Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 13, 1993 TAG: 9301130014
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
SNIP GOES THE FLORIST!
Maybe it's Bill Clinton's allergies, or maybe it's austerity, but florist Jeff Corbin hopes it's a positive sign that there will be fewer flowers and plants than usual at inaugural festivities this year.There also will be fewer florists.
Corbin, who helped decorate the governor's mansion for the holidays last month, had been among those selected to apply their floral-arranging skills at the various inaugural activities.
But last weekend he learned that the number of florists for the inaugural had been cut from about 90 to 30, and he was not on the short list.
While he's "a little disappointed," the 29-year-old Culpeper native said he was "not heartbroken."
Speaking from Radford City Florist, one of two flower shops he runs in downtown Radford, Corbin tried to put a positive spin on the matter. "I hope he's cutting back in all areas like he's doing with the flowers."
In any case, he hopes it has nothing to do with partisan politics. "No one ever asked me who I voted for," he said.
Corbin said he has learned that President-elect Clinton, working through his representatives on the inaugural committee, was "having a heavier hand" in the floral arrangements.
He said Clinton was making choices in the kinds and number of flowers and the same flowers and plants may be "recycled" from one inaugural activity to another.
Typically, there are two dozen or so receptions, dinners and galas around the capital city for a presidential inauguration.
Florists lucky enough to draw inaugural duty are those who already have paid their dues and are held in high esteem by their industry colleagues.
"People have to know your work, they have to know your reputation," said Corbin, who started in the floral trade at age 16, as a delivery boy.
In the past, massive numbers of flowers and plants have been pressed into service to welcome a new president. The Bush inaugural four years ago used 40,000 roses, 27,000 carnations and 10,000 chrysanthemums, among other flowers, plants and even trees.
While Corbin was looking forward to going to the capital as a volunteer member of the Society of American Florists, he said the 30 remaining floral arrangers will have their hands full.
"From what I hear is going on up there, I think I'm better off right here," he said.
But he won't be staying home Jan. 20.
His sister, Linda Corbin, and her Culpeper catering service have been chosen to serve an Inauguration Day luncheon to the presidential party as Clinton travels from Monticello to Washington before to the swearing-in.
Corbin said he'll be on hand to help out. "One way or another, I'll be involved," he said.
Corbin also said he plans to bid on providing flowers this spring when Gov. Douglas Wilder's daughter is married. He's already on the schedule to decorate for Christmas at the governor's mansion next December.