THE HAND FAMILY

By Greta Honsberger

In 2018, drawn to its architecture and desiring the vibrant and community-oriented environment, the Hand Family: Jason, Cristin, Max, and Dean, established their residence in TerraBella, making it their home. They were no strangers to the quaint Traditional Neighborhood Development because Jason has been building custom homes for TerraBella residents since 2014. Building a home for his family in the meticulously planned neighborhood was only natural for Jason.

For the past five years, the Hands have come to love and appreciate the unique characteristics and design principles of TerraBella, including walkability, connectivity, and a sense of community. “The Traditional Neighborhood Development concept is amazing. We enjoy getting to know our neighbors and spending time with friends at all of the TerraBella concerts and events each year,” adds Cristin. The parks, town square, and green spaces placed strategically throughout give the Hands ample opportunities for outdoor activities and recreation, which is essential for this active family of four.

Cristin is a busy wife and mom; as Director of Business Development for Bienville Capital Group, she is in charge of new client relations and marketing. Starting his company in 2014, Jason, owner of J Hand Homes, is an established luxury home-builder. Passionate about his work, he gives time and attention to each project he approaches. Jason maintains, “We make it our mission to help each client design and build a home that harmonizes with their families’ lifestyle, fits their financial guidelines, and enriches their daily life. We take a partnership approach to building beautiful homes with no quality spared.”

Jason and his team have built over thirty homes in TerraBella and countless properties on the Northshore. The success of J Hand Homes is due in large part to the focus on its objective,which is to make the custom home-building process “engaging, simple, and as hassle-free as possible.”

Cristin and Jason are the proud parents of Max and Dean. Their oldest son Max, thirteen, is looking forward to starting high school at Archbishop Hannan as he begins his 8th-grade year this fall. Football is a favorite of Max’s, and he is excited about being a Hannan Hawk. An additional pastime of Max is researching, buying, and selling sneakers. The youngest Hand is Dean, who is nine. Going into 4th grade at Lancaster Elementary, his favorite sport is soccer. He likes playing flag football, painting, and playing with friends. For the active Hand brothers,

TerraBella is the perfect home, given the parks and open spaces, nature preserve, pool, and proximity to friends. Being able to put together a last-minute ball game, explore, hike, or fish by the lake, Max and Dean’s home community is any kid’s dream playground.

When the day is done and the Hands collect at home, the open floor concept of their home allows them to easily interact and engage with one another, whether in the kitchen, dining area, or living room. This inclusive layout provides a space for working in the kitchen or participating in activities in the common area, but mostly, it gives them a place for daily family togetherness. Jason’s favorite room is the living room because of the large windows. Not only do the windows let in natural light, but they offer a view of their courtyard, complete with outdoor fireplace, comfortable seating, and outdoor kitchen.

The Hand family thoroughly enjoys spending quality time together, whether dining at the Rusty Pelican or date night for Jason and Cristin at Gallagher’s. Vacations and outdoor activities are an important part of being together, evident in their shared interests, particularly boating on the Tchefuncte, and fishing in the Rigolets. This family’s passion for adventure and the great outdoors is the foundation for their memorable experiences.

When choosing a vacation destination, the Hands gravitate to Rosemary Beach, Florida. They enjoy the pristine sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and all the popular destination offers. Soaking up the warm Florida sunshine, no trip would be complete without long walks along the shoreline, collecting seashells and hermit crabs while enjoying the serenity of the k rolling waves. Additionally, Cristin, Jason, and their boys look forward to riding bikes along 30A and stopping to dine at the charming restaurants. They enjoy savoring local seafood dishes and flavorful cuisine with a coastal twist. The opportunity to unwind and relax while creating unforgettable family memories in a beachfront setting is a treasure for this busy family.

Cristin likes to help maintain the vitality of her community and does so by shopping locally. She enjoys area boutiques such as Niche, Hazel Lane, and Posh. Keeping it close to home is one way Cristin contributes to the Northshore business community.

When talking about the Hands, no one can forget Duke, their Boston Terrier. Duke is a crucial member of their family and the TerraBella community. His favorite pastime is sitting in the foyer and watching all who pass. He has a reputation in TerraBella as the dog who jumps straight up like a rabbit while barking when people pass his porch. Cristin says of his little performance, “It’s quite a sight!”

The Traditional Neighborhood Development has proved to be a wonderful experience for the Hand family. As TerraBella residents, they are immersed in a vibrant community where they have strong connections with their neighbors, a sense of belonging, and enjoy a rich and fulfilling lifestyle.

DESIGNS BY JENNIFER PACIONE

Legal Tips

By Arena

The Ins And Outs Of Estate Planning

Estate planning is making arrangements and legally documenting how an individual’s assets, properties, and responsibilities will be managed, protected, and distributed upon their incapacity or death. Making an estate plan or changing a current estate plan should be considered at various stages of life, depending on individual circumstances. While it’s never too early to start planning, some key milestones or life events often prompt individuals to begin the process.

Arena Collective has compiled a list of ten milestones and life events that prompt the creation of an estate plan or consideration of having a current estate plan reviewed. Additionally, Arena Collective lists the key elements often found in an estate plan.

Ten Reasons to Consider Estate Planning

Marriage

Retirement

Children

Death of a family member

Divorce

Opening a business

Selling a business

Empty Nest

Grandchildren

Buying a home or investment property

Elements of Estate Planning

*Where applicable

Will and/or Trust

Medical Power of Attorney

Medical Directive

General Power of Attorney

*Revocable Living Trust

*Special Needs Trust

Creating a comprehensive estate plan ensures that a person’s wishes are carried out regarding their finances, healthcare decisions, guardianship of minor children, and the transfer of assets to beneficiaries. It is never too soon to evaluate and make important life decisions for the future. Whether creating a new estate plan or reviewing an existing one, Arena Law Firm can provide comprehensive assistance to fulfill all your estate planning requirements.

As I approached Hope Richard’s front door, I could hear the barks of Golden Retrievers, London and Bondi welcoming me, adding warmth and happiness to her home. I immediately felt a vacation-like atmosphere upon entering. Hope pointed out that was the effect she sought to achieve when she and her husband David built their TerraBella home. The Richard home evokes a sense of relaxation and an atmosphere within the house that makes one feel like they have traveled and are somewhere unique and different.

As we sat down to chat that afternoon, I quickly discovered that her artistry was not merely a skill but an extension of her very being. Hope emphasizes that she “needs to create.” Her artistry allows her to connect and share her unique perspective, most often involving the two things to which she is most drawn: animals and nature.

With an inherent love for animals and a creative spirit that drives her to create, Hope has discovered a delightful niche in capturing pets’ innate essence and charming personalities. Three years after settling in TerraBella, Hope’s creative spirit found inspiration from the TerraBella dogs she observed on their porches during her daily strolls with her Golden Retrievers. She recognized the pups’ bond with their beloved porch spaces: some barking, some watching the world go by, and some napping. In a moment of artistic inspiration, she envisioned capturing these porch-dwelling dogs through the lens of her camera. Thus, in 2016, Hope published Porch Dogs of TerraBella. Two years later, with a request to include cats, she set out to create a little different spin on the original, and in 2018, Tails of TerraBella came to fruition. Each book celebrates TerraBella dogs and several cats, with photographs uniquely expressing their personalities and tails for a bit of whimsy and individuality. Hope’s talent behind the lens and her love for animals resulted in an adorable portrayal of her neighbors’ pets.

With a versatile range of crafts at her fingertips, Hope channels her love of creating with a diverse array of handmade masterpieces. Her artistic flair knows no bounds, from playful pet-related ornaments to delectable pet-inspired ice cream treats to endearing notecards.

Equally important is her desire to share her creations, motivating her to set up her studio and gallery a few years ago in TerraBella Village. Unfortunately, the setback of the pandemic forced Hope to pivot and find alternative ways to share her artistry with the world. She soon began searching for a way to do that and found something pretty spectacular in a multi-purpose customized pop-up camper called Happier Camper. A Happier Camper is a recreational vehicle brand known for its unique, retro-inspired designs. Still, more importantly, it went perfectly with the vision that Hope envisioned for her art and designs.

Now, embracing a new chapter in her artistic journey, she can share her art and designs from the hatch-like shop of her very own Happier Camper, appropriately named the Hatch and Hound. Her ‘pop-up’ shop is adorable mixed with practicality. The mobile boutique lets her bring her creative offerings to different locations and events, specifically to her TerraBella neighbors.

When I inquired about Hope’s desire to create and share her artistic talents with others, she explained that her greatest fulfillment is “creating something meaningful, preserving memories, joy, and happiness.” Hope’s words resonated deeply with me as she summarized what many of us aspire to achieve in our own pursuits: impact and leave a lasting imprint on the world.

Indeed, Hope has truly achieved her goal of creating something meaningful with her art. Our visit was short but truly special, as I enjoyed connecting with Hope over our shared deep appreciation for animals. Beyond their role as the Golden Retriever ambassadors, Bondi, named after the famed Australian beach, and London, after the bridge, joined by their kitty brother, Franklin August de la Rue, which appropriately translates to “free man of the street,” from whence he came, were also on hand to give love and affection. The intertwining of her pets’ affection and the vacation-inspired home created an ambiance that filled her house and my visit with a beautiful and happy feeling.

Hope’s artistic mission goes beyond her personal journey; it extends to touching the lives of others and creating an enduring impact through her creations.