David_Weatherly's Blog

It was way back in 1993 when we first met George SerVance, a gentle man with great talent. He had a warm smile and a quick wit, as sharp as the knives he used to ply his craft. And it’s his craft for which he is best known.

Mr. SerVance was not your run-of-the-mill wood carver. He had a specialty, dancing dolls. You know; the little limber figures that jump and skip to the beat of a wooden paddle.  Lots of people fashion these old folk toys out of a rough slab of wood but he elevated the craft to an art form.

I remember as a kid, traveling salesmen would set up shop on street corners and demonstrate these toys. The impromptu floor shows drew quite a crowd and left many kids fantasizing about a dancing doll of their own. I know because I was one of them. I never could talk my father into buying me one. George SerVance had a similar story.

He was ten years old when the rhythmic bouncing and flailing arms and legs first caught his eye. In those days, the 1930’s, the one dollar price was more than his dad could or wanted to afford. Instead of buying one, his dad showed him how to make one from an old apple crate. This reminds me of that old saying about it being better to teach a man to fish than to just give him one, because that was the start of a craft he would continue to perfect over the next seventy years.  

George SerVance became the master of making these dancing delights. Each one was lovingly and skillfully crafted from his home workshop. Each one was also put through its paces on the paddle. I’m not sure what he liked better, making them or trying them out. I do know that when he started rapping on the wood, the doll and he both came to life. At the time, he was in his seventies but when that doll danced, you could look into his eyes and see the joy of a child. It was a joy he gladly shared.  

George SerVance passed away last week at the age of 86. He will be missed by all who knew him. Below you can see the story we did on him back in 1993. I hope it makes you smile.