Agawam, MA Florists

Agawam Flower Shop News

Flower Barrels from Fini's Plant Farm brighten up sidewalks - Reminder Publications

Just recently, Pat said, ‘I would really like to see a return to doing flower barrels in town,’” Pasquerella said.The West Springfield Garden Club was inspired by similar barrels found in the town of Agawam. “They have these beautiful flower barrels all around Agawam. We contacted Al Fini to see how it works. We now have gotten him to do the program and he grows [the flowers] and provides the outer barrel and places them all around. He said he would be more than willing to do what he does for Agawam for West Springfield,” Pasquerella shared.Pasquerella said she feels that the flower barrels will improve the town of West Springfield. “I think it’s a quality of life thing. There’s something about flowers. There’s a reason why Home Depot or even your local grocery store sells flowers, because it does something for you. It lifts up your heart. It provides a moment of beauty when you drive by or you’re in a store. Psychologically, it improves your mood,” Pasquerella said.Pasquerella shared that the West Springfield Garden Club is already looking to the future of the flower barrel project. “Next year, we’d really like to do 100,” Pasquerella said.The West Springfield Garden Club is currently accepting sponsorships on each of the barrels. Each sponsorship costs $120 and includes the barrel, soil, watering from June 10 to Sept.15, and a 4 by 10-inch all-weather sign inserted in the barrel to display the name of the sponsor. Sponsorships can be purchased by a donor, company, group or in honor of a loved one.Signs will be collected in mid-September and kept by the West Springfield Garden Club for use in future years. If a sponsor chooses to participate in a future year, the same sign will be used and the sponsorship will only cost $100.At the time of publication, 35 of the 50 barrels had been sponsored. To sponsor a barrel, contact Kate Parrow at kfparrow@comcast.net. https://www.thereminder.com/localnews/west-springfield/flower-barrels-from-finis-plant-farm-brighten-up-s/

Deep field set for Bridge of Flowers 40th anniversary

New England.Last season, John Busque, of Manchester, Connecticut, showed up on the morning of the event, registered and won.Busque tracked down defending champion Glarius Rop, of Agawam, on the stretch of course that no longer exists. He passed Rop and beat the two-time champion by 43 seconds.Those two men are back this season and both will be among the favorites to win the race. The third-place finisher from a year ago, Scott Mindel, of Burlington, Vermont, also returns.Rop is a member of the Western Mass. Distance Project, and will have four teammates joining him. One of those is Amos Sang, of Chicopee, who won the 2014 Bridge of Flowers. Sang won the New England 5-mile championship this season with a time of 24:36.Northampton’s Ben Groleau, another Western Mass. Distance Project runner, is the UMass record-holder in the mile with a time of 4:01. Groleau was fourth at the New England 5-mile championships in 25:27. Dennis Roche, of Springfield, another WMDP runner, finished fifth last year at the Bridge of Flowers.The women’s field will be just as deep. Last year’s champion, Holly Rees, of Cambridge, is returning. Rees ran an average of just under 6 minutes a mile in winning the women’s crown in 37:05.Rees will be challenged by Semehar Tesfaye, of West Roxbury. Tesfaye won the Bridge of Flowers in 2016 in 39:03.Another major challenger is newcomer Aisling Cuffee, who graduated from Stanford but now lives in North Grafton and runs for Saucony under coach Ray Treacy. Cuffee has a 15:11 personal record in a 5K.The third, fourth and fifth-place finishers from a year ago also return in the women’s field. Apryl Sabadosa, of Westfield, took third. Karen Bertasso, of Albany, New York, is a two-time Bridge of Flowers winner. She was fourth last year. The fifth-place finisher from a year ago was Jenna Giglioti, of Northampton, who joins Sabadosa as two of the top female runners in the We... https://www.gazettenet.com/Bridge-of-Flowers-19387803

Sang, Cuffe rule Bridge of Flowers

Benjamin Groleau finished third overall in 25:37, as he was in the lead pack for much of the first half of the race before Sang and Leibold separated themselves. Two-time champion Glarius Rop of Agawam was fourth in 26:03, followed in fifth place by Teague O’Connor of Burlington, Vt. (26:10). Shelburne Falls’ Dan Smith was the top local runner across the Iron Bridge, finishing ninth in 27:21.Cuffe and Leibold moved to Massachusetts just two weeks ago, as Leibold began medical school at UMass in Worcester last week. Cuffe said the pair was looking for something to do over the weekend, and discovered the event. Leibold said it was a nice escape from a chaotic first week of school.“We’re kind of aficionados of old races so when we saw this one, it was a no-brainer,” Cuffe explained.While she mostly competes in shorter races, Cuffe, who was 22nd overall in the field, felt right at home on the 8K course. She said she raced against Rees in a 5K last year, and knew the Bridge of Flowers defending champion was the one to watch when the opening gun went off.“I figured she knew what she was doing,” Cuffe said of keeping Rees in her sights.Semehar Tesfaye of West Roxbury, the 2016 champion, finished third in the women’s race with a time of 30:18. Karen Bertasso of Albany, N.Y. was fourth in 30:31, and Mohawk Trail star and Plainfield resident Meghan Davis was the fifth-fastest woman across the tape in 30:55.The weather cooperated for the 3K Charity Race and 8K Classic, as rain held off and the overcast morning made for comfortable, mid-August temperatures. The traditional charm of the race was evident throughout the course, with bagpipers, drummers and fans lining the streets and trails of Shelburne Falls to the delight of the over 800 runners combined between the two fields.“I love the history of Massachusetts races,” explained Leibold. “Old, long-standing races like this one, the community can get behind it and come out and support every year no matter who is running. That’s the great thing about it, it’s really an event that gets people coming back every year.”Locals ruled the Steve Lewis Subaru Charity 3K Run and Walk, with Buckland’s Bryan Dole finishing first overall in 10:24. Jacob Hughes of Shelburne Falls was the runner-up in 10:31, while Toby Hughes was fifth overall in 11:40. Amherst’s Cortney Berling was the first woman across, as she was third overall in 10:54. Leyden’s Kate Ashley was next in fourth place as the second woman across in 11:34.In the 8K Classic, Greenfield’s Aaron Stone was the top area finisher behind Smith as he crossed 31st overall in 30:10. Shelburne’s John Herron finished 36th (30:33), with Davis’ showing making her the top area woman and fourth-fastest Franklin County finisher overall. Shelburne Falls’ Jeremiah Jones was 40th in 31:01, and Shutesbury’s Andy Reagan joined him in the top 50 thanks to a 49th place performance in 32:09. https://www.recorder.com/Bridge-of-Flowers-19415790

Yuletide celebration coming to Storrowton Village Museum - MassLive.com

Thelma Greene of Chicopee will oversee the festive decorating project. Participating clubs and florists who deck out the village through their generosity and inspired ideas include: the Agawam, East Longmeadow, Wilbraham, Springfield and West Springfield Garden Clubs; Garden Club of the Westfield Woman's Club; Deena Rollet of Merry Mite Gardens in Suffield, Conn.; Anthony Gladu of West Springfield's Rose Petal & Thorn; Flowers by Webster; and the Eastern States Exposition Landscape Department.  "Many of these people have been decorating our village for years and are really familiar with its history and surroundings, so they know what they're doing when it comes to sprucing up the village for an old-fashioned holiday. I think what keeps them coming back is the fact that it gives them a chance to step outside what they do every day and to decorate for the past. They go out and gather natural things.....dried things.....that they wouldn't necessarily use all year long," Green said. "Visitors will see natural flowers and plants, and the natural decorations are usually very colorful and relaxing to see. Some folks will be creating garlands to go over the mantles and fireplaces in the village. We have one florist from Connecticut who will be doing a big Christmas tree in the Gilbert Parlor that will be decorated only with dried and other natural products. There are no electrical lights allowed in keeping with the period," she added. Greene noted that many visitors each year attend the event to see how they can incorporate natural materials into their home decorating and take those ideas back with them. It's Jessica Fontaine's first Yuletide at Storrowton as new director of the museum. "I'm very excited about this year's event. We have a lot of things that people have grown to love and expect over the years, as we... http://www.masslive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2017/11/yuletide_celebration_coming_to.html

Snow's impact on Valentine's Day sales at florists and bakeries - wwlp.com

If customers aren’t home, the flowers are brought to a close neighbor’s or back to the shop.Others show their love through sweet treats, like cupcakes and cannolis at Giovanni’s Italian Pastries in Agawam. “Flowers die, but this, it’s nice you know, you get something out of it!” said Patsy DePergola of Agawam. He was picking out cannolis and carrot cake with his wife to enjoy at home later on Valentine’s Day.Manager Teresa Russo said the snow did impact business a bit over the weekend, with more people staying inside than enjoying an early Valentine’s Day treat. But, she said business was steady on the holiday. She said most of their business was day-of, rather than pre-orders: “You don’t really always know what to prepare for, but the chocolate covered strawberries are very popular, so we always make sure to order plenty of strawberries to be dipped in chocolate.”WWLP.com > Share this:Like this:LikeLoading...Related PostsAdvertisement... http://wwlp.com/2017/02/14/florist-busy-for-valentines-day/

Valley Florist in E. Templeton receives $10K in startup money - Worcester Business Journal

Valley Florist and Greenhouse in East Templeton has received a $10,000 small business loan from the North Central Massachusetts Development Corp., the Fitchburg organization announced Friday.Brendan Loughman, owner of the company, received the loan, with funds earmarked for startup costs and inventory.Loughman has an advanced certification in floral design, as well as years of experience as a floral designer, according to a NCMDC press release. NCMDC, the economic development arm of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, is a microloan lender which can provide loans to small businesses up to $150,000.Loughman was referred to NCMDC by the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center at Clark University in Worcester. https://www.wbjournal.com/article/valley-florist-in-e-templeton-receives-10k-in-startup-money

Coco Shop Designer Taylor Simmons Wore Floral Oscar de la Renta for Her Outdoor Ceremony Overlooking the Ocean - Vogue

Ultimately, Taylor explains, “we chose the safe bet of [having a wedding at] home.”The bride’s parents live in Marion, Massachusetts, a small town close to Cape Cod. The couple didn’t initially consider it because there isn’t anywhere for guests to stay. “My other great, great grandfather’s home is just a mile from my parents’ with a grass terrace, a long rhododendron-lined walk, and a backyard that borders the ocean,” Taylor says. “We decided on a late morning ceremony there followed by an hour of cocktails and a three-course lunch. I loved that this plan allowed most guests to drive from and return back to their homes that day—it felt safer and like a smaller ask.”The couple worked with Elizabeth Allen of Elizabeth Allen Events to plan it all. “She’s amazing!” Taylor says. “She helped us navigate the virus and replanning with incredible grace.”Taylor didn’t have any preconceived notion as to what kind of silhouette or design she wanted for her wedding dress. “I went to all of the traditional appointments when we thought the wedding was going to be in Antigua, but didn’t find anything quite right,” she remembers. “I love vintage and the idea of taking something old and making it new again, so was planning on wearing my grandmother’s champagne-colored, satin gown when I came across this Oscar de la Renta gown online in July. It was perfect—ultra-conservative and traditional in silhouette, but unexpected in an upbeat black.” She paired the dress with her mother’s diamond and ruby earrings and a pair of nude Jimmy Choo heels. Jameson had a navy mohair suit made by New & Lingwood for the day and complemented it with a white dress shirt and blue Hermès tie.Taylor never wanted a wedding party—even for their Antigua wedding that never was. “I just wanted my younger brother next to me,” she says. “We’re just 15 months apart and that relationship means so much to me.” Jameson has one brother too, so it worked out well. Both brothers wore navy suits, white shirts, and coordinating Hermès ties like Jameson.The ceremony started at 11:30 a.m. and was short and sweet—a traditional Episcopalian service held outside. There were rows of spaced out wooden chairs that were simply framed by topiary orbs.“My parents, brother, and I entered from the back and waited out of sight in a nook of the property’s rhododendron vista as guests were seated to a string quartet,” Taylor says. “My brother then escorted my mother down the rhododendron vista and, minutes later, my father and I held hands as he walked me down the aisle. I carried lilies because my mother carried lilies when she married my father.” The officiant was one of the bride’s father’s oldest, closest friends and the beloved headmaster of the boarding school she attended. “He was the first wedding decision we made and the one part of the ever-changing planning process that didn’t change for which I am grateful,” Taylor notes. “He gave the ceremony even more gravity and grandeur.”After the service, the newlyweds walked to a series of cocktail tables by the water and then back toward the house for photographs. Taylor quickly realized that one benefit of having under 50 guests is that photos go quickly, and it’s easy to include every guest.Cocktails included Champagne, white wine, and a late summer spritz. The cocktail napkins were white linen and had the bride’s mother’s initials, “STMS,” embroidered on them in white. “It was a sophisticated detail that made it feel even more like we were inviting everyone into our home,” Taylor says. Jameson’s father, who was unable to fly to the wedding from California, grows grapes and makes wine in Mendocino County, California. He provided wine with personalized labels commemorating the original November date. “I love that Jameson had a little bit of home with him in Massachusetts that day... https://www.vogue.com/slideshow/taylor-simmons-jameson-mcfadden-cape-cod-wedding

Florists wilt under COVID-19's impact, losing Easter and Mother's Day would be devastating - yoursun.com

Linda Stevens, a fourth-generation florist and owner of Stevens the Florist South in Englewood.Her great-grandfather, Charles Stevens, first opened a florist shop in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and the family had wholesale greenhouses as the business flowered. But COVID-19 and new state rules have forced closure of her Englewood shop at 3455 S. Access Road. She delivers or takes orders off the web or from regulars that include Keith Rowley of Rowley Insurance in Englewood. On Wednesday he had purchased flower arrangements for his staff, all isolating at home to show support.“Just trying to help others and keep our town strong,” Rowley said.Pushed on what may happen to her shop, Stevens choked back tears.“We’re taking every precaution,” she adds of keeping everyone safe through COVID-19’s run.But not just florists are suffering through COVID-19, of course. For the public’s safety, retail, bar and restaurant owners deemed non-essential are being told to close their shops or limit their services to take-out or delivery. The American economy is being devastated, losing billions in sales and value in March alone.Aside from the loss of life and millions of laid-off workers, COVID-19’s impact on business is unprecedented.But even as U.S. flower sales wilt as supermarkets and web services elbow into the trade, independent florists still account for $7 billion in annual sales. There are more than 32,000 related businesses employing 75,000 or so workers.It’s estimated that Americans alone will purchase 110 million roses in a normal year, three-quarters of them by men. Wholesale fresh-cut flowers and plants account for billions more in revenue.And while hurricanes and other natural events damage florists, COVID-19 is especially hurtful, as it closes off weeks of sales and the places to which flowers, arrangements and things related to the business go.At the 1-800-Flowers in Port Charlotte shop, for instance, March 2019 sales blossomed. Should COVID-19 keep its pace and the country remain tucked away in isolation, however, this season could be devastating, said Vanessa Carusone, the shop’s manager and a North Port city commissioner.“Probably looking at one-third of last year,” she said of 2020’s predicted sales for March and April, should trends continue. “The odds are stacked against us.”Easter and Mother’s Day, she added “are our bread and butter.”COVID-19 has also changed delivery rules... https://www.yoursun.com/northport/news/florists-wilt-under-covid-19s-impact-losing-easter-and-mothers-day-would-be-devastating/article_2e88771e-75de-11ea-a009-0b875913d327.html

Richard LaMontagne | Obituary | Salem News - The Salem News

VA, and Mark LaMontagne of Exeter, NH, and he was preceded in death by his brothers, Frederick and Donald LaMontagne. Richard was a graduate of Essex Agricultural School in Danvers Massachusetts where he excelled in botany. After graduation he opened up Flowers by Dick, a florist shop on North St. in Salem, Mass. There he thrived for many years before moving to Florida. In Florida, Richard ran a number of businesses including an orange grove, three more florist shops, a furniture store and a number of real estate ventures. Beyond his success, the most important thing to Richard, affectionately known as Dick to the many who loved him, was his family. He was a devoted husband to Mary and the dedicated father of eight children. He always encouraged all his children to realize that they could accomplish anything they wanted in life. Dick was someone who led by example whether it was his work ethic, his generosity to others or his deep faith in God. To know Dick was to love him. Dick loved spending time with his family and was always up for a good time. His infectious smile and Dad jokes were always a great addition to any gathering. He loved touring the country with his family in his motorhome and he enjoyed taking cruises with them to the islands. Dick was the kind of person who could talk to anybody and have a good time, always making everybody feel better. He could pick up a conversation with a friend he had not seen in twenty years just as if it were yesterday. He loved Florida but he also cherished his roots in New England. He never missed the opportunity to travel north where he loved the changing leaves, the spring blooms and the smell of the ocean air in Rockport. Later in life, as a true labor of love, Dick sacrificed much to take care of his cherished wife Mary, who had suffered a stroke. Many called him a saint on earth but to him, it was simply love. Dick will be sorely missed by his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, brothers and many other friends and relatives who so deeply loved him. But everybody who ever knew him will also smile when they think of him, just glad to have been loved by such a kind and wonderful man. Dick can now be found in heaven rejoicing with Mary, his parents, his brothers and a multitude of relatives and friends who so sincerely loved him. The family will receive friends Friday, February 12, 2021 from 4 to 8 pm at Gary Panoch Funeral Home in Boca Raton, Fla. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturda... https://obituaries.salemnews.com/obituary/richard-lamontagne-1081606303