Getting Ready for the 2017-2018 Big Show Series

As we wind down the end of the summer months and make our way into the fall and winter seasons, it is important to remember that the Big Show Series is right around the corner. Starting in November and running through the end of March, there will be nine outstanding performances to look forward to during the 2017-2018 Big Show Series at the Villages of Citrus Hills.

As with all of the outstanding Big Show Series performances, these events will take place in the Activity Center Auditorium with show times at 6 pm and 8:15 pm on the night of each show! Make sure that you get your tickets well in advance because the acts that are coming to visit the Villages of Citrus Hills this year are surely going to pack the house!

Let's take a quick look at each of the nine performances that will comprise the 2017-2018 Big Show Series.

7 Bridges - The Ultimate Eagles Experience

Eagles fans will not want to miss their chance to see this outstanding tribute band on Tuesday, November 14. They are based in Nashville, Tennessee, but will be making the trip down to Florida to perform classic Eagles hits like "Heartache Tonight," "Life in the Fast Lane," and "Hotel California."

  Willy, Waylon, and Johnny Cash as The Highwaymen

Another popular tribute band that will be performing at the Villages of Citrus Hills this year is a take on the country music and southern rock supergroup known as The Highwaymen that originally included Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson. This version of the band features individual tributes to Willie, Waylon, and Johnny that will have you singing their southern classics all night long on Thursday, November 30.

The Buckinghams

Formed all the way back in 1966, The Buckinghams have seen just about everything the music business has to offer through six different decades. Original founding members Carl Giammarese and Nick Fortuna are still delivering passionate performances around the country, and they will be performing their hits like "Kind of a Drag" and "Don't You Care" at the Activity Center Auditorium on Thursday, December 14.

 

Hollywood Nights - The Ultimate Tribute to Bob Seger

On Thursday, January 11, true rock and roll fans at the Villages of Citrus Hills will be delighted by one of the most authentic tribute bands touring today, Hollywood Nights. Featuring Rick Murphy as Bob Seger and backed by his own version of The Silver Bullet Band, this performance will be filled with all of the classic Bob Seger hits.

Jeff Cook & The Allstar Goodtime Band

After the legendary country band Alabama retired from rocking arenas around the country, lead guitar Jeff Cook decided to continue his career performing with The Allstar Goodtime Band. On Thursday, January 25, they will be bringing their edgy mix of country, rock, and soul to the Villages of Citrus Hills.

Lou Christie

Lou Christie is another musician who has been making hits since the 1960s. He is still performing around the country and will be coming to Citrus Hills on Thursday, February 8. In addition to watching Lou perform some of his classic hits like "Lightnin' Strikes," "Two Faces Have I," and "I'm Gonna Make You Mine," this event will also feature an opening performance from Rocky and the Rollers.

The Grass Roots

Famous for hits like "Midnight Confessions," "Let's Live for Today," and "Sooner or Later," The Grass Roots is another legendary band that has been making music for the past six decades. They will be performing at the Activity Center Auditorium on Thursday, February 22.

The Flamingos featuring Terry Johnson

On Thursday, March 8 we will be hosting The Flamingos featuring Terry Johnson. This hall of fame doo-wop group is originally from Chicago, and they are responsible for hits like "I Only Have Eyes for You," "Lovers Never Say Goodbye," and "Rio Amore."

Johnny Contardo, Johnny Tillotson, & Ron Dante

This unique combination of oldies and rock and roll will take the stage in the Activity Center Auditorium on Thursday, March 22 and delight the audience with performances of a wide range of hits from "Poetry in Motion" to "Sugar, Sugar." There will also be an opening performance from Rocky and the Rollers!

October Activities and Events at the Villages of Citrus Hills

Just like that, the calendar is changing again, and we are making our way into the fourth quarter of the year. It feels like the whole year has flown by, but we certainly have had a lot of fun here at the Villages of Citrus Hills so far in 2017.

If you thought the calendar was filled with fun activities over the past few months, you are going to be astounded by what the month of October has to offer. We are officially into autumn, and that means that we have lots of pumpkin-spiced fall events planned throughout the entire month!

Social Events

This month's Trivia Challenge will be a special Halloween edition in the Hampton Room on Thursday, October 17. Dinner will include Bourbon Salmon and Cheddar Cheese Stuffed Chicken, and there will also be a costume contest for anyone who wants to participate.

The Shabbat Dinner Club will have their monthly dinner on Friday, October 27 in the Garden Room. The meal will feature a choice of Pan-Seared Salmon or Chicken Marsala, and it will be a great opportunity to get to know some of your neighbors on a more personal level.

Residents who are really looking to get into the fall spirit will want to make sure they make reservations for the trip to The Pickin' Patch in Dunnellon on Saturday, October 28. This quaint little farm is a must visit for anyone who loves pumpkin patches, and there will also be a stop at The Front Porch for lunch on the way back.

The Citrus Hills Vacationers club is always planning a few months ahead, and right now they are taking reservations for anyone who wants to attend Tampa Bay Lightning games on December 7 and March 6. Tickets for each game include round-trip transportation, and they can be purchased by calling the Activity Center.

Arts & Entertainment

On Tuesday, October 10, the Speaker Series will be hosting The Crime Prevention Task Force for a discussion on "Helping Citizens Be Aware." The workshop will take place in the Activity Center at 1 pm.

All of our crafters will want to be sure to attend the Sign Painting Workshop in the Activity Center on Wednesday, October 11 from 2 pm to 5 pm. Heavenly Colors will be bringing everything you need to create a beautiful sign to hang in your home, so the only thing that you need to bring is your creativity.

Lunch & Learn will be back on Tuesday, October 24 in the Garden Room. This month, guest speaker Ann Marie Simonelli will be discussing how we can work the idea of healthy aging into our everyday lives. There will be a delicious chicken salad lunch served as well.

Golf & Tennis

Golf is definitely going to be heating up this month with the Citrus Hills Ghost Open on October 7, the 2017 Skyview Men's Club Championship scheduled for October 23 and 24, and the Citrus Hills Couples Championship on October 27.

In addition to those big tournaments, there will be a Taylor Made Demo Day at Skyview on October 12 from 9 am to 2 pm. You can also get some help to improve your game at the Free Golf Clinics with Mary Slinkard on October 2, 3, and 4 for beginners, and October 10, 17, and 24 for intermediate golfers.

Over at the Skyview Tennis Center, there will be a Free Beginner Tennis Clinic on Tuesday, October 10 at 11 am. After improving your skills this month, you will be ready to go for the Burger Bash Tennis Social scheduled for November 5.

Dinner Specials

The Tiki Bar will be hosting Alfresco Starry Night on Thursday, October 12. Guests that evening will have their choice of Seared Nebraska Trout, Hazelnut-Crusted Duck Breast, Filet Mignon, or Tuscany Shrimp Pasta. There will also be live entertainment to enjoy from Snap Dare.

The big event at Skyview Restaurant will be Brewvival on Tuesday, October 24 from 5 pm to 8 pm. This dinner and beer tasting event will feature a delicious five-course meal where each course is perfectly paired with a different specialty beer.

We are now well into the NFL season, and no matter who you root for, all football fans are welcome on Sundays at the Tiki Bar. There are great food and drink specials from 1 pm to 8 pm every week, and thanks to Direct TV's NFL Sunday Ticket, all of the games are available!

Spa & Fitness

Our friends over at BellaVita Spa have also gotten into the fall spirit. They will be having Pumpkin Spice Oil Massage and Pumpkin Facial specials throughout the entire month of October. So, if you happen to find yourself with some free time between all of the activities and events this month, make an appointment to pamper yourself!

 

For the full schedule of all the activities and events for October please click into the link below for our Connections Newsletter.

http://www.citrushillsgolfandcountryclub.com/userfiles/file/October%202017%20Connections%20ONLINE.pdf

September Activities and Events at the Villages of Citrus Hills

While most residents here at the Villages of Citrus Hills don't have to worry about back to school shopping, the end of summer does represent a return to our normal routine here throughout the community. Many of our friends that head north during the warmer months will be returning soon, and the activities calendar is overflowing with fun ideas to keep all of us busy in the coming month of September.

Whether you are looking for social events to interact with friends, arts and education activities that are sure to stimulate your mind, exercise through golf and tennis, or just a great meal to enjoy, the September calendar has a lot for you to explore. Let's take a closer look at some of the activities and events happening around the community this month!

Social Events

The first big event of September will be the Summer Bazaar & Ice Cream Social at the Activity Center from 1 pm to 5 pm on Friday, September 8. DJ Benny Cruz will be playing music poolside, and there will also be several local vendors selling products inside…not to mention plenty of homemade ice cream!

Another poolside event that you won't want to miss will be the Flicks & Floats night on Friday, September 15. This month, the movie is Sully. As usual, there will be plenty of refreshments available, including buttery popcorn. Just make sure that you remember to bring your favorite float!

This month's Trivia Challenge will be held on Tuesday, September 19 in the Hampton Room. In addition to the thrilling battle of the minds, there will also be a dinner that includes Roast Pork with Cinnamon Apple Glaze and Beef Stroganoff.

On Thursday, September 28, the entire community will be on hand for the White Party Summer Social. This will be the unofficial end of the summer here at the Villages of Citrus Hills, and everyone is encouraged to come wearing all white and enjoy music and drinks by the pool.

If you are looking to attend some sporting events, the Activity Center is planning a trip to see the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the New York Giants on Sunday, October 1. You can also reserve your tickets for the trips the Vacationers Club is planning to see the Tampa Bay Lightning on December 7 and March 6. 

Arts & Education

The Citrus Hills Vacationers Club will be sponsoring a trip to Clearwater to see Mama Won't Fly on Saturday, September 16. Tickets for this event are $85 per person, and that includes round-trip transportation, lunch before the show, and a ticket to the performance.

Guest speaker Steven K. Davis will be speaking about how we can attract wildlife to our gardens for this month's Lunch & Learn event, which will be held in the Garden Room on Tuesday, September 26. Lunch for this event will include a Harvest Chicken Salad and Cheesecake with Melba Sauce for dessert.

The Citrus Hills Vacationers Club will be having their regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, September 27 at 4:30 pm in the Activity Center Auditorium. Davis Holmwood from Amadeus River Cruises will be speaking about some amazing cruises along the Black Sea in Europe.

Golf & Tennis

September is typically a month where the best golfers in our community spend their time getting ready for all the big tournaments and events scheduled for the month of October. One great way to get your game ready for those events is to participate in a free clinic with Golf Pro Wayne Larsen. This month, Wayne will be holding beginner clinics on September 4, 5, and 6 and then intermediate clinics on September 12, 19, and 26.

And if watching the US Open has you itching to get out on the tennis court, one of the best ways to start is to attend the Free Beginner Tennis Clinic at the Skyview Tennis Center on September 12 at 11 am.  The only thing required to participate is a pair of tennis shoes!

Dinner Specials

Both Skyview Restaurant and The Grille will be putting together special meals to celebrate Labor Day on Monday, September 4. Skyview Restaurant will be serving a BBQ menu that features St. Louis Style Ribs and Flame-Grilled London Broil, while out at The Grille you can find a buffet of Flank Steak, Spicy Lemon Shrimp, and Split Roasted Chicken.

Skyview Restaurant is also planning a Wine Tasting event for September 12 and a Hawaiian Luau for September 26. Then there will be an Irish Night event at The Grille on September 14 and an End of Summer Cookout at the Tiki Bar on September 21.

We are also right around the corner from a brand-new NFL season, and football fans will want to be sure they make it to the Tiki Bar for drink, appetizer, and food specials on every football Sunday.

With all the activities and events happening this month, you might have a hard time finding any time for yourself. But if you’re able to, take advantage of the Chocolate Almond Spa Pedicure special that BellaVita Spa is running all month long!

Enjoy Your September!

August Activities and Events at the Villages of Citrus Hills

The hot and sticky month of August has arrived, but the activities and events calendar here at the Villages of Citrus Hills is packed with plenty of cool things to do throughout the month.

Whether you are looking for exciting social events, fun opportunities to learn, clinics for improving your golf or tennis game, or just a great meal with friends, we have got you covered with everything happening around the community this month. Let's take a closer look at some of the exciting activities and events coming your way in the month of August!

Social Events

The August social events will kick off with the Citrus Hills Cruise-In on Friday, August 11 in the Tiki Bar parking lot. Sponsored by the Citrus MOPARS, this event is completely free to attend, and will feature all of the very best muscle and sports cars from around the community.

The next edition of our monthly Trivia Challenge will be held on Tuesday, August 15 in the Hampton Room. This month, the dinner menu will include Baked Haddock, Chicken Parmesan, Penne Pasta with Garlic, and lots of veggie and dessert options. Dinner starts at 5:45 pm and the trivia fun will follow around 6:30 pm.

It wouldn't be summer in the Villages of Citrus Hills without a Flicks & Floats party at the Activity Center Pool. This month's movie night is set for Friday, August 18, and the movie will be The Accountant starring Ben Affleck as a brilliant but lethal numbers wizard.

There will be plenty of buttery popcorn available, but you can also get 10% off of a meal at Skyview Restaurant or The Grille by showing your tickets for this event!

The biggest party of the summer will definitely be the 10th Annual Copacabana Night on Friday, August 25 in the Hampton Room. This year, the event will feature a menu of Cuban Pulled Pork, Chicken and Red Peppers in Garlic Wine Sauce, and some delicious sides.

There will also be salsa lessons and a live orchestra, so this is one summer party that you don't want to miss out on.

Arts & Education

The new Coffee Shop will be holding an Interactive Reading event on Tuesday, August 8 from 12:30 pm to 2 pm. Local author Ronnie Allen will be present for a group reading of her first novel, Gemini: The Sign Behind the Crime. There will also be a Q&A and book signing after the reading.

On Saturday, August 12, the Citrus Hills Vacationers Club will be taking a group trip down to Tampa to see Motown The Musical at the Straz Performing Arts Center. Tickets to this event are $125 and include orchestra seating and round-trip transportation to the event.

The Citrus Hills Vacationers Club is also planning a trip to St. Petersburg to see The Chihuly Glass Collection by artist Dale Chihuly at The Morean Arts Center. In addition to exploring the glassblowing exhibit, there will be plenty of time to venture out and see other popular St. Petersburg attractions.

There will be a Lunch & Learn event in the Garden Room on Thursday, August 31 at 12:30 pm with guest speaker Lisa Dider discussing American Madams (1870-1910). Lunch for this talk will include a Caprese Chicken Sandwich and Pasta Salad, followed by a slice of Strawberry Cloud Cake.

Golf & Tennis

The big golf event of August will be the Southern-Sky Two Person Championship that will start at Skyview at Terra Vista on Saturday, August 26 and conclude at Southern Hills Plantation Club on Sunday, August 27. If you would like to participate in this unique pairs tournament that covers two different courses, you must register with the Skyview Pro Shop by August 14.

If you are looking to improve your golf game during the month, you should definitely make a point to attend Golf Pro Wayne Larsen's Free Golf Clinics. This month, Wayne will be working with beginners on August 7, 8, and 9. Then he will be back to work with intermediate golfers on August 15, 22, and 29.

Anyone looking to learn the basics of tennis is welcome to attend the Free Beginner Tennis Clinic on Tuesday, August 8 at 11 am. As always, the only thing required to attend this clinic is a pair of tennis shoes. The Skyview Tennis Center will be happy to loan you a racket for the clinic.

Dinner Specials

 Skyview Restaurant has some exciting Tuesday night dinner specials planned for the month of August. You won't want to miss their Greek Night on August 12 or the Asian Feast on August 29.

Both dinners are scheduled to start at 5 pm and run through 8 pm.

It's all about mixers over at the Tiki Bar, and they will be mixing it up this month with block parties for Cambridge Greens on August 3, Canterbury Lakes on August 17, and Celina Hills on August 31. They will also be hosting a Singles Social Happy Hour on Tuesday, August 29 from 4 pm to 6 pm.

If those mixers and the warm weather aren't enough to get you to the Tiki Bar this month, you might want to visit for their Beers Around the World special on Thursday, August 24 or the Fantasy of Flights Wine Night on Tuesday, August 29.

If you are interested in pampering yourself, you might want to try a Citrus Surprise Spa Pedicure at the BellaVita Spa.

With all of the exciting things happening around our community during the month of August, there is absolutely no reason not to get out of the house and have some fun!

July Activities and Events at the Villages of Citrus Hills

As we roll right into the dog days of summer, you might catch yourself feeling like you don't want to leave the house. But that is a big mistake here at the Villages of Citrus Hills, because our activities calendar for the month of July features a great list of fun and exciting things to do across the community.

So, before you resign yourself to spending the next month indoors, make sure you put some of these great events on your calendar and RSVP with the Activity Center!

Social Events

Smarty Jones was the big winner at last month's Trivia Challenge, but that title will be up for grabs again on Tuesday, July 18 in the Hampton Room. Dinner for this month's event will feature London Broil Topped with Béarnaise Sauce, Chicken Marsala Oven Roasted Potatoes, Veggies, and Dessert!

There will be another Flicks & Floats night at the Activity Center Pool on Friday, July 21. This month, the feature film is Me Before You. Showtime is 8:30 pm, and there will be plenty of buttery popcorn for everyone!

Our friends over at the Tiki Bar have a number of different social events planned for the coming month. They will be hosting an Illinois Happy Hour on July 27 from 4 pm to 6 pm. Then they will also be hosting block parties for the Belmont Hills Neighborhood on Thursday, July 6 and for all the Brentwood Neighborhoods on Thursday, July 20.

Arts & Education

The Citrus Hills Vacationers Club is planning a group trip to The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art on Saturday, July 22. In addition to taking in all that the museum has to offer, there will also be time for shopping in Winter Park!

The Vacationers Club is also planning a trip to the Straz Center for the Performing Arts to see Motown The Musical in August, so you will also want to mark that on your calendar and be sure to reserve your tickets as soon as possible.

Golf & Tennis

The big golf event for July will be the Stars & Stripes Open at Skyview on Tuesday, July 4. This tournament will feature men's, ladies', and mixed foursomes competing with 3 best balls on red flag holes, 2 best balls on blue flag holes, and 1 best ball on white flag holes.

Many of the serious golfers in our community will spend their summer working to improve their game, and a great way to do that is to participate in one of the free clinics with Golf Pro Wayne Larsen. This month, Wayne will be hosting beginner clinics on July 10, 11, and 12. Then he will move on to intermediate clinics on July 11, 18, and 25.

July is also a great month to practice your tennis game, and you can learn all of the basics at the Free Beginner Tennis Clinic at the Skyview Tennis Center on Tuesday, July 11 at 11 am.

Dinner Specials

You definitely don't want to miss the Patriotic Buffet that Skyview Restaurant has planned for Tuesday, July 4. The buffet entrees will include Memphis Blue Ribs, Honey Barbecued Chicken, and Firecracker Grilled Salmon with Tropical Fruit Salad.

Two other festive holiday celebrations that you should note on your calendars this month are the Thanksgiving in July dinner at Skyview Restaurant on Tuesday, July 18 and the Christmas in July dinner at The Grille on Tuesday, July 25. Both specials are set to include all of the holiday classics you might expect!

The Grille will also be hosting a Taste of Cuba dinner on Thursday, July 27 from 5 pm to 8 pm. This meal will include Spicy Black Bean Soup, Cuban Chicken and Rice, and Red Snapper.

If you are looking to pamper yourself during the month of July, BellaVita has got you covered with Detox Stem Cell Facial Treatment and Massagarita specials.

Whether you are looking for social interaction, exposure to the arts, a little competition, a great meal, or just some quiet spa time, there are plenty of options to keep everyone busy here at the Villages of Citrus Hills this month. Make sure you don't miss out on any of the action!