Lost and Found

It was the call that “sparked a nationwide maze craze,” says Bob Connors, owner of Connors Farm, just north of Boston. In October 2011, a frightened couple and their infant got lost in Connors’ Salem Village–themed maze. Somewhat panicked, they called 911. The local canine unit sped to the scene, and the couple was quickly found and rescued.

“I thought that was the end of it,” Connors recalls. The story, however, took on a life of its own, as the 5th-generation farmer began fielding calls from media outlets, including numerous radio and TV stations, “Good Morning America” and the Associated Press. Reportedly, the story even scored time on David Letterman’s “Late Show” and the Weekend Update on “Saturday Night Live.”

“The whole story went viral because of this 911 call,” Connors says with some trepidation in his voice. “I mean, I hate to take a hardship like that and say it was a good thing, but it was a positive thing for every maze across the country. We and just about every other maze were very busy from that moment, right through to closing on Halloween.”

Such a media bonanza wasn’t Connors’ only brush with fame. In 2009, his maze was based on “Family Guy” animated TV characters Brian and diabolical baby Stewie. “We got a surprise visit from Seth MacFarlane,” Connors says of the show’s creator. “He was actually in New York, and he made a special trip out here on his birthday, and did the maze and a photo shoot with us. He’s just a down-to-earth guy, and it was a cool experience.”

He’s also hoping Clint Eastwood will see this story, since the photo of the maze he inspired is running with it.

“Clint Eastwood’s my favorite actor,” says Connors. “Maybe it’s just a selfish thing on my part after the whole Seth MacFarlane thing, but I’m really hoping that Mr. Eastwood would come out for a visit.”