On October 11th, the Michigan Floral Foundation (MFF) inducted Mrs. Bobbi Ecker-Blatchford AAF, AIFD, PFCI into its Hall of Fame. The event was held in the beautiful Pantlind Ballroom at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, MI.
The evening was presented in William Shakespeare play fashion, and featured three acts. Act One: The Preview, Act Two: Everybody Has A Story and Act Three: Encore. Michigan Floral Association (MFA) President Alice Waterous AIFD, CF, PFCI and Mrs. Norma Chapman emceed the event. Laura Parker AIFD, CF gave the invocation.
One of the many highlights of the evening was presented during Act Two. It was a video production telling the life story of Bobbi. For those that missed the event but would like to watch the video it can be viewed online at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6DDhcAqIss&feature=youtu.be
After the video was shown we heard from Bobbi’s son Bruce Ecker, her daughter Cyndi Campbell and her uncles John and Arthur Kurtt. MFA Executive Vice President Rod Crittenden wrapped up the remarks and introduced Jeanette Ballien, MFF Chair, who welcomed Bobbi to the stage for the award presentation.
Act Three: The Encore included a wonderful inspirational talk by the inductee Bobbi. In her energetic, optimistic voice Bobbi acknowledged many of the dignitaries in the audience, including Bob Williams current Society of American Florists’ (SAF) President and Red Kennicott, a SAF Past President. “Thank you for the support and encouragement of each and everyone of you,” Bobbi continued. She closed with a favorite poem, “God spoke, and from the arid scene, Sprang lush and verdant bowers. And when the earth was beautiful and green, He smiled……….and there were flowers.”
The Michigan Floral Foundation would like to give a special thanks to the following corporate sponsors (listed alphabetically) for their gracious support of the Foundation and the Hall of Fame dinner:
AIFD North Central Chapter; Al Cooley Photography; Fern Trust; *FloraCraft Corporation; Nordlie, Inc; Wm. F. Puckett Ferns; *Smithers – Oasis; *Teleflora
*Indicates Full Table Sponsorship for the event
Anyone wishing to honor Mrs. Bobbi Ecker-Blatchford through a donation to the Michigan Floral Foundation (MFF) is welcome to do so. Donations are 100-percent tax deductible. Donations can be mailed to the MFF, P.O. Box 67, Haslett, MI. 48840, made online at www.michiganfloral.org/mff.html or call (517) 575-0110 for more information
Source: Michigan Floral Foundation