The Braveheart Challenge
March 25, Brownwood Paddock Square
Firefighters and cadets from across Florida came to The Villages to compete in the first Braveheart Challenge, run by The Villages Insurance — firefighter challenges, an obstacle course, a children's play area, vendors, and a long day of it from ten until four.
The funds went to scholarships for Villages High School seniors, keeping Scott Robertson's legacy alive.
We had a tent there and sold season tickets out of it. That was not really the point of the day, and we knew it.
Running the Squares
April 15, Spanish Springs
Our first team players, our youth players, our coaches and their families entered the Running the Squares 5K as a single community team, hosted by the VCDD Recreation Department.
We won Best Team.
Several of our runners placed in their age groups as well. A fair number of the youth players beat the professionals, which they have not stopped mentioning since.
And it led to something else. We met Bob Kane at this event — captain of the Grand Master Dragon Boat Team — and he invited our players out on the water. More on that below.
A polo match at our own ground
May 21, The Villages Polo Club
We play soccer at the Polo Club. On this afternoon our players and staff went to see what the place was actually built for.
They watched the horses and the riders. They stomped the divots at half time, the way everybody does. They met the people who come to the Polo Club for polo rather than for us.
Dancing the night away
May 29, Brownwood Paddock Square
DJ Scooter, again, and an evening of our staff, our supporters and our players dancing in the square.
He had everybody moving and laughing within about four minutes, which is what he does.
And then he invited us up on stage. So much fun!
Out on the boat.
We met Bob Kane, captain of the Grand Master Dragon Boat Team, at Running the Squares. He invited our players to come out one morning and join his crew, and they went.
No need for the gym that day.
Our thanks to Bob and the Grand Masters for having us out.
