• Villages Pulse
  • Posts
  • 🍺Pints, Polls & Pickleball: This Week’s Villages Scoop⛳

🍺Pints, Polls & Pickleball: This Week’s Villages Scoop⛳

Plus: Sawgrass To Eastport Tour, Events and Live Music Listings

🎉 Good Morning, Villages! From Guinness-paired dinners to a golf cart showdown that got everyone talking, plus a bird’s-eye cruise over The Villages’ ever-growing south side — this week’s Pulse is packed. Whether you’re here for the live music lineup, can’t-miss events, or a peek at a one-of-a-kind hilltop estate, we’ve got your morning coffee companion ready.

On this day in 1935, Social Security was signed into law… little did they know it would one day fuel a billion-dollar golf cart economy.

Let’s dive in!

📨 If this email was forwarded to you, you can subscribe here.

— Kevin Rogers, Publisher

Click Photo to see the Pairing Menu

Just a short drive from The Villages, McCracken’s Irish Pub in downtown Leesburg (719 W Main St) has quickly become a favorite spot out of the bubble for Villagers. Owners Melissa and Patrick have created the kind of place where you feel like family the moment you walk in. Great pints, hearty comfort food, and a lively, welcoming vibe—this is the kind of pub you’ll find yourself coming back to again and again.

👉️ Check out their 5 Course Meal Paired with Guinness family of beers on August 21! 

Poll Of The Week Recap

Gas or Electric? Villagers Have Spoken!

You really came through with the biggest poll response to date! When it comes to golf carts, Villagers are firmly Team Gas — at least for now. Out of 913 votes, a whopping 621 (68%) said they roll with a gas cart. Electric carts cruised into second with 223 votes (24%), and 69 readers (8%) admitted they don’t even have a cart (gasp!).

Team Gas fans love their range and reliability:

“Always gas! Longer driving range, easier choice. You can’t convince me electric is greener.”
“We have one of each, but some courses are too far from Dabney for electric.”

Team Electric is all about quiet rides and low maintenance:

“Eight-year battery warranty, no fumes, no gas smell — and 50-60 miles on a charge!”
“Four-seater electric… we can chat with folks in back easily. Newer ones are fantastic.”
“Battery warranty + no maintenance = happy Villager.”

No Cart Crew had their reasons too:

“Native Floridian — need A/C!”
“I stick to my car for the heat and air.”
“Too many carts on Morse from 441 to 466 — not safe.”

Whether it’s gas, electric, or four wheels with a steering wheel and A/C, one thing’s certain: Villagers have strong opinions on how they get around!

Up next, for Monday’s poll: Several readers are looking to buy a cart (and so am I!) so we’ll find out what you think is the best shop to buy a new or used golf cart!

Home of The Week

PRESENTED BY THE ALEXANDER KAC TEAM IN THE VILLAGES, PREMIER SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY

Thinking of selling? The Alexander Kac Team brings 22+ years’ experience to every deal—$250K to $8M, they get results. Contact them today.

Two Homes, Endless Possibilities – Discover This Private Gated Retreat

Set on a private, gated hilltop just minutes from The Villages, this 2023-built estate blends modern luxury with unmatched flexibility across two separate residences and 2.35 acres of scenic Florida landscape.

The main 3,426-square-foot home soars with 12-foot ceilings, onyx-finished porcelain floors, and a striking fireplace anchoring the open living space. French doors lead to a covered lanai framed by newly planted trees, creating a private, serene backdrop for evening gatherings or quiet mornings. Car collectors, adventurers, and hobbyists will find endless possibilities in the fully insulated detached garage with 16-foot ceilings, RV and boat storage, and commercial-grade doors.

A second 1,720-square-foot home offers a split floor plan and oversized garage—ideal for extended family, guests, or generating rental income.

Engineered for longevity and designed for comfortable, elevated living, this dual-residence hilltop estate is a rare opportunity to create your vision of refined Florida living.

Villages Development News

A Bird’s-Eye Cruise Through The Villages’ South Side

Hop in the passenger seat (or… about 150 feet above it) for a scenic ride from Sawgrass Grove down to Eastport, with a drone capturing every twist, turn, and fairway along the way. You’ll soar over newly opened Laurel Oaks, peek at championship course progress, skim past pickleball courts and walking trails, and get the latest look at what’s brewing in Edenfield and Bexley. It’s The Villages like you’ve never seen it—smooth roads, big skies, and a front-row seat to all the action.

Upcoming Events

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

No Limit Hold’em Deep Stack | Oxford Downs | Thu Aug 14 | 6:15 pm | Details

🏓 Sunset Socials - Table Tennis | La Hacienda | Fri Aug 15 | 6 PM | Details

🍷🎸 Wine Tasting and Live Music | Lakeridge Winery | Sat: Kelly Jarrard; Sun: Billy Buchanan | Full Details

Super Hold’em Tourney | Oxford Downs | Sat Aug 16 | 11:15 am | Details

🏖️Summer Beach Bash | Oxford Downs Tiki Bar | Sat Aug 16 | 2pm - 12 am | Details

🎤 Free Concert: Tony Johnson | Grand Oaks | Sat Aug 16 | 1pm & 4:30 pm | Details

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

🏌️ Full Swing Clinic | Lopez Legacy | Aug 18 | 8:30 am | Details

🏌️‍♀️ New To Golf School | Sarasota | Aug 18 | 9 am | Details

John Sperling’s Shot of The Day Clinic | Oxford Downs | Aug 18 | Details must login

⛳️Mixed Couples Event | Mallory Hill CC | Sept 1 Tourney, Sign up by Aug 21 | Details

đź‘™Sip and Dip Pool Party -All you can eat grill | Brownwood Hotel | Aug 23 | Details

Broadway Melodies with Villages Philharmonic Orchestra | Temple Shalom | Aug 24 | Details + Tickets

🎤Donna & Dunning Show: Better Than Vegas | Evans Prairie | Thu Aug 28 | Details

If you have an event you want to announce to 6,430+ local Villagers, email us the details at [email protected]

Live Music Lowdown

Thursday

Spanish Springs

ICON - top40

5 - 9 PM

Lake Sumter

Uncle Bob’s Rock Shop

5 - 9 PM

Brownwood Paddock

Hacksaw Hamlim

5 - 9 PM

Sawgrass Grove

Southbound Trio

5 - 9 PM

Edna’s On The Green

Dale Stumbo

3 - 6 PM

City Fire Sumter Landing

Carmen Harrell

7:30 - 10:30 PM

City Fire Brownwood

Blackwater Goldrush

7 - 10 PM

RJ Gators Sumter

Carmen Havell

2 - 5 PM

Glenview Country Club

Clark Barrios

5 - 8 PM

Red Sauce

Rewind

6 - 9 PM

Blondie’s Bar

Charity Cox

2 - 4 PM

Boosters Bar & Grill

John Johnson

4 - 6 PM

Tierra Del Sol Bar & Grill

Greg Hayworth

3 - 5 PM

Friday

Spanish Springs

Rocky And The Rollers

5 - 9 PM

Sumter Landing

Bandemic - rock

5 - 9 PM

Brownwood Paddock

Flroida Hit Machine - rock

5 - 9 PM

Sawgrass Grove

Blonde Ambition

5 - 9 PM

Edna’s On The Green

Bill Forness Johnny Cash

3 - 6 PM

City Fire Sumter Landing

Doctor Jules Cool Blues

7:30 - 10:30 PM

City Fire Brownwood

4 For The Road

7 - 10 PM

RJ Gators Sumter

Jersey Frank

2 - 5 PM

Red Sauce

Scotty B

6 - 9 PM

Holy Shmokes

The Del-Phi’s

6:30 - 9:30 PM

Blondie’s Bar

Nicole Equerme

2 - 4 PM

Boosters Bar & Grill

Jen Lowe

4 - 6 PM

Saturday

Spanish Springs

Billy Buchanan & Rock N’ Soul Revue

5 - 9 PM

Sumter Landing

SocietY Band - blues

5 - 9 PM

Brownwood Paddock

Club CTRL feat DJ LU-S

5 - 9 PM

Sawgrass Grove

Acoustic Blue

Dance Express

12 - 3 PM

5 - 9 PM

Edna’s On The Green

Renee Meadows

Dustin Taylor

12 - 3 PM

4 - 7 PM

City Fire Sumter Landing

Blues Generators

7:30 - 10:30 PM

City Fire Brownwood

Marge In Charge

7 - 10 PM

RJ Gators Sumter

Tracy Zito

2 - 5 PM

Red Sauce

Clark Barrios

6 - 9 PM

Holy Shmokes

Alan Darcy & Scott Simon

7 - 10 PM

Blondie’s Bar

JR Reich

2 - 4 PM

Boosters Bar & Grill

Jayce Gallagher

4 - 6 PM

Sunday

Spanish Springs

Ssnakeyez

5 - 9 PM

Sumter Landing

Paisley Craze

5 - 9 PM

Brownwood Paddock

Greg Warren Band

5 - 9 PM

Sawgrass Grove

The Dave Capp Project

5 - 9 PM

Edna’s On The Green

Gilly & The Girl

Johnny Wild Trio

12 - 3 PM

4 - 7 PM

RJ Gators Sumter

Carmen Havell

2 - 5 PM

Thanks!

That’s a wrap for today’s Pulse! Whether you’re Team Gas, Team Electric, or Team “I’ll take my A/C sedan,” thanks for keeping the local conversation lively. I’ll see you Monday with a fresh poll and more Villages happenings — until then, enjoy the music, the events, and maybe a pint or two. 🍻

How did you like today's newsletter?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

P.S. Want to get your business in front of 6,430+ local Villagers? Reach out here.