Winfield community excitedly adds to new rock snake project

WINFIELD — Last week, 9-year-old Scarlet Jones and her grandmother Peg Nelson decided to expand their crafting adventures into the Winfield community by creating the Wanda Lou rock snake.

According to Peg, they got the idea to begin a rock snake when they saw another local community begin one.

“It's a fun activity to get the community involved and something for the kids to do,” Peg said.

They began by placing a head rock, painted green with yellow stripes by Scarlet, and the first body rock, which Peg painted teal with pink polka-dots, at the corner of the Hy-Vee Pharmacy located on North Locust Street.

After placing the initial rocks, Peg posted to the Winfield Community Facebook group and asked others to contribute to the snake.

Since then, Wanda Lou has continued to grow.

When Susan Beard saw the project, she went straight to work to make sure the community knew about it by creating a Facebook group specifically to share pictures of the growing snake and spread the word.

Adults and children alike have added to the rock snake.

“My friend, Peg Nelson, posted pictures of the start of the rock snake on Facebook,” Corriene Culver said. “I thought it was a wonderful community project. Our two 9-year-old granddaughters happened to be staying with me. Both are very creative and love doing painting projects when they visit. When I told them about it, they were anxious to participate! One did a robot; the other did a dragon.”

“I will be adding one myself and hope old and young alike join in the fun!” Corriene added.

“I love simple things that engage all ages,” Community member Pat Fricke said.

Pat painted a rock blue with yellow zig-zags and pink spots to add to Wanda Lou, then left behind a bag of paint supplies to help others participate in the project. “

“I have been sorting things to move and downsize,” Pat said. “The paint was in my car to donate to the school art department but this opportunity came up and I decided this was every bit as good.”

Katie Brown’s children Evelynn, 9, Carter, 6, and Ellie, 2 all added rocks to the project.

“The kids used paint and paint markers to decorate their rocks,” Katie said. “My son used colors resembling his favorite game, Minecraft. My older daughter made a turtle on hers for her favorite animal.”

Scarlet’s local Clover Kid’s Club also joined in the fun.

“Our Clover Club Lil’ Green Comets were excited to help add to rocks to Wanda for two reasons, one painting rocks is FUN and two our club member Scarlett Jones and her Grandma Peg are the creators of Wanda,” Clover Club leader Lisa Rees said.

After Scarlet explained the project to her club, Lisa said that they added 15 rocks to the end of Wanda Lou.

“We didn’t paint anything too crazy!” Lisa said. “Some are just solid colors and some have different patterns on them. The kids really enjoyed mixing different colors togethers!”

As she began to spread the word, Susan thought it was appropriate to ask Peg and Scarlet to name their project.

They decided to name the snake Wanda Lou and set a goal of reaching 100 rocks by Crooked Creek Days to celebrate Wanda Linder’s recent 100th birthday.

“I've known her since I've came to town 45 years ago,” Peg said. “She grew up in this town. I mean, she's lived here all her life, 100 years. And she was such a fantastic cook. She cooked at the school, so everybody knows her and everybody loved her at school.”

According to Scarlet’s mother, Renee Jones, who works where Wanda resides, Wanda loves the idea of the project and feels honored to have it named after her.

“I have known Wanda for over 50 years,” Pat Fricke, another contributor to the project said. “She recently turned 100. Wanda is our area's favorite school cook!”

As of Saturday afternoon, the snake rock has 35 rocks wrapping around the side of the pharmacy thanks to the continued contributions of various members of the community.

“I'm so glad it is taking off so well,” Susand Beard said. “I feel like we need some fun things to do that don't cost alot of money and time plus the whole community can be involved.”

While Peg and Scarlet like to think they’ll reach their 100-rock goal, they said they will keep an eye on the project and possibly add more rocks if they need to. Scarlet already convinced her older sister to add a rock.

The rest of the community feels confident that Wanda Lou will make it to their goal.

“We think Wanda the Snake will make it to 100 for sure by Crooked Creek Days!” Lisa Rees said. “When our community is faced with a challenged we will work together to complete it!”

“I think it will definitely reach 100 rocks by Crooked Creek Days,” Katie Brown said. “It might even get more than 100!”

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com