Let the Gnoming Begin in Canton

So far, not too many Canton families have been lucky enough to discover a gift-bearing gnome in their front yard but one local couple has started a tradition they hope will continue.

It involves Gnoming a friend or neighbor in town by leaving a gnome  statue and a gift — such as a bottle of wine — on their front lawn. The idea is for that person to then pass it on to someone else within a week’s time.

“Hopefully it goes on forever,” said Michael Riley, who passed the The Canton Gnome to its first recipient in the High Valley neighborhood last Friday night.

Riley said he heard of the idea last year from his wife Stacey.

Friends of theirs had told her about being gnomed in Cohassett, MA. Riley liked the idea and when he saw a gnome at Riverside Nursery this year, he decided to get started with the plan.

Friend Stephanie May, owner of Mr. Trophy in Hartford, created engraved tags for the bottom of the gnome.

Riley also set up a blog to keep track of the gnome’s travels. While  Patch has clearly blown the Rileys' cover, residents can keep the process anonymous, as is often the tradition of such acts.

Riley, however, would love for people to add photos and notes about the gnome's travels. People can post directly, anonymously or otherwise, to the blog or simply e-mail Riley through a link found at the site.