we have gone to several talks put on by the county extension and that is the place to go for accurate info about plants and plant care. Many plants (including palms) that are sold in this area, including by landscapers will not survive the frosts that typically hit here each year. At one of the gardening talks I went to, not sure if it was the twice on Tuesday or extension talk they mentioned this inaccurate claim.
this florida friendly landscaping is an excellent place to start, and has lists of their plant clinics and talks
Florida Yards and Neighborhoods - Sumter County Extension Office
The Villages New Resident Workshops:
*3rd Tuesdays of the Month - 9 AM - 11 AM
*The Colony Cottage Recreation Center
this is from the sumter co website, I would check the rec news or call colony to make sure it was being held.