Wed - Feb 7/18

We are on the warm-up for this week. Close to or above 80 F with a 30% chance of rain for the next week.

I drove Charlotte to the MPR then to the Office to pick up the key for iron/ironing board cupboard. When Charlotte notices Jean's auto isn't here she checks and I drive her to the office for the key if it has not been picked up.

Thanks to Stu I can get on the internet in the motorhome through his router connection; however on days that Charlotte goes to the MPR for quilting/sewing/crafts I go to use the park Wi-Fi. I check for updates at this time as I don't want to put Stu over his monthly data quota.

The "Emergency Committee" was meeting in the Lodge to analyze the results of the park "Tornado Practice Drill". They did (and are doing) an excellent job. When the tornado touched down here in the fall there were less than 2 dozen residents. Currently the park is totally full meaning over 800 residents.

Today we had lunch in the RV and watched TV until it was time to head to The Villages. We have tickets for the 5 p.m. Lou Christie concert at the Savannah Center. He will be performing with Rocky and The Rollers.

As usual, this was another sellout. Folks arrive early to buy a drink, stand around and chat before the show.

Rocky and The Rollers have been a mainstay for almost 40 years. They play everything from Doo Wop to the hits of the 50', 60's and early 70's. When not playing in The Villages they are playing on Caribbean Cruises, Alaska cruises or on the Victory Casino ship. They often are the opening act for artists who play "The Villages". In the past they have played with a wide range of stars from Chuck Berry to Perry Como. We have seen them a number of times at The Villages and they are worth seeing all by themselves.

Tonight the opened for singer/songwriter Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco AKA Lou Christie. Lou came onto the music scene as a teenager in the '60's. His hits started with his first million seller "The Gypsy Cried" and continued with "Two Faces Have I", "Lightning Strikes", I'm Gonna Make You Mine" and "Rhapsody in the Rain" which was the first song banned on the radio due to suggestive lyrics). 

Lou has shared the stage with Diana Ross and the Supremes,The Rolling Stones, The Who, Neil Diamond, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Little Richard. He has been mentioned as having been "an influence" by the likes of John Lennon, Elton John and Madonna. He also has had many movie songs with the most prominent being "Beyond the Blue Horizon for "Rainman".

His voice was still as strong as it was in the '60's making for a thoroughly enjoyable show. We were lucky enough to get seats near the stage.

To have "The Villages" with "The Sharon" and "The Savannah Center" venues (and its 120,000+ affluent senior citizens) as a draw for these stars is a blessing. Most of the price ranges are reasonable although we will pass on a few (e.g. Tony Bennett, also on tonight at The Sharon $100-250) that are out of our price bracket.

After the show we headed for supper in adjacent Lady Lake, FL. There are a myriad of restaurants along US-441. Tonight our choice was Outbacks.

We went for the Steak and Lobster special. It is perfect for us. Charlotte gets both lobster and I get both steaks. We each get one side. Charlotte the sweet potato and my choice was the baked potato. Again, a great choice. We were stuffed with nothing left to have to take with us.

We take the longer way back to OMS by US-27/441 and SR-19 being it is well lit all the way. The shorter route we take in the day time is quite winding (along with numerous memorial crosses) for most of the way.

Got home in time to get on the internet (thanks to Stu) from the motorhome meaning I could publish the blog tonight.