Lynn Kelly enjoyed a part of her Thanksgiving at Centennial Park in Moncton, indulging in her new retirement pastime. The Moncton resident strategically placed vibrantly painted Halloween-themed rocks around the west-end park, aiming to brighten someone’s day. Shortly after, one of the rocks vanished, with Kelly embracing the mystery of its whereabouts as part of the excitement.
Being a member of the “Happiness Rocks Moncton” Facebook group, which boasts around 5,000 participants, Kelly joins others in painting and concealing rocks in the region to bring joy to those who stumble upon them. She shared anecdotes of rocks being taken as far as France and Morocco, highlighting the global reach of this simple act of kindness.
The group’s founder, Tracey Vail from Lower Coverdale, N.B., initiated the movement in 2017, emphasizing the low-cost nature of spreading happiness through rock painting. Vail expressed delight in the positive impact reported by individuals who have encountered these hidden treasures, often turning their bad days around.
Despite having hidden thousands of rocks over the years, Vail admitted to finding only a few rocks left by fellow participants. She reminisced about her first discovered painted rock, a keepsake she cherishes, while her three-year-old son has joined the cause by painting rocks for residents at a local nursing home.
Kelly, once a novice in rock painting, now finds the activity fulfilling and engaging, keeping her occupied across Moncton, Sackville, and parts of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Additionally, she recently contributed to “Rocky the snake,” an initiative started by five-year-old Liam Mackley from Dieppe, showcasing the contagious joy sparked by sharing painted rocks within the community.
