— by Lin McNulty —

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If you have been on Orcas since 2000, you may have been the recipient of a May Day flower delivered to your door by students and parents from Orcas Christian School.

The first year, they gave out 36 plants, then 300, then 500. This year an estimated 1,200 flowers were delivered to Orcas Island residents.

The plants are started in the school in late January or early February. They continue their growth in the school office until they are moved to a local greenhouse. Local Master Gardeners Sally Coffin and Dixie Walmsley have offered greenhouse space for the plants.

Mostly Marigolds this year, with a few Petunias. “It all depends on what makes it through the growing process,” says Kathy Roosma, primary room teacher and plant coordinator.

The distribution process is somewhat loose, as some residents may have noticed that they don’t receive the yearly offering. “We give a bunch of plants to parents and assign them roads for delivery. Dark, dirt roads may be overlooked, and, of course, many properties are marked No Trespassing.”

 

Last year, added Roosma, there were no blooms on the gifted flowers. However, she notes, the plants really took to life after delivery; “we received the most positive feedback that year.”

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