Good morning, The Villages! In today’s edition: New small businesses take root, a $750k anonymous donation, Sinatra and beyond, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

🏆 Most popular this week

Curated by popular demand — here are this week’s most-clicked events, local spots, and stories.

New small businesses take root: Ocala’s Paddock Market is now open at Paddock Mall, replacing the former Sears with shops, eateries, and vendor booths, with businesses already celebrating grand openings and more spaces available — see what’s inside and available.

Philanthropy powers a new chapter: An anonymous donor gave $750k to Central Florida’s Wildwood Soup Kitchen as it has faced eviction, pushing it past its $1.5 million goal toward a new building — see how they reached their goal.

Moving beyond church limitations: Wildwood Soup Kitchen exceeded its goal, raising $1.5 million after a $750,000 donation to buy a kitchen. Service could expand to six days a week as renovations await additional funds — read the full story.

Resin Variety Class @ Village Art Workshops | Saturday (1/10) at 10:00 AM – Take a break from the usual and join a resin workshop. Pick your project, a clock, a lazy Susan, or a charcuterie board that doubles as wall art when the crackers run out. Bring a friend, embrace the shiny, and tell everyone it was intentional — see the event listing.

Speedway and museum highlights: A recent WorldAtlas.com report named Daytona Beach and Palm Coast among Florida’s best places to retire, citing motorsport culture, beaches, and outdoor activities, with other cities across the state recognized — see which towns made it.

Single-tenant net lease momentum: The Boulder Group completed the $12.4 million sale of a new 7-Eleven in Sumterville, near The Villages, as the fast-growing area and a long lease drew investor interest — get all the details.

Are you overpaying? The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. I was paying over $300 for ONE car until I checked out various quotes, switched providers, and ultimately cut my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably losing money too — this free comparison tool makes it easy.

Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had it’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.

A new haircare solution: My hair’s been thinning and I’ve been quietly ignoring it, hoping it’ll fix itself. Plot twist… it hasn’t. When I finally started looking into what I should do, there were so many options I didn’t know where to start. I stumbled on Keranique, and its simplicity really sold me. One kit, no pills, no choosing products, and no confusion whatsoever. It’s also on sale with a money-back guarantee (although I doubt you’ll need it).

📆 Sneak peek at next week

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🍳 Cooking Class @ Prima Italian Steakhouse | Monday (1/12) at 12:00 PM – Trade your sad desk lunch for a midday cooking class at Prima Italian Steakhouse, because Nonna is not moving in anytime soon. Learn a few chef tricks, breathe in the good stuff, and finally retire that jarred sauce, with dignity.

🎤 Sinatra and Beyond @ The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center | Tuesday (1/13) at 7:00 PM – Singer, pianist, songwriter Tony DeSare, two parts Sinatra, one part Billy Joel, brings a fresh tribute to old-school class, no cheese. Come Fly With Me, Night and Day, My Way, and more, with enough swing to make you consider a martini.

✍ Chrissy Q Martin Book Signing @ All Booked Up | Thursday (1/15) at 11:00 AM – Drop by All Booked Up and meet Chrissy Q Martin, whose hit series is set right here in The Villages. Hear the stories behind the stories, grab a signed copy, and feel very seen, golf carts, gossip, and all.

🎶 Sunshine State Soundtrack @ Leesburg Library | Thursday (1/15) at 1:00 PM – This exhibit traces Florida’s soundtrack, a tour through conga, country, rap, and rock by the homegrown legends who put us on the map. Think Estefan, Skynyrd, Petty, and a dash of Pitbull. It’s nostalgia, bragging rights, and air-conditioning, all in one.

🍷 Sip, Savor, and Salud @ Total Wine & More | Thursday (1/15) at 6:30 PM – Think of it as a passport to Spain and Portugal, without TSA or jet lag, just thoughtful pours and intro-friendly vibes. Taste your way through Rioja, Rías Baixas, and the Douro, learn the quirks of Tempranillo, Albariño, and Touriga Nacional, and call it continuing education.

🎨 Krafty Kids @ Villages Public Library at Belvedere | Friday (1/16) at 10:30 AM – Whether your tiny Picasso eats crayons or arranges them by shade, this post-storytime art session lets preschoolers get messy in all the right ways. Expect imagination, discovery, and that proud look they give you before handing over a glue-drenched masterpiece.

🍽 Friday Foodie Fest @ Lake Lillian | Friday (1/16) at 5:00 PM – Skip the kitchen and wander Lake Lillian for Friday Foodie Fest, where the food trucks do the heavy lifting, and you just point. Stroll, sample, compare tacos like a sommelier. Admission is free, the sunsets are legit, and the calories are blissfully not.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

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📻 The Villages report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 83°F – Low: 58°F – Precip: 0%

Areas of fog before 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. South southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. West southwest wind 0 to 5 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 72°F – Low: 43°F – Precip: 18%

A slight chance of rain showers between 7am and 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. West northwest wind 0 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. North wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Most popular house this week

Fully furnished, this 2-bed, 2-bath cottage sits on an oversized homesite in Lakeshore Cottages at Lake Sumter Landing. A color-coated driveway and irrigation boost curb appeal, while a paid bond and an included golf car add ease. Inside, vaulted ceilings top a gourmet kitchen with granite counters, maple and bisque cabinetry, and a gas range. A screened front porch joins a wraparound screened lanai. A den and hobby room add flex space.

Charming cottage architecture defines the enclave, with spacious porches, lush streetscapes, and a private pool at its center. Lake Sumter Landing Market Square sits nearby for shopping, dining, waterfront views, and nightly entertainment.

Take a peek inside →