County Daffodils: a sign of spring

Carmela Lotrecchiano of Kent Cliffs (left) is joined by Rita Tyndall of Mahopac and Carmela’s sister-in-law, Louise Lotrecchiano of Mahopac (right), by wrapping dozens of daffodils for sale this week. A sure sign of spring arrived in Putnam County Monday when the Mahopac Falls Fire Department headquarters was converted into a nursery courtesy of the American Cancer Society.

Volunteers in conjunction with the county’s RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) sorted bunches of beautiful yellow daffodils, as well as potted plants and even teddy bears, which were wrapped for sale this week throughout the county.

Willa Wright, executive director of the Cancer Society’s Putnam Chapter, thanked the public for its support, since 20,000 daffodils are giving Putnam vibrant color this week in homes, stores, and offices.

Wright encouraged local residents to support the daffodil project: “Money raised is used to fund research needed that will hopefully, in the not too distant future, eradicate this horrible disease that has affected every resident of our county in some way, shape, or form.”

Money collected for the flowers is also used for local patient services.

The daffodils will be available for the rest of the week at Putnam Hospital Center or by calling the American Cancer Society office in Mahopac at 628-2003.