Garden Hat Project to benefit Edison & Ford Winter Estates Education Programs

Mina Edison loved hats as did many of the fashionable ladies of her time.  They were beautifully adorned with lace, feathers, jewels, veils and other additions which were crafted of straw, organdy, felt and other materials. 

In honor of the first Garden Brunch at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates, February 12 several notable women in the community have decorated hats.  The hats will be on display at Saks Fifth Avenue, Bell Tower Shops from February 5 – 10, 2010.  In addition to this display, Saks Fifth Avenue has collected vintage hats from the 1920’s –1960’s that will also be on exhibit.

“Turquoise Sunbeams” by Jewelry Maker, Anita Singh

“A WINK and A Smile” by WINK News Anchor, Lois Thome

“Belly Dancer” by Parker Mudgett Smith Architect, Michele Gouley

“Black Magic” by Nicole Long of Saks Fifth Avenue

“Calla Lady” inspired by Mrs. Clara Ford

“Guns N Roses” by Artist, Piper Rudlich

“Happy Sunny Smiles” by Community Volunteer, Margie Black-Willis

“Lady in Red & Purple” by an Anonymous Decorator

designed by Artist, Leoma Lovegrove

“Not the Edison’s Peacocks!” by Estates President & CEO, Chris Pendleton

“Orchid Lane” inspired by Mrs. Mina Edison

“Peacock Charms” by Pure Love Organics President, Rachel Peacock

“Country Gardener” by Estates Horticulturist, Debbie Hughes

The hats will be on display at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates on February 11 and will be auctioned off February 12 at the Brunch with Mrs. Edison, Living with a Genius event at the Estates. 

In addition to the hat auction, Brunch with Mrs. Edison, Living with a Genius will include brunch amidst the beautiful historic plantings and theatre in the gardens by professional actress, Nan Colton. Living with a Genius is a witty, one–woman show that engages the audience in what it is like to live with a genius – in this case Mina Edison and husband, Thomas Edison.  Colton is well known for her charming representation of historic women and includes storytelling and audience involvement.  Two performances are scheduled:  February 12 and 13 at 11AM and attendees are encouraged to wear hats!

Reservations are required by calling 239-334-7419.  Estates Members $50, nonmembers $60.  The project benefits the Estates Education Program.

Artists and Authors Night at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates

On Sunday, December 20, 2009, 4 PM – 7 PM at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates meet Estates Creative Cottage Artists and Authors for one of-a-kind gifts for the holiday season. The seasonal Creative Cottage is back again this year in the historic Edison Caretaker’s House with a wonderful group of local artists, authors and craftspeople.

Featured artists include:

• Photographer, Manfred Behr with work including hand painted boxes and photographs of the Estates Banyan tree

• Ceramic artist and painter, Augusta Crane featuring handcrafted bowls and sculptures of orchids, hibiscus and other tropical flowers and leaves

• Impressionist painter, Ellen Sheppard who has captured tropical south Florida and forgotten landscapes on canvas

• Painter, Marie Dyer who loves painting on found objects and her work includes furniture, floor cloths and rain barrels

• Metalwork artist, James DiGiorgio with specially designed pieces combining classic lines with modern design

• Jewelry artist, Anita Singh featuring earrings, necklaces and bracelets

• Virginia Harper, a self taught artist whose joyful work includes painted garden furniture, posts and other outdoor three dimensional painted creations.

• Karen Flanders with dazzling glass work, wearables and colorful three dimensional art in clay and multimedia

• Matlacha artist and gallery owner, Leoma Lovegrove who is known for her colorful iconic depiction of Florida themes and modern impressionism

• Painter, Pat Dunn with Florida landscapes and still life in impressionist style

• Norman Love, internationally known, award winning chocolatier who has created a special hand-crafted chocolate in honor of Thomas Edison

Featured authors include:

• Tom Smoot, Jr., The Edisons of Fort Myers

• John Sheppard, One Man’s Family in Early Fort Myers

• Doug MacGregor, Get Creative…Turn on the Bright Side of Your Brain

Estates Creative Cottage Artists and Authors will personalize artwork and books for a one of a kind gift and Estates Members will receive a 10% discount. Shoppers passes will be issued at the Estates ticket counter. Call 239-334-7419 for a list of participating artists.

The Estates is open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. The Estates was awarded the National Trust for Historic Preservation Award in 2008 and is an official project of “Save America’s Treasures” at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a Florida Historic Landmark and a National Register Historic Site. For additional information call 239-334-7419 or visit the web site at www.efwefla.org.

Thanksgiving Weekend Events at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates

The Edison Garden Market and Creative Cottage are two added activities at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates on Thanksgiving Weekend.  The Estates will be open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM – 5:30 PM and closed on Thanksgiving Day.

Throughout the weekend more than 30 vendors and the Estates Garden Shoppe will offer a wide variety of unusual plants including heritage plants, orchids, bamboo, bromeliads, fruits, vegetables, roses, edibles and gift items for the garden and home.  Holiday gifts such as the Estates Heritage Herb baskets and other items from the Estates Garden Shoppe will also be available.  The Edison Garden Market is a free event located in the Estates public gardens and the area near the Banyan Tree.  Edison Garden Market hours are Friday, November 27, noon – 5 PM; Saturday, November 28, 9 AM – 5 PM; Sunday, November 29, 9 AM – 3 PM.   

Creative Cottage also opens Thanksgiving weekend in the Edison Caretaker’s House with spectacular work for purchase by regional artists, authors and chefs.  Featured artisan, Norman Love, internationally known award winning chocolatier has created a special “Edison” hand-crafted chocolate in honor of Thomas Edison.  Other artists include:  Leoma Lovegrove, Marie Dyer, Manfred Behr, Karen Flanders, Ellen Sheppard, Virginia Harper, Anita Singh, James DiGiorgio, Lynn Russell, and members of the Southwest Florida Quilter’s Guild.  Creative Cottage will be open 1 PM – 5 PM until December 11.  During the Estates Holiday event, Edison & Ford Holiday Nights, hours will be extended to 9 PM.  Estates members are always admitted free and will receive a 10% discount.  For non members a “shoppers pass” will be issued at the main ticket area.