What we do best, here in The Villages, is to get involved.

Take a moment to remember what you experienced when you first visited The Villages. And now consider how you felt the day you became a permanent resident. What comes to mind? How quickly did you jump into the activities? Who were the people you first talked to, became friends with? Did you call everyone you knew to tell them about this paradise? Or did you simply experience it privately for awhile? Can you imagine what today's visitor feels as he or she arrives from across the water to the entrance to the Sumter Landing Town Square?

Unless it's the middle of summer and the lines are too long, when we visit Walt Disney World for the first time we are delighted with the cleanliness, the magic, the cheerfulness of the "cast members". If you've ever had the opportunity to visit "underground" Disney then you know of the intricacies and the detailed mechanics required to sustain the enjoyment of the park itself.

Recently Mark Morse brought to our attention something most of us here in The Villages have come to take for granted. Stated quite simply, living here is a marvelous gift. Mark encouraged us to preserve and protect this gift. Hopefully you will agree that our lifestyle is the benefactor when everyone joins in the effort to preserve and protect what we experience on a daily basis. We don't have a Disney "underground" infrastructure to support the above ground delights. Instead we have our residents, the people who know what a gift we stand to lose if we don't become involved.

We at The-Villages-Online.com have decided to do our part. We are in an expansion mode. You have probably noticed that we are adding several new sections to our website and that we have updated our search protocol. We also have a number of requests on the website asking for your input to allow us to incorporate your suggestions as we grow. Since our goal from day one was to enhance this lifestyle we all enjoy and to help keep the residents informed, we have decided to answer the call expressed by Mr. Morse.

"Preserve & Protect" is our latest addition to the website and it will be a place for each of you to participate. You will be able to enter your thoughts or your proposed solution to the challenges you experience; and find a place to offer the chance to head-up or join a group that is ready to preserve our lifestyle.

Additionally, we will be forming "The Ambassador's Club". This will be a place for volunteers to join together. Some of you may decide to hold meetings; others may decide to have "Virtual Meetings" which are held online at home from your own pc. Thanks to modern technology, virtual meetings are a definite time saver; and you will never have to miss a pickle ball match or a golf game. As we move further into this project, we will post instructions on how to hold a Virtual Meeting.

What kinds of things can we all do to make a difference? Here is a list of potential activities:

• A picture speaks a thousand words. If you see something you think other villagers should know about, take a picture and E-mail it to us. Or find someone with a camera or cell phone to take the picture for you!
  
  

• What is your passion? A stoplight needed at a busy intersection? Shelter for residents when bad weather is approaching? Recycling? Write an article, make a video, and find others who share your passion. Speaking of recycling, this is a chance to recycle yourself... get back in the game!! We Villagers have a voice, we have talents and we the ability to make a difference.
  
  

• Sometimes when we're too close we can't see the forest for the trees. If you can help correct the view, please do so. Looking for an established place to voice your views, suggestions, input? We will provide such a place within our new "Preserve & Protect" section.

• What about our history? Make a video recording of yourself, your mom, your best friend, anyone living here in The Villages with memories and details of our events! Or contribute an article, get a ghost writer if you don't feel you are capable. Help to create a living history of The Villages.
  
  

• We will soon be asked to elect members to the Amenity Committee. What qualifications do you expect and desire? Something this critical demands our attention and consideration well in advance. Especially important, are you willing to be nominated?
  
  

• And finally, Click & Link would be happy to hear from you! What would you like to see added to the website? What do you like best about the site? What do you wish was different? For example, we have had a request from local golfers to include a link to allow them to showcase their accomplishments on the course. Perhaps there is something you are involved in, or would like to be involved in, that doesn't quite fit into the structure of "The Villages Clubs." We will help you create a new group, and publicize it.

As you can see, there are many facets to contributing to the preservation and protection of the freedom and rights we have come to take for granted. Let's make this a community effort. The-Villages-Online.com; stands ready to facilitate the continuation of The Villages experience that we have come to know and love.

There is no charge for space, no contract to sign. This is a great opportunity for you to volunteer to be an Ambassador, to bring to awareness those things which need to be improved, to congratulate accomplishments and to be grateful for this gift that is The Villages.

Mark was right; we all need to get involved.

Thanks for listening

Click & Link