P.O. Box 632 Findlay, Ohio 45839 Phone: 419-420-9327

Beth Richards
The Sandman Returns
By Beth Richards
Feb 29, 2008, 21:53

Roger Powell's incredible sand sculpture tradition returns to Findlay again this year at Riverside Park on March 14th. For the 8th year, the big trucks filled with sand will roll in on Friday before Palm Sunday and the week long activities will begin.  As usual, Roger, members of the community and people from far away congregate and volunteer for the unique and laborious task of building the inspirational art. The generosity of our community has already begun to pour out as each year donated food, heat, busy hands and fellowship come together to help Powell create his unique gift.

But this year, one very crucial element will be missing. For the past three years, many of us have gotten the pleasure of getting to know the "Twinsters"- The two beautiful blonde women who traveled all the way to Findlay from Savannah, Georgia help with the Sculpture. People have gotten to calling them the "Twins", but in truth they were just very good friends, Cheryl Karst and Jackie Gilliam.  In December last year, Cheryl was tragically lost in a horseback riding accident in South Carolina.

For those of you who don't know the story of how Findlay came to adopt our colorful "girls" as our own, Jackie tells it like this:

We met Roger and Sharon Powell through Catherine Ritch Guess at the Christmas Show in Charlotte, North Carolina where her book, "The Old Rugged Cross" was debuting in December of 2003. After a few minutes with Roger the invitation to come to the sand sculpture was given and our calendars were marked for Holy Week. The first year we came to Findlay was 2004. Not knowing any better and thinking the distance from Findlay to Port Clinton wasn't really all that far, we finally learned to read a map, we commuted each day, during Holy Week the hour and half it took us to drive that jaunt.

It had been a long day at the sand sculpture and well into the night when Sharon extended an invitation to stay at the Powell home. Boy did we feel special.

Before leaving Findlay that year, Roger and Sharon reserved our room at their home each year during the Holy Week, and on occasion, days or weeks after.

We've spent many mornings enjoying quiet conversation over coffee and/or hot tea and forcing ourselves away from the breakfast table stuffed to the gills after eating one (it only takes one) of Roger's blueberry nut pancakes. I remember after the first year, as the tail lights of our car cleared the Findlay city limits, Cheryl looked at me with tears in her eyes and said, "We have a new family, a big family, in Findlay Ohio. Can we move here?"

Cheryl's home is filled with gifts, cards and remembrances of our time in Findlay, not only with the Powell's but with so many others. If I started writing names, I would leave someone out, so on behalf of my beloved friend Cheryl, whom I miss more than words can describe, to all who gave us the joy of becoming a part of your family, I thank you. Jackie

Roger remembers Cheryl as someone as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside. He says he knows there is an angel in heaven, wearing pink tennis shoes and wings, jumping up and down in the excitement and glory of heaven.

As usual, Roger doesn't know what the sculpture will be until he begins, with an exception: this year he hints that there might be a special little angel somewhere in the sculpture.

For a more detailed look at the life of Cheryl and the Twins, visit Jackie's tribute website www.cjdidymus.com

The Sand Sculpture's events will culminate with the non-denominational sunrise service at 6:30 a.m. Easter morning, March 23.   Beginning the 15th, any groups or individuals interested in volunteering are welcome to stop by the Park.   Most evenings during the event will include activities and musical entertainment.