Spring is a time for awakening and revival.

With the end of winter just a week away, daffodils have started to emerge throughout the central and north Georgia regions, including Newton County. Wednesday, both spring and the perky yellow flowers were celebrated at Georgia Perimeter College Newton Campus’ annual Daffodil Festival.

The festival also celebrated and brought back to Newton County’s consciousness the late Pierce Cline. Georgia Perimeter College’s Student Government Association President Leanna Whitaker helped Cline’s widow, Margie Cline, cut the ribbon on the brand new Pierce Cline Memorial Garden. Pierce Cline died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gherig’s disease, in 2012.

The garden is a celebration of Pierce Cline’s legacy in helping to bring GPC to Newton County from Rockdale County, founding scholarships and helping out in various programs to promote the growth of both the school and the community.

Faculty and staff from GPC helped raise the money to build the garden, which will now serve as a place of reflection and rest and as an outdoor classroom for students.

The memorial garden’s dedication was a highlight of a day that also included a presentation by Brian Barnard of Triple Horse Studios, an educational session on Baxter International, and of course, a tour through the daffodils.

The Daffodil Festival continued Thursday