Read the original story here-
Missing In Magnolia July 25, 2013
Hi Joey,
My husband and I have been residents of Magnolia for the past couple of years. We read your blog everyday and love everything about Gloucester and Cape Ann. Our neighbor, Terry Weber, did a post in the blog while relaxing in our pretty garden the first year we were here. This is our piece of heaven. We have felt very safe in our neighborhood. Sadly, I writing to express my disappointment. Someone stole a hand painted wooden sign that hung next to our front door. I bought it from an artist at a craft fair in Manchester soon after we moved here. I am attaching a picture. If any of your readers happen to notice someone with a new Cape Ann sign in or our of their home, I would hope that someone might contact you at your blog. This is not a piece of art that would have been purchased locally. We would love to have our sign back.
Lynn and Bob Bird
Magnolia, MA
Follow Up to “Missing in Magnolia”
Earlier this summer I wrote to you with a heavy heart as I expressed my dismay at having a lovely Cape Ann fish sign stolen from our home in Magnolia. Sadly it was never returned to us.
A couple of weeks ago I returned home to find a beautiful copper dory placed on a bench in our front yard. Neither my husband, nor I knew where it came from but admired the beautiful craftsmanship. We asked several neighbors about the dory, but no one knew anything about it.
A couple days later my husband and I were walking along Shore Rd. in Magnolia and came upon a local man in his truck pulled up on the side of the road. We didn’t know his name but we see him on our daily walks, enjoying his coffee and newspaper at Magnolia Beach. As we approached he called out, “That’s for plants.” Upon realizing that he was the creator of this beautiful dory, we introduced ourselves. His name is James (Jim) Fialto. He’s a coppersmith. Apparently he had just heard that we lost our sign, and had some free time on a Sunday afternoon waiting for the Patriots game to begin. When asked why he made us the dory, he said, “I felt bad about your sign being stolen and I see you picking up trash every day on your walk…”
We shared this story with many people and all agree what a lovely gesture this was. Residents of Magnolia acknowledge the kindness of Jim and agree that we live in a very special place.
Sincerely,
Lynn and Bob Bird
Magnolia
Good Morning Gloucester 