David Zuckerman is reporting in The Daily Mail the wooden statue of Rip Van Winkle that disappeared from Wayside Park in Haines Falls has been found and returned. The seven-foot-tall Van Winkle was found Sat., Aug. 20, behind the Ulster and Delaware Railroad Station off Route 23A, on the same property as the Mountain Top Historical Society. DeDe Terns-Thorpe, historian for the town of Hunter, said he was found with a red envelope attached to the front, bearing the words “Thank you.” The envelope contained a 50-dollar bill. Terns-Thorpe said she was happy to see the statue back. She plans to use the $50 to make signs asking visitors not to litter or cause damage to Wayside Park. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.