Posted: Sept. 22, 2009

Greendale — Blue Bird has returned to the village.

While most of the original foam-and-cement statue is still missing as a result of a recent theft, a replacement bearing parts of the first bird will roost in Greendale, thanks to the effort of a go-kart racing club that promotes positive values in youths.

Sporting an undeniable likeness to Sesame Street's Big Bird, the famed and once-controversial statue was taken last month from the yard of 9-year-old Jacob Henrichs, at 7310 Elberton Ave., within days of being perched on a bush in front of his family's home.

Its severed head was later returned to a yard along Bluebird Court, where the statue initially gained recognition.

Racing to the rescue

After hearing of the heart-breaking theft, the Badger Kart Club quickly collaborated to create a new bluebird for Jacob, presenting the renewed creation to him Sunday at the organization's racetrack in Dousman.

"He's a little bigger," Jacob said of the new statue. "(But) I'm very happy."

Some members of the Badger Kart Club had been involved in making the original bluebird, which is part of why the group took on the project.

The bird's original head and beak was used, and the new body was constructed from a block of Styrofoam donated by ACH Foam Technologies in Fond du Lac, as well as cement and stucco, said Bob Vehring, board director of the Badger Kart Club.

The group also gave Jacob a trophy and a helmet autographed by several club racers, and the opportunity to race a go-kart along their practice track.

The organization describes itself as being focused on kids and family - now in its 50th season, it teaches children ages 5 and older how to race - so it only made sense to try to lift Jacob's spirits, said Bill Collins, president of the Badger Kart Club.

"We're all about making kids happy," Collins said. "It was nice to see (Jacob) smiling now, as opposed to missing his bird."

Neighborly attitude

In addition to creating the new statue, the Badger Kart Club coordinated a "Love Thy Neighbor" - a message that had been associated with the statue - collection drive and fundraiser for the Salvation Army. About $400 was raised Sunday, and hundreds of items, including clothes and shoes, toiletries and food, were shipped off to the Salvation Army.

"So much good came out of this that it's just incredible," said Al Emmons, owner of the original bluebird.

The bluebird's first destination will be Associated Bank, 5651 Broad St., in downtown Greendale, where the community will be able to see it, Emmons said. It should be situated inside the bank sometime this week, he added.

After that, it should return to its nest in Jacob's yard. The family will be proud to have it.

"It's nice that so many people were concerned, because they didn't even know us," said Marceline Henrichs, Jacob's great grandmother. "They did a great job."