Salem carousel signs latest recruit, Benny the Beaver
Oregon State University fans can call off any plans for a boycott of Salem’s Riverfront Carousel.
The carousel has signed a trademark license agreement with Oregon State to use the Benny the Beaver mascot character as a figure on the popular attraction. The agreement is almost identical to the one signed nine months ago with the University of Oregon for use of the Duck mascot character.
“We couldn’t just have a Duck on it,” said Mary Eastridge, who is helping sponsor the Beaver in memory of the late Don Bourne, an OSU graduate and longtime sports booster. “We wouldn’t want anybody to get upset for favoritism.”
The Beaver and Duck are part of the “New Dream” fundraiser project. A $15,000 donation earns a sponsor the privilege of choosing a new animal that will be added to the carousel. The animals are intended to be used as replacements for any of the 44 horses that need repairs and for display at the sponsors’ discretion.
Ozzie Rose, carousel board member and co-sponsor of the Duck, couldn’t imagine one of the mascots on the carousel without the other, so he helped facilitate the deal with Oregon State and recruit a sponsor for the Beaver.
“For Civil War month, I want them on side by side,” said Rose, envisioning the perfect promotion leading up to the annual in-state rivalry football game.
Realistically, the soonest that could happen would be fall of 2017. It takes well over a year for a carousel animal to be designed, carved and painted, and virtually all of the work is done by volunteers.
“It is going to be our goal to have both worked on at the same time,” said Marie Bradford-Blevins, executive director of the carousel. “The Duck was first, but we do want to be fair.”
The trademark licensing agreement with OSU was finalized in late May. It’s a 10-year agreement, just like the one signed with Oregon, that may be renewed by mutual consent of both parties. The license is limited to the carousel figure only, and there are no fees or royalties involved.
Benny the Beaver, while not nearly as famous as the Duck, was the winner of the 2011 Capital One Mascot of the Year write-in campaign. The university will get final approval of the design of the carousel figure, which will look like the mascot you see at Oregon State sporting events.
Benny has two buck teeth and fierce eyes — features that stand out in part because they are white and in stark contrast to his brown fur. He has a large, flat tail and wears different uniforms, depending on the sporting event.
Carson Dunlap, trademark licensing manager at Oregon State, said the carousel figure will wear a football uniform with the No. 0 jersey, although he doesn’t know what combination of orange, black and white it will be. He expects OSU fans to be relieved that the Duck will not have state bragging rights on the carousel.
“Especially with the way the state is divided, naturally they are a very vocal, passionate fan base that wants to be represented, too,” Dunlap said. “I think it’s going to be a really fun opportunity to have the mascot available at the carousel for fans and the community to interact with.”
Eastridge, wife of Magoo’s owner Jim Eastridge, signed the sponsorship deal in mid-July. A few months back she overheard Rose talking to someone else about the opportunity and thought it would be the perfect way to honor their late friend, Don Bourne. Mary and Jim Eastridge are longtime Oregon State fans, although neither of them attended the university. Their two sons are recent graduates.
Bourne graduated from Oregon State in 1942 and was a lieutenant colonel in the Army. He was highly decorated for his service in the European theater during World War II, earning a Silver Star and a Bronze Star with two oak leaf clusters. Bourne died March 1. He was 94.
His widow, Eileea Bourne, plans to contribute to the sponsorship fund for the carousel Beaver.
“It’s a great thrill and a great surprise,” she said. “He would be very honored. He was all for Oregon State.”
Rose may not be done with the mascot motif on the carousel. He is interested in recruiting representation from a university closer to home.
“There’s one more I’ve got to get — the Bearcat,” he said. “We’re looking for someone from Willamette to step up.”
“Forward This” appears Wednesdays and Sundays and highlights the people, places and organizations of the Mid-Willamette Valley. Contact Capi Lynn at clynn@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6710, or follow her the rest of the week on Twitter @CapiLynn and Facebook @CapiLynnSJ.
Dream lineup
Nine new animals are planned for the growing menagerie at Salem’s Riverfront Carousel. They are part of the “New Dream” fundraiser project, which enables a sponsor to choose a new animal to add to the carousel for a $15,000 donation.
Mr. Hopkins the frog: He made his debut on the platform in June 2014. The frog was adopted by family and friends of the late Don Hopkins, a longtime carousel board member. It features a tennis racket and a fishing hat because Hopkins loved both activities.
Pancho the elephant: He made his debut on the platform in January. The elephant was adopted by the Puentes family and named Pancho after George Puentes’ father. Mexican and American flags are painted on the elephant’s blanket, along with a plow and cornstalks for the tortilla company founded by the Puentes brothers. Pancho had some issues and is back in the display room and studio to be repainted.
Blackberry the fawn: The first coat of paint was applied, but there were some problems. It had to be sanded down and re-painted. The process can be viewed in the display room and studio at the carousel. The fawn is being adopted by Scott and Annie Manning and their three kids.
Harriett the giraffe: The base coat has been applied, and the painting process will soon begin. Progress can be viewed in the display room and studio. The 6-foot-tall giraffe is being adopted by Tom and Harriett Wilson.
Sweet Pea the llama: Final drawings have been completed by artistic director Sandy Walker, and blocks of wood have been prepared for carving, which will take place at the carousel. The llama is being adopted by Bill and Judy Meier and their two adult children and spouses.
Dakota Darlin’ the Hereford heifer: Final sketches are in the process of being done. The heifer is being adopted by Lillis Larson, whose father was a cattle rancher in South Dakota.
Sweet Tart the skunk: Preliminary discussions about the design have been held with the sponsor. The skunk is being adopted by Darcy Toronto, a wildlife rehabilitator who raises orphaned and injured skunks.
The Duck: A trademark license agreement has been signed with the University of Oregon to use the Duck mascot character. The Duck is being co-adopted by Ozzie Rose and Pat Abeene.
Benny the Beaver: A trademark license agreement has been signed with Oregon State University to use the Beaver mascot character. The Beaver is being adopted by friends and family of the late Don Bourne, an Oregon State graduate.