The worldB次元官网网址檚 tallest gnome needs a new home.
Howard, the iconic eight-metre gnome, has stood tall along the Island Highway near Nanoose Bay since 1998, when he was built by Ron Hale. Howard was used as the mascot for the amusement park that HaleB次元官网网址檚 family once owned at the property that is now a Chevron gas station.
HaleB次元官网网址檚 granddaughter, Bridget Matewish, says the new property owners will tear Howard down if heB次元官网网址檚 not moved by April 30.
About four or five months ago, Matewish, who lives behind the gas station, noticed caution tape was put up around Howard and that there was moss growing on him.
B次元官网网址淗e hadnB次元官网网址檛 been in the greatest repair,B次元官网网址� she said.
After speaking with representatives from the gas station, Matewish said they told her they were thinking of tearing Howard down.
B次元官网网址淚 went to them with the idea that we would fundraise the money and my husband and I would take him down, repair him and put him back, it wouldnB次元官网网址檛 cost them anything,B次元官网网址� Matewish said. B次元官网网址淗e means a lot to my family and I think to the community.B次元官网网址�
After several back and forth conversations about how to go about repairing Howard, the new owners agreed to let Matewish and her husband repair the gnome, and they even said theyB次元官网网址檇 cover all the costs.
B次元官网网址淭hey didnB次元官网网址檛 want to have to go the fundraising route,B次元官网网址� Matewish said. B次元官网网址淭he talk started with the engineering and getting the (building) permitting in placeB次元官网网址� and then things kind of just stalled a little bit.B次元官网网址�
Matewish said she received a letter last Tuesday from the property owners saying due to legal reasons they are no longer moving forward with the refurbishment of the gnome.
Matewish instantly took to social media to tell HowardB次元官网网址檚 story and appeal to the public to help find him a new home.
B次元官网网址淲e would love to see him stay where he is because itB次元官网网址檚 been his home forever but we would rather see him standing than not at all so weB次元官网网址檇 love to find him a new home where heB次元官网网址檒l be appreciated and taken care of,B次元官网网址� she said.
Howard was a labour of love for MatewishB次元官网网址檚 grandfather. Hale, who passed away a year and a half ago, built Howard in his garage using scraps he found around the property.
In 2009, Howard was inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records as the .
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B次元官网网址淚t took him probably a year to build it,B次元官网网址� Matewish said. B次元官网网址淚 do think that [Howard] deserves to be in a place where he can be loved and still cherished and people can still take photos with him.B次元官网网址�
Matewish said her social media post has received close to 1,000 shares and has already garnered interest from individuals willing to home Howard.
B次元官网网址淲e do have a few places that are interested, theyB次元官网网址檙e not in the (Parksville Qualicum Beach) area, which is where we would really like to keep him, preferably,B次元官网网址� Matewish said.
Matewish said she and her aunts and uncles plan to get together later this month to go over all inquiries they receive for Howard and discuss the best options for the gnome.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e going to take the time to really think about it, weB次元官网网址檙e not going to jump to a decision because he is really important,B次元官网网址� she said.
Matewish said sheB次元官网网址檚 already received dozens of comments from individuals who had fond memories of Howard.
A rare encounter with a member of a mythical race.
B次元官网网址� Kim Cattrall (@KimCattrall)
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