Saint Augustine, FL

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.

World Golf Village Weather Update: Created for Gene Mundt

I did a post on Happenings at The Hall of Fame at The World Golf Village yesterday. Gene Mundt from the Chicago area responded with a nice comment. He said I was hurting him because he was an avid golfer and was evidently snowed in at the present time.

As my local friends know I am a very serious person that would never intentional razz anyone for the fun of it.

Therefore, this post is to be considered an Historical Weather Report on the St. Augustine, Florida area for Gene so he won't feel bad about being snowed in.

Ya'll will have to give me a minute to look up on the Internet and see what "snowed in" means.

Ok. Now I understand. To make Gene feel better I will start by showing a picture I just took of my Jeep. It's filthy with salt and grime all over. Ice hanging down from the fender wells.

Gene, as you can tell the sky is just covered with rain and snow clouds (Don't look at the Rainbow by the back wheel). You can look at the bushes and just see by the way the wind is blowing them that you would not want to be on the golf course today.

Here is a picture I just took of the front of our office. Wind blowing, rain just going sideways, I mean it is monsoon out there. I actually took these about 10:30am this morning before we opened.

Here is a shot of the back of our courtyard where we hold monthly parties.

As you can see by the pictures you are better off in Chicago inside where it is safer.

The really tough part for the two courses here at The World Golf Village is when we have this kind of weather it really puts a strain on the staff. They end up having to double the number of carts driven by the young Ladies to sell drinks and sandwiches. It really puts a burden on them.

Gene, if you get down this way I owe you a drink.

Hope the weather clears for you.

World Golf Hall of Fame Happenings: Northeast Florida

"There are two events coming to the World Golf Hall of Fame"

These events in Northeast Florida will be supported heavily by Davidson Realty Inc and ICI Homes.

"Van Gogh: Brush with Genius"will open February 12th, 2010 at the World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX theater format. The extraordinary colors and passionate brushwork of Vincent van Gogh take on a new life in this giant screen.

For scheduling and ticket pricing, visit www.worldgolfhalloffame.org.

President's Weekend at the World Golf Hall of Fame will be on February 15th, 2010. The World Golf Hall of Fame will celebrate a common thread between generations of United States presidents - golf - with its annual President's Day weekend.

With regular admission the public an tour the museum, including it's featured exhibit, "Bob Hope: Shanks for the memory." to find a collection of golf stories and presidential memorabilia.

Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of contests within the museum as well as on the Challenge Hole and Putting Course complete with prizes.

Throughout the entire weekend, active, retired and reserve members of the military also enjoy free admission to the Hall of Fame and putting course (including a discount for dependents).

Call 904-940-4123 or visit www.worldgolfhalloffame.org.

For additional information call Ted Tyndall or Carol vonRabenstein at Davidson Realty Inc.

Homes for Sale in Northeast Florida

Helping Hands of St. Johns County: Northeast Florida

Helping Hands is a great local charity organization that helps multiple charities.

Helping hands of St. Johns County just presented 850 gifts to various agencies in the county.

The group over the last year has helped the Salvation Army, Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless, the Council on Aging, Nursing Homes in the area, Mandarin and Celebration Food Bank, Hospice of Northeast Florida, Betty Griffin House, St. Francis House, Homeless Coalition, Faith Community Church,-Crisis Kits, conducted a garage sale to benefit local man with Lymphoma with medical bills, and completed a makeover,room for an 11 - year old liver transplant recipient. Thank you to everyone who has helped make this organization work or who has donated time or whatever was needed.

This is a great cause and supported by Davidson Realty Inc. and ICI Homes.

Anyone wishing further information may contact jacqphil@aol.com.

"If you live local or not please help"

The St. Augustine Wild Reserve: Northeast Florida

All animal lovers in Northeast Florida need to visit this park.

Say goodbye to Amadari. He was a 15 year old Serval that was rescued as a kitten. This hits close to home with me because I use to have a second generation Serval.

The Wild life Reserve has a White Tiger that turned one year old in September.

Landscaping in progress: The Reserve has received a generous donation of Palms, Loquat Trees, Muhly Grass and more. This will be an ongoing progress.

Amira is one year old. She is a beautiful white-tailed Doe that turned one year old on Christmas day.

The Fifth Annual Fundraiser was held at the Casa Monica Hotel Nov 1st.

Tours are available by appointment:The St. Augustine Wildlife Reserve allows tours on an appointment basis only. Please call 904.940.0664. for reservations. Tours are usually on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons.

Visitors will be allowed to visit our exotic animals up close while we feed our big cats on the tour. Currently the Reserve houses approximately 75 mammals, birds and reptiles.

For more information on the St. Augustine Wild Reserve, visit www..staugustinewildreserve.org.