I had one of the more interesting couple days I’ve had in a while…(front door conversations, a few surprises… and yes — a flamethrower involved 😅)

quick one for you….What’s your favorite thing about living here?

Hit reply and tell me — I read every single one.

But first — this week’s poll revealed something about this community you might not expect 👇

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

— Kevin Rogers, Publisher

Monday’s Poll Recap

⏰ The Villages wakes up… earlier than you think

874 votes poured in — making this the 3rd most answered poll yet — and one thing is clear: this is not a sleep-in community 😄

🟢 6–7am wins (281 votes) — the sweet spot
🟡 Right behind it: 7–8am (240) and the hardcore, like me, before 6am crew (202)
😎 And yes… 151 of you are proudly on “no alarm, no problem” mode

But the real story? Why you’re getting up…

👉 Pickleball dominates mornings — multiple readers said they’re up early just to beat the court lines and the heat
👉 Dogs don’t care about your sleep schedule — lots of “have to walk the dog” responses
👉 Quiet coffee time = sacred — several called early mornings the best part of the day
👉 And maybe the most relatable: “Don’t need or want to get up this early… but I do!”

There’s also a clear split emerging…

⚡ Early risers chasing activity, routines, and sunrise
🌙 Night owls proudly admitting 2–4am bedtimes and slower mornings

Bottom line: whether you're chasing pickleballs at sunrise or scrolling your phone at 9:30 in bed… you’ve officially earned it.

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

Villages Development News

What if I told you the “quiet farmland” south of 44 is turning into a full-blown city… almost overnight? 🚧 This latest aerial flyover doesn’t just show construction — it shows ambition. We’re talking sand dunes becoming neighborhoods, cranes working Saturdays to beat the rainy season, and entire communities rising so fast you can practically watch your future backyard take shape in real time. From Eastport slowly filling in around the lake to Long Prairie’s massive rec center and golf courses already in play before the homes even arrive… this is The Villages in hyper-growth mode. If you’ve been wondering how fast is this really happening? — this one gives you a front-row seat.

💪 AI for Everyday Life

🚗 Before You Call the Mechanic…

Your phone might fix it first.

Repair calls are expensive. A golf cart technician visit? Easy $150 before they touch anything. But here's a secret your grandkids already know — AI can walk you through troubleshooting before you spend a dime.

Real Example: My Yamaha Golf Cart Wouldn't Start

Last week, my Yamaha golf cart refused to start — and I kept smelling a strong odor of gasoline. My first instinct was to call a technician. Instead, I opened Claude and typed this:

"My Yamaha golf cart won't start and I smell gas strongly. What could be causing this and how do I check it?"

Claude walked me through it step by step — checking for a flooded engine, inspecting fuel lines, and then asked follow-up questions about the age of my battery and whether the cart had sat unused. Within minutes, it pointed to a likely weak battery causing incomplete starts that were flooding the engine with unburned fuel.

A new battery: $60. A technician visit: avoided entirely. ✅

Try These Prompts Yourself

🏊 Pool cloudy after a storm? "My pool water turned green after heavy rain. Walk me through testing and fixing it step by step." - I’ve done a slight variant of this, successfully.

🚗 Time for Car Service? "Give me a complete checklist for a Mercedes Service A3 in spreadsheet format — with each task, why it matters, and typical cost ranges — so I can review it with my mechanic before they start work"

🛒 Appliance acting up? "My Whirlpool refrigerator is running constantly but not staying cold. What should I check first?"

The golden rule: Always tell Claude your exact brand and model — the more specific you are, the better the guidance.

You don't need to be mechanical. You just need to ask the right questions. 🔧

Villages Area News Briefs

🏗️ Wildwood is building a new police substation at Central Parkway and Marsh Bend Trail to serve the Middleton and Eastport areas. Read more

💧 Phase III "Extreme" Water Shortage hits April 3 — all residents, including those on private wells, are limited to one-day-per-week watering with stricter overnight hours through July 1. Read more

Compression Boots Update

Many deliveries… and some great conversations

After Monday’s deal (if you missed it, you can read about it here), I spent Monday/Tuesday delivering those compression boots all over The Villages… and honestly, that was the best part of my week.

Met some really great people, had a few front-door conversations (and one very cool full home tour complete with a Tesla Flamethrower test, INDOORS!??) and even helped one reader get hers set up and running right there in her living room.

Also discovered that Google Maps thinks a quiet residential street in the far south end is a 55 mph zone… don’t worry, I didn’t comply. 😅

Anyway, this was a blast, and I’ve got a handful left. If you’ve been dealing with heavy legs, swelling, or just want something that feels ridiculously good after a long day, this is it.

Last call — I’ll deliver them to you personally, and then I’m done mentioning these.

👉 $80 (Costco $160) · Free delivery, by yours truly, in The Villages area

— Kevin

Community Classifieds

🧟 WANTED: New Zombies! 🧟

Thrill The Villages is recruiting! Join The Villages' own Thriller dance team — learn the moves, have a blast, and perform this October. Come to Laurel Manor Rec this Sat., March 28 from 1–3pm. Just $15 cash or check. No experience needed, just bring your best shamble! 🕺💀

Upcoming Events

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

🎉 Blanchard Rec Grand Opening | Mar 26 | 9 am | Details

🏌️ Full Swing Clinic | Palmer Legends | March 26 | 1 pm | Details

VHA Bingo | Rohan Rec | Mar 26 | 6 pm | Details

🎹 Eden Brent Band | Eisenhower Rec | Mar 26 | 6 pm | Details

⛳️ Putting & Chipping Clinic | Sarasota | March 27 | 8:30 am | Details

🐎 Polo: Pony Up Polo Boosters Cup | Villages Polo Club | Mar 27 & 29 | Details

Hometown Market | Brownwood | Mar 28 | 9 am - 1 pm | Details

Glass Fusion Showcase | Rohan Rec | Mar 28 | 9 am - 2 pm | Details

Home Decorating Showcase | Laurel Manor Rec | Mar 28 | 9 am - 1 pm | Details

80’s Sing Along & Costume Night /w Petrina | Old Mill Playhouse | Mar 28 | Details

🎸Jack/Knife | Oxford Downs Tiki Bar | Mar 28 | 7 - 10 pm | Details

🏌️‍♂️ New To Golf School | Sarasota | Mar 30 | 9 am | Details

🎪 Mr. Swindle’s Traveling Peculiarium | Wildwood | Mar 26 - Apr 4 | Tickets

Almost ABBA: #1 Tribute | Reilly Arts Center | Apr 4 | Details

On Sale This Week

In The Air Tonight: Phil Collins & Genesis | Savannah Center | May 9 | Details

The Beach Buoys Tribute | Savannah Center | May 23 | Details

Living On A Bad Name: Bon Jovi Tribute | Savannah Center | May 27 | Details

If you have an event you want to announce to 9,800+ local Villagers, email us the details at [email protected]

Live Music Lowdown

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Thanks!

That’s all for today. If you enjoyed this one, forward it to a friend who definitely wakes up earlier than they want to 😄.

P.S. Want to get your business in front of 9,800+ local Villagers? Reach out here.