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Citrus County

Weekend Getaway: The Upper and Middle Keys

There’s no place like home here at the Villages of Citrus Hills, but it’s nice to get away every now and then, and when the time comes there is nothing quite like a getaway to the Florida Keys.

While we have already covered all kinds of great places to stay, things to do, and outstanding restaurants in Key Largo and Key West, there are also dozens of spots in between those destinations that also make for a great weekend getaway.

So, let's explore the Upper and Middle Keys.

Where to Stay

Islamorada is one of the most popular places to stop for many tourists making the journey from the mainland all the way down to Key West, but it is also a destination in and of itself. Here you will find the Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina, which offers every bit of the paradise you would imagine exists in the Keys. With all of the resort amenities offered at the Postcard, this is a one-stop shop for a weekend getaway.

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If you are looking for a more secluded getaway, Duck Key could be the perfect destination for you. The place to stay here is the Hawks Cay Resort, which offers standard hotel-style rooms, as well as more private villas.

If being as close to the beach as possible is important to you, then the Rainbow Bend Fishing Resort in Marathon should be on your short list. This is also the place to stay if you are looking to spend the weekend fishing, which is one of the many ways to enjoy yourself in the Keys.

Things to Do

Craft beer lovers will be thrilled to know that there are two different breweries located right in Islamorada. Both the Florida Keys Brewery and the Islamorada Beer Company Brewery and Tasting Room offer up a fantastic selection of local beer in a traditional Florida Keys atmosphere.

Another fun way to spend a weekend in the Keys is to get right into the water. In Duck Key, you will find swimming with dolphins, scuba diving, and chartering your own fishing expedition. No matter what you are looking to do on the water, there are plenty of choices in the Keys.

One of the most popular tourist attractions in Marathon for animal lovers is The Turtle Hospital.  They have been rehabbing injured sea turtles and educating the public about them since 1986, and it is consistently recommended among the top places for animal enthusiasts to visit in all of the Keys.

Places to Eat

When you are heading out to eat in the Keys, the atmosphere is almost as important as the food. One of the best places to find that environment in Islamorada is the Islamorada Fish Company, where you will find a massive outdoor restaurant with a menu full of great seafood. We recommend trying the Grouper Reuben!

Whether you are staying there or not, the place to eat in Duck Key is Alma, which is located on the property at Hawks Cay Resort. This high-end restaurant divides its menu evenly between local seafood dishes and excellent cuts of meat, and everything is delicious.

In addition to all of the excellent seafood, you will also find plenty of Cuban restaurants throughout the Keys. One of our favorite spots is La Nina Restaurant in Marathon. It might not look like much from the outside, but this little restaurant will blow you away with their Cuban pork and beef dishes.

You can find ways to spend an entire weekend exploring any single town in the Upper and Middle Keys. You can also have a blast cruising from key to key in search of specific destinations. Whatever your idea of a great weekend might be, you can make it a reality in the Florida Keys.

April Activities and Events at the Villages of Citrus Hills

We are already cruising into the month of April here in 2017. They say that April showers bring May flowers, but here at the Villages of Citrus Hills, we shoot for great weather every day no matter what month it is, and we don't expect April to be any different.

If you are looking for some fun and exciting ways to fill your calendar this month, the Activity Center staff has put together another schedule that is packed with interesting invitations.

Let's check out some of the fun activities and events coming up!

Social Events

One of the first social events this month is the Broadway & Beyond Dinner Show on Thursday, April 6 in the Hampton Room. Doors for this event open at 5 pm, and a dinner featuring Boursin-Stuffed Chicken Breast and Sliced Prime Rib is scheduled for 5:30 pm. After dinner, Mary Jo Vitale will take the stage to perform a selection of Broadway hits and some light opera classics.

Speaking of opera, the Citrus Hills Vacationers Club will be sponsoring a trip to the opera in Tampa on Sunday, April 9. This trip to the Straz will be for the matinee performance of Giacomo Puccini's famous Tosca.

There will be a special Seder Dinner event on Monday, April 10 in the Windsor Room. The menu for this meal will feature a choice of Beef Brisket or Roasted Chicken, as well as Matzo Ball Soup, Tsimis, Kugel, Green Beans, and Sponge Cake.

Another holiday tradition happening at the Villages of Citrus Hills this month is the annual Easter Egg Hunt in the Hampton Room that is scheduled for Saturday, April 15 at 9 am. This is a great event to bring your grandchildren, as there will be face painting, coloring stations, a magic show, and even an appearance by the Easter Bunny himself.

The Brentwood Bullies were the winners of the February Trivia Challenge, but that title is up for grabs again on Tuesday, April 18. If you think you have the skills to take down the champs, put together your team and we'll see you in the Hampton Room!

Arts & Education

It's going to be a busy month for the Speaker Series, and it will kick off on Tuesday, April 4 with a talk led by representatives of The Greener Side Haven. They will be talking about the different ways that your pet trusts you, and also giving some information about their work in rescuing abused animals.

Wednesday, April 12 will be another pet-related Speaker Series event. This one features Dr. Victoria Schad and Dr. Alli Fritz discussing topics about common behavioral issues and the importance of non-core vaccines.

Ricky Barlow from Merrill Lynch Bank of America and Susan Wood from Pacific Life will be in the Activity Center Auditorium on Wednesday, April 19 discussing all of the ins and outs regarding social security benefits and how to make the best financial decisions during your retirement years.

The final education event of the month is more of a fundraiser. On April 27, there will be an LBDC Benefit Luncheon in the Garden Room. The special guest speaker will be Cardiologist Nishant K. Newell, MD. $5 of each ticket sold for this event will benefit the American Heart Association.

Golf & Tennis

The two big golf events scheduled for April are the 2017 Skyview Men's Match Play Championship on April 3 and 4, and the Citrus Hills Ladies' Club Championship on April 17 and 18. Both of these events are the type of tournament that our serious golfers have been planning for all winter.

If you are looking for a more relaxed golf event, the Jelly Bean Open is scheduled for an 8:30 am start on Saturday, April 8 on The Oaks course. Make sure you bring your Easter Bunny ears for this one!

Anyone looking to improve their golf game can take advantage of the Free Golf Clinics with Golf Pro Wayne Larsen. This month, Wayne will be helping beginners on April 3, 4, and 5. Then he will be helping intermediate golfers on April 11, 18, and 25.

Over at the Skyview Tennis Center, there will be a Free Beginner Tennis Clinic on Tuesday, April 11. Then you can put those skills to work at the Tennis Burger Bash mixed doubles tournament on Sunday, April 30.

Dinner Specials

The biggest dinner special of the month is going to be the Easter Dinner at Skyview Restaurant and The Grille. On Sunday, April 16, Skyview will be serving delicious a la carte meals from 12 pm to 5 pm. During that same time, The Grille will be hosting a fabulous buffet featuring Prime Rib, Baked Ham, Chicken, and Salmon.

Tuesday, April 11 will also be a big night for dinner specials here at the Villages of Citrus Hills. Skyview Restaurant will be serving a special Surf & Turf menu, while The Grille is having their Wild Game Night.

BellaVita  

If you can find some time for yourself during the busy month of April, you might also want to check out specials like the Revitalizing Cream Peel Facial and the Shellac Spa Manicure at BellaVita Spa.

We hope you have a wonderful month full of fun and excitement!

Fish Fridays: 5 Local Seafood Restaurants to Visit During Lent

No matter what your religious affiliation, almost everyone can appreciate a good fish fry. And while many religions require a meatless diet on Fridays during forty days between Ash Wednesday and Easter, just as many non-religious people participate in the tradition simply because seafood is delicious.

The restaurants within the Villages of Citrus Hills have great seafood entrees available every Friday. There are also many great restaurants in Citrus County serving a great fish Friday, so we’ve pulled together a list of five seafood restaurants for you to try.  

There are so many in our area we’ll probably have to do a listing every month.

Seafood Seller & Cafe

The Seafood Seller & Cafe has a casual atmosphere and is located inside the Crystal River Mall, where they anchor the food court. They stay one of the most popular seafood restaurants in all of Citrus County.

If you’ve never visited before, you will not believe the quality of the food that can be found at the mall! One of the signature items to try is the Blue Crab Balls, but everything on the menu is fantastic. Other popular selections include the Blackened Mahi Mahi Tacos, Blackened Grouper Dinner, Oyster Po Boy Sandwiches, and Crawfish!

Peck’s Old Port Cove

If you like your seafood to come with a view, Peck’s Old Port Cove at the end of the scenic Ozello Trail is the perfect destination. Here you can pull up a chair overlooking the water of Crystal Bay right in the heart of Crystal River Preserve State Park.

Soft Shell Blue crabs are one of the specialties here, and Peck’s does an appreciable job of sautéing them in plenty of butter. They also serve a delicious fried seafood platter.

Stumpknockers on the River

Another renowned fish spot in Citrus County is Stumpknockers on the River. This locally owned restaurant sits right on the Withlacoochee River, and their most popular specialty is the Fried Catfish Dinner. There are many Lent-friendly entrees on their menu, like the Peel & Eat Shrimp, Stuffed Flounder, and the Fab 4, which features shrimp, scallops, mussels, and crab legs.

Dan’s Clam Stand

Many people make the mistake of assuming that fried fish is all that there is to eat on Fridays during Lent, but that definitely isn’t the case. At Dan’s Clam Stand, shellfish is their passion. Here you will find amazing deep fried shrimp and clams and wonderful conch fritters.

Katch Twenty-Two

Another common misconception about the Lent season is that the seafood has to be fried and served in an ultra-casual environment. If you are looking to buck that trend and go for something a bit elegant, Katch Twenty-Two is one of Citrus County’s premier seafood restaurants. There is a wide range of options on Chef Richard’s constantly evolving menu, but amazing seafood dishes are always a feature that takes advantage of our location along the Gulf Coast.

The Lenten season stretches out for a total of seven Fridays during the months of March and April this year, but it doesn’t even have to be a Friday during Lent for you to enjoy one of these excellent local seafood restaurants. No matter when you plan to visit, make sure you are hungry when you do

Enjoying a Fabulous Weekend in Winter Park

Winter Park is known for the wild peacocks that roam the old McKean estate. 

Winter Park is known for the wild peacocks that roam the old McKean estate.

 

Located about 15 minutes north of Orlando and a little over 90 minutes from the Villages of Citrus Hills, the town of Winter Park often gets overlooked as a weekend getaway destination. However, if you are looking for a great place to enjoy the arts, history and fine dining, it doesn’t get much better than Winter Park.

Places to Stay in Winter Park 

The Alfond Inn

The Alfond Inn

When looking for a place to stay in Winter Park, The Alfond Inn should definitely be the top option on your list. This boutique hotel offers an interesting experience for art lovers, as the walls of the hotel are decorated with pieces from the Cornell Fine Arts Museum, which we will get to in a few minutes.

In addition to being an art lover’s dream, The Alfond Inn is also pet friendly, and they offer a number of different packages that include such things as bicycle rentals, boat tour tickets, and picnic lunches to enjoy in one of the local parks.

Park Plaza Hotel

Park Plaza Hotel

While we can’t say enough about The Alfond Inn, staying at the Park Plaza Hotel is also a wonderful experience. The history of this hotel dates back to 1922, so there is plenty to appreciate here as well.

Things to Do in Winter Park

One of the first stops for anyone spending time in Winter Park is the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art. At the Morse Museum, visitors can spend a day exploring a massive collection of the works of Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Morse Museum

Morse Museum

The museum’s permanent collection includes jewelry, pottery, paintings, and different glass works that were designed by Tiffany throughout his career. One of the interesting exhibits you will find here is the chapel interior from the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

Located on the campus of Rollins College, the Cornell Fine Arts Museum contains more than 5,000 historic paintings, prints, drawings, and photographs.  Highlights in the Cornell Museum collection include 30 Bloomsbury Group paintings and drawings, and 156 photographs taken by Andy Warhol.

Another place worth a visit in Winter Park is the Kraft Azalea Park. This 11-acre park is the perfect setting for spending a relaxing afternoon outdoors. There are trails and a boat dock if you are into that sort of thing, but most of the people who visit this beautiful green space prefer to simply sit on one of the many benches and enjoy their surroundings.

Scenic Boat Tour

Scenic Boat Tour

Last but not least, the highly-rated Scenic Boat Tour should be near the top of your “To Do” list. This hour-long guided cruise takes passengers through three of the seven lakes and two, narrow manmade canals on the tranquil Winter Park chain of lakes. In addition to the various wildlife, plants, flowers, and trees you’ll encounter along the way, you’ll also see opulent private homes and exquisite estates as you cruise along the shoreline.

Places to Eat in Winter Park

There are dozens of great places to eat in Winter Park, but Prato is one of the few places that has something for everyone. This casual Italian restaurant is all about simplicity, and it doesn’t hurt that they offer seating with a view on their patio. Whether you choose the pizza, pasta, or the Veal Marsala, everything is delicious at Prato.

Prato

Prato

If you are in the mood for unique dining, Bosphorus Turkish Cuisine offers an experience that you will not soon forget. Visitors who are new to Turkish food should definitely consider the Mixed Grill for Two, which allows them to try a variety of chicken and lamb dishes.

Another choice is The Wine Room that offers a classy atmosphere and a tapas menu that will have your mouth watering. And with a name like “The Wine Room,” you know that they are going to have the perfect wine to pair with just about anything you choose to order.

The Wine Room

The Wine Room

With two very unique hotels for lodging, plenty of parks and museums to explore, and some of the best dining you will find anywhere, Winter Park has everything you need for a fabulous weekend getaway. A lot of times people looking to get away in Florida are going to more well-known destinations, this is one that you can have all to yourself!

 

Local Attractions: The Historic Valerie Theatre in Inverness

While most of the buildings you see here at the Villages of Citrus Hills are brand new and state-of-the-art, we are literally surrounded by Old Florida towns that are overflowing with historical significance. One popular local attraction that specializes in taking visitors back in time is the amazing Valerie Theatre in Inverness.

Whether you are attending a live performance or viewing a classic film, the Valerie is one of the most breathtaking theaters you will find anywhere. Located right in the heart of downtown Inverness, the theatre holds a special place in the hearts of just about everyone who lives nearby.

About the Valerie Theatre

The Valerie Theatre was originally built by Pearl G. Maddox between the years of 1926 and 1927. The theatre specialized in showing the silent films that were popular at the time, and admission costs were typically 25 cents for adults and 10 cents for children. The first film ever shown there was The Only Woman back in 1927.

When movies with sound became popular, Herbert Pittman from Clearwater leased the theatre and installed the necessary technology. Aside from the short time that it was closed for reconstruction after a devastating fire in 1939, the Valerie Theatre operated all the way up until 1987.

In 2009, the building was purchased by the city of Inverness and the entire facility was renovated to create the brand-new Valerie Theatre Cultural Center, which celebrated its grand opening in 2015 and hosts concerts, plays, and movies today.

Events at the Valerie Theatre

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If you are a fan of classic films starring brilliant actors like Humphrey Bogart, Gene Kelly, and Paul Newman, then the Valerie Theatre is definitely a place that you will be visiting frequently. They show an iconic film each and every Sunday afternoon at 3 pm.

In the month of March Footloose, Dial M for Murder, The Sting, and Singin’ in the Rain will be featured.

There are also a number of exciting live performances that will be gracing the stage of the Valerie Theatre in the coming months. The current schedule lists an upcoming performance by local jazz artist Johny Carlsson on March 25, and four members of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra that are known locally as The Valerie String Quartet on April 29.

Valerie Theatre Information

If you are interested in attending a show at the Valerie Theatre, you can purchase your tickets online right from their website. Tickets are also available at the theatre box office, which is open every Thursday through Sunday from 12 pm to 4 pm.

When the date of your show arrives, you can feel comfortable knowing that the dress code at the Valerie Theatre is extremely casual. In most cases, jeans and tennis shoes are considered appropriate attire. And there is always plenty of free parking in the municipal parking lots just off of Courthouse Square.

If you are looking for a great dinner option for before or after a show, you might want to check out one of the excellent nearby restaurants like Little Italy of Inverness Deli, Motor City Pasta Company, or Pine Street Pub.

There aren’t many places you can go where you will find the combination of entertainment and historical significance that you get at the Valerie Theatre in Inverness. So, the next time you are looking for some great entertainment, make sure you check out their website to see what is playing at the Valerie!

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