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!

Tips and Tricks for a Successful Scallop Season in 2017

Another Crystal River summer is upon us, and that means that we are right around the corner from another scallop season. Chasing down bay scallops is one of the most popular summer pastimes here in Citrus County, and we have covered the topic multiple times before with details on the rules of scalloping

 https://www.citrushills.com/blog/florida-scalloping-season-is-here

and some of the popular local scallop charter companies.

https://www.citrushills.com/blog/e58ymh4fit01rhy53qk5vonaoc40q9

This year, scallop season kicks off on July 1 and runs through September 24. If you are an experienced scallop hunter, that is pretty much all you need to know. But if you are new to this kind of adventure, or would like to improve your game, we have put together a few tips and tricks that will help you impress your fellow scallopers over the course of the summer.

Understand the Rules

The first trick to being a great scallop hunter is knowing exactly what the rules and regulations are when you are out collecting these delicious shellfish. First and foremost, you must obtain a Florida Saltwater Fishing License prior to collecting any scallops, unless you go scalloping with one of our local fishing charter companies.

You also need to be aware that there is a daily limit on how many scallops you can collect. This year's scallopers are restricted to only two gallons of scallops in their shells, or one pint of actual scallop meat. There is no restriction on the size of the scallops, but the limits on volume are very precise.

Bring the Right Equipment

Most commercial tools are not permitted for recreational scalloping. The preferred container for most scallop hunters is a simple mesh bag, which you can find at a number of different retailers throughout Citrus County. You will also want to have diving equipment that you are comfortable working with in shallow waters.

If you don't have your own equipment, you might consider signing up for a scallop excursion with one of the local charter companies that provide all of the equipment you will need.

Know Where to Look

If you have the benefit of heading out with a local charter company, you will likely be working with an experienced guide who will take you right to the best scallop locations.

However, if you are working on your own, you should know that scallops prefer to make their homes in grassy areas that range from four to eight feet of water.

 

Practice Your Diving

Whether you are navigating a boat or diving yourself, you should always be alert to diving flags. These are your best clue to avoid running into other divers in more ways than one. In addition to dive flags, you should also make every effort to practice diving prior to heading out looking for scallops.

Diving gear can take some time to get used to, and you don't want to waste any time on your scalloping adventure figuring out how to best fit your new mask.

Study Scallop Shucking

If you are going scalloping on your own, you are going to have to shuck them yourself. This is not difficult once you learn how, but learning can be a difficult task if you don't have the right teacher.

Spend a few minutes before your trip refreshing yourself on the basics so that you don't end up with a big bag of scallops and no clue how to shuck them.

Once again, if you are heading out with a charter tour, your guide will likely take care of the shucking for you. But it never hurts to have a little background information before you hit the water!

No matter how much scalloping you plan to do this summer, having a solid base of knowledge before you start will make the entire experience more enjoyable.

Once you have the basics down, the only thing left is to learn how to make a good seasoning and locating a great cast iron skillet to cook the day’s haul!

Where to Retire Magazine Names Citrus Hills a Top 50 Community

We are proud to announce that the Villages of Citrus Hills has once again made Where to Retire Magazine's list of the "Top 50 Best Master-Planned Communities in the United States." The magazine spends more than a full year researching this list, which comes out in their summer edition every other year, so we are thrilled to announce that we have made the cut once again!

Where to Retire describes itself as "America's foremost authority on retirement relocation," so they definitely know their stuff when it comes to featuring the best of the best master-planned communities. The magazine was established in 1992, and it has since helped more than 700,000 Americans locate the perfect destination for their retirement.

This year's "Top 50 Best Master-Planned Communities in the Unites States" article points out that the competition among active adult communities is tougher than ever. There are more and more communities boasting popular amenities like pools, trails, and fitness centers, as well as dog parks, communal gardens, and the availability of green homes. With such fierce competition, it is truly an honor to be included on the magazine's short list of the very best of the best communities.

In addition to all of the standard amenities that you will find across all of the very best master-planned communities, the article also points out that Citrus Hills offers exceptional year-round weather and a location that offers quick access to the Gulf Coast and a number of beautiful parks, which makes outdoor activities extremely accessible. It also highlights the brand new PrimoVito Fitness Center, our four stunning golf courses, and all of the fun you can have with friends at the Tiki Bar!

Residents Fred and Meg Spurlock were quoted in the feature describing what it was that sold them on relocating to the Villages of Citrus Hills. For them, it was all about escaping the traffic around their Maryland home for the quiet and relaxing atmosphere of Florida's Nature Coast. The article also highlighted the fact that Fred enjoys the amenities like exercise classes while Meg is involved in painting classes and a number of women's groups.

One of the more interesting requirements for making the Where to Retire list was that all of the featured communities had to have plenty of room to maintain their current growth. With only 1,680 of the 2,500 planned homes currently built, there is still plenty of room for our community to expand for years to come.

While we are incredibly honored to be featured among the very best of the best master-planned communities, anyone who currently calls the Villages of Citrus Hills home already knows that the community delivers everything it promises and more.

Weekend Trip: Fort Lauderdale

Known for both its beaches and its shopping, Fort Lauderdale is a popular vacation destination for people from all over the country. With inexpensive flights from almost everywhere in the country, the area has built itself into a magnet for tourists, which also makes it a very appealing weekend getaway destination for residents of the Villages of Citrus Hills.

Residents can get to Fort Lauderdale by traveling through Orlando, and then heading further east as they move south, eventually passing through Port St. Lucie, West Palm Beach, and Boca Raton. The total trip from the Villages of Citrus Hills to Fort Lauderdale is just a little over four hours, which is a perfect distance for a weekend getaway that is just far enough away to get you out of your day-to-day routine.

Where to Stay in Fort Lauderdale

One of the things that makes Fort Lauderdale such a great weekend getaway destination is that there is no shortage of fantastic hotels to choose from. If elegant East Coast luxury is what you are looking for, The Pillars Hotel is the perfect choice for your trip. Here you will find all of the attention to detail that you expect from one of the major hotel chains in the package of a small boutique operation.

The Pillars Hotel

Another excellent beachfront getaway is Sonesta Fort Lauderdale Beach, which is located right at the center of just about everything you might want to do in Fort Lauderdale. Not only are there plenty of eating and drinking options right on the hotel property, but it is also completely surrounded by popular local hotspots.

The most popular hotel for value shoppers is almost always The Premiere Hotel. Just about everything here is recently updated…except for the prices. So, if you are looking to visit Fort Lauderdale on a budget, this is the way to do it.

Things to do in Fort Lauderdale

Everything in Fort Lauderdale is focused on the water, and the activities you will stumble onto here are no different. The most popular activity in town is simply kicking back on the beach, but you will also find plenty of other interesting water-based ideas like hopping on local cruises, boat tours, and water taxis.

When you are ready for a break from the beach, Las Olas Boulevard offers world-class shopping that ranges from high-end fashion to hand-made crafts. And you can find a lot more than just shopping along Las Olas. This area is also home to a number of fabulous art galleries, as well as plenty of spectacular bars and restaurants.

Still looking for more to do in Fort Lauderdale? You might want to check out some of the local museums like the Bonnet House Museum, the Stranahan House, the Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum, or the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum.

Places to Eat in Fort Lauderdale

If you are serious about sticking to a reasonable budget over the course of your weekend getaway, you won't have much trouble doing that with all of the extremely affordable dining throughout Fort Lauderdale.

Crepe lovers will definitely want to spend a morning at Voo La Voo Cafe, and anyone who likes sushi or Thai food will surely want to stop by Sushi One Take Out and Thai on the Beach. Another discount option for a great dinner that will surely fill you up is Dolce Salato Pizza & Gelato.

If the budget does permit you to splurge on a special dinner, restaurants like Cafe Seville and Canyon provide the perfect setting for the type of meal that will help you remember your weekend in Fort Lauderdale for years to come.

Cafe Seville

Since Fort Lauderdale is such a popular vacation destination, there is plenty to see and do to keep you busy for multiple weekend getaways. And with the great prices on hotels and restaurants that you will find here, you can make it a point to spend a weekend in Fort Lauderdale on a regular basis!

June Activities and Events at the Villages of Citrus Hills

Memorial Day weekend has come and gone and we are heading straight into the heart of summer here at the Villages of Citrus Hills. This is typically the time of year where things slow down a bit for us, but you will be happy to learn that there are still a lot of great things planned for the month of June.

On top of all the fun activities and events happening, there is also going to be some construction activity over at BellaVita as the entire fitness facility is scheduled to get a major upgrade. The construction is expected to last about two weeks, and the facility will look brand new when everything is finished.

Let's take a closer look at some of the exciting events and activities that the Activity Center staff has planned for the month of June!

Social Events

We're going to be starting off the month of June on a festive note with the Bella Notte Italiana Dinner Show on Thursday, June 1 in the Hampton Room. The menu for this event will feature Chicken Parmesan, Baked Lasagna, and Sausage and Peppers. There will also be classic Italian music entertainment from Duo Romantico following dinner.

Mentalist Eric Anderson will be performing in the Hampton Room on Tuesday, June 6. Members attending this event will be treated to a unique blend of magic, comedy, and mind tricks that will include some amazing sleight of hand tricks and fire eating. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the show starts at 7 pm!

This month's installment of Flicks & Floats is scheduled for Friday, June 16. Members and guests will be gathering around the pool to watch the hysterical Central Intelligence on the big screen. This show starts at 8:30 pm.

The Brain Trust were the big winners at last month's Trivia Challenge, but that title will be up for grabs again this month on Tuesday, June 20. If you think you have what it takes to take the trivia title, get your team together and we'll see you at the challenge!

The Tiki Bar is hosting a Singles Social Happy Hour for all of the singles in our community from 4-6 pm on Tuesday, June 27. If you are looking to meet other singles, this is a perfect opportunity to have some fun and do just that!

Golf & Tennis

June isn't typically a busy month on our golf courses, but there are three big tournaments that you definitely want to participate in this month.

The action starts with the Summer Open Tournament on the Citrus Hills course on June 3. Then the Skyview course will be hosting the two-day Men's Pinehurst Major Championship Event on June 12-13 and the U.S. Impossible Tournament on Saturday, June 17.

If you are looking to make some improvements to your game this month, golf pro Wayne Larsen will be hosting free clinics for beginners on June 5, 6, and 7. Then he will be back to work with intermediate golfers on June 13, 20, and 27.

There will also be a Free Beginners Tennis Clinic on Tuesday, June 13 at 11 am.

Dinner Specials

The Belmont Stakes is scheduled for June 10 this year, and The Grille is celebrating the race by hosting a "Belmont Steaks" viewing party. They will have choice cut grilled New York Strip Steaks with Rosemary and Parmesan on special for $15.

Both Skyview Restaurant and The Grille will be hosting Father's Day specials on Sunday, June 18. Skyview will be having a traditional brunch buffet, and The Grille will be serving steak and seafood dinners from 5-8 pm.

Tuesday, June 20 is going to be New Orleans night at Skyview Restaurant. Entrees for this special night will include Cornish Game Hens, Roasted Red Snapper, Chicken Clemenceau, and Filet Medallions.

The Tiki Bar will be having a Taste of the Islands special on Tuesday, June 29 that will feature Jerk Chicken, Fried Red Snapper, and Bahama-Momma Pork, along with live entertainment courtesy of Island Girl Bickley Rivera.

If you should happen to find any extra time to pamper yourself during the month of June, you will definitely want to take advantage of specials like the Aromatic Rose and Jasmine Facial and the Refreshing Citrus Massage that will be available all month long.

Make sure you take a few minutes to write all of the events and activities that interest you on your calendar and have a great month of June!