The world91裸聊视频檚 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 Hale91裸聊视频檚 family once owned at the property that is now a Chevron gas station.
Hale91裸聊视频檚 granddaughter, Bridget Matewish, says the new property owners will tear Howard down if he91裸聊视频檚 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.
91裸聊视频淗e hadn91裸聊视频檛 been in the greatest repair,91裸聊视频� she said.
After speaking with representatives from the gas station, Matewish said they told her they were thinking of tearing Howard down.
91裸聊视频淚 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 wouldn91裸聊视频檛 cost them anything,91裸聊视频� Matewish said. 91裸聊视频淗e means a lot to my family and I think to the community.91裸聊视频�
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 they91裸聊视频檇 cover all the costs.
91裸聊视频淭hey didn91裸聊视频檛 want to have to go the fundraising route,91裸聊视频� Matewish said. 91裸聊视频淭he talk started with the engineering and getting the (building) permitting in place91裸聊视频� and then things kind of just stalled a little bit.91裸聊视频�
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 Howard91裸聊视频檚 story and appeal to the public to help find him a new home.
91裸聊视频淲e would love to see him stay where he is because it91裸聊视频檚 been his home forever but we would rather see him standing than not at all so we91裸聊视频檇 love to find him a new home where he91裸聊视频檒l be appreciated and taken care of,91裸聊视频� she said.
Howard was a labour of love for Matewish91裸聊视频檚 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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91裸聊视频淚t took him probably a year to build it,91裸聊视频� Matewish said. 91裸聊视频淚 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.91裸聊视频�
Matewish said her social media post has received close to 1,000 shares and has already garnered interest from individuals willing to home Howard.
91裸聊视频淲e do have a few places that are interested, they91裸聊视频檙e not in the (Parksville Qualicum Beach) area, which is where we would really like to keep him, preferably,91裸聊视频� 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.
91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e going to take the time to really think about it, we91裸聊视频檙e not going to jump to a decision because he is really important,91裸聊视频� she said.
Matewish said she91裸聊视频檚 already received dozens of comments from individuals who had fond memories of Howard.
A rare encounter with a member of a mythical race.
91裸聊视频� Kim Cattrall (@KimCattrall)
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