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Casa de La Paz, St. Augustine, Florida
By: Norm Goldman
Artist: Lily Azerad-Goldman
 The heart or “main drag” of St. Augustine Florida is
Avenida Menendez curving around the Bayfront as it cradles this historic
town.
Not far from the City Gates and the old Castillos de
San Marcos and overlooking Matanzas Bay is an elegant and homey inn,
Casa De La Paz.
An inn that is very close to all of the wonderful and
interesting attractions of the oldest city in America; only a stone’s throw
away from shopping, restaurants, art galleries, antique shops, museums, and
the many historical “must see” venues.
The first owners of the property were the Pullers, who
in 1915 made it their private home.
J. Duncan Puller was a prominent banker and a member of
the upper echelons of St. Augustine society.
During the grandeur of the
Flagler era it was not uncommon to build opulent homes, and the Puller’s
residence did not disappoint St. Augustine sophisticated society with the
building’s arched doorways and windows, mirrored fireplaces, leaded glass
bookcases, red tiled roof, and hand carved moldings.
Over the years, depending on who the owners were, the
property served as a private home, kindergarten, restaurant and even
residential apartments. Only in 1986, after extensive renovations, that it
was converted to a charming bed & breakfast.
If you accept the common malaise of burn out, and there
is life beyond the corporate world, I guess you can well appreciate why its
present day owners, Sherri Crews and her husband Marshall, believed that
owning a B&B would be a welcome change of pace. As she indicated to me- “a
dream come true!”
Moving to St. Augustine from Jacksonville, Sherri and
Marshall purchased the Casa De La Paz in 2000.’
Sherri regards the inn as her “baby.” Although her
husband Marshall still maintains his regular job for insurance and
retirement funding purposes, he nevertheless collaborates with Sherri as
web-master and chief accountant.
As she is extremely talented, Sherri has contributed
her amazing talents to gradually changing the inn’s appearance and
recapturing its original personality.
When they first became owners of the property, Sherri
and Marshall found the house too Victorian with its Mediterranean Revival
architecture.
Since Sherri stepped in, every room has been changed,
and there is now more of a European style of décor, as is in evidence, when
you view the seven distinct bedrooms named after famous individuals.
Be sure to ask Sherri for a personal tour of the inn.
You will be amazed at the many surprises that await you from the antique
furnishings, heart-of-pine floors, and richly upholstered sofas to the arm
-chairs and rockers.
If you should be seeking that extraordinary romantic
delight, request a room with a Jacuzzi tub and a decorative fireplace, or a
room with a breathtaking panoramic view of St. Augustine’s Matanazas Bay.
It is little wonder that the inn has been listed as a
top 5 Inn in Kiplingers Retirement Report.
BREAKFAST AT THE INN
Sherri’s two course breakfasts can only be described as
triumphs. You are in for a real treat with the eggs benedict; raspberry
stuffed French toast, ginger pancakes with honey-maple-pecan syrup, and
delicious quiches. All are served in the dining room or in the inviting
wicker-furnished sunroom.
THE INN AS A WEDDING DESTINATION
The inn offers three types of wedding possibilities;
“just the two of us”, (only the bride and groom), a small intimate wedding
up to ten persons, the whole house accommodating up to twenty five people.
Sherri can offer catering services when the whole house
is rented. She has indicated to me that she has produced everything from the
hors d’oeuvres to five course dinners.
The tropical lush courtyard is in bloom year round and
provides the ideal setting for that special and intimate wedding ceremony.
While visiting the inn, Lily and I had the good fortune
of witnessing an intimate brunch reception for a party of twelve. Prior to
the couple tying the knot on a nearby beach, the guests were treated to an
elegant sit down brunch in the dining room around the 10 foot mahogany
table.
Sherri and her competent staff did a masterful job of
setting out the most beautiful plates and cutlery.
THE SPIRIT THAT LIVES ON IN THE INN-DO YOU BELIEVE IN GHOSTS?
 Oops, one last feature of the inn- I forgot to tell you
about -Sherri informed me that the inn is haunted; initially she found the
idea of the house being haunted absurd. Since then she has become a
believer.
Unfortunately or perhaps fortunately, Lily and I did
not have the pleasure of meeting the ghost in residence when we lasted
visited the inn. Perhaps, its is because we don’t believe in ghosts.
We were informed that when the Pullers owned the house,
a young honeymoon couple had stayed with them. On the last day of their
visit, the young groom had decided to go fishing and told his wife to wait
at the house until he returns. Unfortunately, there was a terrible storm
that day and the young man’s boat capsized. He never did return to pick up
his young bride.
The young woman was so sad that she remained in St.
Augustine for several years and eventually died of a broken heart. However,
apparently, her spirit never left the Casa De La Paz awaiting the return of
her husband.
When the inn was converted into apartments it was
reported that some of its occupants, from time to time, heard a knocking on
the doors and a voice murmuring, “is it time to leave yet?” There have been
other sightings, such as a young woman walking down the hallway or at the
top of the stairs with her bag packed and ready to leave.
Lily and I never did meet the ghost, although we did
work up enough nerve to participate in one of the nightly ghost tours
offered by
Ancient City Tours Inc (3 Aviles Street).
This is one tour you will not want to miss. The guides
certainly have a knack of stretching their imaginations!
Did we encounter any sightings? Perhaps!
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Casa De La Paz.
22 Avenida Menendez
Saint Augustine, FL 32084
Tel: 800-929-2915: 904-829-2915
Email:
innkeeper@casadelapaz.com
NEXT DOOR RESTAURANTS
AIA ALE WORKS
1 King Street, St. Augustine, Florida
Tel: 904-829-2977
Here is one restaurant you will have to loosen your
belt. The wide choice of menu is utterly scrumptious and the portions are
humongous! You have to try the beer the restaurant brews. What more can you
ask for?
The restaurant is ideally located overlooking the City
Marina and the Bridge of Lions, making for an ideal romantic location.
Harry's Seafood-Bar-Grille
46 Avenida Menendez
St. Augustine, Florida
Tel: 904-824-7765
This landmark restaurant has a definite New Orleans
flair to it, and they certainly live up to their Cajun philosophy-
“Lagniappe (pronounced Lan-Yap) that translates- “to give a little something
extra.”
If the weather is right be sure to sit outside in the
courtyard, particularly during the evening hours when it is all lit up with
beautiful lanterns.
Menu includes fresh fish, seafood specialties, Bourbon
street favorites, Pasta, fried platters, steak, New Orleans Po’Boys,
Burgers, & Mo.
Norm and Lily Goldman are a unique husband and wife
team, writer and water colorist, who write and paint about romantic
destinations.
www.bookpleasures.com.
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