It’s a weird time in and around the Lehigh Valley area these days–two of our Olympic cyclists getting flack for wearing face masks issued by the USOC when arriving in Beijing (story); Transformers 2 was filmed at the old Bethlehem Steel plant a couple of months ago (post); and black bears keep wandering into downtown locations (story). One of the strangest stories I’ve read was in today’s paper; apparently there’s been a rash of robberies involving lawn ornaments in Palmerton.
Gnomes, ceramic frogs, and other denizens of the front yard have fallen victim to a band of alleged teen bandits who set up their booty in a tasteful display in a hidden spot in the city (see above picture). Police have been fielding calls from irate homeowners whose decorations have gone missing. However, it took one woman, Becky Everett, to solve the mystery (full story).
Angry that her 67 year-old mother’s ceramics were nicked from her home, Everett went door-to-door and plastered fliers all over town. She was intent on finding the pieces her sister had hand painted as a gift for mom, who recently survived a bout of cancer. Everett’s efforts paid off when an anonymous caller tipped Everett off to the stolen lawn ornament display just off Lehigh Street (Palmerton). Not only did Everett recover the her mother’s frog and rabbit, she also discovered another one of her mother’s items–a ceramic turtle–that they hadn’t known was missing.
Well, now Everett’s mother is keeping her lawn ornaments indoors lest they get stolen again. Oh, and she won’t put up Christmas decorations either. Hopefully, other gnome owners will be reunited with their plaster friends.
While it’s easy to get a chuckle out of this story (and it is sort of funny), there is something very offensive about having an individual come onto one’s property in the middle of the night and stealing a gnome or a bunny or a frog. I’ve heard of folks “borrowing” lawn gnomes to take ’em out for a good time. The gnome then returns home with a note and an album of pictures of the gnome’s night on the town (more info). All in good fun, right? I suppose so…although I’d be pretty angry if any of those hooligans broke my gnome.
What people don’t realize about these innocent pranks is that very real people get hurt. Taking something that doesn’t belong to you is wrong, even if you’re just “borrowing” it. Even though it’s “just” a lawn ornament, it could mean something special to the owner. I suppose it could be said that something that special shouldn’t be out in front of someone’s house where just anyone could take it.
But think of the logic of that argument–a person shouldn’t but a lawn ornament on the lawn because it could get stolen? Isn’t the very purpose of the object to decorate the lawn? If it was supposed to be in the living room, it would be called a living room ornament, not a lawn ornament.
I dream of a world where lawn ornaments can peacefully dwell on the plush grass of their owners without fear of kidnapping. It just unravels the fabric of the picket fence communities that the 1950’s were built upon. I mean, seriously, do people have so start building moats with draw bridges around their houses to protect their property and their gnomes? It’s a sad day when lawn gnomes can’t even hang out among bushes and under water fountains in the front yard anymore.
She is Beloved 
Amy, I agree with you regarding the unacceptability of stealing lawn items because people feel violated. That’s just wrong!
But … I can’t stop laughing. I mean, think about it. If you knew the neighborhood kids were out collecting yard stuff, wouldn’t you start shopping garage sales for super tacky lawn ornaments?
If I were till a youth pastor, I’d create a scavenger hunt where the kids had to go to specified addresses (all prearranged and perfectly legal) to collect certain items. The final challenge would be to create lovely lawn decor on the pastor’s yard.
Suddenly I want a pink flamingo! But not gnomes … they freak me out. In fact, I’m pretty sure they’re evil.
Amy, I agree with you regarding the unacceptability of stealing lawn items because people feel violated. That’s just wrong!
But … I can’t stop laughing. I mean, think about it. If you knew the neighborhood kids were out collecting yard stuff, wouldn’t you start shopping garage sales for super tacky lawn ornaments?
If I were till a youth pastor, I’d create a scavenger hunt where the kids had to go to specified addresses (all prearranged and perfectly legal) to collect certain items. The final challenge would be to create lovely lawn decor on the pastor’s yard.
Suddenly I want a pink flamingo! But not gnomes … they freak me out. In fact, I’m pretty sure they’re evil.
In college I took this creative writing class where we had to write short stories. This one girl in the class wrote this hilarious story about how lawn gnomes tried to kill everyone. It was hilarious. Naturally, I befriended the girl after the class. 🙂
Lawn gnomes are awesome as are pink flamingos! Did you ever see those yard donkeys? I think those are pretty awesome, too.
In college I took this creative writing class where we had to write short stories. This one girl in the class wrote this hilarious story about how lawn gnomes tried to kill everyone. It was hilarious. Naturally, I befriended the girl after the class. 🙂
Lawn gnomes are awesome as are pink flamingos! Did you ever see those yard donkeys? I think those are pretty awesome, too.
I agree with you.
Though they never had a gnome stolen, my parents have fallen victim so often to vandalism that it has become almost expected. They have had several bird baths broken, boxes stolen off the porch, and numerous other things done. My mom just told me yesterday that there are a group of teens that have been hanging out across the street from them and are throwing pine cones at the garage. They woke up my mom one night and she thought someone was breaking in. Unfortunately, my parents don’t move on thing like I would have and have never called the police. I told her the next time it happened she needed to call immediately. No one should get away with behavior like that whether stealing lawn ornaments or throwing objects. It just isn’t right.
I agree with you.
Though they never had a gnome stolen, my parents have fallen victim so often to vandalism that it has become almost expected. They have had several bird baths broken, boxes stolen off the porch, and numerous other things done. My mom just told me yesterday that there are a group of teens that have been hanging out across the street from them and are throwing pine cones at the garage. They woke up my mom one night and she thought someone was breaking in. Unfortunately, my parents don’t move on thing like I would have and have never called the police. I told her the next time it happened she needed to call immediately. No one should get away with behavior like that whether stealing lawn ornaments or throwing objects. It just isn’t right.
Do you think I need to bring inside the apartment my talking gnome, my 2 butterflies, my pink flamingo, my colorful peacock, my butterfly lawn flag, my pet rock and my U.S. flag tonight when I go to bed? Now I’m worried!
Do you think I need to bring inside the apartment my talking gnome, my 2 butterflies, my pink flamingo, my colorful peacock, my butterfly lawn flag, my pet rock and my U.S. flag tonight when I go to bed? Now I’m worried!