Week of Wednesday, February 8, 2023 ■ Page 14 fortmyersbeachtalk.com Fort Myers Beach Observer
Celebrate Thomas Edison’s birthday at the estates The public is invited to celebrate Thomas Edison's 176th birthday on Feb. 10 beginning at 10 a.m. at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates, at 2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. The annual tradition will continue with students from the Edison Park Creative and Expressive Arts School singing, dancing and playing stringed instruments. Cake will be served during the event, which is sponsored in part by the Edison Pageant of Light, the organization founded in 1938 to memorialize Edison. The schedule for the event will include: ∫ Estates Chief Executive Officer Mike Flanders will give a brief welcome and thank the Edison Pageant of Light organizers for providing the cake. ∫ Edison Ford Board Chair Cole Peacock and Edison Pageant of Light Historian Sue Grimes will each say a few words. ∫ Students from the Edison Park Creative and Expressive Arts School will perform stringed instruments and then the “Boys in Black” will sing and dance. Students will also sing happy birthday to history character, Mr. Edison. ∫ Birthday cake will be served. ∫ Music will be played on the antique Calliope, a circus car. Historically, local school children performed for Edison on his birthday. The school's dance program features music and dance from the Edison Era as well as contemporary favorites. The event is an opportunity for the school children to demonstrate their talents. Admission is free with limited seating For more information about the event, visit EdisonFord.org.
EDISON AND FORD WINTER ESTATES
Students perform for Thomas Edison's birthday in 1928 at the Pleasure Pier in Fort Myers.
Fundraiser to benefit Gulf Coast Humane Society The Gulf Coast Humane Society and Stu’s Motorcycles will host a “Barking Lot Party” on Feb. 11. It will kick off with a motorcycle ride at 10 a.m. from the shelter, at 2010 Arcadia St., Fort Myers, to Stu’s Motorcycles, at 14607 6 Mile Cypress Parkway, Fort Myers. Registration open from 9 to 10 a.m. The event will continue at Stu’s from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be vendors, live music, free food, a bike wash, dessert truck, Valentine’s Day dog costume contest, dog pools and dog agility training. The fundraiser aims to raise funds and awareness for the shelter and its shelter
animals. Registration for the ride is $20 per bike and $10 per passenger. For more information or to register, visit https://gulfcoasthumanesociety.org/.
Playhouse to perform ‘Camelot’ The Gulfshore Playhouse will present Lerner and Loewe’s “Camelot” from Feb. 9 to March 12 at the Norris Center, at 755 8th Ave. S., Naples. The classic Broadway musical is directed by Jeffrey Binder. The original 1960 musical, based on the legend of King Arthur and his knights of the round table and adapted from the T.H. White novel “The Once and Future King,” is a sparkling and winningly fast-paced rendition. With original book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe, this adaptation by David Lee features new orchestrations by Steve Orich. Tickets start at $38. For more information or tickets, call 239-261-PLAY (7529) or visit gulfshoreplayhouse.org.
Tickets on sale for ‘An Evening with the Authors’ The Lee County Library System will offer book-loving fans a chance to meet and mingle with more than 20 Southwest Florida Reading Festival authors at the “An Evening with the Authors” fundraiser, planned for March 3 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Edison Restaurant & Event Center in Fort Myers. “This really is an unforgettable opportunity for fans to meet the authors before
our big festival,” Melissa Baker, festival coordinator and programming/community outreach manager for the system, said. “The dinner is a personal gathering with the writers and without the crowds that festival day will bring. Our guests have a chance to interact with the authors and quite likely learn fun facts, too.” Proceeds will benefit the 24th annual Southwest Florida Reading Festival on
March 4 in Fort Myers. It is a free, allages outdoor event where fans may listen to and meet a line-up of bestselling authors, explore the latest in books and technology and participate in crafts and activities. In addition, there will be a free book for every child and teen, storytelling programs, youth writing contest awards and food truck vendors. Several author presentations will also be
livestreamed through the festival’s mobile app. Fundraiser tickets are $75 per person and are available through Feb. 15. For more information or tickets, visit www.ReadFest.org. The Edison Restaurant & Event Center is at 3583 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers.