SABATTUS — In a quiet cul-de-sac in Sabattus lies a bookworm made of rocks. Colorful rocks. Some with messages, designs or drawings. Others have names.
One stands out at the beginning of several dozen lined up along the side of Lorelie Drive in front of the Little Free Library built by Phil and Nancy St. Pierre after they moved here eight years ago. It is red with hearts, decorations and the name Cam in memory of a neighborhood boy who died of cerebral palsy.
“We have such great neighbors,” Nancy said. “Everyone is always looking to help each other and we do a lot of activities together, including a semiannual neighborhood cookout.”
The neighborhood has a closed Facebook group with many residents joining in regular conversations. They share jokes, photos and news. Recently, one neighbor posted a photo they saw on social media. It was a line of painted rocks someone labeled Roscoe The Rock Snake. A poster next to it suggested people add rocks to see how long they could make it.
Many neighbors on Lorelie Drive chimed in, saying they should do the same on their street.
“We had lots of suggestions and ideas about where it would go and what we should call it,” Nancy said. “Someone suggested we put it in front of our house and our neighbor suggested calling it a bookworm instead of a snake that could be assembled in front of the free library.”
A few houses down from the St. Pierres, the Madore family was talking about it when their daughter, Cadence, suggested giving the bookworm a name. Cameron The Rock Star Bookworm was born, in memory of her brother, Cameron Madore, who died of cerebral palsy before she was born.
“I thought this project would be a good way to keep Cameron’s memory alive,” Cadence said as she painted another rock Wednesday afternoon to place in the line. Her mother, Jody, watched, fingering the locket around her neck with a photo of Cameron and wiping away a tear.
“I’m not sure we can make it go all around the neighborhood, but we’ve got a good start,” Phil said. “This was an idea that started as a fun activity for the neighborhood, and took on a bigger meaning. Many of us remember Cam playing in the neighborhood.”
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