The Berkshire Carousel Revisited- Opportunity Knocks Twice

Today, I happened to be in the Berkshire Mall, and I realized that opportunity does knock more than once. The Berkshire Carousel project is continuing, and did not finish in 2012 as originally anticipated. I walked through the doors of the project again, and this time came out a volunteer. Time did not pass me by; the merry-go-round is still running; I hopped aboard. 

I signed on as an volunteer at the Berkshire Carousel. They are building a merry-go-round, carving horses, painting them, carving chariots, and other decor, etc. They have been doing this for a several years. I knew it was happening; wished I could help and learn something; I thought the project was over, but it goes on. So I told Phil (another Phil, also a PJ to distinguish him from his father, married to another PJ) that I would come and saw some boards for him on Thursday. So I will learn how to build these beauties from scratch, gluing pieces of wood together, chiseling, joining, maybe even some bas relief. They can only use hand tools, so it should be a good work out. I got the job.

Phil showed me a drawing of what he was working on, a large horse, a four foot long body, four legs, tail, neck and head joined on separately, all carved to match perfectly. I must admit that perfection has been a rather elusive goal of mine. Maybe I will come closer with this project.

He then brought me to the back work room where he had begun assembling one of the horse bodies. My job would be to hand saw some boards to certain lengths. I told him my grandfather taught me how to do that. Phil was a shop teacher before he became involved in this project.

I then helped him put the drawing up on a huge board in the back room, and a partnership was formed. We'll see. I am excited about this. Reprinted here is my original blog about the Berkshire Carousel.

www.berkshirecarousel.com

I have been thinking lately that I don’t get out much these days, and today was an experience that brought that home to me. Since I was a child, I always liked the carousel at the fairs and carnivals. I was afraid of the horses… they were a little too high, so I often rode in one of the chariots…very safe. I remember always being anxious about getting off in the right place so I wouldn’t get lost. I remember waving to my mother and father as I made the circle. they were always so encouraging, even in this little event. It was sort of like leaving home for 3-5 minutes and coming home again. the world was smaller than I thought, and safer, and the supportive people were always there, not far away.
Several years ago, I visited the old carousel at Caroga Lake. It was closed, but I could peer inside, and even walk into it a bit. It seemed sad to see such an important part of life on the verge of extinction. And a year or so after that, I visited the Sandwich heritage museum, where a working carousel allowed me to step back in time, ride the circle of life on a “pony”, wave to my wife as she patiently and supportively admired her knight, bravely going off into the world and safely returning.

This photo is from the Sandwich Heritage Museum.

But today, I was out and about. We visited the Berkshire Mall in Lanesboro, MA., and there was a real workshop called the Berkshire Carousel. I thought they might be selling the “ponies”, but on more careful observation, they were building them, actually carving them from chunks of basswood. A team of volunteers led by two master carvers were putting together, carving, sanding, finishing, and painting these beautiful, glossy horses for a carousel which is to be built in the city of Pittsfield. There will be chariots for the smaller people, the handicapped, and the timid. They will teach you how to carve. There is an effort underway to design the carousel with artwork from the Berkshires.

And as I read the brochure, I realized how little I have been out lately. The project has been going on for about five years, and is scheduled to be completed in 2012. It would have been fun to be involved in this project, but I look forward to the ride when it is completed, another trip around the world, and safely home. I love it.