Good morning, Villagers! Happy Monday, in today’s email: a revealing relationship poll, dinner club is a go, a fresh chapter in Villages history, a must-see Lake Miona home, and a holiday escape that’s pure magic. Let’s roll.

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On this day in 1991, Freddie Mercury, legendary frontman of Queen, passed away in London at age 45. His voice, energy, and showmanship left a mark on music that still echoes through stadiums, playlists, and karaoke nights everywhere.

Thursday is Thanksgiving Day: If you’re not in the mood to wrestle a turkey while the football game is on, you’re in luck. Many Villages and area restaurants are rolling out special Thanksgiving dinners, from full turkey feasts to easy carve-and-serve plates. It’s the perfect excuse to skip the oven, grab a reservation, and let someone else worry about the gravy. Check with your favorite restaurant for details.

— Kevin Rogers, Publisher

Poll of The Week

Last week’s Dinner Club poll revealed a surprising number of singles in the mix — so let’s get a clearer picture. This week, I’m asking one simple question:

🍽️ Villages Pulse Dinner Club

Interest was huge last Thursday, 157 of you said YES to a non-couples, singles/ladies/men’s dinner club, and I’m putting the final touches on the sign-up app now. Everyone who voted yes will get a separate email no later than Wednesday with all the details and the link to reserve your spot for the Dec. 10 kickoff dinner. If you didn’t vote but are interested, just answer the quick poll below so you’re added to the list. And don’t worry, I’ll also include the full details in Thursday’s regular email.

Villages History

Katie Belle’s

Chapter 3: The Makeover That Missed

In 2015, longtime patrons noticed something unsettling: the construction tarps went up. Katie Belle’s was being remodeled. The plan was to modernize the building — move the restaurant upstairs, rent out the lower level for retail.

When the new version opened in 2016, it was… different. The open balcony was now enclosed with glass. The old saloon atmosphere felt muted. And new policies — cover charges, time limits, and minimum spends — rubbed many regulars the wrong way.
“The charm was gone,” one Villager wrote. “We came for the dance floor and camaraderie — not for tickets and timers.”

The new Katie Belle’s lasted only a few years. The crowds thinned. People still went, but the laughter seemed quieter. Even with live bands and a decent menu, it wasn’t the same.
In hindsight, it wasn’t just a remodel. It was the end of an era — a moment when The Villages’ original square began to fade into nostalgia, while life shifted south to newer town squares.

🏡 Home of The Week

1078 Lakeview Ln, The Villages, FL 32162
Open House: Monday, Nov 24 • 2–4 PM

Built in 2009 and tucked in the coveted Lake Miona corridor, this expanded Williamsburg Premier sits on a beautifully landscaped 0.35-acre lot in Bridgeport at Miona Shores—a quiet, elegant neighborhood just minutes from Lake Sumter Landing. It’s spacious, bright, and meticulously cared for by its original owner.

🔹 Highlights

• 🌅 NE-facing 578 sq ft climate-controlled sunroom — a showstopper

• 🛠️ NEW roof (2024), NEW HVAC (2023), Tankless gas water heater (2022)

• 🚗 Oversized 3-car garage with electric screens + attic stairs & storage

• 🌿 Private backyard with pergola + room to add a pool

• 💧 Whole-house water softener, ADT security, and tons of upgrades

• 🎉 Bond is PAID

What do you think the listing price is?

🌿 Villages Walk of the Week

🌉 Chitty Chatty Bridge Walk

Pulse Travel

✨Nights of Lights Getaway in St. Augustine, FL

If you’re itching for a quick holiday escape, St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights is one of Florida’s most magical two-night getaways. Running November 15 through January 11, the entire historic district glows under three million white lights, turning every street, balcony, and waterfront view into a postcard.

Check in to a Marriott favorite - the Renaissance St. Augustine, Casa Monica Resort & Spa, or AC Hotel — all close enough to walk straight into the sparkle. If you got the Marriott Boundless card offer I mentioned a couple months ago, you could stay for free this trip!

Arrive late afternoon, drop your bags, and head out as the lights switch on at dusk. You can wander on foot through the Plaza de la Constitución and bayfront, hop onto an old-fashioned trolley tour, or take it up a notch with a horse-drawn carriage ride through the illuminated streets.

For dinner, book Collage Restaurant, one of the city’s top-rated fine-dining gems. Day two is your chance to explore the architecture, shops, and side streets before grabbing lunch at Prohibition Kitchen, beloved for its ambiance and bar food taken up a notch.

Return for one more lap through the lights — on foot if you want to linger, or on a trolley if you want to sit back and let the holiday glow roll past.

Virgin Cruise Deals

👉 Take a peek at these 3 amazing cruises available to Villages Pulse readers, thanks to our partner, Vacationeeze:

• Aruban Sights & Antiguan Nights (Jan 3 - 10, 2026) - sun-soaked ports and island-hopping bliss.

• Picturesque Panama Canal (Oct 29 - Nov 15) - a bucket-list passage through one of the world’s great wonders.

• French Riviera, Italy, Rome & Ibiza (July 4–11, 2026) - Mediterranean magic wrapped in a week of elegance and nightlife.

These exclusive offers come straight from Vacationeeze, bringing Pulse readers the kind of cruise savings that don’t stay afloat for long. 🚢

🩺 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!!!”

Vision Screening (General)

More than just reading the eye chart

Regular vision screenings catch cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and other issues that can creep up with age.

✅ Who should consider it: All adults 50+, especially with diabetes or family history of eye disease.

👉 Where/Who/Prescription: Done by optometrists and ophthalmologists. No prescription required.

💡 Takeaway: Clear vision is vital for safety and independence—don’t skip routine eye checks.

Upcoming Events

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

Shirley’s Senior No Limit Holdem’ | Oxford Downs | Nov 24 | 11:15 am

Donate Blood Villages Parrot Head Club | Waterfront Inn | Nov 24

Cousin’s Maine Lobster | Lucky-U Cycles Wildwood | Nov 24 | 11 am - 3 pm

Christmas Show Celebration | Ezell Rec | Nov 24 | 6 PM | Tickets

Trivia Tuesday | Sawgrass Grove | Nov 25 | 12 PM | Details

Joaniefit Kickboxing | Sawgrass | Wed Nov 26 | 10 am | Details

40 Years 2 Late Live 80’s Rock | Oxford Downs Tiki Bar | Nov 26 | 8 - 11 PM

🏌️‍♀️ Ladies Only Full Swing Clinic | Palmer | Nov 26 | 10:30 am | Details

Mark Raisch Buble & Beyond - Free | Grand Oaks | Nov 29 | 1 PM & 4 PM

Tree Lighting Festival | Spanish Springs | Nov 29 | 8 pm | Details

Tree Lighting Festival | Brownwood | Nov 29 | 8 pm | Details

Have an event you want to announce to 8,000+ local Villagers? Email us the details and a link to [email protected]

Live Music Lowdown

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thanks!

Thanks for reading! If you found something useful please share it with someone who has never seen the St. Augustine Nights of Lights.

P.S. Want to get your business in front of 8,000+ local Villagers? Reach out here.