[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 9, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S535-S536]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING CHAPEL HILL FLORAL

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, this Sunday, we celebrate 
Valentine's Day, when couples across the world take a moment to slow 
down and show each other their appreciation and love. Along with ``Be 
My Valentine'' cards and boxes of chocolate, one of the symbols most 
connected with this special day is a beautiful bouquet of red roses. 
With that in mind, I wish to recognize a small florist in my home State 
of Maine that continually provides customers with quality flowers and 
gifts--and at this time of year, makes Valentine's Day a sweet event.
  Chapel Hill Floral, a small flower shop in Bangor, opened its doors 
on the corner of West Broadway and Hammond Street in October of 2000. 
The full service florist sells a wide variety of floral arrangements 
for all occasions, from weddings to birthdays to everyday moments. 
Additionally, Chapel Hill stocks a number of plants, as well as baskets 
and hangers for them. The store also sells a vast array of gifts to 
complement any floral selection, including Boyd's bears, local wines 
from nearby Winterport Winery, and delicious staples from Maine-based 
Stonewall Kitchen.
  A name synonymous with quality in the Bangor region, Chapel Hill has 
three Maine master floral designers on staff. This designation was 
established in 2003 for those passing a wide-ranging course in floral 
mechanics and techniques offered by the Maine State Florists' and 
Growers' Association. Indeed, Chapel Hill's dedication to excellence 
and its employees' sense of pride in their work has led to a truly 
satisfied clientele.

[[Page S536]]

  Additionally, to build a bond with the local community, Chapel Hill 
Floral offers a series of timely and entertaining classes on how to 
design beautiful floral arrangements. Most recently, in preparation for 
Valentine's Day, Chapel Hill offered the ``Prelude to a Kiss'' class, 
where students turned a half-dozen red roses into a beautiful display 
with several accoutrements, such as babies' breath and Calyx leaves. 
Other classes in the near future include the hopeful and aptly named 
``Tropical Getaway'' and ``Spring in a Basket.'' Additionally, for 
anyone who places an order prior to Valentine's Day, their name will be 
automatically placed in a drawing for an overnight weekend stay at the 
Lucerne Inn, one of Maine's most quaint and historic hotels. The 
package includes dinner for two, Sunday brunch, and a dozen beautiful 
red roses, making it the perfect romantic getaway!
  Finally, Chapel Hill's superb work has been recognized by Market 
Surveys of America as the ``Best Flower Shop'' in the Greater Bangor 
area 3 years in a row, from 2007 to 2009. Additionally, Mark Pellon, 
who is one of Chapel Hill's Maine master floral designers was named the 
Maine State Florists' and Growers' Association's Designer of the Year 
for 2008, a distinct and well-
deserved honor.
  Clearly, Chapel Hill Floral has made a lasting impression on its 
customers in the Bangor area, and the company's unique marketing 
efforts are truly noteworthy. My sincerest thanks to owners Barbara and 
Rick Frye and everyone at Chapel Hill Floral for all of their excellent 
work, and my best wishes for a pleasant Valentine's season and a 
successful year.

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