Rhonda the Rock Snake taking shape
Local family creates installation as kindness project for community
Along the Back Harbour Trail in Lunenburg, a snake lies beside the trees, hidden among pebbles and rocks. This is no ordinary snake. Its head is a bright shade of lime green with a sunlight yellow mouth. This is Rhonda the Rock Snake, an installation by 10-year-old Henry and (nearly) eight-year-old Winston Astley, with the help of their mother, April Parker.
“We were hoping we’d bring joy to our friends and neighbours here,” April said on a recent video call about the family’s latest kindness project.
April, who works in philanthropy, said she tries to teach her children about empathy by doing regular projects to help people or animals.
The family has landed in the news before. In December 2020, they were highlighted for another kindness project when they created holiday gift bags for people who could use a boost in spirit.
April told Saltwire at the time that she wants the projects to take time and effort.
“It needs to be a sacrifice from their Tv/play time because doing good is not always easy. But it is always rewarding,” she said.
The inspiration for the latest project came from social media, where April came across a similar idea and showed it to her sons.
“I can’t remember which one of these guys it was that said we should do that for our town, for a kindness project for our town,” April said on the call, as both Henry and Winston enthusiastically pointed towards themselves. “They both say it was them.”
They’re now known in town as the rock snake kids, April says, noting they’ve been recognized at the bank.
After choosing their latest project, they had to scout the perfect location. April wanted to find a spot where the rocks wouldn’t need to be moved in order for the grass to be mowed, while ensuring there was also room for the snake to grow. With help from April’s partner, Jeff Thurlow, they then had to find the perfect rock for Rhonda’s head before the family placed it, as well as half a dozen other painted rocks and a sign featuring a colourful snake, its name and instructions: “Leave a rock. Don’t take”.
“They’re pretty excited. They want
me to take pictures when I go on my walks. They want to see how big she’s gotten,” April said, adding that they like to examine the new ones and try to guess which rocks were painted by friends.
Some of the images include a ladybug painted by Henry and stars painted by Winston.
“There’s a baseball,” Winston said. Although it took a while, April said the snake seems to be catching on. On a recent Wednesday morning, she had measured Rhonda at 16 feet. By Thursday morning, the snake was up to 24 feet, with 92 rocks.
April said the feedback they’ve received is positive, with people commenting how they enjoy seeing Rhonda the Rock Snake or recognizing the family.
“We’re hoping people will see this and want to put more rocks out,” she said, adding that she may have to adjust the shape of the snake in order to get more rocks in the space they have.
April says she’s not yet sure what they’ll do with her at the end of the season, but they may collect the rocks and put Rhonda back out in the spring.