Joliet Flower Shops

Joliet MT News

Oct 12, 2018

America in Bloom recognizes Joliet for 'Celebrating Heritage'

Shaw Media file photoCaptionAmerica in Bloom judges Stephen Pategas (left) and William Hahn (right) meet with Joliet City Arborist Jim Teiber at the Pilcher Park Nature Center during their visit to Joliet in July.Joliet received a special recognition in the 2018 America in Bloom National Awards Program. America in Bloom, an organization that rates cities in a number of areas, gave special recognition to Joliet for "Celebrating Heritage" during an awards program on Sept. 27. "There is a wealth of historic structures throughout Joliet that are protected," judges said in a written evaluation of the city. Judges noted that historic districts are marked with signage and hold house walks. They mentioned guided tours at the Rialto Square Theatre. The Joliet Area Historical Museum also was commended for "compelling displays" and outreach to the community. Rita Renwick, chairman of the Joliet Tree Board and a local coordinator along with city Arborist Jim Teiber for the America in Bloom rating, said the judges' visit provided a unique perspective on the city. "It was real eye-opening," Renwick said. "...

Feb 8, 2018

Dried Flower May Be Linked to President Lincoln

General Haynie is thought to have given the rose to Mrs. James G. Elwood, whose husband was mayor of Joliet, Illinois. Elwood’s possessions were given to the historical society and stored away after it moved to its current building in 1971. The delicate dried flower will be put on limited display. Vasko added that the only other known flowers from Lincoln’s funeral are held in the Library of Congress. For more, go to “A Bold Civil War Steamer.”...

Feb 8, 2018

Will County Historical Museum discovered flowers from Lincoln's ...

December.Volunteer Al Smuskiewicz said that the box must have been lying around for about 50 years. He said it used to be at the Joliet Public Library and then somehow ended up at the museum, which has received thousands of donated historical items from all over the county throughout the years.“It’s fascinating how it’s been lying around for all these years and it’s never really been discovered by anybody at the historical society,” Smuskiewicz said.Smuskiewicz said the flowers were clipped off by a general related to the president’s wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, and then changed hands multiple times before eventually finding its way into the possession of the wife of former Joliet Mayor James Elwood.A note by the box gives a short description of its history:“Among the James G. Elwood collection this small box was found to contain a dried flower and a note on the back is written:‘Flowers from the bier of President Lincoln, while the remains were lying in state at the capital in Washington, D.C. April 20, 1865. Presented by General J.S. Todd to General I.M. Haynie, and by him presented of Mrs. Jas. G. Elwood (nee Pearce).’Dr. James Cornelius, Lincoln curator at the Abraham Lincoln Museum in Springfield, has determined they are genuine.”To celebrate the discovery, the center will hold an unveiling on Saturday, Feb. 17, at 4 p.m. with limited tickets going for $50 a person. After the presentation, participants will be treated to a buffet dinner, silent auction and a speaker from an expert on Lincoln.The Will County Historical Museum and Research Center is located at 803 S. State St. in Lockport. (Northwest Herald)

Jan 12, 2018

Rare Lincoln funeral flower discovered at Will County Historical Museum, officials say

James G. Elwood family, a Civil War soldier and prominent Joliet citizen and former mayor.But how that old carton came to contain a flower believed to be from Abraham Lincoln's casket is an amazing mystery to Vasko, she said.Inside were many of Elwood's medals — a find in itself — along with some of his documents and papers, she said."I thought the medals were the best of the lot," she said.But she was drawn back to the slender rectangular box with the cellophane lid outlined in a gold ribbon that contained this single faded flower.The precious petals appear to be a light colored rose that had not fully bloomed, Vasko has suggested.The still intact flower and a sprig of now brown evergreen tied together with a lacy white ribbon were obviously painstakingly preserved by someone, who taped the box shut and tucked a note inside, under the flower. The words are only partially discernable.But turning the small white box over, Vasko found a handwritten message on the bottom of the box that revealed the contents:"Flowers from the bier of President Lincoln, while the remains were lying in State at the Capital in Washington, D. C. April 20, 1865. Presented by General J. S. Todd to General I. M. Haynie, and by him presented to Mrs. Jas. G. Elwood. (nee Pearce)""When I read that note, I put it down, walked out of the museum to get some fresh air. I could not believe what I read," said Vasko, who was working alone i... (Chicago Tribune)

Dec 15, 2016

Simbang Gabi heralds Christmas in Philippine tradition

Philippines, the novena known as Simbang Gabi continues a centuries-old Christmas tradition. Simbang Gabi Masses coordinated by the Joliet Diocese begin Wednesday, Dec. 14, with nine days of observances that bring Filipino culture to Catholic services. Masses will be said nightly at two West suburban churches. The Masses are set for 7 p.m. Wednesday at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Darien and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at St. Mary Immaculate Church in Plainfield. Several Catholic churches grouped in two clusters within the Joliet Diocese will take turns hosting each evening's Mass. The novena takes its name -- Simbang Gabi -- from the Philippine native language, Tagalog. "It means 'Night Mass,'" said Ditas Alzona, organizer of the special service at Christ the King Catholic Church in Lombard, which will host Simbang Gabi for the eastern cluster on Thursday, Dec. 15. Many people go to Mass on each of the nine nights to complete the novena, she said. "It's in preparation for Christmas Day, in preparation for the coming of the Lord," she said. Alzona said the Mass, which includes a children's procession, music and special readings, is similar to those observed in the islands. "The only difference is the time. Normally, in the Philippines, Simbang Gabi is celebrated at 4 o'clock in the morning because the people are fishermen or farmers,... (Chicago Daily Herald)

Nov 9, 2016

Fix up your fall container gardens

Covering the plants can keep the surrounding air temperature as much as three to five degrees warmer than the actual temperature. Joliet, Ill., garden designer Patti Kirkpatrick refreshes her containers of edibles. “I like to fill in empty spots with perennial and cool-season herbs such as sage, oregano and parsley,” she says. “Greet your guests with a taste of things to come in your holiday feasts — use the herbs in your cooking as well as fresh fillers in a centerpiece for a beautiful table later this fall.” Kirkpatrick also uses twigs to give height to pots. “I add curly willow branches that can be used natural, or you can spray paint them.” For texture, she adds cut flowering stems of ornamental grasses. “Panicums (native switch grass) work well, as do Calamagrostis (feather reed grass) and some Miscanthus. And yes, you can spray paint them all too.” When designing fall containers, McGuire looks to plant combinations that offer contrasting foliage and texture. In the center of a pot, she may use Toffee Twist sedge (Carex flagellifera ‘Toffee Twist’) because of its beautiful toasted coppery brown corkscrew leaves. “It makes it much more interesting than just flower color — I just love it.” You will too. (Duluth News Tribune)