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Coast to Coast: August/September 2006
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Bob Newton AIFD, CAFA, AAF, WFC
One of the most respected leaders of the Canadian floral industry, Bob Newton has decided to retire after 55 successful years in the business.
Newton began his career as a stock and delivery boy at
Elford’s Florist in the Toronto area. He soon found that he had a
flair for floral design and he continued his education by working at
Cira Flowers, and Percy Waters Florist. Eventually he and his wife,
Anna, owned and operated three major flower shops in Toronto.
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| Bob Newton and Brenda Jones at the 2006 Wedding Show presented by Flowers Canada Toronto Chapter in June. Newton was presented a bouquet to commemorate his retirement. |
He became vice president of United Flowers-By-Wire (UFC) and in 1979
became partners with Teleflora chairman Emeritus and AFS founder Herman
Meinders forming AFS Canada. In 2000, AFS joined Teleflora, and Newton
became president of Teleflora Canada.
His honours include Flowers Canada National’s ‘President’s Award,’ the
CAFA ‘President’s Award,’ and the World Flower Council’s ‘Floral Noble
Prize.’
CIFD Celebrates 3,000 Graduate
The Canadian Institute of Floral Design (CIFD) recently celebrated the graduation of the 3000th student from the Professional 105 Hour Diploma Program, which was held at Royal Green in Mississauga, Ont.
One of the school’s former graduates, Millie Wong,
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| Former CIFD student Millie Wong. |
AIFD, CAFA executed outstanding floral designs, using new materials from Royal Green’s ‘Permanent Botanical’ line. CIFD graduates and guests watched with delight as the former two-time winner of Flowers Canada’s Gold Cup Award, and now principal designer for Royal Green, created a spectacular arrangements. Bob Ross, CIFD instructor, also participated in the design event.
Don Waltho, CIFD President, took the opportunity to formally announce and welcome Millie Wong to the CIFD Faculty through her participation on the Education Committee. Millie will be contributing to the development and facilitation of the new CIFD Master Florist Program.
Congratulations go to Trang Nguyen
A recent graduate from Canadian Institute of Floral Design, Trang Nguyen won the Flowers Canada 2006 Gold Cup Award – A Bridal Dream – Student Division
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Trang Nguyen’s constructed a “Composite Flower” Design.
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Nguyen constructed a “Composite Flower” Design – pedals of Cymbidium and Mini Cymbidium Orchids glued in layers, in a cone covered with sisal, floral hair and decorative metallic wire. Crystal accents hung from underneath along with lily grass. The arrangement was mounted on a board of woven lily grass and edged with natural bamboo.
Participating in the Mayor’s Hope for Charities 
Voted the best Mayor in Canada – Mississauga’s Hazel McCallion with Don Waltho and Emily Mays from Canadian Institute of Floral Design. They discussed the floral industry and the impact Mississauga has with the national floral business.
The 2006 Wedding Show
Flowers Canada Toronto Chapter presented The 2006 Wedding Show ‘Three Men & A Wedding’ at La Primavera Banquet Hall in Woodbridge, Ont., this  past June. With 200 tickets presold, the event was a huge success. The audience indulged in cocktails and a buffet, and then sat down to enjoy three renowned Canadian designers share the stage. Neville MacKay from Halifax, Joel Marc Frappier from Quebec, and J. Paul Jaras from Calgary presented stunning arrangements, while they playfully bantered with each other and the members of the audience.
Marguerite Lougheed
1930-2006
After a courageous battle with cancer, Marguerite Lougheed passed away suddenly on Wednesday, June 7th with her husband of 56 years, Gerry Lougheed Sr., at her side.
Born in Staples, Ontario, she met Gerry Lougheed in high school. She was a teacher and assisted her husband who held the position of manager of the Morris Funeral Homes and Flower Shops during her off hours. It was during this period that Marguerite received her training in the flower business. In 1952 Gerry and Marguerite founded the Lougheed Funeral Home, Flower Shop, and Ambulance Service in Sudbury. She continued teaching in Sudbury until their business required her presence full time. For many years she held the Directorship with Toronto’s Humber College Retail Floriculture Board and also was a Director on Cambrian College’s Floral Proramme.
She didn’t seek the spotlight for her many good deeds in the community, but her funeral was a lavish affair. The alter was adorned with four huge arrangements of pink and white Ecuadorian roses and every person who attended the service was presented with a flower in her honour.
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