Waterfowl Carvings, Feathers and Wye Oak Leaves
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DORCHESTER CARVERS' CAPITOL ADVENTURE
Renowned Dorchester County waterfowl carver, Warren Saunders, returned to Capitol Hill for the “Welcome to Congress” reception at the Rayburn Building . This is the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation's yearly celebration of the return of sportsmen legislators to Washington for the 111th Congress. CSF President Jeff Crane reflected on their 20th Anniversary by welcoming over thirty members of the United States Congress and a gathering of hunting, fishing, conservation leaders, policy makers, and industry representatives. This is the most respected and trusted hunting and fishing organization in the political arena. www.sportsmenslink.org
Believing in the importance of passing along America 's Original Folk Art, Saunders was teaching a carving class for the Dorchester Historical Society. His youngest student was 13 year old Paul Rineholt , a student at Macey's Lane. He got clearance from CSF and invited Paul to join him on Capitol Hill.
“When Mr. Saunders asked me to go to Washington , D.C. with him it was really a surprise. I would get to carve there in the House of Representatives.” said Paul. “Awesome!”
After the security clearance to get the truck to the building (Dog Scan), then the clearance to get into the building (X-ray Scan), then an assignment of a guard and checking the knives and hatchets (Human Scan), they were on their way.
“Everyone was really nice. Awesome!” said Paul.
“I watched the two men set up the table and get out the carving tools. My husband Warren, was chopping out a duck body with a hatchet and Paul was carving with a knife they were getting ready to meet and greet.” said Sandy Saunders. ”Sharing this experience with Paul enhanced the trip by seeing it through younger eyes. I took photos of the men with Don Young (US Congress Alaska ) and Jeff Miller (US Congress Florida ) to get the geographical coverage of far north to far south. Last year I traded wild game recipes with Mrs. Young. I don't have a moose in the freezer, but I've got venison and elk. It's a really nice event."
Paul, being a hunter, was interested in meeting Chris Cox, Director of the National Riffle Association, John Goodwin, Federal Liason National Riffle Association Institute for Legislative Action and Bart James, Director of Public Policy, Ducks Unlimited Government Affairs Office. This was his chance to meet them all. Paul said, "It was Awesome!”
The men talked to Paul and gave him advice. They really enjoyed seeing a student interested in hunting, fishing, conservation and decoy carving. Paul lives on a farm at the water's edge, with a large extended family, in Cambridge and loves country life. The men shared stories with him about farm life from all across the country. He reminded them of their youth.
At the end of the evening, amongst a big pile of cedar chips, were two decoys. Paul said it was “Awesome!”
When Schuyler Baab, President of Pathfinder Government Relations, found out this was Paul's first trip to the Nation's Capitol he said, “You have to take him to see the Capitol. It is beautiful at night.”
”He will see it as we drive by tonight.” Saunders assured him.
“No, you have to tour it tonight, while you are here. This is your Capitol, it belongs to you and the people. Take him through it while Congress is still in session.” He was very passionate in his request and after a call to Dave and Kathleen Rineholt (Parent Scan) to say Paul would be late, he arranged a private tour for the Saunders and Rineholt. Nick Strader (House Resources Committee, Republican Staff), Craig Ferguson, (Sen. Mike Crapo), and Nathan Rea (Rep. Greg Walden) were the men who would escort them. They waited until all supplies were loaded into the truck then guided the three back through the Rayburn Building and into the Capitol.
"The old House of Representatives with the marker for Lincoln's desk, the Rotunda where every president has laid in state, and the beautiful art work in the glow of night was emotional for me. I could understand why Baab was so passionate. They told us stories and demonstrated the natural echo in the Rotunda. They said it was a real treat for them to be in the Capitol at night when there are no crowds." said Sandy. "The men wanted Paul to walk the worn marble steps where all great men have walked throughout the history of this great country."
Paul thought it was 'Awesome!'.
EASTERN SHORE WATERFOWL CARVER INVITED TO CAPITAL HILL
Acclaimed Dorchester County Waterfowl Carver, Warren Saunders, Jr., was invited to Capitol Hill for the 'Welcome Back' Reception for members of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus hosted by The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation. The event was attended by over 120 leaders of major conservation organizations, corporate partners and congressmen. "How's your hunting season?" is probably not a question frequently asked in the halls of Congress-but neither is a hatchet and knife carrying guest usually asked into the halls of Congress.
The Dorchester Arts Center started a new program, "Traditional Folk Art: Decoy Carving' at North Dorchester High School. Through a grant awarded by the Local Management Board of the Heart of Chesapeake Country Heritage Area, high school students are learning to carve a Canvasback Drake Decoy under the direction of nationally acclaimed waterfowl carver Warren Saunders.
The project is designed to give young people the hands-on experience of creating three dimentional folk art while promoting an appreciation and awareness of the rich historical heritage of Dorchester County. High school students are learning to carve and paint a decoy during the Crafts 11 class.
(Taken from The Daily Banner, February 15, 2007)
Warren Saunders,an award winning carver from Dorchester County, was elected to the Board of Directors of the prestigious Harve de Grace Decoy Museum. Harve de Grace Maryland is recognized as the Decoy Capitol of the World.(2006)
Warren Saunders taught The Pilot Program for The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art at Salisbury University. Twenty-five Mardela High School students carved and 3/4 size canvasback drakes. May 8th, 9th,and 10th 2006. Arline Chase of WriteWords Inc. called Saunders to get a photograph of a hanging dead duck. She wanted to use it on the cover of a new book by Author Helen Chappell called DEAD DUCK, www.cambridgebooks.us . It is a story of murder and mystery that takes place at the Eastern Shore Decoy Jamboree in Easton. Saunders hanging decoyappears as a shot duck falling out of the sky. "So my hanging Canvasback really did get to fly over water and get shot down. It's right there on the cover of the book," said Saunders, who delighted in the idea.
Hanging Canvasback can be seen on Album page. Warren Saunders is The Grand National Carver of the Year 2005.
His carving was unveiled at the Cambridge Yacht Club in October. The Grand National Waterfowl Hunt Award for Top Gun was presented in November. EVENTS 2009 Look for Warren At: The Winyah Bay Heritage Festival The National Outdoor Show Potomac Wildlife Art Show and Auction Catawba Valley Woodcarvers Club Classes 2009 Dorchester Historical Society
suggestions for a class. Send in your name using the contact page and you will be called for upcoming classes. Contact Warren for directions to any events.
Georgetown, South Carolina
January 17th, 18th
Golden Hill, Md
February 27th, 28th
White Stone Wildlife Art Show
White Stone , Va
March 20th, 22th
Patuxent Wildlife Art Show
Laurel, Md
March 27th and 28th
Harve de Grace Decoy & Wildlife Festival
Harve de Grace, Md
May 1st-3rd Judge & Competitor
Southern Maryland Community College
LaPlata,Md
May 15th and 16th,
Snow Hill Art Show
Adcok Studio
July 3th
Mardela Days Old Fashion 4th
Mardela, Md
July 4th
Apple Scapple
Bridgeville, De
October 9th and 10th
Chestertown Wildlife Exhibition and Sale
Chestertown, Md
October 16th & 17th
Warren Saunders Featured Carver (also Judge)
Hickory Metro Convention Center
Hickory,NC
October 30th and 31st
Waterfowl Festival
(Elementary School Building)
Easton, MD
November 13th- 15th
Corr Sound Wildlife Festival
Harker's Island, NC
December 5th and 6th
Cambridge, Md
Canvasback Drake
Chestertown,
Maryland
March 14th & 15th
Bufflehead Drake
Dorchester Art Center
Cambridge, Md
October 15th-till
Canvasback Drake & Green Herring
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Copyright © 2005 Saunders Decoys. All Rights Reserved.
