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Missing bear puppet a school mystery
By PAULETTE LASH RITCHIE INVERNESS -- Oh, no! Bunky Bear is gone! What can a school do when its beloved bear is suddenly missing? It can have a Family Math and Science Night. When its favorite furry critter was nowhere to be found, Pleasant Grove Elementary School got busy Thursday evening. The Case of the Missing Bunky Bear, the Morning Show star, was the focus of the family fun night. The caper was coordinated by curriculum specialist Barbie Anderson, where parents and children had to consider possible suspects in this apparent kidnapping. The first suspect was Mrs. "Blueberry" Bedford (Sherry Bedford, cafeteria manager.) According to a suspect list that all the amateur detectives received, her motive was a new grandchild who she thought might enjoy the bear. However, the brochure hinted she could have been thinking "bear burgers". Blueberry's opportunity was her early arrival at school. She also was seen in the hallway, instead of the cafeteria. "She obviously thought no one could see her," the suspect list stated. Another prime suspect was Mrs. "Mastermind" Myer (Charlotte Myer, media specialist). The bear collection in her library could always use another bear. Opportunities abounded for Mastermind. According to the suspect list, she is here all of the time and has keys to all of the rooms of the building. Students and parents could not overlook the possibility of Mr. "Baby Face" Breder (Michael Breder, technology teacher, who produces the Morning Show). His motive could have been his need for a companion for his dog. He also likes to play tricks on the children and his mother's last name is Beres! (A suspicious coincidence?) Nabbing the unsuspecting bear would have been a cinch for Baby Face. He does stay late and would be able to slip in and out without being seen. He, like Mastermind, also has keys to all of the rooms, according to the suspect list. "PG" La Pooch, Bunky's sidekick on the Morning Show was an obvious suspect. PG is extremely jealous of Bunky becaus Bunky gets too much TV time and gets a lot of attention. More fan mail comes to Bunky than PG. How could PG abduct Bunky, though? Well, they are together an awful lot of the time and PG knows where he lives. The final suspect was Mrs. "Busy Bee" Brooks (Lynn Brooks, school receptionist). The list said, she is building a house and needs someone to oversee the construction. But that was not the most incriminating thing about Busy Bee. She was overhead saying how cute Bunky is. But did she have opportunity? You bet your sweet bear she did! Busy Bee gets to school early each morning and has access to all rooms. Armed with lists of suspects, the sleuths were equipped with Crime Scene Observation books for recording clues. Deputy Tim Langer was on hand to help untangle the mysterious mess and to take finger and paw prints. The families looked for clues at the suspects' desks. They attempted to make deductions from crumbs and liquids left at the crime scene. Ink samples and material swatches were analyzed. And finally the novice detectives made their deductions. But wait! What's this? Mr. Dougherty (custodian) suddenly appeared with Bunky Bear. It seems the unfortunate puppet was accidently popped into a trash bag and had been taken out to the trash bin. Mr. Dougherty saved the day. He was the evening's hero . . . and all the suspects were off the hook.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
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