To paraphrase Victor Hugo, an idea whose time has come can be very powerful.

So many great thinkers have said approximately the same thing, so it must be true. Sir Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King Jr, Henry Ford, and others have all offered their version of this quotation.

Now, this aphorism is playing out right here in our Niagara-on-the-Lake. With no fanfare, quietly, efficiently and colourfully. I refer to the NOTL Museum’s Poppy Project.

Last past week, awesome poppy displays popped up at the Old Court House, the museum, Branch 124 of the Royal Canadian Legion and RiverBrink Art Museum in Queenston. I urge you to take a wee tour, and be prepared to be overwhelmed. (And thank you to Davey Tree Experts for their assistance and guidance installing the necessary netting.)

This rambler will now refer to and quote a one-pager received from the leader of our local museum’s poppy brigade. I couldn’t say it better myself.

The NOTL Museum’s Poppy Project began in 2021 with a donation of some 1,500 handmade poppies from the Niagara Falls History Museum. I have been told that the overarching concept started at the Tower of London a fairly long time ago.

Since then, our Niagara museum’s effervescent and irrepressible community engagement co-ordinator, Barbara Worthy, with over 40 volunteers, have been proving that a great idea at the perfect time is powerful.

Just this year, they have knitted, sewn, crocheted and handcrafted over 17,000 poppies. Hard to believe, but true.

Locally, the Poppy Project also includes nearly 100 red poppy wreaths displayed at local businesses, along with purple poppy wreaths remembering the millions of animals that served during wartimes.

The detailed logistics of this project must be so intimidating. For example, after Remembrance Day, if there has been rain (and there will be some precipitation activity), where do they hang poppies by the thousands to dry? Store them where for future years?

This is an unusual and important instalment of Ross’s Ramblings. Without the military service and sacrifice of so many Canadians, not that long ago, we would not be having all this fun.

Every year, the local Legion branch has their poppy campaign, a major fundraiser to support Branch 124 activities and services.

This year, please dig a little deeper when purchasing a poppy from a local volunteer or from a strategically placed donation box around town.

And spend some serious remembering time at the Veterans’ Garden in front of our museum on Castlereagh Street. Each and every local veteran is individually remembered. It is not my intention to oversell, but please, carve out some time.

And think about joining our museum, and the General Nelles Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. It’s Branch 124, on King Street near Veterans Memorial Park — which makes sense, eh?

Let’s conclude with a few lines from Lt.-Col. John McRae:

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place, and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard above the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch, be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Very respectfully offered.

Be kind.