KENT, Conn.—Gary Kidd had an idea to build a giant snowman as a way to break up the miserable winter through which most of New England has suffered.
But to do so he needed help and his first call was to local contractor Dan Greenbaum, who just happened to be trying out his new snowblower at his Kent Road home.
“My wife got the call and came out and said Gary wants to build the biggest snowman. I knew Gary and he’s the master of new ideas, so I came right up,” Greenbaum said. “The initial idea was to bring people to Kent to help local businesses and as we went along, it evolved from there.”
After getting permission to use the Golden Falcon lot in the center of Main Street, Greenbaum spent hours last Tuesday, Feb. 24, circling the field with his snowblower creating a mound that would eventually reach a height of 20 feet. As the project progressed on that day so did the idea of making it more meaningful, to reflect the true spirit of community and volunteerism.
“Never did we think to build a 20-foot snowman,” said Kidd, who runs 45 On Main. “We wanted to have some fun. It’s been a tough winter and a snowman brings a smile to people’s faces. Then we thought, who always made people smile in town? Of course it was Robbie Kennedy. He was the town’s biggest cheerleader.”
Robert “Robbie” Kennedy, who passed away on Feb. 9, was well-known in town. He made people smile simply by waving to passersby as he walked the downtown sidewalks. He also loved to help in the community and volunteered at the Parks & Recreation department, St. Andrew’s Church and the Kent Volunteer Fire Department.
He also worked at Davis IGA and South Kent School and every year he would ride his bike behind the last finisher of the five-mile Kent Pumpkin Run to make sure that runner arrived safely.
“If Robbie were here he’d be the first to volunteer to help build this,” said Kidd, who mentioned that the snowman was built in phases over a seven-hour period Tuesday.
“I just love the kids coming to play near it and so many people have come to see it. It’s amazing and it shows the lasting impression Robbie had on people,” he said.
Word of “Robbie the Snowman” has spread quickly, thanks in part to Loghan Bennett, the social media manager for the Kent Chamber of Commerce. Television stations such as NBC Connecticut have already aired a segment and others are scheduled to come. Some newspapers have also picked up the story.
Greenbaum said the finished product is a true snowman containing recycled parts, such as a wood pallet to keep packed snow on the outside from falling from the head. A garbage can was used for the top hat, a traffic cone for the nose and assorted plastic pieces to create the snowman’s smile, coat buttons and large eyes.
A large scarf is tied around the neck and the Kent town flag flutters at the end of Robbie’s long stick arm. The waving flag is symbolic of Robbie’s passion to make people happy.
“This is a small gesture to honor Robbie,” Kidd said. “He made such a large impact on this town.”
