A rockin' idea

Amy Woolvett

THE COAST GUARD

NovaNewsNow.com

Master dory maker, Curtis Mahaney, has built and donated to the Loyalist Landing 2008 Society an item to be raffled that is sure to knock you off your rocker.

Using his honed abilities, Mahaney has built a rocking dory that is both handcrafted and original.

“It’s made exactly the same way as the bigger version,” said Mahaney except this one is child-size and complete with a little seat, a handlebar to hold onto, and rocks back and forth on two runners.

Suzanne Mahaney a committee member for the 2008 celebrations feels the rocking dory is perfect for the mandate that the celebrations stand for; to promote Shelburne County, its people, talents, history and heritage.

“Dories are part of Shelburne’s and Nova Scotia’s maritime history and heritage,” said Suzanne, “they are as typical of Nova Scotia as our lighthouses.”

Tickets for the rocking dory will sell for $1 each and Suzanne hopes to have volunteers selling tickets at various locations throughout the county over the next two months.

The winner will be drawn on Saturday, Aug 11 at the Shelburne County Exhibition.

“We had a rocking dory when we did the Clyde River Saw mill society and sold $2,000 worth of tickets,” said Curtis adding, “I hope they do the same on this one.”

All money raised in ticket sales will go towards funding the celebrations for 2008.

Suzanne also hopes for the rocking dory to take to the road and accompany various families on road trips this summer where more tickets might be sold.

Already, the dory is booked to travel but will make it back home before the draw date.

Suzanne remarked on how people do not have to have small children to justify buying a ticket.

“The fact that the dory has such a history,” is enough explained Suzanne, “It could be used as decoration or conversation piece in the home, a giant flower pot and no doubt many other uses I haven’t thought of.”