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14th Annual Christmas At Pinewood Holiday Home Tour Set

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Special to Highlands Today

Published: November 27, 2008

LAKE WALES - It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Bok Tower Gardens where Santa's helpers are busy transforming the 20-room 1930s Pinewood Estate into a magical wonderland. A favorite family tradition for the holidays, the Christmas at Pinewood holiday home tour will be open Nov. 28 through Jan. 4.

Sponsored by AT&T Real Yellow Pages, Progress Energy and Winter Haven Hospital, this year's theme is "Once Upon a Time... A Storybook Christmas." Central Florida designers and volunteers have created elaborate decorations to bring beloved childhood stories to life. Room designs will include "The Night Before Christmas," "Cinderella," "Hansel and Gretel," "Snow White," "Alice in Wonderland," "Goldilocks and the Three Bears," "Jack and the Beanstalk," "Little Red Riding Hood," "Aladdin" and Tchaikovsky's fairytale ballet, "The Nutcracker."

Visitors will enter through "Candy Land" where sculptures of eight life-size 19{+t}{+h} century American soldiers will be on display for the first time in a public setting. The whimsical soldiers play musical instruments and were handmade of copper by renowned architect, sculptor and artist Kenneth Treister who calls the group "The Electric Candy Stripped Red, White and Blue Marching Band."

Nearly 200 volunteer "angels" help decorate rooms, drive shuttles and serve as room hosts. An estimated 10,000 visitors are anticipated.

Central Florida designers include:

•Pantry: Chef Lo Soukhavong, Millenia Catering, Orlando

•Dining Room: Susan Fenich, Joan Whitehead and Lou Ann Antonelli for the Polk Education Foundation and Take Stock in Children, Lakeland

•Loggia: Brad Tucker and Lynzie Miller, Hand Picked Florist and Tucker Construction & Engineering, Winter Haven

•Living Room: Lori Draper and Jacque Palomaki for Lori Draper's Furniture & Accessories, Lake Wales

•Mr. Buck's Bedroom: Karrie Wallace, Polka Dots & Co. Monogram & Gift Shoppe and Kellie Faro, Alternative Care Wellness Center & Day Spa, Lake Wales

•Bedroom Three: Geri Tidwell, The Red Geranium, Winter Haven

•Green Bedroom: Candace Holladay, ASID, Amanda Dicks and Courtney Marshall, Nettle Creek, Winter Haven

•Lucy's Bedroom: Joni Gerard and Dolores Vogel, Legacy Real Estate Center, Lake Wales

The holidays are a great time to experience the majestic 205-foot art deco Singing Tower with seasonal music performed on the world famous 60-bell carillon during daily carillon concerts at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Dec. 1-31. Nearly 700 acres of conservation lands and Olmsted-designed woodland gardens surround the national historic landmark dedicated in 1929 as a gift to America from Edward W. Bok, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, humanitarian and an advocate of world peace.

On Dec. 12 and 13 at 7:30 p.m., holiday concerts will feature popular soloist Ginger Statom performing "O Holy Night," "Gesu Bambino," "The Christmas Cantata" and other holiday favorites. Statom will be accompanied on piano by her husband Gabe, director of the Lake Wales Choral. The concerts include the holiday home tour and a champagne reception before the performance.

On Dec. 20 at 2 p.m., the Beymer Bronze Bell Choir from Lake Wales will perform at the Visitor Center.

The Gardens will be open on Dec. 25 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Families are invited to enjoy Christmas carols from around the world and other selections during special carillon concerts at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The Blue Palmetto Cafe and Gift Shop will be open from noon to 5 p.m.

Christmas at Pinewood tours are Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults; $6 for children ages 5-12, free for children under 5; $7 members. Tickets do not include general Gardens admission and can be purchased at the entrance gate, Visitor Center, Pinewood Estate and online at www.boktowergardens.org. Group rates are available.

For more information, visit www.boktowergardens.org or call 863-676-1408.

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