Since the passing of H. Gary Morse in 2014, The Villages has become more open to the idea of connecting and communicating with its residents. Perhaps the best evidence of this change in leadership can be seen in the Evening with the Developer events held each year. Now don't get me wrong. These events have taken place for many years, and used to be called the "State of … [Read more...] about An Evening With the Developer of The Villages
The Villages Florida Blog
50 Things to Think About Before Moving to The Villages
Short of reading my book, this is as good of a guide to all of the things you should be thinking about before moving to The Villages as you will find anywhere. It was originally written by The Villages resident Parker Sykes in 2011, updated by him in 2013, and updated/edited by me various times since then. It provides sharp insight and covers many things that potential … [Read more...] about 50 Things to Think About Before Moving to The Villages
The Villages IRS Audit: Timeline of Events
Last updated: June 1, 2019 In 2008, the IRS asked The Villages to pay back more than $400 million in loans it received through the use of tax free bonds issued between 1993 and 2004. These tax free bonds are more commonly referred to as CDD's...if you own my book you know what I'm talking about...there is a whole chapter devoted to this topic. The proceeds from these … [Read more...] about The Villages IRS Audit: Timeline of Events
When is the Best Time To Visit The Villages?
Last updated: June 1, 2019 A reader writes in with a great question: My wife and me are considering visiting the Villages for a Lifestyle Preview. She wants to schedule sometime in the summer months. I feel we should schedule during the peak winter months since that is the time when all the snowbirds are there and we can get a better feel of all the activities and also see how … [Read more...] about When is the Best Time To Visit The Villages?
The Villages Hot Air Balloon Festival
Next week, May 31-June 2, The Villages Balloon Festival will take place at The Villages Polo Club. A similar event took place last year, but they are calling this The Villages Polo Club's first annual balloon festival. The event will feature hot air balloon flights, tethered balloon rides, entertainment, food, a beer garden, as well as retail and arts and crafts … [Read more...] about The Villages Hot Air Balloon Festival
2019 Evening With the Developer
This week was the annual Evening With the Developer event, during which the developer provides his updates on what's going on in the community and what's to come. For the most part it was pretty standard "this community wouldn't be what it is without you, the residents" type fare, but there were a few nice surprises among the updates. One nice announcement is that Rialto … [Read more...] about 2019 Evening With the Developer
Burger King in The Villages Robbed
The main excitement in The Villages this past week did not involve two buddies scoring back-to-back holes-in-one or the announcement that The Villages is getting a Huey-Magoo's (which is only my favorite place for chicken tenders in the whole wide world), though believe it or not those things did happen. Unfortunately, the big excitement was the armed robbery of a Burger … [Read more...] about Burger King in The Villages Robbed
Adios, Hacienda
Another piece of Villages history is gone. The Hacienda Hills Country Club restaurant, at least in its current incarnation, is closing its doors for good this weekend. You can't really say it will be missed. In recent years the food and service have gone down the drain. Villages-News reports that the developer is still trying to sell the restaurant, swimming pool, … [Read more...] about Adios, Hacienda
The Villages Keeps Growing and Growing and Growing…
The Villages' growth rate is like the Energizer Bunny Nothing like a play on the Energizer Bunny commercials to start us off here...it is Easter weekend after all. New Census data came out this week, and as the title of this post suggests, The Villages keeps on growing! From July 1, 2017 to July 1, 2018, The Villages Metropolitan Area grew by 3.1%, from 124,933 people … [Read more...] about The Villages Keeps Growing and Growing and Growing…
Villages Honor Flight Ready for First Trip of 2019
Villages Honor Flight serves veterans of Citrus, Lake, Marion, Sumter, and Hernando counties, and regularly takes them to visit Arlington National Cemetery and many of the war and service memorials in Washington, D.C. Their first trip of 2019 is scheduled for April 17, which you can read about in this article. - Daily Commercial I'm really loving these articles that … [Read more...] about Villages Honor Flight Ready for First Trip of 2019