The Laker/Lutz News

Inland Homes

Living The Dream In Connerton

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Homebuyer preferences are constantly evolving, no matter the age of buyers. The days of formal living and dining rooms have changed into great rooms and family living centers. Luckily, most buyers – regardless of age – are looking for the same features in a community.

A recent study by the National Association of Home Builders revealed that although priority rankings vary slightly between generations, different age groups actually have very similar tastes in what they want in a new home community.

Among the top four most-desired amenities, three were the same for every age group — the desire to live in a suburban community, close proximity to parks and access to walking/jogging trails. The fourth most popular desire is an outdoor, resort-style pool.

The community of Connerton provides all of these amenities for its residents, plus a host of activities that allows them to meet neighbors and enjoy a healthy lifestyle. At Connerton, you will find carefully planned parks and green spaces, a paved trail system within the community and a natural, unpaved trail system in the 3,000-acre Conner Preserve.

Adding to its suburban appeal, many home sites are located on conservation, ponds and lakes. Club Connerton features a resort-style pool, special activities and vacation camps for kids, and an award-winning staff that was recently recognized by the NAHB as its Gold Award Winner for Best Lifestyle Program in the Nation.

Connerton’s suburban setting includes convenient shopping at the community’s entrance at The Arbors Village Center. This busy shopping center is anchored by Publix Super Market, and also offers banking, restaurants, hair and nail salons, a pool store, a liquor store, insurance agencies, a UPS store, pet grooming and a veterinarian clinic. Across the street is a Walgreens drugstore.

Connerton Residents Tell Their Stories
Today’s homebuyers have many choices when looking for a new home community, so we asked some of our residents why they chose Connerton.

Katie and Andrew Ebendick moved to Connerton because they found it to be a family oriented community with lots of activities for adults, as well as children.

When Stephanie and Stephen Adcock began looking for a place to raise their children, they drove from the Citrus Park area and let their children play at the Connerton Cove playground. There they met a neighbor who was out playing with his own children, and he told them how much he loved the neighborhood.

Stephanie Adcock, who is also a Realtor, had this comment. “It has been nine years since we made the decision to join the peaceful Connerton community, and we have never regretted our choice. The friends that we have made are priceless and have made raising a family of four children a beautiful experience. I am never without a helping hand, and my children and I have made many friendships that will last a lifetime.”

Danielle Ludwig and her family moved to Connerton in 2016. “The reason we chose Connerton over anything else was the pool, the events that are hosted and the amenities. We looked at other communities, and at the time, there were no other communities around like Connerton.”

The Allenbaughs fell in love with the fact Connerton had the Norman Rockwell look about it, and just the whole feel of the community. And, the Becwar family agrees, saying they felt that Connerton had that hometown, American feel that they really liked. They also thought the Clubhouse was great, and the people just absolutely fabulous!

See For Yourself
Connerton is not just another community — it’s a New Town, a lifestyle and place where hundreds of families have made their new home. With 77 percent of residents moving from within the Tampa Bay area, and another 6 percent relocating from other parts of Florida, Connerton has truly become the premiere community of central Pasco County.

So please stop by, take a tour of the Clubhouse and visit the model homes offered by M/I Homes, Lennar, Inland and Homes by WestBay. You may just decide to stay for a lifetime.

Connerton is located approximately six miles north of the intersection of State Road 54 and U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes. For more information, visit Connerton.com.

According to the NAHB study, top amenities buyers want are:

  1. Suburban setting
  2. Parks and green spaces
  3. Paved trail systems for walking, jogging and biking
  4. Outdoor, resort-style pools
  5. Exercise rooms and equipment
  6. Village centers with retail services and restaurants
  7. Lakes and ponds
  8. Natural, unpaved trail systems for walking and hiking

Connerton — Much More Than Just A Place To Live

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In the heart of Pasco County in Land O’ Lakes, the community of Connerton continues to grow, as hundreds of new homes are built for people of all ages, fulfilling their dreams to live in a community that offers much more than just a place to live.

Connerton provides more for its residents than other planned communities because it has been designated a “New Town” by the Florida Legislature. Being a New Town means Connerton can create opportunities for a diverse tax base and future job generation, offering residents a community where they can live, work and play!

More Amenities.
Club Connerton serves as the community’s social hub and sports recreation center. Its resort-style pool and its unique giant water bucket is a favorite of Connerton youngsters, who rush to get drenched by the fast-falling water. An outdoor grill and game area were recently added for residents’ enjoyment, and the latest in exercise equipment is found at the Fit and Flourish room. Tennis, pickleball and basketball courts are part of the amenity complex, where residents are always welcome to join in pickup games.

More Family Fun.
A full-time activities director and support staff offer a complete spectrum of activities designed to please the little ones, teenagers and adults. These include yoga, Pilates, girls’ night out, cigar night, dive-in movies, community yard sales, Winter Wonderland and the annual Independence Day Celebration that draws more than 7,000 attendees.

In January, Connerton was the proud recipient of the 2018 Gold Award for Best Lifestyle Program for a Community during the National Association of Home Builders Sales and Marketing Awards gala in Orlando. Entries were submitted from around the nation, and Connerton walked away with the top award, edging out communities from California, Texas and South Florida.

More Nature and Trails.
With Connerton’s appreciation of nature, green space and conservation areas, residents enjoy more than 7 miles of trails and oversized sidewalks to bike, walk or simply enjoy a family stroll. A scenic 2-mile trail winds its way through natural wilderness, lakes and wetlands, and includes elevated boardwalks for bird watching and viewing other Florida wildlife.

Adjacent to Connerton is Conner Preserve — almost 3,000 acres of wildlife habitat donated by Connerton and managed by the Southwest Florida Water Management District.  Biking, camping, hiking, equestrian use and model airplane flying are some of the recreational activities found in the Preserve.

More Quality Schools.
Connerton Elementary is conveniently located within its borders and offers many school-based activities, including band and chorus, a Fall Festival, Science Fair and PTA special events. Residents can also register their children at close-by Sanders Memorial Elementary, a STEAM magnet school specializing in science, technology, engineering, art and math. 

Older students attend Pine View Middle School, which has the distinct honor of being Pasco County’s first International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme Candidate School. Land O’ Lakes High School is located right down the road and is the assigned high school. An A-rated school and designated International Baccalaureate World School, Land O’ Lakes High has been named ‘One of America’s Best Public Schools’ by U.S. News & World Report. Private, charter and parochial schools are also in the area.

More Parks.
Who doesn’t love a park? Residents looking for a place to picnic, or just a quiet place to read, visit one of the many neighborhood parks – Connerton Cove, Garden Party Park, Magnolia Park or Storybrook Park, which is also home to the community dog park.

More for All.
It’s easy to see why Connerton is “The Community of More…” If you’re looking to move, a visit to Connerton is well worth your time to visit. Five quality builders offer many floors plans and homesites. Models by M/I Homes, Lennar, Homes by WestBay and Inland Homes are open seven days a week. Luxury custom homebuilder Arthur Rutenberg Homes has 90-foot homesites available in the gated area of Rose Pointe.

For additional information, call (813) 996-5800, or visit Connerton.com.

Published April 25, 2018

Everything Is Alive and Blooming In Connerton

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Spring brings new life, and everything is coming alive in the beautiful, award-winning community of Connerton in Land O’ Lakes.

Flowers are blooming, trees are budding and wildlife is nesting. New families are also nesting, with 60 new buyers choosing Connerton as their home since the beginning of the year.

Connerton was honored to be one of the 2018 Showcase Communities for the annual Parade of Homes sponsored by the Tampa Bay Builders Association, held March 3 to March 11. More than 200 visitors came to Connerton during the Parade, with many looking to find their dream home in this premiere Central Pasco community.

Love of Nature
With the advent of spring, Connerton comes alive not only with new homes, but also with Florida wildlife that is abundant in its conservation areas, wetlands and ponds that make up this eco-friendly community.

New homebuyers choose Connerton because they want to enjoy nature at their backdoor and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Drive through Connerton and you may encounter a gopher tortoise crossing the road, sandhill cranes teaching their chicks the ways of the world, or perhaps a new fawn prancing through the woods with its mother. So be sure to be careful on Connerton’s roads, especially this time of the year.

Connerton residents are very protective of their wildlife. It is not uncommon to see cars stop to pick up a turtle and move it to a safe place, or become crossing guards for families of sandhill cranes and deer that want to cross the road.

New this year at Connerton is a Butterfly Garden Club organized by residents. The butterfly gardens, located at Rose Cottage, are being designed to help sustain the declining honeybee population, and provide a rest area for migrating monarch butterflies.

Monarchs are the only two-way migrating butterflies in North America, and Connerton is in a prime location to help the monarchs in their 3,000-mile journey from Mexico to as far north as Canada. Connerton plans to allow local schools to use its garden to study the monarchs and for other educational purposes.

Commitment to Preservation
When Connerton was developed almost 20 years ago, 3,000 acres were donated to the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD). The Conner Preserve, as it is known today, is located on the north end of Connerton, but is open to the public with access from State Road 52.

This area offers a stunning landscape of steep sand-hill ridges, expansive marshes, dense cypress sloughs and lush pine flatwoods. The preserve is a vital part of a wildlife habitat corridor envisioned by Pasco County, and is a living laboratory of natural Florida.

With approximately 15 miles of multi-use trails and 17 miles of hiking-only trails, nature lovers enjoy Connerton’s recreational and educational activities where possum, armadillo, raccoons, rabbits, squirrels, gopher tortoises, white-tailed deer and many other species make their home. The SWFWMD offers downloadable field guides on its website that identify the animals, birds, butterflies, trees and wildflowers located on the premises. Visit: swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/species/.

Fresh Ideas
Spring also brings thoughts of spring-cleaning, and that often leads to thoughts of moving to a new home. Connerton offers a variety of new homes by five of the area’s quality builders — Homes by WestBay, M/I Homes, Inland Homes, Arthur Rutenberg Homes and Lennar.

Floor plans ranging from 1,500 to over 4,000 square feet, and priced from the low $200s to over $700,000. Homes are available with 3-6 bedrooms, 2-4 car garages, and many exciting new design and energy-saving features.

Stop and visit Club Connerton, and take a tour of this beautiful community that was awarded the Gold Award for Best Lifestyle Program in the Nation by the National Association of Home Builders. Visit the model homes, take a walk or bike ride on the trails, or fly a kite and enjoy one of the beautiful parks. You will be happy that you did, and you may even decide to live here!

For more information, visit Connerton.com.

Published March 28, 2018

Don’t Let The Parade Pass You By!

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Spring is in the air, and once again Connerton is blooming with new homes, new families and plenty of fun activities for its residents.

Your family can discover Connerton over the next two weekends, during the 2018 Parade of Homes presented by the Tampa Bay Builders Association. For the second year in a row, Connerton is featured as a Parade Showcase Community, and its builders are showing off with four beautifully furnished model homes.

The 2018 Parade of Homes dates are March 2 to March 4, and March 9 to 11. Models are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The Parade is free and open to the public.

Tour Club Connerton

Winner of Best National Lifestyle Award

Make Club Connerton your first stop during the Parade of Homes. This expansive, family focused activity hub is the epicenter for Connerton residents, and captures the community’s unique vibrant lifestyle.

Begin your tour at the Visitor Center inside Club Connerton, and learn about Connerton’s 13-year history and New Town designation by the Florida Legislature. You’ll see an overview of the 4,800-acre master-planned community and its many neighborhoods, parks, connecting trail system, and the adjoining Connerton Preserve sanctuary.

Next, tour the 10,000-square-foot clubhouse, with fitness center, kids activity room, multipurpose area, café and resort-style pool with outdoor kitchen and ping pong/pool tables. Common areas surrounding Club Connerton include basketball, tennis and pickleball courts, as well as an outdoor amphitheater, gardens and walkways.

In January, Connerton was proud to receive the 2018 Gold Award for Best Lifestyle Program for a Community during the National Association of Home Builders National Sales and Marketing Awards gala in Orlando. Entries were submitted from around the nation, and Connerton walked away with the prestigious Gold Award, edging out communities from California, Texas and South Florida.

Unique Floor Plans and Decorating Ideas

Close-by Club Connerton are the four Parade models built by Homes by WestBay, Inland Homes, Lennar and M/I Homes. A representative from Arthur Rutenberg Homes will be at the clubhouse to provide custom home plans for its 90’ homesites in the gated area of Rose Pointe.

Whether you enjoy touring new homes because you’re in the market for a lifestyle change, or you’re just looking for design and decorating ideas, you’ll be delighted with the variety of floor plans and beautiful home sites available in Connerton.

Party In The Park

During the Parade of Homes, walk across the street from Connerton’s model center to a quaint neighborhood park for free hot dogs and refreshments on Saturday and Sunday. This peaceful retreat is one of several neighborhood parks where Connerton residents enjoy picnicking, playing games or enjoying a quiet place to read and relax. There’s even a community dog park for residents’ furry friends.

As you drive through the community, you will appreciate Connerton’s green space and conservation areas, its miles of trails and oversized sidewalks for biking and walking, and a scenic two-mile trail and boardwalk that winds through natural wilderness, lakes and wetlands.

 Enjoy Your Visit

There’s no doubt that Connerton lives up to its tagline — “The Community of More…”

Just ask residents, who are out and about all day long. With the community’s award-winning activities, top-rated schools, exceptional builders, beautiful clubhouse, natural conservation areas, and miles of trails, residents of all ages and interests have many reasons for choosing Connerton.

As a “New Town” designated community, its master plan has the potential for up to 5,000 homes, millions of square feet of retail and office space, a government center and more than 1,000 acres of natural protected spaces.

Construction has recently begun on the community’s next phase, located at the east end of Pleasant Plains Parkway. The developer will soon break ground on 259 single-family lots, many with water or conservation views.

Connerton is located in Land O’ Lakes, about six miles north of the intersection of State Road 54 and U.S. 41. For more information, visit Connerton.com.

 

Published February 28, 2018

Inland Homes Joins The Connerton Family

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Young families are discovering the master-planned community of Connerton in Land O’ Lakes. Since the beginning of the year, more than 175 homes have been sold, with many buyers choosing homes between 1,500 and 2,000 square feet.

“This is a perfect size for the first-time homebuyer looking for an affordable home in an established community with excellent schools and resort-style amenities,” said Reed Williams, president of Inland Homes and Connerton’s newest builder.

“Many families are coming out of apartments and find these smaller homes with three or four bedrooms quite spacious, and perfect for their growing families,” said Williams.

Inland’s floor plans match up perfectly with this family profile. In Connerton, it is offering one- and two-story floor plans that are 1,708 to 2,800 square feet, and begin at $234,000.

Inland’s model home, the Magnolia, is nearing completion, and will open in October alongside Connerton’s other model homes built by Lennar, M/I Homes, Homes By WestBay, and Taylor Morrison. Most models are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m., on Sunday.

This is the second time Inland Homes has built homes in Connerton — it was one of the community’s original builders in the early 2000s, when Connerton first opened.

“We are excited to be back in Connerton, and pleased to offer homebuyers five new floor plans and some of the most beautiful home sites in the community,” said Williams. “Many of our lots back up to conservation, water or both, and offer outstanding views and privacy.”

Inland Homes differs from other moderately priced builders because its floor plans offer buyers some structural options. Plus, Inland Homes buyers make personal selections at its design center for flooring, cabinets and other finishes. Jack Suarez, whose family has been building homes in the Tampa area since 1940’s, owns the company.

Connerton Is A ‘New Town’

When Connerton visitors stop at Club Connerton, the community’s beautiful 10,000-square-foot clubhouse and amenity center, they often ask, “Why does Connerton feel so different than other communities we’ve visited?”

They discover that Connerton is different because it is one of only three communities in Florida that has been formally recognized as a “New Town” by both state and local governments. Like Seaside in Destin and Celebration in Orlando, Connerton earned its “New Town” designation for its community design, which reduces residents’ reliance on cars and promotes a more sociable, pedestrian culture.

Connerton’s vibrant “New Town” live/work/play design is master planned over the next decade to potentially make the community wholly self-sustaining. At full build out, Connerton may include up to 5,000 residential units of various types and densities, 730,000 square feet of retail services, 1.4 million square feet of office / medical office/ industrial space, 150 hospital beds and 100 nursing home beds, a government center, and approximately 1,800 acres of parks and protected, natural spaces. Close to 1,000 families live in Connerton today.

As the town of Connerton grows, it is opening new neighborhoods and expanding its unique Town Center with a mix of residential, retail, professional and commercial space. The Town Center is the community’s focal point and will connect its main streets, open spaces, gathering places, and educational and recreational opportunities.

Trails, boardwalks and pathways wind their way through the community. North of Connerton’s planned developments is the pristine, 3,000-acre Connerton Preserve that protects its lakes, natural wetlands and wildlife. The Preserve is home to a bounty of wildlife, including alligators, otters, deer, bats, and birds such as anhinga, little blue herons, wood storks, hoot owls and sand hill cranes. Strict rules are posted and enforced to maintain the preserve’s natural beauty and to protect its wildlife.

Diverse Residents

People also choose Connerton because of the community’s diversity in ages and the wide variety of interests found among residents. It makes living at Connerton interesting, fun and easy to make new friends.

At community gatherings, you’ll find people asking, “what brought you to Connerton?” Many say the community’s connection to the outdoors with its extended trails, bike paths and parks, as well as Connerton’s preservation of its natural beauty and pristine environment.

Others talk about Connerton’s hometown American feel and its Norman Rockwell look. And, just about everyone enjoys the amenities at Club Connerton, especially the fabulous resort-style pool and waterpark.

With its “New Town” designation and plan, unspoiled environment, and exceptional on-site amenities, Connerton offers an unrivaled setting that enriches the lives of its residents.

Please stop by for a personal tour. We’re located on the east side of U.S. 41, about six miles north of the intersection of State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes, and three miles south of State Road 52. For more information, visit Connerton.com.

Published September 27, 2017

Not All Communities are Created Equal

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It’s been such an exciting year at Connerton that visitors and residents continue to be amazed by “The Community of More.”

The year began with Connerton being named the 2017 Showcase Community for the Parade of Homes sponsored by the Tampa Bay Builders Association. The month-long Parade brought hundreds of people to the Land O’ Lakes community for the first time in April, and many became new homeowners, with more than 30 homes being sold during the Parade.

Also in April, a brand new, mortgage-free home was presented to David Roca, a deserving Army veteran and his family. The dedication of the Roca home was an emotional outpouring of community support by local residents, Connerton’s developer Hayman Woods, and Lennar Homes, which built the Roca home.

Then, on July 1, more than 8,000 people came to Connerton for an old-fashioned Independence Day celebration with music, games, food and fireworks. Many other special events are held throughout the year for Connerton residents, which bring neighbors together to mingle and get to know each other in a friendly neighborhood setting.

 Discover the Connerton Difference

When Connerton visitors stop at the community’s beautiful clubhouse, they often ask, “Why does Connerton feel so different than other communities?” The answer is that Connerton is different because it is one of only three communities in Florida that has been formally recognized as a “New Town.”

Connerton earned its “New Town” designation because of its outstanding community planning and design, which reduces residents’ reliance on cars and promotes a more sociable, pedestrian culture. The mature trees, picturesque ponds and many conservation areas preserve the beauty of nature, and allow native foliage and wildlife to flourish.

As the town of Connerton grows, it is opening new neighborhoods and expanding its unique Town Center with its of mix of residential, retail, professional, commercial space and 20 acres set aside for a future government center. The Town Center will be the focal point of the community, connecting a hometown main street, open spaces, gathering places, and educational and recreational opportunities.

Everyone Loves A Winner

Connerton is an award-winning community. In May, it brought home trophies for Best Consumer Promotion for its Independence Day Celebration, and for Best Mobile Website, at the annual Award Presentation of the Sales and Marketing Council of the Tampa Bay Builders Association.

In July, Connerton won an award for Best Special Charity Event at the Southeast Builders Conference in Orlando. Numerous other awards have been presented to Connerton over the years, and are proudly displayed at Club Connerton, the resort-style clubhouse where the new Visitor Center is located.

Why Residents Chose Connerton

The diversity in ages and wide variety of interests are just two reasons why residents chose Connerton as their home.

At community gatherings, you’ll find people asking, “what brought you to Connerton?” Varied responses include the community’s connection to the outdoors, and its preservation of the natural beauty and pristine environment of the land.

Others love the “hometown American feel and the Norman Rockwell look about it.” The extended trails, bike paths and parks are favorites for many families, and pet lovers enjoy the dog park where even their four-legged family members can make friends.

It is interesting to note that 44 percent of new homeowners who purchased their home this year came from the Land O’ Lakes/Lutz area, 25 percent from Tampa, 7 percent from Wesley Chapel, 6 percent from West Pasco and 5 percent from other Florida counties. Another 13 percent are buyers from outside Florida, with the largest percentage of those coming from the northeast Atlantic area.

 Home Builders

Five quality builders offer beautiful floor plans and furnished models where homebuyers can choose their home site and style of home. Taylor Morrison, Homes by WestBay, M/I Homes and Lennar continue to build in The Arbors and Gardens villages. Most models are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

In September, Connerton is welcoming Inland Homes to their model lineup. Inland will be offering homes from 1,700 to 2,000 square feet priced in the mid $200,000. Watch for their grand opening invitation.

Connerton is located approximately six miles north of the intersection of State Road 54 and U.S. 41. For more information, visit Connerton.com.

Published August 23, 2017

Local communities come up big in Parade of Homes

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Home and community developers from Pasco and northern Hillsborough counties picked up 14 awards recently as the Tampa Bay Builders Association named its 2014 Parade of Homes winners.

The parade itself featured 143 model homes by 33 builders in more than 80 Tampa Bay area communities from Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk and Hernando counties.

Judging was done by a panel of independent homebuilding experts, according to a release, who considered site plan, curb appeal, design, materials, outdoor living spaces, architectural detailing and workmanship.

Among the local communities, Connerton was the biggest winner with two grand awards and two merit awards. Terra Bella in Land O’ Lakes earned a grand award and a merit award, as did Cordoba Estates in Lutz.

Local grand and merit award winners were:

• Ryland Homes, Frost II at Connerton — Grand award for homes priced $226,000 to $250,999
• Lennar, Sedgewick at Live Oak Preserve — Merit award for homes priced $251,000 to $275,999
• Taylor Morrison, Kentwood III at Connerton — Grand award for homes priced $276,000 to $300,999
• Ashton Woods Homes, Fairfax at Crenshaw Reserve — Grand award for homes prices $301,000 to $335,999
• D.R. Horton, The Surrey at Terra Bella — Grand award for homes priced $336,000 to $350,999
• Standard Pacific Homes, The Chelsea at Peregrina at Watergrass — Grand award for homes priced $351,000 to $400,999
• Standard Pacific Homes, the Castleberry in Crosswinds at Seven Oaks — Grand award for homes priced $401,000 to $425,9999
• Inland Homes, the Devonshire of Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club — Merit award for homes priced $401,000 to $425,999
• M/I Homes, Roxbury C at Connerton — Merit award for homes priced $426,999 to $450,999
• M/I Homes, Madison C at Trinity Preserve — Grand award for homes priced $451,999 to $474,999
• Homes by WestBay, the Verona at Terra Bella — Merit award for homes priced $451,999 to $474,999
• Homes by WestBay, the Key Largo II at Connerton — Merit award for homes priced $551,000 to $600,999
• Standard Pacific Homes, the Bellingham at Cordoba Estates — Grand award for homes priced $651,000 to $775,999
• Standard Pacific Homes, the Bristol at Cordoba Estates — Merit award for homes priced $976,000 to $1 million

Standard Pacific Homes also earned a Best Floor Plan award for its Castleberry in Crosswinds at Seven Oaks in Wesley Chapel.