The people who make it happen - Rick & Liz Boni

The first Rendezvous came about when brothers Rick & Randy Boni decided a Chainsaw Carving get together was in order. And as they say, behind every great man is a great woman, and behind these two were of course their wives, helping them turn the dream turn into a reality. And so the first Rendezvous came about.

After Randy and his wife moved from the area after the 2nd Rendezvous, Rick and Liz Boni took over and now host the event themselves with the help of two of Rick's other brothers Roly and Robin who you'll see on the grounds helping make it all happen.

In addition to being a master carver, Rick is an accomplished painter and musician, and Liz is a master organizer (and makes excellent snow angels) as you can see by the ample evidence of this amazing event they host each year which just keeps getting bigger and bigger and bigger (and better too if that's at all possible!).

Together, they also own the Appalachian Arts Studio - a local artists retreat located on Boot Jack Mountain, where you can order custom designed chainsaw sculptures or browse through the pottery and carving studio. You can even try your hand at throwing a pot and if you're really interested, sign up for pottery or chainsaw carving classes!

(Note: Coming from one of the dryest, hottest places on Earth here in South Australia, I'd never seen a snow angel before, and so Liz Boni & Di Buehler very generously offered to show me one, never expecting to be immortalised here on the web site. Apologies to Liz & Di, but hey, thanks for the smiles!)