Leisureville, The Book

[Jimm99]

Hi, I just finished reading Leisureville and I was wondering how true to life is it. It seems that the author is a New England liberal and he had an agenda when he wrote the book. He has an obsession with "sex" in that he wrote a lot about "Mr. Midnight" and his friends who only had one thing on their mind and were acting on their animal instincts with no self control. The author wrote about the person going through a sex change operation and about the wine club. Does anybody in TV land know these characters from the book. The author had a lot of disparaging remarks about the TV owner and his family. What do the residents think about Mr. Morse? The author didn't like the idea of not allowing children to live in TV. I think that what makes TV unique. I am thinking of moving to TV someday but if TV is going to be "Sin City", I am having second thoughts since I don't agree with all the sexapades that is going on. I know I won't be visting Katie Belle anytime soon.

[katezbox]

Hi, I just finished reading Leisureville and I was wondering how true to life is it. It seems that the author is a New England liberal and he had an agenda when he wrote the book. He has an obsession with "sex" in that he wrote a lot about "Mr. Midnight" and his friends who only had one thing on their mind and were acting on their animal instincts with no self control. The author wrote about the person going through a sex change operation and about the wine club. Does anybody in TV land know these characters from the book. The author had a lot of disparaging remarks about the TV owner and his family. What do the residents think about Mr. Morse? The author didn't like the idea of not allowing children to live in TV. I think that what makes TV unique. I am thinking of moving to TV someday but if TV is going to be "Sin City", I am having second thoughts since I don't agree with all the sexapades that is going on. I know I won't be visting Katie Belle anytime soon.

Hi,

As someone from the Northeast, I don't like being typecast. I also wonder why you won't visit Katie Belle's. I am sure there is some "pick up" activity going on there as described in the book - but have never seen myself. I have had great times there with friends where we listened to GREAT music (particularly Rocky and The Rollers and Mary Jo Vitale (sp)) - and no swapping or other type of "Sin City" activities.

The Morse family has made a fortune by visualizing and executing on the concept of The Villages. Some people resent this - I think that those who "build a better mousetrap" deserve to reap the rewards.

K

[handieman]

Hi, I just finished reading Leisureville and I was wondering how true to life is it. It seems that the author is a New England liberal and he had an agenda when he wrote the book. He has an obsession with "sex" in that he wrote a lot about "Mr. Midnight" and his friends who only had one thing on their mind and were acting on their animal instincts with no self control. The author wrote about the person going through a sex change operation and about the wine club. Does anybody in TV land know these characters from the book. The author had a lot of disparaging remarks about the TV owner and his family. What do the residents think about Mr. Morse? The author didn't like the idea of not allowing children to live in TV. I think that what makes TV unique. I am thinking of moving to TV someday but if TV is going to be "Sin City", I am having second thoughts since I don't agree with all the sexapades that is going on. I know I won't be visting Katie Belle anytime soon.

There has been words upon words written about this disgusting book (IMHO). Would it sell if it described the Villages as another ordinary senior citizens community? Of course not, sensational sells (see todays media)
The Villages is what you make it. It's a safe place to enjoy your peers for whatever you have in mind. Forget the smut you read and come down and drink the water. With a population of 70,000 plus, I'm sure you will find friends that meet your standards. I speak with experience that I found paradise here and it abounds with wonderful people.
Handie

[Number 6]

As a Village resident I thought it was a pretty good read and would recomend it. Having said that, I enjoyed the Harry Potter series, as well. Both are pretty good works of fiction. As was said in a population of 70,000 you will find all kinds, but on balance this is a very, very friendly place. No, that's not what I ment.
I do disagree with his main premise. He states that the seniors "owe" it to the younger gereration to stay in their communities and help educate the next generatlions. Read into that, he begrudges anyone who has enough success to get away from a youth orientated culture.
Who knows whether or not Mr. Midnight exists or not. Who really cares. Harry Potter is a fictional character as well.
Handiman, how is the Preforming Arts Center working out after the remodel? I was there at the first opening night back in 198??

[collie1228]

Handie, I think you broke the code. If Captain Midnight didn't exist in real life, this author had no choice but to create him, otherwise how much buzz could you generate over a book about a bunch of senior citizens? And buzz sells books, not stories about 70,000 reasonably happy middle-class people. That being said, it is a pretty interesting read, despite the obvious agenda(s) of the author.

[SteveFromNY]

Right on Handie! Nobody would read the book about my life there, that's for sure!

[Boomer]

You know, out of all those 70,000 plus people in TV, my guess is there's a pathetic ol' horndawg or two, and those bad girls from high school have to be living somewhere now. But so what. It's a great big place. And I only met really nice people when I was in TV. There are really nice people all over the place in TV.

Re. the book, I did not think it was all sex. But he had to throw some in there, of course. And it is the part everybody talks about it seems.

Now, I am going to reveal a little trick that you can use on a library copy of Leisureville if you don't want to read the whole book, but you want to know what all the scandal is about. Here is what you do:

1. Go to the library.

2. Find a copy of Leisureville that has been checked out a whole big bunch of times. The more checkouts the better.

3. Hold the book up in the palm of your hand, balancing it on just its spine. The book will open.

4. If the copy is well-worn, those pages will open right up to the dirty part.

5. Stop wondering what librarians do all day.

Boomer

[Bryan]

I thought Leisureville was a good read. I learned a few things about TV from it and also recognized some obvious fabrications designed to sell books. I certainly did not agree with everything the author said but I did agree with some of it. He does seem to be a little harsh on the Morse family and their interference with local politics. My cut is that they had a great idea initially, executed it very well, made a lot of money, but now maybe are a little too driven by $$$$$ and are taking unfair advantage of their position both in TV and in Sumter County. If you make your decision of whether to move to TV or not based solely on Leisureville, you are making a big mistake. Gather all the info you can (leisureville being one source of info), visit, look, listen, learn, and make your own INFORMED decision. Odds are you will love TV.

[senior citizen]

I think you are going to help sell a lot of copies of that book (if it's available on amazon.com).

Not all New Englanders are liberal; most are extremely conservative. Believe me.

Last winter there was mention in a newspaper article about the "swingers" at The Villages. Holy Moley. The article will either attract more of the same while detracting those who wonder why is everyone so darn happy or, people will just use their New England common sense and make their own decisions after several visits.

I notice no one has answered my question regarding the apparent "abundance" of violent crime in the Orlando area as reported by the Orlando Sentinal newspaper (read daily for the past six months to keep up with the Casey Anthony / Caylee Anthony murder one case). We do not have the Florida "sunshine laws" in Vermont, thus, have no clue as to the particulars of a case until it goes to trial......thus assuring a fair trial (innocent until proven guilty rather than being tried by the media and the local yokals). However, I would like to know (seriously) if those in TV live in a "bubble" or are impacted by the crime in Florida when they leave the TV area? We vacationed alot in Florida but never truly realized the amount of violent crime occuring on a daily basis, not to mention death by auto.
Thank you all in advance for any insights. Appreciate it.

[Taltarzac]

...are about as common here in the Villages as holes-in-one. They happen and get some attention but are not all that common.


The author of Leisureville also missed all the kids that visit the Villages as well as seemed to neglect the various activities that the Villages put on for grandparents and their kids.

Also do not forget the trips to visit the grandkids is a big topic of conversation in many Village venues.

Have to remember that Andrew Blechman was here in TV for about a month in December of 2005 as far as I can tell from reading Leisureville. That does not give him that much credibility IMHO.

[Russ_Boston]

I notice no one has answered my question regarding the apparent "abundance" of violent crime in the Orlando area as reported by the Orlando Sentinal newspaper (

I don't live in TV yet but from my take on crime in TV it is mostly of the non-violent type (break ins etc.). There was one murder about two years ago but that was not a random type (maybe someone can put a link to that? I forgot the name of the person or village).

I'm moving there knowing that there is no such thing as a crime proof area but also knowing that it is NOT Orlando!

[senior citizen]

x

[katezbox]

The Villages ia a very nice concept, to say the least. However, 70,000 population does not really constitute a village. More like 1,500 to 5,000 people? I do believe it is an excellent "option" for those still trying to make a decision. I notice a lot of Mainiacs onboard who are leaving Maine. Do you plan to keep a summer cottage up there as well? Our first retirement choice is Maine due to the water..........; still checking out The Villages.
Appreciate everyone's input. Indeed, a very friendly bunch of helpful souls.[/QUOTE]

Hi Senior,

I can't comment much on the crime - we move to TV next month. However, being a pretty-much life-long New Englander-I realize that that some of us did live in a bubble of beautiful towns and low crime. However, in nearby cities, crime flourished.

My husband's family comes from Port Clyde. They have been ship's captains for generations and the tie is strong. We plan to spend part of each summer up there once we retire - but I could not handle the cold of the winters.

There is definitely crime outside of TV as well. However, IMHO the Sentinel is a publication that hypes anything that will sell copies - even if they have to set aside balanced reporting.

Lastly, The Villages is comprised of about 26 separate "villages" - so the average population of each is more in line with a small town.

Kate

[graciegirl]

Fortunatly Orlando is about an hour away.

We have had some break in's recently and I read in the Daily Sun this morning that two men, brothers, were arrested for stealing golf clubs from someone's cart. (Due to cooperation among some sharp eyed villagers, they were caught with the goods!)

I feel very safe here. When you visit I feel that you will see that it is a very calm, well taken care of place, and if people are having wild times, I don't see it. Katie Belles is completely safe and you will love the squares as well.

[senior citizen]

x

[senior citizen]

Thank you Gracie. I believe you.

[Taltarzac]

I don't live in TV yet but from my take on crime in TV it is mostly of the non-violent type (break ins etc.). There was one murder about two years ago but that was not a random type (maybe someone can put a link to that? I forgot the name of the person or village).

I'm moving there knowing that there is no such thing as a crime proof area but also knowing that it is NOT Orlando!

http://rightinflorida.blogspot.com/2007/10/murder-in-villages-justice-begins.html

I remember a shooting in TV a few years back at one of the postal centers. Think this was a jealous boyfriend or something like that. I do not recall if there were any injuries though??

[Alex]

I just moved from The Villages after having a home there for many many years. There were many reasons (amenity fees, bonds, houses too close together )but crime was one of them. The Villages is in no way gated. There is more and more crime in there.
Before you buy in The Villages check out places in Ocala, Leesburg, Summerfield. There are many nice communities in the area. Do your research.

[Dirigo]

I notice a lot of Mainiacs onboard who are leaving Maine. Do you plan to keep a summer cottage up there as well?

Maine is cold and dark in winter, glorious in summer. As I no longer partake of the large variety of winter activities available in my home state, I will be moving to a warmer climate when I retire. I'm tired of wearing heavy clothes just to spend some time outside.

Keeping a summer cottage in Maine is not as easy as it sounds. The average basic cottage in Maine (on a decent body of water) will set you back as much as a designer house in TV. And the property taxes are high and getting higher every year.

We'll probably rent a place in Maine for the summer months, or we may travel instead.

Dirigo

[Russ_Boston]

I just moved from The Villages after having a home there for many many years.

Surprised to hear that you moved. I could have sworn that I saw you and your better half in the TOTV lunch video taken last Friday? Just visiting?

Good luck in your new home.

[JohnN]

The Villages is by no means affected by Orlando, nor is it the crime mecca of the southeast, that's bizarre if anyone would suggest there's all sorts of crime

[alemorkam]

Interesting read:throwtomatoes:

[salpal]

I think the only truth I found in this book was the fact that when we seniors leave our communities, there is a void. We are the ones more likely to do volunteer work, etc.