A group of Occoquan residents have been painting rocks and hiding them around the town for people to find, bringing some color to the town and its people.
People who find these rocks have been taking photos with them and then hiding them again for others to find.
Donna Sherman, owner of Puzzle Palooza, has seen several of these rocks herself:
“I have seen a few around town, and near my store. They definitely bring a smile to my face!” Sherman said.
Other local business owners have taken notice of these unconventional masterpieces and even joined in the effort.
Paint Your Heart Out owner, Nikki Vandover-Ballard, and her daughter, Chloe, found one of these hidden treasures and helped to create more.
“We found a rock and painted more rocks because we were inspired by the one we found! We have seen people photographing the rock because it is on the bench outside of our studio,” Vandover-Ballard said.
Another mother-daughter team, Sarah Burzio (owner of Hitchcock Paper), and her daughter, Lydia, joined the Vandover-Ballard team to “bring more rainbows to the town.”
When asked how Occoquan was responding to the rocks, Councilwoman Laurie Holloway reflected on her own experience:
“Yes, those rocks are great! I found one on a walk recently, and it made my day. I ended up picking it up and moving it to a nearby spot where an Occoquan neighbor’s dog recently passed away. She’s built a little memorial there, I thought it would brighten her day to know that someone was thinking of her and her beautiful dog,” Holloway said.
According to Mayor Earnie Porta, the group responsible for beginning this initiative want to remain anonymous:
“I do know the person whose idea it was and who is leading the effort with some friends. Last week I inquired about giving them some public recognition and thanks, but they indicated that they prefered to remain anonymous and simply enjoy seeing people’s positive reactions,” Porta said.
Recent Stories
Commemorating Earth Day from Prince William Forest Park today, President Biden announced a series of wide-reaching climate initiatives designed to expand nationwide access to solar energy and create a federal jobs program known as the American Climate Corps.
In a letter addressed to the Chair and the Supervisors of Prince William County, Commonwealth’s Attorney Amy Ashworth outlined her intention to withhold prosecution of certain misdemeanor charges, effective May 1, 2024, if she doesn’t get her money.
At a presentation hosted by the Prince William County Committee of 100, the community gathered to explore the potential utilization of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as a viable energy source for the Northern Virginia region.
Prince William fire and rescue units responded to a residential fire on Merrily Way on April 22, and a fire at Loch Lomond Elementary School on April 20, 2024.
To celebrate Air Quality Awareness Week (May 6-10, 2024), Clean Air Partners is working with A Few Cool Hardware Stores to exchange DC, Maryland and Virginia residents’ gas-powered lawnmowers, trimmers, and leaf blowers at select Ace Hardware locations in the region. DMV residents who turn in their gas-powered lawn tools will receive a FREE Ego Power+ replacement including batteries and chargers, while supplies last.
Compared to gas, electric lawn equipment can reduce emissions, noise pollution, health risks and maintenance costs and time. The program aims to remove about a hundred gas-powered polluting tools from yards in the greater Baltimore-Washington region.
The exchanges will take place the weekends of May 17-19, 2024, and May 31-June 2, 2024, at A Few Cool Hardware Stores network of employee-owned Ace Hardware stores in the DC and Baltimore metro areas. To participate and get your free Ego Power+ lawn tool, sign up at https://qrco.de/CAPExchange to reserve your tool and select your trade-in date and location.
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Free Irish Music Concert
Welcoming Spring with music from the Emerald Isle, the New Dominion Choraliers offer a FREE concert on Saturday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the First United Presbyterian Church of Dale City.
Joined by Legacy Brass and members of Old
Spring Ceili: An Irish Music Festival
The New Dominion Choraliers of Prince William County and McGrath Morgan Academy of Irish Dance invite you to join them at our Ceili, a grand celebration of Irish music and dance.
A gathering of performance groups throughout Prince William County
