Happy Monday, Villagers. We’re easing into the week with a mix of practical, local, and just plain interesting — a simple but important golf cart insurance poll, another chapter in the rec center “arms race,” a seriously solid no-bond open house, a scenic Eastport walk, and music and events to keep your calendar full.

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📅 On this day in 1933: Construction began on the Golden Gate Bridge, a project many thought was impossible at the time, and one that became an icon of American ambition.

— Kevin Rogers, Publisher

Poll of The Week

🛺 Golf Cart Insurance — Do You Have It?

Golf carts are basically our second cars here in The Villages, and sometimes our only cars. But when it comes to insurance, there’s a surprising amount of confusion around the topic. So let’s start simple…

Villages History

🏊 Rise of the Rec Center Arms Race

Part 3: From Amenities to Identity

Today’s rec centers barely resemble the originals. They’re larger, more polished, and intentionally designed to feel like destinations. Resort-style pools. Modern fitness areas. Event-ready spaces. Some even become landmarks residents identify with emotionally.

Ask someone where they live and they might answer with a village name. Ask where they hang out and you’ll hear a rec center. That’s the real shift. Rec centers stopped being background amenities and became part of residents’ identity. Favorite centers spark debates. Loyalty forms. And newer ones are inevitably compared to older favorites.

Ironically, this arms race never officially existed. There was no announcement. No master plan saying each one had to be better. It simply evolved as expectations rose and The Villages kept growing. And it’s not slowing down. Future rec centers won’t just match today’s standards—they’ll have to beat them.

🏡 Open House of The Week

Monday, Jan 5 • 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
$369,900 | NO BOND

A lot of house for the money — and it shows.

This expanded 2,000 sq ft Cypress Designer sits on a corner lot in the Village of Piedmont and is turnkey furnished, spotless, and seriously upgraded. Quartz kitchen, porcelain tile throughout (no transitions), updated baths, newer roof, HVAC, tankless hot water, and an epoxy garage floor. Quiet street. Fantastic location near Nancy Lopez, Glenview, Savannah Center, and shopping.

👉 Solid price. Big space. Zero bond. Worth a look.

🌿 Villages Walk of the Week

🌳 Nadine Trail

Nadine Trail is a smooth, 1.28-mile paved loop hugging Central Lake, serving up waterfront views with a front-row seat to Eastport as it takes shape. Flat, accessible, and easy on the joints, it’s perfect for walkers, joggers, and leashed pups. You’ll pass golf along the lake, Hotel Eastport, and plenty of “what’s coming next” energy—peaceful today, exciting for what it’s becoming.

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

Non Couples Dinner Club

The Villages Pulse Dinner Club is back and January’s tables are filling up. 🍽️
January 14 is the date for another fun night of great food and even better company. Take the quick quiz, get matched with fellow Villagers, and come make some new friends.
Save your seat here before tables close 👇️ . *we can’t accommodate couples for this yet.

🩺 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!!!”

Annual Physical Exam

A baseline review of your overall health.

This is your once-a-year full-body check-in. An annual physical looks at vital signs, medications, medical history, lifestyle habits, and often basic labs — not to diagnose one thing, but to spot trends before they become problems.

✅ Who should consider it: Everyone — especially adults 55+, people with chronic conditions, or anyone who hasn’t seen a doctor in the past year.

👉 Where/Who/Prescription: Primary care provider. No prescription needed. May include routine lab work.

💡 Takeaway: Establishes your health baseline and helps catch small issues early — when they’re easiest to fix.

Upcoming Events

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

💎 Estates Roadshow | Waterfront Inn | Jan 5 - 9 | Details

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

Lady Lake Farmers Market | Rolling Acres Sports Complex | Jan 6 | 9am

🏌️‍♀️ Ladies Putting and Low Chip Clinic | Palmer | Jan 6 | 1:30 PM | Details

Joaniefit Kickboxing | Sawgrass | Wed Jan 7 | 10 am | Details

🏌️‍♀️ Ladies Only Full Swing Clinic | Central Lake | Jan 7 | 1:30 PM | Details

🍷 Premium Wine Tasting | ABC Lady Lake | Jan 7 | 5:30 PM | Details

🎻 Villages Ensemble Concert | New Covenant Church | Jan 8 | Details

🎨 🍷 Paint & Sip | Prima Steakhouse | Jan 9 | 12 PM | Register 🔥 going fast!

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

Rumours ATL: Fleetwood Mac Tribute | Reilly Center | Jan 16 | Tickets

Have an event you want to announce to 8,500+ local Villagers? Email us the details and a link to [email protected]

Live Music Lowdown

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thanks!

Thanks for reading, voting, walking, touring, and showing up around The Villages. If this email helped or entertained you, sharing it with a friend really does keep Villages Pulse growing. See you Thursday morning.

P.S. Want to get your business in front of 8,500+ local Villagers? Reach out here.