The Rutland Herald reported that a Santa Claus statue was stolen from the entrance to Santa's Land, in Putney, Vermont on April 4th. The statue was one of only four figures remaining from the original theme park, which opened in 1957. Who will next fall victim to mindless theft and vandalism -- the Purple Plum Man?

Park owners Tim and Leslie Wells have posted a $1,000 reward for the safe return of the 8-foot tall fiberglass fat man.

April 10, 2006 - Update: According to a story in the Brattleboro Reformer, a fisherman spotted the Santa statue half-submerged while angling in Broad Brook in Guilford, Vermont on Saturday morning. The statue is now safely back at Santa's Land, and will undergo some surgery to repair a broken mitten and pelvic crack. The $1,000 reward is still offered for info that results in the arrest and conviction of vandals still at large. [04/08/2006]

November 10, 2009