Turner’s Farms: A peaceful retreat

By MARGARET HOBBS / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Visitors are greeted to the Turner residence, build in 1961 by J.D. Mullican. (Margaret Hobbs photos)

When you enter the double gates and start down the long driveway to Turner’s Farms, one almost immediately experiences a peaceful feeling. Towering pine trees, bradford pears, spruce, cypress and numerous other tree and plant specimens add to the experience. The drive leads past a lake, topped with swans and over a country bridge before arriving at the home belonging to Joann and Aubrey Turner.

When the couple purchased the home in 1999, their intentions were to do some renovations and put it back on the market. The home was affectionately named “Lagniappe” by the previous owners Martha and Dean Gillespie. The name is a slang French word meaning “a few extra” or “go the extra mile.” The unusual cross-shaped home, with cathedral style ceilings was built by J.D. Mullican in 1961.

After starting to make some changes in the home and major landscaping of the grounds, the Turners fell in love with the place. After several years of hard work, they have a showplace.

“We love it here. There is nowhere else in the world I would like to be.” said Joann Turner.

After being in the business world over 40 years, the Turners’ have ventured in a new business endeavor — that of bed and breakfast proprietors. Three lovely unique bedrooms are available to guests who are also encouraged to enjoy the spacious home and rambling grounds. Looking out from the loggia to the swimming pool, pool house and fields filled with horses gives one the feeling of being in the country.

The couple’s new vocation came about quite accidentally, after Joann, who is a wonderful cook, started doing dinners and parties for family and friends. They recently had a wedding on the grounds for 180 guests, which is the largest function they’ve hosted.

“After we had that wedding, and it went beautifully, we feel we can do almost anything!” said Joann.

Recently a pavilion, gazebo and rest rooms have been added for outdoor functions. The pavilion can seat 100, with a counter surrounding the area for another 100 guests to stand and eat. A sound system, lights and glittering disco balls add to the appeal. The white gingerbread encrusted gazebo provides a perfect setting for an outdoor wedding. White chairs are placed around for guests.

“We can do just about anything — children’s parties, youth groups, weddings, birthdays, intimate dinners or even family reunions.” said Joann.

The Turners’ have always had a love of horses and have owned many over the years. Currently the farm is home to their 25 horses and they board others for owners. Son, David, is the caretaker of the horses and the many carriages and wagons on the property. He gladly gives carriage rides, and can even bring a bride and her bridal party to the ceremony in style in his vis-?-vis limousine carriage.

Animals play a large part on the farm, this being evident as you pass the lake with large swans swimming and horses grazing in the fields beyond. They also have a donkey named Gracie, llamas, sheep, ponies, dogs and an assortment of feathered friends. When guests come to visit, the animals are eager to come up to the fence for petting or to get their ear scratched.

The Turners’ have worked together for over 40 years and they figure now is not the time to stop. Joann loves to cook and entertain and Aubrey enjoys working in the yard and seeing to the endless chores around the house.

Joann and Aubrey are quite content in their little part of the world, doing what makes them happy.