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Monday, November 23, 2015
Cold Snap
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
The Tough Pretzel
School mascots are important components of school pride and spirit. They usually are based on large predator animals that easily help your school team intimidate and alienate opposing teams in athletic or academic competitions. First let us talk about Terry's mascots. In High School we were the Galion Tigers. Our tough tiger mascot at events was a cute young lady running around in a tiger costume. It worked! Undergrad we were the Ashland College Eagles. Tough big predator birds with large talons. The person in the Jake the Eagle suit had to be coordinated and tough just to navigate with the big Eagle costume with the large claw shoes. Graduate school was at Ohio State and we all know the power of tough nut Brutes Buckeye and the current National Championship football team.
Now lets get to Barbara. She grew up in Freeport, Illinois which is certainly in the Midwest. My first trip to her home town we drove by the Freeport High School on a tour of the city. Their was a large pretzel statue in front of the school. I asked why and she said they were the Freeport Pretzels. I asked if their teams got licked a lot and she said No, we tied the other teams into knots. Now that's tough. When she got to Beloit college in Wisconsin it got even tougher. Their official school mascot is a Buccaneer. A Pirate who got way off course and ended up in the Midwest. Maybe that is why their popular unofficial mascot is the Turtle. A lost pirate with a snapping turtle, now that is tough. School rivalries are so much fun!
Now lets get to Barbara. She grew up in Freeport, Illinois which is certainly in the Midwest. My first trip to her home town we drove by the Freeport High School on a tour of the city. Their was a large pretzel statue in front of the school. I asked why and she said they were the Freeport Pretzels. I asked if their teams got licked a lot and she said No, we tied the other teams into knots. Now that's tough. When she got to Beloit college in Wisconsin it got even tougher. Their official school mascot is a Buccaneer. A Pirate who got way off course and ended up in the Midwest. Maybe that is why their popular unofficial mascot is the Turtle. A lost pirate with a snapping turtle, now that is tough. School rivalries are so much fun!
Brought to you by: Team Gledhill, Prudential Network Realty Buying or Selling Property in St. Johns Co? Call 904-874-2588 or email info@teamgledhill.com"Sharing Our Community with Buyers & Sellers...One Snippet at a Time"
Thursday, July 30, 2015
Ride in the Clouds
For someone living close to sea level it's a real kick to be in the clouds. Were not talking about an airplane or balloon ride but rather a ride on a ski lift. Ski Beech in North Carolina is the highest ski area in Eastern America. The summit is over a mile high at 5506'. I love it in the winter when one can start out under the clouds at the bottom of the lift and be over the clouds when you arrive at the top. Skiing through the clouds is just great. You don't ski, well now you can experience the same event in the summer. Ski operators have found that people will ride the lifts all year long. At Beech their is a bar/restaurant at the summit with a large patio and an enclosed area called the 5506'. Sightseers and Mountain Bikers share the lift in the summer. Numerous trails allow two wheel gravity sports enthusiasts a way to enjoy their sport without peddling to the top. Hikers and those just enjoying the view get a ride both ways if they so choose. Barbara and I love the ride winter and summer. The link to the Ski Beech website. http://www.beechmountainresort.com/
Brought to you by: Team Gledhill, Prudential Network Realty Buying or Selling Property in St. Johns Co? Call 904-874-2588 or email info@teamgledhill.com"Sharing Our Community with Buyers & Sellers...One Snippet at a Time"
Monday, July 20, 2015
St. Augustine Beach Hotel Projects
St. Augustine Beach Mayor Andrea Samuels said "the development of new top-quality hotels at the beach is a sign of the desirability of the area as a destination". She goes on to say "We're no longer on the verge of a renaissance; we're in it." The Friday St. Augustine Record article reports on the three new hotels being built on A1A Beach Boulevard. The first to open will be the 205-room Courtyard by Marriott expected to open in December. The hotel is expected to employ about 70 people and bring in $52,000 a year in tax revenue. The second hotel will be the conversion of the Holiday Isle Oceanfront Resort into the Guy Harvey Outpost. This should open in the spring of 2016. The third project is the demolition and construction of an Embassy Suites located down by the pier where the former Beachfront Resort stood. It is scheduled to open some time in 2017. These are all quality offerings and should enhance our area as a destination. For more information on the Guy Harvey Outpost click on the link below.
http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/
http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/
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| The Courtyard by Marriott |
Brought to you by: Team Gledhill, Prudential Network Realty Buying or Selling Property in St. Johns Co? Call 904-874-2588 or email info@teamgledhill.com"Sharing Our Community with Buyers & Sellers...One Snippet at a Time"
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
The Carousel Ride
Granddaughter Audriana was a little intimidated by the noises and the breakneck speed of the carousel located in St. Augustine's Davenport Park. Her grandmother assured her it would be fun and eventually it was. Then she had to do it again and again. Thank goodness tickets are only a buck.
The history of the carousel is interesting. It was built in 1927. It was purchased by a Ringling Brother circus performer for $25,000 and stored in a barn in the State of Michigan. It was moved to a children's zoo in Fort Wayne, Indiana. After the death of the owner it was inherited by his brother and moved to St. Augustine in 1992 after being restored. The park has other fun things for children and is located close to the main public library.
Brought to you by: Team Gledhill, Prudential Network Realty Buying or Selling Property in St. Johns Co? Call 904-874-2588 or email info@teamgledhill.com"Sharing Our Community with Buyers & Sellers...One Snippet at a Time"
Sunday, June 14, 2015
A New Bambi
We are creatures of habit. We have been traveling to the same location in the North Carolina Mountains for the last ten years for vacations. Deer are obviously also habitual. We were told that the lot across the street was a birthing place for deer. Mother nature co-operated this year when Barbara witnessed a newborn trying to stand up and I grabbed my camera. No lengthy hospital stays here. Licking, nudging, more licking and nudging, then standing on wobbly legs, more licking, feeding, nuzzling and more licking and we look ready to go. Wow!
Brought to you by: Team Gledhill, Prudential Network Realty Buying or Selling Property in St. Johns Co? Call 904-874-2588 or email info@teamgledhill.com"Sharing Our Community with Buyers & Sellers...One Snippet at a Time"
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Get That Shot
Dad liked things that went fast. He flew single engine airplanes for the Army Air Corps in the 1940's and appreciated well tuned motors with proper throttle response. It was not surprising then that he had an interest in unlimited hydroplane powerboat racing. In the years after World War II surplus aircraft engines ended up in these beautiful, powerful, and often quite dangerous machines. The American made Allison V-1710 engine powered fighter planes like the P-51 Mustang producing up to 2300 horsepower. Can you imagine driving a 27 foot boat with a basically flat bottom powered by one of these monsters. They were called three point hydroplanes and when up and running only part of the propeller/rudder and a little bit of the bottom on each of the front sides would be touching the water. They would bounce in waves only allowing for turning when the rudder happened to be in the water. Now envision a boat with two such monster motors mounted in front of the driver and you have the Such Crust IV. Dad knew that the 1965 Spirit of Detroit Regatta would bring the Such Crust and many other unlimiteds to our geographical area and just had to experience it. The family was loaded onto the family cruiser with a course headed north across Lake Erie to Detroit. We thought we were hot stuff crossing the lake in a 30 foot woodie powered by twin V-8 Corvette engines converted to the marine application by Flagship Marine of Ponta Gorda Florida. Those same engines powered 40 foot boats successfully and were quite lively in a much lighter 30 footer. We tied up at Keans Marina north of downtown Detroit on the river where you had the best view of the races and pleasant surroundings. For safety's sake the boats were a long way out since the river is quite wide their and were still hard to see. Dad decided he and I should walk out on a long pier to get a better view and maybe a good picture with his new camera. He did not have a telephoto lens and the boats were still far off in the viewfinder. The last lap of a heat and the boats were heading north on the other side of the river. One more turn to our side then a sprint to the finish line. The two leaders made tight turns producing rough water for boat number three which just could not get enough rudder in the water to make a proper turn. The boat was skipping like a stone and heading right for our pier. It was like a 50's horror movie with people running down the dock to get out of the way of what appeared to be an eminent crash. It was the two motored monster Such Crust which was known for not making proper turns on a good day. Dad and I were the only two people not running and were holding our ground behind a wood post at the end of the pier dad with camera in hand. The boat got so close we could see the cavities in the drivers teeth and the screws in the carburetors. Before we got hit with a wall of water dad got the shot. Just then the driver poured the coals to both motors, my ribs vibrated and my ears rung. It was a strategy to use the higher horsepower and greater acceleration of the Such Crust to make up for it's inherently impaired turning ability in the last lap of a race. Awesome Experience!
The driver that race was Bill Muncy who was later killed driving a few years later. Numerous other drivers succumbed to the same fate in those days when drivers sat on their knees on sponge pads in open cockpits holding on to a steering wheel and a throttle. The link contains actual footage and commentary of this race event.
The driver that race was Bill Muncy who was later killed driving a few years later. Numerous other drivers succumbed to the same fate in those days when drivers sat on their knees on sponge pads in open cockpits holding on to a steering wheel and a throttle. The link contains actual footage and commentary of this race event.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8tpnlEYSgi0
Such Crust IV
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| Detroit River Race Course |
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| Lake Freighter on way to Detroit |
The "woodie" with parents and two youngest brothers
"Sharing Our Community with Buyers & Sellers...One Snippet at a Time"Brought to you by: Team Gledhill, Prudential Network Realty Buying or Selling Property in St. Johns Co? Call 904-874-2588 or email info@teamgledhill.com
Saturday, May 16, 2015
Free Concert Series
The 2015 Music by the Sea FREE Concert Series has already started. This is the 13th. season which features 23 different bands along with food from 23 local eateries. Dinner is optional and is affordably priced at $10 or less. The setting is on the Atlantic Ocean at the St. Johns County Pier Park, 350 A1A Beach Blvd. in St. Augustine Beech. It happens once a week and runs through mid-October. Click in the link to see the schedule. http://thecivicassociation.org/music_by_the_sea_summer_concerts
Brought to you by: Team Gledhill, Prudential Network Realty Buying or Selling Property in St. Johns Co? Call 904-874-2588 or email info@teamgledhill.com"Sharing Our Community with Buyers & Sellers...One Snippet at a Time"
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Barbara takes a stroll in Oldtowne
Sometimes the road less traveled yields interesting surprises. This could be said of the St. Augustine Historic District lying south of the Plaza on King Street. This area encompasses the oldest public street in the country. Hospital Street appears on archival maps dating from as far back as the early 1570's. Early Spanish settlers located a colonial military hospital along the thoroughfare and thus the name. The name was later changed to Aviles Street to honor the Spanish hometown of the city's founder. Today this area offers interesting small shops and dining opportunities in a less traveled setting than St. George Street. Barbara and I like to stroll this area followed by lunch or dinner at one of the areas eateries or checking out the latest art or merchandise in the quaint shops.
"Sharing Our Community with Buyers & Sellers...One Snippet at a Time"Brought to you by: Team Gledhill, Prudential Network Realty Buying or Selling Property in St. Johns Co? Call 904-874-2588 or email info@teamgledhill.com
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Sunset Harbor Cruise aboard the Freedom
If you love water, boats, and views as much as Barbara and I do then a Sunset Harbor Cruise aboard the sailing ship Freedom is greatly appreciated. Thanks to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices for the private charter as a reward to the 100% club. The three hour trip starts at the St. Augustine City Marina. The crew hoists the sails, yes you to can assist if you like, and you are on your way. Through the Bridge of Lions then north on the Intracoastal Waterway towards Vilano. There was less than four feet of clearance between the top of the mast and the bottom of the bridge at Vilano which made things exciting. The catered food from Chili"s and beverages provided on board were greatly appreciated. The captain and crew were very attentive and friendly and have a wealth of information. For added excitement we got chased in by a little summer storm as if on cue at the end of our allotted time. A great time was had by all.
The Schooner Freedom is a 64 foot replica of a 17th century blockade runner built of steel with aluminum spars. She was built in Norfolk Virginia in 1982. The masts are taller than the boat is long and carries 2,400 square feet of sail. http://www.schoonerfreedom.com/
The Schooner Freedom is a 64 foot replica of a 17th century blockade runner built of steel with aluminum spars. She was built in Norfolk Virginia in 1982. The masts are taller than the boat is long and carries 2,400 square feet of sail. http://www.schoonerfreedom.com/
Brought to you by: Team Gledhill, Prudential Network Realty Buying or Selling Property in St. Johns Co? Call 904-874-2588 or email info@teamgledhill.com"Sharing Our Community with Buyers & Sellers...One Snippet at a Time"
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
St. Ambrose Spring Fair
The St. Ambrose Church in Elkton just west of St. Augustine encompases a lot of history in a very pretty rural setting. Minorcan and other Catholic families branching out from St. Augustine populated the area since the early 18th century. The current church at this site was completed in 1907. A great time to tour the church is during their annual fall and spring socials. We went with friends who try to attend at least one social a year and had a great time. Free admission and very organized parking with a short walk and you were under a canopy of large oak trees with a lot of activity going on. There was food, lots of food from Minorcan chowder to hot dogs and great deserts to hand dipped ice cream. There were antique cars, two of which I drove as a kid. There was art and country store items to be purchased. There were beverages from lemon aid to draft beer. And there was live music. A very pleasant way to spend a few hours. The link below has more information if you choose to attend one of these events in the future. http://augustine.com/event/st-ambrose-spring-fair
Brought to you by: Team Gledhill, Prudential Network Realty Buying or Selling Property in St. Johns Co? Call 904-874-2588 or email info@teamgledhill.com"Sharing Our Community with Buyers & Sellers...One Snippet at a Time"
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
The Saint Augustine Patio Home Concept
Because St. Augustine is a tourist destination we get clients from all over the United States and countries around the world. This means before people buy properties here they need an understanding of how we do business, how our local and state tax structure works, how construction and elevation affect insurance, what types of properties are available that match their lifestyle, pet policies and so on. One concept that seems to be unique to St. Augustine is the patio home. In our area a patio home is a free standing home where you own the lot your property sits on. These homes are in developments with similar homes that feature landscaped common areas and community amenities which are maintained by association which charges a monthly maintenance fee. In most instances lawn care and other perks are included. This type of ownership is especially attractive for snowbirds, people who travel, or those who would rather not do their own lawn maintenance. Group purchasing power allows for lower maintenance costs.
One such subdivision that offers patio homes is Ocean Palms on Anastasia Island. The subdivision offers concrete block patio homes in the 1600 t0 2000 square foot range. Homes back up to one of six lakes or preserved land areas. Ocean Palms is located a short walk to the Atlantic Ocean with a dedicated walkover over the dunes just across historic route A1A. The community offers a fishing or sunset watching pier on the Intracoastal Waterway, a community pool and children's play park. Click on the link below to see our new listing in this great community. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJVXGgmUY7s
One such subdivision that offers patio homes is Ocean Palms on Anastasia Island. The subdivision offers concrete block patio homes in the 1600 t0 2000 square foot range. Homes back up to one of six lakes or preserved land areas. Ocean Palms is located a short walk to the Atlantic Ocean with a dedicated walkover over the dunes just across historic route A1A. The community offers a fishing or sunset watching pier on the Intracoastal Waterway, a community pool and children's play park. Click on the link below to see our new listing in this great community. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJVXGgmUY7s
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| Sunset from Ocean Palms Pier |
Brought to you by: Team Gledhill, Prudential Network Realty Buying or Selling Property in St. Johns Co? Call 904-874-2588 or email info@teamgledhill.com"Sharing Our Community with Buyers & Sellers...One Snippet at a Time"
Monday, March 23, 2015
Fishing on the Pier
Spring is here and the fish seem to be a little hungrier than they were last winter. This is good because when you fish with grandchildren in the three to ten year range their attention spans just don't handle long periods of inactivity. When they are three they get a rubber worm with an imaginary "retractable" hook on their own junior sized closed faced rig which makes pier fishing a lot safer for anyone within "casting" range. I get the real deal and when one is hooked junior reels it in. The Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, retractable hook strategy works for now. Last outing the three year old caught a nice redfish and two catfish. The ten year has graduated to reel hooks and an open faced reel and caught an array of fish as fast as I could get bait on his hook. The baiting a hook lesson comes next with parental permission of course.
St. Johns County offers quite a selection of public fishing piers. You can fish the Atlantic Ocean, the Intracoastal, and the St. Johns River for an amazing variety of fish species. Bridges and surf fishing are also quite doable. Bait shop personnel got are a wealth of information and can get you from fishing to catching. I have included a site that has information on piers and other places to fish. The kids seem to love it as much as I do. http://www.saltchef.com/catch_fish/FL/St_Johns/fishing_piers.html
St. Johns County offers quite a selection of public fishing piers. You can fish the Atlantic Ocean, the Intracoastal, and the St. Johns River for an amazing variety of fish species. Bridges and surf fishing are also quite doable. Bait shop personnel got are a wealth of information and can get you from fishing to catching. I have included a site that has information on piers and other places to fish. The kids seem to love it as much as I do. http://www.saltchef.com/catch_fish/FL/St_Johns/fishing_piers.html
Brought to you by: Team Gledhill, Prudential Network Realty Buying or Selling Property in St. Johns Co? Call 904-874-2588 or email info@teamgledhill.com"Sharing Our Community with Buyers & Sellers...One Snippet at a Time"
Friday, February 13, 2015
Ski Trip
The Midwest is not known for it's snow ski resorts with long and challenging downhill runs covered with fresh power snow. However, with the help of snowmaking and grooming machines a very realistic facsimily of the sport is alive and flurshing. I was in high school when two of the four ski areas opened in the state of Ohio with two being less than a 45 minute drive away. I would get a season pass and tried to wear out a pair of skis every season. Still love the sport enough to travel north for at least one ski trip a year. This year it was two weeks at Beech Mountain North Carolina.
By altitude the town of Beech Mountain is the highest town east of the Mississippi. Ski Beech Resort is touted as the highest ski resort east of the same large river. The resort has seen a lot of improvements in the last few years such as new lifts, new snowmaking capacity, two new large snow grooming machines, a refuberished village and Lodge with shops and an ice skating ring, and a European inspired umbrella bar at the top of the hill. The 5506' Skybar is over a mile above sea level and features local fresh craft made beer and a large outdoor deck to enjoy the views and brews on a sunny day. You don't have to be a skier to experience the 5506' since in the summer on weekends it and the quad lift are open for hikers, mountain bikers, and sightseers alike. My favorite lift is the areas only high speed quad which gets four people to the top in a hurry especially during the week.
For lodging if you want to stay on the mountain a chalet or condo rental from Beech Mountain Realty and ski shop is great. The Alpen Inn is also an option. The Best Western and several Bed and Breakfasts are located at the bottom of the mountain in Banner Elk and are equal distance from Ski Beech and Sugar Mountain.
This year past customer and now friends George and Roxanna came up to ski. George has skied a lot in Europe and trying to keep up with him wore my legs out by mid afternoon. Thank goodness the 5506' didn't run out of beer. Grandson Fisher was ready for his first lesson but had troubles with the flue instead and had to stay home. Next year Fisher.
Have included a drone video link of Ski Beech's opening day this year which is short and sweet along with a link to Ski Beech, Beech Mountain Realty, and the Alpen Inn.
By altitude the town of Beech Mountain is the highest town east of the Mississippi. Ski Beech Resort is touted as the highest ski resort east of the same large river. The resort has seen a lot of improvements in the last few years such as new lifts, new snowmaking capacity, two new large snow grooming machines, a refuberished village and Lodge with shops and an ice skating ring, and a European inspired umbrella bar at the top of the hill. The 5506' Skybar is over a mile above sea level and features local fresh craft made beer and a large outdoor deck to enjoy the views and brews on a sunny day. You don't have to be a skier to experience the 5506' since in the summer on weekends it and the quad lift are open for hikers, mountain bikers, and sightseers alike. My favorite lift is the areas only high speed quad which gets four people to the top in a hurry especially during the week.
For lodging if you want to stay on the mountain a chalet or condo rental from Beech Mountain Realty and ski shop is great. The Alpen Inn is also an option. The Best Western and several Bed and Breakfasts are located at the bottom of the mountain in Banner Elk and are equal distance from Ski Beech and Sugar Mountain.
This year past customer and now friends George and Roxanna came up to ski. George has skied a lot in Europe and trying to keep up with him wore my legs out by mid afternoon. Thank goodness the 5506' didn't run out of beer. Grandson Fisher was ready for his first lesson but had troubles with the flue instead and had to stay home. Next year Fisher.
Have included a drone video link of Ski Beech's opening day this year which is short and sweet along with a link to Ski Beech, Beech Mountain Realty, and the Alpen Inn.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5vD1rPw8W_w Drone view
http://www.beechmountainresort.com/ Ski Beech
http://www.beechmtnproperties.com/ Beech Rental
http://www.beechalpen.com/ Alpen Inn
Brought to you by: Team Gledhill, Prudential Network Realty Buying or Selling Property in St. Johns Co? Call 904-874-2588 or email info@teamgledhill.com"Sharing Our Community with Buyers & Sellers...One Snippet at a Time"
Monday, February 9, 2015
A Little Storm
This is the time of year we like to take a little vacation up north so I can snow ski. We could fly out west for ten thousand feet of elevation or drive to North Carolina for five. We chose the latter and find it works well with maturing legs. This year skiing was interrupted by the same mega blizzard that hit Boston and points north. We were staying at the town of Beech Mountain which is the highest incorporated town east of the Mississippi at 5,506 feet above sea level. There are no gas stations and only one general store, "Freds". Freds slogan is "If we don't have it, you don't need it" and this is generally true. In front of their store is a pole that keeps track of snowfalls past and present. The average yearly snowfall is just over seven feet and the highest recorded snowfall was 137 inches for the 2009/ 2010 winter. The snow record for a single storm is 48 inches in March of 1993. This snowfall coupled with hurricane force winds that are not uncommon at the tops of mountains and you can have an interesting situation. Did I mention the roads are two lane and have switchbacks that make driving interesting even on sunny summer days. Best to be prepared with extra food, firewood, blankets, batteries, a boy scout knife, candles etc. When a weather alert goes into effect power outages are common and travel even with four wheel drive is tough.
After being snowed in for a day I decided it was time to take the four wheel drive and go skiing while Barbara stayed home and watched the birds, deer, and cars slide off the road. Road the lift to the top and couldn't see a thing in the blowing snow. Waited for someone to come along to follow down but nobody volunteered. Was so happy to find the lodge at the bottom I made it my one and only run for the day. The next day was beautiful with Carolina blue sky and great ski conditions. Skied till my legs gave out. GREAT!
Brought to you by: Team Gledhill, Prudential Network Realty Buying or Selling Property in St. Johns Co? Call 904-874-2588 or email info@teamgledhill.com"Sharing Our Community with Buyers & Sellers...One Snippet at a Time"
Friday, January 9, 2015
Guy Harvey Outpost
Guy Harvey is not just another guy who sells T shirts. In the world of fishing and conservation he has certainly earned the right to have his name and artwork on a line of outdoor clothing. As a tenth generation Jamaican of English heritage his credentials include a degree in Marine Biology from Aberdeen University in Scotland and a Phd. in Fisheries Management from the University of West Indies. A portion of the proceeds of his artwork goes to the protection of the marine environment and sustainable commercial and recreational fishing via the Guy Harvey Research Institute and Ocean Foundation.
I know St. Augustine is a great location to enjoy outdoor activities like fishing. After all we have an Inlet to the Atlantic Ocean for offshore fishing and diving and the Intracoastal Waterway and rivers for inshore fishing. It should be no surprise that Guy Harvey chose our city to open an adventure lodge. The complex will be located on Anastasia Island on the ocean side of A1A. Other Guy Harvey Lodges have already opened in ten other locations from the Florida Keys to the Galapagos Islands. This puts St. Augustine in great company. Another reason Barbara and I chose St. Augustine which is a great place to call home.
http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/about/our-guy.html
http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/about/our-guy.html
Brought to you by: Team Gledhill, Prudential Network Realty Buying or Selling Property in St. Johns Co? Call 904-874-2588 or email info@teamgledhill.com"Sharing Our Community with Buyers & Sellers...One Snippet at a Time"
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