(From left) White’s shop produces an eagle called “The Gunsmith” with a clear finish, but the guilded eagle at right with a patriotic paint job has always been a top seller.

White still has lots of apprentices coming through, which shows him there is an interest in the trade. But their work ethic is not always up to his standards.

“I’m having trouble getting help,” White said. “The younger people of today have a different outlook and a different attitude. They’re used to instant gratification. There are a lot of people who come to work here and after a while they say it takes too long to make anything.

“I think you could start this business

anywhere in the country and be very, very successful. But I think the hardest thing to do is if you get to the point where you need help is to find help.”

This summer White finished an eagle for California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger — a gift from his wife Maria Shriver, who is from the Cape. White keeps talk on that commission to a minimum, knowing he’d still be successful without having done it. Other significant jobs include a replica of the 11' carved figurehead of the 1892 Bat-

tleship Olympia, which is on display at the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia. The figurehead will eventually adorn the restored Olympia.

A recently proposed commission is for two ospreys — posed with an 18' wing span — that would sit on top of a 22-story building in Newport, R.I.

“We take jobs just because they’re a challenge, but we’re never sure how we’re going to do all of them,” said White.

White truly wants to retire, but jobs keep coming. He’s talking with his fam-

ily about grooming his stepson to take over the custom carving business.

“I think that would be better because I think it will be easier for me to hand it over to somebody than just to close the door on that part of it. But if I’m sitting here doing an eagle and somebody comes in and says, ‘Would you do this sign?’ it’s going to be hard to say no.”

Contact: Paul J. White Woodcarving, 295 Route 6A, East Sandwich, MA 02537. Tel: 508-888-1394. www.paul whitewoodcarving.com n

Downes & Reader Hardwood Co. Inc.^®

60 Evans Drive, Stoughton, MA 02072

Phone: 1-800-788-5568 FAX: 1-781-344-7110

Business hours: Mon.-Fri. 7:00-5:00, Sat. 7:00-12:00

“Over 3,000,000 Board Feet in Stock”

VISA – MC – DISCOVER – AMEX downesandreader.com

Hardwood in Stock K.D.

4/4 - 12/4 Ash
4/4 - 16/4 Basswood
4/4 - 8/4 Beech
4/4 - 8/4 Birch
4/4 - 8/4 Red Birch
4/4 - 16/4 Cherry
4/4 Cypress
4/4 Red Gum
4/4 Hickory
4/4 Qtr. H. Maple
4/4 - 16/4 Hard Maple
4/4 - 16/4 Soft Maple
4/4 - 5/4 Rift W. Oak
4/4 - 8/4 Qtr. W. Oak
4/4 - 12/4 White Oak
4/4 Qtr. Red Oak
4/4 - 12/4 Red Oak
4/4 - 16/4 Poplar
4/4 - 12/4 Walnut

1100”"&& WWidideerrininSStotocckkKK.D.D. . 4/4 Ash

4/4 Birch

4/4 - 8/4 Cherry

4/4 Hard Maple

4/4 - 5/4 Poplar

4/4 - 5/4 Red Oak

4/4 - 5/4 White Oak

4/4 Walnut

4/4 Soft Maple

Mahogany in Stock K.D.

4/4 - 12/4 Pattern S. American

4/4 - 16/4 Sel & Btr. S. American

4/4 - 8/4 #1Com. S. American

4/4 - 12/4 FAS Africa

Softwoods in Stock K.D.

4/4 - 12/4 F.G. Knotty E. Pine 4/4 - 12/4 C Select E. Pine 4/4 Select White Cedar 4/4 Aromatic Cedar 4/4 & 8/4 S. Yellow Pine 1x6 - 12 S4S D. Select Pine S4S Redwood

S4S Douglas Fir

4/4, 5/4, 8/4 S.Y. Pine C. Select 5/4 x 12 S.Y. Pine #2

Com Stepping
5/4 x 10 S.Y. #2 Common
S4S

5/4 x 12 S.Y. Pine D &

Btr. Stepping

5/4 x 10 S.Y. Pine D &

Btr. S4S

Milling S2S, RIP One Edge or S4S

Exotics in Stock K.D. 4/4 & 8/4 Bubinga 4/4 & 8/4 Ebony 4/4 & 8/4 Jatoba 4/4 & 8/4 Lacewood 4/4 & 8/4 Zebrawood 4/4 & 8/4 Purpleheart 4/4 - 12/4 Teak 4/4 Peruvian Walnut 4/4 & 8/4 Yellowheart 4/4 & 8/4 Padouk 4/4 Rosewood 4/4 - 12/4 Spanish Cedar 4/4 & 8/4 Wenge 4/4 & 8/4 Anigre 4/4 & 8/4 European Beech 4/4 Imbuia 4/4 & 5/4 Marupa 4/4 & 5/4 Santos Mahogany 4/4 - 8/4 Virola/Banak 4/4 Macawood

Ash Maple White Oak

Plywoods in Stock

Birch Russian Birch Cherry

Luan Mohogany Masonite Fir

Walnut Yellow Pine Marine Fir

Marine Teak & Holly

White Melamine ^Homasote M.D.F. Marine Mahogany Particle Board ^{Marine Teak}

Ultra-lite M.D.F.

Knotty Pine Red Oak Hickory