NEW WINDSOR, N.Y. – Did you hear the one about the stand-up comedian who bought a townhome at K. Hovnanian's The Grove at New Windsor?

His name is Mark Viera and he does stand-up full-time, performing at places like New York City's The Laugh Factory, Caroline's and Comic Strip. But, given how excited he is by his first home that isn't an apartment, you can't quite call the new purchase a joke.

He and his wife bought the townhome in December after finding the floor plan they wanted.

"We thought it would be a great investment," Viera said, sounding more like the father of two young sons that he is, rather than the performer whose specialty is poking fun at his life.

"My routine deals with family issues, family disfunctions," he said. Even though he jokes about daily life, his humor is not, say, Seinfeld's. His material, he pointed out, "is not about nothing."

At one time, that daily life needed humor as a survival mechanism. A former resident of the Bronx, Viera used to do jokes about the drug dealer on the corner or the fights in the neighborhood.

But now, in the apartment where his family lives in suburban Westchester County, and in the new townhome in New Windsor to which they'll soon move, he'll have to find other things to tickle his funnybone.

"These days," he said happily, "the only thing I'm afraid of is getting out of my car and encountering some deer eating the shrub at my doorstep."

He readily agreed that the steady increase in his quality of life is contributing to a steady loss of the "edginess" in his outlook. "I'm more likely these days to let you into my lane in traffic," he admitted.

But Viera welcomes his rising mellowness, and said his new material will reflect his updated life and dreams. One current dream, for instance, "is to have a two-car garage, a Daddy-space, a place where I can get away from this or that." 

            That's one dream that Viera knows will come true, when the family moves in early 2008 into their newly-built home with a garage. But the garage and other new spaces in his new residence will not be where he practices his routine. He writes his material at home, often late at night, but he said he never tries out his routine beforehand.

"I just take a chance on stage," he said, noting that his wife "falls out of her chair" laughing when she sees him perform at a club but is a bit more restrained when she hears the same material at home.

But Viera's performances will continue to enter their home, nonetheless, through their television set. Viera, doing his comedy act, has appeared on Comedy Central and, as an actor, he recently appeared in an episode of NBC's hit comedy series, 30 Rock.

"I played a coach of a baseball team," he said of his scene where his character complains about several of the obviously-adult players on the supposedly kids-only opposing team.

When speaking about the K. Hovnanian team that has worked with him during the sale and building of their new home, however, the actor has no complaints at all. 

"Our experience with them has been absolutely delightful," he said. "Every week since we bought the home," he said, "it's been 'Hi, it's the Vieras, can we see what you've done so far in building our home?'"

He cheerfully remembered that that he and his wife have been "bothering the sales consultant every week" through the various stages of construction, but Viera said that the K. Hovnanian team has been nothing but "respectful and understanding." 

Viera also has nothing but praise for the community itself.

"I love it," he said, adding that he and his wife were the second purchasers in their neighborhood, in which many other homes have now been sold.

The gorgeous landscape, country atmosphere and convenient location provide an ideal setting for K. Hovnanian's The Grove at New Windsor. More than just a place to live, The Grove at New Windsor will be part of a mixed-used community called New York International Plaza that will offer the convenience of homes, shopping, restaurants and business, all within easy reach.

The community of 275 townhomes will feature several homes designs from which to choose. Homes will range in size from approximately 1,450 square feet to more than 2,200 square feet and feature 2 to 3 bedrooms, 2˝ bathrooms and a one- or two-car garage.

Residents of The Grove will enjoy the ultimate master bedroom retreat and large adjacent bathroom with oversized soaking tub. The everyday meal or occasional holiday treat will be a snap to prepare in the designer kitchen with its state-of-the-art appliances. 

Added luxury features also include the formal living and dining rooms, a magnificent family room for evening movies or entertaining guests, as well as a cozy loft, and dramatic open spaces available for the homebuyer's personal touch. 

Basements will be available dependant upon location, with some homes offering a sun-drenched walkout basement – providing the ideal party room, children's playroom or home office. 

From shopping to skiing, from history to horseback riding, residents of The Grove will love everything New Windsor and the surrounding area has to offer.  Rich with Revolutionary War history, New Windsor is the quintessential suburban town that boasts six large parks. Children attend the highly-regarded Washingtonville School District. 

A popular picnic spot, Plum Point Park is situated directly along the Hudson River waterfront, while the new Mt. Airy Sports Complex offers a variety of ball fields and children's play areas.

The shopping enthusiast can take full advantage of the nearby outlet stores and malls, including the Market Place at Newburgh, which is now under construction. Nearby Woodbury Common features more than 200 premium outlet stores, and the Middletown Galleria, Poughkeepsie Galleria and Danbury malls are all about half an hour away.

 Residents of K. Hovnanian's The Grove at New Windsor will love its easy and convenient location.  By train, commuters are whisked to New York City in no time and New Windsor is located near Interstate 84, the New York State Thruway and Routes 9W, 32, 94 and 300. 

The Grove at New Windsor is located on Route 207 and Hudson Valley Avenue. Prices begin in the mid $300s.  For more information, call (866) 459-3759 or visit www.khov.com.