Illinois students can't dismantle 2nd Letterman gazebo

KANKAKEE, Ill. (AP) - A student project to demolish two gazebos given by David Letterman to a northern Illinois community and make the talk show host a retirement present has hit a minor snag.

Letterman sent gazebos to Kankakee in 1999 as a gag after Places Rated Almanac called the region the worst place to live in the U.S. and Canada.

Students wanted to dismantle both of them to make Letterman a rocking chair.

They've demolished one owned by Kankakee. However, the region's park district voted against giving up the other one this week. District officials tell The (Kankakee) Daily Journal (http://bit.ly/1y7P4Ov ) it's a popular photo-op destination and many marriages have taken place there.

Teacher Bill Curtin says the first gazebo offered enough wood for the chair and a memorial bench for school grounds.

___

Information from: The Daily Journal, http://www.daily-journal.com