"Flowers have an expression of countenance as much as men or animals. Some seem to smile, some have a sad expression; some are pensive and diffident; others again are plain, honest and upright, like the broad-faced sunflower and the hollyhock."
---Henry Ward Beecher
With any sighting of flowers in Washington Parish, it's only natural to think of the professional florists and floral designers - both past and present. Today, we are fortunate to have Margie's Florist and Gifts which has been in business since 1974; Bennie's Garden Center and Florist; and Fair City Floral, all of which are in Franklinton. In addition, there is Sara Nelson at the Red Barn in Clifton. And in Bogalusa, folks turn to Busy Bee Floral Design, the Floral Connection, and the Rose Garden. Many of us rely on these businesses for floral arrangements. I do hope that I haven't missed anyone (there's always that unintentional risk).
Awash in memories, I do not have sufficient paper and pen to cover all the former florists, but it is imperative - in the realm of flowers - that I address a few. Interestingly, much of my remembrance in this arena is olfactory in nature which is fortunate because, at my age, a keen sense of smell is about all I have left.
Having grown up in Franklinton, I have fond, vivid memories of Finch's Florist, owned by Norlean Finch and her daughter Betty Finch Brooks, which was located on Tenth Avenue. I believe in later years Ms. Betty relocated her business to Eastgate shopping center. But as a small child, I bobbed in and out of her shop on Tenth Avenue, on errands with my mother. What I remember most is the sweet scent of the shop, from the flowers, and Ms. Betty's congeniality. I can picture her there, amongst the pretty flowers.
Looking back, there were more florists in town. Ms. Johnny Magee and Ms. Ruth Fisher were the proprietors of Magee's Flower Shop, situated on Cleveland Street where Café Bouchee is today. Like Finch's, Magee's had beautiful flowers, but I recollect their Christmas trees, which they flocked wintry white. Digressing, I recall the year that my father convinced my mother he could flock the tree himself --- a futile attempt at saving a few dollars. The hullabaloo that ensued makes me chuckle. What a debacle, after Dad got the necessary equipment and gave it a whirl. I'm not sure he ever admitted defeat --- no one was laughing that December --- but we were back at Magee's the following Christmas.
In my teenage years, I recall stopping in at The Green Frog, owned by Cornelia Wallace. Her location, across from Riverside Hospital, was convenient to my home down on the Enon Road. Wanting to pick out something special for my mother and grandmother, I would stop by her lovely shop after school. Teeming with flowers and plants, it had something for everyone. With Ms. Cornelia's sage advice, I was able to make wise choices. And on the East side of the parish, I remember Pugh's Florals.
In addition, many locals were involved, non-commercially, in growing and arranging flowers; they congregated in clubs, sponsoring large community events. The Mt. Hermon Garden Club in 1976 included among its members Latane Alford, Peggy Patterson, Betty Smith, Betty Schilling, Eloise Alford, Mildred Patterson, Janis Smith, Rachel Dedon, Cleo Guy, Faye Simmons, Grace Ott, Jackie Dobie, Ann Warner, and Ann Law.
These talented ladies held a large-scale flower show, with the theme of "Down Memory Lane," at the old Leon Bankston home near Mt. Hermon in April of that year. A throng of interested citizens descended on the historic home for the exhibition of magnificent flowers. Honored for their contributions were the following: Mrs. Wayne Patterson - Tri-Color Award; Mrs. George Patterson - blue ribbon for best interpretation; Mrs. Fleet Smith, Jr. - Award of Merit for the best horticulture exhibit; Mrs. Wayne Guy - Sweepstakes Award for the most numerous blue ribbons in horticulture; and Mrs. Wayne Guy - for her outstanding cacti. And the club members dressed in period attire, a nod to the Bicentennial.
Similarly, the Franklinton Garden Club and the Home and Garden Club in Franklinton held flower shows which were widely attended. Just one example of a packed house was the grand affair which they co-sponsored in April of 1985 with the theme "Vacation Designs." The much-heralded event was held at the home of Mrs. O. D. (Elsie) Myles. Club Presidents were Deretha Hayes (Franklinton Garden Club) and Rita Peterson (Home and Garden Club). There were awards galore of which I can only offer a sampling. First place awards in the Tri-Color Design division went to Wanda Nelson, Verna Alford, and Virnelle Bulloch. First place for Creativity Design went to Odelle Jenkins, Lavon Jacobs, and Rita Peterson. The Arboreal Award went to Bea Garrett for her English Dogwood. The Award of Merit, the Award of Horticulture Excellence, and the Sweepstakes Award all went to Wanda Nelson.
In the Horticulture Division, which included cut flowers, potted plants, and the arboreal division, there were more first place awards, with Zula Sylvest, Margie Byrd, Verna Alford, Dorothy Bazar, Bea Garrett, Wanda Nelson, Jerry Wascom, and Elsie Myles among them. Other award winners in the flower show included the following: Peggy Bateman, Gayle Foret, Audrey Stafford, Bonnie Burris, Minnie Posey, Ellen Bateman, Katherine Richardson, Peggy Reedy, Jewette Reese, Althea Magee, Dorothy Galloway, Sharon Ann Hall, and Lea Foil.
A junior at LSU that April, I know with certitude that I wasn't at the flower show in Franklinton. But perhaps my mother was there, to drink in the beauty of the multifarious exhibit. It must have been something to behold, all the talent on display - and the expression of the flowers.
