The fifth annual edition of the GolfCourseHome Network Dream 18—great residential golf holes representing the best in golf course design is out and Penn National’s Iron Forge #4 has been selected.

The 18 Dream holes were selected from the more than 4,500 golf holes, 250-plus courses created by more than 50 different golf course architects featured on GolfCourseHome.

The GolfCourseHome gallery of Dream 18 holes for 2011 was assembled not just as an all-star list of standout selections, but also with the fun factor more in focus.

Here is the listing for Penn National.

Hole No. 4, Penn National (5^th Iron Forge) Fayetteville, PA
Par 4 384 / 362 / 318 / 301

Founded in 1968 and developed with care ever since by the same stable ownership, this 36-hole redoubt in national-park-style terrain is now home to more than 1,000 families.

All amenities are in place and available, including the two courses, a fine clubhouse, swimming and tennis clubs, the Penn National Inn and a seasonal farmers market. The Gettysburg battlefield and other historic sites are nearby, along with antiquing, outlet shopping, fly fishing and kayaking.

Designed by Bill Love and opened in 1997, the Iron Forge course at Penn National has a rabid following, both for its views of the Michaux State Forest and the great variety of shotmaking challenges.

Hole No. 5 is a par-4 that gets lots of psychological mileage out of its moderate length of 384 yards from the back tee markers. What you may not recognize from the tee, with many a bunker flashing into view, is the fairly safe area for landing your drive down the left side. The fairway makes a graceful “S” curve, from the tee up to the greensite, where there’s an interesting symmetry of pot bunkering left and an elongated bunker right.

Send me more information about Penn National!

To see the article, click http://bit.ly/tnuZHo

An October 15, 2011 article in the WSJ suggests that we may be at that point where it makes sense to buy real estate again. The article is written by Jack Hough of Smart Money Magazine. Here are some of the highlights:

• U.S. house prices have plunged by nearly a third since 2006, and home ownership rates are falling at the fastest pace since the Great Depression.
• Two key measures now suggest it’s an excellent time to buy a house, either to live in for the long term or for investment income (but not for a quick flip).
• First, the nation’s ratio of house prices to yearly rents is nearly restored to its pre-bubble average.
• Second, when mortgage rates are taken into consideration, houses are the most affordable they have been in decades.
• To read the entire article, click here http://on.wsj.com/pNozMz

Here at Penn National, a Where to Retire ‘Top 50 Best Master-Planned Community’, values have never been more compelling. To see for yourself, call or email Diane Boock to arrange a visit–call 800-338, 7523, or email dianeb@pennhomes.com

The Root Family Fruit & Nut Sale comes to this area every November about this time. This year its November 7 & 8th. They set up at the Garber Farm located at 678 Mont Alto Rd. (the lane is next to B&B Roofing).

It’s an interesting story and odyssey. The family owns a farm in the San Joaquim Valley of California specializing in growing almonds and olives. Over the years they have also become distributors for a number of other producers in the Valley. Each year, they make a 6-week, 16-stop tour that begins in California and goes to Idaho making 1-2 day stops along the way as they make their way east to Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia before heading back home. Some of the stops began as visits to their relatives and, over the years, other stops were added.

The Fayetteville stop is one of their biggest–but they aren’t sure why. It may be the great support they get from the Penn National Community!

To learn more about their farm, their schedule and online products, check out their website at http://rootfamilyfarms.com/index.html

From the Website: We are located in the San Joaquin Valley of California and have been growing fine products for over 40 years. We have been supplying our customers with the freshest and most flavorful nuts, dried fruit and candies here in California, throughout the United States and Canada. Most of our products are grown right here on some of the most fertile and productive farmland in the world! We use relationships we have developed with local farmers and processors from America and around the world to bring you the best products. You and your loved ones are sure to be pleased with the fine selection and superior quality we offer here at Root Family Farms.

For Penn National, he was employee #1—he was here from the beginning till early in the morning on Sunday, Oct. 30. Today, we mourn the loss of John Miner who died at home peacefully at the age of 83 with his loving wife Kate at his side.

I knew and worked with John since the early 80’s when Mr. Nitterhouse told me—“get to know John–when you give him something to do, he gets it done. He remembers everything and he can find any piece of paper you’re looking for!” And, as I was to find out over the years, he was amazingly correct.

John was a man in a hurry to get things done and over the years we all marveled at his energy and passion for life. John was the classic “right-hand man”—the guy who didn’t need or want the spotlight but who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make things happen.

John was part of an important generation of local businesspeople from the late 1950’s and 60’s who planted the seeds that became modern-day Franklin County. They saw what the area needed and through their own businesses and, in many cases, their cooperation with other business leaders were able to bring their ideas to fruition. They prospered from their business activities but all found ways to give back to the Community through their generosity and volunteering spirit.

John was a member of many local fraternal organizations and gave of his time generously. John was a driving force in starting the new Lions Club at Penn National. John was also a man of many interests and passions including golf, Penn State football, and collecting.

John will be missed for his friendship, good spirit, and passion for the two big Penn’s in his life-Penn State and Penn National. We pray for Kate in the difficult weeks and months that follow such a loss. For the rest of us who knew him well and got to see him daily, we will draw on fond memories and the knowledge that John has left his mark on everything we see and touch at Penn National.