About Saint Johns County, FL

Day after day we drive by communities that seem like they have always been there. But at some point in the past, they were only an idea in one person's mind. I decided to document some of these stories that made Marsh Creek, St. Augustine's highly desireable golf course community what it is today. In an effort to preserve the stories of this community, you can now visit Marsh Creek Blog and read and tell about real life in Marsh Creek.

These stories will preserve the heritage and legacy which continue to shape the Marsh Creek community so that visitors, friends and family will enjoy an inside look at this wonderful neighborhood. Experiences on the golf course, buying or moving into your Marsh Creek home, the fitness club, the clubhouse, tennis courts, the deer and other wildlife, are all invited to be submitted.

If you already live in St. Johns County, you may know Marsh Creek is St. Johns County’s only private gated golf course community. What you may not know is any of the early Marsh Creek stories that shaped the beautiful landscape you see and enjoy today.

In 1986 Betty and John Bertschy, my Mom and Dad, shared a common vision that would allow them to create and execute a plan that would make them two of Marsh Creek’s founding members. Imagine Betty, a refined New York business woman, sitting in an open jeep bouncing up and down the trails as she grabbed the dashboard to steady herself. The driver, chewing tobacco and talking about gambling, even had a shot gun laid across his lap to “shoot the rattlesnakes”.

As my parents continued to look at lots that were clearly undistinguishable from one to another, their guide explained that the view of the marsh and inter-coastal would be great from here or there. But all anyone could see were the palmetto bushes such that even the driver navigated by handheld compass across the 800 some-odd acres.

The lots were issued by a lottery system and buyers were told to pick three choices. My parents ended up with their 3^rd choice. Like most big dreams theirs’ was met with many obstacles the kind of obstacles that would have stopped most people with less vision. Along the way, they began to see beyond the obstacles and towards the possibilities we enjoy today.

Thanks Mom.

To submit stories and photos you can go directly to www.MarshCreekBog.com , email an.marshall@prudentialnetworkrealty.com or call 904-200-7000.

An Marshall, REALTOR

Prudential Network Realty

Extremely Full Service

www.AnMarshallOnTheMove.com
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email:an.marshall@prudentialnetworkrealty.com

The Heritage Oak at World Golf Village: Northeast Florida

This is an article that was originally written by Vanessa Cunningham with Davidson Development.

This is a phenomenal Oak Tree located in The King & The Bear which is the gated section of the World Golf Village. When I came to work for Davidson Realty I did not realize that the Davidson Companies had hired this artist to do an original of this particular tree.

I fell in love with the tree not realizing it was the same one hanging in our foyer. One afternoon I took pictures of it and had the one I liked the best uploaded to Kodak. I had an 18" x 24" made and had it appropriately matted and framed and hung on my office wall.

The next day, Rick pariani, who was head of our ARC Board and also designed the World Golf Village came in and made a nice comment about the Heritage Oak. This is when I found out it was the same tree as the original downstairs.

This is the original article written by Vanessa who is also on the ARC Board and reprinted with her permission.

Many years ago, before World Golf Village was even imagined, much of the land here was either pine plantations or dairy pasture. The pastures were adorned with majestic Live Oak trees. The trees, livestock and wildlife co-existed and the trees thrived in their native habitat.

All too often some of our most beautiful trees are sacrificed by the development around us. There are many special preserved trees in World Golf Village, but the most famous of them all, a prestigious Southern Live Oak stands in Heritage Park, in the King & Bear neighborhood. In pre-design and development plans for our St. Augustine master-planned community, the tree, known as The Heritage Oak, stood right in the path of a planned major thoroughfare, Oakgrove Avenue. Through intrinsic design and environmental sensitivity, Oakgrove Avenue was re-designed to preserve the tree and make it a neighborhood landmark. This was a major accomplishment and a testament to the commitment to excellence by Davidson Development.

To celebrate The Heritage Oak; in 2006, the Davidson Companies commissioned a drawing by the official artist of the National Register of Famous and Historic Trees, Mr. Stephen Malkoff.

The original drawing, is now proudly displayed in the Davidson Companiesoffice as a reminder of what makes World Golf Village so special. In the words of Stephen Malkoff, "Don't take our trees for granted. Enjoy them and admire them."

Signed, numbered, limited edition, archival-paper prints (framed or unframed) of the Heritage Oak are available.

921 DEWBERRY DR S ~ UNDER CONTRACT IN 5 DAYS! ~ JULINGTON CREEK HOMES FOR SALE (ST. JOHNS FL)

This is what can happen when everyone in a transaction is working together. The Sellers were educated about current market conditions, supply and demand, and were willing to price their home to the market to receive maximum number of showings - opportunities to sell their home.

The Sellers did every single detail that we discussed, down to stripping wallpaper in a bathroom and painting. They also ordered granite that was installed today, three days after we received a contract. They decluttered rooms and closets, cleaned the carpet and cleaned the house.

Mrs. Seller made home baked cookes and fresh coffee for every showing. The Buyers and their agent commented on this extra touch. They felt very welcome in the home and comfortable making an offer.

We had five showings and an offer was generated. There was another party who expressed a desire to put in an offer, but the timing didn't work for them or the Sellers.

Now we are on to inspections, the finance contingency, and working with the Sellers on the myriad of details that go into selling a home.

Congratulations to everyone working on this team to bring this home to the closing table.

Nease High School Roundup: Northeast Florida

Nease High School which is located in St. Johns County, Florida services a number of developments. Among them are areas of Nocatee, Palencia, and The World Golf Village.

Mr. Dresback, the Principal, made a promise at the beginning of the year to make the campus more enjoyable. Cosmetics have been greatly improved. The stadium has been painted, mulch has been added, and lots of landscaping has been done. There has been a new floor and air conditioning system installed in the gym.

They are now moving on to new doors and lockers, improving the heating and A/C system, refurbishing student bathrooms, and improvements to the performing Arts center.

SAT and ACT Prep classes are now available.

Classes will be every Tuesday & Thursday morning from 8am to 9am. They are open to Juniors and Seniors.

Happenstance Submission Deadline Extended

Nease's student run art and literary magazine will be accepting submissions for artwork, poetry, and short Stories (one page or less) until Friday , February 12th. Cash prizes will be given for the best works in the following categories: poetry, prose, 2D art, and 3D art and photography.

There will also be an upcoming date for an in school Yearbook sale.

Please help join Ted Tyndall and Carol vonRabenstein at Davidson Realty Inc.in Northeast Florida support every phase of our school system.

This is great news for this area. Nocatee is a large master planned coummunity in St. Johns and Duval county.

The shopping center grand opening will help families moving into this area of town. Call if you have any questions about great homes in Nocatee.

http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2010/02/01/daily19.html