1+ hour, 1+ min ago (274+ words) The City of Wildwood's annual Winterfest will be held Friday, Dec. 5, from 5 to 9 p.m." One of the city's largest annual productions, Winterfest has grown over the years to become a family favorite of many residents. Spectators start lining the streets more than an hour before the parade begins to get a good view of the floats when they go by." "Shifting our parade to evening hours when it's dark has added a whole new layer of excitement," said Parks and Recreation Director Courtney Kellem. "It's incredible how creative our participants are, with some planning all year. Our parade judges are more challenged than ever, because every single float really is a winner.." The city has again partnered with Habitat for Humanity's Jingle Build Off to display more than 25 playhouses during Winterfest along Gamble Street behind City Hall. The playhouses are custom…...

1+ hour, 46+ min ago (180+ words) [Ki Yun Ruf]Ki Yun Ruf " data-image-caption="Ki Yun Ruf " data-medium-file="https://www.villages-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Ki-Yun-Ruf-239x300.webp" data-large-file="https://www.villages-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Ki-Yun-Ruf.webp" /> Ki Yun Ruf loved so easily from her heart and was a shining light wherever she went. Her smile and laughter were genuinely felt by many. She helped so many people in her life. Read more: Ki Yun Ruf She is survived by her spouse, Dennis Drosendahl, her children, Nina J. Spicer, Janet K. Beeson, Arthur E. Bohner, grandchildren, and great grandchild. She loved so easily from her heart and was a shining light wherever she went. Her smile and laughter were genuinely felt by many. Everyone says Ki is their best friend and their favorite aunt. She helped so many people in her life. Thank you for all that you are, being present, your laugh, loving us, and always seeing the best in us. We love you. Comments…...

2+ hour, 2+ min ago (119+ words) A Village of Tall Trees resident contends that not every one who carries a gun is a trigger-happy fool. Read more: Someone with a gun might just save your life How many mass shootings have we had in the past year? Everyone that carries a gun is not a trigger-happy fool. Remember the Walmart shooting? Bet they wished someone with a gun was there to stop the shooter. Remember the theater shooting in Colorado? Bet they wished someone was there with a gun. And many more. You should stop and thank anyone that has gone through licensing and training to carry a gun. They may be the one that saves your life. Comments have been temporarily disabled...

2+ hour, 46+ min ago (174+ words) Betty Hartnett Bishop, born Dec. of 1933 to Donald W. Hartnett and Bertha E. Rowden, passed on Nov. 18 in a Florida care center. A forty- five year resident of Alton, IL Betty graduated Marquette High School in1951. She was married to Sam Ulett , the father of her daughters Diana (Doug) McKay of Boulder City, NV and Kathi ( Jeff) Saeger of St. Louis and Harold Bishop and Harry Grayson. Betty is survived by her daughters, and three grandchildren , Kara ( Waylon Rowley) McKay of Salt Lake City, Jared ( Ana) Saeger, of St. Louis, Joel ( Monique) Saeger of Columbia, MO. Mason McKay, her oldest grandson who assisted her in these last years, is sadly still listed on Missing in America but presumed to have preceded her in death. Betty had two great granddaughters, Adelie and Monique Saeger. Though Betty received all the sacraments of the Catholic Church,…...

12+ hour, 13+ min ago (200+ words) [Bald eagle couple refurbishing nest in The Villages]Bald eagle couple refurbishing nest in The Villages " data-image-caption="Bald eagle couple refurbishing nest in The Villages " data-medium-file="https://www.villages-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Bald-eagle-couple-refurbishing-nest-in-The-Villages-300x191.jpg" data-large-file="https://www.villages-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Bald-eagle-couple-refurbishing-nest-in-The-Villages-600x381.jpg" /> This process is played out yearly in various locals here in The Villages. This bald eagle couple is at the stage of refurbishing the nest they used as home last year. Hopefully, this will have a beautiful ending when one or two of their eaglets leave the nest next spring. Thanks to Sam Boatman for sharing! Read more: Bald eagle couple refurbishing nest in The Villages This process is played out yearly in various locals here in The Villages. This bald eagle couple is at the stage of refurbishing the nest they used as home last year. Hopefully, this will have a beautiful ending when one or two of their eaglets…...

14+ hour, 1+ min ago (93+ words) [ssnakeyez]ssnakeyez " data-image-caption="ssnakeyez " data-medium-file="https://www.villages-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/ssnakeyez-300x300.jpg" data-large-file="https://www.villages-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/ssnakeyez-600x600.jpg" /> Nightly entertainment performing in The Villages Town Squares on November 30, 2025 Read more: Live Square Entertainment for Sunday, November 30 Brownwood Paddock Square | 5:00 PM Lake Sumter Landing Market Square | 5:00 PM Spanish Springs Town Square | 5:00 PM Luck of the Draw Sawgrass Grove | 5:00 PM...

16+ hour, 3+ min ago (119+ words) A violent exchange with panhandlers that sent a man to the hospital has resurrected questions about begging for money in Florida's Friendliest Hometown. In the wake of the attack, many questions have been raised about the legality of panhandling in The Villages. Since the panhandling ordinance was struck down, panhandlers have been a persistent problem at Mulberry Grove Plaza, which is located in the Marion County section of The Villages. Panhandlers tend to venture into The Villages with more frequency during the holidays, hoping that Villagers will be feeling the Christmas spirit and in a giving mood. Then the person asked for money must make a decision. To give or not to give? Share your answer at [email'protected]...

16+ hour, 16+ min ago (266+ words) Villagers fought for the future of America's democracy and their grandchildren in several locations Saturday morning throughout Florida's Friendliest Hometown. The Villages Democratic Club hosted the rallies at five locations. While many Villagers hosted families this Thanksgiving weekend, the demonstrators used the day to stand up for democracy. "We are giving thanks for nearly 250 years of American democracy, free speech, liberty and justice for all," said Karla McCary of the Village of Dunedin. "We will not be silent as our democracy is being dismantled." Betsy Pahtef, founder of the Deaf Villagers for Democracy group, along with several deaf Villagers, stood on the shoulder of'State Road 44 holding signs urging people to stand up for democracy. "We are here because we believe in America, we believe in freedom of speech," she said. Juanita Mclain who lives in the Village of Collier, was…...

16+ hour, 31+ min ago (240+ words) New details are emerging about the relationship between a teacher's aide and a 16-year-old female student at Wildwood Middle High School. Madelyn K. Mead, 26, who has been fired from her position at the school, remains free on $50,000 bond following her Nov. 14 arrest after the inappropriate relationship was exposed. An arrest affidavit is revealing new details between Mead, who previously was lauded for her work at the school, and the student. Mead worked as a teacher's aide in two of the teen's classes. Mead also transported female students, including the 16-year-old, to track events. Mead and the girl began eating lunch alone in an office. Mead gave the teen rides home from school and purchased items for her, including gifts and food. The relationship came to an abrupt halt when the girl's mother discovered the messages on her daughter's phone. The daughter…...

17+ hour, 1+ min ago (120+ words) A new owner will celebrate the recent addition of a restaurant in The Villages. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Monday to celebrate the Suleiman family taking over Boosters Bar & Gill at Shallow Creek Golf Club in the Middleton area. The Suleimans also had a recent celebration of the official reopening of the newly renovated Palmer Legends Country Club. The family's restaurants in The Villages also include the Lopez Legacy Restaurant, Havana Country Club and Prima Italian Steakhouse. In addition, Jack Suleiman runs RGM Restaurants which operates redsauce at Lake Sumter Landing, Glenview Country Club and Mallory Hill Country Club. The combined Suleiman family restaurants in The Villages employ hundreds of staff members....