SUBMITTED PHOTO
Volunteers gather for a photograph, as the snow flies, after planting 10,000 daffodil bulbs along the highway between the Teepee and the Visitor Centre on Saturday, completing the fourth planting season for The Daffodil Project.
Medicine Hat News
They did it.
The last 10,000 daffodils bulbs were planted Saturday between the Teepee and the Visitor Centre.
It was bitterly cold and at times it meant planting in the snow but about 25 volunteers got stuck in accomplishing the goal by 11:30 a.m. and officially drawing the fourth planting season to a close with 22,000 bulbs in the ground.
Having two Ditch Witches operating to make the furrows made it all possible with a team of missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints. The missionaries have been participating every year.
Sister Bailey, from Alaska, knows all about chilly temperatures.
“It’s an awesome project. It will brighten somebody’s day,” said Bailey.
Sister Bushan from Utah called the project “super cute”.
While one team of volunteers made the furrows, another team placed the bulbs in position. Others used rakes to pile the soil on top of the bulbs.
“I think it’s a great way to give back to the community and show we care about the land we live in,” said Michaela Glasgo, UCP election candidate in the Brooks-Medicine Hat riding.
Dave DeLong and his grandson Joshua Holmes, 11, were out planting for the second year running.
For DeLong it is all about beautification of the city, getting involved personally and setting an example for the grandchildren.
“I just enjoy doing community service and I enjoy doing this,” said Holmes.
“Hats off to the volunteers for doing the hard work,” said Drew Barnes, UCP MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat.
Barnes said The Daffodil Project has become a way to recognize people who have made significant contributions in the community, such as Len Mitzel Meadow where 12,000 bulbs were planted in September.
Medicine Hat’s MLA Bob Wanner was surprised how little one daffodil bulb costs and that the donations made for bulbs go entirely to the purchase of bulbs.
Mayor Ted Clugston said he was not surprised to see so many volunteers out on a chilly day. He’s come to expect that enthusiasm from Hatters. The daffodil is a symbol for many aspects of life and through The Daffodil Project it is a way to remember people and honour them.
First impressions of a city are significant, said Clugston. For people to drive along the highway and see daffodils in bloom, it will make a lasting impression.
“It frames their perspective,” said Clugston.
Immanuel Mortiz said volunteering is great thing and participating in something that you are not asking the City to pay for is good.
Coun. Kris Samraj and Coun. Phil Turnbull each grabbed a bucket and planted bulbs.
Turnbull said he was motivated to come out on a bitterly cold day because he believes he has a responsibility to work with as many groups as possible and to make our city pretty.
If you would like more information take a look at The Daffodil Project’s website: medhatdaffodils.wordpress.com.
You can also email: hatdaffodils@gmail.comor telephone the chair, Gillian Slade, at 403-528-8635.
