Shelton-Mason County Journal - Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886

David Hamilton peered at a piece of apple wood and saw a face.

That was four months ago, before the Shelton resident had ever carved anything from wood. Today, motorists who pass his Hillcrest house are stopping to admire and buy his finely chisled creations. He has been commissioned to carve silver steelhead, bottleneck dolphin, beavers, bears, sea turtles, otters and a cross bearing the image of Jesus.

Hamilton's creative way with wood didn't emerge from nowhere - he's been a welder for 30 years.

"I've always been gifted that way, being a fabricator," he said. "There's nothing I can't do...