Syracuse, NE Florists

Syracuse Flower Shop News

Syracuse flower business destroyed by Internet order-gatherers, florists say - Syracuse.com

Paul Daniels, owner of St. Agnes Floral Shop in Syracuse.Dennis Nett dnett@syracuse.comSYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Thanks to Mother's Day, high school proms and Syracuse University's Commencement, it's a big weekend for the flower business in Central New York.Local flower shops are slammed with orders, and about half of those orders will go through order-gathering websites, siphoning money from Syracuse's economy and further squeezing a struggling industry.Order-gathering websites, such as Teleflora or Gift Services, are out-of-town companies which collect online orders and farm them out to local flower shops (whom they charge to be part of their network). They never touch a flower, but rather act as a middle man on the Web, charging $15-25 in "service fees" for each sale.They get the business because they tend to top the search results on Google.Paul Daniels, owner of St. Agnes Floral Shop Inc. in Syracuse, says normally 20 percent of his business comes through these online "order-gatherers," but before holidays like Mother's Day, they take... https://www.syracuse.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2015/05/syracuse_flower_business_destroyed_by_internet_order-gatherers_florists_say.html

Pomeroy Alumni hold banquet

Hawley of Pomeroy;1950 — Betty Genheimer Knight of Point Pleasant, W.Va.;1952 — Phyllis Meier May of Pomeroy;1953 (65th anniversary) — Kenneth Cole of Wellston, Sue Struble Tubbs of Syracuse, Shirley Smith of Pomeroy, and Ed Kennedy of Pomeroy;1954 — Ray Hines of Belpre;1955 — William Hysell of Columbus, Roger Hines and Flora Hayes Karnes of Logan, Ray Shasteen of The Villages, Florida, Don Grueser of Racine, Tom Smith, Harley Johnson, Carol Kennedy and Stacie Arnold, all of Pomeroy;1956 — Carolyn Brown Charles of Columbus, Mary Scott Wise of Middleport and David Riggs of Pomeroy;1957 — Arthur Arnold of Prosperity, N.C., Janet Struble Williamson of Rutland, Lila Terrell Mitch, April Shasteen Smith, Carolyn Sisson Teaford, Dan Morris and Carol Curtis Riggs, all of Pomeroy;1958 (60th anniversary) — Vickie Clark Shreve of Burlington, Ky., Marilyn White Bankes of Melbourne, Fla., Robert Parker of Marietta, Larry Curtis and Florence Bearhs Wood both of Coolville, Jerry Fields, Marcia Grueser Arnold, Thelma Davis Jeffers, Robert Chaney and Patricia Douglas Arnold, all of Pomeroy;1959 — Gene Romine, Eldon Sauters, Gary Freeman and Kathryn Slack Johnson, all of Pomeroy;1960 — Paul Roush of Tuppers Plains; Sharon Douglas Swindell of Shade, Nancy Brown Strauser of Columbus, Howard Parker of Marietta, and Barbara Eskew Fields, Vince Knight and Phil Harrison, all of Pomeroy;1961 — Michael Roberts of Akron, Norman Price, Paula Sayre Welker, Wallace Hatfield, and Bill Young, all of Pomeroy, and Keith Barnitz of Kingston;1962 — Jean Casto Hilton of Parkersburg, W.Va., Mike Werry of Belpre, and Christine Faber Sauters of Pomeroy;1963 (55th anniversary) — Jerry Shamblin of Madison, Tenn., Mary Jane Douglas Daggett of Fairfield, Ohio, Sandra Wells McCallister of Cutler, Ohio, David Borden of Senoia, Ga., Tracy Schrinsher of Crossville, Tenn., William Murray of Columbus, Douglas and Sandra London Moore of Piketon, James Gilbert of Springfield, Donald Brown of Columbus, Jennifer Lohse Sheets, Charlene Diehl Rutherford, Rosetta Lisle Redovian, Judy Wehrung Sisson, Allen Downie and Roger Young, all of Pomeroy, George Starcher of West Columbia, W.Va., and Rick Crow of Syracuse;1964 — Jennifer Crew Solomon of Chester, S.C., Keith Whaley of Lancaster, Karen Miller Gilbert of Springfield, Danny Smith of South Point, Don Mayer, Yvonne Young and Donna Hatfi... https://www.mydailysentinel.com/features/community/27230/pomeroy-alumni-holds-banquet

How this flower shop rebounded after fire ripped through downtown Cohoes (Video) - Albany Business Review

WRGBWRGBMan trying to imitate TV show sparks massive NY inferno, mayor saysCBS NewsMayor: Amateur bladesmith started massive Cohoes blazeAlbany Times UnionAlbany Times Union -Syracuse.comall 119 news articles »...

Are Commercial Wildflowers Ever Truly 'Wild'? - The Atlantic

And if there is anything that riles up Gregory McGee, it’s invasive plants. McGee is a forest biodiversity expert at State University of New York’s College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse. His current work, the Wildflower Restoration Project, intends to reinvigorate native wildflower populations in central New York forests. McGee looks after extraordinarily delicate blossoms, like trout lily, a yellow spray of petals that bow to the ground like a showerhead for squirrels. Some of the species McGee protects are the same ones Rachel picks. And seeing as he already contends with hungry deer and people overpicking for their own enjoyment, he’s wary of florists who might deplete his struggling populations even further. But he and Andre share a campaign against non-natives, which he would love to see eliminated from fields and forests.In fact, McGee first realized invasive species could feed the flower market a few years back. He attended a wedding with centerpieces made of two invasive but beautiful species, purple loosestrife and phragmites, a tall reed grass topped off with plumes of purplish gray. Though initially horrified that the flowers choking out natives were on proud display, McGee decided he’d rather the plants be on the table than choking out natives. “Whoever can figure out how to exploit honeysuckle to extinction in North America will have a national holiday named after them,” he says.Andre has the same philosophy. If they are flowering and can be incorporated into an arrangement, invasives are exempt from her pity—“actually the invasives I don’t feel bad about,” she says, laughing. “I’m like, grinning from ear to ear as I cut them.”To Daniel Atha, eliminating invasive species in upstate New York will take much more than a single florist. Atha is the director of conservation outreach at the New York Botanical Garden. He’s skeptical that wildflower florists could have any real impact on invasive species, but “I think the supplier promoting native plants and local and sustainable agriculture is probably the pinnacle of what we should all look for [in a florist],” he tells me.Atha says he’s been mulling over this topic a lot recently. He thinks that brides seeking out wildflowers are like grocery shoppers choosing “natural” products. There’s no regulated definition for either wildflowers or “natural” foods. But by pursuing these options anyways, customers are expressing their disenchantment with highly processed or imported goods, no matter if...

Last-minute Valentine's Day prep in Central New York - CNYcentral.com

Roses are one of the most popular choices on Valentine's Day. It's what the Dewitt Wegmans and Creative Florists say they sell the most of on February 14. SYRACUSE, N.Y.---It's the night before the most romantic day of the year-Valentine's Day.But tonight, that means hearing a lot of celophane ripping and drawers slamming.So that sweethearts everywhere can feel the love,with flowers.In Syracuse, many have the option of picking up something from a supermarket, or heading to a trusted local florist.The Dewitt Wegmans floral designers say they see it all."Mostly men pick up flowers there are women who like to give flowers too," said Christine Shephard, a Floral Designer at Wegmans.But they don't always go to a significant other.Brenda Neuss is giving flowers as a thank-you."Whether it's a love, good friends, or family," said Neuss, "and it's nice to reach out to people and say you know, I care about you and I'm thinking about you and all these kinds of sentiments.Others laugh at leaving the flower shopping to the last minute each year."I'm scrambling at the last minute here to get some roses fro my sweetheart for Valentine's day," said Ross... http://cnycentral.com/news/local/last-minute-valentines-day-prep-in-central-new-york

Society of American Florists Past President Mel Schwanke Dies at 92 - Greenhouse Grower

Florists and a recipient of the SAF Floriculture Hall of Fame Honor, passed away at his home in Fremont, NE, on Dec. 17, 2018, at the age of 92.Schwanke served as the executive director of the Nebraska Florist Society for more than 50 years and was also the Executive Director of NeMoKan — the Nebraska Missouri and Kansas Florist Association Convention, held annually for many years. He served on numerous committees, including the Retail Florists Council for SAF, and helped to create the American Floral Endowment for research and education in the flower industry.AdvertisementMel and Joey, his surviving wife of 70 years, were known throughout the floral industry for many years for their passion and dedication. They were also known as the famous matching couple, having dressed in coordinating outfits at industry events and everyday in Joey’s family business, Greens Greenhouses Inc.Schwanke served as a Marine in World War II and was awarded the Purple Heart for his service. He is survived by his wife Joey, and children Jo Heinz, Cindy McKown, and J Schwanke, along with four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Ludvigsens Funeral Home in Fremont, NE, is in charge of the services. Visitation will be Thursday Dec. 20.Brian Sparks is senior editor of Green... https://www.greenhousegrower.com/management/saf-past-president-mel-schwanke-dies-at-92/

Citizen of the Year: Catlins fantastic florist - Champaign/Urbana News-Gazette

J.C. Penney in Danville, where she met her husband, Tim, then a manager trainee.She and Tim married in May 1987. That October, Tim's job with the department store took them to Iowa and then Nebraska, Kansas, Wyoming and Minnesota. In Nebraska, Welsh — who continued to work as a florist out west — directed community theater, served on the Miss Nebraska Pageant board of directors and directed the pageant for three years. In Wyoming, she was involved with the Cheyenne Frontier Days, billed as the world's largest outdoor rodeo and western celebration.In 2004, the couple and their young son, Tanner, moved back to Catlin to be near family. A couple of years later, Welsh opened Floral-n-Flair, a flower shop and event-planning business, in the same downtown building she started out in. She and business partner Kay Smoot also own and operate a gift boutique called Pauline's Attic.Welsh was working one evening when Stutsman popped in."Who got it, and how are we going to decorate?" she asked, thinking he'd stopped by to discuss the Citizen of the Year banquet at the Methodist Church, which she decorates.She was floored by his answer."It still hasn't sunk in," she said, the day before the banquet.While honored, Welsh was quick to acknowledge her "crew," including local high school students and residents who help her set up for community events, weddings and parties — and family. Tanner, who turns 21 this month, has autism, and Tim is his full-time caregiver and still finds time to help out at work."I wouldn't be able to do any of this without him," she said."It's always been a team effort," she continued, adding she learned that from her dad who helped out in many ways at the shop and home before he passed away a couple of years ago.Welsh recalled sitting at the family table years ago after her brother became a 1,000-yard rusher on his high school football team."My dad pointed to his picture on the front of the sports page and said, 'He wouldn't have done that without his line that blocked for him.' I've always remembered that. You can't do it alone. You have to surround yourself with good people and work as a team."... http://www.news-gazette.com/noelle-mcgee/2018-11-01/citizen-the-year-catlins-fantastic-florist.html

Four Floral Businesses To Receive The Century Award In Palm Springs

The 2018 Century Award honorees are: City Line Florist in Trumbull, Connecticut; Gould's Flowers in Lockport, New York; Janousek Florist & Greenhouse, Inc. in Omaha, Nebraska; and Lake Forest Flowers in Lake Forest, Illinois. "Each year when we gather at the SAF convention, we interact with business owners who have determination, vision and grit," said SAF Awards Committee Chairman Marvin Miller, Ph.D., AAF, of the Ball Horticultural Company in West Chicago, Illinois. "But to sustain that for 100 years or more is truly an impressive feat." City Line Florist Trumbull, Connecticut City Line Florist has been owned and operated by the Roehrich/Palazzo family since 1918. When Charles Roehrich returned home from World War I, he already had a family history in the floral industry; his grandfather had grown plants in greenhouses in Stratford, Connecticut, in the late 1800s. Charles borrowed a horse and wagon and sold flowering plants and cut flowers at the entrance of St. Michaels cemetery in Stratford, eventually opening up a storefront in Bridgeport, which sat on the city line of Stratford, leading to the name, City Line Florist. In 1975, Charles' son Bob and his grandchildren, Susan and Carl, decided to move to a new location in Trumbull, where they turned an old horse barn into a charming new florist shop. Bob received the Connecticut Florist of the Year Award in 2005. City Line, located in a quaint New England town of 30,000 people,  has been voted "Best Florist in Fairfield County" for several consecutive years and won the 2018 Small Busi... http://www.perishablenews.com/index.php?article=0069973

Blooming business - Hays Daily News

When it comes to customer service, Sherfick is dedicated to going the extra mile — literally. She has traveled to meet with people all across Kansas and even Nebraska for consultations.“I tell them, ‘I’ll come to you. You have enough to deal with,’ and they love that and I don’t mind it at all,” Sherfick said.Rebekah Lee, Hays, found out the lengths Sherfick will go to for her clients. Lee originally had planned to put together the flowers for her October wedding herself, but decided to contact Sherfick three weeks before the wedding for last-minute help.“I found her through Facebook, actually, and she went above and beyond,” Lee said. “She met me two days after I messaged her to get an idea of what I wanted, and she met me three other times before the wedding. She’s amazing. She did it so quickly, and I loved them.”January is a slower month for the Unique Bouquet, but Sherfick is working on bouquets and boutonnieres with a combination of sunflowers and roses for Tiffany Antholz’s wedding that will be in Bird City on Feb. 3.“It’s been fantastic,” Antholz said of working with Sherfick. “She’s very personable. I was really nervous to begin with because I don’t like a lot of attention on myself, and she just makes it so nice. She’s just really down-to-earth and just wants to make you happy.”While Sherfick enjoys the design aspect of creating floral pieces, the real reward for her is the joy it brings to the brides.“When they see it and their eyes light up and they smile, it sometimes bring tears to my eyes because I’m so happy for them.”Those wanting to contact Sherfick can call or text her at (785) 743-8149, email her at theuniquebouquet@yahoo.com or through her website theuniquebouquet.com. http://www.hdnews.net/news/20180113/blooming-business