RIDGWAY – The seventh annual Ridgway Chainsaw Carving Rendezvous
was a huge success if you count that by all the smiles and hugs at
the send-off breakfast Sunday morning.

“See you next year,” was the final four words in every language
heard throughout the morning.

Several chainsaws and other items were awarded to the carvers
whose sculptures had the highest auction prices – Ken Sheen of
British Columbia at $2,350; Larry Burns of Sandusky, Ohio, at
$1,075; and Hiroma Kurita of Japan at $1,025. Burns and Kurita each
received a new chainsaw. Sheen received a bag of items from
sponsors, including a digital camera.

This year’s rendezvous lasted for 10 days instead of the usual
weekend event. Rick and Liz Boni, part of the rendezvous founders,
felt it made for a much smoother and more relaxed atmosphere. They
will begin plans for the 2007 gathering soon.

The carvers all have their reasons for coming the rendezvous,
but the theme of friendship and learning is a common theme. One
family from Michigan has a very special reason to support the
rendezvous.

Rhonda and Robert Bing have been attending the gathering for the
past four years. Robert Bing was online when he read about the
gathering and that it helped benefit Make-A-Wish. That was all he
needed to hear and they began attending and will continue to make
the yearly trip. Their young son suffered from a brain tumor and
they know the value of wishes.

“Being in the place we were five years ago, not knowing what to
do or who could help us,” Rhonda Bing explained. “It was more than
just a wish for him. Without the surgery, he wouldn’t be alive
today.”

The family had to travel to Australia to find a surgeon willing
to perform the dangerous operation that would cure their young son
who was having up to 30 Grand mal seizures a day. The surgery was a
success, although he was left mentally impaired from the constant
seizures his first five years of life.

Rick Boni told The Era he feels that all the media attention
focused on this year’s rendezvous will help the town, as well as
future gatherings. He had been told that following an appearance on
the CBS Early Show, a town’s economy could triple.

Various people in town were interviewed for the show, but the
one who was the most memorable for the producer was Ridgway Police
Chief Ralph Tettis. Tettis pulled out his guitar and sang a song he
had written for the rendezvous. That is what will stick in people’s
minds about Ridgway.

Liz Boni said that having the gathering for 10 days helped
everyone have the time to enjoy it more. They were able to add
seminars, classes and more for the carvers.

Having veteran carvers and newer ones sit through four hour
seminars at the Appalachian Arts Studio made them realize that more
specialized seminars would be possible next year, according to Rick
Boni.

The auction raised a total of $39,192 from the 163 donated
pieces. A portion of the money will be donated to Make-A-Wish and
the Ridgway YMCA.