July Activities and Events at the Villages of Citrus Hills

As we roll right into the dog days of summer, you might catch yourself feeling like you don't want to leave the house. But that is a big mistake here at the Villages of Citrus Hills, because our activities calendar for the month of July features a great list of fun and exciting things to do across the community.

So, before you resign yourself to spending the next month indoors, make sure you put some of these great events on your calendar and RSVP with the Activity Center!

Social Events

Smarty Jones was the big winner at last month's Trivia Challenge, but that title will be up for grabs again on Tuesday, July 18 in the Hampton Room. Dinner for this month's event will feature London Broil Topped with Béarnaise Sauce, Chicken Marsala Oven Roasted Potatoes, Veggies, and Dessert!

There will be another Flicks & Floats night at the Activity Center Pool on Friday, July 21. This month, the feature film is Me Before You. Showtime is 8:30 pm, and there will be plenty of buttery popcorn for everyone!

Our friends over at the Tiki Bar have a number of different social events planned for the coming month. They will be hosting an Illinois Happy Hour on July 27 from 4 pm to 6 pm. Then they will also be hosting block parties for the Belmont Hills Neighborhood on Thursday, July 6 and for all the Brentwood Neighborhoods on Thursday, July 20.

Arts & Education

The Citrus Hills Vacationers Club is planning a group trip to The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art on Saturday, July 22. In addition to taking in all that the museum has to offer, there will also be time for shopping in Winter Park!

The Vacationers Club is also planning a trip to the Straz Center for the Performing Arts to see Motown The Musical in August, so you will also want to mark that on your calendar and be sure to reserve your tickets as soon as possible.

Golf & Tennis

The big golf event for July will be the Stars & Stripes Open at Skyview on Tuesday, July 4. This tournament will feature men's, ladies', and mixed foursomes competing with 3 best balls on red flag holes, 2 best balls on blue flag holes, and 1 best ball on white flag holes.

Many of the serious golfers in our community will spend their summer working to improve their game, and a great way to do that is to participate in one of the free clinics with Golf Pro Wayne Larsen. This month, Wayne will be hosting beginner clinics on July 10, 11, and 12. Then he will move on to intermediate clinics on July 11, 18, and 25.

July is also a great month to practice your tennis game, and you can learn all of the basics at the Free Beginner Tennis Clinic at the Skyview Tennis Center on Tuesday, July 11 at 11 am.

Dinner Specials

You definitely don't want to miss the Patriotic Buffet that Skyview Restaurant has planned for Tuesday, July 4. The buffet entrees will include Memphis Blue Ribs, Honey Barbecued Chicken, and Firecracker Grilled Salmon with Tropical Fruit Salad.

Two other festive holiday celebrations that you should note on your calendars this month are the Thanksgiving in July dinner at Skyview Restaurant on Tuesday, July 18 and the Christmas in July dinner at The Grille on Tuesday, July 25. Both specials are set to include all of the holiday classics you might expect!

The Grille will also be hosting a Taste of Cuba dinner on Thursday, July 27 from 5 pm to 8 pm. This meal will include Spicy Black Bean Soup, Cuban Chicken and Rice, and Red Snapper.

If you are looking to pamper yourself during the month of July, BellaVita has got you covered with Detox Stem Cell Facial Treatment and Massagarita specials.

Whether you are looking for social interaction, exposure to the arts, a little competition, a great meal, or just some quiet spa time, there are plenty of options to keep everyone busy here at the Villages of Citrus Hills this month. Make sure you don't miss out on any of the action!

June Activities and Events at the Villages of Citrus Hills

Memorial Day weekend has come and gone and we are heading straight into the heart of summer here at the Villages of Citrus Hills. This is typically the time of year where things slow down a bit for us, but you will be happy to learn that there are still a lot of great things planned for the month of June.

On top of all the fun activities and events happening, there is also going to be some construction activity over at BellaVita as the entire fitness facility is scheduled to get a major upgrade. The construction is expected to last about two weeks, and the facility will look brand new when everything is finished.

Let's take a closer look at some of the exciting events and activities that the Activity Center staff has planned for the month of June!

Social Events

We're going to be starting off the month of June on a festive note with the Bella Notte Italiana Dinner Show on Thursday, June 1 in the Hampton Room. The menu for this event will feature Chicken Parmesan, Baked Lasagna, and Sausage and Peppers. There will also be classic Italian music entertainment from Duo Romantico following dinner.

Mentalist Eric Anderson will be performing in the Hampton Room on Tuesday, June 6. Members attending this event will be treated to a unique blend of magic, comedy, and mind tricks that will include some amazing sleight of hand tricks and fire eating. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the show starts at 7 pm!

This month's installment of Flicks & Floats is scheduled for Friday, June 16. Members and guests will be gathering around the pool to watch the hysterical Central Intelligence on the big screen. This show starts at 8:30 pm.

The Brain Trust were the big winners at last month's Trivia Challenge, but that title will be up for grabs again this month on Tuesday, June 20. If you think you have what it takes to take the trivia title, get your team together and we'll see you at the challenge!

The Tiki Bar is hosting a Singles Social Happy Hour for all of the singles in our community from 4-6 pm on Tuesday, June 27. If you are looking to meet other singles, this is a perfect opportunity to have some fun and do just that!

Golf & Tennis

June isn't typically a busy month on our golf courses, but there are three big tournaments that you definitely want to participate in this month.

The action starts with the Summer Open Tournament on the Citrus Hills course on June 3. Then the Skyview course will be hosting the two-day Men's Pinehurst Major Championship Event on June 12-13 and the U.S. Impossible Tournament on Saturday, June 17.

If you are looking to make some improvements to your game this month, golf pro Wayne Larsen will be hosting free clinics for beginners on June 5, 6, and 7. Then he will be back to work with intermediate golfers on June 13, 20, and 27.

There will also be a Free Beginners Tennis Clinic on Tuesday, June 13 at 11 am.

Dinner Specials

The Belmont Stakes is scheduled for June 10 this year, and The Grille is celebrating the race by hosting a "Belmont Steaks" viewing party. They will have choice cut grilled New York Strip Steaks with Rosemary and Parmesan on special for $15.

Both Skyview Restaurant and The Grille will be hosting Father's Day specials on Sunday, June 18. Skyview will be having a traditional brunch buffet, and The Grille will be serving steak and seafood dinners from 5-8 pm.

Tuesday, June 20 is going to be New Orleans night at Skyview Restaurant. Entrees for this special night will include Cornish Game Hens, Roasted Red Snapper, Chicken Clemenceau, and Filet Medallions.

The Tiki Bar will be having a Taste of the Islands special on Tuesday, June 29 that will feature Jerk Chicken, Fried Red Snapper, and Bahama-Momma Pork, along with live entertainment courtesy of Island Girl Bickley Rivera.

If you should happen to find any extra time to pamper yourself during the month of June, you will definitely want to take advantage of specials like the Aromatic Rose and Jasmine Facial and the Refreshing Citrus Massage that will be available all month long.

Make sure you take a few minutes to write all of the events and activities that interest you on your calendar and have a great month of June!

Memorial Day Cookout: 6 Grill Ideas That Blow the Burger Out of the Water

Thanks to the great climate in Florida, we have the luxury of keeping our grills out all year round here at the Villages of Citrus Hills. But there is just something about Memorial Day Weekend that gives all of us the itch to break out the tongs and fire up the charcoal.

Most backyard cookouts feature some combination of hamburgers and hot dogs. If you are looking for a new idea to set your big holiday party apart from all of the others, we’ve got five grill ideas that will blow those burgers and hot dogs right out of the water. Let's fire up the grill!

Baby Back Ribs

Hamburgers and hot dogs are the most popular cookout foods because they are among the easiest things to throw together in a hurry. But when you really want to impress your guests, pork ribs are the way to do it.

The key to making the best ribs in town is to take your time and cook them low and slow. If you can get your grill down below 225 degrees, you can cook them right there for five or six hours.

Alternatively, you can cook them in the oven for the first five hours and then move them out to the grill for the finishing touches.  One of the most important things to remember when prepping your ribs is that you always want to make sure to remove the thin membrane on the bone side of the meat. This will allow all of the flavor from the rub, sauce, and smoke to work its way right into the meat.

Steaks

Throwing a nice Ribeye or T-bone steak on the grill is always going to be looked at as an upgrade from your basic hamburger, but many people are intimidated by the different levels of doneness that each of their guests might prefer.

Understanding the subtle differences between medium rare, medium, and medium well can be a challenge, but you can pick up the ultimate cheat sheet for that challenge in the form of a meat thermometer for just a few dollars.   Many newer thermometers have the regions for different levels of doneness marked right on them.

So, with your new thermometer in hand, you can feel confident that you are serving steaks to your guests exactly how they like them!

Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Jalapeños

You can also get creative on the grill with appetizers.  One popular idea is to take halved jalapeños that have been stemmed and seeded and stuff them with a mixture of cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese. Wrap the peppers with par-cooked bacon and throw them on the grill until that bacon gets nice and crispy. Your guests will beg you for this simple recipe.

Stuffed Turkey Burgers

If you are expecting your guests to be a little more health conscious, you might want to go with turkey burgers instead of hamburgers. You can instantly jazz up this healthy alternative by mixing in any combination of diced vegetables and garlic that you prefer.

Just chop up some peppers, onions, and garlic and mix them in with the ground turkey before you make your patties. If you really want to wow the crowd, add a little BBQ sauce into that mixture too!

BBQ Chicken Thighs

Another food that would be a lot more popular at cookouts if people weren't so intimidated by it is chicken thighs. Where chicken breasts tend to dry out on the grill, the dark meat that you get with a thigh will stay moist for much longer.

Once again, the thermometer is your best friend here. Make sure that you are getting your chicken up to 165 degrees before serving it, but don't go too much further than that!

Chicken thighs are extremely versatile. You can combine all kinds of flavors through different rubs and sauces. So, put out a few different options to give your guests some variety, and they'll still be talking about your chicken at the Fourth of July party.

Shrimp Skewers

And last but not least, seafood.  A very easy addition to the menu and always a crowd pleaser.  Put a few shrimp on a skewer, add a few vegetables if you like, and in a few minutes, they’re ready to eat.  Brush on a little marinade or have dipping sauces out on the table and you’re all set.

No matter what you are making, a Memorial Day Barbeque is always a good time with family and friends.  But it’s always fun to try something a little different and to go the extra mile. 

These 6 suggestions just might do the trick!

May Activities & Events at the Villages of Citrus Hills

The month of May has arrived, and the official start of the summer is right around the corner! Like every month here at the Villages of Citrus Hills, the Activity Center has gone above and beyond to make sure that our calendars are absolutely packed with fun and exciting things to do.

This month, residents have the opportunity to take part in some fantastic social events. There are also three big golf tournaments spread out across the month, not to mention the delicious dinner specials that Skyview Restaurant, The Grille, and the Tiki Bar have planned for the coming weeks.

Let's take a closer look at some of the activities and events for the month of May!

Social Events

The Speaker Series will be welcoming back B.J. Jarvis and Steven Davis. They will share the stage and lead discussions on how to make sure that you are creating the most Florida-friendly landscape possible surrounding your house.

The Hampton Room is the place to be on Wednesday, May 10. Singer, impressionist, and comedian Donna Moore will be performing her famous impersonations of all of your favorite divas like Marilyn Monroe, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, and Cher! Dinner for this event starts at 6:30 pm with the show following at 7:15 pm.

This month's Trivia Challenge will take place on Tuesday, May 16. "The Crocs" were the big winners last month, but the May challenge is anyone's game!

Friday, May 19 will be the start of the Flicks & Floats Summertime Movie Series. This fun event combines two of our favorite things: the Activity Center Pool and great movies! This month, the movie will be “Allied”, and you can watch it on the big screen from the pool or one of the surrounding lounge chairs!

Golf & Tennis

There will be a Cinco De Mayo Open tournament on Saturday, May 6 on the Oaks Course. This event early in the month will make a great tune-up for the Men's Better Ball Major Event on May 8 and the Memorial Day Tournament on May 29.

If you need to improve your game, golf pro Wayne Larson will be hosting Free Golf Clinics for beginners on May 1, 2, and 3. Then he will be back for intermediate clinics on May 9, 16, and 23.

This month's Free Beginner's Tennis Clinic is scheduled for Tuesday, May 9 at 11 am at the Skyview Tennis Center. If you are considering learning to play tennis over the summer, this is the perfect place to get started.

Dinner Specials

Saturday, May 6 is the Kentucky Derby, and the Tiki Bar is celebrating with a great selection of specialty drinks like the Mint Julep, Grey Goose Oaks Lilly, and Stella Artois Cimosa! Don't forget to break out your best hat for the race!

The Tiki Bar will be hosting Oldies with Elvis night on Thursday, May 11. This fun evening will feature live music from a special guest, as well as drink specials like The Elvis Presley Cocktail, Blue Hawaiian, and A Velvet Elvis.

If you are looking to celebrate Mother's Day on May 14 or Memorial Day on May 29, you can do so by enjoying great meals from either Skyview Restaurant or The Grille on Mother's Day. Then there will be cookout specials at Skyview Restaurant and the Tiki Bar on Memorial Day.

Enjoy the month of May!

April Activities and Events at the Villages of Citrus Hills

We are already cruising into the month of April here in 2017. They say that April showers bring May flowers, but here at the Villages of Citrus Hills, we shoot for great weather every day no matter what month it is, and we don't expect April to be any different.

If you are looking for some fun and exciting ways to fill your calendar this month, the Activity Center staff has put together another schedule that is packed with interesting invitations.

Let's check out some of the fun activities and events coming up!

Social Events

One of the first social events this month is the Broadway & Beyond Dinner Show on Thursday, April 6 in the Hampton Room. Doors for this event open at 5 pm, and a dinner featuring Boursin-Stuffed Chicken Breast and Sliced Prime Rib is scheduled for 5:30 pm. After dinner, Mary Jo Vitale will take the stage to perform a selection of Broadway hits and some light opera classics.

Speaking of opera, the Citrus Hills Vacationers Club will be sponsoring a trip to the opera in Tampa on Sunday, April 9. This trip to the Straz will be for the matinee performance of Giacomo Puccini's famous Tosca.

There will be a special Seder Dinner event on Monday, April 10 in the Windsor Room. The menu for this meal will feature a choice of Beef Brisket or Roasted Chicken, as well as Matzo Ball Soup, Tsimis, Kugel, Green Beans, and Sponge Cake.

Another holiday tradition happening at the Villages of Citrus Hills this month is the annual Easter Egg Hunt in the Hampton Room that is scheduled for Saturday, April 15 at 9 am. This is a great event to bring your grandchildren, as there will be face painting, coloring stations, a magic show, and even an appearance by the Easter Bunny himself.

The Brentwood Bullies were the winners of the February Trivia Challenge, but that title is up for grabs again on Tuesday, April 18. If you think you have the skills to take down the champs, put together your team and we'll see you in the Hampton Room!

Arts & Education

It's going to be a busy month for the Speaker Series, and it will kick off on Tuesday, April 4 with a talk led by representatives of The Greener Side Haven. They will be talking about the different ways that your pet trusts you, and also giving some information about their work in rescuing abused animals.

Wednesday, April 12 will be another pet-related Speaker Series event. This one features Dr. Victoria Schad and Dr. Alli Fritz discussing topics about common behavioral issues and the importance of non-core vaccines.

Ricky Barlow from Merrill Lynch Bank of America and Susan Wood from Pacific Life will be in the Activity Center Auditorium on Wednesday, April 19 discussing all of the ins and outs regarding social security benefits and how to make the best financial decisions during your retirement years.

The final education event of the month is more of a fundraiser. On April 27, there will be an LBDC Benefit Luncheon in the Garden Room. The special guest speaker will be Cardiologist Nishant K. Newell, MD. $5 of each ticket sold for this event will benefit the American Heart Association.

Golf & Tennis

The two big golf events scheduled for April are the 2017 Skyview Men's Match Play Championship on April 3 and 4, and the Citrus Hills Ladies' Club Championship on April 17 and 18. Both of these events are the type of tournament that our serious golfers have been planning for all winter.

If you are looking for a more relaxed golf event, the Jelly Bean Open is scheduled for an 8:30 am start on Saturday, April 8 on The Oaks course. Make sure you bring your Easter Bunny ears for this one!

Anyone looking to improve their golf game can take advantage of the Free Golf Clinics with Golf Pro Wayne Larsen. This month, Wayne will be helping beginners on April 3, 4, and 5. Then he will be helping intermediate golfers on April 11, 18, and 25.

Over at the Skyview Tennis Center, there will be a Free Beginner Tennis Clinic on Tuesday, April 11. Then you can put those skills to work at the Tennis Burger Bash mixed doubles tournament on Sunday, April 30.

Dinner Specials

The biggest dinner special of the month is going to be the Easter Dinner at Skyview Restaurant and The Grille. On Sunday, April 16, Skyview will be serving delicious a la carte meals from 12 pm to 5 pm. During that same time, The Grille will be hosting a fabulous buffet featuring Prime Rib, Baked Ham, Chicken, and Salmon.

Tuesday, April 11 will also be a big night for dinner specials here at the Villages of Citrus Hills. Skyview Restaurant will be serving a special Surf & Turf menu, while The Grille is having their Wild Game Night.

BellaVita  

If you can find some time for yourself during the busy month of April, you might also want to check out specials like the Revitalizing Cream Peel Facial and the Shellac Spa Manicure at BellaVita Spa.

We hope you have a wonderful month full of fun and excitement!