OAKES, N.D. — On Thursday night, Aug. 14, they stood in heat and humidity for a popular summertime tradition — the Oakes CHI hospital annual Monarch Butterfly release.
It’s all part of the hospital’s popular Healing Garden project.
As the town of Oakes prepares for late summer’s harvest to move into high gear, everything was put on hold Thursday.
“OK ladies, I will walk you around here,” said master gardener Nancy Carda, who gave a tour of the healing garden to the Sisters of St. Francis in Hankinson.
“Here we have some sedum, some ground cover, here,” Carda said.
It was Sister Dianna Hell who dreamed of a healing garden of flowers, trees and water at the Oakes CHI hospital.
“I think she would be very happy and she would spend as much time out here as she could,” Sister. Jean Louise Schafer said.
And this healing garden isn’t just for patients or staff here at the hospital in Oakes. People from town come to find peace, too.
“I lost my father a month ago and so to sit here and be in this healing garden is so special,” Nancy Farnham, who drove from Ellendale, N.D., said.
At about suppertime, it seemed like the whole town of Oakes left their air conditioning for a much loved summer tradition.
Families brought their children. After a few lessons on butterflies, the dramatic moment came.
“When we bring you the envelope, we will tell you how to open it so you don’t kill the butterfly,” Carda said.
The butterflies, in those envelopes, were handed out. And after a few seconds, they came to life.
Landing everywhere, even on shoulders … babies’ behinds.
In all, 150 Monarch butterflies were released into the summer sky. Some taking their time … earning a blessing from Sister Jean Louise before the migration south begins.
The butterflies have a long trip ahead: the monarchs travel between 50 and 100 miles a day. It can take two months to complete the journey to Mexico.
1/3: On Thursday, Aug. 14, 150 monarch butterflies were released at the Oakes hospital’s healing garden.
Abby Makay / WDAY News
2/3: On Thursday, Aug. 14, 150 monarch butterflies were released at the Oakes hospital’s healing garden.
Abby Makay / WDAY News
3/3: On Thursday, Aug. 14, 150 monarch butterflies were released at the Oakes hospital’s healing garden.
Abby Makay / WDAY News
Kevin Wallevand has been a reporter at WDAY-TV since 1983. He is a native of Vining, Minnesota in Otter Tail County. His series and documentary work have brought him to Africa, Vietnam, Haiti, Kosovo, South America, Mongolia, Juarez,Mexico and the Middle East. He is an multiple Emmy and national Edward R. Murrow award recipient.
Reach Kevin at kwallevand@wday.com or 701-241-5317
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