2019 - 2020 Making Texas Floral Education Possible PLATINUM GOLD California Association of Flower Growers & Shippers SILVER California Association of Flower Growers & Shippers Southern Floral W H O L E S A L E G R E E N H O U S E Company Established 1927 Past Presidents BRONZE FLORAL GREENS FARMERS of FLORIDA please visit tsfa.org for the most up-to-date list of underwriters and their links TEXAS DESIGNER 4-5 OF THE YEAR COMPETITION TexasM A R C H 2 0 1 9 | V Oin L U M EBloom X X X X V | N U M B E R 3 2019 TEXAS DESIGNER OF 6 THE YEAR COMPETITORS From the It’s March…thePresident beginning of spring! 8-10 I love the time of year when the beautiful part of nature kicks in with the colors, sounds and smells that I have EXPER ENCE missed for several months. As florists, we are also in EL PASO WITH THE FIRST TEXAS season. This is our busy time of year with the spring FLORAL SHOWCASE IN 2019 holiday and social events that are such a big part of our businesses. Now, is the time of year, we have a multitude of different flowers and foliages at our disposal. This is TEXAS FLORAL SHOWCASE where we, as individual shops, can set ourselves apart 11JUNE AND SEPTEMBER INFORMATION TSFA President Tom Wolfe, Sr. from everyone else with our creativity. TSFA’s high school testing is under way with several testings set up for March and April. Volunteering and participating in high school testing is one of the 12-13 TALMAGE MCLAURIN best ways to become active and experience first-hand this important aspect of TO OPEN THE TEXAS FLORAL EXPO our great organization. It is a great opportunity for you to meet and work with some of the most talented members we have. Testings will be March 27th at Cy Fair ISD Exhibit Center, April 3rd at Region 17 Education Service Center in 14-15 PHIL RULLODA Lubbock, April 6th at Big Sandy High School, April 13th at VR Eaton High School TO CLOSE THE TEXAS FLORAL EXPO in Haslet, and April 27th at Skyline High School in Dallas. I have personally been to this last one, and it really was amazing! So, what I am saying is take advantage of all the wonderful opportunities Texas 16-17 State Florists’ Association has to offer by becoming more involved. EXPAND THE EXPER ENCE OF THE TEXAS FLORAL EXPO EXPER ENCE WITH HANDS - ON DESIGN a glimpse into all that awaits July 26-28 during EXPERIENCES the 2019 Texas Floral Expo! The April Issue of TEXAS in Bloom will outline the complete TEXAS AGRICULTURE programming and registration information. 18 COMMISSIONER SID MILLER SWORN-IN FOR 2ND TERM THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TEXAS STATE FLORISTS’ ASSOCIATION PO Box 859 | Leander, Texas 78646 | 512.528.0806 | FAX 512.834.2150 | www.tsfa.org | E-mail [email protected] TSFA BOARD STAFF President Tom Wolfe, Sr. Publisher and Managing Editor | Dianna Nordman AAF Immediate Past President Debbie Woltmann TMFA Editor | Lynn Lary McLean AAF AIFD CFD PFCI TMF First Vice President Gina Waters AAF TMFA Director of Education and Membership | Taressa Dominguez Second Vice President Cheryl Vaughan TMFA Administrative Assistant | Carole Sayegh Retail Directors Production | Graphics by Kandi, Inc. Charles Ingrum | Jodi McShan AAF TMF | Amy Neugebauer AIFD TMFA Cover Credit | Courtesy of Park Hill Collection Wholesale Director Hein Verver Cover Photography Credit | Nancy Nolan Grower Director Jack Weatherford Contributing Writers | Dawson Clark, Marisa Guerrero AIFD, Amy Neugebauer AIFD TMFA, Tom Wolfe Texas in Bloom USPS 304-350.is published monthly, except for July. $8 of the annual membership dues is applied toward a subscription to Texas in Bloom. Located at 413 S. West Dr. Leander, Texas 78641. Periodicals Postage Paid at Austin, Texas and at additional mailing offices. Opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect official policy of the Texas State Florists’ Association. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Texas in Bloom, P.O. Box 859, Leander, Texas 78646 3 | TEXAS in Bloom |March 2019 Not Just an Ordinary Kind of Day! Written by Dawson Clark It may have seemed like any ordinary day at the Texas State Capitol but for five of Texas State Florists’ Association’s finest floral designers, February 20th was anything but ordinary. The scene was rather chaotic as busy legislators, lobbyists and staffers bolted back and forth across the rotunda weaving amongst tour groups and other tourists who were taking in the majestic atmosphere of the seat of Texas government. Just before noon, the chaos was interrupted as a small army of Texas State Florists’ Association volunteers placed five elegant design stations precisely between the five points of a Texas star that graces the terrazzo floor of the rotunda. When the flowers were revealed, the pace of the room slowed significantly. It seemed as if everyone literally “took time to smell the roses” and they overwhelmingly enjoyed it! Many lingered in the space for the entire hour-long competition so they could see the designs completed. It was a dramatic setting for the climax of the 2019 Texas Designer of the Year Competition. Chaired by Coby Neal AIFD PFCI, who holds the current title, the competition provided extended opportunities for the competitors and for Texas State Florists’ Association. “The opportunity for TSFA to stage this competition in such an important venue says a lot for the level of respect that our state leaders hold for TSFA and our floral design profession,” Neal said. “We are privileged to be invited into the rotunda and grateful for the opportunity for our five competitors to represent all TSFA members in this way.” The Interpretive Design Category designed at the Capitol followed the two design rounds staged the previous day at the new TSFA Office in Leander, Texas. On day one, the competitors completed a wedding bouquet design round, during which each created a bridal bouquet. There was also a surprise package, which they knew nothing about until the instructions were provided moments before the round began. In the surprise package, each competitor was asked to create a “somewhat formal and architectural design, but with just a flair of the popular boho vintage look.” Within that framework, each was asked to create a full table scape for a wedding to feature a dramatic centerpiece in a footed silver compote, a custom napkin ring and decor to accent the back of a silver chivari chair. Throughout the two-day competition, the designers shared their thoughts about the moment and process of getting there. “It is exciting to be here,” shared Tiffany Houck of The House of Blooms in Sugar Land. “There is so much energy in this space. It has been really fun to interact with all the people who are stopping by wondering what we are about to do.” Michael McCarthy AIFD CFD of The Blooming Idea in The Woodlands took a moment to visit. “This is such a great opportunity for us to show the public the creative process. To do so in such an important place is amazing!” From top to bottom: Round 1 First Place | Wedding Bouquet Category | Richard Ace Berry AIFD TMF Round 2 First Place | Surprise Package Category | Richard Ace Berry AIFD TMF Round 3 First Place | Interpretive Design Category | Michael McCarthy AIFD The level of creativity was inspiring to all who were present during the one hour scheduled for this competitive round. Several wives of current and former Texas Senators were present during the competition and were amazed at what they saw. Kay Hall, wife of Senator Bob Hall of Edgewood, said she was inspired by the experience. “I am so impressed with the talent and creativity of each of these designers,” she said. “I am a long-time advocate for the arts and I believe the world is a better place because of this kind of creativity.” Mary Ann DeBerry CFD TMFA of The Florist Ltd. in Denton said she was really proud to be basing her Interpretive design around a steer head wrapped in a Southwestern textile. “My son made this prop, so it is extra special.” The setting in the Capitol Rotunda proved to be noteworthy ... and the winner is Richard Ace Berry AIFD TMF!!! for Abel Gonzalez-Mencio CFD TMF. “I am beyond thrilled to 2019 Texas Designer of the Year! be here. It is an honor to compete at this level. I have competed several times and nothing compares to this experience today.” At the close of the competition the designers carried their interpretive designs to the judging room. Several then sat together at a large table and began to check-in with each other to see how they were all doing. The gathering took place in the Agriculture Museum within the Texas State Capitol where winners would soon be announced! “It is simply amazing,” said Ace Berry AIFD TMF of Fulshear Floral Designs in Fulshear. “It is amazing to be here! This was so much fun!” … and amazing he was! Congratulations 2019 Texas Designer of the Year Richard Ace Berry! Enthusiasm was at it’s peak when Chair Coby Neal made the announcement! Presented the Silver Texas Cup, the Crystal Star noting Ace officially a Star of Texas, a TSFA celebrates as Chair Coby Neal AIFD PFCI awards blue ribbon and flowers of course, Ace stepped up to join Second Michael McCarthy AIFD Second Place Overall. Place Overall Winner Michael McCarthy AIFD and Third Place Overall Winner Abel Gonzalez-Mencio CFD TMF. Leading up to the big reveal were the announcements of the First Place Winner of each of the rounds.