Stevenson says she spent a lot of time making crafts with her children when they were younger.<\/p>\n
Now that her kids are grown and she has retired, Stevenson thought rock painting would be a good way to help lighten the mood during the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe kids were loving it. There\u2019s not many things I\u2019m good at, but I\u2019m good at doing this and coming up with ideas for kids. [I was] a stay-at-home mom, you know, I did it forever. I did for my kids and their friends.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stevenson had set up a display of stones and was surprised when they began disappearing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe note I left on a rock, it said, please leave the star stones in the park for the exhibit. Well, that stone was taken too.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.qccrfm.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Please-leave-rocks-Jun-3-20-e1591292487187.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Jane Stevenson<\/p><\/div>\n
Stevenson was unaware there are other groups across the province who paint rocks and leave them in public places for people to take home.<\/p>\n
She sees how they could mistake her rocks for one of those but doesn\u2019t understand why someone would take something that was clearly marked and part of a display.<\/p>\n
Stevenson had made plans for an event called June Bugs to display bug-themed rocks.<\/p>\n
Along with the rocks, she had installed fairy doors at the base of some of the trees, but those too, were taken.<\/p>\n
Stevenson decided to cancel the event when she determined she couldn\u2019t count on the rocks remaining in place.<\/p>\n
\u201cI stuck another door up the other day and went back a day later and most of the stuff was gone that I had put there. At which point, I said, that\u2019s enough.\u201d<\/p>\n
While she is frustrated June Bugs will not go ahead, Stevenson says she has other ideas.<\/p>\n
Since calling off the event Stevenson has partnered with Sky Parnell to create Pine Grove Pets \u2013 a scavenger hunt with a social media slant.<\/p>\n
She says Parnell came up with the idea to hide a picture of a bear called Baxter in the park for people to find.<\/p>\n
After locating the bear they should take a selfie with it and post the picture to the Queens County Rocks! Facebook page<\/a>.<\/p>\n Everyone who posts will be eligible for a draw to receive a participation prize.<\/p>\n Most importantly, Stevenson says participants need to hide the bear again for the next person to find and enjoy.<\/p>\n Stevenson hasn\u2019t given up on the idea of building a public exhibit in the woods.<\/p>\n She hopes in the future, to get the Region of Queens involved with creating another display for people to enjoy at one of the municipal parks.<\/p>\n