm very lucky!

Ain't tellin', no time, gotta finish this bottle of Lone Star!

From the World's Greatest Little City, Mendota IL celebrating 150 years old this year. (I am the Committee Chairman) Carving almost 4 years. Bought a $6 set of tools at a truck load tool sale and a 36 cent rubber mallet to get started. Those tools lasted about two weekends before I went shopping. I am an engineer turned marketing guy for a machine tool company in the woodworking industry and occasionally get to see carving related displays at industrial woodworking shows in the US, Europe and South America. Mostly carve in the winter when my wife abandons me in favor of the Catholic school she is principle at. My biggest project is a emblem design by kids at church in mahagony, a heart shape 30 inches across. Hope to finish by Christmas. I also do cane toppers, learned how when I fell attempting to ski last year.
Ah Chip