Bill and Susan Rowland were frequent visitors to the Savannah River.
"We used to ride our bikes on the path by the river all the time," said Mr. Rowland, who also kayaks on the river.
Now, they are no longer river visitors. They're river residents.
About four years ago, the couple moved from Martinez into a 4,200-square-foot home in The Rapids subdivision in North Augusta. The couple had the home built according to a design they created.
"We wanted a home that had everything we wanted and be a place we would enjoy living in," Mrs. Rowland said.
The river played a major role in how they designed their home.
"We wanted to have a view of the river from almost every room in the home," he said.
They also wanted to have many of the things they needed on one floor and have an open floor plan.
"We like having open space to gather and spend time with family," Mrs. Rowland said, noting that they both come from large families and have children and grandchildren of their own. "Spending quality time with family has always been important to us."
The couple spends a lot of time in the family room, where you can see the sun setting over the river in the afternoon, Mr. Rowland said.
"It's a beautiful view," he said.
"And peaceful," added Mrs. Rowland.
Another favorite in the home is the theater.
"It's a much larger screen than a TV, and when you're watching football, it's like being on the sideline," Mr. Rowland said. "It pulls you in."
The couple's home is one of seven stops on the 22nd annual North Augusta Christmas Tour of Homes, sponsored by Beta Sigma Phi. The tour will be held 5:30- 9:30 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Proceeds will fund scholarships for North Augusta High School seniors and go to several North Augusta nonprofit organizations.
For more information about the tour, call (803) 279-4844, (803) 279-5074, or (803) 279-6036.
AT HOME WITH
THE FAMILY: Bill and Susan Rowland
THE HOME: Two-story, 4,200-square-foot home with 4 bedrooms and 31/2 baths
The Neighborhood: The Rapids
Location: North Augusta
Year Developed: Late 1980s or early 1990s
Number of homes in neighborhood: 165-188
Average sale price: $250,000
Average home size: 2,000-3,000 square feet
Neighborhood amenities: streetlights, underground utilities, parks, pool, clubhouse, tennis courts
Nearby attractions: Greeneway, Riverview Park Activities Center, Living History Par
-- Information provided by Betty Beard's office, Meybohm
IF YOU GO
WHAT: 22nd annual Christmas Tour of Homes
WHEN: 5:30-9:30 p.m., Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday
COST: $15, advance; $18 day of tour; $5, individual home
Tickets may be purchased in advance until 2 p.m. Friday from:
Jim Bush Flower Shop, 501 Martintown Rd., North Augusta
Communigraphics, 1400 Georgia Ave., North Augusta
North Augusta Chamber of Commerce, 406 West Ave., North Augusta
Parks Pharmacy, 437 Georgia Ave.
On day of the tour, tickets may be purchased at the homes for $18.
NOTE: Everyone, including children in arms, must have a ticket to go on the tour.
The Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta, 100 Georgia Ave., will be open for refreshments and a rest stop for tour participants. The center's gift shop will be open.
BRUNCH AND FASHION SHOW
WHEN: 10 a.m. Saturday
WHERE: First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 625 Georgia Ave.
COST: $10. Tickets must be purchased in advance by Wednesday. Fashions will be provided by Coldwater Creek.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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