Roscoe Gardening Club  Rock Snake Competition off to fierce start

Roscoe Gardening Club’s Rock Snake Competition is off to a fierce  start with decorated rocks already lining the front of Talcott Free Library in Rockton, and in  front of the Harlem–Roscoe fire station on Main Street in Roscoe. 

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

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

All residents are encouraged to take part in the competition, which is in its third year. 

The Roscoe Gardening Club hosted a painting party recently. “We are encouraging others to do the same with their family and friends to help grow their respective snakes,” said marketing director Lisa Brown. 

Brown adds, “Rockton is currently in the lead, but the summer is still young.”

Simply  grab any kind of rock you like, paint it and then add it to the snake of your  choice. 

On September 1, members of the Roscoe Garden Club will count the number of rocks in each snake and proclaim the winner.

This contest is open to one and all throughout Northern Illinois.

If you like to dabble in paints and want to express yourself, pick a snake and help him grow. Or don’t play favorites … feel free to spread your artistic talents to help both communities grow their snakes. 

Roscoe has bragging rights at the moment, but rumor has it, Rockton is looking to reclaim the prize, so it’s game on! 

Get painting and support your community.

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.

The club's annual “Garden Walk” is planned for July 11 covering gardens in Roscoe, South Beloit and Machesney Park. 

Take a stroll in five gardens and take in the best of nature. See flowers, fountains, plants, lawn ornaments, garden art and other eye-catching accents. 

The Community Garden at Rockton United Methodist Church is planted and doing well.  

Dave Wellen from Rockton United Methodist Church and his family built a living pallet wall.  

Brown said, “We will be growing herbs, squash and a variety of lettuces in the planters on this wall.  It is a lovely addition to the garden.”

The seed library is going strong, one of two ongoing collaborations.

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.  “We are so grateful to Talcott Free Library for the partnership,” Brown said. 

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 the club began planting this historic garden which is off to a good start.

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. 

Join in the continual growth of the Roscoe Gardening Club and its mission.