By Sara Faiwell
Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted Friday, July 07, 2006

It looks like downtown Palatine will soon have a giant rock to honor one famous mom.

A 2,400-pound stone has been selected as a memorial for Marion “Ma” Nugent, the late mother of Motor City Madman Ted Nugent.

By late this summer, it will sit in front of Durty Nellie’s pub as a tribute to the 28-year resident of the town.

In recent months, there has been an ongoing effort by local musician Eric Kinkel to honor the woman everyone referred to as “Ma.”

After a benefit concert in early June, plans are now in place for the monument to be installed in the next couple of months.

“We are supporters of rock ’n’ roll in general,” said Durty Nellie’s owner Mark Dolezal. “This is something that would be good for us to be affiliated with.”

Marion “Ma” died in 1989, and Kinkel, who was a close friend, said she never had a proper tribute. She would often give rockers words of advice and frequent their shows.

Bloomington artist Julie Crowe has donated her skills to carve and sandblast artwork into the monument based on the vision Kinkel has.

It will also feature a bronze plaque with an inscription penned by Kinkel, along with input from rock star and hunting enthusiast Ted Nugent.

“The rock will stand as a metaphor for the music she loved best: rock ’n’ roll,” Kinkel said.

Local landscaper Paul Munagian from Class Landscaping has donated his time for the project and will surround the monument with a flower bed.

 The completion of the monument is scheduled for late August or early September. Ted Nugent plans to be at the dedication, Kinkel said.

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