PENTWATER, Michigan — Once upon a time, in a land far, far away—well, actually in Pentwater, Michigan—lies a place where grown-ups still believe in magic.

It's a fairy tale that begins not with a castle, but with ruins.

"My name is Mary Fuller, and this is my tree stump," Mary said with a laugh, gesturing to what would become the neighborhood's most magical address.

The story starts like many fairy tales do—with what seemed like an ending.

"It was a beautiful tree. The leaves were wonderful in the fall, a bright red," Mary explained. "The tree fell during a storm."

What followed was a predicament that no fairy godmother could solve.

"It blocked the whole street. The village had to come out and pick it up, and left me with the stump," Mary said.

When Mary called chainsaw companies fo

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