Change of beanery

LIMA — Beanie became a museum piece Thursday, as the fuzzy, seven-foot-tall Lima mascot was enshrined by the Allen County Historical Society.

Officials from the city and museum gathered at the museum to dedicate the original Beanie suit — now 15 years old — into the Historical Society's permanent collection.

Also on hand was a new Beanie — or rather, a volunteer dressed in one of two brand-new Beanie suits. Like the original, the new costume was made by Olympus Flag and Banner in Wisconsin, the same makers of the McDonald restaurant characters like Hamburglar and Mayor McCheese. The original costume, which cost $2,500, was provided by McDonald's franchise owner Jerry Lewis, who was honored Thursday for his community support.

Also honored was Christine Rodabaugh, the community specialist who first dreamed up Beanie.

The two new suits costs $2,650 each and were funded with Weed and Seed grant money.

Beanie is a registered trademark of the city of Lima, which gives exclusive rights to Lima-Allen County Neighborhoods In Partnership. LACNIP incorporates Beanie in its neighborhood promotions around the city.

LACNIP's new president, Nell Lester, seized the opportunity to promote upcoming community events, including the first City Focus community meeting of 2012, this one for Northside Neighborhood Association, at 7 p.m. Tuesday at St. Gerard Catholic Church Parish Hall, 240 W. Robb Ave.

Other events include LACNIP's sixth annual Parade of Nations international expo, scheduled for 1 to 5:30 p.m. March 25 at Lima Senior High School; and Coffee with a Cop from 9 to 11 a.m. March 31 at the Market Street McDonald's, an opportunity for residents and police officers to share an informal discussion over coffee. LACNIP intends to make Coffee with a Cop a quarterly event.

“We're going to try to hit all of the McDonald's,” Lester said.