Poppy Project unveiled in Palmerston

PALMERSTON – The beautification team for All Aboard Palmerston came together with members of the community and surrounding area to crochet 1,600 poppies into a banner that was placed onto the Old 81 Engine at Lions Park.

Taylor Keunen, the beautification committee chair who helped bring the project to life, offered a brief speech at the official unveiling on Nov. 3.

“We felt like we could do something big to honour our veterans, and pull the community together,” said Keunen.

The beautification committee first asked the community in September to help hand-crochet poppies to create a display at Lions Park.

Keunen told the crowd at the unveiling that around 80 balls of yarn were purchased for the project.

“I guess I had really low expectations. I thought we’d come up with a goal of 1,000 poppies over two to three years if we were lucky,” she stated.

“Within 12 hours [of announcing the project], my inbox was flooded with over 50 emails of people saying ‘Yes, sign me up.’”

After 24 hours, Keunen said she had 80 to 90 emails.

The project was then completed with 1,600 crocheted poppies in the matter of a month and a half.

“In the end we had about 60 crocheters,” she told the Advertiser.

“Some [crocheters] were from Hanover, Gorrie, Fordwich, Teeswater, Listowel; it’s not just a Minto project, which makes it even more exciting.”

Crocheters put in an estimated 500 hours of work. 

Keunen said another 100 balls of yarn have been requested for the “keeners” who will be crocheting more over the winter months.

“Our goal is to extend the length of the (poppy) train,” she noted.

A big thanks was given to the Spinrite Yarn Factory Outlet and to the to the Palmerston Lions Club, whose members helped attach the poppies to the train.

“Thank you especially to all the crocheters, you’re all wonderful,” Keunen said at the unveiling.

“It’s just really been a joy to see what a great project this has been.

“It has exceeded all of our expectations.”