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FOCUS - JUNE 2015 27 It all started out as a relaxing pastime whittling wood by the campfire. Now Alan Brownriggs skill has evolved into crafting intricately carved wooden canoe paddles and one is up for grabs at this years Canoe the Nonquon event which is a major fundraiser for Scugog Shores Museum. An avid canoeist Alan had the idea and then he offered to carve and donate a custom made paddle featuring the Canoe the Nonquon logo for the big race 47th annual race slated for June 6. I just wanted to help the community says Alan who moved to Port Perry from Oshawa three years ago because We really liked the area. Amy Barron Interim Curator of Scugog Shores Museum expressed gratitude and enthusiasm about this one-of-a-kind donation. Mr. Brownriggs fantastic paddle will be used as a silent auction prize and we know that many people are already keen to bid on it she said. We were thrilled when he contacted us and made the generous offer. We hope his inspired silent auction donation will encourage local businesses to all consider canoe or kayak related prize items for this worthy cause. The local backyard shop is where the magic happens. It is filled with tools finished products and works in progress. Theres a selection of uniquely shaped wooden vases some graced with green moss still growing on them. There are beautifully crafted cheese boards and bowls. There are rows of paddles with ornate carvings of maple leaves ying geese rocks and river scenes gleaming with marine wood varnish and deserving to be described as fine art. Alan started out carving spoons and there are many shapes and sizes to admire including one out of rare zebrawood. It was 15 years ago that Alan carved his first paddle. He bought one from a craftsman in Huntsville and then he decided to try his hand at making one himself. Alan doesnt actively try to market his wooden treasures but he does do commissions and he gives many as gifts. One of the custom jobs he did was carving a police badge on a canoe paddle. Sometimes people want their names carved on their paddles. It takes about three to four hours to handcraft a paddle out of a plank of wood Alan says and six hours or more for the carving. It took longer for him to bring the detailed image of the Canoe the Nonquon logo to life. He enjoys working on his projects on and off. Cherrywood is one of this self-taught artists favourite mediums. He also makes use of everything from split cedar rails to driftwood for the smaller items. His distinctive ying goose logo adorns each of his creations. After Alan met his wife Helen who was a canoeing enthusiast he got into the paddle of things himself. The parents of four boys the youngest being 15 the Brownrigg family have enjoyed camping and canoeing for years everywhere from the Nonquon River to Algonquin Park to Maine. Alan who works for the railroad says that his hobby may evolve more into a business when he retires. Last year he erected the Scugog Paddles sign at his local home and the odd curious person pops in. No doubt they are amazed and impressed with what they see. By Lynn Campbell Focus on Scugog Wood carver donates paddle to Nonquon Alan Brownrigg is a wood carver hobbiest and was still working on the paddle he is carving for Canoe the Nonquon when the Focus photographer arrived. Alan offered to donate the paddle with Canoe the Nonquon 2015 carved into the blade as an item for the silent auction. PhotobyJ.PeterhViDSten REGISTRATION AT THE LATCHAM CENTRE Friday June 5 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Saturday June 6 7 a.m. - 10 a.m. First boats in water at 8 a.m. Contact 905-985-8698 x 103 or museumscugog.ca