S T. C RO I X R E A LT Y

Messagefrom Amy…

I dearly love summer onSt. Croix. In days ofyore (do let me cast

back), when school wasout for three months, youcould lie on your back inthe grass and gaze skywardfor hours as the cloudschanged formations. You could make out a donkeyor see a triple scoop ice cream cone. Yourimagination carried you wherever it would, and youhad time to indulge it. You could hit the beach andbody surf forever. Or meditate on the waves—though we did not call it meditation then.

Summer here on the island reminds me of thoselong ago times. Busyness takes a back burner. Youare allowed to slow down, to linger over a sandwichin the park.

Speaking of which, do visit our new Sundial Park,which we feature in this newsletter. A communitycollaboration, it’s quite sweet. I understand morningyoga classes are held there this summer. Beforeschool closed, teachers brought students out forlessons in old-fashioned time-telling. A bystander ortwo listened in, no doubt.

If you’re looking for organized activities, St. Croixoffers a slew. This month, Kite St. Croix offers anIntroduction to Paddleboarding and to PaddleboardYoga. The St. Croix Hiking Association hosts off-the-beaten path walks with nature guides, and the St.Croix Environmental Association holds free snorkelclinics. How about an organic Slow-Down Dinner inthe rainforest? Jazz at sunset?

Kids sign up for Discover St. Croix Camp, whichcelebrates Crucian history and cultural traditions atour Whim Great House. Or they attend Yacht Clubsailing camps with top-notch instructors. (St. Croixturns out many a fine young sailor.) Who’s up forsnorkeling the trail at Buck Island?

The calm waters of summer call us all. Enjoy yoursummer, friends!

AmyAmy Land-de Wilde,

Broker/Owner

St.Croix Real Estatereviews

This newsletter written by Anne Salafia annesalafia@gmail.com

CLICKHERECLICKHERE

St.Croix Real EstatereviewsFeaturing Real Estate Market Updates

and Local News of St. Croix, USVI

JULY 2016

l coldwellbankervi.com

l info@coldwellbankervi.com

l coldwellbankervi.com/vacationrentals

l Buccaneer Hotel 340.718.7000

l Gallows Bay Marketplace 340.778.7000

l Frederiksted 340.642.3333

Amy Land-de Wilde

Owners of two longstanding Christianstedbusinesses have turned over their helms to ayounger generation: John Macy of Big Beards

has passed the baton to Steve Kammerzelt, and last fallMiles Sperber welcomed Matt Ridgway as new owner ofCaribbean Sea Adventures. Both enterprises offer BuckIsland excursions, private charters, and weddings.

Known as Big Beard for 37 years on St. Croix, Macywill sample life as a snowbird. “I’ve left Big Beards incapable hands, and I expect to see it flourish,” he said. Inseason, he’ll still wave off passengers bound for Buck,and he’ll conduct marriage ceremonies when asked.

Kammerzelt crewed with Macy for 14 years. He methis wife onboard Renegade during a trip to Buck Island.Later he proposed there. In recent summers, he has runthe operation. So when a friend asked where he sawhimself in 10 years, Kammerzelt replied, “Taking visitorsto Buck Island!” “Buy the business,” counseled his chum.

Native son Matt Ridgway commits to St. Croix’sfuture by sharing its beauty with visitors. “Buck Island isa special place and has been since 1961 when JFKmade it a National Monument. What you see there, youwon’t find anywhere else,” said Ridgway.

While coral is dying worldwide, the reef at Buck Islandis returning. Ridgway credits our local National Park

New Guard Trendingon the Waterfront

Scroll down for more

Matt Ridgway Steve Kammerzelt

Pho

to by Quian

a Ada

ms of Q Studio

Pho

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say Kam

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St. Croix Real Estate Reviews, page 2

The people of St. Croix are famous for their giant hearts and fun-loving spirits. Take, for example, the Kayak for Kids event on June 12th. Sixty-two Crucians and 2 canines jumped in kayaks

or hopped on paddleboards. Most began at Cane Bay on the North Shore, paddled clear around Ham’s bluff, andfinished at Frederiksted Beach. Others took the short course, starting at Ham’s Bay and thus avoiding rougher seas.They all got great exercise, took in fabulous scenery, felt the splash of cool water on their skin and partied at thebeach afterwards. Even better, they raised over $14,000 for the Queen Louise Home for Children. It’s a fun summertradition, and they pay $50 for the pleasure.

Villa Morales Restaurant catered the beach party, serving barbecue chicken, hot dogs, pasta salad, corn on thecob and garden salad.

Every summer since 2000, Lutheran Social Services of the Virgin Islands has hosted the Kayak for Kids benefit.Islanders always rally ‘round. Some donate artwork, jewelry, or gift certificates for raffle at the after party.

“We’ve had a lot of help from longtime supporters,” said Sigorney Creighton, Public Relations andDevelopment Coordinator at LSSVI. “Luther Edwards and JT Torres, our heroes, have been a driving force inplanning this event—from coordinating t-shirts, to preparing food, to gathering sponsors.”

LSSVI, the largest private child and family service agency in the USVI, focuses on child welfare, crisisintervention, low income seniors and programs for folks with disabilities. www.lssvi.org

Service. “They’velearned how to interactwith our marine systemwith little negativeimpact. Our coral isback 50% and getshealthier each year.Elsewhere reefs are indecline. We areregrowing ours,” he said.His motto: Maximumenjoyment, minimumimpact.

“It’s an exciting timeon St. Croix,” he said.“Young people like meare buying or startingbusinesses; themomentum iscontagious!”

“Now is the time toroll the dice; we can allwin. A high tide reallydoes raise all ships,”Ridgway said.

K AYA K F O R K I D S

“It’s an exciting time on St. Croix.”

Photo by Julian Rodier

Photo by Q Studios

Introducing Chris and Christie Powers!We at Coldwell Banker St. Croix Realty welcome Chris and Christie

Powers to our team! They joined our ranks in June and fit in instantly. Wehope you will have the pleasure of meeting them. You’ll find theirenthusiasm catching.

Lovers of life and laughter, the Powers cotton to the Crucian lifestyle.They first visited St. Croix in 2002 and, by 2004, they had made it theirhome.

“The Crucian people are caring and friendly, and there’s a wonderfulmix of people and cultures,” they said. (The mild temps and theCaribbean Sea factored in.) But both say the “unique” character of St.Croix was cause for putting down stakes. Understand, both had lived invarious places around the world, having grown up with fathers whoworked for large corporations.

When the Powers moved here from nippy Oregon, their longtime home,they bought a tourism-related business. They have worked togetherevery day since. With individual strengths that compliment each other,they work as a team with Coldwell Banker, too. Christie serves on the St.Croix Board of Realtors. Both enjoy working with people.

“We love St. Croix and have a deep knowledge of the island that we find is helpful to home buyers movinghere from off-island, local residents making a change in their living situation, and visitors who are discoveringSt. Croix for the first time,” said Chris. “Everyone needs a place to live.”

Chistie and Chris Powers

Anyone know what time it is in TulipanWelcome?

Sundial Park, on Tulipan Parkside, opened May6th, after two years in the making. The Departmentof Agriculture hosted a ceremony that attracted125 people, including police who helped with thepark’s creation and visiting foresters on island for aconference.

Flashback: When Tulipan Welcome wasdeveloped in the 1970s, plans included a two-acrepark. What evolved instead was a dumping groundfor vehicles, bottles, concrete and wire. In a valley, the plot took on drainage which caused flooding. Stormspassed through and left debris.

In 2013, Alma and Rudy Winkfield rolled up their sleeves. They wanted a park. While they orchestrated thejob and worked hard throughout, the Spring Garden Homeowners Association, along with businesses andfolks islandwide, contributed elbow grease, dollars, materials, trucking, strategy, discounts, and artwork.

“It takes a community,” said Ms. Winkfield, calling the island spirit “miraculous” and Agriculture “amazing.” Through Agriculture, she obtained a federal Urban and Community Forestry grant to plant trees. She

enlisted civil engineer Stephen Samuel who made projections for the park, and she and her Board presentedthe plan.

Out went 33 dumpsters of trash. “I’ve never seen a site so clean!” she said. In came 13 truckloads of rock to build a berm. Fill and 13 boulders to block water followed. Volunteers built

a bridge with poles that Green Cay Marina donated and wood from St. Croix Trading. Colorama providedpaint. Next they constructed a pavilion and built furniture. Isabel Picard and other artists painted murals.Meanwhile, the Winkfields nursed 100-plus native trees in their yard, waiting for planting time. UVI professorStafford Crossman advised on irrigation, and Floor Specialists contributed tiles and labor for the sundial.

Step through the welcoming arms of Sundial Park, named for Antonio Gonzalez Romero (1908-2007) whoonce raised cattle there and sold milk for a nickel a cup. Nicknamed Mr. Sundial, he sold Sundial shoes at hisshop in Christiansted.

“Creating the human sundial was a mathematical challenge,” said Ms. Winkfield. “You are the pole thatcasts the shadow.” (Instructions provided.) “Kids think time is a digital read-out. It’s empowering to tell timethis way.” she said.

Spotlight on

Alma and Rudy Winkfield

Pho

to by Ted Davis

Photos by Alma Winkfield

St. Croix Real Estate Reviews, page 3

ST. CROIX REAL ESTATE MARKET WATCH249

2014-2015 AVERAGE DAYS MEDIAN 2015-2016 AVERAGE DAYS MEDIANSOLD ON MARKET SOLD PRICE SOLD ON MARKET SOLD PRICE

Home Sales 135 321 $275,000 162 314 $247,000 Condo Sales 125 271 $140,000 107 264 $150,000 Land under $39,999 36 350 $28,750 25 393 $24,000Land over $40,000 37 397 $90,000 38 491 $95,000Commercial 13 451 $270,000 17 352 $320,000

Information from the St. Croix Multiple Listing Service * The average sales price and the average days on marketcould be skewed greatly by only one sale or because of thesmall number of annual sales.

CLOSED SALES COMPARISON : 5/31/14 –5/31/15 VERSUS 5/31/15 – 5/31/16

e Good News…

The Numberof HOMESSold was UP 20%

during June this year,compared to June of

last year.

19Aa Teagues Bay

The Villa Madeleine Greathouse,located up on a crest of a hill inTeagues Bay, has far-reaching and

unobstructed views of the renown BuckIsland and the mesmerizing blues ofthe Caribbean Sea. This iconic 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath villa is areproduction of an old sugar plantationgreat house reworked with all theconveniences of the 21st century andcrafted with the finest materials. Theclassic architecture design starts at theWest Indian welcoming arm staircase and continues throughout thedetails embellishing the residence. The beautiful English country-style kitchen has a large pantry, lovely granite counter topscomplimented by custom-built cabinetry, many windows for naturallight and a door that leads to the generous covered gallery andrefreshing swimming pool overlooking commanding views of theNorth Shore. Additional features include teak wood for most of theflooring, West Indian mahogany staircase, travertine flooringembellishing the master bath, sophisticated automated lightingsystem throughout, drip irrigation, 30-kilowatt automated generator and gas-fired hot water heaters.

MLS 09-2053 $2,500,000

ISLAND PROPERTIES286-292 Union &Mt. Washington

Beautiful 6-acre hilltopknoll overlooking the

Caribbean Sea and rollinghills is located in an

established neighbor-hood with paved roads.

Zoned R-2 with norestrictions; opportunities abound for

development or your own very privatemountain-top oasis. Gated for secure access.

MLS 12-1452 $599,000

Willie’s Wish The southern yet West-Indian style of ''Willie'sWish'' makes it one of StCroix's mostrecognizable homes.With a 1/2 acre of land

in a lush setting, this 3-bedroom, 4.5-bathhome has a refreshing swimming pool and isacross the street from the Caribbean Sea.Successful vacation rental history available.

MLS 15-1180 $799,000

DEAL OF THE MONTH102 Pelican Cove

Enjoy the cool breeze and the soothing soundsof the sea as you relax on the covered gallery orin the comfortable living room of this 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo. This condo offers thebest of island living with upscale renovations,beautiful décor and quality furnishings all stepsaway from a sandy beach and a resort-styleswimming pool. Currently a successful vacationrental.

MLS 16-227 $325,000

Click onimagesfor more

informationabouttheseamazingproperties!

RECENTLY REDUCED!

Feature Property of the Month

Photos by Ted Davis