AVALON — Woodcarver Tom Stewart of Massapequa, Long Island, N.Y. was the envy of his peers and many art lovers and others who attended the 29th annual Wings ‘n’ Water Festival that continues through Sun., Sept. 18.
At noon in Avalon Community Hall, 30th and beach Sat., Sept. 17, Stewart’s finely carved Buff Breasted Sand Piper was judged by a trio of carvers to be worthy of the top honor in the North American Shorebird Carving Competition. The reward for countless hours of tedious labor was the $5,000 purchase prize and having the piece placed on display at the Wetlands Institute, on Stone Harbor Boulevard.
Judges, Kathy Marchut, Al Dornisch and John Rokita spent a good deal of time scrutinizing details of the eight entries in the North American Shorebird category.
According Dotty Berner, who oversaw placement of awards on the winning entries, there were 49 carved entries, the work of 20 woodcarvers. Their work included likenesses of finned and feathered creatures.
Each of the entries looked as if it were about to catch its prey or take flight any second.
The Wings ‘n’ Water Festival is based at the Wetlands Institute, Stone Harbor Manor. The purchase of a ticket for the event allows free transit on a trolley that stops at all events throughout Stone Harbor and to Community Hall in Avalon.
The event is a celebration of the seashore life, its flora and fauna. There are displays of fine art, photography, pottery, crafts, clothing, food and more.
There are activities for youngsters at the Wetlands Institute. For information, call (609) 368-1211.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
