Peace Sign Of Shells Keeps On Growing
By Cindy Christy Fertsch
Some people intuitively know what others need. In the midst of a global pandemic paired with unprecedented political and racial unrest, Sue McElwee is that person. First with the creation of the now famous North Street Christmas Tree that drew thousands and gained national news recognition. For most folks, that would be a hard act to follow. But Sue McElwee and her four children once again created their magic, this time in the form of a giant peace sign, made out of clam shells.
On the Monday after New Year’s Day, McElwee and her children promptly took down the Christmas tree, delivering it to the Funny Farm Animal Rescue Sanctuary. At sunrise the very next morning, McElwee and her kids carried buckets full of clam shells to the North Street beach. They used the shells to form a massive outline of a peace sign, approximately 13’×15′. McElwee’s family marked the shells with their names and wishes for the new year. They also left a stack of clam shells and three permanent markers so visitors could add their own hope, wish or prayer for the New Year to a shell and place it around the peace sign.
Within the first two weeks, the peace sign tripled in size and continues to grow. On last check, it was five rows thick with clam shells and was attracting nearly as many visitors as the famous Christmas Tree did. McElwee shares with a giggle that sometimes she too has to wait in line to add a shell or grab a photo of it.
“I had no idea people would respond the way they did. When I read the shells and hear the stories, it is so heartwarming,” shares McElwee. “Many people have told me they added shells with the names of loved ones they lost and it means so much to them.”
