Journal

September 7, 2010

5 Things I Love About WGV!

Posted by Alayna Oram in Golf, Nature, Neighborhoods, WGV Amenities, WGV Residents

WGV Top 5 BlogThere are many wonderful things about living in The Neighborhoods of World Golf Village. Some you can find in many prestigious golf course communities - but most you can only find in WGV! Here are my top 5 favorite things:

5. Even though I don’t play golf, I love riding around in the golf cart watching my friends play…especially when they are playing the back nine of King & Bear. How fabulous is it to spend four hours outside in an absolutely beautiful natural environment without a cell phone to be heard! Add to that a bev cart girl that hands you delicious margaritas as you wander through the ancient live oaks and manicured greens and you have a simply delightful afternoon! By the end of the day you can actually remember what it feels like to relax…

4. I love being able to ride bikes to Caddyshack’s. Although I don’t think it is appropriate for margaritas to be involved in all of my favorite things about WGV, how can they not be mentioned when I am talking about Caddyshack’s? It is great to have a neighborhood restaurant & bar that is right around the corner. And one where it is inevitable that you will run into friendly faces everytime you stop by!

3. I love the nature that surrounds the neighborhoods. It is as if World Golf Village is embraced by a leafy decompression chamber. Driving along the neighborhood streets you exhale as you appreciate the trees – and the wildlife that live among them. From deer to turkey to neighborhood children, World Golf Village provides a beautiful home for us all!

2. I love the attention to detail that ensures WGV will be a beautiful community for decades to come. Have you ever noticed the hand-curb that was built around tree roots that are close to the road? This detail perserves and protects the trees so the trees can continue to flourish in the community. Or have you noticed how you catch glimpses of the golf courses as the roads elegantly twist and turn through the community? Have you noticed how stacked stone was used throughout the community or how the Irish farm fence actually looks BETTER as it ages? All of these things didn’t happen by chance. Every detail of World Golf Village was lovingly planned to make it improve as it matures…just like fine wine!

1. And the number 1 reason I love WGV is – I love the people. There is a certain kind of person who appreciates quiet elegance. And that appreciates a happy, friendly community. Those are the kind of people that live in World Golf Village. We don’t have big gold gates at our entrance. We have lovely oak trees to welcome you home. And we may have a black tie affair every now and then, but we have more dinner parties where our cheeks hurt the next day from laughing too hard. So the neighbors of World Golf Village love trees & nature, eating and laughing. And they enjoy golfing & relaxing and they appreciate the finer details. Some of them even love a great margarita from time to time! So how can the people that live at World Golf Village not be the best thing about the community!

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August 24, 2010

Limelight Theatre Closes Out 18th Season with a Winner!

Posted by Alayna Oram in Events, Local Activities, Local Events

Dixie TicketHave you ever noticed how groups of women who have been friends for years and years tend to fall into certain “roles”? Like on Sex in the City, if I said “the smart one” or “the romantic one” you would probably know exactly which characters I was talking about. If you watched The Real Housewives of Orange County, I bet you know which lady is ”the ditzy one” and which lady is “the professional one”.  My group of long time girlfriends definitely have our roles within our group too…it is an interesting dynamic to watch.

The reason all of these thoughts popped into my head is because Limelight Theatre’s final play of their 18th season is the Dixie Swim Club. Guess what? It is about five women who became friends in college and who continue to meet each year at the same beach house and share their lives together over the next six decades. Of course, the “roles” ebb and flow through their lives, but for the most part there is the successful one, the sexy one, the tragic one, the caregiving one and the innocent one. Watching how they share and grow and stumble and get back up makes you consider the value of your own friendships and your own identity. Along the way though you laugh quite a bit – and cry just a little too. So grab your group of girlfriends and head to Limelight Theatre this weekend. Because of the show’s huge success during its original run, the Limelight Theatre is offering “held over” performances this Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and this Sunday at 2:00 p.m. After the show, share a glass of wine or two with your friends and try to figure out which “role” you play in your own group! And, if your group is especially interesting just let me know, we may be able to start a Real Housewives of World Golf Village!

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July 30, 2010

WGV Resident Spotlight on Eunice Johannesen

Posted by Alayna Oram in News, WGV Residents
Every month, The Neighborhoods of World Golf Village selects a resident from the Jacksonville golf course community to be featured in our blog. Then we ask them a series of random questions so all the neighbors get to know them better! This month we are pleased to introduce you to Eunice Johannesen. Eunice and her husband, Tom, moved to the King & Bear at WGV about five years ago. Since their children are grown and live out-of-state, they recently adopted two Jack Russell puppies, Maggie and Patrick. Meet Eunice…
1. What is your favorite thing about living in WGV?
The beautiful landscaping and overall beauty/impression one get
s of the developer’s diligence to the environment.  Other important things are security and the protection that the deed restrictions provide homeowners.  WGV allows us to be active in many ways — golf, walking, biking, swimming and easy access to the beach.
2. What makes a house a home?
A house is a home when it’s filled with comfort and love, good neighbors and friends, which includes many visits from our out-of-state families and friends.
3. What’s your favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner?
The best part of Thanksgiving dinner is having family join our table and cooking all the traditional Thanksgiving foods.  I am especially fond of the stuffing!
4. How will our culture change in the next 100 years?
1.  I believe there will be a decline in population growth. 2.  The greenhouse effect will cause a dying earth with drastic changes in climate affecting all of the people of the world, as well as wild life.  The Arctic and Antarctic ice caps will melt.  3.  I believe space exploration will eventually lead to solar power for the world in the future, decreasing our dependency on oil.  4.  People will continue to feel compassion and love, and have the desire to help each other in times of need. 5.  I can envision the future way wars will be fought will not involve humans being put in harms way, but rather technology will be sophisticated enough by that time to fight wars with robots operated from a safe environment with strategic goals being much more realistic. The ravages of war  will continue.  6.  Hopefully there will be a cure for cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, etc.  In fact, research may very well have developed vaccines for these diseases, and other serious diseases, by that time!
5. If you lived to be 100, would it be more important to have a sharp mind or a fit body?
I’d have to say sharp mind, although I’d prefer both sharp mind and fit body; however, if I had to choose, I’d go with sharp mind.
6. If you owned a boat, what name would you choose for it?
Time Out
7. What are the most important qualities you look for in friends?
Trust, honesty, integrity, credibility and sense of humor.  A good friend is one you can count on and talk to about anything without being judged.
8. Which celebrity do people say you most resemble?
Julie Andrews or Doris Day (so I’ve been told).
9. If possible, would you live year round in your favorite season?
Yes, summer — 80 degrees, sun and low humidity.
>10. When you were young what did you< want to be when you grew up?
Two things — a singer and a Nurse Practitioner.
11. In your opinion, what are the seven wonders of the world?
1.  Taj Mahal, India (I’ve been there).  2.  Chichen Itza, Mexico (I’ve been there).  3.  Mount Rushmore, South Dakota (Been there — I’m a native South Dakotan).  4.  Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy (I’ve been there).  5.  Niagara Falls, New York/Canada (I’ve been there).  6.  Stonehenge, England  7.  Grand Canyon, Arizona

Every month, The Neighborhoods of World Golf Village selects a resident from the Jacksonville golf course community to be featured in our blog. Then we ask them a series of random questions so all the neighbors get to know them better! This month we are pleased to introduce you to Eunice Johannesen. Eunice and her husband, Tom, moved to the King & Bear at WGV about five years ago. Since their children are grown and live out-of-state, they recently adopted two Jack Russell puppies, Maggie and Patrick. Meet Eunice…

Photo of Eunice1. What is your favorite thing about living in WGV?

The beautiful landscaping and overall beauty/impression one gets of the developer’s diligence to the environment.  Other important things are security and the protection that the deed restrictions provide homeowners.  WGV allows us to be active in many ways — golf, walking, biking, swimming and easy access to the beach.

2. What makes a house a home?

A house is a home when it’s filled with comfort and love, good neighbors and friends, which includes many visits from our out-of-state families and friends.

3. What’s your favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner?

The best part of Thanksgiving dinner is having family join our table and cooking all the traditional Thanksgiving foods.  I am especially fond of the stuffing!

4. How will our culture change in the next 100 years?

1.  I believe there will be a decline in population growth. 2.  The greenhouse effect will cause a dying earth with drastic changes in climate affecting all of the people of the world, as well as wild life.  The Arctic and Antarctic ice caps will melt.  3.  I believe space exploration will eventually lead to solar power for the world in the future, decreasing our dependency on oil.  4.  People will continue to feel compassion and love, and have the desire to help each other in times of need. 5.  I can envision the future way wars will be fought will not involve humans being put in harms way, but rather technology will be sophisticated enough by that time to fight wars with robots operated from a safe environment with strategic goals being much more realistic. The ravages of war  will continue.  6.  Hopefully there will be a cure for cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, etc.  In fact, research may very well have developed vaccines for these diseases, and other serious diseases, by that time! (more…)

July 23, 2010

Top 5 Reasons WGV Courses are the Best!

Posted by Alayna Oram in Golf, WGV Amenities

golf picEvery other month, The Neighborhoods of World Golf Village hosts a “Post for Prizes” contest on our Facebook page. It is a pretty simple contest. All you have to do is submit an answer to whatever the question of the month is. (My favorite question so far is, “What is your favorite line from Caddyshack?”) This month all you had to do was name one of the top 5 reasons the World Golf Village golf courses are the best. The person with the best answer wins a different prize each month. For July, Michael Stockwell gave the best answer and won a $100 gift card to the golf pro shop! Congratulations Michael!

Although all of the answers were wonderful, I was surprised that the chilled apples served on the 1st and 10th tees of both courses weren’t mentioned….Neither was the iced towels handed out by the player assistants on hot days or the GPS in every cart. I guess there are so many great things about the courses, we should have made it a top 10 list instead!  Here we go with the winning 5…

5. The WGV golf courses are core golf courses. The Slammer & Squire has no road crossings and the King & Bear has only one. Traffic never interferes with our play!

4. Both courses are maintained to the highest standards. The grounds crew is second to none!

3. Both courses boast the most beautiful natural setting imaginable! The courses meander under ancient live oaks and next to sparkling lakes.

2. The people who we get to play with – from our neighbors to our out-of-town guests – bring the course to life and make it incredibly fun!

1. And the #1 reason WGV golf courses are the best anywhere is our courteous & helpful staff! They welcome us with a big smile and a positive attitude ALWAYS!

Please feel free to add any reasons we missed! And watch for our next Post for Prizes contest in September…

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July 8, 2010

Eclipse Now Playing at World Golf IMAX!

Posted by Alayna Oram in Events, Local Events, WGV Events

Twilight Photo 2You would have to live under a rock to not know about the “Twilight” mania that is going on in pop culture right now. The series of books by Stephanie Meyer’s were wildly popular, even before they were transformed into movies. As the third movie in the Twilight sage, “Eclipse”, hit theaters the furor hit an all time high! You can enjoy the romantic thriller in its full glory for a limited time at the World Golf IMAX movie theater with a six-story high screen! This makes it the largest IMAX screen in Northeast Florida and a great way to watch all of the action…

For those of you who don’t know, Twilight is a story about an ordinary teenage girl, Bella, who falls in love with an exotic vampire, Edward. Of course, this creates some unique challenges for their relationship. Their love is further complicated by the fact Bella also is in love with Jacob - who is a werewolf! (It should be noted she loves Edward the most though!)

This love triangle has created a rivalry between fans of the movies: Team Edward vs. Team Jacob. After watching Eclipse, I must admit I am on Team Jacob. Personally, I think he is cuter than the skinny and pale Edward. (I have to wonder if I am going to get nasty comments on this blog post now!) But I mostly side with Jacob because he is honest with Bella. Edward tends to “protect” her too much and this leads to controlling behaviour on his part…that is simply unattractive to me. Doesn’t this bother anyone else? And there is the small fact he is eventually going to take her soul away! Although I don’t think the movie will ever be nominated for an Oscar, it is a great way to escape for two hours or so!

Now, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how wonderful it was to simply ride our bikes to see this IMAX movie! When you live in The Neighborhoods of World Golf Village, the theater is practically in your own backyard. For more information about living in the best Jacksonville golf course community, visit Davidson Realty.

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June 21, 2010

Spectacular Fireworks Show on July 2 at WGV

Posted by Alayna Oram in Events, Local Activities, Local Events, News, WGV Events

fireworks from collage smallWorld Golf Village - the Jacksonville golf course community -  has been celebrating Independence Day with one of the largest fireworks displays in Northeast Florida for years now. And we will continue the tradition this year on Friday, July 2! It is a wonderful way to kick off the holiday weekend and celebrate our great country!

 It always makes me smile to see the kids playing on the lawn and friends of all ages chatting away before the firework show begins…which happens shortly after dusk. All you have to do to join the fun is pay a $5 per car parking fee, then bring your lawn chairs or a blanket out to the Walk of Champions lawn. Although coolers aren’t permitted, there are lots of delectable treats available from Caddyshack’s and the Hall of Fame Cafe.

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June 7, 2010

WGV Resident Spotlight on Todd Oakes!

Posted by Alayna Oram in WGV Residents

California Prunes[1]Todd Oakes lives with his wife of 40 years, Cathy, in the Cascades at World Golf Village. They were among the first residents when they moved to the St. Augustine golf community in 2006. Although Todd’s favorite quote is, “It is better to keep your mouth shut and be thought stupid than to open your mouth and remove all doubt,” he has graciously agreed to be our featured resident this month! Meet Todd…

1. If you could have front row seats to any concert who would you like to see?

I don’t know if you would call it a concert, but the Blue Collar Comedy Tour. I love to laugh.

2. If you could be brilliant in one subject, which would you choose?

Marital respect. We’ve made it 40 years and have been doing pretty good, but there is always room to improve.

3. Which is more important, the respect of your children or your parents? 

I don’t think you can separate the two.  If I did not have the respect of my parents, I don’t know how you would think your kids would respect you.

4. Should the individual or society be of primary importance? 

Since I am a lifelong conservative, this one is easy. It has to be the individual.

(more…)

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May 7, 2010

5 Interesting Facts About Henry Flagler

Posted by Alayna Oram in Events, Local Events

alcazarJock Ochiltree has been selling St. Augustine real estate at Davidson Realty for over three years now. Jock loves learning about the history of St. Augustine, so needless to say he really enjoys the presentations given for St. Augustine’s 450th anniversary celebration. A week or two ago he attended “Flagler’s Age of Opulence,” which shared Henry’s Flagler’s impact on St. Augustine real estate. Although Jock’s highlights were many, here are my favorite five tidbits of knowledge he shared!

1. Flagler first came to St. Augustine in 1878 (to improve his first wife’s health) and he hated it! He called it a “pest hole full of sick people.” They left immediately.

2. When Flagler eventually returned he built the Hotel Alcazar (pictured above), which has an underground pool that is fed by a 78 degree spring. Other Florida springs are only 72 degree.

3. The facade of the Hotel Alcazar – now the Lightner Museum – was never completed.

4. Flagler built the overseas railroad to Key West, which was the largest privately funded construction project in U.S. history.

5. Flagler didn’t make any money on developing Florida. He said he did it to give back to the community!

If you are interested in attending upcoming events for St. Augustine’s 450th anniversary, just ask Jock Ochiltree!

April 23, 2010

Dee Fuchs Answers 10 Questions

Posted by Alayna Oram in WGV Residents

Dee Fuchs 2[1]Each month, we feature a WGV neighbor in our Resident Spotlight. This month, we are pleased to introduce you to Dee Fuchs. Dee moved into our St. Augustine golf course community a few months ago with her husband, Ken, and their yellow lab, Buffet. Meet Dee…

1. Would you rather be a great musician, artist or athlete?

Can I say “all of the above”? I love music, both singing and playing the piano, and wish I had continued honing my skills through adulthood. I love art and have dabbled in watercolors, oils, crafts and jewelry making over the years – perhaps I could have developed into a famous designer. I also would have liked to learn golf in my youth because I now love the game and the pleasure it brings to my life.

2. If you could have any view from your back porch what would it be?

I love my serene view of the lake with all its birds from my lanai here in WGV, so perhaps the perfect view for me would be a lake view in a tropical location, perhaps Costa Rica or near Iguazu Falls, with lots of foliage, flowers, birds, animals, with a mountain & waterfall in the background – quiet and peaceful.

3. What event in the past, present or future would you like to witness in person?

I have been blessed to have seen many spectacular events in my lifetime so this is a hard one. Perhaps the first walk on the moon, to be able to see its surface for the first time, look at the heavens and stars and back down at the earth.

4. Would you like a quiet life of safety or a life of great adventure and uncertainty?

I’ll choose adventure anytime!

5. What one goal do you hope to accomplish this year?

To meet people and develop friends in our new home here in WGV.

6. What one question would you ask a psychic about the future?

I’d rather enjoy each day as it comes.

7. Which is more important intelligence or common sense?

Definitely common sense, but having both is the perfect scenario.

8. What do you think is the ideal age?

35

9. What is the most beautiful place you’ve ever seen?

This is a very difficult question because I’ve seen so many wonderful places and they are all so different from each other. From a standpoint of natural beauty, I would say either Alaska, Costa Rica or Rio de Janeiro. From a standpoint of man-made beauty, definitely Machu Pichu or Petra.

10. Would you be likely to survive alone in the wilderness?

Yes, at least for a good amount of time.

April 12, 2010

One-of-a-Kind Fun in a One-of-a-Kind Community!

Posted by Alayna Oram in WGV Amenities

Putting Course 1[1]Even though I’ve been on the WGV marketing team for almost a decade now, I’m ashamed to say I had never played the putting course at the St. Augustine golf community. So when friends asked me to last Thursday, I jumped at the chance! We met at 4:30 at the World Golf Hall of Fame and as soon as I realized I putt right-handed (even though I write left-handed) I did surprisingly well. This isn’t your average Putt-Putt couse after all!

This putting course is comprised of 18 greens that are maintained to USGA specifications. And the flags are moved daily – at least that’s what I heard! Because we wanted to catch the 6:00 PM “Hubble” IMAX movie, we decided to play “best ball”. The round of 18 took us about an hour, thanks to my friend Candy making a hole in one on the final green! We have a guest blogger writing a review of the movie next week so I won’t mention that the movie was fabulous and everyone should go see it! (more…)

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