Grinch, Cat in Hat join Santa in ice sculpture

Dr. Seuss' infamous Grinch and the Cat in the Hat will join Santa, his elves and sleigh in an ice sculpture next to the Pinon Plaza today.

Carved from five 400-pound blocks of ice by the Pinon Plaza's Executive Chef Greg Schuh, the 5-foot statue will be at the casino-resort's main entrance on the east side of the building.

He said it took about 4 1Ú2 hours to complete the project.

"It was my idea," he said. "I wanted to do something big for Christmas, and carving is what I do."

A chef for 25 years, Schuh said he perfected the craft when he was a buffet chef at the High Sierra at South Shore Lake Tahoe. Thursday afternoon, he was hoping for a white Christmas.

"Hopefully, it will snow," he said. "Then the statue won't melt before everyone gets a chance to see it."

Schuh has won many ice-carving awards and honors, including first place at the Reno Winter Art Festival at the Reno Hilton. He won second place for the Grinch he created for the Reno River Walk competition, and first place three years in a row at the Lake Tahoe Snow Fest.

The Pinon Plaza is at 2171 Highway 50 East in Carson City.

Contact Susie Vasquez at svasquez@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.