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The Villages
Tuesday, March 19, 2024

About The Villages

Central Florida tollways will stop collecting cash

The Central Florida Expressway Authority is temporarily suspending cash collection for tolls, and shifting to license plate tolling, known as Pay by Plate.

Villages 101: Who was Evan Richards?

Villagers were deeply saddened in February 2015 when Evan Richards, a man known for his endless energy and a deep devotion to multiple causes, lost his battle with cancer.

Villages 101: Who was Col. Phillip C. DeLong and why is Marine Corps League Detachment 1267 named for him?

Former Villager Col. Phillip C. DeLong scored 11 kills in World War II and two others in the Korean War, making him a double ace.

Villages 101: Did Hall of Fame golfer Nancy Lopez ever call The Villages home?

Many Villagers might not realize that Hall of Fame golfer Nancy Lopez and her then-husband, retired Major League Baseball player Ray Knight, once had a home in The Villages.

Villages 101: Paige Boone McCabe was destined to oversee polo in The Villages

There’s no doubt that Paige Boone McCabe knew what she wanted to do for a living at a very young age, having fallen in love with the game of polo as a child.

Villages 101: What kind of role did Gov. Jeb Bush play in the expansion of The Villages Regional Hospital?

Many Villagers might not know it, but they can largely thank former Gov. Jeb Bush for the expansions that have taken place at The Villages Regional Hospital since it first opened in July 2002 with just 60 beds.

Is TV star Megan Boone distancing herself from community that raised her?

The Villages' own Megan Boone got her hit television show in September 2013, and before long, it appeared that the 36-year-old former Belleview High School student was doing her best to distance herself from Florida’s Friendliest Hometown.

Villages 101: Villages Developer’s mega-hangar at Leesburg airport turned plenty of heads

Leesburg was abuzz in 1998 when it was announced that Villages Developer H. Gary Morse was planning to build the largest hangar in the history of the city’s airport.

Villages 101: Villagers thrilled when popular restauranteur saves Orange Blossom Gardens Country Club

Nostalgic Villagers were upset in June 2013 when their beloved Orange Blossom Gardens Country Club shut its doors.

Villages 101: Villages move into Fruitland Park drastically changed the small city

When The Villages purchased land to build homes in Fruitland Park, the face of the small city took on a much different look.

Villages 101: The day legendary golfer Chi Chi Rodriguez helped put The Villages on the map

Golfing legend Chi Chi Rodriguez helped open Hacienda Hills Golf & Country Club in 1991 and quickly boosted The Villages’ image by saying the course contained two of his favorite holes.

Villages 101: Who was H. Gary Morse?

Villages Developer H. Gary Morse will always be known as the genius with the vision to turn Florida’s Friendliest Hometown into the much-lauded and biggest retirement community in the world.

Villages 101: Villages Honor Flight started taking veterans to memorials in 2012

What started out as an idea to transport area veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials dedicated to them quickly became a reality in Florida’s Friendliest Hometown.

Villages 101: Singer Vince Gill turned Spanish Springs into an open-air concert hall in 2003

Country superstar Vince Gill is kicking off a world tour this weekend in support of his new album, "Okie." But did you know that Gill and his wife, Amy Grant, more than 15 years ago staged an open air concert in The Villages?

Villages 101: What happened to the El Santiago Club that was so popular in the 1990s?

The Amenity Authority Committee in July 2013 agreed to purchase the El Santiago Club from The Villages Developer – a move that came with a host of differing opinions and left at least one AAC member scratching his head.

Villages 101: What’s the truth behind urban legend of STDs in The Villages?

The year was 2006 and a Villages gynecologist talking about STDs was about to make a serious dent in the image of Florida’s Friendliest Hometown – one that wasn’t going to be welcomed with open arms.

Villages 101: What is the Spanish Springs tragedy of 2002?

The happiness of an annual Winter Wonderland festival at Spanish Springs Town Square was shattered by death and destruction on the night of Dec. 11, 2002.

Villages 101: Easter 2014 saw high drama as massive sinkhole had The Villages on edge

Many Villagers probably aren’t aware that a massive sinkhole opened up in the Village of Buttonwood five years ago on Easter weekend and threatened to swallow two homes.

Villages 101: Does The Villages really hold a golf cart parade record in the Guinness Book of World Records?

Villagers in 3,321 golf carts came together in September 2005 to raise $29,500 for local charities and attempt to secure a spot for Florida’s Friendliest Hometown in a prestigious record book.

Villages 101: What role did Gov. Jeb Bush play in the history of The Villages Charter Middle School?

Florida's governor was supported by The Villages Developer and was the keynote speaker at the dedication ceremony for The Villages Charter Middle School.

Villages 101: Why did the buffalo disappear from The Villages?

Longtime residents know that late Villages Developer H. Gary Morse was a huge fan of buffalo and loved having them grazing in pastures throughout the community.

Villages 101: What is The Villages?

Most Villagers know a great deal about their individual neighborhoods and the people who live around them. But what do they really know about the overall community they now call home?

Villages 101: Is it true that Sen. Joe Biden visited The Villages before the historic 2008 presidential election?

Vice presidential hopeful Sen. Joe Biden was all smiles in October 2008 when he and Florida Sen. Bill Nelson made an impromptu stop in The Villages for ice cream cones.

Villages 101: Was Mark Morse and his heir-apparent really charged with hunting violations?

Many Villagers expressed outrage after photographs of Developer Mark Morse appeared online with animals he'd killed.