Comments from folks who are participating in Group 1 of the Friendship Cane segment exchange:

From: Vic Hamburger

An open letter to Bill Russell:

I got home last night to find a small package on top of the mail. It was from Bill and contained my first segment for the Friendship cane. I got it out of the wrapping and just sat and stared at it in shock and wonderment!!!! IT IS GEORGEOUS!!!!

WOW! Am I impressed! (do you get the idea I like it??) this is one incredible bit or carving within 2" x 2" x 3" boundaries! It is just beautiful, this is one carving that I will go back to many times when I wonder if I can capture an expression or manage to squeeze something into my work.

It is a carving of a Buffalo Bills fan and it is creative, wonderfully executed, classically comical while being a perfect caricature in proportion.

Thank you Bill for a truly great bit of carving for the cane project. I hope I can someday match our skill and quality in my work!

Vic H

From: Matt Kelley

Hello All -

I arrived home last night a very unhappy camper after a VERY wet round of golf - but got a nice attitude adjustment when I found a package from North Carolina with my first friendship cane segment. Jean Melton included a note that said this was her first attempt at a cane segment - well Jean, I'd call it a very good first attempt. The segment is a nicely done realistic head - and I'm quiet happy to have this as the start of my cane.

Thanks much Jean &endash;

Date: Tue, 16 Jun 1998

Hi to the List and to Sandi Bernards,

Received my cane segment yesterday. It is terrific. I'm having trouble thinking of mixing it in with 15 other segments where its special-ness will be eliminated. Sandi did a Santa in the round and the carving is super but am most impressed with the finish. Great paint job and detail. It will go into my curio until I absolutely "must" put it on the dowel with the rest.

Hey Wynne, you are in for a nice one next month.

Patti

Date: Fri, 19 Jun 1998

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to share that I also have received the first segment to my friendship cane.

Larry Goodson carved a wonderful work boot in the round and I am so proud to have it as my first segement.

This is so much fun and all I can say to the list, is, that those that haven't signed up for the second one really should think about it, cause it really is a great feeling sharing and receiving carvings.

Thanks for listening and again thanks Larry.

Sandi Bernards

Date: Fri, 19 Jun 1998

Attention, Earl Kates, of the great state of Alabama.

Josh the hobo arrived today in excellent condition. He will hold a honored position when my staff is completed.

Christmas in June is not bad, can't wait till July.

Best wishes and happy carving

Larry Goodson

Date: Tue, 23 Jun 1998

Just wanted to give a big thank you to John Groom for the beautiful carved birds he carved for my segment of the cane. I have a Blue Jay on one side and a Cardinal on the other. John told me he is a bird carver and has done little relief but I would have never guessed these relieved birds were not something he did all the time. He did and excellent job.

This is so much fun getting a gift in the mail from a fellow woodcarver and its especially nice when they write a short note and let you know a little about themselves.

For those of you who are hanging back, take the plung you'll be so glad you did.

Thanks Matt for getting this fun project started.

Happy Carving,

Michelle Giles

From: Fred Stuppy

I just received my cane segment today from A. J Last today and it is great. One side is a face portraying Comedy and the other Tragedy. It will go in a special place waiting others to build my cane. I am also the lucky recipient of another segment from Steven Fletcher due to a mail mixup and he told me to keep it as he had another to send to the proper person. It is has four sides and each is covered with flowers similar to a carved spoon. I am so lucky to have two segments of my cane. This is a great program.

From: Steven Fletcher

Just received my cane segment from Wyndy Simmons. I'm not going to tell you what she carved because it's too much fun and I want you all to be as surprised as I was!

But I wanted to say thanks and to her and that we are all going to have a very special cane when all is said and done!

Date: Thu, 25 Jun 1998

There was a package waiting for me in my mail box when I got home yesterday. I received a beautiful cane segment of a bald eagle from Fred Stuppy. It truly is a fine little carving.

I can't wait to receive more and begin assembling this cane, it truly will be special.

Thank you very much Fred.

John Groom

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