(Editor’s note: This story originally ran Jan 17, 2021. It’s part of Features Editor Charmain Z. Brackett’s Fave Five of 2021, highlighting some of her early stories readers may have missed)
A small statue with a simple message has touched more people than Sherri Rivers could have ever imagined.
“It’s been rewarding, but it’s been work,” said Rivers, who first put the statue of Mr. Frog, dressed in a tux on the wall outside her Wheeler Road home in January 2000. Next to him, she added a sign wishing people a happy new millennium.
Each month for the past 21 years, Mr. Frog has had a different message and a different handmade outfit. Often his message and clothing reflect the month’s holidays. He offers a special wish for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. In August, he usually dresses for the first day of school and tells everyone that it’s “cool to stay in school.” Instead of that for the 2020-2021 school year, he asked people to simply “remember their teachers and students.”
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As he’s shared his message, he’s gotten responses. He’s received Valentine’s and other holiday cards. Someone left him a pecan pie at Thanksgiving one year.
He was “kidnapped” once and taken to Washington state, where he returned with photographs of his journey.
“There were pictures of him on the plane and watching Orca whales,” she said.
In all, there have been more than a dozen Mr. Frogs, with Rivers keeping a few extras on hand just in case. The elements take their toll on him and his outfits, but he usually keeps his place on the wall. She doesn’t like to bring him in.
“Not long ago a lady came to the door with Mr. Frog. It was raining and windy, and she said she was afraid something was going to happen to him,” said Rivers, who was touched by the gesture. She said it surprised her that someone was concerned about him getting damaged in a storm.
When she’s in the yard, joggers will often call out to tell her they enjoy her frog, and drivers have slowed before turning onto Regent Road to tell her the same thing.
He’s been a bit of a celebrity in his neighborhood.
In 2002, she had a get-together that she called “Frog Fest.” She had cookies and refreshments and put out a guest book for people to sign.
“One guy came with a sign that said, ‘Mr. Frog for Mayor,’” she said.
Mr. Frog also served as the grand marshal for a nearby neighborhood Fourth of July celebration several years ago.
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Rivers has shared Mr. Frog’s escapades with garden clubs and senior groups at several churches.
While most of the stories are lighthearted, there have been some that deeply touched Rivers. One of those came through an unexpected knock on her door one day.
“A lady stopped by and said ‘we visit my father’s grave every Saturday. We pass Mr. Frog, and he lifts our spirits,’” she said. “You just don’t ever know. I probably didn’t know that that statue could lift someone’s spirits.”
Rivers said that visit left both her and her guest in tears.
After 21 years, Mr. Frog has become a fixture, and Rivers said she’ll put him out there until she no longer can.
“It’s been fun,” she said.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
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