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Statue stolen in 2001 recovered and returned By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF A $25,000 bronze statue of a Ukrainian poet, stolen from a local park in 2001, has been found and will soon be back on display -- just not in Oakville. Lyudmyla Pogoryelova, director of the Taras Shevchenko Museum in Toronto, which owns the sculpture, said the statue was discovered in November 2011 in the possession of an antique dealer and will become an exhibit at the Toronto museum starting March 9. "We, the board of directors and all the members of the museum, are very happy the statue was recovered," said Pogoryelova. "We are very, very happy. We are going to celebrate this event." The one-metre by one-metre statue is of a seated Taras Shevchenko -- a 19th century artist and poet credited with establishing the modern Ukrainian literary language. It was created by renowned sculptor Ivan Honchar and given to Ukrainian Canadians by Ukraine in the 1950s. The statue was placed in north Oakville's Shevchenko Memorial Park where it remained until September 2001 when it suddenly disappeared. "A woman whose cottage was near the property told me that shortly before the statue disappeared she chased two men away who had been measuring (it)," said Pogoryelova. "After the statue was stolen we kind of lost hope. The police investigation didn't give us any results." Things took a turn for the worse in 2006 when a second bronze statue of Shevchenko, located in the same park, was also stolen. The head on this sculpture was later discovered at a Burlington smelter. 7 · Thursday, February 2, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com Fortunately for the first statute, its fate would not include being cut up for its value as scrap metal. "In November, we received an e-mail from an antique dealer in Hamilton who said he has a statue of Taras Shevchenko for sale and he attached a picture," said Pogoryelova. "When I opened that e-mail I was almost 100 per cent sure it was the statue that had disappeared. We immediately called him and the next day we were in Hamilton to see it. He showed (it to) us and we recognized it right away." See Statue page 13 WE MADE IT BETTER. SUBMITTED PHOTO NATURE MADE GRANITE. recovered: A statue stolen from an Oakville park in 2001 has been recovered. It's not in ideal condition, but it is in one piece. Live Cooking Demos Come experience Jenn-Air® Feb 11, 2012 from 11am - 2pm Light snacks served With the purchase of cabinetry & countertops from Granite Transformations May not be combined with other offers or discounts. Expires Feb. 29, 2012. FREE SINK Euro-Style Stainless ­ Sleek and sophisticated with slightly curved handles, subtle details and smooth stainless steel surfaces. JENN-AIR WALL OVENS ® 6 MONTHS NO PAYMENTS NO INTEREST O.A.C. Done in a day. Beautiful for life How would you like to have a virtual sous chef in your kitchen? Now it's possible with the Jenn-Air ® exclusive Culinary Centre. This feature assures the cook that no detail is overlooked. It adjusts to the nuances of pan size and material, and it has industry exclusive pictures to show doneness levels - to cook foods exactly the way the cook wants. Come and see our knowledgeable staff for more information HAMP S HI R E GATE Only Granite Transformations uses ForeverSealTM which means our granite is more stain and scratch resistant than "ordinary" granite. And, our surfaces bond permanently over existing countertops, walls, showers and tubs, so you get lifelong beauty without the usual renovation mess! Most installations are done in a day and are backed by a lifetime warranty. Granite Transformations also offers cabinet refacing! HWY #403 2525 Hampshire Gate Oakville/Mississauga DUNDAS ST W (905) 829-9909 x WI NS TON CHUR CHI L L B LVD. For a FREE in-home design consultation and FREE sink offer, call us at: 1.888.232.1363 529 Speers Road, Oakville www.granitetransformations.ca © 2010 Granite Transformations. Some restrictions may apply. Please see store for complete details. SAVE THE DATE HALTON WOMEN'S PLACE AT THE presents presents Saturday, February 25, 2012 5:30pm Reception | 6:30pm Dinner $150 OAKVILLE CONFERENCE & BANQUET CENTRE Purchase a table of 8 before December 31st and save $200 per person (includes open bar) For further information please contact Carm Bozzo or Diane Boumeester r 905-332-1200, ext. 263 Gentlemen: Black Tie | Ladies: Black and/or White Preferred Exclusive Black Tie Ticket Sponsor ­ Greg Kuchma, Sales Representative, Royal LePage Burloak Real Estate Services White Gown Sponsor