Athol, MA Florists

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How to Get Married During a Pandemic? With Tents, Masks and Fewer Guests - The Two River Times

But that wasn’t the case.“Eighty percent of my weddings that were scheduled for 2020 postponed to 2021,” Deo said. She also had a couple of outright cancelations.Deo, a graduate of Red Bank Catholic, has a degree in psychology – her “secret weapon” – which she said has helped her as a wedding planner and came in especially handy in 2020.She offers standard and fully customizable “day-of coordination,” which can start anywhere from two to eight weeks out from the wedding date, and other planning and add-on services that can help make a couple’s wedding day stress-free. Because of the postponements and previously scheduled weddings, Deo is completely booked for 2021 and is already scheduling 2022 dates.“A lot of my brides are just ‘day of’ where I’m not actually planning their wedding but I’m helping them the month of (the wedding) and actually doing logistics and all that kind of stuff so they were actually the ones doing the planning,” she said. “But they were relying on me for advice and suggestions and direction and no one knew what to do” in the first few months of the pandemic because rules and restrictions on gatherings were changing all the time, Deo said.THE TENTS GO UPTent weddings have become especially popular during the pandemic because there were always fewer restrictions on outdoor gatherings than inside buildings. From early on, the CDC stressed the dangers of indoor gatherings and encouraged outside, socially distanced events.Tent weddings were popular in 2020 and will most likely continue to be so in 2021, according to wedding planner Kathleen Deo of Shrewsbury. Tents allow for greater flexibility in adhering to pandemic safety protocols. Photo courtesy Kathleen Dei Weddings/Amanda Dolly PhotographyKristen Malloy from Highlands completed an accelerated nursing program in December 2019 and was scheduled to begin working at Monmouth Medical Center in March 2020. She was also scheduled to get married in June at Spring Lake Bath & Tennis Club. Because of the pandemic, she didn’t begin working until May and increasingly felt the stress of her new job combined with an impending wedding date in flux. The manager at the venue kept them apprised of the changing restrictions and gave them the options of choosing a new date or canceling outright.Malloy and her then-fiancé Matt had sent out about 220 save-the-date cards, but as pandemic restrictions grew and lingered, first her bridal shower was canceled and then they made the difficult decision to postpone the wedding. While they had yet to pick a new wedding date, Malloy said, “We weren’t going move it to 2021, no matter what, because we knew we want to start a family right away.”In August, Malloy’s sist... https://tworivertimes.com/how-to-get-married-during-a-pandemic-with-tents-masks-and-fewer-guests/

Jay Myers, florist with ‘charisma,’ dies at 55 - Albuquerque Journal

Monday. He was 55.Myers’ death was announced Wednesday on the flower shop’s Facebook page.A funeral service for Myers was held Saturday at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.Jay Myers, who died of heart complications Monday, is seen here working in his store, Flowers & Things, just after it opened in 2010.Myers leaves behind a wife and two daughters.ADVERTISEMENTSkip................................................................Following a recession that claimed four out of five flower shops in Rio Rancho, Myers opened Flowers & Things in August 2010.According to Flowers & Things assistant manager Sara Ausbun, Myers started the business with money he had set aside for retirement.“Jay had worked in construction his whole life and his dream was to always open a flower shop,” Ausbun said. “He basically helped build Albuquerque and then he moved out to Rio Rancho. He wanted to help build this community and so he put his retirement into opening a flower shop.”Myers was very family-oriented, Ausbun said, and loved his wife and two daughters.“His children were the light of his life,” she said.Myers helped contribute to the community outside of his store, Ausbun said, giving financial contributions to the Rio Rancho High S... https://www.abqjournal.com/838745/jay-myers-florist-with-charisma-dies-at-55.html

Palmer Florist Persists Despite No Easter Church | Joliet, IL Patch - Joliet, IL Patch

Sunday is just days away and that means Palmer Florist, one of Joliet's longest running small family businesses, is usually delivering beautiful floral arrangements to several of Joliet's Roman Catholic churches. Not this year. As has been the case for the past few weeks, Joliet's churches will remain empty on Easter Sunday because of the new coronavirus outbreak. Funeral homes have also had to dramatically scale back their services. Many small businesses throughout Joliet remain shut down temporarily. Palmer Florist has been in Joliet since 1923. The third-generation small business has been at 1327 N. Raynor Ave. since 1964. Paul Palmer has run the business since 1978. He is like the unofficial mayor of Raynor Avenue.When he stands in his parking lot, several motorists who approach the stop sign in front of his business yell hello or engage in small talk with him if there aren't any other cars coming. People walking along Raynor Avenue stop to chat with him. People on bicycles wave and offer him good wishes.Losing out on the floral arrangements for Easter Sunday church services is tough. On the other hand, other aspects of business are picking up. More people are calling Palmer Florist or u... https://patch.com/illinois/joliet/palmer-florist-persists-despite-no-easter-church

Obituaries for October 8 - Hawaii Tribune-Herald

Cecilia Dolores Araujo, 91, of Papaaloa died Sept. 11 at home. Born in Hilo, she was an anthurium grower for Puna Florist, sugar cane grower and member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Private services held. Survived by daughters, Diana Ponsonby of Nevada and Bernadine Nentwig of Florida; sons, Albert (Shirley) Araujo of Michigan, Gordon Araujo and Robert Araujo of Hilo and Douglas (Faith) Araujo of Minnesota; brothers, Michael Souza and Lawrence Souza of Hilo; sister, Marie (James) Souza of Nevada; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.Ralph Rogelio Cordoban, 72 of Honokaa died June 20 at Hale Ho‘ola Hamakua. Born in Honolulu, he was a retired truck driver. Private services at a later date. Online condolences: www.ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Survived by son, Ryan (Christina) Cordoban of Honokaa; daughter, Royalan Cordoban of Colorado Springs, Colo.; companion, Linda Anahu of Honolulu; sisters, Loretta (Doug) Whitaker of Charleston, S.C., and Alona (Alan) Kondo of Kohala; seven grandchildren. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.Eric Moani Hori, 55, of Kailua-Kona died July 26 at Kona Com... https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2020/10/08/obituaries/obituaries-for-october-8-6/

Grandfield, Susan Marguerite - The Chattanoogan

School of Nursing.  She was a longtime owner of The Workroom at Stone Mountain Village in Stone Mountain, Ga.   She was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church and was an avid quilter and member of the American Quilter’s Society.   Survivors include her siblings, Pat Badgley of Chattanooga, Ted (Jan) Grandfield of Dallas, Julie (Leo) Holahan of Covington, Ga., Jill Myers of Buford, Ga., Scott (Jenny) Grandfield of Gainesville, Ga., and Laurie (Jay) Repetto of Carrollton, Ga.; and several nieces and nephews.   There will be no services at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ronald McDonald House Charities, (C/O Two Sisters, In memory of Susan Marguerite Grandfield) 200 Central Ave., Chattanooga, TN  37403; or www.rmhchattanooga.com. Arrangements are by the East Brainerd Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 8214 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421. ... https://www.chattanoogan.com/2021/2/18/423543/Grandfield-Susan-Marguerite.aspx

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