Beautiful Success RELLES FLORIST CELEBRATES 70 YEARS IN BUSINESS
R
elles Florist will mark its 70th anniversary on Wednesday, Oct. 19, with a celebration and open house at 2400 J St. Relles Florist was founded by Ross Relles Sr. in 1946. Born in Sicily in 1914, Relles moved to Sacramento with his parents and three brothers in 1920, eventually graduating from Sacramento High School and going on to play football at Sacramento City College and Santa Clara University. He later attended Arizona State Teachers College, where he met his future wife, Margaret, and completed his degree in physical education. While applying for a teaching job, Relles discovered that he was not an American citizen, which thwarted his plans. So he changed course and entered the floral industry, eventually opening Relles Florist in its first location, 2220 J St., and hiring friends and future florists Don Procida and Al Balshor to work with him. Supported by Margaret, the business flourished. The Relles family moved into their home on Janey Way in 1948, and a Relles has been in residence ever since. As time went on, the family expanded into the surrounding neighborhood. Margaret moved to 41st Street, where she looked on proudly as her grandchildren grew, experienced the joys of an East Sac childhood and attended David Lubin
RM By Rachel Matuskey East Sac Life
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two-night celebration of German culture featuring traditional German music, dancing, food and drink. The Gruber Family Band will play in the main hall on both nights, while local favorite AKAlive rocks the crowd in the second-floor Festhalle. The Alpentanzer Schuhplattler will perform traditional German dances each evening, and wandering accordionists will fill the air with German folk songs.
The festival, now in its 49th year, is a smaller-scale version of Munich's worldfamous, centuries-old folk festival.
Relles Florist was founded by Ross Relles Sr. in 1946
Elementary. Some eventually joined the family business as well. After Relles passed away in 1972, his sons, Tom and Jim, came onboard to help Margaret run the business, later joined by their sister, JoAnn. In 1980, the florist moved to its current location at 2400 J St. Tom Relles has since retired, but Jim Relles and JoAnn Relles Bradley continue to run Relles Florist, aided by many others, including Alicia and Colby Relles,
who represent the third generation of family to work in the store. The Relles Florist 70th anniversary celebration will be on Wednesday, Oct. 19, from 5 to 9 p.m. For more information, visit rellesflorist.com.
RAISE A STEIN TO OCTOBER Oktoberfest returns to Sacramento Turn Verein this month with a
The festival, now in its 49th year, is a smaller-scale version of Munich's world-famous, centuries-old folk festival. Authentic Oktoberfest beer, shipped from Munich, will be available for purchase in Turn Verein's outdoor biergarten. Oktoberfest runs Friday, Oct. 7, from 6 p.m. to midnight and Saturday, Oct. 8, from 3 p.m. to midnight. General admission is $20. Children ages 6-12 are $5, and children under 6 get in free. To purchase tickets, visit sacramentoturnverein.com. Turn Verein is at 3349 J St.