Dick Betts The Villages, Florida

I promise starting tomorrow I will get serious about Lifestyle and Real Estate in The Villages, when you write 365 articles a year I believe I can goof off now and then!New Year’s Resolutions, many of us make them and according to surveys 88% of us fail within the first 2 weeks.  Only 8% of us ma...

I enjoy doing a search for off the wall topics, plus it can make great conversation.  Let’s start in the Philippines, wear a Polka-Dotted Dress.  In Denmark jump off a chair probably not a good idea for the average Villager.  Columbia, South American carry around an empty suitcase. We are boring ...

I have heard from many this is the year they are coming to The Villages, Florida to see what this place is all about.  My advice is don’t focus on a home, an area based on what you have been reading on social media or hearing opinions of others.  Here are some tips I feel will help you learn what...

About four days a year we have a frost or freeze warning here in The Villages.  You need a plan to cover some of your plants that are not hardy enough to withstand the cold temperatures.  Potted plants are easy as you bring into the garage which we have many of them.  Knowing your plants is impor...

The Villages is golf cart crazy, don’t believe me just go to one of the squares in the evening.  Golf carts pull into the curb so they can line the street with more carts.  Problem what do you do here when temps fall to the 50’s and 60’s on those cold winter nights?  You put the sides down or som...

It is estimated that the population of The Villages, Florida sees an increase of 30% in January, February, and March.  Based on population of 155,000 that is about 46,500 people converging on this Central Florida community.  I am ok with that because many of them are my friends and we would not h...

So many of us here in Florida have families in the Northeast and head there for the holidays every December.  Problem everybody comes back after Christmas and many drive and the main route back I-95.  I have been in the Northeast for Christmas and trying to pick just the right time to leave is th...

It has been a blessed year for me with so many wonderful people entering my life.  Many of you I met here thanks to my articles and blogs who now I call friends!  I like to supply you with little known facts to share when conversations are either lacking or you need to quickly change the subject....

As a young boy growing up in a small Pennsylvania town we had a family tradition on Christmas Eve.  Mostly walking the few blocks to our church which was built around 1900 for the service.  The smell of real wax candles and the sound of the pipe organ playing Christmas Carols.  After church walki...

I’m out of here, well for a week!  We are both excited to be traveling to see my boys and their families.  After 20 years of being a Road Warrior spending most of my time in planes, trains and hotels it is nice for an occasional trip.  Groome Shuttle to Orlando airport, direct flight to Philadelp...