Iconic South Mpls. Scarecrows Missing
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A mystery is afoot in south Minneapolis. Someone has stolen two neighborhood icons.
Typically, two seasonably dressed scarecrows, which have been at this community garden for nearly 30 years, stand tall on the corner of Lyndale Avenue and 46th Street.
Now, they're gone.
For three decades, Barb Balcom has been tending to the community garden she dreamed up.
Through multiple homeowners, the land has been loaned to her care.
"It's a little piece of rural farmland ... in the city," Balcom said.
But she says a problem has popped up, and it's not weeds.
"I always check out the scarecrows just to be sure they're happy, and they weren't there, and I couldn't believe it," she said. "They've been there for 20-plus years and no one's ever bothered them."
The year-round fashion icons got nabbed late last week. And it's not just Balcom's burden to bare.
People she's never met knew them. Neighbor Boukay Labhard balked at the missing figures.
"They have always been there, so it was this one stable thing that was always there and it was very, very pleasing to see them," Labhard said.
It turns out that the ornaments meant to keep creatures away have pulled them in.
"I hope I get them back. It's almost winter," Balcom said. "They need their winter coats."
Balcom says she hasn't filed a police report. She says she's hoping someone stumbles upon them and returns them.