Mike Bundock, Prince George's best-known leprechaun, is retiring today from his job of spreading St. Patrick's Day joy.
Below is his letter to local residents:
After over 30 years of celebrating Saint Patrick's Day, I have decided to retire. I have been blessed with being given the glory of passing on tradition of hopefully putting a smile on their lips and a little gladness in the heart of every one I meet.
I have many fond memories that I will remember forever. I had just started out on the morn and I invited a couple sitting in the Yellowhead Hotel to "dip into my pot of gold."
The next day, the lady called me and thanked me, I had put them into a good mood and she sold a house.
A lady came into the hospital thrift shop where my wife was working. The lady had a little boy about four years old and I did a little dance for him and offered my pot of gold. I explained that leprechauns come in all ages and sizes, there is one hiding in the inside of my hat, but he was a little shy. He was so excited that he could tell his sister that he had seen a real leprechaun.
I was at a school on the Hart and the teacher had been telling her kindergarten class a little about Ireland before I got there.
They all dipped into my pot of gold and I did a little dance then asked if anyone had a question for me.
A little boy put up his hand and asked "can you disappear?"
I quickly looked around and said "if you bow your head and cover your eyes with your hands and count together one, two, three and throw your hands up and go poof I will be gone."
It worked!
I heard later from the hall: "he really did!"
I have many more great stories I could tell, which I am willing to share with anyone at any time. Visiting in the hospital here and the children's hospital in Vancouver, seniors residences and centres and many businesses throughout the city and even Smithers.
My pot of gold has run dry, I have no more gold to dig up, but I promise to continue to try to make everyone's day a little better and put a smile on their face and a little gladness in their heart.
Mike Bundock
Prince George
