posted
One day not long ago, Jed Phillips, owner of Concept Signs in Owen Sound, Ontario, received a phone call from the North Pole. A jolly voice on the other end of the line had a special request.
Like most communities, Owen Sound has an annual Santa Claus parade. It seems that after 30 years of service, Santa's ride in the parade was showing it's age. The local Kiwanis Club had come to the rescue with a new float, but it needed some paint. Not just any paint job would do, so the Man In Red called Jed and asked if his Letterhead pals could lend a hand.
A few phone calls were made and a band of Santa's Little Letterheads responded to the call. Who could resist with the threat of coal under our trees this Christmas? Armed with paint, brushes and other assorted tools, we all made tracks to the Whispering Pines Campground, located in Hepworth, Ontario, Canada.
What a beautiful spot to work! The Kiwanis own and operate this park, located just 6 miles east of Sauble Beach. We were invited to camp at no charge and, if that that wasn't cool enough in itself, they also provided all the food and drink a hard working Letterhead could handle. What better way to spend a weekend in August?
Jed, and his crew had the design ready and waiting. When Barb and I arrived early Friday morning, Doug Downey and Jed had the basic layout done. By noon, the paint was flying. Pete Payne of Canadian SignCrafters Supply, demonstrated his skill with a glaze and a graining tool. In just over an hour, he worked his way around the float and the result was nothing short of amazing. The plain red box was now a stable suitable for some very special reindeer.
Over the next few hours, windows and doors were added. Bob Darnell and I worked on the "Merry Christmas" script that occupied the rear of the float. We were both a little bit rusty with the brush, but after a couple letters, it all started coming back. Outside, Sandra Menary and her crew, were busy carving a large sign out of HDU that would grace the front of the float. The tunes were blasting, new and old lies were being shared and everyone was having a blast.
As promised, the Kiwanis showed up at noon with a fleet of subs and Friday night, they cooked us up a chicken dinner with all the fixins. Did I mention these guys can cook? The Kiwanis Club exists to do things for children in the community. They host special events throughout the year to raise the funds necessary to carry out their good works. If you have a Kiwanis Club in your area, I urge you to learn more about them.
We worked until midnight Friday. Outside there was a big campfire and guitar music filled the cool night air. One by one, we all retired to our tents to rest up for the following day.
The camp woke early Saturday to the smell of sausage and pancakes. After a healthy feed of both, it was back to work. The Kiwanis Club had a big corn roast planned for Saturday evening and we were all aware they were all coming to see our handiwork. A number of elves were added, along with outlines, shadows, convex effects and even goldleaf. By the time the corn was ready, most of the work was finished.
It was obvious by the admiring looks and comments from the Kiwanis that they were very pleased with our efforts. After a feed of corn and bigass sausage, they surprised us with these really neat plagues. One by one, we were all called up to receive our own award and a handshake while all the Kiwanis applauded. The recognition felt great!
I want to thank Jed, his wife Jane, and the Owen Sound Kiwanis for inviting us to take part in this wonderful weekend. It's always very special to get together with Letterheads and their families. This project was another example of special things we can do together to showcase our craft to the general public. I know our efforts were appreciated.
posted
And I didn't get to go? Ohhhh... all those pics... looks like fun! Maybe next time, huh? Are there any pics of the finished product? Looks great! Hope you all have fun! From Kooka
------------------ From Katie Wright (aka Kookaburra), 17 year old signie wannabe from Australia
"The world is my garden. A place where magic grows on trees"
Posts: 530 | From: Brisbane, Australia | Registered: Feb 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
Steve, In all the years I can not remember a post where you said Look at what I made on this job,, Now I can afford" That NEW tire for my OLD van,,,, LOL LOL It's no wonder the Canadain economy is so phuck up"....
I can remember a "fight I had with my wife over putting down that I was A SIGN PAINTER on the censes cards sent home by the schools...
One of the questions was what doz your father do for a living....
Was little more then a day when the calls for FREE zzhit started to take over my bizz AND home fone......
It all came to a QUICK stop when I informed them that it was a mistake,, and I was REALLY an "undertaker" and I could get them a GOOD deal on a PLOT...
Free is good to read about,, and talk about but it ain't worth a dime... after all I am posting this FREE,,, and to you Steve I would suspect that ain't worth crap,,LOL
But all this coming from a person who Though FREE WILLY" was a Killer Whale giveaway PROMO""./. I am still waiting for my (FREE) WHALE"".....Twain,TBuk
posted
Steve, thanks for sharing an incredible story about how we can unknowingly step into those moments of history that we'll never forget. It's so awsome to see kids smile and know that our lives made a difference. The money goes fast, the smile memories warm a heart for years!
------------------ The SignShop Mendocino, California "Where the Redwoods meet the Surf"
Posts: 6805 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
That looks like a blast Steve, I wish I lived closer to you guys. I met Jed, Pete and Doug in Mazeppa, and would love to get together again someday. Looks like a wonderful way to learn some handpainting skills.
Thanks for sharing.
Sue
------------------ "It is never too late to be what you might have been." -George Eliot
Suelynn Sedor Sedor Signs Carnduff, Sk Canada
Posts: 2863 | From: Carnduff, SK Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
What a great time that was. I will send some more pictures to Steve when I have some time. Thanks to Jed and Jane for putting the whole thing together. I kind of suspect I did more damage to it than good, but such a warm bunch of people denied that fact, and made me feel really welcome.
My painting did improve marginally when I was reminded that I should breathe. heh heh
I loved every minute of it anyway.
------------------ Bob Darnell London, Ontario, Canada
Printer-friendly view of this topic