Linda Martin, Coal Creek Canyon.  What do you get when you combine Saws & Slaws of Coal Creek Canyon with The Last Stand Tavern? Why, a very creative fundraiser for Canyon Cares, of course!

When Michael Madura told me months ago that he would happily teach a Chainsaw Carving Class if we could find ideal conditions, I got very excited. I’ve known Michael for 6 years and had no idea of this coveted talent! Then, when Tom and Annette Lambeth, owners of the Last Stand Tavern, mentioned that they wanted a whole clump of trees taken down for fire mitigation, I realized we just may have just hit paydirt! Saws & Slaws volunteered to take the trees down but leave the trunks as tall as we safely could. Michael agreed to teach the class, and Tom and Annette agreed to host the event on their property.

Not being new to the whole concept of fundraising for good causes, it wasn’t long before Tom & Annette suggested we raise money for a worthy organization. I instantly thought of Canyon Cares, which benefits people in need during hard times. Saws & Slaws works closely with Canyon Cares to provide 12 cords of free firewood to folks who can’t otherwise afford it during the winter months. Michael donated the class tuition, Dawn Williams, the president of Canyon Cares, sold decorative license plate covers to event onlookers, and Tom and Annette ran a drink special on Christmas Ale, donating much of the profits (plus chipping in themselves, of course!)

After all was said and done, we raised $424 for Canyon Cares. The carving students had so much fun, some of them didn’t want to stop at quitting time! It was a great day and an enjoyable spectator sport for the patrons of the Tavern. We all look forward to doing it again when the warmer weather hits.

(Originally published in the December 13, 2018, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)