A few years ago, to the delight of passers-by, Ernie Curry put a 1941 Chevrolet Coupe on his rooftop at 119 Jamestown Street.

For his own reasons, he later took the Chevy down.

There was also a water fountain for travelers to watch. He drew some backers from folks who applauded because he got his fountain into operation before Dr. Arnold got the one on the Square going. Again for his own reasons, Curry dismantled the fountain when it didn't suit him.

Now there are new decorations.

Joe Barbee hoisted a 1978 Mark V Lincoln, sans engine, to the roof of Curry's home with his new hoisting machine. In place of the fountain, there is now a spinning Model A Ford wheel powered by an electrically driven Mars Piston Water Pump, which was patented in 1907.

"I lost a Lincoln to one of my ex-wives 15 years ago. I figure a man ought to be able to lose a Lincoln every 15 years, and that's why I put it up there. It's my Lincoln, my roof, and that's what I want to do with it. And if a man can't afford to lose a Lincoln every 15 years, there's not much to him."

In the back of the huge, whimsical, residence, he's working on bridging the town creek, building decks and picnic tables-to have places to enjoy the stream's gentle breezes and the densely wooded land across his creek. "It's worth something to just sit by the waterfalls and listen-maybe drink a beer or two," he says.

A philosophic as well as artistic man, Curry poses the question: "What about a man who spends all his money on whiskey, women, and cigarettes"? he asks, "Isn't that better than wasting it"? -Ed Waggener