WELCOME BACK NUTTY O’ ST. NICK!
WELCOME BACK NUTTY O’ ST. NICK!
GOACC Unveils Repaired Nutty O’ St. Nick Squirrel
OLEAN - We’re checking our list once, checking it twice, but the rumors are true: Nutty O’ St. Nick is BACK! The Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce is so excited to announce the return of our very own Woodland in the City squirrel statue, Nutty O’ St. Nick!
Woodland in the City was founded by Amy and Bob Sherburne, along with Mark Barta and Evelyn Penman, in 2006. Their creative minds fashioned this art display project to promote public arts in the city. In 2007, the first squirrels were unveiled. Almost eighteen years later, 34 squirrels have been created.
The GOACC jumped on the bandwagon in 2008 and sponsored our very own squirrel, Nutty O’ St. Nick, commemorating our biggest event of the year, the Santa Claus Lane Parade. The parade attracts traffic and draws community into our historic downtown every Holiday season.
Nutty O’ St. Nick, born from the creative mind of artist Nora O’Harra of Ischua, NY, was unveiled in August of 2008. Holiday scenes of North Union and Lincoln Park can be seen on his bushy tail. He proudly sat outside the Chamber office, reading from his lists of good boys and girls, keeping an eye on the children of Olean year-round. After suffering a minor accident a few years ago, he was taken to the squirrel repair shop where famous WNY artist Eric Jones fixed him up.
Join the GOACC this Thursday, May 1st at 4:00pm in Lincoln Park for his unveiling! Come see Nutty’s new look, purchase a Nutty O’ St. Nick Holiday ornament, and celebrate the public arts with us. His new home will be by Santa Claus’ house, so he can still keep his eye on the children of our community!