Club Connection – Citrus Hills Garden Club

Yash Rai
05/30/2024

Connecting with Nature at the Best Place to Retire: The Flourishing Citrus Hills Garden Club

The Citrus Hills Garden Club, led by the dynamic Dr. Delphina (Del) Hopkins Gillispie, has been a vibrant part of the community since January 2022. Dr. Gillispie, who recently relocated to Florida’s Premier master Planned Community, The Villages Of Citrus Hills from Solivita in Kissimmee, Florida, quickly immersed herself in the local scene, engaging with various clubs and activities. The Garden Club’s mission is to encourage resident involvement and facilitate knowledge-sharing on topics such as horticulture, landscaping, water conservation, and more. Open to all Citrus Hills social club members, the club has grown from a modest 12 members to approximately 160 members.

 

A Growing Community of Garden Enthusiasts

One of the Garden Club’s most significant achievements is its Speaker Series, which features knowledgeable experts in various fields related to gardening and environmental stewardship. This series has been instrumental in sustaining the club’s momentum and accommodating its expanding membership. Notable events include presentations on frost-proofing plants, spring planting, and winterization, as well as field trips to places like the Butterfly Museum in Gainesville. Each session offers valuable insights and practical tips, making the club a hub of learning and community engagement.

 

My Experience with the Garden Club: Ethnobotany and Herbal Medicine


As an integrative health and wellness enthusiast, I had the pleasure of speaking at the Garden Club about ethnobotany and herbal medicine. My presentation, “Roots to Plates: Exploring the Past and Present of Southeastern Native Plants in Medicine and Cuisine,” was a wonderful opportunity to share my passion with an eager audience. The members were incredibly engaged, asking thoughtful questions and sharing their own experiences with using plants for health and wellness. This interaction highlighted the club’s commitment to learning and its members’ genuine interest in holistic living.

 

Overcoming Challenges and Celebrating Successes

Dr. Gillispie shared how the club has overcome various challenges through collaboration and dedication. One notable example was organizing the Earth Day Expo, which required meticulous coordination with organizations like the University of Florida Agriculture Extension Office and the Butterfly Museum in Gainesville. This event featured diverse booths and presentations on horticulture, wildlife, waste management, and more, showcasing the power of community collaboration. The success of the Earth Day Expo underscored the club’s ability to bring together experts and enthusiasts for a common cause.

 

A Community United by Passion and Purpose

The Citrus Hills Garden Club is more than just a gathering of gardening enthusiasts; it’s a thriving community dedicated to environmental stewardship and lifelong learning. With Dr. Gillispie’s leadership and the active participation of its members, the club continues to grow and evolve, offering enriching activities and fostering connections among residents. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a curious newcomer, the Garden Club invites you to join in cultivating not just gardens, but a sense of community and shared purpose. Together, we enhance the beauty of Citrus Hills and nurture our collective passion for the natural world.

Contact the Activity Center for more information about the Garden Club

Full details:

Make your new Citrus Hills home your permanent Florida residence by December 31, 2026, and you may qualify for expanded Homestead tax benefits beginning in 2027. Under Florida’s newly approved Amendment 3, eligible homeowners may exempt up to $150,000 of their home’s assessed value from non-school property taxes in 2027, increasing to $250,000 in 2028, with inflation adjustments beginning in 2029. A separate exemption of up to $25,000 applies to school district property taxes. Homestead benefits also include Florida’s Save Our Homes protection, which limits annual increases in assessed value beginning the year after the home first receives a homestead exemption, subject to applicable exceptions. To qualify for the expanded exemption in 2027, you must have established permanent Florida residency by December 31, 2026, own and occupy the home as your permanent residence as of January 1, 2027, and apply for homestead exemption by March 1, 2027. Actual tax savings depend on your home’s assessed value, applicable tax rates, and individual circumstances. Eligibility and savings depend on individual circumstances and are determined by the Citrus County Property Appraiser.

Terms and Conditions :

Offer valid on new home purchase agreements executed between June 1, 2026 and June 30, 2026 through Citrus Hills Construction and is contingent upon successful closing. Qualified purchasers will receive complimentary meals for one (1) year from the date of closing for personal use by the primary homeowner at participating Citrus Hills restaurants. This offer does not include meals for guests, tenants, secondary owners, family members, or other household members. 

Offer includes food items only and excludes all alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, gratuities, taxes, special event menus, themed dinners, holiday dining experiences, catering, takeout, and promotional offerings unless otherwise determined by Citrus Hills.

Dining privileges are non-transferable, have no cash value, and may not be assigned, exchanged, or redeemed for cash or credit. Offer is limited to reasonable household use, not to exceed a single entree per homeowner per day. Citrus Hills reserves the right to determine reasonable usage limits and to suspend or revoke dining privileges in cases of misuse, abuse, excessive use, or violation of community or club rules.

Offer may not be combined with any other promotion, incentive, or discount unless expressly approved in writing by Citrus Hills. Not valid on prior contracts or previously closed homes. 

Restaurant participation, availability, operating hours, and menu offerings are subject to change without notice. Citrus Hills reserves the right to discontinue this promotion prospectively at any time. Additional terms and conditions may apply. See Sales Executive for complete details. 

Terms and Conditions :

No purchase necessary to enter or win. One (1) entry per tour will be provided upon completion of an in-person tour of The Villages of Citrus Hills between May 1, 2026 and July 15, 2026, regardless of the number of tours completed.

Prize consists of a trip for two (2) to the 2026 U.S. Open, including event tickets for one day of play, round-trip coach airfare, and standard hotel accommodations. Drawing will be held on or about July 17, 2026.

Winner will be notified via phone and/or email and must accept the prize within 5 days or an alternate winner may be selected. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received.

Travel dates, event tickets, and accommodations are subject to availability and may be determined at Citrus Hills’ sole discretion. Prize is non-transferable, has no cash alternative, and cannot be substituted except at sponsor’s discretion. Taxes, upgrades, and additional expenses not expressly included are the responsibility of the winner.

Employees, affiliates, and immediate family members are not eligible. Offer subject to change or termination at any time without notice. Additional terms may apply.

The US Open is a registered trademark of the United States Tennis Association. This promotion is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by the USTA.

Terms and Conditions:

 
Offer valid on new construction homes purchased through Citrus Hills Construction with a fully executed purchase agreement between July 1, 2026 and August 31, 2026. Citrus Hills Construction will pay the buyer’s customary title closing costs when the home is closed through Manatee Title, LLC. Closing costs must be verified by an official Closing Disclosure prepared by Manatee Title, LLC. Citrus Hills Construction will provide a credit at closing for eligible closing costs as reflected on the final settlement statement. Offer does not include closing costs associated with financing, prepaid items, prorated expenses, property taxes, homeowners’ insurance, club membership deposits, optional upgrades, or non-standard fees.
 
Offer is non-transferable and may not be combined with other incentives unless expressly approved in writing. Offer subject to change or termination at any time without notice. Additional terms and conditions may apply. See Sales Executive for details.

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