Page 72 - William D. Roach, Woodcarver

ISSUE : Issue 60

Published by Ronald Caplan on 1992/6/1

And then she'd have to ask, "Well, where did you get it?" And, "Who gave that to you?" or something. She had to have a little story. And then she'd never forget that little story that you told her. If you said, "Well, my uncle gave me that years ago, and I don't want it any more. And I thought you might appreciate it." Well, she'd keep that in her head like a computer. And every time somebody'd drop in. she knew every piece in there. There wasn't a piece--even when she was blind--she knew if something was missing. Like, I went in when she was blind, and I was talking to her about something I had carved. And she said, "Gerard Larade carved me one of them," she said, "years ago. And," she said, "it's got to be there in the corner. It may be behind the hats," She said, "It's got to be there." And sure enough, I looked, and it was there. And she was blind. She could remember where every piece was, you know. So nobody could go in there and take something without her know? ing that it was gone, (And as you say, it didn't have to be val? uable things, for her to keep them,) No, No, To her, every piece was very valuable. If she missed as much as a cork that was brought in to her, the value was sentimen? tal, it wasn't what the piece was, So that cork was a certain person that brought it over. And they brought it over on this certain year or certain date--she knew everything about it.,,. 'Experience a New Worid of Shopping" A collection of Maritime handcrafts, Canadian pine, woolens, folk art, country clothing, gifts and accessories. Major Credit Cards Accepted A Cape Breton Country Store OPEN DAILY (902) 295-2868 Chebucto Street Baddeck I was bom with a liking for (carving). But I needed somebody to put the spark there, you know.... It runs in the family, too. Because there were a lot of people that could draw, who could cai?ve--like in my Mum's family, I've got an uncle that's still living downtown-- he's got arthritis in his hands--but he still does the odd little carving. And then another uncle which lives in Petit Etang here--years ago, when I was maybe a year or two years old, I remember him making little dancing men--making them dance in the bottom of pans. They'd hit it--put music on--(he'd) hit it on the head and it would dance. So, I guess all those things connect in somewhere, with me wanting to do this, I went to Grade 6 in Cheticamp, I didn't do very well in school because the teacher had to be after me all the time to throw my drawings away, because I used to sit and draw while she was explaining something. But then, I moved away to Halifax at 14, I think it was. And I went to school there, and made Grade 7, And then from there, I came back home. And the jobs weren't too plentiful, so I went from Cheticamp here, I went to Ontario. And I was there for about 14 years, in Ontario. I guess I did any? thing I could--you know, any job, I worked in dry cleaners, I worked in general steel wares, I worked on construction--all dif? ferent jobs. Because I couldn't hold a job very well. You know, I'd be on a job about a year, and I'd get tired of it. And I didn't know then what I know now. But now it all explains itself. The arts was--all along the way, the arts bothered me. Like, they always pulled at me. That was my main liking--what I wanted to do in life. And anything else didn't click, I'd get onto some? thing, and then it didn't, didn't--! wasn't satisfied just working for some? body. I tried to get into cabinet- working, because I figured "That's with wood." But then my schooling was too low. And I couldn't even start to take a trade, So at one point while I was up there, I figured Welcome to Baddeck! A charming Victorian House ?? tLtvJIrlAr n MV/UuCI in the heart of BADDECK, where you will find gracious dining in an elegant setting. A tmly delightful Maritime Scottish Breakfast, Businessman's Lunch, and Daily Dinner Specials. Children's Orders as well. Open Every Day of the Weeit • Fully Licensed Dining Room Relax in the warmth of open fires, stroll at your leisure thru this historic house where courtesy and hospitality have been a tradition for over 100 years. A place to free the soul. Inquire About Our Weeltend Room Rates • CALL 295-9988 Yellow Cello Cafe y Bakery Pizza '/ 295-2303 ,/

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