February Activities and Events at the Villages of Citrus Hills

It feels like every month flies by as we enjoy life here at the Villages of Citrus Hills, and the month of February is the shortest one of them all. So, if you thought that January came and went quickly this year, don't blink or you might miss February altogether.

Despite that, the great people at the Activity Center still have lots of exciting activities and events planned for us. Let's take a quick look at some of the ones that you are going to want to make sure to put on your calendar.

Social Events

The 2018 Show Series is in full swing this month. You can catch a comedy performance from Lucas Bohn on Tuesday, February 6 and a spectacular concert from Lou Christie on Thursday, February 8.

Then, later in the month, you can catch Bertie Higgins on Tuesday, February 13 and The Grass Roots on Thursday, February 22.

The regular Shabbat Dinner will be held in the Garden Room on Friday, February 23. This month, the menu will feature Baked Haddock or Chicken Piccata paired with a Tossed Salad, Glazed Baby Carrots, Oven-Roasted Potatoes, and Challah Bread.

The big party that everyone is going to be talking about is the Sock Hop scheduled to happen at the end of the month on Wednesday, February 28 in the Hampton Room. Rocky & the Rollers will be performing live music for a night of fun and dancing, and anyone heading to the party can get 10% off of a dinner entree at The Grille that evening.

Hockey fans looking to plan ahead will want to take note that The Vacationers Club is planning a trip to see the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Florida Panthers on Tuesday, March 6. You can get more information and purchase tickets at the Activity Center.

Art & Education

Anyone wanting to learn more about all of the different clubs that exist throughout our community is encouraged to attend the Activity Club Showcase in the Activity Center Auditorium on Sunday, February 11 from 1-4 pm. There will be more than 50 of our clubs represented at the event, which makes it the perfect opportunity for you to get more information about the ones you have been thinking about joining!

Lunch & Learn is back on Monday, February 26 with a fascinating guest in Lisa Didier, who will be discussing "The History of Forensic Science." In addition to a great speaker, this event will also feature Harvest Chicken Salads for lunch.

Golf & Tennis

The Oaks course will be celebrating the month of February in the right way with a Valentine's Mixer event scheduled for Saturday, February 3.

That event will be the perfect warm-up for the Men's Senior, Super Senior, Legends, and Super Legends Club Championship at Skyview on February 5 and 6. And that major golf event will be followed by the 2018 Citrus Hills Men's Club Championship on February 15 and 16.

If you are looking for a more casual golfing environment, you might want to check out the "Newbie" Nine-Hole Golf League. This crew meets on The Meadows course every Thursday afternoon at 3 pm, and golfers of all skill levels are welcome.

In addition to practicing your game in the "Newbie" Nine-Hole Golf League, you can also participate in the Free Golf Clinics with Mary Slinkard. She will be helping beginners on February 5, 6, and 7. Then she will be back to work with intermediate golfers on February 13, 20, and 27.

There will be a Free Beginner Tennis Clinic at the Skyview Tennis Center on February 13 at 11 am. This could be a great time to get into tennis because there is a big Spring Break Round Robin planned for early March.

Dinner Specials

Valentine's Day is the biggest holiday of the month, and Skyview will be celebrating with a romantic meal for two on Wednesday, February 14. There will also be a delicious a la carte menu for those wanting to celebrate Valentine's Day at The Grille.

The other big day this month is the Super Bowl, which is happening on Sunday, February 4. The Tiki Bar is definitely the place to be for the big game, and they are going to be having all kinds of fun along with a fantastic tailgate menu.

In addition to all of the big holiday meals, Skyview will be hosting a Shrimp Fest Buffet on Tuesday, February 6. Then they will be bringing us a Taste of New Orleans on Tuesday, February 20 and a Turkey Buffet on Thursday, February 22.

BellaVita Spa

And don’t forget to save time for yourself at BellaVita Spa this month.

Take advantage of the February specials like the Rose Petal Facial and the Exotic Mango Ultimate Spa Pedicure.

Just make sure you don't put it off too long because this month is going to go fast!

January Activities and Events at the Villages of Citrus Hills

Happy New Year! We have officially closed the door on 2017 and opened a new one with endless possibilities in 2018. There is no telling what the coming year will hold for each of us, but one thing that we do know for sure is that the good folks at the Activity Center are going to have the calendar packed with great events and activities each month.

We're starting the year off right with a January calendar that is filled with everything from classic rock concerts to CPR certification classes. Let's take a look into the calendar and highlight some of the events and activities that you won't want to miss.

Show Series Lineup

The Activity Center is going to kick off the year by hosting Free Fallin: A Tribute to Tom Petty for a live concert on Saturday, January 6. Then, another amazing concert featuring Hollywood Nights: The Ultimate Tribute to Bob Seger on Thursday, January 11.

The Comedy Cabaret Series will bring comedian George Casey to the Hampton Room on Tuesday, January 9, and Franc D'Ambrosio will be singing Broadway hits in the Activity Center Auditorium on Thursday, January 18 as part of the Special Performances Series.

Social Events

Tasty Trivia Tuesday will be back in the Hampton Room on Tuesday, January 16 for an exciting night of dinner and trivia. This month, there will also be a special raffle where one member will receive a season pass to the 2018-2019 Big Show Series.

The Garden Room will be hosting another Shabbat Dinner on Friday, January 19. This month, the meal will feature Broiled Salmon with Sherry Shallot Cream Sauce or Sliced Sirloin with Mushroom Sauce.

And at the end of the month we will have the Woodstock Revival Party happening in the Hampton Room on Wednesday, January 31. There will be a cash bar and light appetizers at 6:30 pm followed by a live performance from Petrina & the Flashback Band starting at 7 pm.

Arts & Education

Lunch & Learn will be back on Monday, January 8 with a Healthy Cooking Demonstration from The Grove Health & Rehabilitation. The lunch menu will feature a beet salad with goat cheese and orange vinaigrette, as well as turkey sausage spaghetti with zucchini noodles.

Professional artists from Paint the Town Citrus will be hosting the Craftea Art Workshop in the Activity Center on Monday, January 22. There will be a great selection of coffees and teas, and everyone attending will be supplied with everything they need to create their own masterpiece.

The Activity Center will also be hosting a Free CPR Certification Class on Wednesday, January 24 at 6 pm and an AARP Smart Driver Course on Saturday, January 27 at 9 am.

Golf & Tennis

A brand-new year of golf will kick off on Saturday, January 6 with the New Year's Cross Country Open. If you've never played one of these exciting cross-country events, make 2018 the year that you start!

There will also be some more serious golf tournaments happening later in the month with the Men's Ringer Tournament Major Event on Monday, January 8 and Tuesday, January 9, the Ladies' Winter Invitational on Friday, January 12, and the Ladies' Citrus Cup Championship on Friday, January 19.

If you are looking to improve your game before making the leap to serious competition, you might want to think about attending one of the Free Golf Clinics scheduled for the month of January. PGA Teaching Pro Mary Slinkard will be helping beginners on January 8, 9, and 10. Then she will be back to teach intermediate golfers on January 16, 23, and 30.

And if one of your New Year's Resolutions is to hit the tennis court, you can start with the Free Beginner Tennis Clinic on Tuesday, January 9 at 11 am.

Dinner Specials

Skyview Restaurant will be right back at it with amazing dinner specials for the new year starting with Asian Night on Thursday, January 4. They will also be having Lobster Night on Thursday, January 11 and a delicious Turkey Buffet on Tuesday, January 23.

Over at The Grille, January is going to be a month full of free extras on Sundays! Anyone who purchases two entrees there will receive a free appetizer on January 7, a free dessert on January 14, a free bottle of wine on January 21, and a free appetizer on January 28.

The Tiki Bar will be hosting a block party for the Hamptons POA neighborhood on Tuesday, January 30.

And you must pamper yourself in between all the excitement this month.  BellaVita Spa is offering a Winter Mint Massage and a Vanilla Almond Spa Pedicure that will be the key to starting your new year off on the right foot.

Happy New Year

November Activities and Events at the Villages of Citrus Hills

The first ten months of 2017 have flown right by us and we are now heading into the holiday season here at the Villages of Citrus Hills. November is typically a month where the activities calendar lightens up a bit, but that is simply not the case this year.

Between all of the social events, arts and education activities, golf and tennis tournaments, and dinner specials, there is something for residents to get excited about just about every single day throughout the month. Let's take a closer look at some of the exiting activities and events you won't want to miss.

Social Events

Fans of the monthly Trivia Challenge will want to check out the brand new Extreme Jukebox event happening in the Hampton Room on Thursday, November 9. There will be a live host leading a game that combines elements of bingo, karaoke, and "Name That Tune."

We will be celebrating Veterans Day with a Veterans Day Dance in the Hampton Room on Saturday, November 11. There will be a dinner featuring Bourbon Salmon and Sliced Prime Rib followed by live music from Lisa Beck of Solid Rock.

Our Second Annual Car & Truck Show will be taking place in the Activity Center Parking Lot on Sunday, November 12 from 9 am to 3 pm. This will be a great chance for everyone to get out and enjoy the fall weather while appreciating some of the coolest rides you will find here at the Villages of Citrus Hills.

Anyone who enjoys the Extreme Jukebox event will also want to attend this month's Trivia Challenge on Tuesday, November 21 in the Hampton Room. Dinner this month will feature Boursin Stuffed Chicken Breast.

If you would like to join a group of people in getting away for Thanksgiving Day, the Citrus Hills Vacationers Club is planning a Thanksgiving Dinner Cruise for Thursday, November 23. We will be heading east to Sanford to board a classic paddleboat for lunch and live entertainment.

Arts & Education

Dr. Joe Coffey will be leading a weekly lecture series on the relationship between the United States and China starting on Wednesday, November 1 and running through Wednesday, December 13. Each of the lectures will take place in the Activity Center Card Room from 4:30 pm to 6 pm.

Local author Linda Tillis will be hosting a Book Reading and Q&A Session at the Coffee Shop on Friday, November 3 from 12:30 pm to 2 pm. Guests at this event can take advantage of a great coffee and croissant special as well!

The Lunch & Learn series will be back on Monday, November 6 with U.S. Air Force Veteran Joe Romiti speaking about patriotism, the history of our country's flag, and the importance of the Pledge of Allegiance. Lunch for this event will include an Open-Faced Hot Turkey Sandwich with Mashed Potatoes and Cranberry Sauce.  This event will be taking place in the Garden Room.

More than 50 local craft vendors will be setting up in the Hampton Room on Tuesday, November 28 for the 13th Annual Holiday Boutique. There will be all kinds of great gift ideas to choose from, which makes this the perfect time to start your Christmas shopping for the year!

Golf & Tennis

Competitive golfers will be lining up to have some fun participating in the Veterans Day Scramble at Skyview on Saturday, November 11. They will also be heading over to The Oaks course for the Pro Shop Open on Saturday, November 18.

If you are new to golf, you might want to join the Newbie Nine Hole League that plays on The Meadows course every Thursday at 3 pm. And you can also get plenty of advice on your golf game at one of Mary Slinkard's Free Golf Clinics scheduled throughout the month.

The Skyview Tennis Center will be a busy place this month with their Burger Bash Tennis Social scheduled for Sunday, November 5, a Free Beginner Tennis Clinic on Tuesday, November 14, and a Tennis Taco Fest right around the corner on December 3.

Dinner Specials

Skyview Restaurant and The Grille will both be having Thanksgiving Dinner Specials on Thursday, November 23. Skyview will be serving entrees like a Roast Turkey Platter and New York Strip Steak, and The Grille will be having a traditional Thanksgiving Buffet. Both restaurants will be serving from 12 pm to 5 pm and reservations will be required.

In addition to their Thanksgiving Dinner Special, Skyview Restaurant will also be hosting a Wine for the Holidays Tasting on Tuesday, November 7, and a European Pub Night on Tuesday, November 21.

Over at The Grille, there will be a Fall Harvest Dinner on Thursday, November 2, a Family Feast of Comfort Food on Sunday, November 12, and a Taste of the Southwest on Thursday, November 16.

BellaVita Spa & Fitness

If you manage to find some time for yourself during the month of November, you might want to head over to BellaVita Spa to take advantage of their Cranberry Orange Massage and Pumpkin Enzyme Facial specials.

And, as if all of that still wasn't enough, start marking your December calendars for the Holiday Tree Lighting on December 5 and make your reservations for the New Year’s Eve Party in the Hampton Room!

For a complete listing of all the events and activities for the month of November, click below.

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

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!

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