Good Morning ☀️ , Villages.  This is Villages Pulse, the newsletter that shares fun events, the most comprehensive live music listings, and highlights local businesses. I’d like to welcome the 350+ new subscribers so far this week. Welcome! Oh, and Happy National Oreo Cookie Day ⚫️⚪️⚫️! The popular cookie has been around since 1912!  

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In today’s Villages Pulse:

• Mt Dora parking issues may be solved?

• Many fun coming events

• Live Music Listings

Let’s dive in.

— Kevin Rogers, Publisher

Poll of the Week

The Digest

City Of Mount Dora Looks to Improve Hectic Parking Situation

Picturesque day trip mecca, the city of Mount Dora, is grappling with a downtown parking crunch.  The issue? Too many cars, too few spots, especially during busy times. City officials note underused lots, leaving drivers frustrated and circling streets, deterring visits. A January workshop sparked ideas, pinpointing poor signage as a key culprit.

Relief is in sight! Mount Dora tested a free shuttle, Freebee, to ferry folks from lots to downtown. Leaders are pushing better signs to steer drivers off crowded 5th Avenue and Donnelly Street to available spaces. Councilman Doug Bryant says the aim is simple: hassle-free parking so everyone can enjoy the city’s charm. While retiree Linda DeCarlo fears losing the small-town feel, others see a smart balance of growth and tradition. As of March 5, 2025, Mount Dora is poised to solve its parking woes, inviting all to park and explore with ease. You can get more details on their plan here.

Random Photo of The Week

If you love taking photos around the Villages area, send us your favorite and we’ll post it in a future newsletter, with a shoutout to you, of course! Send your photos to [email protected] .

What’s Happenin’

🎨 🎸 Mercado - Spanish Springs: Outdoor Market and Music | Saturday March 8 | 9 am - 2 PM | Handmade Crafts, art, locally grown produce, with live music in the Gazebo! | Jeff Whitfield Trio | 10am - 2pm

🎦 Outdoor Movie Series: Top Gun - Maverick | Thurs March 6 | 7 - 9 PM | Saddlebrook Softball Complex | ** must register, call (352) 753-1716

🖼️ Market Night - Brownwood | Brownwood Square | Thursday March 6 | 5 - 9 PM

👩‍🎨 Spring Craft Show | Three locations: Laurel Manor, Rohan, SeaBreeze Recreation | Saturday March 8 | 9am - 2pm | Embroidery, Quilting, Pottery, Carpentry, Polymer Clay, Card Making, Basket Weaving, Bead Work, Glass Fusion & More

🚙 2025 Ocala RV Show | This Thursday - Saturday 9am - 5pm | Sunday 10am - 4pm | Explore the newest models from 6 local dealers | Largest show in North Central FL

🍖Fruitland Park Day & BBQ Cookoff | Sat March 29 10am - 3pm | Includes Parade, BBQ Contest, Vendor Booths, Food Trucks

🧑‍🌾 2025 Farm to Table Dinner Series | Brown & Brown Farms | This event is a unique collaboration with the Rose Plantation, featuring Chef Ben Roche.

🃏 No Limit Hold’em Tournament | Oxford Downs | Saturday March 8, 10:15am start | $100 Buy-in, 10,000 chips, 20 minute blinds

👙 Sip and Dip Pool Party | Brownwood Hotel & Spa | Sat March 29 | 11am - 3pm | Exclusive pool access, All you can eat Chef Grill Station | two drink tickets plus open bar | only 6 tix left!

💃Dancing with Arlen and Keith - Group Lessons COUNTRY 2 STEP | Friday March 7 | 10:20 - 11:30 am | Sterling Heights Rec Center

Civil News & Updates

Closures

🎱🔨Colony Cottage Recreation Bocce Courts | closed for resurfacing | Mon, March 10 - Sun, March 23, 2025

Weather

Things look good the rest of the week warming up into the weekend, but with rain very possible on Sunday.

Thursday

64 🌡️ 44| ☀️ | 0% | 🌬️ W 10 - 15 mph, Gusts 30

Friday

75 🌡️ 49 | 🌤️ | 0% | 🌬️ NE 5 mph

Saturday

79 🌡️ 60 | ⛅️ | 20% | 🌬️ SW 0 - 5mph

Sunday

77 🌡️ 57 | ⛅️ | 60% | 🌬️ NE 5 - 10 mph

Live Music Lowdown

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Thanks!

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