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Good morning, Villagers. In today’s Pulse: real numbers from our golf cart insurance poll, a jaw-dropping construction update, and a travel trick that quietly saves serious money.

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📅 On this day: Jan 15, 1967 — The first Super Bowl was played. Tickets cost $12.50. No halftime spectacle. Still a big deal.

— Kevin Rogers, Publisher

Monday’s Poll Recap

💰 What Most Villagers Pay For Golf Cart Insurance

• 💲 $101–$150/year — 213 votes (clear winner)

• 💲 Under $100 — 105

• 💲💲💲 $151–$200 — 65

• 💲💲💲💲 $200+ — 42

• 🤔 Not sure — 10

👉 Sweet spot: About $10–$12 per month. If you’re in that range, you’re paying what most Villagers pay.

🏆 Most Common Insurers (from reader comments)

1. Progressive — by far the most mentioned

2. State Farm

3. Foremost

💡 Takeaway

• Over $200/year? You’re paying above average.

• Under $100? You’re beating the system.

• Everyone else? You’re right where most Villagers land.

Comparing notes helps — and clearly, a lot of us should shop around more often.

Thanks for voting and keep those poll ideas coming — hit reply if you’ve got a fun one!

Villages Development News

🚧 Gold Wingnut Construction Update — A Lot Has Changed

This one’s packed. Don starts at Eastport (new openings, Christmas lights, and why “limited entertainment” probably won’t last), then head south of SR-44 where the real growth is exploding — roads, utilities, tunnels, bridges, new villages taking shape, and rec centers coming online.

You’ll also get a one-year lookback that makes the progress feel unreal, plus a quick jump north to the Paradise Rec Center rebuild, which is moving fast. Add updates on Long Prairie, golf course construction, the new Walmart nearing opening, and what all this groundwork signals for what’s next.

Pulse Travel

Hotel Booking Hack Most People Ignore 🏨

For Villagers who are retired or have flexible schedules, this is one of the easiest travel hacks to take full advantage of. If your schedule allows it, midweek hotel stays (Sunday–Thursday) are the sweet spot. Rates are often noticeably cheaper, and your odds of a free upgrade go way up. Why? Hotels are focused on filling empty rooms during the week, not squeezing every last dollar out of peak demand like they do on weekends.

On a related note: Why Hotel Credit Cards Quietly Win (Hello, Marriott)

Hotel credit cards don’t get the hype, but for travelers they often crush cash back.

Marriott points are a perfect example. A 35,000-point free night can easily replace a $300–$400 stay—real savings, not “points math.”

The magic is stacking perks: annual free-night certificates, automatic elite status, upgrades, late checkout, and bonus points on top of normal spending. Add in occasional 20–70% transfer bonuses, and your points go even further.

Cash back is easy. Hotel points are leveraged. Travel a few times a year and suddenly 2% back feels… small.

NEW BONUS OFFER

I’ve recommended the Marriott Bonvoy cards in the past, and now things just got EVEN better! They are offering 5 FREE NIGHTS (250,000 total points) PLUS $100 Airline credit on the Boundless card! It’s an incredibly valuable bonus, plus you get Silver Elite status and a free night award every year.

Looking For More Active/Adventurous Travel?

Adventure outside the ordinary

What happens when one of the most trusted specialty outdoor retailers, REI Co-op, teams up with the world's largest travel company, Intrepid Travel? You get a unique collection of active trips that offer meaningful, immersive travel experiences in the outdoors.

It’s travel inspired by REI, operated by Intrepid. Think community farm stays in Costa Rica, camping in Joshua Tree’s wild backcountry, cycling in Peru’s Sacred Valley, or sleeping in mountain huts before summiting Mount Kilimanjaro.

So, where will you go? Explore more than 85 destinations worldwide with a small group of up to 16, and an expert local leader who’ll help you to truly experience the destination.

REI Co-op members save 15% on REI Exclusive trips and receive a 20% off coupon to use at REI Co-op after booking REI Recommended trips.

Find your next adventure

_{For T&Cs and to view the full collection of trips in 85+ destinations, visit rei.com/travel.}

Upcoming Events

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

Sandra and Alex LeKid | Oxford Downs Tiki Bar | Jan 16 | 6 - 9 PM | Details

🍓 U-Pick Strawberries | Browns Farms | Jan 17 | 10 am - 3 PM | Details

Patio Nights Live Music & Cocktails | Brownwood Hotel | Jan 17 | 5 PM

🐎 $200K Grand Prix Jumping | World Equestrian Center | Jan 17 | 7PM

🏇 Hunt Country Show | Grand Oaks Resort | Jan 17 & 18 | Details

🎸 Zac Petty Live | Eaton’s Beach | Jan 17 | 4 PM | Details

🎸 High Maintenance Live | Back Porch | Jan 17 | 5 PM | Details

Action Jackson | Oxford Downs Tiki Bar | Jan 17 | 6:30 PM | Details

Junk in The Trunk | Browns Farms | Sun Jan 18 | Details

🏌️‍♀️ Ladies Putting & Low Chip Shots Clinic | Palmer | Jan 20 |1:30 pm | Details

⛳️ Short Game School | Central Lake | Jan 21 | 10:30 am | Details

12th Annual Vintage Collectible Sale | Savannah Rec Center | Jan 24 | 9am-3pm

On Sale This Week

Jimmy Buffett Tribute | Savannah Center | Mar 12 | Details

Paul Anka | The Tracy | Mar 13 | Details

And More….

If you have an event you want to announce to 8,700+ local Villagers, email us the details at [email protected]

Live Music Lowdown

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Thanks!

Thanks for reading. If you enjoy reading Villages Pulse, share this email with someone who doesn’t have golf cart insurance. See you Monday.

P.S. Want to get your business in front of 8,700+ local Villagers? Reach out here.