House Talk with Silvia Dukes

Kumquat Festival 2012 in Dade City, Florida - Just a Short Drive from Spring Hill, Florida

The annual Kumquat Festival is returning to Dade City, Florida, this weekend, January 28th, 2012 from 9 AM to 5 PM. 

You may ask "What is a Kumquat?"   The Kumquat is a tiny little citrus fruit that is typically eaten whole including skin. 

Located downtown Dade City and situated around the historical court house, there will be over 350 vendors at the Kumquat Festival in Dade City selling not only Kumquat-related goods but also many street vendor items. 

Aside from the opportunity to try and purchase fresh kumquats, visitors will be able to enjoy a variety of kumquat treats from kumquat cookies, smoothies, ice cream, kumquat salsa, and of course the famous kumquat pie, the delicious concoction of sweet cream and tart kumquat is irresistable!

Dade City, Florida is just a short drive from Spring Hill.  If you like outdoor festivals, fresh fruit, and a good time, come and visit the Kumquat Festival in Dade City this weekend! 

Kumquat Festival 2012 in Dade City, Florida - Just a Short Drive from Spring Hill, Florida

Hernando County Republican Party Opens New Headquarters

The Hernando County Republican Party opened their new headquarters today with a Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony.  Congressman Richard Nugent cut the red ribbon while others looked on.

The new headquarters is located at 19227 Cortez Blvd (bypass), Brooksville, Florida. 

Hernando County Republican Party Opens New Headquarters

High Point 55+ Golf Course Community in Brooksville, Florida - Homes for Sale and Market Review

The High Point 55+ golf course community in Brooksville, Florida is a deed-restricted manufactured home community located in Hernando County, Florida.

High Point is a popular community with full-time residents as well as winter and vacation home owners.  Many homes are situated along the meandering golf course and home prices are very affordable.  The homeowners association dues are also low. 

Amenities in the High Point community include the golf course as well as a community club house, swimming pool, horseshoe and bocce courts, tennis courts, and shuffleboard. 

Residents of High Point can also enjoy a multitude of social clubs and activities such as dancing, arts and crafts, exercise, computer classes, travel, and more. 

Inventory in High Point and Homes Sales 2010 - 2011

There are currently 70 actively listed homes for sale in High Point golf course community.  Prices range from $26,999 to $124,900 with an average price of $56,588 and a median price of $54,700.

Home sales in High Point have increased in 2011 compared to 2010 although median and average prices have decreased. 

Here are two examples of homes in High Point that have sold in 2011.  Both of these High Point homes are backing up to the golf course.

1.  2 Bedroom, 2 Bath home, 1368 SF living area.  List Price:  $58,000   Sales Price:  $49,500

2.  2 Bedroom, 2 Bath home, 1056 SF living area, inground spa.  List Price:  $59,900   Sales Price:  $55,000

Are you looking for easy golf course living in a well maintained and social community such as the High Point 55+ golf course community in Brooksville?  

Please contact me for a list of homes for sale in High Point! 

High Point 55+ Golf Course Community in Brooksville, Florida - Homes for Sale and Market Review

Yesterday I was a little taken back by the news that one of my favorite photo editing sites would be shutting down. 

Today, here comes Brad Andersohn to the rescue with a number of alternatives that really sound great.  Thanks Brad! 

I definitely will be checking these out and I'm pretty comfortable to say, that I'll probably be finding a new favorite right here. 

Florida Nature - What's Blooming in January? Aloe...

One of the great benefits of living in Florida is that there is something blooming at any time of the year.  Yes, even in January, when in some of our Northern states you would only see ice flowers forming on window glass, there are real blossoms to be found among Florida plants.

These are images from an Aloe plant that grows happily in my side yard.  Most of the time, it goes unnoticed as the plant itself is not that showy. 

But wait until the flowers come out and this Aloe is a show stopper as you can see.  Long lasting, these blooms have been flowering since before the New Year.  Although the blooms look delicate, they seem quite robust and don't seem to be bothered even when during some nights, temperatures dipped into the low 30s this winter. 

Enjoy!

Florida Nature - What's Blooming in January? Aloe...

Friday Foto - Winter Sunset in Florida like Fire in the Sky

Winter sunsets in Florida are full of surprises and often the best of the show happens after the sun has disappeared on the horizon.

This was not any different tonight in Hernando Beach, Florida.  I got to my favorite sunset watching location just in time to witness the sky turn into fiery orange colors.  Not at all like Rocky Mountain high... yes, the John Denver song popped into my mind..  I've seen the fire in the sky!

Winter sunsets in Florida... they can be like fire in the sky!

Friday Foto - Winter Sunset in Florida like Fire in the Sky

Come on out and put the Brooksville Raid on your things to do this weekend.  The weather promises to be good!   This is an event that is  fun and interesting for the whole family and educational at the same time!

Civil War Reenactment - Brooksville Raid Coming to Brooksville, Florida January 21st and 22nd, 2012

Coming Soon:  Pier 1 Imports Opening Store in Spring Hill, Florida

Shoppers in Spring Hill have something big to look forward to:  Pier 1 Imports will be opening a new store in the Nature Coast Commons shopping center in Spring Hill, Florida. 

Pier 1 Imports is a well known retailer of decorative home furnishings including furniture items and seasonal decorations.  The store front is already displaying the company's signage and inventory is being moved into the new store.  This addition to the retail scene in Spring Hill, Florida does not only provide a new choice for shopping but also creates a few new jobs for the area.

Nature Coast Commons shopping center is one of the newer shopping centers in the Spring Hill area.  It also contains other well known retailers including JC Penney, Office Depot, Ross, Best Buy, Sports Authority, Pet Smart, and others. 

Nature Coast Commons is located along US 19, Commercial Way, in Spring Hill, Florida near the intersection with Spring Hill Drive. 

Coming Soon:  Pier 1 Imports Opening Store in Spring Hill, Florida

First class postage will increase by 1 cent on January 22, 2012! 

If you do a lot of mailing or just want to save your pennies this year, make sure to buy "forever" stamps before this date. 

"Forever" stamps are first class stamps that do not have the amount of postage printed on them, they will be valid regardless of the actual postage due.

Read more below, a reblog courtesy of my friend Joan Cox in Denver, Colorado!

Women's Council of Realtors Nature Coast Chapter Installs 2012 Officers

The Women's Council of Realtors Nature Coast recently installed its 2012 officers at the Hernando County Association of Realtors. 

From left to right:  Al Boland, President; Silvia Dukes, Vice President of Membership; Micki Hanna,  President Elect; Louise Botto, Treasurer, and Sarah Duncan, Secretary.

The WCR Nature Coast Chapter is a relatively new chapter in its second year of existence.  The first year was a successful year for the chapter and we are looking forward to making 2012 another great year. 

Earlier this month, the new officers travelled to the Florida mid-Winter meetings in Orlando, Florida, to attend the WCR Effective Chapter Operations and the WCR Professional Development Forums as well as other educational session to make our local chapter run efficiently to benefit its members and the chapter itself.

From left to right:  Louise Botto, Treasurer, Micki Hanna, President Elect, Al Boland, President; and Silvia Dukes, Vice President of Membership

Mission of Women's Council of REALTORS®

We are a network of successful REALTORS® empowering women to exercise their potential as entrepreneurs and industry leaders.

The name and mission stems from the historical roots of the organization.  But don't be misled, while the origianl name and mission remain, WCR is a dynamic organization that encourages men to join the Women's Council of Realtors and in fact, many already have. 

The WCR Nature Coast Chapter conducts monthly lunch meetings each with varying programs and guest speakers. 

Women's Council of Realtors Nature Coast Chapter Installs 2012 Officers