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Upcoming Events with the Citrus Hills Vacationers Club

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In addition to all of the exciting events and activities happening here at the Villages of Citrus Hills each and every month, there are also lots of fun excursions available to members thanks to the Citrus Hills Vacationers Club.  

If you have been throwing around the idea of taking a fun day trip to somewhere like Tampa or Clearwater, you'll be delighted to learn that the Vacationers Club has already done the planning for you...and they're also taking care of the transportation, so all you have to do is show up and enjoy yourself! 

Tampa Bay Downs 

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We have spent entire blog posts discussing how much fun there is to be had rooting for the horse races at Tampa Bay Downs, and you can experience that fun for yourself with the Vacationers Club on Saturday, April 27.  

Tickets for this event include roundtrip transportation, group seating for the races, and a massive buffet lunch.  

Tampa Bay Rays 

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Baseball season is already back in full swing, and the Vacationers Club is planning two trips to see the Rays in action this summer. There will be groups heading down to see the Rays host the New York Yankees on Friday, May 10 and the Boston Red Sox on Friday, September 20.  

In addition to the standard things like a ticket to the game and roundtrip transportation, anyone attending these events will also receive a free Tamp Bay Rays hat.  

Early Bird Dinner Theater 

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Anyone looking for a day trip with a bit of culture will want to be involved in the group heading to Clearwater on Saturday, May 18 for Early Bird Dinner Theater.  

Following the lunch buffet, the curtain will go up for a live performance of "The Dixie Swim Club", which is a hysterical play that focuses on the lives of five southern women who get together once a year.  

Publix Aprons Cooking School 

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Looking for a good way to improve your skills in the kitchen? There is nothing quite like the Publix Aprons Cooking School for that!  

On Thursday, May 30, a group will be heading down to Tampa for a private class where instructors will teach four different dishes while pairing each with a perfect wine accompaniment.  

Anyone attending the class will learn fresh new dishes like Blistered Tomato and Burrata Crostini, Crispy Miso-Glazed Pork Belly, Marinated Flat-Iron Steak, and Mixed Berry Crumble. And then there is the complimentary wine! 

Eastern Caribbean Escape 

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The Citrus Hills Vacationers Club was largely founded based on their members' love for cruising, so there is rarely a year that goes by where they aren't working on some type of ocean adventure.  

The next big cruise will be happening January 4 to 11 with Holland America Line, and it will take travelers to Turks & Caicos, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, and the Bahamas. Cabins are available from $600 to $900, so reserve yours today.  

As with any of the trips being planned by the Citrus Hills Vacationers Club, you can find more information about anything you might be interested in at the Activity Center. Just pick out a few events that sound interesting and get yourself signed up!

April Activities and Events at the Villages of Citrus Hills

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We have started off 2019 with three straight months of jam-packed activities and events calendars, and the fourth month of the year is definitely poised to keep that trend going. The April calendar is full of all kinds of fun things to do around the Villages of Citrus Hills.  

Whether you lean more towards the social events and the educational seminars or the golf tournaments and dinner specials, there really is something for everyone happening around the community this month. Let's jump right in and check out some of the biggest events happening in April. 

Social Events 

The social calendar will kick off the month when the Sizzlin' Summer Show Series brings Mary Jo Vitale and Clark Barrios to the Activity Center Auditorium on Tuesday, April 2 at 7 pm. 

The Shabbat Dinner will take place on Friday, April 5 in the Garden Room. This month's meal will include your choice of Beef Brisket or Bourbon Salmon served with Garden Salad, Oven-Roasted Potatoes, Vegetables, and Carrot Cake.  

All of our local trivia junkies will be back in the Hampton Room on Tuesday, April 16 for another installment of Tasty Trivia Tuesday. The theme this month is "Geography," so make sure that you study your maps and state capitals before the big night.  

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One of the biggest social events of the month will be the annual Easter Egg Hunt in the Hampton Room on Saturday, April 20. The fun will start at 9 am with breakfast and face painting, followed by a magic show at 9:30 am before the big hunt gets going at 10:30 am.  

Arts & Education 

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This month's Speaker Series seminar will take place on Thursday, April 11 at 6 pm in the Activity Center Auditorium. Dr. Dunn and Dr. Collins from Countryside Animal Clinic will be discussing everything from hot topics in veterinary medicine to acupuncture for your pets.  

On Saturday, April 13, there will be an AARP Smart Driver Course at the Activity Center from 9 am to 4 pm. The course will teach things like defensive driving tactics, handling adverse weather conditions, and information on automobile technology.  

Lunch and Learn will also be back this month with a fascinating presentation on Cooking with Essential Oils in the Windsor Room. On top of a great discussion, there will also be delicious Taco Salads served for lunch.  

Golf & Tennis 

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There will be plenty of hysterical antics on display for the April Fools Open at The Oaks course on Saturday, April 13. Beverages and lunches will be served after the round, but make sure to be careful where you sit! 

The Meadows and Oaks courses will also be hosting the 2019 Citrus Hills Golf & Country Club Ladies' Club Championship. This will be a 36-hole stroke play tournament that is flighted by handicap. 

Over on the tennis side, the Skyview Tennis Center will be hosting their monthly Free Beginners Tennis Clinic on Tueday, April 9 at 11 am. Then the big event for the month will be the 2019 Skyview Men's and Women's Club Championship Doubles Tournament on April 12, 13, and 14.  

Dinner Specials 

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Skyview Restaurant and The Grille will both be hosting Easter specials on Sunday, April 21. The Skyview menu will include options like Carved Virginia Baked Ham, Filet Bordelaise, Grouper Oscar, and Lamb Chops.

Then The Grille will be serving a buffet with Carved Prime Rib, Honey Baked Ham, Lemon Chicken, and Fresh Salmon.  

Some of the other Skyview Restaurant specials that you won't want to miss this month include a Surf and Turf Night on Tuesday, April 2, a Southern California Wine Dinner on Tuesday, April 9, and a European Pub Night on Thursday, April 18.

BellaVita 

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This month, BellaVita Spa is going to be running a Men's Facial Special. Taking advantage of these specials is a great way to get to know all of the great things that they offer.  

With so much to do all over the Villages of Citrus Hills this month, our members are all going to be very busy. Make sure that you take some time to enjoy all that the community has to offer.

New Team in Town: Meet the Orlando Apollos

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Have you noticed that there have been spring football games on TV this year? Our desire to see gridiron action all year round is finally coming true thanks to the brand new AAF, and we are in a prime spot to witness this new league with nearby Orlando getting one of the eight inaugural franchises.  

If you are a football lover that is looking for a team to root for this spring, the Orlando Apollos are interested in giving you that opportunity. And it looks like they are going to end up being pretty good, so we will have lots to root for here at the Tiki Bar.

What is the AAF? 

The AAF is the American Alliance of Football, and it was founded by television producer Charlie Ebersol and former NFL executive Bill Polian. Former players Troy Polamalu, Hines Ward, and Justin Tuck are also heavily involved in the new league, which officially kicked off on February 9 of this year.  

While it was initially conceived as a competitor to the NFL, much like the XFL positioned itself, the AAF has since evolved to see itself as a minor league for the NFL. There have already been discussions about the NFL loaning out some of its younger players to the AAF in hopes of developing them faster.  

Do I Know Any Apollos? 

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The brand new AAF wanted to make a big splash when they announced that the Orlando Apollos would be their first franchise, and they did that in April of 2018 by unveiling that Florida legend Steve Spurrier would be their first head coach.  

That's right, the "old ball coach" is back in business.  

In addition to Spurrier, football fans will certainly recognize names like Bob Sanders, Donnie Abraham, and Lito Sheppard coaching on the defensive side of the ball.  

When it comes to the players in the huddle for the Apollos, quarterback Garett Gilbert has been lighting up the scoreboard throwing to his favorite target, Charles Johnson. And then there is the running back tandem of D'Ernest Johnson and De'Veon Smith churning up yardage on the ground.  

Are They Any Good? 

With only one loss in their first six games, the Orlando Apollos are already the class of the AAF. That means that they are well on their way to making an appearance in the four-team playoff set to happen this April.  

The Apollos offense has proven to be the best in the league thus far, and the defense is currently ranked as the second-best unit in terms of yards allowed.  

When Can I See Them? 

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The Apollos are scheduled to host their final two games of the inaugural season at Spectrum Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 13. The April 6 contest will be against the San Diego Fleet, then the April 13 regular season finally will take place against the second place Birmingham Iron.  

Following the regular season, there will be a four-team playoff starting on Sunday, April 21 and concluding with a championship game on Sunday, April 27. And unless something goes terribly wrong in the next four weeks, Coach Spurrier should have his team in the hunt for the first ever AAF title.  

Not only are we blessed to have a new football team competing right down the road in Orlando, we are also fortunate that the team is playing extremely well to start the season. If you are looking for a fun weekend activity to keep you busy over the next few weeks, start following the Apollos and get excited about the AAF!

6 Outdoor Activities To Try This Spring

As the first two months of 2019 slide into our rear view mirrors and we move into the spring months, now is as good a time as ever to embrace some of the many outdoor activities that you will find happening in and around the Villages of Citrus Hills.  

If you have been thinking about trying your hand at a particular outdoor activity this year, there is no time like the present to get the ball rolling in that direction. And even if you aren't sure exactly what activities might be a good fit for you, we can still help you find plenty of exciting things to do outside this spring.  

Deep Sea Fishing 

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Deep sea fishing is one of the most popular outdoor activities among people who vacation in Florida, but it tends to be far less popular among residents. That doesn't necessarily have to be the case.  

There is no reason that local residents looking to get outdoors for a few hours can't snag a charter out of Tarpon Springs and head out for a day of fishing on the open seas.  

The Citrus Hills Vacationers Club is actually making deep sea fishing even more accessible by planning Deep-Sea Fishing Excursions. The first event was yesterday and was sold out. These excursions include just about everything you will need for a life-changing eight-hour fishing adventure.  

Tampa Bay Downs 

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The Vacationers Club is also planning multiple trips to Tampa Bay Downs to enjoy their live outdoor horse races. There are still tickets left for the second trip on Saturday, April 27.  

Placing a few bets on the ponies and then kicking back to watch them run is a great way to get outdoors and enjoy the spring weather without worrying about participating in anything too strenuous.  

Pickleball Club 

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Speaking of activities that aren't too strenuous, if you have been thinking about trying your hand at pickleball, this spring is a great time to get outdoors and do just that. This slightly less intense and significantly more fun version of tennis continues to grow in popularity all over the country, and especially here in Florida.  

One of the best ways to get involved in the pickleball community here at the Villages of Citrus Hills is to join the Pickleball Club, and you can find more information about that over at the Activity Center.  

Bocce Clubs 

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Another activity that might jump out at you while looking through the list of Activity Center Clubs is bocce.  

We have SEVEN different bocce clubs that meet here on a regular basis, so just about everyone can find a group that fits the skill level they are looking for.  

Golf & Tennis Clinics 

We make a point to highlight the free golf and tennis clinics every month in our Activities & Events blog, and those clinics are another fantastic way to get yourself involved in outdoor activities this spring.  

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No matter what your skill level happens to be on the driving range or the tennis court, everyone is welcome to come work on their game at these clinics while also getting outside to enjoy the fresh Florida air.  

Activity Center Pool Fitness Classes 

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The Activity Center Pool also offers a great way to get outside in the spring months. There are fitness classes held there every weekday morning at 10:15 am, and all members are welcome to attend.  

Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are Aqua Tone classes, while Tuesdays and Thursdays are reserved for Deep Water Aerobics.  

Whether you are looking to hit the open seas with a massive fishing pole or just toss around some bocce balls, there are plenty of great ways to get yourself outdoors in and around the Villages of Citrus Hills this spring.  

What outdoor activities are you most interested in?

Tampa Bay Rays Spring Training Preview

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The Tampa Bay Rays generated some interesting conversations when they started utilizing their "opener" strategy early on in the 2018 campaign. Over the course of the season, that revolutionary approach to the game propelled the Rays to an astounding 90-win season.  

That unique strategy will be making a return to Tampa Bay in 2019, as will nearly all of the key pieces from that 90-win season. And when you factor in some of the new additions and young arms returning from injury, expectations are higher than ever for the Rays this summer.  

If you are looking to join in early on what could be a playoff caliber baseball team, we have all the key information you are going to need to know about the 2019 Tampa Bay Rays.  

Rock Solid Foundation 

The key in 2018 was the emergence of Blake Snell as a true ace pitcher. Not only was Snell the best pitcher on the roster in 2018, he was also the best pitcher in the American League and comes into 2019 as the reigning A.L. Cy Young Award winner.  

Snell will benefit from the support of a strong defense that is anchored by centerfielder Kevin Kiermaier, who might be one of the best defensive players in the majors.

In addition to Snell's pitching and Kiermaier's defense, Rays fans can expect to see plenty of pop in the middle of the batting order thanks to slugger Tommy Pham, who was acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals right at the trade deadline last season.  

The Rays also acquired pitcher Tyler Glasnow from Pittsburgh at the deadline, and his improved command produced impressive results down the stretch. If he can build on that success moving forward, we can expect a solid year from him in 2019.  

New Faces in Tampa Bay 

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In order to build on their successful 2018 season, the Rays made some moves to improve their roster during the offseason. The biggest of those moves was inking pitcher Charlie Morton to a two-year deal. Morton will slot in right behind Snell as the number two starter.  

Another free agent acquisition that could make an impact is the addition of Avisail Garcia on a one-year deal that is laced with incentives. Garcia is a proven major leaguer who was an All-Star in 2017, so there is plenty of reason to believe he can contribute in a meaningful way.  

The front office was also active on the trade market during the winter, which resulted in the acquisition of catcher Mike Zunino from Seattle and infielder Yandy Diaz from Cleveland. Zunino brings a big bat to the middle of the Rays order, and Diaz is someone the Rays have liked for years.  

Returning Young Arms 

In addition to a solid core and some key additions, the Rays are also going to benefit from the return of a number of young pitchers throughout the season.  

Pitchers Brent Honeywell, Jose De Leon, and Anthony Banda are all scheduled to make their return from Tommy John surgery at some point during the year. All three have the ability to earn a rotation spot upon their return, which could eventually make the "opener" strategy unnecessary.  

Barring any significant injuries, the 2019 Tampa Bay Rays are going to be a force to be reckoned with in the American League. And while they might not be talented enough to take on the Yankees and the Red Sox for the A.L. East pennant just yet, they are almost certainly going to be a serious contender for one of the two Wild Card spots.  

There are going to be a lot of very exciting games happening at The Trop this year, so make sure you plan on heading down to see the Rays as much as possible.

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