Downtown Barrington Betty the Bull is moving! Temporarily.

Ten years ago, Betty, a Kinetic Steel Sculpture, was erected on the corner of Lake Street and Cook Street in Barrington's downtown shopping district.

After a weeks-long contest which was held to give the bull sculpture in front of his office on Cook Street a name, business owner Kevin Carter had a winning entry but no winner.

Entries were gathered from passers-by at the office building. Each entrant was asked to write down their name, a phone number, and their suggestion for a name for the six-foot bull installed in a large landscape planter in front of the Carter Financial Group building at 222 S. Cook Street.

In all, there were 57 entries deposited into the entry box. Several entries referred to the sculpture's rather fierce facial expression or "rusty' finish. Most entries were proudly signed and attributed. The person, or persons, who entered the moniker "Betty' did not note their name or phone number. It is important to note that the unknown person or persons entered the name "Betty' seventeen times!

The original sculpture was commissioned by Mr. Carter from New Mexico artist Frederick Prescott. The artist and Mr. Carter first met during the Barrington Arts Festival 12 years ago. Mr. Carter remarked shortly after the time of Betty's installation, "I have always wanted to share my appreciation for the arts with my downtown neighborhood. Installing the bull, proudly now named Betty is another way to interact with the folks who walk through our neighborhood every day."

Renovations will begin at 222 S Cook Street shortly after Betty is moved to her temporary home. We hope she will be back as soon renovations are completed.

We hope Betty enjoys her temporary vacation home. Please feel free to wish her well as you walk on by this week.