A message of support to Ukraine from the snow in Paddockwood

By Derek Craddock

A man from Paddockwood wanted to show his support for those enduring the war in Ukraine through a snow sculpture.

Resident Elmer Lammedee created the sculpture using his hands, a shovel and a carpenter’s hand saw.

It took him roughly 20 hours to complete.

“It’s a big heart — and it’s got kind of a base because you can’t stand a heart on the end — in the snow sculpture,” he said. “I have the Canadian flag on the side and the Ukrainian one on the other side. Then I’ve got a sign on the heart that says, ‘Our Hearts Are With You.’ And then in the front, I’ve got sunflowers all the way around on the base of it.”

Unfortunately, with the warm temperatures, Lammedee anticipates the sculpture won’t last long. Nevertheless, he wanted to show his appreciation for the people of Ukraine.

“They’re some of the people that helped build this country years ago,” he said. “I feel really sorry for them. I thought it’d be a nice representation for them over there. Somebody’s thinking of them.”

Part of Lammedee’s ancestry traces back to Ukraine and he adds those from the Ukrainian community in Paddockwood have been delighted to see the sculpture.