Joe Riffenberger, West Virginia's "bear man", is donating his hand-carved statue of a Blackwater Canyon bear to the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy to be auctioned off, to raise money for the Blackwater Canyon Campaign. Joe who manages and researches "ursa-graphics"(bear populations) for the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, is retiring after 46 years. But he intends to keep visiting bears in their dens as a consultant.
His "American primitive" woodcarving piece stands 5'-7"tall, and weighs 200 pounds. Perfect for porch or patio, this bear is lightly rubbed with linseed oil to bring out the rich color of the wood. Joe's bear is begging for a home, and begging you to help Save Blackwater Canyon, where its kin live.
Send your initial bid to WVHC, c/o Judy Rodd, ESEC, Rm 3, 501 Elizabeth St, Charleston, WV 25311 or phone 304-345-7663. We will recontact all bidders to give you a chance to go higher -- until December 15. Bids start at $400. The progress of the bidding can be followed on the WVHC Website: www.wvhighlands.org.
