September Activities and Events at the Villages of Citrus Hills

Labor Day Weekend has finally arrived, and we are ready to put the summer heat behind us and move into the cooler autumn months here at the Villages of Citrus Hills. For our residents, that means that the activities and events calendar is filling up with all kinds of fun things that you want to be aware of.

Whether we are talking about exciting social events, golf and tennis competitions, or great dinner specials at our community restaurants, there is constantly something to do throughout the month of September. Let's take a closer look at some of the major activities and events this month!

Social Events

The September social calendar is going to kick off in the Activity Center Auditorium on Friday, September 7 with an End of Summer Dance Party that will have everyone movin' and groovin'. Second Slice will be on stage performing a variety of hits that will keep

members and their guests boogying all night long.

There will be a Crime Prevention Workshop in the Activity Center Auditorium on Monday, September 10 at 1 pm. This workshop will be led by former law enforcement officers in our community, and it will provide insight into helping citizens be more aware of potential threats.

Tasty Trivia Tuesday is also back this month with a night of random knowledge in the Hampton Room on Tuesday, September 18. Dinner for this event will include Boursin Stuffed Chicken Breast and Sliced Sirloin in Mushroom Sauce along with salad, sides, and dessert.

Another big event in the Hampton Room this month will be stand-up comedian Carl Guerra hosting a Comedy Dinner Show on Wednesday, September 26. You won't want to miss this high-energy comedy act, or the delicious meal that will be served with the performance.

September also marks the end of the baseball season, but the Citrus Hills Vacationers Club has one big trip to see the Tampa Bay Rays left on the calendar for the 2018 season. On Thursday, September 27, they will be taking a bus down to Tropicana Field to see the Rays host the surging New York Yankees.

Golf & Tennis

The big golf event of September will be happening right at the beginning of the month on Saturday, September 1 when The Oaks Course at Citrus Hills hosts the Labor Day Open. Beverages and lunch will be provided after this fun holiday event, and you can get more information in the pro shop.

There will also be free golf clinics hosted by Mary Slinkard happening throughout the month of September. And no matter where your game is at this time of year, everyone could use a little tweaking heading into the big October events like the Skyview Member-Member Tournament, the Citrus Hills Ghost Open, and the Skyview Men's Club Championship.

The Skyview Tennis Center will be hosting its monthly Free Beginner Tennis Clinic on Tuesday, September 11 at 11 am. If you are thinking about getting into tennis this fall, this is the perfect opportunity to get some free coaching to improve your game in a hurry.

Dinner Specials

The big dinner event at Skyview Restaurant this month will be the South American Wine Dinner on Tuesday, September 11. This fun dinner will feature four separate courses that are each paired with a unique South American wine, but it is limited to 50 guests, so make sure you make your reservations fast!

The Tiki Bar will also be pulling out all the stops this month with impressive dinner specials on Wednesdays this month like a Seafood Boil Night on September 12, a Gourmet Mac & Cheese Night on

September 19, and a Barbecue Rib Night on September 26.

And don't forget that the Tiki Bar is the place to be for all the college football and NFL action when it kicks off this month!

BellaVita Spa

With everything happening around the Villages of Citrus Hills this month, it might be hard to find any time to yourself. But if you can manage to find some quiet time, you'll want to check out the Detox Stem Cell

Facial special happening all month long at BellaVita Spa.

And while you have your calendars open, check out what you have planned for New Year's Eve, because tickets for the New Year's Eve Gala in the Hampton Room go on sale September 1!

5 Local Restaurants You Might Not Know About

It's no secret that there are more than a few great restaurants here in Citrus County. In fact, we have three outstanding options right here at the Villages of Citrus Hills.

With so many choices available, there are bound to be some restaurants that slip through the cracks when we are deciding on a place for dinner. And on top of that, there are always new places opening up all around our community.

To help you keep your dinner plans fresh and exciting, we pulled together a list of five excellent restaurants that you might not know about just yet!

    Kelly's Half Shell Pub

One of the newest on the Citrus County restaurant scene is Kelly's Half Shell Pub in Crystal River. This new joint is all about oysters, and you can order them just about any way you like!

Oysters Rockefeller is popular, but if you are feeling brave, we recommend trying their Spicy Raw Oysters!  In addition to the half shell menu, Kelly's also has some killer pub food with feature items like Reuben Eggrolls, Irish Poutine, Guinness Mussels, and Yellowfin Tuna Sashimi.

 

Los Magueyes of Inverness

Another new restaurant that just recently opened its doors is Los Magueyes of Inverness. They specialize in authentic Mexican cuisine, and according to a number of local diners, they are absolutely knocking it out of the park.

The homemade salsas are the main selling point at Los Magueyes, but keep in mind that each entrée is

going to be prepared just  like it would be if you were actually dining in Mexico. Ole!

   Habaneros Mexican Grill

Because one new Mexican restaurant just wouldn't be enough, Inverness has also welcomed Habaneros Mexican Grill to the local dining scene recently. And while Los Magueyes of Inverness is the place for great salsa, Habaneros is where you should be going to satisfy your guacamole cravings!

The menu here is every bit as authentic as Los Magueyes of Inverness, so you can definitely add it to your regular rotation of local Mexican options.

 

 

Sauced Hogs BBQ Bar & Grill

As you drive through Hernando, you might not even notice the next restaurant on our list, but this nondescript white building is the home of some of the best BBQ in Citrus County today.

One thing that patrons are loving about Sauced Hogs is that their menu is not exclusively BBQ items. In addition to serving up some awesome BBQ plates, you will also find a great Reuben sandwich here, as well as some solid burgers and salads.

 

 

West 82 Bar & Grill

While it is not a new restaurant, the fact that it is located inside Plantation on Crystal River has kept West 82 Bar & Grill off of the radar of many Citrus County diners. However, the food you will find here is nothing short of exceptional.

With appetizers like Smoked Mullet Dip and Baked Brie and Wild Mushrooms, you can tell from the very first bite that everything you eat at West 82 is going to be amazing.

Everyone at the Villages of Citrus Hills knows that the food at Skyview Restaurant, The Grille, and the Tiki Bar is outstanding. But when the situation calls for something outside the gates, these five restaurants in Citrus County are more than happy to step up and serve you!

Florida College Football Preview

As we count down the days until this summer heat cools off a bit, it is only natural to start thinking about the upcoming football season. There is always a lot of great college football being played all over the state of Florida.

To help get you ready for the upcoming season, we put together a quick breakdown of the five major college teams that make their home in the Sunshine State. And if you are looking for an excuse to plan a day trip, we have also highlighted all of the biggest matchups coming to Florida this year.

Miami Hurricanes

The Miami Hurricanes and their famous "turnover chain" were the class of the Florida teams in 2017. Head coach Mark Richt had them playing way above anyone's expectations before falling to Clemson in the ACC title game.

This year, we can expect to see the same aggressive defense from the Hurricanes. The big question is whether Richt will stick with Malik Rosier at quarterback or make a move to one of the three extremely talented freshmen on his roster.

If you are looking for a reason to visit Miami, the Hurricanes will be hosting LSU, North Carolina, and Florida State early in the year. Then, Duke and Pitt will both be coming to town in November.

Florida State Seminoles

The Florida State Seminoles rolled into the 2017 season with lofty expectations, but things fell apart in a hurry when quarterback Deondre Francois went down with a knee injury in the first game of the year. After stumbling through the rest of the season and posting a 7-6 record, head coach Jimbo Fisher took a lucrative offer to jump ship and move to Texas A&M.

That means that the major story of 2018 in Tallahassee is going to be whether new head coach Willie Taggart can turn this program around before things get any worse. With impressive talent across the board and an entirely new coaching staff, Taggart is a safe bet to do just that. Look for him to lean on his impressive young running backs early in the year.

The Seminoles kick off their season hosting Virginia Tech on Labor Day Weekend. They will also be hosting big games against Clemson, Boston College, and Florida later in the year.

Florida Gators

There was also a head coaching change in Gainesville this year, and the Florida faithful were happy to welcome back former Gators offensive coordinator Dan Mullen as the head of their program. Mullen was at the helm of the offense during the glory days when Tim Tebow was lighting up the SEC, and he expects the Gators attack to return to that level of prominence this year.

While there is plenty of talent for Mullen to work with on the offensive side of the ball, Florida has some glaring red flags on defense. Look for that to be the issue on early road trips to Tennessee and Mississippi State. Later in the season, the Gators will be hosting big games against LSU, Georgia, Missouri, and South Carolina. 

CF Knights

The UCF Knights went on a magical run in 2017 that culminated with them taking down a solid Auburn team in the Peach Bowl. However, the loss of head coach Scott Frost has left this program with more questions than answers heading into 2018.

New head coach Josh Heupel believes that his Knights will be even more explosive this year, and home games against Pitt, Temple, and Navy all make for a great reason to spend a weekend in Orlando.

South Florida Bulls

2018 will be the second year at USF for head coach Charlie Strong, and he expects to see continued improvement implementing his style of offense, which focuses on the running game. The Bulls were in the top ten in the nation in rushing last season, but replacing offensive players like D'Ernest Johnson and Darius Tice, as well as quarterback Quinton Flowers, is going to be a difficult task.

The biggest games of the year for the Bulls will be an early matchup hosting Georgia Tech and the regular season finale against UCF, but we will also see East Carolina, UConn, and Tulane make their way down to Tampa for games this year.

There is nothing quite like seeing a college football game in person, and with five talented teams taking the field in Florida this year, there are going to be great games happening almost every weekend. Get out your calendar and start planning your next weekend getaway before those tickets get too expensive!

August Activities and Events at the Villages of Citrus Hills

The height of summer is here, and we are only one month away from rolling through the Labor Day holiday and cruising straight into the cool fall months when the activities and events really heat up here at the Villages of Citrus Hills.

But just because we are excited about the coming fall season, don't let yourself overlook some of the activities and events that will be happening over the next few weeks in our community. Whether you are looking for fun social events, competitive sports and recreation, or just a great meal, we have the inside scoop on what's happening at Citrus Hills this month!

Social Events

The first big social event of the month will be the Magic & Comedy Dinner Show featuring Jon Armstrong on Tuesday, August 14 in the Hampton Room. This fun-filled magic comedy show will start at 7 pm following a dinner of Roasted Pork with Cinnamon Apple Glaze, Bourbon Salmon, Buttered Herb Noodles, and Steamed Mixed Vegetables.

Trivia Tuesday is back in the Hampton Room on Tuesday, August 21. The Sharks took down the contest with 50 points last month, but August is a new month, and everyone is ready to compete. Dinner for this month's Trivia Tuesday will feature Chicken Marsala and Baked Haddock.

Then the biggest party of the summer will happen on the very last day of the month when Copacabana Night takes over the Hampton Room on Friday, August 31. The fun will start with a Latin-themed dinner of Cuban Pulled Pork and Chicken and Peppers in Garlic Wine Sauce. Then, things will really get wild when a 10-piece Latin band takes the stage. Don't leave your dancing shoes at home for this one!

Sports fans will also want to be sure to book their tickets this month for three fall trips that the Citrus Hills Vacationers Club is planning. There will be a group heading down to see the Tampa Bay Rays host the New York Yankees on Thursday, September 27. The club is also planning trips to see the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, November 11 and Sunday, December 2.

Sports & Recreation

The Oaks Course at Citrus Hills will be the place to be on Saturday, August 4 when they host the Awesome August Open. This fun outing will be a great way to prepare for some more serious ones like the Citrus Hills Labor Day Open, Skyview Ryder Cup Tournament, and Skyview Men's Shootout happening in September.

Another way to gear up for those September tournaments is to stop by the driving range at Skyview. And they just happen to be running a special from August 6 through August 12 that will hook you up with 10 FREE buckets of balls if you buy or upgrade an electronic range key.

There will also be Free Golf Clinics with Mary Slinkard happening throughout the month of August. Mary will be working with beginners on August 6, 7, and 8. Then she will be back for intermediate clinics on August 14, 21, and 28.

Anyone who is new to tennis will find plenty of helpful coaching at the Free Beginner Tennis Clinic held at the Skyview Tennis Center on Tuesday, August 14. All golf and social members are invited to attend, and no equipment is required.

Other competitive events happening around the community this month include a fun Wallyball game at BellaVita every Wednesday from 4 pm to 5 pm and a Pickleball 101 event happening on the first and third Thursday of the month.

Dinner Specials

Our friends at Skyview Restaurant are really going to be testing our diets this month with a Turkey Buffet special on Tuesday, August 14 and a European Pub Night on Tuesday, August 28. The Turkey Buffet will include all of your favorite Thanksgiving foods, and the European Pub Night be featuring entrees like Jameson Glazed NY Strip, Fish & Chips, and Braised Lamb Shank.

Sunday, August 26 is National Hot Dog Day, and The Grille is celebrating with a hot dog special from 3 pm to 8 pm. Dress your dogs up however you like with chili, cheese, sauerkraut, onions, tomatoes, pickles, and more!

And if you find yourself craving hot dogs at other times during the month, don't forget that every Wednesday is Wing Dog Wednesday at The Tiki Bar with 30 cent wings and $3 hot dogs.

BellaVita Spa

In addition to all of the fun events and activities happening around the Villages of Citrus Hills this month, BellaVita Spa is offering a Peppermint & Rosemary Muscle Soothing Massage all month long.

Have a wonderful August!

Beat the Heat: 5-Indoor Activities to Enjoy at the Villages of Citrus Hills

Warm weather is one of the biggest reasons that Florida is such a popular retirement destination, but many residents will agree that there are times during the summer months where that heat can detract from some of the popular outdoor amenities here at the Villages of Citrus Hills.

Fortunately, there is also a great selection of indoor activities available to our members. So, when the heat index gets to be just a bit too much, these are some of the things we recommend doing around the community to enjoy your days without spending too much time in the heat.

Relax at the Coffee Shop

One of the newest places to beat the heat at the Villages of Citrus Hills is the Coffee Shop. Spend a few minutes soaking up the cool air conditioning and you will be primed and ready for a great cup of coffee to accompany whatever summer reading you have set out to work on this year.

The Coffee Shop is located right between the Citrus Hills Pro Shop and PrimoVita. They are open from 7 am to 11 am every morning during the summer and you can get a FREE refill on any medium or large coffee on Fridays.

Fitness Center

For many residents who are looking to avoid the heat, they need to replace the exercise they would be getting from whatever outdoor activities they are not participating in, so heading to one of the community fitness centers can be a great way to stay inside without missing out on those Fitbit steps.

BellaVita and PrimoVita both offer state of the art exercise equipment and lots of fun classes to keep you moving throughout the summer, all while enjoying the cool indoor temperatures.

BellaVita Spa

Speaking of BellaVita, you can also spend some quality indoor time at the spa! Because who doesn't love a good spa day, right?

We make a point to mention the BellaVita Spa Specials of the month in our monthly Activities and Events blogs, but you can also catch those specials in your Connections Newsletter each month. 

Indoor Club Meetings

Joining one of the many clubs that exist around the community is another great way to get yourself involved in an indoor activity over the summer. With ballroom dancing, billiards, bridge, mah-jongg, and wood carving, there are plenty of indoor options to choose from.

One of the most active clubs at the Villages of Citrus Hills is the Citrus Hills Vacationers Club, which would be a great place to start if you are looking to attend an interesting meeting.

Skyview Happy Hour

Another great way to pass some time indoors this summer is to head over to Skyview Restaurant for their Happy Hour specials every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 5 pm to 8 pm. There are always great drink specials to be had, and you can either order dinner from the bar menu or head into the restaurant following a few drinks.

Of course, the Tiki Bar is also a great place to enjoy a few cocktails during the warm months, but you might want to wait until after Happy Hour at Skyview Restaurant to head over there so that the outside air has a chance to cool down a bit.

No matter how you prefer to spend your time, there are plenty of fun and exciting indoor activities around the Villages of Citrus Hills to keep you busy all summer long. So, don't let the warm weather get you down, stay active indoors!