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Good morning, The Villages! In today’s edition: Where fill-ups cost most, The Texas Tenors, World of Travel Expo, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Where fill-ups cost most: Stacker compiled AAA data on recent changes in Florida gas prices, naming West Palm Beach-Boca Raton the most expensive metro and Oklahoma, Iowa, and Colorado as the cheapest states — get all the details.
Dominium Apartments plan advances: Lake County commissioners approved $61.6 million in bonds for a 276-unit affordable apartment project in Leesburg, but the proposal faces zoning pushback and the City Commission held its first reading — get all the details.
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.
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.
Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since this month last year. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
More communities get connected: Comcast expanded its network in Charlotte County, adding service for 16,400 homes and businesses as part of a statewide buildout reaching 120,000 addresses. Charlotte County and Lehigh Acres were among the largest expansion areas, with service in cities like Punta Gorda, Cape Coral and Naples. Internet Essentials offers low-cost internet. See all newly connected areas.
Curiosity break close by: Discovery Center keeps it lively with three rotating exhibits a year, hands-on STEAM classes, and critter encounters (reptiles and amphibians included). Add StarLab planetarium shows and the occasional Date Night, and you’ve got an easy science fix close to home… no Orlando drive.
Burrito night, solved: The generously stuffed Super Burrito at Fiesta Grande Mexican Grill nails that rice, beans, meat, and cheese harmony, with scratch-made care you can taste. Add it to your weekly rotation, then let the leftovers shine for lunch.
Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now, you’ll get three free gifts, AND you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.
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📆 Around town this weekend
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All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🎨 Paint & Sip @ Prima Italian Steakhouse | Friday (1/9) at 12:00 PM – Feel like trading spreadsheets for a canvas and a Chianti? Prima’s new Paint & Sip lets you swirl, sip, and pretend you’re the next Caravaggio, with pressure-free fun, good company, and a menu nearby. Come for the wine, stay for the masterpiece, or the steak.
🎶 Music and Market @ Downtown Leesburg | Friday (1/9) at 5:00 PM – Second Friday nights are made for lingering on Towne Square, soaking up live music, an evening market, and something delicious that isn’t your leftovers. It’s the kind of community hang where you run into half the town, chat a while, then stay for another tune.
🎤 The Texas Tenors @ The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center | Friday (1/9) at 7:00 PM – Skip the cattle drive at the doors and go VIP for The Texas Tenors at The Sharon in Lady Lake. Exclusive entry, dedicated service, and straight to your seat. VIP is almost gone, use TAKE5 on $199+ or TAKE10 on $349+, tap Get Tickets.
🏁 Running of the Squares @ Lake Sumter Landing | Saturday (1/10) at 8:00 AM – Pull on sneakers and join the herd at Lake Sumter Landing for the Running of the Squares 5K, where bragging rights, a bib, and a T-shirt await. Join the Waters Edge Livin on the Edge crew, register early for the deal, and call it cardio.
🚒 Touch-A-Truck @ Wildwood Community Center | Saturday (1/10) at 9:00 AM – Wildwood Community Center turns into a kid-size motor pool, with fire trucks, police cars, and rigs you can climb, plus DJ and surprise characters. It is free with hot chocolate while it lasts, coffee and donuts for purchase, and Sensory Hour before the honk fest.
🎨 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.
🥁 Chillax Drum Circle @ Playground Lake Sumter Landing | Sunday (1/11) at 3:30 PM – If your week needs less email and more heartbeat, the weekly Chillax Drum Circle has you covered. Show up with a drum, a shaker, or just your hands, then sink into a friendly groove, easy laughs, and zero performance pressure. No solos required.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 The Villages report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 80°F – Low: 58°F – Precip: 0%
Areas of fog before 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 80. East wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Patchy fog after 4am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. East southeast wind around 0 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 82°F – Low: 60°F – Precip: 2%
Patchy fog before 7am. Sunny, with a high near 82. Southeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Patchy fog after 4am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. Southeast wind 0 to 5 mph.
This house is wild
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 →
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