Stone Ridge, Central Florida’s Premier Solar Gated Community

Come Discover StoneRidge Central Florida’s Premier Solar Community. Single Family Homes starting at $179,900, spacious 2 bedroom 2 bathroom 1 car garage home with lot included. Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a private master planned gated community. Experience the benefits of lower utility bills with solar power electricity and natural gas utilities. Homes are made from precast solid concrete walls that can within stand winds up to 265mph, double thermopane windows, tankless hotwater heaters & high efficiency air conditioner with heat pump. Live with the convenience of maintenance free lawn service, wireless internet & digital cable, all included in your low monthly homeowners association fee. Another benefit is city water, sewer & underground utilities. 9 floor plans to choose from, with something for everyone’s different lifestyle. Conveniently located within city of Sebring City Limit’s and all shopping and lakes. You’ll have time to rest, relax and enjoy the community clubhouse and pool coming in 2009, featuring a beach walkin pool, with lap lanes and a spa. State of the art fitness room, locker rooms with saunas. Billard room, card room, entertainment area with dance floor, event style kitchen, tennis courts, kiddie play ground and so much more. Come today and pick your lot at StoneRidge Sebring’s Gated community. Located from US 27 and Sebring Parkway North (Close to Walmart), go east on Sebring Parkway to right on Ben Eastman and you will see the brickpaver gated entrance. Offered by Kristin Matthews and Phil Rupert, Sales Associates with Dell Realty, models open daily, call for details, 863-386-5550 or visit their website at www.sebringbuilders.com , communities we represent and click on StoneRidge.

Terrorist! If we were not there …..

First off, let me state I am an ex-military veteran, USN. I served during the Persian Gulf Conflict in 1990-1991. (back when we should of taken care of this problem) So, I am speaking from somewhat experience.

 

9-11, I know we all remember this sad day, (and does everybody remember the nation rising together and praying and displaying our patriotism?). That lasted for what seemed like a brief moment in history. Now we are going into another election year and the candidates like to use the Iraq War as a forum of discussion. Well, here is my 2 cents…if we were not over there right now, we as Americans would not be able to attend football games, concerts, go to amusement parks or attend any function without worry about them attacking us. If we were not over there, they (meaning terrorist) would be here!!!

 

Face it, it is true. I hate the fact we are still there and this is like Vietnam, a war we can not win. They are an army without uniform. They attack and run and hide behind women and children and when we go after our attackers and kill the innocent they hide behind, then we look like War Mongers. I do not necessarily agree that what we have done is right, but we did need to respond to what happened to us on our soil.

 

So for these politicians that want to withdrawal, what will happen? We must stand together and unite like we did, but not after a tragedy, but prior. And this is responsible for our current dollar situation, which is hurting our market. Again, let’s unite and go back to basics. Our country needs it!

 

Dawn Dell
2006 REALTOR OF THE YEAR
863-381-0400
www.sebringfloridarealtor.com

Downtown at Sundown, Sebring, Florida, Satrurday Night Cruise

Downtown at Sundown

Saturday Night Cruise on the Circle

By Dawn Dell, Dell Realty    

                                          

April 12, 2008, Saturday Night Cruise

 

I often hear in Highlands County that “there’s nothing to do around here”, well I beg to differ. You just have to be in the know, since I am a business owner in downtown Sebring I have really started getting involved in what activities are actually occurring downtown. Last night was the April Saturday Night Cruise. First off I must admit I am somewhat a car buff, I really like the old muscle cars and of course the 57 Chevy’s and Chrysler’s also are very appealing to me, so I may be somewhat bias, but… there was music going on, a 50/50 drawing, and people just getting out walking and enjoying what Florida is all about, outdoor living. The entertainment is provided by the Sebring Chamber of Commerce, RJ the DJ, he and his wife Tania are somewhat a fixture with these car cruises, I asked RJ, what is a “cruiser” he said, “it is not a membership or club, we are just people with cars that cruise together”. Having the circle to display the cars seems like a perfect mix to me. One of the misconceptions of downtown is that there are no parking spots available, but Dawn Hamilton at the Wine Merchant informed me that there are over 1500 available public parking spots available within walking distance. The City does not close off the circle, but a courtesy is given to the cars on display. Last night in front of the Samich Shoppe the corvettes where in fine display. At each of these events, that occur every second Saturday of the month on the circle from 5pm to 8pm, there are several winners. No judging just winners picked by a different individual each month and they get a plaque and their name announced at the end of the evening. I had the pleasure of getting to take the pictures of several of these winners and their prized possessions. Each entry also has a chance of winning one of many other prizes, donated by a downtown business owner and other Highlands County Merchants who wants to keep this event going. The 50/50 drawing is for everyone attending the event, this helps the Chamber with the funding of paying RJ the DJ, half of it goes to him and the other half to the lucky winner. While downtown you can visit the Wine Merchant, there was live entertainment, they are open every Saturday Night from 6-9pm with live entertainment and great “tapest” appetizers, we had spinach puffs and bacon wrapped scallops and of course some great wine. The Samich Shoppe was also open for the event and had their famous over stuffed sandwiches and even beer for sale. While at the Wine Merchant John & Erin Sowards & Kendra Hall enjoyed some wine and the live music and said “We love coming here with the great ambiance and experience, there needs to be more places like this. It feels like Sebring is growing up!” While there are stores closed and many for rent signs in the windows, I look at it as a time of evolution. After speaking with Dawn Hamilton at the Wine Merchant I hear her ideas and what she envisions what downtown can be, and I have to agree whole-hearted. If you are a business owner and are thinking out of the box you can see there is opportunity right in front of you. As a local Realtor one of the many things I hear, is what is happening downtown? Why are so many businesses closing? Well I do not have the answer, but I do know that we have a charming circle with great potential just waiting to be discovered. My father, Pat Dell, did a commercial for our company Dell Realty, and we used a Disney theme “It’s a small town after all” and we had the camera cruise the downtown area with all the people smiling and waving, also did a radio campaign with the same theme. Those commercials have not ran for over 3 years, but people still tell me they remember them. It is a small town and we have a great little historic district that is in need of some CPR. Being the fact that I work downtown I can also say this. With gas prices soaring and the downturn in the economy you may want to consider these facts, I can drive to my office, park and walk to my dry cleaners, see my accountant, banker, get my prescriptions filled, visit my stock investment broker, eat at several different places, go to the court house, close a transaction with a local attorney, take a jewelry class, buy supplies for scrap-booking, get my hair done, have a pedicure, visit one of many speciality clothing shops and learn pottery by Gene Brenner or buy a special something for a special someone from his great shop (jewelry too!), have my photos taken professionally, get a look at some of the latest designs in eye wear at VeyeP, go to Scota Supply and help a client redecorate their home or make improvements while visiting their impressive showroom, take my pet to Arcade Grooming and have it cleaned, clipped and smelling good, go to the library and still have a after work happy hour business meeting at either Charlie’s or Wine Merchant and never have to get back into my car. With gas prices going up, you may want to consider these facts and visit downtown Sebring and see what is available and look at those vacant stores with open eyes of opportunity.