Tracy Shick
Contributing Writer

(Tracy Shick/TCJ – Rachel and Michele Manik, mother and daughter, are the main movers and shakers of a project to repaint the two ornate welcome signs in Bellevue.)

Those driving into Bellevue may have noticed something looking a little brighter lately. The familiar sandhill crane welcome signs on both sides of town are getting a fresh coat of paint, thanks largely to a mother-daughter team who wanted to bring a little beauty, and a few smiles to the community.

The Bellevue Christian Church came up with a new project and two volunteers stepped up to bring the idea alive. Michele and Rachel Manik have spent dozens of hours restoring the signs, carefully repainting everything from the bright yellow lettering to the intricate feathers of the cranes.

For Michele, the reason for taking on the project was simple. “I just wanted to make Bellevue look a little bit nicer, and I hope to put smiles on people’s faces as they drive into town,” she said. “We all know they were getting pretty faded.”  She also saw the project as “a way to show happiness and God’s love to the community.”

While Michele took art lessons growing up, Rachel’s artistic ability is largely self-taught. She enjoys painting and occasionally writing but has never had formal art training. For the cranes, she simply studied photographs and went to work.

“The cranes were pretty fun, even though it took a while,” Rachel said. “The detail work- I like that.” 

And there was plenty of detail work.  The deeply textured surface of the signs made painting particularly challenging. Paint could easily slip into the grooves, requiring the pair to return with tiny brushes to clean up edges and restore the intricate details.

Weather added another challenge, with rain slowing progress. Between the two signs, Michele estimates the project will represent roughly 60 hours of work by the time it is completed.

But the story is about more than two people and a paintbrush.  Michele said one of her favorite parts has been watching others become involved once the project began.  While shopping for affordable paint at Menards, she happened to run into friends,  Brittany and Gerry Bess. When they learned what she was doing, they offered paint they already had, and the brown turned out to be an almost perfect match for the sign.

Jake Jacobson, owner at the local hardware store, also researched and special-ordered a protective product suitable for signs that spend their days in full sun.

Another member of the Bellevue Christian Church, Bobby Gardner also stepped in to assist with the project.  For Michele, that community response carries a larger message.

“It really only takes one group or one person to start something like this, a small project, and then people naturally want to jump on board and help,” she said.

The Bellevue Christian Church may not be finished bringing a little more color to Bellevue, either. Michele hinted that another project is already being considered, but for now, she is keeping the details under wraps.