(updated 6/30/2009)
As confirmed in today's Post-Gazette (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09181/980777-54.stm), visitations for Billy Mays will be Thursday June 2, 2009 from 1 to 8 pm. His funeral will be held 9:30AM Friday, June 3 at one of the St. Mary's churches in McKees Rocks (there are three). Burial will be private.
If you wish to come pay your respects to Billy, here's the funeral home information:
Musmanno Anthony M Funeral Home
700 Seventh Street
Mc Kees Rocks, PA 15136
Phone Number: (412) 331-0900
Flower order deadline: Wednesday evening.
By local custom, we florists must have flowers delivered two hours prior to the start of the viewings. This means you really need to have your order placed by Wednesday evening, so the florists can make and deliver your arrangement in time.
You can read Billy's local obituary at http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09180/980603-122.stm. If you're interested in more Billy Mays and the rest of the "As Seen on on TV" industry, you might like to read "But Wait…there's more!":
June is National Rose Month, and to celebrate, The Bloomery is offering our Mixed Color Rose Bowl for only $29.99--a savings of $20!
Gorgeous colored roses are a sure way to brighten someone's day! Whether for love or friendship, our modern style arrangement of colored roses will be a true delight. Colors will vary based on what we have in stock, but will be a mixture of at least three colors.
http://www.bloomery.com/detail.aspx?ID=475
Offer expires June 15, 2009, for local delivery orders only.
This is your one-week-to-Mother's-Day warning, and the designers at The Bloomery have created a number of distinctive arrangements so you can let your mom know how special she is. The Bloomery Exclusives are available in limited quantities, so don't wait too long. Below are a few of our most unique selections; check out the full list at http://www.bloomery.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryId=53.
If you're looking for something special in addition to flowers or plants, you can add a manicure from Above it All Hair Design and Day Spa to any of our Mother's Day items!
Kitchen Herb Garden - $34.99
Nothing can beat fresh herbs for a well seasoned, enjoyable meal. And, there is no easier way to grow an herb garden than by taking care of this all-in-one bowl! Herbs are ready to start snipping and enjoying today, and will continue all summer long. Our patio bowl is filled with Basil, Oregano, Rosemary, Thyme, Garlic Chives, Sage and Mint. Something for every recipe! A Bloomery Exclusive, grown in our family's greenhouses! This item is only available for delivery in our local area.
Salad Garden - $29.99
A fresh salad, right at your fingertips! Our garden bowl arrives ready to start enjoying, and contains red and green leaf lettuce, beet tops, Swiss chard, scallions, and radishes. We've even included a viola plant - the flowers are edible! This is a great gift for someone who loves to garden but doesn't have a big yard, or who can't get out in the dirt anymore. Just set the garden on the patio, give it some tender loving care (water and sunlight), and it is ready to enjoy. A Bloomery Exclusive, grown in our family's greenhouses! This item is available for delivery in our local area only.
Best Chef - $74.99
For the top chef in your family! We've taken a restaurant quality 5 qt metal colander and filled it with a gorgeous hard-covered Great American Cookbook, as well as a new set of wooden spoons, two kitchen towels, and a 2 cup Pyrex measuring cup filled with a fresh arrangement of cheerful flowers. A Bloomery Exclusive! Due to the exclusivity of this item, this is available for delivery in our local area only. For a gift that's even more special, add one of our Kitchen Herb Garden Bowls so she has fresh herbs to cook with all summer long!
Pink Dream - $55.99
Think Pink! Our pink frosted cube vase is filled with pink tinted hydrangea, pink carnations and pink spray roses. A Bloomery Exclusive - this item is available for delivery in our local area only.
For our full selection of Mother's Day specials, visit us at http://www.bloomery.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryId=53.
Whether you know Wednesday as "Secretary's Day" or "Administrative Professional's Day" or simply "April 22, 2009", it's now your chance to thank the people you can't function without.
We at The Bloomery have some unique and affordable ways to say thanks. These are exclusives to our shop, and quantities are limited.
Tea Time - $17.99
A beautiful ceramic cup is filled with fresh white daisies, and comes with an herbal tea to enjoy later!
Snack Break - $29.99 (shown)
Looking for a group gift, or have an assistant who loves to snack? This snack tub is the perfect choice. (Also available in larger sizes - see our website for more info)
Bright Days - $25.99
Our vibrant Lime Green vase is filled with assorted colors of fresh Gerbera Daisies - bold and beautiful to brighten the day.
Check out all of our selections at http://www.bloomery.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryId=65.
Hint: If your assistants keep the calendar, they know what day Wednesday is. We mean besides Earth Day.
It may be cold and snowy in Butler, but believe it or not, Easter is just a few days away. This year we have lots of Easter Lilies, Tulip and Hyacinth Plants and more to help bring some Spring into the Easter Holiday! Plus, check out our Cymbidium Orchid Corsage -- a simple way to bring some tradition of "Easters Gone By" into this year's celebration.
Easter Lily
This Easter favorite is a sign of new life. Plus, did you know that you can plant these outdoors and have them bloom again next year? Our Lily plant arrives in a wicker basket pot-cover, and also includes a pretty pastel bow to finish the presentation.
Our Price: $24.99
Cymbidium Orchid Corsage
Remember when all of the kids got a new Easter dress, and every woman had a corsage for Easter Services? Revive that tradition with this elegant, traditional Cymbidium Orchid corsage.
Our Price: $18.99
Basket of Spring
Pink and lavender flowers make this garden-like arrangement a beautiful sight to behold. A great gift for a loved one's Easter, or as a special treat for yourself!
On Sale! $ 39.99 (Sale price effective until April 13th, 2009. Regular price is $47.50)
Also for Easter, we are featuring our Pansy Bowls, Spring Mixed Tulips, and our Nesting Basket. Need some potted tulips or hyacinths? They start at $14.99 - call the shop and we'll be glad to help you with those!
Phalaenopsis orchids are native to tropical Asia, and are also known as "moth orchids" for their large moth-shaped blossoms. The bloom size and number of of flowers can vary, with up to 15 blooms per stem. Phalaenopsis are elegant plants that are remarkably easy to care for. In the right conditions, the plant will bloom for months at a time.
Care Instructions
- Place in a bright room, but not in direct sunlight
- Water every 7-10 days
- Mist leaves often (avoid misting flower heads)
- Ideal temperature is 16-20C (61-68F)
- Fertilize regularly with a specialized orchid food
(Thanks to Bayview Flowers for the information)
Our own Polly Bergic was part of the AIFD design team that won BIG at the 2009 Philadelphia Flower show:
The
AIFD design team wowed the crowd and the judges at the 2009 Philadelphia
Flower Show that took place in March in Philadelphia, PA. The AIFD
team won four awards for their designs including Best in Show, People's
Choice Award for the major exhibit voted most favorite by PHS members
and Special Achievement Awards-Garden Club Federation of PA PHS
Achievement Awards. Congratulations to the following team members:
Mike O'Neill, Dan Vaughn, Deryck de Matas,
Robert P. DeBellis, Theresa Colucci, Brad & Kelly Harnisch,
Michael A. Hasco, Laurie Duell Lemek, Adriene Presti, Claire Won
Y. Kang, Susan Weisser, Chris Ondrak, Anthony Palmieri, Catherine
Elizabeth Epright, Colleen Ann Kelly, Janet Copeland Black, Ann
Jordan, Michael Boskey, Polly Berginc, Sue Krabill, Lori Himes,
James Dempsey, Kenneth E. Norman, and Diane Spalding.
In addition to the honors listed here, the AIFD team won three additional People's Choice awards (these are awarded daily). This year's theme was "fashion", and the designs were amazing dresses, hats, jewelry, etc made from flowers.
AIFD has some photos at http://www.aifd.org/2009phillyshowrecap.htm, and we'll post some more as Polly selects her favorites.
About the 2009 Philadelphia Flower Show
This year's theme is Alta Moda Floreale, Milan and its fashion district.
The AIFD booth will consist of innovative designs from over 30 designers.
There are many tasks ahead so volunteers are needed for set-up and
breakdown. We will also need volunteers to man the booth to answer
questions about the designs and AIFD.
The
culture of Italy, which has enchanted visitors and artists for centuries,
will serve as inspiration for the 2009 Philadelphia Flower Show
theme, "Bella Italia." The celebration of the natural
beauty, art, food, music and people of Italy will be held at the
Pennsylvania Convention Center.
The
Entrance Garden of the 2009 Show will capture the majesty of ancient
Rome with its formal gardens of statuary, topiary, manicured hedges
and tiered plantings. Show exhibitors will also pay tribute to the
many distinctive regions and cities of Italy: Milan and its fashion district, as seen through innovative floral
designs of AIFD.
The
country's top floral designers will expand on the Italian theme
with a variety of creations that evoke the Italian way of life. AIFD floral designers will feature Fashion of Italian-inspired handbags,
shoes, dresses, hats perfume, jewelry and art.
Seen below are Michael A. Hasco, Dan Vaughn and Ron Mulray (team co-chair) with a couple of their awards.
Thanks to a special purchase, we're pleased to offer a dozen wrapped roses for $19.99! That's crazy talk--this is the best deal in town! These are short stem red roses in a Valentine's Day wrap, cash (or credit card) and carry only. Quantities are limited.
Valid Feb 14, 2009 only, while supplies last. Not valid on delivery or arranged orders.
We've talked in the past about why flowers are so expensive at the holidays, and one of our friends at Eufloria Flowers gave us some insight from the grower perspective as to what factors influence prices at Valentine's Day, as well as weeks when supplies are limited in preparation for Valentine's Day. This post is lengthy, but informative.
Supply and demand is the main reason, but there are many factors and variables that contribute. The following are just a couple of the main factors at grower/shipping levels...
The Valentine's crop starts with the pinch in mid November. This is also where some of the higher cost comes into play because when the farms pinch their plants, they cut every stem whether it is mature or not so all the plants will produce roses at the same time. They can sacrifice several stems to produce one stem for Valentine's. So if you cut 5 stems and 4 of them are not mature enough to sell, then they have to recoup the cost at Valentine's. There is no other time in the year to make that money back...
Labor and equipment can triple or quadruple at harvest time so there are associated costs that have to be passed on as well. Another big factor are the airlines from Colombia and Ecuador. They are flying full to Miami but many are flying back to South America empty or half full. So the airlines charge more; in essence the shippers are paying for the plane to fly from South America and also for the flight back. It has been said that the height of Valentine's Shipping that a 747 plane filled with flowers is landing every 10 minutes at Miami International...
Last year there were approximately 214 million roses produced to fill the demand in the United States according to SAF. In 2007 it was 189 million. Red is limited because the same amount of red rose plants that are in the ground in July are the same amount that produce the Valentine's crop. More plants are not planted just for V-Day. They just all produce at the same time. Farms won't pinch all their plants so they can supply red roses at Christmas and the other weeks leading into V-Day but depending on what day the holiday falls on will help determine how many plants they don't pinch...
The Bloomery's Steelers Bouquet
Let's Go Steelers! Our ceramic football filled with an arrangement of
Gerbera Daisies, Spray Mums and Solidago is a perfect gift for a
Steeler fan, or for decorating your SuperBowl party! A Bloomery
Exclusive - for delivery in our local (Butler, PA) area only. Supplies are very limited, so order your Steelers bouquet soon!
How much does the Steelers Nation love our Steelers? Let's just say this--there are plenty of Arizona Cardinals balloons and decorations available wholesale, but Steelers decorations have been sold out for weeks. The wholesalers laugh when you ask. That's why our supplies of this Bloomery exclusive are limited.
It's new phonebook season in our area again, and Verizon and other publishers are dumping all sorts of phonebooks we don't want on our doorsteps. Chances are, if you'e reading this post, phonebooks have pretty much gone the way of the rotary phone for you, and ones from outside our area are taking up space under the kitchen phone.
To end the phonebooks, go to YellowPagesGoesGreen.org, and opt out of all phone books. The only phonebook for our area is the green Dex book, printed by Embarq (included in this book are Consolidated Communications and Armstrong customers, too). In the future, if you decide you need a local phonebook, call 877-2-GET-DEX (877-243-8339) and request one.
As for all the phone books you want to recycle, here are the local phone book recycling dropoffs. You can recycle your phonebooks until mid-January. Recycling phonebooks is good for the environment, and helps local groups raise money, too.
Butler
- Friedman's Freshmarket at Point Plaza
- Friedman's Supermarket at Greater Butler Mart
- Sam's Club parking lot (near the entrance drive, toward Taco Bell and Nextier)
East Butler
- East Butler VFD parking lot
Slippery Rock
- Slippery Rock Community Park
- Former Friedman's/Kerr's parking lot, corner of Mercer Road and Route 8
You can now find your favorite Beanpod candles at The Bloomery! If you've never smelled a Beanpod candle, we'll just say they smell so real they're a little creepy sometimes. If you're into aromatherapy, their mood selecter will help you choose which scents you're in the mood for.
We carry a wide range of scents, both seasonal and year-round, in the Soy Beads, tea light, and 8, 16 and 25 ounce jars. The jars burn for approximately 120 hours (8 oz), 180 hours (16 oz) or 210 hours (25 oz) when you follow their burning instructions. Since soy wax burns cooler than paraffin and the wicks are cotton, Beanpods may burn a little differently than other candles you're used to.
We've updated our Flowers and Fragrance arrangement with the current selection of Beanpod scents (and a new photo). Flowers and Fragrance has been one of our most popular arrangements since we introduced it several years ago--people love the dual gift of flowers and a candle, and we're sure a Beanpod candle will keep them thrilled.
The Soy Beads can be melted in almost any tart warmer (flame or electric), placed out as pot pourri, or used in vacuum cleaner bags (but not a cannister) to freshen your house when you clean. Soy beads can be mixed and matched to create unique recipes, too! We have some recipe cards at the shop with suggestions, or create your own. Soy Beads can also be made into fragrant craft projects.
Beanpod candles are made from American grown soybeans, and are made in Iowa. The wicks are made from cotton and are lead free. Soy wax is superior to petroleum-based parrafin because soy wax is:
-
environmentally friendly
- cleans up with soap and water
- a renewable and sustainable resource
- supports farmers
So, stop by The Bloomery, and Go Green, Burn a Bean!
Pitt and the Penguins played yesterday (both won), Penn State was off, and the Steelers play tomorrow. Perfect day to come out to The Bloomery's open house today from noon until 4 pm.
We're photographing our one of a kind holiday silk arrangements, and anything that doesn't sell today goes on the website. For best selection, today's your day. We make beautiful silk arrangements, but we don't make two of anything.
Also today, we're introducing our new line of Beanpod candles. Made from soybeans, rather than petroleum, they're greener and cleaner than petroleum based candles. We have dozens of new scents in stock, as well as votives and Soy Beads, which can be used in any tart warmer, or just set out as pot pourri. The first 50 attendee receive a free Beanpod votive candle!
New flavors of Sweet Station truffles have arrived, including Peanut Butter Truffle, and Pumpkin Spice returns for the holidays.
Finally, the entire store is on sale! Every purchase is discounted as marked, including pre-orders for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukkah arrangements. Plus, plenty of BOGO on older candles and seasonal items.
We'll see you here today, but we're only here from noon to 4pm.
Since we introduced our Birthday Cupcake arrangement earlier this year, it has become one of our most popular items on our website. If they look fun to send, you can only imagine the look on people's faces when we deliver them! Our unique arrangement brings a smile to the face of the recipient and everyone else who sees it.
The Birthday Cupcake arrangement is made from carnations--you choose the cupcake "paper" (actually, plastic) container color, and we coordinate the flowers to match. The arrangement stands about 8" high, and includes the candle and a bow!
For more details, or to order a Birthday Cupcake, please visit http://www.bloomery.com/detail.aspx?ID=816.
(this is a Bloomery exclusive, and is available for delivery in our local area, only)
Join us for our Holiday Open House--the entire store is on sale!
Browse and buy from our Thanksgiving and Christmas gift items, silk flower decor, scented candles, prints, handmade chocolates and more!
Join us Sunday November 2, 2008 from 2-4 pm.