Posted: 9/5/06
George is a hit on the Langen farm
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
Joann Crapisi looks for George every day on her way from La Crosse to Caledonia, where she works as postmaster.
One day George was having a picnic. Another time he was standing by the road in a tuxedo with his bride.
ìHe was on a ladder on a corn crib,î Crapisi recalled with a laugh about another sighting.
Vicki Muller, a clerk in the post office, spied George fishing one day on her commute from La Crescent.
Grilling fish, dressed as a priest, even in his birthday suit, George is always there on Pfeffer Valley Road in front of the Tom and Nancy Langen farm.
Youíve maybe seen him yourself on the north side of Highway 16 about two miles east of Hokah.
ìThe old ladies, they like him when he donít have any clothes on,î Nancy Langen said.
She should know: Nancy brings George to life, so to speak, every day. George is a one-armed mannequin that Nancyís son, Chris, fished out of a dumpster.
The Langen boys were the first to set up George by the side of the road. People beeped as they went by and seemed to like it. ìIt just kind of went from there,î Nancy said while visiting with this reporter on August 24.
Sure enough, during our visit an 18-wheeler honked its horn as it rumbled past George, who was dressed that Tuesday in blaze orange and dutifully picking up trash.
Nancy has been setting up George since about May. She often comes up with ideas during her evening milking chores, then goes out afterward and gets him ready. ìDifferent things just come to me,î she said. He usually wears an orange hat so people can see him.
She even took George with her to Adam and Jessica Bennettís wedding reception on August 12. He was one of the most popular guys there, and even got a few dances in.
George looks quite real, especially with Nancyís elaborate touches. One day she had him sitting in front of a tent, roasting a fish over a fire. The fish was a cucumber.
Another time she had him laying on the ground over a fallen bicycle. His one and only arm lay on the road a few feet away. People driving by thought it was a real accident and called 9-1-1. That prompted a visit from a sheriffís deputy, who asked Nancy to pick up George, which she did.
Someone even abducted George on June 10. They mailed anonymous ransom notes to the Langen farm, stuffed his arm in their mailbox, even sent the Langens a picture of him standing in front of Mt. Rushmore. George and Nancy were reunited at a Langen family picnic on June 26. Nancy isnít saying who, but she suspects a certain relative in that crime.
What is Georgeís future? His creator isnít sure. One thing is certain: he has brought some cheer to people who look for him. ìIt gives you something to look for on the trip here,î Crapisi said. ìWhen I donít see it, I look for it on the way back.î
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com