Bradley Beach Flower Shop News
Audrey Cleary Bailey, 76, advocated for military families - Port City Daily
Wednesday, December 02, 2020These last few years she had loving support from family, friends, companions and neighbors who made it possible for her to stay in her home.Mrs. Bailey was born Aug. 31, 1944, in Paterson, New Jersey, daughter of the late Edward Aubrey Cleary and Evelyn Grande Cleary.Mrs. Bailey was a proud U.S. Navy spouse, reporter for WDSU T.V. in New Orleans, worked for Admiral Rickover in his last days and she was an advocate on Capitol Hill, sometimes political, but always with the aim of improving the lives of military families. Mrs. Bailey had been active in support for military families as a young wife and mother, as only a Navy wife can be, while the ship was away at sea for six or more months at a time. As her husband rose in rank, her responsibilities to the military family grew until she was able to affect change at the national level.She was an early advocate for the Vietnam era Prisoners of War (POW) and those missing in action, wearing a bracelet with a POW’s name on it for years until his return to the United States. She was a working mother in the days when it was a rarity. She was active in the Rotary Club in Winston-Salem as well as a volunteer in the Neonatal Intensive Care unit.Her overriding passion in her life was her husband. He was her hero. After Capt. Bailey had finally retired, he was afflicted with Alzheimer... https://portcitydaily.com/obits/2020/11/30/audrey-cleary-bailey-76-advocated-for-military-families/
New Hampshire florists see demand bloom despite event cancellations - New Hampshire Business Review
Wednesday, December 02, 2020Flowers are natural mood elevators, a fact that behavioral research from Rutgers University in New Jersey confirms. The study measured participants’ reactions to gifts of flowers against gifts of candles or fruit baskets, and only flowers elicited authentic smiles. This is all the more notable in time of coronavirus because these types of grins show up in the crow’s feet or laugh lines area of the face and are discernible behind a mask.More people are also seeking blossoms native to the area, said researcher Kaitlyn Orde at the University of New Hampshire’s Sideman Lab.The number of farms producing field-grown cut flowers in New Hampshire climbed from 64 to 101 farms, an increase of about 60%, in the decade from 2007 to 2017, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).“Cut flowers are an increasingly important specialty crop in the state,” said Orde, “and [the spike] illustrates that consumer demand is strong for regionally-grown flowers.”Despite the lack of special events, Bob Cote of wholesaler Baystate Farm Direct Flowers in Bedford says business has been brisk. However, the continued postponement of large gatherings for funerals and nuptials is not hardy news for florists powering through less than ideal conditions. “Weddings are our bread and butter for the summer,” Cote said.Floral shops, like other retailers, are adjusting their operations to address customers’ hesitancy to browse in their aisles. In addition to offering delivery and curbside pickup, Hewson encourages people to visit her open-air greenhouse where she transferred many of her ancillary gift items. She also posted that same inventory on a revamped website.“We’re still using that [the greenhouse and the website] for people who don’t feel comfortable coming into the store,” she said. “Being inventive is what got us through.”Catalysts for compassion‘We have been crazy, crazy, crazy’ busy, says Shirley Wrenn of Shirley’s Flowers and Sweets in Nashua, who recently added a third vehicle to keep up with demand for flowers. (Photo by Sheryl Rich-Kern)Community well-wishers also helped merchants withstand the pandemic’s aftermath. One customer started what Hewson calls a “flower chain.”In April, Maryanne Jackson of North Conway purchased 20 table-sized bouquets of friezes, roses and greenery from Hewson with a note wishing people “joy and color,” asking them to support small businesses and consider paying forward the gift. Many of the recipient... https://www.nhbr.com/new-hampshire-florists-see-demand-bloom-despite-event-cancelations/
Sales aren't blooming: Florists adjust during pandemic - Delaware State News - Delaware State News
Wednesday, December 02, 2020I just wanted to get open and salvage the flowers we do have.”Ms. Bobola said she had to shut down the florist because wholesalers where Bobola Farms receives flowers from in New Jersey and Pennsylvania were closed. Bobola Farms will begin selling some produce in the upcoming weeks; first up are strawberries, which have started to bloom.Bobola Farms has been open since the late 1990s and Ms. Bobola said she never experienced anything like this. She hopes Mother’s Day can help bring back some normalcy but reminded that everything is limited.“It’s the longest we’ve ever been closed,” Ms. Bobola said. “You’ve got to get started somewhere, so we’re just going to do the best we can. I hope people will be patient. We’ll do everything we can to be as close to normal but there will be substitutions. I hope people understand this isn’t easy but we’ll work with them.”Florists are following all protocols recommend by the Centers for Disease Control to help limit the spread of COVID-19. This includes wiping down all vases, wearing gloves while handling flowers and disinfecting the store every night.It also includes contact-free delivery, where the driver will call the customer when the flowers are on the steps of their home.Mrs. Fries said Jen-Mor had to lay off part of its staff when the pandemic first began. She added it has been able to slowly bring back some of the staff.The loss of workers has made the busy weeks even more stressful.“It’s been exhausting,” Mrs. Fries said. “The few of us that are here are doing the work of more people. There’s only so much we can do with this staff so our inventory is smaller than usual.”... https://delawarestatenews.net/coronavirus/sales-arent-blooming-florists-adjust-during-pandemic/
Creating beauty through the art of flowers – Shore News Network - Shore News Magazine
Wednesday, October 28, 2020We think we are getting there.”About Narcissus FloralsA second-generation florist, Narcissus Florals in Toms River is proud to have served the New Jersey Shore with daily delivery of beautiful hand designed arrangements for every occasion since 1989. Recently acquiring Mueller’s Historic Florals in Spring Lake Heights, Narcissus Florals has a team of dedicated designers ready to inspire through the art of flowers. To learn more, visit narcissusflorals.com or call 732-281-0333.###Suggested Photo Caption:Kenneth Malagiere#wpdevar_comment_1 span,#wpdevar_comment_1 iframe{width:100% !important;}... https://www.shorenewsnetwork.com/2020/10/19/creating-beauty-through-the-art-of-flowers/