On Tuesday, June 5th family friends and fellow FNGLA members gathered at the Big Dog Ranch in Loxahatchee to celebrate the life of Carmen L. Quinn, known to many of you as the co-owner of Quintessence Nursery on Okeechobee Blv. She was passionate about her family, friends, and employees and spent most of her adult life around plants and the Nursery industry. She loved interacting and getting to know her customers and had a loyal following. She was the co-owner of Quinntessence Nursery in Loxahatchee, Florida for the past eighteen years with Joey. She loved the ocean and spent her leisure time at the beach or boating with her family. Sanibel Island was one of her favorite places. Carmen was a special person, for those who met her, even for the first time, sensed her deep authenticity and compassionate soul. Everyone who walked away from her felt positive and uplifted.

She is survived by her son Shane Quinn from Miami, her daughter Shannon (Cliff) Koziel from Boca Raton, her older sister Tina Craig from Albany, NH and her former husband Joey Quinn from Royal Palm Beach. 

In her honor a 'Shady Lady' tree was planted. Family and friends remembered her life and the special relationship she had with the Shady Lady-Black Olive tree (Bucida Buceras).

She will be missed dearly .

Special thanks to Quintessence Nursery and A Cut Above Landscaping for the tree and the installation.
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On May 5th FNGLA Palm Beach chapter members and friends gathered at the Singer Island Sailfish
Marina. After a long day all 11 boats and crews came in with their catch: Wahoo, Dolphin, being as always the favorites. Later in the evening fishermen and friends enjoyed a delicious dinner at the marina while winners were rewarded with their trophies.

The evening ended with a silent auction and a raffle.

Thank you to our sponsors, without you this wouldn't be possible:

​The Bushell Stop - Atlas Peat and Soil, Inc
Armand Professional Services - Atchinson Exotics - Excelsa Gardens - Core & Main - Harrell's - LPL FINAncial-Matt Antos - Port Consolidated - White Rock Quarries - A One Stop Garden Shop -
​Green Team Landscapes - Halsey & Griffith Office Supplies

Our latest social was a success! Located at the waterfront, Colin invited all members to Frigate's for a casual meeting. Generously sponsored by PNC Bank, it was a great opportunity to mix and mingle and catch up with everyone. Stay tuned for more events!

TPIE 2018 is a wrap and this years edition exceeded all expectations! With 6,092 industry professionals from 46 states and nationals from 51 nations, the 'I' for International really hit it home!
I had the pleasure to attend the show on Wednesday and was glad to see how well our Palm Beach chapter was represented: not only by our wonderful nurseries but also by other suppliers to our industry. If you haven't gone this year, make sure to plan ahead for next year's edition at the Broward County convention center and go see what all the fuzz is about!

Take a look at some of our member's stands at the show:
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On December 2nd, our chapter members took a break from their snow-plowing activities and gathered for our annual Christmas party. Ed Bravo, current FNGLA State president, Billy Butterfield, Past President, Linda Adams, C.O.O., and Lind Reindl, Director of Education were among the many invitees, including members from our neighboring Broward and Treasure coast chapters.
This year the "ugly sweater' contest was undoubtedly the highlight of the evening, with Colin Friedrich , Chapter President leading the festivities.
And as always we would like to thank our members and our sponsors without who this wouldn't be made possible:

Atlas Peat & Soil, YardCo, FloridaCoast Equipment, A One Stop Garden Shop, A Cut Above Landscape, Atchison Exotics, BASF the Chemical Company, Everglades Farm Equipment, Excelsa Gardens, Green Automation, Green Team Solutions, Advanced Botanicals, ARM International, Country Joe's Nursery, LPL Financial, Mulvehill Nursery and Quintessence Nursery.

Today marks the 287th (!) birthday of Dutch scientist Jan Ingenhousz, who discovered the principle of photosynthesis, basically the stuff that makes plants grow! Look him up on Wikipedia; an interesting fellow!

https://www.cnet.com/news/discoverer-of-photosynthesis-celebrated-in-google-doodle/ 

On November 8th, 2017 Members of the FNGLA Palm Beach chapter placed a commemorative plaque and planted a beautiful Royal Poinciana tree at the Big Dog Rescue facility in Loxahatchee grove in honor of Elyse Ryan, who passed away July 23rd. 
Chapter President Colin Friedrich recalled some memorable moments of Elyse's rich life in front of a group of family, friends and fellow chapter members.

John and Elise Ryan had been married for more than 50 years, and they have three children and eight grandchildren.  The Ryan's moved to Loxahatchee Groves in 1998.  In addition to remodeling their home, they converted the citrus grove portion of their property into a wholesale nursery,  Color Garden Farms, until 2013, when a larger company assumed and expanded the business.

Read all about what's going on in our industry here:

http://mailchi.mp/e412a11e33e2/latest-greatest-from-your-palm-beach-fngla-1933397

This year's annual meeting was held at The Butchers' Shop, West Palm's newest hip place to enjoy lunch or Dinner. 

Our freshly elected FNGLA President Ed Bravo was in attendance, Matt Antos introduced our new local board members and Brandon Balch was showered in accolades for the great work he did as this past year's President. 

​It was yet another great evening of mingling with peers and sharing stories and experiences!