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Summertime in the BelgradesContentsfor Printing Article Summaries |
Woodworking Leads to Relief Map Enterprise
White pine has had a huge impact throughout Maine's history from sailing sloop masts to modern day prime building material for finish carpentry. Unfortunately, some large pine logs are so full of knots and twists that they are left in wood yards to decay. Enterprising Mainers have been finding other uses for these logs for years. When dried and milled properly, these old white pine logs can be used to create beautiful furniture; they also are the perfect raw material for carving. Live edges, natural grain, insect holes and saw marks from milling all lend to the uniqueness of each piece, and as one carver has found out, they also lend themselves to the contours and landmarks of central Maine's lakes. For woodcarver Gerry Lizotte of White Pine and Patience, spending time in the outdoors — the lakes, the forests, the mountains, and the coast — is part of daily life. Therefore, it was only natural when he received woodcarving equipment for Christmas in 1997 that he would combine his new hobby with his love of the outdoors, hand carving relief maps of lakes. Today he is represented in galleries in Belgrade Lakes, Oquossoc and Naples; has a website; and has had his work purchased by businesses and communities where it is admired by the public. It also has been displayed at the Maine Woodcarvers exhibition in Augusta. Gerry's largest carving, four by eight feet, was commissioned by the Town of Belgrade in 2000 for the opening of the Belgrade Community Center for All Seasons. An impressive representation of all the Belgrade Lakes, this commemorative slab hangs in the entranceway to the Center. "I can tailor my maps to anyone's preference, their own property or cove," Gerry points out, describing that his maps make unique recognition, anniversary, special occasion and holiday gifts for people who have close ties to a lake. They also are good fundraisers. While he tries to keep a few carvings for consignment, the majority of his carvings are commissioned. "This gives customers an opportunity to order the size that best fits their location," Jerry says. After doing many maps of the Belgrade and Rangeley Lakes, Jerry's goal is to do some of the new ones — the Winthrop area lakes, the Cobbossees, and to try some coastal island areas. All it takes is one of those beautiful old white pine slabs | ||
