Meritage Homes starts development of Twinwaters in Winter Garden

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Meritage Homes has started development of its newest community of Twinwaters, located off Marsh Rd. and Johns Lake in Winter Garden. Brian Kittle, division vice president of Meritage Homes in the Orlando region, said there are 140 home sites at Twinwaters for homes that will range from 2,700 square feet of living area to 5,400 square feet. New Meritage homes at Twinwaters will be priced from the low $300s, Kittle said. Construction of two models will get underway before the end of the year.

Lennar Sets Sites on Growing Families at South Fork with Larger Home Sites, Three-Car Garages

TAMPA, Fla. --- Lennar is offering larger home sites and new homes with three-car garages to appeal to growing families at South Fork, located on Ambleside Boulevard off Big Bend Road east of U.S. 301 in the robust SouthShore area of Tampa Bay. Francine Miller, director of sales operations for Lennar's Central Florida Division, said three, four, five, six and seven-bedroom single-family homes at South Fork are available in 10 distinctive designs that range in size from 2,277 square feet of living space to 4,259 square feet. Altogether Lennar plans to build 92 new homes at South Fork, Miller said. Every Lennar home built at South Fork comes with the homebuilder’s “Everything’s Included” pledge: upgraded finishes, superior appliances, enhanced energy-efficient construction materials, and many other unique features all included in the one Lennar Homes price. Among the amenities at South Fork are community pools, recreation areas, tennis courts and playgrounds. Schools are in walking distance and major arterial highways are easily accessible. "The South Shore area is one of the fastest growing in Tampa Bay and has recently been in the spotlight with arrival of companies like Amazon and the announcement of the St. Joseph's hospital organization choosing the area for their new centers. The growth will continue to evolve as more families and companies continue to move to this coveted location," said Miller.

Pulte Homes Hosting Charity Golf Tournament Sept. 29 at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club to Benefit Ronald McDonald House® at Nemours Children’s Hospital

Orlando, Fla. --- Pulte Homes is hosting the Build To Make Lives Better Charity Golf Tournament at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club on Monday, Sept. 29 to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central Florida. North Florida Pulte Homes Vice President of Sales and Operations, Sean Strickler, says proceeds from the tournament will help fund the first phase of a new Ronald McDonald House in the booming medical community of Lake Nona. The Ronald McDonald House at Nemours Children’s Hospital will provide a comforting temporary residence for families of children receiving lifesaving treatment nearby. The house will be conveniently located near the entrance of Nemours Children’s Hospital, which is expected to start construction in the fall. Strickler says the Build To Make Lives Better Golf Tournament at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club is expected to raise as much as $50,000 toward the project. The entire project will cost an estimated $5.7 million to complete, and will identify Orlando as the sixth U.S. city to offer three or more Ronald McDonald House facilities. The first phase of the Ronald McDonald House will include 15 bedrooms with private baths, state-of-the-art kitchens, a dining room, living room, laundry facilities, and children’s playroom. A reception and lobby area will also be included along with community meeting rooms, says Strickler. Land for the Ronald McDonald House at Nemours Children’s Hospital was donated by Nemours. “All of us at Pulte Homes are proud and excited to be part of this project,” Strickler said. “The enormous effort on the part of generous donors and contributors to this project is moving, and the role our entire community plays in developing this facility makes Central Florida a very special place,” Strickler said. “I cannot think of anything more worthwhile than creating a space that will allow parents to be close to their children to help them heal,” he added. At Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, players in the Build To Make Lives Better Golf Tournament will be experiencing the newly renovated Tom Fazio-designed golf course, which is slated to open earlier in the month. Players will also enjoy gift bags courtesy of multiple donors, a lavish breakfast and lunch, along with light refreshments and snacks throughout the day. If you are interested in donating or purchasing a sponsorship package in the tournament, please contact PulteNorthFloridaEvent@pultegroup.com for information. Registration is limited and is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Head of Covian Consulting Appointed to National Alliance for Hispanic Families Solution Task Force

ORLANDO, Fla. --- The CEO of Covian Consulting, the Orlando-based management and consulting firm, has been appointed to the National Alliance for Hispanic Families Solution Task Force. Maritza Concha, Ph.D said her appointment offers her a new challenge to support and promote best government, agency and corporate practices that focus on the Latino community. “The Solution Task Force is a multi-faceted initiative to support and promote promising practices,” Dr. Concha explained. “With support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and other partners, the Solutions Task Force aims to identify and address challenges and opportunities that impact the ability of community-based organizations to implement proven community-based programs that are culturally responsive in Hispanic communities,” she said. Dr. Concha will attend the formative meeting of the Solutions Task Force in Washington, D.C. in October. Covian Consulting is a client company of the University of Central Florida’s Business Incubation Program located at the Central Florida Research Park in East Orange County.

Ryland Homes Reports Sales of 49 Home Sites at Tupelo Forest near Mount Pleasant, Second Phase to Open in 60 Days

CHARLESTON, S.C. --- Ryland Homes has sold 49 new homes in the first phase at Tupelo Forest, located on Hanoverian Drive off Hwy. 17 north of Wando High School in Mount Pleasant. Gayle Jinks, vice president of sales and marketing for Ryland Homes in the Charleston and Myrtle Beach region, said a second phase with 55 home sites will open before the end of September. Tupelo Forest opened its first phase in July, 2013. New single-family homes priced from $262,000 are available in seven distinctive floor plans, each with six different elevations. All plans have a two-car attached garage and a minimum of three bedrooms and two full baths. Ryland has two quick move-in homes with two different elevations in its popular Litchfield II plan currently available at Tupelo Forest. These four bedroom single-story homes with three full bathrooms are priced from $364,000. Jinks said Ryland plans to open a community swimming pool and a covered pavilion with rest rooms, changing areas, a fire pit, a grill and a play park before the end of this year. Leisure trails wind through the forested areas of the community. Currently two furnished and decorated Ryland Homes models are open seven days a week at Tupelo Forest from 12 to 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Eventually, Tupelo Forest will have over 160 new homes.

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty Appointed Exclusive Marketing Agents for Historic Property in Downtown Mount Dora

MOUNT DORA, Fla. --- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty has been named exclusive marketing agents for the Grandview Bed and Breakfast, also known as the historic William Watt House Circa 1906 in downtown Mount Dora. “William Watt owned many acres of citrus and invented corrugated cardboard as a packaging medium for his oranges. The William Watt House has only been home to four owners in the past 108 years,” said Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty. The property, which is listed for $795,000, includes a main house with three bedrooms and four baths, and a two-bedroom, two-bath Windmill Cottage featuring a 1930s windmill that extends 60 feet in the air, a novelty of this lovely cottage. The property also has a detached Carriage House which features a Garden Suite with one-bedroom and one-bath, and a 720 square foot apartment/owner’s suite with private entry above the two-car garage. The interior of the main house showcases the original French doors, Tudor style windows, two decorative fireplaces and beautiful built in bookcases, echoed by the original heart-pine flooring, a beauty only antique wood can offer. There is a formal living room, two dining rooms, three bedrooms, each with their own baths, a laundry room, office and a finely crafted kitchen which has been newly remodeled with historic cabinetry, marble and stainless counter tops and upgraded stainless steel appliances. The property is located just two blocks from the heart of historic downtown Mount Dora with its trendy attractions such as antique stores, art galleries, day spas, restaurants, City Park and marina. Situated on just under an acre with tropical landscaping, oversized saltwater pool, white vinyl fencing and multiple rocking chair porches, the stately residence presents an impressive setting for grand scale entertaining, Soderstrom said. Janice Clary, Central Florida lakefront marketing specialist at Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, is representing the property and serves as principal contact.

Scott Schmidtberger Remembered at Memorial at Stoneybrook West Golf Club

Winter Garden, Fla. -- Former golf club general manager at The Legends, Scott Schmidtberger who died this past summer was remembered at a memorial that was held recently at Stoneybrook West. Kenny Nairn, chief operating officer and co-owner of Celebration Golf Management which owns and manages Legends Golf & Country Club, said scores of staff, co-workers, club members, friends and vendors paid homage to Schmidtberger who was 37 years of age and had been with Celebration Golf Management over five years in various supervisory levels for the organization. A sports fanatic with Nebraska football and the Kansas City Chiefs, Schmidtberger was a native of Olathe, Kansas and served in the U.S. Army as a Forward Intelligence Officer. “We all wanted to celebrate his life with his fellow workers, friends and family,” Nairn said. “The turnout for the memorial event was tremendous,” he said.