New 'Welcome To Flanders' Donated After Theft

FLANDERS, NY — An insurance company has stepped up to replace the "Welcome to Flanders: Home of the Big Duck" sign that was swiped in February.

Aflac has donated the new $7,000 sign and a dedication will be held Monday, May 15, at 1 p.m. at the site where the old sign was located at the intersection of Route 104 and Pleasure Drive in Flanders.

The Aflac Duck will also be present for photos.

The search continued for weeks for whoever swiped the "Welcome to Flanders" sign, adorned with an image of the Big Duck, February. police said. The sign was stolen sometime during the overnight hours of Feb. 9 to Feb. 10., Suffolk County police said. A reward was offered, but no one came forward.

The Flanders, Riverside & Northampton Community Association will be present for the unveiling.

Angela Huneaul, president of FRNCA commented: "When the sign was stolen in February it was devastating to the community. Who would want to steal a sign that has been in place for over 20 years?"

Aflac, she said, reached out to FRNCA immediately, offering to replace the “Welcome to Flanders” sign.

"We were overwhelmed by their generosity. We are a 501c3 and rely on the support of businesses, membership, and a grant from the town. We did not know how we could or when we would be able to replace the sign," Huneal said.

FRNCA, she said, maintains the traffic circle in Riverside and the landscaping around all six "welcome" signs. The organization also supports both the Philips Avenue Elementary School and Southampton Head Start with school supplies and other needs that arise during the year; they also host a free "Trunk or Treat" event every year and have a scholarship for students who live in one of the three hamlets, that graduating from high school.

"At the end of each year, we hope we have enough to carry us into the next year. This gift from Aflac was overwhelming and accepted with open arms," she said. "They heard our story and wanted to do anything they could to bring joy to a horrible situation."