Rockton presented with Rock Snake Award

By Marianne Mueller

Roscoe, the snake winner in 2025 and Rockton, 2024’s winner, went head-to-head to see who can create the longest snake made entirely from painted rocks.

After the rocks were finished they were lined up in front of Talcott Free Library in Rockton and graced the grounds of the Harlem Roscoe Fire Department in Roscoe.

This summer long competition  kicked off on June 1, 2026 and ran through August 31, was inspired  by Roscoe Gardening Club president Renee Mealey. 

All residents were encouraged to put their imaginations to work during the competition, which was in its third year. 

Before determining the winner the rocks from both sides were gathered and counted. Then all of the rocks were taken to the berm on the property of the Roscoe Township Community Center where the RGC holds their meetings.

“We did this last year and with this years rocks,” RGC Marketing Director Lisa Brown said.

Brown adds, “We have gathered a pretty nice selection and are filling in that area with a lot of creativity. “

Several members of the RGC assisted with the judging process. Leading the way was RGC President Renee Mealey, Vice President Sheri Henson, Treasurer Rachel Rutledge, and Brown. Club members who joined officers in this venture were: Jerry and Debbie Dunn,Barb Wolf, Becky Robinson, and Debbie Patterson.

After the judging was complete Rockton was named as this years winner.

To commemorate Rockton’s win RGC President Mealey, Marketing Director Lisa Brown and Rachel Rutledge presented the Village of Rockton with an extra large sized custom designed rock at the Village Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 6.

In the rock awards decoration sits the words “Rockton Winner of RGC Snake Competition.”

President Mealy said, now it is my great pleasure to inform you that the Village of Rockton’s Rocky the Rock Snake with a total of with 1,273 painted rocks almost doubled the competition has reclaimed the prize.

Roscoe had a rock snake that was made up of 712 creatively decorated rocks.

“While there wasn’t one specific rock that stood out we were all totally amazed at how much thought and talent went into creating these rocks. We had everything from little tiny rocks to very large stones with all sorts of themes, colors, and designs being displayed,” Brown said.

Linda Westholder who contributed to Roscoe's rock snake shares, “ I did Angry Birds rocks and Toy Story 5, after I saw the movie.”

As many are coming up with ideas for next years competition already Brown says, “It is a very fun and engaging event and we are excited for next years competition.

Rockton Village President John Peterson said,"I appreciate all the people and groups that participated and helped our library win this year. This is a fun activity and it seemed like a lot of people got involved. Special thank you to the 50 North group who really stepped up this year. "

For more information contact: roscoegardeningclub@gmail.com or Renee Mealey, President, Roscoe Gardening Club at 815.519.4752.

Roscoe Gardening Club started in January 2024 and is community oriented, inclusive, and welcoming, free to all who wish to join. The nonprofit club is structured to rely solely on donations and sponsorship, rather than membership dues. 

This enables the community centered group to host monthly meetings with speakers who align with the club mission.

The Roscoe Gardening Club is an organization dedicated to promoting the love of gardening, wildlife, civic beautification and development. At each meeting members can take part in a seed swap, magazine swap, a plant swap or choose items from an “abundance” table.

An annual garden walk features the pure beauty of nature in different types of local gardens.

A Community Garden at Rockton United Methodist Church remains well loved and maintained.

In late October members of the RGC joined together in a Community Garden clean up day. Dave Wellen from Rockton United Methodist Church and his family built a living pallet wall.  

Herbs, squash and a variety of lettuces will be added in the planters on this wall. 

A seed library is going strong, in an ongoing collaboration with Talcott Free Library.

The club has been stocking it on a regular basis as they  get seed donations and will be providing information later this summer on seed collection to keep the library going for years to come. 

Roscoe Gardening Club has been asked by the Roscoe Township Historical Society to assist in planting a period specific garden around the Cross House on Hononegah Road.

Therefore, the club has been researching and preparing to plant a garden of herbs and flowers specific to the time period of the house, or approximately what one would find in a home garden in the 1840s. On June 18, 2026 the club began planting this historic garden.

The newest action of the RGC is developing a new page on their website dedicated to supporting farmers, growers, artisans, and small businesses throughout the greater stateline area, including northern IL., and Southern WI.

RGC meetings  are held on the second Saturday of each month (other than the garden walk in June) at the Roscoe Township Community Center located at Founders Park,  at 4562 Hononegah Rd, Roscoe IL.

A calendar of events  can be found on the group’s Facebook page or on their website. 

Everyone who has a love of nature and gardening is welcome to join in the continual growth of the Roscoe Gardening Club and its mission.