Happy Tuesday, The Villages. In today’s edition: Winterfest and Light Up Wildwood Christmas Parade, free dental day, adult craft ornaments class, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

City-backed storefront upgrades: Belleview has launched a Property Improvement Grant Program offering local business owners up to $2,500 for painting, landscaping, and new signage, with funds paid directly to licensed service providers — get all the details.

Farewell to veteran commissioner: City of Wildwood seeks applicants to fill Seat 2. Applications due Dec. 9, and commissioners will vote and swear in an appointee at a Dec. 15 special-called meeting — see how and when to apply.

Celebrate the season together: Wildwood’s Winterfest and Light Up Wildwood Christmas Parade is Friday, December 5 at City Hall, featuring floats, carolers, a kids zone, and Santa. Parade 6 p.m., tree lighting 7:30 p.m — see event and sign-up details.

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: My step-dad recently 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. Cyber Monday discounts are available all week — check ’em out here.

Highlights this week

• Experience Dickens’ A Christmas Carol onstage
• Rock the holidays with Wizards of Winter
• Holiday show delights at Magic Christmas
• Dance Alive presents The Nutcracker
• Need new windows? Check out RBA’s latest deals

🫶 We got your back

Humble roots, big expansion: Restaurateur Eric Holm, who started as a busboy, has signed a lease to bring Peach Valley Café to Eastport in The Villages. The 4,160-square-foot spot at Eastport and Dewey drives is expected to open in 2026. Holm already runs eight Peach Valley locations; the closest is in Mount Dora. Read the full story.

Temporary facility access advisory: Heads up: Burnsed Recreation Center will be fully closed for quarterly maintenance on Thursday, Dec. 4. That includes indoor and outdoor facilities plus the family pool. The schedule could shift if weather or other issues pop up, so check for updates before you go. Get all the details.

Weeknight burrito fix: Family-owned since 2006, Fiesta Grande Mexican Grill turns out scratch-made Mexican and a burrito lineup that tackles Villager-sized appetites. Go for the Super Burrito, then settle into the lively vibe, sip a solid cocktail, and let your week get a quick, delicious reset.

An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.

Wellness on easy mode: Most probiotics don’t work because they dissolve too early. Seed’s double capsule design means all the right stuff gets delivered to all the right places… at the right time. After decades of gut issues, it’s one of the few things that’s actually helped. Their Daily Essentials Duo covers nutrient gaps and supports everyday health + it’s 40% off right now so it’s a great time to give it a try.

📆 Around town this week

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.

This week

🎅 4th Annual Christmas with Clark @ Old Mill Playhouse Movie Theatre | Tuesday (12/2) at 7:00pm – Take a break from mall madness and slide into Epic Playhouse Old Mill Theatre for Christmas with Clark, year four. Expect Bing, Mel, and Dean, sacred and secular favorites that make lights seem brighter, holiday favorites that create a cozy, familiar atmosphere.

🦕 The Secret Lives of Dinosaurs and the Adventures of a Paleontologist @ Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center | Wednesday (12/3) at 7:00pm – Dinosaurs spill their secrets when Dr. Dean Lomax, a real-life paleontologist, brings his field adventures and fossil finds to The Sharon. Expect smart stories, jaw-dropping facts, and a few laugh-worthy truths about creatures older than your favorite tee time.

🎨 Adult Craft Series “Commemorative Christmas Ornaments” Class @ Fruitland Park Library | Thursday (12/4) at 2:00pm – Dust off your glue gun and head to the Fruitland Park Library for an adult craft class making commemorative Christmas ornaments. Calm, creative, and blissfully screen-free, it beats mall mayhem. Spots are limited, so call or pop in to snag one.

🦷 Free Dental Day @ Villages Smiles | Friday (12/5) at 8:00am – Roll in early and snag some seriously good vibes (and even better dental care) at this first-come, first-served day of free services. The Villages Smiles team is going full community-hero mode with complimentary treatments and plenty of gratitude. Bring a friend, bring a smile, and walk out feeling like you just won the oral-health lottery.

🎇 Winterfest & Light Up Wildwood Christmas Parade @ Wildwood City Hall | Friday (12/5) at 5:00pm – If your holiday spirit needs a nudge, head to City Hall for the parade, the big tree lighting, and enough kid energy to power a snow slide. Santa’s stopping by, s’mores are on, and it’s free, festive, and gloriously small-town.

This weekend

🧸 Lady Lake Christmas Parade: Santa’s Toy Workshop| Saturday (12/6) at 10:00am – Ready to swap big-box madness for small-town sparkle? Lady Lake rolls out its parade with a Santa’s Toy Workshop theme, festive floats, and cheer you don’t have to untangle. Bring the crew, soak up nostalgia, and if you’re entering, applications are due November 13.

💃 Jane Austen 250th Birthday Ball @ Water Lily Recreation Center | Saturday (12/6) at 11:00am – Break out your empire waist and dancing slippers, we’re celebrating Jane Austen’s 250th with English country dances to live tunes from Hoggetowne Fancy. Pre-register for a Guest ID, bring $20 for the ball, and stick around for an optional dinner at the country club.

🎄 City of Leesburg’s Christmas Festival & Parade @ Towne Square | Saturday (12/6) at 1:00pm – Whether you’ve been waving from the curb since the first one, or just want an excuse for cocoa, Downtown Leesburg becomes a holiday playground. Free ice skating, Santa pics, local makers, a festive character appearance suitable for all ages.

🌀 Wand Presents World’s Fastest Hypnotist @ Old Mill Theater | Saturday (12/6) at 6:30pm – Skip the usual and see the World’s Fastest Hypnotist read minds, predict choices, and turn volunteers into the show in seconds. Bring your favorite skeptic, enjoy the mystery, laughter, and charm, and a lighthearted performance designed to get everyone smiling.

🕉️ Sound Healing Meditation @ Grand Oaks Resort | Sunday (12/7) at 4:00pm – Whether you’re a sound bath regular or need a break from the news cycle, this crystal and Tibetan bowl meditation will tune you up. Expect deep calm, fewer knots, maybe a nap. Bring a mat, blanket, pillow, eye cover, water, and $25, register at IAmLuv2All.com.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/2 Festival of Trees @ Lady Lake Public Library – 2 pm
• 12/2 Double Board Bomb Pot Bounty @ Oxford Downs – 6:15 pm
• 12/2 Clark Barrios @ Old Mill Playhouse Threat – 7 pm
• 12/3 Green Chip Bounty @ Oxford Downs – 6:15 pm
• 12/5 A Christmas Carol @ The Tracy – 7 pm
• 12/9 Joint Club Holiday Party @ Laurel Manor Rec Center – 6 pm
• 12/10 The Wizards of Winter @ Savannah Center – 3 pm
• 12/12 The Nutcracker @ Sharon Morse Performing Arts Center – 7 pm
• 12/13 TBJ @ Brownwood Paddock Square – 5 pm

🏠️ This house is wild

Listed by: Jamie Noll (REALTY EXECUTIVES IN THE VILLAGES)

Expanded Laurel Oak in Fenney Village with 3 beds, 2 baths, and 2,309 sq ft, finished with high ceilings, wood-look tile, plantation shutters, and four solar tubes, two with night lights. Cabinetry and quartz wrap a working island. Tray ceilings, a roll-in Roman shower, tankless water and built-in entertainment center round it out.

Outdoor living shines with a 52 x 14 lanai facing the pond, pull-down shades, and room for a pool. The 28 x 23 garage fits two vehicles plus a golf cart, with attic storage and a vented door. Shingles, gutters, northwest exposure, and four wall-mounted TVs.

Take a peek inside →