Dec 3rd, 2011

Camping Winter Wonderland

Posted By: Sandy Rainwater in Homes By Deltona, Laterra Links

Homes by Deltona employee, Sandy Rainwater, shares her pre-Thanksgiving experience with her grand kids:

The week before Thanksgiving is a very busy week.  With so many family extended members, it can be difficult to find your own special time with grand kids!

This year I decided to take a different path for mine:  This past week I have enjoyed a great time putting together a “Camping Winter Wonderland” in my living room for the “Grands.”

I purchased two dome “tents” from Gander Mountain, for juniors, in olive for the boy, and pink for the girl.  Then purchased coordinating sleeping bags, and the blow up mattresses to go inside.  Additionally, the camp ground is decorated with one small pre-lit tree, two reindeer with lights, a snowman with lights and some electric fireplace logs to finish off the scene.

Flashlights, compasses, small camping lights and an assortment of books finish the inside of their private suites. The children’s Uncle Jack will be camping with them outside their tents in his sleeping bag!

We watched movies and ate smores with hot chocolate for a long evening of entertainment before we celebrated the big Turkey Day.

Fun! Fun! Fun!

To Contact Sandy Rainwater,
(904) 940-5388
sandy.rainwater@deltona.com

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Oct 31st, 2011

Homes by Deltona Giving Back to the Communty

Posted By: Karen Palmer in Deltona Realty, Grand Ravine, Homes By Deltona, Isles of the World, Laterra Links, Portofino, San Savino

With its reputation as Florida’s top-performing school district, the fact that homeless children attend St. Johns County schools came as somewhat of a surprise to me when I attended my granddaughter’s open house at Wards Creek Elementary.

I asked Don Campbell, the principal, what the school’s needs were, and that’s when I learned about the homeless children. With school starting, these children didn’t have the supplies they needed.

The quality of the St. Johns County school system is a major factor for our homebuyers in each of our five Florida golf communities – Laterra Links, San Savino, Portofino, Isles of the World and Grand Ravine. And while we’re extremely proud of the school system that our residents enjoy, it’s important not to overlook the needs that still exist, even in such a prosperous community.

After getting the supplies list from the principal, I’m proud to say that the Homes by Deltona sales agents stepped up to the plate to purchase the school supplies that these children needed.

There are so many ways to give back to our community, and this is just one example. How do you give back? Please share your experiences helping to meet the needs in our community and let others know how they can contribute.

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Oct 15th, 2011

SAM Tram Visits World Golf Village!

Posted By: Alayna Oram in Deltona Realty, Grand Ravine, Homes By Deltona, Isles of the World, Laterra Links, Portofino, San Savino

We were excited to host top Jacksonville Realtors on October 7 when the SAM Tram came to World Golf Village. The Northeast Florida Builders Association’s Sales and Marketing Council organizes the “SAM” (for Sales and Marketing) Tram two to three times a year, providing tours of new communities in St. Augustine and Jacksonville to Realtors and affiliates. On the tours, builders and developers showcase their homes and answer questions for Realtors.

On the October 7th tour, we provided breakfast at the Laterra Links clubhouse and showcased the Pinehurst model, which recently won the overall “Judge’s Choice” award at the St. Johns County Builders Association Parade of Homes. This home has 2,160 square feet, all on the ground level. It includes a screened lanai, attached two-car garage, 10-foot ceilings, three bedrooms, two baths and a large flex space that can serve as a dining room, office or den.

We also showcased the Barton Creek model in Isles of the World (pictured above), which offers five bedrooms, three and one-half bathrooms, a first-floor master bedroom, a grand room that can be open or divided with a fireplace and entertainment wall, and a large private courtyard.

If you are interested in seeing the homes for yourself, please contact Karen Palmer at 904-940-5388.

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Oct 9th, 2011

Florida Blue Offers Community Health Fairs

Posted By: Alayna Oram in Homes By Deltona, Laterra Links, San Savino

Have you seen the Florida Blue center at the St. Johns Town Center? Ever been curious about what they do in there? I guessed that they sold Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance, and I was right. But this past weekend they were having a Health Fair, so I decided to learn more. My friend and I stopped in on our way to shop at the Town Center.

They were offering no cost flu shots to all Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida members and $15 flu shots for the rest of the community. Part of their mission is to provide “wellness” to the community. Isn’t that great? They are going to offer the no cost/low-cost flu shots to the community again in two weeks!

Florida Blue was also offering Personal Health Assessments to everyone who came by. Apparently, Blue members can have these done anytime they want to stop in, but they offer them free to the community during the Health Fairs, which are the second Saturday of every month.  

They take your blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, height, weight, and BMI. They also have you answer a questionnaire about your personal health habits. They run it all through a computer and give you a print out of the results. If you would like, a registered nurse will sit down and review the results with you. My friend did this and she learned so much! I talked to her this morning and she was preparing her healthy menu for the week, since she learned she needs to lose 10 pounds to hit her optimal weight.

If you are interested in improving your health, so you can enjoy the lifestyle offered by one of our Florida golf course communities, stop by for the next Florida Blue Health Fair!

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Sep 25th, 2011

4 Tips for a Healthier You!

Posted By: Ella Palmer in Homes By Deltona, Laterra Links

Usually everyone focuses on getting healthy after the first of the year - instead of at the beginning of the holiday season. But we recommend getting a jump-start…so we are offering the following four tips for a healthier you NOW!

1. De-stock the panty

Starting out on a healthy path can be hard when there’s still temptation lurking in your pantry. Take an afternoon to clean out the pantry and fridge and donate any unhealthy foods to a food pantry.

2. Eat home-cooked meals

Home-cooked meals are definitely the way to go in order to illuminate and eliminate large amounts of fat. Make sure that you are cooking healthy, natural foods – typically located around the perimeter of the grocery store. The best way to cook natural foods, like veggies, is to steam them. There are waterless cookware companies that have devoted their lines of products to healthy cooking.

3. Work out regularly

I have learned that I have to work out with people in order to stay motivated. Even though it takes a little extra time, I try to make a schedule with friends for a week at a time to make sure I have the extra encouragement of a buddy. Sometimes things come up and people have to cancel, but I told my workout buddies not to tell me until the last minute so that I keep my mindset of working out.

If you prefer working out on your own, Beachbody has tons of different home workouts to fit your style. You could get a home workout DVD and still invite friends over to do it with you too. For women, there is one called Brazil Butt Lift made my the Victoria’s Secret model’s trainer and for those with limited time on their hands, there is a 10-minute trainer workout by Tony Horton, the maker of P90X.

If you prefer a gym, try running intervals of 30 minutes on the treadmill and alternating days of mat work (crunches, lunges, planks, etc.) and weights (free weights or machines). Living in a golf course community with a gym makes it much easier to stick to your work out routine.

4. Nutritional supplements

It’s extremely difficult to get all the nutrients we need from our daily diets. Even if we eat healthy, it may not be enough. To compensate, I only use two supplements to give me that extra boost. In the morning and evening, I take Juice Plus, which is basically ground up fruits and vegetables. They recommend taking the fruit in the morning and the vegetables at night, but I find that the veggie capsules give me too much energy to go to sleep, so I reverse them. The second thing that I drink is Shakeology for lunch. It makes for a fast and easy lunch that I can drink every day at work.

Good luck with starting your own healthy lifestyle!

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Sep 16th, 2011

6 Packing Tips for a Happy Move

Posted By: Alayna Oram in Homes By Deltona, Laterra Links, San Savino

We hope you are moving to our Florida golf course community, but regardless of where your new home may be, we offer these six packing tips to keep your belongings safe!

1. Segregate items from different rooms and pack them in separate boxes. Clearly label each box (which room it goes to and if it’s fragile). Even if you know what’s in it, it makes it easier if someone else is helping you unpack the moving truck. One method is to number the boxes and keep a list of what is in each number This helps to make sure that you don’t lose any boxes, just don’t lose the list!

2. It is important to coordinate your box size to the weight of your belongings. No one likes to move a big, heavy box of books, so use small boxes for heavier items and big boxes for lighter ones (pillows, towels, sheets, etc.). Be sure to pack these boxes close to the cabin of the moving truck.

3. If you’re mixing heavy and light belongings, be sure to layer them in the boxes: heavy on the bottom, light on top.

4. Have a pile of clothes ready to fill in the gaps of your boxes to keep items from moving around too much.

5. Pack breakables with care:

  • For dishes, bunch up paper to surround the perimeter of the box. Put paper around each dish, then wrap 5 or 6 together in a second layer of paper before packing them on their side (not flat).
  • For mirrors or other large glass surfaces, use masking tape to make a large X across the surface to strengthen the glass. Use a frame box to put the wrapped pieces of glass into with a piece of cardboard between each one.
  • For plasma TVs, double-box in padded boxes (or use scrunched up paper), and clearly mark which end is up so that the TV is never laid flat.
  • For oil paintings, don’t use regular paper to wrap them up because it will stick!

6. When you finish packing your box, don’t worry about how much tape you’re using – tape it well! There’s nothing worse than having the entire contents of a box fall out on your foot! After taping all of the seams well, consider doing a wrap-around with the tape all the way around the box.

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Aug 30th, 2011

8 Reasons to Visit the World Golf Hall of Fame

Posted By: Karen Palmer in Homes By Deltona, Laterra Links

The other day one of my friends mentioned she hadn’t been to the World Golf Hall of Fame in years, so we decided to visit it together. Below are the eight favorite things we saw!

1. Bob Hope: Shanks for the Memory Special Exhibit

When you first enter the Hall of Fame, you visit a remarkable exhibit of Bob Hope memorabilia! There are numerous “stations” with displays and video clips that make you laugh – and teach you something about the game of golf too!

2. Replica of Swilcan Burn Bridge

The original Swilcan Burn Bridge is found on the 18th fairway of the famed Old Course at St. Andrews. As you can see above, we used the replica as a photo op!

3. Old School Putting Green

As you learn about the evolution of the golf club, you get an opportunity to putt using a variety of different clubs. Let’s just say that advancements in technology certainly have improved the game!

4. Championship Moments Theatre

We took a few minutes to watch some of the most amazing and memorable golf plays in the history of the game in the theatre. The filmmakers did a great job of sharing the excitement of the game!

5. Hall of Fame Tower

We took the elevator to the top of the tower. What amazed my friend the most was how much land was dedicated to nature preserves. There really was a sea of green before us! So, if you love golf or you love trees, you might want to consider living in this Florida golf community. We have an abundance of both!

6. Modern Putting Green

Next, we arrived at the modern putting green, which is equipped with television cameras to let you know exactly how the pros feel when they are going for a long putt to win a championship! Well, maybe not exactly how they feel, but you get the idea!

7. Full Swing Golf Simulator

Now that we were all excited about golf, we got the opportunity to really swing a golf club. The full swing golf simulator measures the velocity and angle of your swing and advances you on the video screen accordingly. Let’s just say, neither of us has to worry about playing before television cameras in real life!

8. Nancy Lopez’s Locker

At the end of the tour, you get to visit the lockers of all of the great golfers. Our favorite was Nancy Lopez. Not because she had 48 career LPGA Tour titles, 3 major championships or 4 Player of the Year awards (all things we learned that day), but because she had a Barbie doll in her locker. You see, her dad promised her when she was 12-years-old that he would buy her a Barbie doll if she played well - now that doll is on display in the Hall of Fame. It is those human stories that really bring the Hall of Fame to life!

If you haven’t been to the World Golf Hall of Fame in a while, we recommend you go. It really is a fun way to spend the day with family or friends! And, of course, you can stroll over to Caddyshack’s for a frozen margarita to end a perfect day!

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Aug 19th, 2011

5 Tips to Organize Your Home

Posted By: Ella Palmer in Homes By Deltona, Laterra Links

We have all heard of spring cleaning, but we are starting something new…fall organizing! With kids going back to school and family vacations wrapping up, now is the perfect time to organize your new home before the havoc of the holiday season starts! Here are 5 tips residents of the golf course community Laterra Links shared with us.

1. Find a place for everything in your home.

Finding the proper place for everything will help you declutter your life and keep you from buying frivolous things. It is a wonderful feeling to know where to go to find exactly what you are looking for. Think through your daily life and figure out the most sensible places to keep items, even temporary items like the to-be-ironed laundry or laundry bins. This also includes finding a place for all those pesky papers that seem to pile up overnight. An easy alphabetical filing system with plain old manila folders works wonders. Don’t forget to make a file for pending items, like concert tickes, so that you can always know right where to look!

2. Put it back!

Now that you have a place for everything, it is imperative that you remember to alway put things away as soon as you finish using them. Many times the culprit behind a messy house is the “I’ll put it away later” thought process.

3. Create a functional entrance.

The entry way is a guest’s first impression of your home. To help make it a good impression, find ways to make it functional, yet appealing. Make sure that you incorporate the idea of a “landing strip” into your entryway with a place for you to dump keys, sunglasses, purse, mail, etc. as soon as you come inside the door. To hide the unsightly items consider a small bench with bins underneath or a table with baskets on top. Allow space for a wall hook or coat rack to hang your coats and scarves.

4. Keep a family calendar/planner.

Most people already have a personal calendar, but it is helpful to have a family calendar posted in the kitchen detailing weekly menus, meetings, errands and events.

5. Make lists like a crazy person!

A running grocery list makes a nice touch in the kitchen as well. Or, if everyone has a smart phone, check out the Family Organizer: Shared To Do + Calendar + Grocery Lists app by Yadahome where different people can add to the same lists so that everyone is on the same page.

An organized life makes all the difference in the world, but don’t think that you’ll be able to conquer your entire house in one short day. Be sure to break your organiziang into small bite-sized project that you can do in one afternoon (like entryway, desk, kitchen counters, etc.). Once you get everything organized it is so much easier to stay organized…and spend more time doing the things you love to do…like playing on one of the top golf courses in Florida!

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Aug 16th, 2011

5 Favorite Things about Serenata Beach Club!

Posted By: Ella Palmer in Homes By Deltona, Laterra Links

Many of the residents in Laterra Links at World Golf Village are members of the Serenata Beach Club, located between Ponte Vedra and St. Augustine – right on the Atlantic Ocean. So, we decided to ask a few of them their favorite things about the beautiful beach club. Here are the top 5 answers:

1. The Adult-only Pool and Hot Tub

I remember when I was little I wanted to go to the adult pool so badly! I didn’t think that it was fair that the adults got their very own pool. However, as an adult, I fully appreciate the beauty of escaping the craziness of children. Sometimes it’s fun to be around kids – and on those day I’ll sit on the lower deck and laugh with those silly munchkins. Those times when I desperately need a day to relax, I find myself lounging on a float in the upstairs pool overlooking the ocean, not worried at all that I will be kicked, dunked, slapped or bumped!

2. The Kid Zone

Don’t feel too bad for the kids now, they still get the entire lower level of the beach club devoted to them. With their own hangout room with weekly events happening throughout the summer, as well as a place to fill their bottomless tummies right next door, there really is no need for them to go upstairs. It is also nice to know there is a lifeguard that keeps an eye on all of the kids as they swim and play in the splashground too.

3. Beach Chairs and Umbrellas

I can’t stand how cumbersome it is to lug beach chairs, umbrellas, and other equipment all the way down to the beach. I must not be alone in my feelings, because Serenata Beach Club sets out chairs and umbrellas for your use on the beach. How convenient is that! And if you want to do more than simply relax, you can rent a surfboard from them too!

4. Between Ponte Vedra and St. Augustine

Serenata Beach Club is located on a beautiful stretch of beach between Ponte Vedra and St. Augustine, right on the Atlantic Ocean. It takes about 20 minutes to get there from World Golf Village, so it’s not too far away from our golf course community. But it is far enough away that you can really unwind. It really feels like you have your own vacation spot just minutes from your front door.

5. Fried Grouper Sandwich

Although I am a super healthy person,  I do have a weakness…Serenata Beach Club’s fried grouper sandwich. If you try it, you will understand!

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Aug 11th, 2011

World Golf Village Residents Enjoy Concerts in the Plaza

Posted By: Ella Palmer in Homes By Deltona, Laterra Links

From now until Labor Day, neighbors in Laterra Links at World Golf Village have plans every Thursday night…if they want them! Following a tradition that goes back 20 years, there will be Concerts in the Plaza in downtown St. Augustine showcasing different local artists each week. All kinds of different genres will be featured so there is something for everyone. The concerts start at 7 PM and last about two hours. They are free to the public. All you have to do is bring a chair, towel or blanket to sit on. Parking is also free downtown after 5 PM, so don’t worry about bringing a million quarters for the parking meters! The Ancient City Slickers did great on July 28 and the Mike Hart Band rocked the show on August 4! With only five weeks left in this year’s series, make plans now to catch your favorite bands.

Here is the schedule:

Tonight – Mystic Express

August 18 – Elizabeth & The Grapes of Roth

August 25 – Triple Rock Blues Band

September 1 – Old City Farmers

September 5 – St. Augustine Jazz Society. (This special Labor Day concert ends the series and is from 1:00 to 5:00 PM.)

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