Painted rocks spread kindness message

The Greek storyteller Aesop once said, "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."

The act of being kind, whether it's giving a compliment or penning a thank you letter, is the thought behind the painted rock movement that has swept the nation.

Locally, the group Sussex County (NJ) Rocks has become part of the treasure-hunt trend that started with an intention to spread kindness and put a smile on someone's face.

With membership in the group, which is run through Facebook, pushing over the 4,100 mark, directions for users are simple: Find a rock, paint it with a picture or quotation and then hide it for someone else to find.

The artist will write the name of the Facebook page or hashtag of the group on the back of the rock -- Sussex County's is #SCNJROCKS -- so when the person finds it, they can post the find on the page, much to the delight of the original artist who hid it, before hiding the rock again.

The rocks, some painted with colorful designs, cartoon characters, flowers, inspirational quotations, and even as produce in the grocery store, are being hidden -- and found -- in front of retail stores, in parks, on trails and at playgrounds.

It is suggested to paint the rocks with acrylic paint and then seal the rocks with acrylic spray to prevent rain from smudging or smearing the painted masterpiece.

Some places are even declaring themselves "rock friendly," including this year's New Jersey State Fair/Sussex County Farm and Horse Show, whose Facebook page encourages the activity but reminds artists to keep the rocks off the walkways.

The Newton Police Department posted on its Facebook on Tuesday that an officer found a patriotic painted rock by the department's traffic trailer, calling it a "much appreciated random act of kindness."

The rocks made in Sussex County are painted by anyone and everyone who enjoys getting crafty. Mothers and children find the activity a great way to get the family together, but many adults, whether married or single, male or female, are enjoying the therapeutic aspect to it.

The New Jersey-created rocks are spreading to other states. On the Sussex County (NJ) Rocks Facebook page, users commented that they were bringing rocks to such places as South Carolina to hide them there.

Although she is quick to say that she can't take credit for the trend, Sara McManus, of Sandyston, can pat herself on the back for starting the project in Sussex County.

After reading an article highlighting the idea behind the project, McManus felt intrigued and took to Facebook to see if the idea had already been started by someone else.

After noticing that the page didn't exist, McManus started the group on July 5 with the goal to "inspire creativity in all ages and energize people to explore the beautiful area we live in."

It became a fun new project to do with her children, son, Zack, 9, and daughter, Sydney, 7, as they painted rocks together as a family.

In fact, the project extended to after her children went to bed as McManus found painting a "big stress reliever."

"When my kids went to sleep, I would add a couple things to the rocks and found myself enjoying it a lot more than I thought I would," she said. "It's so calming."

Sundae Mae, of Andover Borough, joined the group the day it started. She went out exploring with her daughters, Autumn, 31/2, and Winter, 20 months, found some rocks and got painting.

"My oldest loves to go for walks with me now because she searches around for painted rocks," Mae said. "She not only likes to find them, but she likes to look for the places where we have hid rocks to see if someone found them."

Mae, who is a teacher, said every summer for the past three years she has gone on walks through Kittatinny Valley State Park with her daughters and said she has never seen as many families walking around together looking for rocks as she has this summer.

Mae said she and her friends have stayed up late after their children go to bed to paint their own rocks.

Dana Romash, of Wantage, joined because she likes to get crafty with her children -- Justin, 10, CJ, 8, and Jessica, 5. The project allows them to express their creativity and gives the family something to do together.

It also is a great way to get her children out of the house and not focused on TV or video games, she said.

Her children's next painted rock, Romash said, will depict a smashed demolition derby car and will be placed on the fairgrounds. They also love to paint ocean scenes, sunsets, rainbows, flowers, eyeballs and whatever pops into their heads.

Romash said that she and her children are working on getting Dad to join in on the fun.

Vicky Kaiser, of Sussex Borough, found her first painted rock just a few weeks ago at Stokes State Forest on the road heading to Sunrise Mountain.

"What a thrill!" she said in a Facebook post, adding that she was excited to see the mother of the little boy who made the rock respond that her son was delighted someone had found it.

"A wonderful way to bring happiness all around," she said.

Kaiser is now hoping she can get her 6-year-old grandson to join in the fun.

Working at her family's gym, R&T Nautilus in Hampton, Heather Davey said her children walked outside and found a painted rock that said "Don't worry, be happy" and her daughter, Lily, 41/2, screamed with excitement, which then had her son, Carter, 2, "going crazy with happiness."

Many others have taken to the project in the county, including Sara Sarka, of Andover, who wanted to "spread love and kindness in the community" with her two sons, Seth, 7, and Evan, 11.

"Yes, (the project) gets my kids outside and having fun," she said. "But I think of (the rocks) as a gift when we hide them I'm giving that gift to someone else to enjoy and to show them that they are loved."

McManus, who believes the project is also a great way to explore the beauty of Sussex County, said she still has the first rock she found on her windowsill

"It's really small and the project itself is so simple, but it sends such a big message," she said.

To join Sussex County (NJ) Rocks, visit www.Facebook.com and search "Sussex County (NJ) Rocks."

Source: http://www.njherald.com/20170811/painted-rocks-spread-kindness-message

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