LOOKING BACK
Photos: Southport Historical Society Archives. Above: Whittler’ Bench circa early 1900’s. Left: Whittler’s Bench circa 1930’s & 40’s.
WINNER
“You see, carving means when I start out I got some idea of what this object is supposed to look like when I get through. Whereas with whittling I just start cutting away pieces of wood ‘til I see something taking shape and then I work toward that.” The whittler may not call himself an artist, but most would disagree. It would be wonderful to go back in time and watch the whittlers pass the hours on the bench by the water. We most likely won’t see whittlers there today, but we can enjoy relaxing on the bench where
they did, watching the boats go by. Local Southport poet Dorothy Bell Kaufman captured the whittler’s spirit. “Get me a stick and a bright, brisk blade, And let me sit in the spread of the shade, Where the tales are told and the jokes are made. “Let me listen: I hear the beat Of a small town’s heart in the shady street. Beneath the boughs where the whittlers meet- While Clip, clop, the chips drop By the Whittlin’ Tree where the fishermen stop!”
SOUTHPORT MAGAZINE
2016
SOUTHPORT MAGAZINE
Southport Magazine 2016-2017 SOI Chamber Small Business of the Year Winner
www.SouthportMag.com / AUGUST 2017 / Southport Magazine 23