Graphics Designer Joins the Luhse Tea Gang

KISSIMMEE, Fla., --- Luhse Tea Company, which markets a wide range of imported teas and tea accessories, has enlisted the talents of graphics designer Ed Tiger. This relationship is one of many steps the company is implementing in order to support the U.S. economy. Tiger earned a Master’s Degree in Interactive Entertainment from the University of Central Florida and has more than 18 years of experience designing and creating graphical user interfaces (GUIs), content graphics, 2D animations, concept art, 3D models, and texture maps for interactive courseware, multimedia training, print, gaming, and simulation for the US Military, various government agencies, the commercial and healthcare fields. Brittney Wholihan co-founder, stated, “We are excited to have Ed on board. His work for the company perfectly aligns with Luhse Tea’s existing brand and image. We look forward to continue developing new concepts in order to strengthen customer loyalty and attract more customers to the Luhse Tea brand.”

NAI Realvest Negotiates $14 Million+ sale of former Hertz property North of Orlando International Airport on SR 436

ORLANDO, Fla. --- NAI Realvest recently negotiated the sale of the former Hertz rental facility which includes 19.44 acres of land for development at 5601 Butler National Drive off Semoran Blvd. (S.R. 436) north of Orlando International Airport. NAI Realvest principals Kevin O’Connor and Matt Cichocki negotiated the transaction representing the seller, The Hertz Corporation of Park Ridge, N.J. who closed the operation to move it onto airport grounds. Los Angeles based L&R Investment Company purchased the property for $14,250,000 and intends to obtain a master plan for mixed use development including retail outparcels that front on Semoran Blvd. and an off-airport parking facility in the rear.

Park Square Homes appoints Amy Axon New Home Consultant

Orlando, Fla. --- Park Square Homes has appointed Amy Axon a New Home Consultant for its community of Summerbrooke in Mount Dora. Anthony Rouhana, marketing coordinator at Park Square Homes, said Axon has more than 14 years of experience in new home sales with Ryland Homes, America’s First Home, NTS Development, and The Jones Company. Axon is a licensed Florida Real Estate Broker and a licensed Florida Mortgage Loan Originator who is studying for her BFA Degree in Interior Design.

First Green Foundation awards two new solar energy grants

MOUNT DORA, Fla. --- The First Green Foundation, a 501(c)3 charitable organization established to promote the environmental mission of First Green Bank in Mount Dora, recently awarded grants worth $1,000 each to Dinesh V. Shah of Eustis and Randy VanBuskirk of Longwood for their projects installing residential solar energy equipment. Kenneth LaRoe, chairman of the First Green Foundation, said Shah is installing a 10 KW solar panel system at his home. VanBuskirk is installing a 7.5 KW solar panel system, also at his home. The grants to Shah and VanBuskirk are the second and third solar energy grants the Foundation has awarded. LaRoe said the Foundation has budgeted $20,000 for alternative energy grants. Shah and VanBuskirk are First Green Bank depositors, LaRoe said. The First Green Foundation awards grants of up to $1,000 for residential solar energy systems and higher amounts for commercial systems, LaRoe explained. Grant applications are available online at FirstGreenBank.com.

Ashton Woods Homes names New Sales Associate at new community of Rosedale on Lakewood Ranch Blvd. in Sarasota

MAITLAND, Fla. --- Ashton Woods Homes has appointed a new sales associate at Rosedale, a new community opening for presales Jan. 1 on Lakewood Ranch Blvd. in Sarasota. Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing for Ashton Woods Homes, said Ruth Brown, who has more than 20 years of experience in real estate sales in the Sarasota area has been named a sales associate for Rosedale. Ashton Woods Homes plans to build single family homes priced from the $200s at Rosedale. Construction of the first model home at Rosedale will start in January. Ashton Woods Homes, headquartered in Atlanta, is one of the nation’s largest private homebuilding companies with operations in growth communities in Atlanta, Austin, Dallas, Houston, Killeen, Orlando, Phoenix, San Antonio, Raleigh and Tampa. For more information, visit http://www.ashtonwoods.com .

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty Named Exclusive Sales Marketing Agents for “Star Power” Winter Haven Estate

HEATHROW, Fla. --- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty has been named exclusive sales and marketing agents a unique Winter Haven estate that played starring roles in the major picture H20 Extreme as well as an episode of MTV Cribs. Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said the estate, built in 2006 by Lori Waters, a second generation custom builder and former president of the Polk County Home Builders Assn., is listed for sale for $3,975,000. International Luxury Homes Specialists Michelle Hochfelder and Nonie Slaalien are representing the property, Soderstrom said. The property’s 11,314 square foot main house features five bedrooms and six-and-a-half baths with a chef’s kitchen, private elevator, game room and private theater, tropical swimming pool and spa with summer kitchen, covered dining area, six car garage and view of Lake Eloise. The estate includes a luxurious guest house, Soderstrom said. “The 4.5 acre property is located across Lake Eloise from Legoland, and it is a marvel of design, engineering and custom craftsmanship,” Soderstrom added. To view a brochure on the property, visit: http://www.stirlingsir.com/resources/SiteResources/My%20Folder/1700NLakeEloiseLowRes.pdf and to see a video of the property, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=SlJWESgngX8

Del Webb Orlando Charity Golf Tournament at Ridgewood Lakes raises more than $10,000 for Disabled American Veterans

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Del Webb Orlando sponsored the inaugural Del Webb Orlando Charity Golf Tournament at Ridgewood Lakes golf course recently that raised $10,000 for Disabled American Veterans. Tournament chair Marge Vale said the golf tournament was a sellout with 149 golfers participating. The Second Annual Del Webb Orlando Charity Golf Tournament has already been scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013 at the Ridgewood Lakes golf course. “The weather was perfect, our golfers were in perfect form and best of all we raised a lot of money to support our American heroes,” Vale said. Top tournament finishers were: Duane Finfrock, Tim Baum, Rex Smith and Cherrie Smith in Flight A; Jerry Goodman, Steve Syer, Steve Gate and Curt Lindsey in Flight B; Don Robinson, Doug Baker, Len Fredriksen and Emmett Lambert in Flight C; and Nichols Anthony, Michael Gatto, Pamela Gatto and Ilona Johnson in Flight D. Del Webb Orlando features world class health and wellness amenities that are all part of the lifestyle---an endless choice of recreational activities, pastimes, hobbies and events that are educational and entertaining and make life worth living. These are administered by a full time Lifestyle Director and Community Association Manager.

Hot Air Balloon on Tap When Park Square Homes Opens at Summerbrooke in Mount Dora Jan. 12

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Park Square Homes plans to roll out plenty of food, refreshments, popular music, prizes for the family and hot air balloon rides when it opens at Summerbrooke in Mount Dora on Saturday, Jan. 12. Anthony Rouhana, marketing coordinator for Park Square Homes, said the festive Summerbrooke grand opening is the first time hot air balloons have helped usher in a new neighborhood. “Summerbrooke is a major departure for us in Lake County and hot air balloons are one of the most spectacular visuals we could think of,” Rouhana said. The grand opening event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Altogether, Park Square Homes plans to build 60 new single-family homes and 23 villas at Summerbrooke. Three, four and five-bedroom single-family homes at Summerbrooke range in size from 1,800 square feet of living space to 3,000 square feet priced from the $150s with two-car garages. Two and three-bedroom villas at Summerbrooke range from 1,600 square feet priced from the $130s.

Residents from Del Webb Communities in Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Ocala Compete in Annual Pickleball Tourney

ORLANDO, Fla. – Scores of residents from Del Webb communities in Orlando, Jacksonville, Ocala and Tampa competed in the inaugural Del Webb Florida Pickleball Tournament recently at Del Webb Orlando in Davenport just south of Disney off of US 27, Sean Strickler, vice president of sales for Del Webb in North Florida said Del Webb residents competed in Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles categories. “This was our first statewide pickleball tournament and the turnout was so enthusiastic it will become an annual statewide tournament for Del Webb homeowners,” Strickler said. Pickleball is a cross between ping-pong, tennis and badminton. The game is played with paddles and a whiffle-like ball on a court about half the size of a regular tennis court. It is a sport which is rapidly gaining popularity in Active Adult communities across the U.S. “Each community put on a strong showing, but in the end Del Webb Orlando won all three categories, along with the overall community category, and they have enshrined the coveted Pickled Cup Trophy in their clubhouse,” Strickler said. “There will be some fierce competition for the trophy next year,” he added. Most new Del Webb communities feature multiple Pickleball courts, some with a ‘championship’ court for tournament matches as the popularity in these active lifestyle communities is quickly outpacing traditional tennis.

Stoneybrook West to host fundraiser Jan. 13 to benefit West Orange High School Golf Team

CELEBRATION, Fla. --- Stoneybrook West Golf Club in Winter Garden, plans to host a fundraiser Jan. 13 to benefit West Orange High School. Kenny Nairn, executive vice president of golf for Celebration Golf Management, said the fundraiser will help West Orange buy new equipment for its tournament powerhouse golf team. Nairn said West Orange High School has made it to the state golf finals in each of the past two years.