After Sailing the World for Work and Pleasure, John and Nicole Saban are Loving the Ground they Walk on at Del Webb Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. – For vagabonds John and Nicole Saban, sailing from country to country aboard their 37-foot yacht Gannet has been a normal way of life for many of their 47 years of marriage. After living in cities like Geneva, Switzerland; Borneo and Jakarta, Indonesia; Singapore; Melbourne, Australia; and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for work, the two spent the past three years living in Opua, New Zealand, after John retired as an engine and mining project manager for Caterpillar Inc. Now, the adventurous Captain and First Mate sweethearts – who met and discovered their shared thirst for travel while studying at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois – are undertaking yet another big adventure…adjusting to life at Del Webb Orlando, while living in the United States for the first time since 1988. “Although it is an adjustment to relocate permanently in the U.S., we’ve found friends and activities that we enjoy and our new home is very comfortable,” said John, who grew up in Crystal Lake, IL. “Each month there is something entertaining to enjoy here, be it music, dancing, eating, or a combination.” After retiring, the Sabans had their choice of anywhere in the world to live but, because family came first, they decided to settle in Orlando [some 8,900 miles from New Zealand] to be near their two children and two grandchildren. Nicole, a Pittsburgh native, said they liked all of the Florida Del Webb communities, but chose Orlando because of its size, selection of homes and proximity to transportation and attractions. “We liked the idea of moving into a growing community where everyone is looking for new friends and activities, and Del Webb Orlando also appealed to us because it has a diverse community,” she said. Diverse indeed. The Sabans’ neighbors hail from Europe, Asia, India and Canada, as well as from throughout the U.S. Nicole recalled a comment their Swedish neighbor made about Del Webb Orlando’s multiplicity: “I have a lobster fisherman on one side, a wine merchant on the other and the weather is wonderful. Who would not love it here?" She and John, both 68, couldn’t agree more. With adventure in their blood, the couple already has been on the Central Florida roads exploring new places in their motor home, trading exotic locales like Gibraltar, Grenada and the Galapagos Islands for Gainesville, Green Cove Springs and St. Augustine. The move also has allowed the two to revisit some bygone hobbies and passions. John has been busy designing and building wooden kitchen stools and shelving systems, while Nicole recently unearthed her sewing machine and piano. With the myriad activities available at Del Webb Orlando, the Sabans wondered if they might have a difficult time choosing before getting involved in a recipe club and, you guessed it…the Wandering Webbs Travel Club. Nicole said they also plan to play golf and pickleball, and the former Sweet Adeline joined the DWO Chorus and loves singing again in a group. “The Broadway songs sung alone on night watch are a thing of the past,” she said, recalling time spent on the open seas. With so many travels to faraway places under their belts, one might think the Sabans’ lifestyle is unconventional. Not so, according to John. “We are not unique. A great many people enjoy a vagabond lifestyle either through work or hobbies. But, this just feels like the right situation for us at this stage of our lives.”

Celebration Golf Management hires top management at Eagle Creek Golf Course

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Celebration Golf Management, which owns and/or operates seven golf courses in the Central Florida region, recently named a new general manager at Eagle Creek Golf Course and a new superintendent. Kenny Nairn, chief operating officer for Celebration Golf Management said Edward Whalley was recently named general manager at Eagle Creek. Whalley who has more than 25 years of experience in the golf and hospitality industries, was formerly a director of operations for Kitson & Partners Clubs where he oversaw the day-to-day operations and sales management of multiple golf course properties in the Orlando, Jacksonville, and New Jersey markets. At the same time, Nairn said Jeff Clark was named Eagle Creek’s golf course superintendent. Clark earned his turf grass degree at Valencia State College and has 30 years of experience in the golfing industry. He formerly was the golf course superintendent at Frenchman’s Creek Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens.

Ashton Woods Homes starts Construction of Large Luxury model home at Preserve at FishHawk Ranch

TAMPA, Fla. --- Ashton Woods Homes has started construction of a new model home in the Preserve at FishHawk Ranch a new phase of homesites the homebuilder recently opened in the master-planned community located in Lithia in the Tampa Bay area. Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing at Ashton Woods Homes in the Tampa Bay region, said 13 oversized home sites are available in the Preserve at FishHawk Ranch for three, four and five bedroom homes ranging from 2,833 square feet of living area to 3,711 square feet, priced from the high $400s. Roche said the new model underway is the Durango, a spacious, luxurious two-story floor plan with four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, in 3,532 square feet of living area priced starting from $529,990. Visit http://www.ashtonwoods.com.

Ashton Woods Homes Opens New Community of Whitaker Park in Sarasota County

Sarasota County, Fla. --- Sales are underway at Ashton Woods Homes’ newest community of Whitaker Park, located off Richardson Road in Sarasota County. Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing for Ashton Woods Homes in the Tampa Bay region, said Ashton Woods currently has 79 home sites available at Whitaker Park for its new homes in one and two-story designs. Roche said Ashton Woods is offering nine separate floor plans at Whitaker Park with three and four bedrooms ranging from 1,710 square feet of living area to 3,111 square feet, priced from $267,990 to $326,990.

Dave Brewer Inc. appoints Darla Sutrich design coordinator

SANFORD, Fla. --- Dave Brewer Inc. has appointed Darla Sutrich design coordinator. Matt Trask, vice president at Dave Brewer, Inc., said Sutrich earned an AS Degree in Interior Design and has more than 10 years of experience in the custom homebuilding industry. “Darla will be responsible for liaison among vendors, construction managers, decorators and clients,” Trask said. Dave Brewer Inc. ranks as one of the region’s most active builders of luxury homes valued at more than $1 million.

Mortgage Interest Rates climbed a whole point over the past 60 days, says top Florida Mortgage provider

LAKE MARY, Fla. --- Mortgage loan rates have risen a full point over the past 60 days, leading to a big change in the business for Integrity Home Loan of Central Florida, the state’s largest privately-owned mortgage company. Matt Malloy, president of Integrity Home Loan, said his firm has shifted to a greater focus on home sales. “In the past we have seen significant growth in mortgage refinancing,” Malloy said. “Now it appears that side of the business has slowed as interest rates have risen.” Six months ago, about half the mortgage loans Integrity Home Loan provided refinanced existing mortgages. Today, about three-fourths of Integrity’s mortgage business is for the purchase of new or existing homes, Malloy said. Malloy said rising mortgage rates and fewer applications for mortgage refinancing are both signs of a healthier economy. “The U.S. economy is coming back and we can all feel good about that,” Malloy said. Integrity Home Loan is Florida’s largest fully integrated privately owned mortgage company with 11 branches including the headquarters in Lake Mary and locations in Coral Springs, West Palm Beach, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa and in the Detroit suburb of Southfield, Mich.

Celebration Golf Club promotes Kaley Anderson to Catering Sales & Events Coordinator

CELEBRATION, Fla. -- Celebration Golf Club has promoted Kaley Anderson to catering sales and events coordinator. John Bixler, assistant general manager at Celebration Golf Club, said Anderson will be responsible for contracting new catering business as well as overseeing the execution of all catering events. Anderson, who has more than seven years of experience in the food and beverage industry, joined Celebration Golf Club in March of this year from Shannon’s Irish Pub in downtown Celebration. “Kaley has managed daily operations and contracted events and has extensive experience in F&B” Bixler said. “Her attention to detail and commitment to customer service will help us to grow our catering business,” he added.

Legends Golf and Country Club to host Seventh Annual Clermont Kiwanis Oakley Seaver Memorial Golf Tournament October 11

CLERMONT, Fla. --- Legends Golf and Country Club, located on Legendary Blvd. off U.S. 27 five miles south of S.R. 50 in Clermont, will host the Seventh Annual Clermont Kiwanis Oakley Seaver Memorial Golf Tournament on Friday, October 11. Kenny Nairn, Scottish PGA professional and chief operating officer of Celebration Golf Management, said he expects more than 100 golfers to be on hand for the 1 p.m. shotgun start at Legends Golf and Country Club. “The Clermont Kiwanis Oakley Seaver Memorial Golf Tournament raises money to provide scholarships to deserving high school students who contribute to their schools and their communities,” Nairn said. Last year’s Clermont Kiwanis Oakley Seaver Memorial Golf Tournament at Legends Golf and Country Club drew more than 120 participants, according Jay Scruggs, general manager at The Legends. “Oakley Seaver was much beloved in Clermont and the Clermont Kiwanis Oakley Seaver Memorial Golf Tournament has become a local institution,” Nairn said. For more information or to register for the tournament, telephone Hal Cummings 352-394-6098 or halcummings58@aol.com.

NAI Realvest Negotiates New Lease for 1,500 Square Feet of Professional Office Space in Lake Mary

ORLANDO, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new lease agreement for 1,500 square feet of professional office space at 225 Waymont Ct. off Lake Mary Blvd. in Lake Mary. Senior Broker-Associate Mary Frances West, CCIM negotiated the transaction representing the local landlord, Deborah A. Williams. The tenant is Brett Beckman, DVM, PA d/b/a Orlando Veterinary Dentistry. Dr. Beckman has offices in Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte and Fort Myers. He is currently expanding his practice into Lake Mary with this new space.

NAI Realvest negotiates new office lease of 3,164 square feet for claims management firm on Morse Blvd. in Winter Park

MAITLAND, Fla. - NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new lease agreement for 3,164 square feet in the Keewin Center Office Building at 1079 Morse Blvd. in Winter Park. NAI Realvest Broker Associate Drew Saphos, CCIM, Principal Christie Alexander, Associate Paul Vera and George Livingston, chairman of the firm, represented the tenant, Canopy Claims Management, LLC, a full service property claims firm serving commercial and residential policyholders. The landlord for the 6,420 square foot building near the intersection of U.S. 17-92 was represented by Michael O’Shaughnessy Real Estate.