Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Bessemer celebrates first ever 'Daffodil Dayz'

By P.J. GLISSON

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Bessemer — Spring was in full flower Saturday as Bessemer gave a hearty welcome to its first annual “Daffodil Dayz” at VFW Post 3673.

Daffodils and bulbs were available for sale upon entry, and tables throughout the bar featured daffodil centerpieces. “Daffodil girls” dressed in yellow sold tickets at a table filled with festive green raffle bags.

Meanwhile, the hall bustled with about 30 vendor booths selling a variety of goods to happy shoppers, many dressed in yellow, green, pink or blue.

“We’re going to have a blooming good time,” said organizer Kathy Whitburn, of Bessemer. “It’s cheerful and bright and sunny. After a long winter, it’s a great way to get people out and shopping.”

As a product vendor herself, Whitburn said, “I wanted to get people together for some sort of spring event.”

Whitburn said existing events didn’t match up with what she imagined. So her childhood friend, Doris Sundman of Marquette, gave her the inspiration by saying, “If there isn’t something, Kathy, make it up.”

After that, Whitburn said the whole event fell into place.

The VFW donated the use of its building. All of the booths sold out in advance, and each vendor donated one item to be used as a raffle prize.

The Gogebic County 4-H youth group also joined the cause. “They are selling all the beautiful flowers and bulbs,” said Whitburn. “When they decided to partner with us in February, they immediately started planting.”

In addition, she touted Michael Pope of Ironwood, as her “wing man” at the raffle table and emphasized overall, “I just have a great group of volunteers.”

Whitburn said raffle proceeds and rental fees from all craft and vendor tables will be donated to the U.P. Honor Flight, which is a Gladstone-based arm of the National Honor Flight Network.

In promoting Daffodil Dayz at a March 31 Easter event, Bessemer VFW commander Donna Frello said the U.P. Honor Flight makes it possible to fund flights of local veterans to Washington, D.C.

“We send veterans to Washington, D.C. to reflect on their memorials,” said Frello. “They all say it’s the highlight of their life.”

She said the flights cost $500 per vet, and the trips are a way of honoring veterans’ service to their country.

“They’re older now and it’s about time,” said Frello, adding that Vietnam vets in particular “did not get the recognition they deserved.”

According to the U.P. Honor Flight website, more than a dozen U.P. honor flights have been funded since 2011.

Helping toward that end Saturday were vendors from a broad geographical spectrum. From Ironwood, Mary Wiseman sold kitchen products; Tanisha Freeman sold books and Mary Ann Branning sold various knitted items.

Joe Rohde of Ironwood Township, had woodworking on display. Lisa Selin of Bessemer sold jewelry; Rose Barbacovi of Hurley sold skin products; and Heather David of Ontonagon sold bakery, jam and other items. Tara and Sharon Hamilton’s tea and tonics were for sale from Wakefield.

Also for sale were purses, agates, candles, clothing and other items.

Adding to the fun was a luncheon special, along with a bloody mary bar and mimosas.

Whitburn concluded of the event, “it helps local youth, It supports the vets. It celebrates spring.”