By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
OLEAN — Fresh from the repair shop, Nutty O’ St. Nick, the squirrel sponsored by Greater Olean Chamber of Commerce, is back in the Woodland in the City lineup.
Two of the founders of Woodland in the City, Bob and Amy Sherburne joined Mayor Bill Aiello and GOACC director of Events and Operations Christine Pecherzewski in unveiling Nutty O’ St. Nick in Lincoln Park Thursday.
Nutty O’ St. Nick commemorates the Chamber’s biggest annual event, the Santa Claus Lane Parade.
Nutty O’St. Nick went missing from the lineup a couple of years ago when the four-foot tall fiberglass squirrel was damaged when it was struck by a car, Pecherzewski said.
Artist Eric Jones was brought in to creatively rebuild the squirrel. Mallory Auto Body then sprayed a protective coating over the statue.
There are some differences pre- and post-accident, but the Chamber is glad to have Nutty O’ St. back. The original didn’t have a hat. There are other subtle differences. He’s holding a Christmas wreath instead of the naughty or nice list.
The squirrel, created by Ischua artist Nora O’Hara, debuted in 2008, and was located in front of the Chamber of Commerce office, reading from his lists of good boys and girls, and keeping an eye on the children of Olean year-round. Later, it was moved across the street in front of the Cattaraugus County Campus of Jamestown Community College, where it was struck a few years ago.
The decision was made to relocate Nutty O’ St. Nick again, this time to a spot near the Santa Claus House at the western end of Lincoln Park. He’ll be visible to families waiting to see Santa and Mrs. Claus and is in the perfect spot for selfies.
“He’s really the one everyone loved,” said Amy Sherburne. “I’m glad to see him out here.”
There were as many as 34 of the squirrels in Woodland in the City. There are now about 30. The Sherburnes, along with Mark Barta and Evelyn Penman founded the program in 2006.
“Hopefully, people will be gentle with Nutty O’ St. Nick,” Pecherzewski said. Children shouldn’t try to climb on him.
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