Tag: Josie in Paradise

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Oh… hi, Ohio heat is on on the coastline

Photos by Steven Drescher

This Great Lakes region of the United States is located ninety minutes west of Cleveland, two hours north of the state capital and accessible by the Glass City residents within about sixty minutes.

The area showcases the pride of Port Clinton, the lux of Catawba Island, and nooks and crannies of Lakeside Marblehead all situated on the mainland. Sandusky; home to Cedar Point, Kalahari, Soak City and more, shows off the world’s highest and fastest roller coasters to all developments on the coastline.

There’s more.

Those three islands listed are open to the public. The others, require an invitation. Take a look at the map I stole from MBI Developer, Ed Gudenas.

This setting is a mixture for mayhem. The epitome of an endless summer is achieved. Vacation rental demand can not be met. According to Lake Erie’s Shores and Islands ten million visitors will descend upon this land, again ninety minutes west of The Land,  generating close to two billion in sales. There are close to fourteen thousand full time hospitality positions and calls are out for bartenders to pour and mix at private summer soirees set against the saltless body of water for guest lists that extend deep into the Cavs roster. Inventory for real estate is low and anyone with waterfront property is king and or queen.

Set sail. Summer is here.

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Father’s Day Hot Tub Brats meat to make men rave

There isn’t be a more appropriate holiday to make a mark with meat other than Father’s Day. I already tested this dish twice. I serve up these succulent Hot Tub Beer Brats at a party and then, text my dad’s girlfriend in all caps that I have the BIGGEST SURPRISE.
The surprise: I purchased a meat product and then prepared the delicacy for the grill.
These can be steamed in the oven, too.

Check out my video captured at Marblehead Estates & Yacht Club or follow the simple instructions. If I can wow my own father with this marvel which requires only a few basic ingredients and a bottle or two of favorite brew, anyone can be the star of this supper or lunchtime show.

Steam for twenty minutes and then brown for ten on the grill. Using the oven doubles the steam time. The broiler can be used to crisp the outer shell. Serve with sauerkraut, potato salad, pickles (or dill relish) and spicy brown mustard.

Happy Father’s Day everyone. Dish adapted from Deep South Dish using Commodore Perry India Pale Ale.

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Two ME&YC Condos Under Contract Views of Sandusky Bay and The Point

A couple of condos went under contract this week that I showed with Lake Erie’s Lab Pup in tow (for one). The third story Bayside unit at Marblehead Estates & Yacht Club for $299,900 and the one directly below on the second floor for $269,900. The developer, Prephan Enterprises gave away a 50′ dock and also a 12×40′, 480 square foot cold storage unit to both buyers, just as an incentive to push this season’s sales as high as the Top Thrill Dragster. Not only is ME&YC located just six short nautical miles across The Bay from The Point, but is nestled directly off of Scenic Route 2 on the much-desired Marblehead Peninsula. During season everyone waits two and a half hours for a table at dinner.

All counter tops are made of quartz, the kitchen appliance package is included and the master bedroom features a private deck, walk-in closet and walk-in stone shower. The floors are nicely constructed of ceramic tile. All new owners need is watercraft, swimwear, a summer squad to hit all of Ohio’s Vacationland hot spots with, plus twenty percent of the price for a down payment. The lowest priced unit is $249,000, which equates to a mere fifty grand to buy into a development on Ohio’s coastline. Use of the 300′ private beach, clubhouse and other amenities is free. The next Open House is Tuesday 10 a – 4p.
Bayfront, canal, pond and regular lots are also for sale. This is a bring your own builder situation. Starting price is $49,900 and reaches $249,900 for land on The Bay. Josie can be reached at 419-862-7143.

 

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Seasonal Splurge: Tires with Tread Advan Sport All-Season

Paying is painstaking buy the payoff is all glory. This winter I said forget it to a two-carat diamond tennis bracelet and hello to a new set of all-season sport tires. I shopped around all fall and my mechanic told me where to head. He sent me to Discount Tire, (in Perrysburg, Ohio) where “all they do is tires.” I wanted something ultra-sporty because there isn’t any sense in driving a turbo-charged import with tires that don’t offer premium performance. Yokohama has a new model, the Advan Sport A/S that sells for about one-hundred dollars less (purchase of four) than Michelin. Made for supreme handling the structure showcases a performance shoulder to enhance cornering. The asymmetrical tread design aggrandizes “spirited driving across (insert adective) weather conditions”. After seeing car after car in the ditch on my way down Scenic 105 this morning (after I shoveled the driveway) I was happy to have them. They can be bought on credit with 0% financing for six months. For a look at the look go here. Where I was headed down the Coastal Ohio Trail click this.

 

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Second Home for Summer Marblehead Estates & Yacht Club

I’m out at Marblehead Estates & Yacht Club showcasing the boat slips, luxury condos and lots for sale. The lots are situated in four different places around the development.

  1. Traditional Lots $49,900
  2. Pond Lots $59,900
  3. Canal $99,900 – $119,900
  4. Bayfront $249,900

 

As you can see from the feature photo the kitchen countertops are made with a striking quartz. Here’s a look at the living space in the second floor condo, two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo overlooking the marina. The third bedroom has been left out to make for an open floor plan and open up extra space for dining.

The condos are designed for a weekend escape, or summer place in Ohio’s Vacationland! For the fashion I’m wearing today during this March snowstorm go here. A look at the prices again and information for connecting with me. Call my Ohio number, or if you have the 305 saved in your phone, feel free to use that.

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Fall in Love with the Fashion when the temps are freezing wear the warmth

When I realized via an email from the Perrysburg office we were about to be hit with a March Snowstorm I could have quivered and called in. But, instead I took advantage that all winter gear and fashion is on clearance and relished in the fact the wintry mix is a fashion show to celebrate.

As always, I tossed on Victoria Secrets high waist ultimate yoga pants in the must-have black.  The pants are sixty dollars and can be worn with anything (as you’ve seen multiple times). I almost wore them to Thanksgiving dinner. The top is from the 2000 collection and I venture outside every winter in this item wondering when this fashion piece will appear worn. The material  turns the heat back into my body.

My cousin gifted me a Mossimo Marbled Infinity Scarf. I just can’t get enough of this adorable accessory. Sometimes I toss the textured fabric around my neck when I’m working at home or in my pajamas for a stylish effect. A pink, white and grey fair isle ski cap is the only color for this wardrobe scheme. I picked up the head warmer at one of the local sporting goods store.

The showpieces of this March Snowstorm fashion spectacular: Payless’ knock-off option of the Sorel Joan of Arctic Boots. The Women’s Torrent Weather Boot showcases a faux fur cuff which coordinates perfectly with the American Rag Coat. The duck boot design is achieved with leather and rubber and special features to keep the toes warm when the mercury falls as low as thirty degrees below celsius. Right now the mercury reads twenty degrees Fahrenheit. Joan of Arctic Boots, given four out of five stars for warmth and comfort are about two-hundred dollars. Deemed best for heavy snow the brand touts a vulcanized rubber shell.

The parka is the American Rag Faux-Fur-Trim Puffer Coat. Wear this when the real deal is maybe just a bit much for the office, and… for showing real estate in arctic-like elements. I’m out at Marblehead Estates and Yacht Club with plenty of boat slips, two and three bedroom condos, plus pond, canal and bayfront lots to sell. This is a premium, lux living resort community. For a quick low down on the real estate go here.

 

 

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33030: Hair with a Zip Code of its Own going four-eyed to fight frizz

My hair has its own zip code. Located in the 33030 somewhere in between Key West and Marquesas Keys. Full of body, bounce, curl, texture and unfortunately frizz.

 

 

Here’s a look at the untamed tresses in South Florida.

Melissa Blanco, owner of Salon Blanco, or Teresa Nusser, stylist at Country Hair Creations in the Village of Woodville are responsible for smoothing the cuticle. They both use the Brazilian Blowout. A polymer system is placed around every hair strand to keep the curl and lose the frizz. My hair is stripped, the coating applied, hair dried and straightened, then washed and dried again. The process takes roughly two hours. To get the glam we both go geek in glasses.

Right now Country Hair Creations in the Village of Woodville has the lowest Brazilian Blowout cost of any community in Ohio or Florida. $175 and this includes full-size bottles of Acai Anti-Frizz Shampoo and Conditioner that cost an additional $36 per bottle. That leaves enough money to check a suitcase when flying south for spring break to someplace sunny and surrounded by water.

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10 Reasons why MBI is the Great Lakes most Quixotic Spot island romance offline and off the grid

Pictures by Steven Drescher and Ed Gudenas

Accessible via ferry, plane, or helicopter Middle Bass Island is the ultimate destination in the Great Lakes Region for a romantic get-away. This eight-hundred acre island delivers just the correct dosage of intrigue to make an intimate adventure memorable. Once travelers and tourists reach the ferry launch on Catawba Island, or one of the runways, all of the amenities of the mainland disappear, opening the door for flirtation on an island. Here are the Top Ten reasons why MBI is the hottest of the string of islands nestled inbetween Ohio to Canada.

10. Remote hiking trails allow time to explore off the beaten path. Wildlife encounters are a definite possibility.

9. The entire island is pet friendly. So, even if Fido is your only friend the two of you are bound to have a ball exploring, dining and swimming in the freshwater.

8. The cozy Camping Cabins at St. Hazards all have private fire pits. Grab a locally made bottle of wine and bag of marshmallows from The MBI General Store and show your flame they set you on fire.

7. Enjoy the private beach adjacent to the MBI Yacht Club Condos at St. Hazards Resort. This condominium has the perfect boutique unit number 106 to suit the needs of a private party of two.

6. All of the luxury condo units at St. Hazards Resort have private balconies overlooking the lake.

5. This island boasts of a resort that stocks over one dozen rums. Travelers can enjoy everything from Mojitos made with organic mint grown on property to Ti Punch made with the superior aged Rhum Clement distilled in the French Caribbean. This drink consists of a muddled lime wedge, shot of homemade simple syrup and Rhum Clement. An order of this cocktail infused with exotic spices, coconut, banana and fruit, is elegant and impressive.

4. Home to the historic Lonz Winery, visitors can day trip and pack a picnic lunch to eat overlooking the lake. The MBI General Store sells bottles of wine with labels from Pelee Island, the Lonz Winery and 19 Crimes. Stuff a picnic basket, grab a bottle and open with a Swiss Army Pocket Knife to keep this getaway real. Explore the old Prohibition era wine runs, caves and wine barrels where the wine has been fermented.

 

3. An old-fashioned water taxi leaves every hour to take guests island hopping from the MBI ferry docks to the famed and most popular boardwalk of the Great Lakes Region known as Put-in-Bay located ten minutes across Lake Erie on South Bass Island. Head over on the idyllic Sonny S ferry for an enchanting day or evening out. The last ferry leaves SBI at 12:30 am every Friday and Saturday during the height of season.

2. Middle Bass Island is home to an airport, plane and helicopter service. Book a tour through Griffing Flying or Paratus Air (914) FLY-HELI for an enchanting and exciting afternoon seeing the island action and Perry’s Victory Monument from above. This  is the perfect place and opportunity to propose.

  1. The number one reason why Middle Bass Island is the hottest and romantic island the Great Lakes has for everyone to experience (besides, we can’t help but note, the pool and hot tub at St. Hazards Resort NEVER CLOSES) is … internet is spotty at best. Here one is off the grid and unreachable. Giving travelers, lovers, and sweethearts the opportunity to make unpostable memories.

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Manny “The Man” Madruga 1st Annual Manny Madruga Domino Tournament

The moment I first met him was the 2009 graduation night for Leadership Monroe County Class XVII. On the board for LMC, Manny Madruga, Assistant State Attorney. We had all gathered at the Doubletree Grand Tree Resort and were mingling outside when Madruga swept through the doors.

My jaw dropped.

I was awestruck by “The Man.”

He was a dynamic leader among leaders.

As the new Bureau Chief for The Key West Weekly, he took me to a Noon Rotary event and I photographed him at lunch. I emailed the picture to him asking this cosmic Cuban success story in the community to kindly reply and possibly write to tell me who was in the photo with him and did he happen to know their titles.

He picked up the phone and called me.

“I hope you’re not planning on publishing that photo. Josie it’s blurry,” Manny demanded.

I was a former prima donna anchorwoman. My older brother, publisher of The Weekly Newspapers and Tropical Living Magazine was just as displeased with my work. I expressed in defense of myself to these two big wigs that I was used to being on the other side of the camera and was not accustomed to taking pictures of others.

I said this with ego. I said this with pride.

A few weeks later, I was given the Disney World-esque assignment to visit Madruga in his office on Whitehead Street and interview him. I went into the stately building and marched myself up to his quarters in a Banana Republic two-piece navy blue sheath dress and blazer purchased with money from CBS News.

The interview unveiled a wistfulness the climb up the ladder had cost him. I remember him saying something to this nature, This position isn’t easy. Everyone’s out there having fun, hanging out at the sand bar on the weekend and I don’t get to do that. I don’t have the time. This requires commitment.

I gazed around at the awards on the walls and he pointed the most recent one which had been bestowed upon him the 2009 Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association’s Gene Barry Award. He seemed completely unbreakable.

I told him I was there to photograph him. I was flustered, fortunate and a finished pro all at the same time. Here, in my first couple of weeks on a tropical island was an on-camera woman, having the assistant state prosecutor, the attorney I soooo admired, posing for me.

The results were flawless. They are stunning. The pictures capture the essence of a man and professional who was unflappable and a friend to all of us.

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Later, having joined Sunrise Rotary I was slated to give a presentation to our fellow professionals. The topic: How to use the media to drive your professional reputation and build business. I knew I didn’t exactly have all of the dots connected to really deliver a smash-up presentation. I called up Manny and told him what I was doing and that I needed him to please be there because I needed feedback.

And there he was. At 7 am at the top of La Concha. Dressed crisply in his dress slacks with his tie on and shoes shined. He sat at the front table and gave his undivided attention to a lackluster production, and he let me know about this. You need pictures and you need to involve the people in your audience. Then, you’ve got this down. Let me know when you’re doing this again.

There won’t be an again. Manny Madruga, Assistant State Attorney chose to end his life after a heated campaign season.

Unfortunately, at some juncture, we all lose professional positions. Those of us with a giant “X” on our back go down hard. This shouldn’t stop anyone from putting themselves out there. There isn’t any defeat as the so-called polls indicate. There truly aren’t failures. We are not designed as human beings to mingle amidst the same people carrying out the same professional duties for our entire lives. History shows losing, and sometimes even when you lose everything, you are actually being spun in a new direction where you will reap rewards and bear fruit never possible where previously planted. The universe aligns itself up exactly as it should and we are all placed where we should be and with the people we are meant to be with by design.

We all met Manny. We all encountered Manny and experienced the wonder that is Manny “The Man” Madruga. Prayers and peace to Ani, Natalie and the rest of your loved family.

Tomorrow, Saturday February 11, 2017, marks the 1st Annual Manny Madruga Domino Tournament. According to my LMC XIX Classmate Holly Elomina, social entries include dinner and team entries include dinner and four drink coupons. There will be prize packages for the first, second and third place teams. All proceeds benefit local suicide prevention/awareness programs as well as a scholarship in Manny Madruga‘s name for a KWHS senior who is furthering their education in criminal justice or a law-related major. If you want to sponsor a table, register a team or donate a prize, call 305-509-0001.