Joan Jacobs, Kiki McMahan, Lynne Jackson Daros and Marj Cogar Photos and Text by Colleen McGrath
Newport in Bloom joined forces with the city of Newport to give 30,000 daffodil bulbs to residents on Oct. 15. John and Mary Hirschboeck and about 20 volunteers from Newport in Bloom and Salve Regina University gathered early that morning in the parking lot of Easton’s Beach to bag up bulbs.
Peter Yalanis began volunteering three years ago when he heard about the Daffodillion effort while working at Discover Newport. Recently retired Paul Galluscio has been volunteering for the past two years. Known around town for her spectacular roses, Felicia Zeballos proudly showed off her Newport in Bloom shirt, while bagging bulbs.
A steady stream of people came by for the bags of two dozen bulbs to plant in their gardens. Kiki McMahon said folks began arriving as early as 8:15 a.m. for the 9 a.m. event. Katie McCarty, with children Patrick and Beatrice in tow, said she was excited to add daffodils to their garden, which currently features tulips and hyacinths in the spring.
John and Mary Hirschboeck
Since its inception in 2012, “Daffodil Days” has been a bright spot in Newport every spring, with over 1,200,000 daffodils blooming in parks, public spaces and gardens. the retail price of bulbs given out this year represents a $45,000 “gift to the street” by Newport in Bloom. For more information, visit newportinbloom.org.
Peter Yalanis and Paul Galluscio
Felicia Zeballos
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