Good morning, Villagers — today’s issue is all about discovery both inside and outside the bubble. We’re mapping the best road-trip-worthy restaurants beyond The Villages, diving into how championship golf shaped our community culture, spotlighting a $25K price-drop Open House, plus your weekly walk, business news, and live music picks.

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On this day in 1992: the community officially adopted the name The Villages, marking a turning point from a modest residential development into the planned retirement and lifestyle destination we now know.

— Kevin Rogers, Publisher

Featured Event

🚗 Mopars With Big Daddy – Nov 1–2, 2025

at Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing

This year’s 38th Annual Mopars with Big Daddy isn’t just a car-lover’s dream — it’s raising money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, helping kids and families fight cancer at no charge. Enjoy the car show, swap meet, auction, Friday Night Dinner & Q&A with Don, plus a rare museum tour (limited to 25). Country Village Power Equipment will be on-site with Yamaha & MadJax golf carts and the first chance to buy 2026 Charity Golf Cart Raffle tickets. Don’t miss it — good fun for an amazing cause!

Poll Survey Of The Week

Pulse reader Patricia had a great idea — let’s look beyond the bubble. We all love our Villages favorites, but many of you swear by hidden-gem restaurants in Leesburg, Lady Lake, Fruitland Park, Wildwood, Ocala, Belleview and beyond. So let’s crowdsource the real local foodie map. 🍽️
Where do you go when you’re willing to leave The Villages for a truly great meal — and why is it worth the trip?

Take this quick survey and share your favorite “outside the bubble” restaurant — the spots you’d recommend to a friend who’s ready for a little mini road-trip dining adventure.

The Championship Courses of The Villages

A Villages Pulse Multi-Part Feature Series

Chapter 9 – More Than Golf: How Championship Courses Shaped The Villages Lifestyle

The numbers are staggering: 14 championship clubs with 2 more on the horizon (Meadow View and Woodlands), and a reputation as the world’s largest golf community. But the real story isn’t just size — it’s impact.

Championship courses shaped the social fabric of The Villages. Residents formed leagues, built friendships, and made their favorite clubs extensions of their identity. For many, their fondest memories aren’t of birdies and pars, but of fish fries at Cane Garden, trivia nights at Evans Prairie, or mojitos at Havana.

The Morse family understood something crucial: championship golf could sell homes, but more importantly, it could build community. It’s why each course was designed with a clubhouse big enough to host not only golfers, but also neighbors who simply wanted a place to gather.

The legacy is clear. Championship courses transformed The Villages from a development into a lifestyle empire — one where golf is the excuse, but fellowship is the purpose.

Fun Fact: Residents play more than 2 million rounds of golf per year in The Villages — a world record.

Miss earlier chapters? Read them here: Chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

🏡 Open House of The Week

Village of Sanibel
📆 Open House: Monday, Oct 27 • 1–3 PM

A rare Lantana with serious upgrades, curb appeal that pops, and bonus living space you won’t find often.

💡 What Makes This One a Winner

• 🔥 PRICE DROP: Down $25K!

• 🌴 Curb Appeal for Days — brick-paver drive, polished landscaping, inviting front patio

• 🍳 Modern Renovated Kitchen — big island, quartz, white cabinets, pull-outs, double pantry

• 🌞 Huge 442 sq ft Florida Room — climate-controlled w/ vaulted ceilings & motorized shades

• 📐 Expanded 3/2 Lantana Designer — 2,504 sq ft of upgraded living

• 📍 Prime Spot — between Lake Sumter Landing & Brownwood

💭 Take a guess — what do you think this beauty is listed for?

🌿 Villages Walk of the Week

🌳 Homestead Nature Trail

Craving a quiet, shaded walk? Homestead Nature Trail delivers. The path is rustic and lined with thick foliage, offering a secluded feel that’s rare inside The Villages. It’s perfect for early mornings or reflective evening strolls.
Keep your eyes peeled for butterflies and songbirds, and your ears open for the rustle of leaves overhead. It’s short, sweet, and feels miles away from the bustle — even though it’s just off Meggison Road.

How to Get There: Homestead Nature Trail entrance is near the Homestead Recreation Center at 6227 Meggison Road, in the Marsh Bend area.

Business News

• ALDI replacing Winn-Dixie at La Plaza Grande. Lady Lake approved ALDI’s remodel for the former Winn-Dixie space on Bichara Blvd. A second tenant will occupy the remaining space.

• Publix confirmed for Middleton. A 52,100 sq-ft Publix is planned near the Charter School with an early 2027 opening target.

🩺 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!!!”

Sleep Apnea Study

More than snoring—it’s your health

A sleep study measures breathing, oxygen, and brain activity overnight. Sleep apnea raises risks for heart disease and stroke.

✅ Who should consider it: Adults with loud snoring, daytime fatigue, or observed pauses in breathing.

👉 Where/Who/Prescription: Done in sleep labs or at home with portable monitors. Requires doctor referral.

💡 Takeaway: Don’t brush off snoring—it could be harming your heart.

Upcoming Events

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

💍 Estates Roadshow | Waterfront Inn | Oct 27 - 31 | Details

Small Group Lessons | Manatee Rec | Tue Oct 28 | 8 - 10 am | Details

🏌️‍♂️ Full Swing Clinic | Sarasota | Oct 28 | 1:30 pm | Details

🎤 The Villages Got Talent Live Show | Old Mill | Oct 28 | 6:30 pm | Details

Joaniefit Kickboxing | Sawgrass | Wed Oct 29 | 10 am | Details

⛳️ Ladies Putting & Chipping Clinic | Palmer | Oct 29 | 9 am | Details

Runway For the Red, White & Blue | Laurel Manor | Oct 30 | Details

Thrill The Villages Perform | Sawgrass | Oct 30 | 5:45 PM | Details

Halloween Pirate Boat Cruise | Lake Sumter | Oct 31 | Details

Scooters Monster Bash | Spanish Springs | Oct 31 | 5 - 9 PM | Details

Thrill The Villages Perform | Spanish Springs | Oct 31 | 5 PM | Details

Pirates of the Scare-ibbean Party | Waterfront Inn Calypso | Oct 31 | Details

🎸 Bob Seger Tribute | Whispering Oaks | Nov 13 | Details + Tickets

Have an event you want to announce to 7,650+ local Villagers? Email us the details and a link to [email protected]

Live Music Lowdown

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thanks!

Thanks for reading — and if you’ve got an event, business, club, or cause the community should know about, send it in. Villagers love supporting locals. See you Thursday.

P.S. Want to get your business in front of 7,650+ local Villagers? Reach out here.