Jericho Valentine ‘phantom’ Awakens

Press Release: The Jericho Valentine Phantom refers to an unidentified individual or group who on last year’s Valentine’s Day secretly decorated Jericho, Vermont with a series of red hearts printed on sheets of letter-sized paper.

The perpetrator(s) remain unknown. Speculation about the individual or group that decorated before dawn of February 14 runs rampant. However, the media and those few people in close contact with the Phantom are sworn to secrecy.

Beginning last year in Jericho, red hearts rising from white sheets of paper were attached to the doors of businesses, the library, the fire department station, on barns, restaurants, even on the BELIEVE sign, and elsewhere across Jericho, VT.

Folks have been wondering if this was a one-time phenomenon or if like in Montpelier, Vermont, this will become a part of the yearly Valentine’s Day tradition in Jericho, with the added twist of a poem signed “the Valentine Bandit”.

Be bold in blizzards
move in stealth
stalwart and true
to your mission
be not seen, nor heard.

Cover the town
with paper red hearts
shun all media
never wear ‘your’ heart
on your sleeve.

This is the mantra
of the Valentine ‘phantom’
called by some the
 Valentine ‘bandit’.

She, he, or they
work magic
creating
hearts red afire
or so they say.

Apostle of love
cousin of cupid
descendent of Saint Valentine
creed equal to mail carriers
deliver tidings
of goodwill
and happiness
amidst snow and cold
blooming, warming,
hearts of red.

Bear not a frown
hearts abound
in a sea of smiles
what’s not to love
of such a town?

Last year the Valentine’s Phantom
asked the question -
Do you
believe in love,
Jericho?

The town responded
quietly
but with a smile
Yay, we do indeed.

Thereupon
the red hearts
of paper
and those of people
across town
did swell in joy.

Once again, she awakens
from a nearly yearlong slumber.
The Phantom has dreamt
dreams of love and happiness
dreams of worry too.

Thus, the Phantom does declare
the 2020 Valentine’s theme
to be
Jericho Take Heart
in
Community!