Author of "Leasureville" speaks

[Toymeister]

Podcast of Boston station covering the same sensational headline inaccuracies reported by Belchman, author of the book. It is interesting to hear him speak. Although he is not that young. He certainly sounds like he should be in one of the anti establishment protests that I see on TV. Extra Sauce Episode 9: Elderly Debauchery At The Villages With Author Andrew Blechman And Making "Roadrunner" The New State Rock Song With Rep. David Linsky | WAAF (http://www.waaf.com/media/audio-channel/extra-sauce-episode-9-elderly-debauchery-villages-author-andrew-blechman-and)

[Taltarzac725]

Podcast of Boston station covering the same sensational headline inaccuracies reported by Belkman, author of the book. It is interesting to hear him speak. Although he is not that young. He certainly sounds like he should be in one of the anti establishment protests that I see on TV. Extra Sauce Episode 9: Elderly Debauchery At The Villages With Author Andrew Blechman And Making "Roadrunner" The New State Rock Song With Rep. David Linsky | WAAF (http://www.waaf.com/media/audio-channel/extra-sauce-episode-9-elderly-debauchery-villages-author-andrew-blechman-and)

Have seen little elderly debauchery while we have been here since June 2005 except maybe for what was in his book and what makes the papers. Granted there is probably some more going on that never gets news coverage but that's human nature for some to look for affection, status or sex from people other than their spouses. He mostly seemed to want to sell books by making the Villages a lot more lively than it is except in the private homes of married consenting adults, dating singles, divorcees looking for love, etc.

[Topspinmo]

What load of crap. The majority is not 50s and early 60s. Majority don't go to squares, get drunk every night , or get DWIs. If you was drunk or leg flapper before you got here, your damn sure going be drunk and easy here.

He's full of Shyt and put his imagination into his book. Which what most authors do, spice it up so it might sell. Some books are good for when toilet paper runs out. IMO the guy out right lair all for his book sale so he can sit on his A$$ think up his next big cartoon story.

[manaboutown]

What a couple of jerks show! A mountain of disinformation and snide comments. Ugh!

[graciegirl]

My response to Blechman???





Blech!!!!

[RickeyD]

///

[Retiring]

It’s misinformation like this that has forced me to not tell friends or family where I’m retiring. When I’ve mentioned TV to friends in Orlando or Tampa I get responses like “that’s where they have sex on the town squares” or “that’s the non-stop orgy place” or “did you know that’s the STD capital of the world.” They win, I no longer say The Villages. They believe channel 2, or the paper, or the podcasts, before they believe me. It was in the news so it must be true.

Frustrating.

[pauld315]

It’s misinformation like this that has forced me to not tell friends or family where I’m retiring. When I’ve mentioned TV to friends in Orlando or Tampa I get responses like “that’s where they have sex on the town squares” or “that’s the non-stop orgy place” or “did you know that’s the STD capital of the world.” They win, I no longer say The Villages. They believe channel 2, or the paper, or the podcasts, before they believe me. It was in the news so it must be true.

Frustrating.

I don't let it bother me. I tell them all where I am retiring and if they say anything I just tell them to not believe everything they read and invite them to come visit sometime and stay with us. I honestly don't care what they think they know.

[Taltarzac725]

I don't let it bother me. I tell them all where I am retiring and if they say anything I just tell them to not believe everything they read and invite them to come visit sometime and stay with us. I honestly don't care what they think they know.

Education counters mis-information quite well.

[rubicon]

while "its my name" is an important and worthy pursuit to protect for me I am not a bit concerned with this issue. Why

Most people are savvy enough to know this is a just person's need to hype up events in order to make a name and a living for him/themselves. It means nothing in either the short or long run. The same little scandals occur in their little corner of the world every hour of every day of the week. And they learned that it was non-existent or singular in occurrence

The best advice is to ignore it and by ignoring it you won't give it life.

Personal Best Regards:

[ColdNoMore]

Education counters mis-information quite well.

Sometimes.

It should, but as we've seen...some folks are not swayed by facts. :ohdear:

[golfing eagles]

I don't know where this "Leisureville" place is located, but it seems to be nowhere around here. Perhaps it should take its place with other similar fictional towns such as Peyton Place and Harper Valley

[Taltarzac725]

I don't know where this "Leisureville" place is located, but it seems to be nowhere around here. Perhaps it should take its place with other similar fictional towns such as Peyton Place and Harper Valley

The author was only here for two weeks around December of 2005 when King Kong was playing at the Old Mill Playhouse. He mentions the viewing room in Auditorium One there and seeing this movie.

I am sure there are some Mr. Midnights prowling our dance floors as well as some women looking for Mr. Good Bar. But those seem like a very small percentage of the people here in the Villages.

[Sandtrap328]

I always tell people I meet while on my many cruises that I am from The Villages. There are always some that have heard the stories perpetuated by the sensationalism.

I will give them a lascivious grin and say, "Yes, but we have fun in The Villages!"

After a good laugh, I 'fess up the truth as to how we really live in The Villages with the 365 days of entertainment at 3 town squares, 630 holes of golf, swimming pools, 90+ miles of golf cart trails, and neighbors helping neighbors.

[2BNTV]

Mr. Blech Man's book makes a good door stop.

He's trying to hype whatever he is selling or trying to stay relevant.

[rustyp]

I was at a family reunion and a distant cousin in law pulled me aside and whispered "is it true what they say about The Villages ?". I smiled and responded it's part of our silver sneeker program.

[Taltarzac725]

Mr. Blech Man's book makes a good door stop.

He's trying to hype whatever he is selling or trying to stay relevant.

Pigeons: The Fascinating Saga of the World's Most Revered and Reviled Bird - Andrew D. Blechman - Google Books (https://books.google.com/books/about/Pigeons.html?id=TVNuj8pmUKMC)

His Pigeons book was quite good and it looked like he researched it quite a bit.

I read his Leisureville book but skipped the salacious parts as Twila, Holly, Whit, Jane, Mary, Bill, Bill, Bill, Bob, Mary Kate, Carmel, Ed, Ed, George and many others told me about what they had read. His parts on the government of the Villages was more interesting. Holly was actually seeing red from the book.

[EPutnam1863]

My doctor in Melbourne, FL gave me a form to fill out, and on it was a question how often I had sex. I told her that was "nosey." She explained that due to the fact there was a high rate of STD in Florida, physicians were required to collect this kind of info. This was back in 2008, and things might have changed since then.

[twoplanekid]

He should be invited back for a sequel as the Villages has changed a lot since 2005.:icon_wink:

[Taltarzac725]

He should be invited back for a sequel as the Villages has changed a lot since 2005.:icon_wink:

You can talk to him on his web-site. I have. Andrew D. Blechman - author of LEISUREVILLE and PIGEONS (http://www.andrewblechman.com/)

A contact part will give you an e-mail address. Whether or not he replies is another matter. I tried to get him to look at TOTV but am not sure that he did. This was four years ago I believe.

[justjim]

It’s misinformation like this that has forced me to not tell friends or family where I’m retiring. When I’ve mentioned TV to friends in Orlando or Tampa I get responses like “that’s where they have sex on the town squares” or “that’s the non-stop orgy place” or “did you know that’s the STD capital of the world.” They win, I no longer say The Villages. They believe channel 2, or the paper, or the podcasts, before they believe me. It was in the news so it must be true.

Frustrating.

In the new media arena it's simply called "fake news". It's seems to be okay to outright lie about almost anything. It's been that way in the political area for sometime. People love to read the "stuff". Almost any checkout counter has the National Enquirer and many more
Similar publications. The "net" is full of fake news. Amazing how people want to believe that "junk". Maybe they don't really believe but just like to talk and fantasize about "stuff".

[golfing eagles]

My doctor in Melbourne, FL gave me a form to fill out, and on it was a question how often I had sex. I told her that was "nosey." She explained that due to the fact there was a high rate of STD in Florida, physicians were required to collect this kind of info. This was back in 2008, and things might have changed since then.

That's just plain BS. Physicians are NOT required to "collect" any such information. I think your first instinct of "nosey" was correct.

BTW, Florida is in the middle of the pack for STD rates---2013 had a rate of 407 (per 100,000 population) for chlamydia---low of 233 in NH and high of 774 in Miss., and 102 for GC---low of 8 in Wyoming and high of 231 in Miss.

From 2013 to 2015, the Florida rate of combined STDs was 555, again right about the national average, and Sumter County's rate was 223---so much for being the STD capital of the world.

FLHealthCHARTS Data Viewer (http://www.flhealthcharts.com/charts/OtherIndicators/NonVitalIndNoGrpDataViewer.aspx?cid=0203)

[manaboutown]

Although I found some remarkably interesting and useful facts about The Villages in the book much of it was written to promote his agenda which highlighted his bitterness toward retirees relocating from high cost of living, heavily taxed states to senior communities in lower cost of living areas. He wants seniors to remain in place to help pay for children's schools, community's parks, hospital maternity wards and so on. He spiced things up to titillate readers and generate notoriety to sell the book. Blechman managed to find a few folks of various ages living shall we say alternative lifestyles and wrote about them at undue length. He also unfortunately published the STD myth based on a misunderstood statement from Colleen McQuaid, a gynecologist... and it is a myth.

[Taltarzac725]

Although I found some remarkably interesting and useful facts about The Villages in the book much of it was written to promote his agenda which highlighted his bitterness toward retirees relocating from high cost of living, heavily taxed states to senior communities in lower cost of living areas. He wants seniors to remain in place to help pay for children's schools, community's parks, hospital maternity wards and so on. He spiced things up to titillate readers and generate notoriety to sell the book. Blechman managed to find a few folks of various ages living shall we say alternative lifestyles and wrote about them at undue length. He also unfortunately published the STD myth based on a misunderstood statement from Colleen McQuaid, a gynecologist... and it is a myth.

I kind of got the impression from the book that he wanted the grandparents to be around a great deal more to babysit their grand kids and volunteer in their communities. Worthwhile things but many Villagers volunteer their time in many worthwhile activities in Lake, Sumter and Marion Counties and also grand kids are here frequently as well.

And who needs all the slippery ice when you could really hurt yourself with an older than 30 body. Not to mention driving on black ice, snow shoveling your sidewalk and driveways, and all that extra laundry required from winter layered clothes.

Blechman did have some interesting points about the developers and the various districts.

[Allegiance]

All he wanted was to make money and exploit, I hope his original Neighbor has told him what a jerk he is. It almost comical when he said he went undercover, what did he wear a fake nose and mustache?

[graciegirl]

I kind of got the impression from the book that he wanted the grandparents to be around a great deal more to babysit their grand kids and volunteer in their communities. Worthwhile things but many Villagers volunteer their time in many worthwhile activities in Lake, Sumter and Marion Counties and also grand kids are here frequently as well.

And who needs all the slippery ice when you could really hurt yourself with an older than 30 body. Not to mention driving on black ice, snow shoveling your sidewalk and driveways, and all that extra laundry required from winter layered clothes.

Blechman did have some interesting points about the developers and the various districts.

The people that were the focus of his book and the people he supposedly visited here were not in any way related to his children. They were neighbors. Just to clear up that point.

[graciegirl]

Although I found some remarkably interesting and useful facts about The Villages in the book much of it was written to promote his agenda which highlighted his bitterness toward retirees relocating from high cost of living, heavily taxed states to senior communities in lower cost of living areas. He wants seniors to remain in place to help pay for children's schools, community's parks, hospital maternity wards and so on. He spiced things up to titillate readers and generate notoriety to sell the book. Blechman managed to find a few folks of various ages living shall we say alternative lifestyles and wrote about them at undue length. He also unfortunately published the STD myth based on a misunderstood statement from Colleen McQuaid, a gynecologist... and it is a myth.

Well said and totally accurate IMHO.

[graciegirl]

He should be invited back for a sequel as the Villages has changed a lot since 2005.:icon_wink:

No.

He is not a "journalist", he is a novelist. It is my opinion that he saw a book about The Villages as an opportunity to make money, which is not bad, but he embellished and flat out lied in many areas and smeared a bunch of folks who won't take lies about their home town and their sex lives and their values lying down.

If he returned, and wrote again, he would feature The SEX ON THE SQUARE because sex sells books.

Only if he were to live here as an older adult and allowed this lovely place to pound him on the head would we get a nice friendly wholesome and maybe completely positive take on our town and our way of life.

NO....he would not like the CDD part and he would vilify the Morse family as way too successful. That used to be called "jealous of another's financial success". I go back to my opinion of him as being BLECH!

[Taltarzac725]

The people that were the focus of his book and the people he supposedly visited here were not in any way related to his children. They were neighbors. Just to clear up that point.

Thanks for that clarification, graciegirl.

I assume his children are up in New England along with his parents.

[OldManTime]

I know "Mr. Midnight", and Blechman is right on target.

[Taltarzac725]

I know "Mr. Midnight", and Blechman is right on target.

Is he still alive and ....

[Allegiance]

Go to any community of 100k, hang out late at bars and you will find the one percenters.

[rustyp]

It's been a while since I read the book but if I recall right the author wrote quite a bit about his gay brother. How acceptance was so difficult that he sought safety by living in gay community. I remember thinking when I read Leisureville that maybe the author resented that certain aspects of society need to isolate and surround themselves with others akin themselves to survive. Also he did start the book out with how diverse his own neighborhood was. Now with my twisted little mind could it be that's what biased him against The Villages ? Although we think we are diverse from many walks of life in the past yet now we gathered together and fit basically the same mold.

[2BNTV]

If I remember correctly, the doctor said the STD rate was higher than the national average at that point in time.

Gracie is correct in saying that Bleckman was visiting his former neighbor's who lived across the street from him before moving to TV. He seemed perturbed they moved away to a place that did not have enough children in the community to suit his point of view.

His sensationalize account of Mr. Midnight made it sound like every male was exactly like him which did a great disservice to TV. Making it seem like the 1% is all of the male/female population of TV is having sex at all times of the day.

Dave Barry's book, "The Best State Ever" is much more accurate and funny than Blechman book will ever be.

My impression is that if one is going to write a book that is supposedly factual, one needs to do more research than a two week visit.

Shame on you Mr Blechman.

[FrankieDee]

Unfortunately i purchased the book hoping to get some information on the Villages. It was very disappointing with all the focus on things that in my opinion, after 2 years living here, have nothing to do with life in the villages. You'll surely find things like what he wrote in any size city of 100k people, but it's been so sensationalized - it's the first thing people say when you tell them you live in the villages. ohhh,, do you know it's the blah blah blah.... We don't even respond to comments like that, it's not worth it. It's just sad that such an untruthful book can stir up so much attention and all for reasons that don't exist......

[Barefoot]

In the new media arena it's simply called "fake news"... Almost any checkout counter has the National Enquirer and many more Similar publications. The "net" is full of fake news. Amazing how people want to believe that "junk". Maybe they don't really believe but just like to talk and fantasize about "stuff".

:agree: Leisureville is utter hogwash. :ohdear:

[Bavarian]

In the new media arena it's simply called "fake news". It's seems to be okay to outright lie about almost anything. It's been that way in the political area for sometime. People love to read the "stuff". Almost any checkout counter has the National Enquirer and many more
Similar publications. The "net" is full of fake news. Amazing how people want to believe that "junk". Maybe they don't really believe but just like to talk and fantasize about "stuff".

Without being political, the Spanish American War and The Mexican-American War wer caused by "Fake" news, nothing new, Remember The Maine.

[Moderator]

The topic of this thread is Leisureville. Please return to that discussion or the thread will be closed.

Moderator

[Bogie Shooter]

That's a good idea........

[simpkinp]

What is amazing is that Blechman is still being interviewed as an outside expert on life in The Villages! That book was not factual 12 years ago, but he is still milking it. It certainly does not represent my wonderful neighbors and friends.

[VApeople]

I read Leisureville and enjoyed it. I tried to understand Blechman's objections to age restricted communities like Sun City or TV. He thought age-diverse towns like his were more stable, with the old people dying and being replaced by middle-aged people, who were being replaced by younger people with children. Or something like that.

In our case, we have been here one year and we absolutely love it. We are friendly, fairly active seniors and, like ALL people, we enjoy being around people like ourselves. How far do we have to go to find people just like us? They are all around us.

[Barboza]

What a load of rubbish ! Who wrote this, a "journalist"?
Nothing makes sense, looks like someone translating poorly from foreign language.
I have been visiting for 26yrs & have owned a home here, in two different areas for almost 18yrs and do not recognise the place that he is talking about!
,

[Fastskiguy]

My wife and I have been visiting TV a few weeks per year for 4 years now and I keep my eyes open for all of the crazy "lifestyles" you hear about but I never see them. It really smacks of sensationalism but hey, it's a free country I guess.

[Taltarzac725]

My wife and I have been visiting TV a few weeks per year for 4 years now and I keep my eyes open for all of the crazy "lifestyles" you hear about but I never see them. It really smacks of sensationalism but hey, it's a free country I guess.

There are some night spots here in the Villages where it probably is not too hard to get a one night stand. And we do have prostitutes hanging around from the scuttlebutt.

Any place though with this kind of population would have these types of places. It is kind of like using what happens on a seedy part of Tampa to represent all of Tampa.

[Fastskiguy]

Well "they" must be doing at least a decent job of being discrete. Totally agree that in a population of 130000 (or whatever it is) you're gonna have "stuff going on"

[Taltarzac725]

Well "they" must be doing at least a decent job of being discrete. Totally agree that in a population of 130000 (or whatever it is) you're gonna have "stuff going on"

They get arrested occasionally and it makes some news outlook. And they may be at entirely new places from when I was getting this information. There used to be a few bar-hoppers in my social circle but these men passed unfortunately.

[pkingro]

I would love to talk to the author and share some of the sharing and caring done by Villagers. I have never lived in a community that is so generous, both with time and donations, than The Villages. Of course, that doesn't sell books but it sure makes for a nice place to live.

[looneycat]

Podcast of Boston station covering the same sensational headline inaccuracies reported by Belchman, author of the book. It is interesting to hear him speak. Although he is not that young. He certainly sounds like he should be in one of the anti establishment protests that I see on TV. Extra Sauce Episode 9: Elderly Debauchery At The Villages With Author Andrew Blechman And Making "Roadrunner" The New State Rock Song With Rep. David Linsky | WAAF (http://www.waaf.com/media/audio-channel/extra-sauce-episode-9-elderly-debauchery-villages-author-andrew-blechman-and)

a waste of time and space, who cares what mamas boy has to say?

[Toymeister]

Original poster here: I have arrived! Finally I have started a popular topic/thread! It is a little difficult as I am still in the nine to five world currently but I am trying to assimilate to the mind set...

[pauld315]

He wrote this stuff because of his philosophical belief. He believes it is the older generations place to stay at home near the children and grandchildren to support them and teach them all they have learned in their lives. As such, his views are skewed against any and all age restricted developments geared towards the 55 and over population. So he just made stuff up to besmirch the largest age restricted development on the planet. Unfortunately, with the internet etc, once a "truth" makes it out there it is very hard to convince people otherwise. I thought I had read at one time he apologized for this but I can't find it anywhere. The only trouble I have with this is that my wife's elderly, jealous aunts and uncles are all too eager to believe this malarkey and make snide comments to her. I really couldn't care less what others say or think. I just smile at them and invite them to stay with us when they come to Florida after we move.

[looneycat]

let her tell them that jealousy is not a reason to make fun of the villages

[joldnol]

I read it when I was researching our possible move here. You have to read it with a grain of salt. He has many valid points about the district governance. Yes he jazzed up the sex part but I wanted info on how the villages was organized and he answered many of those questions. How else would I have known about the african american cemetery surrounded by Caroline?

[EnglishJW]

Although I found some remarkably interesting and useful facts about The Villages in the book much of it was written to promote his agenda which highlighted his bitterness toward retirees relocating from high cost of living, heavily taxed states to senior communities in lower cost of living areas. He wants seniors to remain in place to help pay for children's schools, community's parks, hospital maternity wards and so on. He spiced things up to titillate readers and generate notoriety to sell the book. Blechman managed to find a few folks of various ages living shall we say alternative lifestyles and wrote about them at undue length. He also unfortunately published the STD myth based on a misunderstood statement from Colleen McQuaid, a gynecologist... and it is a myth.

Well said. The guy had an agenda which you have clearly articulated.