Carousel made in Port Townsend to spread joy to hurricane-damaged Gulf town

Published 12:01 am Wednesday, October 24, 2007

PORT TOWNSEND – Instead of giving a hurricane-devastated town building materials or medical supplies, Bill Dentzel is donating a handmade carousel.

The carousel will go to Waveland, Miss., which is still rebuilding after being hit hard by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Dentzel will have a display of some of the panels, figurines and a scale model of the carousel, along with information about the relocation to Waveland, at the Nov. 3-4 Port Townsend Woodworkers Show at the American Legion Hall, 209 Monroe St., Port Townsend.

What Dentzel chose to donate to the Mississippi town should come as no surprise. Carousel-making is a long-time hobby of his and is in his blood.

He is carrying on a tradition of Dentzel carousel builders dating back five generations.