Construction Update #124 – A Spring Construction Boom in The Villages! 4/3/2023

[Goldwingnut]

I've just posted a new construction update video!

This latest video takes a look at the southern areas of The Villages, including Eastport, Middleton, and the West Lakes area, as well as taking a look back at the Hawkins-St Catherine area in a Then-and-Now video clip. There’s also a lot of commercial work happening in and around The Villages, I’ve tried to capture a few of these and how they are progressing. I also show you were the developer’s latest acquisition of 900 acres is located. Last but not least, I pay a special tribute to the 129 men on Eternal Patrol on the USS Thresher SSN-593 that was lost 60 years ago this month.
I hope you enjoy the video and remember to subscribe you my YouTube channel and please support my sponsors.
https://youtu.be/kKPCPADVRKc

[Altavia]

Another facinating video Don - loved the USS Thresher SSN-593 tribute - thanks!

[KAM+6]

Another great video, keep after those entitled golf cart drivers that can't walk from the parking lot and choose to destroy the grass.

BTW, what is going in next to Culvers?

Thanks again!

[Ecuadog]

More great stuff, Don. Thank you.

[gobuck827]

What Boats did you serve on, Don?

I was an STS on the USS Aspro SSN-648 and the USS Thomas Jefferson SSBN/SSN-618.

[VApeople]

Thanks, Don for this great video and the tribute to the submarine tragedy in 1963. Looking forward to seeing the new landscaping outside of Sawgrass. We appreciate how hard you work to keep The Villages looking beautiful and keeping us informed. Enjoy your day!

[Pairadocs]

I've just posted a new construction update video!

This latest video takes a look at the southern areas of The Villages, including Eastport, Middleton, and the West Lakes area, as well as taking a look back at the Hawkins-St Catherine area in a Then-and-Now video clip. There’s also a lot of commercial work happening in and around The Villages, I’ve tried to capture a few of these and how they are progressing. I also show you were the developer’s latest acquisition of 900 acres is located. Last but not least, I pay a special tribute to the 129 men on Eternal Patrol on the USS Thresher SSN-593 that was lost 60 years ago this month.
I hope you enjoy the video and remember to subscribe you my YouTube channel and please support my sponsors.
https://youtu.be/kKPCPADVRKc

Nice of you to even mention the tragic loss of so many brave men. My fervent wish is those who remember and value the sacrifice, will volunteer just an hour of time in our local schools to inform students of exactly how their lives depend on the sacrifices of others. Sadly, today's public schools, don't even mention such events, or even acknowledge or explain Memorial day, D-Day, etc. Students have NO CLUE, none. Plenty are willing to volunteer to provide our young children with drag shows, volunteer to read to groups of students a variety of "rainbow" approved children's books, but alas, we forget our children also deserve special guests and shows from our veterans who could share exhibits, tell stories, wear uniforms, and help bring back both the value of history AND pride in our nation and brave citizens ! In last week's national polling, "patriotism" was as far down the list of valued concepts by U.S. citizens, as religion and spiritual values. Hummm ? At the same time, what IS rising ? Crime ? Just sayin'

[Michael 61]

These are excellent videos - great information and outstanding production values! All,this development is just so exciting - can’t wait to see what (if any) commercial space is coming near me on Meggison just south of 44.

[tonyt57]

Friend of my worked on the thresher, he also survived a fire on the albacore, which is a museum sub near the same Portsmouth navy yard

[karenzeee]

Shared this with a few friends looking to relocate to paradise! Thanks for great videos and updates.

[Heisenberg]

Shared this with a few friends looking to relocate to paradise! Thanks for great videos and updates.
Don, you and The Newcomers are two of the blessings that brought us here….

[Bridget Staunton]

You are the very best, thank you for everything you do for all of us

[Rodneysblue]

I've just posted a new construction update video!

This latest video takes a look at the southern areas of The Villages, including Eastport, Middleton, and the West Lakes area, as well as taking a look back at the Hawkins-St Catherine area in a Then-and-Now video clip. There’s also a lot of commercial work happening in and around The Villages, I’ve tried to capture a few of these and how they are progressing. I also show you were the developer’s latest acquisition of 900 acres is located. Last but not least, I pay a special tribute to the 129 men on Eternal Patrol on the USS Thresher SSN-593 that was lost 60 years ago this month.
I hope you enjoy the video and remember to subscribe you my YouTube channel and please support my sponsors.
https://youtu.be/kKPCPADVRKc
Thank you Don!

[RobO178]

Thanks, Don. Great video as always and outstanding tribute to the 129 souls lost on the Thresher.
In a future video, could show where the new firehouse will be located on Warm Springs Ave near Rt 301 intersection?

[Goldwingnut]

What Boats did you serve on, Don?

I was an STS on the USS Aspro SSN-648 and the USS Thomas Jefferson SSBN/SSN-618.

USS Daniel Webster SSBN-626 Blue (6 patrols), USS Topeka SSN-754, USS George Washington Carver SSBN-656 Blue (3 patrols), and USS Kentucky SSBN-737 Blue (9 patrols), also serviced as an instructor at NPTU Ballston Spa and Trident Training Facility Kings Bay GA.

My brain is getting a little bit rusty, STS, didn't that stand for Shower Technician?
I as a FNNuc - Nuc ETC(SS)

[END OTT]

What Boats did you serve on, Don?

I was an STS on the USS Aspro SSN-648 and the USS Thomas Jefferson SSBN/SSN-618.

YN2 on USS Grouper 214

[Goldwingnut]

I can't believe the number of comments on social media, YouTube, and emails I've received about calling Wawa - just another gas station. 60 types of fountain soda, 18 different coffees, 42 types of chips, and what is just more than gas station food - high fat, high sodium - it's still just a pretty gas station with a convenience store. It will make the 3rd such gas station at that intersection.

It's just a smelly gas station, calling it anything else is just putting lipstick on a pig.

[John Mayes]

I can't believe the number of comments on social media, YouTube, and emails I've received about calling Wawa - just another gas station. 60 types of fountain soda, 18 different coffees, 42 types of chips, and what is just more than gas station food - high fat, high sodium - it's still just a pretty gas station with a convenience store. It will make the 3rd such gas station at that intersection.

It's just a smelly gas station, calling it anything else is just putting lipstick on a pig.


Uh-oh. Now you’ve done it.

[Goldwingnut]

Uh-oh. Now you’ve done it.

I know, I'm such an ogre, I've called a pretty gas station, just another gas station. :eek::eek::eek:

I guess I should be banned from the internet and the town squares...:a20::cry::cry::cry:

[Altavia]

I know, I'm such an ogre, I've called a pretty gas station, just another gas station. :eek::eek::eek:

I guess I should be banned from the internet and the town squares...:a20::cry::cry::cry:

LOL!!!

But they don't even have a car wash. :a20:

[Altavia]

Any idea when the new sections of Central Parkway will open replacing 470?

Can't wait for the complaints when they see all the new roundabouts.


(Trying to change the subject...)

[Papa_lecki]

Here’s the history of Wawa

It started out as a convenience store - grab a gallon of milk on the way home. A long time ago, it was actually a dairy farm, that eventually sold its milk in stores.
They then realized they should add gas pumps. You’re getting milk, quick fill up.
Then the gas pumps took over - i.e. went from a store with 8 pumps to stores with 12 or 16 or 20 pumps, they sold off stores where the real estate could handle a large number of pumps.

Then, they pivoted to a fast food joint, with a large number of gas pumps.
You can get sandwiches, soup, drinks, etc, while filling up.

Their sandwiches (Hoagies or Italian Sandwiches to us from Philly) would not make the top 100 Philadelphia hoagies, but they are consistent.
It’s basically a McDonalds with gas pumps.
Wawa is actually the 3rd largest retailer of food in the Philadelphia region.

[Goldwingnut]

Here’s the history of Wawa

It started out as a convenience store - grab a gallon of milk on the way home. A long time ago, it was actually a dairy farm, that eventually sold its milk in stores.
They then realized they should add gas pumps. You’re getting milk, quick fill up.
Then the gas pumps took over - i.e. went from a store with 8 pumps to stores with 12 or 16 or 20 pumps, they sold off stores where the real estate could handle a large number of pumps.

Then, they pivoted to a fast food joint, with a large number of gas pumps.
You can get sandwiches, soup, drinks, etc, while filling up.

Their sandwiches (Hoagies or Italian Sandwiches to us from Philly) would not make the top 100 Philadelphia hoagies, but they are consistent.
It’s basically a McDonalds with gas pumps.
Wawa is actually the 3rd largest retailer of food in the Philadelphia region.

If the 3rd largest retailer of food in Philadelphia is a chain of gas station convenience stores, that doesn’t say a lot for the folks that live there and their taste in food.

I was a Flyers and Phillies fan as a kid, used to love going to the games, the food was always awesome in Philly, especially the cheese steaks outstanding the stadium. Philly, in my opinion, had the second best food in the world, 2nd only to NYC and just ahead of Chicago - a very very close 3 way race. I always attributed this to simple economics, you couldn’t afford the rent and taxes to run a restaurant in these cities if you weren’t the best, if the guy down the street made a better dog, hoagie, or pie, he got all the business and you would go out of business.

[JMintzer]

If the 3rd largest retailer of food in Philadelphia is a chain of gas station convenience stores, that doesn’t say a lot for the folks that live there and their taste in food.

That's just due to the sheer number of Wa-Was in Philly. No one else can compete with their volume.

Just like McDs is the #1 food retailer in the US... It's a numbers game...

I was a Flyers and Phillies fan as a kid, used to love going to the games, the food was always awesome in Philly, especially the cheese steaks outstanding the stadium. Philly, in my opinion, had the second best food in the world, 2nd only to NYC and just ahead of Chicago - a very very close 3 way race. I always attributed this to simple economics, you couldn’t afford the rent and taxes to run a restaurant in these cities if you weren’t the best, if the guy down the street made a better dog, hoagie, or pie, he got all the business and you would go out of business.

I loved the food in Philly when I went to school there... Geno's and Pat's... Jim's on South Street... Shopping at the Italian Market in South Philly... And the Reading Terminal Market...

[Michael 61]

I can't believe the number of comments on social media, YouTube, and emails I've received about calling Wawa - just another gas station. 60 types of fountain soda, 18 different coffees, 42 types of chips, and what is just more than gas station food - high fat, high sodium - it's still just a pretty gas station with a convenience store. It will make the 3rd such gas station at that intersection.

It's just a smelly gas station, calling it anything else is just putting lipstick on a pig.

I concur - as a new Florida resident (I had never even heard of WaWa until moving here), I don’t get the appeal, unless you live off of all that processed convenience store food - nothing to get excited about - it has been years since I have stepped foot inside a gas station - pay at the pump and leave as quick as I can.

[EviesGP]

Don, I totally agree on the entitled parking at Sawgrass(as they do on the golf courses)! I hope once they resod that area, they install fencing like the other side of the MMP?!

Also, along with the 25 CYVs at Hacienda, I was curious to see the layout and location of the 'controversial' apartments going in there?
Along with the new clubhouse, etc? It just doesn't seem likes there's enough room, without removing one of the 9 holes?

Finally, it's too bad they can't find a way to get to that sub? I was asked to do Sub(nuke) duty when I enlisted, and I just like the outside air too much(as I probably wouldn't have passed the 'Screen Door Test').

Cheers!
MikeM
EW2(ESWS) USN '82-'86
CMSgt(Ret) USAF(ANG) '88-'18

[Bilyclub]

Now I'm curious as to Don's opinion of Buc-ee's.

[Goldwingnut]

Now I'm curious as to Don's opinion of Buc-ee's.

What and where is Buc-ee's?

Right now, not knowing what it is, no opinion. Again, Wawa is just another gas station with a convenience store, just like all the others, and Culvers, the food is tasty, better than most fast food, but my experience with the service and management running the two local restaurants is - subpar/slow service and the management is either incompetent or indifferent to the customers, their concerns, and how their restaurant is run (the problems may start at the bottom, but the solutions start at the top).

[Stu from NYC]

What and where is Buc-ee's?

Right now, not knowing what it is, no opinion. Again, Wawa is just another gas station with a convenience store, just like all the others, and Culvers, the food is tasty, better than most fast food, but my experience with the service and management running the two local restaurants is - subpar/slow service and the management is either incompetent or indifferent to the customers, their concerns, and how their restaurant is run (the problems may start at the bottom, but the solutions start at the top).

Wawa has the best sandwiches of the fast food convenience stores and is often our go to while traveling.

Wait till you see the new Buccees opening up in Ocala. Not sure if you can call it a convenience store but kind of in a class of its own.

[Altavia]

What and where is Buc-ee's?

Right now, not knowing what it is, no opinion. Again, Wawa is just another gas station with a convenience store, just like all the others, and Culvers, the food is tasty, better than most fast food, but my experience with the service and management running the two local restaurants is - subpar/slow service and the management is either incompetent or indifferent to the customers, their concerns, and how their restaurant is run (the problems may start at the bottom, but the solutions start at the top).

Think gas station with a super, super, super Walmart attached. They are very popular (crowded) destinations for some people, ...


"Buc-ee’s is a huge travel center with an iconic beaver mascot and a cult following. The Texas-based company has slowly begun debuting spots in Florida. They currently operate one in St. Augustine, and another in Daytona Beach. A third Sunshine State location is on the way as the company has revealed they plan to open a massive new travel center in Ocala, east of Interstate 75 near W. Hwy 326.. The news was first reported by WFTV in Orlando.

The new Central Florida Buc-ee’s facility will have an 80,000-foot building, 120 gas pumps, 28 EV parking spaces, 750 general parking spaces, and a 125-foot tall pole with a sign on it. What makes Buc-ee’s such a phenomenon?"

Buc-ee's, the famous travel station and superstore, opening in Central Florida - That's So Tampa (https://thatssotampa.com/bucees-central-florida/)

[Goldwingnut]

As if there's not enough traffic headaches on I75, now there will be this monster - 80,000 sqft? 120 pumps! Can't wait to watch that sign get whipped around in a hurricane. If I need gas I may stop, otherwise it won't be a destination on my list. It might be a great place to take a break if I'm on a cross county trip, but even then, I think I still prefer a small roadside Mom & Pop's on some back road and avoid the super slab roadways.

I looked at their website and saw the photos of the inside of the stores - 100 ft of coolers with 48 flavors of energy drinks, 25 types of bottled water, and 40 brands of beer - why, 55 varieties of potato chips - just what my fat @$$ needs while driving, can't forget those genuine imitation Indian blankets and other junk gifts all made in china, not exactly the same quality as Publix or Fresh Market. Yep, I'm really excited about this one too. I guess you can stop here and get gas for both the car and the digestive track.

I guess shopping just isn't my thing anymore, especially at an oversize stop & rob.

[tophcfa]

I can't believe the number of comments on social media, YouTube, and emails I've received about calling Wawa - just another gas station. 60 types of fountain soda, 18 different coffees, 42 types of chips, and what is just more than gas station food - high fat, high sodium - it's still just a pretty gas station with a convenience store. It will make the 3rd such gas station at that intersection.

It's just a smelly gas station, calling it anything else is just putting lipstick on a pig.

I'm a big fan of WaWa. They have 89 octain ethanol free gas at a fraction of the price of the Villages Golf Cart Store pumps and I can easily get to the one on 441 in my golf cart by going through the gate in the historic section. Have never actually been into the store, no need.

[Goldwingnut]

I'm a big fan of WaWa. They have 89 octain ethanol free gas at a fraction of the price of the Villages Golf Cart Store pumps and I can easily get to the one on 441 in my golf cart by going through the gate in the historic section. Have never actually been into the store, no need.

Good to know, I prefer to use non-ethanol fuel, especially the higher octane, in my motorcycle. I avoid the "recreational" fuels they sell for golf carts because they area ridiculous in their pricing.

[Kenswing]

What and where is Buc-ee's?

Right now, not knowing what it is, no opinion. Again, Wawa is just another gas station with a convenience store, just like all the others, and Culvers, the food is tasty, better than most fast food, but my experience with the service and management running the two local restaurants is - subpar/slow service and the management is either incompetent or indifferent to the customers, their concerns, and how their restaurant is run (the problems may start at the bottom, but the solutions start at the top).
I didn't know what a Buc-ees was either until our cross country trip in December. I will say , they have the cleanest restrooms on the planet. When you're traveling with the wife that is a very important consideration. She actually started mapping out our fuel stops for that reason alone.

The food was good. Not many gas stations or trucks stops compare. The breakfast burritos were really good. Brisket sandwiches were okay. Should have asked them to make mine without BBQ sauce-lol.

If you're on the road and in a hurry it's a nice clean place to stop without having to wait for a pump. Food is below restaurant grade but maybe a step above fast food for many items. And of course the bathrooms alone will keep you in the wife's good graces.

[Goldwingnut]

The horror of it all, today’s Daily Sun on page A15 identified Buc-ee’s as “a convenient store and gas station”. :a20: