Good morning, Villagers. From a quick golf cart poll, to the roads you use every day without realizing it, today’s issue is full of smart design, great homes, easy walks, and a perfect 2-night escape idea.

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📅 On this day in 1915: the first transcontinental telephone call connected New York to San Francisco.

— Kevin Rogers, Publisher

Poll of The Week

Staying with the golf cart theme this week. Golf carts do a lot of miles around here, and most of us personalize them. This week’s poll is quick and simple:

Villages History

🛣️ The Roads That Changed Everything

Part 2: The Internal Network You Use Without Thinking

Some of the most important Villages roads aren’t the famous ones.

County Road 466 and 466A reshaped east–west movement, linking shopping, medical offices, and town squares in ways that made daily errands faster and more predictable.

Then there’s Canal Street and Marsh Bend Trail, which helped absorb traffic as new villages came online. These roads weren’t flashy, but they prevented congestion before it became a problem.

What really changed behavior, though, was the pairing of roads with cart paths. Parallel routes allowed cars and carts to coexist without constantly colliding — a design choice that sounds obvious now, but wasn’t early on(yes, we’re looking at you Morse, north of 466).

This internal network is why many Villagers rarely need to use major highways at all. You can live, socialize, exercise, shop, and dine almost entirely within the system.

Most residents couldn’t draw this network from memory — but they feel it every day.

That’s good design.

🏡 Open House of The Week

Tuesday, Jan 20 • 11:00 AM–1:00 PM
💲 $545,000

A polished, move-in-ready beauty in the Village of La Belle that shows like a model and checks all the Villages lifestyle boxes.

✨ Why it stands out:

• 🏠 3 bed / 2 bath • 1,958 sq ft • (built 2015)

• 🌿 Corner lot with pristine landscaping + pergola patio

• 🍷 Chef’s kitchen w/ stainless appliances + wine rack

• 🚿 Spa-style primary suite with huge custom closet

If “clean, classy, and cart-convenient” is your vibe—this one’s worth a look.

🌿 Villages Walk of the Week

🚶‍♂️ Walk of the Week: Clarendon Pathway

A smooth neighborhood path that’s easy on the joints and big on quiet charm. Clarendon Pathway is flat, well-kept, and perfect for a relaxed morning stroll, dog walk, or quick leg-stretcher between errands. Bonus: there are simple outdoor exercise stations along the way if you want to mix in light strength or stretching without committing to a full workout.

📍 Where is it?
2796 Tharp Ave, near the Clarendon neighborhood

SPONSORED BY NOVA FILTERS

Turn every faucet into clean, fresh water.

Hard water stains. Chlorine smell. Dry skin. Bad-tasting tap water.
Sound familiar?

Nova Filters helps eliminate all of it. They’re a family- and veteran-owned company run by a Villager, and they’ve become the go-to water solution for homes across The Villages. I had their 3-stage whole-house system installed and couldn’t be happier. Cleaner taste, fresher smell, and better water everywhere in the house.

Nova Filters offers whole-house water filters, water softeners, and reverse osmosis systems with free professional installation, upfront pricing, and OVER 500 - 5.0-star Google ratings.

Cleaner Water Starts Now
👉️ Call (352) 566-2649— and mention Villages Pulse for $24 OFF.

🩺 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!!!”

Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)
A snapshot of electrolytes, kidney health, and metabolism

This simple blood test checks key markers like sodium, potassium, calcium, glucose, and kidney function—often revealing issues before symptoms show up.

✅ Who should consider it:
Adults with fatigue, dehydration, blood pressure issues, diabetes, on certain medications (diuretics, ACE inhibitors), or anyone wanting a solid baseline.

👉 Where / Who / Prescription:
Ordered by your primary care provider; quick blood draw at any standard lab.

💡 Takeaway:
One of the most useful “early warning” tests out there. If something’s off, the BMP usually spots it first.

Pulse Travel

🚗 2-Night Getaway: Downtown St. Pete

Cooler temps make this the perfect time to slow down and explore on foot. Downtown St. Pete shines when you can comfortably wander the waterfront, stroll past murals and cafes, and linger a little longer outside without the heat chasing you indoors. It’s an easy, walkable city that rewards curiosity.

🏨 Where to Stay

• Upscale: The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club — iconic waterfront, walkable to everything. Sit down before checking the price/night!

• Funky: The Hollander Hotel — artsy, local vibe, great location.

• Plenty of Condo’s near the waterfront on VRBO!

🍽️ Must-Eat

• Parkshore Grill — classic Beach Drive dinner.

• Teak — rooftop views + solid food.

• Social Roost — easy brunch or cocktails.

🎨 What to Do

• The Dalí Museum — can’t-miss, right on the water.

• St. Pete Pier — sunset walk, drinks, views.

• Sunken Gardens — quick, beautiful escape.

🌴 Outdoors

• North Shore Park — morning walk along the bay.

• Optional side trip: Fort De Soto Park for beaches.

🗓️ Simple Flow

Mon: Drive → check in → Pier sunset → dinner
Tue: Dalí → lunch → relax → rooftop dinner
Wed: Brunch → waterfront stroll → head home

Bottom line: food, culture, water views — zero hassle, perfect 2-night reset.

Upcoming Events

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

💎 Estates Roadshow | Waterfront Inn | Jan 19 - 23 | Details

V4Veterans Chili Night | Old Mill Playhouse | Jan 20 | Details

Lady Lake Farmers Market | Rolling Acres Sports Complex | Jan 20 | 9 am

🏌️‍♀️ Ladies Putting/Low Chip Shots Clinic | Palmer | Jan 20 | 1:30 PM | Details

Joaniefit Kickboxing | Sawgrass | Wed Jan 21 | 10 am | Details

VHA Golf Cart Safety Clinic | Colony Cottage Rec | Jan 21 | 9 am | Details

⛳️ Short Game School | Central Lake Academy | Jan 21 | 10:30 am | Details

🏌️ Ladies Basics of Golf | Palmer | Jan 21 | 1:30 PM | Details

Dancing Thru The Decades: Suzie Casta | Seabreeze Rec | Jan 22 | 6:30pm

Yellow Brick Road - A Tribute To Elton John | Reilly Arts Center | Sun Feb 1 | Details

Bad Company/Foreigner Tribute | Whispering Oaks | Feb 5 | Tickets

Have an event you want to announce to 8,800+ local Villagers? Email us the details and a link to [email protected]

Live Music Lowdown

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thanks!

Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed today’s issue, do me a favor and share it with a friend or neighbor — it’s the easiest way this little local newsletter keeps growing. See you Thursday!

P.S. Want to get your business in front of 8,800+ local Villagers? Reach out here.