🌅 Good Morning, Villages. From the great golf cart debate to a tasty new restaurant find, and even a heart health screening you might want to add to your to-do list — today’s Pulse is packed. Pour your coffee, settle in, and let’s roll into the news.

On this day in 1965, The Beatles set the all-time attendance record for a concert at New York’s Shea Stadium, performing to over 55,000 screaming fans — and about 2,000 equally frazzled security guards.

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Let’s dive in.

— Kevin Rogers, Publisher

Poll Of The Week

🛺In The Villages, golf carts aren’t just for the course — they’re how we get to dinner, the square, and sometimes even the grocery store. Everyone has their favorite setup, and the gas vs. electric debate is as spirited as any sports rivalry. So… what’s powering your ride?

Business Briefs

Local businesses you should know

Kungfu Chef Asian Restaurant | 3437 Wedgewood Ln

Kungfu Chef Asian Restaurant is my new go-to when I’m craving fresh, flavorful Asian food in The Villages. The Krab Rangoon comes out hot and crispy, the sesame chicken is tender with just the right sweetness, and the Kung Pao has that perfect kick without overpowering the dish. Portions are generous, the place is spotless, and the staff treats you like an old friend. Add in great lunch specials, and you’ve got a spot worth making a regular stop. Have you tried this place? Hit reply, and let us know what you thought.

Villages Family History

Chapter 3: A New Generation Takes the Helm

Even before H. Gary Morse’s death in 2014, he was preparing his three children – Mark Morse, Tracy Mathews, and Jennifer Parr – to take over The Villages. By the time Gary passed away, this third generation was fully in charge, having grown up in the community and learned the business from the inside.

Each sibling now oversees a key part of the operation. Mark is president and chief executive, steering overall development and strategy. Tracy leads community design and planning, ensuring new neighborhoods fit The Villages’ distinctive style. Jennifer heads sales and marketing, working to attract retirees and uphold the “Florida’s Friendliest Hometown” image. Their shared mission: keep The Villages growing while preserving what makes it special.

The siblings’ leadership blends continuity with a fresher touch. Like their father, they maintain a low public profile, but inside the community, they’re more engaged with residents. Mark’s annual “Evening with the Developer” forum, where he updates Villagers on new projects and answers questions, has been warmly received – a sign they value openness and partnership with the community.

Under their watch, The Villages has expanded even more ambitiously. Development now stretches farther south than ever, with new neighborhoods, town centers, and amenities – including a modern performing arts venue and upgraded medical facilities – to match today’s retirees’ expectations for entertainment, dining, and healthcare. Through it all, they’ve worked to preserve the leisure lifestyle and neighborly spirit that define The Villages.

Despite its massive scale, the family aims to keep the small-town feel. The Villages now builds hundreds of homes each month and employs thousands, yet amenities are kept in top shape and the atmosphere safe and welcoming. The goal: make sure that even as it grows, it still feels like the hometown residents fell in love with.

They’re also looking beyond their own generation. Members of the fourth generation – Harold Schwartz’s great-grandchildren – are now active in operations and development. As Mark Morse often says, “It’s not the final chapter.” The Morse family expects to be involved for years to come, seeing themselves as stewards of their grandfather’s vision.

Guiding its growth while protecting its character, they’re ensuring The Villages remains a thriving hometown for generations to come.

Miss the previous Chapters? Get them here: Chapter 1, Chapter 2

🩺 Screening Spotlight

A weekly look at simple tests that can catch health problems early.

❤️ CT Calcium Score: Your Heart’s Early Warning System

The painless scan that reveals hidden heart risks. Ever had a friend suffer a heart attack on the pickleball court, due to blockages in coronary arteries? I have, several times, and it’s preventable with this simple and quick CT scan.

A CT Calcium Score test uses a quick, low-dose CT scan to measure calcium (calcified plaque) in the coronary arteries. Higher scores mean more plaque—and greater risk for heart attack.

Best for ages 40–70 with heart risk factors like family history, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or smoking. Costs $75–$150 (mine was just over $100 at Lake Medical Imaging) and takes about 10 minutes. It is generally not covered by insurance.

💡 Takeaway: If you have multiple risk factors, this test can guide prevention before symptoms strike. Opinion: I think everyone should have a baseline, risk factors or not. Ask your doctor or cardiologist for a prescription.

📅 Coming Next Week: Stroke Risk Screening

Upcoming Events

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

*** Tight Genes Singing Siblings | Dollars For Scholars Charity Concert | Rohan Rec Theater Room | 6 - 8 PM | Details ***

⌚️💎 Estates Road Show | Waterfront Inn | Aug 11 - 15th | Details

No Limit Hold’em Deep Stack Tourney | Oxford Downs | Tue Aug 12 | 11:15am | Details

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

🏌️‍♀️ Ladies Basics of Golf | Palmer Legends | Tue Aug 12 | 9 am | Details

Joaniefit Kickboxing | Sawgrass | Wed Aug 13 | 9 am | Details

⛳️ David’s Scoring Clinic | Legacy Legends | Wed Aug 13 | 8:30 am | Details

🎨 🍷 Paint & Sip | Legacy Restaurant | Thu Aug 14 | 12 PM | Register

❓️ Name That Tune | Old Mill Playhouse | Thu Aug 14 | 6:30 pm | Details

🏌️ Tom’s Full Swing Clinic | Sarasota | Aug 14 | 8 am | Details

👨‍🎤 Ultimate Elvis Concert with Cote | Mount Dora Music Hall | Aug 15 | Details

☮️ Remembering Woodstock Music and Dance | Old Mill | Aug 16 | 6:30pm | Details

🎷 Smooth Summer Jazz & Wine | Citrus Grove | Aug 17 | 6 - 8 PM | Details

Chicago Rewired - Tribute Band | Whispering Oaks Winery | Aug 28 | Details + Tickets

📽️ Free Seniors Movie: Downton Abbey: Grand Finale | Sept 12 | Old Mill Playhouse | Register 🔥 Sells out fast

Have an event you want to announce to 6,400+ local Villagers? Email us the details and a link to [email protected]

Brought to you by: First Class Rides

Private Airport Transfers — First Class, Every Time
Skip the stress and ride in comfort. First Class Rides offers direct, private service from your door in The Villages to Orlando, Sanford, and Tampa airports — all in a comfortable Mercedes GLC300.

No crowds. No stops. Just smooth, reliable travel when timing matters most.

Text your flight info to 443‑604‑6292 — we’ll confirm your pickup time.

Live Music Lowdown

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Thanks!

Thanks for tuning in to today’s Pulse, may your cart run smooth, your food be delicious, and your heart stay healthy! Please share this with a friend today!

P.S. Want to get your business in front of 6,400+ local Villagers? Reach out here, or hit reply to this email.