Happy Monday, Villagers. We’ve got a classic Christmas dinner debate, a surprisingly affordable open house, and a little Villages history you might not have thought about lately. Quick heads-up: there will be no full Thursday newsletter this week on Christmas Day. We’ll be back in your inbox next Monday.

📨 If this email was forwarded to you, you can subscribe here.

📅 On This Day in 1968, Apollo 8 became the first manned spacecraft to orbit the Moon, sending back the famous “Earthrise” photo. A reminder that perspective changes everything.

— Kevin Rogers, Publisher

Poll of The Week

🍽️ Christmas Dinner Debate

Every year, the same argument pops up. Stick with tradition, or level up the main course? Some swear Christmas isn’t Christmas without turkey. Others say rib roast has officially stolen the crown.

Where do you land?

Villages History

🏊 Rise of the Rec Center Arms Race

Part 1: When “Good Enough” Was Enough

In the early days of The Villages, recreation centers were simple by design. A pool. A few courts. A modest building for cards, crafts, or club meetings. They weren’t meant to impress. They were meant to function.

Back then, just having any dedicated recreation space was a selling point. Residents were thrilled to swim, play pickleball, or gather socially without leaving the community. Expectations were lower, and frankly, the competition was nonexistent.

But as The Villages grew, something subtle happened. New residents arrived with higher expectations. They had traveled more, seen more, and wanted amenities that matched an active, resort-style lifestyle. “Adequate” quietly stopped being enough.

Developers noticed.

Each new rec center began getting small upgrades. Slightly nicer pools. Better layouts. More activity rooms. Nothing dramatic at first, but the trajectory had changed.

The arms race hadn’t started yet.
But the fuse was lit.

🏡 Open House of The Week

📍 1201 Dustin Dr, The Villages (Silver Lake)
🗓 Monday, Dec 22 | ⏰ 11:00 AM–1:00 PM
💲 $379,000 | 🛏 3 Bed | 🛁 2 Bath | 📐 1,744 sq ft

We’re not featuring a million dollar stunner this week! At $379,000, this brand-new 2025 home lands at a refreshingly approachable price point for Villages buyers who want something modern, move-in ready, and close to Spanish Springs without blowing up the budget.

✨ Key Highlights

• 🍽️ Gourmet kitchen with granite counters, stainless appliances & oversized island

• 🏠 Open-concept layout with high tray ceilings and modern plank flooring

• 🌿 Extended rear lanai for morning coffee or easy entertaining

• 🚗 2-car garage + golf cart parking

• 🎾 Community amenities galore – golf, pickleball, tennis, pool & rec centers

If you’ve been waiting for a new, clean, modern Villages home under $400K, this one checks a lot of boxes. Go see it in person and decide if Silver Lake might be your next address.

🌿 Villages Walk of the Week

🌳 Live Oaks Park

A quiet gem tucked inside The Villages, Live Oaks Park is a peaceful place for an easy nature stroll under towering oaks and hanging Spanish moss — a true Old Florida feel without leaving the bubble. The paths are flat and shaded, perfect for a relaxed lap, bird spotting, or a slow morning walk with coffee. You’ll find benches, open green space, and spots to stop and enjoy the breeze.

Expect an easy 0.5–1 mile walk depending on how much you wander.
📍 Located near the Lake Sumter area along Morse Blvd.

Calm, simple, and beautifully shaded — a great spot when you want a nature reset close to home.

Non Couples Dinner Club

Dinner Club Reminder
Registration for the second Villages Pulse Dinner Club is open and seats are filling up. If you want in on Jan 14 — meeting new neighbors, sharing good food, and starting something fun — make sure you’re signed up before the Jan 12 at 5:30 PM deadline. Don’t miss your seat at the table! 🍽️

Classifieds

⚾Want to play baseball? Real hardball? The Village Bison (64+ Tampa Senior Baseball League) are holding an open tryout Tuesday, Jan 6 at 9:30am at 225 W Guava St in Lady Lake, with some spots open for ages 60–63.

Spring season runs late February through May with Sunday games; show up to try out or call Gary Rima at 319-404-5941 for details. ⚾

Pulse Travel

Travel Hack of The Week

Cruise Pricing Hack Most People Miss 🚢
Here’s a simple move that can save you hundreds on a cruise. Book early to lock in the cabin you want, then keep checking prices. Cruise fares change constantly, and if the same cabin category drops before final payment, you can usually reprice to the lower fare or snag onboard credit instead. Even after final payment, cruise lines often add perks like onboard credit or upgrades rather than refund cash. Most people book once and never look again. That’s exactly why this works.

Cruise Deal Pick - Barcelona To Rome on Oceania!

Mediterranean Cruise, Fall 2026 🚢
Set sail aboard Oceania Sirena on a gorgeous 7-night Mediterranean voyage, sailing Barcelona to Rome.

Ports of call include: Palamós, Marseille, Corsica, Cinque Terre, Sardinia, Naples

For Villages Pulse readers:
• Exclusive perks: $250 ship credit, 3 bottles of wine, Gratuities included, free wifi, unlimited drinks or $800 shore excursion credit!
• Reduced deposit of just $250

Perfect fall weather, iconic ports, and small-ship luxury. If Europe by sea has been on your list, this is a strong one.

See the full itinerary & grab your spot → Mediterranean Escape on Oceania 🚢

🩺 Screening Spotlight

Sponsored By Life Line Screening

Villages Pulse Reader Elizabeth shared this with me recently: “I did not see your poll on carotid artery screening but everyone should do it. I did and it saved my life. I had 97% blockage. Just saying it can make all difference. That was in 2013!!!”

C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

A blood test for hidden inflammation

High CRP levels signal inflammation linked to heart disease and stroke. An important marker, very rarely ordered by PCP’s.

✅ Who should consider it: Adults with risk factors, metabolic syndrome, or unclear heart risk.

👉 Where/Who/Prescription: Ordered by primary care or cardiologists. Requires lab draw.

💡 Takeaway: Helps doctors decide how aggressively to treat heart risk

Upcoming Events

Want a Featured Event with a poster/image? Reach out.

Shirley’s Senior (50+) NL Holdem Tourney | Oxford Downs | Today | 11:15 am

Lady Lake Farmers Market | Rolling Acres Sports Complex | Dec 23 | 9am

Trivia Tuesday | Sawgrass Grove | Dec 23 | 12 PM | Details

Advanced 4.0+ Pickleball Night | Oxford Downs | Dec 23 | 6 - 9 PM

Joaniefit Kickboxing | Sawgrass | Wed Dec 24 | 10 am | Details

Dunning Shaw | Holy Sh’mokes | Wed Dec 24 | 5 PM | Details

Brooklyn Boys Tribute to Neil Diamond/Barry Manilow | Grand Oaks | Dec 27

Free Movie for Seniors: Song Sung Blue | Old Mill Playhouse | Jan 6

Nearly Diamond: Neil Diamond Tribute | Whispering Oaks | Jan 15 | Tickets

Have an event you want to announce to 8,300+ local Villagers? Email us the details and a link to [email protected]

Live Music Lowdown

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thanks!

Thanks for reading and being part of Villages Pulse. Enjoy Christmas week, eat well, walk it off, and we’ll catch up again next Monday. Share this email with a someone who loves turkey dinner for Christmas.

P.S. Want to get your business in front of 8,300+ local Villagers? Reach out here.