The Villages Daily Sun

THE VILLAGES - Rain that had threatened earlier in the day did not fall on this parade. Residents who cruised to The Villages Polo Club on Wednesday for the Golf Cart Drive-In were met with night air that was the perfect host to an outdoor movie crowd.

Still, Barb Kushnerick had a grievance.

"The only problem is we don't have a back seat," she said, glancing at her husband, Joe, and then back at the couple's nearby golf cart.

The comment was all in fun. The Kushnericks were among the expansive, high-spirited crowd that bought every ticket available for the adult comedy film presented by the Village Center Recreation Department.

Pam Henry, assistant director of recreation, and Sandra Smiertka, Churchill Street Center recreation director, said turnout for Tuesday's children's drive-in film was excellent as well.

"This is a popular activity, so we'll try to keep it going," Henry said. "When residents leave here, they always ask when the next movie is planned."

Sure, they were there to watch a film, but Golf Cart Drive-In attendees clearly were equally interested in having tailgate parties. After all, many arrived two hours prior to show time.

Some of the Morven Mixers group assembled at the front of the crowd and sampled fried chicken, trail mix, cheese puffs, oatmeal cookies and a variety of beverages.

A scan through the crowd turned up no bowls of popcorn.

"It's trite and boring and old school," a laughing Felice Maurer said, stating her thoughts about the lack of popcorn.

Debbie Means revealed that she had indeed brought along some microwave-popped popcorn because "you can't go to the movies without it." She was so enjoying eating fried chicken, however, that Means said she wasn't sure whether she would break into the popcorn.

The Golf Cart Drive-In was the place to be Wednesday. Sue Gamertsfelder said the appeal was in the upbeat mood of the nostalgic event.

"We're bringing back childhood memories," Gamertsfelder said.

Jill Sherman is a reporter with the Daily Sun. She can be contacted at 753-1119, ext. 9253, or jill.sherman@thevillagesmedia.com.