GOOD NEIGHBORS: ANITA DE VILLEGAS
‘A Bird’s-Eye View’
Anita de Villegas has experienced many roles in life, including that of a bush nurse, pilot, and bird rehabilitator. “I stick to flying things,” she observes. BY AMANDA CLARK • PHOTOS BY STEVE FLOETHE
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hen I pull up to Anita de Villegas’ house in the aviation community Love’s Landing, she’s in her garage showing a neighbor her plane’s engine. Once she sees me in my mommish minivan, she motions me over to park by her green golf cart. Through her friendly mannerisms and greeting, I immediately
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feel like a welcomed family member, even though we had never crossed paths until that sunny Saturday. Anita sports a flowered polo and tan capris, her golden airplane pendant glistening in the sun. Without skipping a beat, she points to her golf cart covered in bird stickers. I barely identified a Tweety one and some parrots before
OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined
Anita says in her Belgian accent, “Let’s take a ride.” “Okay,” I hesitantly respond, weighed down by my heavy computer bag that she tells me to “throw on in.” And before I knew it, we’re zipping around Love’s Landing, where it’s normal to house your plane in the garage. As Anita drives, she shares that she
