Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Weekly News January 3, 2025 This Weekend  Last chance to attend our Holiday Nights Celebration Now through January 5 5:30 to 9 p.m. Get the new year off to a bright start! This is the last weekend for visitors to enjoy the sparkle of the season. Guided Holiday Tradition tours will be offered at 6 and 7 p.m. each night or visitors can choose to meander at their own pace on a self-guided tour. Holiday Nights tickets are free for members; non-member adults are $20, teens (13-19) $10, child- ren (6-12) are $2, and children under 5 will be admitted free. Guided Holiday Tradition Tours are $30 for adults, teens are $25, children $18, and $10 for Edison Ford members. To purchase tickets or view the nightly schedule, visit the website at edisonford.org. Sponsored by FPL, Bob Dean Supply, Neal Communities, Sunbelt Rentals and TriCircle Pavers.      In the Garden  Garden Tour January 8, 10 a.m. Get further knowledge of Edison’s extensive plant collection! On this tour, experienced garden staff lead visitors through the 20-acre site and highlight the different types of plants and their importance to the Edison and Ford families. Visitors will see the Moonlight Garden, many rare plants and get to go behind-the-scenes in the prop- agating nursery. Some of the plants in the gardens are available for sale in the on-site Garden Shoppe. The garden tour is offered the second Wednesday of the month. Edison Ford members: $25; non-members: $30  Garden Talk: Amazing Cycads January 11, 10 a.m. Renowned cycad collector, grower and author, Chip Jones, will share his experience in the care, identifi- cation and maintenance of these dinosaur plants. Edison Ford members: $20; non-members: $30  Introduction to Florida Gardening – Part I January 21, 1:30 p.m. Trying to sort out topsy turvy growing cycles? We will de-mystify the nuances of our soils, climate, and sub-tropical pests within the context of an ex- tensive introduction to sub-tropical plants, shrubs and trees. Inclusive of an introduction to palms, this class includes a tour and continued discussion in the Estates’ Palmetum. All participants will re- ceive a 20% discount coupon good toward plants in the Garden Shoppe. Advance registration is re- quired. Register online at edisonford.org. Edison Ford members: $45; non-members: $60  Introduction to Florida Gardening – Part II January 25, 10 a.m. Part II begins with the principles of Florida Friendly Gardening, gardening for Florida butterflies, proper use of fertilizers for sub-tropical trees and plants, irrigation tips, weed and invasive plant recognition, and plant selection for the South Florida landscape. This class includes a tour and continued discussions in our butterfly, Florida native, Moonlight and cycad gardens. The class is held in the air-conditioned Fort Myers-Lee County Garden Council building (enter across from the Estates parking lot on Larchmont Avenue). We recommend wearing comfortable walk- ing shoes, a hat and sunscreen, and bring drinking water. Advance registration is required. Register at edisonford.org. Edison Ford members: $45; non-members: $60 Digital Discussion  Step into History Digital Edition: Artist Florence Keen Sansom January 14, 10:30 a.m. Join Lead Historian, Christina Mayor, in sharing the history and work of Florence Keen Sansom, the artist born in the Edison Caretakers Cottage. As a Florida native, Sansom’s family has deep ties to the establishment of many Southwest Florida cities, including Fort Myers. This is a free virtual lecture. Click here to register online. Adult Programs  Acrylic Landscape Painting January 12, 9 a.m. Local impressionistic artist, Marie Dyer, will cover the fundamentals of composition and structure, creating mood, mixing paints, and will assist in developing a pallet that speaks to you. No experience is required. All materials are included. Click here to reg- ister online. Edison Ford members: $90; non-members: $100  Silk Scarf Painting with Artist Marie Dyer January 18, 9 a.m. Participants will paint a silk scarf that can be worn or hung as a piece of artwork while surrounded by Edison’s gardens. All materials are included. Advance registration is re- quired. Click here to register online. Edison Ford members: $90; non-members: $100  Paws and Petals: Floral Puppy Arrangement Workshop January 19, 10 a.m. Adore the cuteness of a furry friend as floral designer, Anita Singh, demonstrates how to transform flowers into a puppy arrangement. All materials and supplies will be provided. Advance registration is required. Click here to register online. Edison Ford members: $75; non-members: $80 Just for Kids  Homeschool – Modern Engineering Marvels: Burj Khalifa Grades 1-3: January 8 and 16, 10 a.m. Grades 4-6: January 9 and 15, 10 a.m. Reach the peak of the engineering industry with the Burj Khalifa! In this series, children will engage in the “Tower of Power” activity, which involves building the tallest free- standing structure possible using limited materials. Classes are for grades 1-6 and facili- tate homeschool or virtual science education. Click here to register online. Edison Ford members: $15; non-members: $25  Pre-K Program: Enchanted Garden Explorers – Cultivating Curiosity January 23, 10 a.m. Young explorers will engage in guided tours, plant scavenger hunts, and hands-on activities. With a dedicated space and sandbox for cowpots, children will nurture their green thumbs while learning about plants and the environment. These classes are designed for children aged 18 months to five years. Click here to register online. Edison Ford members: $15; non-members: $20 Membership  January Special Reciprocal Partner: James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art Take an expedition through the wilds of western society as part of a special reciprocal agreement with the James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art in Saint Petersburg, Florida! Edison Ford members will be given free general daytime admission, based on membership level (Individual: 1 adult, Dual: 2 adults, Family and above: 2 adults and up to 4 children under the age of 18) when members present their current membership card and matching photo ID. If a membership card listing “guest” is used, a named adult member must also be present. Please contact the Edison Ford membership department at 239-335-3664 with any questions. Become a MEMBER and get unlimited free visits, discounts on purchases in the Garden Shoppe, retail stores, special events and adult education classes! Join today! Ongoing Programs  Piano Performance Wednesdays at 1 p.m. Edison Guest House Timeless beauty resides where classical music is performed by Curatorial Registrar, Chet, on Mina Edison’s 1932 George Steck piano in the guest house. Included with admission.  Step into History Presentations Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Learn about subjects related to Edison and Ford with Site Historians. This program is held in the 15,000-square-foot museum. Included with ad- mission.  Yoga Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Class will be held in the River Pavilion (weather permitting). All skill levels are welcome. This class is taught by Bonnie D’Angelo, a certified yoga instructor. Edison Ford members: $15; non-members: $20 per class. Tickets may be purchased online or at the ticket counter. Bring a yoga mat, water, and towel. Admission to the site is not in- cluded. Help restore our beautiful gardens. Donate today! In History  Edison’s Kinetograph Record is the first motion picture to receive a copyright On January 7, 1894, Williiam K.L. Dickson, Thomas Edison’s assistant and project supervisor, produced the “Edison Kinetographic Record of a Sneeze,” the first motion picture to receive a copyright. In the approximately five-second film, one of Edison’s assistants, Fred Ott sneezes. The film was produced by the Edison manufacturing company, which began producing films under the direction of Dickson who was an early film pioneer. It was filmed in 45 different still images in the Black Maria studio in West Orange, New Jersey, a studio Edison created with a retractable roof that could rotate with the angle of natural light. The idea behind this production was to showcase the capabilities of Edison’s kinetograph and produce a film that attracted atten- tion while offering a succinct viewing experience. It was featured in an article in “Harper’s Weekly.” The Kinetograph captured a series of quick, sequential images on a strip of film that could be viewed in rapid succession through the device, which created the illusion of motion. Fred Ott was chosen as the subject for his humorous personality, which shined through his com- ical expressions during filming.      Copyright © 2025 Edison and Ford Winter Estates, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Edison and Ford Winter Estates 2350 McGregor Blvd Fort Myers, FL 33901 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. |
