🌅 Good Morning, Villages. Last week’s gas vs. electric poll shattered our record—so let’s put that momentum to work. Today we’re asking a simple question: Where did you buy your golf cart? Plus a COOL day trip to Devil’s Den, a Screening Spotlight on Stroke prevention, plus a stacked Live Music Lowdown and this week’s events you’ll actually want on your calendar.

On this day in 1969, Woodstock closed—peace, love, and Hendrix’s anthem echoing long after the mud dried.

Let’s dive in.

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

Let’s dive in.

— Kevin Rogers, Publisher

Poll Of The Week

Last Monday’s gas vs. electric poll smashed our response record. Let’s keep it rolling. Many new/soon to be new residents asked where is the best place to buy a new or used golf cart. So, if we can pinpoint where most Villagers are actually buying, maybe I can land the top dealer for a special Villages Pulse reader discount. Due to space constraints I tried to list the top dealers in size. If yours isn’t listed let us know by leaving a comment under Other!

Villages Family History

Chapter 4: Behind the Curtain – How The Villages Operates

The Villages has no mayor or city council. Instead, the Morse family manages the community through a mix of private companies and special local districts, operating like a modern “company town” for retirees. The developer oversees everything from daily services to long-term planning.

At the center are the family’s businesses, which shape nearly every aspect of life here. Their development company designs and builds new neighborhoods, selling homes directly to buyers. They’ve created their own service arms too—a Villages-owned bank, an insurance agency for homes and golf carts, and even the local media (newspaper, radio, TV). This integration means the same people who develop the community also provide many of its essential services.

Local governance is handled through Community Development Districts (CDDs) instead of a traditional city government. The Villages is divided into multiple CDDs—special districts that act as mini local governments for different areas. Initially, the developer controls each district board while construction is underway. As homes sell, residents elect their own supervisors to run their district.

These boards manage infrastructure and amenities—maintaining roads, operating utilities, and running recreation centers—using resident fees and taxes. The Morse family retains control of a few central districts that oversee community-wide amenities such as the town squares, major recreation centers, and golf courses, ensuring consistent quality across the entire community.

This combination of private enterprise and special districts has fueled The Villages’ rapid, well-maintained growth. Today, more than 150,000 people are estimated to live here. The family’s companies employ thousands to build homes, care for landscaping, and staff recreation facilities, keeping the community running smoothly. The operation generates hundreds of millions in annual revenue, much of which is reinvested into new amenities and improvements.

Because one coordinated entity is in charge, projects move quickly and maintain uniform standards. Residents enjoy pristine streets, manicured golf courses, and lively town squares—visible results of this streamlined management.

It’s unusual for a private developer to hold such broad authority, and some have questioned whether one family should wield so much influence over local affairs. Yet most residents accept the trade-off. They value the clean, safe, activity-filled environment and often credit the Morse family’s steady, hands-on management for creating and preserving it.

In the end, The Villages’ unique operational structure—part private corporation, part local government—has been central to keeping “Florida’s Friendliest Hometown” both thriving and expanding. For most Villagers, the arrangement works, delivering a high-quality lifestyle that has made this community one of the fastest-growing and most distinctive in the nation.

Miss the previous Chapters? Read them here: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3

Day Trippin’

🌊 Day Trip: Devil’s Den Prehistoric Spring

It’s so hot and humid, stepping outside feels like getting hugged by a wet beach towel, so I recommend you head about 1 hour north to Devil’s Den Prehistoric Spring in Williston. This cool underground natural spring sits inside a cave, with crystal-clear 72° water year-round. Sunlight beams through the roof opening, creating a magical swimming hole that feels straight out of another world.

Must-Do’s:

• Snorkel or Dive: You’ll need a mask, snorkel, and fins (rentals available onsite). Scuba divers rave about the ancient rock formations below.

• Explore the Grounds: Picnic areas and fire pits make it easy to turn your visit into a full-day outing.

• Nearby Stops: Combine with a visit to Cedar Lakes Woods & Gardens, just a few minutes away.

What to Bring:

• Bathing suit, towel, waterproof camera

• Snorkel gear (or rent there)

• A jacket for after—72° water can feel chilly!

• Reservation confirmation (required for all visits)

Need to Know:

• Reservations are a must—walk-ins aren’t accepted.

• Swimming is only allowed with snorkel or dive gear (no casual wading).

• Ages 6+ only, so it’s better for adult outings.

• Cost: $25 per person for admission.

Whether you’re floating over ancient limestone or just soaking up the prehistoric vibes, Devil’s Den is a Florida bucket-list spot that feels equal parts adventure and time machine.

🩺 Screening Spotlight

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

🧠 Carotid Artery Scan: Find the Risk Before It Finds You

Life Line Screening will be right here in our area in Oxford on Tuesday, September 2, offering a painless, non-invasive health screening package for just $159. In one quick visit, you’ll get four important tests: Carotid Artery Disease, Peripheral Arterial Disease, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, and Atrial Fibrillation.

My fiancé and I are booked, despite having scores of zero on our Coronary CT Calcium scan, as your carotid can still have plaque even when you’re coronary arteries do not. Limited appointments fill quickly, but there are more local dates and locations coming soon. Maybe we’ll see you there! If you’ve got questions, you can call them at 833-970-4070.

💡 Takeaway: It’s easy, it’s painless and inexpensive peace of mind.

Quick Poll:

📅 Coming Next Week: Bone Density Scan

Upcoming Events

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

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

💎Estates Roadshow Jewelry Buying Event | Waterfront Inn | Mon - Fri | Details

Shirley’s Senior Hold’em Tourney | Oxford Downs | Mon Aug 18 | 11:15 | Details

🏌️‍♀️Ladies Basics of Golf | Palmer Legends | Tue Aug 19 | 9 am | Details

⛳️New To Golf Follow-up Putting/Chipping | Palmer | Aug 19 | 11 am | Details

Joaniefit Kickboxing | Sawgrass | Wed Aug 20 | 9 am | Details

🏌️‍♀️Ladies Only Full Swing Clinic | Palmer Legends | Aug 20 | 9:30 am | Details

LOL Comedy Night - Villagers for Veterans | Old Mill | Aug 20 | Details

🎤 Motown Meets Soul | Bridgeport Rec | Wed Aug 20 | 6 - 8 PM | Details

Enrichment Academy Speaker | Roadside Attractions | Rohan | Thu Aug 21 | Details

🎤 Pinky Sings (Soprano) V4V | Lake Miona | Sat Aug 23 | 6:30 pm | Details

🐶 Dog Day Boat Cruise | Lake Sumter | Aug 26 | 4pm to close | 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 🔥 Still a few remaining

Have an event you want to announce to 6,500+ local Villagers? Email us the details and a link to [email protected]

Brought to you by: First Class Rides

Direct, private service from your door in The Villages to Orlando, Sanford, and Tampa airports — all in a comfortable Mercedes GLC300.

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

Live Music Lowdown

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thanks!

Thanks for reading Villages Pulse today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who loves Guinness! 

P.S. Want to get your business in front of 6,500+ local Villagers? Reach out here, or hit reply to this email.