Original appeared in The OSCAR, February 1999.
A quiet and hardworking Old Ottawa South gardener was recently awarded one of only 11 Community Pride Achievement Awards given out last year, reports Paul McCann, program coordinator. This is a new type of civic award offered by the City of Ottawa, intended to recognize and thank residents who undertake outstanding clean-up or beatification projects which contribute to the enjoyment of our city.
Riverdale Avenue resident Bernie Diepman is the only recipient from all of Capital Ward. He is a native of Holland, coming to Ottawa as a young adult in1955. For much of his professional life Bernie worked at the Experimental Farm where he edited research papers on farming practices in other countries.Approaching retirement, Bernie moved to the Lexington Apartments near Linda Thom Park and almost on the first day began planting tulip bulbs around the building. “I’ve never seen more tulips than in Ottawa,” he admits, “even though I come from Holland.” Bernie wanted to be part of this city’s celebration of tulips and other types of domestic planting.
His green thumb and enthusiasm quickly caught on. Now, after 10 years, both the City Living Corporation and his building’s Tenants Committee financially help with his many plants located inside and outside their building.
Last summer a member of the committee saw an announcement for Ottawa’s new civic award and immediately realized they had a potential winner. They nominated Bernie and much to his surprise, Paul McCann called him late last year to say he had won. Both the nominating committee and Inez Berg were on hand during the presentation at City Hall (see photo).
Other winners include the Friends of the Experimental Farm for their clean-up of the Arboretum after the Ice Storm and a group of students & parents from Ecole Elementaire Publique Francojeunesse for the greening of their school yard.
Photos of Mr. Diepman’s handiwork, and that of the other award winners, are currently part of a traveling display promoting the City’s initiatives to applaud the environmental improvement efforts of individuals, groups, and businesses.
For more information about the Community Pride program, contact Paul McCann at 244-5300-1-3363. For general information about OSCA’s current involvement with various award nominations (including the Whitton Award) for those that live or work in Ottawa South, please call David Bouse at 730-0728.
As for Bernie, if you don’t see him tending his many flowers at 507 Riverdale, you might find him under Billings Bridge in his new kayak.