Norwalk Main Street flower basket stolen — and then returned

A basket of pink petunias was stolen from Main Street in Norwalk on Saturday, but was returned later Sunday. (Facebook photo)

By SARAH PARKER | County Line Reporter

Though a flower basket on Norwalk’s Main Street vanished Saturday night, later it was quietly and anonymously returned, a move in which a viral Facebook post likely played a role.

After discovering the theft, Barb Ornes of Norwalk, who tends the village flowers, put out a Facebook post announcing that the basket of pink petunias was missing. Frequently shared, the post elicited widespread condemnation for the perpetrator.

Ornes then received a message from a friend of the perpetrator, who reportedly was drunk when he or she had stolen the basket. Sober regrets apparently prompted the individual to return the basket Sunday.

“Facebook shaming” probably served as an effective tool, Ornes noted.

After meeting with Ornes, Norwalk Police Chief David Jones agreed not to pursue the matter.

The basket was somewhat bedraggled, but Ornes said she thought she could revive it in about a week.

The Norwalk Rails-to-Trails Committee, which sponsors a marathon on the Elroy-Sparta State Trail in the fall, provides the money for the 22 baskets along Main Street. Each spring, Ornes obtains the baskets from Falls Floral in Black River Falls, hanging them the week after Mother’s Day.

The committee equips Ornes with a gater, and the Village of Norwalk supplies the water.

Ornes estimated she spends about an hour each day watering, fertilizing and weeding flowers in the village’s public spaces.

Ornes is the primary volunteer, with her husband John helping out on weekends. A few other volunteers work at times to give the Ornes a respite, she added.

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