News : Vinton florists help decorate Terrace Hill for Christmas

Joanna Kalina and Emily Cashman helped decorate Terrace Hill for Christmas.

Joanna Kalina (r) at Terrace Hill with Iowa First Lady Chris Branstad & Shelly Sarver of the IFA.

Of the areas she decorated at Terrace Hill, this mantel is Joanna Kalina's favorite.

Two Vinton florists were among the Iowans who helped decorate the Governor’s Mansion for Christmas, 2014.

Joanna Kalina and Emily Cashman, who work together with Cindy Elwick’s staff at Nature’s Corner, went separately to Terrace Hill.

Joanna received an invitation from her friend, Iowa Florist Association Board member Shelly Sarver, a Pella wedding planner, to help decorate a guest bedroom. Both became Master Florists last year. Joanna had attended Kirkwood College with the idea of becoming a teacher, but said that career “didn’t feel right.” She left job applications at several locations, and Cindy was the first to call her. Although she had never worked with flowers before, Joanna quickly learned how much she enjoyed it. She earned her Master Florist status a year ago.

Emily Cashman, a 2014 graduate of Vinton-Shellsburg, was among the first FFA Floriculture team members. She is now in her second semester at Kirkwood, studying Horticulture/Floral Careers, and also interning at Nature’s Corner. She participated in the Terrace Hill decorating via her college. Kirkwood students have often been among those Iowans helping prepare Terrace Hill for the holiday season.

“It was so much fun,” said Joanna. “It was great to be reminded how much I love working with my hands.”

Joanna thanked to Sarver for sharing her her talent and supplies.

“We had a blast putting everything together in that guest bedroom,” she adds.

Those who helped decorate for Christmas also have a chance to decorate Terrace Hill for the next big event.

Joanna says, “The President of the Iowa Florist Association, Laurel Hollopeter, wrote everyone who helped and said we are all invited to help again next year and we are also invited to help decorate for the inaugural ball this coming January, That is so exciting.”