The Outstanding Carver of the Year recipients who are active with the club and currently in PebbleCreek (left to right): Jeannette McElroy, Al Collesano, Chris Pelikan, Gerald Findley, and Lyle Chrisman
Larry Matney
The Founders’ Award for Outstanding Carver of the Year was first established by Mel and Ruth Donaho in 2007. The criteria for this award states that all previous honorees shall serve as the committee to determine future qualified carvers, and it doesn’t necessarily require a recipient every year.
The previous recipients of this prestigious award are Monte Curtis, Al Collesano, Perry Jackson, Norm Lubahn, Paul Lumos, Gerald Findley, Jeannette McElroy, Mary Ellen Turnmire, Chris Pelikan, Joel Hawkins, and Tom Wick.
Qualifying requirements are:
* Member of the club for more than four years
* Established reputation as an excellent carver
* Submits carvings to outside judged shows
* Distinguished service to the club including leadership, officer, or instructor
* Cheerful willingness to assist fellow carvers
* Promotes the Carving Club within arts and crafts community
* Proven service to the PebbleCreek community
* Participates in volunteer activities outside PebbleCreek
This year’s recipient more than meets all these requirements.
We are extremely proud to announce Lyle Chrisman as this year’s Carver of the Year.
Lyle was originally from Seattle, Wash. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1966 and spent 22 years in civil engineering as a draftsman and construction inspector. Upon retiring, he and his wife moved back to Washington where he worked for the city of Edmonds Engineering Department as development reviewer, construction inspector, and civil designer for the next 17 years. After retiring from the city and moving to Oklahoma for a few years, he and his wife moved to PebbleCreek in 2013 as full-time residents.
Although Lyle had never carved before, he joined the Woodcarving Club in 2014 to see what it was all about. The club members were always there to assist and answer questions, which helped cement his decision to continue. In 2016, Lyle was selected as club Novice of the Year and served as vice president in 2018 and president in 2019. Besides wood carving, he also enjoys fly-fishing and golf.