TERRACE BAY — Folks travelling through Terrace Bay may catch a glimpse of little green aliens hiding out in yards, businesses, and other places about town. They’re not from outer space, but rather from the workshop of local woodcrafter, Terry Bell, who, together with artist Tracy Barry from Schreiber, is publishing a children’s book based on the lovable creatures.
Back in 2016, Bell thought it would be a fun idea to build the three-foot-tall wooden cutouts after binge watching episodes of The X-Files, Star Trek and other science fiction shows. He believed it would also be a way of encouraging his father-in-law, Ray, who suffers from the effects of Alzheimer’s disease, to keep active, by helping out with the sanding and painting.
Each alien takes about an hour to create, not including drying time. Once finished, they name the new alien, number it, and Bell adds his unique signature; the letter ‘T’ above a sketch of a bell.
Bell figures he’s created over 2,200 aliens since 2017. They started popping up in peoples’ yards and businesses, but have since spread out across the planet. Folks bring their adopted aliens along on holidays with them, taking selfies at exotic locales, such as Hong Kong, the Eiffel Tower, and the Arctic circle. Many of the photographs are posted on the Northern Aliens Facebook page.
The stories that move Bell aren’t necessarily those of foreign travels, but rather the local tales of affection.
“A family from Terrace Bay had an alien cutout they kept in their yard, and every night their little daughter insisted on going down the garden trail to say goodnight to him,” he recalls fondly. “There’s also a group of seniors who regularly get together in Thunder Bay for dinner. Each have their own alien. When a new player joins the group, they have to obtain a cutout of their own.”
That little girl and all her human friends can now read a book about their green chums with the publication of A Northern Alien Adventure. The 24-page story, is about two aliens in love; Hector, 261, and Bernice, 282, lose touch with one another when they are adopted out to different families. Heartbroken, both aliens keep a lookout for one another whilst travelling throughout the region, until they are happily reunited at a campground.
Terry collaborated with Tracy Barry, an artist from Schrieber, who provided the playful illustrations, depicting nearby locations, including the bridge at Pukaskwa, the shoreline at Neys, Kakabeka Falls, and even the eye of the Sleeping Giant.
“Terry and I did a lot of talking,” Barry explains. “It was a new experience for both of us; I’ve done a cover for a mystery novel before, but never a whole illustrated book. I did a lot of research about the locations in the Northern Aliens Adventure to understand what each area was known for.”
Using reference photographs, she was able to capture the scenery in her own unique style.
The author and artist will be reading from their book at local schools and libraries this fall. Copies can be purchased for $15 at the readings, at the library or the Voy Motel/Giftshop in Schreiber, or by contacting Terry through the Northern Aliens Facebook page.
