1-2-GO #10001 “Let’s see – the bag’s packed, reindeer fed, I’ve checked the list twice… is that everything?” Santa asked Mrs. Claus. “Just this, dear,” said Belle, as she handed him a cup of coffee. “One to go!” He took the cup, gave her a kiss, and headed for the sleigh. She heard him exclaim ere he drove out of sight, “Merry Christmas to all … and a fresh cup tonight!”

ABLE #2027 (April, 1989) Able is a gnome that can be used as a bookend He has come upon a book that seeks to abolish all stories about fantasy. The pages read, “We all know that gnomes do not exist.” Able’s coin is a gaming token because he’s willing to bet that there are gnomes. In fact, Able likes to whisper to collectors as they walk by, “Gnomes are—believe Able!”

ABNER #10 & #20 (October, 1979) Like his namesake from the old Lum and Abner radio show, this traditional Gnome is ready to work his magic on whatever is placed in front of him. He first had an empty base, then took on a flower pot, and finally had a basket to hold flowers, pencils, or nuts. Whatever is placed here comes under the good graces of Abner, the caretaker.

ABRAHAM #173   Lamp #174 (October, 1981) This handsome sea captain, with an Old Testament name for the ancestor of Jesus, has a paternal image. He was inspired by my Nantucket trip and by a store request. I found an old lithograph of a whaling captain in a store window and used his face for Abraham. The small rope and the barrel are from Nantucket, and the scarf is from my father’s handkerchief. Later editions added sea shells from Ocean Isle, North Carolina. The script at the base was designed to look like parchment.

ABRAHAM #6008 (Founders of Faith) (March, 1995) The story of Abraham is a story of faith. I have chosen to sculpt Abraham at a period in his life rarely depicted by the classic religious painters and sculptors. It is the beginning of the journey that has been called Israel’s first great theological epic?” God is calling Abram to leave his home, Ur, city of the Chaldeans, to travel to the land of Canaan. This monumental beginning is recorded in very simple words in Genesis 12:1-3: “Now the Lord said to Abram, Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. ” With no knowledge of his new home nor his future, the wealthy and successful Abram left, with his wife Sara and nephew Lot, all that was familiar to him. I have tried to depict his amazement as he listens to his God. There is fear and uncertainty, yes, but also immense joy and excitement, for his faith is strong and God’s promises are mighty: “And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2 I have included a scroll of Genesis 17:1-8, in which God bestows a new name upon his servant. “But thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.” My statue seeks to show the calling of this very human man who is known as the “Patriarch of Israel” and who remains one of the greatest symbols of faith for Christian, Judaic and Islamic believers.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN #6000 (Great People in History) (June, 1988) Abraham Lincoln was the first statue created for the Great People in History series. The central figure in one of the turning points of American history, Lincoln is also revered by people around the globe. The pose was inspired by the Lincoln Memorial, sculpted by Daniel Chester French. Two books, representing the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, serve as the sides and armrests of Lincoln’s chair. The date is November 19, 1863, and the occasion is his delivery of the Gettysburg Address. In his hand is the first page of his speech, in Lincoln’s own handwriting. It is interesting to note that nowhere in Lincoln’s address did he use the pronoun “!.” Contrary to popular rumors, Lincoln did not scribble the Gettysburg Address on an envelope at the last minute. He started work on his speech in Washington, D.C. and then added the finishing touches after breakfast, before traveling to the Gettysburg battlefield. Lincoln is listening to the first speaker, Edward Everette, who spoke for over two hours. When it was Lincoln’s turn, he spoke for less than three minutes. A photographer had begun to set up his equipment to take the President’s picture. By the time he was ready, Lincoln had finished and was seated again. So there is no photograph of Lincoln delivering his now most famous speech. Lincoln often changed his hairstyle, switching his part or wearing it sometimes flat, sometimes full. He often changed the shape of his beard as well. I’ve chosen the most photographed style. Lincoln had a very small chin, and perhaps this is why he decided to grow a beard. My Lincoln is wearing a military style cape, similar to ones worn by the Union and Confederate armies. The ceremonies took place outside, and Lincoln, with his extreme thinness, was sure to feel the beginnings of the Pennsylvania winter. I imagine that, even on a warm day, there would be something chilling about the battlefield. Lincoln was sensitive to the tragedy that was occurring on both sides of the divided nation. The last sentence of his Address still inspires us today: “It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us…. that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

ACE #8001 Ace loves to golf, It’s the key to his fun. You can tell by his socks, He’s got a hole in one.

ACE OF SPADES #1035 (April, 1984) Little Ace proudly displays his card, knowing that it is the crown card for the entire deck. That is why his coin (Swedish) shows a crown.

ACORN COLLECTION Affectionately called “the nutheads,” these little creatures were conceived as a group of acorn tops. All of the acorns were from a huge tree by Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, N.C. They are named in honor of the elm leaves used to surround the acorns. They have no coins, and early editions sometimes have no writing

     EL & EM #151 (May, 1981) With their comedy/tragedy faces, they are used by some people as a mood setter for the day. They are the most popular of all the nutheads.

     ELF #162 (May, 1981) He has the smallest of all the bases, his mous-tache is a tassel from the tree, and he has acorn eyes and an all-knowing smile.

     ELK #154 (May, 1981) He is named Elk because the winking cigar smoker is “a moose of a man.” He has one acorn eye.

     EL-KIM #152 (May, 1981) Named for Kim, an employee at the Troutman plant, he is the cutest and sweetest nuthead. His dimples make him the happiest, too.

     ELLA #153 (May, 1981) With his leaf hair and a dignified double chin, he is named for a grammar school playmate of mine.

     ELMER #155 (May, 1981) He is the most mischievous nuthead, with his wide-awake acorn eyes and his huge grin.

     ELWOOD #156 (May, 1981) He is the largest of all the heads, and has his mouth open in laughter, half-hidden by his broad leaf moustache.

     ELVA #157 (March, 1981) With his curly white hair and acorn eyes, he reminds me of Aunt Pitty Pat in Gone With the Wind.

ADAM #300 (January, 1981) This Woodspirit is named Adam because he is the first man in the Collector’s Series of statues. His coin is Norwegian and sits atop the same good luck horseshoe that was the base for Lucky and Dewey. His hat is an acorn shell from Oklahoma. Despite looking a bit like Stan Laurel, he is not shy. In fact his first words were “Madam, I’m Adam.”

ADAM #8063 Adam loves the water And all he really wishes, Is to spend his whole darn summer Swimmin’ like the fishes.

AHAB #120 (April, 1980) Ahab is taking it easy between voyages. He is laid back in the conch shell, perhaps daydreaming about the adventures of Captain Ahab in Moby Dick. Because he can be easily spotted in his yellow slicker, he sometimes turns over the shell and hides underneath. He’s waiting for someone else to start the clambake. His coin, when there is one, is Swedish.

ALASKA #6324 Special Commission (June, 1995) The very name Alaska conjures up images of its colorful and exciting gold rush days of the late 1800s. My gold miner, inspired by the Robert W. Service poem, “The Shooting of Dan McGrew,” is hoping to strike it rich along Alaska’s Gastineau Channel, where gold was first discovered. But in keeping with Alaska’s state motto, “North to the Future, he has climbed north on this totem pole to insure his future! It seems that a curious brown bear from Kodiak Island (sculpted by Timothy Wolfe) has wandered by his claim. Totem poles are the”storytellers” of the Alaskan Indians, recording events and history for future generations. My totem also tells a story: The eagle (with his eagle eyes) was the first to see the bear. He told the owl The owl was wise enough to tell the Wood Spirit, and he told the miner, “Climb to the top!” At the very bottom, a little Gnome from Nome seems bemused by all the commotion. He is not afraid, and in fact, he considers the bear to be a kindred spirit! The coin on the base tells us that Alaska joined the Union on January 3, 1959, making it the 49th state. A second coin says “Land of the Midnight Sun” and depicts a dog sled. During the Alaskan summer the sun shines 20 hours a day, and at Point Barrow, the northernmost point in Alaska, the sun never sets between May and July. The fishhook on the base hints at the great fishing and incredible scenery found in the largest of the United States. Alaska was nicknamed “Seward’s Folly’ when Secretary of State William H. Seward bought this region from Russia in 1867 for seven million dollars (that’s about two cents per acre. Today we know that Alaska’s beauty, resources and people make it a priceless treasure.

ALBERT #9007 TIM WOLFE Poor Albert. He’ll never gain the respect or admiration many of the other animals have, simply because he was born–well, an opossum. Unattractive and widely known to be lacking in the intelligence area, opossums will never be at the top of “the most popular animals” list. Albert though, can boast of one attribute that only he and other opossums share–they are the only mammals in the United States to have been carried around in their mother’s pouch! That is where Albert and seven other tiny opossums, born the size of honey bees, spent their first two months of childhood. From there, they graduated to riding on Ma’s back, with each of the little mouse-size youngsters clinging to her fur for dear life. After having learned the ways of survival, Albert is finally out on his own to seek his fortune elsewhere. He’s found that foraging for food has been surprisingly easy, since he has developed a taste for just about anything. (Grapes are his weakness however, and Albert will risk everything to get at them.) Finding a place to sleep hasn’t been a problem either; a vacant squirrel’s nest, a hollow log, under a porch or any old hole will do nicely. All in all, Albert is adapting to his new world quite well-despite any mental or aesthetic shortcomings. It is just too bad that he can’t control his fondness for crossing public highways.

ALBERT PIKE #6014 (Special Commission) (May, 1996) Albert Pike remains a giant in Masonic history and literature, although the 100th anniversary of his death was commemorated over five years ago. Born in Boston in 1809, he was a man of many talents and many careers. He completed his junior year at Harvard, but could not afford his senior year tuition, as he was by then supporting himself through teaching and writ ing. In his early twenties he headed west to hunt and trap, and wrote about his adventures in “Prose Sketches and Poems Written in the Western Country, published in 1834. He went on to become a newspaper editor, lawyer, and captain of a cavalry troop in the Mexican War. Later he was appointed brigadier-general of the department of Indian Territory. Pike had become a Mason in 1850, and he increasingly devoted himself to Freemasonry. In 1872 he completed his masterpiece, “Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.” This extensive work remains one of the most complete authorities on Freemasonry, and is still today read by all Masons. Albert Pike held the post of Grand Commander of the Supreme Grand Council, Southern Jurisdiction of the United States for 32 years and was known and honored by Masons throughout the world. He died at age 82, at the house of the Scottish Rite Temple in Washington, D.C. I have tried to portray Pike’s commanding physical presence, as well as the vitality and intensity of this brilliant man. I have placed the 33rd degree Scottish Rite collar, worn for formal Masonic ceremonies, around his neck. My statue was not complete until I placed a copy of Pike’s greatest work in his hand.

ALBRIGHT #5931 (April, 2003)

ALEC #5308 (June, 1996) Stroll across the campus and you may see this small scholar leaning against the trunk of a tree. Like many students, he enjoys carrying his books outside when the weather is fine. With his hand on his beard, Alec is pondering some of the wisdoms contained in the book that rests in his lap. Its title is “Gnomeology,” and it may be the most fascinating book he’s ever read. While he enjoys all of the textbooks that are packed into his brown leather satchel, he finds this one to be the most meaningful and true-to-life. Soon you’ll see Alec heading toward the Student Union. The coin in his hand reads “cafe” and is good for one free cup of coffee. Even the best students know that you can’t study all the time. Smart Alec!

ALEX AND LOUIE #9033 TIM WOLFE “I beg your pardon, Sir..” At first, Alex was polite in trying to get the attention of his unwelcome passenger: “Uh, excuse me, Mr. Frog, but….Hello…?” Realizing that this soft approach was to no avail, he suddenly blurted out, “HEY BUDDY, GET OFF MY BACK!” Who can really blame Alex for becoming a bit irate? Let’s face it, for a turtle, getting from one place to anoth er is slow going enough as it is – let alone having to bear the weight of some freeloading frog. Speaking of which, lazy Louie had best get hopping to find other means of transportation if he wishes to reach his destination any time soon. Then again, he obviously wasn’t in any big hurry to get there in the first place.

ALFRED #1194 (Cairn Promotional Series) (July, 1987) When it comes to raising daffodils, Alfred is king! He touches them to make them open, and for a brief moment after the touch, the very face of the daffodil can be seen.

ALLIE #5110 (Cairn Key and A Dealers Series) (July, 1990) This Woodspirit loves to bowl. She’s a real “bowl ing Allie.” The initials on her lane stand for the Ladies Professional Bowling Tour, and that’s what she’s aiming for. There are some differences in Woodspirit bowling. Because they live outdoors, they began bowling on the green. Due to her small size, Allie uses a marble for her bowling ball, hemlock cones for tenpins, and a leaf for her arm brace. Because she’s a professional bowler, she won’t need that back-up ball. Maybe she’ll score 300, a perfect score! Her lucky coin says “Stay for the fun of it,” and Allie is one of the more than 70 million people who are bowled over by this game each year.

ALOE #5112 (August, 1990) Aloe is the lifeguard for the Woodspirits. Since there are over two dozen Woodspirits who love the beach, he has a lot of people to watch. One of the benefits of being a lifeguard is the appeal to the ladies, but if you could look behind Aloes sunglasses, you’d see that he only has eyes for Coco. He is also on the lookout for menacing alligators, but the only one he has seen is on the coin. Aloe, like all good lifeguards, keeps his lifesaver nearby. Coco knows that cocoa butter is for the beach and aloe is good for the sunburn that follows. Aloe’s lifeguard stand is the same shell used by Coco; they are not only soulmates, they are seamates.

ALPHA #2014 (December, 1985) The Alpha Corporation’s two surviving founders, William D. Watkins and R. L. Holtzendorf, are depicted as Gnomes wearing walnut shell hard hats, and together, they are lifting a barrel of alpha resin. They founded the company in 1961, along with Mark A. Harris (now deceased), and this piece celebrates the 25th anniversary of the company’s beginning. The top of the barrel shows the resin logo, and on the work shirts of the Gnomes is the Alpha logo. A Glasteel panel is below the barrel and their logo is in the leaf beside the panel. A Syntechnics logo is displayed at the base of an insulator. A small boat is displayed as well, because many of the boats made in America contain Alpha resin. The Swedish coin has a crown and a large A which, used here, means that Alpha is the King of Resin! Behind the figures is a circuit board and a small Gnome from Cairn Studio, Ltd. In the back, between the two men, is a double acorn, symbolizing that the two worked together in developing the company.

ALBERT #9007  Poor Albert. He’ll never gain the respect or admiration many of the other animals have, simply because he was born–well, an opossum. Unattractive and widely known to be lacking in the intelligence area, opossums will never be at the top of “the most popular animals” list. Albert though, can boast of one attribute that only he and other opossums share–they are the only mammals in the United States to have been carried around in their mother’s pouch! That is where Albert and seven other tiny opossums, born the size of honey bees, spent their first two months of childhood. From there, they graduated to riding on Ma’s back, with each of the little mouse-size youngsters clinging to her fur for dear life. After having learned the ways of survival, Albert is finally out on his own to seek his fortune elsewhere. He’s found that foraging for food has been surprisingly easy, since he has developed a taste for just about anything. (Grapes are his weakness however, and Albert will risk everything to get at them.) Finding a place to sleep hasn’t been a problem either; a vacant squirrel’s nest, a hollow log, under a porch or any old hole will do nicely. All in all, Albert is adapting to his new world quite well-despite any mental or aesthetic shortcomings. It is just too bad that he can’t control his fondness for crossing public highways.

ALEX AND LOUIE #9033  “I beg your pardon, Sir..” At first, Alex was polite in trying to get the attention of his unwelcome passenger: “Uh, excuse me, Mr. Frog, but….Hello…?” Realizing that this soft approach was to no avail, he suddenly blurted out, “HEY BUDDY, GET OFF MY BACK!” Who can really blame Alex for becoming a bit irate? Let’s face it, for a turtle, getting from one place to another is slow going enough as it is – let alone having to bear the weight of some freeloading frog. Speaking of which, lazy Louie had best get hopping to find other means of transportation if he wishes to reach his destination any time soon. Then again, he obviously wasn’t in any big hurry to get there in the first place.

AL R. GEE #5061 (September, 1988) Al loves harvest time, and he loves flowers, but they don’t love him. He’s never without a capsule for his hay fever. He has just sneezed, so his eyes are watering and are slightly crossed. He’s holding a hanky to his nose, but there’s still a smile behind it. Al’s good friend Arthur, and his pals Rosie and Pete sympathize with him when the pollen count is high. Poor Al is standing by an edelweiss flower on the Austrian coin, and he’s carrying a bale of hay that weighs 1/4 Ib. The price of hay this year is 4 cents/lb so Al has earned one cent – the “wheat” penny on the base.

ALVIN #9044  After being cooped up in this egg for nearly a month, Alvin has finally hatched. Well, almost – he still has a bit of squirming to do before he is completely free. But Alvin is having second thoughts about the whole thing. Compared to life inside the egg, this new world he is about to enter looks awfully large and frightening (not to mention noisy). Most of the noise is coming from his brothers and sisters. They have all hatched and are chirping, “C’mon, Alvin, don’t be a chicken!”

ALWAYS #5307 (June, 1996) Always and forever – that describes this tender scene. A bouquet of roses makes a gift of love. She’s pleased but not surprised, for she knows him so well. His look says, “Remember when …?” but this is a secret they won’t share with us. Her kerchief is decorated with hearts, and even the coin from South Africa has lovebirds on it. I have left space on the scroll to write in special names and dates. There will be many days without roses or rainbows, but none without love – that will last always and forever.

AMANDA #108 (July, 1978) This saucy Witch was named for a distant cousin of mine, who remained youthful for all her eighty years. The broom is used more for riding than for sweeping. She was once hit on the head by a large acorn, and she decided to keep it sit. ting on top of her hat.

AMANDA #9065  Amanda was busy playing in the herb garden all morning long. She engaged in a game of tag with a butterfly, played peekaboo with a bee, and tried unsuccessfully to ambush a hummingbird. Then she rolled and rolled in a patch of catnip until she herself smelled of the scented herb. All this playing left Amanda feeling very sleepy. This little basket seemed like the purfect spot for a cat nap! After getting nice and cozy, Amanda dozed off and began to dream. She dreamed of fishing, mice chasing and old Gunsmoke reruns. But mostly, she dreamed of playing.

AMERICAN BEAUTY ROSE #5499 (April, 2002) Joining my line of Good Witches is Rose, who is appropriately dressed for a Fourth of July parade. She is wearing a boa with red, white, and blue colors. Even her hatband is patriotic! Usually she wars a treasured cameo on her collar, but today she chose a small American fifty cent piece picturing the proud American eagle.My inspiration for this statue was the famous daughter of Teddy Roosevelt, Alice Roosevelt Longworth. She was much lovelier than my Rose, but carried herself with the same majesty mixed with good humor. Her hat style was much the same as the one worn by Rose. Were she alive today I feel she would enjoy this well meaning tribute.My witch has her head lifted to hear a cheer from the parade crowd, “You’re an American Beauty, Rose!”

AMERICAN DREAM VS. THE MAD RUSSIAN #5030 (January, 1988) These two Woodspirits are playing in their backyard and pretending to be their favorite professional wrestlers. The little fellow pretending that he is The American Dream” has his opponent in a leg lock. It must not be too painful, because “The Mad Russian” is smiling. Their audience, the two nutheads, knows that professional wrestling is made up of tragedy and comedy. The Woodspirits always wear their ear protectors, because non-professionals especially need to be careful. There is an American penny and a Russian coin beside the two wrestlers. The wrestling bout is always a good chance for a Woodspirit get-together. On one side you see Homer and Josh pulling for the American Dream, and on the other side, Ivan and Igor give Russian encouragement. The more spectators they have, the better the show. In front of the scroll announcing the main event is a little wrestling “match.”

AMY #5200 (July, 1992) Amy is perched on a tennis ball in a courtly manner. Like Mac, she has a real sweet spot for tennis. She plays with a heart-shaped racket and is looking for a love march. What a net gain that would be! Amy’s name comes from the Latin “amor meaning love. Ive given Amy a game token showing she’ll have a “good time” because she’s lucky at love.

ANAHEIM #1025 (January, 1984) Anaheim went to a collector’s convention in California to find a plate that he could use as a frisbee. He wrote on the plate (with his left hand!) and then sent it sailing. Judging from his sea shell and his coin with grapes on it, Anaheim plans to sail the frisbee from the shore to the vineyards. His name is taken from “Anaheim,” which means “makes people feel at home.”

AND JOY #9058 TIM WOLFE Where’d Mom go? This little cub is having so much fun exploring her new world that she has ventured from sight of Mother Bear. Joy didn’t really mean to stray so far – her curiosity simply got the best of her. Oh well, Mom can’t be too far, so until she’s found Joy will continue doing what roly-poly bear cubs do best play! The sow bear is already searching for her missing toddler. It just won’t do for her to be without either of her two cubs. After all, they are Mama’s Pride and Joy.

ANDREW #5105 (Cairn Key and A Dealers Series) (May, 1990) Andrew is named for the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Scotland, one of the oldest and most famous of all golf courses. The exact origin of golf is obscure, but it is known that Mary Queen of Scots played at St. Andrews in the 1500s. Like his friend lan, Andrew is wearing a kilt of the Cairn tartan, in which gold bands frame the St. Andrews crosses. His green hunting jacket has acorn buttons, and the sporran at his waist holds his money. His regimental striped tie is cut “face up” in the British fashion, so that the stripes slant from the heart. The flashes on Andrew’ socks complete his traditional Scottish attire. Andrew’s 5 pence coin from Great Britain shows the thistle, the national emblem of Scotland. The Order of the Thistle, a Scottish order of knight-hood, is sometimes called the Order of St. Andrew. Andrew is too small to be knighted, but he’s performing a noble deed by yelling “Fore” to help some golfer find his ball.

ANDREW – THE DISCIPLE #6021 Andrew was the brother of Simon Peter, both fishermen in Galilee at the time Jesus was selecting his disciples. As the passage from the Gospel of John indicates, it was Andrew who first witnessed Jesus. Inspired by this encounter, he later brought his brother Peter to see the one who was now being called the Messiah. Although the gospel narratives said very little of Andrew, the early church legends convey that he was put to death on an “X shaped cross. Later legend revealed that the King of Scotland saw this “X” in the clouds before a battle and it greatly inspired him as he led his troops to war. Even today, the Scottish flag’s symbol is a white “X” against a light sky blue back-ground. This statue of Andrew is a part of the “12 disciple” series being developed in anticipation of a “Last Supper” scene that will include all disciples. Thus far, we have introduced Matthew, John, Simon Peter and James.

ANDREW JACKSON #5177 (January 1992)) Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States, is standing before an “Old Hickory* branch from North Carolina. This nickname was bestowed on him during the War of 1812 by soldiers who declared him “tough an hickory.* The coin on the branches cut edge is a mark, received by all York Rite Masons upon initiation, and honors Jackson as York Rite Mason. Jackson is claimed by both North Carolina and Tennessee, and it is still disputed if he was actually born in North or South Carolina. I have visited his home, named the Hermitage, which stands near Nashville, Tennessee and is now a national shrine. The pose is reminiscent of Thomas Sully’s portrait of Jackson, which was also the basis for the U.S. twenty dollar bill. I’ve depicted Jackson during his presidential years (1829 – 1837) and placed the Great Seal of the United States by his feet. Elected president at age 61, he walked bareheaded to the Capitol for his inauguration, still tall, lean and ramrod straight. His formal dress may belie his reputation as the president who was truly of and for the common man, and indeed, he was the first president to be born in a log cabin. Known as a fighter both on the battlefield and in the White House, Jackson’s slogan was “Let the people rule.”

ANDY HAPPY NEW YEAR #6315 Cairn Seminar Series (September, 1994) The 1995 holiday season isn’t over – now it’s time to welcome in the new year. Andy knows Christmas is all about hope, and what could be more hopeful than twelve new months? He asked his rabbit buddy to “sing in” the new year with him. The rabbit held up the calendar page for the very first day of 1996 and thumped, “It’s a date!” Andy has a rakish party hat and an Irish coin showing a hare, in honor of his friend. Andy thinks it’s great that his name is the bridge between these two special holidays. So strike up the band and let’s all join in song: “We wish you a Merry Christmas Andy Happy New Year!”

ANGEL #196 (May, 1982) This lovely angel is a female, despite references in the Bible to archangels as wingless men. The Angel has multicolored feathers, as depicted in so many early Renaissance paintings. When placed on the roof of the stable, she can see the Baby Jesus, and only He can see her.

ANGEL II #5412 The story of the Birth of Jesus says, “and there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy …” (Luke 2:8-10) Thus an angel’s presence at the Nativity setting is appropriate. Although the visage of the angel is not described, we traditionally think of that “messenger of God” as being clothed in white and wearing a Diadem. Often the angel is depicted with hands folded upward in prayer. I’ve intentionally positioned the hands of Angel I downward, since the presence of God is not “above” but in the stable where the Baby Jesus lies in a manger.

ANGEL IN PRAYER #5928  (April, 2003)

ANGEL IN THE OUTFIELD #5391 The players on Tom Clark’s baseball team are finally complete with the addition of Angel in the Outfield. The little angel is aptly named Lucy after Charlie Brown’s outfielder companion in the cartoon series *Peanuts.” To paraphrase a Beetles’ song, she’s “Lucy” looking ‘in the sky” on the baseball “diamond.” Her traditional feather wings are much like the eagle’s wings depicted on her lucky game token. As she positions herself far from the batter, the crowd can be heard yelling, “For heavens’ sake, be an angel and catch that fly ball!”

ANGELICA #5580 Angelica is a guardian angel for the garden. She is dressed in a springtime gown which is embellished with autumn acorns. Her wings are made of leaves from all seasons. The green leaf on her thumb assures us that she will watch over the growth of all things in the garden. She is a gardener’s guide much as the Native American Sacagawea was for Lewis and Clark. That is why her lucky coin honoring Sacagawea is hung around her neck. Her hands are folded in gratitude for the beauty of the earth and the beauty of the skies. Her thoughts are like those of the poetess Frances Wile who wrote: “All beautiful the march of days, As seasons come and go; The hand that shaped the rose hath wrought The crystal of the snow; Hath sent the hoary frost of heaven, The flowing waters sealed, And laid a silent loveliness On hill and wood and field.”

ANGELYN #5117 (September, 1990) The name “Angelyn” derives from “angel,” and honors my mother, Angelyn Fetzer Clark. In classical Greek “angel” translated as “messenger,” but in New Testament Greek its meaning changed to “messenger of God.” In 1982 I sculpted an Angel to sit on the roof of the stable in the Nativity scene. Angelyn, however, stands atop a shell, reminiscent of the religious statues that decorate cathedrals, shrines and temples. Her wings are actually shells whose common name is “angel wings”. Angelyn may join the Nativity tableau or she may stand alone in any room where you desire a guardian angel.

ANNIVERSARY WALTZ #8016 They can dance out in public, Or at home all alone. Because if there’s no music,  They just make their own.

ANNE #5296 CB #3304 (January, 1996) Although the New Testament does not mention the mother of the Virgin Mary, Apocryphal literature of ancient origin says that she is Anne. It seemed fitting that this statue be so named, for this elderly lady is lovingly preparing for Christmas. Anne has been gathering greens for the Christmas wreath. The December day is bright but chilly, so she ties a kerchief over her hair. A lap robe (she probably made it!) lies over the back of the chair, and its warmth will be much appreciated in the late afternoon when the winter day turns to evening. The milk can sits nearby for the Christmas baking, as well as for the mugs of hot chocolate that will be consumed by the grandchildren after sledding and snowball battles. Note her wedding ring – her only cherished piece of jewelry. I am pleased that she bears the name Anne, which is shared by several of my cousins. It is also the name of a former Cairn employee, now deceased, named Anne Gibson. She brought much cheer into our casting department, and her sweet personality must have been similar to that of Jesus’ grandmother.

ANSEL #5505 (2002) Grab your camera! Ansel is taking pictures from the roof of the observation car. Ansel is named for the great 20th century photographer, Ansel Adams. His pictures of mountains, canyons and all natural wonders have inspired many camera buffs. And what better spot for photographing than this car on the train! I am not anxious to sit on top of a train in order to take fabulous pictures. Yet I’m anxious for Ansel to develop his film, for I want to see what he saw! The lucky coin is from the Overland Casino, which salutes those early settlers who saw the wonders of the west from a stagecoach window. I take my photos from inside the train, and, hopefully, they will be as good as the ones taken by Ansel. But don’t bet on it!

APPLE ANNIE #169 (October, 1981) I once saw a mountain lady crossing the road with her apron full of apples. The wind from my car blew her bonnet and she quickly clasped it with her hand. Therein was the pose that inspired the statue.

APPRENTICES #  (2000)

APRIL #5285 (August, 1995) With her sea urchin parasol, April is always prepared for a shower. She loves a rainy day, but she also loves showers that honor brides and new mothers. From the amount of presents around her feet, it’s clear that April showers them with gifts. Like Happy and the tiny GIFT fellows, she finds joy in giving to others, and like Punch and Judy, she enjoys celebrating special occasions. Why does she have a coin from France? That’s because April’s in Paris!

ARCHANGEL MICHAEL #5289 (Special Commission) (October, 1995) The four archangels, Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel, appear in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, and in later Jewish and Christian writings. The word angel comes from a Greek word meaning “messenger” or “one who is sent.? These spiritual messengers are part of many Biblical stories, and many see them, as Saint Thomas Aquinas believed, to be the necessary link between God and man. The archangels appear on earth in human form, and are distinguished from the winged cherubim and seraphim, who fall below them in the divine hierarchy. I have chosen to sculpt Michael as the first member of the Archangel Series. He is the most prominent, and as the patron angel of Israel, is sometimes referred to as “general” or “captain.” Michael is also portrayed as one of the privileged “angels of the presence; or one who stands beside the throne of God. Jesus’s words to his disciples in Luke 12:8-9 support this view of the archangels as God’s holy hosts: “And I tell you, every one who acknowledges me before men, the Son of man also will acknowledge before the angels of God; but he who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God.” A third interpretation views Michael as a recording angel, or a sort of heavenly record-keeper. I have given him a passage from Daniel 12:1 that reads in part, “your people shall be delivered, every one whose name is written in the book? For many years I have been deeply interested in creating sculptures of the four archangels, and it is a dual pleasure to bring this concept to life for the benefit of Hospice for the Carolinas.

ARIZONA #2040 (Special Commission) (October, 1992) Legend has it that Joseph Walz (the “Dutchman”) worked a fantastically rich gold mine for many years. When he died in 1891, however, the secret of the mine’s location died with him. Many fortune seekers still trek Arizona’s Superstition Mountains, searching for the lost gold and the Lost Dutchman Mine. But they’II find treasures in every corner of the Grand Canyon State. My little Woodspirit, dressed as a Dutchman with traditional wide trousers, wooden shoes and a tulip leaf hat brim, is a “gold mine” of information about his namesake state, Arizona. He’s standing by the Great Seal and a commemorative prospector’s coin. His Indian head penny and nickel represent Arizona’s rich Native American heritage, and the cotton boll symbolizes its most valuable crop. A cactus wren, Arizona’s state bird, has left his prints on the base. The name “Arizona comes from an ancient Papago Indian word, “arizonac,” meaning “little spring.” The little spring flowing from the glass is trickling over some pieces of fool’s gold, and now Arizona has “Goldwater.” My little fellow believes in the old say-ing: If there is enough blue in the sky to make a Dutchman a pair of britches, it’s going to be a nice day. He’s pointing to a map that shows the state’s major mining sites of copper, gold, lead and other minerals. Could he be directing us to the lost mine? Most likely he’s saying, “Take a golden opportunity to visit Arizona.”

ARKANSAS #6371 (2000) Arkansas, the 25th state in the Union, is known as the land of opportunity. It is the destination of many “Arkansas Travelers” who enjoy mountains, lakes, green wilderness and progressive cities. The capital is Little Rock, as is indicated by the rock behind the Gnome. There are also impressive “rocky-fellows” in the state’s history. The Razorback is the mascot of the University of Arkansas. He is much loved and supported by the citizens of the state. This gnome is making certain that he doesn’t get a chill, so he’s putting this “pig in a blanket” embroidered with a map of the state. Butterflies often land on the back of the Razorback and when their team is winning they live “high on the hog!” Note: Tim Wolfe has joined in the creation of this figurine by sculpting the Razorback.

ARNOLD #124 (July, 1930) This Woodspirit is named for Arnold Palmer, and this statue sits on the famous golfer’s desk in Florida. Obviously little Arnold is having a ball playing a game that suits him to a tee. If he likes the golfer who walks past his territory. Arnold will divide the grass in front of the lost ball so that it can be found. The sixpence is the good luck coin for Great Britain. the birthplace of golf.

ARTHUR #1186 (April, 1987) Arthur is the oldest Gnome that I have made He’s 365 years old. No wonder he’s down in his back. 365 days a year he goes to the Post Office with his mail pouch. He’s never given time off because every day as people see him go by, they say, “Arthur, write us.” He has two coins from the Caribbean. One shows a bird, for airmail, and the other shows a ship, honoring those letters that seem to have been traveling on a slow boat to China!

ARTHUR RUBINSTEIN #39 (December, 1978) Arthur Rubinstein was one of the greatest concert pianists of the twentieth century. I created this bust of the artist as a gift for my mother, who had been a piano teacher. The recordings of this great musician still delight me as I work in the studio. Even Woodspirits love Chopin.

ASHLEY #8064 Reclining on an inner tube, Is her favorite summer treat,  And Ashley gets the giggles  When the waves tickle her feet.

ASSEMBLY TEAM (Cairnorama) #7350 by Tom Clark & David Merck  In 1937, John Deere, a blacksmith, developed the world’s first commercially successful, self-scouring steel plow, and in anticipation of its success, he even began a manufacturing operation to produce plows before receiving any orders. His prophetic wisdom is still seen today in the giant company that now offers all manner of agricultural and industrial equipment for homeowner and commercial use. To honor this company, its many employees, and its many product aficionados, David Merck and I have designed a gnome “assembly team” who are depicted busily assembling a gnome scale tractor. The “John Deere green” paint may still be a bit wet as the tractor receives the last of this signature color. Finance, accounting, sales, marketing, and production are all represented by the assembly team, and their dedication is testimony to their success in producing very high-quality equipment. The company over the years has lived up to the vow once spoken by John Deere himself: “I will never put my name on a plow that does not have in it the best that is in me.”

ATLAS #5113 (August, 1990) It should be obvious that for this sports-loving Woodspirit, baseball is his whole world. To tease his friends Homer and Ty, he’s posing as Atlas of Greek mythology, who was forced to hold the heavens on his shoulders. His coin reads “Games” because the only thing that Atlas likes better than one baseball game is a double-header, and his coin is good for a free ice cream cone at the ballpark. Just like the song “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” says, Atlas has some peanuts and Crackerjacks. Look at the front of the statue and you’ll see that Atlas, the good sportsman, always goes to bat for his friends.

AUDUBON AND PETERSON #1114 (June, 1985) Like the famous ornithologists for whom they are named, these two Woodspirits are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the first Carolina chickadee of the spring. Peterson is giving an expert bird call and Audubon is going to use his binoculars for close observation. But even the best bird watchers can’t get up soon enough to catch the early bird! The chick. adee, unknown to them, has already arrived and is enjoying the bird seed right behind them. The Norwegian coin depicts a small bird.

AUNT #11016 is death to weeds! She can spot a weed a “yard away” and the tender ones she can uproot easily. But when it comes to crabgrass she has to get Uncle to help her pull it up. Occasionally they enlist the aid of a mole to go under. ground and dislodge those pesky roots. (Also see Mom, Dad, Brother, Sis, Uncle)

AUNT HENNY #11016 From her perch on this sack of grain, Aunt Henny can keep tabs on all the neighbors. Word has it that if you want the “scoop,” Aunt Henny’s got it. She knows who’s doing what, when they’re doing it, how many times and with whom. Some call her nosy . . . others call her a busy, bossy old hen . .. but to her face, everyone calls her Ma’am.

AUNT JEWELL #5040 (March, 1988) Aunt Jewell is another one of my country people, buy with the everyday farming chores. She is scrubbing overalls for her sons, who are in the fields doing the spring plowing and planting. Her washtub is on the back porch, so that the can enjoy the morning sunshine. Hopefully her cap will keep her hair in place until Sunday, so she’ll look nice for church. Some may call her rawboned, bur she’s thankful for her health and her strength on a farm everyone works hard from dawn till dusk. Aunt Jewell has never owned a jewel, but her family knows that she is one.

AUNTIE PENNY #5221 (Cairn Seminar Series) (April, 1993) When Auntie Penny plays penny ante poker, the stakes don’t make much “cents.” But she’s lucky she has a “Rich” husband. She knows that true wealth is measured in those you love and those who love you. Rich and Auntie Penny go together perfectly and they even laugh at the same jokes. It tickles his funny bone when Auntie Penny ribs him, and then he’ll “poker” in the ribs until she yells, “Uncle Rich!” Able and Betty bet that these two will always be as happy together as they are now- and you can take that to the bank.

AUTUMN LEAVES #5304 (Collector Society Artwork Series) (June, 1996) If you take a foliage tour of beautiful New England in the autumn months, you may spy these fellows playing in the fallen leaves. Some of their leaves show portions of the maps of the six New England states – can you identify them? One Gnome wears a winter cap for warmth, and his bucket of maple syrup is creating a sticky situation. His buddy has been hiking in the White Mountains. The profile on the coin in his backpack matches the face in his beard – it’s New Hampshire’s Old Man of the Mountain. Their friend has collected a huge pile of leaves for jumping and frolicking. Follow his lead and enjoy each and every moment for, all too soon, autumn leaves. When autumn leaves turn red and gold, There’s beauty to behold. The weather weaves a story told; Of foliage on a roll. Trees drop leaves on hats and sleeves; They’re heaped on every knoll. The Gnomes do grieve when autumn leaves; For winter leaves them cold.

AVA #2041  (Collector Society Artwork Series) (March, 1993) Ava the gardener is named for a fellow North Carolinian who was as beautiful as a spring blossom. Now it is autumn, and the summer flowers are turning brown and folding back into the earth. But Ava knows that this is nature’s way, for Ecclesiastes 3:1 promises “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven . . . a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted.” So Ava is planting spring bulbs, and next April her garden will again abound with color. There are anemones by her knees and three “mystery” bulks on the statue. Like myself, Ava sometimes forgets what she has ordered, but is delighted with whatever blooms! If you think she’s forgotten her spade, look on the sleeves of her dress. When she works in the garden, Ava ties a kerchief over her hair. In Russian, “babushka” means grandmother, and lovely Ava plants a special flower for each of her grandchildren.

AVIATOR #326 (True Builders of America) (June, 1984) Another True Builder, this figure honors all the brave aviators in World Wars I and II, when flight was in its infancy. The model is Jack Poteat, a former rest pilot and the father of our National Sales Manager. This statue is also to honor the many civilians who did plane-watching duty in the coastal states during World War IL. The Aviator has returned home from a long flight, and has just dropped his parachute and duffel bag at his feet to look skyward. His heart is still in the sky as he watches, with pride and admiration, a squadron of planes soaring overhead.

AZALEA #5564  Azalea loves it when someone gives her a potted plant on a special occasion. She enjoys the indoors full bloom, and then she takes her treasures outside to be planted so that it will bloom again in nature without being forced. As you can see from her green thumb she has a way with flowers. Azalea’s garden is the envy of her Gnome neighborhood.  It is no coincidence that she is dressed to match the outdoors. That is where she spends most of her time, so why shouldn’t she have on colors that correspond with blossoms in the garden? Furthermore, her dress acorns came from her favorite tree, and her lucky coin, with flowers of course, is from Japan. Azalea has a special nook in her garden which she calls “Friend’s Corner”. It is filled with plants which were gifts and first arrived in pots. She enjoys showing this area to friends and being able to say, “This one is from my sister, and that one is from the Sunday School class, and that one came last Christmas, and …” She then notes that the plants, just like the friendships that they represent, grow, mature and become even more beautiful over time.

BABE #5054 (June, 1958) Babe was really teed off when she saw an old ice cream come left on the golf course. After picking it up she felt that she deserved to tee up higher, so she’s using the cone for her ladies’ tee. Her 20 pence coin is from Great Britain, where golf was developed, and depicts Queen Elizabeth. Like her namesake, golf immortal Babe Didrikson, this Babe wishes to he the queen of the course. She is going to invite Arnold, Hugh Robert, Birdie, Par, Win and Mulligan to play in her PGA tournament–Professional Gnomes Association. Be careful not to bite the bottom of an ice cream cone, or you’ll get a hole-in-one.

BABY and SPLIT #8045 & #8046 Baby and Split are quite a pair, They go bowling whenever they have time to spare. Each shaped a bit like a bowling pin, They’re built for power And they play to win.

BABY BOY #8021 Sitting here without a care, Is a baby boy and his teddy bear. For the moment they’re quiet, slightly perplexed. Pondering which mischief to get into next.

BABY GIRL #8025 So little, so sweet You’ll want to linger,  One wide-eyed glance And you’re wrapped round her finger.

BABY JESUS #37 (October, 1981) This humble cradle was made by Nelson Hollar, a local craftsman. The baby is wrapped in blue, the symbol of royalty. Already His arms are beginning to reach out to those around Him.

BACALL #5600 Bogie and Bacall are two green thumb gnomes named for legendary movie stars who were a couple in several films and in real life. Bacall’s first line in her first movie, “To Have and Have Not”, was “Anyone got a match?” Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall made quite a match together. Our Gnome couple are also a good match. They like to sit in companion flower pots and enjoy protecting and talking to different species of flowers. If Bacall is among pink petunias, Bogie might like to sit amid blue cornflowers. Bogie’s lucky coin is from Morocco, which will be useful if he wants to go to Casablanca. Bacall’s coin is from South Africa. Even though she wasn’t in the movie, she was certainly Bogart’s “African Queen”.

BACK-SCRATCH #6351 Artist & Collector Offer (January, 1998) When you’ve got an itch you just can’t scratch, it’s like having a monkey on your back, and that’s no monkey business. What you really need is a back-up – like a helpful pal who can get those hard-to-reach places. The monkey said, “If you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours,” so it will be the gnome’s turn next! That’s back-to-back friendship. The coin is from Samoa – you know that if you give a monkey a banana, he’ll always want Samoa. The monkey has his thinking cap on, but I’ll wager he’s thinking about that orange for a snack. But back to the statue – just before we finished, we threw a monkeys wrench into it!

BADGER #177 (May, 1982) Another Wind in the Willows character, his image and colors are based on illustrations from the book. I had never seen a badger and was aided in his design by nature books. The largest of the pieces if he were standing, he prefers to sit and entertain with his accordion at picnics.

BAILEY #1148 (May, 1987) Named for Beetle Bailey, my Bailey is quite a snorer! If you have him in your home, no one will ever again think it is you who snores, but only Bailey! The pine featured on the pre-Revolutionary coin is a special hiding place for beetles, and is the place where Bailey found the pine cones in his bag.

BAKER #1199 (July, 1987) He stands atop his freshly baked strawberry muffin, having used strawberries from Shorty’s garden. Even though the muffin is finished, like all good chefs he wants to garnish his work with just one more strawberry. The coins are from Mexico, Germany and the Caribbean, and they add up to 13¢-a baker’s dozen! His recipe serves six Gnomes at Baker’s anniversary party for Elizabeth and O’Neal and Jay and Martha.

BALTHAZAR #5012 (November, 1987) Balthazar is the last of the three Wise Men. who followed the star in the East to Bethlehem. Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar represent the white, Oriental, and black races, the three major races of the known world at the time of Christ’s birth. When the Wise Men saw the Baby Jesus, *they fell down and worshipped him” To honor the Child, they brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Balthazar kneeling in reverence, and holding the basket with his offering for the Child. He is trembling in awe, for he knows that the world is forever changed.

BALTHAZAR II #5392 Balthazar, and Oriental King “from the East” (like his companions Caspar and Melchior) is not mentioned by name in the Gospel of Matthew. However, all three Kings came to worship the newborn Jesus and presented gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Balthazar, presenting his gift, is depicted kneeling before the manger.

BANANAMAN #5183 (March, 1992) Scoop and Peaches have been looking for a banana split, and here it is! No, it’s not something good to eat, is their friend Bananaman. He’s always in a Good Humor. Maybe that’s what gives him such a-peel. Bananaman likes to tease his friends with his crazy outfit, but he never monkeys around with his favorite treat, ice cream. His coin is from Samoa – if you love Bananaman’s dessert, you’ll always want Samoa.

BANBURY #30 (October, 1982) This Woodspirit imagines that he is riding a crooked horse to Banbury Cross. If he should happen to see the Queen along the way, he can buy her a posy with his English penny. The hobby-horse has perked up his ears to listen for danger, and now appears ready to “rock” on out with his young charge.

BARNEY #5143 (March, 1991) Barney is named for Dr. Christian Barnard, the South African surgeon who in 1967 performed the first human heart transplant operation. Barney and Val share the same base, an antique Pennsylvania Dutch valentine design. He’s trying to look into your heart, and if you open it, he’ll come in. Barney’s promise is, “If you let me into your heart, I will make it stronger,” which is what a “Christian” can do. His coin is from South Africa, where problems are being solved because people are opening their hearts to others.

BARROW #5550  (2003) Barrow is your designated “Clean-up” GREEN THUMB GNOME. He has “adopted” your garden and will “police” the area every day. Place him along your favorite path and he will fill his wheelbarrow with all sorts of lost, dropped and/or discarded items. Then, just check his barrow for all your lost-and-found items. Barrow has already collected a military button, a star, a golf ball, lock, bell, Rotary club lapel pin, bolt (from the lawn mower?), a screw and your lucky penny. The acorns Barrow has selected will be placed in spacious areas where he thinks new trees should grow. Has Barrow forgotten anything? Well, if he has, I left some string in the statue for gathering up loose

BARRY #9048 TIM WOLFE By the time spring rolls around, Barry has baseball fever. You see, he lives near the local ballfield, and when baseball is in season, so too are peanuts! Lots of them! When the hometown boys are playing, Barry scurries around under the bleachers, dining on peanuts that have escaped the mouths of excited fans. Sometimes Barry gets brave and slips into the dugout. Here, if he is real quick and clever, he can make off with a few sunflower seeds. It is usually around the seventh inning when Barry has had enough, and he’ll retire out in left field to watch the rest of the game. One day, some of these players will earn astronomical salaries. Barry, however, will always be content to work for peanuts.

BART #134 (January, 1981) Bart rides Barlett pears down from the tree. Unfortunately, his acorn shell cap doesn’t serve as a very good parachute. Still he is able to give his friends a Mickey Rooney wink after a rather bumpy landing. His coin is the good luck English sixpence.

BARTHOLOMEW #6024

BARTHOLOMEW #9028 TIM WOLFE  Bartholomew was so busy stuffing his expandable cheek pouches with nuts and corn that he almost didn’t notice this hat lying in the leaves. From the hat’s odd shape and color, he soon recognized it as belonging to the male species of little folk who inhabit his neck of the woods. At first, Bartholomew was going to leave it where it lay. After all, what use would a chipmunk have for such a thing? It certainly wouldn’t look good on him and even if it did, would only get in the way when darting up and down his little underground tunnels. That was all before he discovered the hat’s carrying capacity. When filled to the rim, it holds three times the amount of food his cheeks can, and that means fewer trips to and from the burrow. Thanks to this hat, Bartholomew is now a smart shopper and bringing home the groceries has become less of a chore. This doesn’t mean he wouldn’t return the hat to its rightful owner. Bartholomew would be more than happy to – if the price is right!

BATTER #5095 (December, 1989) The Batter is not meant to depict a particular player, rather, he represents every batter in the early days of baseball. His uniform is a composite of several early styles. He is waiting for the game to begin and symbolizes for us the beginning of baseball. June 19, 1846 was the date of baseball’s first matched game, between the New York Knickerbockers and the New York Niners, in Hoboken, New Jersey. In 1907 A.G. Spalding, founder of the sporting goods company, appointed a commission to research the exact origins of baseball. Their findings, published in the 1908 Baseball Guide, were that baseball is a truly American sport, not derived from any foreign game, and that its first rules were developed by Abner Doubleday of Cooperstown, New York in 1839. The Batter is beside a brick monument which displays a description of base: ball from the 1890 Encyclopedia Britannica. One hundred years later, it remains accurate. Since sculpting the Batter I’ve created five additional baseball players: Ty, Slugger, Cy, Yogi and Atlas.

BEA #5315 (November, 1996) Bea is the quilt maker for the Thimble Family. She has made quilts for her brother Yarn and his wife Pearl, and for Bobbin and Mendy, her great-nephew and great-niece. The square on which she is now working will be for a nice king-size quilt, and will be given as a wedding present to some lucky couple. Like the insect depicted on the Norwegian coin, she’s a busy bee. When she needs help in stitching the quilt, she’ll ask the other thimble-hatted family members to join the quilting Bea.

BEACH BABY #9191 by Tim Wolfe   Nestled in its cozy bassinet (which is actually a sea shell) this little bunny is having lunch à la baby bottle. As it eats, the baby watches in wide-eyed wonder at the pelicans, gulls and other shore birds that fly overhead. “How do they do that?”, asks the little bunny, as Mother rabbit wraps a beach blanket over her baby for warmth in the event of a cool sea breeze. Can you tell if this is a little girl bunny or perhaps a little beach boy? Help me, Rhonda!

BEACHCOMBERS #5467 (2003)   This loving couple, Neap and Heidi, are named for the low and high tides. They have their ups and downs, but always adjust and flow together. As beachcombers, they frequent the beaches in search of beautiful and rare sea shells. They have just found two small conch shells. Heidi is holding hers up to her ear to hear the ocean roar. Neap awaits his turn. The lucky coin, which they found in the sand, is from New Zealand and depicts the beautiful old ship Endeavor. Neap and Heidi have their mouths closed they’ve “clammed up!” But you can tell from their faces that they “sea” eye to eye. They have been looking down at the sand all day, so they haven’t seen the stars coming out. Never mind, there’s a starfish at their feet and they have stars in their eyes!

BEARBACK #12002  This bear didn’t care; When the Gnome took a dare; And climbed on the hair; Of his back. “I can bear you back there And we make quite a pair; To fare well in case of attack.”

BEAREL OF FUN #11004 Bears get bored easily, so they are often looking for alternative means of amusement. Roll out the barrel! After consuming this barrel’s contents of fermented apples, these two madcap bruins decided to have some fun with it. Taking turns, one bear stuffs himself inside, then the other propels him over the bumpy ground. As the barrel picks up speed, it makes for one wild and crazy ride . . . a bearel of fun!

BEARFOOT IN THE PARK #9143 As a young boy growing up in the country, I used to love to go barefoot – especially outdoors. It was one of those enjoyable little things you could do in the summertime. (I once tried it in the snow and it wasn’t much fun at all.) Consider this: if you were a bear, you would always be in your bear feet! For this reason, young bear cubs never learn to tie shoelaces. This black bear lives in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. He’s kin to Boone, that friendly ol’ bear from North Carolina. The Smokies are a fine place for a bear to grow up. There’s plenty of food, trees, and lots and lots of places to go bearfoot in the park!

BEARHUG #9801 TIM WOLFE This statue is a special collaborative effort between Cairn artists Lee Sievers and Timothy Wolfe. “Bear Hug” combines the endearing personality from Lee’s Good Life Collection with Timothy’s expressive animal sculpture. According to Wolfe, “The idea was first conceived as Lee and I talked over dinner – in a restaurant somewhere between Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Denver, Colorado.” What an expression Of friendship and caring. The giant bear hug; That these two are sharing; It comes from the heart; Whenever they meet,; So powerful it lifts them; Right off their feet.

BEAR KLAUS #9181 The Christmas Season is a busy time of year for this ol’ bear. Not only does he make public appearances at shopping malls and local parades, but he also oversees production as his toy-making facility. The toys are all hand-assembled by a team of beavers, and keeping those guys in line is a real job! Little critters throughout the forest count on Bear Klaus to bring them toys and goodies on Christmas Eve. Amazingly, he does this year in and year out without fail. How he does it, we’ll never really know. We do know, however, that behind every good bear is a good bearess. Mrs. Bear Klaus probably deserves a lot of credit for her husband’s success.

BEARLY AWAKE #6303 (October, 1992) Push! Pull! Shove! Tug! These three fellows are trying to wake up a sleepy bear cub. It’s the first day of spring and Woodspirits know that it’s time to stop this hibernating business and get on with playing, and they think they’ve found a kindred spirit. But this baby bear found some plump blackberries on his first excursion outside the den, and with his tummy full he dropped off for another snooze. Since the mascot of Bern, Switzerland, is a bear, this statue has four Swiss coins totaling forty francs, for 40 winks. One Woodspirit has stolen a franc and stashed it in his backpack, thinking this will shorten the nap by 10 winks. Like many of the other Kindred Spirits sculpted by Tom Clark and Tim Wolfe, Bearly Awake isn’t complete without a poem: Can these Gnomes Wake up this cub? Chicago wants him For the scrub. Though they’re Cub Scouts, They’ve got their doubts! But will he wake If they make A honey cake? For a cub, That’s perfect grub. But he’s still not up; Ah, that’s the rub!

BEAU #1175 (December, 1986) JC PENNY COLLECTION….Peeking through his Advent wreath, Beau is bringing you the earliest gift of the season for your home. He wants to be the first to say “Merry Christmas!” He has saved his pennies for the plum pudding on Christmas Eve: legend has it that those who find a coin in their slice of pudding will have good luck all year.

BEDTIME #5170 (November, 1991) It’s bedtime, which means only one thing: a bedtime story with Grandma. She has an alphabet book from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Library, which has been lending books to readers both young and old since 1891. You can see by the dictionary near her chair that books are a cherished part of everyday life for this family. The little grandchild is anxious to see all of the pictures in this new book, and he loves the rhymes his grandmother sometimes invents: *F is for flower, which smells so sweet, G is for Gnome, with boots on his feet?” And the best of all, the Gnome is waving to him! Books, like Gnomes, bring to us a whole new world of friends.

BEDTIME EXPRESS #5356 (January, 1998) It’s bedtime for this little girl, but there’s still time for one last ride on the Bedtime Express. I gave her father a large walnut, because he’s nuts about his little princess. She doesn’t look nearly as sleepy as her dad, but after a goodnight kiss, she’ll be sleeping like a doll. But no matter how tired he is, he wouldn’t trade this sweet ending to the day for anything. In the tradition of my statue “Papa and Princess,” the coins honor a famous royal father and daughter. On this statue I placed coins from Denmark that depict King Frederik IX and a real princess, his daughter, Queen Margarethe II.

BEETHOVEN #1184    PIANO #5026 (March, 1987) This Woodspirit is a real longhair, whose face is that of his namesake, Ludwig Van Beethoven. He hates to wear a hat, but never “leaves” the house without his leaf cravat. He found a little pumpkin for his piano bench- it seemed like a gourd idea. He likes to accompany the other Woodspirit musicians, but his solo is Beethoven’s Minuet in G. His sheet music is on top of his piano, just in case he forgets a note. His coin is from Austria, where Beethoven composed his greatest works of music in the early 1800’s. Some of little Beethoven’s Woodspirit friends like to perch on top of the piano while he plays. Johnny tries to harmonize, while Madre and Padre always request the Moonlight Sonata. Gypsy is transported by the beautiful music, but poor Bailey dozed off – he thought it was the Minuet in Z’s.

BELLA #5298 (Special Collector Newsletter Offer) (February, 1996) Bella was the inspiration for my new series of good and helpful witches. She is a friendly little kitchen witch who likes to live in “the heart of the home.” She perches on a rolling pin and holds a saucepan with her potholder. When you look at Bella, she’ll remind you to check on what’s cooking – then pots won’t boil over and pies won’t be burned. Her coin is from Samoa and shows a pineapple, the universal symbol of hospitality. When there’s good food, everyone wants “Samoa.” Bella’s hat is slightly crooked – while flying her broomstick to the moon in search of a missing dish and spoon, she suffered a mid-air collision with a cow. Her name is a nod to Bela Lugosi, the Hungarian actor made famous by his fearsome portrayal of the Count in the 1931 horror classic, “Dracula.” It’s time for dinner, but where is the family? Every kitchen needs a dinner Bella!

belle #5581

BELLE KRINGLE (Mrs. Claus) #199 (October, 1982) Santa’s loving companion looks after him, as well as the elves. As seen here, she is wearing her dust cap and her kitchen apron. The Christmas dinner dishes have just been washed. The little elf behind her was hiding so as not to be enlisted for kitchen duty, but his gift for her reveals his real feelings for this sweet lady.

BEN #1069 (October, 1984) Since Teddy has a bear in his lap, it is only fair that a teddy bear have a Gnome in his lap, but it must be a very gentle bear. So the name of the piece is Ben. The coin is Romanian, a country that has to rest in the arms of a big bear. Ben has a peanut to pacify his big bear, as well as a “Hunny” pot.

BENEDICTION #10010 The preacher is holding the Book of Common Worship, and a good luck four-leaf clover hides behind his robe. He has blessed many happy couples. Weddings are a special occasion for Charmers, as marriage is highly revered. The preacher is also fond of anniversary parties where he can re-visit the couples he married hundreds of years ago. He stands at the front of the wedding ceremony, but is only a guide for the couple and their guests. In every faith and denomination, it is the bride and groom themselves who declare their vows.

BENJAMIN #9157 At the request of the Sony Corporation, I have created a group of statues to be introduced in Japan as the “Forest Guardian Spirits.” As the name implies, these woodland friends are dedicated to the preservation and protection of the country’s beautiful natural resources. While conservation is their foremost concern, they may also be called upon for guidance by those who have either lost their way or are in need of aid while traversing the countryside. From the shadowed mountains to the open sea – a guardian spirit will forever be . . When he finally received his diploma from the Owl Institute of Higher Learning, everyone in Benjamin’s feathered family gave a hoot! They were all very proud of their new graduate, but no one was more proud than Benjamin Owl himself. So much so that he declared never to remove the flat academic cap from his head. This explains why Benjamin chuckles as he speaks – the mortarboard’s tassels tickle his cheek! Others in the Forest Guardian Spirits Series include: George, Joe, Snappy and Frank.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN #6007 (Great People in History) (December, 1994) Listen to what Thomas Jefferson had to say of his fellow statesman, diplomat, scientist and inventor: “The greatest man and ornament of the age and country in which he lived.” Like Jefferson, Franklin’s name is synonymous with the fight for American independence, and he is the only person to have signed all four of these historical documents: The Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Alliance with France, the Treaty of Peace with Great Britain, and the Constitution of the United States. My artistic inspiration for this sculpture came from two sources – Norman Rockwell’s painting of Franklin, and the statue by Jean Houdon, which was based on Franklin’s exact facial measurements. He is in his later years, and his bifocals, which he invented, are in his pock-et. The key honors his most famous experiment in Philadelphia in 1752, where, using a key and a kite, he proved that lightning is electricity. The lightning rod he then invented saved his own house from fire, substantiating one of the most popular sayings from his Poor Richard’s Almanac – ” An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Under Franklin’s chair is a copy of the successful newspaper he founded in 1729, The Pennsylvania Gazette, which later evolved into The Saturday Evening Post. I have included his signature from a letter he wrote to a friend, and the unusual epitaph he wrote for himself at age 21, which reads: “The Body of B Franklin Printer, (Like the Cover of an old Book, Its Contents torn out And stript of its Lettering and Gilding) Lies here, Food for Worms. But the Work shall not be lost; For it will, (as he believ’d) appear once more, In a new and more elegant Edition, Revised and corrected, By the Author.”

BERNARD C. (Special Commission) (February, 1991) Bernard C. was created for Boyd’s Crystal Art Glass, Inc., of Cambridge, Ohio. This family business makes the crystal collectibles that I used in the original clay sculpture. My Woodspirit is named for Bernard C. Boyd, who opened the business with his son, Bernard F. Boyd in 1978. Bernard C. Boyd had a leap year birthday, February 29, and the 1908 silver dollar commemorates the year. Little Bernard C. has gone to check on the eggs he expects to find under the hen. But when he lifted the lid, he found acorns and a small duck. The wise old owl behind Bernard C. has this advice for him: “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch!”

BERNIE #9004 TIM WOLFE It was the repeated squawking of a blue jay that woke Bernie from his afternoon nap. He had been dreaming again – a wonderful dream in which he was doing his favorite thing of all; napping. To a little squirrel just five weeks old, few things were more precious than sleep, and Bernie spent more time sleeping than anything else – even eating! He very much disliked being interrupted from either. He had dozed off shortly after being tucked into this temporary bed by his mother. She would be returning soon, to carry him on to his new home. (A curious house cat had discovered the hollow tree which had served as the original nursery for him and his sisters, so now, one by one, Mom was transporting the youngsters to a different nest.) Bernie wonders if he’ll like the new place, and hopes there aren’t any blue jays there ..

BERRY MUCH #9179 This mouse is named Huckle. He got his name from his affection for berries. He likes them … a bunch! Huckle may be just a little fellow, but he has a great big heart. He is holding up that large blackberry to show how much he loves you. How much, Huckle? Berry Much! Huckle has a gnome friend named Pimiento (created by Tom Clark) who carries an olive. Together, Pimiento and Huckle say, “Olive You, Berry Much!”

BERTHA #5218 (Railroad/Train Series) (April, 1993) Surely the Cairn Railroad would not be complete without a Pullman train car. On this overnight journey Bertha has the upper berth. After making up her sleeping compartment Pullman fetched her several warm blankets and an unusual pillow, so that her head can really hit the sack. The rhythm of the train has her sleeping like the log next to the tracks. Her coin is a railroad token from Washington, DC. Bertha thinks that taking the train is a capital idea, and most likely she’s dreaming of the wonderful breakfast that awaits her in the dining car the next morning.

BESSIE #107 (October, 1978) Bessie ventures outside her home during daylight hours so she provided herself with a leaf outfit that somewhat disguises her. She is a bit perturbed because an owl bit her broom in two and flew off with the top half.

BEST FRIENDS #12001 Why give a dog a hug? Maybe the reason is because his fur is soft . .. or because he smells like fresh cut hay . .. or because he never lets you out of his sight … or because he’s your best friend! Not getting enough hugs is a puppy’s pet peeve.

BETSY #5501 Ross. The family flag needs a little refurbishing. Betsy has it across her knees as she re-stitches some of the stripes. Named for the reputed designer of the first flag in the 18 th century, Betsy Ross, this thimble lady is just as serious about her role in presenting the colors that honor the United States.She wears her grandmother’s pearl earrings and her wedding ring, though thin, will last her lifetime.The star on her blouse represents all of the stars that stand for members of the armed services.Her good luck coin is a US penny from the year 2000. Hence through 3 centuries so proudly we have hailed the flag. Long may it wave!

BETSY ROSS #5165 (September, 1991) As legend goes, Betsy Ross, a Philadelphia seamstress, sewed the first American flag in June of 1776. General George Washington is credited with the design of the flag, so l’ve given Betsy coins commemorating Washington’s inauguration and the Bicentennial. The “United Colonies” declared their independence in July, but it was not until June 14, 1777 that the Continental Congress officially adopted the flag. Although there is no written documentation to confirm the Betsy Ross story, in 1952 the U. S. government gave its approval by issuing Betsy a belated birthday present – a postage stamp honoring the 200th anniversary of her birth. With the original Stars and Stripes cascading from her lap, she joins my series of American Folk Heroes, which also includes Daniel Boone, George Washington, Chief Hollow Horn Bear, Mark Twain and Andrew Jackson. The legend of Betsy Ross may be an embroidered fantasy, but this heroine is part of the fabric of American history.

BETTY #5228 (June, 1993) Able’s wife is also an able worker, for together this couple is a matching pair of bookends. They both love to read (as do Henson, Ed, Curtis, Sleuth and D.C.) and you’ll always see them curled up with a good book. Betty is betting that Gnomes do exist and she shares her husband’s gaming token. Her book is open to the page that reads “You can Bet Gnomes are – believe Able.” Betty likes to whisper to Collectors as they walk by, “It’s a good Bet!”

BICK #188 (December, 1981) Gnomes have great puzzle-solving abilities, so when little Bick found this one, he solved it quickly. He is going to leave it in the path so that the human who lost it will be pleased to find it in perfect condition. The coin is from Romania, birthplace of the Rubik’s Cube.

BILL #8022  Every day except Sunday He comes without fail,  He’s that friendly guy Who delivers your mail.

BILL AND COO #5319 (January, 1997) Shhh – don’t disturb the bird watchers. Using this knothole as their bird blind, they are hoping for a glimpse of the rare ruby-throated Cairn warbler. Coo has a pair of acorn shell binoculars, and Bill has an Audubon birdcall. Their 10-cent coin from the Caribbean shows a bird. “Bill and coo” is an old-fashioned phrase that describes an affectionate couple – in Old English “bill” means to touch beaks, and “coo” is still commonly used to describe a gentle murmuring. Bill and Coo are avid bird watchers, but for now, they only have eyes for each other.

BILL ELLIOTT #6600 (August, 1992) It was a beautiful July morning when a sparkling white Thunderbird drove up to my sculpting studio. The driver was slightly weary. The day before he had driven five hundred miles around a triangular-shaped, baking-hot asphalt track in Long Pond, Pennsylvania at the Pocono Miller Genuine Draft 500. The man who was here to pose for my camera was motor racing’s Bill Elliott. One of NASCAR’ top drivers and the most popular driver in the sport today, Bill Elliott is the first member of my newest series of sculptures. This series will celebrate a unique type of American hero, the race car driver. Like myself, Bill Elliott was raised in a small southern town and spent his afternoons helping out in his father’s business. My statue cannot communicate his soft southern accent, but I have tried to portray his reserved manner coupled with his quiet confidence and intense commitment. The logos that adorn his special flame-retardant uniform point to this particular time in Bill Elliott’s career. He holds his massive helmet under one arm and I have incorporated his signature onto the base of the statue. In a challenging and dangerous sport, Bill Elliott is a new American hero whose dreams have come true.

BILL RUSSELL (BRONZE) #  (2000)

BIRDIE #78 (September, 1983) This Gnome has found three treasures in his own backyard: a golf ball, a coin and a chickadee. The Chilean coin depicts a condor, the highest flying bird. If a golfer can hit the ball as high as a condor flies, he’ll get a birdie (one under par).

BIRTHDAY PATTY #5354 (January, 1998) Happy Birthday to Birthday Patty! Wearing her “patty” hat, this witch is ready to celebrate with her friends at her birthday “patty.” She holds a birthday candle – for this occasion, she’s burning her candle at both ends, and she’ll be able to make ends meet. I gave her a sea shell to wish Patty oceans of love (without shelling out for an expensive gift!) They lucky penny is wishing you 1 more cent-sational year.

BISKIT #9104 Young Biskit was born one of six puppies to a pair of fine, AKC registered bloodhounds. He spent the first few weeks of his life wrestling with his siblings, learning things from mom, and mostly, eating. Though he seldom saw his father, Biskit could often hear him – from a nearby kennel – barking out conversa-thon with Mother. It came to pass that, one by one, Biskit’s brothers and sisters were each taken away by smiling, happy people. Eventually he was the only puppy left. Then, one day a young couple came and carried Biskit to what he assumed was his new home. At first it felt strange and he was lonely for his mother. That soon changed however, as his new owners cared for Biskit very well. They showered him with attention, affectIon and love. As a matter of fact, the little fellow was treated like a king. What’s all the fuss? he wondered. After all, he ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog!

BITTERSWEET #5195 (May, 1992) These two Woodspirits are making off with the candy. But haste makes waste, so their raid on the candy box is less than a success. Bitter wasn’t level-headed enough and his chocolate-covered cherry fell apart. No wonder he’s grumpy. Sweet, however, is happy because her chocolate-covered cashew is intact. That’s using the old nut. Wouldn’t Jane enjoy doing her toe-touches near these two? Their South African coin depicts two lovebirds who, at the moment, are not speaking to each other. Maybe Chip and Candy can lend some confectionery advice to Bitter and Sweet.

black diamond #10036  This little Charmer has his lucky 4-leaf clover on his cap. so he feels he can be a little daring on the ski slope His girlfriend, Snowdrop, elected to stay at the bottom of the mountain and build a snowman. Anyone can take the “Bunny Slope” with sled or skis. A goodly number of qualified skiers will come down the “green” intermediate slopes. Then the daring few will attempt the expert slopes that are designated with a black diamond. That being the nickname of this Charmer, he couldn’t resist the challenge. So… Whiz!…he’s off on the long journey down to the bottom. Despite going at the speed of a leaf being blown across the slope, it may take him until the end of the season to get to the bottom. By then, Snowdrop’s snowman may have melted!

BLACKIE #2025 (Collector Society Artwork Series) (October, • 1988) This Woodspirit lives on Rattlesnake Mountain (and shares the same name as my caretaker, Lonfred Black). He is known as Blackie because he gets all of his firewood and acorns from the black oak tree that grows on the highest point of Rattlesnake Mountain (approximately 4000 feet). Because the hawks like to circle this mountain, he has camouflaged his visible red hat with a black oak leaf, but was still spotted by two small snails who are hitching a ride on his basket. The coin from Romania shows a farmer planting, with the sun rising over the mountains. Blackie loves this tree so much that he is on his way to the foot of the mountain to plant its offspring. He is happy to give the snails a ride – he knows that otherwise they would not make it to the valley below before the first snowfall.

BLACKSMITH #332 (True Builders of America Series) (September, 1987) Richard McIntosh posed as the Blacksmith for this statue, another member of the True Builders of America series. The Blacksmith is wearing a leather apron and using the anvil to make horseshoes. When I was a little boy, most people owned automobiles, but horses were still commonplace. My father’s store had a hitching post behind it, for the customers who came by horse-drawn wagon. I remember riding my pony down a dirt road to the blacksmith’s shop to get him shoed. Today’s schoolchildren take field trips to visit a restored blacksmith’s shop. Nowadays I take trips down the road to Richard McIntosh’s to get my car repaired.

BLARNEY #1004 (November, 1983) He is named for the Blarney stone which I kissed in 1960. He is standing on a piece of cork (for County Cork in Ireland) and has a walking stick made from a honeysuckle vine. Like all good leprechauns, he is dressed in green and wears a roll hat with a brim. He has a shamrock for a necktie and an Irish coin at his feet. If you look closely, late in the afternoon, you’ll see a little Irish mist settling around him.

BOB #9030 TIM WOLFE Now here is one satisfied frog. After gulping down a mouthful of arthropods, Bob has gone into a digestive trance while relax. ing on this fishing float. The buoyant ball has drifted ashore.. into the calm, shallow corner of the little farm pond. This is where, since hatching from a jellylike mass containing nearly twenty thousand eggs, Bob has called home. Just a few days ago, Bob emerged from hibernation in the oozy mud beneath three feet of water. He isn’t sure who came up with this hibernating idea but it certainly wasn’t a frog; Bob would much rather spend the winters in South Florida. This will be Bob’s seventh spring as a fully-developed pond resident. While it may not seem all that old for a frog, it’s doing pretty good for a guy who was voted by his fellow tadpoles as “most likely to be swallowed by a largemouth bass.”

BOB, R.L.S. #5186 (April, 1992) Bob, Registered Land Surveyor, is often asked if his real name is Robert. He responds, “No, just plumb Bob.” He’s the master of all he surveys – that may be just two feet. I gave Bob a crow feather so that his measurements, as the crow flies, are straight as an arrow. The compass will surely help the bear (wear-ing a surveyor’s orange ribbon) get his bearings. Bob’s American quarter depicts George Washington, who was a surveyor in Virginia for five years before joining the military. The surveyors in this neck of the woods said, “If you lose that plumb, Bob, we’ll turn you upside down and use you!” Bob got the point.

BOBBIN #5071 (April, 1989) Bobbin is Mendy’s twin brother. Her coin is from Sweden and his is from Norway. Their mother, Thimblena, gave him that bobbin. He thought it was a giant yoyo. Thimblena makes him tie the end of the thread to her chair before he runs off to play. Then he’ll always be able to find his way back home. He likes to “bob” up from under a table and scare Mendy. But his favorite pastime of all is to borrow his Uncle Stitch’s skateboard and whiz down a molehill. This leaves him in stitches!

BOBBY HAMILTON #6601 (October, 1992) Bobby Hamilton came to my studio in the fall of the year to pose for my camera. He joins Bill Elliott as the second in my series of a new breed of American hero, the race car driver. At first glance this is a man of many contrasts. Wearing a dark racing suit, he has prematurely gray hair above a youthful face, and at a young age he has achieved success in a sport known by its legendary drivers. What I remember most is the affection he showed for my dog Spunky, who was happy to stand by his side and pose along with him. In 1989 he drove one of the camera cars on the racetrack for the movie “Days of Thunder.” In his first Winston Cup season he had forth place in the prestigious Daytona 500, and he fin led 1991 with NASCAR Winston Cup Rookie of the year honors. Like myself, he was born and raised in the south, and still lives in his hometown of Nashville with his wife and teenage son. Since age nine, when he was allowed to drive a race car slowly around his dad’s garage, Hamilton knew he wanted to be in racing. Little did he realize how far his dreams would take him.

BOBCAT #5114 (August, 1990) Bobcat, like his friends Push and Shove and the Face car drivers, loves motors. He’d like to join their games and Faces but puts his commitment to helping others first. Bobcat is gathering and stockpiling acorns for the others in the clan. Now Baker and Colleen will have no excuse for not making acorn muffins and acorn pie! His Spanish coin shows a very small bull, in honor of his miniature bulldozer, made by Caterpillar Tractor. Bobcat’s leaf hat will camouflage him from the big people doing their fall raking. He’ll ring his bell to warn small animals and bugs away from the path of his bulldozer’s blade.

BOGEY #9140 Bogey golf. It’s a term used to describe one over par. Par is good. Real good. Under par is better. For some, bogey golf is, well, attainable. Depending on your own handicap, you may or may not be happy with bogies – but you gotta love Bogey Bunny! This little guy is part of a golfing group that includes Hawthorn the frog, Chi Chi the mouse, and Duffy the duck. Bogey is holding up one finger to signify one over par. When someone asks Bogey for advice after a pitiful round of golf, he usually re-plies, “Play it again, Sam…”

BOGIE #5599 Bogie and Bacall are two green thumb gnomes named for legendary movie stars who were a couple in several films and in real life. Bacall’s first line in her first movie, “To Have and Have Not”, was “Anyone got a match?” Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall made quite a match together. Our Gnome couple are also a good match. They like to sit in companion flower pots and enjoy protecting and talking to different species of flowers. If Bacall is among pink petunias, Bogie might like to sit amid blue cornflowers. Bogie’s lucky coin is from Morocco, which will be useful if he wants to go to Casablanca. Bacall’s coin is from South Africa. Even though she wasn’t in the movie, she was certainly Bogart’s “African Queen”.

BONNIE #1051 (February, 1984) The Gnomes from Scotland crossed the Atlantic in the 18th century and settled along the Cape Fear River in eastern North Carolina. To celebrate their heritage, they named this lovely shell the “Scotch Bonnet.” Bonnie is sit. ting on it and remembering the Canadian ship that brought her family from Scotland. If you hold this statue up to your ear, you can hear bagpipes playing “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean.”

BOO! #1074 (November, 1984) This Woodspirit loves to surprise his friends. Sometimes he plays a prank on them and sometimes he plans a surprise party. Well, he is going to get a little surprise when he steps on a monster from New Zealand (on the coin).

BOOMER #9189  As a member of the “Woodland Symphony Orchestra,” it is up to Boomer the bear to provide the low notes. He is often heard proudly professing, “Boomer’s the name and the bass is my game!” Music without bass is sort of like sushi without the rice-something is miss-ing! Boomer joins Itzhak and Jean Pierre as the first three members of the orchestra. When he isn’t performing classical music, Boomer enjoys “gettin’ down” with a little four-piece jazz band. At Christmas time, he also lends his talents to the “Carols for Critters” choir. According to his mother, Boomer displayed a musical aptitude at an early age. “When he was a mere cub,” she says, “he would thump on his Grandpap’s bass violin.” That same instrument is the very one Boomer plays today. And it still sounds sooo good!

BOOMER #5339 (July, 1997) This is a baby boomer who’s trying to stay young. He works out with his friends Bubba and Buster in the pursuit of good physical fitness at the Woodspirit Y. His customized barbell is proving to be a sticky situation for this tiny athlete. He thinks he can lift his own weight (one pound) so I gave him a French centime with a 1 on it. There is a single bell on the base that makes no sound – that’s the dumb bell. Boomer is trying hard, but he’s really more huffed and puffed than buffed.

BOONE #9073 Boone, like a lot of other bears, loves to have his back scratched. All that thick fur is great, but can you imagine how itchy it can get? At times it can be downright unbearable! Here we find Boone lazily rubbing his back against a conveniently angled tree. Bears discovered this clever back scratching method eons ago. Some individuals, such as Boone, will even adopt a favorite rubbing tree. Sure, any old tree will do in a pinch, but Boone always comes back to this one. He thinks of it as an old friend. From the satisfied expression on his face it would appear Boone is thoroughly enjoying himself. He might be saying, “OOOGHH … just a little more to the ….. AAAH-HH… right.” ** Sprawled across a wide valley in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, the town of Boone was named for the early pioneer-woodsman, Daniel Boone. Born near Reading, Pennsylvania, Boone was a frequent visitor to the area, spending weeks at a time hunting wild game (bears included) and ginseng. The settlement that eventually became the town of Boone was part of his route through the Blue Ridge and Cumberland mountains to Kentucky. Centuries later, there are still “bar in them thar hills.”

BOOTS #31 (December, 1982) Boots is dressed in all-American red, white and blue. He is hiding in a Texan boot and pretending to be playing Cowboys and Indians. He has a Remington 22 rifle bullet in his hand. If he sees the Indian first, partner, his life won’t be worth a plugged nickel!

BORN IN THE USA SIGN #945  TOM CLARK CREATIONS III  (September, 1986) The tune we sing is “Born in the USA,” and we are proud to be the major American-made collectible. Like the famous rock singer, whose face appears on this sign, our American heritage is “music to our ears.” We feel that the ‘key’ to our collectors’ hearts is buying American!

BO SCHEMBECHLER #45 (March, 1983) This statue of the University of Michigan football coach was created for Happy House in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The coach, with his pipe in his pocket, is standing at the 50-yard line and smiling at the way things are going. On the football are the names of his children, and the leaves contain the names of the Bowl games in which his teams have played. There is a Wolverine on his windbreaker and a symbolic rose in the helmet for the Rose Bowl.

BOXCAR WILLIES #5337 (Railroad/Train Series) (July, 1997) A new boxcar joins the Cairn Railroad, with an unlikely duo aboard. Willie the Charmer is small enough to fit inside the boxcar, while Willie the Gnome has to ride on top, where he can enjoy the passing scenery as the train rolls along. They share a coin from the LVSRW Company that is “Good for 1 Fare.” So who’s the fare and who’s the stowaway? The Boxcar Willies aren’t telling! Like the other members of the Cairn Railroad, they enjoy traveling by train, and are eager to see what is around the next bend in the tracks. I had fun creating this statue, for it gives me the Willies!

B Q Item #5578 “Grilled mushrooms, anybody?” B Q is the gnome chef whose specialty is cooking scrumptious food for forest treats. He is proud of his homemade grill, which he fashioned from a tin can that drifted down the creek near where he lives. B Q has a lucky quarter from North Carolina, a state known for its superb Barbeque. This chef can take any plant or root and make it tasty. The aroma from his grill will awaken sleeping creatures within a mile of his backyard. They will soon flock to his area, singing “Hey good looking! Whatcha got cooking?

BRIAR #9053 TIM WOLFE  Meet Scrap the Fox’s arch rival and much sought-after foe: Briar Rabbit. It is hard to imagine how an unimposing little guy like Briar could be at the top of Scrap’s “most wanted” list. What could someone possibly have against a harmless, defenseless bunny? Well, looks can be deceiving because according to Scrap, underneath that cute, cuddly exterior lies one of the orneriest minds ever to come out of a briar patch. Perhaps Briar isn’t such a bad fellow – it could be that Scrap is merely biased. After all, Scrap hates to be out foxed, especially by a rabbit.

BRIDE AND GROOM #5005 (September, 1987) Wedding bells are ringing for this Bride and Groom. The Groom is just now turning gray behind the ears, so he’s old enough to marry, and from the look of love in his Bride’s eyes, she’ll make him feel ever young. She is wearing “something old” her grandmother’s wedding veil. Rosie has picked “something new”‘ for the Bride- a bouquet of roses, though she had to step over Pete to pluck the freshest ones. The Bride “borrowed” a sixpence for her slipper from Tom Clark, and she leaves behind “something blue” three rejected suitors, Johnny, Mugmon and Jeff. All of the acorns scattered around the base are couples. Mom has been in the kitchen all day, working with Sugar and Spice to bake the perfect wedding cake. As wedding presents go, this one takes the cake.

BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL #6320 (April, 1995) This statue takes its name from the beloved hymn written by Cecil Frances Alexander in 1848: “All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful: The Lord God made them all? This Woodspirit child picked a basketful of summer roses, and then wove a garland for her hair. As she walked home through the woods, the magical scent of their velvety petals wafted by the nose of a tiny bunny.

BROTHER #10027 It’s easy to find Brother around the house. Just listen for the bouncing ball. If it’s summertime, you hear a tennis ball hitting the side of the house. If it’s fall you’ll hear a football hit the roof. If it’s winter, you’ll hear the dribble of a basketball outside the garage (the soccer ball gets kicked all year long!). “Hey, Sis! Let’s play one-on-one!”

BROTHER, SIS & DAD #1181 (April, 1987) Dad is carrying logs in for the evening fire, and Brother and Sis are enthusiastically helping him, because as soon as flames are flickering, Dad will continue his nightly custom of storytelling. The coin shows America’s first Father, George Washington, and the two pennies share the same date, for Brother and Sis are twins.

BRUNNEHILDE #5293 (November, 1995) Which witch is this? Why, this is Brunnehilde. She shares her name with the maiden of Norse mythology in Richard Wagner’s “Die Walküre.” My Brunnehilde is perhaps a bit too old to be called a maiden, but she still enjoys the maiden voyage of a new broomstick. Her earrings are tiny pumpkins in honor of her favorite holiday. She’s taking off for another spin around the neighborhood, keeping watch on the children as they trick-or-treat from house to house. For a witch, flying is no trick, and the view from above is always a treat. In honor of her many years of flight, I gave her a coin that says “Aviation Pioneers.”

BUBBA #1118 (August, 1985) Bubba is doing a set of ten repetitions with the barbell he found in the woods. He is on 9’/2, so cheer him on! If he does well enough, he will go to the Olympics, where he can use the Spanish coin, showing a World Soccer Tournament. Bubba is not the only weight lifter on the statue; behind him is a teddy bear with two little bells, or “Teddy Barbell.” Bubba is named for Bubba Cooper, a friend of mine from Atlanta.

BUBBLES #1062 (August, 1984) Bubbles is the wife of Buzzy. She is the Woodspirit counterpart to Venus, yet slightly more modest. She “leaves” her true proportions to your imagination. She has parked her Singapore sea horse at the base.

BUCK #5108 (May, 1990) It’s the end of the day and Buck is fetching water, hay and blankets for his horse. As always, the horse eats before Buck does. Buck’s hat was blown away as he rode in from the range just ahead of a storm. Now he’s chagrined that he’ll have to break in a new Stetson. His skill as a broncobuster won him that new saddle, as well as his nickname when he rode the bucking broncos on the rodeo circuit. His cowboy friends will find him by the corral, because they know that the Buck stops here!

BUDDY #5111 (July, 1990) Buddy is a very cautious swimmer. He’s chosen a pool that he feels is the right size for him, and he’s holding tightly to his inner-tube. There’s even a lifesaver next to him. Buddy’s coin is from Switzerland, headquarters of the international Red Cross organization, and depicts a cross. Before going in the water, he took the Water Safety Instructor’s Course from the Red Cross, which has taught millions of people to swim. Now Buddy can teach other Woodspirits swimming and water safety. He believes in the buddy system, especially when his buddy is Butterfly.

BUFFALO BILL #1095 (March, 1985) Buffalo Bill took his nickname from Buffalo Bill Cody, the legendary frontiersman and showman. Like Bill Cody, he wears a Van Dyke beard, a handlebar moustache and a ten-gallon hat. In his hand is a coin from Argentina, showing “el gaucho” (an Argentine cowboy) riding on the pampas, or grassy plains. But this cowboy is wearing all-American red, white and blue. Because a real horse would be too large for a Woodspirit, Buffalo Bill hopped onto the back of an obliging baby squirrel. He’s imagining himself at the Woodspirit rodeo, waving to the crowd. He’s given the squirrel a pecan to nibble, so that he won’t be bucked off. A squirrel is not big enough for a grand name like Silver or Trigger, so Buffalo Bill named him “Pecan.” When the squirrel hears Buffalo Bill call his name, he thinks he’ll get his favorite treat.

BULB #5548 Picking the right bulb is a lot like selecting a ripe watermelon – experience counts. Your GREEN THUMB GNOME, Bulb, has that experience and will guarantee you top quality when placed near where your bulbs are planted. Presently Bulb is holding a gladiolus bulb for spring planting. If he has done his job well, you’ll have stately blooms and pastel colors in your garden mid summer. Bulb has some special fertilizer in his sack which is his own proprietary barn yard mix. His leaf visor helps him to see during the early afternoon and also adds camouflage to his red hat. His lucky coin is from France and honors all ladies who have to work in his garden.

BUMP AND BUNYAN #5079 (August, 1989) Bunyan has a bandage on his foot, to protect his bunion. It’s so sore that it feels as if an ox has stepped on it. Bunyan has just cut down a small pine tree, because he needs the wood for his wood burning stove. His friend Bump, on the log, said, Why don’t you chop down that giant redwood? Then you’ll have enough fuel to last a lifetime, even if you live to be 400? Bunyan gazed up at the redwood, and could only say “W.O.W.:” Then Bump teased him by yelling, “Timber!” In fact, both Bump and Bunyan are conservationists, and their coin from Brazil is to remind us that the earth’s forests should be treasured.

BUMPER #5314 (Collector Society Artwork Series) (November, 1996) Bumper is in his garden, surveying the fruits of his labor. From such small pots came such large strawberries. What a gardener! The strawberry seeds came from California (hence the coin). Maybe his great success is due to the “plant manager” quietly sitting in the empty flower pot. In any event, he had a bumper crop. I was proud to put my name on the label you might call it the Bumper sticker!

BUNNY #5098 (January, 1990) Bunny is Boo’s girlfriend. She has jelly bean Easter eggs, and her Irish coin shows a rabbit. Could this be the Easter Bunny? Bunny is named for a rhyme I learned as a child. No one can surprise Bunny (not even Boo! ) because with four ears she can hear anyone coming! Bunny So Funny   She wiggles her nose    And taps with her toes   Bunny So Sunny

BUNNY HUG  #8035 A Bunny’s hug  Is warm and fuzzy,  The reason, of course, Is simply becuz. he Is covered with fur Instead of clothes,  And you can’t stop laughing When it tickles your nose.

BUNNY LOVE #2504 (Cairn Key and A Dealers Series) (May, 1994) The breeze is a mite gentler, the air is a bit sweeter, and the flowers – well, they seem to open on cue and then smile at the sunshine. What transforms the ordinary forest world into a special, sparkling place? Why, bunny love, of course. You’ve heard of puppy love, and in the Woodspirit world there’s a loving bond between the wee people and their rabbity neighbors. Whether working (*Vet’) or playing (“Cotton Tales”) or going about the complicated business of growing up (“Thirst Aid’), the Gnomes and their animal friends find that they are always kindred spirits. This little bunny has picked a bouquet and is sharing a tender cuddle – it’s a little “crush.” The two artists have left their signature touches – a snail from Tim, and a coin (showing an Irish hare) from Tom. The leaves are greener, the sky is bluer – all when some bunny loves you.

BUNNY SLOPE #6328 (Cairn Seminar Series) (September, 1995) Isn’t it amazing that the entire world can change without making a sound? This little bunny and Woodspirit were tucked up into their beds and fast asleep when the snow started to fall late last night. But fall it did – steadily and silently, until the whole forest was magically transformed into a white, fluffy, frosty playground. They awoke to hear their three favorite words: “No school today!” In no time at all these kindred spirits were pulling the sled to the top of a knuckle-clenching, gut-wrenching monster of a hill. Well, it’s actually just the bunny slope, the beginner’s hill. Tom Clark and Tim Wolfe decorated the front of the sled with “1997” for, like their friends from “Cairn Christmas 1996, they are headed for the holidays and the new year. The subway token reads “1 Fare” – their little sled can really hold only one daredevil at a time. But on the next trip down, some bunny’s going to have some fun!

BUSTER #5205 (Cairn Key and A Dealers Series) (November, 1992) Buster’s best friend is Bubba, my first weightlifter. Buster said, “Doggone it! If he can do it, then so can I!” Buster has begun a strength training program, and after a short “weight” you’ll see some results. Bubba uses tinker toys, but Buster chooses to work out with rawhide dog bones. After every ten repetitions, Buster stops and says, “Hot Dog!” His Irish coin depicts a wolfhound, in honor of his dogged determination. On the base is a small bar “bell” with a smiling face. His friends, however, warn him, “Be careful, or you’ll Buster gut!”

BUTCH, WICK AND BISCUIT #1056 (July, 1984) These three fellows in a tub are pretending to be sailing the good ship, “rub-a-dub-dub” . .. “and who do you think they be? The Butcher, The Baker, The Candlestick Maker, And all of them gone to sea.” Butch has a large fish hook and he provides the food for the threesome. Biscuit has a sand dollar, his version of a sea biscuit. Wick is the captain, and he has the anchor. There are two doves from the center of the sand dollar, to correspond with the sea bird depicted on the Irish coin. There are leaves on the base, because the threesome are daydreaming of a voyage and, in fact, they have never left home.

BUTTERCUP #52 This figurine of a little girl was created in 1978. She is posed lying on her stomach with one foot in the air and her head resting in her hands. Her hair is as wild as a lion’s mane. Indeed, she could be reclining on the floor while watching “The Lion King” on TV. My name, Thomas F. Clark, was placed on the side of the statue by someone at the studio. It was too prominent, I thought, so I decided not to release the statue to the general market. Therefore, only a handful of Buttercups were made, and those were stained and not painted.

BUTTERFLY #5116 (August, 1990) Butterfly is Buddy’s best buddy. Her specialty is the butterfly stroke, and she’s in her pool, ready for practice. A little butterfly has landed on the edge of the pool, to see just how she does it. Her bathing cap is a sea urchin, and her lifesaver is a gift from Buddy. Her Japanese coin honors Madame Butterfly. The rubber duck is smiling, because Butterfly always uses the buddy system when she swims, which is good water safety.

BUTTON #1092 (March, 1985) Button, button, who’s got the button? The answer is anyone who has ever attended a Collectors’ Show! Each major distributor of collectibles has a button to give away. This little fellow wants you to take him home, as well as his button. Now, if you really want to make him happy, please take an indelible felt pen and write your own happy message on your button. If you can’t think of one, just let me sign it to you during a promotional. Button’s beret is made from a dried apple and his coin from the Caribbean shows the universal “welcome” symbol of a pineapple.

BUZZ #9050 TIM WOLFE This young black bear has found what would seem to be an easier method for acquiring honey! Normally Buzz must first do some tree-climbing to reach the source of his favorite sweet. Once there, he then has to get past the swarm of stingy bees who guard their golden nectar with a vengeance. (Buzz knows from experience that these guys mean business and can be a real pain in the rump.) Today Buzz avoided these risks and simply stole a crockful of the stuff from a nearby farm. Unfortunately he has just been caught im the act and is about to receive a good broom thrashing from one angry beekeeper. What is it about honey that always causes Buzz to wind up in a sticky situation?

BUZZY #68 (November, 1983) Buzzy has left his wooden tub full of fresh spring water out in the sun all day to gather warmth. He invented the hot tub. He doesn’t take his hat off until he goes to sleep. He loves water so much, he was given a little Dutch coin to pay for his visit to the sauna.

CAB #1135 (February, 1986) Bringing up the rear is the happy brakeman, pretending to be Cab Calloway. He is singing his favorite song, “Little Red Caboose, Chug-Chug-Chug.” He is riding back-wards, waving to his forest friends as he goes by.

CABOOSE #10023 (Charmers Train Series) Charmers love to travel, and one of their favorite means of transportation is the train. Using Z scale train cars, I started the Charmers Railroad with Cho Choo, the tiny engineer who runs the locomotive. Since every story needs a good beginning and a good ending, I am introducing Caboose next. He rides on the very last car, where the trainmen go to relax and eat their meals. That makes it a happy ending!

CADDY #5426   Caddy is every golfer’s best friend. He’s dressed in traditional “plus fours” and has a brim for his cap to shield the sun. In his pocket he carries a thin dime, which he puts on the putting green to mark his golfer’s ball location. This enables the other golfers to putt through without fear of hitting this ball.  CAddy not only knows the hazards of the course, he also knows which clubs are best suited for each shot. (He even knows where lost golf balls like to hide!) He keeps socks over the clubs for both good luck and their protection, and if a club or a ball lands in a mud puddle, Caddy has plenty of towels to clean them off. And remember, if your golf partner has forgotten something, Caddy has “tees for two.

CAESAR #5155 (June, 1991) Caesar loves salad. To create the very best salad ever, he’s throwing a Salad Toss party. He has invited all of his friends to contribute their favorite ingredients to a giant salad that will be enjoyed by all. Each of his Woodspirit friends has a coin that describes the salad dressing they’ll bring to the party. When Caesar has one of his salad days, he likes to don his apron and chef’s hat. He is surrounded by croutons and other salad toppings. And just to make sure that the other cooks know who is the king of the salads, Caesar has a Greco-Roman coin depicting a ruler.

CAIRN CHRISTMAS 1994 #6310 (March, 1994) Cairn Christmas 1994 is the first offering in the new Cairn Studio annual Christmas collection. This Kindred Spirits statue is a glimpse into the world of the Woodspirits and their animal neighbors – at Christmas time! The Gnome is putting the finishing touches on a new red ornament, and the chipmunk is eagerly waiting to carry it to the top of the tree. Tom Clark and Tim Wolfe have left their signature touches – a snail from Tim, and from Tom, a 1652 coin from Massachusetts (spelled Masathusets) that shows a pine tree. Like ourselves, these forest friends (who are truly kindred spirits) enjoy the annual traditions of this most special of holiday season. In the forest, like the city, Christmas comes to one and all. It’s the time for celebration And to brightly deck the hall. The chipmunk thinks it’s fun and games, But then, he can’t recall  The careful planning that takes place  All throughout the fall. The Gnome says this tradition (Which we’ve honored since St. Paul) Is for the infant Christ Child Who was born in manger stall. These kindred spirits, Chipmunk and Gnome, Will raise a tree so tall, Then place upon a fragrant branch This special Christmas ball.

CAIRN CHRISTMAS 1995 #6314 (September, 1994) Outside, the dark, frosty night is quiet. Inside, the kitchen is a happy quilt of sounds as supper is cooked and the day’s news is exchanged. Then, by the window, a tiny whisper of music is heard from far away, and it becomes louder and sweeter until there is a joyful noise right on the front porch. Carolers! It just wouldn’t be Christmas without music. Sharing a songbook, the Woodspirit and his rabbit buddy are singing their way through the forest neighborhood to spread, as their coin says, season’s greetings. This Kindred Spirits creation is the second in Cairn Studio’s series of annual, dated Christmas figurines. These two carolers have but one wish for you: “We wish you a Merry Christmas!”  In the forest, like the city, Christmas comes to one and all. In the distance, like a whisper, Hear the forest carolers call. As their voices, gently singing, Carry through the winter night, Families gather, doorways open, Suddenly the dark is bright. Let the joyful sound be heard In every corner of the glen, It’s Christmas time, with this one wish: Peace on earth, good will to men.

CAIRN CHRISTMAS 1996 #6326 (August, 1995) The joy of Christmas giving is celebrated in the third member of Cairn Studio’s Annual Dated Christmas Series. Dressed for the holidays in his Santa Claus cap, the little Gnome is giving his squirrel friend the gift of a free sleigh ride. The squirrel has a gaily-wrapped hickory nut to be delivered at the very next stop. He knows that the best gifts are those that you’d like to receive yourself. The festive sleigh is decorated with a jingle bell, and the personalized license plate reads “Ho Ho Ho? These kindred spirits have a token for free parking from Concord, North Carolina. Christmas is the season when we seem most able to live “in concord” with our fellow man. But just like the slow-moving snail, it seems that we wait so long for it to arrive! In the forest, like the city, Christmas comes to one and all, With words of cheer, sincere and witty, Welcome friends who come to call. Exchanging gifts, for short and tall, (Check the list not once but twice) Something here for one and all, Boys and girls both naughty and nice.

CAIRN CHRISTMAS 1997 #6335 (May, 1996) It wouldn’t be Christmas without ribbons and bows. For some, wrapping gifts is a disagreeable chore. But for others, it’s a delightful and traditional holiday pastime. This industrious Gnome has a special purpose to his gift wrapping endeavors. He thinks that a large red bow will transform this furry bruin into a cuddly teddy bear. “A teddy bear?” thinks the bear, greatly amused. “Hardly! I’m real!” And there in lies the secret of this special season – shiny wrapping paper and colorful ribbons don’t change the real meaning of Christmas. This Kindred Spirits statue by Tom Clark and Tim Wolfe is the fourth member of Cairn Studio’s Annual Dated Christmas Series. The artists have included a small snail and a coin shaped like a teddy bear’s face. Tom and Tim’s wish for Collectors is this: May your gifts be wrapped with love and tied with joy, and may you have the best Christmas ever! In the forest, like the city, Christmas comes to one and all. Greens and ribbons now appear, Decorating house and hall. Packages are gaily dressed, To hide the books and ties and toys! Loving gifts in clusters nested,  All a part of Christmas joys.

CAIRN CHRISTMAS 1998 #6347 (July, 1997) This Gnome and his rabbit buddy have made a new friend! He’s a well-rounded individual, though sometimes a little flaky. His eyes are black as coal, and there’s not a frosty bone in his body. In general, he appears to have his head on straight. These kindred spirits think he’s cool, and that’s no snow job! It’s obvious that they’re having a ball. The artists have decorated the statue with their signature touches – from Tim Wolfe, a snail; and from Tom Clark, a coin from Zimbabwe that shows a rabbit. The artists wish you the happiest of holi-days, and hope that you will take time in this busy and joyful holiday season to make new friends!

CAIRN CHRISTMAS 1999 #6358 Sonja and her snowbunny friend are busy putting the finishing touches on this snowlady. “Let’s call her Patty!” said the rabbit, and Sonja agreed. They are seeing to it that Patty will be properly dressed for the cold, Christmas weather. Sonja is working on the big bonnet, which is certainly large enough to cover Patty’s pine-cone “hair.” The rabbit – who knows a thing or two about hats- thinks it is just the thing to wear in a winter wonderland. Perhaps Patty will run into Sonny the Snowman Cairn Christmas 1998). Rumor has it that he’s an old flame of hers. Apparently their romance was beginning to snowball When Sonny got too close and made Patty melt! he coin on this statue celebrates Christmas by saying Season’s Greetings/ and Tim Wolfe’s trademark snail assumes it is addressed to him. Merry Christmas! 1999!

CAIRN CHRISTMAS 2000 #6367  This Christmas statue is special since it is the first Christmas of the new millennium. “Slappy” the Beaver and the Santa gnome are bringing in the season with a bang! They have borrowed a big bass drum from the marching band at Western Beaver High School in Beaver County, PA. While Santa beats on one side with his drumstick, the beaver is banging on the other side with his tail. Slappy has just finished gnawing down the Christmas tree (Santa has brought an ax along just in case the beaver needed help.) For his efforts, Slappy was given a coin. It just so happens to be a Canadian nickel that depicts a beaver! The last century was spectacular, yet these two 21st century drummers are saying “We can beat it!” Merry Christmas and a Happy Millennium New Year everyone! EDITION CHANGE: Cairn Christmas 2000: January 2000 Release – In one edition, there are no leaves on the base of the artwork. In a later edition, a leaf has been added to the back of the statue.

CAIRN CHRISTMAS 2001 #6385  “Now hear this!” The trumpet is announcing the upcoming Christmas season with great fanfare. This is the first year of the 21st Century, so unusual celebration is warranted. The gnome, Harold the Herald, is blowing the trumpet with all his energy. It may or may not be beautiful music, but there is no question that it is a joyful noise. The rabbit, Hendle, is harmonizing with the trumpet. Because his French horn sounds a lot like the horn that calls forth hunting dogs, Hendle is likely to “keep the tone down a bit.” Still and all, it is Christmas and that calls for the musicians to have a certain amount of boisterous good cheer. So, they blare away as we all say, Merry Christmas!

CHRISTMAS 2002 #6390 (2001) The carrot makes a wonderful Christmas present for this happy Bunny. It was too big to wrap, so Jack just put a bow around it. Then he attached a card that says “Be Nimble and Don’t Nibble Until Christmas.” It is always difficult waiting to open your presents, especially when you know what they are. Still, part of the joy of Christmas is “expectation.” This rabbit clearly expects that carrot to be the last present that he will receive. In order to keep Bunny at bay, the Gnome has shown him a lucky coin from old Russia. He said to the rabbit. “Now don’t go ‘russian’ into nibbling your present!”

CAIRN CHRISTMAS 2003 #6393 “Get ready for 2003. It’s the raccoon’s job to place the “O” in the center. But, Wait! There’s the Cairn Studio acorn logo in the slot. Never mind, the Gnome and the raccoon work well together to get it adjusted. For their task they will consider the three lucky pennies as their renumeration. Note that the “3” is showing. The raccoon ‘s hands look like that of a cute human baby’s and are also immaculately kept. You can bet this will be a “clean” Christmas and full of surprises. Judging by their use of the number-teaching blocks, you can count on it!”

CAIRN CLUB #6354 We received numerous responses from “Gnome” clubs all over the country regarding their thoughts and ideas for an exclusive statue to be created just for their members. The suggestion that we chose came from several groups – like minds think alike! The idea was for a clubhouse similar to the ones in the “Our Gang” and/or “Little Rascals” series. The “Gnomenuts” of Thomasville, N.C. sent us a sketch of a tree house, and that was our inspiration. The house was built, in part, by our new artist, David Merck. The house is situated in the branches of a tree and the door is slightly ajar with a gnome and a rabbit beckoning you to come inside. They are obviously Kindred Spirits… and they know that Cairn collectors are Kindred Spirits as well!

CAL #142 (April, 1981) Cal received his name and his themes from Callaway Gardens in Georgia. He is sitting on a golfball amid dogwood blossoms, azaleas, daisies and asters. His acorn shell cap protects him from falling acorns. He is helping the flowers to grow with his use of the watering can. The coin is English, depicting a descendant of King George, for whom the state was named.

CALAVERAS #5687  This Green Thumb Gnome is a farmer from the rich fields of California (hence the lucky coin from that state). His overalls have been patched a couple of times, but he may be able to purchase a new pair when he publishes the frog’s story.  In 1865, Mark Twain recounted the story of the celebrated jumping frog of Calaveras County, but our gnome is getting the story straight from the frog’s mouth. “Calaveras” has laid down his tools while listening to the tale. The little frog “taking up the rear” is interested as well. If he wants to learn more about this tale from Calaveras, he can just “axe” him

CALEB #129 (March, 1980) Caleb is the scout for his clan of Woodspirits. He goes out in the early morning to scout for a picnic site. His hat is covered with leaves so that he won’t be detected as he runs through the forest. He was given a coin for some of his editions, but he spent it at McGnomes.

CALHOUN #9051 TIM WOLFE The black mask Calhoun wears across his eyes and forehead gives him a peculiarly mischievous appearance. This is not belied by his personality, as Calhoun has a habit of getting into trouble. His idea of a good time is raiding garbage cans night after night, or stealing corn from the local farmer. Ah! How he loves sweet corn Calhoun is particularly fond of frogs, too and he gets real pleasure out of wandering along a stream or pond, frog fishing. The great thing about frogs is that they seldom need washing! By nature, raccoons are an inquisitive sort, and there is nothing like a good story-telling to arouse Calhoun’s curiosity. He prefers to listen from the safety of a tree – just in case there are any eager coon hounds around!

CALIFORNIA #2043 (Special Commission) (June, 1993) This miner, a forty-niner, is going for the gold, found everywhere on his old leather map of California. Already he’s richer by a gold coin that shows golden poppies, the state flower, and California’s statehood date: September 9, 1850. If gold mining doesn’t pan out this Woodspirit can still show you that the Golden State is a jewel. His eucalyptus acorn came from the thirty-first state, and his clamshell represents California’s 1,190 miles of coastline. I gave him strawberries, onions and grapes for the farming and wine industries. There’s a small book for the state’s many fine universities. The tiny baseball and bat symbolize California’s major baseball teams and other major sports, while the roses celebrate the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena and the millions of flowers used in the Tournament of Roses parade. On the back of the statue I placed a button from a San Jose police officer’s uniform and coins commemorating the Golden Gate Bridge and the city of San Diego. The little starfish is for the “Stars” but you’ll have to guess the meaning of the holly leaf next to the small twig. His bell represents the mission bells that stand along “El Camino Real – The King’s Highway.” This route began as just a footpath in 1769 by Father Junipero Serra, who was instrumental in establishing the Franciscan Missions north from San Diego to Sonoma. After looking at the statue and my little fellow’s map you’ll want to sing, “California, here I come!”

CALLIE #51 (March, 1978) Callie was designed to be the wife of Hap. She has her hand up to her face as though to say, “Oh my, Hap, there you go again.” Feeling that she had heard his famous stories one time too many, she took early retirement.

CALVIN #10033 (ALSO SEE RALPH #10032) These two little Charmers are popular decorators and much in demand at Christmas time for their specialty – decorating Christmas trees. They have found that by using natural things, they can make the tree attractive and bright. Ralph’s large acorn will dangle easily from a nice bough and will be great fun to hang on an evergreen tree! Calvin, Ralph’s counterpart has a strawberry that is as large as he is and this red berry will show up well against the green needles. For most of the year, these wee Charmers decorate uniforms, clothes, rooms and gardens, but at Christmas, they “branch” out. They each have a four leaf clover for good luck when they are out on a “limb” and are truly good friends who just like “hanging” out together.

CANDY #1103 (May, 1985) Chocolate crowns this lady’s life. I asked her for one of the two dozen pieces of candy on the statue, but she said they were all hers and she took a bite out of one piece to make her point! She also insisted that she eats like a bird, so I gave her a coin with a bird on it (from the Cayman Islands). Still, anyway you look at her, Candy is a sweet girl!

CANDY #8007  If it weren’t for aerobics  I’d now weigh a ton. Who would have guessed Gettin’ sweaty’d be fun?!

CARL #5197 (June, 1992) Carl shares his name with Carl Sagan, another star searcher. Like this famous scientist and author, my little Woodspirit is searching for stars. But rather than looking to the heavens, he’s found one on the sand and one on the Bahamian coin. Wearing their shell sun hats, Carl and his sister Stella are collecting the conch shells washed up by the waves. It’s one of he mysteries of the universe that, aver it the beach, the Woodspirit children find an acorn and a leaf When he is not stargazing or beach combing. Carl likes to play tide.and Seek with Stella and his parents, Janet and Perry. But each of them decided, like Carl, to hide behind an amicable starfish. No wonder the game is tide!

C A R O L #1161-1165 (September, 1986) These are Christmas tree ornaments for 1987 and beyond. C is the choir leader of this happy group of carolers, and is also the lead tenor. A is a soprano, R is a baritone, O is an alto, and L is a bass.  L has the best voce, so he gets a star by his letter. Unfortunately, when people applaud he wants to do an encore and solo on “Old Man River.” At Christmas time the CAROL’s and the JINGLE’s like to perform together and sing antiphonal carols – alternating responses from one group to the other. Although the CAROL’s are a professional group, during the Christmas season they stand on their coins and sing for free!

CAROLINE #5036 (February, 1988) Caroline has just finished her first recital, and is about to curtsy to the audience. The look on her face tells us, that in her mind, she has danced as beautifully as any ballerina could. And so she’s dreaming of herself as another prima ballerina, such as the ones listed in her shoes. Behind her she has formed a stage from the smallest size ballet slippers made, dropped by another little ballerina as she played in the woods. The 1979 Russian coin is in honor of two famous ballet companies, the Bolshoi Ballet and the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. Fielding, Naismith, MeEver, and Slam and Dunk are in the audience. They recognize that Caroline is as much an athlete as they are, and wish for similar grace and agility when they perform. For a “footnote” the names of the famous ballerinas in her shoes are: Anna Pavlova, Petrouchka, Galina Ulanova, Alexandre Danilova, Nora Kaye, Margot Fonteyn, Maria Tallchief, Alicia Markova, Maria Camargo, Maria Taglioni and Fanny Elssler.

CAROLYN #9129 The spirit of Christmas spreads throughout the wildlife community in much the same way it does our own. Our animal counterparts share in the joy and excitement of this special holiday season as it is a great time of celebration for them, too! In every forest, every warren, and every patch of woods, there can be found a local Christmas choir. A choir may number from three to twenty animals and it is comprised of a select group of individuals who, for one reason or another, consider themselves best qualified at carrying a tune. Their choruses can be heard at any hour, day or night, and can be quite pleasing to the human ear. Unfortunately, we humans can become so wrapped up in other affairs during the Christmas season that we seldom, if ever, take the time to listen. Carolyn first took an interest in music while growing up in and around London Town. She comes from a family of musically inclined hedgehogs, and both her mother and father were active in the church choir. Carolyn began singing professionally at an early age. When just out of grammar school, she began touring as a member of the popular hedgehog trio, “The Three Little Pigs.” Today, she couldn’t be happier as a member of the Carols for Critters choir. “When we sing together,” she says in her sweet British accent, “it just sends chills up and down my spines!”

CARRIE #5520 (2003) When you need a nurse, you want someone who cares…someone like Carrie! It’s the caring nurse who puts the first aid tape on you so that it’ll hold but not hurt when it has to be pulled off. Perhaps she works in a hospital, in which case she can use the lucky coin from the Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, NC. In any location, she and others like her are “life savERs,” especially those ERs! Her life saver is MINT to help you. Want one?

CARTER #5367 AccCBz 3316 (March, 1998) He’s in charge of the extras that may be needed during the quick pit stop. There’s no time to say, “Alphonse, bring the extra oil that’s in the cart to the car,” so they just yell, “CART-her!”

CASPAR #1150 (May, 1986) The second of the traditional Wise Men, Caspar comes from the Far East, representing the Orient. The Wise comes re commonly held to be from the three major races of he known world at the time of Christ’s birth- white, black, and Oriental. This symbolizes that all people recognize Jesus as the Son of God, and as Caspar, bring Him gifts and praise.

CASPAR II #5375 (May. 1998) Like the other Wise Men, his name is not mentioned in the New Testament story. We are told only (Matthew, Chapter 2) that these eastern wise men came to bring gifts to the “King of the Jews.” As the story was retold and retold, the tradition grew that one was named Caspar, and that his gift was frankincense. I was inspirited by the 7th century mosaics in the Church of St. Apollinarie Nuovo in Ravenna, Italy. There he is depicted as being the oldest of the three and the most elaborately dressed.

CATFISHING #6341 (February, 1997) This little Gnome went a-fishing. And when his creel was full of trout, he treated himself to a catnap among the cattails. Upon awakening, he discovered a real cat burglar – a kitten fishing in his basket. Do you have anything to say for your-self? Cat got your tongue? But it’s not a cataclysmic catastrophe – this good-natured fellow is happy to share. The Italian coin shows the one that got away. Maybe next time these kindred spirits can go catfishing together. What a fish tale!

CATHERINE #5099 (February, 1990) Catherine is the wife of a Confederate soldier. While the Civil War rages, (1860-1865) she does not know where her husband is, and can only pray that he is safe. On her way from the well, she pauses to listen, as she does every day. Does she hear hoofbeats? The hoofbeats could belong to the enemy, or to her returning husband. Catherine is a name that is well-loved in my family. It belonged to my mother, to several first and second cousins, to my maternal great-grandmother, whose husband was killed at Gettysburg, and to my paternal grandmother, whose husband was imprisoned in Elmira, New York during the Civil War. Catherine is the name given to the newest member of our family, my great-niece, Catherine Amelia Blue Sellers.

CAT NAP #6368 (1999) CATS sleep ALOT!! They don’t sleep in long stretches, but usually slumber in a series of short periods, hence, the term Cat Nap! Whiskers, the cat , and his Gnome Friend, Wink, have entered the Land of Nod . Whiskers became sleepy after following a set of bird tracks that turned out to be the bird prints on the bottom of Wink’s boots. Whiskers’ instincts aren’t entirely off base since he later discovered that Wink was carrying an English coin with a bird on it. In any event they sure appear to be enjoying this little nap….zzzz…!

CATS #8059  Sometimes they give you CAT-niptions, Coughing hairballs up on your rug, But life is simply purr-fect When they give you that warm kitty hug.

CAT’S MEOW #11012 The old saying “Curiosity killed the car” is not true. The natural inquisitiveness of cats is part of their charm. This kitten has found the farmer’s milk can to be a beguiling challenge. Surely she can find a way to reach the creamy treat inside. After all, milk is the cat’s meow!

CAYCE #2005 (Special Commission) (May, 1984) James Luther Jones, from Cayce, Kentucky, died in a famous train wreck in April 1900. The folk song about Casey Jones says he was engineering Engine =382 for the Central and Illinois Railroad, and that the wreck occurred sometime between 4 and 5:00 a.m. The flag on the engine has “C” and “I” for the railroad company. The coins say “railroad” and the penny indicates the event took place in the early 1900’s. This statue was commissioned by two collectors from Memphis, Tennessee, Gary Conner and Harold Schwartz.

C.D. #1050 (April, 1984) C.D. is named for Certificate of Deposit. His Scot parents wanted him to be a good saver. The big penny that he is dropping into the bank will keep until he goes to the annual Gnome Country Fair, where he will spend it on his weakness, acorn pie.

CECIL #5513   (2003)

CELL MATES #5411 All plants and animals are made up of cells. These two Gnomes are cell mates; in fact, they’re brothers. Sprunt and Alltold are their names and they found a small cellular phone in the woods with which to play. Better yet – if Alltold whispers into the tiny receiver, Sprunt can hear him from the other end. They think they can place long distance calls to Gnomes in other lands because they have telephone tokens: a “Telebras” from Brazil, a “Taxiphone” from France, a “Telefon” from Hungary and a “Telefonico” from Italy. But watch out – it’s a “call of the wild” when a Troll gets on the line. If and when this happens, the Gnomes will drop the telephone and run away . .. and that will be call waiting!

CHALMERS #15 (February, 1980) Like his namesake, Professor Chalmers Davidson of Davidson College, this fellow is a historian, librarian and fascinating public speaker. Whenever he meets a Gnome, he quickly researches his background in the clan archives. The coin may indicate which branch of the family he is reading about at the time.

CHARLIE #5144 (March, 1991) Charlie loves soccer. He’s at mid-field in the center circle, ready for the kick-off to start the game. When you see his face full of anticipation and confidence, you’ll know why soccer is the world’s most popular sport. Charlie is named for Charlie Slagle, head soccer coach at Davidson College since 1980, and King Charles of Great Britain, who popularized this sport. On October 12 – 13, 1991 Tom Clark and Cairn Studio sponsored “Charlies Invitational.” a soccer tournament to be held at Davidson College for Appalachian State University, Alabama ASIM, University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Davidson. Twelve players were chosen by the coaches for the “all-invitational team.” and each received a “Charlie.” Little Charlie’s Spanish coin.

CHARLIE #8085  It doesn’t take a green thumb To get your plants to grow, It only takes a caring heart –  Charlie told me so. And if you treat the people In your life with that same care, Your friendships will grow stronger And you’ll be welcomed everywhere.

CHARLIE MERRILL (BRONZE – SITTING) #  (2000)

CHARMING CHUMS #6344 (Cairn Key and A Dealers Series) CBz #6345 (April, 1997) Harvey’s nephew and Gulliver’s niece are on a mission! They are determined to see the wee Charmers that they’ve heard so much about. “Can you imagine? Shorter than Uncle Gulliver’s hat!” “Smaller than Uncle Harvey’s rabbit’s foot!” This is something that they have to see for themselves. So they’re waiting by a mushroom, hoping that the tiny Gnomes and forest animals will soon appear. A snail has joined them, but he doesn’t take up much room. They have two coins from the Cayman Islands that express their friendly purpose: “No man is an island” and “Birds of a feather flock together.” The Charmers aren’t strangers – they’re just friends they haven’t yet met.

CHASE I #14 (January, 1980) Chase is a cross-country skier trying his skill on a poinsettia leaf. He is named for my uncle who loved the outdoors. The ski poles were toothpicks in the early editions, then they were replaced with sticks from the yard.

CHASE II #128 (November, 1980) This statue is a slightly larger version of Chase I. The Woodspirit is a more experienced skier and can attempt a larger downhill leaf. When told he must retire, Chase II asked for a jaunty hat to wear so he could go out in style.

CHEER #5175 (December, 1991) Cheer is a Christmas cheerleader. Wreathed in smiles, he’d like to be the “beau” on your pack-age. Cheer cheerfully helps Holly gather acorns and evergreens for the Christmas decorations. He gave his coin away to Toys for Tots. Like Santa Claus, Cheer wears a stocking cap, for he too is a “right jolly old elf.” But he always leaves one ear uncovered because his motto is “Let’s hear it for Christmas!”

CHEESE #189 (Occupation Series) (December, 1983) A child was running home from school one day. As she was taking a shortcut through the woods, something fell from her satchel. It was a pencil sharpener shaped like a camera. Cheese found it and pretended to be a photographer. He got his friends, the chipmunks, to pose by telling them to say “Cheese!”  When the shy ones refused to do so, he held up the Irish coin and said, “At least let your Irish eyes be smiling!”

CHEF #98 (March, 1983) The chef is made of three garlics from Gilroy, California. He even has a garlic clove for a nose, and vice versa!

CHET #9119 Chet has joined Jimmy, the dulcimer-playing squirrel, in a little mountain music. Always looking for someone to jam with, Jimmy happened upon Chet playing solo at a church picnic. “I never heard such guitar-picking,” Jimmy says, “yet there he was, playing for carrots.” The two of them quickly got together and it didn’t take long till the music started to feel right. “The chemistry was there right away,” says Jimmy. “We sort of just clicked.” Since then the two of them have been heard playing from dusk till dawn. There’s even talk of a serious band in the works … stay tuned.

CHI CHI #9117 During our visit to Japan in 1995 I was approached with requests to sculpt the animals for the Asian zodiac, or “Eto” in Japanese. I completed Chi Chi in January of 1996, as this was the Year of the Mouse. Those born in this year are said to be cheerful, optimistic and talented in many fields. Golf is an ever-increasing pastime in Japan. While there, I was curious about the numerous large, netted structures that are seen throughout Japan’s major cities. Resembling the draped works of the artist Christo, these nets house golf driving ranges and are often several stories tall. Chi Chi is obviously a fan of the game, too. Let us hope that he is careful to stay out of the (sand) traps! Asian Zodiac Animals: Mouse; Bull (or Ox) Tiger; Dragon; Snake; Horse; Monkey; Rooster; Dog; Rabbit; Sheep; Boar

CHICK #1110 (July, 1985) Debbie’s boyfriend made rather a mess in climbing out of his May Day costume. In honor of Easter, there is a eucalyptus acorn with a cross design on its face. Chick is wearing his Easter suit and is emerging from the egg just in time for break-fast. On the Bahamian coin there is a little ham to go along with the egg.

CHIEF #1131 (February, 1986) Railroad buffs will welcome a series of Woodspirits riding on various train cars. This series is being introduced by the first and last cars and their riders. Chief is the leader of the Cairn Ridge Railroad, riding on the engine. The badges indicate the train lines he has worked on, especially the Super Chief. He is humming his favorite tune, “She’ll be Coming Around the Mountain When She Comes!”

CHIEF HOLLOW HORN BEAR #5021 (November, 1987) After a skirmish with the Brulé Sioux Indians in 1855, an army lieutenant found a child alone on the battlefield. He returned it to the Brulés. This child was Hollow Horn Bear, the son of Chief Iron Shell. Chief Hollow Horn Bear became a great orator, and was interested in the plight of the Brulé Sioux people. He was present at the inaugurations of President Theodore Roosevelt and President Woodrow Wilson. While in Washington he contracted pneumonia and died. His body was shipped back to the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota in 1913. His portrait is on the old 14g U.S. postage stamp and the old $5.00 currency bill. I worked from three photographs of Chief Hollow Horn Bear taken by pioneer photographer John Anderson, and published in Brulé, The Sioux People of the Rosebud by Paul Dyck.

CHIP #1094 (March, 1985) Some Woodspirits have an insatiable craving for chocolate. Chip is one such fellow. He is fighting the urge for candy, however, and every day he says to his friends, “If you don’t think I can refrain from eating chocolate today, I’ll eat my hat!” He usually loses. He especially likes chocolate from Great Britain, so I gave him a coin from there which he will use to buy sweets for his sweet tooth or to give to his sweetheart!

CHIPPER #9066 From Myrtle Beach to Palm Springs, Augusta, Georgia to Ohioview, Pennsylvania, many of our golf courses have become the permanent residences to a growing number of local wildlife. It so happens that this chipmunk lives near the same fairway as Hawthorn the tree frog. In fact, according to the yard markers, Chipper’s home is just a solid 8-iron away! Like his frog friend, Chipper enjoys finding the dimpled little balls that have eluded their owners by escaping into the woods. He has heard the club-wielding giants refer to his woods as “O.B.” – whatever that means. To the unfortunate golfer who has lost this ball, Chipper has the following advice to offer: “Next time, keep your head down!”

CHOO CHOO #10017   CB #10201  ACBz # 0501 Get ready – here comes a new locomotive (Z scale) with Choo Choo at the controls. He can “make tracks” around the Gnomes and Woodspirits who ride the Cairn Railroad. Choo Choo uses a four-leaf clover as the cowcatcher. You can always use a four-leaf clover when playing the game of life. This Charmer engineer wants the game played to your advantage – that’s Choo Choo justice.

CHRIS #8078  He extends his arm so far It nearly leaves the socket, They call his racket “The Launching Pad” Cuz his serves go fast as rockets!

CHRISTIAN #5540

CHRISTINE #5541

CHRISTMAS EVA #5295 (December, 1995) This Christmas witch is a member of my new series of witches to celebrate the various seasons and holidays. Christmas Eva wears her unique combination hat. The December night air is chilly, so she wraps her holiday scarf around her neck. She could only find black wrapping paper, but she decorated it with stars and moons. My gift to Eva is a small bell so that she can bell her black cat. Her coin shows a magic lamp. If you don’t like the gifts you receive on Christmas morn-ing, just rub the lamp and they will be exchanged!

CHRISTMAS EVE As elves rally round Santa, They can scarcely believe, The waiting is over – It’s Christmas Eve! They comb out his beard And polish his boots, Help him on with his mittens And pack up his loot. Excitement runs high, It’s a magical night, As Santa prepares For his wondrous flight.

CHRISTMAS MORN #5045 (April, 1988) This statue was done in honor of Hap Moore, a beloved mechanic in Davidson, who was very helpful to us when our business was getting started. In turn, I named a 1978 statue “Hap” for him. Now that he has passed away, I’d like to honor him for the family man that he was. So he is depicted on Christmas morning, with his grandchild sitting close to him, still in her pajamas. Someone may have to remind him that he, too, has many Christmas presents to open. His greatest pleasure is in watching her as she discovers what Santa has brought. She has toys galore, but it is the teddy bear that has captured her heart, just as she has captured her granddad’s.

CHRISTMAS ON MY MIND #5698 Every Christmas there is a traditional party at the North Pole for Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves. This year the theme is a karaoke contest, and the Christmas party invitation said to “come as your favorite entertainer.” Each individual has to impersonate an entertainer of their choice. Santa Claus has gotten himself a pair of dark glasses and a bow tie. He is really getting into the spirit of the party by singing “Christmas on my Mind.” If the elves would like to join in, they can grab a trumpet or the drums or the French horn. With the addition of the piano, they can have a real band playing. If you’d like, Santa will play a few tunes—I Can’t Stop Loving Christmas, Hit the Road Rudolph and Hallelujah I Love Christmas So. Of course, Santa Claus can never truly disguise himself. No matter who he tries to impersonate, we’ll always recognize his red suit, his round shape and his beard. So he can’t sing, You Don’t Known Me, but he can get us into the happy spirit of Christmas by leading us in singing, Let the Good Times Roll!

CHRISTMAS WISH #7601 (October, 1993) This tiny visitor to Santa’s throne has been working on her list of Christmas wishes. Perhaps she’ll ask for one of the toys that you’ll see on the statue – there are dolls and teddy bears and even a gnome by Santa’s feet. Yet her list also includes wishes for every member of her family. It’s the most wonderful and exciting time of the year, when magic is in the air and every child knows that Santa can make wishes come true. This little girl brought her carefully-made list to Santa, but after she looked into his smiling face she could only say, “I love you, Santa.? “Christmas Wish” is the first collaborative statue by Tom Clark and Roberta Griffin and delivers their wishes for a merry Christmas to all Collectors.

CHUBBY #1142 (April, 1986) After I made Fats, with his dominoes, he asked me to make his friend, Chubby, with his checkers. His coin shows that checkers is a game people play in Charlotte, North Carolina, as well as all over the world. He thinks he plays so well that he crowned himself king, but he won’t win at all with such a mixed-up crown!

CHUCK #5020 (November, 1987) Chuck is a cowboy who’s been a long time on the trail, and now he’s taking a rest before chow time. He looks relaxed and easy-going but, in fact, he can be on his feet and alert in a split-second. He’s usually the first to the chuck wagon, so his fellow cowboys gave him that nickname. I based this figure on photographs of cowboys from the Old West in the book “Last of a Breed.”

CICERO #2007 (Special Commission) (February, 1985) This industrious Gnome is named for the founder of Holder’s Inc. of Troy, North Carolina. He appears to be adjusting a frame for the Woodtiques shop in that town. The tools of his trade are all about him as he works on the top of his well-used bench. He is standing on a braided rug from the famous Capel Rug Company. It is so comfortable to his feet that he has taken off his shoes, revealing his white socks (also from Troy, of course!). One coin is from Greece and the other is from Italy.

CINDY #92 (April, 1983) Some little princess was running through the woods and ran right out of her sneaker! Cindy found it and decided to play Cinderella. She is riding the shoe to the royal ball. She will give her Finnish coin to the footman when she arrives at the palace.

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS (Charmers Environmental Display Artwork) ACCB #9136 Once every six and a half years Charmers congregate for what has come to be known as “The Turtle Festival.” It is a full week of food, fun and fellowship for all. There is round-the-clock dancing and singing and story-telling and just all sorts of games. Tradition holds that the festival be held in the company of a turtle or tortoise. Charmers have long considered the turtle as being special and the festival is a time to honor the “slow-moving one.” By the end of the week the entire group will be exhausted from having too much fun. It takes them about six and a half ears to recuperate.

CLAMENTINE #1064 (August, 1984) When Clamentine vacations at the beach, she sometimes uses clam shells for wings and pretends to fly with her playmates, the sandpipers. She will use the coin for making in-flight duty-free purchases.

CLAMPETT #9060 TIM WOLFE Ever since she was a droopy-faced puppy, Clampett suspected that she was, well, different from the other neighborhood dogs. For one thing, her ears were too long. It was impossible to keep them from hanging in her food dish and more than once she had found herself chewing on one by mistake. Her bark – if you could call it that – was quite different, too. She’ll never forget the first time she tried it out: a rookie red fox made the error of trotting too close past her kennel and Clampett just had to say something! What erupted was a deep, resonating “BOWROOO!” that nearly scared herself – not to mention the poor fox – half to death. * As she grew older, Clampett became increasingly aware of her highly acute sense of smell. She followed her nose wherever it went, even when it led straight into trouble. When this dog’s nose was to the ground everything else was totally ignored – including the voice of her owner. She really couldn’t help it. After all, Clampett is a bloodhound, and smelling is what she was called to do! (It certainly wasn’t listening to commands.) While she may have her peculiarities, Clampett is just like most dogs in that she enjoys companionship and wants nothing more than to be loved. That, and of course, food. A lot of food. * From that day forward Scrap the fox has made a wide detour around Clampett’s dog pen.

CLARA #9045 The spirit of Christmas spreads throughout the wildlife community in much the same way it does our own. Our animal counterparts share in the joy and excitement of this special holiday season as it is a great time of celebration for them, too! In every forest, every warren, and every patch of woods, there can be found a local Christmas choir. A choir may number from three to twenty animals and it is comprised of a select group of individuals who, for one reason or another, consider themselves best qualified at carrying a tune. Their choruses can be heard at any hour, day or night, and can be quite pleasing to the human ear. Unfortunately, we humans can become so wrapped up in other affairs during the Christmas season that we seldom, if ever, take the time to listen. For Clara, being asked to join the local choir was a thrill of a lifetime! She had always regarded herself as an above average singer – now, she is able to share her vocal talents with the rest of the world. (This might explain Clara’s habit of drowning out other members.) She is awfully proud of her strong soprano voice, and she wants to be sure it is heard “loud and Clara!”

CLARENCE #5168 (October, 1991) Clarence is a spectator gnome who watches the games of both sports and life. Named for the guardian angel in the movie classic “It’s a Wonderful Life,” Clarence has his mouth closed so that he may be a better listener. His coin says “Games” and he like to sit on your television set when you watch a game, whether it’s the season opener or the play-off. But Clarence is also small enough to be wherever he’s needed to watch over those you love, especially when you can’t be there. He likes to drop in on patients in the hospital, and he can stay long after visiting hours are over. When you need a friend but you don’t want a conversation, Clarence is there for you.

CLARENCE WITH WINGS #5263 (December, 1994) Clarence is a spectator gnome who watches the games of both sports and life. Named for the guardian angel in the movie classic “It’s a Wonderful Life,” Clarence has his mouth closed so that he may be a better listener. His coin says “Games” and he likes to sit on your television set when you watch a game, whether it’s the season opener or the play-off. But Clarence is also small enough to be wherever he’s needed to watch over those you love, especially when you can’t be there. He likes to drop in on patients in the hospital, and he can stay long after visiting hours are over. When you need a friend but you don’t want a conversation, Clarence is there for you. Can you hear it? It’s the silvery sound of a Christmas bell. Some say that every time a bell rings, an angel receives his wings. Although little Clarence was named for a guardian angel, when he was introduced in January of 1993 he had no wings. But over the last two years many Collectors have written to tell me their stories of Clarence, who helped them in both times of joy and times of sadness. He has performed so many good deeds that he has earned his wings – they are a Christmas present to him from all Collectors. Thank you, Clarence, for being a friend.

CLAUDE #1147 (May, 1986) Named for the 19th century painter, Claude Monet, my Claude is also beginning to make an “impression” on his canvas, an autumn leaf. His palette contains the colors red, yellow, green and blue. Claude’s masterpiece will be worth as much as the French coin given to him by lack Frost!

CLAUDETTE #5636 (2007) This little French lady is renown for her ability to create haute couture. She makes the finest, most stylistic clothes that are available-for gnomes! The spool of thread is her muff, and she’s standing on her lucky coin. As you can see from the design on the hem of her skirt, she always puts her heart into her sewing.

CLEAN SWEEP #6349 (Cairn Seminar Series) (October, 1997) The new year is a good chance to sweep away life’s cobwebs and debris. Throw out those bad habits, and polish up your good intentions. Two of the best ways to start the new year are to renew old friendships and to make new friends. So this Woodspirit and rabbit are on their way to visit their pals from “Cairn Christmas 1998.” They’ve been friends for years, but haven’t stayed in touch as much as they would have liked. They are looking forward to the reunion, and to the opportunity to make a new friend. They have a coin from Switzerland, a country that loves the snowy, winter weather. Their gift is a broom for Mr. Snowman – the finishing touch to a beautiful friendship. That’s starting the year with a clean sweep.

CLIFFORD #9024 TIM WOLFE Look! Up in the air! It’s a flycatcher… it’s a warbler… no, it’s a tufted titmouse! Bird watching is one of Clifford’s favorite pas-times. When he isn’t racing around with other young squirrels (and more often than not – getting into trouble), he likes to sit and marvel at his winged neighbors. Of the various creatures Clifford shares his natural world with, birds are, without a doubt, the most intriguing of all. These things can actually lift themselves free of the land! What a feeling that must be; to fly! Birds are able to blend with both the sky and earth like no other living thing can. By comparison, birds make earth-bound animals, even tree dwelling squirrels like Clifford, seem rather limited and restricted. Not one to be out-done, Clifford’s buddy, Fritz, did try to fly once, and he’s been a bubble out of plum ever since. For Cliff, watching birds is a safe and pleasurable diversion from, well, getting into trouble.

CLOSE ENCOUNTER #9087 TIM WOLFE The raccoon had been wandering along the stream bank, dipping for crayfish in the shallow water. He particularly enjoyed this sport, and it was great fun even when he came up empty-handed. Being preoccupied with his task, he at first didn’t notice the frog, who seemed rather amused by the raccoon’s strange antics. Now, for those of you who didn’t know, coons are crazy about frogs. Crayfish are tasty, to be sure, but frogs! Having one sit motionless at such close range caught the raccoon completely by surprise. “Howdy,” said the frog. “Hello, frog,” the coon replied. Then, in an instant, the frog leaped into the deeper water and was gone.

CLYDE #5490 This is Clyde the Clydesdale horse. He is a big horse and a hard worker. He is dressed in blue overalls and there is a lucky horseshoe on the base. NOTE: (Copied from the Spring 2002, Volume 5, Issue 1, edition of Cairn Studio, Artist and Collector publication.) 2002 marks the fourth consecutive year that Cairn Studio has created a Zodiacal animal and it is marked as Cairn Studio mold No. 5490. This is the Year of the Horse, one of twelve in a series of animals adopted by the Chinese centuries ago as a means of celebrating Zodiacal years. In the “old days,” horses in China were considered the source of power and prosperity. The Mongolian Empire was only able to govern its vast area by using fast running horses as a means of carrying troops and military supplies. Today, many inhabitants in countries throughout the words (including the U.S.) think of the 2002 Zodiacal Horse as bringing peace, prosperity and happiness to their families. Tom Clark’s 2002 animal, Clyde, adds a humorous twist to the year of the horse – an animal that continues to contribute to our civilized life in many ways. This piece was cast in the U.S. and in the standard resin.

COACH #8031  This man is a saint He coaches our team,  If you’ve seen us play You know what I mean. He skips his dinner To come to our games,  He teaches technique And remembers our names. He gives of his time Cuz he really cares, In spite of wild pitches And defensive errors. He tells us what matters Is to go out and have fun, That’s why, to us,  He’s number one.

COACH DAD #5399 “Go Team!” You can hear Dad yelling all across the field. He is not an impartial observer . . . after all, that’s his child out there!. He has been tossing halls to his kid ever since the child’s first birthday. Kicking balls, batting balls, hitting balls, dribbling and running with balls has been “child’s play” for Dad and his home team. He has watched the progress of his offspring with great pride. But the most valuable result of his backyard coaching has been the bonding that he and his “team” have made. The lucky coin is from Spain and honors football (soccer in the USA). It could be the coin tossed before the game begins. Of course, Dad knows that “it’s just a game” “it’s not whether you win or lose; it’s how you play the game” •.. “moral victories are great!” Still – he can’t help shouting “GO TEAM!”

COASTIE #5142 (Salute To The Services) (February, 1991) The Coast Guard emblem decorates the front of Coastie’s fence and sea shells dot his base. Because their motto is Semper Paratus (*Always Ready*), Coastie keeps a lifesaver nearby. In peacetime the Coast Guard operates as a branch of the Department of Transportation, but in wartime it becomes an active part of the U.S. Navy. Coastie has a pair of scissors to let you know that Coast Guard ships are called “cutters.? His coin from the Connecticut Turnpike speeds his travel to the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut.

COCO #5087 (October, 1989) Coco loves the beach. There are two small coconuts by her because, like her namesake Coco Chanel, she is nuts about clothes. Coco ducked into this shell to change into her new bathing costume. She has already put on her cocoa butter, but the French coin with “” on it will remind Coco that no outfit is complete without Chanel #5. You may hear Coco humming as she changes her clothes. Her favorite song is “I’ll be Seaing You!’

COLEMAN AND THE THREE BEARS #6383 Papa, Mama, and Baby Bear are becoming use to complete strangers suddenly invading their privacy; first, there was that little blond-headed girl that helped herself into their home and ate all the food while they were away. Now, they find a barefooted Gnome sleeping at their private campfire. Mama and Baby Bear can’t sleep due to both Coleman, the Gnome, and Papa Bear’s snoring. As it turns out, Coleman is notorious for “crashing” campsites, slumber parties, wiener roasts and the like. But no one chases Coleman away because his lantern keeps the area safe. (Note, however, that only the embers of the campfire can keep his toe’s toasty.). Coleman should have no trouble sleeping tonight, especially since there’s a lamb (on the coin) just waiting to be counted.

COLETTE #1028 (March, 1984) Colette went to the 10th annual Collectors Convention in South Bend, Indiana. She is a regular Gibson Girl dressed in classic Edwardian attire. Sometimes, when she feels shy, she likes the plate turned around so that all we can see of her is her large leaf hat.

COLLEEN #11781 (March, 1987) Colleen is a leprechaun lady, and is the house mother to the other leprechauns. She makes Irish stew for the fighting Irish in the household. In her Irish stew recipe she uses Guinness stout instead of water, and she uses parsnips instead of potatoes. She stirs until Irish mist appears just above the kettle. She then takes her shamrock and floats it on top of the stew. There is an Irish coin on the base in case you need a little luck of the Irish in following her recipe.

COMFORT AND JOY #5184 (March, 1992) These friends are sharing one of the best things in life to share – laughter. What is causing this moment of fun? Perhaps they were posing for the photographer Flash and he just opened his raincoat to reveal his roll of film. Their coin from Zimbabwe shows a bridge over Victoria Falls. In a friend-ship, both comfort and joy bridge the differences in age and circumstance. These two best friends will never stop caring and sharing. Comfort and Joy are like the linked acorns on the base, for as the song says, “Best friends should be together.”

COMPUTER FRIENDLY FEMALE #8054 Don’t let technology Make you uptight, Who’s afraid of a megabyte? Hug your hardware It’s your own private tutor, Relax and learn to love your computer.

CONDUCTOR #322 (True Builders of America) (August, 1984) Another True Builder, the Conductor reminds me of riding Pullman train cars in my youth. The step up to the train is so high, especially for a child, so the Conductor is always there to help. You needn’t worry about your bags-he’ll see that they are on board. The Conductor himself has a large suitcase containing his many ticket reports and a change of clothing for the return trip. In keeping with the operating rules, he has stepped on the tie, and not on the rail, which could cause him to slip and fall. His hand is in his pocket, checking for candy for the children on the train. When I was a little boy, the first thing I did after boarding the train was to look out the window to see if the Conductor had gotten on the train. He is always the first one off, and the last one on. He signals with his lantern to let the engineer know that all are aboard, and the journey can begin.

CONEY #5431 In the good ole summertime, many people seek the cool breeze and refreshing waters of a public beach. Perhaps the most famous beach on America’s east coast is Coney Island, not far from the sweltering summer streets of New York City. Coney has found two sea shells that are sometimes called “Coolie” hats and, in an effort to stay cool, has replaced his pointed red hat with a coolie hat to help shield his eyes from the sun. A more delicious way to keep cool is with an ice cream cone. Because Coney provided his own cone (sea shell) and requested such a small amount of ice cream, the charge was only one cent. The coin he used was from the Bahamas where the fish are the real stars!

CONFEDERATE SOLDIER #1127 (January, 1986) As many soldiers were forced to do in the War Between the States, my soldier is wearing a mixture of uniforms. His stance shows bravery and pride in his Southland. His left hand is resting upon the pillar that displays his commanding general, Robert E. Lee; more importantly, his loyalty and spirit reside with the same general. I am indebted to C.O. Ray, our former plant manager, for his face of wisdom and courage.

CONGRATULATIONS-GRADUATE WITH DIPLOMA #5424 Just imagine it’s graduation day and you’ve completed all of the requirements for your degree. The President of the institution, Dr. A. Plato Socrates, smiling with pride in your accomplishments, is ready to present you your diploma. Besides learning the specifics of your chosen field of study, you have also mastered the subject of good common sense. The book titles reflect your newly acquired wisdom. You now know The RhYme and Reason for lots of things, as well as being aware of Your Own Mind when choosing your life’s path. You no longer will know only The Half of It. for you will have wisely looked at the whole picture and, as the last book says, you’ll always know What’s Good FOr you. So step up and proudly receive your diploma as Grad and Coed have done before you while all your family and friends shout their Congratulations!

COOKIE BANDITS #8043   He’s on the lookout for Mom And so far hasn’t seen her, This is grand theft cookies, Not a petty misdemeanor.  He’s an experienced cookie thief,  She’s only a beginner, On her first cookie caper  Right before her dinner.

COOKIE BREAK #6316 (Cairn Key and A Dealers Series) (October, 1994) These are two smart cookies! When it’s time for a break, they take a cookie break. Sandwiched together on this soft spot of forest floor, they’re relaxing while enjoying everyone’s favorite treat. The Woodspirit and his squirrel friend are sharing a chocolate cookie – when it’s broken in half, it looks like a smile! Best friends always share, and friends that share are the best kind of friends. These kindred spirits are happy to give some of their snack to the snail passing by. Cairn Collectors contributed the two coins on the statue: an OPA rationing token from World War II (when butter and sugar for cookies were scarce) and a French franc showing a 2, in honor of the two pals. I think the Woodspirit is good for a few more cookies, but the squirrel has just maybe had enough. Well, that’s the way the cookie crumbles.

CORA #9006 TIM WOLFE Is this a magic mushroom or what? Cora has been coming to this mushroom every afternoon and with each visit, she finds one or two kernels of corn under it. She has since checked under every other mushroom and toadstool around, but only this particular one bears the Golden Fruit. Could it really be magic? Perhaps, but Cora likes to think that somebody “Up There” likes field mice. Or better yet, somebody “Up There” likes her!

COREY #1190 (Cairn Promotional Series) (July, 1987) Corey is resting in his apple rocker, holding a smaller apple. He wants people to share his apples, and doesn’t want them to get crabby about it, so he sells them for only 54 each. He advertises with every step he takes, for on the bottom of each shoe is an apple seed.

CORKY #5126 AND SASSY #5125 (Cairn Seminar Series) (November, 1990) Corky found a cork in the forest, and decided it would make a good backrest. Now he’s curious about the bottle that once held this cork. Did a genie live inside? Despite his wild ideas, he’s a real corker. His coin is from France, home to some of the world’s best vineyards. Corky’s friend Sassy, a tea-totaler, is using a tea bag for her backrest. When Corky asked about the genie, she laughed and said, “I know you’re a Woodspirit, but you won’t find any ‘spirits’ in empty bottles.” She’ll fix Corky a cup of her favorite beverage, sassafras tea. Sassy’s coin is Chinese, because she wouldn’t leave Corky for all the tea in China.

CORN FED # 5615 (Summer 2006) The gnome who is riding the train is enjoying a lunch of corn-on-the-cob, and this gives a pretty good indication of what is being shipped inside the boxcar.  His companion, the little pig, is hoping that there will be more cobs available for his midday snack. The lucky coin on the base is a 10 centavos piece from Mexico which is the amount the customs officials charge to ship the corn over the border. Both the gnome and his companion believe that in order to be well fed, they must pig-out on corn!

CORNELIA #5062 (October, 1988) Cornelia is named for candy corn, a treat that she loves. This witch has an amazing trick – she can disappear in an instant. In fact, she can disappear as fast as candy corn disappears inside children at Halloween. Cornelia likes to appear in homes as part of their Halloween decorations. You may hear her ask, “Have you seen my black cat? She looks just like this.” Then she’ll point to the Australian coin. Cornelia is sitting on an unusual pumpkin. It’s a two-faced jack-o’- lantern, and the face she’ll present will depend on whether she wants to give you a trick or a treat.

CORNELIUS  Item #5685 When you’re growing corn you need to have a good working knowledge of farming. It is especially helpful if you have an agricultural Gnome living nearby. Cornelius is such a Gnome. Not only does he have a green thumb (see his logo), but he also stays in the field and checks the crop when the farmer is not there. Cornelius, himself, is a bit small for operating a tractor (such as the one on the lucky coin), but he is a professional at pulling up weeds and chasing off crows! I shop for corn in the village of Cornelius, North Carolina. Furthermore, the gardener and land steward whom I most admire is a gentleman named Earl Cornelius. So I have good reasons for naming this corn protector “Cornelius.”

COTTA #5185 (Food Series) (March, 1992) Cotta is a peanut farmer from Georgia. His father, also a man of the soil, was named Terra Cotta. He has a coin from his home state of Georgia, but where is his gnome hat? He threw his hat into the ring in 1976, and won a big prize. He threw it in again in 1980, but lost. Should he ask his friends if they’ve seen a lost hat? That would be the democratic thing to do. Wait – Cotta has just spotted a chipmunk named Bartholomew, who is filling a red pointed hat with nuts and corn. Cotta is hoping he can convince Bartholomew to trade that hat for a juicy peanut, for as Cotta says, “By Jiminy, it’s mine!”

COTTON #46 (Special Commission) (February, 1983) Cotton is sitting on a bale of cotton from Deep Creek Farm. He has an Egyptian coin and a good luck Esyptian scarab in his leaf cap. Under Cotton’s hand is the Great Seal of North Carolina. On the side of the bale we see the logo for The Cotton Gin, one of Cairn’ first dealers and Cotton’s new home.

COTTON TALES #6308 (August, 1993) A good story-teller is a treasure. And every storyteller needs a good listener, like this small Gnome. There couldn’t be a better way to while away a summer’s day. The hare on the Irish coin and the snail are listening, too, but the snail became frightened and hid inside his shell. The little Gnome is so engrossed in the story that he has forgotten to do his chores before supper. That’s what happens when you’re listening to a hare-raising tale.  A rabbit tells his cotton tales  That this Gnome finds hare-raising.  His fluff he got from cotton bales; Now isn’t that amazing!

COUCH POTATOE #5052 (May, 1988) The Couch Potatoe is in his favorite position, with his shoes off and the “telly on. His Woodspirit friends gave him this nickname because he has a “pot’ and a big toe. He meant to mend that hole in his sock, but he decided to wait for Thimblena to come by and mend it for him. He’s been on , the couch for so long that his potato has begun to wither! His coin is a German beer token and his pillow is a French fried potato. The Couch Potatoe was watching his favorite television show, “Masterpiece Theater.” But he has dozed off, and now he’ll miss what comes on next – “The World of Tom Clark” video. He hasn’t even noticed that a leaf has drifted onto him. But he was last heard to mutter, “Leaf me alone.”

COUNT ON ME #5485 

COUNTESS #5281 (June, 1995) Count on Countess for beautiful counted cross. stitch. Stitch’s sister enjoys all kinds of needlework, but this is her favorite. She starts with a blank piece of even-weave fabric, and then following, or counting from, a chart or graph, she creates the design with tiny X’S of colorful embroidery floss. Maybe Countess is working on a gift for her niece and nephew, Mendy and Bobbin. Her stitchery was made for me by Alice, a Collector from Minnesota. Like many of the other members af the Thimble Family, Countess wears a thimble hat and sits on a spool of thread. Her coin is from South Africa. She looks forward to the time each evening when the day’s chores are done, and she can continue working on her latest project. Sometimes her brother plays a trick on her and hides her needles. Then she warns, “I’ll be cross, Stitch!”

COUNTRY HAM #9162 Junior here is a real ham. Judging from his bib overalls, l’d wager he’s a country ham to boot. He likes to sing a little ditty that just tickles him pink. It goes something like this:  To market, to market There goes the plump pig Let’s fetch the fiddle And we’ll play a new jig For it won’t be long Till we have some ham The fat’s in the fire The pig’s in the pan! Junior certainly has a “porkuliar” sense of humor.

COURT JESTER #5378 and #2062 Take my wife, please”!! Like ol’ Henny Youngman, this happy fellow may have some right tired old jokes, and you may think that he teases too much; but look on his tunic and you can tell that his heart is in the right place. The Biliken (monkey jester) behind him was contributed by a Shriner in honor of the Jesters, a select group of men within the Shrine organization. The Jester is needed to cheer up Missing You and Heart and Soul. He also goes to Happy Birthday parties and entertains. Now that’s like his drum: You can’t beat it! In his hand is a puppet jester with the same smiling face as the clown on the coin. Now, let’s see if you can find yet one more face on the statue!

COURTNEY #8079   Courtney’s quite a charmer With a wonderful sense of style, Even when she loses She’ll flash that winning smile.

COWBOY #306 (November, 1983) Anthony B. Armstrong of North Carolina posed for this statue. He has been named #I all-round cowboy on the rodeo circuit several times. His belt buckle and his saddle are awards from his competitions. It is a happy coincidence that the Cowboy also looks like a young John Wayne.

C.P.A. #5212 March, 1993) Selecting just the right beans is the job of C.P.A. He is a white collar worker, but nonetheless has his sleeves rolled up as he goes about his fiduciary duties. CPAs are often called “bean counters” and my little Woodspirit has a handful of varieties from which to choose. Since CPAs double-check all of their calculations, I gave him two coins, which both say “Sales Tax.” He has a pencil behind his ear and a green leaf visor held together by two tacks, so he must have ‘ “tax” on his mind. They are both slightly sheltered, but keep that under your hat! This may “account” for his favorite day of the year, April 15. But one look at my statue will tell you that C.P.A.’s tax refund won’t amount to a hill of beans.

CREW CHIEF #5364  AccCBz #3313 (March, 1998) Just because his arms are folded doesn’t mean he isn’t busy like any good coach, his job is directing and supervising. There are eyes of steel behind those dark glasses. His smile says, “Boys, you’re going to make it!”, but watch the smile tighten as he counts the seconds, “One thousand ten, one thousand eleven…..”

CRIS. P #1112 (April, 1985) Cris. P (for Pickle) sometimes eats so many pickles that his tongue gets tired! One day he called to his girl friend “Sweet Jill” but what he said was “Sour Dill.” He’s been “in a pickle” ever since. The coin is from Israel, a country that seems to be always in a pickle of a mess. The delicious pickles are from the Mt. Olive Pickle Company, in North Carolina.

CROWELL #1091 (December, 1984) This is a little salesman with a wonderful product: the Cairn Studio lines! As can be seen from the map on the base, he is starting out from Davidson, North Carolina and heading west. He is carrying our newspapers under his arm, and there are replicas of other publications on the base. His coin is an American penny of 1908, when traveling salesmen were becoming legendary. He is named Crowell, by the way, because he has so much to crow about!

CROWN OF GLORY #6705 “and they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, and began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!”, – Matthew 15:17-18 The Roman soldiers meant to mock Jesus in this scene. However, they were in fact speaking the truth and symbolically showing that Jesus is to be the ruler over peoples’ lives because of his suffering and death. This pose has been used by many artists through the centuries. Usually, it is entitled “Behold the Man” or “Man of Sorrows”. Rather than focusing on the human aspect, I chose to reflect on the meaning of the suffering experience of Jesus Thus, I have named the statue Crown of Glory because His suffering and death have brought glory to his followers. “Then came Jesus forth, wearing the Crown of Thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, “Behold, the man!” – John 19.5.

CUB SCOUT #2035 (October, 1990) Cub Scout is riding on a life-sized Pinewood Derby car. Once a year Cub Scouts build their cars out of blocks of wood from kits, and then race them on a tilted track. Cub Scouting was founded in 1930, and is for boys aged 8 to 10, before they join Boy Scouts. Cub Scouts move through the ranks of Bobcat, Wolf, Bear, Lion and Webelo (an acronym for We’ll Be Loyal Scouts). My little Cub Scout, like his human friends, works to earn badges with the other Scouts in his den, and at home with his family. He’s wearing the official blue uniform, and his hat shows just how fast his Pinewood Derby car can race. But he’ll have fun whether he wins or loses. His coin depicts the Cub Scout motto, “Do Your Best, Help Other People.”

CURTIS #94 (March, 1983) This scholar is named for Joe Curtis Poteat, Cairn Studio’s National Sales manager. The Woodspirit is in the classic “Thinker” pose, sitting atop books reflecting courses from all disciplines. My trademark is sometimes on the “Art’ book and sometimes on the “Religion” textbook. In Curtis’s pocket is a coin that is good for one free ride. The Woodspirit can use that on any course that he chooses.

CY #5147 (April, 1991) Winter or summer, these three Woodspirits play baseball every day. Yogi, who has a bear behind him, is using his mitt as a chest protector. Like all good catchers, he wears his hat backwards. Rye seeds are scattered on the base, so he must he a catcher in the rye. His beard rests on his glove, because things get hairy for a catcher. Even so, his coin says “Fun For All.” Standing at the plate is Slugger, holding his bat, waiting for the perfect pitch. His Irish coin has a hare on it, for he’ll have to run like one when he circles the bases. On the pitcher’s mound is Cy, named for Cy Young (1867-1955), the number one pitcher of all time. You could say he was mighty Young when he pitched. Cy’s coin is a game token, for all pitchers want to be credited with the game. Whether they make it to the play-offs or not, these Woodspirits know there is no better way to “Pastime.”

D.G. #1031 (March, 1984) This Woodspirit was created to commemorate David Grier Martin, Jr.’s campaign for Congress in 1984. D.G. is standing on a stump and dressed in running togs. He holds a green beret in one hand and a legislative bill marked “9th” (for the 9th district in North Carolina) in the other. On the base are quotes from his speeches and books with titles that reflect his platform interests. His coin is a Susan B. Anthony dollar, symbolizing his support of women’s rights. The Wildcat, riding a bicycle, is Davidson College’s mascot. When D.G. was a student in my class, D.G’s father was president of the college.

DAD #10026 Dad is responsible for checking and cleaning the garden tools. In addition, he spots bare places in the lawn that need seeding and he assigns the daily jobs to the family.

DADDY OWE #5100 (February, 1990) Daddy Owe is the nickname given to this loving dad by his children. As you can tell from the acorns behind him, he is nuts about his kids. The month of June is special to Daddy Owe, as it is to all fathers. Not only is it the month in which we celebrate Father’s Day, but it is also a traditional time for weddings, which usually leave dads with empty pockets. Daddy Owe has a heart of gold, and gives willingly to those he loves. Though his pockets may be empty, his heart is full. There is, however, one coin left. It is a United States quarter, dated 1976, depicting the “father” of our country, George Washington.

DAD’S HOME #8015   You can ride him and wrestle him And slobber his face, He’ll tickle you and toss you All over the place. He’ll read to you and feed you And watch you grow, But when your diaper is full Where does he go?

DAD WITH LOVE #5283 (July, 1995) It’s a special occasion, and like many dads, he’s been gifted with a new necktie. With patriotic colors, it proclaims that, today, dad is the star! He stands by the king from a chess set, for every now and then, dad gets to be king for a day. You can tell by his smile that he’s someone’s dad, or you can look at the back of his tunic – it’s father hood! His coin reads “With great admiration and sincere appreciation – well done,” and was given, by the military, to the parents of children who served in World War II. There’s a tiny face hidden in his beard, for there’s more to fathers than first meets the eye. They have many responsibilities – breadwinner, teacher, coach, disciplinarian, friend, but the best job is Dad, with love. EDITION CHANGE: Dad With Love: One edition has Dad’s necktie covered with stars while in another edition, the tie is covered with moons.

DAFFY #140 (January, 1981) Daffy is the nickname given to this fellow by his Woodspirit friends. They think he gets a bit light-headed from smelling the pollen of the flowers that he so loves. There is a narcissus bulb behind him. The coin is a threepence from England, home of William Wordsworth who wrote “Reflections on a Field of Daffodils.”

DAILEY #5226 (May, 1993) Dailey, a very traditional Gnome, always picks two flowers before he takes his daily walk. Although the day is young he doesn’t dally, for he hopes to meet a special Woodspirit lady along the forest path. He believes that flowers are the path to a lady’s heart, and even his Japanese coin has blossoms on it. In his hands is a daisy, which means day’s eye, and Dailey only has eyes for this certain someone. A clue may be the Black-eyed Susan behind him, also a member of the daisy family. Won’t his sweetheart be pleased to receive two beautiful flowers? It’s a special Dailey Double.

DAISY AND ERIC #116 (November, 1979) Little Eric is about to fall asleep before Daisy can get him to his bed. His sister, Princess, is still riding on her father’s shoulders and is not a bit sleepy! Daisy is softly singing to him, “Sweetest little fellow anybody knows, don’t know what to call him, but he’s mighty like a rose.”

DANIEL BOONE #182    Lamp #192 (March, 1982) Boone is posed resting on a mountaintop with rocks by his feet and a coonskin cap on his head. Doubtless he is looking at the area around Boone, North where so many wonderful stories about him abound. This figure has a powder horn, a couple of pouches and a musket appropriate for his time. The pose was influenced by Davis Wright’s drawing of “The Longhunter of the 1700’s.”

DANNY #1192 (Cairn Promotional Series) (May, 1987) This little leprechaun seems to be hearing the pipes as they call to him through the Irish mist. Or is it his sweetheart, Colleen, for whom he has a wild Irish rose? If he is lucky, she will give him some of her Irish stew, which she has obviously done before! Lucky he must be, for there is a four-legf clover at his foot. Look closely and you will see an H on each leaf, as well as on his Irish coin.

DARBY #9124 You might call Darby a March Hare, since he’s all dressed up for St. Patrick’s Day. Actually, Darby is a leprechaun rabbit, so he dresses like this all the time. He carries a horseshoe in one coar pocket and a heads-up penny in the other, and he’s surrounded by several other “lucky” charms. His green top hat is a tad too big and it tends to fall over his eyes when he laughs. And laughing is something that Darby does a lot, especially when someone is rubbing his foot for good luck.

DARBY AND JOAN #5610 Since the 18th century, Darby and Joan have been known in literature to be the quintessential, happily married, elderly couple. These gnomes with the same names have put their heads together for a trip down memory lane. “Do you remember when . . .”? Joan most likely does remember, but she enjoys hearing Darby retell the story. When love grows older, memories stay new. There are two linked oak acorns sitting in front of them and two birds on the South African coin that they found in the forest. Like them, Darby and Joan will stay head -to-head and back to back for year and memories to come.

DARCY #1167 (October, 1986) Darcy is Ernie’s twin sister, and she is taking a hath in a sea shell. She is laughing because her rubber duck sprayed her with water, and her tub is too small for her to have “ducked”! Her lucky coin, like Ernie’s, is a nickel. His coin shows the Indian and her coin shows the buffalo. Darcy always gets to be the Indian maiden when they play Cowboys and Indians!

DARN #5049 (April, 1988) Darn is Thimblena’s husband. He saw the hole in his sock and asked her to “darn it!” His hat is a size nine thimble, because he knows that a stitch in time saves nine. He’ll ask her to hurry, so that he can continue practicing for a race with Eddie. He tried to go faster on his spool, but he began to slide off and said, “Darn.” Please don’t needle him about his nick-name. His coin is from Denmark and also has a hole in it – he thinks it’s from Darn-mark. Darn wears a big button on his shirt, because he’s as cute as one.

DAVEY ALLISON #6602 (March, 1994) Even when you win, automobile racing is a tough sport. Davey Allison did a lot of winning in his tragically short life. In eight years he won 19 Winston Cup events, yet he called the 1988 Daytona 500 the biggest moment of his life when he finished second to his famous father Bobby. He holds the record for most wins (eight) at his “home track” of Talladega, including his first Winston Cup win in 1987 – in his rookie season, no less. The Allisons of Hueytown, Alabama live and breathe racing, yet Davey’s parents insisted he finish high school before he begin his career on the short tracks of the South. Sadly, it was at Talladega that a helicopter crash claimed the life of the 32-year-old driver in July of 1993. He left behind his wife and young son and daughter, and parents still reeling from the death of his brother only eleven months earlier, in a crash at the Michigan International Speedway. The fans who cheered Davey and supported his racing career are now extending their love and support to his family, friends and crew. My statue is intended to honor Davey not just as a race car driver, but as the sincere, determined, and caring young man as seen by those who knew him best, and to say, Davey, you are missed.

DAVY CROCKETT #6012 (March, 1996) It is hard to know where the history ends and the legend begins. Davy Crockett was the most famous frontiersman of the early 1800s. This role, plus his other “careers” as scout, hunter, author, humorist, politician, Congressman, and soldier, has made him a true American folk hero. He was known for his love of freedom and justice as well as for his great physical strength and daring. One storyteller claimed that Crockett could “run faster, jump higher, squat lower, dive deeper, stay under longer, and come out drier than any man in the whole country.” My statue shows Davy Crockett in the prime of his life, dressed in hunting clothes. The scroll by his side lists important dates in his life, and I included his initials on the leather bag at his waist. He resembles the real David Crockett more closely than the star of the popular Disney series, actor Fess Parker. In 1830 Davy Crockett wrote “A Narrative of the Life of David Crockett of the State of Tennessee.” On the title page he included his motto: “I leave this rule for others when I’m dead, Be always sure you’re right – THEN GO AHEAD!” Many saw this as the credo for a young and growing America. His independence and individuality are obvious from the first sentence of the Preface: “Fashion is a thing I care mighty little about, except when it happens to run just exactly according to my own notion…” The story of Davy Crockett closes, fittingly, with his heroic death at The Alamo in 1836.

D.C. #99 (Special Commission) (March, 1983) D.C. was made in honor of the Davidson College alumni class of 1973. The pose is fashioned after Rodin’s “Thinker,” and on the books are nicknames of 11 professors who were teaching at the college in 1973. D.C. wears the college colors of red and black. The book in his hand bears the seal of the college, designed by Peter Stuart Ney.

D.D.S. #5181 (February, 1992) D.D.S. joins Friday, M.D., School Marm and Bob, R.L.S. in my Professions series. Like M.D., he enjoys his youngest patients the most. He’s using this set of dentures to show Woodspirit children how to properly clean their teeth. He likes to “drill” good dental hygiene habits into the children at an early age. D.D.S. tells them, “Your own teeth are prettier than any I could make for you!” I supplied him with the toothbrush and a tube of Cairn toothpaste. The wise old owl on the coin is for your wisdom teeth and the candy is a reminder to stay away from sweets. But D.D.S!’s favorite piece of advice is “See your dentist often.”

DEBBIE #1111 (July, 1985) Spring is the time for debutantes and hatching! Debbie is the surprise for the Easter egg hunters this year. She has popped up to wish us a happy May Day. The coin is from Ireland and shows a chicken. However, I am not telling which came first when I made the statue, the chicken or the egg!

DEE-LOVELY #1177 (February, 1987) I finished sculpting this statue on Valentine’s Day. The face of Dee-Lovely is my interpretation of the beautiful actress (and Woodspirit collector) Dee Wallace Stone. She is holding a sea shell which is a gift from another collector, Denise Gornto. The heart-shaped shell has a very fragile perforation through its center, and little Dee seems to be saying, “Don’t go breaking my heart. Be my Valentine.” The roses on her dress are complemented by the edelweiss on the Austrian coin.

DEM #5000 and REP #5008 (September, 1987) Dem and Rep are having a potato sack race with political overtones. Dem represents the Democrats, and on his base is their mascot, the donkey. His coin is the Franklin D. Roosevelt dime, in honor of the Democratic “New Deal” president. Rep is a Republican, running for the Grand Old Party. The elephant, symbol of the GOP, is on his base. Rep’s coin is a penny depicting the most famous Republican president, Abraham Lincoln. The CAROL’s and the JINGLE’s like to stand on the sidelines and watch the race. Spud, who donated the potato sacks, will be at the finish line to declare a win-her. In some homes Dem is in the lead, but in other homes it’s Rep who’s winning. Collectors may “fix” the race in their homes to endorse their favorite party.

DEN MOTHER #5246 (January, 1994) It’s true that time flies when you’re having fun – just ask this busy and dedicated Woodspirit Den Mother. It seems like only minutes ago that she opened the Den Box that holds the supplies, crafts, tools, games, etc. for her Cub Scouts. Already it’s time to pass out the cookies she baked and to say good-bye until the next pack meeting. Her sleeves are quite wrinkled for her arms are in constant motion. Making kites and birdhouses are two of the boys’ favorite projects, but all Den Leaders know that Scouting means building dreams as well as things. The Den Mother wears the US flag emblem and Scouting insignia on her uniform, and her Cub Scout pin is on her hat. Over her left pocket is the World Scout Crest Emblem, worn by all member’s of Scouting as a symbol of world brother-hood. On the base you’ll see a neckerchief slide showing the Wolf insignia and a coin with the Cub Scout Promise. I decorated my statue with lots of acorns and leaves because Cub Scouts love the out-of-doors. The Den Mother does her best to help her Scouts live up to the Cub Scout Motto: Do Your Best.

DEWEY #13 (February, 1980) Named for a former plant manager, Dewey Boles, this Woodspirit is a prankster who likes to pretend that he is a clown. When he plays a trick on someone, he quickly retreats to the protection of his shamrock, his horseshoe, and his lucky Irish coin.

DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH #5320 (Special Collector Newsletter Offer) (January, 1997) “What’s a fellow on the ball doing in a rough place like this?” asked the Woodspirit. “I’m a high flier and 1 just over-extended myself.” “Well, wait right there and fin trample the grass so that your friends can find you. We golf course gnomes are on a par with rescue services.” It can still be a lucky day for the golfer – there’s also an uncovered dime in the rough!

DIGGER #8004  Digger’s been told, ‘Til the fairways have healed, To take his clubs to a farm And try tilling the field.

DILWORTH #5145 (March, 1991) Dilworth was created for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission to honor the 100th anniversary of the electric streetcar in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 1891 Thomas Edison persuaded Edward Dilworth Latta to install electric streetcars, or trolleys. Up until this time, Charlotte, like most southern towns, was primarily a walking community. At the same time Mr. Latta developed the Dilworth neighborhood, Charlotte’s first suburb, to expand his streetcar service. March 14, 1938 saw the last streetcar run in Charlotte. It was made by Car #85, built by Southern Public Utilities Company (now Duke Power Company). In 1987 Car #85 was discovered in Huntersville, a town near Davidson. It is now being restored to its original appearance and operating condition. By 1992 the Historic Landmarks Commission hopes to restore streetcar service in Charlotte as viable uptown transportation. My little Dilworth is standing by his Car #85 and holding a Duke Power Company token to pay for your ride on the street-car. Behind him is another coin that pictures a trolley. Under his left arm is a moss oak acorn from a tree in uptown Charlotte. In front of his streetcar is the official emblem of Southern Public Utilities Company at the time Car #85 was built. Dilworth’s smile says thanks to all those dedicated to getting Charlotte “Back on Track.”

DINAH #5208 (December, 1992) Dinah, at the shore, is playing in her very own golf tournament with her friends Babe and the other Woodspirit golfers. When the ocean breezes blow down the fairway, a sea urchin keeps Dinah’s kerchief in place. Her wedge is for blasting out of the sandtrap if she can find her ball (which is actually a pearl). Dinah spotted a fish on the Philippine coin and a small sand crab. Is something fishy going on? It’s definitely not the old shell game, for under this large shell is her pearl and – a giant pearl? No, it’s someone else’s golf ball. Dinah, do you have any pearls of wisdom for unlucky golfers? “Yes – think of looking for your lost ball as another way to see the USA!”

DIZZY #5425 Dizzy is the second pitcher in my baseball series. My first pitcher was named for the legendary Cy Young and this new pitcher is named for (who else) Dizzy Dean, whose stint on the Cardinals’ pitcher’s mound lasted from 1932 to 1937 where he won twenty or more games per season for four consecutive years. After injuries cut his pitching career short, Dizzy became a beloved personality with the radio audiences around the country who enjoyed his down-home commentaries about the baseball games he covered. Dizzy is winding up to send a fast ball toward the batter (either Slugger or Joltin’ Joe). With a pitching arm as versatile as his limber leg, he will have no problem bringing on “Strike One!” or “Two”. . or…

DOG-LEG #5069 (March, 1989) Dog-Leg is named for the sharpest bend on a race track. This turn is the most dangerous part of a race course, but Dog-Leg is beaming because he found a coin that says, “This is My Lucky Day,” and he knows he’ll make it around the curve (unlike his friend Speedy!). He’s holding a spare tire because it takes more than luck to finish a race. Drivers also need skill, a good crew, and plenty of spare parts. Behind DogLeg is a prune pit, in case he needs to make a pit stop. He’s wearing a hard hat and acorn earmuffs, for safety and noise protection. Dog-Leg is too small to enter a NASCAR race, but his license plate confirms that he drives a GNICE CAR.

DORMIE #5164 (Cairn Key and A Dealers Series) (September, 1991) Dormie is playing for the club championship. He’s using a baseball bat so that he can hit the ball “out of the park.” He is very fashionable in a shell cap inspired by Ben Hogan. His trousers are the traditional plus fours (which is usually his score on a par 3 hole). Dormie will need his Irish coin to bring him the luck of the Irish, for as indicated by the wolfhound on the coin, this hole is a dog-leg. Can the fishhook by his right foot give him the hook shot he needs? Sadly, Dormie’s name means that he has no chance to win the match, which is scored by number of holes won, not number of strokes But like all avid golfers, he’ll “putt” this defeat behind him, “‘ton” out his difficulties, and be back on the course tomorrow.

DOROTHY-DEDICATION #5901

DORY #2013 (Special Commission) (September, 1985) Dory is a Woodspirit in search of a present for someone very special. Having put on his shell cap, he took out his little “dory” boat from Newport Beach in hopes of find ing something beautiful as a gift. But his paddling around the bay was useless. He found no shell, no miniature boat, not even a pelican feather! When he beached his dory (named Mr. D) he looked down and found all the things that he had been wanting: a beautiful shell, a miniature boat (on the Canadian coin) and even pelican feathers depicted on the coin. Something suddenly gurgled behind him and on turning he saw a mermaid. “I’m your fairy god-mother of the sea,” she said, “and I have helped you to find your treasures. When you look to the sea for gifts to give others, then I will be there to help you.” So saying, she dove back into the water just in front of the starfish. The delighted Woodspirit said, “She’s made everything Hunky Dory!”

DOTCOM #5377 It’s easy to “surf” the net when your laptop computer is inside a sea shell. DorCom is often on line with other surfers, especially since she can only e-mail the special State statues by finding stores in those states which carry the gnomes. Her cousin, Shelby, has access to more laptops than any other gnome and is the one who first introduced her to computers. Dot’s friend Dinah found a golf ball under her laptop! Dot’s lucky coin is from Finland, the site of Lapland. Dot’s husband, Laptop, is dedicated to surfing because that’s how they met. He had heard her name so often that when he finally met her he quickly married her so she couldn’t fly out the “windows.”

DOTSY #9063 TIM WOLFE It was just yesterday morning that this whitetail fawn was born. Shortly after birth, Dotsy met her mother and instinctively knew what to do next – eat! At only twenty minutes of age, the fawn attempted to stand. This took a tremendous amount of effort. Little Doty’s legs trembled uncontrollably. She fell. After several attempts and more falling she finally succeeded in taking a few wobbly steps. Then, totally exhausted, she collapsed on the wood’s floor and curled into a ball. In this position, Dotsy will remain for the next three or four days (except for eating, of course!). As long as she stays still, the fawn’s spotted coat provides her with excellent camouflage. At a distance, Dotsy looks like dappled sunlight filtering through trees and the shadows cast on fallen leaves. Nature doesn’t fool Dotsy’s mother, how-ever. Mom knows exactly where her daughter is at all times.

DOUBLE TROUBLE #11002 Bear cubs are as playful and cuddly as small children. They can also be just as mischievous! Like children, roly-poly cubs are constantly getting into something, including trouble. These two are helping themselves to someone else’s barrel full of apples. You really can’t blame the cubs. After all, the owner should have set the barrel up higher.

DOUG #1045 (May, 1984) Our UPS man, Doug, is so patient with my dog that I decided to honor him with a gnome bearing his name. He carries a “doug” biscuit, and has a coin from Ireland with a “dous” on it. And of course, that is a “dougwood” blossom behind him.

DOVE SCHOOL BUS #1138 (February, 1987) Gnome children have to rise earlier than human children, so that they can ride the Mourning Dove to school. Their schoolhouse is at the edge of a field where the Mourning Dove can eat all day long, while the bus driver, Grackle, waits to take his charges home after school. The children are named Wren, Robin, Crowe, and Junco. Junco is always making faces at the other Dove School Bus behind hem! As you can tell, one of the children is exiting the bus, so this scene must be happening at the end of the day.

DOWNHILL RACER #8010  Some people like to lounge about In a relaxed state of being. But as for me, There is no doubt I’d much rather be out skiing.

DOWN WITH A BOUND #5135 (January, 1991) “As I drew in my head, and was turning around, Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.” The inspiration for this statue came from Clement C. Moore’s beloved Christmas poem. Luckily the “right jolly old el° and his bag of gifts survived the impact. Three stockings are hung by the chimney and now Santa can fill them with the wonderful presents he has brought: binoculars, blocks, a cuckoo clock, a truck, a ball, a teddy bear, a football – and a gnome! Santa’s first surprise was falling down the chimney. His second surprise will be seeing a statue of himself with the Christmas decorations on the mantel. Down With A Bound can also be used as a bookend for your favorite Christmas books, especially The Night Before Christmas.

DRENCH #5588 This Green Thumb Gnome works for the Cairn Fire Department. He is their best “hose-down” man. When off duty he tackles the water hose in his own backyard. He knows that one setting does not fit all. The impatients take more water and the marigolds take less. The big leaf plants like to be soaked, and the African violets are content with a mere misting. Drench is a professional at watering. On the back of his statue you can see his fireman’s badge, based on a design of the badge in Denver, Colorado. Cheers to Drench; he can put out any fire or wake up any plant.

DR. FEELGOOD #5122 (October, 1990) Dr. Feelgood delivers his special card to anyone who is feeling poorly. His message is “Get Well Soon,” and he likes to arrive with his card. He brings a lucky penny and a small face in his beard, because he wants to smile twice. He hopes you’ll smile back, for happiness is the best medicine. The doctor’s name is also his wish for all who are under the weather: Feel Good.

DR. GONNAGAL #5435  This professor of wizardry appears to be waiting for students to answer one of her many questions. Perhaps the question is historical (“What were Merlin’s duties in King Arthur’s court?”) or maybe chemical (“What effect does the addition of bat wings have on ‘Toad Toes’ Soup?”). She is a confident teacher, dressed in an academic robe of emerald green and she can more than hold her own with her male counterparts, like Professor Wizard. Still, she has a feminine side as you can see from her showy hair bow and her delicate starfish earrings. Her facial lines indicate that she smiles a lot, so she must have a good sense of humor. Isn’t she the one who first made pigs fly and shrimp whistle?! As you can see from her robe, Dr. Gonnagal’s back is warmed by the sun and the stars and moons are near her hands. She believes in glorifying the heavens and their Creator. Real magic is obtained not by aligning the planets accord- ing to your birthday, but by aligning your heart to the purposes of a higher being. Dr. Gonnagal wisely guides her students to an appreciation of the sweet mysteries of life. Her Turkish coin from 1956 shows the moon and the stars and was her inspiration for her robe ornamentation.

DR. GREEN JEANS #5567  Every garden occasionally needs a good plant Doctor. Dr. Green Jeans is the best. He can tell when a plant is in need of vitamins, enriched soil, more sun and water… and he knows precisely when they need tender loving care! The good doctor wears the traditional color of green, similar to the color used by doctors in our hospitals. In Greenjean’s environment, he blends in with the foliage. The mirror on his eye glass helps him to detect diseases, like black spot on roses. The stethoscope aids him in checking the growth rythms of the plants. He keeps his gloves at the ready in case he has to protect his hands before “amputating” dead leaves and branches. His lucky coin is from France and celebrates people who are involved in planting gardens. When the plants ask him for his prescription for good health, he usually says “Get plenty of rest, sunshine, fresh air and vitamins. And drink lots of fresh water during hot weather. Also, be sure to remove distracting “weeds” from your environment.” That sounds like a pretty good prescription for the good health of all of us as well!

DR. GREY #321 (True Builders of America) (June, 1983) This statue was created as a tribute to the hardworking rural doctors of our country. Taking the name of my address, Grey Road, the figure is modeled after Dr. Bruce Swain of Georgia. On the books beneath the chair are names of many doctors of my acquaintance. Dr. Grey’s interest is so focused on the patient at hand that he has been careless with the tying of his tie (a gift from a patient) and the hanging of his jacket. On the piece of paper in his hand is a prescription made out to Tom Clark for two doses of castor oil a day!

DR. PREVENTION & DR. REMEDY #5624 (Summer 2007) Nearly every pharmacy has at least two pharmacists, and the Gnome pharmacy is no exception. In fact, these doctors are exactly what you want from medicine—something to keep you from getting sick and something to heal you when you are ill. If you want to know what’s best to take, ask Dr. Prevention—she’s “on top” of what is the best pill. Dr. Remedy has his feet on the ground when it comes to guiding you toward the right remedy medicine. The mortar holding the pills is like the ones seen in many pharmacies during the mid-twentieth century. These Gnome pharmacists are equally good at what they do. And though the lady is thinner than the man, remember that an ounce of Dr. Prevention is worth a pound of Dr. Remedy.

DUBLIN #5102 (March, 1990) Dublin is named for Dublin, Ireland, and all the other towns with this name, especially Dublin, Georgia and Dublin, North Carolina, which is seven miles from my hometown of Elizabethtown. They must be the country’s fastest growing towns, because they are Dublin every day! This leprechaun has an Irish coin, a four leaf clover in his hatband, and a lucky shamrock in his left hand. The heart-shaped rock behind Dublin was a gift from my cousins, David and Ann Williams, who found it while hiking. You could say that it’s a “sham rock.” Dublin wants to remind everyone of his favorite old saying: “If you kiss a leprechaun, you’ll never have a heart of stone.”

DUCK SLAYER II #8073  Hiding in the weeds Out around the slew, His eyes focused skyward As ducks come into view. He grabs his favorite duck call And calls in one or two, Then raises up his 12 gauge And prays his aim is true.

DUFFY #9031 Fore? Apparently Hawthorn the tree frog is not the only one who comes into contact with these strange spherical visitors. Duffy is a recent addition to the golf course pond and already he has discovered quite a few of them. This one he uncovered in the leaves along the shoreline. But as Duffy’s brief underwater dives have revealed, the balls can also be found lying submerged on the bottom of the pond. Duffy has concluded that whatever they may be, they are certainly not waterfowl for, while they do make a pretty good splash when entering the water, these guys definitely cannot swim.

DUMPLING #5322 (January, 1997) Dumpling is the queen of the kitchen, and she holds a rolling pin as her scepter. Just like her husband Skinny, she is a great cook. From her pumpkin perch she can survey the kitchen, her favorite room in the home. She enjoys cooking Skinny’s favorite meal – that’s the one that’s just been put on the table in front of him! When you are late to supper, then Dumpling is really steamed. But when you don’t ask for seconds, then she is boiling mad! Her Irish coin shows what a treat it is to have chicken and Dumpling.

DUNCAN #5077 (August, 1989) Duncan is sitting on a Duncan yoyo, and in his hand is a doughnut for Duncan. But he can’t eat his snack because he’s a little tied up right now in that yoyo string. Duncan is trying to “go around the world” with his yoyo. I gave him coins from twelve countries: England, France, Switzerland, Yugoslavia, Greece, Turkey, Pakistan, India, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, and the United States. Following this order will take Duncan “around the world” with his yoyo.

DUSTY #122 (October, 1980) This West Virginia coal mining Woodspirit was commissioned by the Diamond Department Store of Charleston, West Virginia. Dusty has found several lumps of coal with his pick axe. The piece of script was an antique coin used by company stores in West Virginia. This statue was presented to the Nature Museum of West Virginia and can be seen on their nature trail.

DUTCH #5508 (2002) As you can tell from his wooden shoes, this happy gnome is from Holland. If anyone knows about flowers, it’s Dutch! He has been a garden gnome all of his 250 years of life. He won’t retire from gardening for another 100 years – proof that being a gardener keeps you young. His lucky coin is a 25 cent piece from the Netherlands, which honors former Queen Juliana. Although orange blossoms are the offical flower of Holland (the queen is of the House of Orange,) Dutch specializes in bulbs. The ones he waters are the loveliest and largest in the area. He has just finished watering the front half of the garden; and now he’s sitting on top of the watering can and thinking about watering the rear end…of the garden!

EARL #5037 (Cairn Key and A Dealers Series) (February, 1988) Earl is preparing for a big bowling tournament. He’s using marbles that he found in the woods that had rolled under a hemlock tree. While searching under the tree he also collected ten tenpins. He won’t get a strike because his first ball has already rolled into the gutter. If he doesn’t knock all the pins down with his second ball, then on his next turn he’ll use the big agate behind him. Earl’s coin reads “Fun and Games.” He is named for Earl Anthony, one of America’s best-known bowlers. Like his idol, this gnome is also left-handed, and even resembles the famous bowler. He’d like to invite Naismith, Slam, Dunk, Fielding and Homer (who’s on the ball) to a bowling match at Earl Anthony’s bowling alley in Dublin, California. He knows his score will improve there, because it will be “dublin” every day.

EARTHA #9175 The spirit of Christmas permeates the wildlife community in much the same way it does our own. Our animal counterparts share in the joy and excitement of this special holiday season as it is a great time of celebration for them, too! In every forest, every warren, and every patch of woods, there can be found a local Christmas choir. A choir may number from three to twenty animals and it is comprised of a select group of individuals who, for one reason or another, consider themselves best suited at carrying a tune. Their choruses can be heard at any hour, day or night, and can be quite pleasing to the human ear. Unfortunately, we humans can become so wrapped up in other affairs during the Christmas season that we seldom, if ever, take the time to listen. Eartha is the third member of the Carols for Critters Choir to don a choir robe as she now joins Clara and Ida. She is also wearing her mittens, proving that she hasn’t lost them again—yet! Our Eartha is named for another singer, Eartha Kitt. Eartha Kitt sang a hit song, “Santa Baby,” and that is the song our caroling kitten is crooning. Eartha hopes her holidays are full of Christmouse joy!

EBBIE #5072 (May, 1989) Ebbie is holding a stick broom for sweeping the yard, in the days before yards had grass. She has paused to gaze at the fields, where the rest of her family is working. The morning air is chilly, so Ebbie is wearing her husband’s old jacket, that was already well-worn when handed down to him. Ebbie ties her kerchief with the bow at the nape of her neck, in reverse fashion from the house servants. She is named for the aunt of my housekeeper Sarah, who remembers Ebbie’s stories of her plantation childhood. There is nobility and dignity in Ebbie’s face, for although her task is menial, she knows that all work is worthy in the eyes of God. Ebbie and her family live the testament of Ecclesiastes 9:10; “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might.”

ED #2022 (June, 1987) Ed was made in honor of the first edition of the Cairn Collector’s Edition Magazine. He is reading the first edition, and his lucky Spanish coin has a #1 on it. Because he is a Gnome, the publishers provided him with a special “condensed” issue. Ed is so engrossed in reading about his friends that you’ll have to tickle his back to make him turn the page. If there is some habit that you would like to change, Ed can be especially helpful to you, because he knows how to turn over a new leaf.

EDDIE #83 (July, 1983) Eddie wants to be a race horse jockey like Eddie Arcaro. His father, Pokey, said he was too young for such an occupation. “But I’m growing up,” said Eddie, “I can feel a whisker.” To encourage his ambitions, he has been given an English coin so that he can go to Ascot where he might see Queen Elizabeth and her youngest son, Eddie.

EDISON #5018 (Cairn Key and A Dealers Series) (November, 1987) Edison is an electrician named for Thomas A. Edison. On the base is a coin commemorating the invention of the lightbulb in 1879. This Woodspirit has a light in his hat, so he must be bright! Judging by his belt, he’s also a live wire. Edison knows how to pull your chain to light up your life. He had a nutty idea-he made flashlights out of acorns and wire connectors for the other Woodspirits, so they’d never be left in the dark. He also has a plug to give to his friend Franklin, whose namesake Ben Franklin is the father of electricity. Edison is in the same trade union as Locke and Noah. Edison thought this would be an easy way to make a living he had to have a screw loose to think that.

EENIE #1021, MEENIE #1022, MINIE #1023, MOE #1024 (January, 1984) “Eenie, Meenie, Minie, Moe, Catch a Snotgurgle by the toe.” These Canadian lumberjacks have just cut a log into four pieces. Eenie has a Canadian penny (Eenie body can have a penny!). Meenie is stingy and is hold ing tight to his nickel. Minie’s coin is the most minor, only half a penny. Moe’s coin is the most, a Canadian quarter.

EGGBERT #194 (April, 1982) Eggbert was originally named “Bert” before his history-making treaty with the birds that allowed Woodspirits to be given infertile eggs. As seen here, he has just happened upon two beautiful Easter eggs yet undiscovered by frolicking children nearby. It is the egg find of his career. Should he try to get the eggs in his basket, cover them with leaves to hide them, or go get help? He has sat down on his problem to think it over. His coin is an ancient one from Roman days in Palestine.

ELEANOR AND VIRGINIA DARE #5043 (August, 1988) This statue was inspired by the outdoor drama “The Lost Colony” written by Paul Green and performed each “summer in Manteo, North Carolina. “The Lost Colony” is the story of the birth of English-speaking civilization on Roanoke Island, Dare County, North Carolina by Sir Walter Raleigh and his colonists in the years 1584-1587. Virginia Dare, daughter of Ananias and Eleanor Dare, and granddaughter of Governor John White, was born on August 18,1587, the first English child of the New World. The summer of 1987 marked the 400th year of Virginia’s birth and the 50th anniversary season of this play, produced by the Roanoke Island Historical Association. To celebrate her birthday, a special coat of arms from England’s Royal College of Arms was designed and presented to the Association. Virginia Dare is the only female not a monarch ever to receive her own heraldic design. I based my statue of mother and child on a sketch of the Eleanor Dare charm that is presented each season to the infants that portray baby Virginia in “The Lost Colony” performance on August 18. The fate of the Lost Colony remains a 400-year-old mystery. When Governor White returned to Roanoke Island in 1590, he found nothing but a deserted colony and the words CROATOAN and CRO carved on a tree and post. When placed beside the statue of the Pilgrim, the mother and child seemed protected and assured of a future. I like to think that the colonists merely traveled to a new location, perhaps to search for the Chesapeake Bay, the area actually chosen by Sir Walter Raleigh for colonization. Perhaps Virginia lived to enjoy even her great-grandchildren.

ELIZABETH #1017 (January, 1984) She is sitting on a special little bench that was made by our plant manager, Shirley Hollar. She sits patiently listening to her husband, O’Neal, as he tells her once again about the one that got away. She keeps her hair under her kerchief, since she is married. The coin near her feet depicts her namesake, Queen Elizabeth.

ELK (See Acorn Collection)

EL -KIM (See Acorn Collection)

ELLA (See Acorn Collection)

ELMER (See Acorn Collection)

ELMO #5022 (November, 1987) Elmo is the firefighter of the Woodspirit clan. He is named for St. Elmo’s fire, the flash of light that is seen around ships in a thunderstorm. Elmo is off in a flash when he spots a forest fire. Because Woodspirits seldom have forest fires, Elmo’s ancient fire engine is still in good condition. On the base is a cigarette butt and two burnt matches dropped by careless humans, that Elmo will use in the fire safety course he teaches to picnic parties, like Pokey’s family. When there is a fire, Elmo uses his bell and horn to alert the clan, and his axe to clear a fire line. His friend W.C. supplies the water and Sorghum organizes the bucket brigade. The Swedish coin on Elmo’s hat shows that he belongs to the First Fire Brigade.

ELVA (See Acorn Collection)

ELWOOD (See Acorn Collection)

EMMA #9037 TIM WOLFE Well now, here is an unexpected surprise. Emma had taken only one or two bites of this colorful candy when suddenly she struck it rich – as in chocolate! It melted in her mouth, not in her paws, so evidently the colored portion of this candy serves as a protective coating and decorative shell for the real treasure that’s hidden inside. Unfortunately, Emma’s mother said to cut down on her chocolate intake. There is semething in it that does strange things to a little mouse’s metabolism, and too much of it will cause Emma to feel jittery and pretty much like a basket case. Not to worry, Mom, for Emma is just going to nibble on the outer part of the candy and pay no attention to the delicious chocolate. Yeah, right.

ENOCH #186 (June, 1982) This hard-working farmer is digging up a stump in Bladen County, North Carolina. Perhaps he is clearing a field, and smiles suddenly at a deer near a salt lick. As he is left-handed, his left sleeve is rolled up. He is named Enoch because, as a man of the soil, he “walks with God” 365 days of the year.

ERIN #5162 (August, 1991) Erin is an Irish leprechaun from the green land of Eire. With auburn hair and a freckle or two, she’s clearly from the mystic isle. She’s fleet of foot and few can match her speed or ability to hide in the heather and peat bogs. But the trick to get her to come out and join her fellow leprechauns is (“Ireland forever”) to call out the popular motto of Ireland: “Erin Go Bragh”.

ERMA #1152 (June, 1986) JC PENNY COLLECTION….Like her namesake, Erma Bombeck, she is a slave to the mop and the kitchen, but she daydreams about her pumpkin turning into a carriage. It would carry her to the Caribbean, where she would be as free as the bird on her Caribbean coin. Her carriage wheels are checkers, which she has used many times in playing with her children. Because I love people who work in the kitchen, I gave her two leaves in the shape of hearts.

ERNEST #1030 (Collector Society Artwork Series) (March, 1984) This Gnome was created for the Cairn Collector Society. He is an earnest worker, having gathered enough sticks for many fires. He has paused momentarily to look at a particularly beautiful sunset over the crest of the hill. He has found a coin with a double axe, like the one he uses when chopping kindling wood. He sometimes has to use that rope belt to bind his bundle of sticks.

ERNIE #1149 (May, 1986) Buzzy and Bubbles are the proud parents of this lit tle fellow. While soaking in his acorn tub, he emulates his friend and namesake from Sesame Street, by playing with a rubber duckie! His baby present was a miniature nickel which helps him play Cowboys and Indians!

ESTHER #9015 TIM WOLFE Esther got lucky when she was exploring the cellar of the old country church. While tip-toeing across the cement floor she happened upon a heart-shaped piece of candy. One nibble and Esther realized that it was a time for rejoicing; that she could have made this discovery before the ants was surely a miracle. Rather than keep such a delicious treat all to herself (which is what most greedy little field mice would do), Esther shared it with someone she loves. That someone gnawed away the valentine message printed on the candy’s surface, and his tiny teeth marks have now obscured the words “You’re special.” Even though the mice would not have recognized that alphabet, Esther’s friend must have felt very special indeed. After all, you don’t share your heart with just anyone.

ETHAN #106 (June, 1978) Ethan is a Woodspirit monk who performs weddings under the full moon at midnight. He is named for the title character in Ethan Fromm. He wears a burlap robe and a Celtic cross from the isle of Iona in Scotland. Behind him is a souvenir coin from Jerusalem.

ETHEL #9047 The spirit of Christmas spreads throughout the wildlife community in much the same way it does our own. Our animal counterparts share in the joy and excitement of this special holiday season as it is a great time of celebration for them, too! In every forest, every warren, and every patch of woods, there can be found a local Christmas choir. A choir may number from three to twenty animals and it is comprised of a select group of individuals who, for one reason or another, consider themselves best qualified at carrying a tune. Their choruses can be heard at any hour, day or night, and can be quite pleasing to the human ear. Unfortunately, we humans can become so wrapped up in other affairs during the Christmas season that we seldom, if ever, take the time to listen. It is widely known that rabbits, especially does, are gifted with lovely singing voices. Some theorize that this is attributed to their eating habits. Others say it has to do with their large ears. Either way, it was Ethel’s pure love of music that prompted her to join the choir. Now, if she could only get Clara to eat more carrots…

EUREKA #1115 (June, 1985) It’s a good thing that Woodspirits live to be four hundred years old, because sometimes it takes that long to strike gold. Eureka is shouting, “I found it!” Eureka has a gold coin from Spain. The earliest tales of Gnomes and Woodspirits (fourteenth century Switzerland) relate their dedication to finding and protecting the earth’s treasures. This is the job of Eureka, as well as Rocky, Pardner and Nemo. When Eureka is in your house, he will help you find the precious things you seek.

EVE AND HOPPIN’ JOHN #5211 (January, 1993) The clock has struck midnight – Happy New Year! Eve and Hoppin’ John are celebrating the first few moments of the new year. I gave them a Brazilian coin with a “° on it and a bell to ring out the old and ring in the new. Now it is time to visit their friends, a Scottish custom known as “First Footing.” It is good luck to bring a bit of fuel for the fire, so Eve and Hoppin’ John have a small piece of charcoal. Old-fashioned cooks will spot ingredients for the traditional New Year’s Day supper that brings good luck throughout the coming wear: cornbread, collard greens (Eve’s apron) and Hoppin’ John, a dish of black-eyed peas and rice. Symbolizing coins and greenbacks, the peas and greens will guarantee wealth and prosperity in the months ahead. Some say that Hoppin’ John is named for a man named John who came a-hoppin’ when his wife served this dish. Wise Woodspirits believe the old saying, “Ear poor on New Year’s and eat fat the rest of the year.”

EZRA #5223 (May, 1993) My favorite photograph of my father shows him standing next to one of his farming friends, an older black man of indeterminate age. We often think of farmers as brooding or ill-tempered, dependent as they are on the fates of the weather. But I never knew this farmer to be in a bad mood – he accepted whatever the Lord gave, without com-plaint. My statue is based upon this photograph, and I have honored him with the Old Testament name of Ezra, a scribe who had “set his heart to study the law of the Lord.” He is chopping wood and like his wife Ebbie, he knows that all work is the Lord’s work. My Ezra reads his Bible every day and his trust in God is an inspiration to others. His abiding faith is a living example of Ezra 7:6 “… for the hand of the Lord his God was upon him.”

 GABBY AND HOPPY #5084 (September, 1989) Hoppy loves to pretend that he’s a cowboy in the Old West. But this cowpoke is having a rough day. First he lost his boots, and he’s been ambushed on the trail by Gabby, who was hiding in the smallest cowboy boot from a Dallas, Texas boot store. Gabby will be fit to be tied when he realizes that Hoppy can easily escape. Their good luck souvenir coin shows two pistols, should it come down to a shoot-out. Poor Hoppy may have to wait until high noon- his feet have gone to sleep and now he can only hop-a-long.

GALUP #2283 (November, 1986) JC PENNY COLLECTION….”A penny for your thoughts,” says this little fellow, holding a big English penny. Galup’s pole is at his feet and he seeks the opinion of all those people who cross his path. If you would like to give your two-cents’ worth, he’ll pay you with the pennies next to his satchel. Galup is a good listener and wants to stay close to you to hear your every thought.

GANDHI #6004 (July, 1992) The great scientist Albert Einstein wrote of Gandhi, “Generations to come will scarcely believe that such a one as this walked the earth in flesh and blood? Born in 1869 in Porbander, India, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was both a spiritual and political leader. His unique philosophy of truth, tolerance and nonviolent resistance transcended all religions and all nationalities. Raised as a Hindu, he read Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount every week. He devoted his life to Indian rights and social reform. Revered as “Mahatma” (Great Soul) and “apu” (Father of the nation), Gandhi’s name is also synonymous with India’s independence from British rule in 1947. My statue depicts Gandhi in the last years of his life. With his spectacles in his right hand, he is listening to one of the thousands of followers who constantly flocked to see him. Painfully thin from fasts and imprisonments, Gandhi wears a simple robe made from threads he had spun. In 1920 Gandhi had implemented a program of hand spinning and weaving throughout India, as another step in India’s march to independence and economic progress. Gandhi himself spent a part of every day at his spinning wheel. When at age seventy-seven, Gandhi made a pilgrimage through strife-torn Noakhali, walking barefoot from village to village, interpretors carried his spinning wheel for him. I have included Gandhi’s signature and two quotations that address his doctrine of love, truth and peaceful disobedience. Gandhi termed social activism under these principles “satyagraha,” which means “holding to the truth? His passive resistance to unjust laws greatly influenced the leaders of the world’s civil rights movements. On January 30, 1948 Gandhi was assassinated as he walked to a prayer meeting. Prime Minister Nehru comforted the grieving nation with these words: “The light has gone out, I said, and yet 1 was wrong. The light that has illuminated this country for so many years will illuminate this country for many more years, and a thousand years later it will still be seen in this country and the world will see it and it will give solace to innumerable hearts?

GARAGE SALE #8032 It’s a curious phenomenon Like the allure of some mirage, Which causes folks to by-pass the mall To go shopping in someone’s garage.

GARLINA #97 (March, 1983) She is Chef’s kitchen companion. They often get into a stew together. The garlic is from Gilroy, California, but the acorns are from my yard. Don’t look for coins on either Chef or Garlina, for their fragrance is priceless.

GATEKEEPER #5445

GATOR #1032 (March, 1984) A tennis ball has just gone over the fence into the territory of this real cool Woodspirit. Gator is named for something cool: Gatorade. On his Preppie shirt is a tiny gator which he proudly displays to his less cool friends. On the base is an English coin, which he can use when he journeys to the Wimbledon tennis matches. Since every good player needs to be able to serve an “ace” when needed, Gator has an ace of spades tucked near his foot.

GELLET #5930 (April, 2003)

GENIE #5371 (March, 1998) As you can see from the leaves on the handle of the lamp, this is an outdoors Genie, intended for wish fulfillment in the world of nature. Rubbing the base will call forth an ancient Genie ready to do your command in the yard, the garden and all of nature. Don’t expect financial help, except maybe with a money plant! Try him with destroying weeds and crab grass. Having trouble with growing peonies? Call the Genie. Are your roses getting black spots? Call the Genie. But one caution: you only get three wishes per season, so maybe you better take care of the weeds yourself and let Genie focus on root rot. His lucky coin, in the crook of the handle, is from India. He brought it with him when traveling to your area from India on that carpet with Aladdin.

GEORGE #9132 At the request of the Sony Corporation I have created three animal statues to be introduced in Japan under the title “Forest Guardian Spirits.” As the name implies, these three friends are dedicated to the preservation and protection of the country’s beautiful natural resources. While conserving the land is their foremost concern, they may also be called upon for guidance by those who have lost their direction or are in need of aid while traveling through the woods and mountains. They are, respectfully: George the frog, Snappy the tortoise, and Webster the owl. George the frog spends most of his time sitting on his favorite little log, watching over the mountain stream where he has lived for the past 223 years. Some say that “Old George,” as he is often referred to, has been around as long as the hills themselves. He is especially devoted to keeping natural waters clean and pure. For his efforts, George asks nothing in return – although a good cigar is greatly appreciated.

GEORGE WASHINGTON #5093 (December, 1989) Every schoolchild knows that George Washington was the first president of the United States of America. Mv statue is intended to honor Washington’s total life, not just his presidential years. The scrolls on each side of Washington list the dates of his birth and death, places that marked milestones in his life, and his many vocations. Numerous paintings of George Washington exist, but I also studied the three-dimensional man, as depicted by other sculptors. The immense face on Mount Rushmore was carved by Gutzon Borglum. More realistic is the statue by Jean Houdon now in the Virginia Capitol, the only statue for which Washington posed. I placed Washington in a traditional pose, in front of a low, brick wall, to illustrate a lesser known but vital aspect of his life. On November 4, 1752, a young Washington was initiated as an Entered Apprentice Mason in a new Freemasonry Lodge in Fredricksburg, Virginia. Many of Washington’s letters to other lodges and brethren (fellow Masons) still exist, and they convey his love and admiration for the Masonic fraternity. Washington’s signature is engraved on the top of the brick wall, and behind it is a plaque depicting his masonic apron. This apron, hand embroidered by Madam the Marquise de Lafayette, was presented to Washington in 1784 by the Marquis de Lafayette, a fellow Mason. The apron displays many Masonic emblems, including the rare Mark Degree. The two large coins on the statue’s base commemorate the Great Seal of the United States and the Constitution, with the first three words of the Preamble, “We The People.” The small coin in the center that depicts Washington’s profile is the U.S. quarter, the most common coin used in America today.

GEORGIA #1044 (April, 1984) This very genteel lady reminds us that she is a Georgia peach (note the pit), and a Southern belle with a beau! Her coin depicts King George VI, since the state was named for his ancestor. Her collar and her fan are made of Georgia’s crackers.

GEPPETTO #5051 (May, 1938) Geppetto is working at a schnitzelbank, a European toymaker’s bench. Geppetto’s coin is from Italy. He has been making toys for children for over 200 years, and in fact made the teddy bears that belong to Teddy and Ben. Just as Banbury and Scandi can make their wooden horses come to life, so Geppetto can breathe life into his dolls. Now he’s making a little Gnome. But this is the first time that one of his creations has begun to speak. Geppetto is turning his head to hear better, and waiting in amazement for the new toy to speak again. Geppetto must be thinking, “Jiminy Cricket! I think it’s real!”

GERALD #9005 TIM WOLFE Baby cottontails are born furless and with their eyes sealed shut for the first several days of infancy. What an exciting moment it must be; when their eyes finally open and they take their first look at the world around them! For Gerald, it has been a most overwhelming experience and he has plopped himself down in this little nest to “take in” all the new sights. He’s especially amazed (and a bit concerned) at the large size of his hind feet. He wonders if he will ever really grow into them. Although Gerald doesn’t realize it now, he will soon come to relv on these oversized “barges” to launch him into bounding leaps and quick dodges, or just for more leisurely hopping. A baby bunny’s world can have its ups and downs, but so far Gerald likes what he sees.

GERBER #127 (August, 1980) Some child was running through the forest and just ran right out of his Gerber tennis shoe. This fellow found it and is pretending that it is his race car. He is a “shoo-in to finish first! Sometimes he has a coin and sometimes he rides for free.

G. I. #5138 (Salute To The Services) (February, 1991) Little G. I. is proudly displaying the Army emblem on his picket fence. The oldest branch of the armed forces, the Army was created by the Continental Congress in 1775. G. I. has an Eisenhower silver dollar, honoring the last Army general to become president. The little acorn serves as his caisson to transport ammunition, for the official motto is “This We’ll Defend.” The oak leaf behind G. I. is the officers’ grade insignia for lieutenant colonels and majors. His favorite song is, of course, “The Army Goes Rolling Along?

GIDDY-UP! #6339 (Cairn Promotional Series) (September, 1996) “Do Not Disturb” reads the sign on this sleepy turtle. It’s not too much to ask, is it? Just a few moments of peace and quiet for a quick forty winks – that’s all he wants. But two mischievous Gnomes have a different idea. Paying absolutely no attention to the sign, they’re trying to entice Mr. Turtle to come out and play. Why sleep the day away when the world is beckoning, filled with fun and games and new places to explore? Even the duckbilled platypus on the Australian coin wants this fellow to come out of his shell. Only the snail is sympathetic to the turtle’s plight. He knows that carrying one’s house around all day is a tiring job, and that an occasional nap is a lovely treat. It’s too late. The Gnomes are rarin’ to go, and they are convinced that turtle transportation is their ticket to adventure. Why waste any more time? Let’s get this show on the road – Giddy-Up!

G I F T    GIFT_G #5014,  GIFT_I #5015,  GIFT_F #5016, GIFT_T #5017 (October, 1987) These are Christmas Woodspirits that want to be a gift for you. Since the gift without the giver is bare, these fellows have crawled into empty boxes so that they too can be your gift. Their coins come from four different countries and each is worth one cent in their currency. G is British, I is American, F is Canadian, and T is Colombian. T is very shy and has pulled his box down over his head. Then he was “faced” with a decision should the face he “presents” show money, puzzlement, or a smile? He didn’t have to puzzle long-the face he’s chosen for his own is smiling. The GIFT fellows have acorns on top so that they can be tied and hung on a Christmas tree. They are nuts about Christmas!

GIFTED #5397 “A Special Thanks” is due this elf for wrapping all the presents you see here. Gifted is full of the Christmas spirit (and from his appearance he’s also full of Christmas pudding!) If you need any help in opening those presents, just ask the “Charmers” that fit so easily on top of each of the packages. The lucky coins are from Jamaica, Saudi Arabia, India, Norway, Sweden, The Netherlands, Canada and the USA. They each have “25” on them, which on this statue means “Have a happy December 25th” no matter where you are in the world. If you gave gifts to all your friends this Christmas, then you are truly Gifted!

GIL #5537 (2003) This gnome is named in honor of his favorite first baseman, Gil Hodges. First base is a very important position on the baseball team because, among other things, the ball is often hit right down the line. And if he can catch it immediately and step to the bag, the hitter will be out. But it sometimes takes great skill, some good fortune, and a Prayer to make this difficult catch. This time Gil has made the catch and has fallen on his knees and is thanking God for the help that prayer provided.

Gellet #5930 (2003) “To beard or not to beard, that is the question.” Like Willie Nelson, Gellet is pondering whether or not to shave his time-honored beard. Why, he’s been growing it since he was a little shaver. It is so much a part of him that he may not recognize himself in the mirror without his facial hair. If you look closely, you’ll see a face in the beard that appears afraid it’s going to lose its head. The quarter (Louisiana) is a lucky coin. Remember, you can get a shave and a haircut for two bits (25 cents)!

GILROY #44 (Special Commission) (March, 1983) This piece was commissioned by Ford’s Department Store in Gilroy, California for the annual Garlic Festival. Ford’s, California’s oldest general store, sent the garlic and prunes along with the antique cannery coins and the seal of the city. The face of a prominent garlic producer, Val Filice, was used for this Woodspirit. The flowers, though colorful, are strictly my idea. California poppies with garlic centers.

GIMME A KISS #11007  CBz #11201  AccCBz #11501 Believe it or not, this little guy claims that he is actually a tall, handsome prince, who was turned into a tree frog by some witch’s wicked spell. “That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it,” he insists. Day in and day out he patiently sits on this foil-wrapped candy, hoping to lure a fair maiden to come by and kiss him – thus breaking the spell. When asked how long he planned to wait, the frog simply replied, “Till I croak!”

GINGERBREAD HOUSE #5474 Once upon a time there was an old lady who lived in a Gingerbread House. She spent each day making candy and cookies for everyone in the neighborhood. She was so sweet! Once in a while she would have some frosting left over and so she used it to patch an eave or a piece of siding on her house. Mice especially loved her yard because, instead of flowers, she had nuts of all kinds to satisfy her little friends. It was only natural that Santa Claus wanted to bestow Christmas gifts on the generous lady. But, unfortunately, his bag was too big for the chimney. How was he to get the gifts down into the house? Maybe Santa can get some friends of his to nibble a wider opening for him. “Over here, Donner; chew on this, Blitzen.

GINNY #9018 TIM WOLFE About mid-March or early April, when temperatures gradually rise and a thawing-out occurs over much of the eastern wood-lands, we begin to see familiar friends who have been absent throughout the cold months. The presence of groundhogs, migrating songbirds, singing toads and of course, chipmunks, is a sure sign that old man winter has loosened his grip – and spring has arrived at last! For Ginny, life begins anew in spring. Finally, she can emerge from hibernation in her underground burrow and spend some much needed time out-of-doors. It comes none too soon, as Ginny had nearly exhausted her winter’s food rations. Moreover, she was experiencing the early symptoms of cabin fever. Now, she can dine at will on spring berries while taking an exploratory trip around the old home place. And thanks again to her favorite stump, Ginny can enjoy a panoramic view of the local wildflowers that have bloomed iust in time to welcome her back.

GIOVANNI #1077 (December, 1984) One of the “beach boys,” Giovanni is lend. ing his musical support with his melodious concertina. It is made of sea shells on the ends and elastic seaweed in the middle. And the music is produced with a lot of imagination. When the sea gets quiet, you can hear him playing “O Solo Mio.” His coin is Italian.

GNIBA Arena #5340

Player 1 #5346

Player 2 #5347

Player 3 #5348

Shutterbug #5349

Ref #5350

The stands are full of gnomes enjoying a GNIBA sponsored game. You can almost hear the cheering. Please forgive the two ladies in the middle of the row for taking this time to catch up on some gossip. Look closer and you’ll see a gnome calling to a friend across the way, and yet another trying to locate the concession stand. The court is regulation in every detail. Just add the players to the court and the game can begin. Watch out for the mascot – he likes to be all over the place. Number 3 is getting ready to put the ball into play. Players 1 and 2 are alert and ready, hoping to receive the in-bound pass so they can move it down the court. All the action will be caught by Shutterbug, the photographer, who is underneath one of the baskets. If he’s to close, he’ll be a part of the action himself. Every move is closely watched by Ref who inconspicuously stands under the other basket. Let the game begin!

GNOMECAR (The Bronze Bullet) AND BASE #6353 Fifteen seconds or less! That’s all the time available to change the tires, check the engine, gas up, and wipe the windshield. This CairnBronze™M GnomeCar (The Bronze Bullet) is in good shape, thanks to the men who know their jobs. Watching a pit crew at work is the best “side show” at the racing “circus.” Although only seven crew members are allowed in the pit at a time, there are five additional persons that are important to the care and servicing of the car. They stand behind the low wall and are coached by the pit crew chief. The figures that Tom Clark and Tim Wolfe have sculpted have been designed to fit on the base in their appropriate places. The logos on the car are of companies that are business associates of Cairn Studio. Cairn is the GnomeCar’s major sponsor and these companies helped Cairn become #1 in its field. Now, let’s get that car rolling!

GNOME CROSSING SIGN #984

GNOME GNAP #6343 (Cairn Promotional Series) (April, 1997) Naps are nice, as this bear can tell you. He stepped outside, in his bare feet, to take a short break from spring cleaning. He was barely asleep when a little Gnome joined him for a nap. That fur is so soft – who could blame him for snuggling up to the gentle bear? This gneighbor gets to gnab a gnice gnome gnap.

GNOME OF ZURICH #1007 (January, 1984) When Wall Street wants to know what international interest rates are going to be, it consults the Gnome of Zurich. He is obviously a distinguished banker, as evidenced by his pin-striped suit and his neat Vandyke beard. In his left pocket he has a Swiss coin. The other coins in the pot (at the end of the rainbow) are from all over the world. Unlike his cousins, who put bird foot markings on the soles of their shoes, Zurich has a dollar mark on his left sole and an English pound mark on the right one. The dollar is up over the pound, and the pound will fall if Queen Elizabeth falls!

GO DUTCH #11008 TIM WOLFE Dating can be expensive, even for a mouse. A night out for two with dinner, cheesecake, popcorn and a movie will put a big dent in a little guy’s billfold. Add to that a couple of café lattés at the local coffeehouse and BAM! – you’re busted. After it’s all said and done, a fellow must ask himself, “Was she worth it?” If the answer is ves, then go for it! If the answer is no, then “go Dutch”!

GOIN’ FISHIN #8023 Lee Sievers Forget the lawn mower, The shovels and rakes, Today we’re goin’ fishin’; For heaven sakes. We’ll stay out there As long as it takes, What else can we do With 10.000 lakes?

GOLDEN #5194 (May, 1992) The Woodspirit, Golden, is teaching this little bear how to play golf just like his father taught him. This is the bear’s golden opportunity to learn from a Pro. I put a golf tee on the base, for golf suits this golden-haired Woodspirit to a T. What club is the bear using? It’s a wood! The coin is from the World Golf Hall of Fame in Pinehurst, North Carolina. As a matter of course, it’s a great place to putt your cares away when things get rough.

GOLFIN’ BUDDIES #8044  Golf is a very social game, That’s the truth and not just a myth,  The secret is not how you play the game But instead, who you play the game with.

GOLF WIDOW #5369 (March, 1998) So, here she sits on the ball, her head in her hands, waiting! He said he’d be back after just one round of golf .. and she gave him a coin good for one game. He’s playing with his buddies Ben, Arnold, Hogan and Golden. But he is long overdue and she thinks he’s either going for 36 holes or else he’s stuck in a sand trap on the 19th hole.

GO LONG #8086  We drew the play in the dirt So we all knew what to do, Eddie pump-faked twice Then turned to me and threw, I was going long And I had a step or two, As I looked over my shoulder The ball came into view. Eddie lead me perfectly, He hit me in full stride; As I raced across the goal line I nearly burst with pride.

GOODFOOT #1063 (August, 1984) This Woodspirit is imitating his idol, Michael Jackson. His audience has tossed him good luck coins out of appreciation for his performance. One coin is a penny, picturing Abraham Lincoln, the Great Emancipator. Another coin is an antique Philadelphia bus token. He is dancing to James Brown’s 1969 hit song, “Get on the Good Foot.”

GOOD SAMARITANS #5239 (September, 1993) This statue was inspired by the heroes of the devastating midwest floods of 1993. It was begun during a promotional visit to St. Charles, Missouri where, from the store’s window, I could see hundreds of sandbags lining the banks of the Missouri River. I started with only one Woodspirit, but ! added a second after hearing the same sentiment expressed by so many Collectors: “We would have been lost without the help of others.” This, then, is to honor those Good Samaritans who help us through our times of crisis. Van Dyke and Van Dam are working together and their 1993 Lincoln head penny honors the midwest locale. You’ll see many of the other Woodspirits, such as W.C. and Sandman, also working along the levees. With every sandbag filled, hearts and hopes grow a little stronger. With the help of others, they can sandbag their troubles.

GOPHER #9156  Every pit crew needs a good Gopher; someone to “Gopher” this and “Gopher” that. He often pulls around a cart full of necessities like oil, fuel, tools, rags and such. There isn’t any food on his cart though, and he is often designated to “Gopher” lunch.

GOPHER IT #6330 (Collector Society Artwork Series) (October, 1995) What a terrible shot! It’s one thing to be in the rough, but this is ridiculous. Far, far from the smooth, green fairways, the little white ball came to rest in this gnome’s back yard. As for the gopher, well, he generally considers the entire golf course as his personal acreage. It’s such easy digging, and so quiet after dark and on rainy days. His tunneling activities, however, result in mounds of dirt wherever he exits his underground pathways, thus destroying the pristine appearance of the delicate greens. Normally a sensitive fellow, the gopher remains oblivious to the grief he causes the golf course greenskeeper. Can these two ever live together harmoniously and become kindred spirits (like the Gnome and gopher, sculpted by Tom Clark and Tim Wolfe), united in their love of the course? Probably not. Speaking of which, will the unlucky golfer ever make it back on course? The Fiji half-penny has a hole-in-one, but it hasn’t brought much luck. It’s a two-stroke penalty to reposition one’s ball, something this golfer can ill afford. These two golf analysts have studied the angles. Take their advice – gopher it!

GORDY #40 (Special Commission) (January, 1982) This piece was commissioned by Gordy’s Furniture Store in Bremen, Indiana. He is a wise Irish Woodspirit wearing a loden green jacket with a leprechaun hat at his foot. The five-leaf clover is in honor of his five grand-children. The green stone represents the Blarney stone. The Irish coin, pocket watch and pipe were all important to this special gentleman.

GRACE #5303 (June, 1996) Grace be with you at harvest time, when the blessings from the Lord are at their most visible. The base of my Amish-inspired statue has acorns, nuts, corn kernels, and even a small corncob. You may see a smiling face inside the chest-nut, for everyone’s happy at this joyous, busy time of year. Grace is “saying grace,” and offering thanks for the bounteous harvest. She makes a fitting companion for Plymouth in the Thanksgiving decorations. Her coin reflects the tithe her family gives to the church: “One tenth is the Lord’s.” Over her shoulders she wears the Holsz duuch, a triangular shawl pinned front and back to her apron’s waistband, which is also pinned. In the “plain” world of the Amish, tying one’s apron strings into a bow would be considered too frivolous. She of course sewed her own dress (bright colors are forbidden), and makes most of her family’s clothes. For Sunday services she wears a black bonnet, sometimes called a “candle-snuffer” for its deep brim. Under the bonnet is her white prayer cap, which covers her hair. Amish women do not cut or curl their hair, and always wear it pinned up in braids or in a bun. Some may find her appearance plain, but what clothing can compare with nature’s autumn majesty?

GRACE UNDER PRESSURE #8012  See how Grace maintains her poise, Tuning out distraction and noise, She handles pressure like one of the boys. Hunching over, she sticks out her butt, Smiles coolly, then blows her putt!

GRAD #5097 (January, 1990) Hooray! Grad has just received his diploma and is going to throw his hat into the air in celebration of a job well done. He is wearing the traditional gnome graduation cap, a pointed black hat with a gold tassel. Grad’s books are behind him, except for one Experience-which is before him. He has yet to learn all that it can teach. After the reception will come the only sad note of the day saying goodbye to professors and fellow students. Grad and Prof, his favorite teacher, promise to keep in touch, and the years will bring a deepening friendship between student and teacher.

GRAD: CO-ED #5287 (October, 1995) Graduation Day! That’s what every student hopes to celebrate. This happy grad is proud of her accomplishments and looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead. But on every graduation day, there is also a bit of reflection and sadness for the good-byes that must be said to Prof, her favorite professor, other teachers, classmates and the sweet, familiar days of school. This graduate will join Grad in one last chorus of the school anthem, and then it’s off to face the future. She has two coins – a 19th century Liberty silver dollar, and a miniature Susan B. Anthony coin. I wanted to congratulate her with two ladies who make a lot of “cents.?

GRANDMOTHER’S GARDEN #5396  To be happy 3 hours, go to a party. To be happy 3 days, go on a honeymoon.To be happy 3 weeks, take a vacation. To be happy the rest of your life, take up gardening. – Variation of Irish proverb Picking up the watering can is as natural for Grandmother Gulliver as putting on her bonnet and donning her gardening gloves. She knows the names and nature of each of her plants, just as she knows the nature and names of each member of her family. How much water and food the plants need is on her mind as she works the flower beds each day. The analogy car-ties over to her role as grandmother. She is concerned daily with the needs and development of each child and grandchild. Watching the children grow means noting the times when they “bloom” so they can get lots of attention and praise. “Measuring” the growth is done during “sprouting” seasons. “Weeding” is making certain that everyone has a healthy environment in which to grow . . . no bad influences that would choke out the strength of the growing child. Even as plants need “repotting” into larger containers, so Grandmother knows that children have expanding needs as they get older. They move into larger bedrooms or into their own house, but they never leave the loving surveillance of Grandmother. She has a “green thumb”, which simply means that she is always conscious of the needs of her plants. Her love for each individual in the family is her “green thumb” for paying attention to each child. Even the preacher of Ecclesiastes points out the analogy of gardening and understanding life: “For everything there is a season a time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted.” Grandmother Gulliver is a reminder of that tender loving care that every family needs.

GRANDMOTHER GULLIVER #5396 (SAME AS GRANDMOTHER’S GARDEN)

GRANGE #2070 This special creation was designed to honor the “Patrons of Husbandry” and includes The Grange logo which is depicted on the log supporting the anvil. The Grange, organized in 1867, was conceived by Mr. Oliver Hudson Kelley. He is generally perceived as the “man with the dream” and was the initial “Paul” of the organization and to this date is still considered the key founding figure by most Grange members. The other founders include Reverend John Trimble, an Episcopal minister, William Saunders, a landscape Architect (who by the way designed the mall between the Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol); Francis M. McDowell, a prominent agribusinessman with banking interests Reverend Aaron B. Grosh, who gave “strong work” to the Grange ritualism; William M. Ireland, who helped design the working procedures of the Grange and Mr. J. R. Thompson. The plowman depicted on this artwork symbolizes the strength needed for shaping the organization. The ritualism of the Grange talks about the plow being used to “break up the ground and prepare it for planting teaching to drive the plow. share of thought diligently through the heavy soil of ignorance, and thus prepare the mind for the growth of knowledge and wisdom.” When an individual Grange chapter meets, there is always a box of implements open at the Master’s Station. The items in this box are: For the First Degree: The Ax, which represents Perseverance The Plow, representing preparation of the mind for the growth of knowledge and wisdom.  The Spade, signifying throughness And The Harrow (the star-shaped item), symbolic of a course of study and observation. For the Second Degree: The Hoe, which is emblematic of that cultivation of the mind which destroys error and keeps our thoughts quickened and ready to receive and apply new facts as they appear, this promoting the growth of knowledge and wisdom. The Pruning Knife, which is a reminder to prime idle thoughts and sinful suggestions, and thus keep your passions within due bounds and prevent your fancy from leading you astray after the vanities and vices of this world. For the Third Degree: The Sickle, which is a symbol of peace and prosperity. For the Fourth Degree: The Agate, an emblem of Fidelity. As our ritual states “May your principle of manhood and womanhood be as firmly impressed as the lasting colors in this stone, and may our friendship be as firm as the stone itself. The North Carolina State Grange has commissioned this special artwork to honor and support their organization.

GRANNIE AND GRAMPS #1171 (November, 1986) JC PENNY COLLECTION…..Since so many of their wishes have already come true, this couple’s wishing well is for you! All of the pennies in the well represent their children and grandchildren. The penny in Gramps’ hand is a gift for Grannie, to say to her, “Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be.”

GREAT AND SMALL #6322 (Cairn Key and A Dealers Series) CBz #6500  AccCBz #6550 (February, 1996) This statue takes its name from the beloved hymn written by Cecil Frances Alexander in 1848: “All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful: The Lord God made them all.” In a great, huge ostrich egg, a very small bird sits in his nest, hoping for breakfast. His mother has flown far afield (like the bird on the coin from Barbados), searching for a special snack for her new-born. In the meantime, a kindly Gnome has brought a treat for the hungry youngster. Notice the bags under his eyes, for he “got up with the birds” to make certain the early bird got the worm. This statue celebrates the truism, “It’s the little things that make life friendly.” A Kindred Spirits artwork by Tom Clark and Tim Wolfe, “Great and Small” is a companion statue to “Bright and Beautiful” and “Wise and Wonderful.” Together they celebrate the hymn’s last line: “How great is God Almighty, Who has made all things well.”

GREETINGS! #2042 (Collector Society Artwork Series) (June, 1993) Greetings from Cairn Studio’s four outstanding artists: Tom Clark, Jim Palmer, Lee Sievers and Timothy Wolfe. Created for the Collector Society Artwork Series, this is the first statue that combines the exceptional talents of all of the Cairn artists, with each contributing a “signature” sculpture. This collaborative effort was conceived by Lee Sievers, who sculpted the hard-working Woodcarver. Now some new friends have come to watch the Woodcarver put the finishing touches on his very special project. A traditional Gnome, sculpted by Tom Clark, admires the new sign from above, and holds a half dollar dated 1978, the year Cairn Studio was founded. From Tom’s backyard came the large acorn which dots the “” in Cairn. The Gnome shares his perch with a curious tree frog, while a small rabbit (both sculpted by Timothy Wolfe) peeks around the corner. Jim Palmer created the drake and baby wood duck, his first clay sculptures, having previously worked exclusively with wood carving. On the back of the sign are quotations from the artists themselves, expressing the messages they hope to convey, through their artworks, to all Cairn Collectors.

GREYBEARD #2016 (February, 1987) Greybeard has just climbed the mountain north of Montreat, North Carolina. He is on his knees, but he is lifting up his eyes unto the hills. Around him are books indicating the major themes studied at this Presbyterian conference center each summer. His knapsack is from Montreat and holds his Bible. In his hand are two pennies with the dates 1897 (the founding of Montreat) and 1962 (the founding of the Patron’s Program). If you like Gnomes you will be able to find the face of another one in the beard of Greybeard, symbolizing the spirit of Montreat. This was a special place for me because I was a gate boy there one summer.

GRIFF #2009 (Special Commission) (August, 1985) Made for Special Effects, a store in Forest City, North Carolina, Griff is named for Griffin Rutherford, a Revolutionary War general. The store owners hoped to capture special things in the past, as well as the present, in Rutherford County by commissioning this piece. The shuttle depicts the textile industry, as does the “Crafted with Pride” logo and the spool of thread. The 1940’s auto represents the new and used car dealers of the county. This area has been referred to as “The Little Detroit of the South,” due to the number of used car dealers in the area. The coin is a Bechtler one dollar gold piece, minted at the Bechtler Mint of Rutherford County in 1832. The first one dollar gold piece minted in the United States was minted at the Bechtler Mint, which is no longer in existence. The seal on the front is from Rutherford County, and the seal on the back is from North Carolina.

GRIN AND BEAR IT #6337 (Cairn Seminar Series) (July, 1996) You just never know what the New Year will bring! The bear cub was quite surprised when he was chosen to be the New Year’s Baby. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it. So it’s on with the official 1998 banner, with a little help from his Gnome buddy. Still, it’s an honor, to be sure, and he’ll do his best to represent the hopes and dreams of the beckoning future. The French centime shows a “1” in honor of January 1, the first day of the new year. It’s almost time for the New Year’s Eve celebration. The bear cub is a reluctant celebrity, but he has the support of his friends. The Gnome’s advice for him and his new year: Grin and bear it!

GRITS #5107 (May, 1990) Grits is an authority on bass fishing, and shares the same name as Grits Gresham, a well-known outdoorsman, writer and television personality. Grits has just caught a fish! But the fish is whispering to him, “Why don’t you throw me back? There are bigger fish to catch.” The fish in the basket is also hoping for a chance to be the one that got away. The coin is a Mardi Gras doubloon from New Orleans, which is situated between Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi River. It shows a fish beneath a crown, for in this southern region, fishing is king. For reel, this is not a fish tale when you love to fish, you’re hooked.

GRIZZ #9095 (The Museum Series)  CBz #3500 The scientific name for the grizzly bear is Ursus horribilis. Ursus is Latin for bear, and horribilis literally means horrible, or terrifying bear. The grizzly’s aggressive nature and awesome size fostered much of the animal’s fearsome reputation and he has long symbolized the spirit of the American wilderness. Today, the great Grizz is in trouble. Preferring remote, roadless country and unable to adapt to human proximity, the grizzly has almost vanished from the lower 48 United States – there are less than 1,000 left, down from 50,000 in 1800. Unless measures are taken to manage and preserve his habitat, Grizz may no longer roam the wilds of America. Then, America would no longer be quite as wild.

GUARDIAN GNOME #5358

GUARDIAN GNOME #5362 (1998 FOR JAPANESE MARKET) (February, 1998) This stately fellow is the Guardian of the house. He can do his job from any spot yet he is most often seen near the front entrance. In Europe and America he is called the Forest Gnome, but in Asia he is seen more as the protector of the house. Near his feet is a lucky Japanese 5 yen coin. There are holly leaves and berries for good fortune, and pine needles to bring blessings to older people. His belt is decorated with the figure eight (in Japanese) so that his age (88) goes around his belt. There are several faces hidden in his beard. Even in his hair behind his ears are faces to watch over the back door of the house. Don’t worry about the Guardian Gnome ever leaving vou – he will live to be well over 400 years old!

GUESS WHO? #5057 (July, 1988) This Gnome won’t tell us his name. He has slipped behind the teddy bear to play the Guess Who? game. The clues to his identity are found on the Alabama commemorative coin, the football in the bear’s lap, and the crimson and white bow “tide” around the bear’s neck (the school colors of the University of Alabama). Even if you barely try, with a little coaching we think you’ll solve the mystery. We’ll bear with you, because it would be unbearable if you didn’t win this game.

GUITARMAN #8028  Here’s to those Who once rocked and rolled, Though your hairline’s receding You’re never too old. Steal away to the basement, What highs you’ll attain, Playin’ guitar a decibel ‘Neath the threshold of pain.

GULLIVER #5310 (September, 1996) Gulliver will never forget the day that he and his rabbit friend Harvey first met the Charmers. While walking through the forest, they spotted a group of tiny Gnomes and tiny forest animals playing in a clump of clover. *Why, those are little live charms, smaller than my hat!” exclaimed Gulliver. And from then on, whenever they would spot another little creature, they would whisper, “There’s a Charmer!” Gulliver, like the Charmers, enjoys looking for four leaf clovers. And when you also find a little Charmer, then you are really “in clover”! I gave Gulliver a Good Luck coin decorated with both a horseshoe and a wishbone. Gulliver is happiest when he is surrounded by friendly Charmers, and there are places for sixteen wee creatures on his base. As I gathered leaves and clover in my yard yesterday, I, too, found a four-leaf clover. The Charmers bring me luck!

GUS #89 (May, 1983) Gus is a young scholar who specializes in Scandinavian history. Because his arms are often on a desk, he had to have leaf elbow patches for his old coat. He clutches a Swedish coin with the face of King Gustav on it. He looks happy because Julie has just come in the library where he is studying, and she may want to share a book with him.

GUS #9128 According to family members, Gus the chipmunk has been banging out a beat on something ever since he was a toddler. Rocks, acorn caps, stumps; it didn’t matter – if it made a sound, Gus would bang on it. “Why, that boy’s gonna be a drummer!” his mother would say. As a teenager Gus worked odd jobs during the summer to pay for his first “real” drum. It is the same one he plays to this very day. Recently, Gus teamed up with Jimmy and Chet in their little mountain band. They’re starting to sound real good together!

GYPSY #1183 (May, 1987) Gypsy loves flowers. She is like a flower herself and has attracted the little gypsy moth. The moth only likes to eat sweaters, but Gypsy is trying to train him to eat flowers by showing him the pretty Chinese coin picturing a flower. Gypsy has also attracted a beetle fancier named Bailey. If you let Gypsy live in a closet, your clothes will be well protected.

HAL #1072 (October, 1984) Happy Halloween! This fellow is still pondering whether or not to put a lightning bug inside the pumpkin or to jump in himself. What a surprise he could give to Linus (of “Peanuts”) when he visits the sincere pumpkin patch! The little gourds are from New Jersey and the Halloween hoot owl is from Greece.

HALLEY #5050 (May, 1988) Halley is the Woodspirit Wizard, and he specializes in agricultural wizardry. That’s why his coat is covered with new spring leaves. They also serve as camouflage, when he’s out inspecting the growing plants. Gnomes and Woodspirits come from all over to ask Halley’s advice for the best times to plant their gardens. He finally put together a little almanac, written on leaves, entitled “Halley’s Comments.” It is faithfully read by Stu, Spud, Kernel and MacDonald. Halley’s coin is from Red China, where the world’s largest farming population lives. The coin has stars on it, because Halley’s motto is, “Keep your hands in the soil and your eves on the stars.”

HAMLET #47 (March, 1983) “To be or not to be,” that is the question which the melancholy Dane is here pondering. The costume is based on 16th century dress and features a cloak, which was necessary in drafty castles near the North Sea. The sword and the skull are hints as to how the plot of the play will develop.

HAMP #105 (July, 1978) This young Woodspirit attended an outdoor lecture on “Thunderbirds: their flight course and nesting habits.” Poor Hamp dozed off in the back row and is just now waking up. He is going to be surprised to find that everyone else has left the classroom. He gets no coin for falling asleep.

HANDYMAN #8024  He saws wood And hangs doors, Spends most of his time In hardware stores. He can do any job That needs to be done, Cuz he owns every tool Under the sun!

HANS #139 (January, 1981) Very early in the morning, Hans goes to the garden and helps the tulip petals open. He has a tulip bulb behind him as well as a Dutch coin. He fashioned his hat by twisting a tulip leaf, and it is much admired by his girl friend, True Gretta.

НАР #101 (August, 1978) This wise philosopher is named for Hap Moore, a mechanic and friend of mine. The base of this statue grew from a couple of leaves to a motley mixture of acorns, sticks and even a bit of fungus on the tree stump. Hap is never in a hurry and always has a maxim or story to pass on to each friend that he sees. He likes to tell stories about leprechauns, hence the Irish coin.

HAPPY #1061 (August, 1984) This fellow has a present for someone and is standing on a celebration cake. His coin is a Bahamian penny picturing a starfish. Happy says, “Sometimes when you don’t feel worth a cent, someone gives you a present and makes you a star!”

HAPPY BIRTHDAY #8018  It’s a very special day The anniversary of your birth. A time to celebrate and appreciate Your tremendous worth. The love you’ve bestowed Makes our lives complete, That’s enough blubbering Cut the cake and let’s eat!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 2 U #5323 (January, 1997) This Woodspirit, perched atop a piece of birthday cake, has found that he can have his cake and eat it, too. And his birthday wish for you: May the upcoming year be a piece of cake! If you’d like a cup of coffee with your cake, use the urn on the coin from the United Arab Emirates. As you can see, from the top of the gnome-sized piece of cake in his hand, he is wishing a Happy Birthday 2 U!

HAPPY RETIREMENT #10008 He’s ready to retire! He has all the necessary ingredients for a happy retirement. I gave him a sugar cube for sweet dreams and for his night-mare. He has sand from the Sandman to insure a restful night. In the morning, he will find himself re-treaded and ready for a long and still fruitful life.

HAREDINI #5053 (May, 1988) Trickx is the magician of the woods. He loves to stump his friends with the old shell game, though he hides the pea under a large acorn cap. Trickx is holding a magic token that he makes “appear” from behind the ears of Gnome children. Gnomes ears are larger in proportion to their heads than humans ears, because they need to hear every sound in the for-est. Otherwise, they risk being stepped on, even by a passing rabbit. At parties, Gnomes and Woodspirits love to play checkers and dominoes with Chubby and Fats. The climax of the evening, however, is when Trick’s pet rabbit Haredini puts a whole carrot into a top hat, and pulls out sliced carrots (a 24-carat trick!). Then, for the grand finale, Haredini pulls out Trickx himself. Talk about a mad hatter!

HARESAY #12003  CBz #12201  AccCBz #12501 Is it a legend or myth that there are small people and small animals that live in clover patches? Is it folklore that they bring good luck? Are these just tall tales about short creatures? Fact or fiction . .. so far it’s just haresay.

HARK #5167 (October, 1991) Hark is as deaf as the post next to him. There’s a hearing aid and its small battery behind him, but it’s much too big for a Woodspirit. He stepped on a little bell, and now has ringing in his ears. He found a trumpet, but it’s for playing, not amplifying sound. So Hark has to strain to hear, and has cupped his hand behind his ear. The Mexican coin depicts an ear of corn, and kernels of corn are scattered on the base. Some kernels have fallen on rocky ground, and some have landed among the thorny blackberry bushes. Hark understands the parable told by Jesus in Mark 4:9; “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” He knows that those with perfect ears may be merely listening to their own thoughts! It’s not volume that’s important, but rather the desire to understand that makes a good listener. He may be hard of hearing, but because of his caring attitude, Hark can hear the herald angels sing.

HARLEY #9040 Just because Harley was the runt of the litter doesn’t mean he was shorted on intelligence. His latest burst of genius is to hide inside a burlap sack whenever the farm owner comes around. Harley figures that as long as he stays in this sack he won’t ever have to worry about going to market. Who would buy a pig in a poke? His theory does have its flaws, however the most obvious being the fact that he will soon need a larger sack. When it comes to eating, this porker wasn’t shorted on appetite either and according to Davidson, the field mouse, Harley is getting plumper by the minute.

HARRIS #118 (May, 1980) Harris is named for the founder of the Blue Channel Corporation of Beaufort, South Carolina. They provided the crab, which serves as a taxi for the vacationing Woodspirit. Fortunately, Harris is not going anywhere in particular because the crab (named Buffy) keeps going sideways and backwards without any warning.

HARRY #9027 TIM WOLFE When Harry first discovered this overgrown nut he couldn’t believe his eyes. Just look at the size of this baby! Why, he could snack on this one for a week or more – that is, if he can get it open. Needless to say, this is going to be one tough nut to crack. Upon sizing up the situation, it would appear that maybe this time, Harry has bitten off more than he can chew. When it comes to food however, squirrels have an uncanny knack for figuring things out. Just ask anyone who has tried to keep them out of bird feeders! Harry here, likes to live by the old bushy-tail adage that goes, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Good luck, Harry.

HARRY #5278 (April, 1995) A new caboose is joining the Cairn Railroad, with a friendly Woodspirit riding on top. He has a commemorative coin honoring his namesake, Harry S. Truman. In 1948 Truman traveled over 31,000 miles by rail on his “whistle stop campaign,” speaking to the crowds from the back of the train. Like this down-home president from Lamar, Missouri, my little fellow finds a friend in every new acquaintance, and urges, “Just call me Harry!” He hoped to keep his secret under his hat, but when people wave to the caboose as the train rolls by, he has to doff his hat. Then the plain truth is known – Harry isn’t hairy, Take heart, Harry – some of us think that bald is beautiful!

HARRY GANT #6604 (October, 1994) Race car drivers learn to live with danger on the track. When I met veteran driver Harry Gant, he was in another precarious position – high up on the roof of the building next door to his restaurant in Taylorsville, North Carolina, nailing down shingles. Harry Gant is as comfortable with a hammer, a tractor and a bulldozer as he is with a 3,500 pound stock car. So he sees his upcoming retirement from motor racing as merely “quitting my weekend job.” 1994 is the year of Harry Gant’s farewell tour – he retires after the last NASCAR Winston Cup event of the 1994 season, held at Atlanta Motor Speedway. “Handsome Harry” made his Winston Cup debut in 1973 at age 33 on his neighborhood track, Charlotte Motor Speedway. Twenty-one years later he has 18 career victories, 16 pole positions, 105 top-five finishes, 183 top-ten finishes and a reputation for being a friendly, down-to-earth individual and a “clean” driver. I got him to relax for my camera by asking him about the time Elvis Presley wanted to buy one of his cars (Gant’s favorite hobby is car collecting). And, no, he did not sell a car to the King! My statue captures Harry Gant in his racing uniform forever, and like his many fans, says thanks, and farewell.

HARRY S. TRUMAN #5245 (January, 1994) Harry Truman had been Vice President for less than three months when President Franklin D. Roosevelt died on April 12, 1945. Yet nearly 50 years later, Truman is still remembered and praised for the courageous decisions made during one of the most critical periods in American history. The milestones of his presidency had far-reaching consequences that changed the world then and now: the conclusion of World War II, the decision to use the first atomic bomb, the establishment of the United Nations, the commitment of troops to Korea, the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, the Point Four Program, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). A former haberdasher, Truman was a meticulous dresser and I had to be diligent in details such as the number of buttons on his jacket and the folding of his pocket handkerchief. He began wearing spectacles when he was only eight, and there exists no photo of Truman without his glasses. He was immensely proud of his home state Missouri, and he often entertained White House guests by playing the piano, including such favorites as the Missouri Waltz. I found inspiration for this statue at the Harry S. Truman Library in Independence. The silver dollar on Truman’s podium recalls his favorite motto, which, like the man himself, is blunt, straightforward and decisive: “The buck stops here.”

HARRY S. TRUMAN – MASONIC #2049  (Special Commission) (January, 1994) Harry Truman had been Vice President for less than three months when President Franklin D. Roosevelt died on April 12, 1945. Yet nearly 50 years later, Truman is still remembered and praised for the courageous decisions made during one of the most critical periods in American history. The milestones of his presidency had far-reaching consequences that changed the world then and now: the conclusion of World War II, the decision to use the first atomic bomb, the establishment of the United Nations, the commitment of troops to Korea, the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, the Point Four Program, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). My statue honors Truman both as President and as a member of the Masonic fraternity. He was made a Master Mason in March of 1909 in Belton Lodge #450, in Belton, Missouri, and was elected Grand Master of Masons of the Grand Lodge of Missouri in 1940. He is wearing the gold collar and Masonic apron that are the official regalia of a Grand Master of Masons. The silver dollar on Truman’s podium recalls his favorite motto, which, like the man himself, is blunt, straightforward and decisive: “The buck stops here.”

HART #5265 (January, 1995) It’s Hart to heart, as his heart goes out to your heart. Like Val, Barney and Dee-Lovely, Hart knows that love means giving your heart away. Like Chip, Candy and Bitter-Sweet, he has a gift of candy for a special sweetheart. Behind him are two mints, for love is “mint” to be. Even the peanuts come in pairs, and they help Hart say, “I’m nuts about you!” His coin reads “Sacrifice – Love – Support: they also serve” and honors the spouses of those serving in the military, for love can also mean heartache when you miss the one you love. But follow Hart’s advice and take heart!

HARVEST #5357 (January, 1998) Acorns, walnuts, apples, carrots, almonds, pecans, Brazil nuts, onions, cashews, broccoli, strawberries, peanuts, okra – what a bountiful harvest from this cornucopia! These two Woodspirits are taking inventory in Mother Nature’s stock room. The abundance and variety of her creations make them want to give thanks every day of the year. Their three coins all reflect planting and come from France, Germany and Italy – a real European Market! Like Bumper, Dumpling and Skinny, these Woodspirits love fresh produce and good cooking. My little fellows enjoy working at the horn of plenty, but the sound they love to hear is the dinner bell.

HARVEY #9126 Harvey will never forget the day that he and his Woodspirit friend Gulliver first met the Charmers. While walking through the forest, they spotted a group of tiny Gnomes and tiny forest animals playing in a clump of clover. Harvey couldn’t quite believe his eyes! Yet, there they were, as plain as the nose on his face. Since then, Harvey and Gulliver have become close friends with the Charmers and are often seen in their company. The next time you take a walk through a forest or meadow, keep your eyes peeled… there may be Charmers about!  ***Harvey is named after the rabbit from the 1950 movie starring Jimmy Stewart. My Harvey, however, is not an illusion!

HATTIE #137 (February, 1981) This statue is intended to honor a wonderful actress, Hattie McDaniel. With this pose you can almost hear her saying, “Why, Miss Scarlett, you ought to be ashamed of yourself!” Even the red and black outfit is based on the costume Mammy wore in Gone With The Wind.

HAVE A BALL #10016 If you want to “have a ball,” take up the game of golf. Then when you find a four-leaf clover, like this little Charmer has, you’ll always be lucky enough to find your lost balls. Charmers can always help you find lost items. They truly want you to “have a ball!”

HAVE A HEART #10020 The Charmers enjoy giving presents. Like his squirrel friend in “Luv Ya” and his Gnome buddy “Hart,” this little fellow also holds a heart-shaped gift. Somewhat bashful, he has it hidden behind his back, waiting for that perfect moment. Please have a heart . . . and be his Valentine.

HAWTHORN #9013 TIM WOLFE Hawthorn is delighted! He has just found another of these alien sphere-like objects that somehow find their way into the little patch of woods where he lives. He doesn’t know where they come from, but he’s pretty certain that the things are harmless – that is, once they’ve touched down and have become stationary. He is well aware that these UFO’s can be quite hazardous while airborne. Recklessly they come, crashing through limbs and ricocheting off of trees. An unsuspecting tree frog like himself might be caught in the direct flight path. He has noticed too, that shortly after the arrival of one of these objects, there often follows a visit to his woods by one or several of the giant creatures who walk upright and speak in unfamiliar tongues. They appear to be searching for something, bur their visits are usually brief. Hawthorn enjoys rolling his finds into secret places such as under logs or clumps of leaves. Here, they remain hidden for long periods of time or until they are discovered by a nosey chipmunk or squirrel.

HAZEL #1003 (December, 1983) A good witch, Hazel has her heart on her sleeve. On the other sleeve is the new moon which shines on the nights when she most likes to fly on her broom. She keeps troubles away with her “holely” coin from Norway. The dried garlic clove behind her protects against vampires. Her little cat is named Nip.

HEART AND SOUL #5153 (May, 1991) Folk singer James Taylor promises, “When you’re down and troubled, and you need a helping hand. ..You’ve got a friend.” This statue honors the humanitarians among us. Though you may not have met the Woodspirit seated on the log, he is a friend to all. This Good Samaritan shows caring and concern for others every day. The leaf cloak represents his mantle of responsibility, for he works to help those in need, whether it be emotional or financial. The South African coin depicts two birds on a limb, and the coin commemorating the St. Lawrence Seaway between Canada and the United States shows a handshake. The acorns in front, both sad and smiling, symbolize that a friend in need is a friend indeed.

HEARTFELT THANKS #2038 tim wolfe  As I worked to sculpt Heartfelt Thanks, a little mouse in my studio came out each evening to nibble a bit on the candy heart. After replacing the heart several times, I decided to put the statue in a safe place where the mouse couldn’t reach it: I can imagine the little guy stealing a nibble as my likeness of him just stood there, holding dessert. That would have made some picture! Of course, when I moved the statue, I left an extra candy heart for my little friend. I hope he appreciates it as much as I appreciate all the support each of you have given me. I think he does.

HEATHER AND JAN #77 (September, 1983) Heather is a little Woodspirit from Scotland and Jan (pronounced “yon”) is a Dutch Gnome. They love to go riding on the turtle taxi, especially since it requires only one taxi token! The last time they took a jaunt through the woods, a heavy acorn fell on the turtle’s foot, so this time they have brought along a spare (the small turtle behind them).

HELLO! #10000 Hello! Hello! This little Woodspirit is on his shellular phone. The snail is very slow in putting through his calls – talk about Call Waiting! There’s a small bell for Southern Bell. Who could he be talking to?

HEM & HER #5379 Chanel needed to have her dress hemmed, so she called on her cigar chomping “model husband,” Hem, to help her. He had planned to go outside with his brother-in-law Stitch, but had to yield to the wishes of his sweet wife. The coin from Tiu Aurar Island shows that he’s mad as a bull! Why couldn’t Threadbare do this job, Hem lamented . . . he isn’t wearing anything anyway! The dress is to be worn at the upcoming Sewing Circle Dance. Although Hem hates to be “tied down”, his sister Lacy offered to do just that in order to get this dress just right for the formal. So please, don’t ask Hem if he’s going with his wife. he’ll just skirt the issue.

HENRY BERRY LOWRIE (2007) by Tom Clark Hand-cast, Hand-Painted Limited Edition Sculpture of Native American hero Henry Berry Lowrie for the outdoor drama “Strike at the Wind!”  Created by North Carolina Sculptor Tom Clark, famous for his Gnomes, Woodspirits, and historical figures. This Limited Edition,one-of-a-kind piece is a must for Tom Clark collectors, Civil War enthusiasts, or Native American history buffs. Comes with a certificate of authenticity. Only 300 were produced.

HENSON #1059 (August, 1984) “Once upon a time there was a prince named Kermit. ” Henson is reading this story to the frog. There is a Swedish coin with a crown similar to the one worn here by the “enchanted prince.” Should Rosemary come by and kiss the frog, Henson will have to read alone.

HERB #1076 (December, 1984) This fellow has found a replica of a sixteenth century mortar and pestle. On the base is also an antique prescription bottle from Smith’s Pharmacy in Texas. There are pills scattered around (which have been rendered harmless with age). Herb is pretending to be the pharmacist. He is the perfect one for the role for he is the primary advocate of good health rules for Woodspirits. His coin (from Belgium) depicts a healthy herb and has a hole for “holistic” medicine under the watchful eye of the pharmacist.

HERDSMAN #72 (September, 1983) This younger shepherd has assumed a natural prayerful stance on his knees in front of the Christ Child. He has his blanket about him for it was “in the bleak midwinter.” Some collectors like to feature this statue at times other than Christmas when they wish to celebrate various Christian stories.

HERE’S LOOKING AT YOU #10005 He joins “That’s Corny” and “Wisecracker” in making some monkey business. He “sees no evil,” but when he’s not sneak. ing a peek at you, the little face behind him is! I used two black-eyed peas for the eyes – so you might say that they are pea-king! Charmers love puns and jokes, and they know that a day without laughter is like – well, never mind – there’s never been such a thing!

HIGHLANDER #5215 (March, 1993) Highlander is a small but fierce competitor in the Scottish Highland Games. Whether held in Scotland, Canada, or the United States, the Games are serious athletic competitions based on 900- year-old traditions. Braemar Gathering, which is attended by the British royal family every September, boasts the oldest roots, dating back to King Malcolm III of Scotland who was crowned in 1057. Highlander, along with his friends lan and Andrew, has crossed the ocean after competing in the Games on North Carolina’s Grandfather Mountain, considered to be America’s Braemar. In his kilt and shirtsleeves, Highlander is ready for the tossing of the caber, one of the seven heavy events and to many, the heart of the Games. The caber, a trimmed tree trunk that can reach 20 feet and weigh 120 pounds, is to be heaved so that its large end hits the ground and its narrow end flips up and away, as close to vertical as possible. It looks as though no Woodspirit has been able to “turn” this caber, for the judges have cut off the portion behind Highlander. St. Andrew’s crosses decorate his kilt of Cairn tartan, and his coin from Great Britain shows the thistle, the national emblem of Scotland. If he wins I’lI let him put the coin in the sporran at his waist.

HIPPO HURRAY #11014 Life is filled with many little obstacles, and it is nice to know that someone is behind you, cheering you on. This hippo is your own personal cheerleader. No matter what you are up against, or whatever the odds, she’s there to shout, “C’mon, you can do it – Hip Hippo Hurray!”

HIRAM #5250 (Special Commission) (March, 1994) This hard-working Gnome is a Mason, and brick by brick, he is building a wall that pays tribute to each state in America. Circling the wall in the order of their statehood dates, the states’ official abbreviations are etched into the bricks. Hiram is surrounded by the working tools of a mason – trowel, compass, square, plumb line and mallet, and two American pennies. His trowel depicts the Masonic emblem and he proudly wears his York Rite lapel pin. My model was Turk Morrisette from the Greensboro, North Carolina York Rite Bodies. Proceeds from the sale of Hiram will go to the various North Carolina York Rite charities in the Council, Chapter and Commandry. My statue is meant to honor the Masonic fraternities of every state. Using their hands, minds and hearts, Masons work tirelessly to build a better, stronger America, brick by brick.

HIS MAJESTY #9148 (The Museum Series) CBz #3503 The scientific name for the lion is Panthera leo. People born under the astrological sign of Leo are said to be proud, brave, strong and self-centered – just like His Majesty himself. Throughout history, the male lion has been a symbol of strength and dominance. His head framed by a magnificent mane, his heavy, muscular body, and of course, those formidable canine teeth, ensure that the lion rules his world. Even at rest (as I have chosen to portray him), the big cat exudes power and self-confidence. The King of Beasts has no equal – and he knows it! I give you, His Majesty, the King . .. Long live the King!

HITCH #2018 (Collector Society Artwork Series) (April, 1987) Hitch is the Bird Feeder of the Woodspirit clan. To make his job easier he built this wagon with a special funnel for pouring out seeds. Hitch fills his wagon with sunflower seeds and then searches the forest floor for bird prints. He has found some at this spot. His French coin shows a lady sowing seeds, and his Caribbean coin shows a bird circling in search of food. Hitch will feel most at home if you put him where he can watch a birdfeeder. Hitch has a star on his hat to remind us that when we hitch our wagon to a star, we should still take time to feed the birds.

HOAGIE #5313 (October, 1996) Hoagie joins the Cairn Railroad – at lunchtime! He is ready for the noon meal: his lunchbox is in his lap and his linen napkin is tied around his neck. I gave him a coin that says “Cafe and is good for one free cup of coffee. Elegant dining car were not a part of train life until the late 1880s. Even the Transcontinental Express, a venture created by two New York theatrical promoters to celebrate the nation’s Centennial in 1876 with luxurious accommodations and record-setting speed. had only a combination mail, baggage and kitchen car (similar to Hoagie’s). Instead, trains stopped en route at dining stations or “eating houses.” Passengers were given thirty minutes to bolt down their meals, assuming they could catch the eye of the overworked waiter! Whether breakfast, lunch or dinner, the same meal of steak, eggs and potatoes was served. Many, like Hoagie, chose to pack their own provisions. So each morning he makes himself a fortifying sandwich, snaps his lunchbox shut, and heads off to workin’ on the railroad. His train car is leaning slightly backwards – he’s had a few too many lunch breaks.

HOBO #1134 (February, 1986) Hobo is the most carefree of all the Woodspirits in the train series. He’s the only one who gets a free ride! I told him to clean up his act because he’s riding on a nice train, so he hid his empty can of beans inside the freight car. While all of the other train figures have transportation tokens, Hobo has a token that is good for free parking. He would like to extend his thanks to the collector who threw the old stogy his way.

HOGAN #1033 (March, 1984) Some golfer thought he was going to make a birdie, only to find that his golf ball had disappeared from the green. A real bird discovered it and decided to hatch it into a “birdie” of a different feather. This Gnome is quite bemused by the mix-up. The coin is from Great Britain, the home of golf. Hogan is named for the legendary golfer, Ben Hogan.

HO HO HO #5267 (Special Collector Newsletter Offer) (February, 1995) “Did I just come down that? НО HO HO that’s what I call a miracle!” Santa can’t help but chuckle wit amazement as he peers up the tall, narrow chimney. But the proof will be in the pudding – er, that is, in the stockings the have been hung by the fireplace mantle. On Christmas morning they will be mysteriously plump with all sorts of gifts and goodies. Unlike my Gnomes and Woodspirits, Santa has no coin -he hides it in someone’s stocking. Christmas is the season of miracles – just ask little Clarence. My Santa likes to sit anywhere in your home where he can join in the laughter. And when you’re fast asleep, he can always count on Funny and Rich to tickle hi funny bone. Now Santa may need another miracle. The stockings are filled and it’s time to visit the next house. Will Santa be able to go back up the chimney? HO HO – Uh Oh!

HOGS & KISSES #9178 One bright sunny morning in late summer, something very special happened on the hog farm; Priscilla and Wilbur met for the first time! Coincidentally, each had their snout to the ground, foraging, for wild roots. They didn’t notice one another until they actually bumped heads. At first, they were both a little embarrassed. “He looked s000o handsome,” Priscilla cooed, immediately thought, Wow, what a boar!” What was Wilbur’s first impression? “I was attracted to her right from the get go,” he said, “especially with that dried mud caked all over her face.” It soon became apparent that this was a match made in heaven: Hog Heaven! While they haven’t made plans for a wedding just yet, they both want piglets. “Lots of them!” Priscilla adds.

HOGWASH (Retired) #9059 Cairn Key and A Dealers Series “Hold still and no wiggling!” Yolanda bellows to Hogden; not that he has either in mind. Hogden’s never one to turn down a chance to have his back scratched, and he doesn’t mind the cool water either. Of course, he’s not quite so appreciative of the soap, but then Hogden’s still a young hog, and soap is an acquired taste. Yolanda (sculpted by Roberta Griffin) better get her scrubbing in while she can; Hogden still has some growing to do before he reaches his full size. She doesn’t mind putting her back into it in the meantime. She tells him nursery rhymes, and tries to hide the sweet corn she’s got for him. There’s something she finds inspiring about this work. If you can clean a hog and keep him that way, you can do almost anything!

HOISTER #5359 AccCBz #3309 (February, 1998) Jackrabbit can do this job, too, but you can’t be a jackleg when raising the car so that the tires can be changed FAST! When the car gets to the pit stop the first yell is, “Hoist her, Hoister!”

HOLDER #1105 (June, 1985) “Get out and get under” is the song that Holder sings. He uses a leaf as a cushion to hold any number of items that he might wish to carry. A self-effacing Gnome, he will hold your recipe book, your newspaper, or your favorite photo-graph. The coin is from Australia, because like Holder, it is down under!

HOLLY #5174 (December, 1991) Holly is named for my niece, Holly Fetzer Clark Sellers. Like my niece, this little lady loves Christmas. She thinks about the holidays and being good to others from January to December. In fact, not a month goes by that she doesn’t plan or buy a special gift (to be saved until December 25th!) for someone that she loves. The name holly derives from “holy tree” and it has been used as a Christmas decoration since the early Roman Christians. Some say the berries were originally yellow, but turned red to represent the blood of Christ. In other countries, a piece of holly from the church decorations, if kept in the house all year long, is said to bring good luck. When I was born, my parents planted a holly tree for me. Holly’s coin is from Norway, the land of evergreens. Holly’s Christmas spirit is Evergreen all year long.

HOLY FAMILY #5280 (June, 1995) My statue of the Holy Family is in response to Collectors who requested a smaller version of the Crèche. It reflects the Nativity story as recorded in the New Testament Gospels of Matthew and Luke. The Family could find no shelter other than a cold, dreary stable, and the newborn baby has been laid to rest in the animals’ straw-filled manger. These are indeed humble beginnings for the King of Kings. The traditional colors have been used – blue for royalty, white for purity and red for suffering. Joseph’s face radiates happiness and pride for the child he will raise. Mary’s focus is on her son, and one can sense not only her motherly love but also her concern for the fate of her son: “But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19) This is the first time I have sculpted Joseph, Mary and the Baby together as one statue. Like all new families, they have been blessed by the miracle of birth and the overwhelming love they feel for their child.

HOMER #1058 (August, 1984) Homer is out at the old ball game. He sits atop a baseball and his base is in the shape of a diamond. He has his peanuts and a used flip-top from a can of Gnome brew. His Indian head penny indicates he is at a Braves game.

HONEYMOONERS #12004 (Collector Society Artwork Series) (April, 1997) At their wedding they heard the words, “Whither thou goest, I will go.” So here they are, setting out on life’s journey together. Though their arms are linked, they face in opposite directions on their turtle transport. This way they each have the opportunity to be in the driver’s seat. That keeps the honeymoon alive!

HOO GOES THERE #9138 (Charmers Environmental Display Artwork) CBz #9142 The wise and inquisitive owl makes it his business to know what is going on around him at all times. He is sort of like Gladys, the nosy neighbor on TV’s “Bewitched”! Nothing slips by him undetected, as this owl sleeps with one eye open and the other half-closed. Even Charmers, who make little if any noise whatsoever, cannot pass through the owl’s neighborhood without him asking, “Hoo! Hoo! Hooo goes there?”

HOP TUIT #9072 TIM WOLFE Scruggs the rabbit has a habit of putting things off. He tends to postpone certain obligations, such as household chores and visits to relatives, for when he gets around to it. As we all know, it can sometimes take forever before we get a “round tuit.” Consequently, there are some things that just never get done! Recently Scruggs decided that enough was enough, and he was going to change his dilly – dallying ways. Old habits are hard to break, but thanks to his good friend Flatt the bullfrog, Scruggs has been given a bit of a boost. (And you thought they were just playing leap frog.) You see, frogs don’t believe in procrastinating. When there’s a job to do they simply “hop tuit!” ** These two characters are named for the legendary bluegrass team of Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs. One of their most popular tunes was “Foggy Mountain Breakdown.” Scruggs the rabbit and Flatt the frog have adopted their own version of the song. They call it “Froggy Mountain Breakdown.”

HOPKINS #5073 (June, 1989) Hopkins is Pumpkin’s beau. He, too sits on a small pumpkin, and he wears a leaf hat so that he can work outside undetected in his fall garden. Hopkins is named for Thomas Hopkins Gallauder, who brought the manual, or sign language method from Europe to the United States in the early 1800s. Gallaudet founded the Hartford (Connecticut) School for the Deaf in 1817, and his younger son founded Gallaudet College (now Gallaudet University) in Washington, D.C. in 1864. Hopkins’ coin has a “2” on it, because he is telling Pumpkin, I love you, too!” Pumpkin and Hopkins wish that Halloween were more like Valentine’s Day, that is, a time of friendship and warm feelings. The trick is to turn Halloween into a treat, and the best treat of all is to love your neighbor.

HOPPER #5268 (February, 1995) Welcome to the newest member of the Cairn Railroad. Transporting coal from the local mines to the Woodspirit communities is the job of Hopper. He wears a coal miner’s lantern on his hard hat, and he turns on the light whenever the train goes through a tunnel. His coin is a transportation token from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a busy railway center for the coal industry. His coal hopper is loaded to the top and the big locomotive, the Super Chief, is ready to begin its journey across the forest floor. It’s just a short hop to the train’s first stop, so Hopper hops into the coal hopper for a ride. Winter is coming and every household needs to fill its coal bin, so let’s hop to it!

HOPS AND FEST #2012 (Special Commission) (September, 1985) These are two Octoberfest celebrants! The one with the Liederhosen has brewed the beer in the stein and he has just opened it to toast the Octoberfest. Much to his surprise, he finds that his companion has already drained the mug! The teddy bear, belonging to Pat Nigh, symbolizes the German Black Forest. Pat’s husband, Myron (both are owners of PM Collectables) is left-handed, as are Hops and Fest. The five seeds stand for their children. The German phrase on the coin means, “What you Sow is what you Reap” and pictures barley.

HOWDY #138 (January, 1981) Howdy greets his friends while sitting atop the pineapple, which is the symbol for southern hospitality. His hat was fashioned from a pineapple petal. In his satchel he has a little sign that says “Welcome.”

HRM QUEEN ELIZABETH – THE QUEEN MOTHER #5225 (May, 1993) It has been forty years since she shared the throne of Great Britain with her husband, yet she is probably the most popular royal in the world today. When she and the Duke of York married, they expected to remain, always, gladly, in the shadow of the prince’s older brother. But in 1936 King Edward VIll abdicated the British throne and the shy, stuttering Bertie was forced to assume a new role: King George VI. The legacy of Elizabeth is the supreme grace she brought to a job she neither expected nor desired. The Queen is always regal in bearing and attire, yet she has a bond with all people that transcends class. During World War I she endeared herself to her countrymen and the world by rejecting the suggestion that she send her daughters Margaret and Elizabeth (the future Queen Elizabeth I out of the country: “They will not leave me. I will not leave the King – and the King will never leave.” I have portrayed Her Royal Majesty on her way to a special evening. She has caught sight of the crowds who line the streets wherever she goes, and is rewarding them with one of her famous smiles. She is wearing an evening stole, which she jokingly refers to as her “prop.” The Queen Mother is now in her nineties, but my statue captures her at approximately age 65. (Since I am also 65, I consider this to be the prime of life.) I feel sure, how-ever, that Her Majesty would insist she is only now approaching her prime! My statue has two purposes: to honor this great lady, and to make Collectors smile as they, too, receive a wave from the Queen Mum.

HUCK #5128 (November, 1990) Huck is the name of the farmhand in the Wizard of Oz, who becomes the scarecrow in Dorothy’s dream. My little Huck wants to make his own scarecrow, not to scare the crows, but for a Halloween decoration. Wait until he sees that his own hat is turning into a jack-o’-lantern face! Huck is using socks for his scarecrow’s arms and pennies for his ears-so he’ll have some cents. The scarecrow has walnuts for his feet, but he cannot wear shoes, for there’s a corn on one foot.

HUFF AND PUFF #5028 (January, 1988) These little gnomes are making the best use of a pipe that they found in the forest. Huff has made it into a recliner, so that he can have a pipe dream. Puff, being more practical, has turned it into a small barbecue grill, where he is roasting three acorns (which true believers will discern as a small face). The larger leaves on each side of the pipe are tobacco leaves, from Bladen County, North Carolina. Smoky will surely stop by when he smells the smoke, to make sure they are being careful with fire. Perhaps Zermatt can lend Puff the cover from his pipe. The two unusual nuts are in honor of Huff and Puff, two old chestnuts who have been around awhile. These chestnuts roasting on an open fire were purchased from a vendor in Picadilly Circus in the center of London, at Christmas time. The two British pennies show “heads” and «tails” and Huff and Puff will flip one to see who gets to eat the third acorn.

HUGH ROBERT #7 (October, 1979) “This is an odd little bal!” thinks Hugh Robert. It has landed in his territory and he is wondering whether to take it home or divide the grass around it so that Hugh Robert Gaither (for whom he is named) can find his lost ball in the rough.

HUGHIE #9001 TIM WOLFE In its aftermath of destruction, Hurricane Hugo reminded us all that nature’s way can sometimes be anything but kind; many of the trees destroyed by the great storm had faithfully served as nesting sites for generations of squirrels and other wildlife. The morning after found hundreds of baby animals left homeless and orphaned. Fortunately for Hughie, who was only several weeks old at the time, what little he remembers of that terrible night is very vague; that’s because he slept through the whole thing! He does know that the two beings who raised him from that point on were not his natural parents. He’s not so sure they were even squirrels. Come to think of it, they were awfully large and certainly didn’t smell like him. It didn’t matter though, as the young couple showed Hughie a lot of love, and did their best to make him feel comfortable and at home. At first, he was nursed from a baby doll bottle filled with warm condensed milk and a splash of honey. Later came the good stuff, like saltine crackers topped with peanut butter! An old canary cage lined with an electric blanket was where he slept, and Hughie did plenty of that. As contented a little squirrel as he was, Hughie eventually began to hear the “call of the wild” and found that he could no longer resist his inner urge to return to the woods. He’s going to miss the young couple. But after all. this too is nature’s way.

HYDE AND POWELL #2015 (Special Commission) (October, 1986) The cable car was first used in San Francisco in 1873. The cable itself is underground, so the track is not like that of a train. There are two pins on the side of the statue which came from the San Francisco cable car yard when the city refurbished the cars in the early 1980’s. Powell is pushing the car up the hill so that it can turn around at the corner of Hyde and Powell Streets. His companion is “hyding” inside, but he has dropped his conductor’s button beside the track. On the other side is a token which Powell can use should he wish to get on. If heights bother you, take a Dramamine before looking at this statue. The eucalyptus acorns are from Will Rogers’ ranch.

HYKE #27 (October, 1983) Hyke is the nickname of this old bachelor who lives on Cairn Ridge. He holds a forthcoming book which he has inspired, entitled Woodspirits. Hiking is his favorite pas-time, and he can sometimes walk as fast as a chipmunk can run. His coat is Tyrolean and his jaunty leaf cap hides him when he jumps into a pile of leaves. He lives in an ancient tree, which is mostly hollow and insulated with duck feathers. His honeysuckle walking stick has just uncovered a penny. It may be that Hyke is my counterpart in the Woodspirit world. But that information, like his given name, Hyke is keeping to himself.

HYKE II #1168 (September, 1986) This is the second version of Hyke. My 1987 video recorded its creation, and it will be officially introduced when the video is premiered. Hyke is at ease on a large poison ivy log. He feels that there is nothing in the forest that cannot be put to good use. When he leans back and holds his knees with his clasped hands, you know that a tale is about to begin, usually with the words, “Now, when I was knee-high to a chipmunk…”

IAN #5013 (October, 1987) Ian is a Scotsman, and another member of my musical “John” series. lan plays the bagpipes, and he has two Scottish traits. He loves to play “Scotland the Brave” and he also loves to save money. Now he’s faced with a dilemma: which should he pick up first, the bagpipes or the coin? On the coin is a thistle, the national emblem of Scotland. Some small unicorn (known in Scotland as the Queen’s beast) has lost his horn next to lan though you might mistake it for a sea shell. In traditional Scottish dress, Ian is wearing a sporran around his waist, flashes on his socks, and a regimental striped tie, cut “face up” in the British fashion, so that the stripes slant from the heart. His kilt is unique, and will henceforth be known as the “Cairn tartan.” The tartan is Cairn green with gold bands that form the St. Andrews crosses in the center of the squares. Cairn means “heap of stones” and behind lan is his ancestral cairn.

ICE FISHERMEN #8058   Ice fishing is for The hearty and strong, So if you’re a wimp Don’t tag along. The fish steal your bait Right after you sink it, And your coffee freezes Before you can drink it.

IDA #9054 The spirit of Christmas spreads throughout the wildlife community in much the same way it does our own. Our animal counterparts share in the joy and excitement of this special holiday season as it is a great time of celebration for them, too! In every forest, every warren, and every patch of woods, there can be found a local Christmas choir. A choir may number from three to twenty animals and it is comprised of a select group of individuals who, for one reason or another, consider themselves best qualified at carrying a tune. Their choruses can be heard at any hour, day or night, and can be quite pleasing to the human ear. Unfortunately, we humans can become so wrapped up in other affairs during the Christmas season that we seldom, if ever, take the time to listen. Little Ida is said to have hit octaves so high that the neighborhood dogs came running and spoiled the Christmas concert. Her squeaky, high-pitched voice has, on more than one occasion, caused the other singers’ fur to stand on end and for this reason, she is often asked to sing solo; so-lo you can’t hear her. Still, Ida is well-liked and a welcome addition to the choir. She never misses a practice, and besides, she owns a robe.

I DON’T KNOW #5294 (November, 1995) Who’s on third? No, Who’s on first. What? No, What’s on second. So who is on third? I Don’t Know’s on third. That’s what I want to find out! There are at least nine faces in this little fellow’s beard, in honor of the nine players on a baseball team. The coin is a game token that reads “Non-negotiable,” for this player wants no more baseball strikes! I Dori Know lives up to his name, for he doesn’t know how char ball got into his mitt. He joins Who, What, Yogi, Cy and Slugger for some great Woodspirit baseball. Why? Oh, than our left fielder.

IF THE SHOE FITS #5413 Tanner and Son are the best cobblers in the Gnome community. They use only the finest Moroccan leather (as symbolized by the coin from Morocco) and these cobblers craft a shoe with a thick bottom crust to go with a flexible top layer. The shoe block that Mr. Tanner and son are using is for a small human foot. The shoe will be a gift to a child who believes in Gnomes. Apparently, Mr. Tanner has taken a shine to this youngster! When Mr. Tanner’s son was growing up, he didn’t like having to “toe the line,” so he decided not to become a cobbler and he left home on a long solitary journey. When he got “down at the heel,” he decided to come home, and get a job. The shoe was now on the other foot, but Mr. Tanner welcomed him home and offered him a job as a cobbler. “Dad,” said the son, “yours are big shoes to fill . .. but I do like to save soles.” The older Tanner responded, “then, if the shoe fits ….”

IGOR #23 (November, 1980) Siberian Gnomes are seldom seen on Cairn Ridge in North Carolina. Consequently, most Gnomes and Woodspirits think that they are mean people, intent on destroying the rest of the world. When Igor left Siberia to attend a Gnome wedding, most of the guests were amazed to find him a fine fellow. He picked up a coin from Norway as he journeyed to the event. He was offered some North Carolina chewing tobacco and he decided to stay for a long time. Igor’s hat sports both nose and ear flaps. His unusual coat is made of wool from a Tibetan mama llama.

IMA TREAT #10018 It gets pretty chilly on October 31, so Ima wears her favorite orange scarf and keeps her hands warm in her jack-o-lantern muff. As you trick-or treat under the bright harvest moon, you may see a flash of orange as Ima dashes by. Find the four-let clover behind her long black skirt and she’ll treat you tog happy Halloween.

INDIAN #307 (August, 1983) This statue was inspired by a photograph of a Sioux medicine man taken by Edward Sheriff Curtis in 1899. The harsh wind is to the back of the Indian, who seems to be searching the sky for smoke or a bird or a sign. At his foot are two small cacti and a reproduction of an Indian arrowhead from near my home.

INDY #5033 (February, 1988) Indy is named for the Indianapolis Speedway, home of the Indianapolis 500, which was first run in 1911. Indy and Monty, the first two in a series of race car drivers, like to race against each other. Sometimes, just for fun, they even like to race against the Woodspirits riding on the train cars. Indy is driving a 1938 Mercedes W 125 Coppa Vanderbilt, similar to the Mercedes that won at Monte Carlo in 1937. Since it rains in Indianapolis in the summertime, Indy is likely to get wet, but his trophy for winning will be a little green apple. He will eat it at his next “pit” stop.

INNKEEPER #171 (October, 1981) Would not the Innkeeper be the first one at the manger scene? This is why he was introduced at the same time as the statues of Mary, Joseph and the Babe. The Innkeeper stays discreetly in the background, a short wizened old man. Despite not having a room for the couple, his gentle concern caused him to be nearby at the birth.

IN THE DOGHOUSE #9127 (March, 1997) Ol’ Blue has been a bad dog again. He did something that made his owner very, very upset. Now, instead of sleeping on his warm, cozy pillow at the foot of her bed, he’s going to have to spend the night alone – in the doghouse. If only he could tell her how very sorry he is, and that it will never, ever happen again – maybe then she would forgive him – or at least buy him a bigger doghouse.

IRVIN #9 (September, 1979) Irvin has paused on his acorn hunt to ponder the history of the shotgun shell which he has found. It has not been fired, so Irvin is pleased that none of his small animal friends has been shot. Irvin would like to take his time going home, like the snail nearby, but it is nearly supper time and the fire must be started. The statue is named for Irvin Brawley, a horticulturist who appreciates the mystery of Gnomes and nature.

ISABELLA #5621 (2005) “Is a bell ringing”? No, it’s just the kettle whistling to say that the water is boiling. Isabel, the kitchen witch, is in charge of making sure the water doesn’t boil over. Isabel is from Louisiana, so she knows all about good cooking. There is a beautiful coin near her feet which honors her home state.

IT’S A TIN! #6340 Special Commission (September, 1996) The Christmas preparations are underway and these two forest friends have been working hard. They’re sending delicious Fran’s Pecans to everyone on their list. They’re nuts about them! It hardly seems like work to pack the special holiday tins designed exclusively to celebrate Christmas 1996. This Kindred Spirits artwork was created by Tom Clark and Tim Wolfe of Cairn Studio, who congratulate Fran’s Pecans of Harlem, Georgia, on 60 years of fine quality and service. The sculptors have included their signature touches – a snail shell from Tim and a coin from Tom – a French franc that now reads “Fran.” We’ve caught these two tinv taste testers at break time. The squirrel has cracked open a fresh pecan for his Gnome buddy to enjoy. How does he score it? “It’s a Tin!”

IT’S YOUR MOVE #6348 (September, 1997) It’s an intensely competitive game of checkers, and the gnome and turtle are concentrating deeply on the board in front of them. Using acorn caps as their game pieces, they analyze and dissect each strategic option before making a move. Their coin is a game token that will ensure many future bouts between these two wily opponents. But if you’ve ever played checkers with a turtle, you know that it’s going to be a long, slow game. In fact, it seems to be moving at a snail’s pace. It is time for yet another reminder as the action on the board heats up: “It’s your move.”

ITZHAK #9182 Itzhak is the first musician created for a new series called the “Tracks Woodland Orchestra.” This talented frog plays first violin which, as Itzhak is quick to point out, should not be confused with second fiddle! Itzhak began his musical career when he was still very young, or, “Just barely out of metamorphosis,” as he put it. Today, this Itzhak is the first musician created for a new series called the “Tracks Woodland Orchestra.” This talented frog plays first violin which, as Itzhak is quick to point out, should not be confused with second fiddle! Itzhak began his musical career when he was still very young, or, “Just barely out of metamorphosis,” as he put it. Today, this talented frog is one of the most respected and renowned violinists in the woods. “To play alongside Itzhak is truly an honor. That frog turns me green with envy!” says Olin, the second violinist. Note: This figurine is named for Itzhak Perlman, the popular classical violinist. In an interesting coincidence, I unknowingly finished this figurine. EDITION CHANGE: Itzhak: January 2000 Release _One edition has this violin playing frog in a tuxedo jacket and bowtie while another edition depicts him without the jacket and tie.

IVAN #1086 (January, 1985) He is the most gifted player among the “beach boys.” He is featured on the piece “Midnight Ride on Ma’s Cow.” His shell-like horn sometimes gets too heavy to hold upright and Ivan begins playing so low you can’t hear him. The coin is from Rumania.

IVY #114 (June, 1978) Ivy is named for poison ivy, and she is dressed in an orange dress for Halloween. Her pose suggests that of the witches in the play Macbeth, as she sits beside some boiling kettle.

JACK #2050 (Special Commission) (October, 1994) This statue was commissioned by Carolinas AGC, the nation’s largest chapter of the Associated General Contractors, as part of the celebration of their 75th anniversary in 1995. They requested a sculpture of a construction professional, to honor the contributions of those who have helped build our world. I used a miniature version of the blueprints that define my world – my sculpting studio, which was, in fact, built by a Carolinas AGC member. (All members are non-residential contractors, and their projects range from small buildings such as my studio to factories and highways.) Jack is surrounded by the tools of the construction trade, including his hard hat and safety glasses, and the national AGC seal is displayed on his “work table” • actually a block of wood on the site. I’ve included a 1920 coin to commemorate the year of the Association’s founding. Carolinas AGC writes, “This sculpture symbolizes all those whose self-respect comes from knowing their work will endure for years to come, as a testament to their skill, responsibility and integrity.” I, too, wish to honor the true “builders” of America and say thanks for the “house” that Jack built.

JACK B. NIMBLE #1055   JACKIE B. QUICK #1065 (June, September, 1984) These two Gnomes (named for my cousins, Jack and Jackie Clark) are enlightened and like books. They sit on bookcases and read over our shoulders. She loves art books and he likes American history and aviation. They have the same coin, an American dime. Jackie tenderly touches the face of the coin and Jack “carries the torch” for her.

JACK OF DIAMONDS #1038 (March, 1984) This fellow has been made a legend in various folk songs. He is close-mouthed when he plays cards because he knows he can be topped, yet he has the power to win with finesse! His coin is Spanish, showing Juan (“Jack”) Carlos.

JACK RABBIT #9146 (Tim Wolfe) AccCBz #3700 Perhaps no other critter could be more qualified to work the hydraulic car jack than . . . Jackrabbit! The job title fits him to a tee and this dude is lightning-quick on his feet. If a fellow crew member has a suggestion for him, Jackrabbit is all ears.

JACKSON #149 (May, 1981) Jackson likes to sit with his friends, Jason, Caleb and Meg. He is a wonderful listener and laughs at nearly everything that they say. They in turn laugh at his bow tie and funny hat. He is named for my cousins, the George Jacksons.

JACOB #1145 (April, 1986) My farmer, Jacob, has a youthful expression on a weather-beaten face, from years of working in the sun. The same sun has grown the beautiful corn in his bag. He is sitting in the kitchen, anticipating some corn-on-the-cob for dinner. His position is the one I find most comfortable, especially when I am in a kitchen where I feel at home.

JACQUES #1085 (January, 1985) This “beach boy” has made his guitar with two sea shells, a piece of driftwood and a lot of imagination. He gets his beat from the pounding surf, and when he plays the wrong chord, the others go into shell shock. He likes to sing “Free Jacques,” and his favorite song is “The Maple Leaf Rag” because he wears a maple pattern on his shirt. Only a few Gallic Woodspirits know the tune! His coin is French.

JAMES #6020 The three disciples most often thought of as members of the inner circle were Peter, James and John. The last two were brothers, sons of Zebedee (Matthew 10:2). Zebedee’s James (called the Great in contrast with another disciple, James the lesser) is a prominent figure in the story of the raising of Jatus daughter, the transfiguration, and the Garden of Gethsemane episode where Jesus is arrested. Legends about this apostle con. vey that he was the first pilgrim missionary. Consequently, he is often represented by a seashell for his travel overseas. He may even have been the first Christian missionary to Spain, for his is considered the patron saint of that country. The book of James has traditionally been ascribed to him. There are many memorable passages addressed to the early Christians. My personal favorite is Chapter 1, verse 27: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

JAMIE #9151 It’s Easter time and things are springing up everywhere – even in the most unlikely places. What’s up with this rabbit hatching from an egg? Actually, Jamie is rather shy and she simply likes to hide in this empty egg shell (much like her Aunt Pansy, who does the same; only in a flower pot.) Jamie has chosen an egg to hide in because she has always dreamed of flying and this pastel purple egg allows her to travel first class! It is quite possible that Jamie will end up in someone’s Easter basket. On that special Sunday morning she’ll pop her nose out and say, “H-H-H-Happy Easter!”

JANE #5083 (See SLIM, JIM and JANE) (August, 1989) Slim, Jim and Jane have joined the fitness craze. This is the first day of their exercise program. Each of them has a coin that says “10′ because they’re trying to complete 10 repetitions of their exercises. Slim, who wishes he were, is doing push-ups and has a coin from Mexico. Jim, who plans to start going to the gym every day, is doing sit-ups. His coin is from Mozambique. Jane, who is in the middle of ten toe-touches, has dropped a “pound.” Slim and Jim think she’s enthusiastic about getting in shape, but she’s actually trying to reach that piece of candy! She thinks she’ll be a perfect 10 if she drops a few pounds, but the truth is, her friends are fonda’ Jane just the way she is.

JANET #5189 (April, 1992) Janet is the mother of this little Woodspirit fam-ily. She, her husband Perry and their children Carl and Stella are playing Hide-and-Seek at the beach. The score is tide. But she fits so perfectly behind this obliging starfish that Janet is sure no one will find her. Like the other family members, she has a Bahamian coin that pictures a starfish. Janet is named for Janet Gaynor, who in 1928 won the first Oscar for Best Actress for her work in three silent films. Her most famous role was in 1937 in A Scar is Born. I think she has a Lucky Star and will win this game of Star Search. Then she’ll be in Seventh Heaven.

JASON #113 (December, 1980) Poor Jason, he’s color-blind and doesn’t even know it. He put on a blue hat and red coat thinking he had it the other way around. When he pulls paint brushes from his satchel he joins Jack Frost in painting some unusual combinations of fall colors on the leaves. He is also mischievous. Several times he has altered his edition so that only one foot has a bird marking. He said, “I want people to think that a one-legged bird just hopped by!”

JASPER #9039 TIM WOLFE After leaving the hollow den tree where he had spent the day napping, Jasper’s first stop on his nightly rounds was the little creek that ran through the woodland valley. There, he robbed the muddy banks of a few freshwater clams. The older racoons claim these to be good eating, but try as he may, Jasper still hasn’t figured out how to open the shells. Forgetting the clams, he tormented a school of minnows instead. Working his way upstream, Jasper’s next stop was his favorite: the garbage cans in back of Old Man Wilks’ place. “Drat!” a disgruntled Jasper exclaimed when he discovered the new coon-proof lids. Not to worry, however, as there was always the corncrib behind the barn. It had recently been filled and would be easy pickings for a clever rascal like himself. Jasper had no sooner started on his second ear of corn, when he recognized the baritone voice of the local blue tick hound. The dog was hot on Jasper’s trail and moving out fast! “Aw, shucks,” Jasper mumbled as he quickly made his way back to the den tree. This just wasn’t his night at all.

JAY AND MARTHA #73 (September, 1983) This couple was created in honor of Jay and Martha Weikel for their 40th wedding anniversary. As you can see, they only have eyes for one another. At his side is a fresh orange blossom and at her foot is an English sixpence, which brides traditionally put in their slippers for luck.

J. D. #5461 J.D. is the Catcher in the Rye grass for my little baseball team. He was taught how to be a good player by Yogi, the previous catcher who has now retired. Dizzy is pitching and Joltin’ Joe is up at bat. It was a great pitch; Joe swung and missed, and J.D. caught the ball. Loud cheers erupt from the stands! The game must be over, for the fat lady is singing. Now J.D. can take his lucky coin and go to the locker room for a free wash! NOTE: “Catcher in the Rye” was written by J.D. Salinger. 

JEANETTE #5150 (April, 1991) Jeanette is the farmer’s daughter of Old MacDonald and his wife Flora. Like her twin brother Ronald, she enjoys riding her tiny tractor and gardening. Jeanette sings as beautifully as the songbird on her Norwegian coin. Her namesake is Jeanette MacDonald, a famous movie actress in the 1930’s and 1940’s. You may recognize some of her movies and songs in the story of our little Jeanette. Her favorite month is Maytime, when the flowers planted by Jeanette and Flora bloom from the time The Sun Comes Up until the New Moon shines. Like every Girl of the Golden West she dreams of traveling from San Francisco to a Broadway Serenade, but her heart will always belong to the farm. When Jeanette wants to Follow the Boys, even Beyond the Blue Horizon, her mother Flora warns, “I know you are as fearless as Three Daring Daughters, but When I’m Calling You, please come home so that I won’t worry about my two Sweethearts.”

JEAN PIERRE #9190 (July 2000) by Tim Wolfe     The mouse, Jean Pierre, was just physically too small to play the bass violin so he took up the flute. As it turned out, the high-pitched wind instrument was the perfect choice. The mouse plays the flute by blowing into the hole near the top of the instrument while fingering the keys along the tube. The resulting notes can only be described as magical! Little Jean Pierre has recently joined Boomer and Itzhak in the newly-formed Woodland Symphony Orchestra. “We are thrilled to have Jean Pierre,” says Itzhak. “However, we did have a little trouble finding a tuxedo small enough to fit him!” Note: This statue was named for Jean Pierre Rampal, the virtuoso flutist who passed away in May, 2000 at the age of 78.

JEFF #74 (September, 1983) This good-natured Woodspirit is named for a friend who sometimes coaches tennis from this position. His hand is by his ear as he listens for the call of the wild. He finds it difficult to hear, however, when someone sys it’s time to rise and shine! The nickel depicts Thomas Jefferson; Tom for the artist and Jeff for the model.

JEFF GORDON #6605 (September, 1994) The popularity of this young driver became clear to me on the morning I photographed him in front of my sculpting studio. Some friends who had come to visit me drove up and jumped out of their car yelling, “Jeff Gordon! It’s Jeff Gordon!” After meeting and photographing Jeff, it was a real thrill to watch him win, only six weeks later, his first NASCAR Winston Cup Race, the Coca-Cola 600 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Two events at the end of the race are revealing. Overcome with emotion, Jeff wept and wept – in his car as he drove to the checkered flag, as he met his crew in victory lane, and again at the awards ceremony. Altogether his payoff was $200,00, which he immediately split among his pit crew, or as Jeff calls them, “the guys who made it happen.” In August Jeff won the Brickyard 400, the inaugural NASCAR race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 1994 continues to be a big year for the 1993 Rookie of the Year – over Thanksgiving weekend he got married. The pressure of fans, popularity and big-time motor racing has not changed this very likable young man, and a longtime NASCAR staffer spoke for the entire racing Community when he said, “Jeff’s a great person and his head is on straight.”

JENNIE #84 (July 1983) Jennie is Pokey’s wife and often her turtle taxi gets ahead of him when they are out for the afternoon. She is kept busy calling to her son Eddie, “Don’t race so fast!” When the dust blows from the road she pulls her veil around to cover her face.

JEREMIAH #119 (January, 1980) This fellow is named for the ancient prophet Jeremiah who kept loving his people even when not loved in return. So this Jeremiah is also showing unselfish love as he offers his heart with its pattern from a Pennsylvania Dutch cookie design.

JEREMIAH SALLIE #168 (September, 1981) This woodcutter was inspired by a photograph in This Proud Land by West and Roberts. The gentleman has an Abe Lincoln stance and the same look of concern and responsibility for the welfare of others. He has a homemade axe with which he chopped the logs that are behind him.

JESS #8061 Her helmet seems too big Her body looks so small. It’s a wonder, looking at her, She can hit the ball at all. But with intense concentration Practice and self-esteem, She’s developed into one of The best hitters on the team.

JESSE #5086 (September, 1989) Some collectors may be surprised that Jesse is joining my series of Woodspirits riding on train cars. But the great train robberies are a part of the glory days of trains in the Old West. Jesse is named for Jesse James, an unusual American legendary figure. This little Jesse found a toy gun in the woods. Is he really holding up the train, or is he just playing? One clue is the twig standing by his right foot–it’s a stick up! Jesse’s coin is a good luck souvenir showing a brace of pistols. But notice that poor Jesse has no money or jewels. He’d better watch out for the marshal, who will appear next year on a new train car behind Jesse.

JESUS AT GETHSEMANE #6006 (Founders of Faith) Matthew 26:36-46 – Mark 14:32-42 – Luke 22:39-46 (August, 1993) The Last Supper in the upper room had ended. The disciples dispersed, leaving Jesus with Peter, James and John, his closest disciples. The four made their way up the hill to the Mount of Olives. The three disciples fell asleep, but Jesus knelt and began a prayer that flowed from his agony. He was facing a choice of paths for his ministry: to leave Jerusalem immediately, or to remain and submit to arrest. What was the will of God? Over the centuries, many artists have depicted the Agony in the Garden and I have drawn from both the Biblical stories and these earlier artistic interpretations. Jesus is in the traditional pose, clothed in the customary robe and kneeling by massive rocks. I have used his hands to represent the intensity of the moment: one is clutching the rocks, the other is straining at his robe. Because I wanted to indicate the presence of the three disciples, I have used the centuries-old artistic symbols for each man. The key is for Simon Peter (“Behold, I give you the keys of the kingdom…”), the shell for James, the first missionary (the shell is the symbol of the traveler), and the eagle feather for John (his is the gospel that soars like an eagle). Like my statue of Moses, the gaze of Jesus is focused upward, as he strains to hear the word of God. The statue is successful if the viewer is also moved to gaze upward to God.

JESUS AT THE LAST SUPPER #5635

JIM #5082 (See SLIM, JIM and JANE) (August, 1989) Slim, Jim and Jane have joined the fitness craze. This is the first day of their exercise program. Each of them has a coin that says “10′ because they’re trying to complete 10 repetitions of their exercises. Slim, who wishes he were, is doing push-ups and has a coin from Mexico. Jim, who plans to start going to the gym every day, is doing sit-ups. His coin is from Mozambique. Jane, who is in the middle of ten toe-touches, has dropped a “pound.” Slim and Jim think she’s enthusiastic about getting in shape, but she’s actually trying to reach that piece of candy! She thinks she’ll be a perfect 10 if she drops a few pounds, but the truth is, her friends are fonda’ Jane just the way she is.

JIMMY #9069Deep in the hills and hollows of eastern America, a musical heritage has been preserved for generations. Among the things mountain folk all seem to share are strong family ties, a bond with the hills and a love for their music. Along with instruments like the guitar, fiddle and banjo, the dulcimer has been a longtime favorite with mountain musicians. Often homemade and relatively easy to play, the dulcimer’s unique sound has been described as hauntingly melancholy. Jimmy took up the dulcimer when he was barely able to climb. Granddaddy Squirrel handcrafted the instrument Jimmy now owns – using wood from the very tree in which the family lives. When evening comes and the chores are through, he can be found strumming to tunes like “Blue Moon of Kentucky” or his personal favorite, “Jimmy Crack Corn.” At one time Jimmy had dreams of making it big in music. Now he’d just as soon jam with the local choir or something. Anyway, he could never leave them thar hills.

J I N G L E

JINGLE-J #1119 – JINGLE-I #1120 – JINGLE-N #1121 – JINGLE-G #1122 – JINGLE-L #1123 – JINGLE-E #1124 (September, 1985) These six little Woodspirits are set to hide on any Christmas tree. They have tiny bells at the ends of their caps which they shake whenever anyone comes to the tree and starts to open a present BEFORE Christmas! J is a tenor, I is a soprano, N is a baritone, G is a bass and L is an alto. E can’t carry a tune so he isn’t allowed to put his bell on top of his hat, although he tries hard to get it up there. Their favorite song was written by Henry W. Longfellow, and it mentions the group they most like to perform with at Christmas time, the CAROL’s: “I heard the bells on Christmas day Their old familiar carols play,  And wild and sweet the words repeat Of peace on earth, good will to men.” They have no coins, as they must have given them away to the Salvation Army when they heard their bells ringing.

JINGLES #9100 Tim Wolfe Clara, Pop, Ethel and the other “caroling critters” felt that their Christmas choir, though superb, was missing a little something. “What we need is instrumentation!” professed Mel the mole. They all agreed and with that, began a search for able musicians. It so happened that Ethel’s nephew was a bell-ringing rabbit named Jingles, who was currently out of a gig and itching to jam. “Let’s give him a shot” Clara said. As Jingles auditioned to the tune Sleigh Bells Ringing, Pop the weasel stopped singing in mid-song and exclaimed, ‘Man, that boy can play!” “Oh, you haven’t heard anything yet? said Ethel. “Just wait till he cuts loose on Jingle Bells!”

JOB #5025 (December, 1987) When Job went shopping with his wife there was just a little stubble growing on his chin. He’s been waiting so long that his beard has grown a foot. In his beard is a likeness of Job of the Old Testament, known for his enduring patience. Like Pokey, Job’s wife never hurries. Job often waits on the same park bench as Padre and O’Neal. When Father Time walks by they can ask him if he has the correct time. Job’s coin is from Turkey, a possible site of the biblical Job’s trials. The coin has a number one on it which stands for his wife’s last words before going into the store: “I’ll be just one minute.”

JOCK #172 (September, 1981) This Old World sailor was inspired by the Scottish song “Stop Your Tickling, Jock.” He sits on a rock and takes in his lobster pots. The little crab behind him was found on the beach in Nantucket.

JODI #9046 Tim Wolfe October. It is that time of year when the days have gotten short-et, the nights cooler, and the pumpkin patch is bustling with activity. Among the frequent visitors to the patch is Jodi the chipmunk. Jodi’s interest in pumpkins has nothing to do with cary-ing faces or making pies. For her, it is time to stock up on her favorite winter snack: pumpkin seeds! Tasty, yet high in protein and Vitamin B, they are always a treat – the trick is getting them out of the pumpkin. For this reason, Jodi targets the smaller, more tender fruit,) Even little pumpkins can contain a bounty of seeds, and transporting them all from the patch to her winter burrow can be quite an undertaking. Not to fear, however, as the seeds that won’t fit into her cheek pouches can now be packed into her new-found hat. It may not be as lucky as Kelly’s; but Jodi thinks it is spooktacular!

JOE #8062   Joe roams the outfield He’s fast but he’s not real tall.When he finds himself at the warning track With his back up against the wall, He leaps from his feet And the feeling is sweet As he pulls down that home run ball.

JOE #9159 At the request of the Sony Corporation, I have created a group of statues to be introduced in Japan as the “Forest Guardian Spirits.” As the name implies, these woodland friends are ded icated to the preservation and protection of the country’s beautiful natural resources. While conservation is their foremost concern, they may also be called upon for guidance by those who have either lost their way or are in need of aid while traversing the countryside. From the shadowed mountains to the open sea – a guardian spirit will forever be . .. Joe’s favorite time of day is the morning. That’s when he wakes up and smells the coffee! Turtles, like Joe, are rather slow moving creatures, so a good blast of caffeine helps to get things started. A coffee connoisseur, Joe is forever searching for the perfect bean. Day in and day out he treks through the country-side, taste-testing coffee brews from across the land. “Until I find the ultimate cup of Java,” says Joe, “it’s back to the same old grind. Others in the Forest Guardian Spirits Series include: George, Benjamin, Snappy, Frank, Webster and Loafer.

JOHANN #1075 (December, 1984) Every musical group needs a good back-up man like Johann, who plays the big bass. As steady as the pounding waves, he plays the deep notes, but always in the key of sea. He made up a ballad entitled, “Oh Shen, Did You See A Bald Tick?” but none of the other guys will play it with him. His coin is German.

JOHN #6016 (The Gospel Writers Series) (January, 1997) For my series of the traditional four Gospel Writers, I have depicted John and Matthew seated, to indicate that they were among the twelve disciples of Jesus. Luke and Mark were not of the original twelve, so I chose to sculpt them standing. When placed next to Matthew, John and he appear to be conversing. I drew further inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci’s painting, “The Last Supper, in which John is seated next to, and leaning towards Jesus. Many Biblical scholars view John as Jesus® closest friend, and in this Gospel he only is referred to as “beloved disciple” and “the disciple whom Jesus loved.? At the Crucifixion, Jesus instructed John, “Behold your mother,’ and John took Mary to his home, to spare her from the final hours of Jesus’ suffering. On my statue, John’s chair is decorated with his traditional symbol, the eagle (his is the Gospel that “soars like an eagle”), as seen in the “Christ in Glory” engraving from the Cathedral of Limoges. John’s Gospel is directed not to one particular political group, but to the whole world (an eagle’s eye view!). He holds a scroll inscribed with John 1:1-5 (*In the beginning was the Word). This is the creation story of the New Testament. Over and over again the Book of John emphasizes this one universal message: Jesus is the Son of God.

JOHNNIE #5558 (2003) This gnome is Johnnie-on-the-spot or better yet Johnnie-on-the-pot.  He believes that in at least one room in his house – he is king.  So it is fitting that he should be sitting on a throne.  This particular throne was inspired by Napoleon’s throne in France. To make this segment of the day more pleasant he provides himself with reading material.  He likes selections from Mark Twain, from gardening books, the Book of Cairn, and, of course, a Sears catalog. Johnnie has several friends who enjoy the bathroom as much as he, such as Gellet, May, June, Bashful and Albright.  Seashells adorn each of their statues.  Johnnie also has a lucky coin from Tennessee.  It provides music to . . . sit by. When showing her house to a friend, the Johnnie’s wife opened the door to the bathroom, not realizing her husband was in there.  All she could say was, “Here’s Johnnie!”

JOHNNY #1052 (June, 1984) The Woodspirits have a Memorial Day Parade each year to remember the little animals who did not survive the winter. Little Johnny was in it and played his harmonica. When the parade was over, he packed up his troubles in his old kit bag and sang “When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again.” Both sides of the same penny are shown in honor of the unity of the North and South.

JOHNNY #9145 TIM WOLFE On this musician’s vest pocket are the initials of the Charlie Daniels Band. They had a popular song about a young fiddler named Johnny. The devil went down to Georgia and challenged Johnny to a fiddling duel .. the prize – “a shiny fiddle made of gold.” Well, hereeeeee’s Johnny! He has recently joined Gus, Jimmy and Chet in their newly formed band. As of yet, the band hasn’t chosen a name, though Jimmy says they are kicking several ideas around. Johnny really shines on classic fiddle tunes like “The Orange Blossom Special” and “Wabash Cannonball.” Joining the band was an easy decision for Johnny, as he wasn’t doing “nuthin’ but fiddlin” round anyhow.”

JOHN ROBERT #5301 (May, 1996) The real John Robert is the son of Hugh Robert Gaither, for whom I named my first “golfing Gnome,” Hugh Robert, in 1979. Now John Robert joins the Gnome clan, and like his dad, is puzzled by this strange object. Should he keep this new treasure, or is it likely that someone will come looking for it? I sculpted him in the same pose as his father, and used the original coin – a 1967 Norwegian “5 ore” piece that depicts an elk. Like father, like son, he holds a golf tee behind his back. What odd lit-the things find their way into his neck of the woods! I departed from tradition in giving John Robert a rope belt and also a leather satchel, resting next to his boots. It seems like the younger generation always has more bag-gage! If you look closely, you will see a small face near the bottom of John Robert’s beard. This was added as a special message for all who love to golf. Keep your head down and your eye on the ball!

JOKER #5058 (July, 1988) This court jester loves to play April Fool’s tricks, and for him, it’s always April 1 on the calendar. Like Woody Allen and myself, he wears horn-rimmed glasses; my first Woodspirit needing them! The Joker’s coin says “Funtime USA” and he’s having fun by playing eight tricks on us. He’ wearing one basketball shoe and one roller skate. There are six “acorns” on the base. The joker has actually put acorn caps on a bell, a sea shell, a marble, a basketball, a button and a bullet.His last gag is especially corny–he filled a peanut shell with kernels of corn. When he plays an April Fool’s trick on some one, they ask, “Did you do that?” Then the joker holds up his little harlequin puppet and replies, “Gnome, he did it.”

JOLLY #5210 (January, 1993) Watch out, because Jolly has a snowball in his mittens! He may deck you before he carries the greenery inside to deck the halls. Jolly’s coin is from Lebanon and pictures a cedar tree, because he has just placed a small cedar branch on the top of his new home. “Topping out” the house brings good luck, and is part of a German tradition called “Richfest” which celebrates the source from which the house comes. When my studio was under construction in 1972 I placed a small tree on top as soon as the roof was framed in. Even in the busy winter season Jolly is true to his name and has a joke for his friends. He points to his back and says, “Cedar bells?” He had best get indoors to help Holly with the Christmas decorations. Their wish for you is “Oh by golly, have a holly jolly Christmas this year!”

JOLTING JOE #5403 Slugger has just left the batter’s box and now Joltin’ Joe has stepped up to bat. If he is as good as his namesake, the great DiMaggio, he will be able to hit as well as run, field and throw! Certainly one of the greatest baseball players of the 20th century, the original Joltin’ Joe led the Yankees to 10 pennant victories and 9 World Championships. To honor an American of Italian descent, the 50 lira piece from Itay is this Joe’s lucky coin. It was more than just luck though, that enabled DiMaggio to have a record of hitting in 56 consecutive games. “He started baseball’s famous streak that’s got us all aglow. He’s just a man and not a freak-Joltin’ Joe DiMaggio.”

JOSEPH I #36 (September, 1981) The early Renaissance paintings of Joseph often showed him with a candle or lantern looking for something that was lost in the stable. The light from the Baby Jesus, however, was greater than Joseph’s candle, for He was the light of the world. This statue continues that tradition, and it also makes Joseph the least important person in the tableau by giving him rather drab colors for his clothing.

JOSEPH II #1160 (June, 1986) Standing with his arms folded, Joseph is proudly surveying the wonderful Christmas tableau. All the Wise Men and shepherds are in awe of the Nativity scene, and only Joseph is allowed a smile of parental pleasure at the prospect of a beautiful baby boy in the house.

JOSEPH III #5330 (April, 1997) The long journey is over. Joseph, “because he was of the house and lineage of David,” was required to travel with his wife Mary to Bethlehem, the city of David, to pay the individual poll tax as well as the “tributum capitis” – the property tax on their meager belongings. He still holds the walking stick that was his constant companion throughout the harrowing trip. All too soon, he will be forced to gather up his little family and flee to Egypt, to escape the jealous rage of King Herod, who decreed the death of all male children under the age of two. But for now, the worry and apprehension of the past few days fade as Joseph gazes at Mary and Jesus. He is filled with wondrous pride for this baby. A new life has begun.

JOSEPHINE #9022 TIM WOLFE “Aahhh. . ” There is no sensation to compare with this! Josephine has found that a hot tub is just the thing for winding down at the end of a long day, and rabbits, too, have their share of those. Josephine is on her feet a good bit and there are days when it seems like she is constantly on the go; whether it be chasing blackbirds from her favorite produce patch, or hightailing it from neighborhood canines. When hard-pressed by the latter, she often must cope with oncoming automobiles too, as sooner or later there will be a road to cross. All of this can leave even a well-fit rabbit with fatigue and muscle cramps. That is when Josephine can’t wait to sink her rump into this hollowed-out stump. When filled with warm rain water, it becomes a natural hot tub, tailor-made for a weary rabbit in need of a little R&R.

JOSH #82 (July, 1983) Like Caleb, Josh is a scout for his Woodspirit clan. It is his job to find the best site for the evening campfire. He is shown here with a blanket around his shoulders and engaged in his favorite pastime, storytelling. He is the king of storytellers, as is evidenced by his Swedish coin with a crown on it. He is named for two wonderful storytellers: Josh Hanninger of Charlotte, N.C. and Joshua of the Old Testament. His exaggerated stories have led many Woodspirits to say to him, “Quit Joshing us!”

J O Y    JOY-J #5064 – JOY-O #5065 – JOY-Y #5066 (February, 1989) These three Woodspirits are smiling because it’s Christmas. They know that Christmas is for fun and joy, and the greatest joy is in giving, not getting. I pressed Olde English letters, found at a London antique stall, into toy blocks to spell out JOY’s name. Their pointed hats have acorn tassels, so that they can hang on your Christmas tree. J and Y’s coins say “Fun and Games” and little O’s coin reads “Barrel of Fun.” J is so excited that he’s grinning from ear to ear, while O is saying “Oh?” to encourage Y. Y’s message is, “Joy to the world!” Pass it on!”

JOYFUL NOISE #5355 (January, 1998) “We wish you a Merry Christmas! We wish you a Merry Christmas . . .” Santa can’t resist trying out the new accordion before it’s placed under the Christmas tree. He and his elf have just begun to unpack the gifts for this lucky family, and Santa is sampling the toys. From the look on the elf’s face, it is clear that Santa is definitely making a joyful noise to all the lands (see Psalm 100), but not necessarily in tune with the accordion! Even the baby doll looks amused, and the teddy bear seems to be saying “Amen!” There are more holly leaves and berries on this statue than on any of my other Christmas pieces. In keeping with my tradition, Santa has no coin, for the joy we feel at Christmas is priceless.

J.P. AND VIOLET #2024 (August, 1988) There are 17 roses on this statue, in every stage from bud to full bloom. Even the English coin has a rose on it. The couple on this statue has had many wonderful years together. They know each other so well and are attuned to each other’s moods and feelings. The moment that I observed them, Violet was feeling melancholy. To bring back her smile, J.P. is taking my advice: When roses are red And Violet is blue, Give her a flower And she will love you.

JUAN #70 (October, 1983) The Don Juan of the Woodspirit clan, Juan has come a-courting with “Some Juan To Watch Over Me.” He is playing his hickory nut banjo and crooning a Gershwin number. His Spanish coin shows an image of King Juan Carlos.

JUDGE SNEPP #331 (True Builders of America) (December, 1987) Judge Snepp is another member of the True Builders of America Series. The Judge is intended to honor all judges, and I’ve chosen one whose wisdom and fairness are widely recognized in my area. Frank W. Snepp has practiced law in Charlotte since 1948, and is Senior Resident Superior Court Judge of the 26th Judicial District for the State of North Carolina. The pose is how you’d expect to find a judge after many hours of listening the body is relaxed but the brain is alert, listening closely to all of the evidence. The titles of the books around him reflect the sources of his judicial strength: The United States Constitution, The Bill of Rights, Federal Law, State Law, The Bible, Common Sense, and close to his feet, Poetry, for emotion also plays a part in justice. However, Pride and Prejudice could have no place among his favored readings! Because the quality of mercy “is not strained” my Judge is assured and at peace with his life of decision-making. He knows that those special scales of justice have stayed in balance throughout the years of human drama played out before him in his courtroom.

JUDY #5120 (Cairn Promotional Series) (September, 1990) Judy is all dressed up, with her ruby slippers on, ready to party. She’s over the rainbow with delight because she loves to entertain. It doesn’t take a wizard to know that she also likes to sing, accompanied by the harp on her Irish coin. The grapes on the Israeli coin can be used to make the party beverage. She’s perched in an antique punch cup, for every good party has Punch and Judy.

JULIA AND CHILD #5000 (July, 1987) It is Halloween and this little Gnome could smell the cakes and cookies baking in Julia’s kitchen. He came in to see her and yelled, “Trick or Treat!” If she decides on a trick, he will put the ladybug in her batter. But instead she is giving him a treat, letting him lick the chocolate from the spoon. She doesn’t require payment, for she loves to treat her little friends. Just in case, he has brought an O.P.A. (Department of Office Price Administration) token from World War II, good for one free cookie, Julia also makes sure that Mom Too’s pecan pie has a flaky crust and that Shorty’s shortcake is light and sweet.

JULIE #85 (July, 1983) When Gus saw Julie in the Woodspirit library, it was love at first sight. She’s an old-fashioned girl as can be told by her Edwardian dress. Her left hand rests on a coin from Holland with the name Juliana visible.

JULIUS #1097 (April, 1985) While picking the oranges from the tree nearest to where he lives, Orange Julius had to make a hat to shade him from the sun. A slice of his favorite fruit solved his problem. Since he is so fond of juice, he has already peeled a couple of slices for his mid – morning break. The coin depicts a lady with a similar name: Queen Juliana of the House of Orange in the Netherlands.

JUMPING JACK #6311 Collector Society Artwork Series (April, 1994) Here’s an odd pair of Jacks. Jack is playing Jumping Jack, to Jack’s great surprise. This bullfrog was not in the mood for games, but before he could say “Hit the road, Jack,” the Gnome had leap-frogged over him! Next it will be his turn to jump over Jack. Let’s hope he looks before he leaps, for if he jackknifes, it’ll take a jack-of-all-trades with a jack to get him back on his frog legs. On the base you’ll see another jack and a small snail (in his hard-shelled jacket). Created by Tom Clark and Tim Wolfe, these jumping Jacks have a coin that insures they’ll have a “Good Time.” Finding a kindred spirit – that’s hitting the jackpot.

JUNE, JULY AND AUGUST #1198 (July, 1987) It’s a beautiful summer day, and these three Woodspirits have gone to the beach for a holiday. They love the beach, but the turtle on the Caribbean coin is the only one who’s actually gone into the water. June, reclining against a Scotch bonnet, is wearing an old-fashioned bathing costume. July and August have on sunhats to shade their faces from the sun. They are peeking at June from behind their conch shell, to see the funny outfit she has on. They’re sure to be thinking, “Isn’t it grand? Summer’s here, and June is busting out all over.”

JUSTIN #5109 (June, 1990) Justin is hiking to the top of a mountain on the Appalachian Trail. His friends Sassy and Corky packed a thermos of iced tea in his backpack for his break. Justin learned about patience from Job, and he encourages all those who work hard toward their goals to occasionally “take ten.” Justin shares the same name as my great-nephew, and even his coin says “just ten.” It may, however, take you longer than just ten seconds to find the hidden face on this statue.

KANSAS #2046 (Special Commission) July, 1994) Kansas, a high-flying Woodspirit, (known as “The Wizard”) was blown completely off course. But he was able to land his balloon in a beautiful spot that exactly matched the map in his hands – so this must be Kansas! What a lucky spot to land there’s a helpful Gnome from the Gnome Guts Club who’s tying down the basket, and the field is filled with special treasures from Kansas that hint at its many nicknames: the Sunflower State, the Wheat State (look for the wheat penny), the Breadbasket of America (Kansas is the largest producer of wheat in the United States), and Midway, USA (it lies midway between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans). The sunflower was created from actual sunflower seeds, although some have already been nibbled by a Western meadowlark, the state bird. I included an Eisenhower silver dollar for the Eisenhower Library and Museum which, along with the President’s boyhood home and grave, is located in Abilene. The small post recalls the grit and determination of the early settlers, who, lacking trees, used rock fence posts that still stand across the Flint Hills prairie. Kansas became US territory as part of the Louisiana Purchase, and then joined the Union on January 29, 1861. The state capital is Topeka, and the largest city is Wichita, but don’t look for a witch – she has melted underneath her hat. No matter where your travels take you, just ask my little Kansas – there’s no place like home.

KANUK, KEEGLOO and KLONDIKE – KANUK #165 – KEEGLOO #158 – KLONDIKE #166 (September, 1981) These three little Eskimo children are miniatures of children seen in such books as Nanuk of the North and Seasons of the Eskimo, by Bruemmer. Their clothing is colorful in sharp contrast to the blandness of the winter in Alaska. The children have to improvise their games, and these three seem to have chosen snowball throwing!

KARLA #9021 TIM WOLFE Scrub, scrub, scrub! Here we find Karla using her forepaws to wash her face. When it comes to personal hygiene and clean surroundings, this little rabbit is very conscientious, and strict measures are taken towards keeping herself and her home as dirt-free as possible. Nothing can escape Karla’s cleaning prowess, as everything within reach, of course, must be washed or dusted or mopped or swept on a regular basis. Such steps are necessary, Karla feels, for maintaining a tidy, sanitary environment, and also for discouraging the intrusion of insects. And if anything rubs her fur the wrong way, it’s bugs. Bugs not only carry germs, but they also make her sneeze. Some say that Karla is a bit overparticular about cleaning, but then again, cleanliness IS next to Godliness. And Karla’s heart is unsoiled.

KARL BARTH #2066 CBz #2068 I created the original Karl Barth figurine in the early seventies, a few years before I introduced my Gnomes. It was created from a collage of photographs used to celebrate Karl Barth and his work at Davidson College. The image was reworked in 1998 so that it might be reproduced for the Barth Studies Center in Princeton, New Jersey. Karl Barth (1886-1968) is considered the most important theologian of the 20th Century, and is often compared to Martin Luther and John Calvin in terms of his place in the history of the Christian Church. Barth was a minister, teacher and writer in the Swiss Reformed Church, which, like the Presbyterian Church, is identified with the Calvinist tradition. Barth wrote scores of books, the most important of which is his twelve volume Church Dogmatics. Barth reacted against the modern tendency to identify God with oneself, and sought, throughout his life, to remind people that God is God, who stands far above and very different from human beings. Barth was known as a “theologian of the Work of God,” because he emphasized more than others the authority of the Bible for Christian life and thought. He was also known for the central placement of Jesus in his work. As per Barth, we cannot understand God or ourselves except through the image and meaning of Christ. While Barth was an imposing intellectual or worldwide fame, he was also a lover of music and good company, with a puckish sense of humor and generous spirit. In this small, half-sized portrait one can find the characteristic shock of unruly hair, bushy brows over eyes at once penetrating and good humoried, and a mouth with the upper lip at a slight curl, indicating perhaps the beginning of a smile – or a theological critique!

КАТІЕ #8087 Katie says that soccer Should always be a ball, If you can’t find joy in playing it You shouldn’t play at all.

KATIE #125 (September, 1980) “K-K-K-Katie at the k-k-k-kitchen door” has just swept around the kettle which will soon hold her famous Witch’s Punch. It’s made of prune juice, lemon juice and sugar. It is guaranteed to set you free of any evil spirit. Katie is, of course, a good witch and wears her heart on her sleeve.

KEEP #5478

KELLY #9034 TIM WOLFE Legend has it that if you take your eyes off a leprechaun, he vanishes like smoke. Could Kelly’s visitor have been a real live leprechaun? All she remembers is that one moment the little Irishman was there, and in the next -poof! He was gone. Poor fellow, he left in such a hurry that he forgot his hat. Being the curious sort, Kelly decided to try it on for size. What a marvelous creation! She had no sooner placed the hat on her furry head when, without warning, she began to giggle. It was as if her whole world had taken on a new and rather humorous dimension. Kelly giggled again, and then giggled even harder when she thought of Clifford and Hughie finding her in such a state. Her behavior wasn’t at all very squirrel-like, and they would probably think she had gotten into a batch of fermented acorns. Faith ‘n’ Begorra! It’s obvious she has the luck of the Irish and they’ll be green with envy.

KEN #1026 (February, 1984) Kenneth means “leader.” This Ken is named for two Cairn Studio sales representatives and for Kenneth Grahame, the author of The Wind in the Willows. Here on a nippy fall day, Ken has paused on his walk through the woods to have a chat with a toad. Perhaps he is learning the story of Mr. Toad of Toad Hall. His coin is English because the story takes place there.

KERNEL #75 (September, 1983) Kernel is in charge of a group of Woodspirits that patrols the corn fields. They look for corn that has fallen and is unwanted by the farmer. They take it home to feed the field mice and the large birds. They also save some for their own needs, especially the popcorn! The coin on the base is an ancient Indian head penny. It is there to honor the Indians who introduced corn (maize) to the settlers from Europe.

KERRY #8072   Kerry carries the presents To load in Santa’s sack, He’s on his way right now With a most impressive stack. He says that working for Santa Is a great way to make a living, And he often gets “carried away” With the joy of Christmas giving.

KETCHIKAN #5366 AccCBz #3315 (March, 1998) Gas spillage is his concern. With his can he catches the overflow from the gas tank. If he is ever responsible for a fuel spill, the crew will exile him to Alaska.

KEVIN AND CORA #5152 (May, 1991) Kevin and Cora is the first collaboration between Cairn’s founding artist, Tom Clark, and its newest artist, Tim Wolfe. Kevin (named for actor/director Kevin Costner) is sitting atop a large mushroom. The “Wolfe” he wishes to dance with is a little brown mouse. Kevin has kernels of corn for Cora, whose field of dreams is a ripe cornfield. She tells Kevin, “If you plant it, I will come.” Cora takes her name from the address of Tim’s first house. Will the cat on the Australian coin start a cat and mouse game with Cora? Not to worry – the cat’s looking in the wrong direction, and there’s “no way out.”

KILMER #1126 (Collector Society Artwork Series) (December, 1985) Named for Joyce Kilmer, the poet who wrote “Trees,” my Kilmer is performing the ritual of planting an acorn at a child’s birth, commemorating the new life. Behind him is an old tree that has died, planted at the birth of his own father. His father’s name is Wash, as was my grandfather’s. The name is carved in the tree in “Runic,” the language used by Gnomes and Woodspirits on important occasions. If you are a kindred spirit of the little people, then you will be able to see the grand father’s face on the tree. Early editions have a German coin which depicts a lady similarly planting a tree. On later editions a 1928 penny was placed on top of the first coin, for the year the artist was born.

KING AUTEM #5575 The harvest is over and it’s time to celebrate! For the Green Thumb Gnomes this means displaying the fruits of the field. Rows of com are Laid out, acors are piled into Cair cone heaps and purmpkin pie is brought out for all to enjoy. The lestival begins with the arrival of King Auter, whose coronet is a pumpkin and the “gens” that encirde it are pumpkin seeds His scepter is a perfectly formed acorn, and he will raise it to get the quiet attention of the dan. Then he will regale them with the ancient stories of the origin of The Harvest Festival *It predates Thanksgiving but its purpose is the same. We give thanks that the harvest is in and that we will have food for the winter. Everyone is to be thanked for their tending the gardens of the community, and gratitude is to be expressed for the rain, the sunshine and the good soil. And for all of this bountiful plenty, we give thanks to God. Now I see that some com has been dropped as well as pecan nuts. They must all be picked up and stored. The King has spoken!” There’s a lucky penny on the base. King Auter affirms, “It’s good sense to celebrate the harves… and I wouldnt give you two cents for store-bought food!”

KING DAVID #6700 (The Fine Art Series) (August, 1994) Look in his eyes – he is the king. There is con-idence, pride, even arrogance. Look in his eyes – there is ten-sion, wariness, even fear. David, one of the most revered of all Biblical heroes, is the first king of both Judah and Israel, having united these two major tribes. Yet he is keenly aware of the foes on every side who wish to weaken him and tear apart this new and fragile kingdom. I have depicted the king in the prime of his life, wearing a common nomadic headdress. He was a simple shepherd boy when his conquest of Goliath brought him into the maelstrom of Biblical history, and his path to the throne was truly made from village to village. The Bible contains more biographical information on David than any other person, following him from his teenage years to his old age and death. Jesus descends from David’s line, and the blue that Mary wears to symbolize royalty refers to the royal heritage from King David. The Star of David remains the symbol of Judaism, and Jerusalem was established as Israel’s capital by David. Yet this warrior and leader was also a poet, for he is considered the composer of many of the Psalms. The 23rd Psalm, which begins, “The Lord is my shepherd,” reflects David’s dependence and grace. The story of David, the King of Israel, is sometimes overshadowed by tales of his colorful military exploits and human weaknesses; my statue seeks to portray him as a man of both faith and human frailty, the majestic ruler who united Israel and served the Lord.

KING OF CLUBS #1036 (March, 1984) King may have a high card, but he can still be hit over the head with a higher club, hence his need of the acorn hard hat! His coin depicts another King, George V of Great Britain.

KIRK #5509

KNICKERBOCKER SANTA #7114 Santa Claus originated in the United States. In fact, the name, Santa Claus, comes from the Dutch word for Saint Nicholas, “Sintaklaas.” The Dutch settlers of New York brought “Sintaklaas” to America in the 17th Century, but it wasn’t until writer Washington Irving wrote of him in an 1809 novel that Santa Claus became an important Christmas personali-y. Irving’s book later came to be called Knickerbockers’ History of New York, and he described “The Goede Vrouw” (the ship that brought many Dutch settlers to New York in 1620) as having a figurehead carved with a goodly likeness of St. Nicholas. “Knockerbocker.” Irving’s pen name, described how the Saint would go riding over housetops “drawing forth magnificent presents and dropping them down the chimneys of his favorites,” adding “now he visits us but one night a year when he rattles down the chimney.” My rendition of the Knickerbocker Santa combines several illustrations of a Dutch-clad St. Nicholas. In particular, I was inspired by a sketch from D. O. C. Darley from the 1850 cover of Irving’s book and a series of wood cuts by T. C. Boyd from the very first illustrated version (1848) of “A Visit from St. Nicholas” by Clement C. Moore.

LACY #5176 (December, 1991) Lacy joins our tiny thimble family. She is the wife of Stitch, and Aunt Lacy to Mendy and Bobbin. She loves lace, and sews it on the borders of dresses, napkins, pillowcases, etc. She would have sewn it onto Stitch’s nine pairs of longjohns, but he got them away from her in the nick of time. Luckily for him, Stitch, in time, saves nine! I’ve given all members of the thimble family coins from Scandanavia and Lacy’s coin is from Norway. Her coin reads “10” – should Stitch guard his tenth pair of red flannels?

LANCE #1042 (March, 1984) This is the delivery man, carrying Lance crackers from the home office in Charlotte, N.C. to the Gnomes and Woodspirits all over the country. The coin with the wheat on it is from Israel, where these crackers can also be found.

LANCE II #2065 The sculptor, Tom Clark, grew up in Elizabethtown, North Carolina, just off of Peanut Road. At age 6 he made his first venture into the business world by selling parched peanuts on the sidewalk outside his dad’s general store. Inside you could buy a more finished product LANCE CRACKERS. History has it that in 1913, Philip L. Lance and his son-in-law, S. A. VanEvery, originated the peanut butter sandwich, thereby changing the future of their lives – and perhaps yours too. They prepared their snacks in a second-floor room on a street in Charlotte, North Carolina, and went about town selling their wares from a peanut cart. On this statue is a vendor selling peanuts and crackers from a 1913 peanut cart. The names of Lance’s many products are advertised on his vest. Some of the crackers are serving as wheels, and the gnome vendor has already sampled one. His lucky buffalo nickel can pay for that one! The first Lance statue was made as a companion for the other cracker-themed statues such as Georgia, Peanut, Newt, Doug and Picture This – all of which are now retired and available only on the secondary market. A new statue named Toastee will later introduce a gnome intently munching on a Lance Peanut Butter Toastchee. You can bet all of them have been invited to Ceasar’s “Salad Toss” party, where crackers are the main course! So, now the secret is out: Gnomes love Lance Crackers!

LAPTOP #5362 (February, 1998) Laptop is on top of his game! He may look like he is hard at work with his laptop computer, but he is actually playing solitaire, his favorite computer game. Solitaire is also known as “Patience,” something Laptop may need when the cards don’t fall his way. His coin is from Finland, where you can find Lapland. Laptop has a feather in his cap, the sign of a scribe from ancient times when few people could read or write. Although the lid of his computer is a sea shell, he doesn’t clam up when talking about his work. In fact, it sounds like a day at the beach when he tells you he’ll be surfing and using a net when he’s fishing for information.

LAST LAP #6019 It’s the last lap. The crew chief is staring down the track to see if his NASCAR driver is in the pack. Will he need two new tires? Four? A full tank of gas? The chief has made sure his pit crew is ready for whatever is needed. The crowds are going wild, the crew is keyed up, the TV and Radio are commenting on each second that passes… and the two most focused persons are the driver and the crew chief. And now, here they come!

LAW #5332 (April, 1997) Law and Order is the name of the game for the Woodspirit community. Law is a lawyer, dressed for work in his law suit. His brief case has a four-leaf clover on its clasp, plus there’s an extra four-leaf clover in the “ground work.” He has one ear to the law, and the other ear open to his client. Therefore, what goes in one ear can’t go out the other! He wears a sympathetic smile, but for now, he’s keeping his opinion to himself. He has no coin, for he only gets paid if he wins his case. Law backs up his friend Order, and vice versa. Law and Order keep things straight – together they make good bookends for your coupons or business cards.

LAWRENCE #136 (February, 1981) This appears to be Uncle Remus, but it is named for the model, a gentleman from Davidson, North Carolina. The figure is seated on a large basket in the back yard, amid peanut hulls, corn and black-eyed peas. Because he is a miniature person, there should be no coin placed on the statue. However, this one is the exception which proves the rule. An Irish coin with a dolphin was added because Lawrence seems to be telling a fish tale!

LEAH #1144 (April, 1986) Leah is Rachel’s sister and is just as skillful in the kitchen. Jacob has brought her the fresh corn just as she was working in her flower garden, picking the flowers you see wrapped in a damp towel. The bonnet on her left protects her from the sun. After shucking several ears of corn, she will arrange the flowers, for it is her Sunday to decorate the church.

LEAP FROG #2501 Collector Society Artwork Series (November, 1993) Every leap year Kent the gnome and Tad the frog take a trip to the beach. First they check with Halley, the Woodspirit weather wizard, to guarantee a perfect day. Kent, like his hero Superman, dreams of leaping over tall buildings. His friend Tad is a tad too small for such grandiose ambitions, but no matter – they’re having a ball. There’s something about the sand and the surf that just makes them jump for joy. Perhaps they can persuade the frogs Hawthorn and Bob to join in their jumping jamboree. The Woodspirits Justin and Carl are also the right height for this game. Leaping lizards – what a long leap frog line that would be! There’s a game token in the sand that says “Fun and Games,” the description of a perfect vacation for these two best friends.

LEATHERNECK #5140 (Salute To The Services) (February, 1991) Leatherneck is looking for a few good men, while standing by the Marine Corps emblem. His nickname refers to the protective leather bands that early marines wore around their necks. He’s tipping his hat to these “soldiers of the sea, whose motto is Semper Fidelis, or “Always Faithful.” The coins from Mexico and Libya represent the Marine Hymn: “From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli.” The acorns and sea shells refer to the Hymn’s third line: “On the land and on the sea? Leatherneck is holding a streamer that reads “situation,” for the Marines have landed and the situation is well in hand.

LEIF (LIEF) #159 (May, 1981) This little Woodspirit with the acorn shell beanie goes out each day to find leaves that are heart-shaped. When he finds one he carries it like a placard until he sees one of his neighbors. Then he “leaves” his heart with them. I rewarded his kind deed with a little rose after several castings.

LEFTY #5163 (August, 1991) Like myself, Lefty writes with his left hand. Scientists tell us that language abilities are located in the right hemisphere of the brain, so Lefty is pointing to his temple to show he’s in his right mind. He is surrounded by many left-handed devices: a compass pointed southward, a left-handed monkey wrench, a ruler that measures from right to left, a reverse belt buckle, and a Tupperware storage container – for leftovers! But where are his left-handed scissors? He must have left them behind. Like all Gnomes, he has bird prints on the soles of his boots, but he has two left feet. Because Spunky wouldn’t cooperate, I had to use the fingers of my left hand to create a “southpaw” print for Lefty. He has coins from China and Israel, where words are read from right to left, like Lefty’s own book, whose page numbers reflect my upcoming birthday. Other coins on his base depict famous left-handers; Queen Victoria, Thomas A. Edison and Harry S. Truman. On his belt are two terms for left-handers: “GHTHOG” from Ireland, and “KNOBBY,” my nickname when I was in Scotland. Left-handers tend to be poor spellers, so you may find some misspellings in the list of famous “lefties.” Warning: Only left-handed collectors are permitted to purchase this statue. And if they say I got it just “right,” I’d consider that a left-handed compliment!

LEM #1191 (Cairn Promotional Series) (July, 1987) Lem is named for the lemon he’s sitting on and also using for his hat. His collar is made from a lemon rind, and lemon seeds decorate his collar and his base. Lem’s coin is from the Dominican Republic and shows a palm tree, because lemons only grow in a warm climate. Lem tells his friend Corey that lemonade is even better than apple juice, because when you drink it you have to hold on to your hat. When Hoppy throws a party, she’ll ask Lem to supply the lemonade. When Lem was dealt a lemon, there was the possibility that he’d become sour like the small face on the base. Instead, he’s smiling. Why? Because he turned his lemon into lemonade.

LENNON #135 (September, 1981) He was created in honor of the famous musician. His earphones are made of acorn shells and his guitar is made of walnuts. He is seated on top of a large acorn. On the base are hard rocks, an English coin and a big black beetle. Listen closely and you will hear the soft refrain of “Let It Be.”

LEO #11010 TIM WOLFE  CB #11200  Acc CB #11500 Leo the lion is referred to as “His Majesty” among the animal Charmers. He was chosen king for his leadership skills and for just plain being bigger than everyone else. He is not one to boast, however, and despite much urging from his loyal subjects, Leo refuses to wear a crown. “It rattles when I roar.” he says, “and I ain’t lion.”

LEON # 5596 Sandra and Leon are named for two fine people who know how to get the most out of a dollar. So if you have a young plant that needs a little nurturing to achieve above average growth, place Sandra and Leon in the soil of the pot. They will happily watch over the plants all day long. Their services will be worth a million dollars to the gardener. Let their feet hang over the side of the pot and you will find that the Gnomes will talk to the plants and keep them free of weeds.

LES #   (2003)

LESTER THE TESTER #8082 Lester the Tester Tests all the toys, So none but the best Reach the girls and the boys. As quality controller Lester has spoken, “These skates pass the test, It’s my butt That’s broken!”

LET’S DO LUNCH #8019  I ate most of my crackers And smeared applesauce in my hair But I threw my strained peas overboard, Because Mom likes me to share.

LEVI (Year of the Rabbit, 1999) #9164 1999 finds us celebrating the Year of the Rabbit. According to the Asian Zodiac, people born in the year of the rabbit are talented and articulate. They are affectionate, yet shy, and they seek peace throughout their life. The rabbit is also the liveliest of all signs – which explains why our long-eared friend, Levi, has a lucky star near his lucky left rabbit’s foot! He also has a good luck penny (from 1987) in his rear pocket. (He’d like to get lucky and win Scarlett’s heart …) Levi, the cottontail, has climbed atop this big bale of cotton to relax and sit a spell. Being from below the Mason-Dixon line, Levi grew up pickin’ cotton, plantin’ peanuts and chewin’ rabbit tobacco. He enjoys reading and he is currently into a book of short stories called “Cotton Tales.” Levi was also born a ramblin’ rabbit and he likes to move around from town to town. “Can’t help it” he says, “It’s in the jeans.” Sooner or later though, he always returns to those old cotton fields back home. May the Rabbit bring prosperity, happiness and peace to you and your family.

LEWIS #9002 TIM WOLFE Darting from under a patch of clover to a lookout position atop a small stump, Lewis pauses to study the terrain. From this higher elevation he can better predetermine his next course of travel. To a little guy who stands only three inches tall (when on his hind legs), any opportunity to acquire a height advantage is a welcome one. Always the adventurous sort, Lewis has volunteered his skills as a scout and pathfinder to his fellow clan of field mice. Whenever the little group travels or goes on food expeditions, he scurries on ahead – selecting the best routes and making sure the coast is clear of predators. Thinking he has just heard the shrill whistle of a sharp-shinned hawk, he alertly cocks his ears forward and scans the sky. While he is knowledgeable of the danger hawks present to his kind, Lewis is rather envious of the big birds; what a view they must have from up there!

LEXIE #9025 TIM WOLFE Field corn and field mice just naturally go together, but snails? Who invited this guy? Lexie was minding her own business, munching away at the golden kernels from this shortened cob when suddenly, she was overcome with that odd feeling that she was being watched. There! Sitting right next to her, was one of these shelled creatures that, in case you haven’t noticed, have a habit of crawling their way into other little animals lives. This one apparently didn’t think Lexie would mind being joined for dinner. Boy, is he in for an earful!

LIL’ BELLE #1140 (March, 1986) JC PENNY COLLECTION….This lady likes to sit on the mantel’s edge with Lil Santa, awaiting the arrival of the children on Christmas morning. She is smiling at her husband as if to tease him by saying, You mean to tell me that you were out all night long just giving presents away?!”

LIL’ CLARENCE #10019  CB #10202  Acc CBz #10502 Even the tiniest anxiety can use a guardian angel. Lil’ Clarence is for those moments. His big brother Clarence is the guardian angel that stays with you during life’s tests. Lil’ Clarence is for the pop quizes! Let me know when you think he has earned his wings.

LILIBET #1079 (March, 1985) Instead of putting a big bet on a horse, why not just make a little bet on a turtle! Eddie’s sister is going to be the first to bet on him when he races at Ascot in England. Her coin shows a picture of her namesake, Queen Elizabeth, whose childhood nickname was Lilibet.

LIL’ LEAP #12005 Sometimes making a new friend takes a lil’ leap of faith. But it wasn’t long before these two discovered that they were kindred spirits. This statue is the Charmers version of two larger statues by Tom Clark and Tim Wolfe. “Jumping Jack” can leap over a creek; “Leap Frog” can jump over a stream . .. and “Lil’ Leap” can hurdle a mud puddle. As these two friends will tell you, every big step begins with a lil’ leap.

LILY PON #5552 Lily Pon likes ponds, so if you have any ponds, pools or puddles, she might be happy situated nearby. As a Green Thumb Gnome she is especially adroit at looking after plants associated with water. In fact, water lilies are her specialty. Fortunately Lily has a fondness for frogs and can even distinguish different croaks. In this incident, she has found a lost little frog who has become separated from his mother “I didn’t know where he was, ” his mother said.” I thought Froggy went a’ courtin'” This Green Thumb Gnome is named for the opera and movie star, Lily Pons, whose opening recital in the Hollywood Bowl attracted the largest audience in the Bowl’s history. Lily was a living legend.

LIL’ SANTA #1139 (Special Collector Newsletter Offer) (February, 1986) JC PENNY COLLECTION……Because Lil Santa is a miniature person, and not a gnome or Woodspirit, he has no coin. He does have a pre-sent, however, left for him next to the chimney by a child. This makes him happy, so he pats his belly that “shakes like a bowl full of jelly!” If you notice the soles of his boots, you will see reindeer tracks. If you could glance at the snow-covered roof top, you would know that he had been there from the tracks left in the snow.

LITTLE BEN #5277 (March, 1995) Little Ben is a great putter. He’s on the eighteenth hole, and this is the toughest shot of the day. The ball must travel across the forest floor and uphill into the moss acorn cup. Little Ben is using his lucky golf club, a custom-made, gnome-sized putter. He adjusts his grip, takes a deep breath, gently taps the ball – and it goes in! He has two coins from Japan. There is a “hole in one” and the other shows a “1” – maybe this means he has won. This is the first golfing statue I’ve made that shows the actual path made by the dimpled golf ball. Like his friends Dinah, Dormie and Mulligan, Little Ben thinks that the game of golf is the path to true happiness!

LITTLE LIZ #8009 This fiery sparkplug is Little Liz. There’s no better player than she is. Her quickness and speed Will score the goals you need – Though she’s only as tall as your knee is.

LITTLE MOTHER (Mom) #5400 Who else in the world would make each and every sacrifice possible for you and allow themselves to be completely taken for granted? No one – except Mom. Her children affectionately call her “Mom” and her grandchildren call her “Little Mother.” Although everybody else in the family is larger than she is, there is absolutely nothing “little” about her heart and her capacity to love her family. All day long she seems to have her hands on her apron . . . either drying them after washing dishes or placing them in her apron to remove a hot pot from the stove. “Now who untied my apron,” she says in mock disgust. She knows full well it is one of the children giggling in the corner for this is a game she encourages. Let’s face it – Mom just loves having all the children tied to her apron strings.

LOAFER #9161 At the request of the Sony Corporation, I have created a group of statues to be introduced in Japan as the “Forest Guardian Spirits.” As the name implies, these woodland friends are dedicated to the preservation and protection of the country’s beautiful natural resources. While conservation is their foremost concern, they may also be called upon for guidance by those who have either lost their way or are in need of aid while traversing the countryside. From the shadowed mountains to the open sea – a guardian spirit will forever be. Breadmaking is an art form that began in the old country and was passed down through generations of tortoises. Loafer is one of those who is gladly carrying on the family tradition. He carries a basket of freshly baked bread wherever he goes, and freely gives it away to anyone who asks. He also keeps a one cent piece in his basket, not because money is often referred to as dough, but because his nickname is Penny Loafer. Others in the Forest Guardian Spirits Series include: George, Benjamin, Snappy, Frank, Webster and Joe.

LOCKE #1087 (February, 1985) After a long, hard day’s work, this Woodspirit has finally reached quitting time. That accounts for his relieved and happy expression. With his cap pushed back, revealing a lock of hair, he is pondering the fact that the two locks have keys but that there is no key to his heart. The collector will have to provide that! If the locks don’t hold, there is always the protection of the Northwest Mounted Policeman on the Canadian coin.

LONG WINTER’S NAP #9130 (The Museum Series) When the weather turns cold and the snows blow, a red fox will opt to sleep outside rather than seek shelter in a burrow or den. Using his fluffy tail as a muff to cover his nose and feet, the fox will curl himself into a warm, furry ball. He is sometimes covered by snow! Unless disturbed, the fox will sleep much of the day away, stirring only occasionally for a stretch or a survey of his surroundings. At dusk, the fox will be hungry again, and he’ll shake the snow from his fur and begin his nighttime activities.

LOUIE #8002   Louie’s a man on a serious mission Who relies on luck and his keen intuition. All you can do when he’s in that condition Is get out of the way, And let him go fishin’.

LOUISIANA #2064 (2000)  It’s Mardi Gras in Louisiana and everyone knows there’s no better place to be than with Old King Rex as he salutes the celebrants. His float is shaped like the state “pet,” the alligator, and his big smile indicates that he is enjoying the famous food of the state. Like the alligator himself, this delicious meal was served on a bed of Louisiana rice. The perched pelican and the crawfish are both scanning for leftovers. Rex has his scepter in hand and has just tossed several doubloons to the crowd, one of which honors the legendary pirate, LaFete. There’s not much chance that this alligator will be traveling too fast with seashell feet… but just in case he thinks of speeding, he should note that he’s being followed by a state trooper!

LOVE & HONOR #5538

LOVE BOAT #5201 (July, 1992) This Woodspirit couple is enjoying a romantic afternoon. She’s trailing her hand in a sea of leaves while he punts their small craft. They’re floating on the same pond enjoyed by Walt, Winkin, Blinkin and Nod, and Butch, Wick and Biscuit. Maybe this is their anniversary cruise – regardless, he always makes her feel like a princess. Their Portuguese coin shows a sailboat, for sailing into the sunset together. I gave them a banana boat because they will never split.

L. R. #2033 (Special Commission) (July, 1990) L. R. is named for Lenoir-Rhyne College of Hickory, North Carolina and honors the 100th anniversary of its founding in 1891. Lenoir-Rhyne was founded by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and its seal is on L. R’s red hood. This very professorial Woodspirit is smiling with justifiable pride at the long and impressive list of Lenoir-Rhyne alumni, beginning with the first class of 1891-2. The seal of the college is on the front of his podium. On his scroll is a profile of a bear cub, the college mascot. The acorns on the base have not fallen far from the mother tree, and they symbolize the many graduates who elected to make their homes in North Carolina. The little face in the nut shell reflects the happy memories of college days.

LUCINDA Item #5593 This Green Thumb Gnome is proudly named for a lovely lady in Knoxville, Tennessee, Lucinda Denton. She encouraged me to honor the Red Hat Society with a statue. This Society is dedicated to having fun (hence, the lucky coin on the base of the statue says “Fun For All”.) The members have a meal together on appointed days, and they come dressed in purple wearing a red hat. Naturally my Green thumb Gnomes wanted to get in on the fun, so they too founded a group that would “echo” that of the humans around them. Of course, you have to be a least age 200 to join, since Gnomes generally live to be 400. By age 200 they are through raising their children, and the house chores are fairly routine. So there is time for gettogethers that are strictly for fun and fellowship. It is no accident that this gnome lady is wearing a blouse that boasts the design of a big heart! The dress has a few Gnome red hats on the skirt. Lucinda’s hat is tied down by a scarf because she sometimes finds it hard to keep what she’s heard “under her hat”. This Lucinda is grateful to the Red Hat Society Lucinda for getting her first Gnome chapter started. Wanta join?

LUCKY #115 (March, 1980) I inherited a lucky horseshoe from my father’s desk and it serves as the base for this statue. The little fellow seated on it has not been very lucky with his face, for he has had at least five of them. Furthermore, it was not until the last molds were produced that Lucky “found” a penny. He has always been dressed in red and blue and in one edition he even got a four-leaf clover on his hat.

LUCKY II #198 (July, 1982) When Lucky I retired, this little Woodspirit came into being. He sits on a pony horseshoe and holds a four-leaf clover in his hand. My Aunt Dorothy found the penny and said, “Put this on a statue. It’s lucky!” A widow and widower who received one for a wedding present said, “It was a perfect gift for the second time around.”

LUCKY CHARM #8026  This little guy’s your lucky charm If you tweak his nose and nudge his arm, Rub his cap and make a wish, You should come home with plenty of fish.

LUCKY DUCK #11013 Little wonder that this duckling is smiling he has just realised how fortunate he truly is. No, he didn’t hit the lottery or win big at the craps table; he’s just happy to be with you! Maybe he was born under a lucky star – or is that a lucky starfish?

LUCKY LUCY #5321 (January, 1997) Let Lucky Lucy help you celebrate St. Patrick’s Dav. Like Valentina and Christmas Eva, this good and helpful witch has dressed for her favorite holiday. She wears a lucky star on her green hat band, and she resembles Margaret Hamilton in The Wizard of Oz. Lucky Lucy actually carries good luck with her, with both a Good Luck coin and a horseshoe – pointed up so that the luck will not run out. (I was lucky enough to save this horseshoe from my father’s desk, where it resided 50 years ago.) This Irish lass can win at the game of pick-up sticks. Yet if you want to see Lucy win big with her broom, watch this Irish sweep stakes!

LUDWIG VON BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)  Bust 6704  Artist’s Proof #6706  CBz #6707 Beethoven was the composer of 332 pianoforte sonatas, 10 violin sonatas, 5 string trios, 16 string quartets, 5 pianoforte con-certos, 9 symphonies, and other works too numerous to men-tion. His style of music, composed in the era of the Napoleonic wars, never goes out of fashion and regardless of nationality, his music stirs all of us to almost patriotic extremes. A Belgian, whose life and fame are associated with the city of Vienna, was famous nearly all his life. His musical style evolved through several stages, but always remained emotional and stirring to listeners. Not even deafness, which struck in mid-life, could deter him from composing. When I began sculpting this bust, I studied etchings, paintings and sculptures of Beethoven. I’m especially indebted to Goya for his sketches and Bourdelle for his portrait bust of the composer. My sculpture has been created as a tribute to his music which inspires me almost every day as I sculpt and I have sought to depict the intensity of his concentration as the music he contemplates plays to his mind and not to his ears. Beethoven’s last words regarding a musical Philharmonic society were: “God bless them.” As he lay dying, outside the window raged a fierce thunderstorm. Fitting!

LUG #5353 AccCBz #3308 (January, 1998) Ever ready with the lug nuts, this fellow is helping change the tires on the race car. He is smiling because the pit crew is operating efficiently, and their car has the lead! The oil can by his side keeps everything running smoothly. As the driver roars back onto the race course, he hollers, “Thanks, you big lug!”

LUIGI #5159 (July, 1991) Luigi is really using his head. He is carrying a tomato to Caesar’s Salad Toss party on top of his head because he likes to keep his hands free for gesturing while he talks. His coin reveals that he will share Italian salad dressing with his Woodspirit chums at the party. Listen carefully, and when the group’s giant tossed salad is complete you’ll hear Luigi exclaim, “Bellisimo!” He is surrounded by tomatoes, onions, okra and a pecan. Luigi never walks pasta salad bar!

LUKE #6015 (The Gospel Writers Series) (July, 1996) Paul refers to Luke, the third Gospel Writer, as”beloved physician,” so I have posed him with a mortar and Pennsylvania pestle. This doctor and evangelist is responsible for writing over one quarter of the New Testament – both the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. Luke, like Mark, was not one of the twelve disciples. To underscore this, I have sculpted Mark and Luke standing, while the disciples Matthew and John are seat-ed. It is believed that Luke lived in Greece and accompanied Paul on some of his journeys. I have decorated his robe with the ox, his traditional symbol as seen in the “Christ in Glory” engraving in the Cathedral of Limoges. Both of his books are addressed to “Theophilus” which means “lover of God,” but it is not known if this was a specific individual or an early Christian congregation. The very familiar words of the story of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem (“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus…”) are found in the second chapter of Luke. The scroll on my statue depicts the first four verses of his gospel. In all probability there were more than four gospels in existence at the time of the early church, for Luke writes that “many” have “set forth a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us.” His writings emphasize the compassionate Savior who cares for all in need – a reflection, perhaps, of Luke’s own role as “beloved physician.”

LUM #18 (October, 1979) The Gnome has found a fresh deer horn which he hopes to transport to his home. It will be most useful in making household implements. The neighboring frog may be commandeered into helping Lum carry this antler. I used a horn that was found in the highlands of Scotland, and named the gentleman for the radio character of the 1930’s who had a Jottem Down Store with his friend Abner.

LUMBER JACK #5041 (March, 1988) Lumber Jack is a new member of my train series. He has filled a flat bed car with twigs, and now he’s searching for his friends Cab, Pullman, Tank and Hobo. He wants to play Pick-Up Sticks with them. Lumber Jack knows that Chief is too busy for games, and Stokes might try to use his twigs for fuel. When the game is over he will take his train token to the dining car to buy some buttermilk biscuits, because he is a hungry Jack!

LUNCHTIME #11009 A busy beaver can build up quite an appetite after a hard morning’s work. The time lapse between breakfast and lunch can seem like an eternity – especially when you’re hungry. When the whistle blows at high noon, all work is stopped and the colony of beavers will take time out to re-fuel. Rather than sit under the shade of a tree to eat his lunch, a beaver will eat a tree for lunch! And then, of course, it is back to work.

LUV YA #11005 Here’s a wee little bunny with a great big heart. He has a message for someone very special. While Valentine’s Day is a great time for conveying your feelings to a loved one, you don’t need to wait until February 14. Every day is the perfect day to say “Luv ya!” And today that someone is you!

MABEL #1016 (January, 1984) Using the same chair as did Nellie and Mattie, Mabel is intent on her basket weaving. To her left is a small tub with strips of cane soaking. In her lap she is completing another basket which will be much desired by the summer folk who vacation in the mountains near her home. She is named for two beloved teachers of mine in the 1930’s.

MAC #5080 (August, 1989) This is Mac, and as you can see from his tennis ball, he is really into tennis. Mac is carrying a candle because he’s looking for a tennis match. In his other hand is a heart, because he’d “love” to play tennis with you. Mac’s coin is a far-thing, an Old English coin that was worth one-third of a penny. The wren (on the coin) will fly him to Wimbledon, but his farthing will buy only one strawberry there. Mac sometimes makes a racket on the court because, as the acorns around his “base-line” indicate, he is nuts about the game.

MacDONALD #5023 (November, 1987) Old McDonald has a farm, and he’s doing his spring plowing and planting. He has sown seven different types of seeds, but the butterfly is concerned because he doesn’t see any flower seeds only vegetables. He has fluttered near to MacDonald’s ear to whisper, “What about me?” But MacDonald is smiling and saying, “I thought of you. If you look in my satchel, you’ll find sunflower seeds.” Spud, Kernel, Stu and Cris. P are also anxious to know what crops have been planted, and are hoping for a bumper harvest. The coin is from Italy and shows a similar tractor. It’s easy for MacDonald to remember his tractor’s license plate- it’s E I E I O!

MADELYN #9014 TIM WOLFE This little skunk is enjoying her first Spring. After spending the early weeks of her life deep inside the safety of an abandoned woodchuck burrow, Madelyn has ventured outside for the first time. So far, the experience has been packed full of adventure and exciting new discoveries. She has found her long claws to be just the perfect tools for digging up favorite foods. Insects are especially savored, and few things compare to an occasional earthworm for dessert. Madelyn’s biggest discovery was when she learned of the secret defense weapon she harbors some where under her tail: by raising her bushy plume and directing her backside at the proposed target, with amazing accuracy she has been able to send the farmer’s dog yelping for home. Now, Madelyn has realized that by simply taking aim, she can successfully bluff her adversaries into retreat, without ever once resorting to chemical warfare. The potential is there however, and she is well aware of it. To those unfortunate few who remember having been “skunked,” Madelvn will waddle through life a highly respected and much avoided little animal.

MADONNA #5374  Bz #3100 (May, 1998) There are no descriptions of Mary in the four Gospels, indeed no descriptions of anyone, including Jesus! The early Icon artists were primarily interested in a lady who was a Mother and also a Queen, hence their depictions of her are simple, honest, unglamorous, but with a detached authoritarian expression. In the fourteenth century, Bridget of Sweden wrote of visions she had during a pilgrimage to Palestine. These were widely circulated and available to artists. In them she wrote, “I beheld a Virgin of extreme beauty . .. well wrapped in a white mantle and a delicate tunic …” In a later passage she refers to Mary’s “golden hair falling down her shoulders.” I yielded to this tradition and added the brooch of a dogwood blossom. The blossom, with its four white petals and rust-colored niches within, recalls the cross of Jesus. Mary, who sensed His destiny, kept this secret and pondered it in her heart.

MADRE #1068 (October, 1984) Madre has joined Padre on his ledge and is his best listener. She is laughing at one of his funny stories. Her coin is from Peru, which proves that they should be side by side, since Padre’s coin is from Chile. She demonstrates that she is a secret-keeper, too, by keeping the contents of her purse to herself.

MAE #5536

MAESTRO #5232 (June, 1993) Gnomes, Woodspirits and their forest animal companions share, as we do, in the joys of the Christmas sea-son. One of their favorite traditions is the local Christmas choir. Clara, Ethel and Ida (sculpted by Tim Wolfe) have formed a small but dedicated chorus and under the direction of Maestro, may be heard practicing at any hour, day or night. Wielding a twig as his baton, Maestro uses the harp behind him to help the singers stay on key (although Ida has yet to accomplish this. I gave him an ear for music and an Irish coin that pictures a harp. As a special treat Beethoven and Sonata will accompany the choir at their Christmas concert. When there’s beautiful music to be made, everyone wants to join in.

MAGGIE #5124 (October, 1990) Maggie shares her name with Maggie Valley, North Carolina, which is known for its wonderful scenery and apple trees. Famous for her cooking, Maggie is holding a just-baked apple pie for a special family dinner. She is ready to walk through the doorway from the kitchen to the dining room, and she can anticipate her family’s delight. The recycling bin is a new addition to Maggie’s kitchen, but she has always worked to protect the earth for future generations. Recycling, like homemade apple pie, is one of the infinite ways of saying “I love you.”

MALARKEY #5290 (November, 1995) His name is Malarkey and he’s full of it, too. Like all my Irish leprechauns, he has the gift of gab from kissing the Blarney stone. Most likely he’ll try to charm you out of that last slice of pie or cake. Faith ‘n’ Begorra, he does enjoy pigging out, so I gave him an Irish coin with a pig on it. No wonder his friends like to tease, “That’s a lot of Malarkey!” Legend says that if you grab a leprechaun’s coattails, he’ll have to take you to his pot of gold. What malarkey – ’twill probably be a pot of stew!

MAMA’S PRIDE #9057 Tim Wolfe It has only been a week or so since Mother Bear has allowed her young cubs to follow her outside of the den. As a first-time par-ent, she was quite anxious to show off her new pride and joy to the rest of the neighborhood. It didn’t take long before Mom realized how demanding parenthood can be – keeping these toddlers in line is a full-time job! So far, it would seem that the twins have made a habit of either getting into trouble or getting lost. Mother is always there to the rescue however, and while some serious scolding may be in order, it isn’t long before she showers them with love and affection. Speaking of getting lost, where is that other little cub? And where’s Papa Bear when you need him?

MARCH AND APRIL #9035 Spring is a time of renewal for the natural world, and as this rabbit has just learned, it can also be a season full of surprises. As if finding a purple egg in the leaves wasn’t enough, March stared in wide wonder when it suddenly began to crack open. Something was in there and it was trying to get out! After much effort and struggle, the egg’s inhabitant finally broke through the shell and revealed itself. “Peep! Peep!” were the hatchling’s first words. Translated, that’s chicken talk for “Mama! Mama!” and while March doesn’t realize it yet, she has become April’s adopted mother. Parent and child may not bear any physical resemblance to one another, but in fact, March and April do have something in common: Easter!

MARCH HARE #6356 This statue is dedicated to everyone searching for their Pot-O-Gold at the end of the rainbow. More particularly, ‘Hare the Leprechaun, and O’Leary, the rabbit, are enjoying the day together. If you’ve ever visited O’Hare in the Windy City of Chicago, you know that the weather can be as wild as a March Hare! Friends need to stick together in all kinds of weather and these two are surely the best of friends. Though he doesn’t need any more luck than he already has, O’Hare wears a shamrock in his hat and there is a lucky Irish coin at his feet. Next to O’Leary are two lucky stars; which he thanks for finding him a friend like O’Hare. This statue is somewhat unique because it’s the first Kindred Spirits theme to feature a leprechaun. If you’re a fan a flittle green-hatted Irishmen, then, Hare’s to Ya!

MARION #1109 (July, 1985) Having created a statue in honor of our computer genius, Al Rorie, we wanted to honor the man who gave us Al! Marion Rorie is Al’s father and a man of farming skills and rural virtues. He is depicted wearing his customary overalls and pausing in the middle of a daily chore. He has been chopping wood and the job is only half done. Besides mopping his neck with his handkerchief, he is probably pausing to reflect on the beauty of a well-tended farm. He might also be looking to see if his children (whose names are carved into the wood) are completing their tasks as well.

MARK #6010 (The Gospel Writers Series) (January, 1996) It is surprising to many that two of the four Gospel Writers were not included among the twelve disciples, chosen by Jesus to be his closest companions. Mark and Luke were members of the early Church, and they recorded the stories told to them by those disciples and other eyewitnesses. I plan to sculpt all of the disciples in a seated pose. Mark (also called John Mark) is standing, and his flowing robes are decorated with the lion, his traditional symbol, as seen in the “Christ in Glory” engraving from the Cathedral of Limoges. Both the pose and face were inspired by a painting by Albrecht Durer, a German artist best known for his “Praying Hands.” Mark was a cousin of the apostle Barnabas, and his role was that of helper or associate, first for Barnabas and then in later years, for Paul. Their earlier differences were set aside, and in Second Timothy 4:11 Paul writes, “Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for I find him a useful assistant.” The Gospel of Mark is the shortest of the four, and many scholars believe it is the earliest. There is an eyewitness feel to it – he used the word “immediately” frequently, and some think he tailored it for the Romans, an energetic people who admired success. The Bible on the statue is open to Mark 1:1-2 (“The beginning of the gospel.”), and I have used Mark’s hand to underline the word “Christ,” the focus of his life’s work and writings.

MARK TWAIN #6003 (June, 1991) Samuel Longhorne Clemens is considered one of Our greatest American authors. Although his handkerchief bears the initials “SC,” he is best known by his pen name, Mark Twain. Reflecting his love for the Mississippi and his career as a river pilot, this term, indicating river depth, means “safe water”. He joins my series of American folk heroes, which includes Daniel Boone, George Washington, Betsy Ross, Chief Hollow Horn Bear, Sacajawea and Andrew Jackson. I’ve violated my “no coin” rule for miniature persons, to illustrate the places that Mark Twain lived: Missouri, California, Nevada, Connecticut and Great Britain. But his greatest work, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” (shown on the base), illuminates life in the Mississippi Valley. Perhaps you can read some of the story by peering at the pages. During his later years Mark Twain gained fame as a lecturer, sharing his reminiscences, humor, tall tales and razor-sharp perceptions. Many present-day actors re-enact his performances in “Mark Twain Tonight,” so I’ve sculpted him in that familiar pose. Seated on a stage, with his white suit and bushy white hair and mustache, Mark Twain holds his ever present cigar as he delights another audience.

MARLYS #8027   She savors time spent With a book in her hands, Snug in her chair Traveling distant lands. Her kitty joins in Although Marlys has told her, “You shouldn’t read Over someone’s shoulder.”

MARTHA AND JAY #73 (September, 1983) This couple was created in honor of Jay and Martha Weikel for their 40th wedding anniversary. As you can see, they only have eyes for one another. At his side is a fresh orange blossom and at her foot is an English sixpence, which brides traditionally put in their slippers for luck.

MARTIN #111 (September, 1980) This is a very laid back farmer. He deserves to be for he has worked all day. Now he is quietly listening and looking at the birds called martins as they dart for bugs on the pond belonging to my neighbor, Martin Davis. This little fellow had a coin for a few editions, but he spent it.

MARTY #5074 (June, 1989) Marty had a grand time at Mardi Gras, and despite his size, was able to catch some of the goodies that are tossed to the crowd from the parade floats. He is sitting on two doubloons and his belt is a Mardi Gras necklace. In his pocket is a 1918 coin from France, minted at the end of the Great War, when happiness could resume. Marty’s oldest friends are Madre and Padre, and they love to hear about his travels. They’re wondering, “Isn’t he supposed to give up some of his excesses now?” But, the truth is, Marty loves parties and is fat every Tuesday. He shares the name of my cousin, Marty Cooke of Ocean Isle, North Carolina, so I’ve given this Woodspirit a sea shell bow tie from Ocean Isle.

MARY #8091  Mary Melissa Marissa McGraw, The best little player that I ever saw. She’s deceptively small But it’s an even bet, From any place on the floor She’ll hit nothing but net.

MARY III #5329 (April, 1997) The long journey is over. The fear and exhaustion of the past few days have been forgotten, and in their place is an overwhelming sense of joy. In the makeshift nursery, Mary gazes tenderly at her infant. The concerned innkeeper has brought a dough board from the kitchen to serve as a cradle for the newborn baby – a fitting symbol, for in John 6:47-48 Jesus says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life.” As was the cus-tom, the baby was wrapped in long strips of fabric called swaddling clothes, for it was believed that wrapping a baby snugly insured strong bones. Mary wears red for suffering, and her blue cape represents royalty. The Baby Jesus wears white, for purity. A new life has begun.

MARY, JOSEPH AND BABY JESUS as a set #38  MARY #35 – JOSEPH #36 – BABY JESUS #37 

     MARY #35 (September, 1981) The face of this Mary was a composite of faces pictured in the book Family of Women. She is composed and proud, yet somewhat sad. Of all the persons gathered at the Nativity scene, she alone senses. the fate of her Son. She wears the traditional colors white for purity, blue for royalty, and red for suffering. A small Palestinian coin has been added to the statue because it depicts the profile of a Roman Caesar who ruled close to the time in which Jesus lived.

     JOSEPH #36 (September, 1981) The early Renaissance paintings of Joseph often showed him with a candle or lantern looking for something that was lost in the stable. The light from the Baby Jesus, however, was greater than Joseph’s candle, for He was the light of the world. This statue continues that tradition, and it also makes Joseph the least important person in the tableau by giving him rather drab colors for his clothing.

     BABY JESUS #37 (October, 1981) This humble cradle was made by Nelson Hollar, a local craftsman. The baby is wrapped in blue, the symbol of royalty. Already His arms are beginning to reach out to those around Him.

MARY WITH JESUS #1143 (April, 1986) This second version of Mary and the Baby Jesus shows a closer bond between Mother and Child. Still cradled by his mother’s love, the baby is just beginning to wake to face the future. Mary wears the traditional colors: white for purity, blue for royalty, and red for suffering.

MASKERADE #9137 October is a fun month to be a raccoon. This is the time of year when they eat as much as possible, to put on fat for the coming winter. Apples are more tasty now than ever, and the field corn is easy pickings. October also means Halloween, and a raccoon doesn’t need a costume, as he is born with a Zorro-like mask around his eyes. This Halloween, when you open the door and hear a little voice say, “Trick or Treat” – look closely. Behind that mask may be a raccoon.

MATCH POINT #8005 They told me that tennis Was no game for the meek; They warned of tennis elbow, But not tennis cheek!

MATHEW B. BRADY #5173 (December, 1991) A statue of Mathew B. Brady (1823c. 1896), one of America’s most famous photographers, was suggested to me by the Southern Professional Photographers Association. Brady is best known for his numerous photographs of the Civil War. He and his assistants traveled with the Union armies to record soldiers both in camp and on the battleground. One of his most famous photographs shows Abraham Lincoln and Robert E. Lee at Lee’s Richmond home following the Confederate army’s surrender to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox. I used Brady’s photographs of Lincoln as the models for my sculpture of the 16th president. Equally ambitious was his goal to photograph every great man and woman. In fact, Brady photographed every United States president from John Quincy Adams (6th) to William McKinley (25th), with the exception of William Henry Harrison, who died after only one month in office. I have portrayed Brady with the straw hat and photographer’s duster he wore while working. Holding his bellows camera, he sits by a still quiet battlefield, awaiting that inevitable moment when the fighting will commence. Sadly, his mission to cover the Civil War cost Brady his entire fortune. When he was unable to pay the storage bill for his negatives, they were sold, at a public auction, to the war department for less than $3000. Today they are stored in the National Archives and the Library of Congress.

MATT #8067  Creating a pumpkin masterpiece, He carves and whittles and cuts, Saving his favorite part ’til last, Matt scoops out the pumpkin’s guts.

MATTHEW #6009 (The Gospel Writers Series) (May 1995) His was one of the most despised occupations in Capernaum. As the tax collector for a foreign government, Levi was considered an enemy and a traitor by his fellow Jews. To some, this makes the story of his calling to become a disciple of Jesus all the more compelling. The Gospel of Matthew 9:9 records, in a very simple manner, his call by Jesus, and his response of unwavering faith: “And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.” With a bag of money and the Biblical passage to show the two disparate halves of Levi’s life, my statue seeks to portray the moment of his calling. The emotions of disbelief, joy and hope play across his face. He is in the traditional pose, based primarily on the oil painting by Caravaggio, “The Calling of St. Matthew.” To signify this experience, Jesus bestowed upon Levi a new name – Matthew, which means “Gift of God.” The engraving by Matthew’s name is part of the “Christ in Glory” from the Cathedral of Limoges. The “man with wings” is the traditional symbol for Matthew, as taken from Biblical imagery in both the Old and New Testaments. The first book of the Gospel closes with yet another affirmation of Matthew’s faith as he records Jesus’s words to the eleven disciples at Galilee: “Lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”

MATTIE #184 (January, 1982) I have had two aunts named Mattie and this statue is named in honor of them. The quilter is finishing a very patriotic pattern with a Latin cross as its inspiration. Because the statue is hand-painted, it is easy to detect that no two bonnets are alike. The little cameo at Mattie’s collar was contributed by a lady working in the studio.

MAX #1090 (March, 1985 Ready for your coffee? Maxwell is ready to deliver it, complete with your cream container which he is wearing only temporarily. The beans are fresh from Brazil, as is the Brazil nut behind him. Now if you wish to pay for the coffee in genuine fashion, use the Brazilian coin at his foot. If Max likes your household he will have the coffee brewing when you get up each morning!

McCORMICK #5031 (March, 1988) Do you care for a little Irish in your coffee?Here is a leprechaun who’s named for Sean McCormick, a former student of mine who opened a restaurant in South Bend, Indiana on St. Patrick’s Day, 1988. Like his name-sake, this little leprechaun is a champion wrestler, yet possesses a tender heart and has a love of poetry. He is blessed with the gift of gab and he’ll regale you for hours. His coin, which he’ll leave as a tip, is from Ireland.McCormick may be in his cups, but not to worry it’s just a little demitasse.

McDIVOT #9180 Moles will often take up residence in the ground under a golf course. When they do, little mounds of raised earth (mole hills) litter the manicured fairways and putting greens. This, of course, drives a greenskeeper crazy! To redeem himself, McDivot has started a “Mole Patrol.” He and a group of other moles patrol the golf course, encouraging golfers to replace their divots*. Golfers who comply are rewarded with a special “Mole patrol” golf ball, personally presented by McDivot himself. So, remember, the next time vou are out golfing, please replace your divots – you never know, there may be a “Mole Patrol” watching.

McEVER #1067 (September, 1984) This fellow is proud that he is named for Coach Gene McEver of Davidson, N.C. Coach McEver was an All-American football player for the University of Tennessee, where he was number 28. My McEver is pretending to be the All-American as he runs with his football, a walnut! At his feet, there is a coin from the Bahamas, depicting a pigskin, and there is a Quarterback of him!

McINTOSH #9036 When McIntosh sank his teeth into this juicy red fruit it sent a quiver of pleasure through every molecule of his body. Never in all his born days had his taste buds experienced a flavor so tart .. so …so delicious! And to think that this stuff grows on trees! Little wonder why apples are America’s favorite fruit, and everyone from worms to Woodspirits can’t get enough of ’em. Trouble is, little McIntosh has had more than enough and the ensuing bellyache is going to put a real damper on dessert.

McMAN #21 (September, 1980) This statue was created under the camera’s gaze, when P.M. Magazine was here in 1980. He first held a stick as a baton, so that he could conduct a forest choir. When the birds were slow in responding, McMan (for Ed McMahon) replaced his stick with a bell. Later, a Christmas bell was chosen because it would make more noise. In his right hand, he held a strawberry for a while, then substituted an acorn in the hopes that it would encourage some squirrels to join the chorus.

McNALLY #6329 Collector Society Artwork Series (October, 1995) It started as a whispering rustle among the topmost branches of the tulip poplars. Then the hummingbirds hummed a hint to the Gnomes, and the squirrels began chattering – Tom Clark and Tim Wolfe have moved! Where in the world is the new sculpting studio? There was only one thing to do – unfold the map and start driving. McNally and his turtle transportation, an old friend named Rand, are on their way. As Rand’s license plate says, it’s good-bye to the old home place. McNally does not like to stop and ask for directions, but he’s sure he can navigate from the map as soon as he gets his bearings. The trip was delayed slightly as they stopped to pick up a hitchhiking snail. Bad luck, he was from out of town and this was all new territory to him also. I wouldn’t say that they’re lost, only that they are exploring most of the back roads of Mecklenburg and Iredell Counties in North Carolina. In hopes of making better time they brought along a coin from South Africa, showing a gazelle, and a commemorative medallion from the U.S. Olympic Track Team. There will be a happy end ing when Tom and Tim look out of the window of the new studio and see Rand, McNally and map.

McNEIL #11 (February, 1980) McNeil works hard as a go-fer and postal carrier for the Gnomes. He was so tired when he went for his first date with Meg, that he fell asleep while waiting for her to get ready. After sleeping for a couple of years, he was given a small coin (Israeli) so he wouldn’t feel worthless when he awoke and found Meg sitting with Jackson.

M.D. #5169   M.D. NES AUA #2058 (October, 1991) M.D. is a member of my Professions series. The stethoscope around his neck is new, but the doctor’s bag was a gift when he graduated from medical school. He wears a traditional red, pointed Gnome hat but he added a mirror to shed light on what ails you. There’s a lump of sugar at hand because a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. M.D.’s coins honor Charlotte’s two largest hospitals: Presbyterian Hospital and Charlotte Memorial, now called Carolinas Medical Center. I gave M.D. a lifesaver, because that’s what a doctor can be.

MEG #12 (March, 1980) Meg’s hair is outside her kerchief, indicating that she is unmarried. She was a bit late getting ready for her first date with McNeil, and when she arrived she found him asleep. She waited and waited for him to wake up. Finally she forsook him for a more charming fellow, Jackson. Her coin wasn’t discovered until the last few editions. It is Dutch and shows the profile of Queen Juliana.

MEG #8068  Meg’s posing with her pumpkin Cuz Halloween is here, So happy they can’t hold back Their grins from ear to ear.

MEL #9082 TIM WOLFE The spirit of Christmas spreads throughout the wildlife community in much the same way it does our own. Our animal counterparts share in the joy and excitement of this special holiday season as it is a great time of celebration for them, too! In every forest, every warren, and every patch of woods, there can be found a local Christmas choir. A choir may number from three to twenty animals and it is comprised of a select group of individuals who, for one reason or another, consider themselves best qualified at carrying a tune. Their choruses can be heard at any hour, day or night, and can be quite pleasing to the human ear. Unfortunately, we humans can become so wrapped up in other affairs during the Christmas season that we seldom, if ever, take the time to listen. Moles are normally quiet, solitary little animals and seldom venture from their subterranean world. It came as quite a surprise then, when Mel asked if he could join the Christmas choir. After singing several bars of “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…” Mel was unanimously accepted. Unfortunately, moles have very poor vision and Mel has a bit of trouble reading the notes and lyrics. Rather than memorize all the words to each and every song, Mel simply does what the pros do – improvise!

MELCHIOR #1060 (August, 1984) Melchior is the first Wise Man to enter the stable and see the Baby Jesus. He is a large man, like the famous opera singer Lawrence Melchior, yet he walks softly with a song in his heart and a gift of gold in his hands.

MELCHIOR II #5373 (May, 1998) The Nativity story in the New Testament Gospel of Matthew does not give us the names of the Wise Men who came from the eastern world to bring gifts to the Baby Jesus. We assume there were three “Magi” because there were three gifts noted. The name “Melchior” has evolved through tradition in the early Church. The Byzantine mosaics in Ravenna, Italy, were my inspiration for the poses of each Wise Man. Melchior’s elaborate “casket” contains gold.

MELODIOUS #333 (True Builders of America) (February, 1990) The workmen who labored with shovels or hoes or hammers were also the True Builders of America. The black worker was especially important to the part of the country where I grew up, the South. Although Melodious takes orders from another, his spirit is not defeated. Like many people from all walks of life, he finds his soul set free by music. Music has been an important part of my life, and I’ve placed different instruments on the statue’s base to symbolize music’s infinite expressions and dreams therein. Melodious is depicted at the end of a long, hard day, still wearing his dusty work clothes. He takes pride in his skills, his strength, and a job well done, but come evening, he can pour his heart out in his music. He holds his favorite fiddle as he listens to the applause from friends, family and neighbors. He pauses to wipe his brow before beginning his next piece. Melodious’s name was fortuitous, for even as a child he filled the house with happy music.

MEMORIES #5421 The family photo album can always provoke nostalgic moments. All Henrietta has to do is open the album and say to Arnold, “A penny for your thoughts.” He pockets the penny and starts reminiscing. “Look at Junior teasing his sister.” “Do you remember that Christmas?” “My, how that pine tree has grown!” Aunt Jessie didn’t know you took this.” “There’s you and me… so long ago .. and so in love.” “Yes. The clothes are out of style but our love is still in vogue!” Other gnome couple statues have been named for Irving Berlin songs, such as Always and Remember. This statue is named for a tune written for “Cats” by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Couples share possessions, good times and hard times through the years, but the easiest things they share are Memories!

MENDY #5070 (April, 1989) Mendy likes to sit close to Thimblena, her mother, when she does the darning for the family. Thimblena is teaching her how to sew. Mendy wants to be able to help her mother with all of the mending. Mendy is sitting on a small spool and is holding a strawberry pincushion that is used to sharpen needles. Her coin is from Sweden and her hat was a special gift from her grandmother (it was actually my mother’s sterling silver thimble). Mendy and her brother Bobbin always have a double birthday party because they are twins.

Mercy #2074 (March 2006) Acts of “Mercy” were the mannered style that characterized Nurse Florence Nightingale as she made her round of the hospital ward late at night by the light of her oil lamp. These compassionate gestures are still the overriding attributes of those who serve at the hospital founded by the sisters of Mercy in 1906. The long unilarms and starched caps may bave been replaced with blue pinstripe aprons and tunic tops, yet the dedication to service and the patients neads has tomod sung and tunic taps, yer she dedication to senice and the patients needs has remained strong. The pin thar as proudly worn has a cross in the center with “Fidelis,” meaning faithful on it. The stylized “tree of life” is an emblem that serves as a logo for the Carolina HealthCare System. Mercy wears this pin at her collar. Overheard one day was a patient making a comment to her nurse “You do all this work all day long? Mercy!”. note: This gnome was created exclusively for the centennial celebration of Mercy School of Nursing and Carolina Medical Center Hospital in Charlotte, NC. It was only available to former and current Mercy Nursing Students and staff. April 1, 2006 Centennial Celebration Commemorative Tom Clark Sculpture commemorating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the 1906 Sisters of Mercy hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina. From 1908-2016 it operated as the Mercy School of Nursing. When this sculpture was made it was called Carolinas Medical Center – Mercy located in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is now part of the Atrium Health system, the facility is called Atrium Health Mercy. Along the bottom of the sculpture one one side there is a seal illustration that has the Mercy School of Nursing Charlotte on it. Another side has Tom Clark’s signature name, Cairn the studio and 2006 date along with, “Original sculpture created in North Carolina USA”.

MERRILL AND LYNCH #1117 (June, 1985) Merrill and Lynch are pretending that this old post office box is their bank vault. While Merrill is happily opening a savings account with an American and a Canadian penny, Lynch is gleefully planning to take them out to open a C.D. (as shown by the arrow on the box’s combination). They are wearing leaf hats instead of red hats so that they do not have to hide during the daytime. Like the Gnome of Zurich and C.D., they are good investors and keep their money working all day long. Some editions have a teddy bear and a bull (on the Irish coin) to symbolize the ups and downs of Wall Street. Smiles are their “stock in trade” for they never let money worries get them down.

MERRY CHRISTMAS (8030)  Santa leads the good life With his merry band of elves, Eating cookies from his sweet wife They discuss among themselves, The magic of this season So contagious is the spirit,  Folks surrender willingly Every time they hear it: “Merry Christmas!”

MERRY CHRISTMAS #5381 In the famous poem ” Twas the Night Before Christmas” Santa Claus is described as being a right jolly old elf. This is how I depicted him–with a festive grin. His mustache doesn’t quite hide his dimples and the gleam in his eyes also tells us he has spotted something important. His bag is full of nuts and candies.. perhaps a family of squirrels… or for the reindeer.., like me with a sweet tooth. There are 12 smiling faces hiding in Santas beard each for the “Twelve Days of Christmas” however only visible to persons who truly believe in Santa Claus. Having made over a dozen Santa statues in 20 years I am obviously a believer. I also wish you the same blessing as Santa: MERRY CHRISTMAS!

MERRY MARY #5686 Our garden gnome obviously has a Green Thumb if she can grow strawberries as large as this one! The rabbit thinks that her smaller berries are delicious too. The little penny must be the down payment on his strawberry snack. How nice to have a nickname that means “cheerful.” Better “Merry Mary” than “Sad Sack,” since everyone likes being around someone with her warm disposition. No doubt this little lady has lots of suitors. She’ll probably choose one who has selected Christmas time to marry Merry Mary!

METRO-GNOME #5136 (January, 1991) The Metro-Gnome works inside his metronome, making the pendulum tick to beat time for music students. You can see that the Metro-Gnome has an ear for music. He may be peeking out to find the child who’s supposed to be practicing his piano lessons, or maybe he’s looking for his Woodspirit friend Beethoven. The metronome was patented in 1816 by Johann Maelzel of Germany. To this antique metronome I have added profiles of three of the world’s greatest composers. There are three coins a French coin for Chopin, a German deutchmark for Bach, and an Austrian coin for Mozart. Even though he’s marking time, the Metro-Gnome knows that their music is timeless.

ME TWO #5480

MICHAEL #195 (June, 1982) This is Patrick’s leprechaun friend. He wears the distinctive hat with a brim and flat top as well as the shamrock tie. Since he is a cobbler by profession, he sits beside the road awaiting anyone whose shoes pinch. You may have to look quickly, for he sometimes makes himself invisible, then all you can see is the Irish coin that was at his feet.

MICHAEL #8075  A shot from the key … he sunk it! At 4 foot 3, who’d have thunk it? With a fake and a swoop,  He’s drivin’ to the hoop, A foot taller and I think he’d slam dunk it.

MICHELLE #10013 Hello! Hello! This little mermaid is talking on har phone. It’s a ship-to-shore call that is sure to beat So, who placed the call to lovely Michelle? Here says his name whenever she answers the phone.

MICHELLE #9003 TIM WOLFE This little woodrat is just emerging from the place of her afternoon nap. Michelle had spent an event-filled morning while frolicking in the Hen House; pestering the feathered inhabitants and eating more than her share of cracked corn. When overcome with the sudden urge to rest, she curled up inside an empty shell. Within this cozy enclosure she snoozed away contentedly – oblivious to the muffled clucking of cranky hens. Usually quiet and rather shy by nature, Michelle “lets loose” only on rare occasions or in the company of close friends. Even they say that it is seldom that she truly “comes out of her shell.”

MICHIGAN #2051 (Special Commission) (November, 1994) How’s about giving this little Gnome a ride to his favorite state, Michigan? He is pointing to the only state with two large separate land areas, the Upper and Lower Peninsulas, which are connected by the 5-mile long Mackinaw Bridge. It looks like little Michigan is waiting for a friend to drive him across the bridge. Among his many souvenirs is a miniature Thunderbird (T-Bird was my nickname when I taught at Davidson College). Henry Ford built his first workable “horseless carriage” in Detroit in 1896, and now Michigan leads the country in the manufacture of automobiles. The truck tire means it is a very Goodyear. The small chair simbilizes the furniture industries of Grand Rapids, and the wheat honors Battle Creek, the city known as “the cereal bowl of America”. But little Michigan is not all work and no play. His tulip bulb is from the annual Tulip Festival held in Holland, Michigan. For music, look no further than Detroit, known as Motown, where you probably won’t hear “I’ve Got A Gal In Kalamazoo”. His three coins depict the state seal, the wolverine (the state mammal) and Michigan’s statehood date, January 26, 1837,  making it the 26th state. The Petoskey rock he found on the north shore of the “mitten” is suppose to bring good luck. So look for his ride to come along soon!

MICHIGAN BOUND #6318 Special Commission (January, 1995) “Oh, I’m Michigan bound and see what I’ve found..” This happy driver has decorated his car with pennants and souvenirs that celebrate the great state of Michigan. Best of all, he’s giving a lift to a friendly wolverine, for Michigan is nicknamed the Wolverine State. He has a morel mushroom and a lucky Petoskey rock, and cherries decorate a miniature version of the Michigan “mitten.” Michigan touches four of the five Great Lakes, and has more than 11,000 smaller lakes – no wonder this Woodspirit comes prepared for great fishing and beautiful scenery with a canoe tied to the back of his car. His license plate identifies his roadster as a 1917 Model-T, and he has a coin that depicts another great classic car – the 1907 Thomas Flver. With his raccoon coat and warm lap robe, he is on his way to a weekend of college football. The wolverine is also anxious to get to the big game. Wait – stop the car! There’s Michigan the Gnome, waiting for someone to drive him across the Mackinac Bridge. Surely these kindred spirits can make room for little Michigan. What luck – he has a map. Now they’ll know which way is UP!

MIDNIGHT SNACK #8080 There’s nothing so satisfying Before you hit the sack, Than sneaking to the kitchen To enjoy a midnight snack. Cozy in your jammies With your slippers on your feet, It just feels good all over When you find some stuff to eat.

MIKHAIL #5076 (July, 1989) Mikhail has travelled fiom Siberia to visit his Uncle Igor on Cairn Ridge. While he’s here he’ll see Caroline dance with the Bolshoi Ballet, and attend the wedding of the Bride and Groom, so you’ll probably spot him in many of the Woodspirits’ family photographs. Children are often fearful of Siberian gnomes, because they don’t know any, and they had planned to throw snowballs at Mikhail. But as the children get to know him, they’ll see there’s always a twinkle in his eye and the hint of a smile behind that long moustache. Now that it’s springtime, there are no snowballs, so the children may instead give Mikhail a flower. Could this be the beginning of the end of the Cold War?

MILES #1125 (December, 1985) So shy, Miles hasn’t the courage to propose marriage to his girlfriend. Like his namesake, Miles Standish, he may rely on a friend (perhaps Johnny) to carry the message! His British half-penny shows a ship of Mayflower vintage. Poor Miles, he’s all at sea!

MINK COAT #12006 Charmers don’t take a mink’s coat _ instead they give him one! Charmers know that there’s only one right answer when it comes to Animal Rights. So this little Gnome is right there to help his buddy with his right sleeve. Being kind to animals -it’s the right thing to do!

MINNESOTA #6332 Special Commission (January, 1996) Minnesota is home to two of the most beloved characters of American tall tales. The huge lumberman Paul Bunyan stands next to Babe, his giant ox, sculpted by Timothy Wolfe. He’s holding an ax, but in this great state, he has no ax to grind! Babe, well, she’s looking a little blue. The tiny Gnome by the map is thinking, “They’re bigger than the whole state!” The 32nd state, also known as the Gopher State, achieved statehood on May 11, 1858. The capital is St. Paul, and the largest city is Minneapolis. It is the biggest of the twelve midwestern states and is known for its major manufacturing areas, rich farmland, and magnificent scenery. A leading agricultural state, it is also nicknamed the Bread and Butter State. This statue has more acorns than any of the other Cairn state artworks, to honor Minnesota’s important timber industry. The Boundary Waters area in northern Minnesota, with its many sparkling lakes, is a popular tourist destination (note the man on the coin, reeling in a big fish!). In fact, Minnesota’s name comes from two Sioux Indian words meaning “sky-tinted waters.” A second coin shows the state flower, the pink and white lady’s-slipper. The commemorative stamp depicts a man playing ice hockey, a popular sport in this cold weather state. The little Gnome does not know the state motto, “The Star of the North.” But he does know that he wants to hear another tall tale!

MINNIE #5196 (June, 1992) Feeding the animals is one of the favorite chores on a farm. Every morning Minnie tosses cracked corn to her chickens. The grandchildren insisted on giving them pet names, so these two are Henny Penny and Chicken Little. The extra eggs that she and her family don’t need are sold at the farmer’s market. Now Minnie has a little nest egg put aside for a rainy day. She’ll save for a long time before deciding how to spend it, because you don’t count your chickens before they hatch. Minnie lives by all the old proverbs learned from her mother and grandmothers. Minnie brings two baskets with her to the chicken coop, for you shouldn’t put all your eggs in one basket.

MISS HARRIETT #9160 I first met Miss Harriett, the squirrel, at a Cairn Promotional several years ago. Her owner, Crissy, introduced me to Miss Harriett and I’ve enjoyed knowing her ever since. Miss Harriett, North Carolina born and raised, is a true southern belle. Together, she and Crissy have met numerous celebrities, including Bill Elliott, Richard Petty, John Boy and Billy, and Dr. Tom Clark. For a time, Miss Harriett was even an official officer of the Rutherfordton, N.C, Police Department! I’ve sculpted Miss Harriett surrounded by some of her favorite things – NUTS! (Crissy says pecans are her absolute favorite.) Being the social sort of squirrel that she is, Miss Harriett wouldn’t mind a bit if several charmers decided to join her on her base. She especially likes the one called Nuts About You.

MISSING YOU #5344 (September, 1997) Sometimes you can’t be with the one you love. Then there’s an empty space in you, as wells an empty space in your heart. This little gnome has left room beside him on the log for someone special. He drew a heart encircling the letters “ME” and “YO-“. It’s not complete, for he is missing U! I gave this little fellow a coin from Uruguay, to show how much he misses when U-R-Away!

MISS MARY #320 (True Builders of America) (July, 1983) This school marm is out of the early thirties and is named for my cousin, Miss Mary Morrison. Other teachers in my family are named on the top of the student’s desk. This is a very personal statue for me, as seen by my lunch pail, my second grade Find Out Book, and even the names of my two high schools on the side of the desk. Miss Mary is obviously a much beloved teacher, for her students have delivered a whole basket of apples to her.

MISSOURI #2047 (Special Commission) (April, 1995) In 1899 Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver made a speech that included the famous lines: *.. frothy eloquence neither convinces nor satisfies me. I am from Missouri. You have got to show me? Greetings from Missouri, the Show Me State! It appears that one Woodspirit (who resembles author Mark Twain, the creator of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn) is saying to the other, Show me how to paint this fence.” And that’s the easiest way to get a fence painted! In this important industrial and farming state you will find the nation’s two longest rivers – the mighty Mississippi and the wide Missouri. I have decorated my statue with corn, cotton and wheat – symbols of some of the state’s chief crops. The peanut is to honor the great scientist George Washington Carver. Branson, Missouri, a new music capital, is represented by the miniature dulcimer and accordion. The coins that adorn the fence give a brief history of the 24th state. It joined the Union on August 10, 1821, and was nicknamed the Mule State for the mules that pulled the covered wagons on the Oregon and Santa Fe trails. Jefferson City is its capital, and Kansas City is its largest city. Harry S. Truman, the 33rd President of the United States, was born in Lamar, Missouri in 1884. The 1904 Louisiana Purchase Centennial, held in St. Louis, served the first ice cream cones. In 1927 aviator Charles A. Lindbergh made his historic New York to Paris solo flight in “The Spirit of St. Louis.” The huge Gateway Arch in St. Louis, completed in 1965, celebrates Missouri’s history as “Gateway to the West? Thousands of westbound pioneers and explorers, including Lewis and Clark, began their journeys to the frontier from the towns of Missouri. Come visit, and my Woodspirits will show you the beauty, the history and the diversity of Missouri.

MIXED DOUBLES #33  One of the best times You can have in your life, Is playing mixed doubles With your husband or wife. It’s the acid test Among good friends, You should still be smiling When the match ends.

MODE #8 (October, 1979) A wonderful carpenter, Mode Morrow, was working on the studio when this statue was created. I named the figure for him, in honor of his thoroughness. A real turtle shell was used for the “taxi” that Mode is riding. He seldom had a coin, although on some editions an Irish coin, depicting a greyhound, was used to tease the turtle.

MOLE #176 (March, 1982) Mr. Mole is enjoying a cup of hot chocolate or tea at the same picnic enjoyed by Badger, Rat and Toad. His outfit is based on the cover drawing for The Wind in the Willows as presented by Ariel Publishers.

MOLE IN ONE #6346 Special Commission (May, 1997) The Gnome knew that his drive off the tee was a good one, but he never expected the golfer’s ultimate thrill – a hole in one! It’s the Masters, the U.S. Open, and the Ryder Cup, all rolled into one. Forget the hooks, the slices, the balls that landed in the water hazard – this is a great game! It’s hard to tell, but the snail, his faithful caddy, is equally excited. The statue is decorated with coins from France, Hungary, Greece, Japan, Norway, and Denmark – and each coin has a hole-in-one. This Kindred Spirits statue, sculpted by Tom Clark and Tim Wolfe, celebrates friendship and the camaraderie of golfers everywhere. You see, the ball landed in the front door tunnel of a subterranean golf course dweller. But no harm was done, and he’s happy to return this lucky ball to its owner. Won’t the Gnome be surprised when he retrieves his ball from the pin? It’s a mole in one!

MOLLY #1195 (July, 1987) Named for my aunt, Molly has just finished empty.’ ing her pail of milk, after having milked the cows before sunrise. And now, before breakfast, she has a few moments to herself. With this precious quiet time, she has turned to her comfortable friend, the Bible. It fits so easily on her lap, after years of just such sitting and reading. She has turned to her beloved, timeless passages, which never grow stale: Psalm 23 and Isaiah 40. In a few moments she will be able to “run and not be weary.”

MOM #8034   Nobody loves you better Or cares for you as much, Nobody holds you tighter With such a gentle touch. Nobody takes such pleasure In the little things you do, You only get one mother You’d be spoiled if you got two.

MOM #4 (September, 1979) The female Gnome wears subdued colors, like females in the bird species, to camouflage themselves when outside the home. They keep their hair outside the kerchief until they marry. Mom is a very good cook and her figure testifies to that fact. She is the first Gnome to receive a coin (Dutch) from me. I felt she had earned it before anyone else in the clan. Her apron was also an addition given her after many editions that were apronless.

MOM, DAD, BROTHER, SIS, AUNT, UNCLE This family lives in Grandmother Gulliver’s garden. Just as Grandmother tends to her plants, so she makes the environment healthy and happy for her extended family. Their individual garden responsibilities are as follows: 

     MOM #10029 It’s Mom’s day off, and boy does she deserve it! She has been busy overseeing the personal needs of Dad, Brother and Sis. She has put on her best leaf hat and is holding her lucky four leaf clover pocketbook. She will have good luck shopping today…or maybe good luck in holding on to her money! Sometimes the best gift a family can give to Mom is a day off. Even if you don’t have a four leaf clover, you know you’re lucky just to have her!

     DAD #10026 Dad is responsible for checking and cleaning the garden tools. In addition, he spots bare places in the lawn that need seeding and he assigns the daily jobs to the family.

     brother #10027 It’s easy to find Brother around the house. Just listen for the bouncing ball. If it’s summertime, you hear a tennis ball hitting the side of the house. If it’s fall you’ll hear a football hit the roof. If it’s winter, you’ll hear the dribble of a basketball outside the garage (the soccer ball gets kicked all year long!). “Hey, Sis! Let’s play one-on-one!”

     SIS #10028 Her brother may want her to play ball with him, but the only one-on-one Sis is interested in is her baby doll. She has on her apron, like “Mommy”, and now she’s taking care of her little one. This image reminds us of little girls we cherish…those who grow up to be wonderful Mothers.

     AUNT #11016 TIM WOLFE is death to weeds! She can spot a weed a “yard away” and the tender ones she can uproot easily. But when it comes to crabgrass she has to get Uncle to help her pull it up. Occasionally they enlist the aid of a mole to go under. ground and dislodge those pesky roots.

     UNCLE #11015 TIM WOLFE is the strongest man in the family and is frequently called on to haul off a fallen limb or move rocks from atop spring bulbs.

MOM TOO #1020 (January, 1984) Wearing a poinsettia leaf apron, Mom Too is ready to begin making her famous pecan pie. It is a favorite of Gnomes and Woodspirits alike, because she uses lots of cane sugar in her recipe. Her coin is from Great Britain and shows Queen Victoria on the penny. If her pie is a success, each visitor will leave a coin under the plate as a gift to the cook. When she cooks she likes to sing “Gnome on the Range.”

MONAGHAN #5368 (March, 1998) This leprechaun has led us to his treasure chest deep in the Irish woods. This is apparently the First Bank of Woodland, and it’s open for business. With a smile, Monaghan is ready and willing to lend some Irish and American coins to worthy borrowers. Like the legendary Midas, everything he touches turns to gold … but if greed begins to obsess him, his ears will start to grow! So, watch out, Monaghan, when you’ve money in hand!

MONTY #5032 (February, 1988) Monty is named for Monte Carlo, home of the Monaco Grand Prix, which was first run in 1929. Once a year, the curving, seafront roads of this Principality are turned into a race course. In 1933, the Monaco Grand Prix was the first race to assign starting positions based on practice times, rather than the usual method of drawing them out of a hat. Monty thinks he’d be safer driving in the race than going to the gambling casinos, and to make sure, he’s using a lifesaver for his steering wheel. You can tell from Monty’s hat that he’s going fast, and the look on his face says that he thinks he’s going to win. Monty has an Italian coin because he’s driving a 1967 Ferrari 330-P4. There’s a convenient “pit” stop right behind him. The hood ornaments are protected by acorns. Monty and his friend Indy are the first two members of the race car driver series. The racers can be placed side by side, but like Dem and Rep, only one can be in front at the finish line.

MOON Item #5682 This little Garden Gnome got his nickname because he loves moonlight nights. He likes to tell folks about the many moon flowers that he has seen during his lifetime. They may bloom only a night or two during the long summer. “Moon” will give a penny for every moon flower you can find at midnight. He has a coin in his knapsack for that purpose. Moon’s best line is, “I’s a broad brik moonlic nic,” which translates to, “it’s a big bright moonlit night.”  Here in the strawberry patch his pet Snow Owl has landed on his falconer’s glove. The snow owl is well known as a traveling messenger. He can make direct flights with ease. However, if a very quick contact needs to be made, “Moon” will use his cell phone, from the OWLTEL company. When he answers his phone he always says, “Whoooooo’s there?”

MOORE OR LES #1093 (March, 1985) These two telephone repairmen are having a wonderful time with this receiver. They are from two different telephone companies and vet they work together in perfect accord. The Woodspirit from the BELL company is talking to his companion from the other company. He is standing on the telephone emergency number 911. “MR. WATSON, come here!” says Moore or Les. (I haven’t yet been told which is which!) There is a little “bell” inside an acorn shell and the coin says how the telephone is most often used: “For Amusement Only.”

MORGAN #9008 TIM WOLFE It is a rare occasion when Morgan makes an above-ground appearance. She is content to spend most of her life in solitude beneath the soil, digging and happily leading the existence of a typical young mole. Day and night, she is forever busy tunneling – always on the constant quest to satisfy her appetite for worms. By doing the “breast stroke” with her large and impressively clawed forepaws, she plows through the dirt like a miniature, furred bulldozer. It is underground where Morgan is in her element, and she seldom finds need to venture out from her subterranean world. Because of her solitary nature, Morgan’s encounters with other small animals are brief. Therefore, they know very little of her charming personality and disposition. One thing they can all agree on however; Morgan is certainly down to earth! While she doesn’t reveal enough of herself to be disliked, not everyone welcomes the presence of this industrious little miner; the unsightly evidence of her excavating activities does nothing to enhance the look of a well-groomed flower bed or manicured lawn. To avoid such areas, Morgan has to periodically poke her head above the surface, just long enough to get her bearing straight. Then it’s quickly back to work in the tunnel, where she continues digging. Morgan really doesn’t care if there is light at the end or not.

MORSE #5464 Mr. Morse is the station master and is eagerly awaiting the arrival of the 8:30 train. As he checks his watch, he sees that it is now 8:20 (jewelers often set their display clocks at this time so you can see the writing on the clock face and because it is the p.m. time when Abraham Lincoln was shot). On the back of the station are two uniform buttons which have been misplaced. They are in lost and found. Mr. Morse is proud to be a distant relative of Samuel FB. Morse who invented the electric telegraph in the 19th Century. If your dictionary contains the Morse Code, then you will be able to decipher the message on the back of the building that is enabling Mr. Morse to smile.

MOSES #6001 (Great People in History) (June, 1989) I have portrayed my Moses on the top of Mt. Sinai, on the Sinai peninsula, in the wilderness between Egypt and Israel. One of the rocks on the statue was brought back from my journey to that desert region. My inspiration came from two sources: Claus Slutter, who carved “The Well of / Moses,” now located in Dijon, France; and Michelangelo’s “Moses,” in Rome at the Church of St. Peter in the Chains. Both Slutter and Michelangelo used clay tablets in their sculptures, but since Exodus 34:4 refers to “tables of stone,” I elected to use a flat rock for Moses’ chiseled words. The Bible tells us that Moses was 80 ears old at the time he received the Ten Commandments, and that he lived to be 120 years of age. Another description of Moses in Exodus 34:29 says his face shone because he had been talking to God. The Latin version of the Bible translates this as “his face horned,” and Slutter and Michelangelo do show horns. I have not given my Moses actual horns, but in deference to artistic tradition, I have shaped his hair so that two peaks are seen. Moses is writing with a stylus using his left hand. Hebrew is written and read right to left, which suggests that the earliest writers were left-handed (as am I). Moses is not wearing shoes, for he is on Holy Ground. In sculpting Moses’ face I used photos of elderly rabbis. His mouth is partially open, in awe and fear. From his pose it is clear that he is listening, and the focus of the statue is neither Moses nor the stone tablets, but the One, not seen, to whom he is listening. On the tablet, Moses is writing the word “SHEMA,” or “hear” in Hebrew. This word is the beginning of Deuteronomy 6:4. “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord.” This verse, known as the “Shema,” is often written on small plaques, which are then nailed to a house doorway or gatepost, in accordance with the tradition from Old Testament days. In the New Testament, in Mark 12:29, Jesus is asked by the scribes, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answers with reference to the Shema by saying: “The first is Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is One; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.”

MOTHER EARTH #  (2003)

MOTHERHOOD #5343 (August, 1997) This Woodspirit lady is expecting – and expecting to have her whole life turned upside down – and she can’t wait! Her family tells her that she has never looked more beautiful. Like the flower on the coin from Bermuda, she is blooming! She holds a baby bracelet used by hospitals for newborns years ago. Like the bracelet, her thoughts go round and round. Is it a boy or a girl? Soon she’ll know, and the circle of life will continue.

MOTHER OF PEARL #5209 (December, 1992) Mother of Pearl is the littlest and oldest lady in the Thimble family. She’s sitting atop a sea shell and holding a button made of mother-of-pearl, the beautiful, shimmering surface found inside certain shells. Her Bahamian coin shows a starfish. Like her daughter Pearl and former First Lady Barbara Bush, she’s a proud grandma. Bobbin and Mendy know that she is also a great-grandmother! With such wonderful great-grand-children, Mother of Pearl thinks the world is her oyster.

MOTHER WITH LOVE #5282 (June, 1995) Some things just naturally go together – horse with carriage, eggs with bacon, Gnomes with acorns, and mothers with love. She’s the one that loves us first and loves us best. “Mother with Love” will soon be joined by a companion piece, “Dad with Love.” Like many of us do on special occasions, I’ve sent flowers to this loving mother – a fresh rose and three blossoms on the Japanese coin. But they are only a small symbol of what is in our hearts – that every day should be Mother’s Day!

MR. #5003 (Cairn Seminar Series) (August, 1987) Mr. has a very self-satisfied look on his face, because he knows he’s in charge of his household. Whenever you leave, he’s in charge (the king!) of your household. His coin depicts King Juan Carlos of Spain. If you look closely, you’ll see that the king’s mouth is covered by Mr’s pocket; kings rule best when they hold their tongues.

MR. BLUEBIRD #9188 (July, 2000)

MR. CLAUS #1180 (March, 1987) Mr. Claus could pass for the twin of our retired piece, St. Nick. This jolly fellow seeks to surprise and delight you. Can you guess which of his hands is holding the present? Don’t look for a coin; the gift is free.

MR. FISHER #5342 (July, 1997) Talk about proud! Mr. Fisher has landed the biggest bass of his fishing career. It may look small to you, but it’s nearly as large as the fisherman himself. Like Walt, Freddy and Troutman, Mr. Fisher has had his share of days when his creel is empty and the conversation is about the one that got away. But if you’re lucky, some day you may be at the right place at the right time, with the right bait and the right lucky coin – and make the catch of a lifetime! Mr. Fisher is proudly displaying his trophy fish (sculpted by Tim Wolfe), before he mounts it in a place of honor in his home. The Irish coin shows a whopper of a fish – that’s quite a tail – and quite a tale that Mr. Fisher will be telling to his fishing buddies for the rest of his life!

MR. GREEN THUMB JUNIOR #5557 Like his father, Green Thumb Senior, Junior’s main interests are in the health and productivity of the flora in his garden. He is standing by his bag of seeds, which will insure yet another season of flowers, shrubs and trees. He has been busily planting seeds, and now has taken off his garden gloves. He is surveying your plants and garden with pleasure. Only the “gardener” in him can tell what has already been done, for weeds removed and seeds planted can’t be appreciated by the casual observer. Hopefully the birds of the air will spot Junior’s red hat and know to leave his garden alone for now. When spring comes there’ll be plenty of flowers and seeds for the enjoyment of the entire neighborhood.

MR. JIM #330 (True Builders of America) (August, 1992) My twelfth and final member of the True Builders series was also the most difficult to sculpt, for I chose to depict one who had the most influence on my life, my father. Christened James Hector Clark, he was “Mr. Jim” to all, and I was mostly known as Mr. Jim’s son. My father had many vocations: farmer, banker, entrepreneur, politician, but my strongest memories are of him in his general store in Elizabethtown, North Carolina where the motto was “We Sell Everything.” My first job at the store was in the ice cream freezer section. I was later promoted to work in Dry Goods while my brother worked in Groceries. The statue shows Mr. Jim bagging groceries for a customer and the sides of the counter are plastered with actual newspaper ads from the 1930’s. The counter is surrounded with other merchandise you’d find for sale in a general store: tomatoes, apples, potatoes, and sacks of flour and seed. In those days merchants stayed with the customers until their shopping was completed. The average sale was about $2.00, and many cash-poor farmers paid for their purchases with scrip until their crops came in. By honoring my father I am symbolically honoring all fathers whose strength of character has been a positive influence on their children.

MRS. #5004 (Cairn Seminar Series) (August, 1987) Mrs. can sit close to Mr., but she’s also satisfied sitting by herself. She too has a coin with a monarch on it, Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain. She knows that the best way to rule the household is to make the husband think he’s the king.

MRS. CLAUS II #5010 (October, 1987) Its two days before Christmas, and Mrs. Claus is wrapping presents. In July she thought she might be finished early this year, but, before you know it, Decembers here. She’s wrapping her gift to Santa, and looking forward to early Christmas morning when he returns from his long journey. Weary but happy, they’ll exchange gifts and watch the elves play with their new toys. These two elves, Nip and Tuck, are helping Mrs. Claus. They think she’s wrapping a gift for them, and that by helping her, they’ll find out what it is. Nip is thinking, “It feels like a football!” But Tuck is looking around and saying to himself, “It’ll be Nip and Tuck to get all these presents wrapped before Christmas.

MRS. CLAUS III #5059 (August, 1988) Mr. Claus is so good to everyone else, that it’s Mrs. Claus who is good to him. She’s been asking him all year to give up “that awful-smelling pipe.” He promised her that for Christmas, he would. Her Christmas present to him, that she’s carefully stuffing into Santa’s stocking, is a brand new pipe. There’s a little bell on the base for Mrs. Claus’s first name. There’s also a package with Tom Clark’s name on it. I enjoyed making this statue because Mrs. Claus had a Christmas present for me, too.

MRS. CLAUS PRAYING #5933 (April, 2003)

MRS. HARVEY #9170 As the old saying goes, “Behind every good male rabbit is a good female rabbit.” Well, Mrs. Harvey will second that motion! She and Harvey have been married for many years and together they’ve shared both the good times and the bad. Some of their Absolute Best have been spent witnessing their children and their children’s children being born into the world. That’s right, Mrs. Harvey is also Grandmother Harvey! Family roots do indeed run deep for rabbits as well as humans! Nowadays, Mrs. Harvey spends most of her time at home – tending the garden, baby-sitting, or making carrot cake – while Harvey and his woodspirit friend Gulliver are out scouring the woods for missing Charmers. “It makes him happy; Mrs. Harvey says, “and besides, there are a lot worse things a husband could be doing.

MRS. POTTER #5566 This lady with the green thumb likes to garden in pots. As you can see from the lucky Japanese coin (100 yen), Mrs. Potter’s interest is flowers. But before you can have blossoms you have to prepare the soil and plant the seeds. Mrs. Potter is doing what many gardeners do in the early spring: getting the pots ready. She cleans out the pots from the previous season and finds that one particular pot appears to have been used as a secret deposit box for some squirrel’s acorn collection. She has also found that some of her potted plants need to be repotted. They get “root bound” and need a new home. Like people who sometimes uproot themselves and divide their possessions, plants often need to be divided and placed in a new environment more conducive for healthy mature growth. Mrs. Potter doesn’t ever like to throw out a plant. “Oh”, she’ll say “they may be getting older, but just give them some fresh soil and a new pot. Then you’ll see them blossom even more beautifully this year.” She winks, because she seems to be talking about herself as well!

MRS. POTTS #5590 When a pot of flowers or herbs needs special attention, Mr. and Mrs. Potts donate their services to sit by the pot all day long. In fact, they will literally stick into the pot! Select the weakest side of the plant and let the Potts wedge their way into the soil. However, please allow their feet to dangle over the rim of the pot. Not only will they make the gardener cheerful when looking at the pot, they have also been known to keep weeds from growing close to the prized plant. 

MRS. WINK #32 (December, 1982) Mrs. Wink rests against a Swedish candlestick that is similar to that of Winks. While he sleeps, she is in charge, hence her coin depicts the reigning Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain.

MUCH OBLIGED #9084 TIM WOLFE In the tradition of the Pilgrims, this rabbit is offering thanks by celebrating Thanksgiving. From the looks of his cornucopia, he has been blessed with a bountiful harvest! As we all know, the Pilgrims hosted the first Thanksgiving dinner. It was President Abraham Lincoln, however, who declared the fourth Thursday of November as an annual U.S. holiday. The nation was caught in the midst of the terrible Civil War and Lincoln felt that the country and the troops deserved a much-needed reprieve from the struggle. No matter what the circumstances, each of us has something to be thankful for.

MUGMON #1011 (January, 1984) When you see the Norwegian coin in Mugmon’s hat, you’ll know that he has a bee in his bonnet! He is trying to decide whether to give his girl friend this flower or take her a heart-shaped leaf instead. Some say his thoughtful expression is due to his having learned Secret’s secret.

MULLIGAN #5007 (September, 1987) Mulligan has just teed off, but his ball only dribbled along the grass. He’s smiling because he knows he’ll have at least two shots- his first will be a Mulligan. In years past, Mulligan was the name of a potent mixture of spices and hot pepper seeds, offered free to tavern patrons for mixing with one’s beer. Some golfers claim that accepting a free stroke has the same ruinous effect as drinking too much Mulligan. My little Mulligan is an Irishman. His lucky Irish coin was given to him by someone who also took a Mulligan. His coin pictures a hare because Irishmen know that the best Mulligan stew has rabbit in it.

MUM #2032 (Collector Society Artwork Series) (July, 1990) Mum is named for the flowers she waters, as well as her role in the Woodspirit community. All of my Collector Society pieces focus on an individual who loves nature and works to conserve and protect it. The Collector Society Artwork Series was begun in 1984 with Rorie, followed by Ernest, Kilmer, Hitch and Blackie. I decided it was time a lady joined this group. Mum was first introduced to the public in June of 1990 on a University of North Carolina Center for Public Television interview. Her kerchief signifies that Mum is a married lady, and her chrysanthemums will prosper and flourish as Mum’s large family has. Her coin is from Austria and depicts another beautiful flower, the edelweiss. Mum is much loved, just like the “Queen Mum” of Great Britain.

MURRAY #9055 TIM WOLFE When driving through the eastern countryside between spring and fall, keep a watchful eye on the open fields and berms beside the road. You might spot a rather chubby, grizzled-brown animal sitting motionless as a statue, placidly gazing at the landscape. Chances are good that you have just seen a ground hog! Or as Murray would say, “It’s woodchuck, thank you. Whatever you call him, don’t call him late for dinner as Murray loves to eat! He is a devout vegetarian, and his diet consists mostly of greens; grasses, clover and alfalfa are his main dishes but there’s nothing like a patch of ripe strawberries to provide temptation beyond resistance. Widely respected as a master in the art of digging holes, the ground hog is perhaps best known for his legendary ability to predict the weather; on the second day of each February the animal is said to emerge from its burrow and, well, the shadow knows…

MUSHROOM FOLK: FLORENTINA #5129; CREOLA #5130; SALISBURY #5131; TURK #5132 (November, 1990) The Mushroom Folk are found in the forest where Woodspirits live. When we humans walk through the woods, these tiny people turn around so that we see only mushrooms. But Woodspirits know how to find the special personalities of all living things. The Mushroom Folk love food and like to try new recipes. Florentina has an Italian coin and she loves Italian food. Creola’s coin is French and she specializes in Cajun cuisine. Salisbury has an English coin and he likes to make Salisbury Steak. Turk’s coin shows a turkey because his favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. He’s been working like a Turk in the kitchen all day, and his mushroom cap has withered. When any meal, no matter how simple, is prepared with love, the Mushroom Folk will doff their hats to the cook.

MUSIC TO THE YEARS #6387  Get ready for the countdown to the beginning of the New Year …10.9.8.7… Harald, the gnome playing the trumpet, has closed his Guy Lombardo song book and now waits for his rabbit friend to handle the solo that will greet the New Year. Each January 1st begins with hopes for the New Year: good health, time with family and friends, enjoying the fruits of one’s labor, and Peace on Earth! It makes you want to sing or at least make music. (The little rabbit may be having some trouble getting the notes out.) The Irish coin (depicting the musical lyre) is multiplying the sound, making the tone more mellow …. 6.5.4.3 … The time to sound the horn is almost here. “The sheep are in the meadow and the cows in the corn. So hurry little rabbit — come blow your horn!”… 2.1… Happy New Year!!!

MYRTLE #9042 TIM WOLFE What sort of rabbit hangs out at the ocean? Why, a beach bunny, of course! I began work on this statue while on my first solo promotional, which was held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. You might say that the name just sort of fit this little rabbit to a tee.

NAISMITH #5029 (January, 1988) Naismith is named for James A. Naismith, who invented the game of basketball in 1891. Dr. Naismith was a physical education teacher at the YMCA in Springfield, Massachusetts, and wanted to develop a game that could be played indoors during the cold New England winters. Like his namesake, this little Woodspirit has his hair parted in the mid-de, the style for young men at the turn of the century. Naismith has borrowed a peach pit from Peaches, because the very first basketball game used two peach baskets and a soccer ball. His coin is from Canada, where Dr. Naismith was born. Little Naismith uses the same basket as Slam and Dunk. His jersey number commemorates the year the sport was invented. He’s smiling as he tries to make a free throw with the walnut he found in the woods, because he’s having a ball.

NANTAHALA AND LITTLE BEAR #1101 (April, 1985) This lovely Indian lady lives with her family beside a river surrounded by tall mountains. Her name means “Land of the Noonday Sun, because the sun shines so briefly on the riverside camp site. Her son is still sleeping while she gathers wood for the open fire. Soon she will awaken him by softly singing a tribal song about the Wam Squam (white water).

NAOMI #19 (November, 1979) Naomi is named for the beloved mother-in-law of Ruth in biblical times. She has a protective manner and her dress has a floral design, because she is so fond of her flower garden. She seems to be saying, “Now don’t they all look so pretty!”

NARCISSI BLOEM #5694 (January, 2005) “Cisi” brings in the first hint of spring into the house. The bulb that she has in the pot the potential of becoming a paperwhite flower, the first harbinger of the end of winter. Should she be outside to bloom in the garden? Or should she try forcing it to bloom in the house? It certainly needs a larger pot, regular watering and a sunny (but not too hot) place in the room. Give it seven or eight weeks, and its beauty and fragrance will overwhelm her (and you too!). Gnomes with green thumbs know best how to encourage sleeping bulbs to awaken. All they really have to do is say the name of this sweet lady, “Narcissi Bloem!”

NATH #185 (January, 1982) This miniature is of an old man of the mountains. Despite his age, he continues to go on a daily hike in the hills that he has known and loved since his youth. Right now, it is time for a little rest on a friendly stump. He is named for my friend, Nath Thompson, who directs Camp Carolina in the North Carolina mountains.

NATIVITY COW, SHEEP AND DONKEY NATIVITY COW #9152; NATIVITY SHEEP #9153; NATIVITY DONKEY #9154 In response to numerous requests from collectors to sculpt the animals for Dr. Clark’s new nativity scene, I am elated to have just finished the donkey (ass), the cow (ox), and a pair of sheep. In researching Nativity Scene depictions, I found it was traditional of Christian Art to depict one cow and one donkey in the stable with the Christ Child. This stems from the Old Testament book of Isaiah, Chapter 1, verse 3: “The ox knows his owner, And the ass his master’s crib; but Israel doth not know …” (her Lord). This verse was used to illustrate that the animals would recognize Jesus to be the future Messiah, yet the people would not. Consequently (for symbolism), early artists often painted a cow and donkey overlooking the manger where the Christ child lay. The inclusion of sheep in the stable has a dual purpose: to include the visits of the shepherds to the nativity and to remind the worshipper that this child will one day be the “Good Shepherd.”

NELL #9012 TIM WOLFE Nell has just recently stirred from a five month slumber. Curled up as a little striped ball of reddish-brown fur, she has slept through the entire winter, deep inside the warmth of an under. ground burrow. Unlike the tree-dwelling types who remain active all during cold weather, ground squirrels like Nell have learned that the best way to deal with winter is to hibernate .. and not to deal with it at all. Each spring finds Nell out and about once again, saying hello to old friends and being her nervous, fussy self. Although she is getting on up in years (she has just reached the ripe old age of seven), Nell hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. In fact, to say that this ol’ girl is “active” would be a large understatement. Nell spends a great deal of time trying to satisfy her insatiable curiosity. It sometimes gets her into trouble, but it also leads to the discovery of new and exotic foods. While nuts and berries are the mainstay, delicacies such as snails, beetles and tulip bulbs have since been added to the menu. Looking back on her long, vigorous life, Nell can honestly say that she wouldn’t have changed a thing. She’s made her share of mistakes along the way, but overall she real ly has no regrets. Well, except for the time she ran headlong into a weasel’s nest … (her curiosity was to blame for that one). While she may not be as bright-eved and bushy-tailed as she once was, chances are Nell will be busy out and about next spring, too.

NELLIE #164 (September, 1981) *You won’t believe this, but Nellie reminds me of my grandmother!” That is the usual reaction to this figure which was created without the aid of a photograph. It was a pose often seen in my youth. I was always to the side with my own little pan full of beans to be snapped. The pink slippers are for comfort as Nellie sits on the front porch.

NELSON #9026 TIM WOLFE Timberrr! It’s a proud moment when a beaver kit fells his first tree and by the looks of it, Nelson is well on his way to a busy career in logging and dam construction. Actually, this was more like a small sapling than a tree but hey, a fella’s got to start somewhere. For an eager beaver, there is always plenty of work to be done, and work is something these thrifty animals take to with a fervor. When we see the results of their labor in the way of dams, lodges, canal systems and fallen timber, we can’t help but wonder if indeed beavers do, as folklore has it, employ the use of muskrat slaves. Beavers take great pride and pleasure in their tasks however, and Nelson would be the first to tell you that it’s all a labor of love. I once had an art teacher at Western Beaver High School, in Beaver County Pennsylvania, who seemed to rather enjoy his job – and come to think of it….he was a ‘Nelson’ too!

NEMO #193 (April, 1982) Nemo is a piscatologist and is collecting unusual sea shells to go along with his study of fish. His hard hat protects him from daredevil sea gulls. In fact, he sometimes gets under the large shell so that he can’t be seen at all. I tossed one statue of Nemo into the water near Gibraltar, so that he is now 20,000 leagues under the sea! His coin is at times a British penny showing a sailing vessel, and other times it is an Irish coin showing a dolphin.

NEPTUNE #5408 “Hail” to King Neptune sitting on his chariot-throne awaiting a trip through his watery domain. Ancient Roman mythology called him the “Lord of the Sea.” On this figurine, he appears to be lord of the sea shells and now all he needs is a chariot for transportation. (Please notice the dolphin on one of the Italian coins.) If his obvious weight is too much for the fish to pull, he’ll have to call upon the sea horses to help! (The other Italian coin has oats on it which can be used to feed the sea horses.) When King Neptune is ready to depart he will sound the conch shell trumpets which are nestled under his arms. The sound will be like the roar of the ocean waves and every woodspirit surrounded by sea shells will applaud their King!

NEVADA #2044 (Special Commission) (October, 1993) For many years little Nevada worked the famous mines, but now he seeks his fortune elsewhere in the Silver State. From the snowy Sierra Nevadas to the high plateau desert, to Lake Mead, Hoover Dam and the Colorado River, Nevada is surrounded by magnificent treasures. He is standing by an 1883 silver dollar, minted in Carson City, the capital of Nevada, and he has playing chips from Las Vegas and Reno, the state’s two largest cities. The star on his lapel assures everyone that gambling is legal here. As you can see, gambling is good for Nevada; this lucky Woodspirit has hit three Cairn acorns on his slot machine. He has two playing cards on the base – a jack of diamonds and queen of hearts. That may be good enough to win at “21” but if not, Nevada will use the ace up his sleeve. Lady Luck is definitely smiling on him – even his dice show lucky number seven. Nicknamed the Battle Born State, Nevada joined the Union in 1864, in the midst of the Civil War. Although Nevada has one of the smallest populations, each year its visitors nearly outnumber most of the populations of the other United States. Today, the 36th state means great basketball, wedding bells for many happy couples, and family entertainment for all ages.

NEWLYWEDS #9166 TIM WOLFE After several seasons of courting, this frog couple have finally taken the plunge … the big leap … Yup, they’re now married! And what a grand wedding it was. Just about everyone from the pond was there. Uncle George even showed up, all the way from Japan! When the “I Dos” were over, the couple hopped a ride to Niagara Falls for their honeymoon. After an evening of dining and going through the wax museum, Mr. and Mrs. Frog are sharing a warm bubble bath in the honeymoon suite. “Is this a nice pad or what!? said the groom. Are there any tadpoles in the newlywed’s future? “Let’s just say amplexus is definitely in our vocabulary”, grinned the blushing bride.

NEWSPAPER BOY (“The Kid”) #325 (True Builders of America) (October, 1983) It is October 19, 1931. In the midst of the Depression, the Kid is trying to fill his father’s shoes as well as his hat -by selling newspapers to supplement the family income. He looks young, but old beyond his years. He has the encouragement of his pup, Shady, whose paw prints can be seen circling the fire hydrant. The newspaper tells accounts of Thomas Edison’s death, Hitler’s rise, the League of Nations being tested and Al Capone’s attempt to get out of a jail sentence. The paper didn’t print that it was also Tom Clark’s birthday!

NEWT #1043 (April, 1984) This fellow insists that he was not named for Fig Newton, but rather for Sir Isaac Newton. He points to his English coin to substantiate his claim, as well as the three apple seeds, which popped out of the apple that hit Sir Isaac on the head.

NEW YORK #2052 (Special Commission) (January, 1995) Start spreadin’ the news – little New York has sailed into view. This Woodspirit looks a lot like Henry Hudson, who explored the Hudson River in the 1600% on a ship named “The Half-Moon.” He holds a nautical chart in his fingers for he is headed to the Finger Lakes. The supplies in his boat come from every corner of New York: grapes from its vine-yards, a hot dog from Coney Island, and a big apple from New York City, the largest city in the United States and the world’s greatest melting pot. His barrel and (wedding) bells represent Niagara Falls, and his outfit honors the Empire State’s Dutch heritage. New York was one of the original thirteen colonies and became the eleventh state on July 26, 1788. This little fellow has pine cones from the beautiful Adirondacks and a milk bottle from New York’s dairy industry. For good luck I gave him a horseshoe from one of New York’s famous tracks. One of his many coins is from the 1939 New York World’s Fair, which I attended as a child. Little New York’s sail has been covered with graffiti that celebrates the many faces of this incredibly varied state. But there’s one sentiment that you’ll hear from the southern tier to Lake Champlain, and from Lake Erie to Albany: I Love New York!

NEY #143 (Special Commission) (April, 1981) This scholarly Woodspirit was commissioned by the Stewart Scholarship Committee of Davidson College. It is modeled after Professor Chalmers Davidson, one who cherishes the traditions of the College. The College colors are red and black, and the leaves on the base symbolize the oldest dormitories on the campus, Oak and Elm Row. The wildcat on the back is the College mascot and the seal, designed by Peter Stewart Ney, is on the dais.

NICK #8084  He glides through defenders Leaving awe on their faces, Controlling the ball Like it’s tied to his laces!

NICKLAUS #5607 This little gnome is proud of being named in honor of his favorite golfer, Jack Nicklaus. His parents thought the name would bring him good luck, especially since they live near a golf course. Although he isn’t large enough to play professional golf, the gnome, Nicklaus, is constantly on the lookout for stray balls. If you ever lose one near his home, just whistle, and he will divide the grass around the ball so that you can find it. To help golfers make a longer drive, Nicklaus has replaced the tee with a thimble. This will help make the shot ‘sew’ good. The lucky coins add up to 55. Is that an impossible score for 18 holes? Maybe not—just look at the coins again. See, there’s a “hole in one”!

NICK O TIME #1010 (November, 1983) Nick is the most dependable repairman in the clan. He is never late for appointments, whether it’s to fix a Gnomega watch or a Gnomefather’s clock. He carries his own timepiece over his ticker. It is set at 8:20, the legendary time of Abraham Lincoln’s death. Payment for his work must be given in Swiss coins. Whoever owns this Woodspirit will never again be late, and will always arrive in the Nick-of-time!

NIP & TUCK & SANTA #5063 (October, 1987 Santa is seated on his Christmas throne, awaiting the children who will sit on his lap and tell him what they want for Christmas. The two elves, Nip and Tuck, have arranged all the toys and packages around Santa’s throne. Nip is hoping that Santa will give him that new football for Christmas, because he wants to play catch with Tuck. To keep his brother from hearing his secret, he is whispering a “close call” into Santa’s ear. Tuck has also climbed up on Santa’s shoulder, trying to hear Nip’s request. He’s hoping that what goes in one ear will come out the other.

NO. 5 #8011  This slugger’s mother just can’t believe All the attention her son receives. You see, he bats clean-up for his team, At home he doesn’t know what cleanup means.

NOAH #5019 (November, 1987) Noah, the carpenter, is building a cradle for his new granddaughter, and the rag doll is waiting for her place next to the baby. In the Old Testament, Noah was a carpenter and my Noah will be decorating his cradle with carvings of all the animals on the Ark. Noah has carefully shaped the rockers so that when the wind blows, the cradle will rock. Each night when Noah lays the baby down to sleep, he entrusts her to the watchful care of the Master Carpenter of Nazareth. On days when the air is very still in the forest, you can hear the busy sounds made by the hard-working Gnomes: Noah, Edison, Cicero, Franklin and The Bridges. When the work is especially demanding, all their musician friends encourage them by playing “Whistle While You Work”.

NODDINS #9043 TIM WOLFE One look at his cozy sleeping quarters and its easy to see why Noddins has such a rough time getting out of bed in the morning. Who would have imagined that an old sardine can could be so inviting? Needless to say, this can had been emptied of its original contents prior to Noddins’ packing it fill of leaves and grass. The benefits of this soft mattress are twofold; one it makes for a more comfortable night’s rest and two, it helps It mask any “fishy” odors that might still be lingering in the bottom of the can. Noddins has grown so fond of his little bed that lately he’s been inclined to sleep in. If it weren’t for his feathered friends chirping, “Wake up and smell the coffee” he would probably sleep all day long. That would be a shame, since the morning is Noddins’ favorite time of the day. It’s just that when your bed is as comfortable as his is, the morning seems to arrive much too early.

NOEL #1066 (September, 1984) She is the stocking mate to Yule, the Christmas elf. She wears a pretty winter scarf as she oversees the toys around her. A wee Cabbage Patch doll will be a special gift. Her coin is the other side of the penny which belongs to Yule.

NO FISHING #9070 TIM WOLFE The river otter is never found far from water. In fact, this aquatic mammal is more at home in the water than on land. The otter’s webbed feet and long, sleek body enable it to out swim most fish, one of the otter’s favorite foods. Our friend here has just landed a largemouth bass. You can be sure that this is one fisherman who does not practice “catch and release.” If there is anything the otter does better than fishing, it would undoubtedly be playing! Whether young or old, these animals spend a good portion of their lives involved in some type of playful activity. They romp and and roll underwater, play tag, slide down river banks over and over, and swim just for the sheer pleasure of it. It has been said that otters live life to the fullest – and thoroughly enjoy themselves while doing so. Now, that does sound like fun!

NO PASSING ZONE #6312 Cairn Promotional Series (May, 1994) This turtle gives new meaning to the term “four on the floor.” With great finesse but with total disregard for the traffic laws, he roared past (in a manner of speaking) the other fellow on the road, who was traveling at a snail’s pace. But you can’t escape the long arm of the law, and the offender was quickly motioned over to the side by a sharp-eyed constable. He’ll surely be given a ticket – yes sir, the policeman is already making a note on the leaf of his citation book. This Kindred Spirits creation has the “standard features” • a snail from Tim Wolfe and a coin (a Connecticut Turnpike token) from Tom Clark. What possible excuse can the turtle give to avoid the rap? Perhaps he’ll try the old “practicing for the big race” story. It’s tough to have the body of a VW beetle and the soul of a Porsche.

NORGE #5563 (January, 2004) Scandinavians love “Dala” horses. Traditionally, it was thought that they kicked troubles out of your house. Our gnome, Norge, takes very good care of his horse. He brings his Dala an apple every morning, which guarantees that the horse will be up and ready for the day’s activities upon Norge’s arrival. When Norge rides his horse you have double good luck, for Gnomes, too, have a history of helping people with their daily chores. They receive good training from Santa Claus who recruits them for Christmas services. One word of caution when you place Norge on a table in your home. Unless the Dala horse’s hind legs are pointed toward a window or a door, the troubles he kicks will just hit the wall and bounce right back to where they were!

NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND #2060 (Special Commission) (May, 1996) New England is the cradle of American independence and the grandfather of Yankee ingenuity. Comprised of six states, New England is the northeasternmost region of the United States, and was named by the English explorer Captain John Smith in 1614. My little fellow is here to proclaim the great news about Northern New England – Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. With his half-moon spectacles he is reminiscent of Daniel Webster, a famous orator and Secretary of State for three presidents, who was born in Salisbury (now Franklin), New Hampshire. The statue is decorated with autumn leaves, a symbol of the beautiful scenery that draws thousands of tourists each year. This fellow’s podium shows the three state maps and his scroll lists important facts about each state. Vermont, the Green Mountain State, was the first territory outside of the original thirteen colonies to join the Union. The Green Mountain Boys, led by Ethan Allen, were true heroes of the Revolutionary War. New Hampshire, the Granite State, gets its name from the red and gray granite of the White Mountains. It has the shortest coastline (18 miles) of any ocean-bordering state, and was the home of President Franklin Pierce. Maine, the Pine Tree State, forms the northeastern tip of the United States, and Mount Katahdin, the state’s highest peak, is the first point to see the sun. New Englanders often refer to Maine as “Down East” stemming from an early use of the word “down” to mean “north. This Woodspirit likes to “unite” the six states by standing next to his cousin from Southern New England. He, too, is extolling the virtues of his region. Together they are loud and clear – New England stands for great scenery, great American history, and great people.

NORTON #16 (December, 1980) The first Gnomes to come into North Carolina are thought to have traveled down the Appalachian trail. When they reached North Carolina it was their lucky day, and so Norton has found a good luck penny. In his knapsack is a little jar of sourwood honey and two biscuits, in case he meets a fellow hiker.

NUNNY #2006 (June, 1984) This fellow helps the flowers to open just in time for the Camellia Festival in Temple City, California. He is wearing the red coat of an official and is named for a former mayor of the town and the owner of Kool’s Candy.

NUTMEG #9149 TIM WOLFE Once again, little Nutmeg is the first to fall asleep at the slumber party. She and her friends have had quite a day together, doing all sorts of fun things little girls like to do; they jumped rope – with binder-twine, they hula hooped – with a key ring, they see-sawed – on popsicle sticks, they played house – in a shoebox, and they played hide-and-seek – in the pantry. After a leftover pizza dinner, Nutmeg just couldn’t keep her eyes open, and dozed off in this empty walnut shell. When one of her friends asked of her whereabouts, another pointed and said, “That’s her, in a nutshell.”

NUTS ABOUT YOU #11003 TIM WOLFE It comes as no great surprise that squirrels are crazy about nuts. The two go together like mice and cheese, or beavers and trees, or flowers and bees. The same can also be said about people. Maybe you were lucky enough to find someone that you are just plain crazy about. And maybe that someone is nuts about you, too!

NUTTY AND THE PROFESSOR #5605  “Nuts”! That’s what interests these two characters—Nutty, the mouse, and the botany Professor. A book on nuts is helping the old teacher identify all the acorns on the base. He belongs to the Green Thumb Society as you can see from the logo on the book cover. A leaf on his thumb confirms his membership. Sometimes a small limb of a tree gets too burdened down with new acorns, and that is when the Professor takes the ax and cuts them loose. Why are the mouse and Professor staring ahead? Perhaps another mouse is helping himself to “their” acorns. Or maybe they see the rabbit who posed for the coin from Zimbabwe. Some folks say that a mouse helped Ben Franklin with his inventions. Maybe this mouse is helping the Professor with his research . . . or is that Nutty?

OAKIE #3 (October, 1979) Oakie is laid back and resting. He has been busy collecting the acorns and twigs that are used on the bases of all the statues. Now it is Happy Hour and he is watching the sunset. He is happiest when his oak headrest can be used as a bookend. When I wasn’t looking, Oakie put a beetle on the base to remind the artist to “let it be.” The coin near his knapsack is usually from Great Britain.

OBIE #104 (August, 1978) How do you catch fish? It’s a puzzlement that this old-timer has faced for years. There’s a fish hook in his cap and a sinker on the base. The cork changed colors several times before Obie retired from the line and from fishing!

O’BRIAN #1084 (January, 1985) This leprechaun is rather jaunty in his battered green hat. He sits on a stump at a cross in the road, hoping to drum up some business for his cobbler shop. He watches for people with pained expressions on their faces and suggests that their shoes are too uncomfortable. He repairs the shoes and wishes them the luck of the Irish.

O’HARA #5577 This garden gnome is named for the owner of Tara in “Gone with the Wind”. The plantation was noted for its fertile fields and fine crops. The lucky coin is a quarter from Georgia, the home state of the famed Tara. Our O’Hara is checking out the directions for distributing the plant food that is in the sack. Once the sack is empty, the gnome will wash the sack and use the material for patching his work clothes. There are two small rabbits from the O’Hare family waiting for the crops to grow. They are wondering “Are the carrots for O’Hara or the O’Hares?”

OHIO #2048 (Special Commission) (April, 1994) Since Ohio, the 17th state, is home to John Glenn and Neil Armstrong, you may think that my little Ohio is out of this world. Ohio is taking one small step, but he looks more like Johnny Chapman, who was nicknamed Johnny Appleseed as he roamed Ohio’s hills spreading apple seeds and the Gospel. Ohio has collected many coins that tell his state’s story. Named for its many buckeye trees, the Buckeye State joined the Union on March 1, 1803. One of its most famous sons is Thomas Edison, and in 1796 its first capital was established in Chillicothe. There is a coin to honor its covered bridges, and another coin from Japan, for in Japanese the word “Ohio” means “hello.” The arrowhead from London, Ohio honors the state’s Native Americans and the small tractor salutes its hard-working farmers. The miniature tire represents this state’s automobile and tire manufacturing industries. There’s a “brown” football and a “red” baseball mitt, but don’t forget that Bengals and Indians also love to play sports. Look for the 4-H Club emblem, for Ohio is the birthplace of 4-H and currently boasts the largest number of clubs. On the basket slats I have listed the names of the United States presidents who were born in Ohio. Little Ohio has a map that makes it clear: Ohio is the heart of it all!

0. J. #130 (October, 1980) 0. J. stands for Orange Juice. Like his cousin Sean, he picks the oranges and rides them down the tree. In his pocket is his good luck Dutch coin depicting Queen Juliana who is of the House of Orange. I hid little 0. J. in Palestine near the Sea of Galilee where oranges are grown to perfection. I hope he remains hidden or else is found only by a Cairn collector!

OLGA #9017 TIM WOLFE Gray squirrels are natural-born acrobats and Olga is no exception. In fact, her tree top routines are well worthy of a gold medal. On a typical day, some of Olga’s arboreal escapades will Include making death-defying leaps from frail limbs, scrambling head-first down the sides of trees, racing headlong across high telephone wires and dangling upside-down to reach the bird feeder. And this is all before 9.00 a.m.! The secret to Olgas delity and vigor lies in her magnificent bushy tail. Waving behind wherever she goes, it serves her as a counterbalance and an automatic boost control. While it would appear that she has a boundless source of energy, Olga does take time out between performances. So, once again using her tail, this time as a sun-shade, she’ll flatten herself out on a limb and take a breather.

OLIN #17 (April, 1980) The Gnomes and Woodspirits like to take a holiday at the beach every summer. They fly there on the backs of Canada geese and then go swimming in the little pools of water that the tide leaves when it recedes. Someone has to stand watch over their valuables while they swim, so that is Olin’s job. He has his shell held open for any coins or glasses his friends wish to leave with him. He is named for Olin Nesbit, who heads a security company in Charlotte, N.C.

OLIVE YOU #5407 When you are in love, you look for many ways to say “I Love You.” Some of my gnomes have used sign language to carry this heartwarming message (examples: Pumpkin and Hopkins) and several of them have even given away their hearts (Hart, Val and Barney). This little gnome, Pimiento, is “into olives.” Therefore, he expresses his feelings by saying “Olive You!” The Greek olive calls for a Greek coin and this coin depicts an olive branch symbolizing that the bearer comes in peace. If you wish to be emphatic about your statement of affection, you can place this gnome next to Tim Wolfe’s Berry Much (a little mouse carrying a berry), and you will then have Olive You Berry Much.

OLIVER, WENDELL, HOLMES & SANDRA #5044 (April, 1988) Since Gnomes love to play with whatever they find in the woods, this foursome has gathered around a law book entitled “General Statutes. But how did it get in the woods? Did some judge throw the book at an offender? Little Sandra (who is a “Day” in the life of Oliver, Wendell and Holmes) and little Holmes are showing that they are protected by the law. Oliver and Wendell are pretending to be lawyers, as the book serves as “de-fence” between them. Oliver is bending the law a bit, while Wendell thinks he’s above the law, but he doesn’t have a leg to stand on. Gnomes and Woodspirits always settle their disagreements before the sun goes down, and they delight in sharing, not hoarding, their possessions. They have sympathy for humans who have a greater need than they do for laws and lawyers.

OLLIE #303 (October, 1981) The butterfly is the message carrier in the Woodspirit territory. Ollie has just received a particularly wonderful message from this one. Perhaps it is an invitation to lunch and the butterfly is telling him the menu. The smaller butterfly behind him is the “P.s. which tells about the dessert.

OLYMPIA #5119 (September, 1990) Olympia is tying the bow of her sneak-er. Is she waiting for the other shoe to drop? She shares a pair of shoes with her husband Pheidippides, and they love to jog together. They also share a Greek coin and a prize coin, depicting a relay race, won by Sterling Martin, former track and cross-country coach at Davidson College. Olympia is named for Mount Olympus, the legendary home of Zeus and Hera, king and queen of Greek mythology, and for the plain of Olympia, site of the first Olympic games. Olympia knows that when you run the race of life, you need comfortable shoes and the perfect sole-mate.

O’NEAL #1019 (January, 1984) This fellow is a wonderful storyteller, but distance from the events lends enchantment to the story being told. Everyone loves to gather at his feet when he sits down to relate something from his youth. His wife, Elizabeth, often takes exception to his tales by saying, “Oh, Neal, how you do go on!” His coin is Irish, in honor of the country from which he got the gift of the Blarney stone.

OPIE #9052 TIM WOLFE Opie has decided to join Scrap, Calhoun and the others as they listen to the old man tell his favorite stories. As usual, the ol’ opossum was the last to arrive but, by golly, he made it! “Better late than never,” Opie is often heard mumbling. His habitual tardiness is usually blamed on “Overslept!” or his favorite excuse, “The traffic was terrible!” His friends are forgiving, however, because while the opposum may have his share of flaws, Opie is great company and it’s kind of nice to have him hangin’ around.

ORDER #5333 (April, 1997) Law and Order is the name of the game for the Woodspirit community. Order is a policeman who wears an acorn badge that shows his shield # 911. As part of his insignia he wears a four-leaf clover on his cap. His eyes and ears are wide open as he patrols his beat. He is smiling, for he enjoys helping others. He has no coin, because his role in the community is priceless. Order backs up his friend Law, and vice versa. Law and Order keep things straight – together they make good bookends for your coupons or business cards.

OREO #1155 (July, 1986) JC PENNY COLLECTION…..Look quickly, because oreos don’t stay around this fellow for long. His name was Orion, but he changed it to Oreo so that he could claim all of these delicious cookies for himself! When he eats too many, he gets “pencesive” because he always gains a (British) pound!

ORV #5488 (2001)  “Honest, it was this big … maybe bigger! I’ve never seen such a fish in this neck of the woods! I’ve fished here all my life and not until today have I caught anything to match it. Well, I know it got away, but I did get it out of the water. It flipped up, and I swear he looked at me like he wanted to see who finally caught him. Then back in the water and – snap – the line broke. By golly, he was a stunner, or I’m not named for my Uncle Orvis. And I got another thing to tell ya… I’m really not sorry he got away. I hope he’s down there telling his friends about me like I’m telling you about him, and when he gets ready to give me the eye again, I’ll be up here waiting. A fisherman’s best catch is always just a day away.” Note: Orv is based on Montana fishing legends Dale and Ray Alt.

ORVILLE #2003 (Special Commission) (December, 1984) This statue was commissioned by DeClark’s in Dayton, Ohio to honor the native who was the first man in a flying machine. On the base is a commemorative coin and a postage stamp noting the event. The penny is dated 1903, the year of that first flight, and the buckeye is the symbol for Ohio. The little paper plane is made of sheet music of Mozart’s “Ait,” of course!

OSCAR #2020 (Special Commission) (July, 1987) Oscar is from southern California, and he’s proclaiming that it’s a “reel” award-winning state. He is standing tall, holding a strip of celluloid which depicts some of the delightful aspects of living there: weather, recreation, sports and, of course, the motion picture industry. In southern California the sun always shines, and the Stars are always out. The sailboat, made from a sea shell, hints at the miles of coastline and the Pacific Ocean beyond. The roses symbolize the Rose Bowl and the enthusiastic celebration of sports in California. Oscar is surrounded by a fish, a sea shell, a golf tee, orange and lemon seeds, and a eucalyptus acorn from Will Rogers’ ranch. California has been home to the Spaniards, the Mexicans, and now to the Americans who have come from all corners of the world. The Spanish coin is dated 1838, when California was still Spanish territory. The U.S. half dollar honors the families that have immigrated to America to make their new homes. The movie clap-board shows Oscar’s name and creation date. The “clapper” also has a message for the collector, which is of course, “Take home.”

OSGOOD #9093 Knowledge is power, and Osgood the owl is willing to share his knowledge with anyone who wishes to learn. Many of the woodland animals make their way to Osgood’s perch, seeking his advice and wisdom. For example, when Melntosh’s birthday picnic was spoiled by rain, he asked Osgood why it had to rain on his party. Osgood replied, “Take heart, into every life a little rain must fall? Twitch the rabbit visited Osgood to ask about an imitating itch in a hard to reach spot. Osgood responded, “My boy, if it itches, scratch it!” Then there was Todd the turtle, who, in his quest for the owl, traveled four lonely days and four lonely nights. When he finally reached Osgood’s tree, Todd asked, “Oh, wise one, what is the secret of life?” Without hesitation Osgood answered, “Always remember this – a wet bird never flies at night?” Todd trudged homeward, not fully comprehending the answer.

OTIS #9061 TIM WOLFE While the competition was extremely tough, Otis has just been awarded first place in the porcine category at the county fair. From the look on his face I’d say he’s mighty happy about it, too. In fact, he’s tickled pink! Otis hasn’t the vaguest idea what the pig judges were looking for but apparently he had what it takes – to win! He wonders if this elevated status will change the way he’s viewed by the other animals around the farm. It most certainly will alter his own personal lifestyle; from now on, it’s living high on the hog for Otis.

OTTER BE FISHIN’ #11020  Have you ever been in a situation where you thought you ought to be doing something else? Well, that is exactly what this slick little fur bearer was thinking. He just wasn’t having much fun doing what he was doing so he thought, “I otter be fishin!” So he did! – and is he ever glad!

OUR WEDDING #5284  CBz #3300 (July, 1995) Dearly beloved, we are assembled here to greet this happy couple. “Our Wedding” celebrates their special day, whether it is today, tomorrow, a year ago, or maybe even twenty-five years ago. There is no other day in a couple’s life together that creates such a lasting treasury of memories. The bride and groom are standing before the traditional wedding invocation from the Book of Common Worship, used by many denominations. It is interesting that these graceful words are directed not to the new couple, but to the witnesses who have come to share in their joy. Some of the words that are most easily read are “holy marriage,” “reverently,” “happiness, “comfort.” There is space left on the cover of the small book so that it may be personalized with names and a date. I gave this couple a traditional English sixpence for luck, though their smiles say they’ve already been blessed with both luck and love.

OUT OF GAS #8053  She goes full throttle all day long Until collapsing into a heap, How can this rascal who runs me ragged Look like an angel when she’s asleep?

OVERTIME #11001 TIM WOLFE Work work work! Beavers are nature’s busybodies. For them, there is always work to be done: a stream to dam, a lodge to build, a forest to be cleared. Beavers are not your average nine-to-fivers. If there is a project that needs to be completed, they’ll stay at it until the job is finished, no matter how long it takes. When asked what they do for fun, one beaver replied, “Work!”

PADDLEMAN #5389 “Watch your wings! Don’t feather your engine! Now, pull back .. easy . . . easy . . ” The Paddleman is bringing in a young aviaryator (a bird aviator) for a landing at the local flight school. Birds have natural abilities to take off, fly, and land. Still, like people, initial instruction for them makes a real difference in getting one’s “feet off the ground” as well as “landing on one’s feet” when the winds of fortune are blowing in different directions. The gnome Paddleman has been putting in a lot of overtime lately at a popular bird feeder. These airline hubs are especially crowded in beautiful gardens. Lots of gnomes like to sit beside the field and watch the birds land – especially Stan, Rorie, Audobon and Peterson, Foster and the Dove School Bus. Sometimes flights are delayed when hawks are patrolling the area. At night, the landing field is often ringed by fireflies. The Paddleman’s lucky coin shows the American eagle in flight. It is a special coin for me, because it dates back to my birth year, 1928.

PADDY #5075 (July, 1989) Paddy is proudly carrying a sandwich board made of two police badges. The badge in front (from Wheat Ridge, Colorado) proclaims his name and domain, Cairn Ridge, the name of my mountain home. Paddy’s second badge is from the Davidson College Security Force. These badges symbolize that Paddy stands behind his local police, and that the police are always there to back him up. This little Irish Woodspirit has a coin from Ireland, in honor of the strong tradition of the Irish in law enforcement. Behind Paddy is his little paddy wagon, made from a moss oak acorn shell, which carries his policeman’s whistle. The token indicates that if you live “in Concord” with your fellow man, then not only parking, but also life in general will be free and easy! Paddy has two nickels, representing the 55 miles per hour speed limit. When you’re driving the posted speed limit, then you’re really on the money. The shark’s tooth between the nickels warns you to beware of money sharks. Paddy has scattered birdseed around the base, for all of the jailbirds. His bullet has not been fired, and serves as a reminder that policemen are prepared, at all times, to protect and to serve. I’d like to thank all of the policemen who donated their badges to me for this statue.

PADRE #80 (August, 1984 This Woodspirit is a wonderful listener and friend. He spends so much time being a “father confessor” to the Woodspirits that he has never had a chance to tell them his real name. He was given this coin from Chile, a Spanish-speaking country where the father figure is called “Padre.”

PALS #8040  Though many years between them They stick together just like glue, And, after all, isn’t that What pals are supposed to do?

PALMER #25 AND CARDINAL #26 (April, 1981) Jim Palmer Jr. carved the lovely cardinal who is being treated to a snack by this Woodspirit. In fact, there was a singing group known as Palmer and the Cardinals, but the group split up when the lady cardinal flew off with some bird from up north.

PANSY #9038 TIM WOLFE Call her skittish, jumpy, or perhaps a bit paranoid. Pansy is anything but bold. Even the slightest noise or unfamiliar sight can send this bunny ducking into the nearest protective cover. Depending on factors such as location and availability, cover may be a hollow log, an abandoned ground hog hole, or in this case, a flower pot…a flower pot? Now what in the world could have frightened Pansy this time? So as not to hurt her feelings, we won’t tell her that it was her own shadow.

PAPA AND PRINCESS #69 (October, 1983) This father calls his daughter Princess and gives her a Gnomeback ride just before bedtime. She is the twin sister of Eric and the teddy bear is her most precious pos-session. The coins bear likenesses of a real princess, Elizabeth II, and her papa, George VI.

PA PAW #49 (Special Commission) (June, 1983) Pa Paw is the grandchildren’s nickname for Pete Hughes of Nashville, Indiana, whose store commissioned this piece. Pete makes personalized signs like this Pa Paw, who is working on a “Gnome Crossing” sign. The coin is an eager beaver Canadian piece. I made Pa Paw left-handed, like myself.

PAR #1096 (May, 1985) This large bird has an “eagle’s eye view of the golf course where these three fellows were playing in the rough. They named the eagle “Par.” When Par landed on the course, they quickly gathered around him. The two under Par are “Stymie” and “Gimme?” The one over Par is “Bogie? He is wearing the plus-4 knickers made popular on the British golf links. The coin is a half dollar, showing America’s national bird. The ball is a Titleist and the eagle was carved by Jim Palmer.

PARDNER #2008 (Special Commission) (June, 1985) Pardner was created for Christmas Time, a store in Aurora, Colorado. Pardner is kneeling on aspen leaves with columbines at his feet, and is Colorado’s native Gnome. Happy at work silver mining, he has paused to show us high-grade ore samples from Central City and Silver Plume. He is a traditional Gnome, wearing a blue shirt and red hat (bent slightly due to the closeness of the mines). He is carrying his carbide lantern and, of course, a red hankie in his pocket. His lucky coin, a quarter eagle ($2.50 gold piece) was minted in 1876 when Colorado became a state, and can be found on the base along with an Indian arrowhead and several pine cones.

PARSLEY, SAGE AND THYME #1001 (November, 1983) While Rosemary feeds a baby rabbit, Parsley sits under the large mushroom silently enjoying the event. Thyme is peeping around the stem and is about to say “Boo” to Parsley. Unknown to either of them, Sage is on top of the mushroom with the best view of all. Occasionally they watch the Woodspirits having a playful tug-o-war in the grass. Their coins are from the Scandinavian countries of Denmark, Sweden and Norway.

PARSON PATTERSON #324 (True Builders of America) (January, 1984) Seeking to portray a minister with all the strength and self-sacrifice demanded of the vocation in the 1930’s, I chose as my model Dr. C. Houston Patterson of Bluefield, West Virginia. Having served as his assistant for two years, I wished to honor him and others like him who were living testaments to the gospel of Christ. He wears a choir robe because I wanted to show that the churches of the Depression had to be resourceful and yet maintain dignity in worship. On the left side of the pulpit are early Christian symbols. The seven stars of the Big Dipper are allusions to the seven stars in the book of The Revelation to John ( 1:16). It is a reference to the whole Church. The A and W are the latinized renditions of Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. This is a reference to Rev. (1:8. The depiction of Jesus as the Good Shepherd is the symbolic way that the early Church painted him in the Catacombs of Rome. The front of the pulpit has copied a French 16th century manuscript depicting the four gospel writers with their customary symbols: the winged man for Matthew, the lion for Mark, the ox for Luke and the eagle for John. The cross in front of the pulpit is a miniature of St. Martin’s Cross (pre-Reformation) on the sacred isle of Iona between Scotland and Ireland. On the pulpit to the Parson’s left is the triangle, symbolizing the Trinity. The X and the combined P are the Greek letters for Chi and Rho, the first early Church abbreviation for Christ. The sea shell is the symbol for the Apostle James. The little stars above and below the shell indicate what the Parson has used as his text, and it is apparently aimed at me, a long-time member of the Religion Department at Davidson College: “Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, for you know we who teach will be judged with greatest strictness. The sermon is about over; the Parson’s pocket watch is at 11:50 a.m.

PARTNERS FOR LIFE #7505 Special Commission By Timothy Wolfe and Roberta Griffin The Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation is New England’s only guide dog school. Fidelco breeds, trains and places highly qualified German shepherd guide dogs. Since the early 1960s Fidelco has helped hundreds of blind men and women throughout the Northeast. Created originally from Bavarian stock, the Fidelco German shepherd has evolved to be truly a “breed within a breed” the result of a concerted and continuing effort to accent the characteristics of the perfect guide. Fidelco guide dogs are intensively trained to be as composed and in command on the streets of New York City as they are in the rural neighborhoods of New England. “Partners for Life” has a meaning to Fidelco that is becoming more and more significant, especially now that many of the guide dogs that Fidelco placed 10 or more years ago are retiring. Replacing those guide dogs demonstrates the goal of a lifetime commitment to our graduates.The initials “C.K.” on the dog’s collar stand for Charles H.Kaman, founder and president of the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation. Mr. Kaman and the entire organization wish to say thank you for helping to “Share the Vision.”

PASSING FANCY #5309 (July, 1996) It was just a passing fancy. Out of the blue came a fancy, prancing, fluttering butterfly, who stopped for a little layover on this Woodspirit’s shell hat. For the butterfly, it was just another day at the beach. But for the Woodspirit, it was an astonishing port o’ call. He hopes she’ll rest awhile, because two if by sea can have a wonderful time chasing sand crabs and jumping over waves. Alas, she was only passing through, so it was just a passing fancy. There is no coin, for butterflies are free.

PATCH #146 (May, 1981) Woodspirits love strawberries and believe that a strawberry a day keeps the wizard away. Patch is looking up to see if there is a bird who would like to share his lunch. The coin is usually from Germany, showing a lady in a garden.

PATCHWORK #5512

PATRICK #117 (February, 1980) Sitting on a stump, this leprechaun seems to be listening to some Irish shepherd singing about his wild Irish Rose. After he sat for several months, I rewarded his patience with an Irish coin. Patrick is able to become invisible at will. In fact, once when he reappeared he wore a different face!

PATRIOT #5146 (March, 1991) Patriot was created in March of 1991 during the Persian Gulf crisis, when Patriot missiles defended our Desert Storm troops. Patiotism is America’s strongest weapon. My little Patriot is standing by a large mushroom. His commemorative coin depicts the Great Seal of the United States. It’s up to the collector to place an American flag in Patriot’s left hand. He loves to attend patriotic celebrations, especially the Memorial Day parades, with his friends Coastie, Flyboy, G.I, Leatherneck and Swabbie. Patriot salutes all who love their country.

PAWLEY #1047 (June, 1984) Here’s a Woodspirit who loves to vacation at Pawley’s Island, South Carolina. He has built this sand castle for the tiny sand crabs. He is looking at the tide coming in and wondering if he can protect his castle by fanning aside the approaching tide. His coin depicts a Portuguese sailing ship.

P.C. AND MANUEL #6333 (February, 1996) It’s a mouse on a mouse! Little Manuel is reading the manual. He and his friend P.C. want to join the world of computers. With an acorn as the power source, it’s doubtful that they’re receiving reliable data. Still, P.C. has been hacking away at this for so long that he’s beginning to look a bit like a mouse. He even has a tail to tell. Manuel hopes to receive some e-mail, but he’ll feel less than WordPerfect when he spots the cat on the large ASPCA coin. Included on the base are two telephone tokens – when P.C. and Manuel hook into the phone line they can surf the internet. But do they know how to swim? Everyone said that the computer would change their lives. Well, it sure has taken a mega-byte out of their day.

PEACHES #5039 (February, 1988) Peaches is the wife of Scoop, and because they’re both real cool, they share the same coin from Chile. But Peaches has turned her coin over, to show that she is a perfect “10.” Her hat is a sugar cone, because she’s so sweet. Peaches has just finished peeling and slicing a bushel of peaches grown in the Piedmont, to make a fresh batch of peach ice cream. She’ll plant the peach pit that she’s holding, so that she’ll always have peaches for her favorite treat. On the base are some of the ingredients she uses to make other Woodspirits’ favorite flavors: a walnut, a peanut, an almond, a plum pit, a chestnut, and a hickory nut in the shape of a heart, for all those who love ice cream.

PEANUT #1041 (April, 1984) Peanut is from eastern North Carolina, where peanuts are grown in my home state. He loves to eat peanuts parched, roasted, or boiled, and most of all he loves peanut butter that is spread between crackers. His coin shows a little Norwegian bird who also loves peanut butter.

PEARL #5187 (April, 1992) In the Thimble family’s home there are two warm afghans folded over the couch. That’s because Thimblena knit one, and Pearl, too. Pearl is Darn’s mother, mother-in-law to Thimblena, and doting grandma to Bobbin and Mendy. She and her husband Yarn love to spoil the grand-kids. She sits on a ball of yarn, wearing a thimble hat, knitting a new sweater or scarf for someone she loves. She wears pearl earrings and a pearl necklace like First Lady Barbara Bush, another loving grandmother. Her coin is a “Groschen” from Austria, with a large number 2 on it. The coin is for Pearl, too!

PEDRO #1158 (July, 1986) Pedro is named for Pedro Cayado, production manager for The Concord Tribune, and in charge of producing the Cairn Collector Society News. I have used his face to honor him for his guardianship of our newspaper. On the base is a Cuban coin that Cayado brought from Cuba with him After leaving so much behind in Cuba, he has made the most of his new life. When the statue was first created, the Tribune honored him with a front page story. Pedro is publishing the newspaper that Crowell will deliver to Woodspirits around the country. He is holding newspaper type that spells out Cairn and Pedro. Type for every letter in the alphabet (except one!) is scattered around the base, as well as miniature copies of Pedro’s favorite newspaper.

PEG #5085 (September, 1989) Peg is a little Irish lass who has just stolen the heart of a leprechaun. Could it be Blarney, or Mulligan or McCormick? Whose ever heart it is, Peg is running away with it, maybe so that her heart cannot be caught. If she’s not careful she’ll trip on the little peg by her foot. As the song says, Peg is sweeter than the rose of Sharon. She can put her Irish coin in the nickelodeon and play “Peg o’ my heart, I love you!”

PENN #1173 (December, 1986) JC PENNY COLLECTION…..Penn reflects the best qualities of both Mr. J.C. Penney and William Penn: he is friendly and benevolent. He always carries bird seed for his bird friends, which you can see in his right hand. Having lost his shoe, he has had to lean upon his golden rule, which has served him well because his bird friend, the Wren, is retrieving the shoe and living by the golden rule, also. The honorary ribbon around his collar, adorned with acorns, displays the golden rule pendant, which J.C. Penney’s awards to its most valued employees. As his “tithing” coin indicates, he will give one-tenth of his penny to the Lord.

PENNSY #10030 Pennsylvania, the Charmer, is boxed in between Caboose and Choo Choo. But, that’s all right with him because he’s riding on a boxcar. He wants to be able to help unload when they reach the depot, so he’s wearing his boxing gloves. And, of course, there’s a boxing “match” in the leaves. You can bet on Penny being the winner because he’s named for the Pennsylvania railroad and he has a lucky four-leaf clover at the front of his boxcar. Good Luck, Pennsy!

PENNSYLVANIA #2045 (Special Commission) (December, 1993) William Penn would be amazed at the changes that have taken place in the Pennsylvania colony he founded over 300 years ago. Begun as a haven of religious freedom for Quakers as well as people of other faiths, Pennsylvania (which means Penn’s Woods) later became the birthplace of American independence. My little Pennsylvania is proud of his map that shows this commonwealth’s major cities, products and natural resources. Its capital is Harrisburg and Philadelphia (home of the Liberty Bell) is the largest city. Wearing a tricorn gnome hat, he may remind you of Benjamin Franklin, the father of electricity and one of Pennsylvania’s most famous sons. His key and the stone beneath it form his state’s nickname – the Keystone State – because it was the center, or keystone, of the “arch” formed by the original thirteen United States. The second state to join the Union, it achieved statehood on December 12, 1787. Little Pennsylvania has collected many treasures that are clues to his large and wonderfully diverse state. The hemlock burrs are from the state tree, and the mountain laurel is the state flower. Pennsylvania is the largest grower of mushrooms, a fact that my little fellow doesn’t want to keep in the dark! You’ll find hints for football, education, coal, steel and the Pennsylvania Railroad, the industrious Amish community, and the sport of hunting but the bullet is spent and the deer tracks are going in the other direction!). Like the lucky Pennsylvania Dutch hex sign (which is often painted on the sides of barns) this small statesman wishes you good times and prosperity in Pennsylvania!

PENNY #5180 (Cairn Seminar Series) (January, 1992) You may think these coins are vours, but they’re not, they are Penny’s! She also has several peanuts on her base, because some people consider pennies to be just peanuts. She was very surprised when she saw this windfall, and her friends said, “You’re a lucky Penny!” Penny is a sweet person who likes to share her luck with others, so she leaves her coins on sidewalks and in the grass for children to find. She loves to listen to Rich’s jokes and see the enjoyment he gets from making others laugh. But Rich never teases when asked about his one true love: “Penny? Oh, Penny’s from Heaven!”

PEPPER #5160 (July. 1991) Pepper is on his way to Caesar’s Salad Toss party. He and his Woodspirit friends will combine all of their favorite ingredients to create a huge tossed salad. Although Pepper claims that he is the salt of the earth, he can always be counted on to spice things up. He is carrying a hot pepper to the party “at the tail end.” Pepper is so late in arriving that his pepper has begun to wither. Why is he standing by a buffalo nick-el? Because Pepper loves salad with ranch dressing.

PERENNIAL SANTA #5579  Annual flowers are beautiful and fun to plant, but some gardeners think that the best crops are perennials that come back year after year without having to be “invited”.  Santa is like that, for he returns every year to homes & gardens everywhere. The clippers that he has are hard to wrap, so he has just tied a ribbon on them and they will beckon the gardener from under the Christmas tree. There is a “creature stirring” and it’s a mouse. Fortunately he’s busy reading a book about gardening rather than looking for holiday cheese treats. No lucky coin is needed for all the presents are free to this home. When they get their spring garden planted it will truly bring “Joy” to their world.

PERRY #5190 (April, 1992) Meet the father of the newest Woodspirit group, the little starfish family. Perry, his wife Janet and their children Carl and Stella are playing Hide-and-Seek at the beach. Perry has positioned himself precisely behind this starfish to hide. Perhaps their game should be renamed Star Search. If you’re keeping score, the game is tide! To aid him in finding the other players I gave him a perry-scope. His coin is from the Bahamas and pictures a starfish. As in the song made famous by Perry Como, little Perry was able to catch a falling star and put it in his pocket. It will never fade away, so he can save it for a rainy day.

PETE #1137 (March, 1986) Pete knows just what to do in his own dugout, take a nap! To him, life is just a bed of roses, and you can tell by his watch that he is taking time to smell them. However, don’t let the leaf over his eyes fool you; he really does know what is going on around him. Also, the twenty pence he has earned (with the English rose in the center) lets you know that he is not as lazy as he looks.

PETE AND RE-PETE #5121 (October, 1990) Pete and Re-Pete are cousins, and they’re the clean-up men for all Gnome picnics. They believe in keeping America beautiful, so they’ve joined the Adopt-a-Highway program. They adopted Grey Road. Pete and Re-Pete know the importance of recycling. Pete has recycled acorns as his jacket buttons, and Re-Pete has recycled a walnut shell as his hat. They’re bagging the paper they collected, and they’ll leave it at Tom Clark’s stop for the recycling truck. Their coins are Italian and show Vulcan, the Roman god of fire who made weapons and thunderbolts, and a farmer’s plow. This is to remind us of the biblical hope that one day we will “beat swords into plowshares,” the ultimate recycling!

PHEIDIPPIDES #5118 (September, 1990) Pheidippides and his wife Olympia are quite a pair! Not only do they share a pair of running shoes, but they are a pair for life. Pheidippides is tying his sneaker in preparation for the big race. He is named for the swift Greek runner who, in 490 B.C., ran over 25 miles from Marathon to Athens, Greece to alert the city of their victory over the Persians. This was the inspiration for today’s marathons (26 miles, 385 yards) run in track meets and in the Olympic games. Pheidippides has a Greek coin and a coin loaned to me by Sterling Martin, a champion distance runner who won this in a relay race. Pheidippides knows that with Olympia by his side, he’s pre-paired for life.

PHILIP #5352    AccCBz #3307 (December, 1997) This is Philip, who has one of the most dangerous jobs on the pit crew. Philip mans the gas can for his team’s race car. When the car is running low on fuel, he will hear his name. As soon as the car turns into pit row the driver yells, “I need a fill-up!”

PHINEAS #103 (July, 1978) Phineas wanted to stay out in my yard all day without being detected, so I dressed him all in leaves, including his hat. His staff is sometimes used to ferret out weeds around the impatiens (under which he likes to hide). He is named for a zealous conservative in the Bible. There is not a coin on the base, so he likes to stay near the “penny” plant.

PICK ME UP #10021 Keep on truckin’ could be the motto for this wee Charmer, who has customized his pickup truck with a four-leaf clover. It has obviously brought good luck to his friend, who has just gotten a lift. Little people are often the ones who give us a “pick up.”

PICTURE THIS! #6325 Cairn Promotional Series (August, 1995) Picture this: a Gnome is taking a photograph of the local hero! The toy camera must have slipped out of a school satchel or a pocket that needed to be mended. So many children run and play in this patch of woods, and there’s no possibility of finding the real owner. But Gnomes and Woodspirits know the importance of putting all things to good use, so surely this unexpected prize should not be ignored. The coin depicts an elephant, and therein lies the the story of this tiny mouse’s heroism. The Gnomes were frightened by the thought of being crushed under an elephant’s huge foot. (Elephants, on the other hand, are fearful of mice.) The little mouse said, “I’ll handle this,” and he slowly approached the mighty beast. As he got closer, he saw that the elephant was tiny enough to fit on a coin from Somalia! You know, sometimes the biggest tasks are accomplished by the smallest one. Now his friends would like a snapshot of their hero. The cheese cracker saved for a mid-morning snack has been pressed into service as a small pedestal, but it will still be just as tasty after the photo shoot. The newest Kindred Spirits statue by Tom Clark and Tim Wolfe will join Cairn Studio’s Group Promotional Series. Those are also great opportunities for taking photographs of friends! The shot is lined up, everything’s in focus. Now all that’s needed is a smile. Say Cheese!

PILGRIM #5047 (April, 1988) The Pilgrim is in the mode of another statue entitled “The Pilgrim” sculpted by Augustus Saint-Gaudens in 1904, and now located on East River Drive in Philadelphia. Unlike his very stern Pilgrim, my Pilgrim is strong, yet also kind and understanding. In front of the Pilgrim is a miniature Plymouth Rock” dated 1620, the year the Pilgrims landed in America. Behind him is a genuine Plymouth rock, that I picked up off the shore when I visited Plymouth, Massachusetts. The Pilgrim is looking to his right, perhaps to gaze at the statue of Eleanor Dare as she holds her baby Virginia, the first English child of the New World. He is holding the family Bible, to symbolize the Pilgrims’ search for religious freedom. The Pilgrim and his family are on their way to church. For those who endured the sacrifices and hardships of life in this new wilderness, every Sunday was a day of Thanksgiving.

PISTACHIO #9041 TIM WOLFE In case you haven’t already guessed from seeing his ear-to-ear grin, Pistachio is an ice cream nut. Only a fellow ice cream lover could possibly comprehend the sensation of being surrounded by one’s favorite, refreshing brand and flavor. Whether chocolate, vanilla, strawberry or a combination of the three, each bite is a special treat to the tongue as well as the tummy. Pistachio (obviously an ardent fan of the flavor by the same name) was thrilled when he found this cone nearly full of the nutty, creamy substance which makes his mouth water and his fur come alive. Could there be any better way to top off a hot summer afternoon? Pistachio thinks not! By the time he polished off the cone itself, he will have eaten far too much. That, however, is to be expected of someone with such an uncontrollable sweet tooth.

PITT #5360   AccCBz #3310 (February, 1998) Named for William Pitt, the great British prime minister, this fellow’s last name is “Board.” Among the crew he’s called Pitt Board, but his familv just calls him Bill (Board). He’s allowed to write almost anything he wants on the board, but he’d better make it four words or less!

PLAY BALL #10024 Another sports-loving Charmer has joined the clan. This little fellow is anxious for the game to begin. He sees baseball as a metaphor for life – the important thing is to just get started. So this wee Charmer is on the ball as he hollers, “Play ball!” Please give him a front row seat on top of your TV set.

PLAYTIME #9165 TIM WOLFE When he was a young kitten, Tom (the cat) loved to play with toys, especially balls of yarn. Toys play an important role for kittens – they are a substitute for actual prey. As they play with objects, kittens are actually practicing their stalking and hunting techniques. Now that he is an adult, Tom doesn’t play with toys quite as often – now he plays with the real thing! He especially enjoys live-mouse-tossing. That isn’t to say Tom couldn’t be “purr-suaded” into playing with this ball of yarn. It has definitely captured his attention . . . Go on, Tom! Have some fun! Whether or not a black cat brings good luck or bad has changed over the centuries and varies from country to country. In Britain, for example, a black cat crossing your path brings good luck! Here in America it is just the opposite; and in the American Midwest, it is good luck if a black cat visits your house, bad luck if it stays. Rest assured that Tom is a lucky black cat; he even has a four-leaf clover on the rug beside him!

PLENTY #33 (April, 1983) This Woodspirit has a cornucopia filled with nuts from the fall harvest. He is ready for a good Thanksgiving feast. He’s hoping for some turkey on the plate, as evidenced by his Irish coin. The horn of “Plenty” is spilling its contents for the benefit of the collector.

PLOWMAN #5385 Every good farmer knows how to take care of his equipment. It isn’t enough to be a plowman, you have to be a blacksmith as well. Thanks to John Deere, the cast iron plows of the 17th and 18th centuries were replaced with steel in 1837. Since then, it has been easier to till the rich soil of hills and bottom land. This typical Plowman is inspecting his work. The design of the plow would often change depending on the soil conditions of each farm. I’m indebted to Norman Rockwell for his painting of a blacksmith contest which inspired me to make my version of a farmer working on his plow.

PLYMOUTH #5172 (November, 1991) Did you know that in 1620 the Mayflower also brought Woodspirits to the New World? Plymouth is one, who through faith and luck survived the arduous ocean voyage. His coin commemorates the landing of the Mayflower at Plymouth, Massachusetts. He is surrounded by kernels of corn and over a dozen varieties of edible nuts. The Pilgrims endured many hardships before they were able to feast and celebrate. Just like he did at the very first Thanksgiving, Plymouth is giving thanks. He cherishes the place of honor in your Thanksgiving centerpiece, but his real message is a reminder to give thanks every day of the year.

POKE & PATTY #6365 (Railroad/Train Series) The cowboy atop the train is named Omaha because he travels there often to take his cows to market. This cattle car is airy because of its side slats . .. but one cow wants just a little more fresh air. (Cattle aren’t known for their sweet fragrance!) This boisterous bovine is a Tim Wolfe creation. The coin is from Ireland and if someone told you this coin would pay for a lot of cow, you’d have to say -Bull!

POKEY #86 (June, 1983) Since turtles sometimes live as long as Gnomes, neither one is ever in a hurry to get anywhere. Pokey is the head of the little family on tiny turtles. They are on a Sunday outing to Eggrock. He carries his coin under his arm; it is the fare for the taxi ride. It is a “Danish’ one, symbolic of what he hopes is on the brunch menu. Pokey and his family are the turtle helpers in the clan; they turn them over when turtles have fallen on their backs.

POLAR EXPRESS #5639 “All packages aboard!” At least a dozen Christmas presents are ready to be shipped on the Southern Pacific car. Santa will be the freight conductor. The key is on loan from Wade Crews and the Meridian & Bigbee Railroad in Mississippi, and the lucky coin is from Iceland, Santa’s first pit stop down from the North Pole. The bell that you see rings… but is heard only by those who believe in Santa Claus.

POLLY & ESTHER #5584 (July, 2004) A friendship that enjoys sewing together is a friendship strongly stitched. These friends share a lucky coin from France from the year 1933. This proves that their friendship has endured a long time. Polly has a sewing basket the contents of which are a surprise present for Esther. They are such good friends; folks refer to them in one phrase – “Polly ‘n Esther”. Their friendship wears well and always stays in good shape!

POP #9064 TIM WOLFE The spirit of Christmas spreads throughout the wildlife community in much the same way it does our own. Our animal counterparts share in the joy and excitement of this special holiday season as it is a great time of celebration for them, too! In every forest, every warren, and every patch of woods, there can be found a local Christmas choir. A choir may number from three to twenty animals and it is comprised of a select group of individuals who, for one reason or another, consider themselves best qualified at carrying a tune. Their choruses can be heard at any hours, day or night, and can be quite pleasing to the human ear. Unfortunately, we humans can become so wrapped up in other affairs during the Christmas season that we seldom, if ever, take the time to listen. Despite what you may have heard, weasels aren’t always ill. tempered little characters. Take Pop, for example. During the Christmas season he is just about as jolly and friendly as a fellow can be. It is at this time of year when – depending on the amount of snowfall – the weasel’s fur turns from brown to white. Pop joined the Christmas choir because it was a great opportunity to show off his new winter coat! He made the other singers promise, however, that monkeys were excluded from participating.

POPPY #5587  The California poppy was the inspiration for this little Green Thumb Gnome.  “Poppy” was having his daily stroll around the Pebble Beach Golf course when – Surprise! – he found a lost golf ball. “It’s over here!” he shouted.  Gnomes love golf courses (they usually play at night). If you are sensitive to Gnomes and appreciate their presence, they will help you find your lost golf balls.  My good friend and Gnome collector, Frosty, sent me the divot from California. It will be used by Poppy to replace any turf disturbed by a golfer’s club. The lucky coin says “Good for one fare” which really means it is good for getting back on the “Fare way”.  “Poppy”, I asked, “Are you, like George Washington, the Founding Father of your Gnome country?” He answered “No, but when it comes to locating golf balls I have “Found’em Farther” than Washington could have ever hit one!”

POPS #22  (November, 1980) Pops likes band music so much that he chose his nickname from the Boston Pops Orchestra. If you get close to him and listen very quietly, you can hear him playing “The Stars and Stripes Forever” on his tiny reed flute. Because he likes to play all night, he has an owl on his coin (Greek).

POT LUCK #10002 “I’m a lucky man!” said Santa. “I got you, Belle, to marry me and move to the North Pole. I have eight wonderful reindeer (nine counting the red-nosed one). And if my good luck holds, this will be a beautiful night for traveling!” Mrs. Claus smiled and said, “Let me give you some pot luck to go with your other luck.” And she poured him a cup of good cheer.

POTTER #2039 (Collector Society Artwork Series) (June, 1992) Potter, like all my Collector Society pieces, is busy at work. He is using the old-fashioned method of coiling strips of clay to craft a new pot. If you think he needs a potter’s wheel you’ll find one behind him. As do many people who work out-of-doors, Potter keeps a rag handy in his back pocket. He uses it to keep the clay moist as it’s transformed into an object of both utility and beauty. Some of Potter’s other handiwork are nearby: a tea set whose teapot has an acorn lid, and a tall cookie jar. The jar is wide enough for a Woodspirit child’s hand, and deep enough for a party. Around every potter you’ll find many fragments of broken pottery, called potsherds. I’ve given Potter an Israeli coin and a potsherd dating from the time of Jesus, found during my travels to Bethel, Israel in 1964. As Potter turns his hands to his trade he is reminded of the words of the prophet Isaiah: Yet, O Lord, thou art our Father; we are the clay, and thou art our potter; we are all the work of thy hand. Isaiah 64:8

POWER SHOPPER #8060   This woman’s what we call A power shopper, She’s got credit cards And nothing can stop her. She’s lucky her bills Haven’t come in yet, Their total is more Than the national debt!

PRAIRIE MOTHER #5311 (September, 1996) Westward Ho! A gallant chapter in our history is the story of the pioneers who crossed the Appalachian Mountains and traveled west across America in the 1700s and 1800s. Most of the brave men and women who made this perilous journey traveled together in wagon trains, often one hundred families strong. All of their worldly possessions were packed in huge covered wagons, nicknamed “prairie schooners, for their white tops resembled the sails of a ship. The pioneers’ constant refrain was “keep moving,” in hopes of traveling up to twenty miles a day, and thereby crossing the western mountains before the first snows. This young mother cradles her baby as she walks beside their wagon. She wears her mother’s shawl, a bittersweet reminder of her family and home left behind. But surely these months of hardship will mean a new and better life. As she looks out over the seemingly endless prairie, she struggles to impart a sense of security to her child. She is very unsure of the future, but every baby should feel safe in its mother’s arms.

PRINCE #9147 TIM WOLFE The spirit of Christmas spreads throughout the wildlife community in much the same way it does our own. Our animal counterparts share in the joy and excitement of this special holiday season as it is a great time of celebration for them, too! In every forest, every warren, and every patch of woods, there can be found a local Christmas choir. A choir may number from animals and it is comprised of a select group of individuals who, for one reason or another, consider themselves best qualified at carrying a tune. Their choruses can be heard at any hour, day or night, and can be quite pleasing to the human ear. Unfortunately, we humans can become so wrapped up in other affairs during the Christmas season that we seldom, if ever, take the time to listen. Prince first began singing when he was a young tadpole growing up on a crowded inner city pond in Minnesota. Today he sings baritone in the Carols for Critters Christmas choir. Some say Prince got his name from another artist formerly known by the same name (who now wants to be referred to as simply “The Artist”). The frog himself claims to have actually descended from royalty, though that story just doesn’t float. His fellow carolers agree that he is a prince of a fellow, although he often sounds like he’s got a frog in his throat.

PRISCILLA #5034 (February, 1988) Priscilla is the girl with whom Miles is in love. She knows this, so she’s begging Miles for a first kiss. Can you believe he’s too shy to respond? The frog, however, is thinking, “If she would only kiss me, she would have a real prince of a boyfriend.? Among the acorns and leaves is a rare, red, rose rock from Oklahoma. Encircling the base is a tape that reads “I love you’ in braille, and was made for me by a collector. The coin is an 1876 American dime. As was the custom then, it has been engraved for a couple as a love token. On the engraving is a P (for Priscilla) and a J. But who is the J? If Miles is too shy to propose to Priscilla, she’ll have to look for someone else whose initials can be entwined with hers.

PROF #5090 (October, 1989) It’s another Graduation Day, and Prof is gazing at his students with justifiable pride. He hands the students heir diplomas, and congratulates them on their successful scholastic careers. He sees Grad, who is happily grasping his new diploma. Most of the leaves on Prof’s base are ivy leaves, for the halls of ivy where he teaches. His red hood symbolizes his Ph.D. degree. Prof’s coin reads “The Professor” and commemorates the life of Woodrow Wilson, a former Davidson College student. Prof is surrounded by the books on which he bases his knowledge. Having been a professor myself, I can well understand his mixed emotions on this celebratory day–regret at bidding good-bye to students who are now friends, and excitement for the future that stretches before them.

PROFESSOR WIZARD #5420

PROMENADE #5166 (September, 1991) Its obvious that this couple loves to dance Showing traditional square dance form, the gentleman has his palms up, and the lady has her palms down. This step is included in all Gnome wedding waltzes, and is known as “Tie The Knot.” Maybe the couple will notice that I’ve given them a little rope knot as a wedding gift. While celebrating with friends and family, dancing and music, this married couple is dreaming of promenading through life together.

P. S. #5042 (March, 1988) P. S. is named for Postal Service, and he’s sitting on top of the mail and baggage car. His acorn shell hat looks like a crown, and makes him feel like a king, sitting on top of the world. In fact, his coin is from the Boston Elevated Railway (a good city for a Love Story). P. S. is so proud of his job that he wears a tie every day. It has to be a bow tie, because a long necktie would get in his way. He even wears garters on his sleeves to keep his cuffs neat and clean. P. S. is looking at a letter addressed to the artist, but he thinks the note on the back- P. S. I love you is for him. The message is actually meant for whoever accepts special delivery of this little fellow.

P. T. #5253 (Railroad/Train Series) (April, 1994) The circus is coming to town – what excitement these six words bring to the Woodspirit communities! The Cairn Railroad carries the Woodspirit circus from forest to forest, glen to glen, to bring the Big Top to children of all ages. P.T. the clown is smiling – he, too, is happiest when the circus is in your town. You’ll recognize P.T. – he always wears a miniature Gnome hat and giant shoes – with holes in them, of course. After the caravans are unloaded from the flat bed cars he will entertain the children as the workers erect the tent. His coin shows a smiling clown and is worth free admission to the show. But don’t look too closely at his acorn – it will spray you with water! You know P.T. – he’s always clowning around.

P. U. #6301  Cairn Promotional Series (July, 1992) This little Woodspirit is a college student who attends P.U. and he’s standing by the school mascot, sculpted by Timothy Wolfe. He’s very sentimental about collegiate sports, but it’s been many years since any of P.U.’s teams have scored a point against an opponent. Seems that at every game they get skunked. The Korean coin shows a flower similar to the ones being enjoyed by the skunk. Maybe it’s time for the P.U. players to resort to their secret weapon: Roses are red and violets are blue, With fragrance to make a Gnome drunk. But roses and posies Can’t curl up your toesies Like eau de cologne by Skunk.

PUCK #1141 (March, 1986) After watching many hockey games in Minnesota, little Puck wanted to join in. His dream was to play hockey on a long mid-summer’s night. He can’t hit the hockey puck he’s standing on, but he can really make that rabbit pellet scoot. Puck wants to be an athlete like his friends Fielding and Slam and Dunk. They all head for practice at the same time every day. Puck’s coin is from Canada, where hockey is the national pastime.

PULLMAN #1133 (February, 1986) This friendly fellow is greeting passengers for an overnight journey from North Carolina to the Pacific Coast. Because some of the curtains are already pulled (and most surely the upper berths made!) you can tell that some of the passengers are on board. Pullman is wearing a pocket watch which he will consult before blowing the “All Aboard” whistle. His coin is from the PI.C. Line.

PUMPKIN #1128 (January, 1986) The inspiration for this piece came from a group of deaf collectors in Texas. The little girl is not only a sweet pumpkin and number one in our hearts, she also says “I love you” in sign language to whomever takes her into his home. Appropriately enough, her coin has a number one on it.

PUMPKIN HATTIE #5393 “Where is my Jack-o-lantern?” Hattie cannot find her pumpkin, and it’s Halloween Time. She had carved the face on the pumpkin and left it on the doorstep overnight. Now it’s gone! “The goblins have been playing tricks again,” she thought. But, Hattie will not “Trick* them in revenge. She believes only in “Treating” her neighbors. Her favorite coin is from Holland because she can give it away as a Dutch Treat. “I’ll find that pumpkin by October 31st” she said, “or I’ll eat my hat!”

PUNCH #5233 (Cairn Promotional Series) (July, 1993) It wouldn’t be a party without Punch and Judy. He is perched in the same antique punch cup that Judy uses. He also shares her Israeli coin, which has grapes for the party beverage, so there will be enough for seconds. Punch wears a boxing glove to wam you that drinking it is like a knockout punch. Behind him is an English 5 pence coin honoring Punch and Judy’s birthplace. Why is there a fishhook on the base? That’s Punch’s left hook!

PUP TENT #6388 by Tom Clark and Tim Wolfe   It’s bedtime in the forest. These two campers are Ken and his puppy El. Now that the stars and moon are out (as evidenced by the half moon rupee from Pakistan) they’ve begun looking for bears or “Cub Scouting.” Since the tent is only so big, they flipped the coin to see what part of El’s anatomy, gets left out in the cold—heads or tails. Hopefully, it will be a pleasant night for both gnome and friend. Ken is an insurance salesman who knows how to get you covered from puppy-hood to adulthood. His policy doesn’t “leaf” out any-thing. In fact, it has a Sanity Clause that guarantees you’ll get a Pup Tent for Christmas.

PUPPY LOVE #6327 (August, 1995) Dog-gone it, why won’t this puppy get up and play? He ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog, but these Woodspirits are anxious for fun and games with their new friend. Like the fellows from “Bearly Awake,” they know that this is a kindred spirit with which to enjoy a fine spring day. So, with dogged determination, they are trying to get this pup on his feet. Some have brought along dog biscuits, while one brave Gnome has climbed up high enough to scratch the puppy’s head. Still, the perplexed up hasn’t moved – he must be dog-tired. The two coins from Ireland picture a dog and a hare, and therein lies the secret to solving their dilemma – when this puppy catches the scent of a hare, he’ll be off and running. But if he leaves his new friends behind, he’ll be in the doghouse!

PURRFUME #6361 “What’s that sweet smell in the air?” The kitten, Purfume, has turned toward the Gnome, Bud. There’s a miniature sweetheart rose in Bud’s hand. Purrfume can’t be haughty when enticed by a flower. She might even become a scent evaluator for a perfume factory! She certainly has a nose for the business. Anytime she sniffs flowery fumes she Purrs!

PUSH #2030 (Special Commission) (January, 1990) These two fellows were commissioned by Century Wheel and Rim of Montibello, California. This company, founded in 1981, specializes in wheels, rims and axles for trucks and trailers. Like Gnomes and Woodspirits, the wheel is as old as time itself. Shove is riding on a 1922 antique truck. His steering wheel is actually the wheel for a toy truck. On the base is a small commemorative plaque bearing the Wells Fargo insignia, which many truck drivers like to wear on their belt buckles. Wells Fargo, begun in 1852, is the forerunner of cross-country trucking. Over the years, trucks have evolved into highly sophisticated machines, but they are really just a continuation of the horse and buggy. Shove wears cowboy boots, because truckers are considered by many to be today’s cow-boys. The coin next to Shove symbolizes the bright future of trucking by showing “only the beginning” of a modern 18. wheeler. Push is pushing his trailer over to hitch it to Shove’s truck. His Italian coin shows a winged horse (this is genuine horse power!) to celebrate the Italian heritage of Century Wheel and Rim’s founder. Behind Push is a miniature version of a Los Angeles deputy sheriff’s badge, as a warning to truckers to “keep it down”. ” Together, these fellows are a reminder that when Push comes to Shove, You can depend on he trucking industry.

PYRATE #181 (June, 1982) North Carolina has much history related to pirates. This statue is a composite intended to represent them all. His coins, showing a ship and palm trees, are from England and Israel, indicating that he has sailed many seas. Now, however, he is burying his treasure on the shore of North Carolina’s Outer Banks. He seems proud of his booty, but also appears to sense the silliness of burying in sand what we hold to be precious.

QUEEN OF HEARTS #1037 (March, 1984) She can break your heart with a flutter of her Bette Davis eyes. Her coin depicts Queen Juliana of the Netherlands.

QUEENIE #5684 2004 (Show & Tell only) This lady Gnome is known for her big heart. She has a heart that takes in everyone she meets. All of her dresses even have hearts on them! Her Gnome friends refer to her as the Queen of Hearts! Her lucky coin (from New Zealand) pictures another Queen who has won the hearts of millions, Queen Elizabeth II. “Queenie” says that her heart feels for animals as well as people. With this in mind, the little rabbit thinks that it is time for him to give her his heart in return.  This charms Queenie’s sense of humor. Only she would wear an apron that proves she is a “card”!

QUIET AS A MOUSE #2503 Cairn Key and A Dealers Series (November, 1993) The autumn leaves sifted softly down, creating a crisp and colorful blanket over the quiet pumpkin patch. To Harvey, a weary harvest mouse, the top of the tiny pumpkin proved to be an irresistibly inviting nest. With a tummy full of seeds he curled himself into a wee, furry ball and nodded off. He had spent a hectic but productive morning gathering bits of string and twine for his Woodspirit neighbors. Both mice and Woodspirits are kindred spirits in their love of nature, and are dedicated recyclers. Besides, as his mice friends Cora, Emma and Esther can confirm, one never knows what special goodie may turn up! There is already one surprise – Tip the Gnome, whose toes tread ever so lightly, has come upon this sleepyhead. Unlike his three buddies in “Bearly Awake,” Tip is letting his young friend finish his nap, and requests our cooperation, too! But chances are that Harvey will be awake and eager to play before the snail can detour around the next pumpkin.

Rabbit Tobacco #5627 (January, 2007) Tobacco is a weed easily grown in eastern North Carolina where I grew up. Of course, as a child I was forbidden to smoke tobacco. For playful children the alternative was so-called “rabbit tobacco,” another weed, grey in color, that tasted terrible in its raw state or if it was smoked. This gnome, R.J., has found the pipe, and he intends to use it as a horn for calling to other gnomes. He will imitate the Swiss who call from valley to valley with a similar long horn shaped like a pipe. The lucky coin is an American quarter showing a farmer inspecting a leaf of tobacco. A quarter was all you needed to buy a pack of cigarettes 60 years ago. This happy rabbit may be real ‘KOOL’ but he is sitting in a hot spot!

RACHEL #1088 (February, 1985) Churning is a tradition kept alive in some homes and fondly remembered in others. Rachel is busily preparing the butter which she will use when making a cake in one of the cake molds at her feet. It is mid-morning so she no longer needs the warmth of the sweater which she has hung over the back of her chair. It is the companion chair to those used by Nellie, Mattie and Mabel. She is looking out toward the yard, perhaps overseeing her grandchildren at play. She is appropriately named for Rachel, the beloved wife of Jacob and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin in the book of Genesis.

RAILROAD CONDUCTOR #322 True Builders of America (August, 1984) Another True Builder, the Conductor reminds me of riding Pullman train cars in my youth. The step up to the train is so high, especially for a child, so the Conductor is always there to help. You needn’t worry about your bags- he’ll see that they are on board. The Conductor himself has a large suitcase containing his many ticket reports and a change of clothing for the return trip. In keeping with the operating rules, he has stepped on the tie, and not on the rail, which could cause him to slip and fall. His hand is in his pocket, checking for candy for the children on the train. When I was a little boy, the first thing I did after boarding the train was to look out the window to see if the Conductor had gotten on the train. He is always the first one off, and the last one on. He signals with his lantern to let the engineer know that all are aboard, and the journey can begin.

ralph #10032 (ALSO SEE CALVIN #10033) These two little Charmers are popular decorators and much in demand at Christmas time for their specialty – decorating Christmas trees. They have found that by using natural things, they can make the tree attractive and bright. Ralph’s large acorn will dangle easily from a nice bough and will be great fun to hang on an evergreen tree! Calvin, Ralph’s counterpart has a strawberry that is as large as he is and this red berry will show up well against the green needles. For most of the year, these wee Charmers decorate uniforms, clothes, rooms and gardens, but at Christmas, they “branch” out. They each have a four leaf clover for good luck when they are out on a “limb” and are truly good friends who just like “hanging” out together.

RANEY #1174 (December, 1986) JC PENNY COLLECTION….Raney is using his mushroom umbrella to protect himself from the pennies falling from heaven! No wonder, with all this good fortune, that he’s singing in the rain! He will use this windfall to take his girl out on the town, and he has learned that sometimes a rainy day can be a bless-ing. In his palm is a large “M’ showing that he has his “hand out” for money.

RATTY #175 (February, 1982) Another in The Wind in the Willows series, Mr. Rat is joining Badger, Mole and Toad for their afternoon picnic. He has a small reed in his mouth. Perhaps he is playing a bit of “English Country Garden.” Kenneth Grahame created the story which weaves these characters together.

REBECCA #1187 (May, 1987) Rebecca is the latest in my series of women working in the same kitchen chair used by Nellie, Mattie, Mabel, Rachel, and Leah. She looks more contemporary, dressed in her best suit. Rebecca has just returned from Sunday lunch with the family, and on this restful afternoon she is about to begin a new piece of cross-stitch. It will be a Gnome, and at Christmas time it will be in a package under the tree for a much-loved grandchild.

RED, WHITEY AND OLD BLUE #5092 (December, 1989) These three little fellows love cowboys, rodeos and horse races. Like all horse lovers, they enjoy hanging around the stables. Their Irish coin depicts a horse, in honor of the Irish Sweepstakes. If you’re fond of gnomes, this statue will bring you the luck of the Irish when you play the horses. These three, however, are truly American, and their names describe the colors of the American flag. Red, whose red beard reflects his Irish heritage, is sitting behind his friends. He’s holding a miniature nickel, for placing a “small bet. He’s hoping for a “big” return a nickel the size of the one behind him. Whitey, sitting in the saddle, has a white beard and wears traditional gnome colors. Jockeys, like gnomes, are small in stature. But gnomes are so small that even two can sit together on this miniature Western saddle. Old Blue is an ol’ cowhand from the Wild West. He thinks that his arrowhead, from Colorado, might have been carved by the Indian on his miniature nickel. Behind Old Blue is a large Indian head nickel, but don’t try to toss this statue to make heads (the Indian) or tails (on the buffalo) of it. Red Whitey and Old Blue couldn’t find a horse tiny enough for their saddle, so they’ve saddled up this little barrel. If you read its label, you’ll know that they’re having more fun than a barrel of monkeys. There’s a single kernel of corn by Old Blue, for those collectors who find this story just a little bit corny.

REMBRANDT #5328 (Special Collector Newsletter Offer) (March, 1997) Ho Ho Ho! It’s Christmas time and Rembrandt is helping Santa by painting the tree ornaments. He is rather formally dressed in cape and waistcoat, as befits an Old Master. His coin is from the Netherlands, in honor of the real Rembrandt’s Dutch heritage. This small elf takes great care with every ornament, for he knows that for your tree, you want only a masterpiece!

REMEMBER #5338 (July, 1997) One of the pleasures of having lived together a long time is “remembering.” Although shared experiences are often remembered differently (“It was June.” “No, it was May.”), the fun is just in remembering. Look at this couple. Is she teasing by quizzing him as they reminisce together? Or maybe she enjoys his remembering a difficult experience with a sense of pride now. As the years go by, the couple understands that many of the hard times were also the “Good Times,” as symbolized by the token. Irving Berlin’s song gave me the title for this statue, and it is a companion to “Always,” named after another Irving Berlin classic. “Do you remember when …?” The response can be found in the lyrics from “Gigi”: “Ah, yes, I remember it well.” EDITION CHANGE: In an early edition, the gnome’s beard is shorter. On a later edition, his beard is longer – he’s getting older, you know.

RENFIELD #9011 TIM WOLFE “Which way did he go?” Renfield is wondering after making what he thought was a brilliantly planned and well executed leap onto this little rock. A moment ago there was a beetle here . .. or maybe it was on another rock … now Renfield isn’t so sure. The only thing he is certain of is that he has missed an opportunity at another meal. No matter really, he wasn’t that hungry. This old tree frog just enjoys the thrill and excitement that comes with chasing bugs. Beetles, flies, ants … any kind of bug is fair game for Renfield (except spiders, they give him the creeps). While he sits here trying to determine what went wrong, the intended beetle is making a hasty retreat into the leaves. Renfield was right about the rock after all. He thinks he’ll stay put here for a while. Sometimes, playing the waiting game and relying on ambush tactics is just the ticket to bagging these wily insects…

REPLAY #5262 (September, 1994) When it’s time for Monday Night Football, Replay is the first down in front of the TV. From the opening kickoff to the last tackle he’s glued to the set. And with his full back on the floor, he plays his own special version of “foot ball” during the commercials. Balancing that ball is quite a feat, but then again, all football players know about de-feet! The token under his shoulder (don’t look for a quarter back of him) can’t be used for the coin toss – it’s “For Replay Only From Tuesday to Sunday he loves to replay the big game with his buddies. Split T and Flex-D are pretty good players, but Stymie wants to replace all the divots and Who knows less than What about football! No matter – when he sings out, “Are you ready for some football?” they always say, “In an instant. Replay!’

RESTON #1176 (January, 1987) JC PENNY COLLECTION…..Just when I wanted this little fellow to hold up my book and other reading material, I found him fast asleep. “Oh no, he said with a wink, “I’m just restin’!” But he happily showed me how my book nestled perfectly between him and the trumpet vine at his back, so he was able to help me after all.

REUBEN #102 (August, 1978) Like his namesake, Reuben McIntosh, this fellow is a jack-of-all-trades and shares his talents with all his friends. He smokes his acorn pipe and reflects on stories that have become folklore among the Woodspirits. Reuben is the first one to sight the changing leaves of fall. He sports an orange autumn leaf in his cap and puts rabbit tobacco in his pipe. His coins have been from many countries.

REUNION BOUND #5380 (Railroad/Train Series) Alma has been thinking about this trip for a long time. It’s a chance to see old friends, places, and rekindle memories. In her bag are photos she wants to share (and even a recipe or two!). The picnic basket has samples of those cookies for which she is famous. She even brought along her favorite pillow for her back to make the trip easier. Like the other 15 train pieces, this one has a coin related to travel. The transportation token is from Beaumont, Texas, where lots of fine gnome collectors reside. Judging from Alma’s expression she is anticipating a wonderful day … after all, she’s a trip herself!

RHODA STRONG LOWRIE  (2008) Hand-cast,Hand-Painted Limited Edition Sculpture of Rhoda Strong Lowrie, Native American heroine (and wife of HenryBerry Lowrie) for the outdoor drama “Strike at the Wind!” Created by North Carolina Sculptor Tom Clark, famous for his Gnomes, Woodspirits, and historical figures. This Limited Edition, one-of-a kind piece is a must for Tom Clark collectors, Civil War enthusiasts, or Native American history buffs. Comes with a certificate of authenticity. Only 250 were produced.

RICH #5179 (Cairn Seminar Series) (January, 1992) Rich loves to tell jokes. When his friends hear his jokes, even the corny ones, they laugh and say, “Oh, that’s Rich!” Sometimes it’s Rich who laughs the hardest of all. Imagine his delight when he asked Penny, “Are those my dimes?” and she answered, “No, they’re Penny’s!” Because Rich is such a happy person, he has lots of friends. He has no coins, for he judges wealth differently. He’s not joking when he says, “As long as I have Penny, I’m rich!”

RIGOLETTO #2028 (Special Commission) (May, 1989) Rigoletto was commissioned by Opera Carolina, who will perform “Rigoletto” in February 1990, the third production of their 1989-1990 season. For many, “Rigoletto,” because of its magnificent music and the humanity of its title character, epitomizes opera. Written by Giuseppe Verdi, it was premiered in Venice in 1851. I used photographs of famous opera singers, particularly Lawrence Tibbet, who played Rigoletto in the 1930’s. The colors are based on the 20th century interpretation of “Rigoletto,” as performed by the Metropolitan Opera. The curtain rises on the grand hall of the ducal palace. I have portrayed Rigoletto in the first act while he is performing as the duke’s jester, before his life is torn apart by tragedy and grief. The opening dialogue, in Italian, is imprinted on the pillar behind Rigoletto, and beside him is the first page of the opera score. Rigoletto’s coin is from Italy, Giuseppe Verdi’s birthplace.

RILEY #5423 The life of Riley is one of laid-back ease for Riley, the leprechaun, has it “made in the shade.” He is outdoors with his pot of gold by his side enjoying nature and watching the clouds roll by. And while his pot of gold may seem a wee bit small even for a leprechaun, Riley seems content for he isn’t greedy. His friend, Monaghan, however, has a much larger chest of gold, but as Riley so aptly put it, “I have enough to take care of my needs and my favorite charities. I lead a dog’s life,” Riley continues with a mischievous smile as he glances at the picture of the dog on his Irish coin. Aye for it to apply to Riley, it would have to be a well-cared-for lap dog. Aye, what a life of Riley!

RINGO #9194 by Tim Wolfe The Woodland Symphony Orchestra is proud to present Ringo, the orangutan percussionist. Ringo discovered that his long arms were not only good for swinging through the branches but were also good for beating on things. His homemade kettle drums, or timpani, are his pride and joy. His drumsticks are made from big acorns and they can really make a big bang! When Ringo isn’t playing with the orches-tra, he likes to jam with an English rock and roll band. The star on the base is there because Ringo truly believes he’ll be one someday. Don’t take it! It’s Ringo’s star and he’ll whop you a good one if you try.

RING OUT AMERICA #5496

RINK RAT #8014  When the towns of the Midwest Become outdoor freezers, Boys lace up their skates And put on their breezers. Tall and thin Or short and stocky, They’re down at the rink … Playin’ hockey.

RIP VAN WINKLE #1129 (January, 1986) Washington Irving’s story of the 18th century character has inspired this piece, especially after Rip left his home for a walk and joined the little people in their music and drink. Hendrick of Hudson Valley, the Woodspirit you see on the piece, is probably the culprit who gave Rip the potent drink that made him sleep for 20 years. After this long nap, Rip will be surprised to learn that the George who now rules his country in 1776 is not the King of England, but George Washington, whose face is depicted on the coin. Only true believers in Woodspirits can find the face on the tree behind Rip.

RISERS 1, 2, and 3 #1106-1108 (June, 1985) Thanks to a tree cut down at The Cairn, there are three different sized risers to give a lift to some Woodspirits. The faces are those of the tree spirits and their coins correspond to the number on the risers.

R.N. #5193 (May, 1992) R.N. is a sight for sore eyes and a tonic for weary spirits. With dedication and compassion she cares for her patients and also cares about them. She dispenses cheer along with pills and capsules, and never runs out of patience for her patients. You might see her blush, for a patient has just told her, *You’re supposed to nurse me back to health, but instead you make my heart pound!” Her coin also brings comfort, for it’s good for one free wash!

ROBIN #5345 (October, 1997) There’s an old adage that says that a robin is the first sign of spring. For others, the first sign of spring is a hiker in the woods. This Robin is a Woodspirit searching for harbingers of spring as he hikes the hills and valleys of Cairn Forest. He holds a map and a walking stick to aid in navigating the piney trails. His Dutch coin for ten cents indicates that he will hike ten miles. Then it’s time to head for home and a hearty dish of acorn stew. My Robin may remind you of another great adventurer, Robinson Crusoe, who was the first to say, “Thank goodness it’s Friday!”

ROCKY #132 (Environment ’97 Series) (November, 1980) The word gnome comes from a German word meaning “earth dweller.” In fact, some 14th century stories depict Gnomes as miners. It is only fitting, therefore, that Rocky has a pick, prepared to mine some coal. His coin is a piece of “script” from a West Virginia coal mining company store.

RONALD #5123 (October, 1990) Old McDonald had a farm, but did you know he also had twins? Ronald and Jeanette think that a farm is the perfect place for growing up. Riding on a little yellow tractor, Ronald uses an acorn as his steering wheel. Like his mother Flora, he put his name on his tractor’s license plate. Like his father, he plants vegetable seeds, and his Mexican coin pictures a ripe ear of corn. Ronald quotes a wise saying: “Who plants a seed beneath the sod and waits to see, believes in God.?

RORIE #48 (Collector Society Artwork Series) (April, 1983) This statue was designed for the Collector Society and is intended to honor Cairn’s computer program-mer, Al Rorie of Monroe, N.C. Like his namesake, Rorie loves the outdoors and is wise in its ways. Always prepared, Rorie has a belt of sunflower seeds and couldn’t wait to offer some to the Carolina chickadee. The bundle of sticks will still arrive at his hut in time for the evening fire.

ROSANNE #9023 Tim Wolfe This little piglet has good reason for “hamming it up?” Recent research has found that pigs are the smartest of all farm animals. And get this – they may even be more intelligent than man’s best friend. You heard it right; according to a five year study at the University of Kentucky, pigs were able to master any trick or feat in much shorter time than dogs! None of this comes as any big surprise to Rosanne, of course, but if it sounds like a lot of hogwash, she has just one thing to say: “Oink.” That’s all, folks.

ROSCOE #6 (July, 1979) This mischievous fellow is waiting for Phineas to walk by, then he is going to play “Jack-in-the-box” and pop up suddenly from his hiding place in the stump.

Rose #8055 See Russell #8049

ROSEMARY #1002 (December, 1983) This little lady has a forest tiara made of leaves. She is the housekeeper for some old bachelor Woodspirits, just as Snow White was for the Seven Dwarfs. The tiny rabbit has just been orphaned, and Rosemary is feeding him his first carrot. She is telling him to gnaw on it the same way that beavers gnaw on wood in Canada.

ROSIE #1193 (Cairn Promotional Series) (July, 1987) Rosie has a beautiful flower garden and she grows all of the roses that are seen on some of my little fellows. Both Pete and Danny are carrying her roses, and she also provided them for Oscar and Dee- Lovely. The secret of her success in growing such outstanding roses is that she sings to them in her prettiest Irish soprano voice. She is named in honor of Rosie McCormick, a friend of mine.

ROVER AND GINNNY #5204 (October, 1992) Rover and Ginny are not squares but they love to square dance. He’s swinging his partner, who’s “reeling” as together they enjoy this American folk dance. Rover (a term for a square dancer who has travelled over one thousand miles from home has a square and a circle by his feet. These symbols are used to illustrate the basic movements of square dancing. Ginny (named for the Virginia Reel) has an Indian head penny which recalls square dancing’s beginnings with the colonial settlers. In square dancing couples may dance in a square formation, a circle, or two facing lines, but only the square set traveled west with the pioneers. It is the only folk dance whose form is identified neither by tradition nor by the dancers themselves, but by a caller who invites the dancers to begin by calling out, “Sets in Order. Rover and Ginny’s music has got to be an old chestnut. There is no comedy/tragedy in this American art form, so I gave smiling faces to both halves of the nut behind this happy couple. With a little practice, they’ll be dancing circles around all the other Woodspirits!

RUBINSTEIN #39 (December, 1978) Arthur Rubinstein was one of the greatest concert pianists of the twentieth century. I created this bust of the artist as a gift for my mother, who had been a piano teacher. The recordings of this great musician still delight me as I work in the studio. Even Woodspirits love Chopin.

RUBY #1116 (June, 1985) Ruby is based on a painting that I have yet to see. I saw a photograph of a painting entitled “Ruby Green Singing” in a magazine in 1954. It stuck in my mind for over 30 years, and Ruby’s pose was inspired by that painting. I’m hoping that a collector can tell me where this painting now hangs. It is sometimes hard for statues to convey movement, but although Ruby is standing still, one has the feeling that the notes are still hanging in the air. She is perhaps a gospel singer, or even an opera diva. She is standing on sheet music for “Coming Through the Rye, a piece often used for encores by concert singers. The Symphony Conductor is a natural companion for Ruby. And when placed near the Nativity set, one can almost hear Ruby singing a Christmas carol.

RUDY #5497 

RUMPKIN #160 (October, 1981) Rumpkin’s curiosity caused him to investigate the source of light coming from inside this jack-o’-lantern. He was nicknamed Rumpkin because he got his little rump caught in the pumpkin. His German coin shows someone planting, perhaps a pumpkin patch.

RUNNING #8052  These folks have a peculiar concept of fun, They put on silly outfits, Go outside and run. Sustaining maximum cardiovascular levels For 30 minutes or more, They sweat profusely Creating endorphines galore. They’re burning off fat And by the look in their eye, You can easily tell They’re on a runner’s high.

RUSHMORE #1159 (Special Commission) (July, 1986) That statue was conceived and executed at Mount Rushmore In South Dakota. I chose two rocks from the base of the mountain and this little fellow, Rushmore, immediately to stand upon them. While working on the statue, I asked him if he came to the mountain to help the sculptor, Gutzon Borglum. He told me that he had been there longe before the mountain was carved. In fact, there were only buffalo and Indians in the area, and he pointed to the buffalo nickel. and the Indian head penny. When asked if he had worked on the carving of the four presidents’ likenesses, he pointed to his tiny pick and said indeed he had. For his labors, he was paid .31. On the coins I saw the faces of Lincoln, Jefferson, and Washington. “Where is Teddy Roosevelt?” | exclaimed. He smiled and said, “Well, notice that I am speaking softly and carrying a big stick!”

RUSS #5158 (July, 1991) Russ will be the last one to arrive at Caesar’s Salad Toss party. He was “Russian” to arrive on time, but he collapsed under the weight of his pickle. Now he’s not making any progress, and he’s really in a pickle with the other Party members. Russ has a Russian coin, and hopes that his Russian salad dressing will promote “glasnost” among his Woodspirit comrades. The giant tossed salad can’t be completed without Russ, so Caesar will be Stalin for time

RUSSEL #8049 and ROSE #8055 When autumn winds, Begin to blow, Trees give up their leaves, Making playgrounds below. And no one loves autumn As much as Rosy, She rakes piles of leaves That are comfy and cozy. Just look at Russel – He’s glad autumn came, When he rolls in the leaves They whisper his name.

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SACAJAWEA #5161 (July, 1991) Sacajawea was the first Indian woman reported to have crossed the Rocky Mountains from the plains of the United States. As a member of the Shoshone Tribe, she was chosen to lead the expedition of Lewis & Clark in their search for a route to the Pacific Ocean. With her son, Little Pomp, on her back, she rode in the first canoe during the hard going on the Missouri River. When other Indian tribes saw her at the front of the caravan, they recognized that this was a mission of peace, for no warriors would put a woman and child at the head of their group if they were intent on war. This statue shows her on the crest of a hill, buffeted by the wind, preparing to lead the men on another step of their successful journey.

SALLY #5156 (June, 1991) Sally eats a salad every day. She is holding a celery heart – like Sally’s, it is the sweetest part. To prepare for Caesar’s Salad Toss party she has donned a Romaine lettuce apron with a celery leaf bow. Sally will join her Woodspirit friends to create the biggest and best tossed salad. Her Cayman Islands coin represents the Thousand Island salad dressing that she’ll take to the party.

SALTY #1170 (November, 1986) JC PENNY COLLECTION….Whenever you find your lucky penny, it can lead you to bigger things! Salty found this sand dollar after coming across the penny at his feet. He’s remembering the old saying that he just invented: “Find a penny in the sand, get a dollar in the hand.” He is about to eat his sand dollar because he thinks it is a biscuit, so it’s up to you to tell him that sand dollars are for saving, not for eating!’ He surely needs to “salt away”.

SALTY #9123 TIM WOLFE Salty the sea lion is having a ball – a beach ball, to be more precise! California sea lions, like Salty, are the animals most frequently seen performing in “seal” shows at aquariums and 2005. They are playful and intelligent animals that learn quickly, and are wonderfully talented acrobats. Wild sea lions live in two worlds: water and land. Though rather clumsy on land, they can reach speeds of 15 to 20 miles per hour underwater, just with several thrusts of their flippers. Salty is certainly at his best in the water, where his every movement is graceful as he spins and twirls in what might be called an underwater ballet. For Salty, life isn’t just a beach.

SALUTE TO THE SERVICES ….. See Coastie #5142, Flyboy #5141, G.I. #5138, Leatherneck #5140, Swabbie #5139 These five Woodspirits are showing their support for the brave men and women of the armed services. Together, they salute the five branches of the United States military: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. Each Woodspirit has pickets in front of him to symbolize that he stands behind “De-Fense? They were created during the Persian Gulf crisis in February of 1991. Beginning in 1992, these fellows will don patriotic red, white and blue ribbons. For now, however, they each display a yellow ribbon to say to those who serve their country, “We’re thinking of you and want you to come home soon.”

SAMMY #1098 (July, 1985) “Our Sammy Boy’ was a patriotic song written by my mother during World War I. This little fun loving fellow is everybody’s favorite uncle. He was invited to the family reunion picnic on the Fourth of July. The firecrackers were set off at an amusement park in a nearby village. Sammy is holding his ears to encourage his nephews and nieces to do the same. He has shown them that fireworks all have good warning labels indicating the danger of setting them off by yourself. One coin is from Great Britain and shows the barricade being raised and the chain broken. Overlapping that coin is one from the United States showing the eagle that has obtained independence!

SANDMAN #5067 (March, 1989) The Sandman is holding a lantern in one hand and a bucket of sand in the other. He’ll toss sand into your eyes when you are having trouble sleeping. Then he’ll sing you an Irish lullabye while playing the harp on his Irish coin. If you believe in Woodspirits, the Sandman will also send you a dream. His red nightcap was a gift from his wife, in honor of his friends the Gnomes.

SANDRA #5597 Sandra and Leon are named for two fine people who know how to get the most out of a dollar. So if you have a young plant that needs a little nurturing to achieve above average growth, place Sandra and Leon in the soil of the pot. They will happily watch over the plants all day long. Their services will be worth a million dollars to the gardener. Let their feet hang over the side of the pot and you will find that the Gnomes will talk to the plants and keep them free of weeds.

SANDWITCH #5415 This is Deli, the Sandwitch. She strolls the sand strand in her best bathing suit (circa 1913) as she patiently waits for the other good witches to join her. Valentina, Christmas Eva, Lucky Lucy and Pumpkin Hattie will all want to catch some Rays with her. (Do they know that the lifeguard is named Ray?) Watching the waves with Deli is not only fun, it’s safe (there’s a lighthouse on the lucky coin from the Bahamas!) So pull up a shell, have a seat, and Deli will share with you her sandwich.

SANDY #93 (April, 1981) There is no coin on Sandy for a very good reason. He is the fund raiser for the Woodspirits and encourages the others to give their money to worthy causes, as he has done. Anyway, who needs money when you have the earth, the sky and a sand dollar! The shells are from both the Pacific and the Atlantic coasts. He is named for Sandy Carnegie who solicits funds for Davidson College.

SANTA #121 (September, 1980) Who would you like to have recite The Night Before Christmas”? Someone like Burl Ives? That is what I thought, so I patterned my Santa after him. His bag is filled with Christmas nuts, which traditionally help fill the stockings. Sometimes I violate my rule about coins. I have a rule of not putting coins on statues of miniature people (like Nellie or Daniel Boone) but I sometimes make Santa the exception by putting one in his bag. Of course, Santa may really be a Gnome, since he finds it so easy to go down chimneys! Behind him is a little Raggedy Ann doll.

SANTA II #76 (July, 1983) This jolly fellow is perched in his wicker sleigh awaiting the reindeer who will carry him to the homes of the good boys and girls listed in his book. The base is full of packages and toys. There are no coins; Santa must have spent them on some of the gifts!

SANTA III #1054 (June, 1984) Woodspirit children write their Christmas wishlists on dry leaves and let the wind carry them to the North Pole. Santa II has checked his list and knows he is in the right place for giving out the toys. He is doing it by himself, because the little elf behind him is too pooped. If there is a coin it must be under the poinsettia or in the bottom of the bag. The Woodspirit child leaves Santa a walnut and some milk in a walnut shell.

SANTA IV #5006 (September, 1987) its Christmas Eve, and Santa is filling the stockings. He has left his gloves on, because he’s going to get right back into the sleigh. Maybe in the sleigh he’ll spot the missing tennis shoe – after coming down the he chimney he could find only one. Theres a package with Santa’s name on it, so don’t open it, because that’s for him. The children have cooked oatmeal for Santa and have left the pot where he’ll be sure to see it. The lid is on the keep, the oatmeal warm, in case Santa arrives very late. When I was a child, I hung up one of my father’s hunting socks for my Christmas stocking. It was gray wool with a red band around the top and a red toe, and very large. For my Santa, I used doll’s socks that have been played with by three generations of little girls. Santa has finished stuffing the little boy’s stocking, and now he’s filling a stocking for the little girl. There’s a look of puzzlement on his face as he wonders, “Did I give her a teddy bear last year? Oh well, you can’t have too many.”

SANTA V #5133 (January, 1991) Santa V enjoys watching your holiday preparations. Over the years I’ve sculpted many different versions of Santa Claus. One is filling stockings, one is holding a sack almost emptied of its gifts, and one is even coming down with a bound. But this is my first Santa who is truly saying, “HO HO HO? His sack is packed with the gifts he’ll deliver on Christmas Eve, and for some lucky family there will be a teddy bear, a football and a gnome. Santa V is my largest statue to date who likes to sit on the edge of your mantel. He is on the edge because he likes to go a little beyond what he planned to give for Christmas. From his vantage point he can see the tree being trimmed, observe the packages smuggled into the house, and enjoy the good smells coming from the kitchen. And his eyes will twinkle with delight when he watches your family celebrate Christmas morning.

SANTA BABY #5096 (January, 1990) The name derives from a remark made by every new parent at Christmas time: “This is Santa, Baby.” A collector from Waco, Texas gave me this baby bottle, used by his “preemie” in the hospital. Perhaps my Santa is the true size that Clement Moore had in mind when he wrote “The Night Before Christmas.” Indeed, this Woodspirit is a right jolly old elf, and therefore has no coin. When Santa came down the chimney, he expected to find his usual milk and cookies. Instead, he found a baby bottle and a cookie already nibbled! That must have satisfied the mouse, because not a creature was stirring. Next to the bottle, Santa found this note: Dear Santa, Since you are up, please give the 3 a.m. bottle to Baby.”

SANTA BEAR #9120 TIM WOLFE On Christmas Eve, young animals throughout all the woods and forests lie awake in their nests, anxiously awaiting the arrival of good ol’ Santa Bear. For many of them, it will seem like the longest night of the year, as they are far too excited to sleep… After a long winter’s nap in the North Cave, Santa Bear emerges on Christmas Eve, dressed and ready to go to work. His red and white suit resembles that which is worn by his human colleague, Claus. Years of eating Mrs. Bear’s cooking has caused Santa Bear’s jacket to feel a bit tight! While St. Nick is busy filling stockings for good boys and girls, Santa Bear will be delivering treats to little critters all across the land. His team of eight mighty mule deer will carry his sleigh from the Everglades to the Yukon – and everywhere in between. If you happen to notice this jolly and plump bruin sneaking through your woodlot on Christmas Eve, you’ll know in a moment it mustn’t be St. Nick … it’s Santa Bear!

SANTA CLAUS #5405 The Christ Child represents the holiness of the Christmas event, while Santa Claus is the symbol of family giving and Christmas joy. This figure evolved from St. Nicholas, a Bishop of Myra in the 4th century. Since then, various countries have depicted him in different clothing with varying physiques. In the United States, he is generally shown as being fat, happy and wearing a red suit. This image was popularized in the 20th century by Coca-Cola ads and Norman Rockwell paintings. Our mythology says that Santa comes from the North Pole, yet is the warmest of folk icons. He dresses loudly but is quiet as a mouse (according to “Twas the Night Before Christmas”). A right jolly old elf (so that’s how he gets down chimneys!) he can visit millions of homes in a few minutes and fly through the air with the aid of eight “tiny” reindeer. Santa makes no apology for his rotund figure, and it is assumed that he samples the candy that he brings to the children on Christmas night. On the base of this fig-urine, there are also nuts and acorns for his animal friends. Christmas is a time when parents give to their children with such unselfish love (Agape) that they don’t even claim credit for the gifts. The thanks go to Santa Claus!

SANTA PRAYING #5932 (APRIL, 2003)

SANTA’S HOME! #5291 (November, 1995) Whew! It’s been a long night. It seems that there are a few more children to visit every year, and each deserves special attention. As dawn breaks over the North Pole and Christmas morning sunbeams turn every snowdrift into a cairn of diamonds, Santa arrives at last on his own doorstep. His sack is empty. He is weary but filled with the joy and sweet relief of a job well done after a hard day (or night) at work. Seeing Mrs. Claus smiling at him from the doorway makes his homecoming complete. Welcome home!

SANTA’S NORTH POLES #5326  (March, 1997) Santa is on top of the world – it’s ski time at the North Pole! The slopes are groomed and the trails are marked. He doesn’t want to wind up “black and blue” so he’ll take the long “green dot” slope down to his sleigh. Using his ski poles for balance and maneuverability, he just may show Donner and Blitzen a thing or two about speed. His new skis (a gift from the elves) make him merry at Christmas time. Look for Ol’ Man Winter in his beard.

SANTA’S PAINTERS #8090  Santa’s master painters Are always in a rush, Painting these nutcrackers One misplaced his favorite brush. With Christmas fast approaching He couldn’t fall behind, So he quickly grabbed the closest Bristles he could find!

SANTA’S SMILE #5286 (September, 1995) What is brighter than a Christmas bow and bigger than the Christmas goose? It’s Santa’s smile! The inspiration for this piece was my first Santa statue, sculpted exactly 15 years ago. I think you’ll see some changes after all my years of “practice.” I always think of Santa Claus as a “right jolly old elf,” so this statue may actually be life-sized! He is posed by a Christmas poinsettia and his sack is stuffed with Christmas nuts for good little boys and girls (Christmas is Santa’s bag!). The base is also overflowing with many varieties of nuts, a treat we always hope to find in the toes of our Christmas stockings Instead of a rag doll there is a lute gnome behind Santa. He is one of Santa’s helpers, but now he’ resting because his job is done! Santa will make a merry sound as he comes down your chimney, for his red stocking cap is decorated with a Christmas bell. This Santa is a bit plumper than Santa I – after all, he’s had 15 more years of Christmas dinners!

SANTA’S WORKSHOP #8042 This wonderful, wooden rocking horse Was handmade with loving care, By the very finest craftsmen That you’d find anywhere. At Santa’s North Pole Workshop, Every elf that he employs Is busy working all day long At a job that he enjoys. Cuz what could be more rewarding Than making wooden toys To be opened up on Christmas mom By little girls and boys?

SANTA SEW #5640 (Summer 2008) When Santa sews the needle goes in and under and then comes up again  . . . pretty much like people do when they travel by subway.  So (sew), the lucky coin is an old subway token from New York. Santa’s toboggan is a thimble, which to gnomes is known as a hard hat.  This Santa is a repairman and he is sew welcomed in Christmas emergencies.

SASSY #5125 (Cairn Seminar Series) (November, 1990) Corky found a cork in the forest, and decided it would make a good backrest. Now he’s curious about the bottle that once held this cork. Did a genie live inside? Despite his wild ideas, he’s a real corker. His coin is from France, home to some of the world’s best vineyards. Corky’s friend Sassy, a tea-totaler, is using a tea bag for her backrest. When Corky asked about the genie, she laughed and said, “I know you’re a Woodspirit, but you won’t find any ‘spirits’ in empty bottles.” She’ll fix Corky a cup of her favorite beverage, sassafras tea. Sassy’s coin is Chinese, because she wouldn’t leave Corky for all the tea in China.

SATURDAY #90 (May, 1983) “Saturday’s child works hard for a living”— that is why he needs a good rest at the end of the week. He is relaxing against the base of a stump from Cairn Ridge. He symbolizes leisure (maybe even retirement!) and the snail behind him sets the pace. The Moroccan coin is to get him dreaming about faraway places. The bird footprints on the bottom of his shoes will aid him in his flights of fancy.

“SAY HEY” #5219 (April, 1993) This hopeful outfielder wants to be just like his idol, Willie Mays, who was nicknamed “the Say Hey Kid.” He has his glove ready and his eye on the ball, but since Woodspirit children play baseball in the forest his mitt has filled up with acorns! Maybe the flypaper will help him catch a fly, and if that fails he can use the bucket by his feet. His coin is an American penny, for baseball has been America’s national pastime for 150 years. The ball is getting closer, and … Say Hey! I think he’s going to make that catch!

SAY CHRISTMAS #6379 by Tom Clark and Tim Wolfe Get out the camera! It’s Christmas and everywhere you look there is a photo opportunity. In this particular instance, it’s Ansel, the gnome, wearing his Christmas hat trimmed with fur, who is playing the role of Santa. Both he and his rabbit friend are in a happy mood, so they don’t mind posing for a picture. Philippe, the mouse, pointed the camera at them and said, “Say Cheese” . .. but then he realized that cheese probably meant more to him than to anyone else. “Say carrot!”, he added, but only the rabbit smiled. So what could he say that would make everyone smile? “Say Christmas!!” Ansel has spent all his money for the present on which Philippe is standing. He didn’t tell me what it is, but I suspect it’s extra film for use on Christmas morning when everyone smiles without being asked to do so.

SCANDI #2001 (Special Commission) (November, 1983) This figure was begun at The Four Flags of Scandia in Ashtabula, Ohio. They commissioned the piece and intended it to honor all four Scandinavian countries, as evidenced by the four coins underneath the horse. The horse is a popular bit of Scandinavian folklore, indicating that the horse can kick your troubles out of the house. On some editions I broke with tradition and put a red bow on the tail, to show that the horse is a kicker.

SCARLETT #9056 TIM WOLFE It just isn’t fair! Scarlett hasn’t done anything to deserve being bothered by a bee. All she wanted was to spend some solitary time in the flower garden. Geez, it wasn’t as if she was going to nibble on any bloom or nip any bud! Now, for reasons unexplained, she is being harassed by some half pint insect with an attitude. She’s heard of having a bee in her bonnet, but on her toe? Scarlett doesn’t realize that the bee means no harm – he simply finds her as sweet and pretty as any flower in the garden. Quite frankly, she would prefer it if the little bumbler would just go away. A bunny’s ears are quite sensitive, you see, and this buzzing noise is beginning to give her a headache. Scarlett is hoping for a good breeze to blow in. Then perhaps her troubles would be gone with the wind.

SCHOOL MARM #5171 (October, 1991) This statue honors teachers of the twentieth century with one from the turn of the century. The School Marm has seen many children pass through her classroom. She has a red pencil for checking her students’ homework, and her textbooks represent the three basic R’s of education: Reading, Riting, and ‘Rithmetic. Her ruler warns students that discipline will be measured out if they’re given an inch and take a mile. But it also brings to mind her favorite song: “School days, School days, Dear old golden rule days.” She is the second member of my new “Professions” series, which began with M.D., the family doctor. The School Marm’s coin depicts a lightbulb, which, like this hard-working teacher, is dedicated to better vision. The acorns which secure her bun confirm what all students know–that a teacher has eyes in the back of her head.

SCOOP #5035 (February, 1988) Scoop is the Good Humor man for all of the Gnomes and Woodspirits. He wants his cone to contain your favorite flavor of ice cream. On his base are a walnut, a pecan and an almond from which he can blend your special scoop. He and Peaches are often invited to parties along with Fudge, Oreo and Newt. Sometimes Scoop, Baker and Happy collaborate on a special birthday treat. Scoop wears a cone hat, but rather than being a dunce, he is actually real cool, and in fact, his coin is from Chile!

SCOTCH #5521 (2003)

SCOUT #2026 (January, 1989) Scout was commissioned by the Boy Scouts of America, and friends in Davidson supplied me with the official Scouting items that I used on this statue. Scout is hiking along the Appalachian Trail, and he’s having such a good time that he won’t mind if his foot is tender. He is in Troop #7 he thinks this is a lucky troop. He is carrying a coin that depicts the Boy Scout pledge, and the coin by his foot depicts the Boy Scout oath. On his pack is the Boy Scout insignia and the Scouting motto, “Be Prepared? Because Gnomes love the outdoors, they wanted their own Scouting program. But Gnomes do not join a scout troop until they are 50 years old, which is why Scout has a beard. Scout also has a special Boy Scout hat. His hat is pointed, to protect him from falling acorns, and it also has a bill to shade his eyes while he hikes. Scout and his troop are hoping that next year they can go to Philmont, New Mexico, to the biggest Boy Scout camp of all. If you, too, are nuts about Scouting, you’ll be able to see a little face on the base of the statue.

SCOUT FRIENDS #2076 (January 2009)These three gnome-friends are united in their support of Boy Scouts of America That is why they stand behind the emblem BSA. Although gnomes live to the age of 400, they don’t qualify for membership in the Scouts until they are 100 years old. That is why these three friends have long beards and are so enthusiastic about finally getting to join this great organization. As seen from behind, they represent three stages of Scouting: 1* Class, 2™ Class, and Tenderfoot. Their Scouting future is bright – they have already found a lucky coin on the forest floor from the year of Scouting’s birth: 1910.

SCRABBLE #925 (July 1991) This is the fourth sign made to accompany a collection of “Tom Clark Creations.” The lucky coin on the side isa game token to insure that you’ll be the winner in the game of Scrabble. Scrabble is also the name of this little red-hatted Woodspirit. From the jumble of letters on the base he has formed “Cairn Studio” and the leftovers have brought forth “T Clark.” Scrabble will probably add the “O” and “M’ which will suit Tom to a T.

SCRAP #9049 TIM WOLFE For years, man has credited the red fox with amazing feats of intelligence and cunning. We have even coined such phrases as “sly as a fox” and “clever as a fox.” While he may not be the intellectual giant that legend and folklore would have us believe, one fact remains true; the red fox does look intelligent! Sly and elusive, yet handsomely dressed in an orange-red coat with black leggings and a magnificent tail tipped in white, the red fox has everything it takes for the making of legends. As we speak, Scrap is probably scheming his next raid on the hen house or planning a new trick for throwing hounds off his trail (he takes great satisfaction in the latter and can think of no better sport). He also enjoys a good rabbit chase now and again – that is, when it doesn’t involve that pesky fellow named Briar.

SCRATCHBACK #6362 “Oooh, that feels so good!” It’s only right that “turnabout is fair play”, so the monkey who got his back scratched on Back-scratch is now giving the same treatment to the Woodspirit. (This is one time when it’s okay to have a monkey on your back.) This is the first time we have done a Kindred Spirit statue that is a continuation of a story. The coin is from Samoa, as was the coin on Back-scratch. It’s obvious from the expression on the face of the Woodspirit that he does indeed want “Samoa”!

“SCULPTURE BY TOM CLARK SIGN “TOM CLARK’S CREATIONS SIGN #994 (1982) These two signs were carved by Bill Dicks in Banner Elk, N.C. The little fellow on the edge of “Sculpture” has never revealed his name. The one in the middle of the “Creations” sign is perhaps called T-Bird. In any event, he looks a bit like me, with my nickname given me by students at Davidson College. Don’t look for coins for he has no common “cents.?

SEAN #131 (October, 1980) Sean sometimes picks apples and rides them down from the tree. When he chooses, he becomes invisible. This accounts for the times when apples are seen to fall and only Sean’s hat follows behind. He has the Irish name for John. His coin honors Johnny Appleseed, as it shows someone planting a tree.

SECOND HALF #5302 (May, 1996) Touchdown! With his hands raised in the traditional referee’s signal, my little fellow celebrates scoring the winning touchdown. You can tell from his shirt and tie that it was quite a scuffle. But a little luck of the Irish helped, so, for helmet. He shares the Irish coin from “First Half” but now it’s upside down, because the game was an upset. This is the first statue that I have progressed from one pose to another to tell a story. I copied my own palms for this leprechaun’s hands – he even shares my carpal tunnel scar on the right hand. But, like it does for me, it extends his life line!

SECRET #190 (November, 1981) He is about 100 years old and has decided it is time to get married. Being shy and fearful of rejection, Secret has picked a marigold and begun playing the game “she loves me, she loves me not …” The butterfly saw Secret pulling the petals off the marigold and wanted to stop him. Being the message carrier for Gnomes and Woodspirits, the butterfly knew the answer to Secret’s question. So the butterfly flew to his ear and told him the “secret.” What was it? Only Mugmon thinks he knows for sure. The coin is Norwegian.

SEEMORE #5361  AccCBz #3311 (February, 1998) His first priority is to help with the tires, but if there’s time he pulls out the washcloth and gives the windshield a wipe. There’s no reason why the TV camera should have a better view than the driver!

SENIOR #5103 (March, 1990) Senior’s children have grown up and left home to start homes and families of their own. Senior is pondering his now empty nest, symbolized by the broken birds’ eggs and the empty seed pods from an acorn, a day lily, a peanut, and a rhododendron. He has decided to retire and just “go to seed.” So Senior climbed into the old wicker bassinet (another empty nest) and asked his wife to baby him. Her response was to point to the Canadian coin and declare, “You’re crazy as a loon!” She’ll soon make him realize that the golden years can be the fullest. In the meantime, she has handed Senior five honeydew melon seeds, which he put in his shirt pocket. Like most wives, she’ll keep Senior busy with a “Honey, do .. ” list.

SERENADE #5370 (March, 1998) “Serenades” often take place by the light of the moon coming up over the water while the couple sits on the beach. If there’s no moon, there’s still a glow coming from the eyes of the gnome troubadour and his lady love. They’re so enthralled with the music and their joy at being together that they probably haven’t seen the little fish from Bermuda that just swam by (on the coin). The banjo seems to be playing “I shell be loving you always.”

SEW IN LOVE #5404 This Thimble series couple is a tribute to those who are still “so much in love.” “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” Life is often woven with threads of hardship and ease, joy and sorrow, good health and sickness, but the thread that binds this couple together is humor. It is their sense of humor that keeps this couple in stitches. The two lucky coins are from France and Canada. These are countries far from each other but bound by the common language of love – French. EDITION CHANGES: Sew In Love: January 2000 Release – One edition depicts the dress covering her feet. Another edition shows her feet coming out from underneath the dress.

SEW MUCH TO DO #8048  I wonder who else, Has a problem like mine, I have sew much to do And sew little time.

SHADRACH #1012; MESHACH #1013; ABEDNEGO #1014 (The Bible & Religion Series) (December, 1983) These little fellows were once named Tom, Dick, and Harry. One day they were caught in a forest fire and would have perished had not a chipmunk led them to the safety of a cave behind a waterfall. After this they changed their names to correspond with the men in the biblical book of Daniel who also endured a fiery furnace. Shadrach and Abednego have tranportation tokens to use on the trip back home. Meshach was so anxious to tell about his experience that he chose a telephone token (Israeli) so that he could call home.

SHAKESPEARE #1039 (Books & Education Series) (April, 1984) The Bard is not resting; he is writing! Evidence of his creative productivity is seen in the play titles around his feet. The chair is padded and has a high back to protect him from the cold and drafts of an English home in Stratford-upon-Avon. Exactly what he looked like is not known; this portrait agrees with the few depictions made of him in the 16th century.

SHAMROCK #5604 When Irish eyes are smiling, sure ‘tis like a morn in May! And Shamrock’s eyes are smiling all the time. Of course, when it’s time for some Irish stew, he smiles a little broader, although he has eaten so much of his favorite food he can no longer button his vest all the way down. His new walking stick, a shillelagh, was a little too tall for him, so he cut it down to size. You can find the top of the stick lying on the base. You can also find his lucky Irish coin, which you may want to use when buying an Irish sweepstakes ticket. The leaf on his “green thumb,” as well as the logo on his top hat are indications that he belongs to the leprechaun branch of Green Thumb Gnomes. He can make any garden green just by whistling for some Irish Mist to settle on the yard. He was proud of his nice hat . . . until a bird sat on it and made a dent. But no dent was made in Shamrock’s smile. By the way, if you like Ireland, you’ll be able to find a smiling face in Shamrock’s beard.

SHARKY #5429 Sharky is a dedicated shell collector. Once in a while he comes across a small shark’s tooth; however, this time he has found the largest one he’s ever seen. This particular specimen is from a now-extinct shark that scholars estimate existed 50 million years ago! Sharky is meditating on this discovery while watching the waves on the shore. Was it his diligent searching that led him to the tooth … or was it the lucky coin from Barbados that he found? This tooth, found at Topsail Beach, North Carolina, won’t fit in the seashell bag he carries over his shoulder so maybe he can get a crab to carry it for him. He’s anxious to get it home in time, for “Shore and Tell.”

SHASTA #9071 TIM WOLFE “What’s that smell?” Shasta the skunk has caught scent of something in the air. At first, she thought it was coming from the stump on which she is sitting. Then, she thought maybe it was her wilted flower. Now, she realizes it might be herself that she smells. If that is the case, then it smells good since she just put on some new perfume given to her by her friend, Purrfume. I created this statue right around the time my 4-year-old daughter was trying hard to recite an old tongue twister that went like this: The skunk sat on the stump.; The skunk thought the stump stunk.; The stump thought the skunk stunk!

SHAW #126 (September, 1980) This fellow is a mischievous little magician, springing from an early 20th century baby shoe. He is named for Shaw Smith of Davidson, quite a magician him-self! The coin has been an English threepence, a New York subway token, and a magic coin.

SHEAR DELIGHT #5202 (August, 1992) It’s the best hour of the week. What luxury it is to leave the chores and errands behind for a trip to the Woodspirit beauty shop. In keeping with its woodsy locale, a leaf is used for the customer’s smock. She’s set aside her book (Hair-Raising Tales) because she’d much rather chat with the hairdresser. If only she could leave the salon looking that glamorous! Her pocketbook holds an Irish coin to tip the beautician. How do I know? It has a hare on it.

SHELBY #5336 (June, 1997) Shelby is a conchologist, a shell collector and student of the branch of zoology that specializes in mollusks and shells. Seven tiny shells decorate his beard, in honor of the Seven Seas, and his coin from New Zealand shows a sea horse. There are over 60 shells on this statue, plus a shark’s tooth and – surprise! – a pistol shell. He enjoys showing his collection to Passing Fancy, Fancy That and the other beach-loving Woodspirits. Accurately identifying shells is difficult, but he won’t shell out for a guide book. “My goodness!” exclaims Shelby as he examines his latest find. “Look what I’ve found – a rare whatchamacallit! I’m shell-shocked!” Perhaps an astute collector can identify this specimen for poor Shelly.

SHELL OYL #5695

SHELLY #123 (August, 1980) Shelly has taken his vacation at Ocean Isle, N.C. He has found a sand dollar, of which he is justly proud. If no one comes by he will blow on his tiny conch horn and summon his friends to see his new shell. Sometimes he has a Swedish coin in his pocket, and sometimes he has spent it.

SHEN #1040 (February, 1984) Shen is Reuben’s cousin from the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Also found in that valley are fairy stones. These are small crosses formed by nature. Legend has it that the fairies wept cross-shaped tears at the time of the Crucifixion. Shen is holding one and another is at his feet. The coin is English, in honor of the early settlers of Virginia. It is a threepence with three flowers pictured. Shen has three roses tucked behind him as well. Some people think of three roses as a symbol for the Trinity.

SHENANIGAN #5203 (September, 1992) As his name implies, Shenanigan is a mischievous trickster who’s daring you to catch him. If you can grab his coattails then he’ll have to take you to his pot of gold. Although he’s stepping lively, that Irish smile shows that he doubts you’ll succeed. Like many of my little leprechauns, he wears a shamrock in his hat and carries his Irish harp on his coin. From the black walnut behind him he can fashion a miniature shillelagh for rapping the knuckles of those who come too close. But what are these shenanigans? Someone has filled an acorn top full of gold!

SHEPHERD #197 (June, 1982) “The Shepherds were keeping watch over their flock by night.” says Luke 2:8. The Shepherd, with his blanket about him, is gazing at the Christ Child with awe and wonder. He is lost in silent thought while standing to the rear of the stable. From there he can view both the manger and his flock in the distance. His blanket is still around his shoulders, as it was in the pasture when he was surprised by angels.

SHEPHERD II #5192 (May, 1992) “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want!” Perhaps the Shepherd is thinking of the 23rd Psalm as he approaches the Nativity scene. Would not Mary have wanted more than a lowly manger for her Son? But as the Shepherd reaches the stable door, he sees only love and joy in the eyes of Mary and Joseph. Wrapped against the chill in his cloak and scarf, the Shepherd will keep watch throughout the long, dark night. As he leans on his staff in the corner of the crude shelter, he is content, for he knows that “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”

SHEPHERD III #5402 It’s altogether appropriate for shepherds to be at the birth scene of the Baby Jesus. This same baby, when mature, would be called the Good Shepherd. Even his cousin, John the Baptist, referred to that vocation when he introduced Jesus to his future disciples: “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” And so the shepherds have come to adore the one who will care for all mankind as all good shepherds do for their sheep. This gentle old man squints to see the child. A smile creeps across his wrinkled face  as the Christ child appears to recognize a fellow shepherd.

SHERLOCK HOLMES #170 (October, 1981) This Sleuth is patterned after Sherlock Holmes, as portrayed by Basil Rathbone. He wears the Scottish stalking cap and an Inverness coat. On the base are books, presumably detective stories. The titles are a little mystery them-selves. Since the statue was completed on my birthday, several editions have clues as to what time of the year it is and how old I was that day. Other editions have references to tobacco, since the idea for this statue originated with Tinderbox stores. “Elementary, my dear Watson!”

SHERMAN #9019 TIM WOLFE The all too familiar “bellowing” of a beagle hound distracted Sherman momentarily from indulging in his favorite garden vegetable. Sherman’s initial rabbit reaction was to drop everything and dash for the nearest thicket, but his acute sense of hearing reassured him that this dog was a good quarter, maybe half a mile away. Cocking his ears this way and that, like movable antennas, Sherman listened more intently and concluded that the hound was an immature male, confined to a pen, and barking at nothing in particular. Thanks to his radar-like ears, Sherman can now rest easily and enjoy every bit of this delectable carrot, unless the stingy gardener happens to sneak up on him. Then let’s hope that Sherman’s legs are as reliable as his ears.

SHERWOOD #5559 (2003) When you’re looking for someone to take special care of a forest, you need look no further than Sherwood, the forest ranger. For the young Gnomes, he gives walking tours of the woods and instructs them in the ways of nature. He knows the names of all the trees and the insects that make their homes in the bark. He can tell the age of a tree by looking at its “skin,” and determine the health by putting his ear to the bark and listening for a few seconds. He can predict the winter weather by the amount of acorns that each tree produces. It has been said that a popular song was written about Sherwood entitled, “He talks to the trees.” When the wind blows through their branches, they seem to be talking back to him. The lucky coin that he has found in the woods is a five pence from Great Britain. Perhaps is was dropped by Robin Hood! As a true Forest Ranger, he is especially conscious of the danger of forest fires. He works with his friends, the Smokey Bear family, to stamp out camp fire embers. As he walks through the forest he makes note of fallen trees, for from them a wood pile can be made. Would he take care of your wood pile? He Sherwood.

SHHH! #6313 (June, 1994) “Not a creature was stirring, not even – ” Wait a minute! Someone is still awake! It’s a tiny Woodspirit, dressed in a red flannel Santa suit. He has a special gift for his sleeping friend – a small gold bell for belling the cat (on the Australian coin). Oh, he must be this little mouse’s Secret Santa! While the field mouse dreams his Christmas dreams, his friend will leave the present and tiptoe away. All Kindred Spirits know ’tis better to give than to receive, and ’tis always fun to give a secret gift! Won’t this mouse be surprised when he awakens and finds that Santa paid him a visit? Help keep the secret – Shhh!

SHINER #5055 (June, 1988 Shiner and his friends Twinkle and Sparkle wish that they were clowns. Then they could run away and join the circus. To pretend, they’ve dressed up in funny clothes and put on fake noses. Shiner’s coin is from Holland, where he also found his wooden shoes. He looks as though people are asking him, “Where’d you get your shiner?” His answer is, “Wouldn’t you like to know?” Only Sparkle knows. There’s a big walnut behind Shiner, because he’s nuts about Sparkle.

SHORTY #1046 (Gnomes With Food Series) (May, 1984) This fellow is a shorty like his creator! Wearing a straw hat, he is selecting the berries for his shortcake. His coin, with farm produce on it, is from Israel. He is always the first one in the patch each day and it is he who dusts the berries so that they will show up for the pickers.

SHOVE #2031 (Special Commission) (January, 1990) These two fellows were commissioned by Century Wheel and Rim of Montibello, California. This company, founded in 1981, specializes in wheels, rims and axles for trucks and trailers. Like Gnomes and Woodspirits, the wheel is as old as time itself. Shove is riding on a 1922 antique truck. His steering wheel is actually the wheel for a toy truck. On the base is a small commemorative plaque bearing the Wells Fargo insignia, which many truck drivers like to wear on their belt buckles. Wells Fargo, begun in 1852, is the forerunner of cross-country trucking. Over the years, trucks have evolved into highly sophisticated machines, but they are really just a continuation of the horse and buggy. Shove wears cowboy boots, because truckers are considered by many to be today’s cow-boys. The coin next to Shove symbolizes the bright future of trucking by showing “only the beginning” of a modern 18. wheeler. Push is pushing his trailer over to hitch it to Shove’s truck. His Italian coin shows a winged horse (this is genuine horse power!) to celebrate the Italian heritage of Century Wheel and Rim’s founder. Behind Push is a miniature version of a Los Angeles deputy sheriff’s badge, as a warning to truckers to “keep it down”. ” Together, these fellows are a reminder that when Push comes to Shove, You can depend on he trucking industry.

SHOWTIME #5324 (Cairn Promotional Series) (February, 1997) It’s Showtime! This little Woodspirit loves to watch sports on television. Whether it’s the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat, he’s in his favorite spot in front of the TV with his remote control “clicker.” His favorite sport is surfing – channel surfing, that is. I gave him two coins – a US nickel for Nickelodeon, and a one pence coin from Great Britain – to help him find the English Channel. There are two faces in his beard, and two leaves on the base that reflect the comedy and tragedy sides of entertainment. Showtime, don’t you have chores to do? I can see from your eyes that you have watched too much TV!

SHRINER AND HOPE #2019 (June, 1987) Hope is about to take her first step since the braces were put on. The look on her face says that now she thinks she’s going to make it! The Shriner stands behind her, giving her encouragement but not doing the work for her. He holds her with experienced tenderness, for he has helped thousands before her. Hope’s rag doll also has a crutch, and has been her constant companion during her trips to the hospital. The Shriner wears a small crutch lapel pin, symbolic of the hundreds of ways that Shriners work to help burned and crippled children. A collection of newspapers that they publish headlines “Help” which is the theme of the Shriners’ campaign. I am indebted to Joe Vale of Gastonia, North Carolina for the inspiration and the naming of this statue.

SILAS #109 (September, 1978) This fellow with the biblical name is enjoying his happy hour. He has been drinking home brew from his jug. There is a little can opener behind him as well as an Irish coin depicting a fish (since Silas drinks like one).

SIMEON #2 (June, 1979) Simeon, in Rodin’s “Thinker” pose, is named for a New Testament priest who was both wise and capable of foreseeing the future. Late in the afternoon, Simeon’s Woodspirit friends gather around him where he sits on a stump and predicts what the weather will be for the next day.

SIMON PETER #6018 (May, 1998) Simon Peter is perhaps the best known of Jesus’ disciples. He was a fisherman by vocation and spontaneous by nature, and for both reasons he and Jesus became friends. Several accounts are given of the disciples being in Peter’s boat with special note taken of the occasion when Peter sought to walk on water as Jesus did, only to sink into the waves. This lack of faith came to the fore again when he denied knowing His Lord the night of Jesus’ arrest. His weakness serves to underline his strengths, especially at the moment when he acknowledged Jesus as the expected Messiah – the first disciple to do so. For this “confession” Jesus blessed Simon with a new name, Peter (“Rock”) and symbolically indicated that this acknowledgment was both the “key” to eternal life and the rock on which he would build the Church. As in Leonardo da Vinci’s “Last Supper,” | have shown Peter leaning forward in animated conversation. The sandaled foot is seen protruding from the hem of his toga, not unlike the famous statue of Peter in the Basilica in The Vatican. He remains in my thoughts as both the close friend of Jesus and the itinerant teacher .. the disciple who later became the first Bishop of Rome and whose very shadow could bring healing.

SING OUT AMERICA #5487 (2001) One beautiful fall morning in 2001, thousands of school children stood in their classrooms and sang “God Bless America”. At precisely the same time all over the country these young innocent fresh voices were joyfully praising their nation in unison. Singing out in patriotism is the theme of this statue. The “Patriot” is the the gnome, saluting his country and proudly displaying the red, white and blue colors on his jacket. The songs surrounding him are the national anthem and beloved hymns with a national theme. Behind the Patriot are slogans that remind us of our resolve in keeping freedom alive. When Francis Scott Key saw the United States flag “still waving” after a night of darkness and battle, his spirits were lifted in admiration for his country. The darkness of September 11, 2001 serves as a background for the courage, steadfastness and faith of all those so deeply affected by that day of infamy. As this little gnome Patriot symbolizes, we will not succumb to the darkness of despair and hopelessness. Rather we will sing out in praise of America the Beautiful!

SIS #10028 Her brother may want her to play ball with him, but the only one-on-one Sis is interested in is her baby doll. She has on her apron, like “Mommy”, and now she’s taking care of her little one. This image reminds us of little girls we cherish…those who grow up to be wonderful Mothers.

SITTING BULL #5523 (2003)

SKEETER #5115 (August, 1990) Don’t look for any coins on this statue like the shells, they’re spent. Skeeter is sitting on a toy pistol, which is atop a clay pigeon used in skeet shooting. He arranged the shells as a set of bongo drums, and now he accompanies the birds when they sing. Like hunters, Skeeter loves the out-of. doors, and like his friends Smoky and Stan, he enjoys finding what they drop in the woods. A neighbor of mine, Tony Rogers, gave me these shotgun shells and rifle cartridges. You could say that Skeeter is a real son of a gun.

SKIBO #5027 (December, 1987) This is the first “snow fall’ of the season, and poor Skibo is in the most difficult predicament imaginable. He has lost one ski pole, his bottom is in the snow, his skis are crossed-and now the skis are gradually beginning to slide downhill. But no matter how many times he falls, he’ll still be a nut about skiing- just like his snowman friend wearing the acorn hat. Skibo has a Swiss half-franc to pay for his ride on the lift. Skibo shares his name with an instructor I admired years ago. But this Woodspirit only gets to ski a few times each sea-son-_he’s not a ski bum–just a Skibo.

SKI BUM #8081  After a day on the slopes When I take off my skis, My body goes limp And I’m weak in the knees. It’s a splendid sensation No cause for sorrow, I’ll wake up refreshed And come back tomorrow.

SKI BUNNY #9139 TIM WOLFE Swooosh! In a colorful blur of speed and perfect form she slices through the white powdery snow. The black diamonds on her skis tell us that this gal can handle the steepest runs – not just the bunny slopes. Of course, as any ski bunny knows, it really doesn’t matter how well she can ski; what matters most is that she looks good doing it! Once she has her outfit going for her, the rest is all downhill. No matter what slopes you hit this winter – from Carolina to Colorado to California – watch out for ski bunnies! Artist’s note: I sculpted this statue after a ski trip my wife and I took with friends to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Unfortunately, Karla broke her thumb on the first run of the third morning, and spent most of the day in the lodge.

SKINNY #5288 (October, 1995) Never trust a skinny cook. But here’s one cook who’s “Skinny” and who still definitely knows his way around a good meal. This jolly chef holds a recipe book and he’s ready to help when you want to try out a new recipe. His favorite meal? That’s the one that’s just been put in front of him. Skinny never met a pumpkin pie he didn’t like, so I gave him a pumpkin perch from which to survey the kitchen scene. He also has a dinner bell to ring and a token from Duke Power – good for one fare!

SKIPPER #1005 (December, 1983) This nautical fellow is grasping the edge of a conch shell and imagining it to be the helm of a vessel like the one depicted on the English coin on the base. He has a faraway look as he steers by the stars. On the front of his hat is the Star of Bethlehem, which is actually at the center of a sand dollar. The little sea gulls on the hat were also from the inside of the sand dollar. Skipper’s name is written inside a Scotch Bonnet sea shell, which is the official shell of North Carolina.

SKOAL #5592 “Skoal!” A Toast To Your Health is the meaning of this Scandinavian term.The Danes, the Swedes, the Norwegians and the Finns all use this expression when toasting one another. These four countries also share a love for lore about Gnomes. In Norway the Gnomes are called “Tomte” or Nisse.” In Sweden they are called “Tomtebisse.” The Danes call them “Nisse” and the folks in Finland call Gnomes “Tonttu.” Your Gnome, “Skoal” is dressed in traditional colors of blue (coat) and red (hat.) His boots are heavy duty. His pouch contains his tool kit. Even his acorn drinking cup will fit inside the pouch. He has found a good luck coin, from Norway, which indicates this is his lucky day! The little green leaf on his hand proves that he is a member of the elite Green Thumb Gnomes. Perhaps “Skoal” grew the elderberry flowers from which the tea in his cup is made. Sometimes he uses raspberry blossoms, which ferment quickly. He has even been known to brew homemade wine and beer, but he doesn’t give out the recipe. When asked for it, he will only say, “Skoal!”

SLAM AND DUNK #2017 (Special Commission) BASKET #1185 (April, 1987) Slam and Dunk were commissioned by the Belk and Leggett Department Stores. They are in their woodsy back yard, playing a game of pick-up basketball. The numbers on their sweatshirts are 18 and 88, for the year the Belk Brothers opened their business. They are pretending to be players on their (and your favorite team. Their ball is a sycamore seed pod. Slam and Dunk’s basket has been nailed to a little tree, and a kind collector will place it close to them when they want to shoot some hoops. The basket may seem low to you, but it is regulation height for the WBA (Woodspirit Basketball Association). The face on the trunk of the tree smiles a little broader every time they make a basket. Slam is not tall enough to imitate anyone nicknamed Magic or Stilt, so he needs a helping hand from his friend Dunk. They think that getting an assist from a teammate is just good Woodspirit sportsmanship, and that this basket should be worth four points! Of course they want to win, but their main motivation is the fun of playing and their coin confirms they are always “good for one play?” Look for other Woodspirit team members to join them in the future.

SLEUTH #179 (October, 1981) This Sleuth is patterned after Sherlock Holmes, as portrayed by Basil Rathbone. He wears the Scottish stalking cap and an Inverness coat. On the base are books, presumably detective stories. The titles are a little mystery themselves. Since the statue was completed on my birth-day, several editions have clues as to what time of the year it is and how old I was that day. Other editions have references to tobacco, since the idea for this statue originated with Tinderbox stores. “Elementary, my dear Watson!”

SLICK #9150 Tim Wolfe  AccCBz #3701 Turtles, being notoriously slow, are not prime candidates for pit crew occupations. Slick, however, is an exception. According to the crew chief, “once the action starts, Slick moves so fast you can’t see him. And he is a major player on the Cairn team.”

SLIM #5081, JIM #5082 and JANE #5083 (August, 1989) Slim, Jim and Jane have joined the fitness craze. This is the first day of their exercise program. Each of them has a coin that says “10′ because they’re trying to complete 10 repetitions of their exercises. Slim, who wishes he were, is doing push-ups and has a coin from Mexico. Jim, who plans to start going to the gym every day, is doing sit-ups. His coin is from Mozambique. Jane, who is in the middle of ten toe-touches, has dropped a “pound.” Slim and Jim think she’s enthusiastic about getting in shape, but she’s actually trying to reach that piece of candy! She thinks she’ll be a perfect 10 if she drops a few pounds, but the truth is, her friends are fonda’ Jane just the way she is.

SLUGGER #5149 (April, 1991) Winter or summer, these three Woodspirits play baseball every day. Yogi, who has a bear behind him, is using his mitt as a chest protector. Like all good catchers, he wears his hat backwards. Rye seeds are scattered on the base, so he must he a catcher in the rye. His beard rests on his glove, because things get hairy for a catcher. Even so, his coin says “Fun For All.” Standing at the plate is Slugger, holding his bat, waiting for the perfect pitch. His Irish coin has a hare on it, for he’ll have to run like one when he circles the bases. On the pitcher’s mound is Cy, named for Cy Young (1867-1955), the number one pitcher of all time. You could say he was mighty Young when he pitched. Cy’s coin is a game token, for all pitchers want to be credited with the game. Whether they make it to the play-offs or not, these Woodspirits know there is no better way to “Pastime.”

SMILEY #301 (September, 1981) Summer days on Grey Road can be spent smiling at hummingbirds or just daydreaming under a mush-room. The real Smiley (Johnson) is a hard-working farmer who deserves a Woodspirit day like this.

SMOKY #95 (April, 1983) The first tobacco from the New World came from North Carolina and was sent by Sir Walter Raleigh to Queen Elizabeth I. Smoky is thinking about that ancient history. Meanwhile, he is relieved that this pipe was not smoking when it fell from someone’s pocket into the leaves. This Woodspirit is to the little people in the forest what Smoky the Bear is to the big people in national parks. On top of ole Smoky is an acorn hard hat, and to his side is a coin depicting Queen Elizabeth I.

SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT #6338 (August, 1996) Who is that masked man? That’s Smokey’s friend, the Bandit. These two kindred spirits love playing “Cops and Robbers.” As usual, the raccoon takes the part of the bad guy, but he’s eyeing the deputy sheriff’s badge on Smokey’s shirt – raccoons just love to play with shiny objects. Did you notice the small twig he’s holding behind Smokey’s back? It’s a stick-up! But Smokey knows it’s all in fun. He looks a little like Andy Taylor when faced with yet another of Barney Fife’s crazy schemes. Meanwhile the Bandit has been joined by his rather slow accomplice, the small snail. From the Overland Express Casino in Reno comes a rare token that was made for the famous “one-armed bandit?” slot machines – another example of highway robbery!

SNAck #5696 breakfast is eaten very early in the morning in the life of a garden-gnome so when mid-morning comes a snack is much needed and appreciated. having just found a lucky korean coin, snack feels he deserves this treat. it helps to have a chipmunk friend who can lead you to the best selection of nuts in the forest. As you can see, both of these woodland inhabitants are engrossed in their snack break.  new energy will come from this nutrition and the rest of the chores can be tackled with enthusiasm. “snack” will be gathering wood and berries while chip will be ….er….monkeying around!

snappy #     TIM WOLFE At the request of the Sony Corporation I have created three animal statues to be introduced in Japan under the title “Forest Guardian Spirits.” As the name implies, these three friends are dedicated to the preservation and protection of the country’s beautiful natural resources. While conserving the land is their foremost concern, they may also be called upon for guidance by those who have lost their direction or are in need of aid while traveling through the woods and mountains. They are, respectfully: George the frog, Snappy the tortoise, and Webster the owl. Snappy the tortoise is a lover of land travel. He’ll spend weeks at a time roaming the countryside, going nowhere in particular, and getting nowhere very fast. You see, like most of his kind, Snappy moves real slowly! Because of his extensive traveling, Snappy is an expert at land topography. He knows the best routes to take, including secret shortcuts. His eyesight may not be the best, but Snappy has never steered anyone in the wrong direction.

SNOOZE AND SNIGGLE #5441

snowdrop #10035 Snowdrop is named for the first flower to break through the snow. Her boyfriend, Black Diamond, is sledding down the mountain, While he’s on top, she’s down at the foot, shaping a snowman to be her companion for a while. She is wearing a 4-leaf clover pin, which she hopes will bring her luck and prevent her snowman from being hit by Black Diamond when he slides to the bottom of the mountain. Snowdrop isn’t worried about the snowman melting because she’s given him a pointed Gnome hat. That makes him really cool!

SOL #163 (Environment ’97 Series) (July, 1981) Sol chases the sun, and so he has left the cold north and gone south for the winter. He has finally found the sun and he is not going to let it go. He still has on his ski cap, but is wearing his inverted acorn shell glasses. By making a small hole in the center of each shell he can see without the bright sun hurting his eyes. When his base has a coin, it is usually an Israeli one showing a palm tree.

SONATA #5206 (November, 1992) This is Beethoven’s Sonata. She specializes in playing his sonatas, and is in ectasy as she plays and finds her own interpretation of the music. In the evenings you’ll see that moonlight becomes her. She has two sticks, for even great pianists must be able to play Chopsticks. She, like Beethoven, uses a small pumpkin for her piano bench and has a coin from Austria. It depicts a “2” for Sonata wants to play a duet with Beethoven. She knows that they will make beautiful music together.

SORGHUM OF GLADE VALLEY #1057 (July, 1984) Seventy-five years ago, in 1909, Sorghum made his way from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the valley called Glade, in North Carolina. He watched a fine mountain school begin there, and at night he checked the sorghum berries that the students used for making molasses. The Presbyterian Church has guided this school into its service as a school for teenagers with motivational needs. The coin which Sorghum has found is an encouragement to supporters. Even one penny is an appreciated gift.

SOUR GRAPES #6305 (January, 1993) Actually the grapes are quite sweet, as an industrious little Gnome could tell you! But the unsuccessful and hungry fox is happier thinking he’d get no pleasure from this snack. This is the second Kindred Spirits sculpture by Tom Clark and Tim Wolfe that takes its inspiration from Aesop’s Fables. Each artist included his “signature” touch: a snail from Tim Wolfe, and an Israeli coin depicting a vine from Tom Clark. Don’t you think that, before day is done, the Gnome will share his bounty and these two will find that they really are kindred spirits? The fox threw rocks at purple grapes; So juicy on their bower.; “They’re just too high,” said with a sigh,; “They’re higher than a tower.; I’d use a stake, but it would take Some poking for an hour. And anyway, I’d have to say, I’ll bet those grapes are sour!” The Gnome caught sight of Foxy’s plight And soon his eyes did narrow.; “I’ll climb the vine and then I’ll dine; On grapes in all their flower.”; He climbed the vine that would be wine; And shook with all his power.; The grapes fell down (around a pound!); And filled his wee wheelbarrow.; And to this day, a Gnome, they say, Out-foxed a fox so dour.

SOUTH BEND #43 (March, 1983) This fellow went to the South Bend Plate Collectors’ Convention in 1983. It was so crowded that he couldn’t find a room. He therefore had to sleep under his leaf tent. He had to leave his wife at home, because there is “No Dame” in South Bend! Still, he has a little ladybug to keep him company. The Indian head penny is in honor of Indiana.

SOUTH CAROLINA #2057 (Special Commission) (September, 1995) South Carolina was named for King Charles I of England in 1629. Today history is still as much a part of this state as its sunny weather and beautiful scenery. My Woodspirit resembles Wade Hampton, a name many will recognize from the pages of Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell. He was a Civil War leader and governor of South Carolina, and worked towards fair government and black rights. My little fellow stands by a horn of plenty decorated with a map of the 8th state. Spilling from the state’s horn of plenty are items that represent many of the good things of South Carolina: a peach pit for its wonderful peaches, a pecan, spools of thread (South Carolina is one of the leading states in the manufacture of textiles), a golf hall and sea shells for the beautiful places that attract tourists, a cotton boll, a toy car for Darlington Speedway, and a rolling pin – for South Carolina’s good Southern food and great cooks. The military is important to this state’s economy, and many soldiers and marines spend some time at Fort Jackson or Parris Island. The football rivalries are legendary, and l’ve included ribbons for both the Clemson Tigers (orange and purple) and the University of South Carolina Gamecocks (garnet and black). Many visitors take home a handwoven basket from the low country, while others enjoy the Governor’s Annual Frog Jumping Contest in Springfield. The small sword is pointing towards a cannon hall, in memory of the first shot fired in the Civil War, at Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor on April 12, 1861. The coins proclaim that the Palmetto State joined the Union on May 23.

SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND #2059 (Special Commission) (May, 1996) New England is the cradle of American independence and the grandfather of Yankee ingenuity. Comprised of six states, New England is the northeastemmost region of the United States, and was named by the English explorer Captain John Smith in 1614. In his long cape and tricornered gnome hat, my little fellow resembles Paul Revere. But he’s not yelling “The redcoats are coming!” Instead, he’s shouting to the housetops about the great states of Southern New England – Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. I gave him a coin for a free pony ride, in case he needs to change horses! The statue is decorated with autumn leaves, a symbol of the beautiful scenery that draws thousands of tourists each year. This Woodspirit’s cape shows the three state maps and the coins on the base contain important facts about each state. Connecticut, the Constitution State, is the gateway to New England. Another famous Webster, Noah, the compiler of Webster’$ Dictionary, was born in West Hartford in 1758. Rhode Island, the Smallest State, is also nicknamed Little Rhody. It was the first of the thirteen colonies to declare its independence from Great Britain. Massachusetts, the Bay State, was the site of Paul Revere’s famous ride from Boston to Lexington. It is the birthplace of Presidents John Adams, John Quincy Adams, John E Kennedy, and George Bush. My Woodspirit has a Martha’s Vineyard Transit Authority token so that he may travel to the outer islands for some clam chowder. He likes to “unite” the six states by standing next to his cousin from Norther New England. He, too, is extolling the virtues of his region. Together they are loud and clear – New England stands for great scenery, great American history, and great people.

SPARKLE #5056 (July, 1988) Sparkle, like her friends Twinkle and Shiner, wishes that she were a clown and could run away and join the circus. The threesome wants to be billed as the “Dutch Treats,” hence the coin from Holland. Sparkle is quite a flirt, and she’s showing off her shapely ankle. Shiner wanted to go clogging with her, but she must have said, “Keep your hands to yourself.? That’s why poor Shiner now keeps his hands in his pockets. He’s learned his lesson: don’t clown around with Sparkle.

SPARKY #5094 (December, 1989) Sparky is crazy about cars. He’s holding a spark plug, which gave him a champion idea to use his own name as his license plate. Sparky is sitting on a Volkswagon (hence his German “Deutschland” coin) which has attracted two beetles. Sparky never worries about breakdowns, because the brown beetle, a 2000-year-old sacred Egyptian scarab, symbolizes immortality. The top coin has an Exxon it, and is from Saudi Arabia, an oil-producing nation by the Persian Gulf. The small conch will remind Sparky to fill up at a Shell station. His friends Monty, Indy, Speedy and Dog-Leg always want Sparky along on trips, because they get a charge out of him!

SPEEDY #5068 (March, 1989) Speedy is too small to be on the NASCAR circuit, so instead he drives, as his license plate will tell you, a GNOME CAR. Like Dog-Leg, he knows it’s important to wear a hard hat and acorn ear muffs for noise protection. Speedy is holding a lifesaver for luck as he negotiates this sharp turn, but his expression says that he’s not going to make it around the dog-leg. His coin confirms that if he doesn’t make the curve, there will be “no cash value” at the end of the race for Speedy. The prune pit is in honor of the hard-working pit crew that will rescue Speedy from this predicament.

SPLIT-T AND FLEX-D #5089 (October, 1989) Split-T and Flex-D are two little Woodspirits pretending to be big football players. Woodspirits believe in safety first, so they’re wearing helmets and ear protectors made from acorns. While they may not be able to execute a split-T or flex-D formation, they will be defensive if you find their game offensive. Their Danish and Chinese coins add up to eleven, the number of players on a football team. Number 19 not only has the ball, but he’s also on the ball. He’s been tackled by Number 55, who grabbed his foot. He thinks this is how to best play football. Flex-D’s jersey has a small heart with “Ist” on it. He loves to tell his fans, “Number 55 in your program; Number 1 in your hearts!

SPOCK #1081 (December, 1984) It isn’t easy rearing a child, and Spock is scratching his head as he tries to figure out how. The bird prints on Spock’s feet are for baby birds. The coin (Swedish) has a crown on it, for LOVE must rule when you have a child at hand! Later editions have a “baby” penny.

sprig #5603

SPRING CHICK #6323 (May, 1995) Easter morning. The sun gently rises in the east-em sky. In the forest, its light first touches the velvety carpet of moss. Then it reaches to the tiny blades of grass, where it shimmers like diamonds on every drop of dew. Finally it pours a Bolden light around each gnarled tree trunk. The spring morning is beautiful, quiet, peaceful. Just a minute. There appears to be a slight commotion at the Woodspirit Easter Egg Hunt. One of the hidden treasures has begun to make a very definite tap lapping sound. Then the smooth white shell began to break apart. This Hunt is more than it’s cracked up to be! The Gnome – well, he’s a good egg. He set down his jelly beans and left the game to lend assistance, and even his Irish coin shows a hen with two chicks. With a little more help, the newcomer will soon be ready to join the Easter celebrations. In the season of new beginnings, that’s the perfect spot for a spring chick.

SPRING CLEANING #6304 (January, 1993) Sometimes spring surprises us. The evening belongs to winter, but by next morning the forest is an almost magical arbor of glowing green leaves and warm sunshine. And ’tis magic indeed to see a newborn fawn, surrounded by four helpful Woodspirits. Currier and Ives are currying her with a small pine cone and a pine needle brush. Buff is buffing her hoofs with a day lily leaf, while Waterman offers her a drink from his acorn cup. A nearby snail is curiously watching all of this gentle activity. Tom Clark and Tim Wolfe decorated the base with over 250 acorns, and the newly-minted coin (only half a buck!) was a gift from Tim’s father, Barry Wolfe. Tom composed the poem for this newest addition to the Kindred Spirits collection:; Spring has sprung, and they’ve begun; To clean this newborn fawn, A deer so young, her song not sung, Her life began at dawn. Each Gnome will comb from hoof to dome, Pampered on the lawn. She has a beauty seldom seen, And when you blink, she’s gone.

SPROUT #5602 These two garden gnomes are brothers and grew up loving plants. They played among the pots that their parents used, and they learned what makes a plant healthy. Even now, in their old age, they enjoy “potting” around with flowers and green plants. If you place these characters inside a flower pot, like African Violets or Primrose, you’ll see how effective these gnomes are at encouraging growth. Both Sprig and Sprout have lucky pennies that they will use in their gardening. There is an old gnome custom to put a penny in the soil under a plant for good luck. The handbag contains more coins if they run out!

SPUD #34 (January, 1983) Spud helps dust the potatoes before they are turned into French fries. The one he holds in his hand is slightly burnt but he likes them that way. His coin is from Ireland, the potato country, and his collar is a lucky shamrock.

ST. ANDREW #6021 Andrew was the brother of Simon Peter, both fishermen in Galilee at the time Jesus was selecting his disciples. As the passage from the Gospel of John indicates, it was Andrew who first witnessed Jesus. Inspired by this encounter, he later brought his brother Peter to see the one who was now being called the Messiah. Although the gospel narratives said very little of Andrew, the early church legends convey that he was put to death on an “X” shaped cross. Later legend revealed that the King of Scotland saw this “x” in the clouds before a battle and it greatly inspired him as he led his troops to war. Even today, the Scottish flag’s symbol is a white “X” against a light sky-blue back-ground. This statue of Andrew is a part of the “12 disciple” series being developed in anticipation of a “Last Supper” scene that will include all disciples. Thus far, we have introduced Matthew, John, Simon Peter and James.

ST. FRANCIS #167 (October, 1981) St. Francis was a man who gave up wealth to work single-handedly restoring ruined churches. Although he could have worked alone, many converts wanted to be with him and work with him. I wanted to create a statue of him that would reveal both his charisma and his understanding of nature and people. I chose the face of Will Rogers, the wonderful humorist from Oklahoma. He is wearing the Franciscan robe of coarse, brown material, secured with a rope belt tied in the traditional manner. The base sometimes has two birds, one, or none at all.

ST. NICK #141 (March, 1981) This is a smaller version of my first Santa. This one has a sack on his back and is ready to make his journey to the chimneys of the world. There is a gold Christmas bow behind him and his floppy cap has two small acorns at the tip. In some versions he has a coin from Sweden.

ST. PAUL #6013 (Founders of Faith) (April, 1996) As one of most important missionaries of early Christianity, Paul the Apostle was a true “Founder of Faith.” He established churches in Asia Minor and Greece, and maintained extensive correspondence with these congregations, as well as with numerous individuals. That his letters were pre served and are now accepted as Scripture is the supreme testament to the significance of this scholars writings. The scrolls an the base of the statue list the books of the Bible written by Paul: 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Philemon, Titus, Romans, I Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Ephesians, Colossians, | Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, and Philippians. The first chapter of the Book of Galatians is inscribed on the scroll in Paul’s hands. In his letter to this Roman province he defends his personal right to be an apostle, and affirms his calling and salvation through the grace of God (“To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen,”). This chapter is somewhat contemplative, and I based the pose on Rembrandt’s painting of the pensive, aged Paul. Historical literature describes Paul as short, bald and with poor eyesight, so I have emphasized his straining eyes. A small sword was placed at the very front of the statue, for Paul’s Biblical symbol is the sword (in his letter to the Ephesians he writes, “Put on the whole armor of God … And take … the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”). Paul’s powerful ambassadorship for Christ is reflected in the scroll’s first line: “Paul, an apostle (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead.”

ST. PHILIP #6022  Philip is one of the twelve chosen disciples of Jesus. Although very little is said about him in the New Testament, we are told that he was from the town of Bethsaida (John 1:43). After meeting Jesus, Philip went to get his friend Nathaniel to hear this new Teacher. Nathaniel skeptically recanted a familiar saying, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” There are legends about Philip’s activities after the disciples dispersed, but none are provable. One legend tells of Philip being in Heirapolis where he used a cross to cast out a serpent that the people were falsely worshipping. Another legend tells of Philip’s taking a stick and sinking it into the ground, whereupon it took root and turned green. This symbolic act was to prove the genuineness of his message to the Hungarians (and became the basis for the May pole customs). Some sources say that Philip was crucified on a cross shaped like a T (Tau cross). Consequently the Tau cross is often called Philip’s cross. Philip’s response to Nathaniel’s skepticism is instructive to all those who question the authority of Jesus. Philip said simply, “Come and see!”

ST. THOMAS #  (2003)

STAN  #1136 (February, 1986) The Cardinals are getting a hand from “Stan the Man.” He is giving the red bird a good brushing to prepare him for the day’s flight, and in gratitude the little bird will give Stan a feather for his hat. Stan’s Caribbean coin pictures a bird and proves that the flock wins 75% of their games.

STANLEY #5279 (May, 1995) Hey, Stanley, what’s the score? Stanley is hockey’s biggest fan. When there’s a game to watch, he’s in hockey heaven. His favorite seat is right on this puck, for he’s always on top of his game. His playing days are pretty much over, but he still wears his helmet, just in case he’s needed on the ice. Hockey is the only major sport in which players can be substituted while the game is in progress. And sure, he had his times in the penalty box, but it’s the goals he remembers the best. Stanley’s smiling although his mouth is closed, for he won the fight but lost his front teeth. Stanley’s penny is from Canada and shows two maple leaves, their national symbol, and more maple leaves support his puck. Hockey was developed in Ontario and Nova Scotia in the 1800’s and it is Canada’s national sport. Hey, Stanley, is that an acorn mug in your hand? Oh, that’s the Stanley cup.

STARBUCKS #? (2003) GREEN THUMB: A penny for your thoughts! Perhaps you are wondering why this Green Thumb Gnome has two pennies in his hand…or why he is looking up and protecting his head with a large leaf. Wonder no more: it’s raining pennies from heaven!Like his namesake, the main character in the production “Rainmaker”, Starbuck is the gnome called on to encourage the skies to yield moisture. Sometimes he beats a tin can to imitate thunder, and sometimes he climbs a tree and pours out a bucket of water. Maybe, just maybe, the skies will imitate Starbuck’s demonstration.For his effort, he has been awarded with real USA coppers from the sky. But as every dedicated gardener knows, pennies don’t grow plants. The best reward hails from the skies: life-giving rain. If things become a little dry, let Starbuck participate in helping it precipitate. In other words, put him outside for awhile.

STARR #133 (December, 1980) This Gnome is named for Ringo Starr, a drummer like himself. His drum was created from a very large acorn top. He often does special engagements with the bird choir. His coin is from India, a country where the drummer is always in the front of the marching band.

STELLA #5198 (June, 1992) Stella loves to play Hide-and-Seek at the beach with her brother Carl and her mom and dad, Janet and Perry. She’s a stellar performer at chis Star Search game and has found the perfect starfish to hide behind. Stella is Latin for “star” and everyone thinks that Stella by Starlight is beautiful. She and the other members of the little starfish family have a coin from the Bahamas that pictures a starfish. Like all children, she and her brother love the beach and all the treasures to be found there, such as the large, pearly conch shells. But even at the beach, Woodspirit children find an acorn and a leaf.

STITCH #5060 (August, 1988) Uncle Stitch is pretending to be a skateboarder. He loves to show off for the kids. Thimblena and Darn also like to watch his fancy footwork, especially when he attempts the famous Woodspirit maneuver called “Thread the Needle.” He’s holding a Swedish coin in his hand that says “10 ore” because Stitch is hanging ten. Behind him is a little clock, set at nine o’clock. All Woodspirit children know that a Stitch in time saves nine.

STOKES #1132 (February, 1986) With his train heading up toward the Tweetsie Mountain Line, this fellow is piling on the coal! The climb is steep, but he does not mind because he has the best view on the train. Unfortunately, the passengers blame him if soot comes in the window while the train goes through a tunnel! His coin is from the Wichita Train Line.

STORMY #5230 (June, 1993) Who is the keeper of the light for the Woodspirit community? It’s Stormy whether it’s rain or shine. He is ever ready to warn ships away from the treacherous rocks and currents along this section of coastline. Protected by his rain poncho and shell southwester, Stormy will flash the light and ring his bell. He placed a starfish atop his light and its shadow will appear on the rain clouds. His motto is “Be safe – follow the star.” His coin is from the Bahamas and shows a lighthouse. Stormy’s friend Hark is a Woodspirit who is hard of hearing. Stormy doesn’t see as well as he used to, but I think you can tell from his expression that another ship has been guided to safe harbor.

STREAK #1153 (June, 1986) JC PENNY COLLECTION….Streak’s favorite run is from Pennsylvania Station to Chattanooga. Although he is a Silver Streak, he likes to wave and whistle at all the homes he passes. When it comes to trainlovers, he gives a hoot! His coin is a Pennsylvania Train token.

STU #71 (September, 1983) Named for my cousin Stuart Cooke, Stu is the best chef of his Woodspirit clan. He is preparing to make his famous stew with carrots, celery and just a hint of turkey (see the Irish coin). His hat is the top of a carrot, which enables him to remain hidden while working in the garden all day.

STUBBORN #5199 (Special Commission) (July, 1992) So who is more stubborn, the Woodspirit or the horse? Known as a “dala,” the horse is painted in a traditional Scandinavian design. The coins honor the four Scandinavian countries of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark, Folklore says he will kick your troubles out of the house. This Woodspirit knows that a horse can’t kick while he’s sitting, so he is determined to get him on his feet. He thinks the wooden horse is being as stubborn as a mule. The moral of the story is that they both would have fewer troubles if they were less stubborn.

STUCK #302 (September, 1981) Curiosity not only can kill a cat, but it can also get a Woodspirit into trouble. This fellow was peeking through a branch to see if the birds were eating blackberries. He leaned too far and got stuck! But don’t worry about him; Reuben will help him out before the harvest moon begins to shine.

STUCK ON YOU #11006 TIM WOLFE Hedgehogs, with up to 5,000 sharp, stiff spines sticking out at all angles, don’t, at first glance, appear to be the cuddling sort. Au contraire! These two happen to be enjoying each other’s close company just fine. You might call them pigs in a blanket! Hedgehogs often say to one another, “I’m stuck on you!”

STUMBLES #1188 (June, 1987) Stumbles is an old butterfingers. He means to be helpful, but everything about him is just a little askew-he’s pigeon-toed and he can’t even get his hat on straight. He went to get firewood for Colleen and Baker, but he tripped and dropped several logs. He was trying to help Franklin, but his basket of acorns spilled on the forest floor. If he’s not more careful, he will trip on that rock in front of his foot. Stumbles thought that today would be different because he found a lucky horseshoe. But unfortunately, the points of the horseshoe are pointing away from him, so his luck is running out.

STUMPY #5 (March, 1979) Stumpy is named for the hiding place that he has found. He loves to jump up from there and tell jokes. He is the clan comedian and some say that he is the gnome counterpart of Buddy Hackett.

STYMIE #5260 (July, 1994) Some unfortunate golfer has just hit his ball into the woods, and now it’s lying between a large stone and a small tree. What can you do when you’re caught between a rock and a hard place? Call Stymie – he’ll give your ball a free toe wedge, and it won’t cost you a stroke. Like his friends Andrew, Mulligan and Dinah, he enjoys helping the golfers that visit his little patch of woods. Stymie has bird seed for a “birdie” and his parking token from Twin Falls, Idaho is no small potatoes either – it’ll guarantee a good parking place for your next tee shot. Best of all, Stymie will help you out of a bad “lie” and that’s the truth.

SUGAR AND SPICE #1073 (December, 1984) ” and everything nice” in this happy moment of courtship. The young lovers are having an interlude of teasing and flirting on a lovely spring day. Spice has picked a small flower for Sugar. In a moment he may decide to write their initials on the honeysuckle vine. It, like the coin with the vine on it (Israeli), is symbolic of their two lives woven together, yet remaining independent of each other. On the base all of the acorns are couples. There is a buckeye for good luck and an old chestnut, symbolic of their love which will be warm and long lasting.

SU-LIN #9118 TIM WOLFE (The Museum Series) The Giant Panda is China’s national treasure and ambassador of good will, as well as the familiar symbol of the World Wildlife Federation. With its fascinating behavior and charming appearance, the panda has achieved fame and attention not known to any other living wild animal. Unfortunately, much of its popularity is owed to its also being one of the most endangered large mammals on the planet. Poaching and the clearing of bamboo forests are the major threats to the panda’s survival. Bamboo is the animal’s primary food source. A panda will typically spend most of every day of its solitary life eating the leaves, stems and shoots of bamboo. “Pandamonium” was coined to describe the scenes of excitement when “Su-lin” was carried on to American soil in 1936, the first panda to reach the west. She was installed at Chicago’s Brookfield Zoo in 1937. It wasn’t until her demise did zoo doctors realize that Su-lin was, in fact, a male! After Su-lin, numerous pandas were exported from China for exhibition. No other wild animal has ever had such a high profile as the lovable panda. The panda is a symbol of hope for wild animals and their wild places.

SUNNY #150 (April, 1981) Sunny was originally commissioned for Sun Valley, Idaho. He wears a Peruvian cap which is popular in Sun Valley. His knapsack is also popular there. Since Woodspirits have very strong lungs they enjoy mountain climbing. They like to find pieces of mica which they can convert into mirrors. If the hike is a very long one, they hitch a ride back home on the back of a hawk.

SUPER CHIEF #5191 (April, 1992) Like many of the trains you see today, my Cairn Railroad series is adding a locomotive. There are two Woodspirits riding on the Super Chief. The engineer, or fire-man, is holding matches and a bell. The fellow behind him is reading the timetable, and the watch on his overalls is at 4:45. According to the song, the Chattanooga Cho Choo left Pennsylvania Station at a quarter to four, read a magazine and then you’re in Baltimore. But the Super Chief is traveling coast-to-coast, as shown by the transit tokens on the front and back of the statue. The coin at the rear of the engine shows its point of departure, New York. Hope Hobo, P.S. and the other train men are ready for a long journey, for the token on the front shows the Super Chief’s destination: Los Angeles.

SURPRISE! #6334 “Not a creature was stirring, not even – » Wait a minute! Someone is still awake! In fact, it’s two somebodies. In the middle of the night a hungry Gnome crept under the Christmas tree, searching for a midnight snack. Ahh – a box of Christmas nuts – that should do the trick. Surprise! The trick is on him, for a tiny mouse has already discovered this box of holiday treats. In the Christmas spirit, he’ll happily share his bedtime bonanza. And before Christmas Eve becomes Christmas morning, these two kindred spirits will be nuts about each other. The coin (a penny molded into a token from the Ashe County Cheese Factory) promises another delicious gift under the tree that will be enjoyed by both mouse and Gnome. Sometimes the best part of Christmas is a Christmas surprise.

SUSIE #9020 TIM WOLFE Garden snails think they are so clever. They believe that by crawling around after dark, no one will notice them and they can just chew away on anything they please, including flowers. Surprise! Flying squirrels, too, are nighttime wanderers and it so happens that Susie here considers snails a delicacy. She rates them right up there with hickory nuts, and in fact, that is what she mistook one of the snails for at first; some sort of slow moving nut. Susie is well adapted for nightlife with her large, luminous eyes that provide her with excellent vision – even on moonless nights. It’s a good thing too, as otherwise this little nocturnal glider would be crashing into trees constantly (flying squirrels do glide really, they do not fly as their name implies). Susie has also noticed the presence of another, snail-like creature which inhabits the flower garden at night. These slowpokes do not have shells however, and Susie has decided that the ones crawling around without shells are rather disgusting.

SVEN #180 (August, 1982) This Scandinavian sailor is warmly dressed in his navy jacket, heavy boots and knit cap. On the dock are baskets and boating gear. He stares out across the cold North Sea or perhaps the wintry Atlantic. His Atlantic. His thoughts are faraway about his home or the sea itself.

SWABBIE #5139 (Salute To The Services) (February, 1991) The U.S. Navy emblem in front of Swabbie reminds him of his favorite marching song, “Anchors Aweigh.” The sea shells and shark’s tooth are souvenirs from sailors, or bluejackets, who joined the Navy to see the world. Swabbie found a button from a naval officer’s uniform, and a coin depicting a ram, the mascot of the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Behind Swabbie is a commemorative coin honoring one of the Navy’s most famous ships, the “Constitution,” nicknamed “Old Ironsides. His dime shows Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Under Secretary of the Navy during World War I, and a sailor’s favorite word: Liberty.

SWAT #5504 Swat is the new designated hitter in the new Gnome Baseball series and is standing at attention as the band plays the National Anthem. Not since the reign of the King of Swat, Babe Ruth, has feeling run so high for the All American sport of baseball. All teams have loyal fans, so any enthusiasts can claim Swat. Listen carefully as he sings “The Star Spangled Banner”. Did he end it with the words “o’er the land of the free and the home of the BRAVES”? Now that he’s saluted the flag and given thanks for America, let’s Play Ball! 

SWEETHEARTS #5442 (May 24, 2000) ”When you’re in love two hearts beat as one. So it is very symbolic that these sweethearts are standing inside the heart that frames their feelings for one another. Whether they are just getting married or renewing their vows, they are definitely starting the 21st Century together. Their lucky coin is a new 2000 penny. It obviously makes good cents to marry the one you love. this couple would like to offer their best wishes to other sweethearts and are willing to be placed on top of a wedding cake whenever possible. I enjoy personalizing statues when it is appropriate, and this one will be easy to inscribe with first names and a wedding date. Please bring these sweethearts to a signing event so I can sign their heart and offer my best wishes as well.

SWEDE #5562 (January, 2004) This gnome is getting ready to ride his Dala horse, perhaps to visit his friends on Christmas Eve. Gnomes in Sweden are called “Tomte”. Their special assignment is to be a Santa’s helper. The horse is called “Dala” which is short for “Dalecarlian”. These wooden horses were developed in the Dalarna province of Sweden, northwest of Stockholm. Their design is called “Kurbits” which is the result of placing two colors on the paint brush at one time. Tradition says that a Dala horse can kick your troubles out of the house. What a nice legend. The town of Lindsberg in Kansas features a Dala horse on nearly every doorpost. This is a wonderful place to visit, for troubles have been kicked out of the entire town!

SWIFTY #96 (December, 1981) Swifty is in charge of traffic control. Because he can outrun chipmunks, he is the best man to scout the paths most often used by Gnomes and Woodspirits. If there is any danger at a “Gnome Crossing” area, he will emit a whistle that is so high-pitched that human ears can’t hear it. Dogs and cats, however, sometimes hear it. His coin usually is a Norwegian one depicting a lion running.

SWITCH #5522 (January, 2003) “Switch” is the first, in my series of Witches, to be traveling by train. Usually they sweep across the countryside via broomstick. But “Switch” has decided to take the train to visit her family in Wichita…or is it Witchmond? Witchever destination, she has chosen to ride on the tender. It is the “dining car” for the engine, since it supplies the water and the fuel for the locomotive.The lucky coin is from Australia and depicts what appears to be a frightened animal. “Switch” herself is a bit frightened riding up there. She’s gotten “coal” and besides that the speed of the train is beginning to frighten her. That’s a switch for a witch!

SYLVIA #9016 TIM WOLFE Flying squirrels are strictly nocturnal, that is, they sleep all day and play all night. Only after everyone else has gone to bed for the evening, do Sylvia and her fellow gliders awaken to begin their aerial nighttime frolics. The term flying squirrel is actual Iv a misnomer because these mammals do not fly, they glide. Their unusual mode of locomotion is made possible by the loose membrane of skin attached to the squirrel’s wrists and ankles. Bv stretching this skin taut, the animal transforms itself into a miniature sail plane, capable of swooping with the air currents for considerable distances from tree to tree. At eight weeks old however, Sylvia has just recently begun to experiment with her gliding abilities, making only short jumps to nearby branches. Some of her first attempts at longer glides resulted in unexpected crash landings, but this aspiring pilot has high hopes, and Sylvia is confident that she’ll get the hang of it soon. Just before dusk, she enjoys sneaking down to the nearby beach. Here, Sylvia takes a front row seat to watch the veteran gliders, and dreams of the night when she, too, will fly through the air with the greatest of ease.

SYMPHONY CONDUCTOR #5088 (January, 1986) This statue was inspired by Zubin Mehta, music director of the New York Philharmonic. In January of 1983 he came to Davidson to conduct a special concert to benefit a scholarship endowment for Donald B. Plott, former music director of Davidson College. During the rehearsal I sat in the violin section and sketched the conductor as he worked with the orchestra. The concert was a wonderful gathering of Davidson College alumni, and both the solo oboist and the solo baritone were Davidson graduates. So despite its glitter and fame, the evening was really a gathering of old friends celebrating auld lang syne.

TAD #11000 TIM WOLFE This tiny frog got his name prior to his metamorphosis – that is, before he changed from a tadpole into a frog. Tad is a tree frog and spends most of his life in the branches of trees high above the forest floor. There, he can often be heard singing. (He’s a real crooner and enjoys singing to attractive female frogs!) Occasionally Tad will venture down from the trees to mingle with other neighborly Charmers.

TAILGATE PARTY #6307 (July, 1993) How do Kindred Spirits celebrate a perfect fall day? They throw a party, and they have found the perfect location for it. Their host has been busy as a beaver getting everything ready. Wisely, the Woodspirits brought their own refreshments. Can they convince their friend that fresh corn is a mite tastier than the log he’s been gnawing on? “Try it, you’ll like it,” urges the little fellow holding the basket of kernels. Joining the party is a tiny beaver (on the Canadian coin) and a snail (arriving late, as usual). And when the party’s over, it’s back to work for this industrious beaver. Beaver, beaver, build a dam, Even the snail is waiting, To see you cause a logging jam Which we will watch, tailgating.

TANK #1182 (April, 1987) Tank is riding a tankful of hummingbird nectar. He thinks that he’s the sweetest fellow around- heaviest is more likely! When the train pulls into the station, the passengers disembark first, because Tank’s car is for the birds. Tank’s coin is a travel token good for one free ride.

TARDY #11011 TIM WOLFE CBz #11202 Acc CBz #11502 She’s late! Tardy the mouse has a reputation for being not-so-punctual. The reason for her delayed attendance, as we can plainly see, is her means of transportation – she goes at a snail’s pace. When questioned about her slow-poky ways, Tardy is quick to quote Shakespeare: “Wisely and slow: they stumble that run fast.

TARHEEL #2011 (Special Commission) (August, 1985) Tarheel is a real Carolinian, complete with a patch of tar on his right heel. He is carrying a genuine Civil War bullet from Averasboro Battleground near Dunn, N.C. He dug it up on the grounds of Oak Grove, the plantation house used by the Confederates as a hospital. On his base are many things that represent his North Carolina heritage. He has collected soybeans, peanuts, cotton, pecans, and pine cones. A young tobacco leaf curves up his back. His coin is from Greece. It pictures a long leaf pine, our state tree. Airborne wings are also present. They stand for Dunn’s General William C. Lee, the “Father of the Airborne,” and for Fort Bragg, N.C., our nation’s largest military base and home of the 82nd Airborne.

TATTOO #5612 When a macho gnome rolls up his sleeves, the other folks usually run for cover. But this time is different. Tattoo just wants to show off his new tattoo. There can’t be any doubt now that the toughest of the gnomes loves his Mom! Tattoo has found a lucky Irish coin, which is right behind his feet. It shows a mother hen followed by her chick. Likewise, no matter how old or strong or how far away from the nest the gnome child gets, he’s still proud to be a ‘Momma’s boy.’ I sculpted this artwork during Mother’s Day weekend, so the theme seemed appropriate. Of course, it is really appropriate for any day of the year when you love and honor your mother. The tattoo on Tattoo is for life . . . and so is his love for mom!

TAXI MOM #5384 At last, she’s sitting down and watching the game after both a whirlwind morning and afternoon of “taxiing” her children from activity to activity. It’s wearing on her and the car, but it’s great for the kids to be involved in so many sports and activities. As you can see from the items surrounding her, she’s a soccer mom, as well as a football, baseball and volleyball mom. The activities of her other children include swimming (the Olympic coin) and horseback riding. The protective helmet may be for riding or, perhaps, for use when skating. Her all-purpose bag has a Boy Scout insignia on it, indicating that she has been a Den Mother. Inside are ballet slippers and a bottle of water. The text books are for tonight’s homework and the Bible is there because the entire family is involved in Church studies and activities. The lucky coins are USA pennies because this special Taxi service seems to be primarily an American custom. When you want your kids to be healthy and involved, being a Taxi Mom makes good cents.

TAYLOR #1089 (February, 1985) This peddler is well-prepared to do some “tailoring” with his large assortment of buttons and thread. I was reminded of stories of peddlers in the land of my fathers, Scotland, and how they carried countless items with them. Taylor is prepared in case the customer wants pots and pans, a pair of shoes or even a computer chip! If he meets a Gnome who has torn the seat of his trousers on the bottom rung of a barbed wire fence, he can mend it right on the spot and entertain him with some jokes while doing it. You see (as the coin indicates), he is a “traveling salesman”!

TEACH #5430 You’ve brought your teacher an apple and she seems somewhat surprised. She has been so absorbed in reading to her students that she just hadn’t noticed how appreciated she is by all. The lucky coin is a bridge token from Delaware which allows the bearer to “pass.” It also symbolizes the teacher’s role in providing a bridge between her students and educational and social enlightenments. Next time you want to thank her for doing such a wonderful job, you can bring her a “Sundae.” She needs a free day in the week!

TEACH A CHILD TO TOUCH A STAR #5316 (Special Commission) (December, 1996) Commissioned by The Council for Exceptional Children to commemorate their 75th anniversary, this statue celebrates the bond between special education teachers and their students. The one-on-one interaction between teacher and child portrays the caring spirit of Elisabeth Farrell, CECs founder and first president, as well as all educators. The teacher proudly wears her CEC pin, and the books around the base show the initials of CECs 17 divisions, Bath the coin and banner display the motto that is the inspiration for teachers everywhere. You can make a difference. This teacher is looking at her special pupil and smiling – best teaching is not lecturing, but is letting children discover. And while learning about starfish and maps and math, children of all abilities will discover touch a star and reach for your dreams.

TEACHER #8047  Teaching’s a noble occupation, Molding young minds through education,Nurturing the futures of a generation, While trying to survive ’til summer vacation.

TEA PARTY #8074  She’s all dolled up In her Sunday best, Two stuffed rabbits Are her guests. She asks them politely If they’ve had enough, But they couldn’t eat a thing Cuz, after all, they’re stuffed.

TEDDY #81 (August, 1983) When I rediscovered my teddy bear, after he o had hibernated for fifty years, I was inspired to create an old Gnome with a teddy. To bring the teddy back to life, there is a bumble bee (on the Norwegian coin) about to make some honey.

TELLY #1189 (Special Video Premiere) (June, 1987) My little fellow is watching TV, tuned into “The World of Tom Clark” on the “telly. Both Telly and the tree frog are anxious to view the video, being premiered along with this statue. Since the collector gets two for the price of one (the statue and the video) the two pence symbolizes that “two-fer” bargain. The two little nutheads depict comedy and tragedy, because I hope you have fun watching the video, and if you don’t, it’s a tragedy.

TEX #41 (December, 1981) Commissioned by Forever Yours, a store in Dallas, Texas, this Woodspirit wears a red Stetson with an acorn band and sits on a pony horseshoe. He has no coin, but he does have bullets. The writing is on the leaf in front of him and reads like the closing of a love letter to TC’s collectors.

TEXAS #2061 (Special Commission) (August, 1997) Yippee-yi-ay for the red, white and blue! Here’ a cowboy to celebrate the great – and great big – state of Texas. Texas is the largest of the contiguous United States over 266,000 square miles! Texas is nicknamed the Lone Star State, because of the single star on its state flag. On the map I placed a “lone star” deep in the heart of Texas, and another on the cowboy’s shirt, for his heart belongs to this tremendous state. I have included the yellow rose of Texas on the base, as well as bluebonnets, the state flower. The pecan tree is the state tree, so Texas-sized pecans surround the base. Austin is its capital, and its largest city is Houston. Texas shares borders with Mexico (note the colorful serape), New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana, and its coastline fronts the Gulf of Mexico (the seashells are from beautiful Galveston). Flags from six nations have flown over Texas – Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the Confederate States of America, and now the United States. “Remember the Alamo” is the cry that inspired Texans to fight for their independence from Mexico, becoming the Republic of Texas in 1836. On September 29, 1845, it became the 28th state of the Union. Texans love sports, so I’ve included a football, and a baseball autographed by pitching great Nolan Ryan. The gushing oil well is underneath a cross, for Texans put their faith and religion above the quest for “black gold.” My statue has over 30 names of people and institutions that are important to Texas – more than I’ve used on any other statue. As its loyal citizens will tell you – come to Texas for the biggest and the best!

THANK YOU! #5178 (January, 1992) You’ll notice that there’s no gift on this statue, nor is today a special occasion. Normally this husband is not very good at giving compliments, and he doesn’t usually notice his wife’s efforts at a new dish or a new dress. But today he’s said something that makes her realize he notices the most important thing of all – their love for each other. In celebration I’ve given this couple a candy kiss, and a South African coin depicting two lovebirds. Perhaps she’s just said, “Honey, can you remember any days this lovely when you were growing up?” He responded. “I can’t remember any lovely days without you and she said, “Thank you!”

THAT’S CORNY #10004 He joins ‘Here’s Looking at You” and “Wisecracker” in making some monkey business. While he “hears no evil,” he will hear plenty of jokes and puns from his two buddies. Charmers think that puns are punny. Now that’s corny! Don’t take my word for it – look for the small corncob behind him.

THE 7-UP #1070 (Friendship Series) (October, 1984) In the world of Gnomes and Woodspirits, the turtle is a special means of ground transportation. When it is small it is the taxi, as with Pokey’s family. When it is large, like the one with Heather and Jan, it is a mini-bus. The largest one is the bus named Night Train. These seven friends are riding their bus to a picnic. They have crackers in a basket and they will pick berries and nuts at the picnic site. The turtle seems a bit willful and may decide to take a shortcut through the pond. In case this happens, I put in lifesavers for the five who can’t swim. Their names are similar to those of soft drinks. Then again, they are also names given pets of friends of mine: Shasta, R.C., Pib, Sprite, Doc, Brit, and Tab. Each has a coin with which to pay for his ride. Six of the coins are transportation tokens and the other one is for free parking when they wish to stop for additional supplies.

THE ABC’S #6319 (Sales Associate Achievement Award) (April, 1995) What is the cause for this special celebration? The Woodspirit and his two animal friends are throwing a “block party” for the people who really know the ABC’s of Cairn creations – the hard-working and dedicated Cairn Sales Associates. Tom Clark and Tim Wolfe have created this Kindred Spirits artwork to honor the Sales Associates who have qualified for the Cairn Sales Associate Achievement Award, and it will be available exclusively to these Associates through a special program. They are the kindred spirits who provide the bridge between Cairn Studio and its Collectors all over the world. To those who have “Satisfactorily Completed the Prescribed Written Examination and Demonstrated Exceptional Sales Expertise and Initiative, Cairn Studio would like to say thank you and con-gratulations. The little rabbit sums it up: You’re #1!

THE APPRENTICES #2069 In ancient times important trade skills were passed down from generation to generation by master craftsmen who adopted, cared for, and trained apprentices in a skill and developed them, over time, into productive members of society. Today, we have a public school system that has largely taken over the responsibility of educating our youth. The necessity for moral instruction and guidance, however, remains in the hands of other social institutions. In the early 1920’s Freemasons recognized the necessity to provide for the moral and social development of our youth. In 1919 Frank S. Land in Kansas City, KS, organized The Order of DeMolay for boys. In 1920 The Order of Job’s Daughters was organized for daughters of Masons in Omaha, NE. In 1922 Mark Sexson organized The Order of Rainbow for Girls in McAlester, OK. These orders to this day now provide the youth of the United States with a solid moral example, developing their organizational, leader-ship, and social skills in an atmosphere of kindness and love. The Apprentices depicts members of these three youth groups, building the future of our world upon the firm foundation of the past with the symbolic tools and materials and direction of a kind and wise modern Master Mason. These tools are the precepts and principles of a moral and productive life. The materials of this moral edifice symbolize the most valuable tenets of the fraternity, such as Friendship, Morality, Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. So long as Freemasons shoulder this burden, for long shall the moral foundations of our country survive.

THE AWESOME TWOSOME #8066 There are days when our game is only fair, There are days when it’s downright gruesome, But on a day when it all comes together We can be an awesome twosome!

THE BEAR TRAX #2004 (Special Commission) (February, 1984) Commissioned by the Bear Trax store in Hickory, N.C., this little Gnome has suddenly come upon a bear track in the woods. He is not too fearful for he feels it is a friendly bear. The bear has a sweet tooth, for he has apparently left some candy (from Switzerland, hence the coin) and a couple of gummy bears (from Germany, hence the coin).

THE BEST IS YET TO BE #10009 Happy Anniversary! This happy couple is celebrating their wedding anniversary: Look in her eyes – she’s remembering the past, especially their wedding day. Look in his eyes – he’s thinking of the present and this joyous occasion. But my statue is really about the future, because the best is yet to be!

THE BIG GAME #8076  These fans are watching Their favorite sport,  In a ritual of bonding They scream their support. It can be soulful and poetic  Or downright brutal, Requiring sofa, TV And the sacred cheese doodle. So wave your team colors Display their initials, And if they should lose Blame the officials!

THE BRIDGES #1151 (May, 1987) This statue was made to honor the people who work to preserve the old covered bridges of our nation. It takes time, money, and effort to restore these historical structures. The large coin was given to me by the Ohio Covered Bridge Society. The three Gnomes repairing the bridge are named for three of Hollywood’s finest actors. Lloyd Bridges is the name of the Gnome repairing shingles on the roof. His son Beau has just repaired the entrance, while brother Jeff has gotten a little behind in his work. The second coin, by the entrance, pays for one trip through the covered bridge.

THE CLUBHOUSE #6364 “Hey, come inside! I’ve been waiting for you,” says the leprechaun. The Club House is where all the Gnomes, Woodspirits and leprechauns gather for fellowship and special events. It may look small to you but don’t forget about the tunnels that lead to the party rooms. (Tim Wolfe was the creative architect.) Birthdays, Weddings, dances and lots of other occasions are celebrated here. On the outside, stumps, rocks and flat leaves provide just the right space to display your favorite collection of “Charmers” that signify these celebrations. The Leprechauns will bring you the luck of the Irish on all those occasions!

THE CLUBHOUSE (QVC) #6357 This tree house is the social gathering spot for all the Gnomes. Taking a peek out the door is Carlton, the doorman. He checks to see if each Gnome’s membership is active. The dues are Ginkgo nuts and Buckeyes. These aren’t too hard to find in the woods, but the Gnomes oftentimes have to outrun the squirrels to get the prize nuts first. Membership entitles each gnome to join in on such functions as picnics and bird calling contests. More often than not, you’ll find a group of Gnomes in the Clubhouse gathered around the only live screen in the area. They’re watching the QVC channel -of course! Once in a while you’ll hear someone yell out, “Hey, look everybody! They’re collecting us!” Each Clubhouse artwork is created in North Carolina by Tom Clark (and other North Carolina artisans) from a unique blend of crushed pecan shells and high-tech resins, and follows a painstaking 4 to 6 week, handcrafted, 14 step process. This particular piece is an environment piece designed to house forthcoming special creations: all uniquely originated to fit this clubby theme. So, be on the lookout for all the forthcoming Club Members, and, as Carlton says, and is many times copied, “We’ll leave a light on for you.”

THE DEER HUNTER #8038   I want to commune in the woods With the earth and the trees, Savoring the fragrance On every breeze; To awaken my senses In the midst of such splendor, And drive home with a buck Strapped on my fender.

THE DUCK SLAYER #8008  I’m a crackerjack shot, Not some pretender. Most ducks get so scared They give up and surrender.

THE FISHIN’ LESSON #11019 Father Bear is teaching his young cub the fine art of trout fishing. The cub watches intently as his dad tries to snag a fish from the rocky stream. The young bear was told that mountain trout are very clever and outwitting one takes tremendous cunning and skill. Its been over an hour and they still haven’t landed a single fish. The cub is wondering if maybe it takes more than just cunning and skill to be a successful fisherman…

THE GOOD LIFE SIGN #8077 “There’s a small key on every statue. Each represents a key to the Good Life. I hide the key to remind us that life is, after all, a search. We are all searching for keys to a good life – simple pleasures that bring us joy and fulfillment. The more keys we find, the richer our lives become.”

THE GOOD SHEPHERD #6366  CBz #6708  When the 1st century Christians decided to visually illustrate Jesus in the Roman catacombs, they depicted him as the Good Shepherd. Rather than representing Him in a manger or being baptized or on the cross, they chose the pose that most closely linked Him to themselves: He was the Shepherd, they were the Sheep. Much like the Greek legendary god, Hermes, who transported souls to the netherworld and was often depicted carrying a lamb, this pose became one of the classic poses of Christ. And it was the words of Jesus Himself that they recalled when he had told a parable of the Good Shepherd who seeks out the single lost sheep until it is found. “And if he finds it, Truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the 99 that never went astray.” _ Matthew 18:13 So it was that the first artistic depiction of Jesus was that of a Shepherd.

THE HUNT #8003   This hunter dozed off Just a moment too soon; The only thing he shot Was the afternoon.

THE LAST HUNDRED YEARS #6370 It has been a real race for Bannister, the turtle, and Lewis, the hare, to make it from 1900 to 1999. It would seem that the race belonged to the swift, but Lewis became fascinated and fixated with the monument around which they were racing. There are approximately 550 names and events listed by decade and as Dr. Clark so aptly explains, “The choice of persons, products and occurrences is highly subjective and reflects my personal experiences and viewpoint. My criteria was, first, their influence on history and/or American life and, second, were they charismatic.

THE LONGEST DRIVE #8070  Today the longest drive Exploded off your tee, Soaring down the fairway For everyone to see.

THE LONGEST GRASS #8083 Lee Sievers A trip through the long grass Made you look like a hacker When your irons are useless Try a weed wacker! This piece is the third in a golf trilogy consisting of The Longest Drive, The Longest Putt and The Longest Grass. The Longest Grass was inspired by Pinehurst’s particulary difficult “love grass” (eragrotis carunta) which accents the fairways of their historic #2 Course (Sam Snead’s favorite).

THE LONGEST PUTT #8069  No one measured up to you, The decision was clear-cut, You were cool, calm and steady As you sank the longest putt.

THELMA #5390 Welcome to Thelma’s front porch! She is peeling potatoes for the supper table. The task is routine at this point (she has done this many, many times before). Her thoughts, however, are elsewhere. Could she be thinking about a grandchild playing nearby? Perhaps it’s a tune being played on the radio that is provoking a “sentimental journey” to memories long cherished. I have sculpted a number of personages doing chores that are associated with rural American tradition. Nellie snaps beans, Mabel makes baskets, Mattie quilts, Rachel churns, Leah shucks com, Rebecca cross-stitches and Anne makes a Christmas wreath. Thelma has emptied one basket of potatoes and wouldn’t you know it, there’s another awaiting her attention.

THE N. O. EVELS #1053 (June, 1984) These three friends love to harmonize when singing in the woods. Sometimes the chipmunks jokingly jeer at them for singing off key. When this happens, the three pretend not to hear, see, or speak about it! A glance at the coin reveals that “evil” has no cash value, for virtue is its own reward, and crime doesn’t pay.

THE OPEN #5387 Pinehurst has been the site of many famous tournaments since its founding in 1895, and it became especially famous after the Scotsman, Donald Ross, became the golf course architect in 1900. Now, nearly 100 years later, Pinehurst history will record 1999 as the year of the U.S. Open. The most famous course is Pinehurst Number Two, which is outlined on the base of our statue. The small pine cones give the aura of the majestic pine trees that frame the holes. Our golfer has something of the vintage dress and visage of Donald Ross himself. With a great deal of body language he is encouraging the golf ball to wind its way into the cup. He has, in fact, been helped by the wee Pinehurst gnome, who has

THE RACE P152 #9032 Collector Society Artwork Series (March, 1992) It’s the day of the big race. This statue, based on Aesop’s fable “The Tortoise and the Hare,” is a collaboration by Tom Clark and Tim Wolfe. A helpful Gnome is standing at the finish line, ready to wave the checkered flag for the winner. Unfortunately for the young rabbit, his over-confidence got the better of him. Thinking he was far enough ahead of his friend the turtle, he stopped to nibble at a patch of strawberries. Remembering his father’s advice that “Slow and steady wins the race,” the little turtle plodded diligently along. Now he’s approaching the finish line, while keeping one eye on the flagman and the other on his opponent. The rabbit was amazed to find the turtle now ahead of him, and is making a valiant last ditch effort, but it’s too late. The Gnome is both excited and surprised because the winner is – the tortoise – by a hare! The rabbit’s coin is from Zimbabwe, and the turtle’s coin is from the Cayman Islands. The Gnome’s South African coin tells you that “2 Rand” the race. You may have noticed the two snails also watching the race. One asked the other who won, and he replied, “I don’t know – it all happened so fast!”

THE SENTRY #9088 TIM WOLFE (The Museum Series) CBz #3501 Within the hierarchal structure of the wolf pack it is the dominant, or alpha, male wolf who ranks at the top of the social ladder. He is “head honcho,” so to speak, and commands respect and subordination from the rest of the pack members. In my sculpture, “The Sentry,” I have chosen to depict the alpha male in a resting yet alert position atop a rock ledge. From this vantage point he watches the surrounding terrain. The wolf hears, smells and sees everything. Nothing goes unnoticed. With the wolf’s future swinging in the balance, it is good that the Sentry keeps a watchful eye.

THE TOM CLARK COLLECTION #908 (Video) Tom Clark’s second video begins in the peaceful town of Davidson, with shots of Main Street and Davidson College. But as all collectors know, “Davidson’s become home of the little people.” Indeed, this video is a beautifully detailed look at Dr. Clark’s “Title people” enhanced by the wonderful, often humorous stories Tom spins for his creations. Meet the oldest and the newest Forest Gnomes, plus P.S. from the Cairn Railroad, Andrew, who guards a stray golf ball, Flora on her tractor, the Dove School Bus and its small riders, a special Woodspirit for fathers named Daddy Owe, and many more. Tom introduces his American Folk Heroes and Great People in History series, and shares some anecdotes about his early days as an artist and a sculptor. In every statue and in every story, Dr. Clark’s philosophy, that the universe is a friendly place, shines through

THE VIRGIN OF GUADALUPE #5401 (Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe) Based on an account of Juan Diego, a baptized Aztec, the popular Virgin of Guadalupe story has survived for over 400 years. The story relates that in 1531, in the wilderness of the Mexican desert, the Virgin Mary, surrounded by a golden aureole, appeared before him. She softly spoke to him of her desire that a church be built on the site where she stood so that she might give all her love, mercy and aid to all folk of every kind. She implored him to go to the Bishop of Mexico and relate her wishes. The awed and humble Juan Diego hastened immediately to the Bishop of Mexico. Highly skeptical, the Bishop had him sent away. Again the Virgin appeared and urged Juan Diego to return to the Bishop with her message. This time the Bishop demanded to have some proof of the Virgin’s appearance. On December 31, 1531, she bade him gather roses in his cloak and return once more to the Bishop. This he did, gathering roses from a hill where none had grown before. Upon presenting the roses to the Bishop, the flowers spilled out onto the floor, and the Virgin’ image appeared upon the cloak. This was the fourth appearance of Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe on the outskirts of Mexico City. Dr. Thomas Fetzer Clark, Doctor of Theology, ordained minister, Tenured Professor of Theology, is the most famous sculptor in America today. Dr. Clark has spent the last twenty five rears of his life and time to creating in clay sculpture the World’s most popular, humorous and serious artworks. With reverence, profound sincerity and compassion, Dr. Clark, in most unusual manner for this talented artist – as exacting to the popular representation as possible – created his inspirational Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe. His artistic freedom and great talent shine through – just for one example, there is no finet, more loving, graceful face than that of this Virgin of Guadalupe, her face is truly inspirational. The colors chosen – Tome signifying love, and blue, wisdom (and royal) are tradition-al, as is her pose on a crescent moon supported by St. Michael, historically the Virgin Mary’s messenger. Her figure is outlined he a golden aureole, just as she appeared to Juan Diego. Cairn Studio, Ltd., Davidson, North Carolina, founded in the mid-seventies is a major reproduction facility for American made artworks. The Studio, working hand in hand with Tom Clark, is proud to claim it has reproduced every artwork created by him. Hand cast in pecan shell flour and resin, then painstakingly hand painted by dedicated artisans in North Carolina, each sculpture is as faithful to the artist’s original as humanly possible. This rendition of the Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe by Thomas Fetzer Clark is possibly Cairn Studios crowning glory.

THE WIZ #87 (June, 1983) This delightful fellow gives out recipes for home remedies (when he isn’t telling ghost stories). He wears the customary robe and hat with stars and moons emblazoned thereon. There is a small tree Gnome at the base, about to catch sight of a beetle. On the other side is a salamander who has spotted a wee beetle of his own. To protect the insects, there is an ancient Egyptian scarab, which will bring the insects good luck. The English coin is in honor of the Wiz’s patron saint, Merlin the Magician.

THE WORLD OF TOM CLARK #8065 (Cairn Promotional Series)  All year long They’ve anxiously awaited, Greeting this man And the statues he created. When Dr. Tom Clark Rolls into a town,The Collectors flock in From miles around.To enter his world So magical and kind, To share some time together And have their artwork signed.They are cherished, personal treasures From millions of happy homes, These cheerful little Woodspirits And delightful forest Gnomes.

THE WORLD OF TOM CLARK #947 (Video) The world of Tom Clark is very large, and very small, begins the new documentary video of Cairn Studio’s renowned sculptor Dr. Thomas Fetzer Clark. Collectors from every corner of the United States treasure his wondrous sculptures of “wee folk» – Gnomes, Woodspirits, Mountaineers, miniature people, and the True Builders of America. This is an opportunity to see Dr. Clark at work in his studio. to watch the creation of Hyke II, and to learn the thoughts and philosophy that Dr. Clark brings to each of his sculptures. Walk with him around the grounds of his Davidson, North Carolina home, visit his Blue Ridge Mountain retreat, and listen to his magical tales about his spirited and special creations. Whether you have been a collector for years, or are just learning of Dr. Clark’s work, you will enjoy a unique look at this gentle and talented man.

THE WORLD’S GREATEST COACH #8089  Standing on the sidelines Watching every play, Calculating strategy He does it every day. We think he’s the greatest What more can we say? Dedicated and patient Behind us all the way.

THIMBLE AND FRED #5690 Our gnome, “Fred,” and “Thimble,” the mouse, are about to go into stitches as they laugh at each other wearing thimble hats. One lucky coin is from Somalia, showing an elephant, the animal that is so afraid of mice. Our “mighty mouse” is standing on a spool of Clark’s thread, and under the thimble and in Fred’s hand is a coin from Norway. The ten ore piece shows a bee because, well, after all, it’s a sewing bee!

THIMBLENA #5048 (April, 1988) Thimblena is very handy with a needle and thread. She found a size 14 thimble in the woods, and decided it made a perfect hat for her. She’s sitting on a spool of Clark’s Button and Carpet thread and holding another spool of thread, for there’s always one more thing to mend. Her circus coin says “Shows” because she sews where it shows! Thimblena and her husband Darn are so tiny, that when they go for a walk they first tie the end of a thread to a twig near their front door. This helps them find their way back home. Thimblena loves to look over the new cloth and buttons that Taylor sells. She knows that people who sew will never be threadbare.

THINKING OF YOU #5382 *Why is it I spend the day, wake up, and end the day, Thinking of You?” These words from a popular song fifty years ago reflect the affection that this special lady, Memory, has for her beloved YO (pronounced you) isn’t sitting beside her, but he is the one who carved their initials in the log on which she sits Like the companion statue, Missing You, the Initials are ME and YO. Y & O is missing “U.” Memory’s lucky coin is from Yugoslavia. As Memory told her dear one “wherever YO-GO I’m thinking of you!”

THIRST AID #6306 (May, 1993) There were just too many mouths for Mother Rabbit to feed. As usual, the runt of the litter was the first to get short-changed, as he was too small to compete with his brothers and sisters for a place by Mom’s side. This last little rabbit has a coin from Zimbabwe, the last country in the alphabet. But look at him now! A concerned Gnome came to his rescue with a tiny baby bottle and an unending supply of patience. At first this bunny could only drink a small quantity before nodding off for yet another nap. Now he polishes off an entire baby bottle full of fresh, warm milk (pastureized, thanks to an obliging cow in a nearby meadow). The Gnome encourages him, “Drink your milk so you’ll grow big and strong!” and the carrots and baby corn are a sample of future treats. He knows that rabbits love to hear, “Eat all your vegetables!” A wee little rabbit was born in a glade, The runt of the litter and not worth a trade. But now this wee chap has it made in the shade For a Gnome gave him milk that is Grade A Thirst Aid.

THISTLE #1029 (March, 1984) This is a Scottish Woodspirit with the love for hiking which so many Scots have. Often when climbing the peaks of the Cairn-gorms, he takes a pebble from a stream in the glen and leaves it on the top of the mountain that he has climbed. When many Woodspirits do this over the years, a “cairn” (or stone heap) is formed. Thistle has just taken off his three-cornered hat for a bit of breath as he surveys the view. At his foot is his lucky coin, a shilling from Great Britain which depicts the Scottish thistle.

THOMAS JEFFERSON #6005 (Great People in History) (February, 1993 Statesman, architect, planter, scientist, inventor, musician: Thomas Jefferson was a true Renaissance man. I have chosen to sculpt him in his most famous and perhaps most beloved role, as author of the Declaration of Independence. Appropriately, this is the tallest statue I have sculpted, for Jefferson stood over six feet tall in an age when most men were five-feet-six. He is holding a rough draft, in his own handwriting, of the revolutionary document, and his very familiar signature is on the base. The Jefferson nickel shows a still youthful profile, and next to it are my traditions: leaves and acorns. I worked primarily from photographs of the Jefferson statue by the famous French sculptor Jean Houdon, who first created a life mask. The scrolls on the base are symbolic of Jefferson’ extensive writings and his involvement with maps and survey plats for the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the University of Virginia in 1819, and his beautiful estate, Monticello. For forty years Jefferson was active in public service: President, Vice President, Secretary of State, Governor of Virginia, Minister to France. Yet these are the words he composed for his gravestone: “Here was buried Thomas Jefferson, author of the American Declaration of Independence, of the Statute of Virginia for religious freedom, and Father of the University of Virginia.” He died on July 4, 1826, at age 83, exactly fifty years after the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the courageous delegates of the Continental Congress.

THREADBARE #5331 (April, 1997) Lacy and Stitch’s son is Bobbin and Mendy’s favorite cousin. These three mischief-makers find a new adventure every day. But today, a shortcut through the briar patch left Threadbare with a hole in his new shirt and britches. While Mendy mends his clothes, he takes cover in a spool of thread. He has a coin from Barbados that pictures a bird, for underneath that spool, he’s naked as a jaybird!

THREE TO GET READY #6386 by Tom Clark and Tim Wolfe The National Balloon Rally provides a beautiful backdrop for those of us who live near Statesville, North Carolina. The hot air balloons float silently and majestically over the fields, forests and lakes. Even gnomes can’t miss seeing these magnificent floating sky boats. These two gnomes, Robinson and Morgan, are going to enter the contest with their colorful creation. But who will be the passenger? “After you, Mr. Robinson.” “No, after you, Mr. Morgan!” While they were yielding the seating rights to each other, Pauline the mouse climbed in and claimed the passenger’s seat. “Why, Pauline, do you know what you’re doing?” asked Robinson. “Certainly,” said Pauline, “I’m going to see my home from the air and here’s my money to pay for the flight,” she said as she pointed to the Commemorative Charles Lindbergh coin. “Ok,” said Morgan, “That’s one for the money. At two we’ll be at the show. We three will then make ready; and at four, Pauline, you will go!” As the balloon begins its ascent over Iredell County, the two gnomes wave and salute the balloon with these words, “May the Wind welcome you with softness; May the Sun bless you with its warm hands; May you fly so high and so well that God joins you in laughter; And may He set you gently back again into the loving arms of Mother Earth.”

TIGER #9141 TIM WOLFE Where does a tiger put his club head covers? On his woods! Tiger is obviously pleased with himself. (You would be, too, if you could drive a golf ball 350 yards will accuracy.) Ever since he was a little cub, Tiger has wanted to play professional golf. Now, after years of hard work and practice, he’s playing with the best of them. In fact, when it comes to the game of golf, you might say that this cat is a master!

TIM AND RANDY #1009 (October, 1984) Tim and Randy are doing this little stunt to show-off for the girls. If a fast moving crab comes along, the boys will quickly drop and run. You won’t be able to find them, however, because Randy has bird prints on his shoe soles and Tim has shell prints on his sneakers, and a French coin in his pocket. These two Woodspirits, vacationing at the shore, are named for Tim and Randy Weikel. They are sales representatives for Cairn Studio and deserving of a weekend at the beach.

TIMBER #9067 TIM WOLFE During the first few weeks of his life, this gray wolf cub did little but eat, play and sleep. Now, Timber has added howling to his list of favorite pastimes. A wolf is never too young to howl! When he wants to call to friends or litter mates – or whenever he just plain gets the urge – Timber lays back his ears and let ‘er rip. He usually starts off with his head held low, then raises the notes and his muzzle until his nose is pointing skyward. The howl lasts anywhere from one to eleven seconds. There is much growing to do before he can join the choruses of the adult wolves, but Timber figures that if he starts practicing now he might one day be leader of the pack! ** At one time, wolves inhabited much of the continent. Unfortunately, the track of the wolf is a rare sight in the modern world and the animal’s distinctive voice is seldom heard. Today, the wolf is classified as an endangered species in almost all parts of the United States except Minnesota and Alaska. Despite human efforts to eradicate them, wolves still live on earth. And that is something to howl about.

TIM-SAN/TOM-SAN #6331 Cairn Key and A Dealers Series (November, 1995) This Kindred Spirits statue by Tom Clark and Tim Wolfe was created to honor Cairn Studio’s newest friends, our Japanese Collectors. Tom and Tim have used their names, with the traditional Japanese suffix, for their sculpted creations. Following the Asian zodiac system, 1996 is the Year of the Mouse. The mouse is admired as a hardy little being who is able to prosper in any circumstance. People born in the Year of the Mouse are usually cheerful, optimistic, and talented in many fields. This tiny mouse has been celebrating New Year’s Eve and is still in his sake cup. Sake is a Japanese alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice, but this cup holds only rice. However, the Gnome has a real treat hidden behind his back. The morsel of cheese for his small friend is symbolic of the new year – the best is yet to come! The statue is decorated with a 100 yen coin and the Japanese character for “Congratulations,” the traditional New Year’s greeting. May the Year of the Mouse bring you peace, prosperity and happiness!

TLC #10022 Nurses go through a lot of training, learning many skills to help the doctors and their patients. Yet a nurse’s greatest talent comes from her heart, and reflects her reason for becoming a nurse in the first place – tender, loving care. This is the prescription that we most appreciate from our nurse. Now we can write her an IOU for TLCI 

TOAD I #147 and TOAD II #148 (May, 1981) The central character in Kenneth Grahame’s book, The Wind In the Willows, is Mr. Toad of Toad Hall. He is an aristocratic dandy who is totally fascinated with any mode of transportation. For this reason, Toad I is holding a road map to guide him on all his travels around Great Britain. Toad II was created in a smaller size to complement his companions (Ratty, Mole and Badger).

TOAD II #148 (May, 1981) The central character in Kenneth Grahame’s book, The Wind In the Willows, is Mr. Toad of Toad Hall. He is an aristocratic dandy who is totally fascinated with any mode of transportation. For this reason, Toad I is holding a road map to guide him on all his travels around Great Britain. Toad I was created in a smaller size to complement his companions (Ratty, Mole and Badger).

TOAD-EM-POLE #5720

TOASTEE #5388 “Just a little nibble” was all Toastee said he wanted. However, he got started nibbling and it doesn’t appear that he’ll stop until the cracker is completely gone. Peanut butter on a Toastee™* cracker is absolutely irresistible. The sculptor, Tom Clark, grew up in the peanut country of Southeastern North Carolina and greatly appreciates the quality of peanuts used in this Lance product. The crackers are produced in Charlotte, North Carolina, which isn’t far from where Tom lives today. Since Gnomes can easily dig tunnels, they frequently go underground to check on the growth of the peanuts and are thus excellent tenders of peanut patches. The wheat for the crackers is also surveyed by the Gnomes as it ripens in the field. A 40-year-old (1958) wheat penny is Toastee’s lucky coin. He had lots of “cents” and bought crackers with his pennies. Money well spent!

TOBEE FINCH #5576  When this garden gnome was born, a Tobee Finch landed on the window sill. Thus his parents named him for the bird that sang about his birth. Ever since, Tobee has loved birds and is responsible for keeping the feeders full. *This particular feeder will not only provide a feast for the birds in the neighborhood, but will be a nice bird house for a wren couple when the seeds are eaten away. There is a lucky coin from Bermuda on the statue. It depicts a tropical bird with quite a tail to tell! *The sunflower seeds will invite all species to the feast. The corn will beckon the crows, but the little seeds are for the sparrows.

TOBY #9062 TIM WOLFE Toby is one of those individuals who is always finding things – you know, interesting things that no one but Toby would ever find. His nest is littered with objects like gum wrappers, old keys, empty snail shells, marbles, corroded pennies, broken pencils, and a host of other “treasures” he has accumulated. Harry says his little friend is a genuine pack-squirrel because “Toby doesn’t believe in throwing anything away!” Toby had been doing some exploring behind a barn when he made his latest discovery – a corncob pipe. He figured that whoever left it there didn’t want it to be found, as the pipe was carefully concealed behind a board. While he isn’t quite sure what to do with this strangely-shaped object, one thing is certain: Finders-Keepers!

TODD #9029 TIM WOLFE Yesterday, Todd started off on a journey to the other side of the lawn. Today, he is almost halfway there and Todd figures that, unless he stumbles upon a patch of wild strawberries, he should reach his destination by no later than noon tomorrow. It’s not like Todd is slow or anything: he just prefers taking his good of time. As a matter of fact, it has taken him nearly five years to attain his present size. Compared to the growth rate of say, a young rabbit, that is slow going. Considering that box turtles like Todd can live to be over a hundred years old, perhaps taking one’s time isn’t such a bad idea.

“TOM CLARK’S CREATIONS” SIGN and’ “SCULPTURE BY TOM CLARK” SIGN #994 (1982) These two signs were carved by Bill Dicks in Banner Elk, N.C. The little fellow on the edge of “Sculpture” has never revealed his name. The one in the middle of the “Creations” sign is perhaps called T-Bird. In any event, he looks a bit like me, with my nickname given me by students at Davidson College. Don’t look for coins for he has no common” cents.

TOOTH FAIRY #1113 (June, 1985) Making her rounds of the small pillows in the neighborhood, the Tooth Fairy has already collected many teeth (thanks to a number of my young friends!). She wants to encourage good dental health, so she has an apple, a tooth-brush, and a tube of Cairn toothpaste. As a warning, there are two teeth with cavities, next to raisins and a piece of candy. If you would like her to leave you a dollar for a tooth, she will do so. However, if you would like to have your dream come true, she will leave you one of her special pennies!

TOOTS #9167 TIM WOLFE Here’s to the newest member of our “Tracks Mountain Band” Jimmy, Chet, Gus and Johnny are now joined by Toots, the harmonica-blowing field mouse. Toots is the tiniest player in the group, so he likes to perch himself up on something so he can be in on all the action. Today, he is using a strawberry to sit on. Hey! That happens to be one of Toots favorite Beatles’ tunes – “Strawberry Fields”! He sometimes gets called “shortcake” too, but let’s not go into that (he’s rather sensitive!). Anyway, let’s all join together and give Toots and the rest of the band a great big round of applause…..

TOP OF THE DAY #10011 This tiny leprechaun is tipping his top hat to you. He holds a flower for his Wild Irish Rose. You’ve heard of the luck of the Irish? When you need just a little bit of luck, he can help you find a four-leaf clover.

TOPSIE AND TURVIE #1034  BASE FOR SITTING STATUES #954 (March, 1984) Even honeymooners have their ups and downs. If a collector notices that one side of the statue is up above the other, it is a signal that the spouse is upset! Topsie and Turvie are simply frolicking . .. much like the two dolphins on the coin from the Bahamas.

TORO (THE BULL) #9169 TIM WOLFE The bull has been called the stallion of the Bovine Race. They are remarkable for their size – often weighing over 1,000 pounds – with powerful limbs, a wide chest, and heavy folds of skin which hang from a massive neck. Add to all of this a pair of sharp, lethal horns and you’ve got one imposing animal! Throughout history the bull has been a symbol of strength and courage (consider the N.Y. stock market). In the tradition of the great animalier sculptors such as Antoine-Louis Bare (1796-1875) and Isadore Bonheur (1827-1901), I have chosen to model a bull for the Museum Series. I’ve depicted the animal in a standing sculptural pose, with the hope of capturing the bull’s majestic nature. I am indebted to a particular lone-bull that lives on a nearby farm here in Davidson, N.C. That big fellow was a great model, and I was able to make numerous reference photos and sketches of him. They were done, obviously, from the other side of the fence.  The Museum Series includes: The Sentry, Grizz, Vantage Point, Long Winter’s Nap, Su-Lin and His Majesty.

TOYS ALL AROUND #5261 (August, 1994) In all the world, there is only one fireplace that Santa does not come down with a bound – his own! At the North Pole Mrs. Claus has the fun of arranging the gifts to surprise the elves on Christmas morning. And what a lot of gifts there are! You might spy a toy car, a doll, a violin, a drum, and for little Nip and his brother Tuck, a football. Santa – or is it Mrs. Claus? – really does hear our Christmas wishes. There are three brightly wrapped packages – those are for Santa! The stockings, hung by the chimney with care, have been filled with candy canes. Mrs. Claus is wearing a tiny bell in honor of her first name – it was Santa’s gift to her last Christmas. If she turns around she’ll see Santa’s special gift for her this year – a miniature statue of herself among the mantle decorations. “Down With A Bound” and “Toys All Around” can be bookends for your favorite Christmas stories, especially The Night Before Christmas.

TRACK MEET #6352 (October 1998) This statue is a variation on the theme we used for Alaska, the Alaska State piece which depicted a Gnome perched at the top of a totem pole hoping to elude a large brown bear on the ground below. This time, it is the Gnome who is doing the tracking. He has been following a fresh set of bear tracks for quite some time but hasn’t seen hide nor hair of the one who made them. That is, until now Tracker John won’t need his binoculars to see that he is looking face to face with ole Brownie. It’s hard to tell who is more surprised to see who, the Tracker or the Trackee. Unlike my real life museum piece, Grizz, or my black bear rendition, Boone, Brownie is a cute, cuddly, animated little brown bear. On the base there is a game token in the shape of a bear’s head, as these two, do indeed, enjoy their little game of Hide N’ Seek!

TRADITIONS #329 (True Builders of America) (November, 1991) The key to this statue is the embroidered message on the pillow: “Tradition – Pass it on.” Like love, traditions last only when shared with others. This grandmother has unpacked an heirloom quilt made by her grand-mother. In time it will be passed on to her granddaughter, and together they’re admiring the old fabrics and tiny stitches. There are many other traditions shared in this household: the family photograph album, a recipe book, and grandmother’s diary. There’s an acorn and leaf above the recipe book, because it is my tradition to include these on my statues. As she grows up, the little girl will want to begin her own traditions for herself and her family. Perhaps her favorite teddy bear will also become an heirloom in the years ahead. But now it’s bedtime, and there’s only time for one last tradition – a goodnight kiss.

TRAVIS #9113 TIM WOLFE The spirit of Christmas spreads throughout the wildlife community in much the same way it does our own. Our animal counterparts share in the joy and excitement of this special holiday season as it is a great time of celebration for them, too! In every forest, every warren, and every patch of woods, there can be found a local Christmas choir. A choir may number from three to twenty animals and it is comprised of a select group of individuals who, for one reason or another, consider themselves best qualified at carrying a tune. Their choruses can be heard at any hour, day or night, and can be quite pleasing to the human ear. Unfortunately, we humans can become so wrapped up in other affairs during the Christmas season that we seldom, if ever, take the time to listen.Turtles aren’t very vocal individuals, nor are they overly fond of cold weather. So, to find one out singing Christmas carols in December is rather uncommon. Travis is not your average turtle. It would take more than a little brisk temperatures to keep him from joining in the holiday spirit. Travis has found that singing Christmas carols warms up the body and the soul. Besides, once he puts on his trusty earmuffs he can’t feel a thing. (He also doesn’t hear anything, including the rest of the choir!) Travis has been a welcome addition to the caroling critters, even though he is consistently late for rehearsals.

TREAT #5683 This Green Thumb Gnome is an environmentalist who believes that all things in nature have an interconnecting role to play. He ardently believes that God doesn’t play games with the universe – that there is an awesome and elegant reasoning to all we perceive. So, in Treat’s mind, even mice are a part of the grand scheme of things in this world. Maybe they even deserve a treat once in a while!  “Treat” has come upon two mice who have been gnawing away at a walnut and not getting much in return for their labor. Thus, Treat is offering the little creatures a “Toastie.” This cracker is from North Carolina, as is the lucky coin honoring the Carolina Panthers. That’s a “cat” that can really endanger a mouse! Their names are “Rich” and “Creamy,” just like the Toastie.

TRICK OR TREAT #8039  Pint-sized ghosts, Petite little witches, Outlandish clowns  Too small for their britches, Costumes so bulky They can’t scratch where it itches, Going door to door Collecting their riches.

TRIXIE AND TREAT #5091 (November, 1989) Trixie and Treat have been married a long time, yet they still love to tease each other. Treat has just said to Trixie, “Sit here and I’ll show you my Halloween costume.” Treat has a Spanish coin with a picture of King Juan Carlos, because Treat is the “ack” in the jack-o’-lantern. Won’t Trixie be surprised? She’ll probably just laugh and ask, “Oh, are you my pumpkin?” For her husband, it’s always a “treat” to see Trixie’s smile.

TROUBLE #5106 (May, 1990) Trouble is the name of this little Woodspirit. If you recall Meredith Willson’s The Music Man, you know that “Trouble starts with T, which rhymes with P, and that stands for pool.” When this ball rolled towards his hiding spot, he thought it was looking for Trouble. Now, he’s not only between a rock and a hard place, but he’s also behind the eight ball. If you believe in Woodspirits, you’ll see a little face in his beard, showing us that we can smile even when in Trouble. If this statue doesn’t look like Trouble to you, it’s because nobody knows the Trouble I’ve seen!

TROUTMAN #1082 (January, 1985) Fishing for minnows is a great pastime for the Gnomes. These two trout will be in the fish stew that the fam-ilv will enjoy this Friday night. When they say “TGIF” they mean “Thank Gnomes it’s Fish.” This fellow is named for the village of Troutman, N.C. where our statues are reproduced His coin is Irish, depicting a dolphin.

TUBBY #5409 Tubby has a story to tell about finding a hot tub on the beach. He had been searching for a place to take a bath and this shell-tub turned out to be just the right place. He carries a miniature quarter with him to pay for his bath (since the coin depicts George Washington!). Hopefully he won’t have to shell out any more money! Let’s just hope the sea urchin vacates his shell home before Tubby sits in it. Otherwise, our wee Gnome will have a surprise ending to his tale.

TURNABOUT #6317 (November, 1994) Here’s a new turn on the old game of Leap Frog. The Woodspirit was a little nervous to have the frog leap over him, but turnabout is fair play, so he removed his hat and hunkered down. The frog got a running start – one, two, three, ribbet! and cleared the Woodspirit’s bald pate with a flawless jump. Leaping lizards, this is fun! These two friends join the other leap frogging duos who find this game uplifting – Jumping Jack, Hop Tuit and Leap Frog. This addition to the Kindred Spirits Collection has two coins: a play money token and, to celebrate this unique style of transportation, a New York City subway token. Together they make “fare play.” If you are a kindred spirit with the little people and their animal neighbors, you’ll be able to find three faces hidden in the Woodspirit’s beard.

TURN OF THE CENTURY #6369 By Tom Clark and Tim Wolfe This is a Century spinning wheel for the Centuries. Our gnome, Centurion, has been in charge of turning the wheel one hundred times. The little duckling, Vanna, is having great fun, celebrating the conclusion of the last spin of the 20th Century. If this is a wheel of fortune, both Kindred Spirits, Vanna and Centurion, will have a rosy future. (Vanna was worried she might want to “duck’ the 21st Century) The new millennium promises a healthy environment where mankind and animals can live cooperatively. The first turn of the wheel was in 1900, and the harp on the Irish coin has been playing ever since. The 20th Century was such a spectacular one, we might as well get ready for another 100 wonderful years. After all, one good turn deserves another.

TURTLE #5306 (June, 1996) Turtle is the shortstop for the Woodspirit baseball team. But he just missed that ground ball, because he was so-o-o slow. Looks like his team is really taking a shellacking. His mitt has come off his hand and landed on his back – maybe he was diving to catch a fly ball. His Cayman Islands coin shows a turtle. I think he needs to come out of his shell, but Turtle doesn’t like to stick his neck out. Who can help, and What can be done – I Don’t Know! He may not have much hustle, but his teammates know he’s a solid player, and he’ll always finish what he starts.

TUX #9168 TIM WOLFE When Maestro, the gnome, retired as director for the Carols For Critters Choir, the singers soon began searching for a replacement. It was while they were touring the Southern Hemisphere that they met Tux, the penguin. After several songs with Tux conducting, it was clear to everyone that this penguin was the bird for the job. “Oh, he’s a natural,” said Carolyn. “We’ve never sounded better,” said Mel. “He certainly is dressed for the occasion,” chimed in Travis. When asked how he likes his new job as choir director, Tux said, “It’s Cool! Real Cool!” The Carols For Critters Choir includes: Clara, Ethel, Ida, Pop, Mel, Jingles, Travis, Carolyn and Prince.

“TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS” #1130 (February, 1986) and all through the hall, only Woodspirits were stirring and having a ball!” These Woodspirits’ names are variations on the eight famous reindeer. Donna (for “donner”) is at the top of the tree about to afix a starfish to the highest point, while Payton (a football “Blitzen”) is about to slip a lucky sixpence into her slipper. If she says that she won’t marry him, he won’t let her down! Selecting the acorn and shell garlands are the two friends, Hally (for “Comet”) and Steubing (the “Cupid” of television’s “Love Boat”). Gene (Kelly, the “Dancer”) has been twisted around by Mick (Jagger, the “Prancer”). Lewis (the famous100-yard “Dasher”) insists that when he holds a leftover sea shell decoration over the head of a young lady, she has to kiss him! Alexis (the “Vixen” of “Dynasty”) is somewhat dubious about this ancient Woodspirit custom. If this piece is in your home on the Night Before Christmas, the Woodspirits will give Santa a special welcome when he arrives!

TWINKLE #1179 (March, 1987) Twinkle is a Woodspirit who is always clowning around and poking his nose into mischief. Consequently, his friends dressed him up like this, and gave him a red nose so that they could always see him coming. He is a kindred spirit to all those happy-go-lucky humans who enliven every person’s life. You can disguise their clothes and faces, but you cannot snuff out the twinkle in their eyes. His coin, of course, pictures a clown.

TWITCH #9102 TIM WOLFE Have you ever been bothered by an irritating skin sensation that nothing will cure better than a good scratching? Well, chances are, what you were experiencing was an itch. Itches happen to everyone, and Twitch has an itch. Animals are especially prone to minor itches, mainly because their hair or fur is a perfect host to the many things that cause them. Fortunately for Twitch, he has a pair of long hind feet that can reach out and scratch just about any itch he might have. Even those behind his ears! If there is a lesson to be learned here, it is this: If it itches, scratch it. (Unless, of course, you’ve contracted poison ivy – then you’d better get yourself a good bottle of calamine lotion.)

TWO BITS #5386 This old cowpoke, Two Bits, has twenty five cents in his hand because he’s looking for a quarter horse. He’s been told from the highest quarters that a quarter horse, with a good hind quarter, can run a quarter mile faster when there’s a quarter moon. If his rider is a quartermaster he’ll surely be in the quarter finals before he’s taken to his quarters. Judging from the Irish coin, ole’ Two Bits has horse cents so he’ll get his quarter-hack when the race is over. Then he can go to the barber shop and get a “shave and a haircut for Two Bits!”

TY #5127 (Baseball Series) (November, 1990) Ty is named for the legendary baseball play-er, Ty Cobb (1886-1961). He’s sitting on a corn cob, and the Mexican coin in his pocket also shows an ear of corn. Little Ty has bird prints on the soles of his baseball shoes, and a bill on his traditional pointed hat. His peach pit and baseball bat honor the Georgia Peach’s lifetime batting average of 367. For Ty and all the other boys of summer, the baseball diamond is his field of dreams. If you’re close enough, you may hear him whisper, “If you build it, I will come.”

TYLER #8071  He takes the toys from Santa’s Workshop And applies the final touch, He adds the Christmas wrapping That children love so much. His real name is Tyler But Santa calls him Ty, Just watch him tie a Christmas bow And you’ll soon know why.

TYRONE #5363  AccOBz #3312 (March, 1998) When the car comes into the pit, as few words as possible pass between the crew chief and the pit crew. So it helps when one of them has a name that is also his job description: “Put the tire on, Tyrone!”

UMMM GOOD! #6391 (2001) Now we know for sure that 2003 will be a good year. The rabbit has given it the taste test and pronounced it bountiful, nutritious and great! The lucky coin shows that 2003 will be a perfect “10” year. Humans sometimes look to ground hogs and wooly worms to predict what the weather will be in coming months. Gnomes have even better means of divining because they live so close to nature. This little rabbit insists that he is empowered to give gnomes a taste of what is to come. The gnome humors him with a big smile…for he knows that no one can know the future. But whatever comes, some good can come out of it. Whatever will be in 2003 Will be a blessing <br>For thee and me.

UMP #5376 (May, 1998) “You’re out!* But, Ump! All he did was hit a foul ball that just happened to graze your umpire’s cap (leaving a slight impression!). And as for strikes and balls, well, who’ counting when the slugger is our most valuable player. Please, Ump! I saw you toss that penny in the air and apparently it came up Tails because you’re down on my team, Ump. And now you’re waving your thumb “You’re out!”

UNCLE #11015 TIM WOLFE is the strongest man in the family and is frequently called on to haul off a fallen limb or move rocks from atop spring bulbs.

UNCLE AL #11016 No one can tell stories like Uncle Al, the wise old owl. If he has an audience willing to listen, Al can go on for hours recounting past adventures and narrating historic accounts. Uncle Al has also been known to stretch the truth on occasion, though his listeners seldom care. We asked Uncle Al how he became so good at telling stories. “An adroit storyteller,” he said, “is someone who has a good memory and hopes other people don’t.”

UNCLE HERSCHEL #2029 (Special Commission) (March, 1990) This is Uncle Herschel, the official “Ole Timer” of Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores. Uncle Herschel’s public relations job and, he claims, his greatest pleasure, is visiting businesses in Cracker Barrel Communities. His goal is to introduce them to Cracker Barrel’s country cooking and gift shops, which carry Cairn creations. I used photographs of Herschel McCartney to sculpt him in a pose identical to the Cracker Barrel logo. Underneath his wooden chair, which shows a miniature logo, I added sacks of flour and sugar, as would be seen in an old country store. This statue brought back memories of my father’s general store in Elizabethtown, North Carolina. It, too, had barrels of crackers and a potbellied stove in the corner. Just like my father’s store, Cracker Barrel is, as Uncle Herschel says, a place “where good friends gather.”

UNCLE SAM #183 (May, 1982) In World War I, a famous poster of Uncle Sam was drawn by James Montgomery Flagg. The caption was “I Want you,” and the purpose was to enlist men for the armed services. In recreating this pose, I used photographs of Mr. Flagg himself for the face of Uncle Sam. The base is a line drawing of the United States in 1918. My logo is placed within a small dot where Davidson, North Carolina would be. On some editions there is a quarter, proudly displaying the eagle on its face.

UNCLE WHIT #1083 (January 1985) Uncle Whit has a spare moment from his farm chores and so he is back at his avocation: whittling toys for the grand chldren. The base has chips, tools and wood that he may use for carving. There is a small wooden car near his foot. He is presently working on a tail for the unfinished horse. *And thereupon hangs a “tale” which he will spin to the grandkid while they sit watching him whittle.

UNION SOLDIER #5011 (November, 1987) Like the Confederate Soldier, my Union Soldier is not a professional soldier, but a volunteer who has given up his livelihood at home. He may have been a stores keeper, lawyer, or farmer, but he has put that vocation aside to defend his country. Since the bulk of his time was spent in camp, I have depicted him at ease, with his coat unbuttoned and his holster removed. His belt buckle shows the USA insignia, and his two stripes indicate that he is a Corporal. The has-relief on the granite pillar depicts his commanding officer, General Ulysses S. Grant. Both my Confederate Soldier and my Union Soldier are equal in height, age and vigor. I wanted to underline the tragedy that this war was truly brother against brother.

UPSIE DAISY #2502 Cairn Key and A Dealers Series (November, 1993) When Daisy the turtle stopped to smell the daisies, she tripped and fell head over heels. As she lay on the ground, with her house turned upside down, a helpful Woodspirit named Derek came down the path. Quickly sizing up the situation, this Good Samaritan fetched a small rhododendron stick and positioned it under Daisy’s hard shell. With one more good push he should have her back on her feet again and able to continue her enjoyment of the bright spring blossoms. Daisy and the other turtles often serve as “tractors” for the Woodspirits: with a length of twine around their shells they are able to pull up tiny saplings and relocate medium-sized rocks. But now, thanks to a new friend, it’s Daisy’s turn to be on the receiving end of a good deed. Both animals and Woodspirits alike love flowers. Among the Woodspirits, roses are the favorites of J.P. and Violet, while Mum loves chrysanthemums and Ava adores tulips. The rabbits Pansy and Scarlett share Daisy’s love of wildflowers, but a journey across the vard is especially precarious for a small, slow-moving turtle. Just ask Daisy’s turtle friend Todd, who undertakes many a risky expedition to reach a new patch of wild strawberries.

VAGABONDS #9068 TIM WOLFE What started out as a three hour tour ended when Skipper the squirrel and Lit’1 Buddy found themselves beached on an uncharted desert isle. It wasn’t high winds or rough seas that threw them off course; it was the fault of the first mate. The frog should not have been trusted with the ship’s navigation in the first place, since he was rather green at the job. Skipper isn’t too concerned about being a castaway. He made sure the boat was stocked full of provisions before they left. Lit’1 Buddy, on the other hand, had better hope that there are native bugs on the island. If not, he may have to get used to eating nuts.

VALENTINA #5297 (February, 1996) Even good witches celebrate Valentine’s Day! Valentina is a matchmaker who uses sweet hearts to put sweethearts together. In her hands are two “Soul Mates,” and other candy hearts by her long, black skirt say “Love,” “Hug Me,” and “Be True.”  These tiny conversation hearts have been around since 1902 and are printed with over 100 different messages, including “Love” in 27 languages! Valentine’s Day is Valentina’s favorite holiday, and her witch hat is decorated with a big red heart. This good witch wears heart-shaped earrings, and if you look deep into her eyes, you’ll see even more hearts. Her lucky coin is a Delaware Bridge token, for she is the bridge that brings lonely hearts together.

VALENTINE #8037  I hope it’s not too forward For a lady so divine, To inquire if perhaps You’d be my Valentine.

VALENTINE (VAL) #1018 (January, 1984) The base of this statue is a Pennsylvania Dutch valentine design. Little Val holds a valentine behind him and appears to be a little shy in offering it. He is afraid of rejection. I gave him a coin from Iceland that displays the word “island.” Then I said to him, “Now, Val, no man is an island unto himself. You have to give away your heart!”

VANDER #5341 (August, 1997) Come and see the beautiful birdhouse that Vander built. If you like it, ask him about his other homes – he has “bilt-more”! This hard-working carpenter holds a hammer, and additional tools are on the base of the statue. He has decided to rent this new house only to newlyweds, so the South African coin shows a pair of lovebirds. When the birdhouse is placed on a high branch, they’ll have a birds-eye view of the beautiful Appalachian mountains. This house is a good bit smaller than the palatial home in Asheville, North Carolina, that is visited each year by thousands of tourists, but to the new rest dents of the house that Vander built, their home is their castle. EDITION CHANGE: Vander: On one edition, the sign on Vander’s birdhouse reads “for rent’ and another edition shows a “sold” sign.

VANTAGE POINT #9098 TIM WOLFE (The Museum Series) CB #3502 The big cat had lain flat on the cool rock for over two hours, watching, waiting. From this elevated vantage point the silent hunter was alert to everything around him. Nothing moved nor made a sound without his knowing. When the time came, the sleek ebony form would transform into a flash of blinding quickness. The black panther. Powerful, elusive, and noted for his patience and calculating intelligence, “Panthera Pardus” is one of the most impressive animals in the world today. There is much confusion surrounding the name panther.Originally, it was applied only to the African and Asian leopard. Occasionally a pair of spotted leopards will produce one or more offspring that are black. (This occurs more often in the leopard’s tropical range.) These cats were customarily referred to as black panthers. In essence, the black panther is not a distinct species but rather a color irregularity – or mutation that may occur within litters of spotted leopards. ** I was inspired to create this statue upon the announcement that Charlotte, North Carolina would become home to a new NFL expansion team. The Carolina Panthers will officially begin their first season in the fall of 1995.

VANYA #42 (March, 1978) This is an old Russian Cossack who loves nothing more than to sit around a campfire and spin yarns about his youth. He has no coin, but his stories are priceless. He is named for Uncle Vanya from the play by Chekov.

VET #6302 (August, 1992) This hare fell in mud oh so yucky. When unstuck he still wasn’t plucky. He let the Vet set it And wet it and pet it And now his rabbit foot’s lucky. The real luck is that the rabbit happened upon this helpful vet, who knows that an injured or sick animal needs medical attention and love in equal measures. The Irish coin shows a hare, in honor of the patient. “Kindred Spirits” is the name of the new series of collaborative artworks by Tom Clark and Tim Wolfe. Not only are the Woodspirits and animals who live in the natural world kindred spirits, but so are the two artists who created “Vet.”

VIRGIN OF GUADALUPE #  (2000)

VOLLEYBALL #8088   I love volleyball in summertime Playing on the beach, Diving headlong after any ball I think that I can reach. No danger of bumps or floor burns Like playing in the gym, But my undies get abrasive When a bunch of sand gets in!

WABASH #5416 “Oh, listen to the jingle the rumble and the roar, As she glides along the woodlands Through the hills and by the shore.” This old familiar song stirs many a memory of train rides taken in years gone by. It was recorded by several artists, my favorite being Johnny Cash. That’s why I put a lucky coin on the base of this figurine, indicating that the best “value” is “cash.” This engine is the leader for my train series which comprises over a dozen different cars. Be sure to put him at the head, and note that the black ball behind the engine is his cannonball! “Hear the mighty rush of engines, Hear the lonesome hobos call. We’re traveling through the jungles on the Wabash Cannonball!”

WAKE UP CALL #9075 TIM WOLFE It is a fine spring morning in the forest, and this young fawn was entertaining thoughts of maybe sleeping in a bit. No way! His new friends are raring and ready to play. “C’mon, get up!” chirps the early bird. “Shake a leg!” shouts the rabbit. “Whattaya gonna do – sleep all day?” asks the field mouse. Oh, well, so much for slumberland. With all this commotion going on, a fellow might just as well join the fun. Perhaps later, the fawn can sneak in a little afternoon nap. EDITION CHANGE: Wake-Up Call: One edition will have a blue bird whispering in the fawn’s ear while yet another edition displays a redish bird and a different sculptural eye style on the fawn.

WALT #1104 (May, 1985) Walt is named for Izaak Walton, author of The Complete Angler, written in 1653. Like his namesake, this Walt knows where to find the best streams and how to fish them. He is paddling down a sea of leaves with a sunfish that he thinks will feed the whole neighborhood. He has borrowed his canoe from the Boundary Waters Canoe Association in upper Minnesota. The Italian coin shows a rudder that helps him steer. Walt likes to go fishing with his friend Troutman, and sometimes they see Freddy at the creek, still waiting for a nibble. If you tip your hat to Walt before going on a fishing expedition, he’ll make certain you are always followed by minnows.

W. C. #5038 (Cairn Key and A Dealers Series) (February, 1988) Do you have any problems with leaky faucets or clogged drains? Then call the Woodspirit plumber, W. C. (Water Closet). If he can’t stop the leak, he’ll call on his Canadian friend, the beaver (on the coin) who really knows how to dam up water. Wearing his sailor’s cap and middy, he’s ready to plunge into his work with the washers on his base. Please don’t ask for his elbow pipe, or he’ll have to hide in the w.c. until Taylor sells him a new pair of pants. He belongs to the same trade union as the carpenter, Noah, and the electrician, Edison. W. C. has many happy customers, because his initials also mean “without charge”!

WEAVER #9122 Meet Weaver the beaver. I named him after Weaver’s Beaver Associates, a group that genetically breeds beavers in St. Anthony, Idaho. The beaver is the largest rodent in North America, and it is a fascinating creature. Beavers have webbed feet like ducks, chisel-like teeth for cutting down trees (from which they build lodges and dams), and a broadly flattened tail, similar to a paddle. Weaver’s flat tail serves several purposes. When swimming, he uses his tail as a rudder, and when cutting down trees, it makes a great prop as he sits on his hind legs. His tail is also used as a warning mechanism. By bringing his tail down forcefully on the surface of the water, the beaver sounds an alarm that can be heard for up to one-half mile on a quiet night. The walloping “Crack!” causes all beavers in the area to dive. Weaver is just returning to his lodge with a tasty snack. Trees are a very important part of his diet, and he’ll eat the bark from this log using the ol’ corn-on-the-cob technique. “Um-m-m-good!” Over in the meadow In a cosy wee den Lived an old mother beaver And her little beavers ten. Gnaw said the mother. We gnaw said the ten. So they gnawed all day In the cosy wee den. Nursery Counting Rhyme

WEBSTER #9134 TIM WOLFE At the request of the Sony Corporation I have created three animal statues to be introduced in Japan under the title “Forest Guardian Spirits.” As the name implies, these three friends are dedicated to the preservation and protection of the country’s beautiful natural resources. While conserving the land is their foremost concern, they may also be called upon for guidance by those who have lost their direction or are in need of aid while traveling through the woods and mountains. They are, respectfully: George the frog, Snappy the tortoise, and Webster the owl. From his lofty perch midway up an ancient tree, Webster the owl surveys the woodland floor below him with an ever-watchful eye. Nothing goes unnoticed: the slightest rustle in the leaves, the faintest whisper, a fleeting movement; he is aware of all things. “Who goes there?” he is often heard asking (though more often than not it is only the wind). When he’s not standing vigil, Webster likes to read. He’s read everything from Homer to Dickens, Shakespeare to Seuss, even the dictionary. You name it, Webster’s read it. He claims that all this reading has made him much the wiser. Any questions? Ask Webster.

WEDDING PRAYER #5506 (2003)

WE DO #10007  ACBz #10503 Weddings are a wonderful time of celebration for the Charmers. Friends and family gather in a circle and share stories and memories about the happy couple. Finally, the groom tells why he loves the bride, and she tells why she loves him. This little bride is wearing an heirloom veil, and her bouquet is a tiny rose nestled in a four-leaf clover. Chances are, they will be married by the same minister who christened them as babies! This couple is happiest on a small wedding cake.

WEE SANTA #10003 The four-leaf clover behind Santa insures good luck at Christmas time. He has an orange and a candy cane for everyone on his list. This “right jolly old elf’ can fit in the toe of the tiniest Christmas stocking. Even the smallest Charmer knows that he will be remembered by Wee Santa, and his best gifts are in the smallest packages!

WELCOME HOME #5292 (November. 1995) its been a long night. Mrs. Claus has been up all night, waiting Santas return. There were a few more batches of cookies to bake, some last minute gifts to wrap, and the elves to be tucked up into bed. Afterwards Mrs. Claus could then begin the sweet task of filling their stockings. Then she sat in her favorite chair by the fire, listening for the sound of sleigh bells in the distance. As dawn breaks over the North Pole, she knows that children all over the world are waking up to find their Christmas treasures. She smiles when she hears a familiar footstep on the porch. Santa’s home!

WELCOME HOME GTG #5585 Have you ever arrived home and then discovered that you had misplaced the key? Well, worry no more about that happening, for John Jeffrey has a skeleton key to make certain that you get in and are Welcome Home! The name “Katie” in the center of the key is in honor of John Jeffrey’s granddaughter, who has the key to his heart. My home town is Elizabethtown, North Carolina. The lucky coin on this statue shows the old courthouse, around which I used to roller skate. The coin celebrates the town’s Bicentennial (1773- 1973). When I visit Elizabethtown along the Cape Fear River, the folks always “Welcome me Home.” Please place “John Jeffrey” near your front door – either inside or outside – so that he, too, can Welcome You Home!

WE’RE HEAR FOR YOU #6300 Special Commission (July, 1992 ) In the forest, a little girl and a curious rabbit are learning how easy it is to “make” friends. Wanda is teaching the American Sign Language sign for “friend,” where the index fingers are hooked right over left and then quickly reversed. My “Friendly” Woodspirit can show you the second step, for it always takes two to be friends. The rabbit, sculpted by Timothy Wolfe, has large ears and acute hearing, but knows there are many ways to communicate. His coin from Zimbabwe depicts a rabbit, and Wanda’s Mexican coin has an ear of corn, with kernels of corn dotting the base. Her dress is decorated with small Q’s for Quota International, Inc., an organization of professional women dedicated to the ideals of unselfishness, sharing, understanding, friendship, and service. Quota was founded in 1919 by Wanda Frey Joiner, and one of its major programs is service to the hearing-impaired. Quota’s motto is “we share” and my little Wanda shares her time with others less fortunate. Like Wanda Frey Joiner, she listens with her heart.

WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEER #91 (May, 1983) West Virginia University has a Mountaineer as their mascot. Working from the official drawing of the figure, I made a three-dimensional statue. He is posed at the top of a mountain, surveying the terrain as the strong mountain wind blows his hair and the tassels on his leather shirt. The musket is a vintage one and is held in preparation for an adventure.

WHAT #5259 (June, 1994) What? He’s on second. Who is? No, Who’s on lost. What’s on second. What is yelling at the batter. Yelling what? I don’t know. No, he’s on third. To make a double play What throws the ball to first base and throws it to Who. Naturally! Along with Yogi, Cy and Slugger, these Woodspirits love to play baseball. I slipped a lucky penny under his jacket to honor this All-American sport. What’s on his head? No, he’s standing up straight! He wears his glove as his cap to protect him from “flies.” I don’t give a darn. Oh, that’s our shortstop.

WHEELER by Tom Clark #5351 (December, 1997) When a race car driver gets “tired,” he comes to Wheeler, who is ready to roll into action as the car turns into pit row. Working with his fellow pit crew members, Wheeler can change four tires in no time at all. Then, when the last nut is tightened, you’ll hear him holler, “Wheel ‘er out!”

WHEN PIGS FLY #9144 TIM WOLFE A long time ago somebody coined the phrase, “When pigs fly.” Basically, it is a funny way of saying, “It will never happen.” For example, when is your brother-in-law going to pay back that money he owes you? When pigs fly! Or, say someone told you that there would one day be female referees in the NBA. You could have said, “Yeah, right! When pigs fly!” Well, guess what? The day of celestial inkers has arrived, and it with great honor that I give you the proverbial pig with wings. This would probably be a good time to look up your brother-in-law.

WHIZ #5365   AccCBz #3314 (March, 1998) Whiz is a whiz at using the wrench to tighten the lug nuts on the wheels. You’ll know he’s doing his job when you hear the wrench say his name: “Whizzz!”

WHO #5251 (March, 1994) He’s on first. Who’s playing baseball with Yogi, Cy and Slugger. What are you asking me for? Slugger has just hit the ball over Who’s head. Now he’s watching to see if it will be a home run. If not, throw the ball to first base. To Who? Naturally. There’s a smile on his face (Who’s face!) because he can’t help but admire a great hit. His coin is a game token that, like his salary, is not negotiable. You the manager? Look for some more new players. What’s next? I don’t know.

WHO ME? #5372 (March, 1998) Yes, you! The Genie is looking at the Gnome who has just brushed against the magic lamp and is telling him that he has three wishes. “Who, me?” How nice to get wish fulfillment when you’re not expecting it. The Gnome still shouldn’t expect too much, for the Genie’s lamp looks a little rusty!Maybe he should trust more in his lucky coin (Greek – with an owl saying “Who!”). Better yet, he should rely on his own hard work and accept what circumstances Providence provides!

WHO’S NICE? #8056  Put this elf in your home As a gentle reminder, For everyone to be Just a little bit kinder. It’s a reward in itself But always remember, Santa pays off On the 24th of December.

 WHY #5312 (October, 1996) Why is this Why? I Don’t Know. No, that’s our third baseman. Who? No, Who’s on first. What? No, What’s on second. Why, this must be our left fielder! He’s the newest member of the Cairn baseball team, and he took shape on my sculpting stand during the month of October, when sports fans the world over are eagerly awaiting the World Series. Why was looking for fly balls, but then this grounder just rolled into his mitt. His coin is from the New York City subway (an under-grounder!) and shows a large Y. Slugger is up next, but he never hits the ball to Why. He doesn’t know Why.

WILBUR #1006 (January, 1983) Since Orville Wright was the pilot of the first airplane flight, this fellow has to be Wilbur, the brother who watched the flight. Wilbur, the Gnome, is holding his own paper plane while leaning back looking at Orville’s plane already in flight. On the base of the statue is a buckeye, the symbol for his home state of Ohio. The beetle is a natural means of flight. The sea shells, in honor of Kitty Hawk, N.C., are in the form of a dragonfly. The spiral sea shell copies the design which Leonardo da Vinci drew for a flying machine. The lucky Indian head penny is dated 1903, the year of the Wright Brothers’ great feat.

WILD ABOUT YOU #9183 It is not often that this pair of red foxes can enjoy some peace and quiet, for their schedule is a busy one! While one is taking care of the pups, the other is out raiding hen houses, eluding dogs and outwiting trappers. For these parents, few things are better than the times they can spend together – alone! So, when the little ones are sound asleep, mom and dad slip off to a quiet place. Finally, they can wind down, relax, and maybe reaffirm their feelings for each other. In a gesture of affection, she gently nudges him under the chin with her nose. He responds by pressing closer to her … Wait! . . . Darn, one of the pups is already up ..

WILKES #5002 (Country Folks Series) (August, 1987) Wilkes is a hard-working mountaineer whose ancestors settled in Wilkes County, North Carolina. It’s a dawn to dusk job, farming rocky soil, but of an evening his fingers can relax on the strings of his faithful guitar. Because he’s so good at playing “Down Yonder” (his favorite song) Wilkes is most likely to be seen accompanying the square dancers at the Grange Hall every Saturday night. His music makes even the ole-timers feel young. Leah, Rachel, Jacob and Whit are sure to be on the dance floor, while Aunt Molly will be tapping her foot as she watches the dancers do-si-do.

WILL #2010 (Special Commission) (August, 1985) This little fellow is an anniversary piece to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Will’s Book Store in Greensboro, North Carolina. The two pennies show the dates of the 80 years (1905 and 1985) of the store’s being in operation. Will is an avid reader, taking breaks only to refill his cup of hot chocolate. He isn’t the only one interested in books, though; there is a bookworm behind him!

WILLIE #8006  He’ll carry your clubs And give you no lip, But your bag’s in the pond If you give him no tip.

WILLIE AND SON #1078 (December, 1984) The legend of William Tell and his brave little boy inspired this Woodspirit duo. The story took place near Lake Lucerne. For that reason their lucky coin is from Switzerland. The bright smiles worn by the father and son are probably due to the use of such a large apple. Who could miss hitting that, even with an arrowhead such as you see on the base!

WILLIS #2002 (Special Commission) (December, 1983) The Willis Music Company of Cincinnati, Ohio commissioned this one-man-band. He appears to be playing an air by Mozart (as published in Teaching Little Fingers To Play). He is strumming a stringed instrument. Awaiting use are two drums, the cymbals, a trumpet and a French horn. In a pinch, he might even use the harp as seen on the Irish coin.

WILMA #9010 TIM WOLFE Don’t let Wilma’s friendly face fool you. Pound for pound, the little weasel is one of nature’s most efficient predators and by the time she reaches adulthood, Wilma will have become a lean, mean, hunting machine. She has already inherited some of her mother’s prowess; with lightning fast movements she pops up one hole and down another, preoccupied with the never-ending search for food. Food is, in her case, just about anything that moves. Although she would prefer something a bit more on the meatier side, Wilma’s not about to turn her whiskers up at a fat, juicy beetle. Speaking of which, the one behind her is about to realize lust how quick weasels can be.

WIN #1154 (June, 1986) JC PENNY COLLECTION…..This little fellow will help you win at golf! There are sea shells on the base, indicating that he likes to play at a beachside resort. In fact, he has “resorted” to winter rules, so that he can take your ball out of the rough and place it in the fairway. His coin recognizes the golfer’s skill, as I want to recognize the photographic skill of my friend, Wyn Bradfield, for whom this piece is named.

WINGNUT #? (Green Thumb)The best plant enthusiasts are those crazy about the birds that visit the garden looking for seeds and treats. Wingnut is paying special attention to plants that will provide seeds for his fine-feathered friends. Around Wingnut you will find an abundance of plants like nandinas and dogwoods because their bright berries attract lots of birds. The little blue bird being fed by Wingnut is enjoying sunflower seeds and other treats. The lucky coin is from Brazil and depicts two exotic birds on a limb. To Wingnut, all birds are exotically beautiful, be they parrots or swifts. On the base there’s a hollowed out pecan nut, indicating that there’s a hungry squirrel hanging around. But that won’t prevent Wingnut from putting out more birdseed. After all, if he doesn’t feed them, it may be “Bye, Bye, Birdie.”

WINK #24 (October, 1980) Wink is a Gnome, dressed in a blue coat and a red hat. Wink only takes his hat off when he sleeps, and this time he has placed it behind the handle of the Swedish candlestick. He was probably lulled to sleep by music from the harp on the Irish coin.

WINK TOO #88 (May, 1983) When the first Wink retired, a new Wink came along, as indicated by the word “new” that can be seen on the English pence. He is a Woodspirit who was so tired, he couldn’t burn his candle at both ends.

WINKIN, BLINKIN AND NOD #1071 (November, 1984) “Winkin, Blinkin and Nod one night, Sailed off in a wooden shoe . ..” These three buddies are recreating the poem by Eugene Field. It is the beautiful dream of a child in his bed, or perhaps it is the dream of Nod himself as he snoozes on the bow of the shoe. Winkin seems to know that it is all make-believe, as he winks at us from the stern. Blinkin is the captain of this wee Dutch liner. The coin depicts a sea bird.

WINKLE #5438 (2000) Much akin to one of the famous Winkles from upstate New York (Rip), this somnolent gnome is busy counting sheep. His herd is made up of a special breed from Somalia, as you can see from his lucky coin. If he is a somniloquist he will doubtless talk in his sleep about all of the sheep passing by. If he is somnambulic, he will probably join their ranks as they walk by. And if he is somnial, he will perhaps dream of the Roman god of sleep, Somnus. Excuse me while I bed down under a leaf blan-ket; this description of Winkle has begun to make me sleepy!

WINSTON CHURCHILL #6002 (Great People in History) (January, 1991) It is May 13, 1940, the date of Winston Churchill’s first speech to the British Parliament as Prime Minister. With his usual bow tie and belligerent, “bulldog” look, Churchill proclaimed, “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.” Under his leadership and inspiration, the British people persevered in their “ordeal of the most grievous kind.” I’ve included his entire speech and Churchill’s signature, as well as his traditional vest and watch fob. My statue is based on the well-known photograph by Karsh of Ottawa. The photographer had snatched the cigar away from Churchill, who responded with this fierce, penetrating stare. I’ve returned the cigar to this great statesman, who was knighted in 1953, but refused both a dukedom and an earldom. The 1965 commemorative coin honors Churchill’s dedication and service to the British people. The other coins reflect the monarchs under whom he served: Queen Victoria, King Edward VII, King George V, King Edward VIII, King George VI, and Queen Elizabeth II. Winston Churchill was also an eloquent writer, and in 1953 won the Nobel Prize for literature. His most famous works are the four-volume “A History of the English-Speaking Peoples” and the six-volume “The Second World War.” his memoirs of World War II. His name remains synonymous with the uncompromising fight for freedom: “You ask, What is our aim? I can answer in one word – Victory…..Come, then, let us go forward together with our united strength.”

WISCONSIN #2063 On Wisconsin, On Wisconsin” is a fight song used by football hands all over the country. This song is also the focus of this artwork and is aptly represented by the “Wisconsin sleigh” being pulled onward and upward. A gnome dressed as a Green Bay Packer is in front wearing a Jersey with number “I” on it. He’s a winner! The sleigh is filled with some of the more renowned products of the state: cheese, milk and bottled drinks. A small gnome is in charge of the contents and cheering on the “Packer.” The prize trophy on the side is the state fish, the Muskie. All around the base are logs, symbolizing the tree and paper industries. There’s a state map on the side of the sleigh and two state coins celebrating Wisconsin’s 150th anniversary of statehood. The license plate is “Go Badgers.* One thing missing is state son, Harry Houdini. He apparently took the Bratwurst and disappeared!

WISE AND WONDERFUL #6321 (Special Commission) (May, 1995) This statue takes its name from the beloved hymn written by Cecil Frances Alexander in 1848: “All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful: The Lord God made them all? The professor is a wise old owl of a fellow. The student is not particularly young, but he has a youthful enthusiasm for the world of knowledge and the wonder of new ideas. What is the professor’s most important lesson? It is that there is a teacher in each of us, and that the path of learning is truly an open book for all who choose it. In honor of Davidson College Dr. Clark’s alma mater), the book displays the college motto, which translates as *Let learning be cherished where liberty has arisen. The coin pictures Davidson’s most illustrious alumnus, President Woodrow Wilson, whose nick-name was “The Professor? Tom Clark (a former professor) has played a trick on this student by adding some whimsical entries to the definition of “night owl.” I think the Woodspirit will have the last laugh – he has owl prints on the soles of his boots, and he’s holding a diploma, the reward for being a night owl! A Kindred Spirits artwork by Tom Clark and Tim Wolfe, “Wise and Wonderful” is a companion statue to “Bright and Beautiful and “Great and Small” “Together these three Kindred Spirits artworks celebrate the hymn’s last line: “How great is God Almighty, Who has made all things well?

WISECRACKER #10006 He joins “Thats Corny and “Heres Looking at You” in making some monkey business. Although he “speaks no evil,” hike all Charmers he loves jokes and puns. Wisecracker knows that it’s wise to crack jokes to keep conversations friendly – laughter really is the best medicine. To celebrate Wisecracker’s gift for making others laugh, I rewarded him with a little cracker. Wasn’t that wise!

WISHBONE #5334 Version I (May, 1997) ……Wishbone hopes that all your wishes come true. He found a lucky wishbone, and holds an 1863 penny.  His wishing well is filled with lucky pennies – a Canadian penny, a 1903 Indian head penny, a USA “wheat penny,” and a Bahamian cent that has a star – so you can wish upon a star.  Jiminy Cricket, that’s a lot of wishes! Gnome and Woodspirits know that wishing works best when you’re thinking of others, so his first wish is for the right amount of rainfall for Bumper’s strawberries. His second wish is for a smooth train ride for Hoagie, and his third wish is for an A+ for studious Alec. His fourth wish (there’s no limit) is for beautiful weather for the Cairn baseball game.

When you wish upon a well, Here’s a secret I can tell, When you wish for someone else, That’s friendship true.

WISHBONE #5334 Version II (May, 1997) …….Wishbone is whispering wishes into the wishing well. He has found a lucky wishbone, and his wishing well is full of lucky pennies – a Canadian penny, a 1903 Indian head penny, a USA wheat penny, and a Bahamian coin that shows a star – – so that you can also wish upon a star. Jiminy Cricket, that’s a lot of good wishes! Gnomes and Woodspirits know that wishes work best when they are for someone else, so his first wish is that Shelby will discover a new shell. His second wish is that Hoagie finds a slice of apple pie in his lunch box, and his third wish is that Alec gets an A+ on the final exam. His fourth wish (there’s no limit) is for beautiful weather for the Cairn baseball game. Wishbone hopes that all of your wishes for your special friends come true.

WITH LOVE #5398  Why would a little Woodspirit be writing a letter to his Family? Has he been out of touch for a long time? No, he visits them as often as he can. Does he want to ask for something? No, his needs are few and he shares the harvest with his fellow gnomes. Does he need to tell them about some momentous event? No, the birds broadcast breaking news all day long. Probably he is simply missing and thinking about all of them, and that’s why he’s writing. As the poet once said, “The heart has its reasons the mind knows not of.” Usually gnomes wrap their letters in leaf envelopes and send them by airmail when the wind is just right. But Dave (this letterman) plans to send this letter by swift surface mail and use the Olympic stamp which is on the base. Whether he sends it with the stamp or sends it with the wind, it is still sent With Love.

WIZARD #110 (June, 1979) The Wizard has moons and stars on his coat because he teaches a course in astrology to the children. The toad is his pet, and the legend is that he turned a lazy student into the frog. Naturally this story keeps the children awake when he is teaching them. The Rumanian coin is in honor of Count Dracula!

WOODS #5554 Dear Lord of all Nature, For the beauty of the earth and for the fruit of the field I give thee thanks. Although I am but a Green Thumb Gnome, I see thy wondrous works in close proximity. The veins of leaves are beautiful and the symmetry of the acorns is marvelous to behold. Accept my gratitude for the fruits that delight as well as nourish us.. for the trees that give shade and timber.. for the flowers that charm us and refresh the creatures that inhabit them. Grant, O Lord, that I may be a good steward of the section of earth allotted to me. Keep me mindful of the ill effects of weeds and the nourishment needs of the plants that depend upon me. I remember the adage, “he who plants a seed beneath the sod.. and waits to see.. believes in God.” I do believe and praise thee for the beauty of the earth.

WOODSPIRITS: A book by Ellen Fort Grissett #949 Illustrated by Pamela Rattray Brown An introduction to the fantasy of “Woodspirits” by Ellen F. Grissett.  It all began when Tom, grieving over the loss of his companion of many years, a dog named Shady, was comforted by a small creature known as a Woodspirit. .. As the days passed, Tom’s grief began to ease and he found himself full of curiosity concerning the little creature he had met – he thought – in the woods. Where did Hyke live? How was a Woodspirit different from an elf or a gnome? And why had he chosen to appear to Tom? Now, whenever Tom walked along the lanes around his home, he was alert, watching for Hyke to pop up

WOODY #5395 A back-seat driver wants to tell you what to do, and little Wood, dressed in “golf green”, is no exception. He’s seated on the back of the “driver” and already he’s giving instructions. Keep your head down, eyes on the ball, watch your shoulders, now relax, wing easy, follow through . . ” If you do make a peat shot he won’t instruct you again. (As the coin says, “This Is good far one play only!*) But if you have to take a Mulligan you will find him right there on the back of your driver. If you hit the ball in the woods, just tell him it’s a Diamond in the Rough “The face on the club is, of course, the head of the driver. He’ll tell Woody where to get off!

WOODY AND CHANE #1015 (December, 1983) These two lumbermen have just completed the task of cutting a knot from an oak tree. They can get a lot of fuel from this wood. Chane called on a Canadian beaver to help him cut his share of the knot, while Woody used the double-edged axe seen on the French coin to his side. They are currently betting on the outcome of the encounter between the frog and the Japanese beetle in the middle of the knot. I hope the frog wins!

WORLD WAR II SOLDIER #328 (True Builders of America) (May, 1984) If you look at this man closely, you will note that he is not a professional soldier, because at his age he would have achieved a higher rank than Lieutenant. He is, in fact, someone who enlisted to fight for his country and put aside his job as postman or druggist or policeman. For the duration, however, he is only a soldier. A battle has just taken place and the terrain is strewn with splintered trees. Still, there is no time to rest, and he is searching the horizon for any new developments.

XEROX #50 (Special Commission) (August, 1979) The Xerox Corporation commissioned a Gnome as a favor to be given to a special seminar group. As they were a wise and fortunate group, I did the first version of “Lucky” for them. The uniqueness of this statue was the placement of a leaf on which was written “VA/VE.”

Y2K #6359 These two friends are celebrating the year 2000 – or, as it is more commonly called, Y2K. We have all heard the predictions and forecasts surrounding this historic event, most of which center on the meltdown of the nation’s computer systems. Gates, the gnome and his computer mouse, Dot, are excited because the so-called “millennium Bug” turned out to be nothing more than an ancient Egyptian good luck scarab shaped like a beetle. When the big ball dropped and Y2K did finally arrive, the computer worked! No bug … no glitch no problem. We succeeded!

YANCEY #5414 “Yancey, will you carve me another serving bowl?” “But, Thelma, I’m already in the middle of carving a duck decoy!” “The decoy can wait, Dear, because duck season is months away. I need that bowl for Sunday dinner when the family comes!” So, Yancey is putting first things first and responding to his wife’s request. Country dinners, especially on Sunday after church, are always large affairs, and there will always be a need for an extra bowl for those green beans. Later, when Yancey has shot some ducks for a family meal, he’ll be delighted to carve a special tray just for the birds. Yancey is named for a county in the mountains of North Carolina. His parents were proud of living in such a wonderful place, just as they were proud of their son, the carver.

YARN #5188 (April, 1992) This wonderful storyteller sits on a ball of yarn as he spins yarns for friends and family. He may buttonhole you as he weaves yet another tale, but he always tailors his stories to suit each listener. His coin is Swedish and has a “S” on it. His wife Pearl claims that for every yarn he’s told, he knows five more. Yarn tells ghost stories to his grandchildren Bobbin and Mendy, keeping them on pins and needles until the very end. Then he always ends his tales with a joke, which leaves them in stitches.

YEAR OF THE BULL #9131 TIM WOLFE This is the second statue I’ve done in a series of Asian Zodiac animals. Chi Chi was the first and was released in Japan in 1996, as this was the Year of the Mouse. 1997 finds us celebrating with the new animal of the year, the Bull. In ancient China, the bull was considered a sacred animal, and throughout history it has been a symbol of strength and courage (even in the New York Stock Market!). May the Bull bring prosperity, happiness and peace to you and your family. Asian Zodiac Animals: 1997 Bull; 1998 Tiger; 1999 Rabbit; 2000 Dragon; 2001 Snake; 2002 Horse; 2003 Sheep; 2004 Monkey; 2005 Rooster; 2006 Dog; 2007 Boar; 2008 Mouse

YELLOW LAB #9177 (July, 2000)

YOGI #5148 (April, 1991) Winter or summer, these three Woodspirits play baseball every day. Yogi, who has a bear behind him, is using his mitt as a chest protector. Like all good catchers, he wears his hat backwards. Rye seeds are scattered on the base, so he must he a catcher in the rye. His beard rests on his glove, because things get hairy for a catcher. Even so, his coin says “Fun For All.” Standing at the plate is Slugger, holding his bat, waiting for the perfect pitch. His Irish coin has a hare on it, for he’ll have to run like one when he circles the bases. On the pitcher’s mound is Cy, named for Cy Young (1867-1955), the number one pitcher of all time. You could say he was mighty Young when he pitched. Cy’s coin is a game token, for all pitchers want to be credited with the game. Whether they make it to the play-offs or not, these Woodspirits know there is no better way to “Pastime.”

YOU’RE #1 #9163 TIM WOLFE This affectionate little Koala is giving someone a great big hug. “You’re my number one!” he is saying. To hear those simple words makes anybody’s day. Perhaps you know of someone who tops the list for being number one in your book . .. If so, tell them, give ’em a great big hug, and You’re #1. Who knows? You might be their number one too! *Artist’s note: The candle I used on this statue came from my son’s first birthday cake.

YOU’RE PURR-FECT #12007 If you’re lucky, you have a best friend. Side by side you face life together – cheering at the joys and weathering the sorrows. You think she’s wonderful, and she thinks you’re terrific. Life is not always a saucer of milk, but it’s certainly less hairy when someone thinks you’re purr-fect.

YULE #1048 (June, 1984) Yule is a Christmas Elf pretending to be a doll in a stocking. He has large, pointed ears to help him hear the footsteps of children. Even if he does not hide from them quickly enough, their attention will probably be focused on the many toys around the sock. Ridgeview Mills contributed their smallest sock to Yule.

ZERMATT #1156 (July, 1986) Zermatt is named for the village in Switzerland where the Matterhorn ascends. Since that mountain is on the border of Switzerland and Italy, Zermatt has a coin from both countries. This Swiss Woodspirit is in Tyrolean dress with the traditional lederhosen, just like his friends Hops and Fest. While walking through the forest he found a Swiss pipe, complete with a cover to prevent ashes from blowing into the woods. Not as knowledgeable as his pal Smoky, Zermatt does not know that it is a pipe. He has always wanted to play a musical instrument, so he thinks this must be a “Matter Horn.” In his hand is an alpine cowbell, because Zermatt will smile at you until the cows come home.

ZIPPO #9185 The year 2000 celebrates the year of the dragon. According to ancient Chinese leg-end, those born in the year of the dragon (1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000) are eccentric and lead complex lives. They also have a very passionate nature and abundant health. At first sight, Zippo would appear to be your typical fire-belching, damsel-devouring, bat-winged nightmare. Actually, he’s a pretty nice guy once you get to know him. For those who truly believe in dragons Zippo can bring good luck which is some thing we all might need as we enter the next millennium! You will notice that Zippo is holding a wooden match stick which is also his magic wand. With it, Zippo is able to find the “Perfect Match’ for a single person who is looking for a mate. Let Zippo light fire in your life today! May the dragon bring prosperity, happiness, and peace to you a your family.