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Whimsical workshop LOCAL WOODWORKER CRAFTS A MENAGERIE FOR KIDS BY AMY COYNE BREDESON PHOTOS BY ROB KAUFMAN
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hirty-eight years ago John Whidden handcrafted a wooden rocking giraffe for his niece’s first birthday. Since then, the Hilton Head Island resident has made several more rocking giraffes, as well as rocking cows, goats, horses, pigs, a camel, a bull and a burro. He also made a couple of motorcycles, specially ordered for friends. Over the years, Whidden has sold a few of his creations but has given away most of them, either as gifts or donations to charities. His most recent donation was a goat that was sold at a silent auction put on by the Hilton Head Island Sunset Rotary Club, where he is a member. “It’s not like a business to me,” John said. “It’s a hobby. It keeps me out of trouble.” After Whidden and his wife, Linda, moved to Hilton Head Island from Ellington, Conn., they gave the business a name — Rockin’ in the Lowcountry. The animals have names, too. There’s Jasper the Cow, Billie the Goat, Magnolia the Mare, Babe the Pig and Beaufort the Burro. They each come signed and with individual birth certificates. Right now, John is working on his first rocking bear.
44 hiltonheadmonthly.com
