Daffodils blooming for peace

Cathie Campbell - ccampbell@sierrastar.com

 

Oakhurst is blooming with bright color thanks to a community daffodil planting that took place last November 9 along the River Parkway Trail.

The planting, sponsored by Vision Academy of the Arts, was in honor of our veterans and for peace and freedom throughout the world. Several groups and organizations participated, including the Harry H. Baker Boys and Girls Club of Oakhurst, Oak Creek Intermediate School (under the direction of Larry Beard), Roberta Tackett’s class at Evergreen High School, Oakhurst Elementary School (under the direction of Linda Beard) and the Interact Club at Yosemite High School. Each group planted 100 bulbs each.

According to the schools, all of the bulbs planted are up, with most of them in full bloom at this time. The planting experience was viewed as a great experience for all who participated.

There were people of all ages who got involved in the planting. Some people had reasons that extended beyond peace and freedom and planted the bulbs in memory of loved ones. Josh and Allie Donnell, ages 8 and 4 respectively, planted 20 daffodils in memory of their grandfather, Joe Donnell Sr.

An entire family “from little to tall” showed up to participate, and local landscape artist Ronna Adler planted 100 bulbs at the Mountain Beary Park, which are all blooming. Sandy Brinley, chairperson of the River Parkway Committee, donated hundreds of bulbs and also donated her time to get the bulbs in the ground.

All that digging and planting worked up appetites, so when the planters were done, they migrated over to the Fresno Flats Historical Park area to enjoy a lunch of hot stew and biscuits.

There will be another daffodil planting on November 9 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. also sponsored by Vision Academy of the Arts, with the goal of eventually blanketing the Oakhurst River Parkway Trail with blooming daffodils every spring.

There will be more about this as it gets closer to fall, but the early version reminds all who wish to participate to bring a shovel, 10 bulbs, a wire basket and a $5 donation for Vision Academy of the Arts. Planting will be under the direction of Ronna Adler and Sandy Brinley. Meet at the Positive Living Center for brief instructions and planting assignments. Families and clubs are welcome.

Daffodils were the flowers of choice for several reasons. They require no summer water, they are deer and gopher resistant and they increase each year. Also, they are the first bulbs to bloom in the spring, lifting people’s spirits and signaling the renewal of life. With times such as they are these days, the appearance of bright, new life puts smiles on our faces.

The sight of a daffodil blooming inspires thoughts of beauty, as evidenced by a poem written by Jackie Byers, “Daffodils in Spring.” It reads, “When autumn’s coolness comes along, bringing a note of winter’s song, we dig deep into the earth below to plant some bulbs ... and watch them grow. We’ll paint in gold the hills of spring, with joyful daffodils that sing!”

It is nice to know that even though beauty appears to be fragile and delicate, such as the bright, yellow blooms on a daffodil, it takes an incredible amount of strength and a power beyond anything that can be manufactured in a laboratory to survive a winter in the ground and emerge triumphantly to greet the sun.

When you see the daffodils blooming in Oakhurst, remind yourself that we, too, as a community and a nation, will continue to “weather the storms” of life and emerge with triumph.

Information: 683-7071.