Meet A Villager

Meet a Villager: B.J. Durkin

“Down time” isn’t a concept she’s familiar with. Vital Stats: Originally from Ohio. 77 years old. Lives in the Village of Palo Alto. A mixed family, BJ and her husband, Mike, have a total of 6 sons, 12 grandchildren and…

Meet a Villager: Linda Lee Keenan

Local author writes historical fiction set in WWII era Poland. Vital stats: Author of “With Love From Poland” and “The Journal”. Resident of the Village of Fernandina. Originally from Buffalo, New York. Lives part time in Connecticut. Has two daughters.…

Meet a Villager: Richard Barth

Photo: Nicole Hamel Performing is music to his ears. Vital Stats Earned a bachelor’s degree in music at Baldwin Wallace University in Ohio. Earned a master’s degree in tuba performance from Northwestern University. Served in the U.S. Army from 1968…

Meet a villager: Joe Angione

The village voice Joe Angione speaks out and sings out. Vital Stats: Born and raised in New York City. Graduated from Fordham University with a degree in marketing communications. Reached the rank of captain while serving in the Air…

MEET A VILLAGER: ‘Hone’ing His Craft

Jerry Hone can’t think of a time he wasn’t building something. Since he was a small boy, he has always had an interest in creating extraordinary items people have never seen before. His latest undertaking—the Flying Man Backpack—is no exception.…

MEET A VILLAGER: Jeff & Zellie Werblin — The most precious gift of all

Zellie Werblin will tell you she and her husband Jeff’s lives have been nothing short of bashert, ever since they met about seven years ago. “Both our spouses died around [the holidays] within a couple of months of each other,”…

MEET A VILLAGER: What Are You Grateful For?

Villager Alex Weaver and his friend, Tavares resident Brenda Stewart, were enjoying the music at one of the town squares recently when I asked, “What are you grateful for?” “I’m grateful for my good health,” Alex responded. “I’m also grateful…

MEET A VILLAGER: What’s Big, Green, and Shaped like an Egg?

If you’ve lived in The Villages for very long, there’s a chance you’ve joined at least one or two of the many clubs available to residents. Want to learn more about your computer? There’s a club for that. Are you…

Like a duck to water

If you told Jean Hofmann ten years ago she’d be a volunteer instructor teaching eight water and land exercise classes a week she’d have begged to differ with you. “People approach me all the time and ask if I was…

MEET A VILLAGER: Walter and Janice Martin

African-American residents appeared to be few and far between when Walter and Janice Martin moved to The Villages in 2004. Although comfortable in their new environment, discovery of the African-American Club enhanced the martin’s ability to meet and develop solid…