Beals, ME Florists

Beals Flower Shop News

Historically Speaking: Florists a big part of Dover - Seacoastonline.com

At one time Shortridge also served as president of Merchants National Bank and president of the Dover Realty Co. He and his wife, who had been Ada Massingham, lived at 4 West Concord St., and he remained active in the business until his death in 1946. Ada then took over and with her nephew, Tom Massingham, managed the operation until her death in 1958.Tom Massingham had been born in England, but at age 5 was sent by his family to Dover to live with the Shortridges. As a young man he worked in the business, served in World War II, and upon his return and at Ada's death, became the owner of the Garrison Hill Greenhouses. In 1950, he was one of the first to construct a building on the nascent Miracle Mile, at what was then called Page's corner, opposite Glenwood Avenue. It was originally intended to be a retail flower and gift shop, but on Nov. 25-26 Mother Nature intervened at the Garrison Hill site with close to hurricane force winds that shattered greenhouse glass, entirely uprooting one building which landed on another, and causing an estimated $50,000 damage, well over a half million dollars in today's money.As a result, production at that location was limited and a much-reduced greenhouse space was grafted on to the building at Central Avenue. Over time the original greenhouse structures were dismantled and removed, the space eventually covered by apartment buildings, and the only reminder we have of what was there is the name of the street, Floral Avenue. (The business remains in operation, however, with the next generation, Thomas Massingham as owner, located in the small plaza at the corner of Chestnut and Fourth streets.)This was not the only florist operation in town. Recently we mentioned the Elliott Greenhouses set back some distance from the Dover Point Road (the location of the present Ponte Place development). This was a major producer of roses, with a national, even international, clientele. For a time there was a retail store, Thornwood, in the building now occupied by Patty B's restaurant.Bob and Barbara Drew had a small greenhouse on Tolend Road. There was Bob's Flower Shop, Robert Ham proprietor, at 2 Central Ave. In the mid-1940s, there was Brown's Flower Shop (Aaron and Ralph Brown, owners) at 107 Washington St., which advertised being open on Sunday morning.The Whatnot Flowers and Gifts was at 517 Central Ave., owned by Edward and Natalie Duffy, with "a full line of religious articles."Perley Lee and his wife Mabelle had a greenhouse and retail store at 120 Stark Avenue next door to their home. In the mid-’80s the Siranian family at 103 Stark Ave. had a small greenhouse, and just down the road, beyond the current Dover Chevrolet complex, John Viola, who worked many years for the Lees, had two small greenhouses behind his family home.A larger, longer-lived business was Meader's Greenhouses at 21 Back River Road (the remains of some of the greenhouse buildings are still visible). The Meader family had deep roots in the Dover area. John lived at the corner of Back River and the Durham Road. Herbert lived just beyond t... https://www.seacoastonline.com/news/20200823/historically-speaking-florists-big-part-of-dover

Founder of Victoria's 'cheeky' flower count, dies at 97 – Vancouver Island Free Daily - vancouverislandfreedaily.com

The Victoria woman who started a light-hearted campaign to count flower blossoms sprouting in British Columbia’s capital when much of Canada remained locked in winter’s grip has died.Norma Fitzsimmons, whose annual Greater Victoria Flower Count signals the early arrival of spring in Canada’s warmest winter city, died Friday, July 24 after suffering a stroke. She was 97 years old.This year’s 45th annual flower count, held March 4 to 11, saw a total of 45.9 billion blooms recorded in Greater Victoria.“I don’t think she meant to get under anybody’s skin,” said granddaughter Sheri Bourrie. “It was just a cheeky way of being, ‘Hey, look at us and look at how fantastic Victoria is.’”Fitzsimmons, born in August 1922, never left Victoria and stayed in her home overlooking scenic Cadboro Bay until the final two weeks of her life.Flowers were her lifelong passion and served as her way of helping people and promoting Victoria, known as the City of Gardens, said Bourrie.“You didn’t ever go to her house and there wasn’t a flower arrangement,” she said. “Even the last time we visited her there was a flower arrangement. Fresh flowers, her o... https://www.vancouverislandfreedaily.com/news/founder-of-victorias-cheeky-flower-count-dies-at-97/

Looking Back on Aug. 21 | Lewiston - The Bethel Citizen

Maine’s worms.50 Years Ago: 1970A survey crew is working in the Turner and Center Streets, Auburn area preparing data for the planning of the Union Street Bypass project. The State Highway Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposal on Aug 25 at the Auburn City Council chamber.25 Years Ago: 1995A tradition at Sherwood Heights School is to have each student become a gardener and plant flowers in the center courtyard. This activity reminds students the importance of planting trees and plants are for their environment. Second, students are engaged in a hands-on activity which brings to life concepts learned in the classroom. Third, the garden becomes a symbol to students who will greet It again in the fall and to those who have graduated. Last, the activity culminates the year by bringing the whole school] together to create something special that has become a part of the school culture. The tradition continued this year with the contribution of 600 flowering plants from Roak the Florist.The material used in Looking Back is reproduced exactly as it originally appeared, although misspellings and errors may be corrected.Invalid username/password.Ple... https://www.sunjournal.com/2020/08/21/looking-back-on-aug-21-3/

Plymouth flower shop closes after four decades as owner retires - Hometown Life

Ribar and her family. She worked outside of floral until Ribar called her to offer her the business. She then left her job and began running the shop."I remained friends with Pat Ribar all these years," she said. "So I gave my notice at work and I had called Pat."There, Morrison spent years working through holidays such as Mother's Day and Christmas, getting to know local customers and connecting with various organizations and networking events in the Plymouth-Canton area, including the Plymouth Historical Museum, the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce and volunteering with Angela Hospice with flowers."We're always trying to do for others," she said.Then earlier this year, the coronavirus pandemic hit Michigan, forcing her to close her doors temporarily. During that time, she looked ahead to what doing business in a world occupied by COVID-19 looked like. She said she did not want to operate like that and risk her health. So she's decided to retire."While we were closed, every day in the news was something different," she said. "I just said, 'I think that it's time.'"'I'm going to miss the customers'Ribar, who still lives down the street from the floral shop, said she was sad to hear the shop still bearing her name would close, but understood why Morrison would decide to do it.She said meeting Morrison decades ago was an important point in her professional life."It would've been a monumental task (to stay open). She's a hard worker, always has been," Ribar said of Morrison. "She does anything you need to do and happy to do it. We did a good thing when we met Lori."Morrison planned to be out of the space by the end of the month. While Morrison said she's looking forward to spending time with family and friends or traveling near Christmas instead of working, she said she will miss the loyal customers that came in all the time looking for that personal touch in flowers. She said she hasn't ruled out helping out in other flower shops in the future; she said she's already had some people inquire if she wants to help during a busier season in the future."I'm going to miss the customers," she said. "I'm certainly not going to miss the long hours or smelling like sap. "I am going to miss the people I see every Christmas."... https://www.hometownlife.com/story/news/local/plymouth/2020/06/25/plymouth-floral-shop-closes/5306585002/