flower press - North Carolina State Florists Association

FLOWER PRESS
Volume 50
Issue 52
Publication of the North Carolina State Florists Association
February 2008
Spotlight on...Botanicals!!
When you walk into Botanicals Fabulous Flowers and Orchids you will definitely think green. The walls are painted
a lovely shade of green and then there are the plants. Lush
tropicals and beautiful orchids are everywhere. Owner
Carol Dowd has been operating her shop for about three
and one-half years but has over ten years experience in the
business. Being a fourth generation nurseryman, she naturally started with plants — designing and maintaining
plants and orchids for a select group of clients. They asked
for help with cut flowers for parties so Carol, who attended
interior design school, naturally obliged. These same clients
eventually encouraged Carol to open her own shop and Bo-
“destination” for weddings with most of the brides being
from other cities. Carol's designs have been featured in
Pinehurst magazine's Southern Weddings issues and her
bouquets have graced the covers three times.
Carol is highly motivated and always desiring to learn and
teach new techniques. She recently attended the class by
Hitomi Gilliam sponsored by NCSFA. She is also an AIFD
candidate and plans to attend the AIFD Southern
Conference and AIFD Symposium this year. She says education and keeping current with trends and techniques is
very important. It also "rejuvenates your energy".
tanicals was born. She opened in a small studio with just
three employees but moved last year to the current location
at 155 E. Pennsylvania Avenue in Southern Pines. Now,
besides herself, Carol has two full-time employees and six
part-time employees.
Botanicals specializes in orchids and there are many kinds
from which to select in beautiful colors that you won't see
everywhere. The shop includes antiques and furnishings to
display her specialties as well. Carol says Christmas and
the wedding season are her busiest times of the year. She
averages two to three weddings per weekend at the peak of
the wedding season. Southern Pines has become a
Carol attended her first NCSFA convention last year and
participated in classes and design competitions, winning the
"Basic Body Flower" competition.
So next time you are in the vicinity of Southern Pines or
need to send flowers in that area, stop by or give Carol a
call 910-692-3800. She is more than willing and definitely
capable of filling any request you may have.
Spotlight On... is a new feature in the Flower Press. If you
have suggestions for future articles, please contact Bill
McPhail at Always Flowers by Crenshaw, 910-867-2900.
Submitted By Bill McPhail, Always Flowers by Crenshaw
Hitomi Comes to North Carolina!
An advanced hands-on workshop offered by NCSFA and coordinated by education committee chairman Karl Hastings was held at the Brookstown Inn in Winston-Salem on January 28-30. The three-day workshop
featured world-renowned floral artist, author and educator, Hitomi Gilliam, AIFD, from Vancouver, B.C., Canada. The
class was custom designed to help each of the ten students to advance in their particular area(s) of study. “Wow!”
“Fantastic!” “Inspiring!” “My head is FULL!” were just a few of the comments from students as they left the class.
NCSFA would like to thank Hugo and staff at Lihmil’s and Minos for providing the products for this class at their cost.
We would also like to thank Tammy Yow Russell and Debra Barnes for volunteering their time to assist Hitomi.
Submitted by Karl Hastings, Education Committee Chairman
Page Two
STATE
OFFICERS
President
Michael Trogdon
Asheboro, NC
1st Vice President
Cindy Tole
Greensboro, NC
2nd Vice President
Jody McLeod
Clayton, NC
Secretary
Bud Cardwell
Madison, NC
Treasurer
Carol Mills
Madison, NC
Chairman of the Board
Wanda Taylor
Greensboro, NC
Directors
Angela Freeman
Asheville, NC
Brian Hyde
High Point, NC
Maxcine Matier
Raleigh, NC
Edward Coggins
Sanford, NC
Bill McPhail
Fayetteville, NC
Cherie Burchett
Kernersville, NC
Wayne Burchett
Kernersville, NC
Cathy Curtis
Graham, NC
J.B. Stith
Rocky Mount, NC
Don Holmes
Knightdale, NC
Lona McKinney
Clemmons, NC
FLOWER PRESS
February 2008
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE...
I am amazed when I think about the many changes that have occurred in the 30 years that I’ve been actively involved in the floral industry. In 1978, none of us sold balloons, we put glads on wooden picks
inserted in Styrofoam and we may have delivered 25 more bouquets on Valentine’s Day than we did on
any ordinary day. My, how the flower business has changed!
Another big difference we all notice is the way that our consumers have changed. In the past, our customers weren’t very savvy about varieties of flowers and design styles. They relied on us to tell them what to
buy for their anniversary or to send to a funeral service. Today’s flower buyer expects to be offered a variety of choices and is more “in the know” about design and color. Shelter magazines, HGTV and the
internet are educating our customers. We have to be learning ourselves to remain vital to our customers’
for their floral needs.
Did you know that an organization exists that can help you with almost any aspect of your business
whether it’s forecasting trends, plant pest control or marketing? The Society of American Florists is the
one industry group that includes retailers, growers, wholesalers, wire services and practically every other
aspect of the floral industry.
The member benefits of SAF membership are many. If you need a quick answer to a legal question, SAF
has an attorney with whom you can speak. If you want to start an email newsletter for your customers,
SAF has that tool in place. If a response is needed for a negative reference to flowers in the media, SAF is
the place to call. The other resources offered by SAF to it’s members are too numerous to list but can be
accessed at www.safnow.org. Go to SAF’s website and take a tour. I know you’ll find some information
that will help your business grow.
Every florist, no matter the size of his or her business or it’s location, should be a member of SAF and
take advantage of it’s services. If you are not a member of SAF, join today or email me at [email protected] for more information about membership. If you are an SAF member, utilize it’s
services. Either way, you’ll be taking a positive step toward building your business and promoting the
floral industry.
Michael Trogdon, President
Our Sincerest Sympathy
Cathy Curtis’ father, Boyd “Bob” McPherson passed away. Cathy is with Curtis Flower Farm in
Graham and is currently serving on the NCSFA Board of Directors.
David Hicks — long-time member of NCSFA passed away on December 27, 2007. Arrangements
were handled by Boles Funeral Home, Southern Pines.
Mildred Causey, owner of John’s Flower and Gifts of North Carolina, passed away on August 6,
2007. Mrs. Causey’s daughter, Cordelia F. Whitfield, has informed us that the shop is for sale. The
shop is located at 2221 Stantonsburg Road, Greenville, NC 27834. Ms. Whitfield’s phone number is
252-752-3311.
Flower Press Editor
Brian Hyde
High Point, NC
Bill McPhail
Fayetteville, NC
Executive Secretary
Elaine Christian
Going paperless saves trees. Trees play a major role in keeping our environment
healthy. To put things in perspective, a single tree can -- in one day -- provide
oxygen for up to four people and discharge up to 100 gallons of water from the
ground into the air. And, in one year, the tree can absorb 16.87 pounds of carbon dioxide.
FLOWER PRESS
Page Three
February 2008
Board of Directors Meeting
The Board of Directors of the North Carolina State Florists Association met on Sunday, January 27, 2008 at the North Raleigh
Hilton. The meeting was called to order at 1:35 PM. The following members were present:
Michael Trogdon Wanda Taylor
Bud Cardwell
Cindy Tole
Directors Absent:
Carol Mills
J.B. Stith
Jody McLeod
Edward Coggins
Lona McKinney
Angie Freeman
Wayne Burchett
Cherie Burchett
Brian Hyde
Bill McPhail
Don Holmes
Charlie Jordan
Elaine Christian
Maxcine Matier
Cathy Curtis
President Michael Trogdon called the meeting to order at 1:30 PM.
The anti-trust policy was re-affirmed.
The Treasurer’s report was given by Carol Mills. Wanda Taylor made a motion to accept the report as presented, seconded by
Cindy Tole. Motion carried.
Old Business:
Administrative Reports:
The Education Committee report was given by Lona McKinney, stating that the committee will be presenting programs across
the state.
Elaine reported on a request for two additional nights’ pay for Hitomi Gilliam. Bud Cardwell made motion to not pay the additional amount requested. Seconded by Wanda Taylor. Motion carried.
Membership report was given by Carol Mills, expressing the need for all officers and directors to work at getting new members to increase our membership.
Rules and Policy – no report
Public Relations – no report
Nominating – no report
Flower Press – Bill McPhail advised the board that the deadline will be February 5. After discussion regarding the printing
and quality of photos and in an effort to enhance the quality of the Flower Press, Lona McKinney made a motion that in the
future, the Flower Press be posted on the website. This issue will be mailed to members with a statement letting them know
that they will only receive future editions of the Flower Press via mail upon request, seconded by Wanda Taylor. Motion carried.
Program Book report given by Bud Cardwell, stating that President Trogdon would like to see changes to the program book.
There was much discussion on different ways to change it. Bud and Elaine will look into changes and report back at the next
Board Meeting.
President Trogdon announced the 2008 convention is July 25-28, 2008 at the North Raleigh Hilton, Raleigh, NC.
New Business:
Open discussion on officers and board members not attending board meetings. President Trogdon was asked to send a letter
to the board members not in attendance explaining the by-laws pertaining to this matter.
Discussion on showing of products and sponsorships. Carol Mills made motion to discontinue the gift bags at convention.
Seconded by Wanda Taylor. Motion carried.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:55 PM.
Respectfully submitted, Bud Cardwell, Secretary
Editors' Note
In an effort to enhance the quality of our publication, this issue of the Flower Press will be the last hard copy issue published.
We are moving to an online edition. This will allow us to be more creative in the layout of the Flower Press and include
more photographs of happenings around the state. Hard copies will be available by request only. You may request a hard
copy by contacting Elaine at the office. This change was approved by the Board of Directors and follows the lead of other
organizations, including AIFD, which have gone solely to online publications.
FLOWER PRESS
Page Four
February 2008
ALLIED NEWS...
Northern Piedmont Florists Association
SAVE THE DATE: IT’S DEFINITE, The Wake County Florists Association and the Northern Piedmont Florists
Association will once again share a meeting night — March 18, 2008. Cindy Tole, an outstanding Teleflora presenter and
owner of “BOTANICA FLOWERS AND GIFTS” in Greensboro, will present her program on Designs and Profitability. The
meeting will also include a fun retrospective organized by Cydney Davis-English, WFCA President, which will feature several industry veterans on their years in the florist business. As a tie-in to the program, there will be a centerpiece design contest with the theme, Blast from the Past. Participants are invited to create a centerpiece representative of their favorite decade
of design.
The meeting is slated to be held at the new Brier Creek Hampton Inn or Country Club, convenient to both Durham
and Raleigh. We want to make sure we can accommodate the crowd. Good Food, Fellowship and with an instructional and
entertaining evening program. We invite YOU!
Jon Miller, President, Northern Piedmont Florist Association, Floral Dimensions at Academy Court, Durham, NC 919-4931593, [email protected]
Cydney Davis-English, President, Wake County Florists Association, Raleigh, NC 919-341-6650,
[email protected]
Sandhills Florist Association
After a few social activities, including a bowling night and a holiday party, the association is ready for change. A
meeting is tentatively scheduled in March at which time elections will be held. More news as it becomes available.
CP Ross Designs of Fayetteville was selected as the 2008 winner in a national tabletop design competition hosted by
Special Events Magazine at a conference in Atlanta in January. The theme was "By The Sea". Cynthia Ross is the owner of
CP Ross Designs.
CutFresh Flower Supply, LLC announces its October 2007 acquisition of all the assets of Castle Hayne Flower Distributors, Inc. CutFresh Flower Supply, LLC will build upon the 24-year tradition of supplying high-quality fresh cut flowers
to retail florists in southeastern North Carolina. Former owners Jesse and Kimber Phoenix will stay with the company, Jesse
as Operations Director and Kimber as Purchasing Manager. Mark L. Warren is the President.
Submitted by Bill McPhail, Always Flowers by Crenshaw
Winston-Salem Florists Association
The Winston-Salem Florists Association held its first meeting of 2008 on January 21st at the Golden Corral. Members brought Valentine themed bud bases for an informal competition with “peoples choice” style judging. First place went
to Kevin Bostic of Reggie’s Flower Shop. Second place went to Bobby Adkins of Bo-Ty florist, and third place went to Lisa
Kotofsky of Sherwood Florist.
Our Program for the evening was presented by Charlie Jordan, AIFD, of Jordan House Flowers and Interiors along
with Wanda Taylor, AIFD, assisting. Charlie’s program focused on the challenges that face our sales people and boosting
sales for the new year. As always, Charlie delivered a program that was both engaging and informative.
Our next meeting will be held Monday, March 3, with an Easter-themed centerpiece competition and program to be
announced.
Karl Hastings, Jr., President, WSFA
Greensboro Triad Professional Florist Association
The GTPFA met on Tuesday, January 15, 2008, at Laddie and Duke’s Restaurant in Greensboro, NC. The meeting
was hosted by Botanica Flowers and Gifts. Stephanie Garrett presented a wonderful design program on making ordinary designs extraordinary. It was an inspiring evening for all who attended the meeting.
Always and Forever Florist hosted the February 5 meeting at their shop in Rockingham Square in Madison, NC. A
bake sale was held to raise funds for the GTPFA annual gifts and scholarships.
Many thanks to everyone who made it such a great success.
Submitted by Brian Hyde, Williams Flowers