PROUDLY SERVING RIVERTOWN
“THERE IS NOTHING IN THE WORLD SO GOOD AS GOOD NEIGHBORS” –LAURA WILDER
DEAR NEIGHBOR,
SPRING HAS SPRUNG
Spring is the perfect time to embrace adventure, and this month, we’re all about Exploration! Whether you’re craving a quick weekend escape, a scenic road trip, or just some fresh ideas for exploring new places close to home, this issue is packed with inspiration. We’ve highlighted some of the best weekend getaways, from charming coastal retreats to hidden gems just a short drive away. Whether you’re looking for relaxation, outdoor adventure, or a little bit of both, we’ve got options to suit every kind of traveler.
But no great trip is complete without some expert advice. That’s why we’re sharing travel tips to help make your getaways smoother and more enjoyable. From packing hacks to must-knows about Disney Trips from an expert, we’re here to ensure your next adventure is stress-free and full of great memories.
Exploration isn’t just about where you go — it’s about how you experience the world around you. So whether you’re venturing far or staying close to home, we hope this issue inspires you to try something new, see a new place, or simply appreciate the joy of discovery.
Wherever your next adventure takes you, we wish you safe travels and unforgettable experiences!
Happy exploring!
The Thomas Family - Settlement
seared ahi tuna
seared ahi tuna
INGREDIENTS
16 oz sushi-grade [saku] ahi tuna, thawed
1 tbs soy sauce
2 tbs high heat oil for searing [peanut or avocado oil]
SESAME CRUST
3 tbs sesame seeds [black, or both black and white] 1 tsp fresh cracked pepper
1 tsp granulated garlic or onion powder 1 tsp sugar
1 tsp kosher salt 1 tsp dried thyme
1. Mix the Sesame Crust ingredients together in a small bowl.
2. Pat dry the ahi tuna with paper towels.
3. Place ahi tuna on a plate, coat all sides with soy sauce. This will help the sesame spice adhere to the tuna.
4. Generously sprinkle all sides of the ahi tuna with the sesame mix, pressing it down into the flesh. Coat the sides.
Read through the rest before starting because the next part goes very quickly.
5. The goal here is to get a nice golden sear on all sides without cooking the ahi tuna all the way through. A HOT PAN is key.
6. Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, until very very hot. Turn your hood fan on. Place tongs, metal spatula and splatter guard (or lid) near the stove. When the pan is hot a flick of water should sizzle loudly. Once the skillet is hot, turn the fan on high.
Add the oil and coat the pan and let it get hot. Carefully lay the tuna in the pan, pressing it down into the skillet with a metal spatula. Sear 45-60 seconds – checking the underneath by lifting one corner to see if it is golden. When deeply golden, carefully flip. If not golden, turn the heat up. Sear the other side, 60-90 seconds until golden. Sear the long edges using tongs to hold it upright.
7. Place on a cutting board, blot if you like, then using a very sharp knife, thinly slice,and serve.
Google Saku Tuna for online tuna resources.
OPEN HOUSE
LIVE the Vacation Lifestyle Every Day in Rivertown! This charming 3-bedroom, 2-bath home offers the perfect blend of comfort and style, plus a flex room that can be used as a home office, playroom, or den. The open floor plan makes everyday living easy, with plenty of space to relax and entertain. The owner’s suite is a peaceful retreat with two spacious walk-in closets and a stylish board-and-batten accent wall. The kitchen is a chefs dream, featuring 42-inch white cabinets, quartz countertops, a tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, and a shiplap-accented island. The dining area flows into the family room, which opens to a screened-in lanai, perfect for morning coffee or evening unwinding. Step outside to the paver patio and enjoy even more outdoor living space. Additional updates include a whole-house water filtration system, water softener, and a fully fenced backyard.
from regulars (with two littles)
1. Plan, but go with the flow. [breaks are helpful to everyone]
2. Mobile order any chance you can . [water cups are free; stay hydrated]
3. Lightning lanes are worth it.
4. I f kids or adults are on the border of needing a stroller or mobility scooter, get it!
5. Your kids match your energy. Stay positive! [and remember, you and your spouse are on the same team!]
courtesy of Mark Moss markmosslaw.com
VILANO BEACH. A WORLD AWAY... 30 Minutes East of Us.
HomeToGo recently ranked Vilano Beach as the 5th best beach in the U.S.A. based on charm, beauty, lack of crowding, and price. This hidden gem is just minutes away from Rivertown, and is one of the best kept secret getaways around. Motels, restaurants, and pristine beaches await you.
We like that its close to us, and close to downtown St. Augustine. It’s worth taking a couple days to have an adventure in one of the last unspoiled Old Florida locations left in Northeast Florida.
HOME SERVICES
We love the Megabag® by LUXE. When we travel by air, this bag single-handedly solves our carry-on problems, folding out into a clever configuration that holds an unbelievable amount of clothing – nearly 4 times what we could force into an old carry-on of the same size. It puts our old luggage into the dark ages.
We’re taking this bag with us whenever we fly. It will save checking costs, and we’ll have the peace of mind that carry-on luggage brings us. You should take it with you too.
PS, This is not a paid promotion. This is simply a mega-cool bag.
GETAWAYS HELEN, GA
AN ALPINE VILLAGE IN THE NORTH GEORGIA MOUNTAINS
TARPON SPRINGS, FL
THE ORIGINAL SPONGE CAPITAL OF FLORIDA
Born as a logging town in the early 1900s, Helen reinvented itself in the late 1960s to be a replica of a Bavarian Alpine village. Today, tourism is the town’s main thrust, and this delightfully odd destination is worth the trip to Northeast Georgia.
Motels, German-styled restaurants and vineyards abound, and the surrounding area sports a raw natural beauty that offers hiking, camping and boating on the local lakes. Unicoi State Park offers a beautiful lake and campsites. Trails run through the Chattahoochee National Forest to the Anna Ruby and Raven Cliff waterfalls. In Smithgall Woods State Park, Dukes Creek is known for trout. Hardman Farm State Historic Site includes an 1870 homestead and the Nacoochee Indian Mound burial site.
You’ll drive there, and the trip will be roughly eight hours, so plan accordingly. Spring through Fall are the best times to go.
Located on central Florida’s Gulf Coast just north of Tampa, Tarpon Springs is a quiet jewel on the water. Greek eateries line waterfront Dodecanese Boulevard, a legacy of the Greek sponge divers who settled here in the early 1900s. Along the water, the Historic Sponge Docks are a reminder of the once booming industry. The 1940s St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church has stained glass and a Grecian marble altar.
The town features interesting shopping, eating and drinking. The Summer crowds can be a bit daunting, so plan accordingly.
Driving from the Rivertown area takes a little over three hours, and the beastly i-4 corridor can be avoided by heading west to Palatka, then across the state, coming out on i-75 north of Tampa. You may spend 20 more minutes on the road, but you’ll be in a much better mood when you arrive.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
In Rivertown, we love family parties. There is nothing better than getting together with loved ones and friends to create memories. We love the fact that Q&L Social Solutions has our back when we need a bit of help with setting the scene.
They can supply 10 foot popup tents, hi-top bar tables, propane heaters, and even large projection screens for movies. They can help us turn a gathering into a celebration, and they’re right here in the neighborhood. Trust us, this is a Rivertown family worth supporting!
FAMILY SERVICES
INTRODUCING THE BOWEN FAMILY
My wife and I were born and raised in Williamsport, PA
We became Rivertown Residents in January of 2018.
We like to do something a little different each year. Whether it is a cruise, an island, the Florida Keys... we enjoy making family memories.
We love all of the great friendships we have developed, the amenities, and the beauty of our surroundings.
We like Julington Creek Fish Camp. Recently, we tried Simone’s Wood Fired Craft Kitchen and will be going back.
