Cooperative Living October 2017 - 18

Painted rocks even travel out of the
county, state or country. Andrea Belton,
a Southside Electric Cooperative member
who has a deft hand when it comes to
painting rural scenes on her rocks, says,
" I love it when my rocks travel ... or
'rock and roll,' as we like to say. "
Jessica Laws watched one of her rocks
travel to Japan. " It was very exciting, "
says the founder of the RVARocks group,
which covers 11 counties in Central
Virginia, including four served by
Southside Electric Cooperative and one
served by Rappahannock Electric
Cooperative. With over 26,000 active
members, the RVARocks group was one of
the first groups started in Virginia and has
inspired the inception of several smaller
groups in nearby cooperative-served areas.
Painting and hiding rocks is something
anyone can do. Age and artistic talent are
not important. It's the thought, effort and
care put into each rock that make the
largest impact. Northern Neck Electric
Cooperative member Tara Brent says,
" My children get so excited when they
see a painted rock. It doesn't matter
what it looks like! "
Like the Project Semicolon rock that
Carol found, many rocks are painted with
causes near and dear to the painter's heart.
" I paint cerebral-palsy-awareness rocks in
honor of my 3-year-old son, Liam, who
suffers from the disorder, " says
enthusiastic rocker Nicole Augustine.
Some rocks are painted in honor of
fallen heroes. Community Electric
Cooperative member Vykki Harrell
explains that a Suffolk-area couple,
Bill and Cindy Price, organized the
painting of 34 3 9-11 rocks for the
New York firefighters who lost their
lives on Sept. 11. " These rocks were
distributed around the Suffolk area, and
some were even sent to New York
to be placed at various memorials to the
fallen, " she explains.
For Rappahannock Electric Cooperative
member Michelle Southern, painting
and finding rocks with her husband is fun,
but it's the hiding that brings her true joy.
" We really love hearing the little ones
behind us squealing with excitement
when they find them, " she says.
When A&N Electric Cooperative
member Sarah Quiles first started the
Eastern Shore Rocks! Facebook page,
it was a way for her children to get off
their electronics and engage in an exciting
activity outdoors, a modern-day treasure
hunt of sorts. Quiles was pleasantly
16 I Cooperative Living I October 2017
surprised when it turned into a
community-involved kindness movement.
She explains, " We have local businesses
offering free items and discounts for
their businesses if you find one of their
rocks. It's been bringing our community
and the surrounding areas together,
which really rocks! "
Patty Atkins-Smith, a member of
Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative,
has a home in West Augusta and loves
watching the movement grow in
popularity. " Rocking is so much fun.
It's a very challenging 'sport, " ' she jokes.
But, like sports, there are rules and
expectations that go along with the game.
Though these guidelines vary slightly from
group to group, the most common rules
include not leaving rocks in state or
national parks (it's against the law), not
leaving rocks in grassy areas maintained
by groundskeepers (they may damage
mowers), and making sure to properly
seal your decorated rock to avoid rain
washing the paint off into the
environment.
There are also expectations within each
Enter to win a $50 .,. · ·
*
Amazon Gift Card
Somewhere in the pages of this issue
of Cooperative Living is an image of
a rock painted by RVARocks and
Rockbridge Rocks member Candy
Morgan-Overby, also known as the
" Woodland Fairy. " On the rock is
painted the Cooperative Living logo.
Once you locate the rock, head on
over to our Facebook page
(www.facebook.com/ cooperative
living) and let us know what page
number the rock is located on. You
must " like " the Cooperative Living
Facebook page and post your entry
by Sunday, Oct. 22, at 2 p.m. in
order to be entered to win a $50
Amazon gift card. We will randomly
select a winner and then announce
it on our Facebook page.
I
*
group that help make the experience as
enjoyable as possible for everyone. These
expectations include always making sure
there are rocks left behind for others, only
keeping your favorites and re-hiding the
others, and re-hiding most rocks in the
same park you found them.
While the rock movement appeals to
families with children, it isn't just for the
young. It's also for the young at heart.
Community Electric Cooperative member
Jessie Estrella, who enjoys painting
beautiful dot mandala patterns on her
rocks, says her 68-year-old father has
gotten into painting, hiding and finding
rocks. " People of all ages are getting into it.
Just about everyone I know in Virginia is
infatuated with this movement. You don't
have to have kids to enjoy this activity; "
she points out.
Another added bonus to the rock
craze is that you might rediscover
parts of your community you haven't
appreciated in a while. Craig-Botetourt
Electric Cooperative member Ashley
Seldomridge enjoys painting rocks with
her husband, Scott, and two young
children. The Alleghany County resident
says, " Not only has this experience
provided a wonderful chance for us
as a family to work together to create,
explore and have fun, but it has also
opened our eyes to the fine details of the
beauty of our surroundings. "
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Cooperative Living October 2017

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Cooperative Living October 2017
