AND NOW RANCHER...

 Tom Golisano

Entrepreneur, philanthropist, civic leader & now Florida rancher - most notably known as  Chairman and Founder of Paychex, Inc., a national leader in the payroll and human resource industry, has recently acquired The Florida Carriage Museum Resort, a 400+ acre ranch in the heart of Florida's historic equestrian countryside. Tom is currently embracing a new business plan for the resort with his acquisition team.

Consistently recognized for his achievements and endeavors by many organizations and national publications, Tom was listed among the Forbes' Top 10 Bosses in the U.S. for three consecutive years, beginning in 2002.  He has established his national headquarters on site at the Grand Oaks for National Popular Vote, a nationwide organization that will guarantee the presidency to the candidate who gets the most votes in the country.

The Grand Oaks Resort is a premier vacation destination with over 400 acres of rolling hills blanketed with sweeping canopies of ancient Granddaddy Oaks and home to the world's largest private collection of antique carriages and equine artifacts.  Whether you envision an adventurous get-a-way immersed in equine activities,  igniting your competitive nature by honing your carriage driving skills, fly-fishing in our fully stocked waters, or a relaxing retreat, your visit at the Grand Oaks Resort can be anything your heart desires. 

The Grand Oaks will offer the grace and elegance of traditional Southern hospitality by a resort staff fully prepared to accommodate every need. Celebrate life while 

exploring spectacular settings on horseback, enjoy romantic experiences upon one of our many world renowned antique horse drawn carriages and revel in the comfort of one of our 26 private country chateaus. Whatever you're looking for The Grand Oaks Resort is uniquely the ideal venue for equestrian, corporate and private events.

GRAND OAKS EVENTS

The Grand Oaks Resort, home of the Florida Carriage Museum, proudly announces internationally renowned Australian four-in-hand driver, Gavin Robson as part of their team!

...by Gloria Austin

Each morning for over 50 years I filled the stable buckets with either feed or water in the care of the horses.  Now with the New Year and what we Americans call "retirement," my "bucket" is filled with a list of many things I yet wish to accomplish.  As with many of you, retirement can be as busy or busier than a working career, but with my bucket in hand I am starting to plan and accomplish each of the many items on the list.

My theme song has always been Willie Nelson's "On the Road

Again," so the opportunity to report to all of you on my travels and 'coming and goings' seems a perfect way to chronicle my adventures from around the world, The Grand Oaks, and my back yard.  Believe me there are plenty of happenings to share ... horses, carriages, people, and dancing have dominated my life ... and there are many a tale to tell and many to live.  Living in Central Florida where the sunshine fills each day, there are many activities to choose from ... The Grand Oaks and The Villages beacon each day with all of their activities ... and from here one can easily access the highways and airports connecting you to any part of the world.

The year ahead will start with a very special trip in June to Great Britain to attend Prince Phillip's 90^th birthday party; visit with John Parker, one of the world's greatest and few remaining Coachmen; see the outstanding play the "War Horse" at the West End Theater; and observe The Trooping The Colours.  

Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, will have many  birthday celebrations and I will be attending one on June 6^th for all of his 'horsey' friends.  The Prince has been a longtime horseman and a leading figure in developing the sport of combined driving.  With his former coachman, David Saunders, the Prince designed one of the first marathon carriages, with a typical box seat and a chariot type standing platform in the rear.

My friend John Parker, who I will see at the party, is an English horseman that looks the part of a British Coachman with a profile recognizable in movies and on the streets of London.  In 1984, John broke the record for the furthest distance driven by a single coachman when he drove from Bristol to London stopping only to change teams. This record stood unbroken for 12 years until 1996, when to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the last Royal Mail Coach to run from London to Norwich, John broke the record again. This time driving his London-Norwich Royal Mail Coach the 139 miles from London to Norwich, and completing the journey in an incredible in 21.5 hours.

The world renowned play the War Horse is based on novel about a boy's beloved horse that was sold to the cavalry and shipped to France for service in WWI.  WWI represented another major historical moment of the role of the horse and civilization.  During the war, over 10,000,000 horses and mules died in what became known as the first modern war.  The irony is that the horses in the United States came from Europe and during this devastating war we were shipping horses back from whence they came.  We have little comprehension of  the value of these animals as war machines and their tragic fate.

An added adventure during the trip will be to see the "Trooping the Colour." The custom of Trooping the Colour dates back to the time of Charles II in the 17th century when the Colours of a regiment were used as a rallying point in battle and were therefore trooped in front of the soldiers every day to make sure that every man could recognize those of his own regiment.  This massive event, celebrating the Queen's birthday takes place only once a year and will be carried out by the fully trained and operational troops from the Household Division (Foot Guards and Household Cavalry) on the Horse Guards Parade grounds in Whitehall.

Next month I will report on this Glorious Adventure.     G

• On-Line Reservations 
• Spa Services 
• Gourmet Grocer 
• Live Entertainment
• Concert Series

• Friday Night Events

  "Polo & Steak"

For information on publication of your

please click the link below

Email Amanda

  Amanda Daugherty

~ Sales, Marketing & Newsletter Publisher

3000 Marion County Road

Lady Lake, Florida 32195

352.750.5500