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Allied Florists of Houston

The Association of Professional Florists

...When only the best will do.

ALLIED FLORISTS OF HOUSTON

RESEARCHED AND WRITTEN By WAYNE FISHER

 DEDICATION

AN ALLIED

An Allied is an organization of all facets of the floral industry- retailers, wholesalers, growers, owners, managers, and employees.

An Allied is a forum where educational programs on a local level offer information necessary for professional growth and development.

An Allied is a foundation where florists cooperatively working together share common goals and through concerted actions achieve results.

An Allied is an organization of individuals striving to build an industry - looking to tomorrow rather than simply settling for what is good enough today.

ALLIED FLORISTS OF HOUSTON - FIFTY YEARS By: Wayne L Fisher

The year 1996 will be the most important yet for the Allied Florists of Houston. That year its members will celebrate 50 years of existence.

In 1946 about a dozen Houston florists began meeting at wholesale houses, mainly Southern Floral Company which was located at 2300 Smith Street.

Mr Wallace Nobles, who had recently purchased Kerr Florist, was elected the organization's first president.

In the beginning the Houston Florist Association was mainly a social club. Its meetings were held at a time and place where florists could meet one another. The new club did not meet in the summer months. Many times the program for the September meeting was that each member told about the vacation they had taken in the summer.

Since the florist club was new, its new president, Wallace, was quite busy with the organization. Wallace recently said, "I thought it was a great honor until I found out it really did mean a lot of work."

Soon after the organization of the association, the Texas City Refinery and ship explosion, which killed nearly 500 persons, occurred. It was Wallace's job to mobilize the Houston florists for massive donations to a memorial service to be held at an outdoor stadium for the victims of the disaster.

The sad occasion gave the Houston Florist Association a lot of publicity and media coverage.

Other wholesale houses began to invite the club to meet at their establishments. In the early days, no notices of meetings were sent out; it was simply announced at each meeting the place and date of the next meeting.

By 1953 the club began to have short programs. One program was presented by Mrs Alice Beard of Heights Floral Shop. Mrs. Beard assembled a panel of three florists and the members could ask the panel questions. Before the questioning, Mrs Beard had emphasized that a florist should not spend more than 2 1/2% of their total gross sales for rent. One member asked the question; "What will happen if you do spend more than 2 1/2% of your gross sales for rent?" The meeting burst into laughter when Mrs Beard answered, "It won't be long now!"

Once florists were asked to make a statement concerning the florist business that might be helpful to all.

Mrs Ellis J Ryan of Ryan Flowers said, "You can't sell it if you don't have it."

Mrs Hannah Niday of Hannah Niday Flowers said, "Don't let a bride know if you have more than one wedding on the day of her wedding. She might worry about whether or not you can handle them."

Mrs Leola Livesy of California Flower Shop said, "Never take a wedding on a holiday week-end."

Mr Paul Carroll of Carroll Florist said, "You can tell how much business a florist does by the amount of garbage the shop has."

Mr Joe Blanton of Blanton's Flowers said, "If you want to sell it ---- advertise it."

Mrs Madge Demmer of Demmer's Flowers said, "As to designing, if you're not good today you better get good!"

Mrs Jewel Thomas of Yale Florist said, "Don't sell anything you don't have in the store or that you know you can't get at the wholesalers."

Mrs Lillian Morris of Morris Flower Shop said, "Don't send out anything you would not be willing to pay for yourself."

Mrs Becky Ball of Becky's Flowers said, "If you advertise to be a quality florist then don't send out anything but quality work."

Shortly after Mr Joe Blanton became president of Allied in 1950 a campaign was put into motion to familiarize and "sell" Allied to the general public. Mrs Sandoz Hopkins of the Hopkins Advertising Agency, was hired to help bring Allied's existence to the people.

Mrs Hopkins contrived many ways to accomplish her goal.

In one instance, each Allied member was allowed to name one woman in Houston who did worthy charity work. These were to be working women who took time from their busy schedules to perform this special contribution to some charity in the City of Houston. The Allied board chose 6 from the lengthy list to receive Allied's "Golden Rose Award". A dinner was given and those six women were honored. This project brought several members of the news media to the dinner and resulted in several news releases as well as radio publicity.

Another publicity event which Mrs Hopkins directed was Houston Allied's "Heady" affair. A glittering extravaganza in which Allied Florists of Houston participated was attended by a gathering of the socially prominent of Houston

The occasion was a Floral Headdress Gala sponsored by the local Blue Bird Circle. Allied helped to make it one of the most spectacular affairs ever presented in Houston. The Gala was held in the Grand Ballroom of the Rice Hotel and was attended by over 750 of Houston's most well known citizens.

The fund raising event was very successful. Houston florists presented hats 4 to 5 feet tall made of flowers. From the fifteen hats displayed, the two top winners were designed by William J Stemme of Hannah Niday Flowers and by Joe Wilson of Webwood Flowers. Much publicity was also received from this event.

Shortly after Mrs Hopkins resigned her assignment with Allied, Mr Bob Flagg was hired as the new Public Relations Director. Mr Flag became Allied's "trouble shooter" to handle the many calls and inquiries, the president was simply not able to take care of because of time.

Mr Flagg worked for Allied almost 30 years and served the organization well; solving many of its numerous problems. Many of the years Mr Flagg was employed by Allied he also served as its secretary.

From the beginning of the association Allied has been indebted to many of its members who were not shop owners. These were people who were former shop owners, employees of shop owners, or persons connected with the florist business through their employment. These people made a great contribution to the association.

Some of these were:

Members of Allied Florists of Houston have had several incidents of alarm where Allied stepped in to support the shop.

On January 6 1953, Mrs Rugh Aline McCasland, a designer at North Shepherd Flower Shop, was murdered by two youths seeking money. The shop owner, Mrs Lucy Fredo, had gone to make a delivery to a local funeral home. She was gone approximately 45 minutes and upon her return at 3:30 PM she discovered Mrs McCasland dead and a trail of blood running through the shop. Allied president, Andrew Wylie immediately put out a warning to all members not to leave their shops with only one person in attendance. Allied immediately extended sympathy to the McCasland family and of course, sent flowers to the funeral service.

Then in 1981, Robert Clark, a co-owner of Joe Hooker Flowers, was murdered in his shop in the Montrose area. Two youths were later caught in Florida driving Mr Clark's car and were returned to Houston to be brought to justice. Mrs Jan Miller, an employee of the shop, began a drive to Allied members for a reward, but before the drive got off the ground the killers were apprehended.

The Allied Florists of Houston has become one of the most active and largest in the country. It ranks among the top three in accomplishment and number of members. The main reason for this record of success is the presidents it has been fortunate to have. Each president has been a dedicated person most interested in Allied. Following is a list of Allied's past presidents. Mrs Mabel Fisher holds the record of being president the longest period of time. She is the only person to have served four years.

Allied Past Presidents are as follows:

1946-1947        Wallace Nobles                1968-1970        Lewis Rushing   
1948-1949        Bill Walker                       1970-1972        Bette Odale   
1949-1950        William Ames*                 1972-1974        Dennis Fluker*
1950-1951        Joe Blanton                      1974-1976        LaVon Bankhead
1951                  Lester Lowe                    1976-1977        Jan Miller
1951-1952        Ruth Harmon*                  1977-1978        Susan Patterson
1953-1956        Andrew Wylie*                1978-1980        Mike Sandel
1956-1958        Joe Wilson                       1980-1981        Charlene Sawyer
1958-1959        Sally Triola Peterek          1981-1983        Charles Booth*
1959-1960        Stacey Carroll*                1983-1984        Betty Reich
1960-1962        Ethel Wallace*                 1984-1986        Lynn Lary McLean
1962-1963        Bill Stemme                      1986-1988        Mabel Fisher
1963-1964        Emmao Hintzler                1988-1990        Lyman Ratcliffe
1964-1965        Madge Dimmer*              1990-1992        Sheri White
1965-1966        Joe Hooker*                    1992-1993        Cleo Campbell
1966-1968        Mabel Fisher                    1993-1994        Shari Sandlin
                                                                  1994-1996        Gayle Johnson
* Deceased

Past Presidents Wallace Nobles, Andrew Wylie, Mabel Fisher, Lewis Rushing, LaVon Bankhead, Lynn Lary McLean, and Sheri White all went on to become President of Texas State Florists Association.

In 1955, the one-million-and-one baby was born in Houston and received much publicity. "Mr Million and One", Clyde Monroe Dear, received a floral decorated baby carriage furnished by Allied Florists. This was another project which brought Allied publicity.

In the fall of 1956, the Houston florists participated in the Houston International Flower and Garden Show which resulted in a capacity crowd. Joe Wilson was Chairman of Allied's participation in the show and Mrs Elsie Lowe, of Lowe the Florist was his assistant.

In October 1956, Allied President Joe Wilson, presented a giant United Fund symbol made of blooms to Harry W Ferguson, Chairman of the UF campaign. The symbol was erected at the circle at Main Street and Montrose. The display gained much publicity for Allied.

In 1957, Houston Allied took a ride on the bus. Allied advertised with a sign the complete width of the bus which went up and down Main Street daily and was viewed by 150,000 people daily. The sign read, "Whatever the occasion ... whatever the sentiment, let F-L-O- W-E-R-S say it for you. The ALLIED FLORISTS OF HOUSTON." Riding the bus, and each window open with an Allied florist waving to the people were Joe Wilson, President, in the driver's seat, and Mrs Belle Corbett of Corbett Wholesale, and executive secretary-treasurer, Will Roach, Blanton's Flowers, first vice-president, Jimmie Wollum, Don's Flowers, second vice-president, and directors Ethel Wallace MacGregor Florist, Tom Price, McPaul's Flowers, Mrs Lila King, King Center Flower Mart, Mrs Catherine Milton, Milton's Flowers, Tom Klinger, Klinger Wholesale, Will Weatherford, Southern Floral Company and Andrew Wylie, Wylie's Flowers, retiring president. After a few months of the bus advertising Allied heartily endorsed bus advertising. The sign cost the association $65.00 per month.

In August 1956, The Houston Junior Chamber of Commerce and Allied Florists of Houston honored Houston's "life saving safety drive" in a significant application of the old adage "Flowers for the Living." The Jaycees handed out 1 000 blue Colorado carnations bearing a message admonishing continued careful driving. Mayor Oscar Holcombe and his secretary, Mrs Octavia Holman, received the first of the carnations which were presented to them by Dick Davies, Jaycees President and Joe Wilson, President of Allied. The carnations were handed out at the corners of Buffalo Drive and Houston Avenue and Washington Avenue, Main and Holcombe and Harrisburg and Wayside Drive. The Houston Chronicle had promoted the event before and then gave much publicity to the project after it was over making it another publicity success for Allied.

In November 1956, Battelstein's Department Store sponsored a luncheon style show for members of the Junior League. This show was held the week preceding Allied's observance of National Flower Week. All flowers for the show were provided by Allied. Newspaper ads, appearing in both Houston newspapers mentioned Allied's cooperation with the coming National Flower Week events and were paid for by Battlestein's. Joe Wilson, President of Allied presented corsages to Julia Orr, fashion coordinator of the show and Mrs Raymond Hill, socialite-model for the event.

Nationally known Mrs Cel Scherrer, of Kelley-Scherrer Flower Shop in San Antonio, came to Houston to commentate at the most unusual innovation presented by Allied. Funeral pieces at a smart coffee, plus a real design school, commentated by Mrs Scherrer very favorably impressed the wives of the Texas Funeral Directors at their convention being held at the Shamrock Hotel. Allied President, Joe Wilson said much goodwill between florists and funeral directors was the result of the affair.

Houston's doctors wore red carnations as they made their hospital rounds Saturday, March 30 1957. The carnations were presented to them by their wives, members of the Women's Auxiliary of the Harris County Medical Society. The women designated Saturday as "Doctor's Day." The nearly 1,000 carnations were donated by Allied Florists of Houston. Dr Stewart Wallace got his carnation from Auxiliary President, Mrs Thomas P Shearer, while Houston Allied President Joe Wilson looked on. The Houston Chronicle carried the story as well as a picture of Mr Wilson watching Mrs Shearer pin the carnation of Dr Wallace.

In another endeavor to bring Allied to the attention of the public was on Memorial Day 1957, when Allied members made a huge star of flowers mounted on a foam base. The star-shaped piece was presented to the Gold Star Mothers of Houston and floated in the lake at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, where the Gold Star's services were held in memory of the military deceased. The services sponsored by the McLemore Detachment of the US Marine Corps League was attended by Joe Wilson, President of Allied.

In early 1975, the practice of families requesting no flowers at funerals were beginning to hurt the Houston florists financially. Allied directed Mabel Fisher and Bob Flagg to make a survey of the matter and report back to the Allied Board.

It was discovered that 13% of all funeral notices in The Houston Post and The Houston Chronicle contained a phrase of some manner requesting memorials be sent instead of flowers. Mr Flagg reported this to the Society of American Florists and that organization contributed many suggestions and much help to Houston Allied to combat the matter. They were able to get the newspapers to agree not to mention the word "flowers", but instead say "In lieu of usual remembrances," "the family suggests,” or some other phrase without the word “flowers.”

Ten years later, 1985-86, the problem remained and Houston Allied cooperated with FTD and ran ads for funeral flowers on the death notice pages of The Houston Post and The Houston Chronicle.

In 1975, President LaVon Bankhead began promoting the honoring of retired Allied members who had been an active member or who had made a special contribution to the association.

At the June meeting, she honored the first three such members. They were Lucy Fredo, Hannah Niday and Andrew Wylie. Each of the three were treated to a "This Is Your Life" type of introduction by Mrs. Bankhead and each was given an engraved plaque.

At the beginning of Allied's 50th year the following persons were honorary members:

       LaVon Bankhead AAF AIFD PFCI               Ted & Frances Moore
       Joe Blanton                                                    Sally Triola Peterek
       Jack Coen                                                      Lewis Rushing
       Edith Feille                                                      Frankie Shelton AAF AIFD PFCI
       Wayne & Mabel Fisher                                   Herbert & Betty Simmons
       James C Jensen                                              William 'Bill' Stemme
       Alton Jones                                                     Buck & Novi Taylor
       Georgia Lary                                                   R B 'Bob" & Shirley Weatherford
       Johnny & June Lindley                                     Joe Wilson

In the fall of 1976 delivery in the Texas Medical Center became such a problem that President Jan Miller used the program on October 12 1976, toward solving some of the problems. She had a panel composed of Fred Blanton, Wayne Fisher, and Bette Odale. Mrs Odale presented Earl Hebert of FTD, who told the group of delivery costs on the
National level.

Mrs Odale was also Chairman of the Hospital Relations Committee and said that negotiations had begun between Allied and representatives of the Texas Medical Center on plans to simplify flower deliveries in the center. President Jan Miller pushed further and asked that negotiations continue.

On May 18 1976, a meeting was held at the Warwick Hotel with 46 funeral directors as the guests of Allied for dinner. Eighty-eight Allied members were present. The purpose of the meeting was to set the stage for better relations between the funeral directors and the florists.

Presiding for the meeting was Mike Demery of FTD. Mr Demery detailed the present state of sympathy flowers on the National level. This opened questions directed to a florist panel composed of Mabel Fisher, Pat Lewis, Pete Athas, and Bette Odale. The Funeral Director's Panel was made up of Bob Earthman, Earthman Funerals; Angel Leyva, Pat Foley Funeral Home; John Branch, Colonial Funeral Home; and Charles Walker, Brookside Funeral Home. The discussion was spirited, informative, and friendly.

As there became more Allieds over the state, TSFA began to honor and acknowledge all Allieds. In 1976 TSFA began to make the Allied program a part of its annual convention held in July. At the 1979 convention, each Allied was to present a scrapbook. This scrapbook was to be made and presented by each Allied President. Marvin Albrecht, Chairman of the project, directed the six judges and set rules to follow in selecting the final winner. Mike Sandel, Houston's President, was very proud to accept the honor of being selected the most outstanding Allied President in Texas. The practice is continued today and each Allied covets the honor of winning. Houston has won 12 of these annual awards out of the 19 since the inception of the program.

In 1981, Allied began cooperating with a National program, "Friday Flowers." The Society of American Florists advertised Nationally along with local Allieds over the country to push and promote the project. . Houston Allied bought space on 50 billboards throughout the Houston Area. Each shop could decide what they wanted to feature: bunch flowers, a rose, a carnation, or an arrangement. These were usually at a bargain price to encourage the purchase of flowers for the weekend. The program lasted over a year and many florists sold flowers that would have otherwise gone in the garbage.

Because of Allied becoming so well known and being so successful in advertising, in June 1974, the Colorado Carnation Growers Association offered Allied $12,000.00 to advertise with the agreement that Allied would match the amount. Allied members immediately began a project and soon raised the $12,000.00.

In 1981 the Netherlands Flower Bulb Institute cooperated with Allied Florists of Houston in an advertising project which pushed bulb flowers and was also very successful.

In the spring of 1981, the passing of hot checks to Allied members became a problem. To help solve the problem Harris County Constable Capt John Logan was consulted. Capt Logan deliberately passed hot checks to several Allied florists for purchases to show how easy it was to do so. At the May Allied meeting Capt Logan stunned the members with his demonstration. He cautioned the membership on what to do and not to do when checks are presented by customers. The merchandise that Capt Logan had purchased with the hot checks were returned to the members at the meeting. After Capt Logan's program the Houston Area florists were no longer plagued with hot checks.

In the fall of 1983 there was a rash of robberies at Houston flower shops. Allied put out a warning to each of its members, along with a list of ten things to do to ward off robberies.

In September 1985, Lyman Ratcliffe was named Chairman of the Special Events Committee of Allied. This committee was to raise money for special projects important to the floral business. Mr Ratcliffe put into motion several very good money making innovations. Some of these were "Chances to Win", where chances are sold at each Allied meeting. The prizes are given by Houston Wholesalers, Growers, and members of Allied. The project is still being practiced by Allied and has raised thousands of dollars through the endeavor.

Mr. Ratcliffe also originated the "dinner project". Any member or group of members gave a dinner and each member attending paid $25.00, which went into the Special Events Fund. Mr. Ratcliffe, himself, gave the first dinner which was held at the bay home of a friend of his. Over 30 persons dined in the moonlight for a spectacular evening. The Wayne Fisher's still give an annual St Patrick's Day dinner which is enjoyed by some 30 persons each St Patrick's Day.

Since the beginning of the program through 1995, Allied has given $70,030.00 to the TSFA Building Fund.

Since the beginning, Houston Allied has been a great supporter of the TSFA Building on a hilltop overlooking the City of Austin. On June 12 1985, TSFA President and an Allied Florists of Houston past president, Mabel Fisher, broke ground for the new building before 75 TSFA members of which 15 were members of Allied Florists of Houston.

In the spring of 1986, Allied Florists of Houston purchased an entire night of tickets for the Arabia Temple Shrine annual circus at a cost of $18,000.00. The 5000 tickets were divided among the Allied members according to the amount they paid in dues. Each shop received at least 50 tickets. The shops distributed the tickets to customers any way they chose. Some had drawings, others simply sent them to their preferred clientele. Each ticket was stamped on the back "Compliments of Allied Florists of Houston." Lynn Lary McLean, as President, entered the opening of the show riding Anna Mae, the favorite elephant of the circus. She welcomed the 5000 persons who packed the house and explained that Allied Florists of Houston was a collective group of Houston Area florists who advertise together.  The project was so successful that Mrs Mabel Fisher repeated it the next year during her administration. She likewise entered the performance riding Anna Mae and again defined Allied to a full house.

The month before the circus the Allied members participated in a circus window display contest. Each shop put in a circus theme window which was judged by both Allied members and dignitaries of the Shrine. Collage Florist of Nassau Bay won first place, Fisher Florist Inc won second, and Hannah Niday Flowers placed third.

June 1-3 1986, Allied Florists of Houston went to Las Vegas. Twenty members paid $385.00 for a package deal and stayed at the Tropicana Hotel. The Tropicana was having an introduction of new $1.00 machines. Each $1,000.00 winner also received a bottle of champagne. On the plane coming home Allied members held 18 bottles of the coveted prize. One hundred dollars of the cost of the trip went to Allied to be placed in the Special Events Fund.

Each year the Buddy Benz Award is bestowed upon that one Allied member who has exemplified distinguished service, dedication, and commitment to the association.

The award is named in honor of the late Buddy Benz, designer, teacher, and lecturer in the Houston floral circles.

Since the inception of the award in 1981, when Mabel Fisher AAF, was the first honoree, the others who have joined this prestigious circle of winners are as follows:

In the summer of 1983 President Betty Reich began the policy of giving more attention to the Past Presidents of Allied. A meeting was held at Ninfa's on the Gulf Freeway to honor each past president. Retired wholesalers and growers in the area were also invited. The past presidents are still organized but do not meet unless there is a reason to do so.

Allied Florists of Houston has had several members who have operated a school of floral design. Some of these are: Buddy Benz, Pat Hermes, Bess High, and Frankie Shelton.

The organization has also produced some of the most well known commentators in the country. These are LaVon Bankhead AAF AIFD PFCI TMF; Buddy Benz; Madge Denner; Lynn Lary McLean AAF AIFD PFCI TMF; and Frankie Shelton AAF AIFD PFCI.

Some of the special days other than the regular flower holidays Allied has promoted in order to try and increase business for its members are as follows:

In 1980 Allied Florists of Houston began its Houston Cup Competition. This was to select the best of designers who were members. The competition continued and is still in practice. This project is one of the more exciting that Allied promotes each year. The competition was first called "Allied Designer of the Year Competition" but recently it was changed to plain "Houston Cup."

To reach the final stage the designers compete against one another. At an Allied meeting participants will submit their entries, a good portion of which is arranged on the spot, and then judged as to design concept, balance, rhythm, scale, and mechanics of design. Those selected as the top five finalists then compete in the early spring for the title of "Designer of the Year" and winner of the cup. Winning qualifies the recipient to go on to the preliminary phase of the Texas State Florists' Association's Texas Cup Competition. The designers will then be selected to compete in the TSFA Annual Convention event.

President Charlene Sawyer presented Kathi Thomas, a silver engraved cup in 1980, as Houston's first winner. The other winners of the prized cup are as follows:

Allied Florists of Houston publishes a monthly news letter. The first letter was published in September 1979. The feature story of this letter was one on roses. Most Allied members sold roses for $1.00 during this month in an effort to get customers into the shops. One shop advertised "One Red Rose for One Green Dollar."

The first news letter was, as today, paid for by advertisement. Bette Odale volunteered to go out and sell ads for the new publication. She did a great job as she was successful in getting an ad from each of the following for the first letter:

Mabens of Houston Ft. Bend Florist
Pikes Peak Wholesale Florist
Southern Floral Company
Quality Wholesale Florist
Greenleaf Wholesale Florist
Houston Flower Market
Ellison's Greenhouses
Floral Service (now Taylor Wholesale Florist)
Teleflora

The letter is now edited by LaVon Bankhead and published by Stanley A Rodman of SARCO Management and Publications Inc.

In 1980, Allied began having Mall Shows. Designers set up tables and designed arrangements for the general public. The malls furnished the staging and publicity while Allied provided the designers, commentators, and flowers. One Mall Show theme was "April Showers, Spring Flowers." It was not unusual for Allied to give away 150 arrangements or a dozen green plants during one show. Allied received much advertisement and good will during the show.

On June 12-13 1981, the show at the Northwest Mall, which was directed by Mike Danna, had over 80,000 people to attend. LaVon Bankhead commentated the show.

In January 1986, Allied designed and manufactured an Allied Pin to be sold to the members for $10.00 each. Nearly 100 were sold the first year.

Allied Florists of Houston has its own office and a part-time employee, as well as a computer.

President Johnson is already at work gathering data for her annual scrap book to be presented at the TSFA convention in July. It also promises to be a winner.

Allied has just finished a series of billboard advertising which was very successful.

Also, Allied is very proud of its new library, began by President Sheri White and which President Johnson is concentrating on improving. Allied members, retailers, wholesalers, wire services, and friends have made contributions to the project.

Allied Florists of Houston has enjoyed fifty years of prosperity through smart advertising projects and much goodwill to the City of Houston with the product of beauty it sells. If the next fifty years produces half as much of these profitable ingredients, then the florists will be prosperous and the City of Houston will surely be a better place in which to live. May we begin this second 50 years with much excitement!

When you look for a florist, look for the Allied Florist logo
- your assurance of Professional Quality and Service.

Allied Florists of Houston
c/o Taylor Wholesale Florist
1601 West 21st Street
Houston, TX 77008
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