Florist honored in Lewis County

LOWVILLE — A Lowville florist has been named the 27th annual Lewis County Chamber of Commerce Businessperson of the Year.

Heidi F. VanZandt, owner of Sunnycrest Flowers on East State Street, will receive the award at a dinner Dec. 3 at the 3-G fire hall on Blue Street, Glenfield.

"We're very excited for her," said chamber Director Anne L. Merrill. "It's well deserved."

While a nominating committee typically selects the annual award recipient, there were so many strong nominees this year the matter was brought to the full chamber board of directors for a final decision, Mrs. Merrill said.

Ms. VanZandt was selected based on the success of her business, dedication to customer service and support for community events, she said.

"She's extremely well-liked through the community and always volunteering," Mrs. Merrill said.

Ms. VanZandt and her husband, Eric J. Virkler, Lewis County's economic development director, have owned and operated Sunnycrest Flowers here since May 1999, beginning in a leased storefront on North State Street. The business, which employs five, moved to its current location at 7502 E. State St. in October 2001.

Ms. VanZandt has served as advertising and marketing coordinator for the Lowville Cream Cheese Festival for the past two years. She also designed the logo for Lowville Academy and Central School's bicentennial celebration last year. She was a member of Operation Lowville for eight years, also designing logos for that organization and the annual Lewis County Harvest of the Arts.

Ms. VanZandt — the daughter of Charlotte VanZandt, Lowville, and John F. VanZandt, Glenfield — graduated from Lowville Academy and Central School in 1984. She earned an associate degree in advertising design from Cazenovia College and a bachelor's degree in graphic design from the College of St. Rose, Albany.

She and her husband purchased a flower shop in Syracuse at Midler Avenue and Sunnycrest Road in 1995 and renamed it Sunnycrest Flowers. They moved back to Lowville in 1997 when Mr. Virkler took a job as chief financial officer at Lewis County General Hospital.

The annual award dinner — featuring ham and turkey — will begin at 7 p.m., with a social hour at 6 p.m. The cost is $20 per person. Reservations may be made by calling the chamber office at 376-2213, with a cutoff date of Nov. 19. A silent auction also will be held that evening.