J PEOPLE George is a cut above First recipient of George Cockayne Award By Jennifer Bell The Intelligencer Whenever George MacDonald wants to relax, he picks up his knife and chisel and whittles away the hours. Under his skillful hand, intri cate models of birds and other creatures come to life. The retired Canadian Coast Guard rescue officer was honored by his peers -- members of the Quinte Woodcarvers Association, that is -- this week as the first recipient of the group's annual George Cockayne Award for excel- lence in woodcarving. MacDonald, a Trenton resi- dent, will have his name engraved on a plaque that will now hang in the Hastings County offices. The late Cockayne, a north Hastings County resident until his death in 1990, exhibited his often primitive carvings at the Agnes Etherington Art Centre in Kingston. He left a legacy to the Quinte Woodcarvers that has enabled the association to establish the George MacDonald with the award, as well as a fund to benefit the education of deserving artists, said MacDonald. County Warden Lloyd Chur- chill presented MacDonald with his award during a ceremony this week. Works by MacDonald, and other association members, can Intelligencer photo by Jennifer Bell George Cockayne Award. be viewed this weekend at their annual woodcarvers show; sale and carving competition at Loyal- ist College Saturday, April 22. The show, at the college's main building, runs from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are available at the door, children 12 and under are free, with an adult. 1