By Charlene McKellar-Papasodaro
The Haldimand Press
SELKIRK—The Selkirk Poppy project has reached its final stages.
Volunteers have been coming out to the Selkirk Centennial Community Centre every Monday and Wednesday afternoon to attach the donated poppies to a netting for display. The volunteers have been working diligently on this portion of the project for nearly two months. Some days there would be as little as four people present, but other days there have been as many as 20 people showing up.
One volunteer, Dawn Lafond, indicated they’ve “been out as much as we can, when we’re able to come,” going on to add, “It’s fun.”
The poppies themselves are knitted or crocheted and donated locally from Haldimand and First Nations of the Grand River, as well locations like Burlington and even Prince Edward Island, explained Jenny Bryce, who has spearheaded the project of the Selkirk Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber has been asking for volunteers and collecting the poppies for the display for most of 2021. The netting, which the poppies are being tied to, was donated by Cooper Marine.
Dawn Lafond and Betty-Ann Laidlaw
The final display was put up this week and has in excess of 4,000 poppies. Bryce hopes the display can be used year after year, indicating, “We expect a 10-year life span.”
There will also be poppies saved for eventual repairs to the display to ensure it remains looking its best year after year.
