March calendar at Edison Estates
The Edison & Ford Winter Estates will offer a variety of children and adult programs, special exhibits, and events throughout the month of March. The March schedule of programs and events include:
Estates Wild Wizard Jr. Scientist Class, 1-3 p.m. on March 8 and 16. Young animators will work with clay to create art and narrate stories as well as examine animations while creating sets, props and producing a short film. Registration is required. Cost: $90 for Estate members; $110 for non-members.
• Etiquette at the Estates
The Estates is expanding its educational programs for children and teenagers to include a unique series of workshops combining history with some of the Edison family traditions. The classes will be taught by etiquette expert Suzanne Willis who has been teaching similar classes throughout the nation.
• Teen Scene at the Estates, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., March 8. This workshop provides teens ages 13- 19 the opportunity to practice their dining skills while learning proper etiquette of modern "inventions" including e-mail, cell phones and text messaging. The students will learn the importance of communication, handshakes and social skills. Registration is required. Cost: Estates members $40; non-members $50.
• Volunteer Appreciation Event, 9:30 a.m., March 13. Estates volunteers will be celebrated at an event that begins with breakfast at The French Connection followed by a morning at The Florida Repertory Theatre. Theatre Director Bob Cacioppo will give a brief presentation of the historic theatre and performers will entertain volunteers with scenes from "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." Registration is required. The event is free to all active Estates volunteers.
• Estates Home School Monthly Program Series: "A Day at the Movies," 1-3 p.m., March 13. Home-schooled students and their parents can enroll in a half day of curriculum that follows the Florida Sunshine objectives for learning. The programs follow the Lee County mandated program and addresses environmental science, history and reading SOLS. Pre-visit curriculum materials will be mailed to registered families. Registration is required. Cost: Estates members $5; non-members $15 (one adult, one child), additional $5 per child.
• Estates Wild Wizard Lab Show "Movie Magic," 2 p.m., March 16.
Appreciate cinematic history as you discover the role Edison played in the development of moving pictures and the film industry as the Estates Wild Wizards present hands-on performance science. Cost: Estates members free; non-members $12 adults, $6 children.
• "The Wizard's Laboratory: Edison's Quest for Rubber," 7 p.m., March 26.
In the 1920s, Edison began searching for a domestic source of rubber to protect Americans from foreign control of this vital commodity. Edison built his Fort Myers estate in 1885 to vacation and continue his research. Join the Estates and WGCU Public Media for a fascinating evening at the Estates to view the premiere of the new Edison Untold Stories Documentary. Seating is limited and guests must register. Hors d'oeuvres and cash bar, dress casual. In the event of rain, the premiere will be held inside the Estates Museum and available on a first come, first serve basis.
• Architecture & Restoration Behind the Scenes of the Estates, 9 a.m., March 27. Participants will discover the history of the Estates, a glimpse of the private lives of the Edisons and Fords; explore the newly restored Edison buildings and much more. Estates restoration experts will lead participants on a behind the scenes tour of the nearly $10 million restoration of the Edison buildings, while "Mr. Edison" and "Mrs. Ford" will take visitors on a tour of their homes. Lectures, tours, lunch, and refreshments, as well as individual exploration of the grounds are included. Cost is $89. Call (877) 426-8056 to register or the Estates at (239) 334-7419 for more information.
• Painted Orchid Floorcloths with Marie Dyer, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., March 29 and April 5.
Painted floorcloths date back to the early 18th century and are making a revival into American homes. Southwest Florida artist Marie Dyer, known for her vivid floral and still life paintings, will teach a variety of techniques using brushes, sponges and Estates botanicals that even the most inexperienced painter can use to create their own one of a kind floorcloth. Registration required. Material list will be provided upon registration. Cost: Estates members, $50; non-members, $60.
The Estates is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Estates 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 www.efwefla.org.
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