Lee Nails & Spa: Cleanliness & A Relaxed Atmosphere

Owner Ken Truong (far left) and his friendly, professional staff of licensed nail technicians are available to serve you at Lee Nails & Spa in The Grove at Wesley Chapel shopping center.

Between warm weather and casual fashion, gloves are seldom worn in the Sunshine State. But, since sandals so often are worn here, that means a lot of hands and feet are out on public display.

Keeping Wesley Chapel residents well-manicured is a job the crew at Lee Nails & Spa, located in an outparcel building at The Grove at Wesley Chapel shopping center (next to the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce office), eagerly undertake seven days a week.

Available services range from a basic nail trim and polish (with many fashionable options such as American or French style in a rainbow of colors) to waxing and the trademarked Botanical Escapes Herbal Spa Treatments, such as an herbal detox formula or maybe a Chocolate Mint Bliss recipe.

While the menu of services is extensive, owner Kenny Truong says what Lee Nails & Spa really offers patrons is one of modern life’s most valuable commodities.

“We provide relaxation.”

The relaxation begins as soon as you cross Lee Nails & Spa’s threshold and enter a space of soft track lighting and mellow music.

New arrivals at the spa are quickly attended to and escorted to one of nearly a dozen manicure stations or a plush pedicure recliner with a massage function.

If someone needs to take the edge off a busy day, a complimentary glass of wine, chardonnay or merlot, is offered with each pedicure. Chilled water is an option for non-imbibers. A magazine rack filled with the latest issues of People, Allure, Glamour and other publications offers a chance to catch up on some light, non-digital reading.

Tangible results also are an objective, says Truong, who has 15 years of experience in the cosmetology field. “We’re dedicated to making our customers look beautiful,” he says.

At Lee Nails & Spa, customers can have beauty without risking their nail health. Regular acrylic nails can look great, but they can leave natural nails under them susceptible to itching and even infection. Truong says his salon offers non-acrylic nail alternatives like NexGenNails to customers.

“It’s strong, but doesn’t damage your nails like acrylic does,” he says. “It also has vitamin E in it.”

Informing customers about all of the options available to them that may provide a benefit to them is part of Truong’s business philosophy.

“We also educate customers about what kind of manicure they should get and what kinds of products can soothe and protect dry skin,” he says.

Lee Nails & Spa was opened in 2009 by Kenny’s brother Tony. Both of them emigrated from Vietnam, along with six other brothers.

Kenny and Tony each got their start in the cosmetology field while living in Cleveland, OH. Kenny took over Lee Nails & Spa last year when Tony moved to Orlando to open a new salon.

Maintaining a clean, safe and productive environment that focuses on delivering good customer service is an important element of Truong’s operation. He and his entire staff of nail technicians are all licensed through the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DPR)’s Board of Cosmetology.

According to Truong, he maintains strict sanitary standards by providing customers one-time-use liners for spa pedicures, and also uses commercially-packaged disposable materials like emery board nail files that are discarded after just one use.

There is onsite equipment to sterilize all of the durable tools that are reused.

“One of the most important things that customers love about coming to my salon is the cleanliness,” says Truong proudly.

An Emphasis On Service

Customers entering the salon are likely to be met by Truong personally, and he will graciously deliver them to a staff member who will provide the relaxing and enhancing services requested. Truong recognizes the success of his business is in the hands of the people he hires.

“Our staff is young and talented, to provide the best customer service,” he says.

One such employee is Angela Butdee, who has been working at Lee Nails for two of the three-and-a-half years she has worked as a nail technician. She expresses appreciation for the overall atmosphere of the salon as well as the beautifying task at hand.

“It’s quiet and I like that we have lots of nice customers that come here,” Angela says. “I love doing the designs for their nails.” She adds there is another important attribute for nail technicians. “When you work with nails, you have to be calm and you have to make customers feel relaxed.”

Sharon Gilbert appreciates that kind of customer experience when she comes in to Lee Nails every few weeks for a manicure or pedicure. “They take their time and they’re gentle,” she says. “I feel special when I leave.”

Gilbert also notes the hygienic standards of Lee Nails & Spa.

“It’s very clean and they use plastic linings in their pedicure tubs,” she says, adding that she got into the habit of getting a professional manicure when she taught at The University of Ohio in Columbus.

“A handshake was the first way I was going to meet someone,’’ she said. “It’s a way of putting your best self forward. Now I just do it for myself.”

While indulging in spa treatments may seem like an extravagant luxury, Lee Nails & Spa offers promotions to make its services more affordable.

Customers can join the salon’s VIP Program and get $3 off a single service or $5 off a combo service (does not apply to polish change or waxing), Monday-Thursday. To do so, text LEENAILS2 to 51660.

Other discounts, such as 10-percent-off for customers 12 years of age or younger (parents or guardians must accompany the child) and for ages 65 and older, are available, as are “pop-up” specials announced on the “Lee Nails Spa In Wesley Chapel” Facebook page.

More special deals and samples of the work Lee Nails & Spa does can be found at LeeNailSpaofTampa.com. Lee Nails & Spa is open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m., and 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sunday. It is located at 6013 Wesley Grove Blvd., Suite #104. For more information or make an appointment, call (813) 907-8100.

Grace Episcopal Church In Tampa Palms Breaks Ground On New Sanctuary

Local dignitaries and church members turn dirt where the first row of pews will begin in Grace Episcopal Church’s new sanctuary. Bishop Dabney T. Smith, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida looks on.

On an April Sunday morning twenty years ago, the Rev. Larry Hooper led a joyful procession of Grace Episcopal Church’s congregation from their temporary home at Tampa Palms Elementary to the Promised Land at the confluence of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., Tampa Palms Blvd. and Amberly Dr., where their newly constructed worship building was completed.

Parishioners’ spirits were similarly raised, along with some earth, on June 3 while breaking ground on Grace’s new sanctuary, in a ceremony that united members of New Tampa’s religious and civic communities in celebration.

Referred to as the “Amazing Grace Building Project,” the finished structure will provide 4,500-sq.-ft. of worship space for the church’s 300 parishioners. It is being built by Waterford Designs, Inc. at a cost of $1.5 million.

Etta Green, chair of the Amazing Grace Visions capital campaign, expresses optimism that the labor will be finished in time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

“We’re hoping it will be done by Christmas,” she says.

So far, the capital campaign has raised more than $160,000 of a $450,000 goal, according to Green. Parishioners have the opportunity to contribute to the campaign through donations which can be designated to specific spaces or needs of the project, such as its nursery, carillon or even individual pews, bricks and benches. The remaining cost is being funded from cash the church has on hand.

The groundbreaking was presided over by the Rt. Rev. Dabney T. Smith, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida. Featured speakers celebrating the occasion included Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, who was introduced by Luis Viera, a Hunter’s Green resident who represents New Tampa’s District 7 on the Tampa City Council

“Communities are defined by their institutions and this church is a great strength and support to the families of New Tampa,” said Viera. Grace’s current Rector, the Rev. Canon Benjamin Twinamaani, known affectionately as Fr. Benjamin, served as the event’s master of ceremonies.

A Little History…

Grace Episcopal Church had its genesis in 1992, when it held its first services in a storefront in the nearby City Plaza at Tampa Palms shopping center. It was one of the few places of worship in New Tampa at the time, and Mayor Buckhorn recognized the relationship between the church and the community it has served in the 25 years since then.

Artist rendering of the new sanctuary.

“We have watched the amazing growth of this community and this church has been an important part of the growth of Tampa,’’ Buckhorn said. “Go make us proud; continue to grow and continue to prosper.”

The event was a bit of a homecoming for Shawn Harrison, who represents District 63, which includes most of New Tampa, in the Florida House of Representatives. He is a former parishioner of the church who said he recalls the relationship between Grace Episcopal and Tampa Palms, which donated land for the church. “This has always been the little community church of Tampa Palms,” Rep. Harrison said.

Bishop Smith turned the soil at the place where the sanctuary’s future altar will be. As he did so, he noted the significance of the occasion, which he referred to as “a moment of aspiration for the church. What we are doing today in simply turning dirt will create a space of transcendence.”

Among members of the congregation who gathered for the groundbreaking, the consensus is that Grace Episcopal is, above all, a welcoming place.

Bernard and Nancy Guss are founding members of the church, and also are a mixed-religion couple. Bernard is Jewish and Nancy is Episcopalian. They say Grace has been a spiritual home that has accommodated both of their respective beliefs.

Bishop Dabney T. Smith, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida, turns dirt at the future site of Grace Episcopal Church’s new altar. He is flanked by (left) Fr. Benjamin Twinamaani, the church rector, and the Revd. Deacon Lynn Grinnell.

“Nancy and I visited several churches before coming here,” Bernard said. “We felt like it was open to a variety of beliefs. It’s truly a unifying place where I have felt welcome.”

Zainaba and Charles Forster are both from the West African nation of Sierra Leone who now make their home in Heritage Isles. Charles said that Grace Episcopal Church is a tranquil place that is always open. “It is indeed what church is supposed to be,” Charles said.

The Forsters were married by Fr. Benjamin, who has been the church’s spiritual leader since 2005. Fr. Benjamin, who is known throughout the New Tampa area, considers the new sanctuary to be a tangible expression of Grace Episcopal’s commitment to the local community.

“We are renewing our identity as a church that anchors the community,’’ Fr. Benjamin said. “In today’s world, we need that.”

Grace Episcopal Church, located at 15102 Amberly Dr. in Tampa Palms, holds services each Sunday at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Visitors are always welcome to attend services. For more information, visit online at GraceNewTampa.org or call (813) 971-8484.

Roberts & Anderson A/C Installation & Repair Will Keep You Cool!

Rafael “Ralph” Almodovar checks out an air conditioning unit. Almodovar is the owner of Roberts & Anderson Air Conditioning Installation and Repair.

The invention of air conditioning gets a lot of credit for making Florida habitable, and it’s professionals like Rafael (known to friends and customers as Ralph) Almodovar and his team at Roberts & Anderson Air Conditioning Installation & Repair who keep the cool air flowing and lots of New Tampa and Wesley Chapel residents comfortable.

With more than thirty summers worth of experience, Almodovar knows that when an air conditioner stops cooling, getting it back online promptly is always the customer’s top priority, whatever the hour.

“A common situation is someone comes home from work after five o’clock and it’s 90 degrees inside their house,” he says. To Almodovar, those “happy hour” calls are additional opportunities to make customers happy.

“They’re going to get some service,” he says. “I take care of the customers.”

Almodovar says that sometimes means he and his team are on the job from 7 a.m. until 8 or 9 p.m., as well as handling emergency calls on weekends. He credits this approach to growing his Land O’ Lakes-based business through referrals from satisfied customers, such as Barbara Campbell, whose 11-year old A/C system needed to be replaced.

In Campbell’s case, that meant a complete overhaul, including new ductwork, along with the air conditioner. Making the job even more formidable was that the existing unit’s air handler was relocated from the attic to the main area of the house.

“He moved all of that down into the home, so now they don’t have to get up in the attic anymore where it was hard to get to, and they can service it from downstairs,” says Campbell. When the job was completed, the Campbells found a pleasant surprise on the bill’s bottom line.

“Ralph gave us an initial quote for the job and the actual amount was a little bit lower because when he added up his numbers, the costs were a little bit lower than he expected.”

Campbell adds that there is an ongoing financial return on their investment in a new air conditioning system.

“Our electricity bill was over $300 a month but has gone down to under $200 a month in the summertime, down to about $100 a month in the wintertime,” she says.

Because the work was so extensive and involved an extended disruption of home cooling, Almodovar provided a window unit to help keep the dwelling livable. Campbell says she was so pleased with the work, she recommended Roberts & Anderson A/C to her daughter when she needed air conditioning service, and enthusiastically does so to others.

“Ralph did exactly what he said he would do and he did it in the amount of time he said he would do it in,” says Campbell. “They showed up on time, cleaned up after themselves and didn’t leave a mess.”

Big jobs like Campbell’s generate a great sense of pride and accomplishment for Aldomovar.

“I can go into a house that has ductwork that’s in disrepair and the  people complain they don’t get any airflow or certain rooms are warmer,” he says. “And, I can take out the old duct work and put it back together properly so that when I walk away, the people are very satisfied and happy.”

When it comes to staying cool without interruption, prevention is the key, according to Almodovar, who also provides A/C tune-up services.

“During the winter is when you really need to take care of the A/C system,” he says. “People need to take care of the system so the system can take care of them.”

While earlier, rather than later, is best for preventive maintenance, the tune-up service is available year-round and includes washing the blower wheel inside the air handler, bleaching the drain pan to kill any algae, mold, or mildew that has formed, checking the air handler for mold, and visually inspecting the coil and electrical wiring.

The outside unit will be washed with water, and refrigerant levels, motor bearings and contactor points will be checked for wear. Finally, the entire system, including the thermostat, will be evaluated for cooling efficiency.

The tune-up service usually costs $139, but Almodovar says Neighborhood News readers will receive a 50-percent discount on it.

For homeowner maintenance, Almodovar recommends using good quality air filters and changing them before they become blocked with airborne debris.

“A 40-percent efficient filter is a very good idea to keep your dog hair, cat hair and fibers from your carpet from flowing into your air handler,” he says.

A Little Background…

Almodovar got his start in the air conditioning trade by studying appliance repair at the Technical Institute of Puerto Rico in San Juan. The trade school’s certification program included air conditioner and refrigerator repair, as well as other appliances, such as washing machines. Almodovar says a light went on in his head, which illuminated his sense of entrepreneurship.

“I realized there was great potential because every house had a washer, a refrigerator, and that right there is two appliances for every home, so I decided to pursue the appliance part of it until I discovered the air conditioning side was more profitable.”

He moved from Santurce, P.R., to Tampa and began studying Computer Engineering at Hillsborough Community College when the needs of his growing family (he and his wife have two daughters and a son) motivated him to start his own air conditioning business in 1982. The corporate name, Roberts & Anderson, Inc., is an homage to Almodovar’s late father’s engineering firm, Roberts, Williams & Anderson. It’s also Almodovar’s way of recognizing what the hard work of operating an in-demand, technical business is ultimately all about.

“You’re investing in family,” says Almodovar.

Almodovar has a Class B air conditioning contractor’s license from the State of Florida, which allows him to work on cooling systems up to 25 tons and heating systems up to 500,000 BTUs anywhere in the state. That also means he can support the cooling and heating needs of businesses, as well as homeowners.

Since Almodovar’s skills and expertise includes refrigeration systems, his clients have included stores and restaurants with walk-in and reach-in refrigerators and freezers. He says he’s always ready to respond to their emergency calls.

“Refrigeration doesn’t take a holiday,’’ he says. “They’ve got food in there.”

He says he also has experience working on dry-cleaning heat pumps and related equipment, and that Roberts & Anderson’s territory extends throughout the Tampa Bay region, including Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee and Polk counties.

“We have to go where the work is,” says Almodovar, who expresses an interest in working with more customers in the Wesley Chapel and New Tampa areas. “Close to home is always better.”

Between the onset of summer and the incoming migration of new residents, Roberts & Anderson, Inc., is looking to hire experienced air conditioning technicians. Almodovar says it is not as simple as putting out a Help Wanted sign or recruiting at a local trade school.

“It’s hard work and they (have to) pay their dues,” he says.

To get a quote or learn more about the services provided by Roberts & Anderson Air Conditioning Installation & Repair, visit Roberts-Anderson.com, call 966-0982 or see the ad on page 45.

Debbie & Robert Marvin Now At Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

Long-time New Tampa-area Realtors Robert & Debbie Marvin are now with Coldwell Banker’s office in the New Tampa Center.

Conventional sales principles may be based on the ABCs of “Always Be Closing,” but the real estate team of Debbie and Robert Marvin, of Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate in New Tampa, opt for what might be termed the “ABHs,” or “Always Be Helping,” approach to doing business.

With 54 years of real estate experience between them, the married couple have built their business reputations and raised their profiles in the local real estate industry by working hard for their clients who are investing their money and lives in a home. Debbie says they know selling or buying a home can be an emotional time for people, and proceed accordingly.

“It’s always stressful when buying or selling a home, so we try to keep that to a minimum,” she says.

Robert adds that relationships form the foundation of a successful real estate deal.

“From the first meeting, you have to develop a sense of comfort and trust that things will come out the way you want them to,” he says.

After getting acquainted, the Marvins say the hard work begins of making sure a buyer ultimately moves into a house they’ll be happy to call home, or a seller receives the maximum financial return possible.

And, Debbie says, being there, and on time, for the client, whatever the hour, is part of their routine.

“Real estate doesn’t work 9 to 5, and it works weekends, too,” says Debbie. “We’ve gotten calls at 2 a.m.”

Robert adds that there are a lot of occasions when it’s important for the real estate agent to be present, to ensure a deal goes smoothly.

“Every transaction has a life of its own and we’re hands-on from start to finish,” Robert says. “Besides showings, you’ve got to show up for appraisals, inspections and when vendors come to make repairs.”

The Marvins say they each have their strong points and interests. They combine them to meet client needs and expectations.

“We do work as a team, and we each have our strengths,” says Debbie, who moved to Tampa from Maryland in 1990. “I love the listings and marketing side, interacting with the agents and telling them about the house.”

Robert, who lived in Ohio before coming to Tampa in 1974, says keeping an eye on the details is what he focuses on.

“Understanding the contract and negotiating from start to finish (is paramount),” he says. “There are times you have to negotiate repairs at closing time.”

The goal, Robert adds, is for everyone to leave the closing table feeling satisfied with the deal. “It has to be a win-win situation where the buyer, seller and the agent all feel good.”

He also notes that getting to the closing table requires flexibility.

“You have to go wherever the fire is,” he says. “Sometimes you have the day all planned and something comes up.”

However, Debbie says that’s not necessarily a bad situation.

“It’s what keeps it exciting, and that’s the good thing about having the both of us working together,” she says.

Repeat business from satisfied customers is one indicator of success in any business and the Marvins have their share of clients who call upon them as their go-to real estate team.

Reinaldo and Cassandra Jara of Wesley Chapel have sold three homes and purchased two using the Marvins as their agents and are in the midst of another house-hunting venture with them.

Reinaldo summarizes his reasons for doing business with them in three words: “Reliable, professional and caring,” he says, adding that Robert, “is a straight shooter who works hard for his client and is always available. He listens and lends his expertise.”

Debbie says that the couple has even worked with succeeding generations of families, as some of their clients’ children also have used them to buy or sell a home.

“We’ve sold to their kids, grandkids, cousins and business partners,” she says.

The Marvins, who live in Wesley Chapel, are members of the National Association of Realtors and are now affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, located in the Publix-anchored New Tampa Center shopping plaza at the intersection of New Tampa Blvd. and Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd.

They are designated Luxury Home Specialists with Coldwell Banker but, as Debbie says, they work for clients throughout the housing spectrum. “From the low 100s to over a million dollars,” Debbie says, “with room for horses, on the water…we list it all.”

Managing Broker Karen Krotki says the Marvins are vital assets to Coldwell Banker’s New Tampa office.

“We’re proud to have them here,” Krotki says. “They’re a top-selling and top-listing team that provides a high level of service to their clients.”

As part of the Coldwell Banker organization, the Marvins are able to list homes to a global audience of potential buyers and can likewise access homes for sale from New Tampa to the United Arab Emirates and most everywhere in between. Coldwell Banker also has resources such as mortgage, title and closing services available to clients.

And, while the firm’s reach is global, Coldwell Banker and the Marvins also have a commitment to doing good things locally.

The Marvins hosted the Tampa Bay CaresWalk 2017 through its charitable foundation, Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate Cares.

Tampa Bay CaresWalk 2017, held in April, benefitted the Gramatica (as in former Tampa Bay Bucs kicker Martin and his brothers) Family Foundation, which partners with builders and developers to provide mortgage-free housing and other assistance to disabled military veterans.

The Marvins have each been working in real estate for more than two decades —  Robert for 30 years and Debbie for 24 — all in the New Tampa area.

When each of them began their careers in the business, BBD had more deer crossings than traffic signals. It was the City of Tampa’s Frontier Land, but they saw the potential and became involved in the New Tampa housing market from the beginning, going with the flow of brokerage openings, closings and mergers before signing on with Coldwell Banker in December.

Debbie attributes the growth of the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel areas to a mixture of location and investment.

“We’ve got it all here,” she says. “It’s convenient to downtown and the airport and we have a lot of restaurants and businesses that attract people.”

Not surprisingly, technology used by real estate agents also has changed during their careers. Debbie says that today, her cell phone is one of her favorite tools.

“My phone is always with me, so I’m always accessible,” she says. “Whatever they need, such as a copy of a contract, I’ve got it with me.”

The Marvins also have a website, DebbieSellsTampa.com, and a Facebook page, (search “Debbie Sells Tampa”) that offer real estate tips as well as current listings.

Even with all of the advantages that technology offers to work more efficiently, the Marvins stay connected to what they say really matters in their business.

“You still have to have that personal interaction,” says Robert. “You have to have that voice conversation.”

Debbie concurs. “You need to be hands-on with people and have a relationship with them…not just a Tweet.”

To find out how Debbie and Robert Marvin can help with your real estate needs, call them directly at (813) 892-3917, or at the New Tampa Coldwell Banker office at 19026 BBD Blvd. by calling (813) 977-3500.

Connerton In Land O’Lakes Offers Modern Living With A Natural Connection

Nope, this cool water park pool isn’t at a theme park. It’s the centerpiece at Club Connerton, in the Connerton community in Land O’Lakes, 20-30 minutes from most of New Tampa.

Wesley Chapel and New Tampa residents looking for a more pastoral lifestyle may find what they’re looking for at the Connerton community in Land O’ Lakes, located just east of U.S. 41, 7.5 miles north of S.R. 54.

Developed on what was once the Conner cattle ranch, the 4,800-acre community carries a New Town Developmental of Regional Impact (DRI) designation from Pasco County, which means it is a mixed-use, master-planned community combining residential areas with commercial, office, medical and government-related space. Connerton also has earned the distinction of being named the Tampa Bay Builders Association’s Showcase Community for its 2017 Parade of Homes, which will be held on Friday, April 29.

According to Connerton’s promotional materials, when the community is fully built-out, it may include up to 5,000 residences, 730,000 square feet of retail space, 1.4 million square feet of office and industrial space, as well as a government center.

Even with that ambitious development potential, Connerton retains a relationship with its rural central Pasco heritage. While the community’s concept offers convenient access to shopping, employment and services, marketing coordinator Melissa Donaldson says a big attraction for prospective homebuyers is Connerton’s plan for 1,800 acres of parks and natural open spaces.

“I get a lot of people from New Tampa coming over here who are tired of the hustle and bustle of New Tampa,” Donaldson says.

One of Connerton’s most highly touted features is its 1.75-mile paved Arbors Village Nature Trail, which winds along natural, preserved areas, including lakes and wetlands. There’s plenty of wildlife to see, such as little blue herons, wood storks, sand hill cranes, and of course, Florida alligators.

Adjacent to the north end of the community is a 3,000-acre nature preserve under the jurisdiction of the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD), giving residents access to even more trails and natural settings, as well as providing a buffer against the encroachment of other development. There also are five miles of paved sidewalks in Connerton for suburban strolling.

With Amenities Like This…

Residents don’t have to venture beyond Connerton’s boundaries to enjoy first-class amenities, like a 10,000-sq.-ft. clubhouse that provides social and recreational opportunities for residents.

Known as Club Connerton, it features the well-equipped Fit & Flourish Fitness Center, complete with a wide range of exercise equipment, from treadmills to weight machines. Several video monitors keep fitness buffs up-to-date with sports and news, or otherwise entertained while burning calories.

“If people have a gym membership somewhere else, they can cancel it,” says Donaldson.

The Conner Town Cafe serves “stick-to-your-ribs food,” according to Donaldson, and a children’s activity space, known as the Kidz Zone Club, is available for toddlers and older children up to age 12.

Other rooms provide space for fitness classes such as yoga and Pilates, as well as social activities ranging from arts & crafts classes to poker nights.

The big attraction, according to Donaldson, is the outdoor pool, that’s more like a water park (photo). She says it’s often the highlight of a tour for prospective residents.

“It’s the biggest ‘Wow!’ on the tour,’’ Donaldson says. “People see it and they think they’re at a resort.”

There also are three tennis courts, a sand volleyball court and a basketball court, providing even more recreational options.

Of course, a community is more than just a group of homes and amenities, and Donaldson says a full schedule of events involving residents helps tie it all together.

“Because we do so many events, everyone gets to know each other,” she says

Activities include the summertime, patriotic-themed, Nation Celebration (scheduled to avoid conflicting with other Independence Day observances), a Labor Day ice cream social, and a Winter Wonderland Celebration. Connerton even offers its own full-day summer camp to keep the younger residents busy while school is out.

And, while school is in session, Connerton is able to offer families with young children a chance to avoid bus rides and car lines with Connerton Elementary, a Pasco County District school located inside the community, so that walking and riding bikes to school are safe and practical options. 

Other nearby public schools include Sanders Memorial Elementary, which has a Science Technology Engineering Art & Math (STEAM) program; Pine View Middle School, which is the school district’s first International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme Candidate school; and Land O’ Lakes High, an IB World school, with advanced placement, culinary arts, child care and agriculture programs. Land O’Lakes High also has an agreement with Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) allowing students to take classes through PHSC to earn college credit while still in high school.

Great Builders, Too!

Connerton has the ambiance of small-town, neighborly living, in part because many of the homes for sale feature front porches that promote relaxing and socializing outdoors. Four of the Tampa Bay area’s best-known builders are constructing homes in Connerton: Taylor Morrison, Homes by Westbay, Lennar and M/I Homes. According to information provided by Connerton, homes range in size from 1,504 square feet to 4,895 square feet, with a starting price range of $198,490-$502,990.

Homeowners association (HOA) dues and community development district (CDD) fees vary with lot size and community.  According to Donaldson, about 700 homes have been sold so far in Connerton.

The Cornuta family bought a home and a share of the Connerton lifestyle when they relocated to Florida from upstate New York. Nikole Cornuta says it was the right choice for their move to the Sunshine State.

“We love how there is always something fun to do,” Nikole says, “whether it’s enjoying activities sponsored by the fun-loving staff members at the clubhouse, riding along the vast nature trails, playing at the various playgrounds, or soaking up the sun by the super-pool, we always have a blast!” 

Besides the activities, Cornuta also says that she appreciates the welcoming attitudes that she and her transplanted family have encountered.

“We also feel so lucky to have met neighbors that now feel like a supportive family,” she says. “Connerton is a fantastic place to raise a family.”

One way to describe the Connerton community’s personality is “heartfelt,” says Donaldson.

She cites occasions of residents coming together, both in celebration and in times of need. One example that illustrates both is Connerton’s partnership with Operation Finally Home, a national nonprofit organization that networks with builders to provide mortgage-free homes for wounded veterans as well as their surviving spouses and families. At Connerton, Lennar Homes is providing such a home to medically-retired U.S. Army Sgt. David Roca, who experienced life-changing injuries from an improvised explosive device (IED) while serving in Iraq.

Connerton residents have been active in special events during the home’s construction and introducing the Rocas to the community, such as writing welcoming notes on the house’s framing before the drywall was installed.

“People have really come together for this and want to be a part of it,” says Donaldson. “It’s something that helps make this a true community.”

You can learn more about homes in Connerton and the community’s lifestyle by visiting the Welcome Center located inside Club Connerton at 21100 Fountain Garden Rd., in Land O’ Lakes. You also can check out the ad on page 5 of this issue, visit Connerton.com or call 996-5800.