www.deayalaproperties.com | De Ayala Properties | Arena Ventures | Islands of Rockport | www.centralhockeyleague.com | Texas Migrant Council, Inc. Dba New America Corporation | Kiki De Ayala | Islands of Rockport

But wait, there’s more. In addition to the above Longhorn single season records, De Ayala also holds the career records for sacks (40.5) and quarterback pressures (117). And he not only holds the record for most quarterback pressures in a season, he also had the second best season ever, getting 47 quarterback pressures in 1981. Not surprisingly,
De Ayala was named All Southwest Conference first team in 1982 and second team in 1981. He was also a team Captain in 1982.

In addition to setting individual records, De Ayala played in one of the greatest games in Longhorn history, the 1982 Cotton Bowl, which pitted the #6 Longhorns against Bear Bryant’s #3 Alabama Crimson Tide. The Longhorns were on the short end of a 10-0 score entering the fourth quarter. The Horns scored on a 30-yard quarterback draw to narrow the lead with ten minutes left. Then, with just over two minutes on the clock, Texas finished off an 80-yard drive to pull ahead 14-10. Alabama returned the following kickoff into Longhorn territory, but the drive was stopped when the Horns intercepted an Alabama pass at the Longhorn one-yard line. After failing to gain much on three downs, Texas coach Fred Akers elected to take a safety rather than punt, which let the Horns kick from their own 20-yard line, rather than from their own end zone. This put Alabama in worse field position, but the safety made the score 14-12, giving Alabama a chance to win if they could get in field goal range. In fitting fashion, De Ayala sacked Alabama’s quarterback to end the game. It was a storybook ending to a legendary game.

How did a six foot one inch, two hundred thirty pound defensive end overcome those six foot six, three hundred pound offensive linemen to get to the quarterback so often? “Really, it was just hard work,” said De Ayala. “I was pretty quick, so sometimes I used my speed to get around them. And I was fairly strong, so sometimes I used leverage and strength to go through them. But mostly, I had to out-think them.”

After his college career, the Cincinnati Bengals picked De Ayala in the sixth round of the 1983 NFL draft. But times then were different from now. The upstart United States Football League (USFL), a new professional league that began its initial season in the spring of 1983, also drafted De Ayala that year. USFL teams spent freely in those early days and signed some of the top college players, including Heisman Trophy winners Herschel Walker and Mike Rozier. De Ayala was able to sign for considerably more money with the USFL’s Houston Gamblers than he would have gotten from the Bengals. Since the drafts didn’t occur until after the USFL season started, De Ayala had to wait till the start of the next season, the spring of 1984, before playing.

The Gamblers were one of the USFL’s most exciting teams, featuring future NFL Hall of Famer Jim Kelly at quarterback. The Gamblers made the playoffs in both of De Ayala’s seasons (1984 and 1985) and he excelled, garnering All-USFL honors at linebacker each year.

When the USFL folded after the 1985 season, De Ayala signed with the Bengals, who still held his draft rights. He signed a two-year contract and played the 1986 and 1987 seasons, but the toll of professional football caught up to him and limited his effectiveness. “I had six major surgeries. I played out my contract and decided it was time to move on.” After the ’87 season, De Ayala stepped away from football and embarked on his second career, as a businessman.

Today, De Ayala is president of De Ayala Properties, a real estate development firm based in Houston, Texas. De Ayala has been involved in large development projects in Houston, Laredo and San Antonio, Texas, including the Laredo Entertainment Center, a $40 million, 10,000 seat multi-use stadium that houses the Laredo Bucks hockey team of the Central Hockey League. De Ayala was a part owner of the Bucks until recently, and still has a significant real estate development project in Laredo.

De Ayala Properties is now developing a new high-end waterfront community in Rockport, Texas, called The Islands of Rockport. “Rockport is one of the most unique cities I’ve been to,” said De Ayala. “ There is so much for everyone that it attracts people from all over the country. The community does a great job of creating excitement. Rockport has its famous festivals including the Wine, Art, Bird, and Oysterfest every year, which attract thousands of visitors. You can’t beat the combination of fishing and golf during the day and fine dining at night. It makes perfect sense why so many people are choosing Rockport as their vacation or permanent home”.

De Ayala is involved in the Rockport community as more than a developer; he’s an avid outdoorsman and recently sponsored the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) fundraising dinner, which raised money to help protect local waterways and marine life. “The CCA is a wonderful organization. The volunteers are what make it great. The fundraiser was heavily attended. We brought in a lot of paintings and sculptures for auction, and raised a nice amount for CCA. I’d love to do it again next year.”

The Islands of Rockport, located directly on the Intracoastal Waterway, consists of 140 lots, 136 of which are on the water. The community will have its main water entrance on the Intracoastal, then have a series of wide, connected canals. De Ayala, being a fisherman, is quick to point out that residents of The Islands can jump in their boat and “be fishing in Estes Flats for redfish and trout in two minutes, or they can jump on the Intracoastal and be in Port Aransas in 10 minutes for lunch or out in the Gulf in 15 minutes for deep-sea fishing.”

About those boats. The canals of The Islands were specifically made deeper and wider (around 130 feet) to accommodate larger boats. “There are very few waterfront communities that can accommodate both small and large boats with such ease and provide access to great water and certainly fewer that have our amenities”.

“When I started the process of designing The Islands of Rockport a year and a half ago, I wanted quick access to both deep water and the flats, and I wanted top-notch amenities. Private gated entrance, resort style pool and clubhouse, wide roads for biking and running, and wide, deep canals for all size boats,” said De Ayala. “The lot size averages around 9000 square feet, with larger ones up to 15,000 square feet,” said De Ayala. “While not being too strict, we do have architectural restrictions to ensure that the community has an island style flavor in materials, color and design.”

And best of all, of the 140 lots, over 80 have already been pre-sold, a huge amount for a new development. Pre-selling these days is usually slow going. But leave it to a man who excelled at rushing quarterbacks to inspire a land rush on The Islands of Rockport.

Migration Celebration is a joint effort between the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Friends of the Brazoria Wildlife Refuges along with many of their other partners in conservation. The event is held to raise awareness of our local National Wildlife Refuges and the valuable wildlife resources in Brazoria County.

Photo Contest categories include: Birds of the USA, Birds of the World, Wildlife, Plant Life and Mid-Coast Refuges.  To encourage young nature photographers a new youth division has been added. Anyone 17 or younger can submit photographs in any of the categories. The photo entry deadline is March 28 at 4:00 p.m. 

Winning photographs will be unveiled April 17 at the fundraising dinner at RiverPlace in Freeport. All eligible entries will be displayed during all three days of Migration Celebration.

“You don’t have to have a fancy camera and years of experience to produce winning photographs”, said David Plunkett, Migration Celebration Chairman.  “Photographers with point and shoot digital cameras produce winning photographs in our contest.”

Winning photographs from the 2007 and 2008 contests are posted on the Migration Celebration website.      

For additional information about the photo contest or Migration Celebration visit www.migrationcelebration.org, e-mail information@migrationcelebration.org or call 866-403-5829.

The Texas Gulf Coast is open for Texas beach travelers. The Lone Star State has weathered the storms and is inviting everyone back for a fresh look, just in time for family fun during TX Spring Break. From the unique cultural festivals to the sandy beaches, the Texas Gulf Coast offers something for every kind of Gulf coast traveler - water sports, outdoor adventure, fine dining, and beachside relaxation.

Galveston is a coastal gem filled with sunny beaches, diverse shopping, coastal cuisine, museums and historic home tours. Fine dining and fresh seafood are plentiful, and The Grand 1894 Opera House features a host of theatrical productions. Visitors will also enjoy the Strand Historic District, Moody Gardens' Aquarium Pyramid and Discovery Pyramid.

Just east of Corpus Christi, Port Aransas and Mustang Island offer families plenty of fun in the sun on the Gulf coast. Visitors will enjoy miles of beautiful open beaches, dolphin tours, and a variety of water activities. Nature tourism is at its best on Mustang Island, which has one of the highest bird counts on the Gulf Coast. Port Aransas has an abundance of birding sites, including the Wetland Park, Joan & Scott Holt Paradise Pond, the Leona Belle Turnbull Birding Center and the South Jetty, all of which are on the Great Texas Birding Trail.

Located at the southern tip of Texas along the Gulf coast is South Padre Island, one of the country's most popular beach destinations, given its laid-back ambience and beautiful beaches. Encompassing more than 130,000 acres, the island is famous for its fishing, camping and windsurfing. Visitors will also enjoy a variety of other water activities, from kayaking and beachcombing for shells to kite-surfing, jet skiing, parasailing and surfing.

Houston offers a selection of historic, boutique and brand name hotels, and more than 5,000 restaurants with culinary choices representing more than 35 countries and American regions. Visitors will find shopping choices for any budget, a rich museum district and the 17-block Theater District, which is home to nine world-class performing arts organizations and five diverse venues. Bay Area Houston is home to NASA and the Johnson Space Center, as well as the Kemah Boardwalk, featuring seaside restaurants, shops, and thrilling amusement park rides.

Visitors to Beaumont will sense a bit of Cajun culture mixed with the Texas experience, as they explore the art and energy museums, pet the alligators at Gator Country, and enjoy Tex-Mex or spicy hot boiled crawfish at one of the local restaurants.

Located 90 miles east of Houston, Port Arthur is home to a host of historical and cultural attractions, including the Museum of the Gulf Coast - showcasing the area's rich musical heritage, including Janis Joplin, George Jones, Harry James and J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson - the Buu Mon Buddhist Temple, and Rose Hill Manor, one of the city's oldest landmarks which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Travel to the beaches of Texas along the Gulf coast.

February in Galveston means one thing: Mardi Gras. For weeks leading up to big celebration, preparations are made all over the Island: you’ll hear the sounds of banging and clanging as floats for the parade are built, you’ll read stories about the costumes and Krewes expected to take part, caught up in the spirit of the moment, you’ll clamor for tickers to the parties.

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Developers Bob Bell and Cheri Sperling have been working on the project for two years, and are proud to offer such a rare property to North Padre.

There will be 5 waterfront Villas and 17 water view Villas. All Villas will be spacious 3 bedroom, 21/2 to 31/2 bathroom, with some Villas easily converted to 4 bedroom if you wish. The secret is Villas of Padre is a custom development designed for you. The Villas will range in size from 2300 sq.ft. plus to over 2750 sq.ft. possible. All Villas will feature a rooftop terrace, designed to enjoy the views of the island, from the morning sunrise to the evening sunset plus Corpus Christi Bay and the city skyline at night.

The project is designed by Taylor Mauck of Island Architects, Inc. Bob and Taylor describe The Villas of Padre as “BAREFOOT LUXURY.”

There is a high priority on enjoying and relaxing with exceptionally low maintenance. The Villas will feature concrete construction, energy efficient HVAC and on demand hot water. The emphasis is on enjoying your “Villa” and the life you deserve. Have Fun. To take full advantage of the Island setting, both common and dedicated boat docks will be available, capable of handling boats up to 50 feet. A lagoon pool will feature a hot tub, tanning ledges, and a cabana with a cooking station.
According to the builder, Kurt Tugman of Edgewater Homes Development Company, the units are structured to be open living style. Interior features include stainless steel appliances, granite tops in both the kitchen and bath, Jacuzzi tubs, and high impact doors and windows. Most units will have private yards and stained concrete driveways. All units will have covered balconies and private elevators. Homeowners’ monthly fees will be approximately $450, and will cover property insurance for wind, fire and flood, pool/ground maintenance and quarterly pest control.

Phase 1 started in late July ‘08 and consists of 4 waterfront villas. Bell hopes to start phase 2 later this year and have the total project completed in late ‘09 or early 2010.

“The Villas are designed to capture the essence of why we move to the water— Enjoy the Life – Barefoot Luxury,” said Bell.

For more information on the Villas of Padre, please visit the website at www.thevillasofpadre.com or call 361-549-9171. Listed with Betheny Bell at Coastline Properties.

Two wind farms located south of Corpus Christi are scheduled to start producing energy before the end of the year. Australian based Babcock and Brown started a $700 million project last year on 300 acres of land in Kenedy County. It will consist of 118 wind turbines that will generate 283 megawatts per year, or enough electricity to power 60,000 homes. The electricity will be sold in the Texas wholesale electricity market.

Just up the road and also in Kenedy County, Iberdrola Renewables, ( previously PPM Energy), based in Portland, Oregon, is constructing the Penascal Wind Farm. It will consist of 84 wind turbines that will produce 202 megawatts of electricity each year, sufficient to power 40,000 homes. It will also occupy around 300 acres. PPM recently announced it has reached a 15 year agreement with San Antonio’s municipal power company, CPS, under which CPS will purchase over 40% of PPM’s yearly output, 75 megawatts, enough to supply electricity for around 17,500 homes per year.

Wind Energy Systems Technology (WEST), based in New Iberia, Louisiana, with an office in Houston, is planning an offshore wind farm, locating its windmills on old oil platforms. It will be located seven miles southeast of Galveston. Plans are to build fifty to sixty turbines, at a cost of $300 million, which will produce 150 megawatts per year, or enough for 30,000 homes. The WEST turbines are expected to be producing by 2010.

Houston-based Hydro Green Energy, LLC and WEST have also teamed up to study the feasibility of a combined wind/hydro power operation. The hydro-power side of the venture would harness ocean waves to create electricity. The combination of wind and wave energy together on the offshore platforms could result in the sharing of transmission line placement, construction costs and maintenance costs.

Although wind energy is renewable and doesn’t have the pollution problems of coal or oil facilities, environmental concerns have been raised, mainly regarding the migration patterns of birds. The main issue is whether the large blades of the windmills either kill large numbers of birds or alter their traditional migration routes. Iberdrola Renewables’ Communication Director, Jan Johnson, says they are aware of these concerns and are taking action to make sure their impact on nature is minimized. Johnson says PPM has studied migration patterns and even monitored local bird movements with radar. “We identified areas of higher bird traffic, and have relocated some of the turbines to less trafficked areas”, she said. A lawsuit filed to stop construction of the Kenedy County wind farms due to concern over the avian issues was dismissed.

Another project close to being approved is a small wind farm located in the Port of Corpus Christi. Colorado-based Revolution Energy is negotiating with the Port authorities to construct wind turbines on Port-owned land. The $65 million construction project would make the Port of Corpus Christi the first port in the country to have renewable power generation facilities located on its property.

Corpus Christi is also considering putting in small, self contained wind turbines to help power portions of a new downtown waterfront development.

The big wind turbines (propellers to you and me) need strong prevailing winds. Prevailing winds have two things: very constant wind speed and very constant wind direction. Changes in wind speed or direction make a location poor for big wind farms.  Fugitte’s wind energy product is designed to harness the wind no matter the direction. Shifting wind directions don’t bother it. It also needs only 10 M.P.H. winds to begin producing electricity. “That’s why we’re a good solution for coastal areas,” Fugitte said. “They generally have strong winds, but not usually prevailing winds, because the direction and speed change. A marina would be a perfect location for our turbine.”

Fugitte’s turbine looks and operates differently from the big propellers we see populating the large wind farms. His product doesn’t use propellers, but rather a cylinder that looks like an auger. It is technically referred to as a sail. But it doesn’t look like any sail you’ve ever run up a mainmast. “The large windmills have propellers mounted on a horizontal axis around which the propeller turns. Our design has a vertical axis around which the sail rotates,” Fugitte said. “Our sail uses the same principle as a boat’s sail; it’s a drag system, which any sailor will understand. Our turbine catches the wind like a sail. A propeller is a lift system, like an airplane wing.”

Looks aren’t the only thing that separate Wind Energy’s vertical axis turbine from the big propeller turbines. The big wind farms pump their electricity to a regional power grid, where it is sold to utility companies. Wind Energy Corp. is providing an “off grid” solution . . . the power each turbine creates goes directly to the end user’s power system, never entering the electric power grid. It is a stand-alone power generator. The electricity it produces travels by wire directly to the client’s power control panel, and then is used just like power from the electric company.

The Wind Energy turbine is designed for commercial applications. A prototype, dubbed “Windy 2”, is currently undergoing beta testing at Texas based grocer H-E-B’s distribution center in Weslaco, Texas. Two 195 foot-tall meteorological towers have been up since March, testing wind speed and direction. Windy 2 was installed atop a 100 foot tower in mid-August, and will be tested for several months to measure output and to see what tweaking may be necessary. “We’ve done lots of design and wind-tunnel testing, now we’re field testing it,” Fugitte said.

Shelley J. Parks, from H-E-B’s Public Affairs department, said the grocery chain is “very excited” about Windy 2. “This is a new technology. As far as we know, this research and development project is the first of its kind. There hasn’t been any in-depth research on wind in South Texas. Airports record some basic information, but our tests provide much more data.” H-E-B’s goal, according to Parks, is to determine if a roof mounted system can provide partial power to its buildings, reducing electric costs and lowering its carbon footprint. It is also hoped that the turbine can produce emergency power during power outages. “H-E-B has an Environmental department to try to develop natural resources. Our stores in Austin get some of their power from the larger wind farms in West Texas, and our McCreeless Market location in San Antonio gets 30% of its electricity from wind power,” Parks said. “We are very interested in wind energy and look forward to Windy 2’s results.”

The field-testing of Wind Energy’s turbine is the last stage of its development. According to Fugitte, there are three ways to improve any particular turbine. “First, you can improve the design of the sail, to catch more wind. Second, you can improve the electronics to generate more electricity with every turn of the turbine, and third, you can explore for wind. At the Weslaco location, we are exploring for wind. The meteorological towers will help us determine the best location and height for this turbine. This is referred to as ‘micrositing’. Wind behaves differently at different sites. Winds 30 feet up in Gulfport, Mississippi may behave very differently from 30 feet up in Weslaco. We are ‘micrositing’ for this turbine, trying to find the best location at this particular site.”

The sail for Wind Energy’s system is made up of advanced composite materials, very similar to those used on Boeing’s Dreamliner aircraft, and are very light yet strong. The turbine is 19 feet tall and 13 feet wide, but weighs less than 200 lbs. Its peak capacity is 25kW to 50kW.

The future of vertical axis wind turbines seems pretty bright. Fugitte foresees uses by factories and businesses to replace or reduce reliance on grid supplied electricity. He also sees neighborhoods or communities putting up their own towers to supply homes with emission-free electricity. And why shouldn’t we listen to him. Just like Mr. Drysdale knew a good thing when he saw Jed Clampett and his oil, Mr. Fugitte should know a good thing when he sees it; he’s a retired banker.

Lakewood Yacht Club Sailing Director Mattia D’Errico and accomplished Laser sailor, will direct the program and coordinate the coaching.   Lakewood Yacht Club has also agreed to allow Bay Access the use of its youth sailing facilities for this extended Clinic.

For further details and ticket information, visit www.texasinternationalboatshow.com, call 561.842.8808.

Texas Farm and Ranch Property Blanco, TX Comal County, Lavender Farm, Horse Farm, Vineyard, Hill Country, San Antonio, Austin.

Unique property, with historic value. 18 acres, ag exempt, fenced. Hill Country, very private. Highway frontage. Pre-1900 farm house, partially restored with new roof, central air/heat, well, new 2000 gallon water storage. Perfect for small business, horses, artists, vineyard, or lavender. 35 minutes to north San Antonio, 45 minutes to south Austin. Metal roof. Between Blanco and Wimberly. Can subdivide. Windmill. Screen porch. $235K

If you have any clients that might be interested, please contact Alysha Nichols-Sparkman 830-964-4355.

Texas Farm and Ranch Property Blanco, TX Comal County, Lavender Farm, Horse Farm, Vineyard, Hill Country, San Antonio, Austin.

Unique property, with historic value. 18 acres, ag exempt, fenced. Hill Country, very private. Highway frontage. Pre-1900 farm house, partially restored with new roof, central air/heat, well, new 2000 gallon water storage. Perfect for small business, horses, artists, vineyard, or lavender. 35 minutes to north San Antonio, 45 minutes to south Austin. Metal roof. Between Blanco and Wimberly. Can subdivide. Windmill. Screen porch. $235K

If you have any clients that might be interested, please contact Alysha Nichols-Sparkman 830-964-4355.

The Williams’ stunning residence is an artful blend of Floridian and Mediterranean architecture enhanced by a breathtaking bay-front setting and panoramic vistas from every vantage point.  The negative-edge swimming pool and a spa are embellished with lush tropical landscaping, three waterfalls and dramatic exterior lighting.  Designed by Frank Romel and constructed by custom home builder Mark Uhr, the distinctive estate-style home is a masterpiece in design and craftsmanship.  

Joan and Sam’s home is brimming with classic appointments and furnishings orchestrated by designer Julie Harris of Buddy Walker Home Furnishings in Corpus Christi.  Working closely with the Williams, Julie masterfully coordinated various aspects of interior selections, such as the tile throughout the home that combines Tuscan influence with tropical elegance.  The exquisite décor is in perfect harmony with personal treasures acquired by the Williams on their travels around the world.  At every turn, their collections of art and cherished family mementos punctuate their personal style. 

For their first coastal Christmas, Joan Williams has carried on the tradition of decorating extensively and beautifully for the holidays.  Their former home in Ganado was always adorned with themed Christmas trees in every room.  The collection of trees included the Safari, the Nature, the Traditional, the Seashell, the Victorian, the Teddy Bear, the Beanie Baby, the Novelty and the Texas.  Through the years, each generation of the family has savored the sparkling atmosphere of what is affectionately referred to as “the gathering place” at Christmas time.

In the impressive entry, a Collection tree is decorated with Wizard of Oz ornaments, collectible Santas and Joan’s collection of doctor’s Christmas ornaments.  Near the expansive wall of glass overlooking the bay, a new 12 foot brilliantly decorated Rockport tree blends the past with the present.  The fireplace mantel is adorned with garlands, and vintage Santas stand at attention.  A highlight of the Great Room decorations is Joan’s 6’x6’ three-tiered Snow Village Christmas display, which recaptures childhood memories of her hometown in Illinois.  

The formal dining room is accented with built-in breakfronts, and the Williams’ extensive Waterford crystal collection is displayed in a classic curio cabinet.  For Christmas, Joan’s Waterford Village adds to the ambiance.  Basking in forever views of the bay, an adjacent morning room lends itself to holiday entertaining.  The gleaming state-of-the-art kitchen takes on a festive air, with seasonal accents placed to add merriment.  Cookbooks are temporarily moved to the side in favor of a large collection of Fitz and Floyd Christmas collectibles, the granite countertops feature an array of Christmas Spode china and accessories, dozens of nutcrackers are interwoven into the cabinetry shelving and a generous island is home for four animated carolers singing the Twelve Days of Christmas.  There’s even a jovial reindeer to delight the grandchildren. 

Just past an art niche graced with an original sculpture by the celebrated artist Monroe, the master bedroom suite is a world unto itself.  The sitting room enjoys magnificent views of the bay, and various display cabinets and lighted breakfronts are rife with nostalgia.  In the master suite entry, handsome cabinetry is overflowing with doctor collectibles, memorabilia from a condominium formerly owned in Galveston, family photographs, a baseball signed by Nolan Ryan and a calabash of treasures that reflect Joan’s love of collecting.  In the bedroom area, an additional lighted breakfront is filled with an extraordinary Lladro collection acquired during Joan and Sam’s extensive European travels.  A Victorian tree decorated with ornament dolls complements a display case filled with 1930’s Storybook dolls inherited from Joan’s grandmother.  A see-through fireplace between the bedroom and a lavish master bath adds emphasis to the warmth and serenity of the master suite, which is in a private wing.

With an old world Santa positioned at the doorway, Sam’s library is a handsome retreat.  For the holidays, African artifacts and art are interwoven with glimpses of vintage Santas and a ceramic sleigh.  In an adjoining bath, Santas carved in driftwood add a forest-like flavor to the holiday décor.  Just steps away, a formal powder room is decorated with a lighted ceramic tree and a Father Christmas statue.

For the Christmas gathering, even the guest rooms signal the joy of the holidays.  The grand-children’s room is decked out with seasonal accessories such as a collection of Teddy Bears, a Yuletide rocking horse and a decorative gum-drop tree.  The Safari guest suite, which echoes the Williams’ 7 trips to Africa, captures the holiday spirit with whimsical snowmen and figures of Old Father Christmas.  Additional bedroom suites bid welcome to this waterfront home that enunciates the true meaning of “a gathering place”.

Christmas, for the Williams, can be summed up in a single word.  Family.  Joan and Sam, who met as high school sweethearts, have been a “family first” couple throughout the 35 years of their marriage.  They relish good times with their son Chris, his wife Leslie and their grandchildren Ryan, Tristan and Becka.  They treasure holidays with their parents, who will be joining them this year; and, their affection extends to their kitty cats Sophia and Smokey and a loveable poodle, Sissy.  At the Williams household, everyone gets into the act at Christmas.  It is the consummate family affair.

Since Sam’s graduation from medical school, the Williams have enthusiastically embraced adventure.  They have repeatedly hunted in various regions of Africa, in Bolivia, Peru, Russia and Canada.  They have toured almost every country in Europe, and traveled to South America, Australia and New Zealand.  In 1986, Joan and Sam were Olympic Sponsors in Austria for the United States ski team; but, for the 2005 holiday season, the Williams family will remain in Rockport for what promises to be a special Christmas. 

Christmas Eve will find the family opening packages, followed by their traditional dinner on Christmas Day.  Joan’s signature interpretation of the holidays will no doubt reach a crescendo, with the added dimension of sightings of playful dolphins swimming in the back yard, a Blue Heron strolling on the terrace and seagulls soaring through the sky.