Brownwood–the newest area of The Villages

 

There was one more area of The Villages that we hadn’t been to yet, so on Friday we met up with Mark and Janie for another tour.

First, they took us to see their Villa Home, which they maintain as a rental property.  The Villas are more like condos – with less square footage and smaller yards, but still really nice, especially as a rental.

 

 

 

From there, we made our way down to Brownwood, which is the newest Town Square area – it’s marketed as Old Florida with a touch of Michigan.  All the streets are named after cites in Michigan.

The town square is not quite full yet, but it’s really cute, with a country theme – even the movie theatre,

and the sales office.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The recreation center in this area is the Eisenhower Recreation Center,

and that was our next destination.

As I think I mentioned before, each recreation center has a theme – this one is military-themed, and it’s stunning. 

 

All branches of the Armed Forces are represented, but as a Navy Mom, I found myself continuously drawn to the Navy memorabilia.

 

 

As you walk through the front door, your eyes are drawn to the life-sized models of service men and women on display on the 2nd level.

 

 

We recently found out that Nicolas will be assigned to the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier when he completes his training next month, so it was particularly emotional for me to see the many bits of “Ike” memorabilia.

He needs to get me one of those buttons!

CVN69 – Nicolas’ ship

 

Each Room in the recreation center was filled with military memorabilia, all of which was donated by residents of The Villages.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was like walking through a museum, so beautiful . . . even the furniture stayed in the military theme!

 

This Japanese flag was captured at Iwo Jima, and was signed by each of the service members who were there.

The floor in the main ballroom was really beautiful!

The recreation center is named for President Eisenhower, and there are portraits of him throughout,

as well as bits and pieces of his life.  He was a painter, and painted these portraits of Washington and Lincoln.

We really enjoyed our visit to this recreation center, and are glad Mark & Janie included it in our tour.

Our last stop of the day was the Rohan Recreation Center. 

We checked out the outdoor areas first.  Like all of the recreation centers, there is a pool and various sports fields,

Bocci Ball

Pickleball Courts (Check out the height of those fences, Bryce – even you probably wouldn’t hit over the top of those!)

and an outdoor fitness center.

Tom and Mark had to try out a few of the machines!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This looks like trouble!!

Next up was the rowing machine.

Tom made it look easy, but Mark  said he was going to feel this one the next day!!

The theme of this recreation center is the history of The Villages.  As you walk in the front door, your eye is drawn to the ceiling, where there is a huge mural of the community.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Displays throughout this recreation center chronicle the development of The Villages – from a single 55+ mobile home park to the 35 square mile all-encompassing retirement paradise . . . which is continuing to expand!

The founding families

In the ballroom, we studied the annual aerial photographs that show how the community has grown and filled in over the years.  It was really interesting to see.

While Mark & I studied the photos, Tom and Janie were taking a break!

That wrapped up a long afternoon of touring, and we were all starving!  It was well past dinner time!  We headed over to Sumter Landing for dinner, where the Mini Cooper Car Club was having a car show.

While we waited for our table, we checked out the little cars!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One that embraces its British heritage, and a couple of vintage Minis.

 

We enjoyed a delicious dinner, and called it a night after that – it was another great day in The Villages!