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A newsletter by harkins, the florist
The Wonderful Easter Lily Plant
Since Katrina, blooming plants other than orchids and bromeliads are seldom seen in flower shops in this part of the world. Now is the time to enjoy one of the exceptions, the Easter lily plant. The other exception is the poinsettia.
Both of these plants come to us, as they have for 30 years, from the premier grower in this area, Bill Parker of Bogalusa. Year in, year out he brings us superior plants. Bill is the son-in-law of one of the five Pugh family florists once stretching from Baton Rouge to Pascagoula, MS.
Jawn enjoys continuing this Mom and Pop connection in the age of florists being threatened with extinction.
The Easter lily goes through a blooming cycle lasting at least two weeks, and then there is a bulb one can save for next year. Treat someone this year to one of these special plants!
A Singular Irish Channel Character…
Each year the St. Patrick’s Day parade seems to get larger and fancier. There has been quite an evolution over the years. For the past 26 years now, at Magazine and Felicity, float #1 waits by our front door to begin the parade.
Things were quite different when Jawn arrived in “da Channel” back in 1974. As the picture below illustrates, a pick-up truck was the Corner Club’s mode of transportation rather than today’s Blaine Kern creations.
Of special nostalgic interest is the gentleman to the left in the Irishman’s cap and glasses, one Herbie Cook. He is one of those wonderful characters out of the old Irish Channel days. When Jawn was teaching his daughter, Annie, and son-in-law, Rodney, at Redemptorist High School, little did he realize that there would be a life-long bond with the Cooks.
The real Channel was dying out back in the mid 1970s, most residents having moved to Kenner or Terrytown. Herbie Cook was not one to leave, however. He was the proprietor of a fine drinking emporium he named, tongue in cheek, The 801 Roach Palace. He also had an old-time corner grocery on Ninth Street.
As sure as there was a St. Patrick’ parade, Herbie would be there. At some point he got an 18-wheeler flatbed he decorated and dubbed “The Mixed Breeds.” For years he would pull up on the side of the flower shop on Felicity waiting to be added to the parade. Even after Herbie’s funeral a few years back the tradition lives on. The family still does the truck float. It has been demoted to the last unit in the parade, behind all the fancy floats, but it is still there. Watch for it next year!
Herbie and his family have been loyal customers of harkins, the florist throughout the 30 years. He is remembered for the lavish funeral pieces he ordered. Very memorable was a floral shotgun house for the funeral of an Irish patron who would leave the bar each evening saying “I’m a going to me house.” More of a challenge was a floral roast beef sandwich when one of his competitors at Parasol’s passed.
Times are not so lean, and harkins no longer does “solid pieces” other than hearts and crosses. There had to be an exception awhile back, however, for Mrs. Cook’s funeral. As a tribute to her passion there was a floral Mrs. Pac Man.
Times don’t always change for the better. The early version of St. Patty’s parade and Irish Channel characters like Herbie are truly missed.
Costa Rica Gladioli!
Throughout the history of harkins, the florist, customers have looked forward to the arrival of Michigan glads. Just as with Beaujolais Nouveau in the Spring, June marks the arrival of this quality product from the Midwest at an affordable price.
We are happy to announce a great development. Through our shipper in Miami, similar, good quality, affordable glads are coming to us each week on Mondays. We are told they will be available virtually year round. The cash and carry price is just $11.93 for a 10-stem bunch. Come on down!
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