2023 Drives & Events
NPD Car Collection and Lunch at Cheddar's - January 23rd
We will be going back to the NPD (National Parts Depot) to view their collection of well over 100 classic cars. It is considered one of the finest collections of cars under one roof in the country.
We have been invited to a private showing by owner Rick Schmidt himself who will be telling us all about the cars.
Amazingly most of the cars are low mileage and drivable (Rick even selects a different car each day to drive home!). Many are muscle cars and there's a heavy amount of Lincoln Cadillac Pontiac Ford and Chevrolet with a smattering of Oldsmobile Buick and antiques mixed in. Several trucks are also included. Many are one-of-a-kind cars with stories to tell.
Before we tour the NPD we will be having lunch at Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen. What does Cheddar's say about their restaurant?
It’s pretty simple actually. We’re all about good food made well for a good price. How do we pull that off? By cooking from scratch. And here’s the secret about our secret ingredient — it makes for great tasting food and even better value.
We will be going back to the NPD (National Parts Depot) to view their collection of well over 100 classic cars. It is considered one of the finest collections of cars under one roof in the country.
We have been invited to a private showing by owner Rick Schmidt himself who will be telling us all about the cars.
Amazingly most of the cars are low mileage and drivable (Rick even selects a different car each day to drive home!). Many are muscle cars and there's a heavy amount of Lincoln Cadillac Pontiac Ford and Chevrolet with a smattering of Oldsmobile Buick and antiques mixed in. Several trucks are also included. Many are one-of-a-kind cars with stories to tell.
Before we tour the NPD we will be having lunch at Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen. What does Cheddar's say about their restaurant?
It’s pretty simple actually. We’re all about good food made well for a good price. How do we pull that off? By cooking from scratch. And here’s the secret about our secret ingredient — it makes for great tasting food and even better value.
Lunch Drive to Puddle Jumpers Lakeside Grill in Tavares - February 23rd
Casual lakeside dining at its finest at Puddle Jumpers Lakeside Grill in Tavares! A warm and welcoming atmosphere accompanied with personable and attentive service! Good food good drinks a good ride good time with your Villages BMW Z Club’ers
Casual lakeside dining at its finest at Puddle Jumpers Lakeside Grill in Tavares! A warm and welcoming atmosphere accompanied with personable and attentive service! Good food good drinks a good ride good time with your Villages BMW Z Club’ers
Gypsy Gold Horse Farm Tour & Lunch at Blue Gator Tiki Bar - March 7th
Ocala Florida is known as the horse capital and for good reason. Marion County is home to more than 600 Thoroughbred farms and is one of only a handful of Thoroughbred centers in the world. One of those Thoroughbred farms is Gypsy Gold Horse Farm.
Located on 40 acres in Ocala Florida Gypsy Gold’s facility features a 14 stall show barn and a 12 stall bedding-free barn surrounded by 21 lush paddocks dotted with ancient granddaddy oaks draped in Spanish moss. Private trails hilltop views and many gorgeous backdrops are here for the remaining foundation herd of Gypsy Vanner’s. Beautiful Fair Hill is the final resting place for America’s first and most famous Gypsy Vanner Horses.
We will be taking a 2 hour Horses and History Farm Tour! The first hour is an informative lecture that provides an introduction to the breed and its history. The second hour we meet the mares foals stallions mules donkeys and parrots that call Gypsy Gold home. You will also get to take a photo with a Gypsy Vanner Horse! And you are welcome to bring carrots to feed the horses!
After the farm tour we will be going to lunch to Blue Gators. Located on the Withlacoochee River patrons can sit outside soak up the sun and fresh air while enjoying local specials.
Ocala Florida is known as the horse capital and for good reason. Marion County is home to more than 600 Thoroughbred farms and is one of only a handful of Thoroughbred centers in the world. One of those Thoroughbred farms is Gypsy Gold Horse Farm.
Located on 40 acres in Ocala Florida Gypsy Gold’s facility features a 14 stall show barn and a 12 stall bedding-free barn surrounded by 21 lush paddocks dotted with ancient granddaddy oaks draped in Spanish moss. Private trails hilltop views and many gorgeous backdrops are here for the remaining foundation herd of Gypsy Vanner’s. Beautiful Fair Hill is the final resting place for America’s first and most famous Gypsy Vanner Horses.
We will be taking a 2 hour Horses and History Farm Tour! The first hour is an informative lecture that provides an introduction to the breed and its history. The second hour we meet the mares foals stallions mules donkeys and parrots that call Gypsy Gold home. You will also get to take a photo with a Gypsy Vanner Horse! And you are welcome to bring carrots to feed the horses!
After the farm tour we will be going to lunch to Blue Gators. Located on the Withlacoochee River patrons can sit outside soak up the sun and fresh air while enjoying local specials.
Lunch Drive to Shamrock Inn - March 23rd
This lunch drive is going to the SHAMROCK INN in beautiful historic Floral City where you will find:
Good Food - Good Friends - Good Time
As usual we will travel through the scenic countryside that makes driving our Z's so special.
This lunch drive is going to the SHAMROCK INN in beautiful historic Floral City where you will find:
Good Food - Good Friends - Good Time
As usual we will travel through the scenic countryside that makes driving our Z's so special.
THE 2023 Z Club Road Rally - April 8th
Drive Captains Phil & Alice Priemer have been hard at work with their committee to put this together.
This year there are more sponsors a wonderfully entertaining destination and more and bigger prizes !
The road rally is a driving contest over a currently secret route to a secret (very fun) destination. This
event will have scoring criteria and test the crew of each car’s ability to follow written route guidance over
paved and well-marked roadways maintain posted and safe speed limits and observe the route
surroundings.
Route guidance and quiz questions to be answered will be provided as drivers meet at the
start of the rally.
This event is heavily sponsored and prizes and benefits to rally participants will far surpass the minimal entry fee.
Cash prizes will be awarded to many of the best scoring teams and a trophy to hold for a year also goes to the overall winner.
But everyone will be rewarded with a “special” fun event and lots of laughs. And at the end of the drive we enjoy the
cuisine at a unique and entertaining restaurant (cost of lunch not included in the entry fee).
This is a timed drive not a race. And perception of roadside “interests” is a significant part of the event.
Scoring of the rally will be based on distance traveled drive time duration and answers to quiz questions
about observations along the route.
For safety reasons it is mandatory that you have a navigator.....driver only cars will not be allowed to participate.
Each team will receive a Road Rally prep package that will include what time they are to report to the meeting place since it is
a staggered start.
Drive Captains Phil & Alice Priemer have been hard at work with their committee to put this together.
This year there are more sponsors a wonderfully entertaining destination and more and bigger prizes !
The road rally is a driving contest over a currently secret route to a secret (very fun) destination. This
event will have scoring criteria and test the crew of each car’s ability to follow written route guidance over
paved and well-marked roadways maintain posted and safe speed limits and observe the route
surroundings.
Route guidance and quiz questions to be answered will be provided as drivers meet at the
start of the rally.
This event is heavily sponsored and prizes and benefits to rally participants will far surpass the minimal entry fee.
Cash prizes will be awarded to many of the best scoring teams and a trophy to hold for a year also goes to the overall winner.
But everyone will be rewarded with a “special” fun event and lots of laughs. And at the end of the drive we enjoy the
cuisine at a unique and entertaining restaurant (cost of lunch not included in the entry fee).
This is a timed drive not a race. And perception of roadside “interests” is a significant part of the event.
Scoring of the rally will be based on distance traveled drive time duration and answers to quiz questions
about observations along the route.
For safety reasons it is mandatory that you have a navigator.....driver only cars will not be allowed to participate.
Each team will receive a Road Rally prep package that will include what time they are to report to the meeting place since it is
a staggered start.
Trip to Vero Beach to See 42nd Street - April 28th
Mark Simon put together this two day trip to Vero Beach to see the play "42nd Street".
‘Z’s’ will depart in the morning taking a scenic drive to Vero Beach.
There will be some free time after hotel check-in followed by dinner at the Ocean Grill then off to the show at the Riverside Theater.
After check-out the following morning individuals or small groups will be free to golf shop visit the botanical gardens hit the beach or any other desired activity before heading home to The Villages.
Mark Simon put together this two day trip to Vero Beach to see the play "42nd Street".
‘Z’s’ will depart in the morning taking a scenic drive to Vero Beach.
There will be some free time after hotel check-in followed by dinner at the Ocean Grill then off to the show at the Riverside Theater.
After check-out the following morning individuals or small groups will be free to golf shop visit the botanical gardens hit the beach or any other desired activity before heading home to The Villages.
Z's Around the Square - May 12th
Once again our Club has been asked to display our cars around Lake Sumter Landing.
We were one of the few car clubs that was able to fill every space at the Square....all 54 spaces!
Once again our Club has been asked to display our cars around Lake Sumter Landing.
We were one of the few car clubs that was able to fill every space at the Square....all 54 spaces!
Cannon Farms w/Lunch at The Front Porch Restaurant & Pie Shop - May 18th
Cannon Farms Flower Fields - It is a family owned and operated farm in Dunnellon Florida. Our family has been farming this same land for over 100 years now. They have 30+ acres of sunflowers in which we cut trails through for you to explore and just get away from the world for a little while. Come join us at the farm for our u-pick flower field.
After scampering through the fields we will go for lunch at The Front Porch Restaurant & Pie Shop. Front Porch has great “ home cooking” food. Good sized & varied menu. Ample helpings. Pies are out of this world terrific. Fresh & home made daily.
Cannon Farms Flower Fields - It is a family owned and operated farm in Dunnellon Florida. Our family has been farming this same land for over 100 years now. They have 30+ acres of sunflowers in which we cut trails through for you to explore and just get away from the world for a little while. Come join us at the farm for our u-pick flower field.
After scampering through the fields we will go for lunch at The Front Porch Restaurant & Pie Shop. Front Porch has great “ home cooking” food. Good sized & varied menu. Ample helpings. Pies are out of this world terrific. Fresh & home made daily.
Lunch Drive to Drifter's Riverside Bar & Grill - July 18th
Member Cathy Herod has put together a nice lunch drive to Drifter's Riverside Bar & Grill on the picturesque St John's River in Astor Florida.
Drifter's offers river life at its best with great seafood great drinks and great times!
It will be a fun drive through the backroads of the Central Florida countryside.
Member Cathy Herod has put together a nice lunch drive to Drifter's Riverside Bar & Grill on the picturesque St John's River in Astor Florida.
Drifter's offers river life at its best with great seafood great drinks and great times!
It will be a fun drive through the backroads of the Central Florida countryside.
Treat and Tech Talk Event at BMW of Ocala - August 23rd
Our sponsor, BMW of Ocala invited the Club to a private Treat and Tech Talk event where they introduced us to the new BMW model lineup and had their BMW Geniuses tell us all about the features of the new cars......especially the new electric cars. They also provided us with sandwiches and dessert and a DJ for entertainment!
Our sponsor, BMW of Ocala invited the Club to a private Treat and Tech Talk event where they introduced us to the new BMW model lineup and had their BMW Geniuses tell us all about the features of the new cars......especially the new electric cars. They also provided us with sandwiches and dessert and a DJ for entertainment!
Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards Drive - August 26th Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards opened its doors in February 1989 in Clermont Florida and sits on a 127-acre estate in gently rolling countryside. Lakeridge ranks as Florida's largest premium winery.
Our journey there takes us through some beautiful rolling and winding country roads full of horse farms and beautiful foliage.
There will be live entertainment by Kelly Jarrard a twenty-eight year old singer-songwriter from Stockbridge Georgia. Delicious food and wine can be purchased from the dining pavilion.
We will also be taking self-guided tours of the winery which includes wine tastings!
The entertainment and food are outside so be sure to bring your lawn chairs hat bug spray and sunscreen!
Lakeridge has arranged our own parking area for our cars to be on display!
Our journey there takes us through some beautiful rolling and winding country roads full of horse farms and beautiful foliage.
There will be live entertainment by Kelly Jarrard a twenty-eight year old singer-songwriter from Stockbridge Georgia. Delicious food and wine can be purchased from the dining pavilion.
We will also be taking self-guided tours of the winery which includes wine tastings!
The entertainment and food are outside so be sure to bring your lawn chairs hat bug spray and sunscreen!
Lakeridge has arranged our own parking area for our cars to be on display!
2023 Scavenger Hunt - September 5th
Ed Evenski is resurrecting the BMW Z Club Scavenger Hunt for 2023!
The last time the Club did a Scavenger Hunt was over 3 years ago.
This year's Hunt will be unique this time because the clues have changed from how we did it last time..You’ll be challenged to find 50 different items potentially located amongst two Town Squares (Sumter Landing and Brownwood) and the Village of Fenney.
Each item you must look for has a degree of difficulty assigned to it. At the end of the Hunt points are totaled and cash prizes will be awarded to the top 3 winners.After the Hunt we will lunch at Cody’s Original Roadhouse in Brownwood Square at 12.00 noon for the awards ceremony and great food! The entire outside seating space has been reserved for us.
So come join us for an event that is filled with fun and plenty of laughs.
Ed Evenski is resurrecting the BMW Z Club Scavenger Hunt for 2023!
The last time the Club did a Scavenger Hunt was over 3 years ago.
This year's Hunt will be unique this time because the clues have changed from how we did it last time..You’ll be challenged to find 50 different items potentially located amongst two Town Squares (Sumter Landing and Brownwood) and the Village of Fenney.
Each item you must look for has a degree of difficulty assigned to it. At the end of the Hunt points are totaled and cash prizes will be awarded to the top 3 winners.After the Hunt we will lunch at Cody’s Original Roadhouse in Brownwood Square at 12.00 noon for the awards ceremony and great food! The entire outside seating space has been reserved for us.
So come join us for an event that is filled with fun and plenty of laughs.
Dinner Hosted at BMW of Ocala - October 4th
Once again BMW of Ocala is hosting your Club for a gala dinner with a DJ and wonderful gifts.
It's a first class event by a first class dealer.
The Club is proud to have them as our sponsor.
Once again BMW of Ocala is hosting your Club for a gala dinner with a DJ and wonderful gifts.
It's a first class event by a first class dealer.
The Club is proud to have them as our sponsor.
BMW Z Club European Trip - October 9th thru October 20th
On October 9th, 22 members of The Village BMW Z Club ventured to Europe for an eleven day trip of a lifetime.
Upon arriving in Vienna, the group was motorcoached to Graz, Austria to tour the factory where the BMW Z is built. They were amazed at how the car was assembled.
Next day, they were motorcoached to meet a river boat for an eight day luxury sail on the Danube on the Scenic Pearl.
The first excursion was a guided tour of Budapest. Next was a visit to Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna for a private classical concert including opera singers and ballet dancers.
From Vienna, they sailed to Durnstein, Austria where some members took a 22 mile bike ride and others hiked up a steep mountain to see castle ruins.
Next stop was Melk, Austria where members had the option of touring an abbey or a castle. From there it was onto Salzburg, Austria where members chose between a guided tour of the old city or a guided tour of Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic.
The quaint historic town of Regensburg, Germany was the next day's excursion where members went on a guided tour including cathedrals, plazas and boutique shops.
With the river cruise ended, the group boarded another motorcoach for Munich, Germany to visit the headquarters of BMW. There they experienced the BMW Welt and BMW Historical Museum.
Ken Bornstein, Pre"Z"ident of The Villages BMW Z Club said "We had been planning this trip for over a year and I think everyone who joined us came away with a fantastic experience. We learned a lot about how our cars are made and about the BMW company. And the river cruise brought us closer together as new friendships were made and we marveled at the wonders of Europe.".
On October 9th, 22 members of The Village BMW Z Club ventured to Europe for an eleven day trip of a lifetime.
Upon arriving in Vienna, the group was motorcoached to Graz, Austria to tour the factory where the BMW Z is built. They were amazed at how the car was assembled.
Next day, they were motorcoached to meet a river boat for an eight day luxury sail on the Danube on the Scenic Pearl.
The first excursion was a guided tour of Budapest. Next was a visit to Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna for a private classical concert including opera singers and ballet dancers.
From Vienna, they sailed to Durnstein, Austria where some members took a 22 mile bike ride and others hiked up a steep mountain to see castle ruins.
Next stop was Melk, Austria where members had the option of touring an abbey or a castle. From there it was onto Salzburg, Austria where members chose between a guided tour of the old city or a guided tour of Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic.
The quaint historic town of Regensburg, Germany was the next day's excursion where members went on a guided tour including cathedrals, plazas and boutique shops.
With the river cruise ended, the group boarded another motorcoach for Munich, Germany to visit the headquarters of BMW. There they experienced the BMW Welt and BMW Historical Museum.
Ken Bornstein, Pre"Z"ident of The Villages BMW Z Club said "We had been planning this trip for over a year and I think everyone who joined us came away with a fantastic experience. We learned a lot about how our cars are made and about the BMW company. And the river cruise brought us closer together as new friendships were made and we marveled at the wonders of Europe.".
Poker Run with Lunch at Tequila Cantina Mexican Kitchen - October 25th
Here's something we did back in the past was very popular among our members:
A POKER RUN!
On October 25th we will embark on a journey around the area taking you to places that most of you haven’t experienced in Central Florida.
While touring scenic back roads we will make various stops along the way. At each fun and interesting stop along the route members will draw playing cards at random trying to make the best poker hand possible.
The winning hands will receive cash prizes to be awarded afterward at lunch at Tequila Cantina Mexican Kitchen in Southern Trace Plaza on Hwy 466.
Here's something we did back in the past was very popular among our members:
A POKER RUN!
On October 25th we will embark on a journey around the area taking you to places that most of you haven’t experienced in Central Florida.
While touring scenic back roads we will make various stops along the way. At each fun and interesting stop along the route members will draw playing cards at random trying to make the best poker hand possible.
The winning hands will receive cash prizes to be awarded afterward at lunch at Tequila Cantina Mexican Kitchen in Southern Trace Plaza on Hwy 466.
2024 BMW Z Club Holiday Party - December 1st
While there is always something to get excited about as a member of The Villages BMW Z Club......NOW it's time to get REAL EXCITED about our 2023 HOLIDAY PARTY!
This year we have upped the excitement by reserving the large BALLROOM at Eisenhower Recreation Center!
To fill the stage we have retained the FIVE PIECE JAY RUBIN BAND! They have performed regularly at City Fire in Brownwood and at various other venues and events in The Villages. As in the past our catered meal will be prepared by Pasta Faire! They served up a wonderful dinner last year and promised us even more great selections this year!
Bring your favorite libation and glass to get you in a festive mood.
We will have our 50/25/25 RAFFLE for the benefit of the charities we support.
As in the past we ask you to bring a canned or packaged food item to be donated to the Wildwood Food Pantry.
While there is always something to get excited about as a member of The Villages BMW Z Club......NOW it's time to get REAL EXCITED about our 2023 HOLIDAY PARTY!
This year we have upped the excitement by reserving the large BALLROOM at Eisenhower Recreation Center!
To fill the stage we have retained the FIVE PIECE JAY RUBIN BAND! They have performed regularly at City Fire in Brownwood and at various other venues and events in The Villages. As in the past our catered meal will be prepared by Pasta Faire! They served up a wonderful dinner last year and promised us even more great selections this year!
Bring your favorite libation and glass to get you in a festive mood.
We will have our 50/25/25 RAFFLE for the benefit of the charities we support.
As in the past we ask you to bring a canned or packaged food item to be donated to the Wildwood Food Pantry.
Book and Pajama Drive with Lunch at Ski Beach Bar & Grill - December 6th
December is the holiday season and what better way to celebrate than to help the community.
The Villages Chapter of The Girl Scouts of America has asked The Villages BMW Z Club to participate in their Pajama and Book Drive this Holiday Season.
So we will do just that and also make it a fun Lunch Drive!
Their president Rae Anne Bethal will be at our November 1st Club meeting to talk about their efforts in the local community and to explain the benefits of their drive to support homeless children in our surrounding communities.
Bring new unwrapped pajamas and/or books to donate to the Girl Scouts of America in support of their work with homeless children in our local communities.
Then we will take a scenic drive to Ski Beach Bar & Grill where we will eat lunch on the waterfront at their Tiki Hut.
This is a great way for us to give back to the community while getting together for some fun and food.
December is the holiday season and what better way to celebrate than to help the community.
The Villages Chapter of The Girl Scouts of America has asked The Villages BMW Z Club to participate in their Pajama and Book Drive this Holiday Season.
So we will do just that and also make it a fun Lunch Drive!
Their president Rae Anne Bethal will be at our November 1st Club meeting to talk about their efforts in the local community and to explain the benefits of their drive to support homeless children in our surrounding communities.
Bring new unwrapped pajamas and/or books to donate to the Girl Scouts of America in support of their work with homeless children in our local communities.
Then we will take a scenic drive to Ski Beach Bar & Grill where we will eat lunch on the waterfront at their Tiki Hut.
This is a great way for us to give back to the community while getting together for some fun and food.