American Diners: 5-Restaurants in Citrus County for a Delicious Classic Meal

Everyone loves comfort food, and no one does comfort food quite like the classic American diner. Here at the Villages of Citrus Hills, we have the good fortune of being surrounded by an incredible selection of local diners.

If you are looking for a place that serves the best of your breakfast, lunch, and dinner favorites and is willing to put sausage gravy on just about everything, we have five perfect places that are guaranteed to keep your belly full for a price that won't break the bank.

Grannie's Restaurant - Crystal River

When we’re talking about diners in Citrus County, the conversation pretty much HAS to start with Grannie's Restaurant in Crystal River.  

This place isn't set up to impress you with fancy bells and whistles. It's a basic brick building with a simple sign on the outside. Inside, it's just a basic counter service diner with a few tables. But when the food comes out at Grannie's, everyone's mouth will be watering.

Breakfast is the name of the game here, so you will definitely want to try the sausage gravy and smoked ham. However, Grannie's also puts out some delicious lunch options. Their fried catfish lunch is outstanding.

 

Sara's Diner - Crystal River

Located just down the road from Grannie's is another diner that is a Citrus County staple. Sara's Diner has a similar look to Grannie's on the inside with counter seating and a few tables, but the lunch food is the big attraction here.   The reuben is one of the most popular items on the menu here, and it stands up to the hype as one of the best sandwiches you will find in Crystal River. Sara's also serves an excellent turkey club, and the chop steak dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy will surely fill you up.

Breakfast Station - Multiple Locations

Most people don't include chain restaurants when they’re talking about diners, but Breakfast Station has done such a good job of staying true to the classic diner experience that you honestly wouldn't know they have ten stores across central Florida. Residents of the Villages of Citrus Hills have their pick between three locations in Citrus County: Beverly Hills, Crystal River, and Homosassa.

As for the food at Breakfast Station, they deliver a consistent quality that continues to impress customers. Railroad Yard Omelets are probably the most popular choice here, but they also serve traditional breakfasts, as well as some not-so-traditional dishes like the Grand Junction, which is a breaded chicken filet on a biscuit smothered in sausage gravy.

Sugarmill Restaurant - Homosassa

While most of our local diners close for the day around 3 pm, the Sugarmill Restaurant in Homosassa stays open for dinner as well. This is where you can find classic diner-style dinners like chicken-fried steak and mashed potatoes, chop steak sandwiches, and chicken parmesan with spaghetti.

The omelets are all spectacular, and the home fries might be the best in Citrus County.

The Front Porch - Dunnellon

Since they advertise themselves as a "Restaurant & Pie Shop," you can probably guess what the big selling point is at The Front Porch in Dunnellon. If you are in the mood for a slice of pie, this is the place you want to be. 

They also have a wonderful breakfast menu and the lunch menu is also a big attraction with delicious soups and a Cuban Melt that will make you feel like you've been whisked off to Havana.

Make a point to try all five!  Enjoy!

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!

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2017 Season Preview

With Raymond James Stadium in Tampa just about an hour and a half away, a lot of our residents consider the Bucs their adoptive NFL team.

After posting a 9-7 record last season and just missing the playoffs, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reloaded with some impressive talent on the offensive side of the ball over the offseason, and are looking like they will be one of the more exciting teams in the explosive NFC south this year.

That new level of excitement is likely what attracted the producers at HBO to choose the Bucs to be the featured team on this year's edition of their Hard Knocks show, which began airing on August 8. The show will provide all of us with an inside look at this year's team, but first let's take a look at some of the key things they did to improve this offseason.

The Bucs Are Getting Offensive

Everything in the Buccaneers offense revolves around the playmaking ability of quarterback Jameis Winston. Last year, we saw both sides of that coin with Winston accounting for some unbelievable highlight reel plays, as well as more than a few ugly interceptions.

There is no reason not to expect Winston to take another dramatic step forward this year and hopefully establish himself on the level of the other quarterbacks in his division, which just happens to be three pro bowlers in Matt Ryan, Cam Newton, and Drew Brees.

Jameis found his groove with wide receiver Mike Evans last season, and that led to Evans being the most targeted wideout in the entire league. That trend was likely to continue no matter what, but the Buccaneers should be able to scheme more opportunities for Evans after adding free agent wide receiver DeSean Jackson to start opposite him. This will give Winston two dynamic big play receivers and should lead to one of the best offenses the fans in Tampa have ever seen.

In order to improve the passing game even further, the Bucs spent their first-round pick on tight end O.J. Howard out of Alabama. While receiving tight end Cameron Brate is still going to be around for red zone packages, Howard is more of a dual threat player that can catch the ball, and should also be able to open up some holes for running back Doug Martin when he returns after the three games remaining on his suspension.

Don't Get So Defensive

With the Buccaneers focusing most of their offseason efforts on upgrading their offensive weapons, they did very little to improve what was a middle of the road defense last season.

Two improvements that they did make were signing defensive lineman Chris Baker from the Redskins and safety J.J. Wilcox from the Cowboys. Those moves should add some depth, but any real improvement in this defensive unit is going to have to come from young stars like linebacker Kwon Alexander and cornerback Vernon Hargreaves taking big steps forward.

While they didn't make many moves on the defensive side of the ball this offseason, perhaps the most significant move was defensive coordinator Mike Smith's decision to return and sign an extension instead of taking a head coaching job elsewhere. Coach Smith has a proven track record of getting the most out of his players, and he should have no problem shaping this defense into a formidable unit by the end of the season. 

The Lonely Kicker

Following their first preseason game, the Bucs officially cut ties with kicker and former second round pick Robert Aguayo. After struggling through most of his rookie year, Aguayo was not looking much better in his sophomore camp, and the front office decided that they would be more comfortable with veteran Nick Folk.

In addition to playing in one of the toughest divisions in the NFL, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are also staring down the barrel of a daunting non-division schedule that features matchups with the New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers, and New York Giants. If they are going to evolve into a playoff team this year, they are going to have to prove that they can score on some of the best defenses in the league while slowing down some of the best offenses.

Fortunately, they appear to have just enough tools to do both!