Benton, LA Florists

Benton Flower Shop News

In Loving Memory: Obituaries Of The Week January 31, 2021 - Smokey Barn News

Rayburn Bugg, Jr. and a sister, Melissa Dawn Bugg.She is survived by her husband, Eddie Gill of Springfield; daughter and son-in-law, Amanda and David-Paul Benton of Springfield; son and daughter-in-law, Robert Michael and Melissa Gill of Springfield; brother, Steven Bugg of Texas; and grandchildren, JaMarion Gill, Elizabeth Jean Benton, and Caleb Lee Benton.a href="https... https://smokeybarn.com/in-loving-memory-obituaries-of-the-week-january-31-2021/

Washington court rules against florist in gay wedding case - Albuquerque Journal

Bellevue College, a large crowd of Stutzman’s supporters greeted her outside, chanting her name and waving signs that said “Justice For Barronelle.”In a February 2015 ruling, Benton County Superior Court Judge Alexander Ekstrom found that Stutzman’s refusal to provide flowers because of sexual orientation violated Washington’s anti-discrimination and consumer protection laws. The following month, Ekstrom ordered Stutzman to pay a $1,000 penalty to the state and $1 in costs and fees.Stutzman entered the florist business 30 years ago, when her mother bought a flower shop.At a press conference following the ruling, Ferguson said that under Washington law, a business is not required to provide a particular service, but if it does so for couples of the opposite sex, it must provide that service equally to same-sex couples. Ferguson noted that Stutzman is not currently selling wedding flowers, but if she were to resume that side of her business, she would not be allowed to sell to only heterosexual couples.“The state Supreme Court has made that very clear,” he said.___AP writer Gene Johnson contributed from Seattle. ... https://www.abqjournal.com/951260/washington-court-rules-against-florist-in-gay-wedding-case.html

In Loving Memory: Obituaries Of The Week February 14, 2021 - Smokey Barn News

Gardens Mausoleum with Brother Patrick Nix, Tim Harris, and Chris Read officiating. Pallbearers will be Timothy Black, Bud Johnson, Robert Alan Holman, Shane Toole, Aaron Nix, Chris Read, and Jeff Benton. Honorary pallbearers will be the men of the Hope Center in Springfield. There will be no visitation prior to the service. The family ask that all in attendance please wear facial mask or coverings.Sherry was born August 20, 1960 in Springfield to the late L.B. and Elizabeth Jo Vanderpool Black. She was a graduate of Jo Byrns High School Class of 1978. She owned and operated Sherry’s Florist for over 39 years in Springfield. She was a member and past president of CTPA (Certified Tennessee Professional Florist). She was a member of Flewellyn Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school and worked in Women’s Missions and with the Senior Adult’s. Sherry was a dedicated contributor to the Hope Center in Springfield, that has been a mission outreach ministry of Flewellyn Baptist Church. She loved traveling, her animals and pets, and spending time with her family enjoying their many culinary dining out experiences and places of travel together. Flowers were Sherry’s passion, and the love that she had for her family, customers, and many friends was always expressed in the wonderful designs and creations she did at her flower shop. Sherry not only wanted you to see the beauty of the flowers, but to also feel the warmth that they brought to your life and to the lives of others. Whether it was a fresh vase, pall, spray, basket, or one of her many unique wedding designs, Sherry wanted each design to live in your minds, hearts, and thoughts forever.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved dog and child: Willie. Sherry is survived by her sister and brother-in-law: Pam and Bud Johnson of Springfield, by her brother and sister-in-law: Timothy and Peggy Black of Springfield, by her niece: Nikki Reid of Springfield, by her personal friend: Benjamin Clarkson, and by many cousins and friends.Tribute WallRobertson County Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.Obituary for Mildred Webb BurnetteMildred Webb Burnette, 93, of Greenbrier, passed from this life into the presence of her Lord on Saturday February 13, 2021 at the home of her daughter in Greenbrier. A private family graveside service will be conducted Tuesday February 23rd in the Springfield Memorial Gardens with Pastor Jon Briggs officiating.Mildred Webb Burnette was born in Algood, TN on September 17, 1927 to Morris Brewer Webb and Ethel Lee Rittenberry Webb. She and her family moved to West Nashville in 1934. She loved to reminisce about her time spent roller skating around the city and at the Hippodrome Roller Rink, playing in... https://smokeybarn.com/in-loving-memory-obituaries-of-the-week-february-14-2021/

Maker Space: Eden Garrett's idea blossomed - NWAOnline

Northwest Arkansas."I love Northwest Arkansas," she says. "There are so many opportunities for growth here. And because I work out of a truck, I can go from Fayetteville to Rogers to Springdale to Bentonville and all of those towns in between -- so I catch more people than just being in the middle of Springfield."Garrett says part of the process of becoming a successful business person was learning how to be flexible when business was in a slow period."I'm just motivated every day to push forward and make the sales higher each day -- even if it's really slow, even if, that day, no one wants flowers," she says. "I'll think, 'OK, what else can I do? Can I do deliveries? Can I announce on social media that all bouquets are $5 or that delivery is free on this particular day?' Each day, I'm going to make as much money as I can and provide an excellent product."She's also available for parties and weddings; one popular option for celebrations are the custom flower crowns partygoers can make inside the truck.Garrett says she's wanted to own a business since she was a child. Her first business idea -- a boutique that would serve as both a makeup salon as well as an event space, so you could get ready for a party right there at the site -- came to her when she was just 10 years old."My mom owned her own business, and I was just super fascinated by it," she says. "I've always known I didn't want to have a 9-to-5 job where I sit behind a desk all day -- that's just not who I am. I've always wanted to own my own business."It's clear that her youth isn't holding her back. Eden's Flower Truck was recognized at the 2019 Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Business Awards Ceremony, and she's opening up her first brick and mortar store called Eden's Botanicals this month. She says opening a storefront was in her five-year plan but, when she found a perfect location on North Steele Boulevard, her business instincts told her it was the right time to make a move."The storefront will mostly be for workshops and parties -- more of an event space," says Garrett, who adds that the mobile truck will still be used for floral sales. "We'll also sell flower gifts [in the store]. I'm super excited."Garrett is already looking towards the future and making plans -- big plans."I want to own some land, hopefully around the Fayetteville area, and have a mini-Magnolia Market, similar to [Fixer Upper stars] Chip and Joanna Gaines' business," she says. "I want there to be a few cottages, like an Airbnb, and then also have a spot to grow my own flowers so I don't have to buy them wholesale any more. And I would sell gifts and flowers and other merchandise and have it all be in one giant property, a destination that people from all over come to."If what she's accomplished so far is any indication, the goals of her 10-year plan may just be closer than she thinks..inline_item { float: left; display: inline; }div class="inline__bloc... https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2020/feb/13/maker-space-eden-garrett-s-idea-blossom/

Court again rules against florist who refused gay couple - The Spokesman-Review

She refused. Ferguson filed a complaint under the state’s consumer protection and anti-discrimination statutes, and the couple filed a separate lawsuit. A Benton County Superior Court judge combined the cases and reviewed the arguments, eventually issuing an injunction against Stutzman requested by Ferguson and awarding damages to the couple.The Washington Supreme Court upheld both decisions, and Stutzman appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. But before it could be argued there, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of a Colorado baker who refused to create a cake for a same-sex wedding, saying that during the process of deciding whether he was violating that state’s anti-discrimination laws, a member of the Civil Rights Commission made disparaging remarks about the baker’s religion.The U.S. Supreme Court sent the Arlene’s Flowers case back to the Washington Supreme Court to reconsider it in light of the Masterpiece Cakeshop decision. Attorneys for Stutzman argued the cases were the same, contending Ferguson was showing animus toward religion by taking action against Arlene’s Flowers but not against a Seattle coffee shop that refused to serve Christians. But McCloud wrote there is key distinction between the two cases because the Colorado case involved religious intolerance from an adjudicatory body. The only two such bodies – the trial court and the state Supreme Court – showed no such intolerance. The attorney general’s office isn’t an adjudicatory body and the coffee shop case is irrelevant, she wrote. The court also rejected Stutzman’s arguments that applying the state’s anti-discrimination laws to her refusal to provide floral arrangements for a same-sex wedding violates her constitutional rights. “Discrimination based on same sex-marriage constitutes discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation,” McCloud wrote. Enforcing the anti-discrimination law in this case does not violate her rights of artistic expression because it doesn’t fit with previous cases that protect that right. Allowing such an exemption would create a two-tiered system system the law, similar to saying a dime-store lunch counter would have to serve an interracial couple but an upscale bistro wouldn’t, she wrote, quoting from a friend of the court brief.Stutzman can still freely practice her religion, McCloud wrote. She was never asked to attend the wedding ceremony. She has provided floral arrangements for weddings of Muslims and atheists, and wasn’t endorsing Islam or atheism by doing that.“After careful review on remand, we are confident that the courts resolved this dispute with tolerance, and we therefore find no reason to change our original judgment,” the court concluded. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2019/jun/06/court-again-rules-against-florist-who-refused-gay-/

Opinion: Florist charged for participating in Capitol riot should be denied trip to Mexico - Houston Chronicle

Regarding “Dems attempt to usher through school funding, wage increase,” (A6, Feb. 10): One size doesn’t fit all in many situations. A $15 minimum wage may fit New York City but not rural Louisiana. For entry-level jobs for high school and college students a $15 minimum wage may decrease opportunities. Also, some businesses may be more suited to higher minimum wages than others. Hopefully our political leaders can work better together on this important issue. The devil is truly in the details! Mike Fuljenz, Beaumont From the Editorial Board Shame, shame, shame Regarding “‘Sheer cloudy vagueness’ cost one worker his job,” (A27, Feb. 7): Shame on you Academy Sports. The person, trying to make a living, was fired for upholding Academy’s stated policy and the policy by the mayor regarding the wearing of masks in Houston. The customer was looking for an altercation. I’ve seen this before in grocery stores. The Academy manager should have stepped in. Fire that person, not the employee. Man/woman up, Houston — wear your mask. It’s such a little thing if it keeps someone from contracting COVID-19. Ron Babin, Houston Super impressed Regarding “Officials: 8,000 more doses of vaccine available,” (A2, Feb. 10): Wife and I had appointments at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital on Sunday. We and the many that were there were super impressed at their organization! We got there 20 minutes early and got our shots right on time. After the required 15 minute after shot period, we left. They should be openly praised! Fred and Cathey Olenick, Richmond... https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/letters/article/Opinion-Florist-charged-for-participating-in-15939943.php

Master florist to the stars opens store beneath Jim Bowie Live Oak in Opelousas - The Advocate

They also stock items created by local and regional artists and artisans like handmade stationery and soaps. Already planned for the next few months are workshops and pop-up shops featuring Louisiana artists teaching about stationery, succulents, sushi and glass creation. The workshops and pop-ups will be held in the shop's courtyard beneath the historic Jim Bowie oak. The event schedule should soon be up on their website mossneworleans.com, Mashburn said."Before we opened, people were asking what we were going to do with the oak. They were worried we'd do something with the oak, but I love it. We've only been here a short time, but I feel like it's a neighbor and an old friend," Mashburn said. https://www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/news/business/article_054285ce-49ac-11ea-bcd6-43494a29a1c0.html

HER | Local decorator helps get homes ready for holidays - Texarkana Gazette

When I go down there I also go deep-sea fishing for Red Snapper, so it's an annual vacation for me."When she isn't decorating for others, she and her husband Jerry reside on the Louisiana side of Caddo Lake where they enjoy entertaining. They are also very active at Trees Baptist Church. They have four children: Tony Campbell of Queen City, Dee Dee Wells and Misty Lutton of Atlanta, and Damon Donnell of Athens, Texas.Marie says she has never gotten too busy to take on more clients."I never turn anyone down," she said. "I just hire more people to do the work. We will do what it takes to make people happy." n... https://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/her/story/2019/dec/03/her-local-decorator-helps-get-homes-ready-holidays/806564/

A funeral director for the community - Dallas Voice

Lewis said they ate dinner, watched a movie but he left, and they didn’t see each other for another four years.LaFleur was diagnosed with cancer and then he left for Louisiana to take care of his mother. When he returned to Dallas, they met up again on MySpace and have been together ever since.A few years ago, Lewis, who’s a member of the Turtle Creek Chorale, was talking to another member, who is also a funeral director, about how hard it was working for a funeral home owned by a large corporation.“I still want my own place,” he said.“I know a place in Ferris for sale,” the other member told him.A year passed before he decided to at least check out Ferris. The funeral home was still for sale, so on a Sunday morning, he drove to Ferris just to take a look even though he knew the place wouldn’t be open.As he was driving through town, though, he noticed signs for an open house. He decided to stop in and maybe get a feel for the town from the real estate agent.She asked what he was looking for in a house, and he said he was actually interested in Green Funeral Home that was for sale but stopped by the open house to get some information about Ferris from someone local. The agent told him her father owned the funeral home, and she called her dad and arranged for Lewis to meet him.Six months later, Lewis and LaFleur were in the funeral business.Their goal, LaFleur said, is to outgrow the current building within five years. “That means we have four years left,” Lewis said.While Ferris is growing quickly — 150 homes are already under construction on the west side of I-45, and T. Boone Pickens’ widow owns a ranch on the east side of the highway that she plans to develop — the couple knows they can’t rely on business just from the Ferris area.So, Lewis said, anyone was welcome to come to Ferris and use their facility, and they can handle a funeral anywhere. Not that Ferris is that far from the Metroplex — from downtown Dallas, it’s about the same distance as Plano. It’s just over the Ellis County line, four miles south of the Belt Line Road exit.Green Funeral Home can handle embalming, whether the family is using his facility or not. He can deliver the casket to any church for a funeral service, and if the family chooses cremation, Lewis said he can do that, too.Lewis said they’ve driven as far as Houston to pick up a body, so they can certainly perform a funeral anywhere in the Dallas area.While the current Green Funeral Home building is a few blocks from the town square and can hold about 120 for a service, Lewis said they also hold services in area churches all the time.The Rev. Neil Thomas, senior pastor at Cathedral of Hope, said he was glad to have the services of a gay funeral director available in the area. https://dallasvoice.com/a-funeral-director-for-the-community/