The Catawba Valley Wood Carvers Club announced the winner of the 2024 Mel Moose Award at its Oct. 19 meeting. The winner is Eugene “Gene” Parham of Hickory.
Parham has been carving birds for 40 years, beginning in 1984. He began carving after attending Core Sound Decoy Carving Guild Competition and Show and his interest was sparked. He began as self-taught by purchasing a book and starting on his journey. He did take classes and, while not a charter member of Catawba Valley Wood Carvers, joined shortly after this club was founded in 1999.
He has been a member of this club as well as Core Sound Decoy Carving Guild and International Wildfowl Carving Association (IWCA) for decades and competed in numerous competitions locally, in various states and internationally through IWCA in Ocean City, Maryland…