Glenwood artist carves out baseball fun

• Ringo

Contributed photo by Mark Beasley Dave Macho of Glenwood carved this life-size statue of Alexandria Beetles mascot, “Ringo.” The carving will be given away in a drawing on August 10. Register at any home Beetles game between now and August 10.

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Editor’s note: The following article first appeared in the Pope County Tribune on June 21, 2010, and is being reprinted here with permission.

Where others see a simple block of wood, Dave Macho sees possibilities. An artist from Glenwood, Macho recently put the finishing touches on his latest project – a life-size wood carving of “Ringo,” the mascot for the Alexandria Beetles baseball team.

The project began with a creative business idea and good neighbors. John Macy lives just down the road from Macho and works with the Beetles in sales and marketing. Macy had been brainstorming ways to get area businesses involved with the Beetles organization’s 10th anniversary when inspiration struck. Why not work with a local artist – one living just a house away – to create a life-like Beetles mascot to be given away to a lucky fan?

When Macy approached Macho about the project, he was in luck. “I always like taking on challenges,” said Macho, “[carving] something no one else has done.”

Ringo definitely qualified.

The carving started as a downed Elm tree in the Glenwood area, and with the first cuts of the chainsaw, began to take on the shape of Ringo the Beetle. Macho said he and Macy worked together to adjust the proportion of the wings to match the tree, but otherwise, the project was smooth sailing. “Your hands just kind of go on cruise control,” said Macho. “You probably spend an extra day just on details and that makes all the difference.”

Macy agreed. “Everyone that’s seen it is like, ‘Wow!’” he said. “Dave put in some really neat details – above and beyond what you’d expect in a wood carving.” One of those details includes Ringo’s jersey, number 10, in honor of the Beetles’ 10th anniversary.

The Alexandria Beetles are part of the Northwoods League, North Division, and play their home games at Knute Nelson Memorial Park in Alexandria. Macho’s carving of Ringo has been on display near the concession area at the last couple of games; Macy said Ringo’s been a big hit with fans. “People are excited about it,” said Macy, adding that many fans take the opportunity to have their picture taken with the carving.

Even more exciting than seeing the carved Ringo at a home game is the possibility for one fortunate fan to take him home. A sign-up bucket is placed near Ringo for anyone to enter their name, free of charge, in a drawing to be held at the August 10 game against the Rochester Honkers. The person whose name is called at the August 10 game should be prepared for an extra passenger on the way home. If the winner is not at the August 10 game, Ringo’s got patience; he’ll wait for a ride to his new home.

Tags: dave macho, life, features, baseball, beetles, ringo, macho, glenwood