The Villages - March 2011 - (Page 44)
Cruisin’ Villages
BY MICHAEL FORTUNA
SPORTS & RECREATION
If you see Jim Judd cruising down the road in his 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, chances are the convertible top is down. It doesn’t matter if it’s cold or if it’s raining.
“The only time I keep the top up is when it’s pouring outside,” Judd said. “Even if it’s light rain, I’m driving. When you’re driving 25-30 mph, the rain goes over your head. (If it’s cold), I dress warmer. “(With convertibles,) it’s the freedom of riding around with the top down, enjoying the backroads. You’re not riding in a hurry.” Judd had bought his Eclipse back in January 2004 right after moving to The Villages. “I wanted something a little different,” Judd said. “I’m 6’3”, so I had to fit in it. It’s a very fun little car to drive.” Judd and fellow residents share their love for their top-down cars by joining the Convertible Club, which has been around since February 2009. The club started out with 30 members, and by the first trip, the club swelled to 75. The club held its first car show in March 2010, and it picked up a few more members.
“The membership grew slowly,” Judd said. “We’re now up to 250 members. I set a goal to hit 200 for 2010, and we hit 250. Every trip seems to get more and more people. “There are a lot of convertibles in The Villages. We’ve got antique convertibles, kit cars. We’ve got some who bought a car on Tuesday and showed up Thursday for the meeting.” At least twice a month, club members head out to various destinations throughout Central Florida. On Jan. 20, about 15 cars gathered at Laurel Manor Recreation Center parking lot by the sports pool to get directions to the Florida Aquarium in Tampa. Other destinations range from Crystal River to a horse farm in Ocala to Kennedy Space Center.
Jim Judd sits at the wheel of his 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder.
MARCH 2011
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Villages - March 2011
The Villages - March 2011
Contents
Spring Training — The Boys of Spring
USO Jukebox Saturday Night
Spring Fashion
Dreammaker
The Villages Golf Academy
Spring Gardening
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
Working Retirees Continue to Find Fulfi llment in The Villages
Pets
Health
Sports and Recreation
Food
Barnes and Noble Top 10 List
Snapshots
Business Briefs
Major Events
The Villages - March 2011
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