ARC again hosts Antique Appraisal Day ala ‘Antiques Roadshow’

In a packed event that supported the North Fort Myers based Animal Refuge Center, supporters came from all over Southwest Florida to the Arc Annual Antique Appraisal Day over the weekend.
Appraisers included the popular Antiques Roadshow host Peter Curran with his associate Nancy Vorel; Helaine Fendelman from New York’s Helaine Fendelman & Associates; Roadshow appraiser Henry Eckert and newcomers from the Chicago-based and now Naples-area shop of Leslie Hindman Auctioneers William M. Bridges and Kristin A. Vaughn.
Long-time ARC volunteer and former board member Sandra Thurman said this year’s event was extremely successful. “It is always a wonderful event,” she said.
ARC Board Trustee Diane Zabell agreed. “We also talked to a lot of people about our organization,” she said from a giant display board that featured ARC animal pictures and success stories.
Local ARC supporters, marketing professional Kimberly Smith and mom Cheryl Rowley have long adopted shelter pets. In fact, Rowley now has as menagerie at her Cape Coral home that sports two then-kittens, now full grown cats that rule the roost, which have benefitted from ARC services, and a newly adopted shelter dog.
They met with several appraisers to support the cause, and learned some fascinating things about their personal treasures.
Smith has a series of drawings, which Fedeleman called “amazing.” They are an opera series of drawings by two different artists left to her by her great grandmother.
“I would donate these to a museum,” said Fendelman. “I am blown away by these.” She examined the watercolor, pencil and other pieces and suggested restoration and framing for the memorable pieces.
“It was nice to find that I have items worthy of exhibiting,” said Smith. “I was also happy to be able to support ARC, an organization so needed in this area. And it was nice to fins a fund-raiser which was a ‘fun raiser.'”
Rowley is a talented local jewelry maker from Cape Coral, who brought in an interesting item for appraisal – a lamp lighter from the early 1900s that was used to light lamps in Chicago. “It was made in Germany,” she said, of the discussion she had with Curran. “I think this is a great event, a lot of fun,” she added.
The event was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Fort Myers, and organizers said it will again be featured next year.
ARC itself is located behind the Lee Civic Center at 18011 Old Bayshore Rd., and has over 500 animals available for adoption. Call 731-3535 to make an appointment.