Tom Sheets ... the man who started it all!
Augusta County businessman Tom Sheets stands outside Blue Ridge Lumber with one of the signs he created.
Augusta County businessman Tom Sheets stands outside Blue Ridge Lumber with one of the signs he created.
For Augusta County businessman Tom Sheets, it was just an opportunity to voice his opinion about the 2008 Presidential campaign.
But what started out as two large "I Am Voting For The Chick" signs for his business to let the community know he liked Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin ... has exploded into a local phenomenon that is spreading beyond the state line.
The "Chick" message hit home with others in the SWAC area who wanted to show their support for Sarah Palin ... something that became possible when Mr. Sheets donated 30 4'x8' and 300 yard signs to the community.
In less than two weeks the first batch had been delivered or spoken for with an additional 300 yard signs ordered and expected next week.
But what started out as two large "I Am Voting For The Chick" signs for his business to let the community know he liked Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin ... has exploded into a local phenomenon that is spreading beyond the state line.
The "Chick" message hit home with others in the SWAC area who wanted to show their support for Sarah Palin ... something that became possible when Mr. Sheets donated 30 4'x8' and 300 yard signs to the community.
In less than two weeks the first batch had been delivered or spoken for with an additional 300 yard signs ordered and expected next week.
Mr. Sheets started giving away the signs at his Blue Ridge Lumber business ... and he entrusted me to get the bulk of them into the community, something I have enjoyed on these beautiful autumn days. Sometimes with a friend and sometimes alone, I have crisscrossed Augusta County, Waynesboro, and Staunton delivering signs to front yards and businesses who are eager to display the message to their neighbors.
The signs have been fun and their popularity has spread into neighboring states as tourists see them and others search the internet for information. One traveler who saw them on her way to Warm Springs emailed to say she had created Facebook "Flair" resembling the signs ... a local woman's daughter who lives in Maryland found this blog and let her mother know how to get in touch with me ... search hits have come in from states nationwide ... a website picked it up which caused more traffic.
As Sarah Palin speaks around the country, huge crowds rally to show support ... and that enthusiasm is evident by the popularity of the Chick signs. As word has gotten out about the signs, I have received numerous emails and phone calls, and today will be delivering the last spoken-for signs until next week when the new shipment arrives.
One of the original Chick signs was vandalized ... others have been stolen ... but the demand continues for these unique message boards.
A huge thank you to Tom Sheets for his part in causing a local flurry of excitement with a sign that is fun and light-hearted ... and, yet, gets the message across. His creativity and generosity is very much appreciated ... his contribution has been shared with folks all over the community.
Previous posts about the Chick signs:
- Delivering signs throughout SWAC area
- GOP signs in SWAC area
- Leaves are starting to turn in the Valley
- Stuarts Draft yard signs
- SWAC signs for GOP
- I Am Voting For the Chick sign deliveries
- Valley voters for McCain-Palin signs
- Staunton GOP signs
- Chick debate party was success
- Augusta County signs
- Chick debate party: We're ready
- More GOP signs delivered in Augusta
- Another day ... another group of signs
Photo by Beth Godwin
1 comment:
I'd like to act appalled that someone vandalized his sign, then I have to recall that I've run over a few Obama signs in Fishersville.
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