Everyone in the Fargo-Moorhead area probably is glad the snow is gone, with one possible exception: Pete Trelstad. Because with the loss of snow came the loss of his snow sculpture.
Pete, of West Fargo, operates Windshield Doctor as his business and carves wood as his recreation.
Following one of the area's heavy snowfalls this spring, Pete was snowblowing when he realized the texture of the snow was perfect for making a snowman.
"But since I was alone," he says, "and my sons and grandson were not here, I thought that would be foolish. So I decided, since I carve dogs out of wood, why not a snow dog?"
Pete had the perfect models for a dog sculpture: his golden retrievers, Jake and Rusty.
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So he went to work, using a shovel and a power hacksaw blade as his tools, although he created the nose and eyes with his bare hands.
When his snowy work of art was completed, the head was about 3 feet tall and the full length of the dog stretched more than 17 feet.
Pete says passers-by and the neighbors gave his sculpture "a lot of double-takes. Many neighbors took photos with their cell phones to send off to friends. I've had responses from folks as far away as Yuma, Ariz."
Then the weather warmed up and the sculpture slowly disappeared.
That was "somewhat sad," Pete says.
But after all, he adds, if he'd have carved the same thing out of wood, creating it would have taken a lot longer.
Well, Pete, any plans for next winter?
"I've already talked with my sons about making a larger sculpture," he says. "Hopefully we can get the perfect snow for it."
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So if that "perfect snow" comes, West Fargo's Rodin of snow sculpture will be back at it. Only his work, unlike that of the other Rodin, probably won't be on display in Fargo's Plains Art Museum.
If you have an item of interest for this column, mail it to Neighbors, The Forum, Box 2020, Fargo, N.D. 58107; fax it to 241-5487; or e-mail blind@forumcomm.com
