Greetings!
Welcome to the June Edition of my newsletter. Please feel free to reply with a comment. I am always looking to improve on the content for my subscribers.
Also, visit my website waltbethel.com to view my listings, search for properties, or to enjoy one of my archived newsletters and stories on Florida History.
Walt
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A taco truck in Arcadia is winning over so many people, pilots from around the state and country are coming to get a taste.
The “Taqueria Queretaro” food truck has been pleasing pilots for two years at “Aviation City” located within the Arcadia Airport.
The food coming from the truck has been attracting more visitors every Taco Tuesday, according to the Arcadia Airport Director, Shelley Peacock.
“You know we were just thinking what can we do to get pilots to come here? So we thought about lowering the fuel price and get a taco truck out here,” Peacock said.
“They say it’s the best tacos around. I mean, they really fly in from all over,” said Peacock.
Peacock said the lines continue to grow since the original Taco Tuesday started at the airport more than two years ago. She had to bring in the barbeque and ice cream trucks to help so people weren’t waiting forever for food.
This gathering brings in people from around the world. We spoke with people from Niagara Falls, Canada, the Netherlands, Illinois, and Michigan.
So what draws everyone in? The camaraderie and the food.
“It’s very nice because in the Netherlands things like this are absolutely impossible. The air traffic control, the airport, the landing fees makes it impossible to have gatherings like this,” Hank Vanderzouw said.
Wayne Nagy flies in every week, not missing a chance to get a taco.
“Four times a month so that’s a lot of taco-eating but it’s really worth it,” Nagy said. “It’s just a fun of fun, I’ll go anywhere for some food.”
Nagy’s trip is shorter than others, coming from Page Field, but he said it’s well worth it.
“It’s almost like a mini airshow every week when we come up here and that’s one of the reasons why we come,” Nagy said.
This happens every Tuesday so if you’d like to fly in for some tacos, bbq, or even ice cream, you always have next Tuesday to head over. You can also drive to the Arcadia Municipal Airport if you live nearby.
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Did You Know?
Aviation City=Arcadia
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Tucked way off a backcountry, quiet rural road is a busy little general aviation airport — well known and getting even more well known after having been named the 2020 Airport of the Year by Florida Department Of Transportation- Arcadia Municipal Airport.
But this is only part of the aviation of DeSoto County. Arcadia's aviation roots began during WWII.
Dorr Field was named after a pilot, Stephen Dorr. It was located 11 miles east of Arcadia. This airfield was used to train pilots during both world wars. At the end of WW I, this training base was closed but at the start of WW II was reactivated. After the second war ended Dorr Field was abandoned.
There was also Carlstrom Field was named after a British pilot, Victor Carlstrom. It was located 7 miles south of Arcadia. This airfield was also active during both world wars, being shut down first in 1923. In October of 1919, final testing of an experimental aircraft called "Kettering Bug" was successfully tested and launched. This aircraft was built to drop warheads and to fly without a pilot. During WW II, Great Britian sent their young pilots to train at Carlstrom Field. 23 of these British pilot died while there and the city of Arcadia dedicated a special area in the city cemetery (Oak Ridge Cemetery) in their honor, where they were laid to rest. After WW II ended, Carlstrom Field was also abandoned.
Soon Afterwards, the State of Florida purchased both airfields from the Federal Government for only $1.00. Carlstrom Field was turned into a state mental hospital. The runways are still visable. Dorr Field now houses the Desoto County Correctional Institution.
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2022 FCA Convention and Allied Trade Show
June 14-16, 2022
Marco Island, FL
The Florida Cattlemen's premier event where the industry comes together to get down to business for the cattle industry.
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The 2021-2022 Florida citrus season has been challenging — to say the least — for growers and industry stakeholders. Crop forecast numbers from USDA have continually reflected the struggles with HLB, fruit drop, and lingering effects from a freeze event in late January. Last month’s estimate sunk the current all-orange forecast to around World War II-era levels. The latest report, however, features something not seen in quite a while – an increase
USDA forecasters’ updated estimate shows orange production up 5% from April, Valencia increasing 10%. That boosts the total all-orange estimate to now 40.2 million boxes
“Given everything this industry has been through over the past several years, particularly with the weather, 40 million boxes of oranges is something to be proud of,” says Shannon Shepp, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Citrus.
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204+/- Acres Manatee County
42055 Parks Rd. Myakka City, FL 34251
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204+ Acres of Valencia Orange grove in Manatee County. This property includes a manufactured home and two permitted 12 inch wells. Located centrally between Hwy 64 and Hwy 70 off of Wauchula Rd near Myakka City. CALL TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Total Acres: 204.66
Listing Price: $2,000,000
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223+ Acre Hamlin/Valencia Grove
9 J Whitaker Rd. Venus, FL 33960
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223.25 Acre Hamlin/Valencia Grove in Venus, Florida. This property could continue as a producing grove or be converted to farm land. A mobile home, two barns and one permitted 12” well are already in place. An additional 900+ contiguous grove acres are also available.
Total Acres: 223.25
List Price: $1,900,000
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57+ Acres Recreational Land
18 J Whitaker Rd. Venus, FL 33960
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GET AWAY FROM IT ALL!!! BRING THE ATV'S...Purchase this recreational/hunting land and build your country dream home or lodge. Approximately 57+ Acres of beautiful “old Florida” landscape full of incredible Oaks, Cabbage Palm Trees, and improved pasture with an abundance of deer, turkeys, wild hogs and other wildlife. Plenty of room to build a retreat to get out of the city and enter your PRIVATE getaway!!! Located just south of Lake Placid. An easy trip from the east or west coast of Florida. The adjacent 900+ acres is also available for sale.
Total Acres: 57.37
List Price: $725,000
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PENDING!
12.38 Acres with NEW Barn, Lots of OAKS
SW Reynolds Dr. Arcadia, FL 34266
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Beautiful 12.38 acres property with LOTS OF OAKS. This property features two flowing wells and a NEW enclosed 38x30 Metal Barn with roll up doors and a covered padded area. This property would make the ideal country estate. Bring your cattle, horses, or other livestock and enjoy this peaceful piece of land. Call today for a showing!
Total Acres: 12.38
List Price: $399,900
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JUST REDUCED!
11+ Acre Parcels
SE Rice St/ Co Rd 763 Arcadia, FL 34266
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11+ acres offering a quiet and private setting. This is the ideal building site for your dream home with plenty of space for a barn, pond, and animals. Located right off Hog Bay Extension (County Road 763) with quick access to downtown Arcadia. Just 30-40 minutes to Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte and Fort Myers. Seller also has additional adjoining parcels available. Survey available, parcel split/parcel ID pending DeSoto County approval.These beautiful properties won’t last long!!
Listing Price: $200,000-$225,000/parcel
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IDEAL COMMERCIAL LOCATION!
433 Tamiami Trail Port Charlotte, FL 33953
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IDEAL COMMERCIAL LOCATION located on US-41 between Port Charlotte and North Port. 150ft of road frontage on Tamiami Trail PLUS an additional 160ft of road frontage and access on Bowman Terr. Come be part of this growing area with the approved West Port 218 residential lots and planned Murdock Village just down the road. Just minutes to the Tampa Bay Rays Spring training stadium and the Atlanta Braves Cool Park training stadium. This property is zoned Commercial General allowing for a vast amount of uses! Electric and public water/sewer nearby. CALL TODAY FOR MORE INFO!
Total Acres: .97
Listing Price: $340,000
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Former Gym-Potential Warehouse/Shop
5673 Hwy 31 #G Arcadia, FL 34266
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12,089 SqFt space located in South DeSoto County directly off Hwy 31. This was formerly used as a gymnasium for the state owned juvenile justice center, but can easily be converted to a warehouse, or shop. Building includes office space and shop area. ONLY 5 minutes to Arcadia and only 35 minutes to Ft. Myers, Punta Gorda/Port Charlotte and I-75. Neighboring buildings for sale separately.
Total Acres: 2.83
List Price: $950,000
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Nine Parcels Ranging 6-20 Acres Charlotte County
44210 Neal Rd. Punta Gorda, FL 33982
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Mutiple 6-20 Acres of desirable land is waiting for YOU! Offering a quiet and private setting, yet within minutes to Hwy 31 with convenient access into Arcadia, Punta Gorda or Ft. Myers. Ideal building site for your dream home with plenty of space for a barn or animals. Zoning is AG which allows for agriculture and residential and NO deed restrictions.
Listing Price: $149,000-$298,000
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PENDING!
635+ Acres with Orange Grove and Cabin
44511 Nead Rd. Punta Gorda, FL 33982
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635+ Total Acres with approximately 475 acre income producing Orange Grove. This property features Hamlins and Valencia orange trees, a 12” permitted well and barn. In addition, there is a small cabin with beautiful woods. This secluded location is abundant with wild game including hogs, deer and turkeys. This property is located off Hwy 31, centrally located within 20 miles to either Arcadia or Ft. Myers. Don’t miss this opportunity!
Total Acres: 635.96
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SOLD!
177+ Acre Grove Hardee County
Roberts Rd. Ona, FL 33865
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177 +/- Acres of cleared land in Hardee County. Five parcels combine to form this ideal recreational or farm land property. This former orange grove is fenced and gated with permitted 12 inch and 10 inch wells already in place. The entrance is right off Roberts Rd. and approx. 10 miles to either Hwy 64 or Hwy 70.
Total Acres: 177.67
Sold price: $1,164,079
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Walt Bethel is a fifth generation Floridian, born and raised in Arcadia, with a vast knowledge of all areas of Florida Real Estate and an ardent appreciation for Florida history.
The purchase and development of his first orange grove when he was just sixteen years old fueled Walt's passion for real estate.
Since then, he has bought, owned, and sold a wide variety of properties throughout a successful business career. His investments have included acreage, agricultural properties, residential homes, condos, and commercial properties.
Walt's marketing and sales experience was cultivated over time at his family's business, Bethel Farms, where he marketed, managed, and sold products to "Big Box" retailers across the Southeastern and Midwestern United States.
From an early age, Walt's dad instilled in him the values to work hard and always have a goal, to look for a better way of doing things, and to constantly improve on them.
The daily implementation of these principles, coupled with his enjoyment of networking with new people and his experience in business, sales, and marketing, have contributed to Walt's success as a Realtor.
Walt has served on various boards and committees throughout the years. He has coached and actively supports local youth athletic programs and leagues.
He and his wife Jill, also a fourth generation Floridian, reside in Punta Gorda. They have two children, a daughter Peyton and a son Truman.
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