Medicine Hat News 8 October, 2019 It took about 50 volunteers only three hours to plant 20,000 daffodil bulbs for The Daffodil Project on Saturday. Unfortunately one of the volunteers, Dave Dalong who has participated for three years in a row, discovered later he had lost his wedding ring. It is of particular importance because Dave and his wife Marilyn celebrated their 61 wedding anniversary last week. He has walked the planting area but failed to find the ring. At this stage someone with a metal detector may be the answer. If you can help please call 403-528-8635. The bulbs were planted at Len Mitzel Meadow and were the last 20,000 bulbs being planted this season. A few weeks ago another 20,000 were planted at Pierce Place and this was fifth planting season for the project. The bulbs were donated by Adair Prouty in honour of the late Len Mitzel who was the former MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat. Many of his family travelled a considerable distance to participate in the the planting on Saturday. Having to reschedule the original planting date appeared to be wise because the weather was a comfortable 14 C with plenty of sunshine for planting bulbs that will bloom next spring. Volunteers are a mix of people who come year after year or have only recently heard about The Daffodil Project and wanted to spend an hour or two of their time planting bulbs in the earth for the reward of a flower next spring. The Daffodil Project was established and is run by a committee with the goal of planting a million bulbs along the Trans-Canada Highway between Redcliff and Dunmore and all the way through Medicine Hat. Several businesses in the area consistently support The Daffodil Project so that all money donated for daffodil bulbs can be used to buy bulbs. Niwa Crane takes delivery of the bulbs, stores them and provides a truck to transport them on planting days. Grand Rental Station and A-Plus Rental each supplied ditch witches free of charge to create the furrows for the bulbs. Panago Pizza delivered free of charge hot pizzas to the site for volunteers to enjoy. For additional information and photos about The Daffodil Project please check the website: www.medhatdaffodils.wordpress.com email: hatdaffodils@gmail.com telephone: 403-528-8635 Medicine Hat News, July 5, 20 19 This fall The Daffodil Project will plant the most bulbs ever in one planting season. Previously the record had been 30,000 bulbs planted but this year there will be 40,000. The bulbs have been ordered and the planting dates already determined. On Sept. 21 a total of 20,000 bulbs will be planted at Pierce Place (near the Teepee). John Pierce donated 20,000 bulbs in memory of his wife, Anne Marie, who passed away in March 2016, and their son Darrell last fall. The chosen location is particularly fitting considering the nearby baseball diamonds acknowledging Darrell's love of sports and in particular baseball. The second planting day for the remaining 20,000 bulbs will be Sept. 28 at Len Mitzel Meadow between Shepherd Crescent and the Trans-Canada Highway near the College Avenue overpass. In 2018 Adair Prouty announced a donation of 20,000 bulbs in honour of the late Mitzel former MLA for Cypress Medicine Hat. Due to amazing businesses who provide free use of equipment and an abundance of volunteers The Daffodil Project is able to plant this volume of bulbs in a day. If you would like to volunteer an hour or two of your time to help plant daffodil bulbs there are a couple ways to participate. People are needed to fill buckets with bulbs, others place the actual bulbs in the furrows that are created with machinery. There are also rakes and shovels to pull the soil back on top of those bulbs. Other people lightly step on the furrows to ensure the bulbs are snug in the ground. Volunteers are normally scheduled for an hour or two. There are always drinks provided and some home-baking to keep everyone's energy level up. Due to an enormous early response The Daffodil Project already has enough volunteers for Sept. 21. There is a large youth group scheduled and the Pierce family are bringing friends and family to participate in this very special occasion for them. Volunteers are required for Sept. 28 at Len Mitzel Meadow. Volunteers doing the digging with ditch-witches usually start around 8:30 a.m. and volunteers for the other jobs from 9:30 a.m. to about 2 p.m. If you want to help please email hatdaffodils@gmail.com with the time you would like to come and of course your name. For more information about The Daffodil Project: website: medhatdaffodils.wordpress.com email: hatdaffodils@gmail.com telephone: 403-528-8635
Medicine Hat News Saturday May 10, 2019 A local resident has chosen to honour and remember his late wife and son with a donation of 20,000 bulbs to The Daffodil Project. John Pierce's wife Anne Marie passed away in March 2016, and their son Darrell last fall. John wanted the daffodil planting area near the Tepee to be the location of the bulbs. At a ceremony Friday morning on location, The Daffodil Project announced the area will always be referred to in future as Pierce Place. John and Anne married in 1951 and raised their children, Dave, Nancy, Darrell and Doug in Medicine Hat. At the ceremony were John and his sons Doug and Dave. His daughter Nancy from Red Deer was not able to attend. The chosen location is particularly fitting considering the nearby baseball diamonds acknowledging Darrell's love of sports and in particular baseball. "The daffodils will be an enduring symbol of past, present and future generations of Pierces, from the first generation of Pierces in Medicine Hat, Elise and Ivan, through John and Anne, their children, their eight grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Enjoy," says a family statement read at ceremony Friday. Members of The Daffodil CommitCommittee at the ceremony told the Pierces that Hatters in general will enjoy seeing the blooms. Last spring Adair Prouty announced a donation of 20,000 bulbs in honour of the late Len Mitzel former MLA for Cypress Medicine Hat. In late September, 2018 more than 50 volunteers were on site (south of the Trans-Canada Highway and east of the College overpass) to plant the first 12,000 bulbs. It happened to be a very cold and wet day. Len Mitzel Meadow is currently in full bloom. It was shortly after that planting day that John made contact with The Daffodil Project explaining that he wanted to do something similar. It did not take him long to determine the site for planting. The name - Pierce Place - seemed perfect. This fall, late September or early October, 20,000 bulbs will be planted at Pierce Place. There are normally plenty of volunteers ready, willing and able to get the bulbs in the ground and this fall they together with the Pierce family will be honouring Anne Marie and Darrell. For more information about The Daffodil Project: website: medhatdaffodils.wordpress.com email: hatdaffodils@gmail.com telephone: 403-528-8635
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 recognise 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.com or telephone the chair, Gillian Slade 403-528-8635.
How did they look 8 months later?
PHOTO May 15, 2019
A large group of Daffodil Project volunteers spent Saturday morning with their hands and knees in the dirt to help make the project’s vision become a reality.
The group met at Len Mitzel Meadow just south of the Trans-Canada Highway with the goal of planting 12,000 daffodil bulbs by the end of their day.
“This whole area was designated to honour the former MLA of Cypress Medicine Hat Len Mitzel,” said Daffodil Project chair Gillian Slade. “This is a route he used to use to travel back home to Foremost, so it’s appropriate it will be covered in daffodils next year.”
Slade says the community support behind the project has been amazing.
“The volunteer support is everything to us,” she said. “We depend on the volunteers for these plantings.”
“We need people to plant the bulbs, use the Ditch Witch and people to put soil back on top — I think the public has taken ownership of the project, which is really nice to see.
How did the site look 8 months later?
May 15, 2019 Len Mitzel Meadow
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Len Mitzel Medow
Medicine Hat News, Saturday April 28, 2018
PEGGY REVELL
prevell@medicinehatnews.com Twitter: MHNprevell
As part of the Daffodil Project’s efforts to recognize those who have stepped up to donate 20,000 bulbs, the planting field near the Medicine Hat College sign has been named “RE/MAX Medalta Meadows.”
The idea to name the planting sites came about as a way to hopefully raise more funds for the project, and also recognize those who have made big donations, said chair Gillian Slade. RE/MAX Medalta was one of the first businesses to come on board, said Slade, donating 20,000 bulbs to the project, which aims to plant 1 million daffodils along the Trans-Canada by 2025.
“This was huge in the early days, that really put us on the map,” Slade said.
Currently there are four planting sites along the highway that are doing well. Each year the project gets quotes for the costs of bulbs — with last year being 23 cents each.
“It was an opportunity really to support and give back to our city,” said Kevin McGivery, with RE/MAX Medalta, saying a beautification project was a way to add a dash of colour alongside a normally dull highway — and to show pride in the city.
He’s excited to see the “huge ribbon of colour” along the highway, like those in other cities who have done similar projects with flowers. Credit has to go to the number of volunteers with the project who have put in so many hours, he added.
“Hopefully this will spur others in the city to start to think of the beauty we can add to the highway, and motivate them to do the same,” he said.
The Daffodil Project will also be holding its inaugural celebration of the blooming season May 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the RE/MAX Medalta Meadows site. Parking is available at the Cultural Centre.
The idea behind the project was always for the community to come together to celebrate the blooming flowers — and the end of winter, said Slade.
Alongside refreshments, the many volunteers and businesses who have donated funds, equipment or the use of equipment toward the project will be recognized. There will also be photo opportunities with the daffodils and a special daffodil frame. As it’s the day prior to Mother’s Day, it’s also a chance for people to celebrate and honour mothers, said Slade.
For more information, visit medhatdaffodils.wordpress.com or telephone the chair, Gillian Slade at 403-528-8635.
Medicine Hat News April 19, 2018
Daffodils are forging through the ground making their 2018 spring entrance.
Daffodil planting season
MO CRANKER
mcranker@medicinehatnews.com · Twitter: MHNmocranker
Though you will not be able to see them for about six months, there’s currently 10,000 daffodils planted and ready to come to life during the spring along the Trans-Canada Highway.
Members of the Daffodil Project, alongside a large group of volunteers got on their hands and knees Saturday to plant 10,000 bulbs near Medicine Hat College for Hatters and anyone who passes by to enjoy.
“Today the goal is to get 10,000 daffodil bulbs in the ground,” said Daffodil Project chair Gillian Slade. “We’re doing really well today, and we’re on track to reach that number. We’ve had a lot of help today from a lot of volunteers and people in the community giving a bit of their time, as well as some politicians who have stopped by.”
This fall is the third planting season for the group, and Slade says the project began as a way of making Medicine Hat look just a little bit nicer after the snow melts.
“This started by driving around in the spring and noticing when the snow is gone, there’s just grunge everywhere,” she said. “It just looks pretty awful in some places, and it’s going to be a while before the annual flowers start blooming. That’s when I thought about daffodils, being one of the earliest blooming plants in the spring.”
The goal of the Daffodil Project is to have one million bulbs planted along the highway between Medicine Hat and Redcliff, creating a 10-kilometre stretch by 2025. Slade says this is something she and the rest of the volunteers do for fun.
“This isn’t something that’s going to change the world,” she said. “We do this just for pleasure. It’s something that can bring a smile to some peoples’ faces as they drive along the highway in the spring.”
For more information on the project, and how to get involved with its initiatives, go to www.medhatdaffodils.wordpress.com
Gillian Slade talks about the Daffodil project on go! Southern Alberta, produced by Shaw TV Medicine Hat:
April, 11, 2017
April 2017
March 28, 2017
Community planting for Daffodil Project set for today
http://medicinehatnews.com/news/local-news/2015/10/07/missionaries-plant-daffodils-for-project/
OCTOBER 7, 2015.
Medicine Hat News
More than a dozen missionaries are digging holes and planting daffodil bulbs in our community because they want to serve, they say.
The young people are missionaries from all over the world with the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints.
“To serve is what Jesus did,” explained Elder Shelby Gonzales, from Las Vegas, who is a zone leader for this mission. “When we apply for a mission it’s to serve, like serving God. Jesus Christ was always helping people.”
Gonzales says they want to spread the message of their faith but also realize actions sometimes speak louder than words.
The Daffodil Project was contacted by the group last week. They got working on Thursday and Friday and will spend another two days helping this week to dig thousands of holes and plant bulbs.
The Daffodil Project aims to see a million daffodil bulbs planted along the Trans-Canada Highway, by 2025, between Redcliff and Dunmore. This is the first year of the project and there are 30,000 bulbs for this, the first planting season. Planting began in the middle of September and will continue until the end of October. Close to 15,000 bulbs have been planted to date in three different locations.
“They’re here for the church but are also serving the community,” said Lloyd Robinson, who is on The Daffodil Project committee and has been on site directing their help.
“They are super to work with. They develop their members into a team and don’t need a lot of guidance,” said Robinson.
The missionaries range in age from 18 to 25. The Elders serve for two years and the Sisters for 18 months, moving around every four to six months, said Elder Brian Ellison, who is from Chicago.
“There are missionaries like us all over the world,” said Ellison. “The Daffodil Project is cool. I’m glad to see things done like this.”
Elder Riley Johnson, from Utah, said a local area leader must have suggested The Daffodil Project. It would then have been assessed and prayed over by their leader in Utah before missionaries currently in this area were given the opportunity to assist.
“I plan to come back to see the daffodils in bloom,” said Johnson. “Medicine Hat could use something like this.”
Elder Mirko Peci, from Croatia, says the decision is made in Salt Lake City about where missionaries will be sent. Initially Peci was not excited about coming to Canada but now that he is here he’s changed his mind and is absolutely supportive.
Sister Anna Cunningham, from Utah, has been on the mission for 11 months and in Medicine Hat for two and a half months.
“This is a great project. It’s nice for people driving by to see daffodils,” said Cunningham.
“This is a memory they will share for years helping to beautify Medicine Hat,” said Robinson.
This Saturday the whole community can participate in planting daffodil bulbs. The planting will start at 11 a.m. in the Taylor location. To get to the site, go down Ross Glen Drive to the end and turn right onto Taylor Road, turn right again, and then park on Taylor Mews and Taylor Avenue Walk up over the noise berm to the planting site.
Daffodil Project gets a big boost from Re-Max – Medicine Hat News, March 11, 2015.
Redcliff council on board with local woman’s daffodil plans – Medicine Hat News, January 13, 2015.
Vision Of Brighter Springtime For Medicine Hat Area – 102.1 CJCY