Sandusky picks sunflower as official city flower

SANDUSKY — With winter fast approaching, sunny days are behind us.But a popular flower taking part of its name from the star definitely has a bright future in Sandusky.During a recent public meeting, city commissioners declared the sunflower as Sandusky's official flower."It's the flower of hope," said commissioner Dave Waddington, who first suggested the idea to his fellow board members in late September.They're also a good educational tool, Waddington said. They're important pollinators, vital in producing most fruits and vegetables, and children should know that, he said.During the two weeks between meetings, city officials created an online poll community members could take on Facebook. The survey asked respondents if they wanted the sunflower or some other flower as Sandusky's official flower. Voters overwhelmingly chose the sunflower, receiving 80 percent of the total vote.Officials could incorporate the sunflower into designs or plant these seeds in various publicly run gardens, green spaces and parks.In this Aug. 26, 2019, a bumblebee finds the pollen on a sunflower at Maria's Field of Hope next to Cedar Point's Express Hotel in Sandusky. Sandusky officials recently adopted the sunflower as the city's official flower. A tribute to MariaAdopting the sunflower as Sandusky's official flower stems from inspiration recently created by Maria's Field of Hope at Cedar Point's Express Hotel on Cedar Point Drive.In late August, the picturesque field began to bloom. Volunteers planted about 240,000 seeds on the 8-acre plot to honor the lives of children battling and succumbing to cancer.Maria's Field of Hope at Cedar Point resulted from a partnership between the Prayers from Maria Foundation and Cedar Point.Named after Maria McNamara, she was diagnosed with cancer in 2006. She died in 2007 at the age of 7. When she was battling cancer, Maria prayed for all children suffering from cancer along with their families. Since Maria's death, her parents, Megan and Ed McNamara, worked to raise awareness and money to fund childhood cancer research."By visiting that site … you realize the impact childhood cancer has on so many individuals," said commissioner Dick Brady, who supported Waddington's suggestion.In this Aug. 26, 2019, the sun shines on a field of sunflowers at Maria's Field of Hope next to Cedar Point's Express Hotel in Sandusky. Sandusky officials recently adopted the sunflower as the city's official flower. Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.