Lucy the Elephant in Margate, New Jersey, "the only elephant that you can go into and come out of alive," will celebrate its 125th birthday on July 20.

It's been a rough year for Lucy. In January, the town commissioners voted to stop the $35,000 that they pay annually for Lucy's utilities and insurance. On May 6, a lightning bolt blasted a chunk out of the howdah that straddles her back.

The city fathers have issues with the man in charge of Lucy, Rich Helfant, who they feel has been too liberal with the elephant's budget. "The local media has become a zoo with Lucy stories," Rich cracks. "I've been on the front page around here more than President Bush."

Rich has had to make up the money up through donations and by raising admission price by a dollar. Even those efforts were set back in May with the lightning strike, but Lucy's fans have been equal to the task. One local company has donated a lightning rod system, while another has given the elephant a special birthday "pedicure" -- painting her toenails hot pink and lime green.

Rich's defiant theme for Lucy's birthday is "Stayin' Alive," which another local company has emblazoned on commemorative t-shirts available at the gift shop. Despite the setbacks, the big elephant is still open for tours, seven days a week.

We suggested to Rich that he mount splinters from the blasted howdah on plaques, and sell them as collectibles. "You know, that's not a bad idea," he answered. Hey, if ideas like that can go through, then things are definitely looking up for Lucy. [07/15/2006]

February 10, 2012