(Peru, Neb.) – In the park that features the home of J. Sterling Morton, the founder of Arbor Day, daffodils will bloom a plenty next year thanks to the work of Dr. Joel Lundak and Peru State College (PSC) student-athletes.
 
When the PSC Professor of Psychology participated in the UNL Extension Division Master Gardener program, he initiated a planting program at the invitation of Arbor Lodge State Park in Nebraska City as part of the continuing community service program. 
 
Approximately 2,400 daffodils were planted the first autumn with PSC student-athletes helping to plant another 2,400 for naturalizing this autumn.  Daffodils are especially appropriate because they are deer and squirrel resistant and they multiply. 


 
Kelly Bequette, PSC Foundation Advancement and Alumni Relations Coordinator, worked with Lundak and the athletic department and initially lined up the men's basketball team to help earlier in the fall.   Most recently, the members of the baseball team assisted and on Friday, Nov. 18, weather permitting; the football team will also do some planting.
 
Bobcat men's basketball player, junior Connor Smith of Lincoln enjoyed the experience.  Smith said, “It was a good team-bonding trip for those of us players and coaches who went and helped.  It is always good for the team to do something for a community.”
 
Tim Patterson, sophomore baseball player from Destin, Fla., echoed Smith's comments about helping with the community.  Patterson commented, “It is great to help out a community, and in particular, to do something which will have a lasting effect.  In this case, helping out a state park is something great to do and for others to remember in the future.  Also, it is good to let the community see us contributing in a different way.”
 
This past spring, daffodils could be seen blooming the whole month of April and were at their peak at Arbor Day.