Missing mushroom statue is found

Days after thieves apparently stole a 108-pound mushroom statue from a Chester County business, the piece of artwork - which is set to be auctioned for charity next month - was found.

A man heard about the theft on the news Monday and realized he had seen that mushroom in a field nearby, said Det. Jack Trevisan of the Kennett Square Police Department.

The man, who was visiting Kennett Square from out of town, brought it to the police station in a small shopping cart. Police planned to return it to its home outside Sinclair's Sunrise Cafe and Tea Room Monday afternoon.

Lynn Sinclair, owner of the cafe, was joyful after hearing the news. It was found only a few blocks from the cafe, she said.

On Wednesday morning, employees had arrived to find the statue gone, Sinclair said. The statue is one of eight sponsored by businesses in Kennett Square and painted by local artists this year. The money raised at their auction is part of Mushroom Festival proceeds, which go toward grants given to local charities and organizations.

Sinclair is planning to win the mushroom herself so she can keep it at her cafe, she said.

Called "Sunrise to Sunset," the mushroom features a sky turning from yellow to indigo, with gray clouds, a misty moon and glow-in-the-dark stars, Sinclair said. It was painted by Mindy Kempista, a local artist.

- Justine McDaniel