MONROE - The Zoo on the Square, a popular Main Street Monroe event this past summer, is not quite done.
The carved, wooden animals were purchased or sponsored for their showing in downtown Monroe throughout the summer. Now that the exhibit is officially winding down, some are now headed to new homes, according to Kareesa Wilson of the Main Street Monroe Promotion and Marketing Committee.
The giraffe was donated by Grede International to the City of Monroe Parks Department.
Marge Klinzing, recreation supervisor, said the giraffe has been named "Betty," in honor of a favorite aunt of Park and Recreation Board President Bill Bethke. Bethke's aunt recently died.
"Bill said his aunt loved giraffes, and he has a soft spot in his heart for them," she said.
Betty will find a home in Twining Park, near the children's playground equipment.
Betty will be joined by the gorilla, who has no name yet, which was donated by Radio Shack and U.S. Cellular.
The swans will migrate to Monroe Public Library, as will the large turtle. Ruth Richardson and family donated the swans, while the Monroe Woman's Club donated the turtle.
The zebra will be surrounded with children at Little Red Caboose Daycare, thanks to Monroe Clinic.
Two donations are pending, according to Wilson: The bobcat to Green County Humane Society and the birds-of-paradise to Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison.
The pandas, snake and shark did not sell and will be available for sale at Zoli's Woodcarving lot, off Aebly Road, north of Monroe.
The remaining animals are privately owned.
- Tere Dunlap
The carved, wooden animals were purchased or sponsored for their showing in downtown Monroe throughout the summer. Now that the exhibit is officially winding down, some are now headed to new homes, according to Kareesa Wilson of the Main Street Monroe Promotion and Marketing Committee.
The giraffe was donated by Grede International to the City of Monroe Parks Department.
Marge Klinzing, recreation supervisor, said the giraffe has been named "Betty," in honor of a favorite aunt of Park and Recreation Board President Bill Bethke. Bethke's aunt recently died.
"Bill said his aunt loved giraffes, and he has a soft spot in his heart for them," she said.
Betty will find a home in Twining Park, near the children's playground equipment.
Betty will be joined by the gorilla, who has no name yet, which was donated by Radio Shack and U.S. Cellular.
The swans will migrate to Monroe Public Library, as will the large turtle. Ruth Richardson and family donated the swans, while the Monroe Woman's Club donated the turtle.
The zebra will be surrounded with children at Little Red Caboose Daycare, thanks to Monroe Clinic.
Two donations are pending, according to Wilson: The bobcat to Green County Humane Society and the birds-of-paradise to Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison.
The pandas, snake and shark did not sell and will be available for sale at Zoli's Woodcarving lot, off Aebly Road, north of Monroe.
The remaining animals are privately owned.
- Tere Dunlap