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 Linda Thomas
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A Tacoma woman's search for garden gnomes

October 14, 2012 @ 7:23 am (Updated: 7:41 am - 10/14/12 )

There's something about garden gnomes that makes them adorable to some, and swipe-able to others.

A 31-year-old graphic artist, who recently purchased her first home in Tacoma is trying to find the cute little figures someone stole from her front lawn.

"It took me two years of living with family, after my company went out of business during the economic downturn, to get stable again and save the money I needed to buy my home," says Sarah Winger. "You can imagine the sense of pride I have. I never thought I'd be a homeowner."

Winger picked up the keys to her new home on September 20 and was excited to move from Olympia to Tacoma where most of her family and friends live. She'd also be closer to her work as a graphic artist. Her "whole life centers" around Tacoma, she says.

3gnomesThe home came with gnomes.

Gnomes are small human-like creatures, usually wearing a pointy hat. They were produced as decoration but also as a "protection from evil sorcery."

The figurines originated in 19th century Germany, where they became known as Gartenzwerg - which literally means "garden dwarf." The English were the first to call them gnomes in the 1930s.

"It was love at first sight. I was so bonkers for these gnomes that my realtor began to tease me, asking if I really liked the house or if I was just buying it for the gnomes," Winger says.

"I even started calling my house the 'gnome home.' I planned to give them a fresh coat of paint, fun names, and had even thought about expanding the gnome family."

A gnome is gone.

When she moved into the house in the Wapato neighborhood of South Tacoma at the beginning of this month, her "lady gnome" was gone.

Then, the same night someone allegedly took Justin Bieber's computer from the Tacoma Dome venue where he was performing, the rest of her "gnomies" were taken from her front lawn.

"I feel disheartened with my neighborhood and this city that I couldn't wait to move back to. I know they're just gnomes, but it's still stealing," says Winger.

Winger started a social media effort to find the gnomes. That's how I became aware of her issue, which she admits is far from the biggest problem in the world. Still, it's theft.

So far in talking about her lost gnomes, Winger has had people point out that gnomes are commonly stolen and a few people have said, "What do you expect? It's Tacoma."

"That makes me sad as well. How can we just say 'It's Tacoma' and brush off when things like this happen?" Winger asks. "I miss the little guys. I'll be okay if they never do make it home, but if they do they will be relocated to the back yard."

By LINDA THOMAS, I don't care if Justin Bieber ever gets his laptop back. I would like to see Sarah reunited with her gnomes.

More from Linda Thomas

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Comments (10)


  • Add A Comment

  • Ron_Spins wrote...
    You would be surprised at who really took them.
    October 14, 2012 9:12 am
    But you don't want to know if you want them back.Give them an out..a way to give them back anonymously...they may soon reappear.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ron_Spins wrote...
    Here is a path
    October 14, 2012 9:26 am
    To the person who "borrowed" the gnomes place them somewhere in the forest at Pt.Defiance Park.We will find them..
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • EskieMom wrote...
    I love gnomes too
    October 14, 2012 9:26 am
    But I NEVER display them in the front yard. Mine are all safe and sound in back.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cb-renton wrote...
    Gnomes, Gnomes, Who's got the Gnomes?!!
    October 14, 2012 10:39 am
    Those are Alberta's molds easily done at a ceramic shop. Closest in Tacoma is SirAmick's at 56th & So. Sheridan. Have fun!!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Snout wrote...
    I can't stand those gnomes.
    October 14, 2012 11:33 am
    Total white trash nonsense. But I feel her pain. There are a couple nonsense items in my yard that I'd hate to have stolen like the concrete frog or my cast iron cat. Hope she gets her nonsense items back.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • boyerbl wrote...
    Bothell Gnome Rescue Center
    October 14, 2012 6:19 pm
    As the owner of the Bothell Gnome Rescue Center I have gathered my Gnomes for a meeting and issued them garden hoes for protection. Maybe they have gone on vacation with the Travelocity travel gnome.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Jeff Schroeder wrote...
    we ALL miss the point that...
    October 14, 2012 8:42 pm
    Dirtballs/Gangstas-Gansta wannabees losers and low lifes of all stripes don't have the right to take other people stuff..
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • imanegro wrote...
    Jeff Schroeder
    October 15, 2012 5:13 am
    I got that.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Daddy Dennis wrote...
    Gnomes
    October 14, 2012 11:08 pm
    They are so misunderstood. This poor woman thinks her gnomes were stolen. Gnomes do not get stolen. They fly away.

    Oh, you didn't know gnomes could fly? Well, now you do!

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }