BY ALLEN HOWARD
The Cincinnati Enquirer
READING -- The giant cougar mascot perched atop Stillpass Lincoln-Mercury at 8200 Reading Road has withstood rain, sun, wind and snow -- even an arrow in the chest.
But today, after 30 years -- it will succumb to changing times. Steve Book, general sales manager, said the cougar will be taken down between noon and 1 p.m.
"This is the last of the cougar mascots used by the Lincoln-Mercury dealership," Mr. Book said. "The company is designing a new facade and a new look to move into the 21st century."
The 12-foot brown-and-white cougar has been an icon in town, at times assuming the role of the Cincinnati Bengals' mascot.
When the Bengals faced the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl, a picture of the Stillpass cougar was publicized showing 49ers quarterback Joe Montana hanging out of the cougar's mouth.
Local TV stations have used the cougar as a lead-in to stories about cats and weather.
The lovable cougar was also the butt of a cruel joke in 1995, when someone shot it with an arrow.
"A photo of the cougar with the arrow sticking out of its chest was circulated on the (Associated Press) wire," Mr. Book said. Custom Signs Co. of Blue Ash will dismantle the giant cat.
"We tried to save it even when the company said it must go," Mr. Book said.
"We know how much it has meant in Cincinnati."
Mr. Book said he hopes to donate the cougar, which is in good shape, to a school that has a cougar mascot.
