Hello The Villages! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Free Supergirl screening, a new Walmart opening, and a beach escape + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
New neighborhood shopping option: A new Walmart Neighborhood Market opens today in Hammock Oaks near County Road 466 and Cherry Lake Road, offering groceries with $25 gift cards for the first 300 customers -- see the grocery details.
A new local gathering spot: The Yardery plans to open in summer 2026 at 101 S Main St Unit 2 in Wildwood, offering backyard-style dining, craft cocktails, live music, and lawn games as construction progresses -- get the opening details.
New hub for preparedness: Sumter County opened a Joint Training Facility and Emergency Shelter at the Gloria Rowe Hayward campus, adding a pet-friendly storm shelter and joint training with The Villages Public Safety Department -- see the shelter upgrade.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
You've traveled abroad without being able to speak the local language. You can change that in just 10 minutes a day. Most people are holding real conversations within three weeks. In fact, 92% of users improved their proficiency in just two months, with 25 million subscriptions sold -- take 55% off.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Lakeside tiki vibes: Skip cooking and grab a table at Harry and The Natives at The Villages, where the open-air tiki hut keeps the breezes flowing and the menu swings from Shrimp & Grits to Ahi Tuna Poke. Easygoing, local, and perfect for a low-stress meet-up this week.
Local blooms, big smiles: Whether you forgot an anniversary or just want to brighten the lanai, Plantation Flower Designs & Gifts nails those hand-arranged bouquets with same-day delivery around The Villages, plus thoughtful extras like greeting cards and home accents. Order local and skip the sad boxed-flowers surprise.
Golden hour, sorted: Because sometimes you only need 20 minutes of sky therapy, Sunset Park is the easy, no-planning spot to catch the evening glow, swap stories with neighbors, and remember why you live here in the first place. Quick, peaceful, and right where your day already takes you.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Makeup for skin that's changed, now up to 65% off: Laura Geller has built its following on formulas made for mature skin, led by the baked foundations women over 40 keep coming back to. Right now, new email subscribers get up to 65% off plus an extra 22%. Enter your email on the page and the discount activates. *See the VIP pricing →
Need cash but can't take on another monthly payment? This gets you a lump sum from your home's equity with no monthly bill and no interest, because it isn't a loan. Use the funds for anything, whether that's home improvements, paying off debt, or a large purchase, and pay it back by the end of your 30-year term. Checking your offer is easy, fully online, and won't affect your credit score. *See your cash offer →
Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
Wish you had someone to talk to right now? The quiet hours are the hardest, especially when you just want someone to talk to. That's exactly what this is built for: real conversations, real matches, real people. Not endless swiping, but actual chats with singles who want to connect as much as you do. Someone to talk to could be a message away. *Join now and start chatting → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🚗 Sunset Delights Every Wednesday Cruise-In @ Sunset Delights (Summerfield) | Wednesday (6/24) at 3:30 PM – Every Wednesday, roll into Sunset Delights in Summerfield for a laid-back cruise-in, free and open to classics, customs, modern muscle, and the gloriously questionable. Grab dinner, then “research” the ice cream menu, and maybe snag Cruiser of the Week bragging rights. Asphalt Misfits approved.
⚽ Brave SC vs Inter Gainesville KF @ The Tracy Performing Arts Center (Sumterville) | Wednesday (6/24) at 7:00 PM – Brave SC hosts Inter Gainesville at H. G. Morse Range Stadium, right in our backyard. USL League Two means future pros, must-win vibes, and a no-fuss night out with free parking, reasonable tickets, and just enough sideline drama to make you feel 25 again.
🏝 Upham Beach Escape @ Lamer's | Thursday (6/25) at 8:00 AM – Trade roundabout roulette for a comfy motorcoach from The Villages to Upham Beach, the quiet Gulf stretch locals actually keep to themselves. No driving, no parking drama, just soft sand, warm water, included snacks and water, and you’re home by dinner, all for $49.
📚 Ready-Set-Read @ Pinellas Plaza Library (Wildwood) | Thursday (6/25) at 10:00 AM – This lively storytime sneaks learning into reading, talking, singing, and play, all while your preschooler thinks they’re just having fun. Think brain-building without screens, wiggles encouraged, meltdown optional. You sip coffee nearby, they flex curiosity, language, and independence.
🎨 Krafty Kids @ Belvedere | Friday (6/26) at 10:30 AM – Bring your tiny Picassos for post-storytime art play tailored to preschool attention spans, creativity, and glorious mess. They explore color, texture, and imagination, you get a few blissful minutes to sip coffee and admire glue-stick ambition, then go home with fridge-worthy masterpieces.
🎆 The Big Bang! Independence Day Celebration @ Guava Street Athletic Complex (Lady Lake) | Saturday (6/27) at 6:00 PM – America turns 250, so Lady Lake is throwing the kind of birthday party that actually ends with fireworks. On Guava Street, expect Tabasco the band, watermelon bragging rights, food trucks, a kid zone, free shuttles, and shaded VIP tents for the seasoned pros.
🥞 Sunday Brunch @ Harbor Hills Country Club (Lady Lake) | Sunday (6/28) at 11:00 AM – Clear your Sunday guilt and embrace the all-you-care-to-eat buffet, with adults at $26.99, kids 6 to 10 at $6.95, and the littles free. Add unlimited champagne or mimosas for $10, then pretend that counts as fruit. Reservations required, obviously.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The The Villages report Weather forecastToday — High: 94°F — Low: 74°F — Precip: 27%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 102. West northwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 74. West northwest wind 0 to 5 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 95°F — Low: 75°F — Precip: 23%
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Sunny, with a high near 95. Southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 75. Southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. This house is wildThis beautifully maintained Lantana Designer Home pairs preserve views with a paid bond and a long list of thoughtful upgrades. Engineered hardwood, crown molding, plantation shutters, and quartz baths add polish, while the bright kitchen and solar tubes keep things cheerful. An enclosed glass lanai, expanded birdcage, 2024 roof, and 2024 HVAC seal the deal.
Take a peek inside → |
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