DO YOU KNOW: Dale Wallace

BIRTH DATE AND PLACE: November 1972, in Van Buren, Ark.

RESIDENCE: Summerville.

OCCUPATION: Owner of Blooming Dale's, Fine Floral Creations LLC, in Summerville.

FAMILY: Life partner, Dale Wherry; and our dog, an American Eskimo named Lucky.

NICKNAME: PeeWee.

EDUCATION: Westark Community College, Fort Smith, Ark.; University of the Ozarks, Clarksville, Ark.; Colorado State University, Fort Collins; American Floral Education Center, Oklahoma City.

MY JOB DESCRIPTION: Certified master florist specializing in wedding and commercial design and production.

THE MOST FULFILLING ASPECT OF MY JOB: Through the nature of my work, I have met so many wonderful and interesting people from all across the country and from all walks of life, including political dignitaries and celebrities.

THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF MY JOB: Getting my thoughts from my head to my mouth so that others can understand what I'm trying to describe to them.

WORDS THAT BEST DESCRIBE ME: Intuitive, compassionate, creative, organized and well-balanced.

AN UNFORGETTABLE MOMENT IN MY LIFE: July 7, 2007, when I accidentally swallowed a corsage pin while working on a wedding in Atlanta and was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery.

THINGS I DO IN MY SPARE TIME: I have very little spare time, so I usually spend it doing yard work and catching up on other chores.

A CELEBRITY I HAVE MET: Oprah Winfrey. She hosted a private luncheon for her staff and I got to design the flowers. It was awesome!

IF I KNEW TODAY WERE MY LAST DAY ON EARTH, I'D: Foolishly, I would probably spend it making all the floral arrangements for my funeral being the workaholic that I am. Afterward, I would host a lavish farewell gathering for all my family and friends and go out in style.

MY FIRST JOB: Picking blueberries for Simmons Farm : hated it!

INTERESTING FACT ABOUT MYSELF: I was the first male elected as the state FHA president in Arkansas.

BEST ADVICE I'VE BEEN GIVEN: My grandmother would always say to me, 'Honey, don't spend so much time trying to discover who you are, instead channel that energy in making yourself who you want to be.' It worked!

WOULD YOU EVER RUN FOR POLITICAL OFFICE: Yes! I find that many politicians today have forgotten that they are elected to serve and represent the will of the people. I have a firm belief that good communication skills embody being a great listener. It seems to me there are many people today who are hurting and pleading for change that will better their lives, and it seems to continue to fall upon deaf ears.

FAVORITE LOCAL PLACE TO EAT: Woodlands Resort and Inn.

SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT ME: That I grew up on a farm in Mulberry, Ark.

OTHER PLACES I'VE LIVED: Shreveport, La., and Honolulu.

-- Edward C. Fennell