Lions are not only kings of the jungle they also have reined as sentinels on the Bridge of Lions in St. Augustine, Fl. for close to 85 years. The lions were given as a gift to the city in 1926, by a close friend of Henry Flagler’s, Dr. Andrew Anderson and were sculpted by Romanelli studios.  They are copies of the pair that stand guard outside the loggia Dei Lanze in Florence.  Their names are Firm and Faithful.  The city recently celebrated their return to the bridge this past Tuesday.  They had been in storage for six years, where they underwent restoration while the Bridge of Lions was being re-built.

You can’t be a native of St. Augustine, FL and not be excited by their return.  Their Italian Carrera white marble stands out splendidly against the backdrop of the Matanzas Bay and the brilliant blue sky.  Even at night, the city’s lights reflect their majesty as you cross the Bridge of Lions, which joins St. Augustine with Anastasia Island.   

Spending a day in St. Augustine is always a treat, but getting to go downtown and see the lions returned to their rightful spot, makes you proud to call St. Augustine, FL, a city steeped in history, home!

While most of the country is experiencing frigid temperatures, wearing long-johns and sipping on something hot to warm them up, we in Northeast Florida are experiencing some spring-like weather and the fishing reports are screaming the news that the speckled perch are beginning to spawn in the beautiful brackish water of the St. Johns River.  What a great place to live!  Being a resident of St. Augustine, FL, you have access to the St. Johns River, which is the only river that flows north, the Intracoastal Waterway, and the Atlantic Ocean.  All are a quick and enjoyable destination when planning your day on the water.

Don’t get me wrong Gentlemen, it is nice to have a guy to go fishing with, especially when it is time to take that big fish off the hook, but girl’s can fish too!  As a matter of fact, there is a Women’s Fishing Clinic scheduled for March 19th in Jacksonville, FL.  I plan on heading out so that I can get some pointers for my next fishing excursion and of course, I plan on taking my new Penn rod and reel.  You can get all the details on the clinic, along with all the latest fishing tips, on Jim Sutton’s Fishing Report located @ Jacksonville.com.

Dorothy had it right when she said “There’s no place like home” and that’s how I feel every time I pull into my driveway in Turnberry at World Golf Village!  The ambiance of the neighborhood is a perfect mix between country living and city charm. 

Purchasing a home is a very difficult decision to make.  There are certain criteria, which come into play when you pick the location and type of residence that is perfect for you.  I made the decision to purchase in Turnberry five years ago and am extremely happy to be located in a beautiful Florida golf course community between the cities of St. Augustine and Jacksonville – and bordered by some of the east coast’s prettiest shorelines.

I was recently asked to do a video describing the top five reasons why I chose to call World Golf Village home and I had a great time doing so with friends Dottie Lay and Alayna Oram.  We began our journey at the entrance of Turnberry to do the introduction to the video. A thoughtful neighbor stopped when he saw our car parked beside the road with its flashers on and wanted to know if we needed help.  That’s just the kind of neighborhood it is! From there we moved over to Royal Pines to visit Dottie’s home. Then, we climbed into a golf cart and rode down to Caddyshack for a glass of wine and dinner. 

The great thing about living in Turnberry at World Golf Village is that it is almost as simple as clicking your heels together to return home after a fun day or evening out! Hope you enjoy the video!

Who says you have to be a child to enjoy the magic of the holiday season? Those of us who are fortunate to call World Golf Village home, have the luxury of enjoying the holidays by going to downtown St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights. This year marks the 17th anniversary of the holiday display of tiny white lights magically lighting the downtown of this quaint city with plenty of stories to tell. The light display is kept up until January 31st. There is so much to enjoy besides the ambience of the lights illuminated in the waters of the Matanzas Bay. Just the view alone will make the staunchest soul a romantic!

My recommendation is to begin the night off with a glass of wine and a bowl of chili at Celar 6  located on Aviles Street. (Ask for Chris.) The atmosphere is warm and toasty with its brick walls lined with art, bottles of wine, stemware and beer – guaranteed to warm the tummy, bones and heart!

From there, you don’t need to drive around to see the lights – enjoy the scenery and leave the driving of the narrow streets to the professionals by catching the “Jolly Trolley”. Your ride will be accompanied by Christmas music, lights and the glorious surroundings of the nation’s oldest city – St. Augustine.

No visit to St. Augustine is complete without finishing the evening off with a visit to the “Tini Martini Bar” located on the bay front in the Casablanca Inn.  Sit on the front porch of the old inn, which is warmed by heating lamps and decorated for the holidays with tons of lights or sit inside the bar and enjoy your dessert – a decadent Godiva Chocolate Martini of course! If chocolate or martinis aren’t your poison – they offer a wide variety of wines and beers.

Living in one of the best Flordia golf course communities really does give one the best of old and new. Cold winter nights can quickly turn into warm summer-like days – perfect for a game of golf on the King & Bear or a stroll around the old city. The possibilities are endless! My last recommendation is to add the experience to your own 12 Days of Christmas list – you definitely will not be sorry!