Enjoying new experiences at new locations is how residents of Pebble Springs Retirement Community spend most Fridays.
Deb Babcock, lifestyle director for Pebble Springs Retirement Community, said residents are able to get out of the facility to explore new places, engage in activities they are familiar with or try their hand at something new with the Friday Gallivanting Adventure event series.
During the month of January, residents of Pebble Springs Retirement Community will experience new escapades, from taking a trip to Tampa’s Hard Rock Casino on Jan. 16 to going horseback riding on Jan. 30.
Pulling from the interest of residents, past planned events and options around the tri-county area and the state, Babcock said planning the activities for the Friday Gallivanting Adventure series takes work, but has major rewards.
“Our residents enjoy the activities we do,” she said.
Brisk weather and Christmas lights were a few of the memorable moments for residents during a Friday Gallivanting Adventure experience that took place on Dec. 19. Residents enjoyed dinner followed by a boat tour at Eaton’s Beach Sandbar and Grill in Weirsdale.
Babcock said the nighttime activity was a seamless transition from dinner at the restaurant to a boat ride across Lake Weir to look at the homes and their colorful and eye-catching Christmas decorations.
“It was a beautiful night to be on the water for the Christmas Light Tour at Eaton’s Beach,” Babcock said. “We started out with a delicious dinner and that flowed right into the boat ride experience. It was a different way to see Christmas lights. What an amazing night.”
Pebble Springs resident Loretta Instace said these adventures have allowed her to experience more than she has in 20 years.
“I’ve gotten to see more of Florida in the last two years than I did in my 20 years of living in the state,” Instace said. “Deb takes us all over the place.”
Instace said she enjoyed being on the water, the decorations on the boat and the Christmas lights on the homes.
“It was a nice experience,” she said. “It was a little on the chilly side that night, but there were blankets on the boat. It was a nice evening looking at the Christmas lights.”
Residents wrapped blankets over their heads and around their shoulders, determined to stay warm as they enjoyed the twinkling lights.
Joann Humphrey said her favorite lights were the outdoor LED Christmas tree with light branches.
“Most of the homes they have there are beautiful, but the ones with the lights were gorgeous,” Humphrey said.
Having lived at Pebble Springs for two years, Humphrey said she has done pretty much every activity offered during the Friday Gallivanting Adventure series. Her favorite adventure was a trip to Ocala’s World Equestrian Center where she could talk to the horses.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
