[gnschuler]

The Sharon Villas in Gilchrist went on a day trip to Hontoon Landing on the St. John River. We had visiters from Italy and wanted to take a pontoon ride. What a great day. We decided to have a picnic at Blue Spring State Park which you can pull up to with your pontoon and unload your coolers. We went to the deli at Winn Dixie, Pinellas Plaza, and ask for a price on fried and baked chicken. They were $20 cheaper than KFC and I would of had to pick up KFC a day before we left, where as Winn Dixie made it fresh Sunday morning and I picked it up at 7:30 AM. We also has a subs made fresh and were a big hit with our crowd. Just sayin' check out our new Winn Dixie for your fresh deli needs. They are GREAT!

[rdhdleo]

Have to say the Wing Bar at Winn Dixie is awesome they have I think 8 kinds , very meaty and delicious and reasonable!

[jnieman]

Originally Posted by gnschuler

The Sharon Villas in Gilchrist went on a day trip to Hontoon Landing on the St. John River. We had visiters from Italy and wanted to take a pontoon ride. What a great day. We decided to have a picnic at Blue Spring State Park which you can pull up to with your pontoon and unload your coolers. We went to the deli at Winn Dixie, Pinellas Plaza, and ask for a price on fried and baked chicken. They were $20 cheaper than KFC and I would of had to pick up KFC a day before we left, where as Winn Dixie made it fresh Sunday morning and I picked it up at 7:30 AM. We also has a subs made fresh and were a big hit with our crowd. Just sayin' check out our new Winn Dixie for your fresh deli needs. They are GREAT!

Thanks for posting the info. I haven't been to Winn Dixie yet and would love to hear others tell what they like there too. Sounds like a great trip. How far of a drive is that from the Villages? How many hour pontoon ride?

[perrjojo]

I hear a lot Winn Dixie bashes but I love Winn Dixie!

[justjim]

Some of the older Winn Dixie's were "run down" but the newer updated ones are every bit as good as Publix. In fact, the meat is better.

[mrsyarbie]

I have lived in Florida for many years and love the Winn Dixie. When I first moved to Florida the ladies all wore dresses and aprons and the men wore bow ties. At that time Publix was still a new company working its way up to where is it today and had double couponing which was very hard on Winn Dixie. They have gone thru some rough times. What most people don't know is that they are the BEEF people and have always been known to have the best cuts of meat. I am so glad they are doing well and I for one am taking advantage of their reward programs for gas at the participating Shell Stations. Don't try using it at the one on Colony they are not participating, they make so much money off us folk in The Villages they don't need to be involved in any program. If you have not enrolled yet look into it. Its very simple to use the reward card...

[Shimpy]

Originally Posted by mrsyarbie

I have lived in Florida for many years and love the Winn Dixie. When I first moved to Florida the ladies all wore dresses and aprons and the men wore bow ties. At that time Publix was still a new company working its way up to where is it today and had double couponing which was very hard on Winn Dixie.

Winn Dixie used to be Kwik Chek. Notice the check mark in the Winn Dixie logo. Also their soda is Chek soda, again a carryover from Kwik Chek.

[sharonga]

I would like to know more about the day trip to Hoonton
River. Where is it? Who drives the boat?

[cquick]

Originally Posted by gnschuler

The Sharon Villas in Gilchrist went on a day trip to Hontoon Landing on the St. John River. We had visiters from Italy and wanted to take a pontoon ride.

did you have a pilot for your boat? how did you reserve? sounds like fun.

[Ecuadog]

Here's the link to the Hontoon Landing web site.

From looking at the group photo, I think that they rented two 24' pontoon boats and piloted them themselves.

[gnschuler]

Originally Posted by jnieman

Thanks for posting the info. I haven't been to Winn Dixie yet and would love to hear others tell what they like there too. Sounds like a great trip. How far of a drive is that from the Villages? How many hour pontoon ride?

It was 1 1/2 hours away and we had the pontoon from 9-5. So we came back in about 3:00. It was great.

[gnschuler]

Originally Posted by sharonga

I would like to know more about the day trip to Hoonton
River. Where is it? Who drives the boat?

2317 River Ridge Rd. DeLand, Florida 32720, about 1 1/2 hours away. Check out: hontoo.com. You drive the boat, it doesn't go fast and they give you maps to watch the channel markers and instructions before you leave the dock. EASY!!! and so fun.

[gnschuler]

Originally Posted by cquick

did you have a pilot for your boat? how did you reserve? sounds like fun.

You drive the pontoon yourself. Check out: hontoo.com.
2317 River Ridge Rd. DeLand, Florida 32720.

[gnschuler]

Originally Posted by Ecuadog

Here's the link to the Hontoon Landing web site.

From looking at the group photo, I think that they rented two 24' pontoon boats and piloted them themselves.

You are correct. hontoon.com