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!

Home Walkthrough: The St. Christopher

With features like a wide-open floor plan, a huge master suite, and a kitchen fit for just about any chef, it’s clear right from the start that the St. Christopher measures up to the level of quality you have come to expect from the Villages of Citrus Hills.

This two-bedroom, two-bathroom boasts just short of 2,000 square feet of living space that could not be more perfectly configured. Let's head inside one of the newest floor plans available at the Villages of Citrus Hills and take a look around!

Entering the St. Christopher

The primary entrance to the St. Christopher is right between the two-car garage and guest bedroom. As you make your way through the front door, you will find yourself in a small entryway with the dining room off to one side and the guest bedroom and bathroom off to the other side.  

Before heading straight back into the great room, let's take a quick detour into the guest bedroom to appreciate the way the curved front of the house creates a bay window feel that makes this room unique.

There is also a study area just behind the guest bedroom and guest bathroom that will be the perfect place to create your own private library or crafting area. You could also choose to utilize this space as more of an extension of the great room. 

 

 

The Heart of the St. Christopher

The heart of the St. Christopher is the massive space in the center of the house that includes the great room, kitchen, and breakfast nook. The great room in our model pictured here includes an impressive built-in section along one wall that will be the perfect focal point for hanging a large flat screen TV.

That TV will be visible from everywhere in the great room, as well as the kitchen and breakfast nook, so the enormous island separating the kitchen from the great room will likely become the true center of the home. Enjoying your morning coffee will always be a treat as you gaze out the back windows looking at the optional screened-in lanai and pool.

 

The Master Suite

Just off the back of the great room is where you will find the entrance to your new master suite. That entrance takes you right into the master bedroom, which is a long, rectangle shape with windows looking out into the back yard. Making your way through the master suite, you will find a short hallway with his and hers closets on either side that leads right into the master bathroom.

The master bathroom in the St. Christopher is truly an oasis where you will find his and hers sinks and one of the most spectacular showers you have ever seen. This amazing shower features floor to ceiling tile that will take your breath away every time you step into it.

With two unique bedrooms, lots of space in the great room and kitchen, and a fabulous backyard space, the St. Christopher delivers value on multiple levels. That makes it a welcome addition to the collection of homes available at the Villages of Citrus Hills.

August Activities and Events at the Villages of Citrus Hills

The hot and sticky month of August has arrived, but the activities and events calendar here at the Villages of Citrus Hills is packed with plenty of cool things to do throughout the month.

Whether you are looking for exciting social events, fun opportunities to learn, clinics for improving your golf or tennis game, or just a great meal with friends, we have got you covered with everything happening around the community this month. Let's take a closer look at some of the exciting activities and events coming your way in the month of August!

Social Events

The August social events will kick off with the Citrus Hills Cruise-In on Friday, August 11 in the Tiki Bar parking lot. Sponsored by the Citrus MOPARS, this event is completely free to attend, and will feature all of the very best muscle and sports cars from around the community.

The next edition of our monthly Trivia Challenge will be held on Tuesday, August 15 in the Hampton Room. This month, the dinner menu will include Baked Haddock, Chicken Parmesan, Penne Pasta with Garlic, and lots of veggie and dessert options. Dinner starts at 5:45 pm and the trivia fun will follow around 6:30 pm.

It wouldn't be summer in the Villages of Citrus Hills without a Flicks & Floats party at the Activity Center Pool. This month's movie night is set for Friday, August 18, and the movie will be The Accountant starring Ben Affleck as a brilliant but lethal numbers wizard.

There will be plenty of buttery popcorn available, but you can also get 10% off of a meal at Skyview Restaurant or The Grille by showing your tickets for this event!

The biggest party of the summer will definitely be the 10th Annual Copacabana Night on Friday, August 25 in the Hampton Room. This year, the event will feature a menu of Cuban Pulled Pork, Chicken and Red Peppers in Garlic Wine Sauce, and some delicious sides.

There will also be salsa lessons and a live orchestra, so this is one summer party that you don't want to miss out on.

Arts & Education

The new Coffee Shop will be holding an Interactive Reading event on Tuesday, August 8 from 12:30 pm to 2 pm. Local author Ronnie Allen will be present for a group reading of her first novel, Gemini: The Sign Behind the Crime. There will also be a Q&A and book signing after the reading.

On Saturday, August 12, the Citrus Hills Vacationers Club will be taking a group trip down to Tampa to see Motown The Musical at the Straz Performing Arts Center. Tickets to this event are $125 and include orchestra seating and round-trip transportation to the event.

The Citrus Hills Vacationers Club is also planning a trip to St. Petersburg to see The Chihuly Glass Collection by artist Dale Chihuly at The Morean Arts Center. In addition to exploring the glassblowing exhibit, there will be plenty of time to venture out and see other popular St. Petersburg attractions.

There will be a Lunch & Learn event in the Garden Room on Thursday, August 31 at 12:30 pm with guest speaker Lisa Dider discussing American Madams (1870-1910). Lunch for this talk will include a Caprese Chicken Sandwich and Pasta Salad, followed by a slice of Strawberry Cloud Cake.

Golf & Tennis

The big golf event of August will be the Southern-Sky Two Person Championship that will start at Skyview at Terra Vista on Saturday, August 26 and conclude at Southern Hills Plantation Club on Sunday, August 27. If you would like to participate in this unique pairs tournament that covers two different courses, you must register with the Skyview Pro Shop by August 14.

If you are looking to improve your golf game during the month, you should definitely make a point to attend Golf Pro Wayne Larsen's Free Golf Clinics. This month, Wayne will be working with beginners on August 7, 8, and 9. Then he will be back to work with intermediate golfers on August 15, 22, and 29.

Anyone looking to learn the basics of tennis is welcome to attend the Free Beginner Tennis Clinic on Tuesday, August 8 at 11 am. As always, the only thing required to attend this clinic is a pair of tennis shoes. The Skyview Tennis Center will be happy to loan you a racket for the clinic.

Dinner Specials

 Skyview Restaurant has some exciting Tuesday night dinner specials planned for the month of August. You won't want to miss their Greek Night on August 12 or the Asian Feast on August 29.

Both dinners are scheduled to start at 5 pm and run through 8 pm.

It's all about mixers over at the Tiki Bar, and they will be mixing it up this month with block parties for Cambridge Greens on August 3, Canterbury Lakes on August 17, and Celina Hills on August 31. They will also be hosting a Singles Social Happy Hour on Tuesday, August 29 from 4 pm to 6 pm.

If those mixers and the warm weather aren't enough to get you to the Tiki Bar this month, you might want to visit for their Beers Around the World special on Thursday, August 24 or the Fantasy of Flights Wine Night on Tuesday, August 29.

If you are interested in pampering yourself, you might want to try a Citrus Surprise Spa Pedicure at the BellaVita Spa.

With all of the exciting things happening around our community during the month of August, there is absolutely no reason not to get out of the house and have some fun!

Visiting Dinosaur World in Tampa

Many benefits come with living just north of a city like Tampa, and one such benefit is that residents of the Villages of Citrus Hills never have to worry about finding fun and exciting activities to keep visiting children occupied. Whether we are talking about kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, or just good friends, one of the coolest places to take any visiting children is Dinosaur World.

This awe-inspiring 20-acre facility is located just east of Tampa in Plant City, which is also known for hosting the Florida Strawberry Festival each and every March. Here you will find more than 200 life-sized dinosaur models, as well as an overwhelming amount of educational information on all things prehistoric.

Getting to Dinosaur World

The fastest way to get to Dinosaur world is to take US-41 south towards Tampa and then use US-98 to connect to I-75 and continue heading south. As I-75 makes its way down towards the city, you will exit onto I-4 heading east towards Plant City. 

Dinosaur World is located just off of exit 17, shortly before Plant City.

The Dinosaur World Experience

Children absolutely love Dinosaur World, and a big reason for that is that the facility offers an astounding number of activities to keep them occupied throughout their time at the park.

But before heading to those activities, you might want to take them through the Prehistoric Museum. Here they can see things like dinosaur eggs and raptor claws, as well as a number of other unique artifacts. The Prehistoric Museum also includes the Animatronics Exhibit, where visitors can see life-sized dinosaurs that come to life with sounds and movements.

The Exploration Cave is another educational adventure where children get to interact with a real-life paleontologist who will act as their tour guide as they move through a massive cave, dig site, and workstation. Then, when the kids are ready to get their hands dirty, they can participate in activities like the Fossil Dig, Dino Gem Excavation, and the Bone Yard!

With ticket prices of $16.95 for adults, $14.95 for seniors, and $11.95 for kids, it's actually hard not to get your money's worth with all of the great things to see and do at Dinosaur World.

http://dinosaurworld.com/florida/

Dining Near Dinosaur World - Fred's Southern Kitchen

Dinosaur World encourages visitors to bring coolers packed with their own preferences for food and snacks, but if you are looking for a great restaurant located nearby, just about everyone will enjoy a meal from Fred's Southern Kitchen. Actually, a trip to Fred's for some "Slow Food, Fast" might be worth the drive even if you aren't heading to Dinosaur World!

The buffet-style menu here always contains Jack Black Oak Smoked Pork Ribs, Golden Fried Chicken, Crispy Catfish, Grilled Tilapia, Fresh Vegetables & Casseroles, and Skillet Cornbread. On top of that, there is a rotating list of Daily Entree Specials, as well as a Salad Table and a Dessert Table. And don't forget that all kids 10 and under eat for free on Mondays and Tuesdays!

Since Dinosaur World is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, you could plan your trip on any Monday or Tuesday and include a free meal for the kids at Fred's Southern Kitchen. But even if those days don't work with your schedule, both places are always going to deliver a fantastic experience that is perfect for the whole family!