Courtesy of One Southern Indiana
One hundred is often a number of perfection. It's a lengthy collection of years that make up a century. And for Lana and David Aebersold of New Albany, it's a milestone for their family, their business, and their community.
This year marks the centennial celebration for the family-owned florist, which opened in its current location at 1217 Silver Street as a lone building in a field on a dirt road that turned to gravel and then into a paved thoroughfare. Aebersold Florist itself grew through a number of transformations to become the full-service floral business and gift shop that it is today, including its second location at 7414 Hwy. 311/Suite 1 in Sellersburg.
To celebrate, the third- and fourth-generation owners will treat the public to a variety of activities and special services "as our way of thanking people for their support and of giving back to the community we have always called home," Lana Aebersold said.
Historic photographs of the business and its owners are positioned throughout the display areas, and the public is invited to visit both sites and register to win a $100 bouquet that will be given away the last Friday of every month this year.
100th BIRTHDAYS Honoring others who likewise are celebrating 100 years, the floral shop will deliver a vase of one dozen red roses to any Clark or Floyd County resident on his or her birthday in 2008. The florist's employees will soon begin delivering single red roses as random acts of kindness among each season's special activities and gifts to the public. In the spring Aebersolds will host a drawing at each store for a $100 gift certificate (for flowers or gifts including Vera Bradley items) to commemorate Mother's Day, which also is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
Aebersold will again provide all centerpieces for the fourth annual Women in Philanthropy Regional Celebration at Caesars Indiana on Saturday, May 17. At that time, community foundations serving Clark, Crawford, Floyd, Harrison, Orange, and Washington counties will unite to each honor a Woman Philanthropist of the Year from people nominated by the public.
In June, the business will host those who contracted Aebersold to design their wedding flowers at any time in past decades. Details of the special event as well as other activities will appear in the media later this year.
Sharing the milestone of 100 years, Aebersold Florist will deliver an arrangement of red roses to Clark and Floyd County residents who turn 100 in 2008. Lara Aebersold Collett, manager of the floral and gift shop at 1217 Silver Street in New Albany, and her mother, owner Lana Aebersold, represent the fourth and third generations of the family-owned business founded there in 1908. To submit the name of someone who will turn 100 this year, call Lana Aebersold at (812) 945-2544 or email davida@aebersoldflorist.com. Among special centennial events, the public may register at the New Albany location or at the Sellersburg shop at 7414 Hwy. 311 for a $100 floral arrangement to be given away each month.
