2022 Spring Ideal-LIVING

THIS IS TOWN IN NATURE

Where front porches connect people, and trails connect everything else. Where wellness and walkability aren’t just catchwords—they’re the UF Health and Y in the neighborhood, and the homegrown burger spot on the corner. Where you can leave the car at home, and take the golf cart (or better yet, the bicycles). This is Wildlight. A new kind of lowcountry, where the beachy vibe of Amelia Island and the culture of Jacksonville meet comfortably in the middle.

And now, it’s where you’ll find Del Webb Wildlight, a gated 55+ community with resort-style amenities, an exclusive residents-only clubhouse and one- and two-story homes that are equal parts luxurious and low-maintenance.

Priced from the $300s.

Just south of Savannah, this surprising low country community offers luxury homes surrounded by a protected natural landscape. Here, your family can escape from the noise of the world in a place where spontaneous get togethers, outdoor activities, and the influence of water create a new rhythm to life.

Have the best of both: lifestyle + location.

Live Relaxed at Kingfish Bay

SPRING 2022

VOLUME 24, NUMBER TWO

PUBLISHER

RPI Media, LLC.

PRESIDENT

Michael Hackeling

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Kelly Godbey

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jan Cullinane, Kelly Godbey, Kim Henry Warren Grant, Emily Hackeling, Fanny Slater, JG Walker

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Kelly Godbey

Ashley Summerlin

Amber Whittington

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

Laurie Kent

DATABASE MANAGER

David Heck

IDEAL-LIVING.COM

David Heck, Will Weinel

MARKETING COORDINATOR

Gina Burwell

ADVERTISING SALES

NC, Myrtle Beach, SC, TN, DE,VA,WV, PA, NJ: Daniel Keir | dkeir@ideal-living.com

SC, GA, FL:

Fred Warren | fwarren@ideal-living.com

Western U.S. & International: Dana Leyva | dana@ideal-living.com

Sales Coordinator: Laurie Kent (800) 736-0321 www.rpimedia.com

The real estate projects and services advertised in this magazine constitute advertisements of the owners or their agents. RPI Media, LLC.® makes no representations or warranties concerning such advertisements. Interested parties should direct their inquiries to the appropriate parties listed for information concerning any of these advertisements. The advertisements contained construed as an offer to residents of the states of New York or New Jersey, or where otherwise prohibited by law. Questions on the availability of offers should be directed to the advertiser. Publisher’s notice: All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. Obtain the Property Report required by Federal Law and read it before signing anything. No Federal Agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property.

New homes from the mid $200s

Sunshine and cool breezes. Palm trees and margaritas. Welcome to Latitude Margaritaville, a 55-and-better community inspired by the legendary music and lifestyle of Jimmy Buffett, built on food, fun, music and escapism.

Escape to the place where fun and relaxation meet. Escape to island-inspired living as you grow older, but not up. Escape to Latitude Margaritaville.

• Paradise Pool with Beach Entry and Tiki Huts

• Latitude Town Square with Live Music Bandshell

• Latitude Bar & Chill Restaurant

• Changes in Attitude Bar

• Fins Up! Fitness Center with Indoor Pool

• Tennis and Pickleball Courts

• Barkaritaville Dog Park

• Walking Trails and Multi-Use Sport Court

• Best of all, No CDD Fees!

SALES CENTERS & 13 MODELS OPEN Daily

Obtain the Property Report required by Federal law and read it before signing anything. No Federal agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. WARNING: THE CALIFORNIA BUREAU OF REAL ESTATE HAS NOT INSPECTED, EXAMINED, OR QUALIFIED THE OFFERINGS. Latitude Margaritaville Kentucky Registration Number R-201. For NY Residents: THE COMPLETE OFFERING TERMS FOR THE SALE OF LOTS IN LATITUDE MARGARITAVILLE AT DAYTONA BEACH ARE IN THE CPS12 APPLICATION AVAILABLE FROM SPONSOR, MINTO COMMUNITIES, LLC. FILE NO. CP17-0092. THE COMPLETE OFFERING TERMS FOR THE SALE OF LOTS IN LATITUDE MARGARITAVILLE AT HILTON HEAD ARE IN THE CPS-12 APPLICATION AVAILABLE FROM SPONSOR, MINTO LATITUDE HH, LLC. FILE NO. CP18-0021. THE COMPLETE OFFERING TERMS FOR THE SALE OF LOTS IN LATITUDE MARGARITAVILLE WATERSOUND ARE IN THE CPS-12 APPLICATION AVAILABLE FROM SPONSOR, LMWS, LLC. FILE NO. CP20-0062. Pennsylvania Registration Numbers OL00169 (Latitude Margaritaville at Daytona Beach), OL001170 (Latitude Margaritaville at Hilton Head) and OL001182 (Latitude Margaritaville Watersound). Latitude Margaritaville at Daytona Beach, Latitude Margaritaville at Hilton Head and Latitude Margaritaville

Find JOY Each Day

87% of people say that it feels like there has been a constant stream of crises without a break over the last two years, according to a recent survey from the American Psychological Association. For the last couple of years, everyday life has been challenging at best. And, every day, we see the endless barrage of ills that face the world, from war-torn areas to inflation and higher prices at the pumps.

While I believe that we need to acknowledge these challenges and offer assistance where we can, I KNOW that we as individuals must seek joy each and every day of our lives.

If you’ve ever heard me speak at one of our real estate shows, you know that I believe every person deserves to live their ideal life. To that end, it is essential to find JOY.

When speaking about joy with a colleague of mine, Laurie Kent, she shared a story of finding the word JOY in a seashell (pictured above), and her sister told her, “You can find JOY anywhere!” I find joy in the little things in life, like finding three tiny flowers blooming during winter, watching sunrises and sunsets, seeing an

by Kelly Godbey | kellyg@ideal-LIVING.com

infant smile, or laughing at the absurdities of life. What you put out into the world, you can get back out of it.

I recently found joy at our Ideal-LIVING Real Estate Shows this winter. In late January through March, we were so excited to be back in person, meeting with our readers in New York, New Jersey, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. We watched from the first show in Chicago where everyone showed up in a mask to the end of the season when very few donned the attire to which we begrudgingly became used to. It was wonderful to see the progression through the winter to a place where people could feel more comfortable. People came out in droves to discover how and where to start a new life. Thank you to all of you who attended this winter.

As you search for your new life, remember to find joy in the little things. None of us knows what’s ahead, but we can certainly live in a place that brings us joy and reduces our daily stress. And, when you do find your ideal place, be prepared to start living your ideal life as soon as possible. Your ideal life awaits…

INTRODUCING CASCADES AT EMBREY MILL

With a carefree, low-maintenance lifestyle and abundant amenities, our exclusive 55+ Active Adult section blossoms—and so will you when you call Cascades home. Stroll our miles of trails. Swim in one of our pools. Socialize at our private Cascades Club. Dine at our delectable Grounds Bistro & Café. Pick fresh vegetables and

herbs from our community garden. Enjoy the healthful classes and programs at the nearby Jeff Rouse Swim & Sport Center. Never run out of treats with Publix just down the road. But it’s how quickly neighbors turn into friends, and your community becomes like family, that really makes living at Embrey Mill so special.

arising out of their purchase transaction. Prices, specifications, details, and availability of a builder’s new homes are subject to change without notice. All square footage is approximate. © 2022 Embrey Mill. All Rights Reserved. Embrey Mill is a trademark of NASH Stafford, LLC, and may not be copied, imitated or used, in whole or in part, without prior written permission.

Many people choose a destination that is familiar to them, like somewhere they have vacationed, while others have an extensive search starting with disovering tax-friendly states. Choose a state, then a region, and narrow down to a city and then a community.

WELCOME NEIGHBORS

Ideal-LIVING welcomes the following communities. Please take the time to visit their websites, and don’t forget to tell them you saw them in Ideal-LIVING.

Holiday Island Holiday Island, AR

Stillwell at Wellen Park

Venice, FL

Stillwell at Wellen Park introduces a fresh perspective on residential options in the Gulf Coast region of southwest Florida—brand-new homes with no mortgage or maintenance commitments.

Holiday Island is a unique Arkansas resort and residential community in the Ozark Mountains, an ideal destination for a week-long vacation or a lifetime of natural enjoyment.

Featured outdoor activities at Holiday Island start with the community’s 53,000-acre Table Rock Lake. Freshwater fishing, canoeing, and kayaking are among the most popular activities, along with water-skiing, wakeboarding, and scuba diving for the more adventurous. The full-service Holiday Island Marina offers boat rentals for visitors and boat slips for residents.

Additional Holiday Island amenities include an 18-hole championship golf course, a nine-hole executive course, and a clubhouse restaurant. The Recreation Center features two swimming pools, tennis and pickleball courts, and other family-friendly activities. There’s also an expanding network of hiking and biking trails that traverse the forested highlands, as well as a year-round calendar of social activities and special events.

The Park shopping center is located at the entrance to Holiday Island. It features a supermarket, a pharmacy, a hardware store, and a U.S. Post Office, plus restaurants, banks, medical services, and other convenient businesses.

Single-family homes and buildable homesites in the Holiday Island residential community feature lake, golf course, and woodland views. Arkansas taxes are among the nation’s lowest; residents enjoy full access to all resort amenities. The Holiday Island community is governed by a Board of Commissioners elected by the property owners. HolidayIsland.us VisitHolidayIsland.com

Part of the thriving Wellen Park master-planned community, Stillwell is a gated neighborhood of 274 single-family homes built for rent. The one-, two- and three-bedroom designs range from 712 to 1,275 sq. ft. All have patios with private backyards. Indoor features include open-concept floor plans, stainless-steel Energy Star appliances, and smart-home technology. Leasing will begin in late 2022, and the first homes will welcome new residents in early 2023.

The 28-acre community will include neighborhood parks, open spaces, walking paths, and a dog park. The heart of community activity will be the 5,000-sq.-ft. Stillwell clubhouse, complete with onsite property management, business and fitness centers, a club lounge, and a coffee/juice bar. Outdoor amenities include a swimming pool, a bocce court, and an event lawn for year-round activities.

Wellen Park in recent years has been one of America’s fastest growing master-planned communities and currently has about 9,000 residents. The first phase of Downtown Wellen Park will open in the fourth quarter of 2022 and will feature retail shops, a concert hall, and waterfront restaurants, all set on the 80-acre Grand Lake. Gulf Coast beaches and Venice cultural centers are just 20 minutes away.

LiveStillwell.com

WellenPark.com

The Cove at Celo Mountain

Burnsville, NC

Nestled in the heart of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains and surrounded by thousands of acres of hardwood forest, The Cove at Celo Mountain is an emerging community in a historically beautiful setting.

The Cove at Celo Mountain has been designed for residents who want to leave the hustle and bustle of city life behind. Whether you want to build a cozy retirement cabin or a larger home as a primary residence or family vacation retreat, The Cove at Celo Mountain offers a quiet privacy that’s interrupted only by birdsong in the trees.

A total of 17 exclusive homesites will be available in The Cove at Celo Mountain. The first five sites to be offered range from just under one acre to nearly two acres in size. The gated entranceway, paved roads, and underground utility lines are in place, but nearly everything else has been left undisturbed.

In addition to hiking trails alongside flowing streams and gushing waterfalls, the community amenities reflect its natural ambiance. The Hidden Water Lodge and Pavilion is a rustic gathering place for neighbors, while the Lookout Pavilion offers sweeping views of valleys and mountaintops. There are also stocked trout-fishing ponds and a play area with a two-story treehouse for the kids.

Located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, near welcoming highland towns, and only 45 minutes north of Asheville, The Cove at Celo Mountain is a private sanctuary unlike any other.

FLHFL.com

Wildlight

Wildlight, FL

Wildlight is a different kind of master-planned community that’s bringing a fresh new style of Lowcountry living to northern Florida.

In fact, Wildlight has been designed from the beginning as a mixed-use development that’s similar in many ways to a small town. Businesses and service providers are clustered in the Wildlight Village commercial center, featuring retail shops, restaurants, and professional offices. And as the residential community grows, the Wildlight Village center can expand to up to 500,000 square feet of commercial space.

Wildlight’s modern upgrades to the small-town model are about connections that bring the community together. Businesses, residents, and the on-site Wildlight Elementary School are served by buried utility lines that include superhigh-speed internet. And, Wildlight Village is the hub of a network of walking/biking paths that flow through the neighborhoods and into hundreds of acres of playgrounds, parks, and protected open space.

Two Wildlight neighborhoods are open in the first phase, eventually including 1,000 residences. Founder’s Park is the most centrally located and features luxury townhomes. At the same time, Forest Park is a neighborhood of singlefamily homes distinguished by flexible floor plans, natural building materials, and sustainable landscaping. There’s also an enclave of rental apartments, and the recently announced Del Webb Wildlight will be a gated age-55+ community with private clubhouse amenities.

Located just 15 minutes north of Jacksonville International Airport and 20 minutes west of Amelia Island beaches, Wildlight is a community with a solid vision of its future and yours.

Wildlight.com

Start living the lifestyle you’ve been dreaming about with Encore by David Weekley Homes. Our lifestyle-driven approach to home design offers the ideal balance of livability with thoughtfully designed floor plans featuring indoor and outdoor entertaining spaces and a high level of customization to make your new home everything you’ve imagined.

Plus, you’ll delight in more freedom and fun in one of our friendly 55+ lifestyle communities offering a variety of amenities, clubs and activities – all planned by a lifestyle director – to enhance your active life. These intimate communities make it easy to develop friendships with your neighbors, too.

David Weekley Homeowners Harold & Leah Ann Root

Liberty Senior Homes Multiple

Locations

Liberty Senior Living is an expanding network of upscale assisted-living communities with current locations in three Southeastern states and more on the way.

All of the Liberty communities are designed for seniors who want to enjoy the fullness of life on their own terms. The finest housing, healthcare, and hospitality services are available to Liberty residents, as well as ancillary services that can include home health, hospice, in-patient short-term rehabilitation, and long-term care. Out-patient services are also offered to residents in many locations, as well as to seniors living outside of the Liberty communities.

The Liberty lifestyle focuses on the “whole-person wellness” of residents with a variety of activities and amenities. A key component is the fully-equipped fitness facilities with stationary-equipment training and group exercise programs. Many locations also have a day spa/salon with hot tubs, saltwater pools, and water aerobics classes, as well as art studios, game rooms, and meeting space for interest clubs.

The life-enrichment programs are designed to promote the intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being of Liberty residents. Food service options include full-menu restaurants and more casual dining areas. Concierge-style services like weekly housekeeping, scheduled transportation, and on-site security and emergency services are also available.

Liberty Senior Living currently has 12 communities in convenient locations throughout North and South Carolina, plus one near Nashville, TN. Five additional communities are under development in those states, as well as in New Orleans and Wellington, FL.

LibertySeniorLiving.com

Community News Update

NEW COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL CENTER

Shell Point Retirement Community | Fort Myers, FL Shell Point’s brand-new Larsen Health Center is now open for business, bringing all of the community’s medical services to one convenient location. The six-story, 200,000-sq.-ft. facility includes comprehensive medical and rehabilitation centers, as well as a 180-bed skilled nursing facility with private rooms. Also located on-site are a dental clinic, behavioralhealth suite, a full-service pharmacy, dining rooms, salon, chapel, and medical/administrative offices. Shell Point is a Florida nonprofit retirement community with a variety of waterfront residential choices and resort-style amenities. ShellPoint.org

FUNDRAISER FOR HEROES

On Top of the World | Ocala, FL

On Top of the World (OTOW) joined with Shield of Faith (SOF) Missions to host the third-annual Operation Helping Heroes Golf Tournament at OTOW’s Candler Hills Golf Club in February. The 112-player event raised a recordbreaking $93,000 for the Resiliency Project of SOF Missions, a program to aid military veterans struggling with posttraumatic stress after returning home.

OnTopOfTheWorldCommunities.com

SC LOWCOUNTRY

GOLF TOURNAMENT

Dataw Island | Dataw Island, SC

Dataw Island hosted the South Carolina Golf Association’s season-opening 40-plus event in January. More than 80 golfers from around the Palmetto State played on the club’s Tom Fazio-designed Cotton Dike course in the one-day tournament. Dataw Island is a private country club and residential community located in the South Carolina Lowcountry near the town of Beaufort.

DatawIsland.com

NEW WEEKLEY HOMES IN FLORIDA

Copeland Creek | Odessa, FL

Industry leader David Weekley

Homes is building new singlefamily residences in Copeland Creek, a gated community in the Keystone area of Odessa, FL. The first model home, The Terraglen, opens for tours this spring. Seven spacious floor plans with four and five bedrooms are available on oversized 70- and 80-foot homesites.

DavidWeeklyHomes.com

Don’t miss this opportunity to visit these amazing locations.

NATION’S BEST WELCOME CENTER Wellen Park | Venice, FL

In March, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) honored the Wellen Park Welcome Center with its prestigious 2022 Gold Award for Best Community Welcome Center in the United States. The NAHB’s annual awards program highlights the nation’s best communities, homebuilders, and interior design. The 5,000-sq.-ft. Wellen Park Welcome Center offers visitors a full sensory experience with commissioned artworks, interactive displays that feature virtual tours of the community, and relaxing lounge areas that include an outdoor patio shared with the Barrel & Beans cafe. Wellen Park offers a unique mix of residential, commercial, and recreational options in one of America’s top-selling master-planned communities.

WellenPark.com

Dataw Island

Where you belong

USTA “Outstanding Tennis Facility,” a brandnew pickleball complex, and two of the most beautiful and well-maintained croquet lawns in the area. Just beyond, you’ll find a pair of bocce courts beckoning, as well as community gardens, kayak launches, and a 33-acre maritime nature preserve with walking paths and a dog park.

100 America’s

2021 Best Places TO

At the on-site Community Center, you will find a staff of certified personal trainers, athletic trainers, and an aerobic studio, gym, art studio, and more. Those called to the water may enjoy our indoor & outdoor pools, the full-service Marina, kayak launches, and nearby Hunting Island State Park beach.

BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA - Welcome to Dataw Island, a private gated community catered to the active lifestyle.

Community thrives at Dataw, where neighbors are just friends you haven’t yet met. With flexible membership plans and dozens of member-based clubs and sports associations, you are sure to find the perfect opportunity for fellowship, fitness, and camaraderie.

Dataw Island is graced with two “Top 50” SC golf courses, a

Add social events too numerous to mention and a host of volunteer opportunities both on-island and off, and you’ll find that your schedule will quickly fill, the Dataw way -- friendly, philanthropic, and fun!

Developed to honor nature and history, the island exudes historic charm, natural beauty, and extraordinary living.

MINTO MAKING NEWS IN NAPLES

The Isles of Collier Preserve | Naples, FL Minto Communities recently made two big announcements regarding The Isles of Collier Preserve community in Naples, FL. The first was the introduction of the new Coastal Cottages Collection on 150 homesites with spacious floor plans named for the region’s Captiva, Marco, Sanibel, and Useppa Islands. Sales will commence when the four furnished model homes open in the late spring of 2022. Minto followed up a week later by announcing the acquisition of a 103-acre parcel next to The Isle of Collier Preserve. More than half of the new property remains as lakes and nature preserves. The balance is devoted to 229 homesites for single-family residences and paired villas that are expected to open for sales in early 2023.

MintoUSA.com

Get Back in Swing

Experience Delaware Golf

by JG Walker

Delaware may not be the first place that comes to mind as a golf destination, but this small-in-size state has a lot going for it. The first is its location just a couple of hours (or less) from most cities in the Northeast. Then there are Delaware’s 450 miles of coastline with dozens of historic waterfront towns and seaside vacation resorts. The state’s mild mid-Atlantic climate, where traditional small farms thrive, also nurtures nearly 50 golf courses that are open for play year-round. The best of those championship layouts are located in top-flight residential communities where players can find an active lifestyle that suits them to a tee.

Bayside

Bayside is an upscale residential community just four miles from the beaches of Fenwick Island and a resort golf club with one of the Golden Bear’s finest creations.

The Jack Nicklaus Signature Design golf course at Bayside is a picture-perfect gem that plays along the waterfront and through the coastal forests. Golfweek magazine has named Bayside as Delaware’s No. 1 Best Course You Can Play for 14 years in a row.

The new 30,000-square-foot Bayside Clubhouse features the latest HD Golf Simulator, and the full-service Golf Shop was recently honored as a 2022 AGM Platinum Award winner. Signatures at Bayside is the club’s fine-dining restaurant, with the complete menu also available in the 12-screen sports bar and on the wide veranda overlooking the golf course.

The Bayside Health & Aquatic Center features a 75-foot indoor pool and complete fitness facilities. The Sun Ridge Recreation Center offers two outdoor pools, tennis and pickleball courts, and year-round programs for kids. There are also two neighborhood pools and the Point Pool Club with kayak and paddleboard launches, fresh local seafood, and sweeping waterfront views at 38 Degrees Bar & Grille.

Additional Bayside amenities include miles of walking/biking trails, a dog park, a seasonal beach shuttle, live entertainment at the Freeman Arts Pavilion, and life-enhancement classes at the Bayside Institute. Convenient shopping is just a golf-cart ride away at Bayside Marketplace, with a grocery market, professional services, an ice-cream parlor, and a Starbucks®.

“Bayside residents enjoy a one-of-a-kind lifestyle that no other community in our region can offer,” says General Manager Brian Rashley. “With our acclaimed Jack Nicklaus golf course, great restaurants, and all of the other first-class Bayside amenities, residents have a variety of options without having to leave the community.”

“On our first visit,” resident Nancy Zsebo says, “it was obvious that Bayside had everything we wanted and more—a beautiful home, golf, pools, racquet sports, planned events, dining, close access to the beach, and friendly people all in one truly beautiful location.”

“Bayside is a community that never settles for anything less than extraordinary in creating lifelong memories for our members and guests alike,” Rashley says.

“Bayside residents enjoy a one-of-a-kind lifestyle that no other community in our region can offer.”

Heritage Shores is a premier community for active adults located in the Delaware countryside near Bridgeville, less than an hour from Rehoboth Beach to the east and Dover to the north. And Heritage Shores is the only age-55+ community in the state with an on-site golf course.

The Heritage Shores layout has earned its description as a true championship course by hosting several Delaware State Golf Association final tournaments since 2015. It’s also been ranked at or near the top of all courses in the state by leading national publications. The classic links-style design by renowned architect Arthur Hills has the expected deep bunkers and rolling fairways, then adds water hazards on 17 of its 18 holes. At more than 7,000 yards in length from the tips, that makes Heritage Shores a genuine challenge for scratch players, but the skillful design makes it equally enjoyable for club golfers from the forward tees.

“Heritage Shores provides our members and patrons with an unrivaled golf experience,” says General Manager Brooks Massey. “We have one of Delaware’s

best practice facilities, and our staff of PGA professionals offers a variety of player development programs, from the fundamentals of the game to the most advanced techniques. Our golf lesson packages can be tailored to target every player’s specific area of desired improvement.”

The Heritage Shores Clubhouse is a natural community gathering place, from lunch on the terrace overlooking the golf course and after-round refreshments at the 1730 Tavern to fine dining at Passwaters Restaurant. Next door is the Heritage Shores Wellness Center, complete with fully-equipped fitness facilities, dance and aerobics studios, indoor and outdoor pools, and courts for tennis and pickleball. The on-site Sugar Beet Market features waterfront dining, retail shopping, and special entertainment events.

As a semi-private club, Heritage Shores offers flexible membership programs with low initiation fees and monthly dues. Less frequent players can get into the game at their own pace with an annual Shores Golf Card, while the Dining Rewards plan offers discounts on clubhouse food and beverages.

“With our award-winning golf course and all of our other great amenities,” Massey says, “Heritage Shores allows our residents to experience an upscale country club setting that is available to everyone.”

Your family puts your home through a lot every day. Our Schellter™ Advanced Building Science anticipates that and adapts to your needs. Schellter™ technology ensures your home will save you money while your family is using every plug and light in the house, hold up strong against some serious rough-and-tumble play time, and keep the air fresh and clean no matter what questionable things your kids (or pets) bring home. No matter how crazy things get in your Schell Brothers home, you can rest assured it's built for the way you live.

Learn more about Schellter ™ Advanced Building Science by visiting us at SchellBrothers.com/schellter.

The Peninsula Peninsula-Delaware.com

The Peninsula is a master-planned Delaware community with unrivaled resort amenities, including the state’s first private Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course.

Gracefully set along the tidal wetlands of Lingo Creek and Indian River Bay, The Peninsula course is one of The Golden Bear’s finest waterfront designs. Low-handicap players find plenty of scenic challenges on the 7,200-yard layout, while the family-friendly forward tees allow everyone to enjoy their rounds. Built in 2006 and skillfully maintained ever since, a panel of Golf Digest experts ranked The Peninsula as Delaware’s No. 3 course in 2021.

The beautiful new Peninsula Clubhouse overlooks the private golf course and is a lively hub of activity for members and their guests. In addition to a fine-dining restaurant and banquet space, clubhouse extras include a wine locker, a demonstration kitchen, a billiard room, an interactive HD golf simulator, and a full-service pro shop.

“At The Peninsula, we offer a truly unique golf experience,” says PGA Head Golf Professional William Scarborough. “From yearround play on our magnificent Nicklaus Signature course to our in-house instructional and club-fitting services, the golf staff is dedicated to making every visit a memorable occasion.”

When not on the golf course, residents of The Peninsula enjoy a choice of best-in-class lifestyle amenities. Lakeside Village is home to a huge recreation complex that includes indoor, outdoor, and wave pools. The Athletic

Club is a state-of-the-art fitness facility with the latest exercise equipment and daily workout classes, plus adjacent tennis and pickleball courts. Casual fare is served at the Terrace Grille, and the Calmwater Spa offers deep-tissue massages among its many pampering services. And for fresh air lovers in all four seasons, the community’s Nature Center offers hiking trails and boardwalks through the 225-acre protected reserve, a fishing dock, and a kayak launch.

Homeowners in The Peninsula can choose from eight distinctive community neighborhoods on sites that feature water and golf course views. Singlefamily residences and villa-style townhomes are

available in a wide variety of floor plans that can be customized by the region’s finest builders. Retail shopping and professional services are found in the nearby town of Millsboro, and some of Delaware’s best beaches are just a short drive away.

You’ve worked hard and waited for the right opportunity to live the life you’ve always imagined. Now, it’s time to reward that patience by experiencing the resort life at Heritage Shores.

For more information about Heritage Shores, visit Homes.HeritageShores.com 302.956.6129 book a 3-day discovery package

Southern Summer Beach Vacations

by JG Walker

If you're ready to get back to your summer vacation traditions this year, check out these four great oceanfront destinations that may just be a little off your beaten path. Whether you’re planning a family gathering in a big beach house or a more personal getaway with your favorite traveling partner, you’ll find these Southern shores to be ideal for enjoying the best of this season’s sun and surf.

North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands

Located between Wilmington and Myrtle Beach, the Brunswick Islands of North Carolina feature 45 miles of uncrowded oceanfront on five beautiful barrier islands. Each has its distinctive character, but all are perfect destinations for good old-fashioned seaside relaxation.

The town of Southport has a picturesque waterfront downtown with locally owned shops, galleries, and restaurants.

It’s also the gateway to Bald Head Island, a unique retreat that’s only accessible by ferry or private boat. Take a self-guided tour by bike or golf cart and climb to the top of Old Baldy, the island’s iconic lighthouse.

The Oak Island Lighthouse on Caswell Beach offers even more panoramic views of the coast. Oak Island is also where you’ll find the first two of the five Brunswick Islands fishing piers that extend for the length of three football fields out above the ocean. Bring your gear, or rent rods and reels for a delightful day of deep-water fishing.

Holden Beach is a family- and pet-friendly vacation host with a wide oceanfront for shell collecting, bike paths that traverse the entire island, and outfitters for everything from paddleboards to jet skis.

Southern Living magazine named Ocean Isle Beach the South’s “Best Tiny Town.” Master the waves at the Carolina School of Surf, visit the Museum of Coastal Carolina, and enjoy free live music every Friday night during the summer. The Swamp Park near Ocean Isle is one of the area’s unique eco-destinations, where you can take a 2.5-hour zipline tour or a 50-minute boat adventure through the coastal wilderness.

The southernmost of Brunswick’s barrier islands is Sunset Beach, where you can cast a line from the area’s longest fishing pier, catch a show at the Ingram Planetarium, and spend an entire day exploring the Bird Island Nature Preserve. Just across the bridge is the town of Calabash, the renowned “Seafood Capital of the World” that features restaurants where fresh local delicacies are always on the menu. Nearby are many of the region’s

The “Seafood Capital of the World” features restaurants where fresh local delicacies are always on the menu.

30+ championship golf courses, including the Arnold Palmer-designed gem at Rivers Edge.

While there are some national chain hotels and golf villas available for visitors on the mainland, the featured accommodations on the Brunswick Islands are the cozy local inns and big private beach houses where the oceanfront is at your doorstep.

NCBrunswick.com

South Carolina’s Hammock Coast

From Garden City to Georgetown, the Hammock Coast of South Carolina offers the best beaches and most unique attractions on the southern shores of the Grand Strand.

Murrells Inlet features dozens of casual-dining restaurants that serve up fresh local seafood and other Lowcountry-style cuisine. Many overlook the signature Murrells Inlet

MarshWalk, the perfect promenade for an after-dinner stroll.

Among the must-see attractions on the Hammock Coast is Brookgreen Gardens, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2022 with special events and exhibits. The 9,000-acre National Historic Landmark is home to America’s largest outdoor sculpture gardens and literally thousands of works by more than 400 artists, plus the Lowcountry Zoo and pontoon-boat tours on the Waccamaw River.

The entrance to Huntington Beach State Park is just across the road, which features seaside campsites, hiking trails through the maritime forest, a new Nature Center, and tours of Atalaya Castle. The three miles of undeveloped Huntington seashore and the four miles of adjoining Litchfield Beach create one of the most natural and scenic oceanfronts on the Carolina coast.

In addition to the high-rise condos with sweeping ocean views at Litchfield Golf & Beach Resort, many Hammock Coast visitors stay at private seaside homes along Litchfield

Beach and historic Pawleys Island. The latter features its four-mile oceanfront and cozy waterfront inns at a destination that’s been welcoming vacationers since the 1800s.

Highway 17 is the area’s main thoroughfare and offers national-brand hotel accommodations, as well as family-friendly restaurants like Hanser House and Captain John’s. There are also a number of unique retail stores, including the Original Hammock Shop that gives the region its name.

Championship golf is another major draw on the Hammock Coast, featuring 12 outstanding courses like the top-rated Caledonia Golf & Fish Club. Additional activities for outdoor lovers include tours of the 16,000acre Hobcaw Barony nature preserve and the Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center, which covers 31 square miles on three islands at the mouth of Winyah Bay. Be sure to also include a day trip to the historic port of Georgetown in your vacation itinerary, which features waterfront shops and restaurants along its HarborWalk, plus The Rice Museum and other attractions.

HammockCoastSC.com

Georgia’s Tybee Island

Tybee Island is Savannah’s beach town, located just 20 minutes east of Georgia’s famous port city. That proximity gives Tybee visitors a convenient option for day trips to enjoy all of the cultural attractions in Savannah. Still, many find plenty of activities to keep them busy on this popular island destination.

The North Beach on Tybee Island features historic attractions, including Fort Pulaski, Fort Screven, and the Tybee Island Museum. The iconic Tybee Island Lighthouse is just a short walk from the museum, where you can climb 178 steps to the top for breathtaking 360-degree views. North Beach is also home to movies and live shows at the Tybee Post Theater, plus boutique shops and galleries, bedand-breakfast inns, casual-dining restaurants, and sweet treats at The Sugar Shack.

Tybee’s Mid Beach area is where you’ll find several of the island’s most popular seafood restaurants. Also located there are seaside resort accommodations that feature oceanfront dining among their many vacation amenities. Tybrisa Street is the heart of the island’s nightlife district in neighboring South Beach, with sports bars and musical entertainment.

Full-service resort hotels and cozy inns are also found on South Beach and the Tybee Island Pier and Pavilion for daytime fishing and old-fashioned evening amusements.

Back River Beach features dockside restaurants that serve up seafood delicacies fresh from the local waters. At the Back River marinas, you can charter a boat for deep-sea or inshore fishing excursions, rent a kayak or jet ski to explore the wetland waterways, or get close to nature with a dolphin tour. And for the ultimate natural experience during your Tybee Island vacation, be sure to take a boat across the estuary to Little Tybee. This uninhabited barrier island features miles of absolutely pristine beaches covered with seashells and hiking trails through the maritime forests where birds and wildlife are abundant.

In its February 2022 edition, Travel + Leisure magazine named Tybee Island among the “15 Best Weekend Beach Getaways in the U.S.” But with so much to do on and around the island, plus all that nearby Savannah has to offer, you’ll probably want to stay at least a full week to enjoy Tybee’s perfect mix of excitement and serenity.

VisitTybee.com

RESORT-STYLE PERFECTION

Whether you’re exploring the magnificent St. Johns River, walking miles of trails or meeting new friends at the WaterSong Club, you’ll love the unique coastal Old Florida feel. WaterSong at RiverTown is close to everything that’s important to you — but far enough away to feel like an oasis.

There’s nothing like having your own dedicated areas to enjoy relaxing, exercising or socializing. WaterSong’s exclusive residentonly amenities are here now and ready for you.

More to come!

WaterSong is a unique 55+ community with its own exclusive amenities AND access to all of RiverTown’s multi-million dollar amenities.

For more information call 904-337-4856 or visit WaterSongFL.com.

Florida’s Amelia Island

Amelia Island is the northernmost barrier island on Florida’s Atlantic coast and a summer vacation destination that appeals to lovers of nature, recreation, and history in equal measure.

The 13-mile-long beach on Amelia Island is one of the state’s longest uninterrupted oceanfronts, with white-quartz sand and dunes that reach up to 40 feet in height. You can swim

waters and up into scores of tidal creeks. There are also 23 miles of dedicated bike paths on the island and hiking trails in state parks and nature preserves. In addition, Amelia is home to five superb seaside golf courses with 99 holes in play, including the Tom Fazio-designed Long Point course with two oceanfront par-3s.

A delightful surprise for many first-time Amelia visitors is downtown Fernandina Beach, a 50-block National Historic District that has well-preserved homes, churches, and commercial buildings that house boutique shops, galleries,

Natural recreations abound on Amelia Island

in the clean saltwater, collect shells and shark’s teeth along the shore, paddleboard beyond the waves, and scuba-dive on the offshore reefs. And Amelia is one of the few remaining places where you can ride a horse on the beach.

Natural recreations abound on Amelia Island, from kayak excursions on the surrounding bays and sounds to fishing adventures in Gulf Stream

and restaurants. Take a self-guided walking tour with 40+ stops that include several fine museums, or see the sights from a horse-drawn carriage. Fort Clinch and the Amelia Island Lighthouse are other places to explore the colorful history of this strategically located island.

The featured Amelia Island amenities after sunset include more than 90 restaurants for

fine and casual dining. The menus include fresh seafood from the local waters and a mix of international cuisine from Portugal, Spain, Italy, Mexico, Central America, and more. Local brewpubs and wine bars are among the options for a tasty nightcap.

Amelia Island accommodations include a complete variety of lodging choices. In Fernandina Beach, you’ll find charming bed-and-breakfast inns around the historic district. Throughout the island, there are more than 20 mid-sized hotels, condos, and villas that host couples and vacation groups, as well as beach houses for

large extended families. And if you want to be pampered at a full-service oceanfront resort, you’ll find a pair of the best here at The RitzCarlton, Amelia Island, and the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort.

AmeliaIsland.com

The Shades of Carolina Colours Suit You Perfectly

The blues of abundant waters flowing throughout this coastal region of North Carolina. The greens of our Bill Love-designed championship golf course. The many hues of life in a celebrated planned community, situated in New Bern, a town that is at once historical and modern.

It’s a picture perfect lifestyle, spent among friendly neighbors and fun-filled activities, including swimming, tennis, pickleball, a dog park and miles of walking and biking trails. And the convenience is further enhanced with a retail center at the community’s entrance. If you’re searching for a retirement community that celebrates the art of living, these are definitely your Colours. Inquire about our Discovery Package and come visit Carolina Colours for yourself.

An extraordinary value: Homesites from the $ 60 s; Homes from the low $ 300 s

New Bern, NC

252.636.3700 CarolinaColours.com

The Ozarks

Breathtaking Vistas and Freshwater Lakes in Arkansas

by Warren Grant

North America was kinda minding its own business back in the Paleozoic when steamy South America got attitude and decided to crunch into us. It wasn’t a huge crunch, like the ones that formed the soaring Rockies or Appalachians, but it was enough to push up an ancient sea bed to form a vast and high plateau rising near the center of our country.

Today, that plateau is known as the Ozarks or Ozark Mountains, 47,000 square miles of primeval high country, mystical mountain forests, verdant glades, endless lakes, and scouring rivers, all curated by erosion over millions of years.

The Ozarks is hands-down one of the most popular travel destinations in the country—an outdoor paradise that traces across northern Arkansas, southern Missouri, and a small portion of Oklahoma, providing every imaginable kind of water recreation, plus hiking, birding, rock climbing, mountain biking, cavern explorations, golf, and more. Interestingly, Arkansas and Missouri each have their own plateau region and a soaring mountain range within the Ozarks, kind of like twin state geographic features. For our travel tour today, we’ll zoom in on the Arkansas side and its twin, the Springfield Plateau and the Boston Mountains.

The highest elevations in the Ozarks are found in the Boston Mountains—part of the 1.2-million-acre Ozark National Forest— with various peaks stretching to nearly 3,000 feet high. The mountains are home to countless waterfalls and creek beds, towering limestone bluffs, and miles of hiking trails.

That high country is also origin to arguably the dominant natural feature in The Ozarks, the venerable White River, which starts life as a trickle on a rocky slope, gains strength and speed as countless mountain streams feed it, then flows north into the Springfield Plateau and toward the Missouri border.

However, the White River’s legacy is found in the 200,000 acres of fresh surface water it created in the Ozarks after being dammed at various points for hydroelectric power and flood control by the Army Corps of Engineers in the mid-20th century.

The Ozarks is hands-down one of the most popular travel destinations in the country.

TRIPLE DRAGONS

The dams formed dozens of lakes, but three major ones dominate the landscape: Beaver Lake in Arkansas, Table Lake in Missouri, and Bull Shoals Lake, whose shoreline meanders back and forth across the AR/MO border for close to 1,000 miles. From the air, the three sprawling lakes unmistakably resemble ancient dragons poised to strike. But from the ground, they simply provide a wealth of natural beauty and outdoor fun.

The lakes are also home to some of the best fishing in the country for trout, bass, crappie, walleye, and catfish. The trout are particularly fond of the cool tailwaters that flow out of the dams. Countless fishing guides, outfitters, and angling shops can get you catching record-breakers in no time.

THE PERFECT PLACE FOR A HOLIDAY

The wispy tail of Table Lake actually slips into Arkansas for a short while. It flows right past Holiday Island, one of the larger communities in northwest Arkansas and a fixture in the region since the 70s. The 4,500-acre community is both a Suburban Improvement District and a city and offers instant lake access through its 170-slip marina. There are also 27 holes of golf, a recreation complex, tennis and pickleball courts, two swimming pools, numerous club activities, and glorious views throughout.

District Manager Danny Presley oversees Holiday Island’s day-to-day operations. Says Presley, “Our

little corner of northwest Arkansas is a unique region with its own special identity, making Holiday Island a perfect place for a vacation or permanent residence.”

Although Holiday Island does not directly offer vacation rentals, there are dozens of VRBOs on the property and various hotels, cabins, and rental homes in the surrounds.

Holiday Island is perfectly situated for day trips to some of northwest Arkansas's historic and cultural attractions. It’s just minutes from one of the most visited Civil War battlefields in the country, Pea Ridge National Military Park, where Union troops prevailed over a two-day battle in 1862.

It is also just five miles from Eureka Springs, a beacon for those searching for a cure in its healing waters. Eureka Springs is also home to the 67-foot tall Christ of the Ozarks statue of Jesus and regular performances of the Passion Play.

The city of Fayetteville, home to the University of Arkansas, is just 45 minutes south and offers an abundance of cultural, medical, educational, and dining possibilities.

And if we cheat and drive just over the state line and 30 minutes east from Holiday Island into Missouri, you’ll find the Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, a 10,000-acre paradise of wildlife and recreation. Also nearby is the world-class golf and lodging at Big Cedar Lodge. Both are owned by Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris.

We have on good authority that the dragons of the Ozarks are now fully tame and beckon you to a truly unique part of the country, the rambling Ozark Mountains of Arkansas.

“Our little corner of northwest Arkansas is a unique region with its own special identity.”

There’s a Place for You, and Find It! venture out

DISCOVERY TRAVEL

ideal-LIVING invites you to get out and explore communities to find your ideal destination. You won’t know until you go. Here’s a sampling of Discovery Travel opportunities with over 100 more that can only be found online.

available only on

.com/ventureout

THE PENINSULA – MILLSBORO, DE

Come live, dine, relax, and play in this one-of-a-kind resort community in coastal Delaware that combines best-in-class amenities that fit your lifestyle with beautifully designed new homes from the $300s to $3M+. Our private gated resort community features an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature-designed golf course, racquet club with tennis and pickleball, a full service spa, state-of-the-art athletic club, and indoor and outdoor pools that include a poolside grill, a signature wave pool, and a sand beach. You’ll live every day like you’re vacationing in a five-star resort at The Peninsula.

SAVANNAH QUARTERS — SAVANNAH, GA

Savannah Quarters is just minutes from historic Savannah, where beautiful homes and outstanding amenities combine with a vibrant club experience to create a unique lifestyle. Graceful, well-groomed landscaping in a beautiful Lowcountry setting creates the perfect sanctuary for residents to build their dream home. The Club at Savannah Quarters features an 18-hole Greg Norman Signature Golf Course, a resort-style swimming pool and fitness center, tennis courts, fine dining, and gracious Southern service.

You won’t know until you go!

*All Discovery Travel is subject to availability and may be changed at any time.

SOUTHERN SPRINGS BY DEL WEBB — SPRING HILL, TN

Southern Springs is located minutes from the big city life of Nashville and the beautiful countryside of central Tennessee with hiking, fishing, golfing, wineries, and so much more to explore. Living just south of Nashville, you’re able to enjoy the Frist Museum of the Arts, Ryman Auditorium, Grand Ole Opry Music House, Schermerhorn Symphony Center, a concert at Bridgestone area, or cheering on the Nashville Predators or Tennessee Titans.

ARENAL HILLS — COSTA RICA

Set in a 123-acre valley surrounded by mountains, rivers, and rainforests, the Arenal Hills residences feature panoramic views. The one- and two-story villa homes offer a choice of five floor plans with up to 3,600 square feet of total indoor/outdoor living space. Interiors feature native laurel, teak, and bamboo milled onsite and furniture built by Costa Rican craftsmen. Accents include granite countertops and Peruvian marble flooring, plus large balconies with waterfall pools and Jacuzzi tubs.

LAKEWOOD RANCH — SARASOTA, FL

There’s no better place than Lakewood Ranch to live the Florida lifestyle you’ve dreamed of. It's the country’s #1 best-selling community in the U.S. for all ages. Here, living healthy and well is as much about nourishing the body as it is the heart, mind, and spirit. That’s why, in addition to incredible active recreation and best-in-class medical facilities, you’ll also find that access to nature, educational opportunities, community traditions, and creative pursuits abound.

THE HOME PLACE OF SOUTHPORT — SOUTHPORT, NC

Located in coastal North Carolina, just between Wilmington and Myrtle Beach, The Home Place of Southport will feature 52 charming, brick, low-maintenance homes with highly desired retirement smart features. It offers single-family Villa and Garden Home Duplex designs with three bedrooms, two baths, and optional bonus rooms. Prices begin in the high $300s. The Home Place of Southport is an ideal community to enjoy an active, yet relaxed lifestyle.

To find more than 100 Discovery Travel opportunities, visit ideal-LIVING.com/ventureout

For ideal living, look no further than The Natural State. From nature’s scenic wonders to stunning contemporary art museums, you’ll marvel at the beauty you find here. Our mild climate means you can enjoy relaxing outdoors all year round, and our wide open spaces leave plenty of room to stretch your legs away from the crowds. Visit arkansas.com/relocate to use our cost of living calculator and see how much money you could save by calling Arkansas home.

CHECK OUT OUR PARTNER COMMUNITIES:

Cherokee Village

Fairfield Bay

Holiday Island

Mountain Home

arkansas.com/relocate

GREERS FERRY LAKE

Find Your Ideal... LIFE

Has the vision of your ideal life changed in the last two years? More people than ever are seeking a better work/life balance. It's time to make your list of your must-haves and nice-to-haves and find a community that meets your needs.

Raise a Glass to Colorado Wine Country on the Western Slope

by Warren Grant

Okay, so here’s a bet for you. For 50¢, what was voted the ‘Best Wine Festival’ in the nation by USA Today? Napa or Sonoma County? Willamette Valley of Oregon? Columbia Valley in Washington State? Nope, you owe me 50¢.

The Best Wine Festival in the nation was the Colorado Mountain Winefest, held for the last 30 years in midSeptember at the gorgeous Riverbend Park in Palisade, framed tight by the Colorado River and in the heart of the fertile grape-growing region on the Western Slope of the state at around 4,500 feet of elevation.

The Colorado Mountain Winefest features wines from both sides of Colorado’s Continental Divide, the Eastern and Western Slopes, but the idyllic mile-long riverfront setting, 78° temperatures, and easy access from Denver via Interstate 70 make Palisade a perfect location to celebrate all of Colorado’s wines.

Palisade is part of the larger metro area of Grand Junction, so named because that’s where the Gunnison River merges with the Colorado. But, Palisade is also central to the Grand Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA), named one of the top 10 wine travel destinations in the world by Wine Enthusiast magazine. Warm daytime summer temperatures and cool nights result in lush grapes filled with the complex sugars that can make for fine vintages similar to those in the Bordeaux and Rhone regions in France. Bet you didn’t know that in the late 1800s, wineries in France began to graft their Cabernet Sauvignon vines and other varietals onto the strong roots of native American grapevines. It turns out a nasty microscopic louse called Phylloxera eats and kills the European roots but leaves alone the roots of American grapevines. Today, your $85 bottle of French wine may come from French grapes, but those grapes ripened wearing

hundred-year-old American boots.

A great way to tour the Grand Valley AVA is to bike or drive the Palisade Fruit & Wine Byway, which winds past Colorado’s oldest vineyards, beautiful fields of lavender, bountiful orchards, and farm market fruit stands … and a lot of peaches.

It so happened that when Prohibition was enacted, most of the vineyards in the United States were uprooted, and the Grand Valley vines were some of the first to go. As a result, the winemakers switched to growing peaches, cherries, and other produce. Today, Palisade is a major peach producer thanks to predictable and vivid mountain sunlight, plus mild nights during the 182-day growing season.

The other AVA on the Western Slope is West Elks, a bit further southeast and at a slightly higher elevation, providing thriving conditions for Pinot, Riesling, Gamay, and Gewürztraminer. The West Elks Wine Trail event is held the first week of August, but it sells out fast, so book early. (westelksava.com)

An hour south of West Elks and still a little higher in elevation at 6,000 feet is the town of Montrose. If you’ve ever skied at Telluride, you probably flew into Montrose and drove south to the resort, passing on your left the newest vineyard and winery on the Western Slope, LaNoue Duboise.

The tidy, 15-acre winery is familyowned by mom, dad, and son Lee LaNoue, who went back to college at age 30 to get a degree in Viticulture and Enology to guide the company’s future.

A Peach Of A Place

To Call Home

Rare are opportunities as plump and juicy as living in Montrose, Colorado. Imagine the views of the San Juans surrounded by the area’s thriving wineries and yes, the finest peaches in the country. It’s the mountain paradise you long been waiting for and fully deserve. We laid out the welcome mat for you. You just need to walk in. The Homes at Cobble Creek. Discover the Possibilities.

Says Lee, “For many years, we worked a one-acre test plot where we evaluated flavor profiles and cold heartiness of different grapes. Once we settled on the varietals, we began buying vines from New York state and planting in earnest in 2018. Today we offer six wines, including Le Marechal Foch Nouveau red, a fine Riesling white, and our Ruby Rose.”

If you are ever in Montrose vacationing, there are 27 holes of golf at the Cobble Creek community set against a beautiful stretch of the San Juan Mountains. Community residents have become regular customers of LaNoue Dubois, and plans for wine tastings at the community’s Tavern restaurant are in the works. Some residents have even volunteered to snip bunches of grapes and drop them in five-gallon buckets come harvest time next fall.

So, visit the Western Slope of Colorado for its unique wines, glorious landscapes, and mild arid climate. The 31st edition of the Colorado Mountain Winefest will be held this summer on Saturday, September 17. It will feature scores of winery tents, live music, chef demonstrations, educational seminars, and even grape-stomping contests. See you there, and don’t forget my 50¢!

Our thanks to Doug Caskey at the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board for his guidance in researching this story.

Dataw Island Honors Oak Island Donors

“Life was good to Mom and Dad,” says daughter Anne McCaffrey of her late parents, Alan and Joanne Moses. “Their lives were better than they expected or felt that any one person deserved. Their greatest joy in life was to give back, most of which they did quite quietly, never feeling that any fanfare was warranted.”

Alan and Joanne Moses lived humbly and felt that recognition was unnecessary, yet many individuals – and generations to come – have and will continue to reap the rewards of their generosity. Their philanthropy included contributions to many local organizations, both monetarily and through action. A major contribution made on Dataw Island was their generous purchase and subsequent donation of Oak Island, the 33-acre maritime nature preserve connected to Dataw Island by a bridge.

Oak Island had long stood as an unofficial park used as green space for exercising dogs and communing with nature, until a series of sales and transfers landed it for sale with the entrance emblazoned with chains and a hostile “NO TRESPASSING” sign. Understandably, many Dataw Island residents were saddened by this closure.

Joanne Moses was among those who was left bereft about the closure, but the Moses family is one of action. This 80-something-year-old widow, aided by her daughter, Anne and son-in-law, Pat, joyfully and for the good of her neighbors coordinated this anonymous and tremendous deal as a tribute to her late husband, Alan. After months of negotiations

and legwork, the island was simultaneously purchased and anonymously transferred to the Dataw Island Owners Association (DIOA) in February, 2020.

Dataw Island member Rebecca Sprecher explains, “So many people chose Dataw because of its extraordinary natural beauty. Through this remarkable vision and selfless act, we now have a green space for all to enjoy. Functioning a little like Dataw’s Central Park, Oak Island provides not only habitat for wildlife, but a place where our residents (including the furry ones) can go to nourish both the body and the spirit.”

Joanne and Alan Moses came from very modest backgrounds and were both graced by college scholarships. Grateful for this hand-up that they looked at as “help from strangers,” both dedicated much of their lives to paying it forward to others. Their generosity stretches deep into the Beaufort community, which they made their home since moving to Dataw Island in 1989. The couple has funded scholarships, supported healthcare initiatives, and been great supporters of several Beaufortarea organizations. However, you won’t often see their names listed as anything but “Anonymous Donor.”

“Mom and Dad just loved everything about Beaufort and Dataw Island,” says McCaffrey. “They loved the people in Beaufort and on Dataw, and they thought highly of the Dataw management team. They felt very blessed to be able to live the life they had been given and to share that with others in any way possible.” Through one of their selfless acts, the Dataw Island community could again, and this time forever, enjoy Oak Island.

“They have given us a cathedral of trees, a stunning gift that will enhance the lives of generations to come.”

A Peek into Charleston’s Art Scene

by Kim Henry

It’s easy to see why so many artists are drawn to the charming coastal town of Charleston, SC. From the historic art deco architecture to the beautiful surrounding landscape and thriving art scene, Charleston is a hive of cultural activity, complemented by the ease of Southern living at its best. Here we meet two local artists who have found their forever home in the Lowcountry and are both represented by the Charleston Artist Guild, which has one of

Charleston’s most frequented galleries right in the heart of downtown.

Large-Scale Painting to Pet Portraits

“For me, creating art is like an itch I have to scratch,” enthuses Michele Lavani. Born in Ohio, Lavani moved to the Charleston area in her teens and has never looked back. Quickly realizing she was a coastal girl, Lavani gradually manifested her childhood dream of being a full-time working artist and now specializes in adorable pet portraits and large-scale murals. She is gratefully living her best life.

“I absolutely love it here! My husband and I travel quite a lot, and we’re always so glad to get home. There’s so much to do here, and it’s so beautiful. I recently went to paint the Angel Oak live; how lucky is that?” smiles Lavani. Working for chewy.com keeps the pet commissions flowing in, and Lavani loves every second of her working life.

Motivated by her love of color and textures, Lavani mixes her own palette and

“For me, creating art is like an itch I have to scratch.”

layers water-based paints and ink to create unique portraits with an almost 3D quality. “I love painting anything with eyes,” she laughs, surrounded by her latest commissions in her home studio, where she gladly spends most of her time. “I think I’ve painted every pet there is … ferrets, hamsters, even chinchillas!”

Her mural work can be seen in a number of public spaces, including in the Boeing Training Center at Trident Technical College. After submitting a design and landing the commission, Lavani took many pictures of the college and was inspired by the repetitive patterns and shapes she noticed. Using scaffolding to complete this project, the final piece is a large scale honoring of the engineering, angles, and innovation inherent in the technical college.

Non-traditional Art

Providing an entirely different expression of creative energy, Addelle Sanders is a fiber artist living in Charleston since she moved from New York with her family at 15 years old. Now retired and “a woman of a certain age,” Sanders reflects on the non-traditional path of her artistic journey.

“I didn’t study art as a child because that wasn’t really an option when I was

growing up in the same way it is now. My mother made all of our clothes so I was constantly around fabric, design, and color,” explains Sanders.

Combining her love of these elements, Sanders’ unique fiber creations evolved over time. Her craft began with jewelrymaking and slowly graduated to the original figurines that have won her awards and have been exhibited in a wide range of galleries, including the Schomburg Center in New York.

Starting with the carved wooden body bases, Sanders then dresses them with her stunning cotton thread designs before displaying them in a glass framed box.

“[Studying art] wasn’t really an option when I was growing up in the same way it is now.”

The result: exclusive pieces of art that are quite unlike anything you’ve ever seen before.

Using her collections to express her longstanding connection to fashion, Sanders reveals that her figurines are not only a celebration of color, but a tribute to female empowerment. “I call them silhouettes,” shares Sanders, “and it’s very important to me that my work can be appreciated by everyone. People of all colors love my art pieces. I’ve always focused on the importance of self-esteem and the strength of women,” smiles Sanders, who humbly refers to her work as ‘a gift.’

And what a gift indeed both of these Charleston artists provide to the town they clearly hold close to their hearts. Their work can be seen at the Charleston Artist Guild on East Bay Street alongside nearly 70 other artists from across the country and overseas.

“It’s very important to me that my work can be appreciated by everyone.

People of all colors love my art pieces. ”

World Equestrian Center-Ocala

A new destination in the “Horse Capital of the World”

by JG Walker

In 1943, Rosemere Farm opened as Florida’s first thoroughbred horse breeding and training center in Marion County near Ocala. It wasn’t just the Sunshine State climate that made the region a perfect equine nursery: the limestone-rich soil and aquifer-fed springs produced the kind of nutritious grasses that made young horses grow bigger, stronger, and faster.

Today, the thriving Ocala-Marion County area, officially known as the “Horse Capital of the World,” is home to hundreds of horse farms and an unrivaled track record of success: 45 national champions, 20 Breeders’ Cup champions, and six Kentucky Derby victors that include Triple Crown winners Affirmed (1978) and American Pharoah (2015).

So when the Roberts family, founders of the original World Equestrian Center in Ohio, decided to expand their operations to the South, Marion County was a natural choice. Their ambitious plans were brought to life with the opening in January 2021 of the World Equestrian Center-Ocala.

Currently covering 678 acres, the World Equestrian Center-Ocala [WEC-Ocala] is America’s largest equestrian complex. The on-site training and competition venue includes the 7,500-seat WEC Stadium and the Grand Outdoor Arena that can accommodate 2,500 fans plus five indoor climate-controlled arenas, 16 outdoor arenas, and 25 barns with stalls for up to 3,000 horses.

Family traditions inspire the work of Roby Roberts, who serves as CEO of the World Equestrian CenterOcala. He emphasizes that “our facility has been built

“A passion for horses runs in our family.”

for the safety and comfort of the equine athletes that compete here with state-of-the-art stables, footing, turn-out paddocks, competition arenas, and bridle paths.

“A passion for horses runs in our family,” Roberts says. “I believe that if the horses feel safe and well cared for, they will perform better. At WEC-Ocala, we try to be there for every need of the horse. My main goal is that every horse is safe and comfortable in our facility and that they are given the best possible environment in which to perform.”

The featured breeds at the WEC-Ocala-owned shows are the equine athletes competing every four years in the Summer Olympic dressage events, show jumping, and eventing. This equestrian triathlon includes dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. The facility also hosts competitions for hunting/jumper, dressage horses, and various Quarter Horse events.

But WEC-Ocala isn’t just a destination for horse lovers. Those same outdoor arenas and more than 250,000 square feet of indoor space host music concerts, trade shows, community fundraisers, art exhibitions, car shows, canine competitions, and other special events. A stunning on-site chapel hosts weddings and offers receptions in the nearby topiary garden.

Literally in the middle of it all is the destination’s most impressive amenity for human visitors—The Equestrian Hotel. In addition to 248 luxurious rooms and suites directly overlooking the Grand Outdoor Arena, the unique accommodations feature an equestrian-themed lounge, a gourmet bakery, a whimsical candy shop,

fine-dining restaurants, upscale retail shops, and state-of-the-art fitness and spa facilities.

“We truly love Ocala and Marion County,” Roberts says. The new facility already has a major positive impact on the local economy, so the feeling is clearly mutual.

“There is simply no other way to describe the WEC-Ocala except to say WOW!” says Kevin T. Sheilley, President and CEO of the Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership. “One must experience it to understand all the enormity of the development and all that it offers. The WECOcala is unparalleled as an equine competition space, which is fitting since it’s located here in the ‘Horse Capital of the World.’”

Among the first locals to discover their area’s newest attraction were residents of On Top of the World (OTOW), the Ocala area’s premier active-adult community that’s just five miles away.

“I visited the WEC-Ocala for the first time through an OTOW day excursion,” says resident Nancy Kline. “We ate, toured the grounds, and enjoyed a horse show. OTOW residents are lucky to have this facility so close by, as it offers different entertainment options every weekend.”

Her OTOW neighbor Karen Hill is equally impressed: “I was born and raised in Kentucky and have grown up around horses my whole life. I’ve seen many horse farms and compe-

tition venues in my life, and the WEC-Ocala surpasses them all.”

“The WEC-Ocala is a stunning facility that gives guests a five-star experience of dining, shopping, and entertainment,” Jean Thomas says. “With its close location to our home in OTOW, it has become a frequent weekend excursion for my husband and me, with lots of events always happening.”

Area residents will have even more to be excited about in the future.

Including the recent acquisition of the nearby Ocala Jockey Club, the Roberts family has now purchased a total of 6,000 for the equestrian complex. WEC-Ocala plans for an eventing cross-country race course and polo fields are in the design stage.

“We’re shifting the paradigm in equestrian sports with the development of a truly state-of-the-art, resort-style, family-friendly, multi-purpose venue,” the WEC-Ocala’s CEO Roby Roberts concludes. Underscoring the continuing family commitment to animal health and safety, he notes that “in the Spring of 2022, we will open a large- and small-animal veterinary hospital on-site in partnership with the University of Florida.”

For more information about the WEC-Ocala and upcoming events, go to WorldEquestrianCenter.com.

There is simply no other way to describe the WEC-Ocala except to say WOW!

COOKING FROM THE HEART

Chef Ishrath Mackie’s Culinary Methodology Includes Tasting, Trusting, and Teamwork

by Fanny Slater

Iregularly get the privilege to sit down with highly experienced chefs and dig deep into their culinary roots. The best part? I have no idea what kind of personality will meet me on the other end of the line. Some are soft-spoken prodigies whose voices mostly come out through their food. Some are eccentric characters so immersed in the kitchen life that their first language is ingredients. And some are kind, heart-centered humans who—despite being globally-trained in both pastry and savory cuisine—are so humble and down-to-earth that when asked their favorite comfort food at the end of a long day, they readily answer with: “Hardee’s mushroom and Swiss burger!”

The flood of laughter that resulted from Chef Ishrath Mackie’s answer to my question came at the conclusion of our interview, and it summed up his light, loveable spirit in a way that I couldn’t have written better if I tried.

Chef Mackie joined the team at Savannah Lakes Village [SLV] in McCormick, SC, toward the end of last year. The member-owned sporting community is celebrated for its picturesque charm and extraordinary selection of outdoor recreation opportunities—from hiking to kayaking to a tennis program that boasts several big victories. But, it’s the arrival of a new chef that has all heads turned toward the club’s food and beverage program. Chef Mackie is an

accomplished, award-winning culinary educator and Executive Chef whose decades of international experience in the resort and country club industry make him a shoe-in for the gig.

With an expert piloting the operation, the folks at Savannah Lakes are confident that shining a light on the now-fully capable dining scene will simultaneously up the club’s level of professionalism and service. They chose wisely, as Chef Mackie is a master of making food the main attraction. The scenic lakefront beauty and impressive golf courses have always been the story.

Now, the food is the story.

Chef Mackie’s guiding principles center around cooking from your heart, respecting your team members, and always, always tasting the food. A love for the culinary arts—passed onto him by his mother—is in his blood. He was, after all, preparing Indian-inspired fish stew solo at the ripe age of eight, while most kids were still learning how to tie their shoes.

And though he’s only been with Savannah Lakes for about six months, he’s already got big plans to roll out everything from a Thaithemed dinner event to a signature Monte Cristo burger named after the newly reimagined Pub at Monticello’s, featuring homemade croissant cinnamon roll buns.

Yes, you read that right.

Read on to peek inside the methodology of a well-seasoned chef who believes that patience, tasting, and teamwork in the kitchen are the blueprint for success.

Chef Mackie is a master of making food the main attraction.

We asked you to create an original recipe for Savannah Lakes Village that we could feature in this article and boy, did you deliver! Where did the inspiration come from for the Fusion Seafood Salad Extravaganza?

Sometimes you have so many flavors and ingredients in your mind as you’ve spent a lifetime in the kitchen. I wanted to dream of something that was completely different. The demographics of SLV are very diverse, and the members are always asking me when I’m going to cook my native food. So I thought that would be a good starting point for me for a recipe that could be original to the River Grille restaurant.

If you read it closely, you’ll see the Thai overtones. The only thing it’s missing that I couldn’t find is kaffir lime leaves!

You started your professional culinary and hospitality career in the resorts of Sri Lanka, but I want to go back further than that. Tell me about some of your very first memories in the kitchen around food and cooking.

I was very fortunate to have a mother who was really good at cooking. When she was pregnant with me, she used to say that all she thought about was food and baking! She was always trying new recipes, and she says that’s why I became a chef.

My mom was an inspiration to me growing up. She was cooking and baking for

All the excitement isn’t just about the food at Savannah Lakes Village

Along with the recent upgrades to the two championship golf courses, Tara and Monticello, and their respective full-service dining clubhouse facilities, Savannah Lakes Village is an amenityrich, active adult lifestyle community with something for everyone on 71,000-acre freshwater Lake Thurmond.

SLV residents have convenient access to more than 100 miles of hiking and biking trails in the 63,000 acres of state parks and national forests that surround the community. There’s also a 23,000 sq. ft. recreation and fitness center with indoor and outdoor pools, bowling alleys, tennis and pickleball complex, marina, hundreds of community docks, and over 60 activity classes, social clubs, and organizations.

To learn more about Savannah Lakes Village and the community’s spectacular golf courses, schedule a Discovery Tour to play them for yourself, go to SavannahLakesVillage.com.

Chef Ishrath Mackie

Executive Chef / F&B Manager

Savannah Lakes Village | McCormick, SC

small family get-togethers, and I was running around near her. So my career began from that point.

The first dish I made was a fish stew that we make in Sri Lanka. I was about eight years old. I accomplished it all myself, and the cook in the household came to me and said, “You did that?” and I said, “Yes!” So it’s just been in the blood, I guess!

Once you were set on being a chef, what was your hands-on culinary path like?

In Sri Lanka, we have an apprentice system just like in Europe. As soon as you finish school and know what curriculum you want to be in, you can guide yourself toward where you want to go. I was fortunate to go to a private hotel school—which is what we call culinary school.

You learn to run an entire hotel, but at that time, you had to cook first. You couldn’t specialize in baking. You had to go through the entire culinary program first (from boning a cow to washing dishes). The school was set up like a mini-hotel with a restaurant, guests, and housekeeping—and it was run by the students. As you advanced, you were placed in different subjects and had exams. It was a pretty intense European-style program.

When I finished hotel school, I worked for an Italian chef who had a small restaurant in Sri Lanka. That was my first hands-on experience under a chef, and I loved it. After two years there, I wanted world experience and then began to work abroad but still had to climb the ladder.

When did your passion for pastries come along? And do you feel like baking is secondary to cooking for you, or do the two go hand-in-hand?

My pastry desire began at the same time as I was cooking. It was a synonymous love. I loved baking, pastries, bread, chocolate, and cake decorating and spent many years doing that. But I also love charcuterie, salads, and slow, from-scratch cooking.

When you have that experience from international kitchens, you end up learning that the foundation for good cooking is making things from scratch. When you transfer that pastry chef experience over to the kitchen and pay attention to what goes into the pot—it’s a full circle, successful recipe to be able to do both.

You’re in a region that has a heavy focus on Southern-style seafood and Lowcountry cooking. How will you inject your diverse experience here?

In just four months, we’ve done a six-course menu for Valentine’s Day, and my team got to see the breakdown of that process (from the plates to the glasses to how it’s organized). They’ve also gotten to see scratch-made lasagna, soups, sauces, and stocks. American southern-style cooking actually has a lot of French influence.

What projects have already come to fruition at SLV and what themed events are you looking forward to?

I have tons of ideas, but I can’t run this operation in an egodriven way. If you listen, you learn more. And the success I want to have first is with the members. So far, many have requested Thai food, so that’s the first special event I’d like to introduce.

I worked at the Hyatt Regency in Thailand in the 80s and opened a pastry kitchen there but fell in love with the street food! Right now, I’m getting my staff used to scratch-Asian cooking, and fortunately, we had an opportunity to cook a Thai meal for an anniversary dinner for 12. We did deep-fried fish, garlic-lemon Thai dipping sauce, and tamarind shrimp. They ate it and said, “Chef Mackie, the best Thai restaurant in town is right here!”

I’m also an avid gardener. Soon, I’ll have fruits and veggies in the gardening beds outside of the kitchen. I love living things that come out of the ground. Without the earth, there’s nothing, right?

I read that you were hoping to introduce in-house artisanal breads, pastries, and desserts. How’s that coming along?

That’s going to be phrase three! Right now, we’re in phase two, working on the Pub at Monti’s. It’s a brand-new kitchen that’s been stagnant for a while, so it’s my next project. I’d like to see a real, hearty sports bar with wings and upscale burgers (with small-batch meat from a local farmer).

“The foundation for good cooking is making things from scratch.”

About Savannah Lakes Village

FUSION SEAFOOD SALAD EXTRAVAGANZA

SEAFOOD INGREDIENTS

1 6oz Maine lobster tail

2 large Carolina head on white shrimp

1 King crab leg

1 qt water

1 whole lemongrass

1 inch piece sliced ginger

1 stalk green onion

1 c dry white wine

1 stalk fresh tarragon herb

1 clove crushed purple garlic

CARAMELIZED PETITE SEA SCALLOPS

4 petite sea scallops

¼ tsp Himalayan pink sea salt

¼ tsp pounded pink peppercorn

1 tbsp light olive oil

Season scallops with salt and peppercorn. Heat sauté pan until hot. Add light olive oil and caramelize scallops on each side until a golden-brown color is achieved (no more than one minute each side).

SAFFRON PETITE POTATOES

1 tsp Spanish Saffron

1 qt water

3 petite potatoes

salt & white pepper to taste

Cut petite potatoes in half. Place in water, add saffron, and salt to taste. Cook until potatoes are tender. Drain and season with salt and white pepper.

FUSION VINAIGRETTE INGREDIENTS

1 tsp finely chopped lemon-

grass hearts

1 tsp sweet white miso paste

1 c coconut vinegar

2 heaping tbsp finely grated

palm sugar or agave sugar

1 c light olive oil

1 clove pressed purple garlic

1 small finely chopped shallot

1 tsp ginger marmalade or sugar crystallized ginger

1 tsp tarragon

1 tsp finely sliced chives

1 tsp fresh lime juice

himalayan pink sea salt and pounded black & pink

peppercorn to taste

Bring all ingredients to a light simmer, arrange seafood in steaming basket. Place basket and steam large prawns 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from steaming basket and reserve. Continue steaming, and remove crab claw next after about 6 minutes. Remove lobster tail after 7 to 8 minutes. Cook until internal temperature is 145°F. Strain and reserve poaching liquid.

BUNDLE GREEN BEANS

5 ea fresh green beans

garlic chive stalks

pink pounded peppercorns

Himalayan pink sea salt

extra virgin olive oil

zest lemon

1 tbsp lemon juice

pinch baking soda

cold water with ice

Boil water with a pinch of baking soda. Add green beans, and cook until bright green. Plunge into ice water bath. Once cooled, form bundles and tie with garlic chive stalks. Season with extra virgin olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, pink pounded peppercorns, and Himalayan Sea salt.

ASPARAGUS Follow the same procedure as green beans with three asparagus stalks.

SALAD ASSEMBLY

Boston lettuce

cherry tomatoes

sliced radishes

pitted Kalamata olives

steamed seafood

caramelized sea scallops

bundle green beans

cooked asparagus

fusion vinaigrette

saffron petite potatoes

fresh lemon wedges

fusion vinaigrette dressing for dipping

Create a Life You Don’t Need a Vacation From

by Jan Cullinane

Our women’s tennis team holds a yearly luncheon to celebrate all the players’ birthdays. Team members are asked to bring a small wrapped gift for a random birthday gift exchange. I received a coffee mug with this message: “Create a Life You Don’t Need a Vacation From.” Love the mug (I know ... we were taught we shouldn’t end a sentence with a preposition), and I love the concept. How do we do that? How do we create a life we “don’t need a vacation from”? Let’s explore three ways.

Begin by thinking about the end

George Kinder is the founder of the Kinder Institute of Life Planning. Kinder suggests we ask ourselves three questions. For each of the following questions, really think about your answers, and write down your thoughts. If you have a spouse or a significant other, you should both do this. Don’t read the next question until you reflect upon it, discuss (if you have a spouse/significant other), and answer the current question.

Question 1: “Imagine you have enough money to satisfy all your needs, now and in the future. Would you change your life, and if so, how would you change it?” Remember, answer and discuss before proceeding to Question 2.

Question 2: “Now, assume you are in your current financial situation. Your doctor tells you that you only have five to 10 years to live, but that you will feel fine up until the end. Would you change your life, and if so, how would you change it?” Again, answer, reflect, and discuss. Then, on to Question 3.

Question 3: “Your doctor tells you that you have just one day to live. You look back at your life. What did you miss out on? Who did you not get to be? What did you fail to do?”

You can see, it’s quite telling to begin by thinking about the end. It puts things into perspective, and it can help you determine and crystallize your life goals.

Core pursuits

To “create a life you don’t need a vacation from” using a different approach, let’s look at what Wes Moss, author, investment advisor, and CFP (certified financial planner), recommends. Moss found those people who are happiest have what he calls “core pursuits,” which he defines as “hobbies or activities that (people) are passionate about and engage in on a regular basis.”

“Your doctor tells you that you have just one day to live. You look back at your life. What did you miss out on?”

George Kinder

Examples of core pursuits include learning new things, like how to play an instrument or speak a foreign language; giving back through tutoring, philanthropy, or fundraising for worthy causes; attending classes/lectures on a variety of subjects, or returning to college for another—or first—degree; taking up a sport such as tennis, golf, pickleball, or climbing; pursuing passions such as genealogy, woodworking, travel, cooking, singing, writing, or acting; immersing yourself in your primary (or a secondary) career; or involvement with family through caring for grandchildren or your parents.

Core pursuits are often intertwined with other people, providing the social connections integral for both physical and mental health. Core pursuits are what make you happy to get up every morning, and like Steppenwolf sang, “Get your motor runnin’.”

What are your core pursuits? Should you develop more of them? Moss found that the majority of core pursuits fall into four general categories: work, health/exercise, the arts, and adventure, and that people who have an average of 3.6 core pursuits self-identify as happy, while those with only 1.9 selfidentify as unhappy.

Location, location, location

As ideal-LIVING, the publisher of this magazine, correctly states, “Where you live affects how you live.” Look again at the

four general categories of “core pursuits” described above, and decide if your current location helps you live your best life.

If you’re interested in working, are you in a location that allows you to pursue your career or start a new one? With many more people working remotely, working from wherever you are is much easier. I have three adult married children, and five out of the six work remotely either full or part-time. Or, if you want to volunteer or mentor others, are there opportunities to do that? If it’s health/exercise, does your location almost “beg” you to be active? Are there walking/hiking/biking trails and weather that invite you to be outside most of the year? If art is your thing, are there classes/theaters/studios where you can indulge your passions? If you crave adventure, are there ways to satisfy your interests, and are there airports that are close enough to make travel easy and accommodate your sense of adventure and exploration?

Tim McGraw sang “Live Like You Were Dying.” Too often, people stay where they are because it’s easier to do nothing, not because it’s better for them. Thinking about your passions, interests, and what’s important to you will help you “create a life you don’t need a vacation from.”

Jan Cullinane is an award-winning retirement author, speaker, and consultant. Her upcoming book, The New Retirement: The Ultimate Guide to the Rest of Your Life, 3rd edition (Wiley), will be available in Spring 2022.

“Where you live affects how you live.”

Nanotechnology Is Set To Revolutionize Prostate Cancer Treatment

by Kelly Godbey

Did you know that approximately one in eight men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime? Next to skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer for men, and it often goes undetected. Usually, the diagnosis is after age 65, and regular screening through your annual doctor visit will tell you if you are at risk.

The good news is that most prostate cancer is very slow-growing. Men typically die with it, not because of it. However, according to ZeroCancer.org, it is anticipated that 34,500 American men will die in 2022 because of this disease.

The prostate gland is a walnut-sized organ located between the bladder and the rectum that is responsible for producing seminal fluid. The gland produces a protein, a prostate-specific antigen or PSA, that can be monitored throughout routine bloodwork after age the age of 55—or younger if you have a family history—to detect cancer. PSA levels change with age, and it’s important to monitor them.

What Happens if Cancer Is Detected?

When a tumor is detected, it is then biopsied and graded for both size and growth rate based on the Gleason scale that measures the level of risk to the patient. And depending on the growth risk, the primary treatment method for prostate cancer might be as simple as active surveillance (which entails monitoring).

But what happens if an intermediate growth risk has been determined?

In the past, radiation, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy, as well as a prostatectomy (prostate removal) have been the options. The side effects of prostate removal consist of erectile dysfunction

and bladder and rectal incontinence. So, as you can imagine, most men would prefer to live with this type of cancer.

However, in recent years, new methods such as focal ablation have been made available. In simplistic terms, that means they destroy the tissue internally either through ultrasound or freezing the cancer cells.

A Promising New Treatment for Prostate Cancer

MagForce, a nanomedicine company, is pioneering new technology that will hopefully reduce the side effects of prostate cancer treatment and enable

more men to live happy, fulfilling lives. MagForce is currently in Stage 2B of clinical trials of its NanoTherm® focal ablation technology and will hopefully have FDA approval for commercial availability within the next year.

According to Gabriel Dilanji, PhD, Magforce USA’s Chief Scientist and Systems Director, “We are trying to develop this procedure and technology so that our patients can have a better quality of life. We want to treat the disease effectively and safely. The biggest benefits are the potential for fewer side effects. In our preliminary work, we have had a good side effect profile with the patients we have treated so far.”

(kind of like an MRI machine). Due to the magnetic properties of the nanoparticles, the particles heat the tumor to destroy it from the inside out. The patient only requires one 60-minute activation treatment. The treatment would be available only if the cancer has not metastasized.

So, what is this is this revolutionary treatment? With fancy words like superparamagnetism, quantum mechanics, and spin theory, it all sounds really complicated— and it is very complex. We are talking about nanotechnology, after all. However, the premise behind the treatment is fairly simple. Magforce developed coated iron oxide nanoparticles to heat and destroy the cancer tumor from the inside out.

According to Dilanji, “With our treatment, we have developed nanoparticles that heat from the inside out. The nanoparticles are 500-times smaller than a red blood cell. The particles float around in water, but when they are injected into tissue, they clump together and form a solid deposit in that area. The particle deposit heats up when activated by our magnet. We only deliver energy to the specific suspicious lesion.”

There are 17 trillion nanoparticles in one milliliter of fluid. The fluid is injected directly into the tumor using precise measurements from a three-dimensional MRI. Then the patient enters the Nanoactivator®

Currently, Magforce USA is seeking clinical trial patients throughout the United States for a study for men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer and a Gleason score of 3+4. The treatments will take place in San Antonio, TX, Seattle, WA, and Sarasota, FL. If you would like to be considered for the trial, please contact the MagForce USA medical liaison at 833-658-6423 or prostatetrial@magforce-usa.com to see if you qualify for this study.

Magforce was founded in 1997 in Berlin, Germany. In 2011, they received regulatory approval from the European Union to treat glioblastoma with NanoTherm® technology. It was the first and only nanotechnology treatment to receive European regulatory approval for brain tumors. Since 2018, Magforce USA has been conducting clinical trials for its nanotechnology focal ablation treatment.

On a side note, as a writer who has lost loved ones to cancer, it gives me great hope that new treatments may soon be available.

The premise behind the treatment is fairly simple: heat and destroy the cancer from the inside out.

State Taxes On Veterans

Five new states have just eliminated taxes on military retirement income

by Sam Crawford

This year, the good news for veterans is that five new states have joined a growing list in eliminating state taxes on military retirement income. Arizona and Utah have made the exclusion effective for the tax year 2021, meaning that veterans can see the benefits with this year’s return. Three other states—Indiana, Nebraska, and North Carolina—have made the cut effective for the tax year 2022. In addition, several states like Georgia and South Carolina have pending legislation to eliminate their current partial taxes on military retirement income.

So for now, the total number of states that don’t tax military retirement pay is 35. There are currently eight states, including Florida and Tennessee, that have no income tax at all. And another 22 states have already eliminated their taxes on military retirement income, including Arkansas, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. A majority of the remaining states only partially tax veterans‘ retirement pay by allowing for some income exemptions and/or credits.

on the passage of a bill eliminating the state income tax on military retirement pay.

In addition, all 50 states—including those that still fully tax military retirement income—have programs that offer assistance to veterans in determining the other benefits for which they may be qualified. Homestead exemptions on real estate taxes is one area where veterans can enjoy significant tax savings. Nearly all states now offer credits or deductions for retirees above a certain age (usually starting at ages 60 through 65). Still, many have specific homestead exemptions for military service veterans, especially retirees who are fully or partially disabled.

“Our veterans and their families have given up so much to protect the freedoms and liberties that we hold dear. This bill allows us to give back to those who have been willing to give their all.”

North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson

get to know the facts

Where do U.S. military veterans live?

Alaska has the highest per-capita number of resident military veterans, with nearly 9,000 per 100,000 in population. Virginia is second with a per-capita rate of more than 7,800, and South Carolina makes the top 10 with close to 7,000 veterans per 100,000. Three states have more than one million resident veterans: California (1.57M), Texas (1.45M), and Florida (1.44M).

8 states that do not tax any income, including military retirement income:

22 states that already do not tax military retirement income:

5 new states to eliminate tax on military retirement income:

(effective for tax year 2021)

(effective for tax year 2022)

9 states that only partially tax military retirement income with some exemptions and/or credits:

6 states that fully tax military retirement income:

For those veterans who retire from the military but still want to work, nearly all states now have employment-preference programs for veterans. Generally, those apply only to state government jobs, but an increasing number of local jurisdictions and private employers also now have similar programs for former military service members. However, except in those states that have no tax on any earnings, the pay received for those jobs will likely be subject to state income taxes.

Most states now also offer veterans significant discounts or compete for waivers on fees for hunting and fishing licenses, as well as state park admissions. Driver's license fees and vehicle taxes for the honorably discharged are waived in some states, while others offer tax incentives or license fee waivers for veterans who start a business. Many states also have reduced fees or exemptions for veterans taking academic classes or vocational training at state-supported educational institutions. And a significant number of states offer scholarships, grants, and other tuition assistance for the children of qualified veterans who enroll in-state colleges or jobtraining programs.

While military retirement pay is subject to federal income tax, service members should research how their military retirement income will be taxed in the state where they may choose to reside.

In addition to the Veterans Administration resources available at VA.gov, a number of websites like Military.com and MilitaryBenefits.info offer overviews of applicable state taxes and other benefits and links to local agencies in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories.

Service members should research how their military retirement income will be taxed in the state where they may choose to reside.

Unlock Your Housing Wealth

by Kelly Godbey

One of the tricks that the top one percent has perfected is using the banks’ money instead of their own to fund their endeavors. According to the Motley Fool, “When rich people borrow, they do so because they want to improve their overall financial situation, and they can do that by leveraging the money lenders provide.”

Yes, you may be able to pay cash, but might it be better to explore a loan for purchasing your new home and invest in vehicles that could make you more money over the long term? With record levels of accumulated wealth, it is possible to leverage your home’s equity as a holistic approach to funding your retirement or at minimum improving it.

There’s always a traditional mortgage that most people are familiar with. Fifteen- and 30-year mortgage rates are still very low, even though the Federal Reserve promises to increase rates several times over the next year. Or, you might want to consider making your money work for you with a reverse mortgage.

More often than not, the term “reverse mortgage” is met with skepticism. If you’re anything like me, I wonder, what’s the catch? Do you mean I get to live in my home without paying a monthly mortgage payment? So, we asked the people at Finance of America Mortgage to shed a little light on reverse mortgages.

What is a reverse mortgage?

A reverse mortgage is an FHA insured loan that empowers borrowers to access the equity in their home or purchase a property without any required monthly mortgage payments. Interest and fees are added to the loan balance over the years rather than collected monthly like a traditional mortgage. The balance is repaid when the last remaining borrower permanently leaves the home or if the loan terms are not met.

What are the requirements?

• The borrower must be 62 years of age or older.

• The property must meet FHA minimum property standards.

• The homeowner must continue to pay all property fees, including property taxes, homeowners insurance, and HOA fees.

• You must occupy the home as your primary residence.

Do I still own my house?

Yes, you own your home just like you would with a traditional mortgage. You are free to sell your house and profit from any remaining equity once the loan balance is paid.

If interest is added to the loan amount, what happens if I owe more money than the property is worth in 30 years?

The reverse mortgage is an FHA insured non-recourse loan. The homeowner will never be personally responsible for repayment of the loan greater than the property value of the loan at the time of repayment. If you owe more than the house is worth, the home can be used for collateral to pay the deficit.

What if my children want to purchase the home at the time of my death?

They can buy the house by paying off the loan. In the event that you owe more than its worth they can even refinance or payoff the loan at 95 percent of the current appraised value.

You may be able to pay cash for a new home, but should you?

How does the lender make money if I'm not paying a mortgage payment?

The interest on the loan is added to the loan balance. Rather than collect on the interest monthly, they collect at the end of the loan.

How much money can I borrow?

There are several factors to consider, including age, the property value, interest rate, and down payment on purchases.

How can I find out more?

Call our friends at Finance of America Mortgage’s HECM Department at 844.770.2376, or email them at connect@financeofamerica.com for a free no obligation consultation!

Unlike other loans, a reverse mortgage doesn't have to be repaid until the borrower moves out of the home or passes away.

Waterfront Living at its Best!

Are you looking for the perfect spot for your retirement? Come see what retirement living at Shell Point is all about. Since 1968, Shell Point has set the standard for retirement living in Southwest Florida. Located along the Caloosahatchee River in Fort Myers, Shell Point is just minutes from

Sanibel Island and the Gulf of Mexico. The beauty of Shell Point’s waterfront location is unmatched, but what really sets Shell Point apart are the resort style amenities including boating, pickleball, tennis and championship golf — plus the assurance of Life Care. Unparalleled setting. Unparalleled lifestyle.™

Record-Setting Years for Master Planned Communities

by Kelly Godbey

Fawn Lake, Spotsylvania, VA

Ideal-LIVING

wishes to congratulate our readers and advertisers on record-setting years in 2020 and 2021. The last two years have been a wild ride in real estate with record-breaking sales volume and sales prices. After the initial shock of the pandemic wore off, thousands of homebuyers fled highly populated areas with high taxes for warmer destinations with more space and ample opportunities for outdoor living and socializing.

Almost 55,000 of Ideal-LIVING’s subscribers chose to relocate during this time. The top states they relocated to were Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Arizona, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

With so much demand for homes, prices increased at least 20% year over year. Builders and developers are struggling to meet the demand. They genuinely want to build homes and a life that works for you, so please have patience with the process. Chances are your home value has dramatically increased as well, so expect the desirable locations to have increased at least as much or more. Do your homework before you visit, and be prepared to make an offer when you find your ideal home. You will find your ideal home and life; it just takes some preparation.

With demand remaining at all-time highs, it’s hard to see an end in 2022. So, we reached out to builders and developers in our top markets for their input. Though we could not include everyone's story in this issue, all master-planned communities across the country have seen an influx of new buyers. On the following pages, you’ll find their record-breaking sales, what’s happening in their communities, and thoughts for the future. Start by choosing the area that best suits you.

Lakewood Ranch, FL

The Sunshine State Yields Top Marks

The top-selling multi-generational community in the United States, Lakewood Ranch, can be found on Florida’s west coast in the Sarasota area. There is no question that the Sarasota area has grown in prominence, and Lakewood Ranch (LWR) has become a regional destination that has far exceeded their team’s expectations. According to LWR’s Senior Vice President Laura Cole, who leads residential sales, “We will make sure it keeps getting better and better. The good news is that demand remains very high, and we are seeing buyers from a growing number of metropolitan areas. The challenge is that our builders can’t fully capitalize on demand because of global supply issues.”

In 2021, LWR welcomed 2,600 sales which was 20% above the previous record-setting year. Cole says, “I don’t expect to repeat, that not only here, but around the country due to ongoing constraints in the supply chain. At this moment, builders are seeing little relief in the procurement and pricing of

materials. However, they are becoming more efficient in streamlining the homebuilding process. Once supply issues are resolved, I think you’ll see that these operational improvements will pay big dividends, sales volume will increase, and home build times will decline.”

“Expect to see more curated option packages and more spec homes to choose from—fewer ‘to-be-builts.’ Homebuyers will still be able to put their personal touches on their homes, but the options will be more limited to manage construction cycles and pricing.”

LWR is currently selling in 20 of their 30 villages and is halfway through their eventual buildout. Their new town center, Waterside, has seen phenomenal results and is drawing huge crowds. The entire Waterside village will have 5,000 housing units, and sales have been very brisk. Cole says, “We knew that commerical tenants would not open all at once in the best of circumstances. So we decided to activate the lifestyle component and move our farmers market

there. And it went from an average of 2,000 people every Sunday to 8,500 people routinely. It has been very rewarding to see how people enjoy the large gathering space and unique pocket parks, all facing a one-mile lake. We’d love to have that level of engagement on a daily basis.”

LWR is working off of an extensive waiting list for available properties as some builders are releasing two to five homes per month, and as many as 15 homes per month in other villages. They are also doubling the number of apartments and single-family rentals so that people can rent until they can step into their homes as the market allows. Cole says, “People are recalibrating their expectations to where they can still appreciate the lifestyle.”

From North of Tampa to Naples

“Once people realize what’s going on, it’s a lot easier for people to navigate,” says Leslie Rothschild of Bright Realty in Sarasota. She and her husband Irv have created a team of real estate agents that can help from north of Tampa to Naples. She says, “Some retirees are experienc-

ing sticker shock. They are selling their homes for higher, but then have to go even higher to get what they think they want. We like to reeducate people. First, figure out the area, your budget, and then the lifestyle you want. The communities are based on the quality of life that people want. Quality of life is more important than the house you buy. You just have to readjust your expectations.”

Both Leslie and Irv know the west coast of Florida. The inventory levels of existing homes are very low in the area. For example, in Sarasota, there were only 35 homes on the MLS from $250,000 to $1,000,000 on the day we spoke. Leslie says, “I’ve never seen anything like this. Houses go on the market, and they are gone that day or the next.” The Rothschilds say that sometimes it might be easier to go into a newer development a little further away to get the best prices. They say that $750,000 is the new $500,000 in their market.

And, just between Sarasota and Naples, FL, Wellen Park also sees high demand. As a matter of fact, Wellen Park has won the Best Community Welcome Center in the United States from

Sarasota, FL

IT’S YOUR MOVE

If you’d rather enjoy pickleball with friends than tackle your home renovation projects, Cresswind makes it easy to find your next adventure, new home and fun. This is active adult living designed for the way you want to live.

Explore our communities online, schedule a tour and we’ll help you get started.

the National Association of Home Builders. According to Rick Severence, president of Wellen Park, “Home prices continued to increase, yet demand for quality homes and lifestyle didn’t slow down. It’s anyone’s guess how long this market will last, but regardless of national trends, we anticipate strong demand for Wellen Park to continue well into the future. We’ve already experienced strong sales to this point. We fully expect interest and sales to grow as we get closer to opening Downtown Wellen. From an 80-acre Grand Lake and a lakefront outfitter offering bikes, kayaks, and paddleboard rentals to retail shops, waterfront dining, pedestrian-friendly streets, and public community spaces — Downtown Wellen is the game-changer for Wellen Park. We’re nearly 100% leased in the first phase and have seen a really fantastic response to the coming restaurants and shops that have been announced thus far. All of the momentum we’re creating in Downtown Wellen will keep building interest in Wellen Park, as well as the diversification in available housing product as we bring on more than 1,500 rental units and apartments

online this year and a number of healthcare and medical office tenants. We also have several new rental communities under construction that will further expand home options for people looking to move to Wellen Park. Whether people want to rent first while they decide on exactly which home to buy, wait for their home to be built, or want to experience Wellen Park before committing to a purchase, we’re able to offer that flexibility.” They even have a luxury senior living community under construction and ready to open in early 2023.

Babcock Ranch, America’s first solar-powered town, lies just a little further south. While they are very proud of their sustainable community, renewable energy is just part of everyday life at Babcock Ranch. They offer something for everyone with new homes for all ages. According to Laura Keller, the Sr. VP of Marketing and Sales, they have had banner years in sales. The average sale price for a home so far in 2022 is $448,000. Babcock Ranch sold 714 properties in 2021. Keller says, “As a town of 19,500 homes/50,000 future residents, we are always planning and releasing new phases and neigh-

Babcock Ranch, Babcock Ranch, FL

Latitude Margaritaville

Wellen Park, Venice, FL

T h e V i l l a g e s o f C i t r u s H i l l s i s F l o r i d a ' s P r e m i e r F l o r i d a . C i t r u s H i l l s b o a s t s a n a b u n d a n c e o f a d u g w i t h p l a n n e d e v e n t s , w h i c h w i l l e n s u r e y o u w i l l n e v e r f i n d y o u r s e l f w i t h o u t p l e n t y o f o p p o r t u n i t i e s t o m a k e n e w f r i e n d s o r e n j o y s o m e t h i n g n e w ! O u r w o r l d - c l a s s a m e n i t i e s i n c l u d e T h r e e C h a m p i o n s h i p G o l f C o u r s e s , T w o T e n n i s C e n t e r s , F i n e & C a s u a l D i n i n g O p t i o n s , T h r e e F i t n e s s C e n t e r s , i n c l u d i n g o u r 5 0 , 0 0 0 S q F t P r e m i e r W e l l n e s s f a c i l i t y , B e l l a V i t a . B e l l a V i t a o f f e r s a f u l l - s e r v i c e s p a , p l a n n e d e x e r c i s e c l a s s e s , O l y m p i c s i z e i n d o o r l a p p o o l , p e r s o n a l t r a i n i n g , a n d s o m u c h m o r e . I t t r u l y i s a m u s t - s e e ! W e a r e l o c a t e d j u s t 1 0 - m i n u t e s f r o m t h e G u l f C o a s t o f M e x i c o , w h i c h p r o v i d e s y e a r - r o u n d g u l f b r e e z e s C i t r u s H i l l s i s l o c a t e d i n C i t r u s C o u n t y , k n o w n a s t h e N a t u r e C o a s t , b e c a u s e o f i t s n u m e r o u s o u t d o o r a c t i v i t i e s s u c h a s b o a t i n g , f i s h i n g , b i r d w a t c h i n g , h i k i n g , a n d k a y a k i n g T h e c o u n t y a l s o h a s o v e r 4 6 - m i l e s o f w a l k i n g a n d c y c l i n g t r a i l s t o e n j o y !

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borhoods. We currently have eight neighborhoods actively selling and three to four more set to begin sales this year. Our next area of development, which will debut in Q1 2023, has nine more neighborhoods ribboned by a 3.5-mile chain of parks and miles of our trail system along the Curry Canal. We have eight national and regional builders, not including our custom builders, that are actively selling or under contract for these new neighborhoods.”

Changes in Latitude

Latitude Margaritaville is one of the most popular destinations for active retirees wanting a little fun in their lives. During the last 18 months, the three Latitude Margaritaville communities have sold over 2,000 new homes in Daytona Beach, FL, Panama City Beach, FL, and near Hilton Head, SC, according to Minto’s Latitude Margaritaville Division President, William Bullock. Their prices increased by about 20% to keep up with labor and material costs, but that did not squelch demand. He attributes the tremendous growth to a “unique proposition of food, fun, music, and escapism with outstanding locations that retirees are seeking.” Bullock says, “We currently release between 40 and 50 homes per month, per community. We do this to ensure that we can deliver a quality product. We literally have thousands of people on our interest lists, but we do not want to get too far out ahead of ourselves and sacrifice quality.” He doesn’t see any material slowdown in the active adult space through 2023. “We are constantly opening new phases in all of our communities, as well as expanding our geographic reach. Texas and North Carolina are on our radar.”

In Other Areas of the Sunshine State

Located in the rolling Florida countryside near Ocala, On Top of the World is a family-owned company that’s been a pioneer in activeadult lifestyle communities for decades. On Top of the World sold 933 homes from July 2020 through December 2021. Their only limitations to selling more homes were material shortages.

Nearby at Citrus Hills, this master-planned community has opened three new phases with premier homesites that are selling faster than anticipated. The increased demand for homes during the last 18 months was a welcomed surprise. Citrus Hills is set among the rolling hills and boasts three golf courses, the Bellavita Spa, and numerous other amenities.

Desirable 55+ Living Communities in Pennsylvania

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CORTLAND PARK - Cumberland County, PA

• Resort-style community with private clubhouse

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HOME TOWNE SQUARE - Lancaster County, PA

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SWEETBRIAR - Lebanon County, PA

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Coming SOON!

WINDING CREEK - Lebanon County, PA

• Minutes from Hershey, PA attractions

• Clubhouse with pool and tennis court

Discover

Coastal North Carolina Sees Unprecedented Growth

The coastal lifestyle has been drawing record numbers to North Carolina’s shores for decades, but never has it been more apparent than in the last few years.

Wilmington, NC, has seen explosive growth, and its downtown skyline has been forever changed with all of the new buildings. Just across the Cape Fear River is Brunswick County that spans south to the state border. It has consistently been among the fastest-growing counties in the state. So we’ve reached out to several communities within this area.

Keith Beatty of Intracoastal Realty covers a 45-mile radius around the Wilmington area from North Topsail to Brunswick County and River Landing in Wallace, NC. He says, “It’s very tight for pricing. Brunswick, Pender, and New Hanover have roughly half a month’s supply of housing. If there is a home that comes on the market in the $300s, it is gone the next day.” Beatty says, “The market has absolutely exploded since May 2020 to present. People come for the quality of life here: the four seasons and the water-oriented outdoor activities. The problem is we can’t produce houses fast enough for the demand. I don’t see the prices coming down any time soon. There is so little supply and so much demand. I think we are

going to be in this trend for a while.

“Not everyone is oriented into a golf course community or master-planned community. This real estate market has really helped the upper end of the market. More houses have sold in the $2,000,000+ range than in any previous year. 2021 surpassed 2020 in terms of high-end homes sold.”

According to Robin Campbell, Director of Marketing for Bill Clark Homes who builds in the Wilmington and Greenville, NC, areas, they have sold 825 homes in the last 18 months. When asked what surprised her about the last 18 months, she said, “Everything has surprised us, but in turn, now nothing really shocks us anymore: price increases; delays across the board with trusses, windows, HVAC, outdoor enclosures, sub-contractors, etc.; demand in general; and the inability to hire additional resources to keep up with the demand.” This sentiment speaks to the thoughts of just about every builder out there.

“In the past, we have been able to release new properties to the open market, however now, as we’ve built our VIP lists during the planning periods and the demand for each individual community has been so high, we’ve had

Bill Clark Homes, Wilmington, NC

to structure limited releases. For example, one community we scheduled only enough appointments for property we had available to sell on a first-come, first-serve basis. We required each to provide proof of pre-qualification. We ended up with a 100% conversion rate and sold out the entire section without taking anything to market. It’s a very different time to sell new homes these days,” says Campbell.

Master-Planned Communities in Brunswick County

“Over the past 18 months, we welcomed about 600 families to Brunswick Forest with $200,000,000 in sales volume. We have seen unprecedented numbers. The only limitation is to get inventory to meet the demand that we have,” says Jerry Helms, President of Brunswick Forest Realty.

“Most of our builders have furnished models so that the homebuyers can see what the home will look like as it is being constructed. That enables the homebuyer to get tomorrow’s home at today’s price. They are able to lock in on the pricing even before the home is complete.

When you are buying into a successful masterplanned community, these communities have aligned themselves with builders that have the strength to build homes in a volatile market like this and not leave the homebuyer in a lurch.”

Helms continues, “Some retirees are just starting to look, and some have been looking for a while. People are getting what they can find. It’s crazy. The homebuyer says, ‘We want to be in Brunswick Forest. We want to be out of this high-density city with high taxes.’ I encourage buyers not to let interest rates dictate what you do. The difference between three to four percent interest rates is not that much. Long term, you need to focus on the lifestyle, not the interest rates. Get the right area and community and home.”

In Southport, NC, it’s easy to see why St. James Plantation has been so successful for the last 30+ years. According to Jay Atkinson, president of St. James Plantation, “For St. James, we are on the tail end of the development cycle from a developer perspective, but some things that have taken place here are positioning St. James

Images of Brunswick Forest, Leland, NC

to be even more attractive because all of the amenities are completed and the area is growing around us. It has helped us from a demand and a momentum perspective. It’s still hard to comprehend how we are and have stayed where we are. For example, four years ago, we sold the clubs to Troon, the world’s largest golf management company. Troon continues to polish and refresh the amenity package here and invest in the clubs. Residents are really excited that Troon is renovating the restaurant at the marina. It’s a great partnership.”

He says there are still fewer than 20 homes on the market in St. James, but new listings come up all of the time. “We are encouraging our clients to have a game plan of what they want, and as soon as the home comes on the MLS, our agents are on it within minutes. It’s a different approach that the pandemic has created.”

The Triangle Johnston County is one of the fastest-growing counties in North Carolina due to its proxim-

ity to Raleigh. The 3,000-acre community of Flowers Plantation has had explosive growth during the last two years. People are relocating from Florida, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Connecticut, and the West for the mild fourseason climate. It’s a couple of hours from the coast and the mountains and within a 30-minute drive of excellent quality medical centers. Flowers Plantation sold over 700 homes in the last two years. According to Director of Sales and Marketing, Vanessa Chandler, “People are paying $30,000 to $50,000 above asking price for resales. I think many people are at the point where they think that they will wait it out and see what happens because something has to give. But to tell you the truth, I think they are hurting themselves by doing that because even though at some point we are going to stabilize, I don’t think prices will go down. I think this is our new normal. If you try to sit and wait, you’re just hurting yourself. If you are looking a year or a year and a half out, what you will see now may not be here then.”

"The problem is we can’t produce houses fast enough for the demand. I don’t see the prices coming down anytime soon. There is so little supply and so much demand.” Keith Beatty, Intracoastal REalty, Wilmington, NC

St. James, Southport, NC

South Carolina's Coast, Lakes, and Inland Communities Thrive

The South Carolina Coast

Director of Sales and Marketing Laura McCarthy says, “Dataw Island has seen an incredible demand for homes over the last couple years, creating record-setting sales. Our inventory has gone from 90+ homes for sale to the single digits with this increased demand. Interestingly, the number of “new listings” to come onto the market has not decreased; our low inventory is instead a product of how many prospective members desire to purchase here. We saw 125 home sales in 2021, and 122 in 2020, which was by far our busiest sales year to date. Both 2020 and 2021 had double the number of home sales than in years prior, and lot sales more than quintupled. These new members have brought fresh new perspectives and an energy that is palpable.

“It’s hard to attribute this phenomenon to any one factor, as it seems to be more a confluence of situations that have contributed to the heightened sales climate. The pandemic inspired more ‘late baby boomers’ to retire at an earlier age than anyone could have predicted. And many others realized that working remotely is viable and chose to move sooner than later to their ideal destinations. We also offer a membership that embraces multi-generational households, which have increased dramatically nationwide in recent years and here on Dataw Island.

“Without a crystal ball, it’s impossible to pre-

dict how long this will last, but I expect the market to cool nationally a little slower than it will here. The coastal Lowcountry of South Carolina has grown in popularity as both a retirement and everyday living destination. Even with as desirable a destination as we are, prices have traditionally remained much lower than in larger cities in the Northeast and West, where many buyers are coming from.”

Lake Living in South Carolina

At Keowee Key in Salem, SC, sales continued to increase year over year. In 2021, lot sales were 40% higher than previous years. The number of homes built increased by 30%. Christine DeVlaming, Director of Marketing at Keowee Key says, “We were thrilled with our lot sales. Additionally, many homeowners were renovating which brought some of our older homes up to date, which was always a goal. We had a 30% increase in home renovations in 2020 and a 25% increase in 2021 compared to 2019.”

DeVlaming offers an interesting perspective on why sales have increased so rapidly. “The first sales trend was based on late retirees finally deciding to move very fast due to COVID-19 concerns (let’s get out of here). In the next wave, people leaving large cities during COVID-19 were able to sell their homes relatively quickly as the millennials filled their spots for work. In these first two cases, many had nice sums of money from their home sales to put more cash

on their next home, driving up prices. Third, folks being able to work from home and big box companies shutting down some of the main offices caused a lot more moves. The next sales trend is based on people inheriting money during COVID-19 when family members have passed on. So there is now additional cash inhand. People are buying, including renovations. This also produced a great deal of inflation and now the interest rates will begin to go up. We expect to see continued fast sales through 2022, and it really depends on the economy if this will continue into 2023.”

Inland South Carolina Sees Strong Sales

Aiken, SC, has been increasing in popularity among retirees for many years, and Woodside

has been leading the charge. Woodside has experienced phenomenal sales as well. Since September of 2020, they had over 300 sales of existing homes, new homes, and homesites totaling over $100,000,000, according to Diana Peters, President of Woodside Communities. And that was only by the developer’s team and does not include all of the sales transactions at Woodside. Peters says, “The market was already strengthening when COVID-19 shut everything down in 2020. Other than that blip, our sales have experienced a steady incline. We don’t see anything to indicate any market changes in the near term. Our traffic and demand for property remain very strong.”

Keowee Key, Salem, SC

Low Taxes and Mild Climate Draw Record-Breaking Crowds to Tennessee

Nashville is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country and has been so for many years now. The pandemic only quickened the pace. Pulte Homes and its Del Webb brand are extremely popular among retirees. Southern Springs by Del Webb in Spring Hill, TN, was just one community that experienced unprecedented growth.

According to Melanie Hemmingway, Vice President of Sales for PulteGroup in Tennessee, “Our buyers are acclimated to the market so that they know if they see and love something today that they should pull the trigger because it may not be there tomorrow. People are generally ready to buy when they get here.”

Hemingway says Pulte is trying to purchase more land and break into new markets further out. They have capped the number of reservations that they take for new homes as they want to be able to provide a new home within a sixto eight-month window. They want homebuyers to be happy with the process. At Del Webb,

they are mainly pre-selling. Director of Marketing, Susan Chapin says, “We could sell all the land today, but we can’t build it all today. We are also bringing a new Del Webb property in Murphreesboro, TN, in 2023.”

And, just outside of Knoxville in Loudon County, you’ll find Tellico Village on Lake Tellico where lot sales tripled the amount in previous years. The average home price in Tellico Village in 2021 was $428,000, that’s up from $382,000 in 2019. There are currently 300 homes under construction in this community with 10,000 residents. In 2020, Tellico Village had just over 8,500 residents. They are quickly approaching 75% of their final buildout. Beth Kuberka, Tellico Village Director of Marketing, says, “The boomers are a little different from the Great Depression, whose parents were savers, and I think the boomers have realized, especially living through a pandemic recently, is that it’s time to live and to enjoy life.”

Tellico Village, Loudon, TN

Low Taxes and Great Weather Attract Delaware Residents

“Ithink people have changed their thought process. I think people have decided to live where they will be the happiest. If they want to retire early or finish their careers working from home, they just want to live somewhere that makes them happy. People understand that being happy where you live is critical,” says Jeff Evans, Director of Marketing for Carl M. Freeman Companies, who develops real estate in Delaware. He says “Delaware is the perfect place to stay close to family. For the D.C., Baltimore, and Philadelphia markets, they are within a threehour drive from family. They can be near the beach and still near their grandchildren, and

that’s critical.”

Evans says, “You couldn’t have had better sales. We’ve even had to pause our sales a few times due to overwhelming demand so that we could provide the quality product for our homebuyers.” He said that Bayside on Fenwick Island has one remaining phase. In Lewes, DE, Tower Hill will be starting on the second phase within the next month. Evans said, “We just opened Tower Hill a few months ago, and sales have been really strong.” Channel Pointe on Fenwick Island with 70 waterfront homesites on the bay will launch later this year. They are currently taking names for their VIP list for these special homesites.

Bayside, Selbyville, DE

National Active Adult Builder Sees Growth Across Many States

end of 2021, including 119 homesites – many with tremendous golf course or mountain views. We’ve also started working on the next phase, which will be available in a couple of years.”

Encore by David Weekley Homes builds active adult master-planned communities across the country, and we were able to speak their divisions in Phoenix, AZ, and Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX, for a bit of insight.

According to Mark Weber, Division President in Phoenix, AZ, “We were a bit surprised by the continued high number of relocations from California, Washington, Oregon, and Minnesota. Costs continuing to climb to historic levels have been a bit of a surprise. I think this market still has a bit of a run due to the limited supply available in the market. Thankfully, our team has great relationships with our Preferred Partners, which has helped our production cycles compared to others in our market. In addition, the Phoenix area is seeing growth due to companies moving plants and jobs moving here. The weather also continues to be our biggest asset, drawing a lot of buyers to the area. We opened a new phase in our Victory community at the

In Texas, it’s a familiar story. Jeff Rhodes, Project Manager in Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX, says, “The last year and a half was full of surprises. We saw our homebuyers crave the sense of community and active lifestyle that comes with living in an active adult community. Our homeowners were eager to do socially-distant and safe events more than ever. It’s been great to see everyone come together again and take advantage of the many excellent amenities and programs offered in the Dallas/Ft. Worth-area community of Elements at Viridian. We will be opening a new phase in spring 2022 in Elements at Viridian. This new phase will have our current Traditional and Signature Series, as well as our newest Garden Series that is ideal for the low-maintenance lifestyle. Our goal at David Weekley Homes is always to deliver a quality homebuyer experience to our customers, and we take that very seriously.”

David Weekley Homes

David Weekley Homes

Senior Living Experiences Increased Occupancy Levels

Liberty Senior Living operates independent living, assisted living, memory care, and also skilled nursing facilities in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida. Director of Marketing and Sales, Dean Dellaria, says, “After the initial wave of COVID-19 and variants, we have seen a steady occupancy growth. Studies began to show that residents living in a community were faring better than those not living in a community. When you layer in isolation, suddenly, good communities started to see an increase in occupancy. Occupancy rates were 60% higher than in 2020. And higher than in 2019. We were able to see a nice rebound to occupancy. It’s been nice growth all around, and we are continuing to see that in 2022. Older adults are embracing the potential in senior living as much or more so than in years past. The majority of our communities operate under a rental financial model. In our model, they do not have a hefty entrance fee, which means their asset portfolio remains under the control of the resident. The rental model provides true flexibility for our residents.”

Liberty sees the need for additional active adult communities without the varying degrees of care. Dellaria says, “Not everyone wants a full-retirement community. We are filling these communities as well. Last year, we opened our active adult community first in Myrtle Beach. Later this year, we will open another in Matthews, NC, and another active adult community in Leland, NC, in 2023.”

Find Your Ideal... HOME

What will your ideal home look like? Will it all be on one level with an open floorplan and an inviting outdoor living space? Will you have a spa-like bathroom, or maybe you'll have an outdoor shower? You can create the home you desire or find a floorplan or existing home that meets all of your needs.

COASTAL DESIGNS

Bill Clark Homes is taking client preferences and finding unique alternatives that end up providing an even more beautiful end result.

Personal and Pre-built: Designing your dream home is easier than

by Emily Hackeling

Those looking to build their custom dream home probably wouldn’t even consider choosing a pre-built home. They’re looking for a floor plan that fits their lifestyle, personalizations that give it a look that’s uniquely theirs, plus finishing touches that make it feel like home.

The problem with building a custom home, however, is that it’s difficult, costly, and timeconsuming. Not everyone has months or years of planning time to invest in a custom home, time to spend waiting on the from-scratch build, or the countless hours it takes to sort through every inch of potential customizations, from the flooring finish beneath your feet to the recessed lighting above.

That’s why many people opt for a pre-built home—they want a faster, more cost-effective, less time-consuming building process. Traditionally, choosing pre-built meant giving up personalization. But that’s no longer the case.

Innovative home builders, like Bill Clark Homes in southeastern North Carolina, are providing future homeowners with several options for building a new home.

“Designing the custom home of your dreams

is a walk in the park,” — said no one ever. Bill Clark Homes is changing that.

A premier, family-owned and operated home builder, Bill Clark Homes has been around for over 40 years. They’ve been named as one of the Nation’s “Top 100 Builders” for more than a decade, known for their award-winning floor plans and careful personalization of each home to meet every client’s lifestyle and preferences.

Future home owners can choose from two paths: Simplified or Personalized. The former lets them choose from a selection of built or almost-built homes and add simple customizations. The latter lets them hand pick the layout and attributes of their ideal home from their extensive portfolio of plans, with specialized recommendations from their team of designers for guidance.

Gone are the days of choosing between prebuilt and a completely customized home; and as a result, it’s easier than ever to build the home you’ve always wanted.

Limited supply lets creativity blossom.

When COVID-19 hit in 2020 and the housing market boomed across the country, in the

ever before

Southeast in particular, the Bill Clark team saw unprecedented volume. Everyone wanted to move out of the city and build the home of their dreams.

But as a home builder, when you combine a serious uptick in volume of new building requests with a global supply chain crisis, you get, well, a really difficult situation. And this is the challenge builders across the country are facing: how can you build a lot of homes when you have almost no materials?

For Bill Clark, the answer was getting creative. They’re using what they have in new and interesting ways. They’re taking client prefer-

ences and finding unique alternatives that end up providing an even more beautiful end result.

According to Robin Campbell, Director of Marketing and Sales at Bill Clark, they’ve found innovative ways to fulfill these personalizations, even with limited materials due to the supply chain crisis. “We’re using the same materials in unexpected ways, like tiles on fireplaces and wood on walls. We’re also creating patterns with existing materials like herringbone with wood or adding unique mosaics on their backsplash or bathroom tiles.”

The custom building process is becoming simpler than ever.

Setting new standards for personalized styles

Challenges like a supply chain shortage make basic operation difficult for builders who want to give clients everything they dreamt of having in their new home. But when you’re forced to innovate—to think of new ways to use the supplies you’ve got—then the result is guaranteed to be unique. And who knows? Maybe your personalized styles will start the next home interior trend.

Here’s a peek at the innovative building process Bill Clark Homes is using to give homeowners the personalization they’re looking for, without the overwhelming cost and timeline that accompanies a traditional custom build—all while overcoming supply chain shortages.

1. Bring your ideas, pictures, swatches, and dreams to meet with your custom homes designer.

2. Choose the exterior designs that fit you best: siding style and colors, trim, front door, garage door, exterior lighting, and more.

3. Dive into the details with your kitchen cabinets, countertops, lighting, storage space, and beyond.

4. Choose bathroom styles for your vanity, countertop, faucets, and tiling.

5. Select flooring from wood, tile, luxury vinyl, and carpet.

6. Pick a paint for your walls—choose individuals or let the design team provide guidance on a palette for the home.

Make Friends Before You Move at Margaritaville

If you seek to find a new life filled with good times and lots of new friends, you are not alone. When Ideal-LIVING Magazine reader, Doreen Haddad called our office to say she’d found her ideal home in Latitude Margaritaville in Daytona, we wanted to share her story of finding a new start on life at the young age of 70.

Before the pandemic, Doreen had decided to leave her home in Long Island, where she has lived for 38 years. She had visited an Ideal-LIVING Real Estate Show in the past, which helped her narrow her options. Doreen had tired of the high taxes and increasing cost of living in New York, not to mention the snow.

In January of 2020, she was exploring and had planned to visit Latitude Margaritaville in May. However, the pandemic delayed her visit until October of 2020. She knew immediately that this was where she wanted to live. Doreen says, “You kind of know right away if you are going to like it there. It’s a feeling that you get. If you don’t have that feeling, you should move on.”

“At that time, they didn’t have any homesites available for the model I wanted, but they said

they would release a new phase in November of 2020. So, I had to pick between five homesites, and they would let me know when they came available.” Her sister built a cottage a few months ahead of Doreen.

Throughout the year of building her home, Doreen would travel down to make her selections at the design center, and while she visited, she met her new neighbors. Doreen compliments the design team and the builders at Latitude Margaritaville with their attention to detail and hard work during difficult times.

“The community is the friendliest community that I’ve ever seen. It is very active. We had a golf cart and a car, and as we drove down any street, people would wave and say hello. Everyone talks to you and invites you to a happy hour. It’s very embracing. I’m single, and so is my sister. From day one, the community has been very welcoming.” They have Facebook groups with people from New York who live there, so she felt right at home before she relocated.

“I am done with New York and ready for a new adventure.”

Port St. Lucie’s most eagerly awaited new 55+ active adult community is now open! Located in the exciting masterplanned community of Tradition, Telaro features gorgeous villas and single-family homes with a variety of stylish and elegant home designs to choose from. You’ll love our resort-style amenities and the connectedness and convenience that comes with living in Tradition.

Discover Tradition’s endlessly inspiring possibilities. Mix fitness, adventure, relaxation and fun in a community that connects it all seamlessly – from T-Trail walks with friends, to yoga classes at the Town Square, to comedy and concerts at the event lawn. Telaro at Tradition has it all!

CLOSE TO EVERYTHING:

Local beaches

Shopping and dining

Outdoor recreation

Year-round entertainment

Educational experiences

BUILT-IN TOWN CENTER:

Convenient shopping

Restaurants and cafes

Community events & classes

Weekly farmers market

Event lawn

AMENITIES GALORE:

20,000 sq. ft. clubhouse

TIM autonomous shuttle

Electric bike share

20-mile mobility trail system

300 acres of parks

Resort-style pools

Poolside cafe and market

Fitness center

Outdoor recreation

Sports courts

Card rooms

Therapy lounge

Demonstration kitchen

Craft rooms

Get Away from it All or Get Into it All