[The Gazette]

Being new to The Villages, homeowners may have questions. The Villages Homeowners Association (VHA) hosts an evening event filled with valuable information from a variety of sources to help Villagers become familiar with the ins and outs of the community. Some of those sources include Sumter County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO), Sumter County Tax Collector, Veterans Services,

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[bowlingal]

don't forget to attend the golf cart safety clinic

[ElDiabloJoe]

I know of a community "up north" that has an entire membership social thing called, wait for it, "New Villagers." You can join anytime you like, whether you moved in a week ago, or you moved in 20 years ago. However, when you do join, you are only allowed to be a member for 2 years. Unless you go on to volunteer as an event coordinator or other position - then you can be a member for 2.5 years.

They have a social each month. New people are introducing and various clubs and organizations set up tables to get new members (dragon boats, volunteer boat rescue, etc.). Also there are opportunities to get organized into a book, wine, or dining club which after a few monthly meetings takes off on its own and is no longer affiliated with New Villagers. You and the other 6-10 people are then on your own - some of those wine groups go on to meet for decades and become lifelong friends.

The New Villagers also uses the volunteer Event Coordinators to put together local museum, restaurant, attraction, sporting event, St. Paddy's Day party, trivia nights, boat raft-offs, river-rafting, etc. which also helps expose new residents to the local offerings while cementing bonds of friendship.

Anyhow, thought it was a pretty cool way to do things and thought I'd share it.