[downeaster]

Closing the Health Center, The Buffalo, Silver Lake Restaurant, Chula Vista Restaurant, El Santiago Club Restaurant, The "wall", Parades, Katie Belles, Expansion into Fruitland Park, Expansion in Marion County, 6" golf holes, Valet Parking, Expansion in Wildwood, and I am sure there have been many I have forgotten. They all seem to have one thing in common and that is drum roll here they have had no noticeable negative effect. One personal exception, I still haven't recovered from the closing of The Spanish Springs Brewery. That is somewhat offset by the continued presence of Ollies

[Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by downeaster

Closing the Health Center, The Buffalo, Silver Lake Restaurant, Chula Vista Restaurant, El Santiago Club Restaurant, The "wall", Parades, Katie Belles, Expansion into Fruitland Park, Expansion in Marion County, 6" golf holes, Valet Parking, Expansion in Wildwood, and I am sure there have been many I have forgotten. They all seem to have one thing in common and that is drum roll here they have had no noticeable negative effect. One personal exception, I still haven't recovered from the closing of The Spanish Springs Brewery. That is somewhat offset by the continued presence of Ollies

That's because for every old business or building that closes, multiple new ones open to take their place. The reality is some people are never happy unless they are miserable, and complaining is their tonic. Glad to see your comments. People who are permanently down bring everyone around them down. Ignore the Negative Nellie's. If you read posts from certain people you see they are always negative.

[jrandall]

Here here

[NYGUY]

Originally Posted by downeaster

Closing the Health Center, The Buffalo, Silver Lake Restaurant, Chula Vista Restaurant, El Santiago Club Restaurant, The "wall", Parades, Katie Belles, Expansion into Fruitland Park, Expansion in Marion County, 6" golf holes, Valet Parking, Expansion in Wildwood, and I am sure there have been many I have forgotten. They all seem to have one thing in common and that is drum roll here they have had no noticeable negative effect. One personal exception, I still haven't recovered from the closing of The Spanish Springs Brewery. That is somewhat offset by the continued presence of Ollies

And, a few more Big Bows:

[DonH57]

Absolutely right. Ignore the negative Nellies and Debbie downers of the villages.

[redwitch]

Well, I gotta say that the removal of the buffalo was a big deal to me. I used to love watching them play at night when I couldn't sleep. Looking at a bunch of houses just doesn't bring the same smile to my face. And the wall most certainly was a very big deal. Some of it really does require a wait and see attitude. In the meantime, letting folks vent certainly hurts no one.

[Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by redwitch

Well, I gotta say that the removal of the buffalo was a big deal to me. I used to love watching them play at night when I couldn't sleep. Looking at a bunch of houses just doesn't bring the same smile to my face. And the wall most certainly was a very big deal. Some of it really does require a wait and see attitude. In the meantime, letting folks vent certainly hurts no one.

Irrational rants over things that are in real terms, progress, actually do harm people. What if some of these bitching posts influences someone to NOT choose to move here? They miss out on a wonderful lifestyle because less than 1% of the residents have a beef about something. We all know complainers are the smallest group with the loudest voices. In reality, how often did the unhappy residents really go to the square and fail to find a parking spot, patronize the former country clubs, or yes, even watch the buffalo?

No offense intended, but progress happens.

[JoMar]

Originally Posted by DonH57

Absolutely right. Ignore the negative Nellies and Debbie downers of the villages.

Well those names should bring some comments from the ladies...lol.

[NJblue]

Originally Posted by Jayhawk

Irrational rants over things that are in real terms, progress, actually do harm people. What if some of these bitching posts influences someone to NOT choose to move here? They miss out on a wonderful lifestyle because less than 1% of the residents have a beef about something. We all know complainers are the smallest group with the loudest voices. In reality, how often did the unhappy residents really go to the square and fail to find a parking spot, patronize the former country clubs, or yes, even watch the buffalo?

No offense intended, but progress happens.

By "progress" if you really mean "change" then I can agree with you. However, the definition of progress is "gradual betterment". I doubt that most people would look at the list of changes in the OP and view them as "betterment".

[DonH57]

Originally Posted by JoMar

Well those names should bring some comments from the ladies...lol.

I did forget the doubting Thomas's !

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by DonH57

I did forget the doubting Thomas's !

And the Gary Grump Buckets!

[CarolSells]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

And the Gary Grump Buckets!

Well, let's don't leave out the Left Field Larrys, Critical Charlies, and Opinionated Ollies!

[Justus]

Originally Posted by downeaster

Closing the Health Center, The Buffalo, Silver Lake Restaurant, Chula Vista Restaurant, El Santiago Club Restaurant, The "wall", Parades, Katie Belles, Expansion into Fruitland Park, Expansion in Marion County, 6" golf holes, Valet Parking, Expansion in Wildwood, and I am sure there have been many I have forgotten. They all seem to have one thing in common and that is drum roll here they have had no noticeable negative effect. One personal exception, I still haven't recovered from the closing of The Spanish Springs Brewery. That is somewhat offset by the continued presence of Ollies

Nice post! Breath of fresh air! Thank you!

[Biker Dog]

Originally Posted by redwitch

Well, I gotta say that the removal of the buffalo was a big deal to me. I used to love watching them play at night when I couldn't sleep. Looking at a bunch of houses just doesn't bring the same smile to my face.

WE also miss the buffalo (Bisons)... Grandparents holding their grandkids on the fence so they could try to feed them was totally stupid, and

"You Can't Fix Stupid"

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by downeaster

Closing the Health Center, The Buffalo, Silver Lake Restaurant, Chula Vista Restaurant, El Santiago Club Restaurant, The "wall", Parades, Katie Belles, Expansion into Fruitland Park, Expansion in Marion County, 6" golf holes, Valet Parking, Expansion in Wildwood, and I am sure there have been many I have forgotten. They all seem to have one thing in common and that is drum roll here they have had no noticeable negative effect. One personal exception, I still haven't recovered from the closing of The Spanish Springs Brewery. That is somewhat offset by the continued presence of Ollies

None of these seem to be crises. More like not anticipating growth of the Villages, perhaps for businesses going under not capitalizing or marketing themselves correctly, and trying to avoid legal liability problems as with the buffalo.

It will be interesting to see how well valet parking does here in the Villages? Seems like something that belongs more in Vegas, Hollywood or NYC than the Villages but perhaps it will help with those who do not get around very well. I would not expect a venture like that to get enough clients to stay afloat for any length of time.


The parades do seem to resemble one another after you have seen a dozen or so. There are always new people coming to the Villages who have not experienced these though.