November Activities and Events at the Villages of Citrus Hills

Just like that, the summer months have faded into our memories and the holidays are right around the corner. In addition to all of the regular monthly events and activities that are usually on the calendar, we also have quite a few seasonal things to get excited about here in the month of November.  

Whether you are interested in getting together with friends to enjoy a show, learning something new, taking down one of the big golf tournaments, or just grabbing a great bite to eat, the Villages of Citrus Hills has got you covered this month! 

Social Events 

The first big social event of November will be “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time”, sponsored by The Vacationers Club. This hysterical murder mystery will have you at the edge of your seat throughout the entire evening on Saturday, November 12 at The Straz Center for the Performing Arts.  

This month’s Trivia Challenge will be held on Tuesday, November 15 in the Hampton Room. As always, the doors will open at 5:30 pm with dinner being served at 5:45 pm and the contest starting at 6:30 pm.

The Shabbat Dinner Club will be back on Friday, November 18. This month, dinner will include your choice of Beef Brisket or Bourbon Salmon, and each choice will be paired with soup, vegetables, potatoes, and Carrot Cake.

Members who are looking for a great day trip will want to reserve their tickets to see the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, November 27. Tickets are available at the Activity Center and they include round trip transportation, a pregame tailgate party, and a ticket to the game.

Arts & Education 

DocTalk will be back on Monday, November 7 at 1pm in the Activity Center Auditorium. Dr. Nishit Choksi will be discussing “Physicians Insights on Heart Conditions,” which should be very helpful for anyone struggling with a heart condition.  

There will also be a new Wednesday lecture series with Dr. Joe Coffey discussing the “Challenges Facing the New President.” No matter who is elected, we can all agree that they have a mammoth task ahead of them!

Local artist Vanessa Fuller-Brown will be instructing members on replicating Vincent Van Gogh’s “Mulberry Tree” at this month’s Coffee & Canvas event on Wednesday, November 9 starting at 10:30 am.

In order to help our members get a better grasp on new technology, there will be a Tech 101 seminar and workshop on Thursday, November 10 and Friday, November 11 in the Activity Center Card Room. This entire event will be focused on “The Do’s & Don’ts of Windows 10.” 

The Activity Center will also be hosting a Vacationers Club meeting on November 14 and a meet and greet event with The Greener Side Haven Animal Shelter on November 30. 

Golf & Tennis 

As the weather is cooling down, the golf is definitely heating up at all of the courses across the community. The first big event this month will be a 2-Day Major Men’s Better Ball Tournament on Monday, November 7 and Tuesday, November 8.

You should also mark your calendars for the Giving Thanks Pro Shop Scramble on November 12, the Ladies’ Citrus Cup Championship on November 18, and a VIP Championship Event on November 28.  

In addition to all of those big tournaments, you are also going to want to make a note that December 3 will be the next Demo Day at the Skyview Driving Range.

At the Skyview Tennis Center, there will be a Free Beginners Tennis Clinic on Tuesday, November 8. Then the Skyview Mixed Doubles Championship Tournament and Burger Bash is scheduled for the weekend of Friday, November 18 through Sunday, November 20.

Dinner Specials 

Two dinner specials that you definitely don’t want to miss at Skyview Restaurant this month will be the Fall Harvest Wine Dinner on Tuesday, November 15, and the New England Clambake on Tuesday, November 29.

Then there will be Thanksgiving specials at both Skyview Restaurant and The Grille on Thursday, November 24. Skyview Restaurant will be serving a sit-down Thanksgiving Dinner, while The Grille will be offering a buffet-style meal.  

The Grille will also be serving a Comfort Food Buffet on Thursday, November 3 and a Taste of Italy meal on Tuesday, November 22, so you will want to mark those on your calendar as well!  

Spa Specials

In between prepping for the holidays and attending all of these fantastic events and activities, you might also want to take advantage of the Hot Stone Swedish Massages and Peppermint Patty Spa Pedicures that are going to be on special at BellaVita Spa all month long.

It looks like you have an exciting, fun-filled month ahead of you!

Stone Crab Season - October 15 to May 15

Florida stone crabs are known around the world for their delicious claw meat. But did you know that many of the stone crabs on menus around the country come from right here near the Villages of Citrus Hills?

Whether you prefer them served cold with mustard sauce or warm with drawn butter, the experience of cracking and eating these crab claws is something you will never forget!

About Stone Crabs 

One of the most interesting aspects of Florida stone crabs is that they are actually a renewable resource. When the crabs are caught in the traps of professional stone crabbers, the crabbers only take one claw from each crab and the crabs are then returned to the water. As a defense mechanism, stone crabs are able to survive losing a claw and then regenerate that claw in about a year. 

The average stone crab has a lifespan of 8-9 years, and they are generally found in sandy ocean bottoms and seagrass beds along Citrus County’s coastline out to a depth of about 20 feet. Large stone crabs can weigh as much as one pound. They feed on oysters, snails, and various other small marine life. Female stone crabs can spawn as many as six times each year, producing up to one million fertilized eggs each time. In addition to humans, stone crabs can also find themselves being hunted by octopuses and grouper.

Catching Stone Crabs 

The Florida stone crab harvesting season lasts seven months each year from October 15 through May 15. During this time, many amateur fishermen also hunt for stone crabs. 

Amateur crabbers are required to hold a salt water fishing license from the state of Florida,

and they must adhere to certain regulations. They are limited to a total of five traps, and they cannot catch more than one gallon of claws per day. The claws must all be a minimum of 2-3/4 inches. 

Eating Stone Crab

While some find enjoyment in catching their own stone crab, many others prefer to let the professionals do the catching and simply focus on the eating.  Probably the most popular place for stone crab near the Villages of Citrus Hills is Charlie’s Fish House & Seafood Market in Crystal River.

The restaurant was originally started as an oyster bar by Charlie Kofmehl all the way back in 1960. The oyster bar was an immediate success, serving the best fresh fish and seafood in Citrus County. In the early seventies, Charlie turned the oyster bar over to his two sons, Jimmy and Phil.

After years of continuing to grow the business, Jimmy and Phil decided to build a brand new restaurant in 1990. The new waterfront restaurant had seating for 160 guests compared to seating for 30 in the old oyster bar. In honor of their father, Jimmy and Phil changed the name to Charlie’s Fish House. Since then, the family business has continued to grow and guests can now find a third generation of Kofmehls working there. 

The restaurant menu at Charlie’s Fish House features a chilled stone crab appetizer with a mustard dipping sauce. There is also a 1-1/4 pound warm stone crab entree. In addition to stone crab, the menu features plenty of other local seafood favorites like oysters, grouper, shrimp, and scallops. If you prefer to cook your own seafood, Charlie’s Seafood Market sells fresh stone crab claws, as well as fresh caught grouper, mullet, red snapper, and even oysters. They can even ship stone crab to anyone you like across the country!

Saturday, November 5th Downtown Crystal River

Charlie’s also sponsors the Stone Crab Jam Music and Food Festival every fall in Crystal River. The festival is a fun-filled day of live music, exciting exhibits, and tons of stone crab.

Whether you are a seafood nut, or just looking for a fun experience to share with your family, catching or eating Florida stone crab is a fantastic option. When you live in the Villages of Citrus Hills, you can choose to catch your own, cook your own, or let a place like Charlie’s take care of everything for you!

October Activities and Events at the Villages of Citrus Hills

September came and went in the blink of an eye, and believe it or not we are already rolling into the month of October. That means that we are getting deep into another football season, all of our seasonal friends are coming back down south for the winter, and we better get moving on our Halloween costumes! 

As usual, there is something for just about everyone packed into this month’s activities calendar. Whether you are looking for a great day trip, a fun painting lesson, great dinner specials, or some of the most competitive golf anywhere along the Gulf Coast, you can always chase your passions here at the Villages of Citrus Hills. 

Let’s take a closer look at some of the biggest events happening throughout our community this month.

 Social Events

We will kick off this month’s social events on a competitive note with a Mah Jongg Tournament in the Activity Center Card Room on Wednesday, October 5 at 9 am. There will be a total of 13 tables playing simultaneously to decide who is the best Mah Jongg player in town.  

The Little Black Dress Club will be hosting a Hot Pink Luncheon Party on Thursday, October 6 at Skyview Restaurant. This month, the focus will be on breast cancer survivors.

On Sunday, October 9, our local car and truck enthusiasts will be getting together in the Activity Center Parking Lot. There will be food, music, and vendors, as well as tons of really cool classic cars! 

Speaking of the classics, there will be a group of members taking an “Old Florida” Antiques & Shopping Trip to Micanopy on Saturday, October 15. This day trip will offer some excellent shopping opportunities, as well as an optional historic tour.  

Our monthly Trivia Challenge Night will be on Tuesday, October 18, and it will have a Halloween twist this month with a special prize for the most creative costume!

The Shabbat Dinner Club will be meeting in the Garden Room at The Grille on Friday, October 21 for a fabulous dinner event that includes your choice of baked stuffed chicken or salmon with lemon dill sauce.

Arts & Education 

On Monday, October 10, The Vacationers Club will be meeting in the Activity Center at 10:30 am. This month’s speakers are Kathy Hildebrandt and Darla Fowler from Travel Authority, and they will be speaking about some of the upcoming trips for 2017.

Coffee & Canvas is also back this month, and local Artist Vanessa Fuller-Brown will be instructing the class on recreating Monet’s famous “Garden in Bloom.” As usual, everything you need is included in the $60 price for members.

Golf & Tennis

Golf season is already back in full swing, and there are three big tournaments scheduled for the month of October. That will start with the VIP Card Tournament at The Oaks Course on October 18.  

All the big dogs will be out at Skyview for the Men’s Match Play Championship on Monday, October 24 and Tuesday, October 25. This is one of the biggest members-only tournaments of the year.  

Couples who golf together stay together, and that will be on display at the 12th Annual Couples Championship teeing off on Sunday, October 30. This is a two-day, 36-hole tournament that will determine the best golfing couple in the Villages of Citrus Hills.  

If your game still needs some work, there will be Beginners Golf Clinics on October 3, 4, and 5. Those will be followed by Intermediate Golf Clinics on October 11, 18, and 25.  

Tennis players are not going to want to miss out on the Tennis Taco Fest on Sunday, October 16. This will be a round robin men’s and women’s doubles tournament that is followed by a build-your-own-tacos buffet.  

Those just starting to learn the game might want to attend the Free Beginner Tennis Clinic at Skyview on October 8 at 11 am.  

Dinner Specials 

Since it is the month of October, it makes sense that our friends over at Skyview Restaurant would be planning a few Oktoberfest specials. They will be serving up an Oktoberfest Dinner on October 11, as well as an Exploring the Tastes of Germany Dinner on October 25.  

Skyview Restaurant will also be hosting Sunday brunch on October 16 and October 30.

The Tiki Bar is also getting festive this month. They will be having a formal event called Alfresco on Thursday, October 13 with live jazz music and fancy, high-end food. Then, they will be cutting loose a bit on Monday, October 31 for their Halloween Costume Party.   

In case all of these great events still aren’t enough to fill up your calendar, you might also want to take advantage of the Marshmallow Pumpkin Latte Spa Pedicure that is on special throughout October at BellaVita.  

Looking ahead, there will be a trip to Tampa to watch the Buccaneers host the Seattle Seahawks in November. And you will definitely want to mark your calendars for the 12th Annual Holiday Boutique in the Hampton Room on November 3.  

For a complete list of activities and events please click below for our October club newsletter. 

http://www.citrushillsgolfandcountryclub.com/userfiles/file/October 2016 Connections_ONLINE.pdf

A Day at the Beach: Pine Island Park Beach

One of the best things about living along Florida’s nature coast is that there are so many quiet little beachfront parks located up and down the coast along the Gulf of Mexico. Here at the Villages of Citrus Hills, we are within driving distance of quite a few excellent beaches, and Alfred A. McKethan Pine Island Park Beach is one of our favorites.  

Getting Out to Pine Island 

Pine Island is located about an hour away from the Villages of Citrus Hills in the southern half of the Chassahowizka Wildlife Management Area. Getting there is a breeze if you take US-19 south from Homossassa and then a right in Weeki Wachee.

Once you get close to the coast, you’ll make another right onto Pine Island Drive. From there, you will have the pleasure of cruising through a stunning natural habitat that feels like you’re driving across a Caribbean island or one of the Florida Keys.  

White Sand Beaches & Crystal Clear Water

As in most of the beaches along the nature coast, you are going to find yourself surrounded by beautiful white sand once you arrive at Pine Island Park Beach. Enjoying a few hours lounging in the sand is a great way to start your visit, but if you are feeling adventurous, head on out into the water where there are plenty of great swimming areas.

Because of its location, this isn’t the type of beach where you are going to be bothered by speedboats or jet skis flying past while you are trying to relax. Everything is calm out here, and that’s the way the people who visit like it.

Willy’s Tropical Breeze Cafe 

When you get hungry, there is a small cafe located right at the park that serves everything from burgers to seafood. They also have excellent coffee for their early morning guests.

Because Willy’s offers open air seating that is pretty much right on the beach, this is a very popular option for patrons looking for a sunset view during dinner. If you have the opportunity to stay for dinner, we highly recommend it.  

Picnicking at the Park 

In addition to Willy’s Cafe, there are also many picnic areas located throughout the park. So if you are looking to create your own amazing sunset dinner, you might want to think about picking up a few steaks and some charcoal on the way down. There are multiple charcoal grills available at each of the picnic areas.  

The Playground Area 

One other aspect that attracts visitors to the park is the large playground area for the kids. While the older visitors are definitely more impressed by the white sand beaches and gorgeous sunsets, the kids are all about diving headfirst down the slide.  

So when your grandkids are in to visit along with their parents, a day at the park out on Pine Island really does have something for everyone.  

With so many beachfront parks to choose from, it can take a resident here at the Villages of Citrus Hills years to explore them all. We encourage everyone to take their time and do exactly that, but after spending a day at Pine Island Beach Park, you might not want to go anywhere else next time.

Killer Deals: Our Favorite Local Flea Markets

One of the favorite pastimes for many residents of the Villages of Citrus Hills is bargain shopping. And between all of the local discount stores, craft boutiques, and antique shops in the surrounding area, there is an almost never-ending supply of options. But nothing feels quite like a good old-fashioned flea market…and we’ve got plenty of those too.  

Depending on the day of the week and how far you are willing to go, there is always treasure hunting here in Citrus County. These are a few of our favorite local markets.  

Howard’s Flea Market

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Fun, Food & Fabulous Finds

With more than 800 covered booths spread out over 55 acres, Howard’s is the largest flea market in Citrus County. This local treasure was started back in 1972 and has won a “Best of the Best” award from the Citrus Chronicle every single year for two decades now.

Bargain hunters will find a wide range of items available at Howard’s. In addition to all of the standard types of flea market items, there is also a great selection of gourmet deli foods. They are open every Friday from 7 am to 2 pm, and every Saturday and Sunday from 6:30 am to 2 pm, and parking is always free.  

You can find Howard’s Flea Market on Suncoast Boulevard right in Homosassa.  

Stokes Flea Market 

If you are looking for a good mid-week flea market, Stokes Flea Market in Crystal River is a great choice. They are open every Tuesday and Wednesday from 6 am to 2 pm, and Wednesdays are typically busier than Tuesdays.  

As you make your way through the booths at Stokes, you will find all of the typical guns, knives, and jewelry vendors under covered booths towards the front. But those open-air booths at the back are where it gets a lot more interesting. This is where you will find all kinds of random stuff…including some hidden treasures.  

Southern B’s Indoor Flea Market 

It doesn’t have to be a nice day to find some bargains at Southern B’s Indoor Flea Market. They are located right along US-19 in Crystal River, and you will find just about anything you can imagine under the roof here! 

This one is more of a vintage second-hand store than a true flea market, but there are still some amazing finds to be had here. They are open every day from 10 am to 5 pm, so if the weather tries to throw a damper on your shopping plans, Southern B’s is the perfect backup option.  

Webster Westside Market

If you are willing to travel about an hour southeast of the Villages of Citrus Hills, you will find yourself at the Webster Westside Market in Webster, Florida. This 35-acre market has been packed full of booths for more than 50 years now.

Webster Westside Market is a great place to search for those hard-to-find antiques, but they also have plenty of food vendors and two restaurants on site. They are open every Monday from 6 am to 2 pm during the summer, and then from 5 am to 3 pm from September through April.  

I-75 Flea Market

Another big weekend market is the I-75 Flea Market located off of I-75 just north of Ocala. They are open every weekend from 7 am to 2 pm on Fridays, and from 7 am to 4 pm on Saturdays and Sunday. 

 And if all of these flea markets aren’t quite enough, you might want to check out the massive Red Barn Flea Market in Bradenton or Renninger’s Twin Market in Mount Dora.  

Happy shopping!