There are very few nights that everything runs as smooth as last night did, especially for a Monday. When I got home from work, dinner was ready, kids were bathed and everyone was in an awesome mood. Dinner was perfect, neither child complained about dinner and no fights! Just as I was going to suggest we snuggle up and watch Frosty, the Snowman, my adoring husband asked if we would like to drive around and look at the Christmas lights in our St. Augustine golf course community.  I remembered that the World Golf Village social committee has an annual contest for the best light display from the King & Bear and Slammer & Squire and we needed to place our votes.

We loaded up in the mini-van with our hot chocolates and a Mannheim Steamroller c.d. boomin’ and began cruisin’ the streets looking for our favorite light displays to vote for. Apparently we were not the only family with this brilliant idea. The neighborhoods were decorated so beautifully. Streets were lined with twinkling snowflakes, jolly snowmen and whimsical blowups of Santa. There were “ooooohs” and “aahhhhs” from the back seat. The girls wanted to sit in front of many of the St. Augustine golf course homes and watch the dancing lights. I was reminded of how beautiful the world is looking at it through my daughters’ eyes. I saw magic and awe and I was reminded of the simple ways to really enjoy this magical season.

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!

This Holiday Season marks my 14th in North Florida. The best advantage of being able to host the Holidays here is that everyone wants to come. The weather is usually superb – the air is dry – the sky is blue and the good cheer flows.
 
While raising a family on the Holiday trail has its own joy – nothing beats being able to sit tight – and let the party come to you. No long pat-down lines – or surcharges on extra luggage and Christmas packages means that you can actually give a loved one something other than a gift card. No tail-gating at 80 mph – or extra sanitizing after frequenting public restrooms means that you can actually prepare and enjoy the cocktail hour when guests arrive. I remember when the Holidays were “work” – shuttling the children between the grandparents, making sure that everyone had equal face time. Now, the beauty and allure of where we live is what brings everyone here – and the memories get better and better.
 
Start with the typical Holiday weather – cool and dry with the French doors open wide and a fire on the hearth. Entertaining on the lanai, in the garden or on the pool deck is a wonderful way to capitalize on our local attributes. You can even try letting the children “camp-out” in the yard around the fire tray while the adults get some relief. You will also find this to be an excellent opportunity to show off the “summer” kitchen – since the Holiday season is perfect for outdoor cooking and dining.

Spa Laterra recently re-opened under new management at World Golf Village so I wanted to check it out. I booked an appointment to have the “Age-Defying Fountain of Youth Facial” last Thursday afternoon. I was pretty frazzled when I arrived. I had too much work to do and not enough time to do – and here I was taking a few hours off in the middle of the day! However, as I walked through the breezeway and caught a glimpse of the fountain and the infinity pool in the courtyard beyond, the tension started to ease away. Laterra is simply a beautiful place to be!

As I entered the lobby, I noticed the environment is as soothing as ever. The only change is the signature color is now blue. I think I like it better! I was greeted by a polite gentleman who showed me to the ladies lounge. Once I changed, a lady escorted me to the circular lounge with the rain shower fountain in the middle. Although the setting is impressive, I had seen it before. There was a new touch though…  sitting next to my chaise lounge was a tray with  a warm towel, hot tea and sweet chocolate – just waiting on me. It was this little extra touch that really impressed me. The few minutes I had in the lounge listening to the water fall eased the last of my tension away. When Mary came to get me for my facial, I was in the perfect frame of mind!

Here are a few of our favorite things that will make the holidays merry and bright for givers, receivers and our local businesses too!

Mia at Publix Liquors at the Shoppes at Murabella says high-end scotch is hot for those discerning gentlemen who have everything. Consider Johnnie Walker Blue, Lagavulin or Dewars 18 but be prepared to pay $50 and up.  She also recommends the seasonal gift packs which go on sale – the Southern Comfort Gift Pack is on sale this week – and their wine cellar lock box boasts some choice vintages sure to impress.

Annual Passes to The World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX Theater is the gift that keeps on giving. The annual Discovery Pass is $39 and the annual Power Pass is $69 with unlimited general run films and a host of other benefits. The World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX is upgrading to new digital 3D IMAX technology (it will be the 5th theater in the world to have it!) and will remain the largest IMAX screen in North Florida. In addition to the new projection system, upgrades will include a new screen and sound system.

There’s an array of great gifts to be had at the PGA TOUR STOP in World Golf Village, but a couple of our  favorites are the Breast Cancer Pink Rose Club Headcover for $22 and the Backyard Flagstick Pole & Cup for $18.

While you’re in the “Village,” mosey over to Murray Bros. Caddyshack  and pick up some gift certificates – perfect for teachers, guard gate personnel and neighbors.

Of course for those golfers on your list, a round at the King & Bear will always be appreciated.  Or, how about booking a Junior Golf Camp at the PGA TOUR Golf Academy for the little ones on your list?

Lay down roots or, in the case, a brick for someone special this holiday season. For $50-$65, you can have a custom engraved brick placed along the Walk of Champions leading up to the World Golf Hall of Fame. Visit www.wghofstore.com; the purchase is tax deductible.

Gina Hull Celebrating the 10 Year Anniversary of the King & Bear

The King & Bear golf course just celebrated its 10 year anniversary with its esteemed members – who are all residents of  World Golf Village – on Saturday, November 13.  There were 160 members in attendance at the cocktail reception celebrating the event. Gina Hull, the Head Golf Professional at the King & Bear, has been there since the St. Augustine golf course was built. She is also a member of the LPGA. Currently, she teaches members of all ages how to play golf and improve their game.

I had the privilege of speaking with Gina. It is obvious that golf is so dear to her heart. Interestingly, Gina didn’t start golfing until she was 17. Gina spoke passionately about Payne Stewart and Bruce Borland, both who died in a plane crash in 1999. Bruce Borland worked for Jack Nicklaus as a designer on the King & Bear golf course, although he never got to see nor play the course he helped design. Gina told me that there is a memorial at the King & Bear called The Borland Garden, which is beautiful.

The holiday season is here! So we thought it’s a wonderful time to kick off a new photo contest for everyone in The Neighborhoods of World Golf Village. Well, everyone who lives here now – and everyone that wants to live here too – can participate!

This time we are leaving the rules wide open. We just want to see holiday photos that show you and your family celebrating the season. So if that is the entire family in matching sweaters gathered around the Christmas tree, great! Or if it is your precious pooch dressed up with antlers and a red nose, wonderful! Maybe you will want to submit that picture of your darling little one pulling Santa’s beard while screaming his head off… Of course, the photos don’t have to embarass everyone in them! Maybe you want to send in your elegant fireplace or your festive outdoor lights. Any and all holiday photos are welcome to enter the contest.

All you have to do is submit them to pdavidson@davidsonrealtyinc.com between now and December 13. We will post them on our Facebook page on the 17th and voting will go on until the 24th. Then we will announce the winner who will receive a $100 gift card to Target…just in time to buy all those last minute gifts. If you want to learn more, call Peyton at 904.940.5000. Happy Holidays everyone!

Every month our St. Augustine golf community introduces you to one of our fabulous residents. For November, the World Golf Village resident spotlight is on Rick Burke! Rick lives in Royal Pines with his wife Lisa,their twin daughters, Ashley and Megan, and his father-in-law, George Lamneck. They all share their home with George’s very overweight dog, Chief (a pug), along with their dog, Dexter and cat, Tres. Meet Rick!

1. What is your best trait?

Patience (comes with having two 10-year-old girls and a 103-year-old all in the same house).

2. If you could do any job in the world for one day, what would it be?

I would want to be the President of the United States of America. I don’t think I could make any significant difference in just one day but that is true with those who have the job for four years.

3. If you could have lived during one period of time in history, when and where would it be?

It is hard to imagine living in any other time than the present so I would have to pick now.

4. If you had to lose one of your five senses, which would you give up?

I would give up my hearing. If you ask my wife she may think it is already gone.

5. If you had to name the single most important quality of a good mate, what would it be?

Commitment.

6. If you could leave a time capsule the size of a microwave oven to be found centuries from now, what would you put inside?

The capsule would only contain two things, a picture of my family and a letter that states how important love, happiness, and life is.

7. If you could adopt one personality trait from someone you know, what would you take, and from whom?

Recollection, Lisa has a great memory and has the ability to not only vividly recall things from years ago she shomehow keeps everything in our day to day lives in order.

8. If you had to choose the title of your autobiography, what would it be?

Lead by Passion.

9. If you were granted one wish, what would it be?

Unconditional love and happiness for everyone.

10. If you had to change citizenship, which country would you want to become a citizen of?

Australia.