Almost a year after finding a mysterious sign on the shores of Nantucket, Marion resident Chris Makepeace has returned the artifact to its home.

Last fall, Makepeace took his annual fishing trip to Great Point on Nantucket. A self-described “beachcomber nut,” he was on the lookout for interesting things washed ashore.

A white sign with black lettering that read “Saturday and Sunday @ Hyytinen Hollow” caught his eye.

“I threw it in the back of the truck. Being inquisitive, I wondered what it was,” said Makepeace. “I thought it was some spiritual group from Nantucket.”

An Internet search revealed that the sign was from a hotdog stand, part of a river tube rental shop in Charlemont, Mass. A photo of the sign before Hurricane Irene sent it down the Deerfield River was on the Hyytinen Hollow website.

Makepeace called up the owner, Marie Hyytinen, and told her he had found a portion of her sign. In July, Makepeace and his partner Marilyn Whalley drove to Charlemont to return it and meet Hyytinen.

“She was a lively person. We met her at the hotdog stand, which is right in her backyard,” said Makepeace. “We took a picture, chatted, and went on our way.”

While there, Makepeace walked down to the river and saw the tree where the sign was ripped off – 20 feet above the river.

“Hurricane Irene was really devastating up there, but everything was back to normal,” said Makepeace.

The Hyytinens have replaced the sign, which looks almost exactly like the one that floated down the river.

Makepeace estimates that the sign traveled 750 miles, winding from the Deerfield River to the Connecticut River, then to Long Island Sound, and eventually back up to Nantucket.

Of his pilgrimage, Makepeace said, “It’s always nice to put a face with a name or a voice. It’s just like in a book.”

Makepeace also said he’s getting ready to head out on his annual fishing trip. After Hurricane Sandy, he’s liable to find just about anything on the shores of Nantucket.

Whatever he discovers, Makepeace said: “I’ll let you know.”