A group raising funds to help repair the N.C. Museum of Life and Science that was beheaded earlier this year has just ordered its third batch of T-shirts.

You can buy a shirt at the Farmers' Market this weekend from 8 to noon or online at www.savethebronto.com.

The Bronto design was created by Northgate resident Sebastian Florand, who is a graphic artist. The Northgate Park Bronto Committee volunteers have sold more than 700 T-shirts, raising enough money to pay for the repair of the head and major body damage.

Now we need to address the peeling and flaking of the fiberglass body, paint the entire statue and install a new fence.

Remaining money will be set aside for an emergency fund.

People have bought shirts from as far away as California and New York, and many points in between, including Tennessee, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Indiana, Virginia, as well as Raleigh, Durham, Ashes, Wake Forest and other areas close by.

It is amazing the attachment folks have to the Bronto.

The group will continue selling T-shirts until November when we celebrate the Bronto's 42nd birthday.

We are planning a birthday celebration to which the public will be invited. More details will be available at a later date.

We are very appreciative that everyone has rallied to Save the Bronto. Although we have reattached Bronto's head, there is more to be done before we can say the job is done !