BOCA RATON, FL (March 16, 2010) — The iconic Boca Raton Bridge Hotel is pleased to announce that Milton, The Turtle, its prized mascot, is back home where he belongs within a day-and-a-half of a national media blitz launched to find the commissioned work of art by the internationally renowned, award-winning artist Todd Wagner, a frequent guest of the hotel. The whimsical 5-foot-5, 350 lb. wood, clay, and steel sculpture depicting a life-size Hawks Bill Sea Turtle has stood as a beloved symbol of conservation, protection and community since he began welcoming guests in 2002 to the hotel’s popular on-the-water dining spot: WaterColors restaurant and bar. Milton is one of Warner’s trademark animal sculptures, public installations and home installations, like the ones that can be seen at the corporate headquarters of USA Today, McDonald’s Corporation, the Orlando International Airport and have been collected by people such as: Zsa Zsa Gabor, Charles Gibson of "Good Morning America”, and the CEO and Chairman of Kellogg`s Corporation.
According to Greg Kaylor, General Manager of The Boca Raton Bridge Hotel, Milton was returned anonymously through a New York attorney without the hotel having to fulfill its $2,000 reward for the return of the $25,000 sculpture that was named for a Gumbo Limbo Nature Center sea turtle that was adopted by former Bridge Hotel employees.
“We truly appreciate everyone’s help in sharing the news, from our staff members to far-reaching print, broadcast, and online media that were supported by powerfully viral social media, including Facebook and Twitter postings,” noted Kaylor. “Our ‘Milton Alert’ reached broadly and quickly resulting in the speedy return of our prized mascot, a favorite among children of all ages.”
The Boca Raton Bridge Hotel--one of Palm Beach County’s iconic boutique waterfront hotels--and its two signature restaurants is currently undergoing a multi-million dollar transformation initiative to renovate and reposition of the 121-room hotel known for its unparalleled ocean and Intracoastal views from every guest room and two of the most popular restaurants in Palm Beach County: Carmen’s, Top of The Bridge, an a la carte fine dining and dancing venue with sweeping panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway and home to one of the region’s finest Sunday Brunches, and WaterColors Restaurant & Bar, the only open-to-the-public on-the-water dining in Boca Raton.
The Boca Raton Bridge Hotel (www.bocaratonbridgehotel.com) is located at 999 Camino Real in Boca Raton.