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arrangements for the September 2015 visit from Pope Francis. While the inauguration was very much decorated, arrangements for His Holiness were less so. “There were only white flowers and there weren’t many,” she said. “It was very understated.” The florists were not able to see the pope as they were in the downstairs White House flower shop. “I did see the motorcade – it was surreal,” she said.

“So much is not allowed at these events,” said Mitchell. “There were checkpoints, you had to have background checks done and have name tags, and armed security was all over.”

She was barely unpacked when she received yet another invitation by a group of professional florists to go to Belgium in 2019 to create pieces for Fleuramour, a worldwide event of florists displaying their art. The event is held at the National Commandery at Alden Biesen Castle. “The castle used to be a men’s military facility and they turned the whole area into the Fleuramour, including the grounds,” said Mitchell. The stable was also transformed. “This is now a theater, and they held a runway couture show there,” she said. The florists all stayed on the grounds in dorm type rooms, which Mitchell appreciated. “It was really great – talking to other designers from all over the world,” she said. “I’d like to go back.”

Mitchell, who has had a passion for flower arranging since high school, doesn’t take any of this for granted. “I’ve never asked – they’ve just come about,” she said. Her time is spent creating pieces for funerals, weddings, gatherings, nonprofit events for the community, and proms. “They come in here, dressed and with their hair done, and it’s lovely,” she said. She also offers private floral classes for birthday, bachelorette, and other parties. n

Flowers & Such

910 S Main St, Adrian 517.263.0274 

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