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Community Corner

Carousel of Light passes safety inspection smoothly

The Carousel of Light took a giant step toward its 2013 public debut this week.

On Tuesday, July 9, structural engineer Mark Glynn arrived in Falmouth from North Tonawanda, N.Y., to inspect the carousel. The vintage mechanism passed a comprehensive safety review and has been certified for operation. According to Mr. Glynn, “This classic mechanism is a wonderful example of Americana, and the hand-carved horses are simply gorgeous. It is structurally in excellent condition.” The mechanical work was done primarily be Mike Fuss of Falmouth.

The first official ride was taken by carousel board of directors member and Falmouth selectman Pat Flynn, carousel creator Lance Shinkle, recently-elected selectman Rebecca Moffitt and her grandchildren, Marrisa Matthews, 7, her twin brother Charlie, and brother Will, 6, of Hingham. Pictured here is Marrisa Matthews, with Mrs. Flynn in the background.

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The next step is to secure a license from the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety to operate the carousel and then to find a temporary location to run it in Falmouth in August. Donations are being sought to continue the work and to replace the aging canopy above the carousel. Information is available at www.CarouselofLight.org.

 

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About Carousel of Light Inc.

 

The mission of Carousel of Light Inc. is to restore and preserve the one-of-a-kind Carousel of Light created by Falmouth artist Lance Shinkle; to find a temporary home to display and eventually run the carousel in Falmouth; to find and fund a permanent location for generations to come; and to raise money for Cape Cod non-profits.

Lance began the task of hand-carving each horse and chariot in 1988. His plan was to create a working carousel with a nautical theme, which would operate to raise money for non-profit organizations.

The horses are made from eastern white pine bought from Cataumet Sawmill of Falmouth. Lance devised the carving system to achieve animated forms and greater strength. The planks are laminated together to create a hollow block of wood in the rough shape of a horse. A chain saw is then used to carve the contour. Finally, the figure is detailed and finished with hand chisels and sandpaper and the horses are color-dyed and painted. Lance has created 32 horses, two wheelchair-accessible chariots and three ornamental sculptures. He has also painted 12 colorful scenery panels to decorate the carousel. The nautical-themed carousel includes sea horses, mermaids and fishing nets in the same windblown style used for the horses and chariots.

The Carousel of Light is one of the few hand-carved carousels in America. Most modern carousels have fiberglass horses made from pre-fabricated molds.

While working on the horses, Lance also searched for a carousel mechanism and calliope, which creates music. In 1993, he found a vintage 1947 Allan Hershell Model in Cincinnati, Ohio. With private loans from friends and supporters, he purchased the mechanism. The carousel was on display and operated first at the Barnstable County Fair in Falmouth. It also operated in Mashpee Commons and on Main Street, Hyannis.

To be with his ailing father, Lance moved to California in 2007 and brought the carousel with him to run it there. After his father died, Lance returned to his home in Falmouth in 2009.

In February of this year, Lance flew to California and arranged for the shipment of the carousel on two large trucks to his workshop in Falmouth. Lance has agreed to donate his masterpiece to the Carousel of Light Inc., a Massachusetts-registered non-profit (tax ID 04-322147). A 501(c)(3) federal non-profit application has been submitted and is expected to be approved in late-2013.

Fundraising projects are being developed to offset the costs involved in restoring and maintaining the carousel, and will be announced in August. Donations can be made payable to Carousel of Light Inc., 894 Main Street, Falmouth, MA 02540.

 

The president of the corporation is James C. Bowen, a long-time community leader and business owner on Main Street, Falmouth. Vice-President is Falmouth Selectman Mary Pat Flynn. Clerk/treasurer is Richard Sherman a certified financial planner well-known for his 39 years as co-director of the Falmouth Road Race.

 

Corporate directors are carousel creator Lance Shinkle; former Falmouth selectman and newspaper columnist Troy Clarkson; landscape designer Lissie Hoffert; school administrator Kay Johnson; Falmouth Chamber of Commerce vice-president Michael Kasparian; TD Bank vice-president Nick Kleimola; Lance Shinkle’s daughter, landscape designer Chelsea Maffei; DFM Insurance Agency owner Donald McCarthy; insurance executive Linda Sallop; Cisco Systems marketing manager Elizabeth Sherman; FalmouthVisitor.com founder and editor Stanton Terrell; retired teacher Denise Terry; and attorney Donald Terry.

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