Contributing Editor
Welcome to our fall issue and the third anniversary of Sand Castles, a luxury, lifestyle and real estate seasonal section. Just over three years ago, we launched Sand Castles in the Ponte Vedra Recorder during one of North Florida’s most exciting and fun weekends: the Florida/Georgia game in Jacksonville. We recently received a First Place Award for Best Cover design at the Community Papers of Florida conference attend by Publisher Susan Griffin!
An annual event that began in 1915, the Florida/Georgia game often called the “world’s largest cocktail party.” The fans arrive early to this “destination game vacation “and experience our Southern hospitality as we roll out our welcome to our neighbors from the North! We have pointed this out before and it is worth repeating: Georgia is the #1 feeder state for real estate sales in Florida! We may be rivals on the field, but when the games are over Georgia residents enjoy our beautiful beaches, restaurants and lifestyle!
Our “market watch,” written by Nocatee Watson Realty Corp. Broker Phil Lamb, delves into our local market after the hurricane with input on how the storm affected real estate throughout the beach communities. Fourteen of our top agents, meanwhile, share their stories about some amazing properties currently on the market in our country club communities around the First Coast! According to a Wall Street Journal report, our market has stayed steady and North Florida remains not only “Florida’s best kept secret” but an attractive real estate investment.
Our First Coast is a wonderful place to live and with Florida/Georgia on our minds we invite our visitors and residents to experience and enjoy our vibrant community. In this issue of Sand Castles, I write a story on entertaining Harbour Island style! This prestigious yacht club community is the only deep water marina in Ponte Vedra Beach! Chef Michael Ayres helps us celebrate this weekend with some great tailgating recipes he is preparing for guest and members of Sawgrass Country Club. Mother/daughter duo Betty Lemons and Laura Todd Haney share how their fashion company “The Scott Collection” helps us get ready for the games. And Elaine Caldwell, designer and owner of Luxury for Less, shows us how to stage the perfect fall setting for watching the game at home.
Our fall season is also packed with celebrations and exciting speakers. In early December, Academy Award-winning actress Goldie Hawn will be the featured speaker at the 40th anniversary Art & Antiques Show benefiting Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
Our home is our castle and at the beaches it is our castle in the sand. From palm trees to sand dunes, golf courses to resort living, Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach and the Beaches communities offer the most desirable real estate in Northeast Florida!
Janet Westling, Realtor,GRI, CIPS
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServicesFlorida Network Realty
Sand Castles Creator and Contributing Editor
Award Winning Section
www.janetwestling.com
