STANDING AT his usual spot to greet fascinated visitors who, without a doubt, would stop to admire and chat about his handcrafted, elaborate masterpiece, 81-year-old Pastor Winston Brown was all smiles as he talked about the goodness of the Lord and his calling to spread the "good news".

Hurricane Sandy was no respecter of one of Portland's more intriguing, world-famous tourist attractions, nor the fact that the senior citizen had created it - all by hand, for more than half his life.

Located right on the Black Hill main road, for over 40 years, visitors from all over the world have been regaled by Pastor Brown's artful, colourful creation, which begins from the roadway extending all the way to his house across a bridge up into the hill. It's really hard to miss.

DAMAGE PAINFUL

On Tuesday, it was painful to look at the damage last Wednesday's Category One hurricane had done to his handiwork. But Brown wasn't daunted. Since 1965, he had been creating it piece by piece with his own two hands and no "bad lady" was going to destroy his innovation.

"It is the most ridiculous thing. Fi over 40 years I'm here, no hurricane come do di damage Sandy do, and is nuff hurricane I go through," he said as he scratched his head in bewilderment.

"But mi out now and mi will slowly put it back together. But mi have to start fix mi house first."

Admitting he wasn't a young man blessed with strength anymore, Tuesday was the first Brown came out to start rebuilding.

anastasia.cunningham@gleanerjm.com