Kellie Burns' Scene & Heard: A Hat Trick for Hats in the Garden

When Heather Dockweiler’s custom-made hat failed to arrive from London in time for the Hats in the Garden event, this oh-so-creative mom scrambled to have one made. The theme this November was “Confection Collection: Delectable Designs from Garden to Runway,” and seven local culinary artists including Grace and Shelly’s, Catermasters and Tony’s Off Third had been tasked with making edible accessories to complement the Carolina Herrera Spring Collection. So in that spirit—with less than 20 hours before the event—Heather frantically contacted her friend Louis Boutier of 50 Fifty Creative for help. She sent him a picture of her outfit and the “inspiration hat” and he went to work. She picked it up, sight unseen, just two hours before the luncheon. The result: a piece of cake, literally (at left). No doubt making her very popular at dessert time …

A lot is truly a lot at this year’s Naples Winter Wine Festival. Witness: It’s been called “the sexiest Rolls Royce ever” and one lucky bidder at the festival will be able to take it home. The first Rolls Royce Dawn produced in North America will be auctioned off Jan. 30 at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples. The world’s most luxurious convertible was specifically made for the event. Perhaps the highest bidder can drive it to the 2016 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Backstage passes and a chance to meet the models are all part of another amazing lot being offered at the event …

Dozens of people gathered at Yabo restaurant on Nov. 1 to honor Melissa Corley after her sudden death. The 48-year-old mother and former radio executive is married to the voice of Fox News, Chris Corley, and she was a familiar face at many charity events, including the Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest … Congratulations to Katie Haas, recently promoted to vice president in the Boston Red Sox organization. She’s been running the show at JetBlue Park for the past six years and is a former Gulfshore Business 40-under-40 honoree …

Timothy Ubbens and his wife, Sharon, have a very nice way of showing their appreciation. They gave Artis—Naples a $10 million gift because, Timothy says, it “has brought us so much enjoyment.” The Naples Philharmonic Orchestra Assistant Conductor Yaniv Segal composed a special fanfare to celebrate the occasion, and the orchestra performed it at the organization’s gala in November. Enjoyment and donations must be in the air because Artis—Naples announced yet another $10 million gift, this one from Paul and Charlotte Corddry. The Naples couple is leaving their 50-piece-plus art collection to The Baker Museum. In celebration—and to jump-start the collection—Artis—Naples commissioned local artist Mally Khorasantchi to create a new piece for the Corddrys …

Sharon Hallberg [at left with husband Chuck (right) and Gulfshore Life Group President and Publisher Brett Wilson] does not like to give speeches and often has it written into contracts that she will not do so. But at Gulfshore Life’s Men & Women of the Year event at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples in November—as an honoree along with her husband, Chuck—she did just that. The reason? She wanted to explain why she and Chuck decided to chair the 2015 Naples Winter Wine Festival. She said she believed that every child in Collier County deserved the same opportunities as her children and grandchildren (who were sitting in the front row). It so clearly came from her heart and just as clearly touched everyone in the house. Right on, Sharon …

Longtime TV weatherman Jim Syoen is getting out of the forecasting business to spend more time on his tuba. Syoen worked more than a decade at NBC2 and another seven years at Fox 4. Well-known around town for his love of Dixieland music, he plays in several local bands and will happily have more time now to follow his bliss …

Talk about dedicated patrons! More than 200 supporters of PACE Center for Girls, Lee County braved the 90-plus degree weather in November to raise money for the school. The annual luncheon was held under a tent in the school’s parking lot. The list of dignitaries sweating it out on that steamy afternoon included the mayors of Fort Myers and Cape Coral, Randy Henderson and Marni Sawicki; the new superintendent of Lee County Schools, Dr. Greg Adkins; and Fort Myers Police Chief Dennis Eads …

Liam Hutt of Fort Myers, 8 years old, spent weeks creating his Cruella de Vil costume for Halloween, complete with a wig and a black-and-white-feathered boa. Little did he know that a cyber bully—seeing the pictures posted on Facebook—would criticize his father, Will, for allowing the freckled-faced, redheaded boy to transform himself into a female villain. Will’s online defense of his son went viral and the story made it onto The View talk show, the Huffington Post and countless other websites and blogs. “We deal with this type of small-minded person on a daily basis,” Will said. “Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I will always support and encourage my kids’ creativity happily and without apology.” Well said, Mr. Hutt.

DEVOTED SON

"When I am lying in bed at night and get lonely, I just think of momma."

—Curt Clawson, Congressman

Rep. Clawson stills gets emotional about the sudden death of his beloved mother, Cherie, this past summer (from an accidental overdose of her prescription medication). The spunky senior citizen had appeared in television ads and on the campaign trail when her son was running for Congress. So he couldn’t resist talking about her during an introduction for conservative talk radio host Laura Ingraham back in November. The freshman congressman said he was glad he had moved to Bonita Springs two years ago and was able to spend that time with her before her passing.