LOUISA ROCKS!
That is the name of a Facebook Group organized by Marsha Slone, that has become a rising trend to the people of Louisa, Ky and surrounding areas.
The activity of the group is very simple, Hand paint rocks; Hide them anywhere. If you find a painted rock along the way, you have the option to keep one rock on your hunt and if you don’t keep it you can re-hide it for someone else to find.
When asked about why she started this group Slone replied, “I started it because it’s a way for families and people in the community to come together and have fun at a low cost, plus gain exercise and enjoy the outdoors.”
“I never dreamed it would become so popular,” Mrs. Slone said.
The popularity Slone mentioned is because the group is around seven weeks old and it already has a following of over 1,400 participants.
Joyce Castle is one of two moderators in the group.
“I’m so glad Marsha started this group. It has grown so much in a short period of time, and is so much fun,” Castle said. “I have even dug out my paint brushes and enjoy painting and hiding the rocks. We have some really talented artist in our area.”
The group is getting families out together and not in front of the TV and video games, Castle added. “It’s a good way to spend time together.”
I had the pleasure on July 26, 2017 to join the second moderator of the group, Bobby Keeton and his wonderful family, ( wife Angela, sons Trey almost 7 yrs old and Cory 14 months old) on their family hunt and hide. As we walked, and hunted they told me of how they have a blast painting, hunting and hiding rocks together, and how this group has had a positive impact on the community.
“People have joined from all over the Tri-state area and even some out of state,” Bobby Keeton said.
Their son Trey is very artistic and this is right up his alley, he really enjoys painting the rocks as much as he does finding rocks that others have painted.
“We try to get out hunting and hiding 3 times a week” Angela Keeton says. Part of the rules to the group are you can keep one rock per hunt, so if Trey finds a rock he likes he keeps it, but if later on through the hunt he finds another rock he likes better he will switch it out with the rock he kept earlier.”
“That just makes it fun and fair for others, so there are plenty of rocks for everyone to find.We also try to pick up any trash we find along the way, to help keep the community clean.”
Some local businesses have joined in on the fun, and have hidden lucky rocks that if someone finds them they can be redeemed for a prize when they bring it to their stores.
The Group encourages more to join and be a part of this growing group of sharing, posting, painting, hiding and hunting what they call ‘Earth’s Gifts’ and be a Louisa Rocker!
(NOTE: This story does not mean to imply that Marsha invented it. Other towns in our area such as Paintsville and Prestonsburg have also started painting and hiding rocks as well. We do not know where the fad began.)
Find them on Facebook. Click HERE
Story and pictures by Tammy S. Napier
