The Villages is great, but as much as it's growing it no longer has that small-town feel that attracted so many early residents.

But if you don't need all of the amenities and access that residents enjoy, you can still take advantage of the restaurants, services, and many entertainment options that The Villages offers by living in one of the other towns nearby. In fact, the boundaries of The Villages are pushing further into these nearby small towns.

Here are a few places to consider:

Lady Lake

Lady Lake is a small town known for its proximity to the world's biggest retirement community. It offers a range of amenities and services, including shopping centers, golf courses, and medical facilities.

Belleview

Belleview is a small town with a historic downtown area. It offers a quieter pace of life and access to beautiful natural surroundings. Belleview is known for its parks and recreational opportunities, including Lake Lillian and Smith Lake Park.

Weirsdale

Weirsdale is a small town known for its proximity to Lake Weir, which offers opportunities for boating, fishing, and water sports. It's a scenic area with a mix of residential and rural properties, providing a relaxed atmosphere for retirees.

Tavares

Located on the eastern shore of Lake Dora, Tavares is a waterfront town known as the “Seaplane City.” It offers a relaxed lifestyle with opportunities for boating, fishing, and lakeside activities. Tavares also has a historic downtown district and hosts various events and festivals.

Oxford

Oxford offers a quiet and peaceful atmosphere, making it an attractive option for retirees seeking a relaxed lifestyle. The town is known for its scenic beauty, with lush landscapes and natural surroundings. Residents can enjoy outdoor activities like golfing, fishing, and boating in the nearby lakes and rivers. Oxford also has a few local shops and restaurants, providing basic necessities and dining options.

Lakeshore is a cottage home community in Oxford designed for those looking to downsize and simplify their lives. They offer quality constructed site-built homes, with thoughtfully chosen fixtures and finishes. Their homes are smaller, ranging from 725 to 1085 sq ft. With less to maintain, residents can step outside each day and take advantage of the many amenities within the community, including the clubhouse, pickleball courts, resort-style pool, walking trails, dog park and more, all maintained by our on-site team.

At Lakeshore, residents own their home and lease their land, for as little as $300 a month- a concept designed to help them to save money without sacrificing on the rights of traditional homeownership. Homeowners have a lower mortgage payment, saving money for travel, investment or retirement. Living on leased land alleviates the burden of lawn care and maintenance and frees residents from traditional monthly costs like HOA and CDD fees. It also allows for bundled utilities at a lower rate, providing residents with one predictable monthly cost, rather than never ending bill payments.

The unique offering at Lakeshore gives residents the opportunity to live a simpler life, letting go of time-consuming burdens and getting more out of each day in a community where they feel right at home.

You can request more information about the community right here:

These towns offer their own unique charms and amenities, making them potential retirement destinations near The Villages, Florida. It's advisable to visit these areas, explore their features, and consider your preferences before making a decision.

A Weirsdale man was arrested after a neighbor reported that he battered a woman during an argument.

Joseph William Wise III, 50, of South Highway 25, was charged with domestic battery (second or subsequent offense) and domestic battery by strangulation after the incident, which happened around 2 a.m. Monday at Wise’s residence.

The neighbor told a Marion County sheriff’s deputy she could hear the couple arguing from inside her residence. She said shortly after she heard the yelling, she got a call from the victim, who said Wise had struck her in the face and choked her, according to the sheriff’s office report.

The neighbor said she walked over to the home, saw the victim had a red mark on her neck, and got into an argument with Wise before calling 911. She said the victim has told her of other incidents in the past where Wise has been physical with her, the report said.

Wise told the deputy he and the victim had a verbal argument and that it never became physical. He said the neighbor just wanted to get him in trouble. The officer observed what appeared to be a fresh scratch on the front of Wise’s bicep, which he said he got from working earlier in the day, according to the report.

The victim was clearly distraught as she spoke to the deputy. She initially said she was fine, and that Wise didn’t put his hands on her. However, she later said he did slap her in the face with an open hand. The deputy observed the victim’s neck was read all the way around. When he asked her about it, she became silent, the report said.

The deputy talked to the victim about Wise’s alleged history of violence towards her and she finally admitted Wise wrapped his arm around her neck for more than 10 seconds and squeezed enough for her to become dizzy. She said she scratched at Wise to get him off and he released his grip shortly before the neighbor came to the residence, according to the report.

The deputy observed the victim’s eyes were bloodshot, which could be an indication of strangulation. The victim said she was seeing stars when Wise had her by the throat. She said she didn’t want to tell the deputy what happened because she was afraid for Wise to go to jail, the report said.

When Wise was being placed under arrest, he told the deputy he was the victim because the victim pushed him and that is how he got the scratch on his arm. The deputy didn’t observe any other marks on him, according to the report.

Wise was lodged in the Marion County Jail, where he was being held Wednesday on $10,000 bond. He’ll appear in Marion County Court on July 30.

The Plains and Mississippi Valley will have several days of severe weather risks. Scattered to widespread storms are expected Thursday through Sunday, all of which will be capable of becoming severe.

A low pressure system will develop over the central Plains on Thursday, strengthening throughout the day. A cold front will be associated with this low pressure system, which will be dragged through the southern half of the Plains. Warm and very moist air will be funneled northward ahead of the low pressure and cold front, while colder, drier air will be filtered in behind it. The collision of air masses will be where strong to severe thunderstorms form late Thursday into Friday morning.

The government’s Storm Prediction Center has already issued an Enhanced Risk, or a 3 out of 5 on the severe weather probability scale, for Thursday’s threat. This covers south-central Kansas and western Oklahoma into the Texas Panhandle, and includes cities such as Dodge City, Kan., and Woodward, Okla. A larger Slight Risk, or a 2 out of 5 on the severe weather probability scale, is in effect from south-central Nebraska, most of Kansas, central Oklahoma and portions of the panhandle, and into western Texas. This includes cities like McCook, Neb., Colby and Wichita, Kan., Oklahoma City and Lubbock, Midland and Abilene, Texas.

The main threats associated with this threat will be large hail and severe wind gusts exceeding 55 mph. A few tornadoes also cannot be ruled out. With this also being an overnight threat, be sure to be vigilant and aware when it comes to receiving your severe weather information.

This system will likely have ongoing severe weather threats through Friday morning before eventually dying out. There may be another threat for severe thunderstorms due to the moist, unstable environment for central Iowa south to east-central Texas for Friday afternoon and evening. Similar threats of large hail and damaging winds along with a few tornadoes will be possible.

Another developing system is expected to strengthen Saturday over the High Plains and with a sharp divide between a warm, moist air mass and a dry air mass, severe weather is expected to fire. The Dallas area northeast to northern Missouri could all be targets for severe activity. As this fresh system pushes east, its trailing cold front will provide yet another chance for severe weather for the Midwest and Mississippi Valley on Sunday.

Make sure to know the difference between a watch and a warning should they become issued. A watch means that conditions are favorable for severe weather to occur and to be on alert for any rapidly changing conditions. A warning means that severe weather is imminent, and you should act fast to remain safe.

The best way to remain safe is to stay prepared and informed about your local weather. Have a severe weather kit packed with a battery-operated radio, water and non-perishable food items should you be without power for long periods of time. Also, check the WeatherBug app frequently for any updates on today’s severe weather. Remember, “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!”

For the Star-Banner

WEIRSDALE — Family, friends and dozens of Eagle Scouts gathered Saturday to dedicate the newly named Eagle Trail meant to honor a longtime scoutmaster and community advocate: the late Willet A.R. “Bud” Boyer Jr.

Jeff Gold, chairman of the County Commission, along with Boyer’s family members, unveiled the road sign. The commission has designated Southeast 137th Court in Weirsdale as "Willet A.R. 'Bud' Boyer Eagle Trail."

The roadway runs in front of the Weirsdale Presbyterian Church Boy Scout Building, which is home to Scouts BSA Troop 113 .The troop is known for producing a high percentage of Eagle scouts and saw 56 scouts earn the top rank while Boyer was scoutmaster, and 80 in total to date.

The community projects done by the many Troop 113 Eagle candidates, one of the requirements to make Eagle, have made significant community improvements at locations including a park, churches and schools.

"When I joined the County Commission I was told I would be in Weirsdale a lot to do the Eagle Scout Award presentation ceremonies. They were right," Gold said during the dedication ceremony on Saturday.

Boyer, 79, died on Aug. 13, 2020, after a brief illness. His legacy lives on with his wife of 64 years, Kaye; their sons Rob, 50, Willet III, 53 and Jim, 44; eight grandchildren, hundreds of Boy Scouts he mentored in Troop 113 over 38 years, and the scouts he inspired and encouraged to earn Eagle rank.

Kate Boyer said she and her husband “were a team.”

Dr. Dusty Cordle is a "cow and horse" veterinarian in Arcadia, Florida. He was in Troop 113 about 20 years ago and earned Eagle Scout. He was at the dedication Saturday.

"I would not be where I am today if not for Mr. (Bud) Boyer," Cordle, 35, said.

Cordle said Boyer's most important attribute as scoutmaster was "perseverance.”

Rob Boyer now serves as Troop 113 scoutmaster.

"When my father retired from the citrus industry after the freezes (in the 1980s) scouting became his passion," he said.

About Willet 'Bud' Boyer Jr.

Willet "Bud" Boyer Jr., a native of Weirsdale, graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in industrial management and worked in Weirsdale as a citrus grower, according to a biography distributed at the dedication.

Boyer served as director of Florida Citrus Mutual and was inducted into the Marion County Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2017.

Boyer himself attained Eagle Scout, as did all his sons, the biography states.

Bud Boyer also earned the esteemed Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver Award for "exceptional character” and was a lifelong member of Weirsdale Presbyterian Church and member of Masonic Lodge Number 95 in Belleview, the biography indicates.

Local leaders honor Boyer

Newly elected Ocala City Council member James Hilty came to honor Boyer, with whom he had met many times to review Eagle Scout applications. Hilty served on the Eagle Board of Review for 15 years.

Marion County Judge James McCune, an Eagle Scout, likened Bud Boyer's leadership to a road map that "showed a way in life."

"On my honor I will do my best to do my duty," McCune said, borrowing from the Scout Oath to give an example of the values Bud Boyer impressed on the scouts.

'He believed in doing the right thing and giving people a fair shake.'

Kelly Roberts, a Committee Chairman with Troop 113, spoke at the gathering. His son, Crosby, earned Eagle rank in Troop 113 in 2015.

"Bud Boyer instilled pride in ownership of the troop among the (Weirsdale) community." Roberts said.

Troop 113 Assistant Scoutmaster David Vincent told attendees Bud Boyer was a "moral compass."

"He believed in doing the right thing and giving people a fair shake," he said.

Willet Boyer III and Jim Boyer both gave tributes to their father at the gathering, which included upwards of 100 attendees.

Rob Boyer said his father described passing values from one generation to another and instilling character in young scouts as "value transfer."

“Citizenship, leadership and faith” were core values Bud Boyer imparted to the scouts and he wanted the scouts to be better and "partnered and mentored" with them, Rob Boyer said.

"(My father) did not allow the scouts to compromise," Rob Boyer said.

He said "many men," including assistant scoutmasters, committee chairmen and volunteers, contribute to Troop 113 and serve as "father figures" for a number of the youths without a male role model.

"My father encouraged the scouts through the ups and downs (and) saw things in (the scouts) they might not have seen in themselves. The Eagle Scouts he mentored is an amazing legacy," he said.

“I hope when others see the sign for Eagle Trail they ‘show up’ to participate like my father and the other Troop 113 leaders,” Rob Boyer said.

The Plains and Mississippi Valley will have several days of severe weather risks. Scattered to widespread storms are expected Thursday through Sunday, all of which will be capable of becoming severe.

A low pressure system will develop over the central Plains on Thursday, strengthening throughout the day. A cold front will be associated with this low pressure system, which will be dragged through the southern half of the Plains. Warm and very moist air will be funneled northward ahead of the low pressure and cold front, while colder, drier air will be filtered in behind it. The collision of air masses will be where strong to severe thunderstorms form late Thursday into Friday morning.

The government’s Storm Prediction Center has already issued an Enhanced Risk, or a 3 out of 5 on the severe weather probability scale, for Thursday’s threat. This covers south-central Kansas and western Oklahoma into the Texas Panhandle, and includes cities such as Dodge City, Kan., and Woodward, Okla. A larger Slight Risk, or a 2 out of 5 on the severe weather probability scale, is in effect from south-central Nebraska, most of Kansas, central Oklahoma and portions of the panhandle, and into western Texas. This includes cities like McCook, Neb., Colby and Wichita, Kan., Oklahoma City and Lubbock, Midland and Abilene, Texas.

The main threats associated with this threat will be large hail and severe wind gusts exceeding 55 mph. A few tornadoes also cannot be ruled out. With this also being an overnight threat, be sure to be vigilant and aware when it comes to receiving your severe weather information.

This system will likely have ongoing severe weather threats through Friday morning before eventually dying out. There may be another threat for severe thunderstorms due to the moist, unstable environment for central Iowa south to east-central Texas for Friday afternoon and evening. Similar threats of large hail and damaging winds along with a few tornadoes will be possible.

Another developing system is expected to strengthen Saturday over the High Plains and with a sharp divide between a warm, moist air mass and a dry air mass, severe weather is expected to fire. The Dallas area northeast to northern Missouri could all be targets for severe activity. As this fresh system pushes east, its trailing cold front will provide yet another chance for severe weather for the Midwest and Mississippi Valley on Sunday.

Make sure to know the difference between a watch and a warning should they become issued. A watch means that conditions are favorable for severe weather to occur and to be on alert for any rapidly changing conditions. A warning means that severe weather is imminent, and you should act fast to remain safe.

The best way to remain safe is to stay prepared and informed about your local weather. Have a severe weather kit packed with a battery-operated radio, water and non-perishable food items should you be without power for long periods of time. Also, check the WeatherBug app frequently for any updates on today’s severe weather. Remember, “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!”