By Nanette Wiser
TEE TIME
Estate sale whiz and book author Patricia Penke’s Stop Throwing Cash in the Trash (click here to but it on Amazon) sheds light on vintage Floridan treasures waiting to be discovered in your shed or garage. Did you know a golf ball can sell for thousands of dollars? Florida is known as The Golf Capital of the World, thanks to Scottish immigrant John Gillespie who brought his passion for a game of golf to Sarasota in 1886 and constructed the Sunshine State’s first small two-hole golf course. Today, there are 1000+ golf courses in Florida, thanks to the railroad and resorts built between 1900-1930. What’s valuable? Vintage golf balls from the early 20th century with particular stamps and logos; those signed by famous pro golfers and late 19th-century, handmade golf balls made from gutta-percha gum “gutties.” So are pre-1997- two-tone “Ping” golf balls. Ping Co. stopped making golf balls in 1997 and their 100+ color combinations are sought after, especially the rare, limited production balls and those marked withEye2. The arena for collecting golf memorabilia is vast. Vintage or antique wood golf clubs, apparel, equipment, and promotional materials can also be priceless. We bet more folks will be searching for golf balls now on old courses. patriciapenke.com
CONTAINER GARDENS
With Easter, it’s time for painting your terra cotta pots in lavender, yellow and pink, or better yet, searching thrift stores for adorable bunny pots for your succulents and African violets. My newest fave find is rabbit succulents or Monilaria obconica; they look exactly like little green bunnies and even their ears are fuzzy. This plant needs regular watering and bright, indirect light. Search out succulents at Wild Roots, Lida’s Jungle, Eden Nursery and Jenni’s Tropical Fruit Trees. Starting your kids on a container or vegetable garden can become a lifelong passion and nudge them to help save the planet.
VINTAGE MARCHÉ
Tampa Bay’s largest monthly vintage market houses 15,000 square feet of vintage furniture, lighting, home decor, art, jewelry, and clothing anywhere. Here you’ll find furnishings for every taste – mid-century modern, industrial, farmhouse, rustic, and uniquely eclectic. Located in the Skyway Marina District across from Skyway Jack’s, doors are open the first Sat. and Sun. of the month.