Pink in the Trees: Must Be Fall in Southwest Florida!
Every year around this time the floss silk trees in the Ft. Myers and Naples area start blooming, showing off a brilliant display of color from blush to bubblegum to hot pink. And after the trees lose their fall color, they will produce “snow”, which is actually white silky fibers from avocado-like seedpods that drift down and can turn the ground white from a distance.
The pink silk floss, Ceiba speciosa, is native to South America but can handle some brief freezing temperatures in Florida. It is drought tolerant, making it an excellent choice for our dry winters in Southwest Florida. It needs some space, however, as it can reach to heights and a spread of 50 ft. Young trees tend to have green bark and sharp spines but the trees may darken to gray and the spines tend to fall off with age.
If your landscape could use a shade of pink, come by our Garden Shoppe and buy a floss silk tree of your own. Curious about other flowering trees in your neighborhood? Check out this book on trees of South Florida to help you identify what’s growing in your neighborhood.
Light pink flowers of the loss silk tree at Alcazar Ave and McGregor Blvd in Ft. Myers.
Hot pink flowers of the floss silk tree at Cortez Blvd and Cleveland Ave in Ft. Myers.
Florida Humanities Council Speaker Series Kicks Off
Author Craig Pittman presents to a crowd at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates.
On October 25, the Florida Humanities Council Speaker Series kicked off with a fascinating lecture from author Craig Pittman. His book, The Scent of Scandal, chronicles the incredible-but-true history of an orchid worth $10,000 and the fallout it caused here in Florida!
Pittman’s talk captivated visitors, who also had time to socialize, shop in the Museum Store and Garden Shoppe, and enjoy refreshments surrounded by tropical gardens as the sun set on the outdoor lecture area. Horticultural staff made the evening even more interesting by providing samples of the extensive Edison Ford orchid collection and fielding questions on the unique plants from many visitors.
Don’t miss the next Speaker Series event– click here for more information!
Edison Ford Registrar Matt Andres visits FAM’s Annual Conference
Southwest Florida, an area ranging from Bonita Springs to Marco Island, is well known for its’ beautiful beaches, turquoise waters, and lush tropical flora, but it recently served as the background for a very educational gathering. This year’s Florida Association of Museums (FAM) Annual Conference took place in Naples from October 1-3, 2018. Museum professionals met to discuss issues relevant to our state’s art, history, and science institutions. Southwest Florida’s premier museum and attraction, The Edison and Ford Winter Estates, was represented by Curatorial Registrar Matt Andres, who made the short drive down I-75 to join his colleagues in exploring a variety of wonderful projects occurring across the “Sunshine State.”
As one of the speakers in the “Bring and Brag” session, Matt had the opportunity to give a short presentation on our site’s fabrication of a replica Quadricycle, Henry Ford’s first vehicle. The news of this project was well-received and has already generated interest from other museums involving potential exhibit opportunities and future educational programming. The Quadricycle was Ford’s first attempt at building a gasoline-powered automobile. The Quadricycle had two driving speeds, no reverse, no brakes, rudimentary steering ability and a doorbell button as a horn, and it could only reach about 20 miles per hour. Ford sold the Quadricycle in late 1896 for $200, which he spent on building his second car. In 1904, with Ford Motor Company becoming successful, he bought the little vehicle back for $65, and today Ford’s initial car is on display at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn Michigan.
The Quadricycle project is led by Automotive Curator, James Moss. He and his volunteers have been working continuously for the last two years creating each and every piece needed for the vehicle. He plans to unveil the finished product in December of this year.
The conference was also a perfect opportunity to explore some of Southwest Florida’s wonderful museums and botanical gardens. Evening events included stops at the Naples Botanical Gardens, host to this year’s Annual Museums Service Award Program, Naples Depot Museum, Historic Palm Cottage, and the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples. Attendees were able to discuss ideas, learn about some of the new programs, and relax and enjoy the amazing exhibits on display.
Matt commented, “I hope I have the privilege of representing Edison Ford again at next year’s conference, where we can continue to gather new ideas and share our work with museum professionals from around the state.”
New Book Helps Answer “What is That Tree?” On Your Next Outing
Walking through Southwest Florida’s neighborhoods, you probably come across a lot of flowering and fruiting trees. Unlike the trees in the Edison Ford gardens, most of your neighbors’ trees aren’t labeled, so how do you identify them? The University of Florida IFAS Extension office has published a new guide, “Trees: South Florida & The Keys,” a full-color, photographic field guide made for the layman with 180 trees described and pictured.
It’s small enough to carry with you on a walk or stash in your glove box. Each description includes notes on the plant’s natural history, cultural or commercial use. Bring it on your next visit to Edison Ford, because more than 100 of the trees described in the book are found in our gardens, making this the perfect companion on a stroll through our 19 acres. If you prefer to identify plants via a dichotomous key, the book has one as well as a glossary and sketches of leaf shapes.
The book is available in the Edison Ford Museum Store and the Edison Ford Shoppe at Bell Tower Shops. All book purchases made at the Museum Store include a map of over 70 plant locations on the Edison Ford grounds, so you can create your own tour of the gardens anytime you want! Don’t forget, Edison Ford members receive 10% off their gift and garden shop purchases.
Henry Ford, Quilter?
Was Henry Ford a quilter? Well, no, not quite, but he and his wife Clara did assemble a vast and diverse collection of items to celebrate “the genius of the American people.” And that sentiment is especially exemplified in the quilt. Throughout the United States’ history people have taken leftover scraps and through incredible resourcefulness and ingenuity have made something quite special out of almost nothing. Along with the quilts, the Fords collected wagons, buildings, machines and other examples of American life. Their collecting efforts resulted in a massive museum complex, which has become The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. In fact, the original laboratory built on the grounds of the Edison Ford Winter Estates was given by Thomas Edison to his good friend Henry Ford and is still standing at Greenfield Village today.
Quilts were an important part of everyday life for a majority of United States, which is why the Edison and Ford Winter Estates holds our annual Airing of the Quilts. Airing of quilts was an ordinary part of life a century ago when blankets and textiles were moved out doors to air out and freshen up before the cold winter months. Edison Ford, along with the members of the Southwest Florida Quilters’ Guild, will be airing and exhibiting their collection of handmade contemporary, traditional, and historical quilts on Saturday, October 13, 2018. Join us to explore the beautiful grounds and watch the quilts sway in the breeze!
Speaker Profile: Craig Pittman
“Greed, betrayal, and the world’s most beautiful orchid,” reads the tagline of author Craig Pittman’s book, The Scent of Scandal. As part of the Florida Humanities Council Speaker Series, the award-winning author and journalist will present a lecture at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates on Thursday, October 25, 2018. The Scent of Scandal documents a tumultuous investigation of a rare orchid that commands $10,000 on the black market.
A native Floridian, Craig Pittman started his writing career at the Troy State University student newspaper. Since then, Craig has worked for several publications, including the Tampa Bay Times and has covered natural disasters and other environmental issues. He is an award-winning journalist and has received the Waldo Proffitt Award for Distinguished Environmental Journalism four times and the top investigative reporting award from the Society of Environmental Journalists twice.
“Pittman has captured the extreme competition, unique characters, and general insanity that often typify the orchid world. The Scent of Scandal exemplifies how passion and profit can overrule common sense and the law.”
— Scott Steward, former associate editor, North American Native Orchid Journal
Click here to learn more about the Florida Humanities Council Speaker Series.
Preparing for the 2018 Edison Garden Festival
The Edison Garden Festival returns November 17 and 18, 2018, and will include more of everything: more vendors, more food and more music! While the main attraction is always the plants from dozens of growers from throughout Florida, there are also great food trucks and a fun, family-friendly atmosphere with live music both days. Our plant vendors bring something for everyone, from fruit trees to ornamental shrubs to tiny succulents ready for a new home. The plant vendors can also answer your questions and make suggestions for your yard!
Visitors can also shop for honey, art, jewelry, gardening supplies, books, and décor. There will be a station for kids to plant their own seeds to take home and grow. Several new vendors will attend this festival, and we’re expanding the live music, featuring performances by Evan Derby and Justin Layman.
Also new this year, a plant storage and pickup area will be offered, so you can drop off your purchases, continue shopping, and then drive your vehicle to the pickup area when you’re ready to leave. So bring your wagons and carts and get ready to take home some great new plants!
- Saturday, November 17 from 9 am – 5 pm
- Sunday, November 18 from 9 am – 4 pm
- Admission to the festival and parking is free
Alexandrea’s and Kaleb’s Story
Where did you and Kaleb meet?
We first met at church, but then we happened to be working out next to each other at the gym and that’s when we really started talking. Between church and the gym, we really got to know each other.
How did he pop the question? Where? When?
Little did I know that Kaleb had been planning our engagement for months. He hid the ring in an oatmeal box (the one place I’d never find it because I hate oatmeal). His good buddy had just bought a drone and he convinced me that his friend wanted to use us for his first practice video and that he wanted to do a little story on our relationship (I’m so gullible I believed this without any idea of what was going on). Kaleb invited me over for his friend to record an interview with us. The next day we were planning a date and Kaleb said he’d pick me up at 5 p.m. Around 3 p.m., I heard a knock on the door and open it up to find roses and two boxes with dresses in them and a sweet little note that said “You pick. Your ride will be here at 5.” Obviously, I was wondering what was going on, but convinced myself that he was just upping his game and it was nothing crazy. Around 6 p.m., I heard another knock on the door. It was Kaleb’s friend Dave and he said he would take me to meet Kaleb. So I got in the car and there was a GoPro attached to the dash and his other buddy Jeremy was in the backseat. Dave then handed me a letter from Kaleb that began a scavenger hunt. He took me to each location that was special to us. At the final location, they made me put on a blindfold and took me to the beach. I could smell the sea and hear the seagulls. Then Kaleb got me out of the car and walked me – still blindfolded – down to the shore. When he told me to take off the blindfold, he was down on one knee. He proposed and I cried. When I looked around, we were surrounded by friends and family, and in the sand he had written “will you marry me.” The drone captured it all on video with amazing views and there were tons of pictures. It was the second best day of my life (obviously, our wedding day was the best day of my life!)
Why did you choose Edison and Ford Winter Estates for your wedding location?
I have always loved the Edison and Ford Estates. I grew up right down the road and it felt like home. I really liked the idea of getting married in a place with such historical significance and beauty. The grounds are absolutely stunning. I really wanted to be married by the water, but I also wanted big trees and greenery, so the Edison home was a no-brainer. We both love the outdoors and nature – it’s where we feel even closer to God, so it was just absolutely perfect for us. And then when we met Cori and Kelsi, it just sealed the deal. They made everything perfect.
What favorite memories were made on your wedding day?
We just loved the ceremony by the Mysore Fig tree in front of the water. It was so incredibly beautiful and summed up our whole relationship in just a moment. I loved coming in on the Model T with my dad and getting to take in the beauty of the grounds on my way there. We also got the most amazing photos with all the pretty trees and greenery in the background, plus the beautiful sunset on the water. It was breathtaking.
What is your advice to those planning a wedding?
My best advice? Get married at the Edison and Ford Estates! All of our guests said it was the most beautiful wedding they’ve been to. I can’t believe how smoothly the night went. I didn’t have to worry about anything. Cori and Kelsi took care of everything while my hubby and I just enjoyed our night with family and friends. It’s completely worry free and always beautiful. It was hands down, the best night of our lives.
