🌅 Good Morning, Villages. Heroes in uniforms, a Costco countdown, and a quieter beach just 90 minutes away—we’ve packed this issue with stories and updates you’ll want to know. From our First Responders Poll to another chapter in Villages family history, today’s newsletter is a nod to the people and places that make life here so unique.

On this day in 1492, Columbus set sail from Spain on a voyage that changed the world. Let’s hope your Monday adventures are a little smoother than his first trip across the Atlantic.

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Let’s dive in.

— Kevin Rogers, Publisher

Poll Of The Week

Were You a First Responder?

Last week’s military branch poll proved the Villages has no shortage of everyday heroes, and after several readers suggested a First Responders Poll, we’d love to know if you were one of them! Whether you rushed into burning buildings, saved lives in the ER, or answered those 911 calls, give yourself a nod below.

Villages Family History

Chapter 2: H. Gary Morse and the Rise of The Villages

When H. Gary Morse took the reins in 1983, The Villages shifted from a small retirement community into a groundbreaking experiment in lifestyle-driven living. Gary wasn’t just selling homes – he was selling a vision of retirement packed with amenities, entertainment, and connection. He invested heavily in golf courses, swimming pools, recreation centers, and a town square designed for nightly music and dancing. This all-inclusive approach drew retirees nationwide, eager for a vibrant, ready-made social life.

Through the 1990s and 2000s, The Villages exploded in size, far surpassing early expectations. What began as a modest 400-home trailer park grew into a sprawling development selling thousands of homes annually, earning national recognition as one of America’s fastest-growing communities. Tens of thousands of residents soon called it home, making it a retirement destination like no other.

To sustain this rapid growth, Gary kept the enterprise largely under family control. The Morse companies handled nearly every aspect of life in The Villages – from homebuilding and park maintenance to utilities, banking, insurance (now Baldwin Group, more on that in another issue), and even a daily newspaper, The Villages Daily Sun. This vertical integration ensured high standards, seamless service, and reinvestment of profits directly back into the community, fueling its expansion.

Despite steering a booming empire, Gary maintained a low public profile. Unlike his father Harold’s friendly, hands-on approach, Gary rarely appeared in public or granted interviews. Known simply as “the Developer,” he became something of a Wizard of Oz figure – invisible yet ever-present, pulling the strings behind the curtain while letting The Villages’ success speak for itself.

As its population swelled, The Villages also rose to political prominence. With tens of thousands of active voters, it became a prime campaign stop for governors and presidential hopefuls alike. Gary himself became a major supporter of candidates he believed would champion the community’s continued growth and prosperity.

By the early 2010s, The Villages stood as the nation’s premier retirement enclave – the embodiment of Gary Morse’s ambitious vision. When Gary passed away in October 2014 at age 77, tributes hailed him as the architect of this one-of-a-kind community. Long before his death, he had prepared the next generation to take over, passing the torch to his children and securing the future of The Villages for decades to come.

Did you miss last weeks? Read Chapter 1.

Open House

If you’re house-hunting for something truly special, 1515 Gadsden Pl is a showstopper. This Premier Chatham model boasts over 3,600 sq. ft. of living space with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, soaring tray ceilings, and a flexible bonus room perfect for a home office or game area.

The kitchen shines with granite counters and a big pantry, while the primary suite spoils you with a garden tub, dual sinks, and a huge walk-in closet. There’s even an oversized guest suite with its own walk-in tub.

Add in solar panels keeping electric bills around $30 a month, a deep golf cart garage, and a new roof, and you’ve got one of the most unique homes on the market. Open house Tuesday, 1:30–3:30 PM.

Day Trips From The Villages

Ormond Beach – The Quieter Daytona

If you love the idea of a beach day but dread Daytona’s wall-to-wall crowds, Ormond Beach is your escape. Roughly 90 minutes from The Villages, this laid-back coastal town gives you the same Atlantic breeze and soft sand—without the noise, traffic, and spring-break vibes.

Start your morning with a scenic drive along the Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail, a gorgeous 30-mile stretch shaded by live oaks and lined with marshes, creeks, and glimpses of the ocean. Once you hit the beach, you’ll notice the difference immediately—cleaner sands, calmer surf, and plenty of room to spread out.

Off the beach, explore The Casements, John D. Rockefeller’s former winter home, now a museum and cultural center overlooking the Halifax River. Stroll Granada Boulevard, dotted with boutique shops, art galleries, and cozy cafés. If you’re feeling adventurous, check out Tomoka State Park, where shaded trails meet the water’s edge, perfect for a short hike or kayak rental.

For lunch, locals swear by Hull’s Seafood Restaurant & Market. It’s casual, fresh-off-the-boat seafood done right—think fish tacos, shrimp baskets, or a grouper sandwich that rivals any in Florida. Eat outside if there’s a breeze, or cool off indoors with the A/C humming. If it’s not too hot out, lunch or dinner on the patio at River Grille right on the Tomoka River, is a great spot to unwind and enjoy a great meal.

Wrap up your day with a slow walk along the quieter shoreline or a riverside sunset before heading home. Ormond Beach delivers everything you want from Daytona—waves, seafood, and ocean views—minus the crowds, chaos, and long waits for a table. It’s beach bliss, and a relatively easy drive from The Villages.

Business News

Costco Soft Opening Today?

Word floating around online says the new Costco in The Villages might be doing a “soft opening” Monday, August 4, but according to official info from Costco, the grand opening is set for 8 am on Wednesday, August 6 at 675 Tatonka Terrace in the Buffalo Ridge Plaza next to Hobby Lobby. I can’t find anything concrete to confirm the soft opening, or who’s invited. So unless there’s an unannounced insider event early Monday, it seems it’s time to get ready for the crowds on Wednesday.

Upcoming Events

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

Shirley’s Senior Texas Hold’em Tourney | Oxford Downs | Mon Aug 4 | Details

🏌️‍♀️ Ladies Basics of Golf | Palmer Legends | Aug 5 | 9 am | Details

🍽️ Cooking Class | Legacy Restaurant | Tue Aug 5 | 12 pm & 2:30 pm | <Register at link

Joaniefit Kickboxing | Sawgrass | Wed Aug 6 | 9 am | Details

🏌️‍♀️ Ladies Only Full Swing Clinic | Palmer Legends | Wed Aug 6 | 9:30 am | Details

⛳️ Joey’s Short Game Clinic | Sarasota | Thu Aug 7 | 7:30 am | Details

🎨 🍷 Paint & Sip | Legacy Restaurant | Thu Aug 7 | 12 PM | Register 🔥 This sells out fast!

🎾Small Group Lessons | Aviary Rec | Thu Aug 7 | 8 - 10 am | Details

⛳️ Putt, Chip & Pitch Clinic | Sarasota | Fri Aug 8 | 8:30 am | Details

🎤 Donna Moor Diva Legends Show | Old Mill Playhouse | Aug 8 | 5 PM | Tickets

“Shot of the Day” Advanced 4.0+ Clinic | Oxford Downs | Thu Aug 7 | 5:30pm | Details ( need to sign up for website account to view and register events.

🤣 Comedy Hypnotist Chris Jones | Old Mill Playhouse | Sat Aug 9 | 6:30pm | Details

Free Movie for Seniors: Sketch | Old Mill Playhouse | Mon Aug 18 | 2pm | Register

Have an event you want to announce to 6,300+ local Villagers? Email us the details and a link to [email protected]

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Live Music Lowdown

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thanks!

Thanks for reading Villages Pulse today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who loves a Costco hot dog.

P.S. Want to get your business in front of 6,300+ local Villagers? Reach out here.