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A NEW ADDITION — The Follansbee Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed Team Secrist Taxidermy at 802 Allegheny St., with a ribbon-cutting conducted by owners David and Brenda Secrist and Chamber President Eric Fithyan.
FOLLANSBEE — The owners of Team Secrist Taxidermy have been practicing their skills for a few years, but they recently opened a building to showcase their art.
Located at 802 Allegheny St., just off state Route 2, the cabin-like structure was designed and built this fall by David Secrist, who runs the business with his wife, Paula.
Secrist said he had been interested in taxidermy for some time but it was during the pandemic that he decided to pursue it professionally and completed an eight-week course through the Western Pennsylvania School of Taxidermy.
Since then, the business has steadily developed a following, mostly through word of mouth, among area hunting and fishing enthusiasts.
It also has earned several ribbons at state conventions held by the West Virginia Taxidermy Association in Flatwoods, W.Va. Among them was the People’s Choice Award for its preservation of a mountain lion.
Visitors gathered at the new structure for a ribbon-cutting arranged by the Follansbee Chamber of Commerce found an assortment of wildlife represented in its displays.
Secrist said their work has ranged from assorted fish and birds to deer and other four-legged creatures. It includes a couple of bears — including one that weighed about 200 pounds and another, 400 pounds — that can be found at their shop.
Much of the Secrists’ work also can be seen on the business Facebook page.
He said turnaround for their various projects, which involve painstaking detail, ranges from a year to a year and a half.
“Many hunters will understand that’s great time,” said Secrist.
A Brooke County educator, David said Brenda can be found at the shop through most of the day while he is there on most evenings.
He envisions the business as his second full-time profession following retirement.
For information about Team Secrist Taxidermy, call (304) 914-3960.
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