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Hidden rocks in Manawa

Taylor hopes to inspire others

By Holly Neumann


In the hope of brightening someone’s day, Tanya Taylor of Manawa, is painting rocks and placing them around the community.

“I originally started out painting rocks to place in my flower pots to keep the squirrels from digging up my flowers on the advice of a neighbor,” said Taylor. “It became a hobby and something my daughter and I could work on together during the long winters.”

She discovered that groups around the United States were painting rocks with inspirational quotes on them and hiding them for people to find.

“I thought it was a wonderful idea,” she said. “I decided I wanted to start painting rocks during snow storm Evelyn this past April. Three days of being snowed in allowed me to paint and dedicate my first set of rocks to all the military veterans and when the snow melted I was able to hide them in open view at the new Manawa Veteran’s Park.”

Since then, Taylor has painted and hidden 20 more rocks.

“I do it because I love to paint,” she said. “With all the negativity, hate, sadness, suicides and addictions going on lately I would hope someone will find one of my rocks and smile or hold onto that rock for inspiration. We need more kindness in the world.”

Her hope is that others in the community will start painting their own rocks.

“Get the kids involved, it’s a great family project,” she said. “Hide them all over town. If I can brighten someone’s day with a little piece of art or an inspirational quote, I’m all for it.”

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