Tin Man gazette, 3

This Tin Man Gets A Heart
By KIM WINTERS-Staff Writer

GOSHEN - The Tin Man of Route 112 has received a heart transplant of red glass and stainless steel.

The Tin Man has been a fixture in Goshen since 1952 at various businesses and in various conditions. It now stands sentry, its long arms crooked upward at the elbows, outside the Good Time Stove Co.

Stove Black Richardson, who owns Good Time Stove, says the steel figure has brought "a lot of joy and happiness to anyone who's ever been involved with him."

"Everybody should have a heart."

With this in mind, a friend of Richardson's, Tammy Lee Sweet-Grave of Greenfield, suggested that it was time for the Tin Man to have a heart. She worked with tin knocker Thomas Fern of Chesterfield to create the steel frame, and had the glass cut to fit. Fern has mended the Tin Man in the past.

This is at least the second major surgery the Tin Man has undergone.

He was without a head for a time. But 10 years ago, students at Smith Vocational School in Northampton rebuilt him and added the head, and be has stood ever since outside Richardson's store.

The metal landmark stands 16 feet tall, topped by a 10-gallon hat, with tin snips in one hand, hammer in another. It originally was built for a fuel company in Haydenville.

Richardson says many people, including couples who were dating in the 50s, entire families who grew up in the area, and visitors just driving. by tell me how special the Tin Man is.

"He's done a lot of wondrous things," said Richardson. "He's an entertainer."

Now, trimmed with lights, and boasting a new, glowing red heart, the Tin Man is a cheery reminder of the holidays. Richardson said the adornments, up now for a The Tin Man has been a fixture pm Route 112 in Goshen since 1952.

The Tin Man of Goshen Before Heart Surgery