COCHECTON  —  The Cochecton Preservation Society is bidding adieu to Woody the Bear. Now, they want your suggestions for the name of his replacement.

Woody has stood proud and tall as a symbol of the Cochecton Preservation Society since 1997. He has weathered challenges such as reported stealing, carpenter ants and termites, all the while standing resilient.

“We decided we’d go another route instead of a wood bear,” explained Cochecton Preservation Society Secretary Peggy Richardson.

The statue was meticulously carved by Dick Guttzeit as a heartfelt tribute to his friend Melvin “Moppy” Pierce, who was serving as the Cochecton Preservation Society (CPS) President at the time.

His successor, also a bear, from Behind the Fence in Long Island, is already having members coordinate efforts for installation. When the replacement takes steed, a retirement party will be announced.

Now this is  where you come in. If you have a great idea for the new Bear’s name that you just can’t ‘bear’ it, you can send the CPS a slip with your name, phone number and address to the Cochecton Preservation Society.

“We don’t know if it is a boy or a girl until it has a name,” explained Richardson.

Important to note is that one name is allowed per entry. The [BEAR] Committee will then gather all suggestions which will be sorted.

If you mail a name in, you’ll have the chance to win a commemorative shirt featuring a special tribute to Woody.

In addition, one lucky participant will be chosen at random to receive a special commemorative t-shirt in honor of having named the new bear.

This new bear’s name will be announced August 5 at the CPS meeting, happening at 7 p.m. The address is 8537 State Route 97 in Cochecton. Shirts will also be available for sale as well.

“We’re hoping it will be a nice celebration for all the years that he’s stood,” stated Richardson. “I think Woody is more popular than the train station,” she joked.