Good morning, Villages! You proved again this week that this community doesn’t slow down. Today: an active poll recap, major growth updates, a sharp open house, and a quiet nature escape that feels worlds away.

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📅 On this day in 1955, the iconic TV western “Gunsmoke” premiered on CBS — beginning a 20-year run that became a staple of American living rooms.

— Kevin Rogers, Publisher

Monday’s Poll Recap

The Villages Doesn’t Sit Still!

You spoke — and loudly! This week's poll drew 570 responses, and the verdict is clear: Villages residents are a seriously active bunch. Nearly 38% of you exercise 4–5 days a week, making it the top answer, while another 27% hit it 6–7 days. Add it up, and almost two-thirds of respondents are moving their bodies five or more days every week. Impressive.

The comments revealed what keeps everyone going — and it's all very Villages. Pickleball dominated the conversation (no surprise there), alongside golf, walking, gym workouts, water aerobics, biking, and even Dragon Boat paddling. Many readers stack multiple activities in a single day, making "4–5 days" feel like a modest undercount.

One reader offered the week's best motivation: "Movement is lotion for your joints — sitting is the new smoking." Amen to that.

Not everyone is at full throttle. A handful noted health challenges — a lung condition, a bad back — as honest reasons for lighter activity. And one newly-arrived Villager chimed in that they've been too busy unpacking to join the fun yet. We'll check back with her soon!

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

Villages Development News

LaGrange to Long Prairie: Growth in Overdrive

The south end of The Villages is accelerating. LaGrange is nearly built out with waterfront verandas and designer homes steps from Eastport. Lake View has gone from a handful of builds to roofs everywhere in days. Long Prairie is charging ahead with the Mustang Rec Center rising fast, executive courses in great shape, and new lots being elevated for what’s next. If you want to see exactly how quickly this area is transforming, this flyover is worth a few minutes.

🏡 Open House of The Week

Presented by:

🔥 MOTIVATED SELLER 🔥 — No bond, major updates already done, and priced to move in the Village of Piedmont.

💲 $379,000
📆 Open Houses: ⏰ | Sat 11 am –2 pm | Sun 11 am –2 pm
📍 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

Call The Alexander Kac Team at 312.501.2001

Day Trip Guide

🐊 Day Trip: Emeralda Marsh Wildlife Drive

Big sky. Wild Florida. Zero crowds.

Looking for a quick nature escape that feels nothing like The Villages? Head to Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area — just north of Leesburg and east of The Villages. It’s a 30 minute drive and feels like you’ve stepped into untouched Florida.

🚗 Wildlife Drive

An easy, scenic auto loop through open marshland. Go slow and watch for:

• Sandhill cranes and great blue herons

• Bald eagles in the treetops

• Alligators along the water’s edge

Early morning and late afternoon are best for wildlife activity.

🚶 Want to Walk?

Flat levee roads and short trails offer peaceful, wide-open views. No crowds. No noise. Just wind, water, and birds.

📍 Know Before You Go

• Drive is only open late Feb to late May

• Free entry

• Bring water, binoculars, and bug spray

If you enjoy the Everglades vibe but don’t want the long drive south, this is your backyard version — raw, quiet, and surprisingly wild.

🤖 AI for Everyday Life

Over the past few months, I’ve had several readers ask a version of the same question:

“What exactly can I use AI for in real life?”

Not in a tech job. Not in a startup. Just everyday life here in The Villages.

So we’re launching a new Thursday feature — AI for Everyday Life — where each week we’ll tackle one practical, useful way you can put it to work. No hype. No complexity. Just real-world application. You can use ChatGPT, Claude, Grok, or any other one you’d like.

Let’s start with something almost everyone deals with:

🏡 Week 1: Make Insurance Policies Understandable

Everyone knows how frustrating it is to read homeowners, auto, or umbrella insurance documents. Long paragraphs. Legal wording. Important exclusions buried deep in the fine print.

Instead of guessing what something means, you can paste sections, or the entire document into an AI tool and ask:

“Explain this insurance coverage in simple terms. What does it cover, what does it not cover, and what are the biggest risks?”

You can also compare two policies side by side:

“Which of these offers stronger protection, and what are the major differences?”

In seconds, you get a clean, organized summary.

This doesn’t replace your agent.
It helps you walk into the conversation prepared.

Next week: how to use AI to organize your lab and/or imaging results before your next doctor visit — so you ask sharper questions.

Upcoming Events

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

Ladies Putting and Low Chip Shots Clinic | Central Lake | 1:30 pm

🐎 Polo: Lucky Charm Theme | Villages Polo Club | Mar 13 & 15 | Details

Jiffy Feet Live | Back Porch Mulberry | Mar 13 | 5 pm | Details

Celtic Festival | Lake Sumter Landing | Mar 13 | 4 - 9 pm | Details

Spring Craft Show | Various | Mar 14 | 9 am - 2 pm | Details

Hometown Market | Brownwood | Mar 14 | 9 am - 1 pm | Details

🍷 Weekends at the Winery, Tastings/Live Music | Lakeridge Winery | Mar 14 & 15

📚️ Book Sale | Villages Public Library | Mar 14 & 16 | Details

🐎 $125K National Grand Prix | World Equestrian Center Stadium | Mar 14 | 7pm

🎸 Action Jackson Duo | Oxford Downs Tiki Bar | Mar 14 | 6:30 - 9:30 PM | Details

Full Swing Clinic | Lopez Legacy | March 16 | 10:30 am | Details

Tribute To Rod Stewart | Whispering Oaks Winery | Mar 26 | Tickets

On Sale This Week

Midnight Joker: Steve Miller Tribute | Savannah Center | May 14 | Details/Tickets

And More….

If you have an event you want to announce to 9,600+ local Villagers, email us the details at [email protected]

Live Music Lowdown

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Thanks!

Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed reading Villages Pulse, share this email with someone who has never used AI for anything. See you Monday.

P.S. Want to get your business in front of 9,600+ local Villagers? Reach out here.