A forest, in literature, often represents hope, renewal and optimism. During the Romantic era, forests were frequently portrayed as places of solace and introspection. The magic woods today, with the beginning of Single Block this morning, sort of felt that way. After the hustle and bustle of MultiBlock and DoubleBlock, the woods felt busy but lonely, and at the same time hopeful, as the carvers set off on their own to carve their one block of ice.  I asked one carver who is participating in all three how he likes the quiet of a single block and he admitted he enjoys the independent solo work.

The Novice Competition also began today. This event, then called the Collegiate Competition, began in 2021.  It will run from February 27-March 1. Five students from the Oregon Coast Culinary Institute have come to Fairbanks to compete in their own carving competition. OCCI, as it is known, is part of Southwestern Oregon Community College and offers degree programs in culinary arts, baking and pastry arts and management. These  students earn their spot on the team and come to  Fairbanks with their instructor/mentor Certified Master Ice Sculptor Chris Foltz who leads the college’s competitive ice carving adventures.  One student who came in 2021 has since graduated and is back this year as a competitor in the World Ice Carving Championship. Accompanying Chris this year is his wife, Kendra. She was delightful to talk with and so proud of her family. Chris competed this year with one of their four sons. They carved Fruit Fight which is my favorite of the Double Block entries.

I met and talked for a while with one delightful young lady who is carving ice for the first time with the collegiates. One thing she mentioned that I had never considered before and makes perfect sense is that of all things that can be carved, ice is the most unforgiving.  She is majoring in baking (she said, with a smile, that means anything that will go into an oven) and her favorite medium to carve is chocolate. I wish her well with her ice carving adventure. And to all these great students as well.