Some of the Christmas decorations are lookin' shabby 'round town.

[graciegirl]

On some of the gate houses, which I imagine are run by the CDDs, the wreaths have faded bows and other kinda tired looking decorations on them.

I am so used to everything looking so spiffy and nicely kept...I wonder why this is.

I think that each village entrance is up to that village if it is decorated.

Does anyone know how this works?

[Bogie Shooter]

On some of the gate houses, which I imagine are run by the CDDs, the wreaths have faded bows and others decorations on them.

I am so used to everything looking so spiffy and nicely kept...I wonder why this is.

I think that each village entrance is up to that village if it is decorated.

Does anyone know how this works?

From the HOA Village Voice.
The Villages Fact Finder
Entry Sign Wall Holiday Decorations
It’s that time of year again when resident
groups inquire on decorating the en-try sign walls for the holiday sea-son. Decorations must not be placed before December 1st and they must be removed by the first week of January. All decorations must be approved prior to installation. You may contact District Property Management at 352-753-4022 for additional information.
Village Community Development District Re-vised Board Holiday Decorations Policy
Overview: The District will allow only entry sign walls to be decorated by resident groups.
This excludes postal stations and gates. Specifica-tions for entry wall decorations are:
• Green garland, green wreaths (maximum 3ft. diameter not to obscure sign wall lettering) and red bows.
• The Board of Supervisors adopts a policy
that allows only wire, rope or cord be used
to display Holiday decorations from the en-try walls.
• The Board of Supervisors prohibits the use
of nails, screws, tape or other material that
would break, peel, or penetrate the surface,
lights (electric or battery), statues, or colored
ribbons other than red.
• Decorations will not be displayed before De-cember 1st and must be removed by the first week of January.


Residents Must Submit A Design To District
Maintenance Supervisor Prior To Installation.
Board adopted this policy on February 28, 2003.
Sam Wartinbee
3231 Wedgewood Lane
753-4022

[graciegirl]

From the HOA Village Voice.
The Villages Fact Finder
Entry Sign Wall Holiday Decorations
It’s that time of year again when resident
groups inquire on decorating the en-try sign walls for the holiday sea-son. Decorations must not be placed before December 1st and they must be removed by the first week of January. All decorations must be approved prior to installation. You may contact District Property Management at 352-753-4022 for additional information.
Village Community Development District Re-vised Board Holiday Decorations Policy
Overview: The District will allow only entry sign walls to be decorated by resident groups.
This excludes postal stations and gates. Specifica-tions for entry wall decorations are:
• Green garland, green wreaths (maximum 3ft. diameter not to obscure sign wall lettering) and red bows.
• The Board of Supervisors adopts a policy
that allows only wire, rope or cord be used
to display Holiday decorations from the en-try walls.
• The Board of Supervisors prohibits the use
of nails, screws, tape or other material that
would break, peel, or penetrate the surface,
lights (electric or battery), statues, or colored
ribbons other than red.
• Decorations will not be displayed before De-cember 1st and must be removed by the first week of January.


Residents Must Submit A Design To District
Maintenance Supervisor Prior To Installation.
Board adopted this policy on February 28, 2003.
Sam Wartinbee
3231 Wedgewood Lane
753-4022

Ah Hah...I was blamin' the wrong people.

[doran]

:shrug:Why do you need to blame anyone?

[gomoho]

:shrug:Why do you need to blame anyone?

Well we are so use to everything looking "just so" here when that is not the case we worry and wonder what is happening. The Villages is a fabulous place because of the Morse family and what they have invested here. It didn't just happen magically, and can't continue without their support. So is this, along with a few other things that have been noticed, the tip of the iceberg as they divest themself from our community. I sure hope not 'cause there is no better place in the US to retire and it would be nothing short of a shame to see TV abandoned at this point.

I am not saying tomorrow we are going to wake up to a nightmare, but what are we looking at in the next 5 to 10 years. Will we still be the best place or just like all the other retirement communities that have come and gone?

[Bogie Shooter]

Ah Hah...I was blamin' the wrong people.

Gracie, call and discuss your concerns with Sam. He always has been receptive of any thing that I have brought to his attention. He has stated in the "Our Place" column that if you see something that is not right to let him know; paint peeling, mildew, broken this or that, etc.
Share your findings.

[Bogie Shooter]

Well we are so use to everything looking "just so" here when that is not the case we worry and wonder what is happening. The Villages is a fabulous place because of the Morse family and what they have invested here. It didn't just happen magically, and can't continue without their support. So is this, along with a few other things that have been noticed, the tip of the iceberg as they divest themself from our community. I sure hope not 'cause there is no better place in the US to retire and it would be nothing short of a shame to see TV abandoned at this point.

I am not saying tomorrow we are going to wake up to a nightmare, but what are we looking at in the next 5 to 10 years. Will we still be the best place or just like all the other retirement communities that have come and gone?

Why say anything?

[graciegirl]

There are those, consistently, who when you see their name, you KNOW that their post will be a slam about the folks who built The Villages...or they will be gloating over some error that The Morses, or The developer has made. Someone will call me out on what or whom to call the brains behind the very successful place this is. The bottom line appears to be class envy....and jealousy over all of the money the Morses have made. I say...Good for them. They are employing a lot of people and making money. .

These aggravating people ALWAYS are pointing out that the sky is falling and that you better be careful and not have the wool pulled over your eyes...AND that I am a damn cheerleader. I am sick of the anonymous slams. Everyone knows who I am and I am just me...a happy person who happened on to this place and I am amazed at the brilliant minds who put it together and keep it together.

I just hope all of the new people on here figure out that the same people, time after time have nothing good to say about the developer and just LOVE to catch him out.

I wonder WHO they really are, AND WHAT IS THEIR GOAL.

Now I feel better.

P.S. Then there are people like gomoho who always make me feel better.

[Happinow]

I agree with Gracie. I noticed that at Halloween the People that live across the street from us left their pumpkins ( the purple and orange plastic ones with a plastic handle on them from the dollar store) out until the third week of November. They lined the driveway. It was truly unsightly. I realize that beauty is on the eyes of the beholder but that display was so tacky. He certainly didn't follow the rules when taking them in. I also wonder how far off the beaten path people will be allowed to wander with their homes before The Villages becomes just another retirement community....nothin' special about it any longer. In really hope it retains it's beauty, rules and zest it brings to our lives.

[ugotme]

I agree with Gracie. I noticed that at Halloween the People that live across the street from us left their pumpkins ( the purple and orange plastic ones with a plastic handle on them from the dollar store) out until the third week of November. They lined the driveway. It was truly unsightly. I realize that beauty is on the eyes of the beholder but that display was so tacky. He certainly didn't follow the rules when taking them in. I also wonder how far off the beaten path people will be allowed to wander with their homes before The Villages becomes just another retirement community....nothin' special about it any longer. In really hope it retains it's beauty, rules and zest it brings to our lives.


Well I certainly hope so too. That is why we are coming to look at housing and move up there!

:shrug:

[Skybo]

So, if I read what Bogie posted correctly, it is the residents of any particular Village who purchase and put up the wreaths at the gate entrances to their Village. Am I reading that correctly? (I know that's how it works with the entrance to our Villa neighborhood.)

[redwitch]

So, if I read what Bogie posted correctly, it is the residents of any particular Village who purchase and put up the wreaths at the gate entrances to their Village. Am I reading that correctly? (I know that's how it works with the entrance to our Villa neighborhood.)

Yes.

[senior citizen]

Well we are so use to everything looking "just so" here when that is not the case we worry and wonder what is happening. The Villages is a fabulous place because of the Morse family and what they have invested here. It didn't just happen magically, and can't continue without their support. So is this, along with a few other things that have been noticed, the tip of the iceberg as they divest themself from our community. I sure hope not 'cause there is no better place in the US to retire and it would be nothing short of a shame to see TV abandoned at this point.

I am not saying tomorrow we are going to wake up to a nightmare, but what are we looking at in the next 5 to 10 years. Will we still be the best place or just like all the other retirement communities that have come and gone?

Interesting. Is that fact or just heresay that the Morse family "might" be divesting themselves from your community? Abandoned?

[Madelaine Amee]

I agree with Gracie. I noticed that at Halloween the People that live across the street from us left their pumpkins ( the purple and orange plastic ones with a plastic handle on them from the dollar store) out until the third week of November. They lined the driveway. It was truly unsightly.

Unfortunately, what is "tacky" to you was "cute" to them! We live in a huge community with people of all shapes and sizes ............ we cannot all conform to the same idea of beauty. You state "they were out until the third week of November" - now if they were out for the whole year then you would have a problem!

I don't know where people get the time to notice all the little aggravating things that go on - there is so much else to do. In my case, I could not tell you what my neighbors have out on their driveway.

[KathieI]

Interesting topic. I was not aware that residents are decorating our entries themselves. That is wonderful of them to take on this responsibility. I can understand their not wanting to replenish the decorations every year, that can get costly. Unless of course, there are a group of residents and they all chip in but even that, the list that Bogie Shooter listed is very extensive and it would be hard to be very creative with all those DONT'S!!

Thanks to all the residents that take it upon yourselves to do this for us... Hats Off!!

[mulligan]

The other statement that makes me shake my head is "as the Morses divest themselves from our community". Couldn't be further from the truth.

[Happinow]

Unfortunately, what is "tacky" to you was "cute" to them! We live in a huge community with people of all shapes and sizes ............ we cannot all conform to the same idea of beauty. You state "they were out until the third week of November" - now if they were out for the whole year then you would have a problem!

I don't know where people get the time to notice all the little aggravating things that go on - there is so much else to do. In my case, I could not tell you what my neighbors have out on their driveway.

You are correct that everyone's idea of beauty and tacky are different. I keep telling myself that. The reason I notice is that their driveway is across from my eating area so every time I sit down to eat I see the driveway. BTW, 7 other homes around me stated the same thing so I wasn't the only one who felt they were tacky. Also, it's good to notice things around the neighborhood. We all watch out for each other. It's a form of security for us. Kinda like a neighborhood watch.

[gomoho]

The other statement that makes me shake my head is "as the Morses divest themselves from our community". Couldn't be further from the truth.

They are selling off small parts of the business - i.e. the rental property program, management of the office building at LSL, and I believe human resources. My doctor told me since they are no longer managing the offices at LSL it is difficult for him to get anything repaired in a timely fashion unlike when the Morse family still had control. And check the link about the rental program and the complaints people are lodging with them.

[Bogie Shooter]

Interesting. Is that fact or just heresay that the Morse family "might" be divesting themselves from your community? Abandoned?

This is how rumors are started....................

[Bogie Shooter]

I agree with Gracie. I noticed that at Halloween the People that live across the street from us left their pumpkins ( the purple and orange plastic ones with a plastic handle on them from the dollar store) out until the third week of November. They lined the driveway. It was truly unsightly. I realize that beauty is on the eyes of the beholder but that display was so tacky. He certainly didn't follow the rules when taking them in. I also wonder how far off the beaten path people will be allowed to wander with their homes before The Villages becomes just another retirement community....nothin' special about it any longer. In really hope it retains it's beauty, rules and zest it brings to our lives.

From VCDD web site.

Concerns about possible deed restriction violations may be provided to the Community Standards Deed Compliance Division by phone, fax, mail, electronic mail, or in person and may be made anonymously. The Community Standards Deed Compliance Division is entirely complaint driven.
Contact Us
1894 Laurel Manor Drive
The Villages, FL 32162

Community Standards
Phone: 352-751-3912
Fax: 352-751-6707

Business Hours:
8am to 5pm, EST
Monday – Friday
Excluding Holidays

[drdodge]

Gracxie why don't u go and buy some decorations and donate them to replace any that shabby

dsrd

[graciegirl]

I was noting that the wreaths on the gatehouse near St.Timothy have ribbons that are faded and wondered aloud here why that was so, as most other things are kept so perfect; the flowers changed out, the buildings at rec centers painted yearly,etc.

I understand your feelings.(THEN GO FIX THEM, GRAXIE) That is how I feel when someone says something critical of this beautiful place.

ON THE OTHER HAND, Helene and I stood and looked at all of the exquisite ornaments on the Christmas tree today at Laurel Manor, all in shades of ice blue and crystal and standing next to that tree is a life size Santa in the same ice blue colored robes and of course they match the interior of Laurel Manor.

Beautiful.

Grateful to be here this Christmas season...:pepper2::pepper2::pepper2:

[LynnDeb]

As I am reading these posts, I've been asking myself what is TV going to be like in the future also as people leave here for different reasons.....I guess that's why I originally posted why people leave TV....hmmmm my husband and I intend on buying in TV probably on the North Side after our house here in Kissimmee, FL is sold.

[Uptown Girl]

As I am reading these posts, I've been asking myself what is TV going to be like in the future also as people leave here for different reasons.....I guess that's why I originally posted why people leave TV....hmmmm my husband and I intend on buying in TV probably on the North Side after our house here in Kissimmee, FL is sold.

I truly don't understand your post, LynnDeb. If you have investigated, you'll know that The Villages has been around since the early 70's and has continued to evolve and grow better all the time. This is not a fly-by-night development company, but a three generation family that has created something remarkable and unique that they are very proud of.

Yes, people come and sometimes go, for the same numerous reasons that people do anywhere. Needs, desires and circumstances change. The vast majority do NOT leave because this community is a big let down, or the community has financially deteriorated.
Just isn't so.

Have you perused the website for pre-owned homes here? They are selling like hot cakes. We DON"T have a glut of empty homes laying about.

What's it going to be like in the future? "The future" is a pretty broad term.... do you mean 2 years from now? 20 years from now? What is it that makes you so uneasy.... the demise of other developments around the country?

Who can say what ANYTHING or anywhere is going to be like in the future?

I for one, focus on what I think will bring me joy to have or experience, then make the best choices I can going forward in that direction.

If I focused on all the possible negative scenarios that could happen in this life experience, my desires and actions would atrophy and I would never experience other than what is in front of me at the moment.
.
If you don't FEEL good in your gut about (for example) what The Villages offers residents, then give yourself the gift of time to discern what exactly your concern is, and look at that closely.
We who live here, by vast majority, are very happy and secure in our decision and look forward to enjoying our community, now AND in the future. (And I guess I just hijacked this thread... sorry!)

The thought has crossed my mind that you have not yet visited here or understand just how The Villages is run. Could that be so?

[Bogie Shooter]

I truly don't understand your post, LynnDeb. If you have investigated, you'll know that The Villages has been around since the early 70's and has continued to evolve and grow better all the time. This is not a fly-by-night development company, but a three generation family that has created something remarkable and unique that they are very proud of.

Yes, people come and sometimes go, for the same numerous reasons that people do anywhere. Needs, desires and circumstances change. The vast majority do NOT leave because this community is a big let down, or their community has deteriorated.

Have you perused the website for pre-owned homes here? They are selling like hot cakes. We DON"T have a glut of empty homes laying about.

What's it going to be like in the future? "The future" is a pretty broad term.... do you mean 2 years from now? 20 years from now? What is it that makes you so uneasy.... the demise of other developments around the country?

Who can say what ANYTHING or anywhere is going to be like in the future?

I for one, focus on what I think will bring me joy to have or experience, then make the best choices I can going forward in that direction.

If I focused on all the possible negative scenarios that could happen in this life experience, my desires and actions would atrophy and I would never experience other than what is in front of me at the moment.
.
If you don't FEEL good in your gut about (for example) what The Villages offers residents, then give yourself the gift of time to discern what exactly your concern is, and look at that closely.
We who live here, by vast majority, are very happy and secure in our decision and look forward to enjoying our community. Now and in the future. (And I guess I just hijacked this thread... sorry!)

The thought has crossed my mind that you have not yet visited here. Is that so?

Well said!

[CarGuys]

Well said!

Agree!

[CFrance]

We have neighbors who had pumpkins out for weeks after Halloween. I just assumed it was a "fall" decoration. Who cares? I mean, really, WHO CARES! There are Christmas decorations around that aren't to our taste. Again, who cares! Obviously they are pleasing to the homeowner. It's not like they're parking a 45-foot RV in their yard. Geez.