April Activities and Events at the Villages of Citrus Hills

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.  

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 

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 

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 

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 

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.

March Activities and Events at the Villages of Citrus Hills

While March Madness is most commonly meant to describe the wild action of the annual NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, it is also a fitting description for everything happening around the Villages of Citrus Hills this month. The folks at the Activity Center are really pulling out all of the stops to keep us all moving as we officially head into Spring 2019.  

Whether you’re looking for fun social events, exciting learning opportunities, competitive sporting competitions, or delicious dinner specials, you can find all of that and more around our community this month. Let's jump in and take a closer look as some of the events you are going to want to mark on your calendar.  

Social Events

A favorite local rock band, Rocky and the Rollers, will be performing in the Hampton Room for the Sock Hop on Tuesday, March 5. This dance party will feature a cash bar, and themed dress is encouraged but not required, so don't hesitate to break out those leather jackets and poodle skirts.

 One social event that will be taking place outside of the community this month will be the Deep Sea Fishing Excursion to Tarpon Springs on Sunday, March 10. This trip will take members out on a massive 85-foot cruiser for some of the best fishing in the world.  

You won't want to miss the Dinner Show with Marc Black the following week on Tuesday, March 12. Learn the history of music with the award-winning musician who toured with the Doors, Van Morrison and more. The dinner will include Caprese-Stuffed Chicken and Roast Pork Loin Dijonnaise.  

All of our local trivia junkies will be back in action for Tasty Trivia Tuesday on Tuesday, March 19. This month's theme is "movies," and the dinner will feature London Broil with Mushroom Sauce and Baked Haddock.  

Art & Education 

Steven Davis will be the speaker for this month's Florida-Friendly Landscaping Seminar on Thursday, March 14 at 1 pm. Steven is the Florida-Friendly Landscaping Coordinator for the Citrus County Department of Water Resources, and he will be leading a discussion on how to incorporate Florida-friendly landscaping practices into your yard.  

Doc Talk will also be back this month with a lecture from Dr. Gerilyn E. Cross in the Activity Center Auditorium on Wednesday, March 27 at 6 pm. Dr. Cross will be presenting a wide range of information concerning hormone health and how it relates to different types of diseases.  

Local crafters will have their creations on display at the Spring Farmers' Market & Craft Fair on Sunday, March 31 from 10 am to 2 pm in the Activity Center Parking Lot.

This is one of the can't-miss attractions each and every year. Gourmet foods, craft and live entertainment by Mark Welzel. 

Golf & Tennis 

This month's golf calendar is going to start out with a fun one when the Four-Leaf Clover Open gets going on The Meadows course at 8:30 am on Saturday, March 2. Everyone involved will get to play their round and enjoy lunch afterwards.  

Things will get much more competitive on March 6 and 7 when the 2019 Skyview Ladies' Club Championship tees off. This two-day stroke play event will be flighted by handicaps and is open to all female Skyview Golf Members.  

The Citrus Hills courses will be hosting their own competitive event later in the month with the Citrus Hills Couples Championship on March 14 and 15. This will be a 36-hole better hall tournament open to all Citrus Hills gold and social members.  

The Skyview Tennis Center is also going to be busy this month, and that will start with their Free Beginner's Tennis Clinic on Tuesday, March 12 at 11 am. Then there will be a Spring Break Tennis Social on Sunday, March 24 that will include mixed doubles from 1 pm to 3 pm followed by lunch and beverages.  

Dinner Specials

Skyview Restaurant is pulling out all the stops with their dinner specials this month. You can enjoy an Asian Night Buffet on Tuesday, March 5, Lobsterfest on Saturday, March 9, an American Wine Dinner on Monday, March 11, and Foods of the Forgotten Coast on Thursday March 14.  

There will also be a St. Patrick's Day Dinner at Skyview Restaurant on Sunday, March 17 that will feature Slow-Cooked Corned Beef and Cabbage, Baked Cod, Irish Bangers and Mash, and Stout Braised Lamb Shanks.

The Grille will also be going all out for St. Patricks Day with specials like Irish Stew, Black and Tan Pork, Corned Beef & Cabbage, Scallop Pie, Roasted Lamb Shanks, and Lamb Shepherd's Pie.

BellaVita

And if you happen to find any quiet time for yourself during this busy month, you should also plan on heading down to BellaVita Spa. They will be running a 24 Karat Gold Revitalizer Facial and a Wrapping-Up Winter Massage Special this month.

With so much to do this month, you’ll have to pick and choose which events are the ones that deserve a spot on your calendar. Good luck deciding, and have fun at whichever activities you choose to attend!

7 Citrus Hills Themed New Year's Resolutions for 2019

Whether you’re ready for it or not, 2019 has arrived, and we are all planning for it to be the best year ever here at the Villages of Citrus Hills.  

And if you have not yet committed to picking a resolution for the new year, we have put together a few Citrus Hills themed suggestions that will help you get more out of your fabulous life here along Florida's Nature Coast.  

Attend More Social Events 

Spending more time with friends and neighbors is one of the most popular New Year's Resolutions here at the Villages of Citrus Hills, but we suggest taking that idea one step farther and committing to attending more of our regular social events throughout the year.  

There are dozens of fun and exciting events happening every month around the community and making a point to attend as many of them as possible is a great way to fill up your social calendar while spending quality time with friends and neighbors.

Dinners with Friends 

In addition to attending the many social events happening around our community throughout the month, you can also spend more time with friends and neighbors by planning a regular dinner at Skyview Restaurant, The Grille, or the Tiki Bar.  

This can be an extra special resolution if you can get a group of friends to all commit to meeting for dinner on a specific day each month.  

Join a Class at PrimoVita 

Another popular resolution is to work on getting yourself into better shape, and there are tons of fun options to help you out with that in the form of exercise classes at the PrimoVita Fitness Center.  

Whether you are looking for beginner Pilates or advanced yoga, there is a class that is perfect for everybody who is looking to improve their fitness in 2019.  

Hit the Range More Often 

If improving your golf game is high on your list for the coming year, a great New Year's resolution that you can make is to put a priority on getting yourself to the Skyview Driving Range more frequently.  

Like most resolutions, this one will be more powerful if you attach real numbers to it, so pick a specific number of times you want to hit the range each week or month and hold yourself to it.

 Read Good Books at the Pool 

Reading more books is also a popular resolution, and the pools throughout the Villages of Citrus Hills are perfect places to kick back with a good one.  

The Coffee Shop is another popular spot to catch up with your reading or a friend. 

Pick Up a New Hobby 

If you would like to bring a new hobby into your life this year, there are quite a few excellent clubs to choose from that meet regularly all over the Villages of Citrus Hills.  

We have everything from Bocce to Wood Carving, and all you have to do is call up the club leader for more information. 

Plan a Trip 

For members who are looking to add a little more excitement to their lives in 2019, we recommend checking out some of the exciting trips that the Citrus Hills Vacationers Club has planned for the coming year.  

And if you can't find anything there that excites you, there are dozens of day and weekend trips that we have profiled on the blog over the years.  

You can't put it off any longer. 2019 has arrived, and just like 2018 it will fly by before you know it. Make sure you get the most out of the new year by making a resolution to take advantage of all that there is to see and do here at the Villages of Citrus Hills!

December Activities and Events at the Villages of Citrus Hills

It's the most wonderful time of the year here at The Villages of Citrus Hills, and we are rolling right into a jam-packed month of December that is going to be filled with all kinds of holiday fun.  

Whether you are looking for fun things to do with friends and family, opportunities to get out and learn something new, a little competition, or just a great meal, we have the best of the best activities and events happening around the community this month.  

Social Events

The first big event of the month will be the Hanukkah Party on Tuesday, December 4 in the Hampton Room. This special party to celebrate the festival of lights will feature tray-passed hors d'oeuvres, a Mediterranean platter, and a pasta bar.  

On Monday, December 10, the Citrus Hills Vacationers Club will be taking a group down to Tampa to see our Lightning host the New York Rangers at 7:30 pm. Tickets for this event are $145 per member, and that includes great seats and round-trip transportation.

The second biggest social event of the month will be the Holiday in the Hills Golf Cart Parade that is scheduled for Sunday, December 16. Everyone is encouraged to decorate their golf carts for the holidays and join in the parade from the Activity Center

down to Skyview Restaurant for an awards banquet.  

And the only reason that the Golf Cart Parade is the second biggest social event of the month is that there will be an even bigger party happening in the Hampton Room on New Year's Eve. Tickets are still available for this fun evening that will include appetizers, a full dinner buffet, live music, and a champagne toast at midnight.  

Arts & Education

The Citrus Hills Speaker Series will be back in the Activity Center on Friday, December 7 when we will be welcoming Veteran Frank Jolliff. He will be discussing the book he published about his time in Vietnam starting at 5:30 pm.  

On Wednesday, December 19, Steven Davis will be discussing Florida-Friendly Landscaping in the Activity Center as part of the Citrus Hills Seminar Series. Everyone who attends the event will learn all of the basics of landscaping practices that work best here in Florida.  

Looking ahead to January, Gayle Cohen will be returning to lead a regular seminar discussing The Healing Power of Music and how you can use her tips to lift and heal your body, mind, and spirit.  

Golf & Tennis

Most golfers tend to slow down a bit over the holidays, but this can actually be the perfect time to work on your game in between the two halves of our season here at The Villages of Citrus Hills. So, make sure that you are still booking your tee times! 

The two big golf events this month will be the St. Nick Open at The Oaks course on Saturday, December 8 and the Husband and Wife Championship at Skyview on Monday, December 10.  

In addition to those fun tournaments, there is a new "Newbie" Nine-Hole League starting up on Thursdays at The Meadows course, and PGA Pro Mary Spinkard will be hosting her usual Free Golf Clinics throughout the month.  

December is also a great month to get involved at the Skyview Tennis Center, and they will be hosting a Free Beginner Tennis Clinic on Tuesday, December 11 at 11 am. There will be a sale on all tennis apparel at the Skyview Tennis Center throughout the month of December.  

Dinner Specials

Our community restaurants are also getting into the holiday spirit this month, and Skyview Restaurant is going to be celebrating the season with their 10th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Special Event on Tuesday, December 4 and a Members'

Holiday Party on Tuesday,  December 11. Both events will feature holiday themed buffets.  

Members will also want to hit The Grille on Saturday, December 15 for their Ugly Christmas Sweater Party. In addition to great food and drink specials, there will also be a holiday sing-a-long and some special surprises. 

BellaVita

And, if you are looking to pamper yourself during the holidays, BellaVita Spa has December specials like a Perfect Appearance Dermalife Facial, a Cranberry Spa Pedicure, and a Holiday Massage Special.  

It doesn't matter which events you are most excited for this month; the important thing is that you make a point to enjoy them and spend as much time as possible with friends and family. Have a great month and we'll have more events from the Activity Center staff in the New Year!

November Activities and Events at the Villages of Citrus Hills

It feels like just last week that things finally started cooling off from the summer months, but believe it or not, we are already rolling right into November and the start of the holiday season. And just like every month here at the Villages of Citrus Hills, the hard workers at the Activity Center have put together an activities and events calendar that is packed with fun things to keep you busy. 

Whether you are looking for fun social events to enjoy with friends, competitive golf and tennis tournaments, or just some great dinner specials, we have it all on our calendar this month. Let's jump in and take a closer look at some of the highlights that you aren't going to want to miss in November.  

Social Events

The first big social event of the month will be the Veterans Day Dinner Dance in the Hampton Room on Sunday, November 11. The cash bar will open up at 5:30 pm with a buffet featuring Bourbon Salmon and Thinly Sliced Prime Rib following at 6:30 pm. There will also be live music by Lisa Beck from Rock Solid.  

On Tuesday, November 13, the Hampton Room will be hosting a dinner show that features vocalists Mary Jo Vitale and Clark Barrios performing your favorite hits from artists like Michael Buble, Barry Manilow, Billy Joel, Celine Dion, and Barbara Streisand. The dinner menu will include Prime Rib, Boursin-Stuffed Chicken, Green Beans Almondine, and Oven-Roasted Potatoes.  

The Shabbat Dinner Club will be meeting in the Garden Room on Friday, November 16 starting at 5:30 pm. This month, the meal will include your choice of Sliced Sirloin in Mushroom Sauce or Broiled Salmon in a Sherry Shallot Cream Sauce.

Auto enthusiasts won't want to miss the Third Annual Citrus Hills Car & Truck Show in the Activity Center Parking Lot on Sunday, November 18. This is going to be an all-day event running from 9 am through 3 pm, and it will feature great food, live music, and trophies for all of the best rides. 

Our local trivia buffs will be back in action on Tuesday, November 20 in the Hampton Room. This month, dinner will include Shepherd's Pie, Roast Pork Loin Dijonase, Rice Pilaf, and Broccoli with Red Pepper and Shallots.  

We will be closing out the month with one of the most popular events of the year. On Tuesday, November 27, the Hampton Room will be hosting the 14th Annual Holiday Boutique, which is the perfect place to buy all of those unique craft item gifts for everyone on your Christmas list.

 Golf & Tennis 

The Giving Thanks Open on Saturday, November 3 will be the first golf event of the month. There will be Men's, Ladies', Mixed, and Couples divisions with lots of food and beer available following the event at Citrus Hills.

Meanwhile, the Skyview courses will be hosting a Veterans Day Scramble on Sunday, November 11 and a two-day Major Event Men's Better Ball Tournament on November 27 and 28.  

Of course, if you are interested in ramping up your golf game, you can always attend one of the free golf clinics hosted by PGA/LPGA Teaching Professional Mary Slinkard. Clinics for beginners will be held on November 5, 6, and 7. Then, there will be clinics for intermediate golfers on November 13, 20, and 27.

Any tennis players who are interested in hitting the golf course will be thrilled to hear about the Tennis Players Golf Tournament at Skyview on Sunday, November 4. Players can choose to play either 9 or 18 holes, and there is a big party planned at the Tripp's house after the tournament.  

There will also be a Free Beginner Tennis Clinic for anyone interested in learning the basics of the game. All you have to do is show up at the Skyview Tennis Center wearing a pair of tennis shoes on Tuesday, November 13 and everything else will be handled for you.  

Dinner Specials 

The biggest dinner special of the year will be the Thanksgiving Dinner Specials at Skyview Restaurant and The Grille on Thursday, November 22. Both restaurants will be serving dinner from 12 pm to 5 pm with Skyview Restaurant putting together a four-course, choose-your-own-adventure-style meal and The Grille serving up a traditional Thanksgiving food buffet.  

Skyview Restaurant is also going to be the place to stop on the other four Thursdays in November when they will be running a unique Tapas Menu of small plates like Roasted Brussel Sprouts Trio, Grilled Lamb Chops, Fall Shrimp Scampi, and Roasted Butternut Squash Ravioli.  

In addition to all of the great activities and events happening around our community this month, you also might want to take advantage of specials like a V-Neck Soothing Facial or a Pumpkin Spice Spa Pedicure at BellaVita Spa.  

And if you are already planning ahead for December, don't forget about the big trip to Tampa to see the Buccaneers on Sunday, December 2 or the exciting New Year's Eve party that will be happening in the Hampton Room!