Happy Friday, The Villages. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving! In today’s edition: Dining safety snapshot, a tree lighting festival, a very merry Christmas concert, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Local dining safety snapshot: Two Villages-area restaurants earned perfect scores, while two were cited for high-priority violations during Nov. 17-23 Sumter County inspections. Some follow-up checks may not yet be reflected in the report — see the complete inspection list.

Local golf ownership shuffle: The Links at Spruce Creek South in Summerfield was purchased November 13 for nearly $15 million, following the Country Club of Ocala’s $7.5 million sale last month — see who bought the course.

Officials liken impact to disaster: After Kroger announced an early Florida exit, Lake County sought repayment as closures, including a Groveland warehouse, cut nearly 1,000 jobs and eliminated $1.3 million in revenue — read the full story.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per 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.

Scams are rampant: Last week, my step-dad got a call from someone pretending to be his grandson, all beat up and asking for bail money. They knew his grandson’s name, how old he is, and what city he lives in. How? Data brokers. They sell your info to anyone willing to pay for it (yup… anyone). Incogni removes your info from all of those sites so scammers can’t use it against you. Annual plans are 55% off until Sunday — check it out here.

Highlights this week

• Relive holiday classics with Clark
• Students stage Dickens’ A Christmas Carol
• Celebrate Lake Sumter Landing’s tree lighting festival
• Watch volunteers star in lightning-fast hypnosis
• Dance to Wang Chung’s greatest hits
• Need new windows? Check out RBA’s latest deals
• Pet parents: Don’t miss Chewy’s Black Friday sale

🫶 We got your back

New civic leadership opportunity: Wildwood is taking applications to fill Commission Seat 2 after Mayor Pro Tem Pamala Harrison-Bivins retired following 25 years of service. Apply by 5 p.m. Dec. 9. Commissioners plan to appoint and swear in a replacement on Dec. 15 to serve the remainder of the term, through Dec. 31, 2026. See how and when to apply.

Commuter caution at major intersection: Heads up, Inverness drivers: new signals are now active at SR 44 and Gospel Island Road, changing traffic patterns and adding crosswalks. Officials say to ditch autopilot, watch for pedestrians, and expect brief delays. The upgrade is part of a $22.2 million SR 44 resurfacing from just east of US 41 to the Sumter County line. Learn what to expect now.

Crate-digging, solved. Ocala’s Vinyl Oasis packs deep bins where time slips away, with thousands of new and used titles, plus T-shirts and gear. Refresh your rotation without the algorithm. Consider this your nudge to finally track down that album you keep humming.

Health drinks that don’t taste like grass: With tasty tea and matcha blends for everything from recovery and radiant skin to energy without the crash, a metabolism boost, and immune support, everything in Pique’s lineup tastes as good as it makes you feel. They’re clean, there are no additives, and all new monthly subscriptions are 20% off for liferight now. Yup… literally forever (or until you cancel).

📆 Around town this weekend

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

Today

🚶 Fruitland Park Historic Trail @ Fruitland Park Library | Friday (11/28) at 9:30am – Pick up a free trail guide at the library and set out on a choose-your-own-adventure stroll through Fruitland Park’s past. Walk it, bike it, or cruise it—just know some spots are strictly “no car allowed.” With limited access to water, snacks, and bathrooms, it’s the kind of outing where planning ahead pays off. Go slow, break it into chunks, and savor the small-town stories hiding around every corner.

🖼️ Interactive Displays @ Fruitland Park Library | Friday (11/28) at 9:30am – Wander through a lineup of self-guided displays that practically beg you to poke around and discover something new. From holiday-themed setups to borrowed collections and the beloved Tiny Art Show, there’s a little curiosity trip for everyone. You might even stumble into a scavenger hunt or mini-exhibit while you’re at it. Perfect for slow browsing, big inspiration, and zero pressure.

This weekend

🎙️ Mark Raisch’s Buble’ and Beyond @ Grand Oaks Resort | Saturday (11/29) at 1:00pm – Craving some smooth crooning and big-band charm? Mark Raisch channels Bublé and beyond at a free concert, so RSVP ahead, snag that pop-up confirmation, and be sure to bring the confirmation email or printed RSVP—whichever you prefer.

🎄 Tree Lighting Festival @ Brownwood Paddock Square | Saturday (11/29) at 4:00pm – Brownwood flips the switch on the holiday season with live music, twinkling lights, and all the cozy vibes you can handle. Wander the festive market for handcrafted goodies, seasonal snacks, and warm sips that taste like pure holiday spirit. Santa’s on-site for photos, so bring your list—or at least your best smile. And be sure to stick around for the big Tree Lighting Ceremony at 8 pm.

🎶 The Heart of Florida’s 21st Anniversary Show @ Savannah Center | Saturday (11/29) at 5:00pm – Cue the goosebumps: the Heart of Florida is celebrating 21 years with a powerhouse performance headlined by Brouhaha, the 2023 World Barbershop Quartet Association Champions. This is the kind of harmony that hits you right in the feels—in the best way. If you’re a sucker for tight chords, big talent, and a little musical magic, this is a date you’ll want locked in your calendar.

🐞 Beatlemaniacs of the Villages @ Seabreeze Recreation Center | Saturday (11/29) at 6:00pm – Prep your best twist and head to Seabreeze for a Saturday evening Thanksgiving Special from the Beatlemaniacs. Open to all Villagers and their guests, ticketed so we are not playing musical chairs, and only $5 per person, available at November meetings.

🎵 Live Music at The Anchor @ The Anchor On Sunset Harbor | Saturday (11/29) at 6:00pm – Settle in for a mellow night on the water with live tunes drifting from 6–10 pm. It’s the perfect excuse to grab a drink, kick back, and let someone else set the soundtrack for your Saturday. Low-key vibes, good company, and four hours of music? Easy win.

Next week

🎄 A Very Merry Christmas Concert @ First Baptist Church | Monday (12/1) at 7:00pm – Whether you’ve had your tree up since Halloween or you’re still untangling lights, this Christmas concert brings the classics, the sparkle, and the cozy. Live music, familiar carols, and zero mall parking. Consider it your seasonal sanity check.

🤝 Swap Meet @ First Responders Rec Center | Tuesday (12/2) at 1:00pm – Whether your craft stash is overflowing or you’re hunting an elusive crochet hook, bring tools, supplies, or finished pieces to buy, sell, or trade. Label with your name and price, bring small bills, and mind your own goods. Neighbor-to-neighbor swapping, no organizer cut.

🎅 4th Annual Christmas with Clark @ Old Mill Playhouse Movie Theatre | Tuesday (12/2) at 7:00pm – Trade the shopping chaos for the 4th Annual Christmas with Clark at Epic Playhouse Old Mill Theatre, where Bing, Mel, Dean, and friends cue up the nostalgia. Secular and sacred classics, buttery vocals, no gimmicks. Kick off the season like a grown-up, with melodies.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/1 Night NLH Turbo @ Oxford Downs – 6:15 pm
• 12/2 Festival of Trees @ Lady Lake Public Library – 2 pm
• 12/2 Double Board Bomb Pot Bounty @ Oxford Downs – 6:15 pm
• 12/4 Christmas Peace @ St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church – 6 pm
• 12/5 TBJ @ Lake Sumter Landing – 5 pm
• 12/6 A Christmas Carol @ The Tracy – 1 pm
• 12/6 Lake County Ladies Chorus Holiday Show @ Leesburg Library – 1 pm

🏠️ Price is right – The Villages edition

How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).

Listed by: Pattie Mann (LPT REALTY, LLC)

The Gardenia Designer model sits on a waterfront lot with upgrades, including a painted drive, screened porch, and wood plank vinyl. A gourmet kitchen pairs light gray cabinetry, quartz, backsplash, under-cabinet lighting, and premium gas appliances. The open living area flows to a glass enclosed lanai with mini-split, then to an expanded birdcage with a tropical privacy screen and water views.

Split bedrooms create a private guest wing. The primary brings tray ceiling, dual closets, and a Roman shower. Plantation shutters, a two car and golf cart garage, and quick cart runs to Deluna pool, Brownwood, Publix, and Eastport.

Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →