RIDGWAY – The seventh annual Ridgway Chainsaw Carving Rendezvous
got off to a very cold start Saturday morning.
With temperatures dipping below 15 degrees, carvers from across
the country began arriving and setting up for the week-long
event.
What brings men and women to the small town in the middle of
winter? Each carver has a reason, but friendship and love of the
art are common themes.
Scott Kuefler and his son Richard drove in from Chesterfield,
Mich. He enjoys carving because “It’s something my son and I can
share and travel around together.”
He began carving about four years ago when he was cutting
firewood and one piece reminded him of a pig. He carved it into a
pig’s head for his wife and before he knew it all his neighbors
were asking for one. After giving carvings out as Christmas gifts
for several years, he began selling them.
According to Kuefler, this is his third trip to Ridgway and they
look forward to the yearly event because “It’s such a friendly
atmosphere and everybody is willing to help each other and you
learn a lot.”
Emir Szkipala is originally from Romania and now calls Michigan
his home. He carved furniture and other items for many years and
Keufler suggested he attend the rendezvous this year.
“I like the way the town is, it’s how I use to live in the old
country,” Szkipala said of Ridgway.
For his part, Jerry Schieffer and his two children are in town
from Wisconsin.
Schieffer’s wife just gave birth to a baby last weekend and
after getting her home and settled in, they started the trek east
through 12 inches of snow. His children will miss a week of school
to attend, but “the love of the art” is what called them to make
the drive.
They have attended each event since 2003 and love the area so
much they also spend a week here in the summer. His children have
made close friends with other carver’s children and they keep in
touch by e-mail.
“Everybody is very friendly,” Remington Schieffer, 14, said. He
already has picked up a chainsaw and carves. His younger sister
Cheyenne, 12, has to wait until next year before she’s able to
carve.
The rendezvous continues through Saturday, with carving classes
beginning this morning.
