Local News
On the Job: Jane McCurley, floral designer, Dill’s Florist
AMERICUS — Jane McCurley stands behind an island desk at Dill’s Florist on East Forsyth Street. She removes a yellow rose, and other flowers, holds them up and scans them. Carefully, she shapes the flowers, snipping at their green stems before once again holding them up for inspection. McCurley then produces a clear piece of plastic, decorated with a yellow design along with a two strands of gold and white ribbon. Carefully she folds the plastic and flowers together, getting that “just right” desirable shape, before joining the two with the ribbon. She holds up the flowers once more for inspection and smiles as she hands her creation over to the customer.
It is with a true love for her craft and a keen eye that has kept McCurley as a floral designer for the past 15 years at Dill’s Florist. The job is her true passion, and it shows through the bouquet designs and window displays that she puts together.
“I started working here part-time on Valentine’s Day,” said McCurley, “and I have been here ever since.” With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, McCurley said she is preparing the best she can. “Valentines is our busiest day of the year,” said McCurley. “Christmas and Mothers’ Day you have a couple of days to get ready, but with Valentine’s it all falls on one day.”
McCurley was born and raised in Atlanta, and lived there until 1972, when she and her husband packed up and moved to Americus. “I didn’t work when my kids were growing up, but whenever they got into junior high I decided that I can go back to work,” said McCurley. “When we moved here I worked with my husband for 10 years as a bookkeeper. Eventually he sold the business and I got back into being a floral designer.”
McCurley said that one of her favorite parts of the job is the atmosphere. “We have a really good working relationship here; everybody is family here. Plus I am surrounded by beautiful things every day, and have a chance to do artistically whatever I want to make and do.”
Even though the flower designer world could be looked on as a stress-free job, McCurley says that sometimes it can become hectic. “Sometimes people think that working with flowers is a nice, peaceful thing, and it can be, but we have deadlines every day so you have to be able to get it done, and make it look different.”
When McCurley is not busy designing floral arrangements and window displays, she is designing meals for family and friends. “I do enjoy cooking,” McCurley said with a smile. “I like fixing for parties, and cooking for a crowd.”
McCurley said that in the summertime she loves to go to the lake and enjoy all the things that it has to offer.
- Local News
-
-
Unmarked Eastview graves revealed
-
Sumter YDC to hold graduation
Sumter Youth Development Campus to hold graduation: One student at the Sumter Youth Development Campus (YDC) will receive his high school diploma, 11 will graduate with their equivalency degrees (GEDs) and two students will receive technical certificates from South Georgia Technical College at a graduation ceremony at 10 a.m. today at the YDC facility.
-
Plains agrees to Sumter County fire protection
- Commissioners OK fire contracts with cities
- Dwight Harris Boys Club keeps promise to Millard Fuller
-
Good housekeeping skills pay off
-
Amy’s School of Dance wins many awards at competition
-
BOC to hold special called meeting today
The Sumter County Board of Commissioners has a special called meeting at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Board of Commissioners’ Board Room to discuss the approval of any contracts with any municipalities that have elected to contract with the Sumter County Board of Commissioners for providing fire and emergency services.
-
SGTC, TCSG set enrollment record
- Andersonville partners with Sumter Fire
- More Local News Headlines
-
