Chain saw wood carver Dennis Roghair appeared at the 1992 York County Fair demonstrating his art. After watching him work, and talking with Bev and him about his talents and interests, I commissioned him to carve a sculpture for the library. The commission was to produce a piece that had a child, a book, and conveyed “read to me.” — Stan Schulz, Library Director
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Under the terms of his contract with the 1992 York County Fair, Mr. Roghair executed several “stock figures” including a rodeo clown, an ear of corn, and a fireman with a hose that can be seen at other York locations.
The library’s scrapbook about READ TO ME has a copy of the 1992 York News-Times article about Mr. Roghair’s carving, copies of his business card, polaroid photos of the carving in progress, a photocopy of a December 30, 1993 Wall Street Journal article about chain saw wood carvers that includes Mr. Roghair, and copies of other feature articles about his work. Dennis Roghair now (2005) works in his Hinckley, Minnesota studio, or executes commissions close to home. [July 2008]: READ TO ME is familiar to York’s young generation. As two-year olds, many of them have given the smiling little girl with pigtails a hug, or tried to borrow her book. She welcomes young people, and reminds adults to pay attention to the little ones. She may be found wearing a holiday hat or other seasonal ornament. Although one corner of her book’s cover chipped off and got lost in a tumble with a toddler, and her green wood body cracked a bit as it cured, her message endures. “READ TO ME” is an active component of the library’s services to children, and hopefully will remain so for many years to come. |
