Dinner at Swampy's in Dunnellon with our TN Kayaking Friends

It is the "Magnificent Seven"! This is the 3rd annual get together with our friends who travel each Spring Break from Kingsport, TN to Florida for kayaking. From our area, where they kayaked the Rainbow River, they are heading south to the Fort Meyers area. Left around the circle is Ted, Jan, Lucy(Kari's husband, Curtis', Mom), Melinda, Paul, Mike and Louise.  

Tarpon Springs and the Sponge Docks

During our camping trip to Port Richey with Jean and Gerry, we did a day trip visiting Tarpon Springs and the Sponge Dock area.

The Sponge Industry helped build a Greek Community that is now famous not only for the world's finest sponges, but for some of the finest Greek Restaurants, Markets, and Bakeries in the Country.

We had a fun time in the spice shop checking out all the interesting "hot" things!

Anyone want an octopus hat??

The main street has world famous Greek restaurants, gift shops and bakeries.

Greek Bakerey...

All the activities are right on the waterfront.....

There were bikes throughout the area decorated with flowers...

We opted for seafood instead of Greek food....

We all enjoyed our meal at Rusty Bellies located on the Anclote River.

Frank and Karen's Visit

Ted's cousin, Frank, and his wife, Karen, stopped to see us on their trip north back to NH after spending the Winter of 2017 in Key West.

On their first day in Ocala we showed them around our community, "On Top of the World". Second day was breakfast at Red's in Hernando. Red's is the place to go if you are "really hungry" for breakfast or lunch. Red's meals are always memorable. 

View from our table.....nice bird house, but didn't see any residence. 

Projects Around the House

We decided to widen our driveway at our Ocala home. The above and below photos show the before driveway....

Leo's Landscaping took on the project, which with a 2nd project was completed in three busy days!

Our driveway is made of pavers, so the project was like a giant jigsaw puzzle.

Finished driveway project and the final clean up. The driveway was expanded a total of 6 ft.....4 ft on one side and 2 ft on the other. Makes a big difference when shuffling 2 cars plus a golf cart...

Our back screened porch had a concert floor and decided to dress it up with pavers.

Leo's crew took on the challenge.

Again a giant jigsaw puzzle with half pavers...

We love the results!

"The Lodge at Candler Hills" in On Top of the World Communities

The Grand Opening of our new community center called "The "The Lodge" took place on Thursday March 9th.

Renderings of proposed new club house.....now it is complete!!!

All those who live in the Candler area of On Top of the World Communities in Ocala were invited to the celebration. The line was very long getting in the front door...

There is a wonderful new pool, meeting rooms, conference room with dance floor and conversation area with fireplace.

Refreshments and drinks were served during the open house and everyone enjoyed seeing the new facility.

This causal area around the pool will be one of our favorite hangouts...

There was even a band for dancing.....

As you can see, the event was very well attended.

"Super Diamond" at Circle Square Cultural Center, Ocala, FL

Tribute band SUPER DIAMOND performed at Circle Square Cultural Center Friday March 3rd.

The band played all our Neil Diamond favorites. The first half of the show started out slow. You got the feeling they had done the songs one to many times. But the 2nd half was great and made up for the disappointing start.

Super Diamond is a west coast band, who has been performing since the early 2000's

Our friends, Glenda and Don, all dressed up, just before the show began.