Two of the most elegant structures among The Villages Recreation Department’s gems are the Savannah Center and the Laurel Manor Regional Recreation Center.
Reminiscent of ‘Tara,’ Scarlet O’Hara’s beloved plantation home in Margaret Mitchell’s epic Civil War classic, ‘Gone with the Wind,’ the Savannah Center has served, for nearly twenty years, as the community’s largest multi-purpose public building. Despite steady use, the newly refurbished building gleams like new. The gold and white flocked wallpaper and colonial-blue patterned carpeting depict the aura of the ‘old South’ extremely well.
Its Ashley Wilkes Theater has doubled as the community’s largest performing arts auditorium, charity casino and bistro by night — and morphs into an exercise and fitness facility by day. This is accomplished with foldaway bleachers and hundreds of movable chairs. The huge mirrored lobby, with its fancy chandeliers and soft, comfortable sofas, feels like an over-sized living room. The expandable ballrooms, with their slide-away walls , have hosted meetings and celebrations of every stripe — weddings and graduations, neighborhood luncheons, political speakers and charity fundraisers.
While the not-yet-opened Sharon Morse Performing Arts Center at Spanish Springs will offer unobstructed stadium tiers and state-of-the art stage mechanics, many Villagers feel nostalgic about memorable performers they have seen over the years at the Savannah Center.
In early November, all over The Villages, out came the Christmas trees at the recreation centers, and a small army of volunteers to decorate them. As happens every year, people scratched their heads. “It’s still warm; it’s not even Thanksgiving yet. Why so early?” newer residents asked. “Isn’t this rushing the season?” Well, yes and no.
The eight nights of Chanukah began at sundown on Dec.16, and Christmas Day is Dec.25 — but when there are three huge town squares, dozens of gatehouses, plus multiple trees and menorahs to set up in nearly fifty recreation centers — it’s a logistical necessity to start well in advance. It’s a lollapalooza of an operation!
Since Villages clubs ‘ Christmas gatherings began Dec. 1, the rooms have to be ready! What would those Christmas parties be without trees, red flowers and tinsel? Early ‘Christmas spirit’ in The Villages gives residents who visit family ‘up north’ or take holiday cruises the chance to celebrate ‘ here ‘ — and celebrate again ‘there’ — later in December!
Some long-term Villagers take the plethora of beautiful rec facilities in stride, but many others enjoy touring in their golf carts to admire the glitz and glitter. Grand kids and first time visitors are in awe of the abundance of beautifully appointed spaces. Some call them ‘palaces’ or ‘mansions’, and most call them ‘amazing.’
At the Savannah Center, perhaps the most stately and ‘formal’ of the Villages venues, huge trees reflect the charm of Southern tradition — with delicate off-white and glass ornaments. Some hanging glass globes are very large, and glittery white paper flowers have been added this season. Small wooden ornaments, delicate glass-bead garlands and embossed picture frames personalize the trees for that ‘down home’ family touch.
A second, equally exquisite Villages locale is the Laurel Manor regional recreation center on CR 466. There, the holiday decorations mirror the building’s traditional ‘Jeffersonian period’ theme. Lots of comfortable pastel blue and creamy white furniture, plus small glowing lamps and lampshades, accomplish the difficult task of making the huge lobby, with its high-ceilings, feel homey. With rooms named after U.S. presidents — Adams , Grant, Jefferson, Lincoln, Madison, Monroe and Washington, many sense a hint of colonial history in this place.
Among the first of the resident volunteers, Amelia Villager Donna Croll, was out busily trimming the trees in early November. Croll had owned a design business before retiring to The Villages, and continues to do what she loves in her spare moments . Her experience as a design professional showed in how she systematically grouped the ornaments by size and shape for a perfectly balanced tree.
A jolly-faced, life-size Santa, by Laurel Manor’s winding staircase greets visitors to Laurel Manor as he stands on a base of festive white lights. New white gossamer poinsettia blooms grace the tree branches for a luxurious feeling. Not only do we feel blessed by the season, we feel graced by all the beauty around us at the holidays.
