On Monday, November 7 the City of Côte Saint-Luc will host our annual Maisons Fleuries Awards Ceremony at the Aquatic and Community Centre.

I am pleased to be co-chairing the event with  fellow city councillor Sidney Benizri. This event recognizes the superb floral arrangements at homes, condominiums, apartments and business complexes.

Sidney and I decided to add something new to this year's event and that would be the presentation of our first Maisons Fleuries Lifetime Achievement Award. Quite fittingly it will be presented to Dirk Van Egmond, 92, who has devoted his life to flowers and plants. Mr Van Egmond will be present with his children and grandchildren. His wife Teuna (Toos) passed away in 2010.

Sidney Benizri, myself, Murray Van Egmond, Mayor Brownstein, Laura Trihas from Parks and Recreation, Corinne Van Egmond and Dirk Van Egmond at the nursery.

The Van Egmond family own Edgewood Florist, which they operated on Hudson Avenue in Côte Saint-Luc for 56 years. Although the business relocated to Montreal West in 2012 when the land was sold for development, Dirk continues to be a resident of Côte Saint-Luc. Edgewood and the Van Egmond family have been part of the Côte Saint-Luc landscape for more years than most residents of this city. They have played an important role in the lives of thousands over the decades, making milestone events all the more special with their beautiful floral arrangements.

I believe that this honour for Dirk Van Egmond is a long time in coming. We did not give Edgewood a proper good-bye four years ago. Dirk played such a wonderful role in the lives of our citizens. It is time to salute him and his family in public.

Adds my colleague Councillor Benizri: “Even though Edgewood is not physically located in Côte Saint-Luc, they remain very much part of our community."

Mayor Mitchell Brownstein notes that Dirk Van Egmond and Edgewood Nursery will forever be part of Côte Saint Luc. ``The wonderful gift of flowers has brought so much joy to our residents and continues to do so,” he says. “ Edgewood`s flowers have brightened all of my special family celebrations, and have brought smiles to the many who have received them as gifts for performing in our theatre productions or graced our tables at dances and special events. It is most appropriate to recognize Dirk Van Egmond`s contribution to our community at our Maison Fleuries event.”

Councillor Allan J. Levine, who has been proud to call Dirk Van Egmond a constituent for nearly three decades, notes that Hudson will always be remembered as the birthplace of Edgewood Florist. “As a high school teacher at Wagar I remember all of the students going there at prom for their corsages and boutonnières,” he recalls. “We miss their physical presence here, but are comforted by the fact they are just next door and only a phone call away.”

George Deligeorge, the city’s socio-cultural arts instructor, has once again agreed to create a surprise masterpiece for the ceremony. As in past years, the local art classes taught by Suzy Levy to display will display their floral art work. This will involve the art teacher’s work, as well as the students. The display will encompass the home and flower theme.