ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, February 24, 1997 TAG: 9702240122
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: BOSTON
SOURCE: Associated Press
The autographed ``Cheers'' script mysteriously stolen during a masked charity ball turned up just as mysteriously on the steps of a church.
The television show script, snatched from a Handel & Haydn Society gala benefit and auction, was left outside St. Joseph's Church in Malden on Thursday night.
``All you can say is that somebody had a change of heart in the matter,'' the Rev. Robert Fountain said.
The stolen script of the last ``Cheers'' episode was autographed by cast members of the sitcom set in Boston. It was donated by actor George Wendt, aka Norm.
After drawing a high bid of $1,000, it was taken from the Four Seasons Hotel on Feb. 15 during the Handel & Haydn Society's $250-a-plate Carnival of Venice gala.
Its return was as surprising as its theft.
``Someone rang the doorbell at 7:30 and left the script in a manila envelope at the door,'' Fountain said. ``We have a young lady works here answering the door and phone. When she got to the door, no one was there.''
A half-hour after the script was dropped off at the church, a man telephoned asking if it had been received.
LENGTH: Short : 34 linesby CNB