Local free-lance subcontractors hired by New York City-based ‘Inside Edition’ and ‘Nightline’ TV programs, were filming interviews with random Villagers on Wednesday night near Lake Sumter Landing Market Square and Brownwood Paddock Square. The media group’s New York story coordinator, Vanessa Ott’s stated goal was to find out what life is “really” like for Villages residents, in the wake of scandalous reports and tabloid stories published recently about our so-called unabashed lifestyle community.
“If we find out bad stuff goes on all the time, we’ll report it,” free-lance interviewer, Robert A Barkus III, from Clermont, said. “If we find out the few disorderly conduct incidents were just aberrations, we’ll report that too. We were sent here to find out the true story.”
Barkus and his Orlando-based videographer felt frustration because Lake Sumter Landing was nearly deserted at 7 p.m. They were led to expect loud music, a large crowd and lots of dancing — and that just wasn’t happening. Perhaps the crew was too early; or perhaps earlier rain from tropical storm Arthur persuaded folks to stay at home.
Village of Hemingway resident, Kirk Freundt, who was walking his dog, Ralo, at Lake Sumter Landing, spoke on camera to the reporter. He spoke highly of his life in The Villages since moving here about six years ago with his wife, Pilar. He told them about his home’s beautiful lagoon view; his good neighbors, club affiliations, golf tournaments and fresh water fishing trips. He told them most Villagers are very decent, friendly people with interesting lives — nothing like the fictionalized Villages characters made up to sell sleazy publications.
The media crew was not commissioned to remain through the Fourth of July weekend to record any of the upcoming patriotic events or charitable concerts — activities which would have been accurate depictions of what many Villages residents’ lifestyles are all about.