Recently, a group of volunteers took tiny mighty beautiful steps in Parksville –  gathering at Arrowhead Ranch and Retreat, they planted 250 yellow daffodil bulbs, thus establishing The Bill Graham Memorial Garden as part of the worldwide Daffodil Project.  

Bill Graham was born into a family in Germany and given the name Wolfgang. In an attempt to save her children, his mother sent Bill and his sister into hiding. After miles of walking and hunger, and months with strangers and without family (his sister passed away), he was on a ship and landed in New York harbor. 

As a youth, he spent time waiting for someone to select him as their foster child. After some years with that family, he wandered from the Catskills, coming back with Carlos Santana in 1969 for Woodstock. In the 1980s and early 1990s Bill’s career brought him international recognition as a music promoter. He came to Arrowhead Ranch and Retreat with new groups and musicians. Unfortunately, his life was cut short in a helicopter crash. 

The Daffodil Project commemorates children who perished in the Holocaust and during the Fall of 2024, the one millionth daffodil will be planted. Their goal is to plant 1.5 million daffodils around the world and now Parksville is part of this international project; each location is noted on the virtual map found at www.daffodilproject.net  Sullivan County is represented in a project with a global presence with gardens in Hurleyville, Liberty, Monticello and Livingston Manor.

With 70 doves throughout the county’s Dove Trail, people walked over two miles from the 250 newly planted bulbs to the dove at the Parksville Rail Trailhead, at Main St. and Short St., just outside of Cabernet Frank’s and across from the corner pharmacy. Their ages spanning teens to senior citizens, this walk provided time where good conversations and meaningful personal connections were made. 

Along with Rose Barnett of Arrowhead, Dr. Hope Blecher Croney of Hope’s Compass, assisted in coordinating the 2nd Annual Dove-Daffodil-Dash. It came together with the support of Liberty Trading Post, Walgreens, Prestige Towing, ShopRite, Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association, Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce, Greater Liberty Chamber of Commerce, Cornell Cooperative Extension, family and friends. Behind the scenes support came from Town of Liberty Supervisor DeMayo and assistant Nick Rusin, James Guarra and Felix Colon of Liberty Parks and Recreation, and Colin Sass.

As a participant shared, it was a great project done on a perfect day. Hope and Rose thank the busy hands of Matt S., Sharon S., Mickey L., Ray C., Pearl Z., Neele S., Jessica W., Harriet D., Sarah L., Steve P., and Walter, and invite the community to see the Bill Graham Memorial Daffodil Garden and Peace Pole when the flowers blossom during Spring 2025. 

Among the comments were reflections about growing up among survivors of the Holocaust and the impact that had; how this garden was a memorial to those who perished and in honor of the survivors. 

This project opened a door. It will continue in 2025 when Thalmann’s Service Center with Jessica and Alyssa Thalmann are a cornerstone of the Dove-Daffodil-Dash.