|
|
The Guide |
Photos |
Videos |
Columns |
Calendar
|
|
Throughout history and maybe even more so today, greatness seems to get labeled on a first name basis. There was Samson and Delilah (you never hear it Delilah and Samson do you?), Victoria and Albert and Laurel and Hardy. On a first name basis only are today's sports legends. Everybody knows who Michael is on the basketball court, and there's Isaiah, Magic, Kareem and more. Baseball has its Mickey and Willie and Babe. Other sports have Pele, Tiger, Chrissy and Martina.
In this little industry of ours, the great ones not only rise to the top, their first names become iconic as well, and no last names are necessary. We have Linda and Jan, Bruce, Christopher, Don and Dolly; and then there's Dottie and Judy. Not Dottie Blanchard and Judy Gorman, not Judy and Dottie - always Dottie and Judy. Forever - Dottie and Judy.
These two lovely women of the balloon and floral industries were teaching in these fields since, well, since teaching was being taught! In its infancy, back in the mid-1980's, BALLOONS & Parties Magazine featured design work from this most dynamic duo on a regular basis. They moved easily from floral to balloon centerpieces to sculptures, fantasy flowers and everything in between. Their work, created together, was a unique synthesis of style and grace, that always seemed to have a particular "Dottie and Judy" look to it. Whether they were creating a set design for a magazine photo shoot or a balloon manufacturer's advertising slick, building unique centerpieces for a balloon convention, setting up a trade show booth or teaching a class how to work with flowers, nothing they created was ever short of beautiful - nothing!
And to me - they were always together. If you bumped into one, the other was rarely far behind. Dottie, the quiet one, gentile and dignified, always a lady, well dressed (even in jeans) and almost never without a smile on her face. Judy, the loud one, boisterous, fun and always ready for a confrontation that would inevitably end in a good long, loud laugh.
They traveled the world for the balloon industry and in a quiet way they have influenced all of us. Practically no balloon product has gone untouched by their hands of genius. As individuals they seemed so very different. As a team they worked together quietly and tirelessly until whatever they were producing was perfect.
The photo on this page was taken just four days before a car accident broke up this formidable team. I remember trying hard NOT to get them in the picture as I was hoping to get a good shot of another beautiful creation of theirs. I won't soon forgive myself for excluding them from this photograph, one of the very last images of their brilliant work together.
It was just four days before this senseless accident we were having dinner together; talking shop, laughing, and then saying goodbye until we meet in a week's time at the next balloon convention. We hugged and bid each other safe travels and looked forward to each other's company once again.
But now Dottie is gone; killed in an instant by an oncoming SUV. Judy fights on in a hospital bed as she struggles to recover; a process I am told that may take two years of recuperation and even then to never be the same.
I cry as I write this for so many reasons. I shed tears for two families devastated by such a simple act - a moment's mistake in a moving vehicle. I mourn the loss of a wonderful person and friend. I weep for the pain and suffering another friend has been and will be enduring for years to come. I lament the loss of these two wonderful teachers from the balloon landscape and how much their talents will be missed.
Goodbye Dottie - Rest In Peace.
Godspeed Judy - Only a swift and complete recovery should be yours.
FOREVER - Dottie and Judy.
MZ
