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In time for Karl Oskar Days next week-- Karl Oskar and Kristina Nilsson are back on their pedestal in Lindstrom.

The aging fiberglas statue was moved from its perch in front of the Chisago County Press building Feb. 20 and was transported to St. Paul Fabricating and Decorating, which specializes in restoring artifacts.

An extensive rehab included reinforcing the materials and a new coating applied, and the concrete base was rebuilt.  The duo-- who are characters in a beloved Scandinavian book series returned to Lindstrom Thursday, June 28.

This piece began life as a parade float ornament fabricated for Plastic Products, Inc in 1966.  Owner Willard Smith gave the item to Jim Hoy, Chisago County Press owner, to place on the Press property in a prominent spot at the entry into town sometime in the 1970s.

The piece is a copy of original art in Sweden done by Axel Olsson.

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