Good morning, Villagers — and happy first day of December! The countdown to lights, concerts, parties, and our very first Villages Pulse Dinner Club is officially on. Today’s issue has great reads, fresh events, and a few surprises to start the month strong. Let’s jump in.

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On this day in 1885, Dr. Pepper was first served in Waco, Texas — kicking off America’s long love affair with soda fountains, fizzy treats, and “unique flavor” debates that still haven’t been settled.

— Kevin Rogers, Publisher

Poll of The Week

🍽️ Villages Pulse Dinner Club

Last week we announced our first Villages Pulse Dinner Club night is December 10 and 30+ readers are already in! If you want a seat with fun, like-minded neighbors, make sure you sign up before the deadline on Dec 8 at 5:30 PM.

Grab your spot now and let someone else worry about the dishes. 🍽️😄

Villages History

Katie Belle’s

Chapter 4: The Final Curtain

When COVID-19 hit in 2020, everything closed — including Katie Belle’s. But when the squares reopened, Katie Belle’s didn’t. The announcement came quietly: the restaurant and dance hall were shutting down for good.

For a community built on tradition, it hit hard. Local headlines called it “one more lost piece of magic.” Some blamed the pandemic; others said it was just time. Either way, the sign came down, and the Van Patten House went dark.

In 2021, plans surfaced to turn the building into The Lofts at Van Patten House — age-restricted apartments overlooking Spanish Springs. The heart of The Villages’ original nightlife would now be someone’s living room.

To many longtime residents, that felt symbolic. Katie Belle’s wasn’t just a restaurant — it was a memory machine. Every slow dance, every toast, every salad wheel spin told the story of how The Villages once came alive after sunset.

🏡 Open House of The Week

Open House | Monday, Dec 1 | 2 to 3:30 PM

Here’s a sharp 2023 Mockingbird Designer on a landscaped corner lot, upgraded with quartz, tile throughout, tray ceilings, plantation shutters, and a strong primary suite with dual walk-ins and a Roman shower. The fully enclosed 12×29 lanai with its own mini-split is the real showpiece, and the two-car garage plus golf cart garage seals the deal in a prime spot near Sawgrass Grove, Ezell, Southern Oaks, and the upcoming Eastport.

Highlights

✨ Fully enclosed 12×29 lanai with epoxy floor + mini-split
✨ Quartz kitchen, breakfast bar, bright eat-in nook
✨ Dual walk-ins + Roman shower in the primary suite
✨ Two-car garage plus golf cart garage
✨Near Franklin Rec, Sawgrass Grove, Eastport, Southern Oaks

What do you think the listing price is?

🌿 Villages Walk of the Week

🌿Lake Okahumpka Recreation Area

If you want an easy lakeside walk without leaving The Villages, the path at Lake Okahumpka Recreation Center is a solid choice. The paved walkway and boardwalk sections give you wide water views, quiet seating areas, and regular bird action — herons, osprey, ducks, and turtles along the shoreline. Figure roughly 1 to 1.3 miles round-trip depending how much you wander.

📍 Loction: Lake Okahumpka Recreation Center, 4505 Okahumpka Run

If you want a peaceful walk without leaving The Villages, this one is tough to beat.

Pulse Travel

Pulse Travel Tip: Let Google Flights Do the Watching for You

If you’re planning a trip months out, don’t waste time checking fares every day. Google Flights has a built-in “Track Prices” feature that does the heavy lifting — just toggle it on for your route and date range, and Google will email you whenever prices drop or jump. It’s one of the easiest ways to spot true deals, avoid overpaying, and grab the lowest fare without the daily hassle. Use it early in your planning and you’ll know exactly when to pounce.

Cruise Deals - Lisbon To Athens!

Picture yourself sipping wine on the deck, watching the sun slip into the Mediterranean — that’s what this 11-day cruise aboard Oceania Regatta promises. You’ll sail from Lisbon to Athens, stopping in charming cities like Barcelona, Rome, and Amalfi, with gourmet dining, elegant staterooms, and spa-style comfort included. Plus: Villages Pulse readers get a bonus $250 shipboard credit + 3 bottles of wine on us, in addition to 20% discount on select categories.

See the full itinerary & grab your spot → Mediterranean Escape on Oceania 🚢

Pulse Dining

24 Middleton: A Cozy, Chef-Driven Bistro in Middleton

If you haven’t checked out 24 Middleton yet, it’s worth a look. This full-service bistro leans into comfort — warm, relaxed, and family-friendly — with a chef-crafted menu that pulls from European flavors while still delivering the classics. Think Mediterranean touches, French-inspired plates, and familiar favorites like burgers, seafood, and their popular prime rib nights.

Compared to nearby Prime + Ember, which aims for a more upscale steakhouse experience with polished ambience and high-end cuts, 24 Middleton is the easier, anytime choice — great for lunch, casual dinners, or a laid-back night out when you want quality without the white-tablecloth vibe.

They’re open daily for lunch and dinner, with a 3–5 pm happy hour, and the menu is broad enough that everyone at the table can land on something good.

A solid addition to the Middleton dining scene.

🩺 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!!!”

Hearing Aid Check & Adjustment

Fine-tuning for better living

Even the best hearing aids need adjustments. Regular checks ensure devices fit well, batteries last, and settings match your needs.

✅ Who should consider it: Anyone already using hearing aids, or new users struggling with sound quality.

👉 Where/Who/Prescription: Done by audiologists, ENTs, or hearing aid centers. No prescription required.

💡 Takeaway: A quick tune-up can dramatically improve daily conversations.

Upcoming Events

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

Estates Roadshow | Waterfront Inn | Dec 1 - 5 | 9 - 5 | Details 

Shirley’s Senior No Limit Holdem’ | Oxford Downs | Dec 1 | 11:15 am

A Very Merry Christmas Concert | First Baptist Church At The Villages | Dec 1 | 7PM

Shop & dine Holi-Days | Various squares | Dec 2 - 4 | 10 am - 4 pm

Trivia Tuesday | Sawgrass Grove | Dec 2 | 12 PM | Details

Advanced 4.0+ Pickleball Night | Oxford Downs | Dec 2 | 6 - 9 PM

🎅 Christmas With Clark | Old Mill | Dec 2 | 7 PM | 🔥 Few Tickets left!!

Joaniefit Kickboxing | Sawgrass | Wed Dec 3| 10 am | Details

🤣 Kojo Prince Comedy Night & Dinner | Francesco’s | Dec 3 | 5:30 pm

Blue Hawaiian Luau Holiday Party | Ezell Rec | Dec 5 | 6 PM | Details

Women’s Golf Expo | Lopez Legacy | Dec 6 9:30 am - 1:30 pm | Details

Tree Lighting Festival | Lake Sumter | Dec 6 | 8PM | Details

Have an event you want to announce to 8,100+ local Villagers? Email us the details and a link to [email protected]

Live Music Lowdown

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thanks!

Thanks for reading! If you found something useful please share it with someone who loves to walk The Villages every day.

P.S. Want to get your business in front of 8,100+ local Villagers? Reach out here.