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Hello The Villages! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning.
In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Great blue heron watching golfers, Florida Strawberry Festival day trip, and Electric Light Party + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.
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📰 In the news
Feathered visitor turns heads: A great blue heron was spotted watching golfers on a Sunday morning in The Villages, captured by resident Carolyn Upton and friends in a serene moment on the course — read the full story.
State-approved water restoration effort: Lake County Water Authority plans to use alum on Lake Yale to reduce phosphorus and algae growth. Expect clearer water and healthier plants. The lake will stay open for recreation — learn how it will work.
New shopping option coming: Burlington will open a store in Lady Lake later this year at Village Crossroads, replacing the Joann Fabrics site after a $2 million renovation, with clothing, home goods, and shoes — get all the details.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Highlights this week:
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🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+
Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance
Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache.
From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving.
As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Spot.
It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.
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🫶 We got your back
Shareable bites tonight: Craving a low-key night with great small plates? Harvest Restaurant & Bar serves a Tapas & Cocktails lineup made for lingering: shareable bites from a scratch kitchen, plus a curated wine list, perfect for catching up with friends without committing to a full feast.
Two wheels, big grin: From everyday cruisers to e-bikes, plus helmets, lights, and smart little upgrades, Village Cycles keeps errands and trail time rolling. If your bike’s been squeaking for attention, their crew will dial it in so the next neighborhood spin feels smooth.
Movie night, handled: Epic Theatres Old Mill Playhouse screens first-run films in Lake Sumter Landing, with occasional live shows in the theater and lobby, so your night stays easy and close. A low-stress, high-fun pick for date nights, grandkid adventures, or a solo escape.
Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.
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📆 Fun for the whole fam
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🚗 Wednesday Cruise-In @ Sunset Delights | Wednesday (3/4) at 3:30 PM – Every Wednesday, Sunset Delights in Summerfield is serving up shiny chrome and soft serve as the Asphalt Misfits host a free cruise-in for classics, customs, modern muscle, and oddballs. Grab dinner, swap stories, and maybe snag Cruiser of the Week, bragging rights included.
🍓 Day Trip to the Florida Strawberry Festival @ Dream Team Vacations | Thursday (3/5) at 9:45 AM – Hop the cushy coach from the Wedgewood Walmart, let someone else wrestle I-4, and spend the day at Plant City’s Strawberry Festival with DIY shortcake, live music, rides, and u-pick fields. Veterans score free admission on American Heroes Day, and you get zero-stress fun.
💡 Electric Light Party @ Lake Sumter Landing | Friday (3/6) at 4:00 PM – Lake Sumter Landing is going full neon with the Electric Light Party, so throw on your glow and let Blonde Ambition light up the square. Expect bright entertainment, local vendors, and enough sparkle to make your golf cart feel underdressed.
🎤 Sounds of Spring Concert @ Snooky Park | Saturday (3/7) at 11:00 AM – Bring a chair to Snooky Park, claim a shady spot under the oaks, and let Decade of Soul handle the nostalgia. Free Sounds of Spring show with food trucks, beer and wine, and a VIP picnic setup you will pretend you packed yourself.
❤ Love of Life Festival @ The Grand Oaks Resort | Saturday (3/7) at 12:00 PM – Bring a lawn chair and your feelings to Grand Oaks for the 5th annual celebration where art, live music, and memories mingle. Local talent, food trucks, raffles, a silent auction, and a bounce house for the kiddos, all honoring loved ones, and keeping it Weirsdale.
🤖 Robotics Workshop for Kids @ Comfort Suites | Sunday (3/8) at 12:30 AM – Free robotics and coding workshop at Comfort Suites in Lady Lake where kids 7 to 14 build simple bots, code them, and team up for challenges without wrecking your living room. Parents get STEM roadmaps and connections, kids get bragging rights. Bring a laptop.
🔨 Fellowship Night & Auction @ Community Harvest Baptist Church | Sunday (3/8) at 5:00 PM – Sunday evening calls for good, clean fun at Community Harvest, with fellowship, an auction, and a hay ride to wear the kids out. Bring a themed basket if you can, bid like you need another throw pillow, and boost the Building Fund.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
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📻 The Villages report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 85°F – Low: 62°F – Precip: 7%
Patchy fog before 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. East northeast wind 0 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 62. East wind 0 to 10 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 87°F – Low: 65°F – Precip: 39%
A chance of rain showers after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. East southeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Later: A chance of rain showers before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. East wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Someone Googled you this week 👀
It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.
Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.
Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.
This house is wild
This furnished Designer Mockingbird model fronts the 14th hole of Shadow Creek’s championship course in Shady Brook, pairing a saltwater pool with sweeping fairway views. Soaring ceilings and indoor and outdoor sightlines set the tone. A granite kitchen with gas range meets a primary suite with Roman shower, plus a two car and golf cart garage near Eastport and Middleton.
Take a peek inside →
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