March-April PDF - Georgia State Florist Association

Message from the President
Hello Everyone
I know we are all so glad we have Mother’s Day behind
us. I hope it was a huge success for everyone.
Time is flying and Summer Symposium is just around
the corner. We have an awesome day planned. We are
changing it up a bit this year. Summer Symposium will
be centered on “Weddings and Parties”. Also we are
adding a hands-on workshop which will be included in
your registration (no additional cost). However to
insure we have product for everyone, you must
preregister to be able to participate in the hands on. If
you do not preregister, you will only be able to observe
the workshop. So register early!!!
Randy Stone GMF CFD and Thomas Denney will be
presenting programs as our winners from
convention. Also we will be having Ms Sandy Schroeck
AIFD presenting a program on Body flowers followed
by a hands-on workshop. We are so excited to have
Sandy coming to Georgia. This is a day of education
you do not want to miss. Complete details are included
in this issue of the News Flash.
As Always, Thanks for all you do and I look forward to
seeing everyone in Macon!!
Randy Wooten
GSFA President
Member Spotlight:
Meet The Canadas
No story about flowers and floral design ever begins with the flowers. There is always a story behind the flowers and how one
gets involved in such a rewarding and enjoyable work.
My career in design started in1970 when I decided to study Interior Design at Jacksonville State University, in Alabama. After
quickly depleting my small savings, I quit college and began working for the Alabama public schools system. After several years,
I realized I wanted to get back to the art and was drawn toward flowers. My formal training occurred at Auburn in the School
of Horticulture Floral Design and with Alabama Florist Association, in the hope of becoming a certified Florist. A week before
Mother’s Day of 1985, I opened my own flower shop, Vaughn Plaza Florist, in Montgomery.
After three years of very hard work, other obligations took me away from my shop and placed me in Americus, Georgia.
Needless to say, I sadly had to sell my shop but then returned to school to be an educator with a focus on art. I moved to
Columbus and began teaching Art. A few years later, I met Arnie Canada! In May 2010, Arnie and I were invited to friends’ house
for supper so that we might get to know each other. We quickly became best friends and were married December 18, 2010.
My best friend, Arnie has always worked hard in many areas. His careers have spanned a wide range of areas in both business
and management. Arnie is a former Colonel of Infantry in the US Army, and retired after serving for 28 years. His second career
was primarily involved with Information Security, focused on Logical Data Security. Arnie worked in credit card security for
sixteen years before deciding to work with our business. Among his many talents, he enjoys designing in every aspect. His
more recent creations include small wall décor, storage cabinets and unique furniture to sunrooms and pergolas! Arnie has an
undergraduate degree in Business from Northeastern University, in Boston, and a Masters of Degree in Instructional Design and
Educational Technology from the University of Wisconsin.
When our younger daughter announced she was getting married, she asked if we would do the flowers for her wedding. She
planned to marry at Kathy’s Front Porch outside of Nashville. The effort and excitement involved in the planning and
preparation for this event not only rekindled my desire for floral design, but sparked a great desire in Arnie, as well, to be
involved with flowers and floral design.
Before we knew it, we were hooked! We were also asked to do another wedding the following year. Conducting the floral
planning inspired creativity and sparked a desire within us for uniqueness for our brides. The combination of our talents
seems to be God inspired. Arnie and I love to create floral themes and make each bride’s event something really special for
them. In this last wedding, Arnie designed railroad car centerpieces to mirror a railroad theme, (since the bride’s family
owned a railroad). Using wooden crates and photo shop to produce table-sized railroad cars, Arnie incorporated the couples’
initials and wedding date on the side of the cars. The railroad cars were such a hit that we had many requests from the guests
to take them home.
Following my retirement from teaching art in Muscogee County Schools and after Arnie’s retirement, we immediately began
another journey together, to become not only licensed but certified as well, Georgia Florists. Our desire is not to just become
free-lance certified florists but, to be a blessing to the brides, serving them as unique and special individuals and to be the very
best. We know that becoming Georgia Certified Florists means focusing on higher standards. So, in December, we began
studying to become certified. We have so very much appreciated Randy’s assistance, his patience and his high standards for the
profession. We have also been very impressed with the quality of the organization, Georgia State Florist Association. The
convention this March was inspiring and offered unbelievable opportunities to learn new techniques from classes and even
encouragement from other florists.
Arnie has been great with learning his new profession. It fits his personality really well because he works quickly and accurately.
He’s really enjoyed designing bouquets, corsages, arrangements and containers as well as our web site and props for our
weddings and events. And, I am focusing on unlearning to relearn with the new designs, techniques, armatures, mechanics and
‘the bling.’
Our business is: BobbiesBouquetsAIS. The AIS means, “Arnie in Support!” But, he’s far more than support, he’s the creator, the
brains, and the organizer, the quick designer, the financial officer, and, Arnie helps me stay focused. We are enjoying our new
challenges and agree that has been a lot of hard work, however, if it wasn’t such hard work, wouldn’t everyone would want to
be a florist?
As this article is written we are progressing on our next wedding. Our “special bride” wants red roses and sunflowers. This is
certainly a challenge but one that we are really looking forward to. Our brides deserve the best and that is what we intend to
do…our best!
The Julian Bridge’s Educational Fund
The Georgia State Florist Association Board of Directors is proud to
announce the implementation of the Julian Bridges’ Educational
Fund. This fund is being set up to further the educational programs
throughout the state. Areas in ned of educational/design programs
may contact GSFA to request assistance in educational as well as
design instruction for their districts or regions. Many districts are in
the reconstructive or reorganizational phases and this will allow us
to enhance the pursuit of excellence through educational training.
We need your help in setting up this fund.
We are honoring Julian Bridges as the namesake of this education
fund for his lifetime contributions to the floral industry. Julian
Bridges AIFD began his own educational pursuit attending the
University of Georgia where he received a B.S. in Science. Upon
graduation, Julian taught Human Biology for 6 years before
following his heart to become a florist first working occasionally
with Louise Simpson of Tifton Floral. He continued working with
Red Dove, and later purchased Tifton Floral on 12th, and decided to
move his business to Moultrie in 1954.
Julian relocated his business in 1970. The facility was a
monumental piece of history in the Downtown Moultrie Area.
Julian went on to be one of the first Georgians to be inducted into
the American Institute of Floral Design. Winning the Americus Cup
for the state, Julian went on to place second in the region. Many
wards and accomplishments could be listed but space will not
permit.
Julian continued the educational effort through the years by
instructing classes at ABAC, the University of Georgia Rural
Development Center, and classes throughout the state of Georgia.
As commentator, Julian would be seen often in his red sport coat
giving instruction and definition to design shows and programs.
Please dig deep and make whatever contribution you feel you can at
GSFA State Convention I am not asking equal giving but equal
sacrifice. Everyone can give something. Please help us in
implementing this fund for the educational advancement of floral
design. Thank you for your contribution. Make checks to GSFA.
July 28, 2013
Thomas Denney
“Shut it Down”
Randy Stone GMF
“Let’s Get This Party Started”
Sandy Schroeck PFCI, AIFD, CFD
“Floral Jewelry Trends and Tricks”
Macon Marriott
240 Coliseum Drive
Macon, GA 31217
866-882-4465
Special Room Rate $109 with code “gsfgsfa”.
Rooms must be booked by June 26th to
receive rate
Registration:
Members $50
Non-Members $75
Registration Includes lunch, 3 programs, and
1 hands-on class.
Please preregister by July 5th to ensure
your place in the hands-on workshop.
Those who register after July 5th or
onsite cannot be guaranteed product
for the workshop.
There will also be a Table Top
Competition at Summer Symposium.
Qualifications and the entry form are
online. The Table Top setup will begin
from 8am-8:45am July 28, at Summer
Symposium. If you have any questions
please contact Jeff Lott at
770-267-5061 or
[email protected]
Letter from the Editor
I hope everyone is doing well! If you or your district has
Any information you would like to share in the News Flash
please email me the information to the email
Address listed below. Each issues of the News Flash
Will feature an arrangement on the cover, if you
Have a photo that you love, please send in
Your submission. Please make sure that your
Photo meets all the requirements listed
Below. If you have questions or
Suggestions, please let me know!
See yall at Summer Symposium!! 
Hollie Cothern GMF
News Flash Edito
[email protected]
Make The Cover Page
If you would like to have an arrangement featured on the cover of the
News Flash here are the guidelines for submission.
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Credit must be given to the floral designer. So if you are
submitting a design that you have not created personally, you
must obtain permission from the designer to share.
Credit must be given to the photographer. The picture needs
to be one that you have taken yourself or you must have
express permission from the photographer to share. Make
sure the picture is not copyrighted.
Email your submissions to [email protected]
Please include the floral designer, photographer, and a brief
description of the design. Please email if you have any questions. We
look forward to featuring your beautiful work!