Mike & Kathy Azzarello
7938 Bishop Lake Rd N
Since Mike Azzarello is Deercreek’s ARB (Architectural Review Board) Chair, you’d expect Mike and Kathy’s home to be beautiful, and it is. Nestled under a canopy of trees backing up to the 10th green, their white exterior with a grey roof and black trim, presents a bright contrast to the shade they receive. Their front facade, framed by columns and a large paver court, create an inviting entrance into their home.
Mike and Kathy moved to Jacksonville from Chicago in 1993 and chose the new Deercreek golf course community to become their home. They liked its convenient location and the opportunity to make friends through golf, tennis and club activities. Their children, Kristin and Michael (then 11 and 8) grew up in Deercreek, participating in golf, tennis and swimming, and graduating from Bishop Kenny High School. Kristin and her family live in Jax so Mike and Kathy have three grandsons living here and are enjoying being part of their activities. These days, they also spend their time taking care of their 8-year-old Golden Doodle, Lilly Pulitzer.
Their home features mature landscaping, with a large Crape Myrtle and two large Pear trees in the front yard and Red Maples along the golf course. Large beds in the front and side yards include purple Siberian Iris and Blue Daze near the street, red Loropetalum hedges along the front and side beds, with Foxtail Ferns, Scheffleras, and Bush Daisies. Mike says the Ligustrum hedges and Azaleas around the house are old but hanging in there.
Through the years they have used landscapers and their own efforts to maintain and update their yard. Kathy is the designer with flowers and choices. Mike is the maintenance man for things beyond weekly grass cutting (which is done by Martinez Lawn Corp). When updating their yard, they focus on adding plants that can stay healthy in the Jax heat while adding some color to their landscaping. And it goes without saying, avoiding plants that our deer love, which is almost everything!
In closing, Mike and Kathy told us Deercreek is a great community of people and friendships. We appreciate Mike’s contributions to the Deercreek ARB for helping to maintain Deercreek’s beauty and value, as well as maintaining their own home.