Good morning, Villages! Today’s issue covers the results of our big Eastport seating poll, a bird’s-eye look at the rapid growth around LaGrange and Central Lake, and a simple Central Florida day trip where wildlife often outnumbers cars.

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📅 On this day in 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared a nationwide bank holiday during the Great Depression — temporarily closing banks to stop panic withdrawals and stabilize the financial system.

— Kevin Rogers, Publisher

Featured Event

FREE FOOD, GIVEAWAYS, AND SPECIAL PRICING!

 Yamaha Tune-Up Kit Bundle: Includes tune up kit  + drive belt + start/gen belt for $100

Parts Discount: 10% off all in-stock parts from all brands for counter sales or shop repairs

Monday’s Poll Recap

🎶 Eastport Seating: Villagers Want Chairs

This week’s Eastport seating poll pulled 748 votes and a clear result: most readers want some form of seating added.

🔵 🪑 Portable chairs like Lake Sumter — 395
🟢 🍽️ Picnic tables like Sawgrass — 126
🟡 ♿ Limited designated seating — 49
🟣 🎒 Bring your own chair — 157
❓ Other — 21

That means about three-quarters of voters favor adding seating, with portable chairs the overwhelming favorite.

What Readers Said

A few themes came up repeatedly in the comments:

• Portable chairs are the best compromise. Many pointed to Lake Sumter as the model — flexible, movable, and good for viewing the stage.

• Picnic tables were less popular. Several readers said they take up too much space and block sightlines.

• Accessibility matters. Quite a few readers noted not everyone can easily carry a chair to the square.

• Brownwood got a lot of praise. Several readers specifically mentioned liking Brownwood’s stadium-style seating, which keeps good sightlines without crowding the space.

• BYO chair supporters like the open space and flexibility of the current setup.

One Interesting Comment

One reader said Villages staff told them chairs in the older squares may eventually disappear as they wear out and won’t be replaced, potentially shifting more entertainment areas toward the bring-your-own-chair model over time.

For now, though, the poll result is clear: Villagers largely want Eastport to add some chairs — preferably the portable kind.

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

Villages Development News

🚁 LaGrange Rising: New Homes, Lakefront Verandas & Eastport Growth

Development is accelerating in the southern end of The Villages, and this drone flyover highlights the rapidly growing Village of LaGrange near Eastport. Homes are visible at every stage — from foundations to roofs — along with a glimpse of the Central Lake verandas, many expected to top $800K and likely sold by lottery. It’s a quick look at how fast the Marsh Bend Trail area is filling in.

🏡 Open House of The Week

Presented by The Alexander Kac Team Call them at 312.501.2001

Looking for no bond, major updates already done, and a central Villages location close to everything? This Piedmont home checks some very important boxes.

💲 $379,000
📆 Open Houses: ⏰ Fri 12–2 | Sat 11–2 | Sun 12–2:30
📍 8275 SE 177th Winterthur Loop — Village of Piedmont
🛏️ 3 Bed | 🛁 2 Bath | 📐 1,581 sq ft

Why it stands out:

✨ NO BOND
🧱 Concrete block construction
🍽️ Updated kitchen with granite, white cabinets & stainless appliances
🌿 Extended covered lanai + birdcage
🏡 New roof (2020) + HVAC (2021)
🧰 Garage epoxy floors + built-in cabinetry

You’re about 3 minutes to Glenview Country Club, Legacy Restaurant, and Savannah Center, and a short golf cart ride to Spanish Springs and Lake Sumter.

Day Trip Guide

🐊Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive

If you’re looking for an easy nature adventure within an hour of The Villages, the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive is one of Central Florida’s best hidden day trips.

This 11-mile one-way scenic drive winds through restored wetlands along the north shore of Lake Apopka. Instead of hiking, you simply drive slowly along the levee roads while wildlife surrounds you. It’s common to see alligators sunning along the road, bald eagles overhead, turtles in the canals, and huge flocks of wading birds. More than 360 bird species have been recorded here, making it one of the best bird-watching areas in the state.

📍 Where: Just outside Apopka, about 50–60 minutes from The Villages
🕒 When: Open Friday–Sunday and most federal holidays, with entry from 7 AM to 3 PM
💲 Cost: Free
⏱ Plan: Allow 1½–2 hours to fully enjoy the drive

The key is to take it slow — 10–15 mph is perfect. Pull over when you see activity and scan the marshes on both sides of the road. Early morning usually brings the most wildlife.

Sponsored By Country Village Power Equipment & Golf Cars

Shopping for a NEW Yamaha golf cart? Don’t assume you only have one option.

Country Village Power Equipment & Golf Cars is an authorized Yamaha dealer serving The Villages — and their pricing is often significantly more competitive than the big guys “inside the bubble.”

Family-owned since 1989, they specialize in a la carte custom builds. That means you choose what you want — and skip what you don’t. No forced packages. No fluff.

They service all of The Villages with:
• New Yamaha sales
• Parts for all customers
• Mobile at-home service
• Full repair shop support

Yamaha reliability. Transparent pricing. Real customer service.

Their Annual Open House / Customer Appreciation Day is March 6th — and I’ll be there shopping for a cart myself.

👉 Mention Villages Pulse when you purchase and they’ll take $500 off.

Upcoming Events

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

Voices of Legends | Old Mill Playhouse | Mar 6 | 6:30 PM | Details

🐎 Polo: Lefty Lyall Tournament | Villages Polo Club | Mar 6 & 8 | Details

🕺 Electric Light Party | Lake Sumter | Mar 6 | 4 - 10 PM | Details

Junk in the Trunk | Brown’s Farm | Mar 7 | 7:30 - 1 pm | Details

Okahumpka Fused Glass Show/Sale | Ezell Rec | Mar 7 | 9 am | Details

Lakeside Pottery Show & Sale | Lake Miona Rec | Mar 7 | Details

🍖 BBQ Bash | Middleton | Sat Mar 7 | 12 - 3 PM | Details

Weekends at the Winery, Tastings/Live Music | Lakeridge Winery | Mar 7 & 8

🐎 $120K Equestrian Grand Prix | World Equestrian Center | Mar 7 | 7pm

🎸 Tripwire | Oxford Downs Tiki Bar | Mar 7 | 7 - 10 PM | Details

🎙️ Motown Gold | Grand Oaks Resort | Mar 13 | Details

On Sale This Week

Ticket To the Moon - ELO Tribute | Savannah Center | May 8 | Details/Tickets

Forte | The Sharon | April 26 | Details

The FLOYD Experience | Savannah Center |May 2 | Details

And More….

If you have an event you want to announce to 9,450+ 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 know the Electric Light Party is this Friday. See you Monday.

P.S. Want to get your business in front of 9,450+ local Villagers? Reach out here.