First bear downtown for project

The public art project to place decorative bears throughout New Bern for the city's 300th anniversary in 2010 has its first inhabitant downtown.

Bear Town Bears, the nonprofit organization coordinating the project, placed a six-foot Har-Bear Town Racquet Cub on Middle Street on Wednesday morning in front of Captain Ratty's Restaurant.

At noon, the first bear honoring a person - Dr. Neil C. Bender - was unveiled at the Eastern Carolina Internal Medicine offices at Berne Square Shopping Center.

Fourteen bears have been committed, according to Vicki Vitale, who is co-chairwoman of the project with Barbara Lubsen.
"Considering the economy, the fact we have this many going is exciting," she said. "We're hoping to have at least 24 by the end of the year."

She said some of the donated bears, such as the Har-Bear, would remain in downtown duringthe year-long city celebration.
The Middle Street bear is the first of many planned in downtown. It is sponsored by about 50 members of the Harbour Town Racquet Club in River Bend. Captain Ratty's owner Tom Ballance, who is a member of the racquet club, offered his site for the "cub" through 2010.

"I love it," he said, after helping Richard Farrow and Tim Lubsen unload the 70-pound upright bear. "I'm proud to have the first one downtown, but I would love it even if it were the tenth. This is good for downtown."

Vitale said in the coming months a map will be available to locate and visit all the bears. Also, vinyl bear paws will help lead visitors around town to the bears, which weigh 520 pounds after they are mounted on a concrete base.

The Har-Bar cub was designed and painted by Fairfield Harbour artist Cheryl Ashe.

The name for the Bender Bear was chosen by the company's partners, who wanted to honor Bender, who founded ECIM 39 years ago.

Bender came from his Pollocksville office for the unveiling of the "Dr. Bender Bear," and said it represented all of the dedicated health care professionals.

The Bender Bear was designed and painted by Trent Woods artist Nell Maha, with assistance from Molly Knazek.
The cost to sponsor a bear is $2,800.

Charlie Hall can be reached at (252) 635-5667 or chall@freedomenc.com.

Bear Town Bears Facts

14 committed. Bear sponsorships cost $2,800.
Bears, with sponsor and artist:
Tooth Bear - Dr. B. Kincaid. Artist Glenna Davis.
Beary Healthy Bear - CarolinaEast Medical Center. Artist Tessie Ann Adams.
Bernie the Fisher Bear - Dr. K. Klein, East Carolina Dermatology. Artist Lillian Knoetgen.
Mr. Money Bear - East Carolina Bank. Artist Glenna Davis.
Beary Caring, M.D. Bear - Coastal Carolina Health Care. Artist Barbara Hesketh.
Har-Bear Town Racquet Cub - Harbour Town Racquet Club. Artist Cheryl Ashe.
Dr. Bender Bear - Eastern Carolina Internal Medicine. Artist Nell Maha and assistant Molly Knazek.
Flag Bearer - Coastal Women's Forum. Designer Richard Farrow. Artist Vicki Vitale.
Taberna Bear - Taberna residents. Artist Cheryl Ashe.
TAB Builders - Name to be announced. Artist Whitney Wallace.
Sleepy Bear - BridgePointe Hotel and Marina. Designer Margaret Vollney I, artist Margaret Vollney II.
Bubble Garden Bear - Ward and Smith, P.A. Artist Lillian Knoetgen.
Upcoming:
Fairfield Harbour Bear. Artist to be announced.
Neuse Realty. Name, artist to be announced.
For information on the Web: www.beartownbears.org.