Pennsylvania Game News - November 2021 - 43

property. I got us permission to pick here
back in June. I didn't talk to Carl directly,
as he was right in the middle of something,
but one of his assistants said that he gave
us the go ahead.
" He and his dad ran a farm implement
and equipment repair out of that old barn
in the field. Even though he was only a
high-school senior, Carl was a skilled
welder, taught by his dad. In '42, Carl
enlisted and worked as a welder at the
Newport News naval shipyard in North
Carolina. After the war, he returned home
and then his story shifts.
" The last time I talked to Carl, Grandpa
and I were dropping off a busted cultivator.
That's when I saw the armature for the
Iron Gobbler. Carl had an eye for drawing
any subject - mostly wildlife - and made
some of it into metal art sculptures. After
we picked up the cultivator, the Lutzes
moved north to Jefferson County.
" The paper ran a feature article about
him a couple years ago. It wasn't long
after they moved that word spread of
his creations and when an art rep caught
wind of that, he started to publicize Lutz's
work. High dollar commercial commissions
rolled in from all over: sculptures
for colleges, office buildings, parks, water
features, museums, restaurants.
" Carl never returned home to Turkey
Ridge, not even for a class reunion. Just
got too busy, I guess. I can't figure why
he would put this big gobbler out on the
curve of a hilltop in the woods where
no one would ever see it. Maybe he just
forgot about it. Or wanted to. "
N
ICK CALLED LUTZ the following
week and was invited for a tour of
his facility and studio. When Nick pulled
into the complex, Lutz was directing the
loading of the last of five full-size metal
NOVEMBER 2021
art bison sculptures into a trailer truck.
" Where's that herd headed? " asked
Nick.
" Colorado. Thunder Mountain Ski
Lodge and Resort.
" It's good to see you, Nick. It's been a
long time. Let's walk and talk. "
The main building was a restored barn
and in the center of it stood a full-size
stegosaurus. Two of Lutz's apprentices
were welding upright rows of armor plating
along its spine.
" This will set at the entry to a museum
in Utah, " Lutz said.
Next, he showed Nick the bronzecasting
works and forge. They went on to
sit in Lutz's studio, where the walls were
plastered with concept drawings. Nick
perused photos of Lutz's installations
and it was readily apparent that this was
a major operation and Lutz a brilliant and
gifted sculptor.
" What's new at Turkey Ridge, Nick? "
" I'm still farming, as always. It's what I
love, but with a twist. The outdoor market
we started is growing and my brother's
company is putting up a village of vendor
stalls. I'm also doing a lot of work for the
building-and-development committee
for the new high school we're building at
the edge of town. It's scheduled to open
early summer of '67. As a noted Turkey
Ridge alumnus, landowner and taxpayer,
I was hoping you might be interested in
serving on our committee, but you look
awful busy. "
Lutz raised an eyebrow.
" Well, I'd be most happy to, and your
timing couldn't be better. I've got a great
staff here and now have the luxury of
time. Part of making public works of art
is getting involved with the needs of the
community, and I'd consider it an honor
to help my alma mater. It's also time I got
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