|
Back to Articles
 When
John and Sue McKarns decided to build their retirement home in Royal
Harbor, it was important to them to design many of the home's features
to allow for any future handicaps that might occur. The Design
Department at Pringle Development was most helpful in making suggestions
and determining the McKarns' wishes as the home plans were drawn. Some
of these custom features include a large walk-in shower, safety bars,
wider doorways, French doors, elevated dishwasher, elevated clothes
washer and dryer, lever-type door handles and many other features that
would make life easier.
The location of their Hilton Head model home
allows them to view Little Lake Harris, and the addition of a second
floor over part of the home enhances the lake view.
John was born in West Unity, Ohio. Sue was
born in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, but was raised in Wauwatosa,
Wisconsin. After they married, the McKarns lived in Elmhurst, Illinois,
and moved to Libertyville, Illinois, in 1978, where they lived until
they came to Florida.
John was employed by International Harvester
after obtaining his Mechanical Engineering Degree at Northwestern
University in Illinois. He eventually became a Claims Analyst, and
before retiring, was Manager of Quality Audit. In 1979, John formed a
business that promotes auto racing in the Midwest, and later managed the
Capital Super Speedway in Madison, Wisconsin. He also ran the ARTGO
races, and became president of a corporation that managed the LaCrosse
Fairgrounds Speedway. Their home is considered by neighbors to be the
"NASCAR house," since they have dozens of racing photos and artifacts.
 After
graduating from college in the late '60s, Sue became a first grade
teacher in Elmhurst, Illinois, a position she held for ten years.
Following that, she assisted John in promoting auto racing. She and John
have two sons; Geoff lives in Mundelein, Illinois, and has one daughter,
while Gregg lives in Rockford, Illinois, and has one son. Gregg has
followed in his father's footsteps by becoming General Manager of the
Rockford Speedway.
John and Sue were introduced to Pringle
Development when they visited long time friends Bob and Eileen Daniels,
who had just moved into Royal Highlands, another nearby Pringle
community. When they saw that Royal Harbor was being built on the lake,
they stopped in and purchased their corner lot the same day.
John and Sue expressed that they really
enjoy living in Royal Harbor, partly because of the great neighbors that
they have met since moving into their home in 2002. "This community has
very friendly people who come from many different areas and who are
anxious to meet and socialize with one another," said John. In addition,
the McKarns were very satisfied with all aspects of the building
process, from purchase to closing on their retirement home.
Back to Articles |
