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owntown Oriental has a new artist. In the last week of April, Roger Cordes began with a hug block of wood (and a chainsaw).

A bear begins – Roger and his unfinished carving.

Roger said the stump (pre-carving) weighed around 400 pounds before his first cut.

Several months later, the finished project stands beneath a tree outside the Cordes’ home and place of business, Oriental Dental.

Stained and sealed against the weather, the finished product looks out onto Hodges Street.

Roger has fielded a few commission requests, but isn’t ready to sell his work. But he is ready for a new challenge. And one bear wasn’t enough. Roger is at work on his second bear carving. This one will be bigger – the stump weighs in around 600 pounds.

The finished full view.

Posted Friday July 17, 2020 by Allison DeWeese