Everett Koontz, one of the original and most prolific carvers on Salem’s Riverfront Carousel, has died. He was 86.
Koontz joined the team of carvers soon after the carousel dream was conceived in 1996. He and his wife, Dee, who preceeded him in death in 2004, sponsored one of the original 42 carousel horses, Woodland’s Crusader.
Woodland’s Crusader is a knight-themed horse inspired by a child’s suggestion during one of Koontz’s carving demonstrations at the Salem Art Fair. The horse has been described as a majestic medieval mount any knight in shining armor would be proud to ride…