Ormond Beach Observer 6-1-23

On Thursday, May 25, Florida Gov.

Ron DeSantis signed HB 1595 (Law Enforcement Operations), which requires the Volusia Sheriff’s Office to assume exclusive law enforcement authority on Volusia beaches. Deputies and Beach Safety officers have already been working together closely in anticipation of the law taking effect. With the governor’s signature, the full transition becomes official.

Volusia County Beach Safety will continue to manage the beach and provide lifeguard and emergency medical services to beachgoers while VSO deputies perform the law enforcement function.

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Photo by Suzanne McCarthy

Honoring their sacrifice

Ormond Beach holds annual Memorial Day ceremony.

JARLEENE ALMENAS SENIOR EDITOR

March 29 marked the 50th anniversary of the return of U.S. troops from Vietnam. And though decades have passed, retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. John Higgins on May 29 still welcomed home his fellow Vietnam veterans — many of whom, he said, returned scarred from their service.

Higgins was the guest speaker for Ormond Beach’s annual Memorial Day Remembrance Service, held Monday, May 29, at Rockefeller Gardens with help from American Legion Post 167 and American Legion Unit 267.

The service also featured a wreathlaying ceremony, a rifle salute, music by the Daytona Beach Concert Band, and the tolling of eight bells, which honors a sailor’s end of watch.

Higgins’ career in the Navy began in 1969 at the Naval Training Center in San Diego, California. After the Vietnam War ended in 1975, he re-enlisted and trained as an aviation electronics technician and later became a pilot in 1977. During his 30 years in the Navy, he was named “1980 Sea Sailor of the Year,” completed three six-month deployments to Antarctica and served as Officer in Charge at the Naval Air Facility Washington.

In his address, Higgins highlighted the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

“Memorial Day commemorates the men and women who died while serving the United States Armed Forces, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle,” he said. “In other words, the purpose of Memorial Day is to memorialize veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice to their country.”

It’s not a day for celebration, Higgins added. It’s a day for reflection.

“So many men and women have given their all so we may enjoy the

“One thing that sets Vietnam War veterans from Americans who served the nation’s other wars is the abysmal lack of a welcome many returned to,” Higgins said. “... We casually refer to the 58,000-plus Americans we lost in the war, while we speculate that as many as 20,000 other lives have been lost due to suicide, drugs and terminal disease. The fact that I was allowed to survive and come home left me wondering if I deserved the life I was granted.” SEE

freedoms we have today,” he said. “I also think we must remember those who returned, but their lives have been completely turned around and will never be the same.”

Mayor Bill Partington, who issued a proclamation during the ceremony, said many locals have their own personal stories about fallen veterans.

“The truth of the matter is, it devastates the families and reminds us all that freedom is not free,” Partington said.

Retired U.S. Navy Rev. Willie Branch Jr. and retired U.S. Army Chaplain Rabbi Howard Schwartz delivered both the invocation and benediction at the ceremony. Branch offered a Christian prayer; Schwartz, a Jewish one.

Don’t thank a living veteran today, Branch said. Their day will come on Veterans Day, held annually on Nov. 11.

“Go to the graveyard,” Branch said. “Thank them, for this is their day, not ours.”

Photos by Jarleene Almenas Retired U.S. Army Chaplain Rabbi Howard Schwartz and retired U.S. Navy Rev. Willie Branch Jr.

Cmdr. John Higgins performs the tolling of eight bells.

Members of the DeLand High School JROTC present the colors.

People place flowers to conclude the city’s annual Memorial Day Remembrance Service.

Mayor Bill Partington speaks during the city’s annual Memorial Day Remembrance Service.

Boy Scouts with Troop 65

So many men and women have given their all so we may enjoy the freedoms we have today. I also think we must remember those who returned, but their lives have been completely turned around and will never be the same.”

JOHN HIGGINS, U.S. Navy commander

A retired member of the U.S. Coast Guard waves her branch’s flag.

CITY WATCH

Planning Board to review condo, apartments

County Council members plan meet and greet

Three Volusia County Council members will host a seaside meet and greet in Ormond Beach from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 10.

The councilmen — Danny Robins, District 3; Matt Reinhart, District 2; and Troy Kent, District 4 — will be just north of the Harvard Drive approach for what the county described in a press release as a “very relaxed meeting on the beach.”

Local arts groups to rally in favor of Cultural Council

The Ormond Memorial Art Museum is asking for the public to attend a June 6 County Council meeting to advocate for continuing the Cultural Council of Volusia County.

In April, two County Council members proposed eliminating the board, which would also eliminate over $600,000 in grant money allocated to nonprofit arts, culture and history organizations.

OMAM said in its newsletter that the grant funding has supported many of the museum’s free programs, including its Free Family Art Night, garden talks and Veterans Day Tribute.

“This small investment has brought bountiful dividends both in economic returns and community impact,” the newsletter states. “As the county has grown, so have its cultural assets, bringing in new jobs, new residents and increased tourism.”

In 2022, the county provided $611,789 in grants, including $25,734 to OMAM.

“This represented just .038% of the county’s 2022 budget, or approximately $2 per household,” the newsletter stated.

A new condominium proposal. Changes to an existing car wash.

The creation of a new industrial zoning district. More units proposed for a multifamily development near Highland Avenue.

The Ormond Beach Planning Board will discuss these items and others at its meeting next week at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 8, at the City Commission Chambers in City Hall.

The condominium proposal is for 24 units at 121 E. Granada Blvd., a proposed development known as 121 East. The Planning Board will consider both a development order and a rezoning request that would convert the 0.76-acre property’s designation from “B-4 Central Business” to Planned Business Development. The proposed plan includes a mixture of one- to three-bedroom units in a six-story building, with parking on the ground floor.

The developer, Dime Rock Properties, LLC, held a neighborhood meeting in March. The majority of attendees favored the development

due to its walkability to the down

town and its alignment with Ormond MainStreet’s master plan.

The property has been vacant since 2014.

As for the car wash changes, the board will consider a special exception for the Mister Car Wash business at 49 S. Yonge St. It used to be a Sparkle-N-Shine. The property owner wants to close the access point to South Yonge Street and remove the parking spaces that front the street, according to a city staff report.

The business is also seeking to add 11 vacuum-stall parking spaces.

At the meeting, the Planning Board will also review an administrative request to create a Heavy Industrial (I-2) zoning district. The need for such a district was highlighted in the city’s 2010 comprehensive plan evaluation and appraisal report, according to a staff report.

Halifax Paving is seeking to annex its land at 860 Hull Road and 1399 Hull Trail into Ormond Beach, so the new zoning district is now needed,

the city noted in its report.

The rezoning request for a new multifamily development concerns a community known as the Ormond Enclave, previously called the Courtyards at Ormond. It would feature 64 units at 145 N. Yonge St.

The developer, CST Holdings LLC, has requested that portions of the property be zoned from B-4 to a PBD and from single-family medium density to a Planned Residential Development.

Initial plans sought to place a retail building and a 48-unit multifamily development on the property, but now the developer is planning to build 64 luxury units to address neighbors’ concerns.

In addition to these public hearings, the Planning Board will also review a comprehensive plan amendment for the Halifax Paving property and two preliminary plats for phase 2 and phase 3 of Archer’s Mill, located within the Plantation Oaks development.

Planning Print Ads – U.S. & Canada

When

Residents are invited to don their beachwear and enjoy the morning on the beach. They can bring a fishing pole to fish alongside the councilmen. Free parking will be available at Andy Romano Beachfront Park, at 839 N. Atlantic Ave., and on the beach with a beach pass.

Summer hours to take effect at EDC

From June 5 through Aug. 5, the Environmental Discovery Center at 601 Division Ave. will only be open only on Fridays and Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to a notice on the city website. The hours are changing due to Enviro Camp. Normal hours will resume Aug. 8.

BY THE NUMBERS

2

Seabreeze High School seniors, Matthew Long and Tristan McCann, received a $1,000 scholarship from the Ormond Beach Police Athletic League.

Email Senior Editor Jarleene Almenas at Jarleene@ observerlocalnews.com.

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you plan ahead, you can make your final wishes known and provide your loved ones with true peace of mind.

Planning ahead is simple. The benefits are immense.

Rendering courtesy of the city of Ormond Beach/Architect William Chapin

The Planning Board will review the 121 East condo proposal at its meeting next week.

JARLEENE ALMENAS

SENIOR EDITOR

“My dream has been that this center be world-class in responding to people like me — people who are also blind and visually impaired.”

CDCVI

Founder Kathy Davis on center’s first birthday. See Pages 4B-5B

“I was very impressed by the whole operation... I just turned 78 years old and they made everything so easy!!!”

-David M.

Gabe Sanchez and Rick Brown Jr., of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1048

French horn players of the Daytona Beach Concert Band

Navy Lt. Casey Lancaster

Volusia County Councilman Troy Kent places a flower to conclude the city’s annual Memorial Day Remembrance Service.

Richard Sawiki, of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1048, helps hoist the American flag during the city's annual Memorial Day Remembrance Service.

“The truth of the matter is, it devastates the families and reminds us all that freedom is not free.”

BILL

PARTINGTON, mayor

Michael Cunningam, of the VVA Chapter 1048, bows his head.

FPC students share their joy of STEM with elementary school kids

Nine IB students are starting STEM clubs for three grade levels at Bunnell Elementary School, with plans to branch out to other schools.

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Nine Flagler Palm Coast High School

Internal Baccalaureate students have been excited about STEM since they were in elementary school.

They hope to spread their excitement to a new generation of students through countywide STEM clubs (science, technology engineering and math), in which the high school students work with elementary school students conducting handson experiments that correlate to their grade-level curriculum.

“We wanted to be able to foster an interest in STEM at a young age and keep them interested in it as they move through school,” Abigail Taylor said. “Starting at a young age would allow them to find exactly what they’re interested in, in a certain field.”

The nine FPC students, who will all be seniors this August, are Jack Gilvary, Nicholas Groth, Chloe Long, Ryan Tram, Dylan Duchak, Greyson Peugh, Brendan Wang and Glynnis

Gong. They presented experiments to three grade levels of students at Bunnell Elementary during the final two weeks of school. The experiments that went along with brief lessons in science and engineering served as an introduction to the clubs they plan to start in the upcoming school year for third, fourth and fifth graders.

They’re starting the program at BES and then plan to branch out to other elementary schools, getting FPC juniors and sophomores involved so the clubs can continue long after they graduate.

Their advisor, Jodi Mulvihill, an IB chemistry teacher at FPC, said the students came up with the project and have handled all the steps from talking to BES science and math coach Tom Westly to conferring with BES teachers, sending home parent consent forms, planning the experiments and lessons and getting a grant from the Flagler County Education Foundation for their supplies.

“STEM has definitely fallen off some in our schools, and we want to make sure that it stays strong,” Gilvary said. “Obviously, technology is growing at an exponential rate in our society. So, we want to make sure that they’re familiar with it and also have a love for it as they go on in life.”

Their first presentation on May 18 to Bunnell’s fourth graders was an engineering lesson on mass, weight and gravity. The students grouped up in teams of four to six to build towers

using raw spaghetti and marshmallows. The teams with the tallest towers won prizes.

“We went around and gave them tips,” Gilvary said. “Triangles are the strongest shape to build with, so once we gave them tips on that, they kind of went with the triangle idea.”

In the first session, the tallest tower was 18 inches. In the second session, it was 19½ inches.

On May 23, they had third graders work with Oobleck for a lesson on states of matter. Oobleck, which is equal parts cornstarch and water, is a non-Newtonian fluid that forms a solid ball when squeezed in your hand and then becomes a liquid again, slipping through your fingers, when the pressure is released.

“A non-Newtonian fluid such as Oobleck, it’s just crazy how it works,” Taylor said.

The next day, the high school students returned and taught a lesson on the water cycle to second graders, using jars of water topped with shaving cream to act as clouds. The youngsters created precipitation by piping blue food coloring into the “clouds” and watching the blue droplets fall to the bottom of the jar.

“Some of the second graders were so excited,” Long said. “They understood, and they were speaking very intelligently about it. One girl (in third grade), knew about non-Newtonian fluids.”

“When people do demonstrations, you learn a lot better,” Groth said. “We’re also enriching what they’re learning in school.”

Westly said BES had a STEM club in the past, but it never re-formed after the COVID-19 lockdown.

“The kids like doing these sort of

clubs, and we’ve been talking about getting mentors over from the high school for a while,” he said. “This is going to be a little more hands-on, something for the kids to enjoy and get more interested in STEM.”

The FPC students’ enthusiasm for the project is obvious. Most of them went to STEM camp as youngsters, which set them on their future career paths.

Taylor plans to major in mechanical engineering, with her sights set on the aerospace industry.

“In sixth grade we hosted a career fair and I met an aerospace engineer, and I was like, ‘Oh my God, I want to do this,’” she said. “If we go to Mars, I want to help build the rocket, or if we manage to get out of our solar system, I want to be one of those people that helps in that process.”

Former Flagler County Supervisor of Elections Peggy Rae Border dies at 78

Peggy Rae Border, Flagler County’s Supervisor of Elections from 1991 to 2008, who charted the course for that office during the county’s explosive growth period, died Tuesday, May 23, after a lengthy illness. She was 78. For nearly two decades, Border’s

office was known for getting the results in fast and accurate. That reputation was established even though at the time Flagler County was noted as the fastest-growing county in the nation. She led the county through the contested Al Gore and George W. Bush statewide presidential election recount in 2000. Flagler County had an accurate count in the recount.

Under her direction, Flagler County used the more accurate ballots that required voters to fill in black dots next to the candidate they selected, and the ballot was read by a scanner — thereby avoiding the infamous hanging chads. The system, established by her predecessor, provided both a computer count and a paper record of each ballot.

Border was appointed in 1991 by then-Governor Lawton Chiles to fill out the unexpired term of Elections Supervisor Etta Peterso, who died on May 10 of that year. Border was elected to the office in 1992 and served until 2008, when she retired.

Prior to her appointment, she worked in the Flagler County Property Appraiser’s office from 1979 to 1991. She attended Ohio State Uni-

versity and Daytona Beach Community College.

She earned the title of State Certified Supervisor of Elections in 1993. She was a member of the Flagler Beach United Methodist Church and the Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections, and served on several committees of the association and hosted the association’s 1997 Winter Conference.

CARL LAUNDRIE GUEST WRITER

Photo by Brent Woronoff

FPC IB students from left, back row: Nick Groth, Brendan Wang, Greyson Peugh, Jack Gilvary, Ryan Tram and Dylan Duchak. Front row: Glynnis Gong, Chloe Long, Abigail Taylor, and IB chemistry teacher Jodi Mulvihill.

COPS CORNER

5 p.m. — 1000 block of Justice Lane, Bunnell Petit and grand theft. A thief stole bicycles, then used one of the bikes to steal paddleboards, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

The suspect was at the county jail facing charges for the paddleboard thefts when a Palm Coast man reported that his three SIKK bicycles had been stolen from an underground parking garage on Surfview Drive on May 6.

The Sheriff’s Office deputy who reported to the scene recognized one of the bikes as one that had been used in the paddle board theft, according to the suspect’s arrest report. Surveillance footage of the paddleboard theft showed the suspect riding one of the stolen bikes and towing the paddleboards on a stolen bike trailer, according to the report.

The three SIKK brand bicycles were at the suspect’s St. Augustine home when St. John’s County Sheriff’s Office deputies searched it.

The suspect admitted to taking the bicycles, worth around $2,200 combined. He faces five grand theft charges and one petit theft charge.

WINDOW SHOPPING

4:20 p.m. — 5800 block of State Road 100, Palm Coast Burglary, grand theft. A thief stole a designer purse from a woman’s car when the woman stopped at a local gas station.

The woman had parked near the station’s front doors, leaving her windows down and her Michael Kors purse on the front seat, according to an incident report. When she returned to the car about 15 minutes later, the purse was gone.

The woman told Sheriff’s Office deputies that the purse contained $1,200 cash and her Social Security card. The purse itself was valued at $100.

MAY 23

ALE OF A DRIVE

2:30 a.m. — 3500 block of Nova Road, Port Orange DUI. A 35-year-old Ormond Beach man was pulled over by police after he was seen repeatedly driving on the right shoulder of the road.

The reporting officer noted that the man’s breath smelled like alcohol.

The officer asked him how much alcohol he’d had, and the man said “two beers,” according to his arrest report.

He initially refused to perform a series of field sobriety exercises, but then agreed to do so. He failed the exercises. He was taken to jail.

MAY 26 SLASH FILM ENTHUSIAST

12 p.m. — 100 block of Sagebrush Trail, Ormond Beach Battery on a law enforcement officer. Police arrested a 45-year-old Ormond Beach man who spit on an officer after being detained for trespassing at a local medical office.

The man had been yelling and swearing at customers and staff, according to a police report.

When approached by police, the man began acting strangely, the report notes, and asked the reporting officer if he knew Freddy Krueger — the fictional villain from the 1984 horror movie “A Nightmare on Elm Street.”

The man began to approach the officer, who ordered him to stop and drew his taser when the man failed to do so.

The man then asked the officer for his name and engaged in “short standoff” with him and two other officers who arrived. The man demanded money from the officers.

He was placed into handcuffs, and, while he complied, he continued insulting the officers, mumbling under his breath and asking them offtopic questions, according to his arrest report.

The man spit on one officer’s face when the officer was trying to buckle the man’s seatbelt.

The man was taken to jail.

Sponsored by

BUSINESS OBSERVER

Development, real estate + business news

Café Con Leche restaurant opens in Ormond Beach

The restaurant is on the second floor of Fountain Square Village at 142 E. Granada Blvd.

ALEXIS MILLER

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Walking up the stairs of Fountain Square Village, the smell of coffee and Latin food becomes hard to miss.

Café Con Leche opened in the Ormond Beach shopping plaza at 142 E. Granada Blvd. on May 10. The family-owned business is run by husbandand-wife team Saul Cifuentes and Norma Castaneda, along with their daughter, Julie Olague.

This is the fifth location the couple has opened since moving to Ormond Beach from Key West seven years ago.

“My goal is to get a lot of customers and to sell a lot of sandwiches and coffees,” Cifuentes said, “And maybe open another shop.”

The restaurant’s menu is a mixture of Cuban, Mexican and Puerto Rican food.

Its best-selling items are the Cuban sandwich and, of course, the café con leche,

milk, sweetened with sugar, served hot or iced.

Cifuentes and Castaneda worked in the restaurant business in Key West, running a Mexican-style restaurant that remained open until five years ago.

Cifuentes said the drive from Ormond to Key West was too much, and, after doing it for two years, it was time to close.

BIZ BUZZ

FPL WORKS TO IMPROVE RESILIENCY

FPL is planning upgrades in Ormond Beach to improve resiliency in the face of severe weather, according to a news release.

These investments include moving more power lines underground, strengthening overhead lines and installing more intelligent devices along the energy grid to help detect potential problems and restore power faster when outages occur.

FPL plans to make the following improvements in and around Ormond Beach:

nMaintaining trees and vegetation along 175 miles of power lines.

nInspecting 1,091 power poles in Ormond Beach as part of an eight-year inspection cycle, strengthening or replacing those that no longer meet

Their South Daytona location is also called Cafe Con Leche, but the other locations have different names. The Holly Hill location is Arroz Con Leche, and the Flagler Beach location is Dulce De Leche.

Tres Leches Cafe was another one of their restaurants, located in Daytona Beach Shores. It was closed permanently due to severe damage from Hurricane Ian in October 2022.

Cifuentes said that if the family decides to open another restaurant, it will likely be in St. Augustine or the surrounding area.

TRIBUTES

Conkling

Richard Dyson Conkling, better known as Dick or Dr. C by his many friends and colleagues, peacefully passed away surrounded by his family and loving wife, Polly, of 65 years on May 24,

Richard is survived by his wife, two sons Ron and Ray, two beautiful daughter-in-laws Lauri and Pam, grandchildren Trent (McCall), Tessa (Marcel), Justin, and Jarrett (Miranda), and a great-granddaughter on the way, Amelia Rose. He treasured creating memories with his family, friends, colleagues, and students.

Richard was a man of many talents: citrus grove manager, cattle rancher, fertilizer salesman, and a stint in the army serving in Korea. He then changed gears moving into education getting his PhD and being a teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent known affectionately as “Dr C.” He spent his career caring about and promoting the education of children and fostering a family atmosphere with the faculty.

Throughout his life he was a stalwart volunteer, serving the Kiwanis Club of Flagler (over 40 years) where his pride and joy was the establishment of a college fund. He also spent many hours volunteering at St.

He was a true gentleman who led by example and lived a principled life of integrity.

Thomas Episcopal Church and serving the students of Flagler in numerous volunteer projects. At home, he wrote poetry (to his wife), loved woodworking, photography, training, and spending time with his “best friend” Buddy the Border Collie. He also enjoyed spending time with his neighbors and working on his property at the “Circle R” Ranch in the woods on John Anderson Highway in Flagler Beach, Florida. He was a true gentleman who led by example and lived a principled life of integrity. He will be sorely missed by everyone that knew and loved him. Rest in peace Pap we love you.

Please join us in celebrating his life Saturday morning June 3, 2023, at 11 am at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 5400 Belle Terre Parkway, Palm Coast, FL 32137.

In lieu of flowers, we are requesting donations be made to St. Thomas Episcopal Church Memorial Fund (386-446-2300).

The family of Dr. Conkling have entrusted his arrangements to Clymer Funeral Home & Cremations.

SERVICE: Saturday, June 3, 11AM

St. Thomas Episcopal Church 5400 Belle Terre Parkway Palm Coast, FL 32137

FPL’s standards.

nInstalling smart grid technology, including 19 switches on main and neighborhood power lines to help detect problems and restore service faster.

nInspecting 33 main power lines and equipment using infrared technology to detect issues before they cause a power interruption.

When the planned 2023 work is completed, FPL will have made the following improvements in and near Ormond Beach since the 2004-2005 hurricane seasons:

nStrengthened 33 main power lines.

nInspected and maintained vegetation near 2,177 miles of power lines — an average of 128 miles per year.

nInspected all 13,889 power poles every eight years.

nInstalled smart grid technology, including 1,424 automated switches on main and neighborhood power lines.

nInspected 79 main power lines and equipment using infrared technology.

Bohemia “Amy” Concetta Coccia Beaulieu, 87, of Palm Coast, passed away on May 22, 2023 at Stuart F Meyer Hospice House.

She was born and raised in Bronx, NY. Amy married, James Robert Beaulieu, a Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy, the Beaulieu’s traveled to several Naval Air Stations in the United States where they spent the last seven years in Pensacola, Florida retiring in 1975. The Beaulieu’s retired to Greenville, South Carolina. She was a member of South Carolina State Guard. Amy loved bowling, bingo, Curves Workouts, singing, dancing, walking and spending time with her family.

She is survived by her

sons, Michael John Beaulieu (Betsy) and Glenn Alan Beaulieu (Denise); grandchildren, Tia, James, Jacob, Emma, Lee, Michaela, Christine, Brian, Nicole, Michael, Glenn, Jenna and Michael, 19 great grandchildren and daughter in law, AnnaMarie. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Robert Beaulieu and sons, James David, Kenneth Robert and Brian Keith.

Celebration of Life Ceremony to be announced at a later date for all family and friends to gather in Amy’s honor. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Dementia Society of America, https://dementiasociety. charityproud.org/donate.

St. Johns Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Richard “Dr. C”

5/1/1935 –5/24/2023

Bohemia “Amy” Concetta Coccia Beaulieu

Courtesy photo

FPL crews harden power poles in Central Florida to improve resiliency during hurricanes and severe weather and enhance reliability during day-to-day conditions.

Photos by Alexis Miller

Café Con Leche owner Saul Cifuentes and his daughter, Julie Olague

Café Con Leche also offers desserts.

LETTERS

Commission should not approve Tymber Creek Apartments

Dear Editor:

A brief history of the proposed Tymber Creek Apartments project: The developer’s initial request was for 299 units, which is the density granted with a PBD (Planned Business Development) waiver. Straight zoning would’ve been around 164 units.

In December 2022, the Planning Board unanimously voted down the newly-proposed 270 units. In March of this year, the Florida Senate Bill 102 “Live Local Act” was signed into

law, which basically overrides local decisions regarding rental properties if the property falls within certain “affordable” parameters. The law goes into effect on July 1.

Because of this law, the developer threatened to build even more apartments if the 270-unit project was not approved, claiming he could build over 500 units under the new law. On May 16, the commission approved the 270-unit project with a 4-1 vote.

On Tuesday, June 6, there will be a second reading before final approval of the Tymber Creek Apartments proposal.

We realize that the state law has put the commission in a tight spot. However, most laws are tested in court before they can be enforced.

Make yourself at home

‘That’s my talent’

at the dining room table.

This law will likely be challenged, and therefore we believe the commission should wait before giving in to the developer. Even lobbyist Jeff Sharkey, CEO of Capitol Alliance Group, Inc., admitted the law was an “experiment” and that Ormond is likely among the first municipal governments impacted by the law. He also acknowledged there would be pushback because the law “may not work in Community X, but it will in Community Y.”

There’s also a question of if the developer’s threat of 500 units would clear the concurrency requirements, anyway. Note that an affordable housing requirement involves nearby public transportation. We all know there is no Votran

service west of I-95 in Ormond Beach, and that area will not see bus service for years to come. So technically, under the law, the applicant would not qualify for a higher density granted by the state.

People should write and come out expressing that the commission not approve the project until the law’s been tested. Most of us are aware of the multiple reasons apartments — whether they be 160, 270, or 500 — are wrong for this area.

JULIE AND KEN SIPES Ormond Beach

Send letters up to 400 words to Jarleene@observerlocalnews.com. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

Close encounter with a squirrel, but not close enough.

BRIAN MCMILLAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Before a recent car ride, Luke, my 5-year-old son, buckled his seatbelt all by himself. “That’s my talent,” he said.

Some day, he will develop even more impressive talents, but that’s a good start. He showed me another talent while we were playing a board game

“You know how some people can hold a pencil behind their ear?” he asked. Without waiting for a response, he stuck a yellow pencil behind his tiny ear. He looked at me slantwise, his head frozen. A second or two later, the pencil slipped out and fell to the ground.

That talent is still in development.

But I believe I know one of Luke’s most remarkable talents. I discovered it when we were at a park one day, and he saw a squirrel. He tiptoed toward it, inching closer and closer, trying to get close enough to pet it. When the squirrel looked up and saw him, it darted toward the nearest tree.

International Speedway, draped a banner over the “Welcome to Daytona Beach” walkway outside the racetrack and littered several neighborhoods with flyers espousing hate and conspiracy theories.

These and several other incidents contributed to Florida’s passage of House Bill 269, which gave law enforcement new tools to protect people from harassment, threats and intimidation based on their religious or ethnic heritage.

Chitwood also recently received the “Critical Citizen Award” from the Palm Beach Synagogue.

SEABREEZE TEACHER, OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE REWARD STUDENTS

Luke turned and walked back to me, shoulders slumping, frowning. I tried to get his mind off his disappointment by engaging his imagination.

“What do you think it would be like to be a squirrel?” I asked.

He thought for a moment and then said, “I wouldn’t run away from people. Because I want people to be happy.”

I was amazed that someone so young was so confident that he could make people happy just by sticking around. One of Luke’s talents is to make people — even strangers — feel like friends.

I realized in that moment that sometimes I had tried to discourage that talent. For example, when

gift certificates, Read donated 10 Mother’s Day gift cards. Ariani also gave each the students who passed the exam $20.

FIRST UNITED METHODIST TO HOLD KIDS ADVENTURE WEEK

First United Methodist Church of Ormond Beach’s Kids Adventure Week will be held June 19-23.

Kids Adventure Week, open for children in kindergarten through fifth grade, will take place from 8:45 a.m. to noon at the church at 336 S. Halifax Drive.

Children will participate in activities crafted to spark their imaginations, including arts and crafts, storytelling sessions, sports and science experiments.

‘GUARDIAN OF ISRAEL’ AWARD PRESENTED TO SHERIFF CHITWOOD

An Israeli delegation of religious, business and political leaders presented Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood with a “Guardian of Israel” award Wednesday, May 24, in recognition of his stand against hate in Volusia County and across the country.

The award from Israel365 was presented at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention, where Christian media professionals and communicators are gathering over four days at the Marriott World Center in Orlando.

“It’s incredible to see our story here in Volusia County travel across the world and generate this kind of support and appreciation from Israel,” Chitwood said. “I’m beyond honored to accept this award and to keep spreading the message that hate and extremism have no place in our society.”

In February, Chitwood called a news conference and interfaith rally in response to harassment and hate directed at Jewish people in Central Florida. A hate group had used a portable projector to display antisemitic messages on the side of Daytona

Seabreeze High School math teacher John Ariani made a promise to all of his geometry students this school year: Pass the end-of-course geometry exam, and he’d give them a gift certificate for a steak. He fulfilled his end of the bargain and purchased 10 gift certificates for Outback Steakhouse in Ormond Beach, each worth $100, according to an email to the Observer. He also spoke with Forrest Read, proprietor of the local Outback franchise, who agreed to match Ariani’s gift.

“Mr. Forrest Read was enthusiastically generous and donated more than what I purchased,” Ariani said in the email.

In addition to matching Ariani’s

Kids Adventure Week is open to children of all backgrounds and religious affiliations, and no previous church attendance is required. Spots are limited and early registration is encouraged.

The registration fee is $40 per child, including all activities and materials and a daily snack.

To register or find out more, visit firstunited.org or contact Caitlin Bookwalter at 386-677-3581 or cbookwalter@firstunited.org.

UNITED WAY GRANTS $965,600 TO LOCAL SERVICES

The Community Foundation and United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties are granting $965,600 — $1,931,200 for a two-year cycle — to the community through The United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties Community Impact Grant.

Twenty-five programs from 19 nonprofits serving Volusia and Flagler counties in the areas of education, financial stability and health are being awarded the two-year grants.

Funding was allocated to all programs that met the eligibility criteria and the required scoring threshold.

This cycle began in September 2022.

he met another boy at McDonald’s, and, within minutes, they were laughing and racing between the tables at full speed. Or when he struck up a conversation with the parents of another boy on a swing set, with this ice breaker: “Where do babies come from?”

But talent development can be a messy business. We have to learn by trial and error how to harness our individual powers.

Whatever other talents Luke develops by playing instruments or creating art or any other traditional hobbies, I hope he never loses sight of the most important one: not running away from people who need us.

ORMOND BEACH Observer

1944

Publisher John Walsh, jwalsh@observerlocalnews.com

Managing Editor Jonathan Simmons, jonathan@observerlocalnews.com

Senior Editor Jarleene Almenas, jarleene@observerlocalnews.com

Associate Editor Brent Woronoff, brent@observerlocalnews.com

Staff Writer Sierra Williams, sierra@observerlocalnews.com

Design Editor Hailey McMillan, hailey@observerlocalnews.com

Director of Engagement Kaitlyn Stier, kstier@observerlocalnews.com

Senior Media Specialist Susan Moore, susan@observerlocalnews.com

Advertising Coordinator Jessica Boone, jessica@observerlocalnews.com

Operations Manager Bonnie Hamilton, bonnie@observerlocalnews.com

Circulation Coordinator, Draven Owens, dowens@observerlocalnews.com

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JUNIOR LEAGUE CELEBRATES GRAND REOPENING

The Junior League of Daytona Beach celebrated the grand reopening of its office building in downtown Daytona Beach with a ribbon-cutting hosted by the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce on May 22.

The League’s annual meeting, including the induction of a new board of directors and the announcement of upcoming initiatives, followed the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The 2023-2024 board of directors is as follows:

„ President: Amie Story

„ President-elect: Maria Indelicato

„ Secretary: Grace Kellar

„ Finance Director: Kathleen Dulko

„ Finance-elect: April Wilson

„ Community Director: Leslie VanWinkle

„ Community-elect: Roni PeGee

„ Membership Director: Sarah Murtaugh

„ Membership-elect: Victoria Peña

„ Communications Director:

“The pool of applicants was extremely competitive this cycle,” said Courtney Edgcomb, president and CEO of the Community Foundation and United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties.

Of the $965,600 awarded each year, 25% ($245,000) is earmarked for Flagler-specific programs, 37% ($352,500) for Volusia-specific programs and 38% ($368,100) for

Amanda Smith.

The League’s building suffered extensive damage during Hurricanes Ian and Nicole.

The bottom floor underwent a full remodel, creating a dedicated office, conference room and meeting spaces; windows were repaired; the roof was replaced; new flooring was installed; new air conditioning units were put in; and the building was repainted inside and out.

The JLDB also created a large area for its diaper bank, which has distributed more than 600,000 diapers to families in need.

“We are beyond excited to reopen our building,” said Kelly Marple, Junior League of Daytona Beach president. “After what has been a true labor of love, we’ve created a space where we can come together to fulfill our mission of bettering this community we love.”

dual-county benefit.

Education and health programs received 33% of the funding ($314,500 and $325,100 respectively), and financial stability received 34% ($326,000).

Education and health programs received 33% of the funding ($314,500 and $325,100 respectively), and financial stability received 34% ($326,000).

Don’t lapse or surrender your life insurance policy before calling Bruce Davis, CLU, in Palm Coast for a quote to sell your policy for cash. We work with the life settlement industry leader, Coventry, to provide quick and legitimate quotes for your policy. To date, Coventry has provided more than $4.5 billion to policyowners.

Courtesy photo Seabreeze High School teacher John Ariani and Outback Steakhouse local proprietor Forrest Read

The 2023-2024 Junior League of Daytona Beach board of directors: (Front row) Sarah Murtaugh, April Wilson, Amie Story, Amanda Smith and Victoria Peña. (Back row) Leslie VanWinkle, Kathleen Dulko, Maria Indelicato, Grace Kellar and Roni PeGee

Courtesy photos Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood received the “Guardian of Israel” award.

Palm Coast looks to fix its aging infrastructure

Work orders are increasing as the city’s roads

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Every year for the last five years, Stormwater and Engineering Director Carl Cote has spoken to the Palm Coast City Council about the city’s deteriorating roadways.

As part of the budgeting sessions, Cote made another presentation in April, once again requesting more money for the city’s resurfacing program.

“Every year, we bring it up to council,” he said. “We identify funding sources or revenues that we do not implement in the city, but there’s never been action on council to implement any of those.”

Cote told the City Council that the pavement management program needs $12 million a year just to maintain the roads.

That number will just keep climbing if existing problems are not addressed.

Currently, the program receives $2 million per year, Cote said, including funding shifted from nonessential projects.

Cote said the $12 million he has requested for the program is just to maintain the roads’ Pavement Condition Index grade of 75, which is four points lower than its previous score in 2017.

It isn’t just the roads that need attention. Palm Coast’s pipes are nearing the end of their 50-year lifespan, Cote said.

And between inflated costs and more frequent failures, the previous budget doesn’t stretch as far as it had.

“We’ve we’ve been having at least one [major pipe failure] a year underneath our major roadways,” he said. “And it used to be like, one every five years or so.”

MAINTENANCE

A planned stormwater utility rate hike and the money Cote requested for the roads would be used for maintenance.

Cote noted in his presentation that the city has already seen evidence of the roads degrading as the number of work orders increases.

In 2022, there were a total of 155 work orders, said Public Works Manager Marvin Calderon. But the crews have already handled 120 in first the five months of 2023.

Because of the storms last fall, Calderon said, city staff members expect to see more potholes or cracks forming.

“All it takes is one small crack in the road and the water gets underneath that asphalt, and that’s what started deteriorating everything underneath the asphalt,” he said.

Even with the increase in work orders, he said, the city’s asphalt crews can quickly turn them around.

“We usually respond to the incoming work orders within the hour,” Calderon said.

Fixing the pipes is more intensive.

Cote said stormwater and engineering staff members are responsible for inspecting around 3,000 pipes and try to assess each pipe every other year, marking which ones needs replacing or new linings.

Linings extend the life of the pipe, Cote said, and are less expensive than replacing the pipe entirely — especially when pipes are under roadways.

It’s expected that pipes will age and need replacing. What is abnormal about Palm Coast’s pipes, Cote said, is that all the pipes in the city were laid down at around the same time by the International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation in the 1970s and ’80s.

That means multiple pipes

are in danger of failing at once, he said.

“We’re at the point where we want to increase our quantity of replacements per year, so our rate of failures doesn’t increase,” Cote said.

Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin said ITT planned for Palm Coast to have a population of 250,000, but he didn’t think anyone could have predicted how quickly it was going to grow over a short period of time.

“I do believe that the original plan ... never identified a way to pay for the ongoing maintenance and repair of aging infrastructure,” he said.

“This city is suffering from

aging bones, which we’re not well prepared for.”

FUNDING

Cote said staff has already tried to find creative solutions for funding the stormwater projects and the road maintenance program to avoid tax increases or fees.

“They’re my tax dollars too,” Cote said. “We look hard at every penny we spend. We’re not looking to be wasteful at all.”

Alfin said he thinks the city’s staff is already doing an exceptional job counting every penny.

“I would put our staff up against any staff in any city throughout the state, in terms of their efficiency, their creativity, and their work ethic,” Alfin said.

But not all City Council members agree.

In a May 16 City Council meeting, the council approved another increase to residents’ monthly utility bill to fund pipe maintenance.

On Oct. 1, the monthly utility bill will go up to $28.34 from $22.07 and increase every year over the next five years.

Vice Mayor Ed Danko and Council Member Cathy Heighter both voted against

the stormwater rate hike.

“... My suggestion is do what the rest of us are doing,” Danko said at the meeting. “Learn how to tighten your belts; learn how not to waste money.”

Nobody at the city — staff or council members — wants to increase taxes, Alfin said. But he hopes the city won’t need to.

On June 13, the City Council will hear a presentation from the county’s property appraiser on property taxes and the millage rate for the fiscal year 2024 budget.

Alfin said he wants to know how much money Palm Coast will receive from new construction and new residents.

“That would not constitute a tax increase. Those would be new taxes,” he said. “That’s one of the benefits of growing — that you have new tax dollars that were not part of the prior budget.”

Based on Palm Coast’s growth rate, Alfin said, that may be a significant amount of revenue.

Regardless, he said, he will not compromise on safety.

“I will not sacrifice public safety,” Alfin said. “Those are, in my opinion, at the very heart of every possible component of quality of life.”

Photo from

COTE, director of Stormwater and

“This city is suffering from aging bones, which we’re not well prepared

DAVID ALFIN, Palm Coast mayor

Waste Pro BinsThe True Facts

To our valued Palm Coast residents, customers, and friends,

After 17 years of proudly serving you, the residents of Palm Coast, the city elected to begin collection services with a new company effective June 1, 2023. We are proud of the service we have provided for close to two decades. In fact, our local division maintains a 4.8 Google Star rating which is higher than any provider in the surrounding metro market area. This is a testament to our local Palm Coast-based crews and their dedication to service and safety.

It is important to us that you, our valued customers, know the facts. Over the last few weeks and leading up to our last days of service, Waste Pro thoroughly communicated a transition plan including a collection plan to pick up the Waste Pro branded recycling bins. Waste Pro owned bins were provided to you at the start of the contract and over the years of service to be used for collections while the city was under contract with Waste Pro. Once these assets are collected, they will be re-purposed for use throughout our 10-state footprint.

Additionally, to provide a smooth transition, and ensure that you, our valued customers, were not left without a bin, Waste Pro extended offers to sell the recycling bins at a discounted price. It is perplexing that the city did not take any steps to obtain new recycling bins. Numerous discussions and transition meetings were held with city staff and Waste Pro management. The topic of Waste Pro branded bins was thoroughly discussed. The city understood Waste Pro crews would be collecting the Waste Pro branded bins during the last week of collections as part of the transition/exit from the city. It is incredible to think equipment purchased by Waste Pro such as bins, carts, and trucks would be considered or thought to be the property of the city.

Thank you for trusting Waste Pro for 17 years as your solid waste partner. We wish you and the city well as you begin a new agreement with another provider. Our collection crews look forward to continuing service in unincorporated Flagler County and to the Palm Coast businesses.

“The city understood Waste Pro crews would be collecting the Waste Pro branded bins during the last week of collections as part of the transition/exit from the city.”

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Back to the beginning

SUZANNE

MCCARTHY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Thirty-one graduating seniors from Seabreeze, Mainland and Spruce Creek High School returned on Friday, May 26, to where it all began for the annual Pine Trail Elementary Senior Walk.

The students gathered in the media center to reminisce over doughnuts before taking their final walk around the courtyard.

“It’s cool,” Mainland High School senior Robert Merrill said. “Everything used to be so much bigger, but it looks the same.”

The consensus among the seniors as they revisited their elementary school was that it was “weird and nostalgic” to be back.

“I’m going to miss school,” Seabreeze High School senior Grant Scrabis said. “A lot of memories along the way. A new step, though.”

Seniors Erin Engel and Ella DeRiggi were all smiles as they spoke of their first day of kindergarten together at Pine Trail. Friends since birth, the young women hugged before taking their Senior Walk together.

As the seniors entered the courtyard for their final walk, they were greeted with applause from the Pine Trail students.

Cheering and waving homemade signs, the elementary students welcomed the high school seniors as they walked around the square.

Afterward, a group of the seniors headed to the playground for one last remembrance of their days at Pine Trail Elementary.

Local high school grads revisit Pine Trail Elementary for a senior walk.

Kaden Reamer, Ryan Flugger and Dominic Marinaccio show off homemade signs from Pine Trail students.

Spruce Creek Seniors Mandar Ghade and Renzo Danlag

Senior Alicia Libby is greeted by her niece, first grader Leah Harrell.

Daytona State College graduate Hannah Blake and Seabreeze High school graduate Jillian Loutzenhiser

Grant Scrabis, Robert Merrill, Kirsten McSweeney, Isabella Volturo and Cole Long reminisce over doughnuts in the Pine Trails Media Center as Kate Sevigny (black robe) looks on.

Erin Engel and Ella DeRiggi recreate the photo from their first day of Kindergarten together at Pine Trail.

Photo courtesy of Ella DiRiggi and Erin Engel Ella DeRiggi and Erin Engel on their first day at Pine Trail Elementary

Courtesy photo Taylor Bates and first grader Lillian Tacinelli

Seabreeze graduates Hannah Ashton, Ava Franco and Alexandra Atanasoski

Photos by Suzanne McCarthy

LOCAL EVENTS

THURSDAY, JUNE 1

JESSICA MICHELLE

SINGLETON

When: 8 p.m.

Where: Mad Caps Comedy Club, 160 Cypress Point Parkway, Suite 110, Palm Coast Details: See standup comedian Jessica Michelle Singleton perform. Tickets start at $25 online, and $30 at the door. Show is open to those 21 and older. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Visit https://madcapscomedyclub.ticketspice.com/thursjune-1st-jms.

FRIDAY, JUNE 2

SEA TURTLE NESTING IN VOLUSIA COUNTY

When: 2-3 p.m.

Where: Environmental Discovery Center, 601 Division Ave., Ormond Beach

Details: The Environmental Discovery Center and Volusia County Environmental Management will present Alexa Putillo, sea turtle habitat conservation plan field manager, who will speak on current nesting numbers, the county’s habitat conservation plan, and sea turtle species that nest on Volusia beaches. Reservations suggested. Call 386-615-7081.

MOVIES ON THE HALIFAX

When: 8:30 p.m.

Where: Rockefeller Gardens, 26 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach Details: Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy a showing of “Air Bud,” rated PG. Movies are weather-sensitive. Call 386-676-3216 for rainout information.

SATURDAY, JUN 3

HER TURN SURF FEST

When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Flagler Beach Municipal Pier, 215 S. Oceanshore Blvd., Flagler Beach Details: Elevate Events presents Flagler Beach’s first women’s surf festival. All levels

welcome. Free for spectators. Costs $40-$75 to compete. Visit elevateeventcompany. com/herturnsurffest.

FLORIDA FOOD IN THE GOLDEN ERA OF WOMEN’S PAGE JOURNALISM

When: 9-11 a.m.

Where: Anderson-Price Memorial Building, 42 N. Beach St., Ormond Beach

Details: Kimberly Voss, a journalism professor at the University of Central Florida, will discuss how Florida’s women’s pages on food and drink — the only place for women in journalism in the ’50s and ’60s — was considered the best in the country. Free program hosted by the Ormond Beach Historical Society.

ART WALK

When: 3-7 p.m.

Where: MainStreet Arts

District, 128 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach

Details: Join Ocean Art Gallery, Frame of Mind, Art Spotlight, The Studio by Artist Angel Lowden, the Ormond Memorial Art Museum and more on the first Saturday of each month for art events.

MOONRISE AT THE BEACH

When: 7:45-8:45 p.m.

Where: Gamble Rogers State Park, 3100 S. Oceanshore Blvd., Flagler Beach

Details: Watch as the moon rises over the Atlantic Ocean. Bring binoculars and a camera for photo opportunities. Learn fun facts about the moon and the local coastal ecosystem. Program size is limited to 30 people. Call 386517-2086 to reserve a spot.

SUNDAY, JUNE 4

BLOOD DRIVE AND PANCAKE BREAKFAST

When: 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Where: St. Brendan Catholic Church, 1000 Ocean Shore Blvd., Ormond Beach

Details: Donate blood at the OneBlood Big Red Bus and receive a free pass to the Knights of Columbus pancake breakfast in the church’s so-

cial hall. OneBlood also offers a free gift, a $20 eGift card and a complimentary wellness checkup to those who donate blood. Breakfast for non-donors costs $6. Kids eat free.

FAMILY FUN DAY

When: 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 5400 Belle Terre Parkway, Palm Coast

Details: Attend this end-ofschool celebration hosted by St. James Episcopal Church. There will be games, cotton candy, a bounce house and more. Activities will begin after 10 a.m. church service.

MONDAY, JUNE 5 ASTRONOMY CLUB OF PALM COAST

When: 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Where: Palm Coast Public Library meeting room, 2500 Palm Coast Parkway NW, Palm Coast

Details: Join the Astronomy Club of Palm Coast as members discuss the latest news from the James Webb telescope and speak on the topic, “Are we headed towards the Great Attractor?”

TUESDAY, JUNE 6

WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP WITH BIBI GROMLING

When: 1-4 p.m.

Where: Ocean Art Gallery, 197 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach Details: Ocean Art Gallery is hosting a watercolor workshop with local artist Bibi Gromling. Learn how to paint a tree frog. $75 per student; all supplies provided. Call 386-317-9400 to reserve a spot.

ONGOING INSPIRATIONS AND REFLECTIONS

When: June 4 through July 15

Where: Expressions Art Gallery, 2298 Colbert Lane, Palm Coast Details: See this exhibition featuring artists Suzanne Barrett and Louise Kennedy. There will be an opening reception from 1-3:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 4.

THE FINE ARTS

DAYTONA MAGIC SHOP

A new exhibition opened at the NewsJournal Center’s Gary R. Libby Gallery on May 31. “Four Corners: Exploring Volusia County” exhibit was produced in partnership with Daytona State College’s Southeast Museum of Photography and curated by this year’s Gary R. Libby Scholarship winner, Tim Blalock. The exhibit acts “as a love letter to the county,” a news release stated. Photographer Kristin Sobers, of Palm Coast, is among the students whose work (pictured left) was selected. She served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and retired in 2020, according to her artist statement. Two years later, she enrolled in DSC’s photography program.

“What started out as needing to grasp product photography has turned into a love of nature, landscape, on location, and sports photography,” she said in her statement. “… I have enjoyed every minute of building my portfolio and am excited to see what the future holds.”

–JARLEENE ALMENAS

Dream come true

JARLEENE ALMENAS SENIOR EDITOR

Kathy Davis often says that you don’t have to have sight to be a true visionary. The Conklin Davis Center for the Visually Impaired has built its mission around that idea, serving over 500 visually impaired people every year at its 42-acre campus at 405 White St. in Daytona Beach. The CDCVI is a result of the 2021 merger between Davis’ Center for the Visually Impaired — founded in Ormond Beach in 1988 — and the former Conklin Center. On Thursday, May 25, the CDCVI celebrated its first birthday.

“My dream has been that this center be world-class in responding to people like me —people who are also blind and visually impaired,” Davis said. “And my dream has come true tonight.”

The CDCVI helps visually impaired people lead independent lives through job training, employment help, technology aids and other services over the client’s lifetime.

As the center celebrated its first birthday, it also unveiled its strategic plan for the next three years. The plan is designed to lead the center to its next phase: an expansion to create a wellness center where CDCVI clients could enjoy fitness, health, music, art and other programs customized to their needs. The wellness center

would be a $4 million venture that, according to the center, would be the first of its kind in the United States.

“Many things have changed since we’ve merged the two organizations together,” CDCVI President and CEO Ronee David said. “Our staff has grown; our programs have really tripled in the past year. Our staff has actually tripled, and we have a long waiting list for our services. We’ve made a lot of progress, but we really have a lot more to do.”

PLANNING FOR 2025

Goals in the center’s strategic plan include creating affordable housing opportunities for clients, adding an intergenerational mentoring program and establishing a vocational

Photos by Jarleene Almenas

CDCVI Board Treasurer JR MacClary shares the center’s strategic plan.

Emely Reyes sings the national anthem.

Conklin Davis Center Founder Kathy Davis feels the bust made in her likeness as Judy Jenkins (center) and President and CEO Ronee David (left) looks on.

CDCVI Board Chair Bill Watson is recognized with a plaque.

CDCVI Event Chair Nancy Epps and recent graduate Britany Locklear blow out the first birthday candle.

Conklin Davis Center for the Visually Impaired celebrates first birthday.

training program with on-the-job training.

Currently, the CDCVI averages 44 client job placements a year and 192 client referrals for jobs per year. The center aims to create housing for 10 blind employees in 2023, 20 in 2024 and 32 in 2025.

Tomoka Eye Associates CEO Bill Watson, chairman of the center’s board, said that the last nine years have been the “most magnificent years” of his life. He had served on the Center for the Visually Impaired board before the merger.

“Our board has been absolutely stellar through this whole merger, and it was an amazing amount of work that everybody put forth,” Watson said.

CDCVI Event Chair Nancy Epps said the center is living up to Davis’ dream.

“It’s been a great organization for me to be associated with,” Epps said. “I’m very proud.”

Mary Yochum and Bobbie Cheh, of the Ormond-by-the-Sea Lions Club, presented the center with a $500 check during the program. Mahyar Okhovatian, of the Ponce Inlet Lions Club, presented the center with two $1,000 checks on behalf of the staff of CompuSys, an information technology company.

MADE IN HER LIKENESS

The program also recognized Judy Jenkins, who recently donated $130,000 to the CDCVI — the largest donation received to date. Jenkins said she was stunned to see what the center has done for the community, not just the visually impaired. Davis is also a wonderful person, Jenkins said. “She’s just given so much of her life to people who need it,” she said. Davis was further honored with a bust sculpture, which will be displayed at the CDCVI alongside that of Millard Conklin. When David unveiled the bust, she urged Davis to

feel it and see if she recognized who it depicted.

“Oh my goodness, it’s me,” Davis said.

Those in attendance cheered and laughed as Davis asked if the artist had eliminated her wrinkles.

“This statue is going to stand here as a testament to you and your dedication,” David said.

Davis said she’s a person of great faith and believes God led her on this path when her ophthalmologist told her in 1988 that she would lose all of her vision.

“When I said, ‘Where can I go? What can I do?’ He said, ‘I have no idea,’” Davis recalled. “That’s when I knew that God said, ‘You’ve got to do something so that nobody ever has to hear that answer again. So that’s why I’m walking this walk.’”

August Krakowiak hands out flashlights to attendees.

Conklin Davis Center students Delayna Goodrich, Jessie Moraitis, Thomas Ray and graduates David Milgroom and Britany Locklear are recognized.

Dr. Karl Waite is recognized with a plaque.

CDCVI Event Chair Nancy Epps receives flowers from President and CEO Ronee David.

Attendees hold up their flashlights and sing “This Little Light of Mine.”

Parker Krakowiak shows off the flashlights for guests.

Attendees hold up their flashlights and sing along to “This Little Light of Mine.”

The bust of Kathy Davis will join that of Millard Conklin, who founded the Conklin Center in 1979.

“My dream has been that this center be world-class in responding to people like me — people who are also blind and visually impaired. And my dream has come true tonight.”

KATHY DAVIS

training program with on-the-job training.

Currently, the CDCVI averages 44 client job placements a year and 192 client referrals for jobs per year. The center aims to create housing for 10 blind employees in 2023, 20 in 2024 and 32 in 2025.

Tomoka Eye Associates CEO Bill Watson, chairman of the center’s board, said that the last nine years have been the “most magnificent years” of his life. He had served on the Center for the Visually Impaired board before the merger.

“Our board has been absolutely stellar through this whole merger, and it was an amazing amount of work that everybody put forth,” Watson said.

CDCVI Event Chair Nancy Epps said the center is living up to Davis’ dream.

“It’s been a great organization for me to be associated with,” Epps said. “I’m very proud.”

Mary Yochum and Bobbie Cheh, of the Ormond-by-the-Sea Lions Club, presented the center with a $500 check during the program. Mahyar Okhovatian, of the Ponce Inlet Lions Club, presented the center with two $1,000 checks on behalf of the staff of CompuSys, an information technology company.

MADE IN HER LIKENESS

The program also recognized Judy Jenkins, who recently donated $130,000 to the CDCVI — the largest donation received to date. Jenkins said she was stunned to see what the center has done for the community, not just the visually impaired. Davis is also a wonderful person, Jenkins said. “She’s just given so much of her life to people who need it,” she said. Davis was further honored with a bust sculpture, which will be displayed at the CDCVI alongside that of Millard Conklin. When David unveiled the bust, she urged Davis to

feel it and see if she recognized who it depicted.

“Oh my goodness, it’s me,” Davis said.

Those in attendance cheered and laughed as Davis asked if the artist had eliminated her wrinkles.

“This statue is going to stand here as a testament to you and your dedication,” David said.

Davis said she’s a person of great faith and believes God led her on this path when her ophthalmologist told her in 1988 that she would lose all of her vision.

“When I said, ‘Where can I go? What can I do?’ He said, ‘I have no idea,’” Davis recalled. “That’s when I knew that God said, ‘You’ve got to do something so that nobody ever has to hear that answer again. So that’s why I’m walking this walk.’”

August Krakowiak hands out flashlights to attendees.

Conklin Davis Center students Delayna Goodrich, Jessie Moraitis, Thomas Ray and graduates David Milgroom and Britany Locklear are recognized.

Dr. Karl Waite is recognized with a plaque.

CDCVI Event Chair Nancy Epps receives flowers from President and CEO Ronee David.

Attendees hold up their flashlights and sing “This Little Light of Mine.”

Parker Krakowiak shows off the flashlights for guests.

Attendees hold up their flashlights and sing along to “This Little Light of Mine.”

The bust of Kathy Davis will join that of Millard Conklin, who founded the Conklin Center in 1979.

“My dream has been that this center be world-class in responding to people like me — people who are also blind and visually impaired. And my dream has come true tonight.”

KATHY DAVIS

Dominant debut

Mainland’s Hill scores points on offense, defense in spring game.

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Rodney Hill made an auspicious debut for the Mainland High football team on Thursday, May 25, in a spring football game at Municipal Stadium.

The Flagler Palm Coast transfer was responsible for 10 of the Buccaneers’ 13 varsity points as Mainland defeated West Orange 19-10.

Mainland won the three varsity quarters 13-10 as Hill tackled West Orange quarterback Trever Jackson for a safety in the first quarter, scored on a 6-yard run with 6:21 left in the third quarter and followed that with a 2-point conversion run.

Hill, a rising senior, joins a Mainland defense peppered with Division I prospects that showed how domi-

nant it can be in the spring performance.

“I always played against all these boys in Pop Warner growing up, so it was just like us coming together as one whole unit,” Hill said. “I knew I had a job to do, and we all had a job to do. We all executed.”

The Warriors’ only touchdown was set up by a Bucs’ fumble on a high snap at their own 10-yard line. Jackson hit receiver Jordyn Bridgewater with a 10-yard touchdown pass to give West Orange a short-lived 10-5 lead early in the third quarter.

A strip sack by Mainland’s Myron Shafer set up the Bucs’ longest drive of the night, as they marched 68 yards with Hill bulldozing into the end zone for a score and again on the 2-point conversion run.

Mainland scored another touchdown in the fourth quarter with reserves and JV players on the field as Ryan Allen caught a 7-yard pass from Sebastian Johnson. Allen, who will be a junior in August, caught three passes in the quarter.

Hill, who had previously played for Mainland coach Travis Roland when Hill was a freshman at FPC, said Roland was a stickler about learning the playbook back then.

“I really could not forget it,” he said. “I just executed at practices the whole spring, and it was really great knowing all the plays, where I was supposed to be.”

Hill said his job at linebacker is made easier playing behind Mainland’s imposing defensive line of Christian Hudson, Ramon McCullough and top-100 college prospect LJ McCray.

“It feels great. They can hold their gaps,” Hill said. “I don’t have to worry about the offensive linemen coming to me. It’s really easy playing behind them.”

Mainland cheerleaders warm up the crowd before the game.

Corey Hill (12) runs the football.

Dray Wood (22) tackles West Orange’s Devonte Anderson (12).

Clarence McCloud (3) runs the ball on a jet sweep.

Coach Travis Roland’s son, Paxton, holds the ball on the tee on the sidelines.

Coach Travis Roland.

Photos by Suzanne McCarthy

Defensive lineman Christian Hudson

“I just executed at practices the whole spring, and it was really great knowing all the plays, where I was supposed to be.”

RODNEY HILL

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

ORMOND BEACH LIONS HOLD DERBY PARTY

The Ormond Beach Lions Club held its annual Kentucky Derby party fundraiser on May 6 at St. James Church. The event included food, games and a viewing of the 149th Kentucky Derby.

Two women also went home with prizes for the craziest and the prettiest hats. All proceeds will benefit services for the blind and hearing impaired in Volusia County.

The Ormond Beach Lions Club is a volunteer organization. The Lions welcome new members to help serve others. For more information, call 941-284- 3241 or email ormondbeachfllionsclub@ gmail.com.

Lions Club International is the world’s largest service organization, with over 1.4 million members. Lions do whatever is needed to help their local communities.

“We serve children who need eyeglasses, those in need of hearing aids, seniors who do not have enough to eat, and people we may never meet,” the club stated in a press release. Email brent@ observerlocalnews.com.

Wrestlers Wright, Bibla sign with colleges

Matanzas High School’s Landon Wright took up wrestling to help him become a better football player. Now, he will be wrestling in college.

Wright and Matanzas girls wrestler Brielle Bibla each signed wrestling letters of intent on May 24 at the high school.

Wright will wrestle at Bluefield University in Virginia. Bibla will wrestle for the University of Mount Olive in North Carolina.

Matanzas boys wrestling coach

T.J. Gillin has known Wright since he was in Gillin’s fifth grade class at Imagine School at Town Center.

“Growing up, Landon was always a football player,” Gillin said. “He did wrestling to get better in football. The next thing you know, he became a wrestler who played football, not the other way around.”

Wright advanced to the state tournament in both of his years on the wrestling team. As a junior, he wrestled two classes over his weight at 195 pounds. As a senior, he wrestled at 160 pounds. He won over 70 matches in two years.

“I realized wrestling was my passion,” Wright said. “I couldn’t let it go now. I only had two years under my belt. Making the state tournament both years, I realized I could

get good pretty fast. I’m pretty new to the sport, so I can learn so much.” Wright, who has family in Virginia said he stumbled on Bluefield, an NAIA program.

MCNORTON FOOTBALL CAMP

Registration is open for the Bruce McNorton Football Camp. The free camp is scheduled for 5-7:30 p.m. Friday, June 9, at Daytona Municipal Stadium.

Several current and former NFL and college players will provide instruction. The camp aims to teach and improve football technique, teamwork and sportsmanship for ages 6 through high school.

McNorton played cornerback for the NFL’s Detroit Lions from 1982 to 1990. The Daytona Beach native graduated from Spruce Creek High School in 1977 and played college football at Georgetown College (Kentucky). He was a scout for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2000 to 2022. To register for the camp, go to CODB.us/Activities or call 386-453-0317.

“I took a visit, and it was perfect. They have everything I need to succeed on the next level, academically and athletically.”

Wright said Bluefield head coach Jason Waelti watched him wrestle on video streams and offered him a scholarship.

Bibla, a two-time state runner-up, was on a lot of schools’ radar. She originally committed to Presbyterian College in South Carolina.

She said her best friend, Samantha Miller, an All-American at Presbyterian this past season, will be joining her at Mount Olive.

“My best friend will be there, and Mount Olive also has more opportunities for me in wrestling and in my major (nursing) and more (scholarship) money,” Bibla said.

Both Presbyterian and Mount Olive compete in the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championship, which serves as the women’s wrestling national tournament for all NCAA divisions.

FPC HAS TWO BASKETBALL OPENINGS

When Flagler Palm Coast hires a new athletic director to replace Steve DeAugustino, who stepped down last week to return to coaching, the first item on the to-do list will be hiring two new basketball coaches.

Boys basketball coach

Derrick Williams resigned a month ago to move back to his home state of Alabama. Girls basketball coach Anthony Wagner has not been retained as a teacher at Buddy Taylor Middle School. “I told him he won’t be on our campus, so it might be in both our interests to get a fresh start,” FPC Principal Bobby Bossardet said. Bossardet said a goal of his is to bring the coaching staff on campus. Right now, several head coaches and assistants do not teach at the school.

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Courtesy photo

Brielle Bibla signs with her sister, Kendall, and her mom, Lindsey. Brielle will continue her wrestling career at the University of Mount Olive.

Courtesy photo

Landon Wright, with his family, signs a letter of intent to wrestle at Bluefield University in Virginia.

JUMBO FREESTYLE 7 by Adrian Johnson, edited by Jeff Chen

By Luis Campos

Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

REAL ESTATE

Hammock Dunes has top sale for the second week in a row

Acondo in Hammock Dunes was the top real estate transaction for April 12-19 in Palm Coast and Flagler County. Elise Mahoney and Judith Bernier, of Palm Coast, sold 28 Porto Mar, Unit 303, to Joseph Ralph and Maria Ellen Hinrichs, of Palm Coast, for $2,250,000. Built in 2007, the condo is a 4/4.5 and has 3,847 square feet of living space. It sold in 2021 for $1,627,000.

ALEXIS MILLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Condos Linda Kade, of Vallejo, California, sold 50 Hembury Lane to Stephen and Susan Holloway, of Palm Coast, for $217,000. Built in 1988, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,098 square feet.

Rhona Feigenbaum, as trustee, sold 200 Ocean Crest Drive, Unit 317, to Demand Transport LLC, of Milford, New Hampshire, for $565,000. Built in 2003, the condo is a 3/3 and has 1,676 square feet. It sold in 2013 for $340,000.

Patricia O’Keefe, of Morristown, New Jersey, sold 11 Avenue De La Mer, Unit 1101, to Brian Schmitt, as trustee, for $799,000. Built in 1992, the condo is a 3/3 and has 2,161 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $799,900.

BUNNELL

Grand Reserve and Gold Club D.R. Horton, Inc., of St. Johns, sold 25 Grand View Drive to Stephen and Florisse Scouten, of Bunnell, for $356,000. Built in 2022, the house is a 4/2.5 and has 2,206 square feet.

PALM COAST

American VillageHammock Real Estate Development, LLC, of Palm

Coast, sold 17 Green Circle to Donald Tobin, Jr., of Palm Coast, for $360,000. Built in 2022, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,750 square feet.

Bayside Janice and Thomas Zeitler, of Palm Coast, sold 7 Bannbury Lane to Susan and Bradford Benedict, of Hubbardston, Massachusetts, for $417,000. Built in 1999, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 1,774 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $433,000.

Belle Terre Judith Garrett Lawrence and John Chester Lawrence, of Palm Coast, sold 33 Patric Drive to Robert and Janice Oehl, of Palm Coast, for $344,000. Built in 2021, the house is a 4/2 and has 2,052 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $336,900.

Grand Haven Keith Hanzel and Heidi Van Voorhis, as trustees, and Judy Bedell, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, sold 10 Crosslink Court to Richard Mager, of Palm Coast, for $368,000. Built in 2006, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,945 square feet. It sold in 2018 for $225,000.

Keith Hanzel and Heidi Van Voorhis, as trustees, and Judy Bedell, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, sold 23 Crosstie Court to Barrett Scala and

Raymond Johnson, of Palm Coast, for $375,000. Built in 2000, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,650 square feet. It sold in 2018 for $220,000.

Grand Landings

Dream Finders Homes LLC, of Jacksonville, sold 499 Grand Landings Parkway to Charles and Tammy Detz, of Palm Coast, for $450,000. Built in 2022, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,490 square feet.

Indian Trail Dmitry and Ines Sapir, of Palm Coast, sold 25 Banner Lane to Edward Patterson, of Palm Coast, for $515,000. Built in 2003, the house is a 5/3 and has a pool, a fireplace, a hot tub and 2,762 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $220,000.

Matanzas Woods

Kenneth and Stephanie Long, of Winthrop, Massachusetts, sold 48 Leidel Drive to Randy and Jennifer Deuel, of Palm Coast, for $365,000. Built in 2004, the house is a 3/2.5 and has 2,744 square feet. It sold in 2004 for $246,714.

Not in a subdivision

D.R. Horton, Inc., of St. Johns, sold 76 Beacon Mill Lane to Tyler

Anthony Jones and Cheyenne

Kristine Jones, of Palm Coast, for $396,000. Built in 2022, the house is a 3/3 and has 2,363 square feet.

Holiday Builders, Inc., of Melbourne, sold 62 Pine Grove Drive to Janine Russ and Clair Epting, Jr., of Palm Coast, for $278,000. Built in 2022, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,284 square feet.

Stanley Mathews, as trustee, sold 2 Purnell Way to Kevin and Stephanie Gentry, of Palm Coast, for $342,000. Built in 1988, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 2,424 square feet.

Palm Harbor Ramon and Dorothy Abear, of Bethpage, New York, sold 4 Collier Court to Michael and Rachel Boatman, of Palm Coast, for $560,000. Built in 1996, the house is a 3/2 and has a gas fireplace, a pool, a hot tub, a boat dock and 2,059 square feet. It sold in 2009 for $327,500.

Pine Grove Brompton Group, LLC, of Oviedo, sold 5 Pony Express Drive to Dwight Neil Osheim, of Palm Coast, for $309,900. Built in 2000, the house

is a 3/2 and has 1,555 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $218,429.

D.R. Horton, Inc., of St. Johns, sold 19 Pickston Lane to Renita Jackson and Jonathon Tyrone Jackson, of Palm Coast, for $314,000. Built in 2022, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,862 square feet.

Sawmill Creek Holiday Builders, Inc., of Melbourne, sold 35 Oakleaf Way to Calmeze and Betty Allen, of Pam Coast, for $390,000. Built in 2023, the house is a 4/3 and has 1,973 square feet.

Seminole Woods

D.R. Horton, Inc., of St. Johns, sold 37 Squash Blossom Trail to Jeannette Drozd and Lawrence Schnabel, of Palm Coast, for $391,700. Built in 2022, the house is a 3/3 and has 2,363 square feet.

Eric and Camelia Acevedo, of Tampa, sold 115 Universal Trail to Raymond and Patricia Swansiger, of Palm Coast, for $465,000. Built in 2006, the house is a 4/3 and has a pool and 2,424 square feet. It sold in 2012 for $145,000.

Quail Hollow

Roy Singletary, of Palm Coast, sold 75 Zebulahs Trail to Abigail Santiago and Seth Connor Monroe, of Palm Coast, for $250,000. Built in 1992, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,892 square feet. It sold in 1997 for $105,000.

Royal Palms

Jeanine Ammirati, of Palm Coast, sold 61 Raleigh Drive to Eric Perez, of Jurupa Valley, California, for $272,000. Built in 2002, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,212 square feet. It sold in 2003 for $126,900.

John Adams, of Adams, Cameron & Co. Realtors; and Toby Tobin, of gotoby.com, contributed to this report

Location, location, location! Come see this beautiful 3-bed, 2-bath, 2-car garage home on a large, fencedin lot. The house has fresh interior paint, beautiful tile throughout, and an open concept floorplan with recessed lighting. If you’re looking for that perfect spot to call home, look no further! MLS#1108826 $325,000 Call Lyn Gildon 386-466-6100.

&

Built in 2020, this 4 bed, 2 bath home has a well thought out split floor plan, w/ an open kitchen concept, overlooking the large living room. Step outside to the oversized screened-in patio & enjoy the privacy of the fully fenced and spacious back yard. Just a short walk away is the community clubhouse. MLS#1109370 $385,000 Call Michael Burgess 386-290-4588.

COQUINA COVE

NEW ROOF in January 2023. Fenced yard with patio. Walking trail and lake behind the home. Floors are laminate, title and carpet in the bedrooms. 3 bed, 2 bath concrete block construction with stucco cover. Spacious kitchen with a bar counter & island for more counter space. MLS#1109624 $344,000 Call Jean Ivis 386-299-3338.

Looking for Wow Factor on the Beach! Look no further than this Stunning 2bd/2bath ocean view unit with deeded garage, nestled between the sparkling Atlantic ocean & Halifax River. From the moment you enter unit 109, you will delight in the attention to detail the owner has undertaken in remodeling this oversized unit. MLS#1103563 $330,000 Call Susan Drahos 386-295-0041.

This 3 bedroom 2 bath home has many updated features. There is a bonus room that would make a perfect office or kids playroom. LR, DR and FR. Large fenced yard has a double gate for easy access. Hurricane panels, shed, and extra wide driveway. Move in ready.

MLS#1107435 $369,000

Call Debbie & Wayne Carter 386-506-1810.

Desirable Wilbur-by-the sea bungalow with 2 bed and 2 full bath w/ a possible 3rd bedroom in the sun room under air. There are beautiful Terrazzo floors and a custom steam shower. A 3 minute walk to the popular marina and restaurant ‘’Boondocks’’, and a 4 minute walk to beach access on the beautiful Wilbur beaches.

MLS#1109630 $439,000

Call Heiko Folkerts 386-843-4678.

Photo courtesy of Krista Libby/Coastal Gateway Real Estate Group

The condo has 3,847 square feet of living space.

REAL ESTATE

House in Ormond-bythe-Sea tops sales list

Ahouse in Ormond-by-the-Sea was the top real estate transaction for April 16-22 in Ormond Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea. Robert and Nannine Dahlen, of Holly Hill, sold 3384 John Anderson Drive to Randall and Cynthia Keen, of Ormond Beach, for $1,090,000. Built in 1991, the house is a 3/2.5 and has a boat house, a boat dock, a fireplace and 2,889 square feet. It sold in 2000 for $590,000.

ALEXIS MILLER

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Condos

William Scott Wickline and Judith Ann Wickline, of Ormond Beach, sold 2220 Ocean Shore Blvd., Unit 503A, to Allen and Kathy Roberts, of Zellwood, for $485,000. Built in 1981, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,150 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $425,000.

ORMOND BEACH

Chelsea PlaceJames Solomon and Rona Fingold, of Las Vegas, Nevada,

sold 249 Chelsea Place Ave. to Harry Truman Aubin and Yoonjung Chun, of Ormond Beach, for $680,000. Built in 2007, the house is a 5/2.5 and has a pool and 2,937 square feet. It sold in 2007 for $120,000.

Country Acres

Paul and Tracey Shearman, of Ormond Beach, sold 236 Rodeo Road to Marc and Regina Marcotte, as trustees, for $700,000. Built in 2004, the house is a 4/3.5 with a pool, dock, fireplace and 4,022 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $525,000.

Halifax Plantation

D.R. Horton, Inc., of Orlando, sold 2783 Portadown Street to Paul Robert Bertran, Jr., of Ormond Beach, for $346,200. Built in 2022, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,504 square feet.

D.R. Horton, Inc., of Orlando, sold 2785 Portadown Street to Pamela McDaniel and Raymond Taylor Cardwell, of Ormond Beach, for $338,000. Built in 2022, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,614 square feet.

D.R. Horton, Inc., of Orlando, sold 2761 Portadown Street to Michael Gerard Conway and Jean Harrity Conway, of Ormond Beach, for $330,000. Built in 2022, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,504 square feet.

Melrose

Gina Pauze and Bertram Diaz, of Port Orange, sold 45 Central Ave. to Sunny Dog D LLC, of St. Augustine, for $305,000. Built in 1994, the house is a 3/3 and has 2,166 square feet. It sold in 1997 for $132,000.

Not in a subdivision

George Harry Manning and William Manning, of South Daytona, sold 146 Magnolia Drive to Christian and Katherine Porter, of Ormond Beach, for $342,000. Built in 1954, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 1,445 square feet. It sold in 2017 for $145,800.

Jonathan Merwin, of Ormond Beach, sold 105 Dianne Drive to David and Lynne Zimmerman, of

Ormond Beach, for $507,000. Built in 1975, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,860 square feet. It sold in 2015 for $282,000.

New Britain

Carl D’Onofrio Jr. and Brianna

D’Onofrio, of Ormond Beach, sold 21 Chippingwood Lane to James and Lisa Majewski, of Lake Tomahawk, Wisconsin, for $240,000. Built in 1979, the house is a 2/2.5 and has 1,386 square feet. It sold in 1987 for $65,000.

Ocean Village

Daniel Lawrence Weber and Marcus Eugene Wolff, of Daytona Beach Shores, sold 601 Robin Road, Unit A, to Jana Simmons, of Ormond Beach, for $215,000. Built in 1947, the house is a 1/1 and has 504 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $150,000.

Ormond Terrace

Michael and Sarah Hankes, of Ormond Beach, sold 630 Andrews Street to Mark Atwood, Stacy Ann Atwood and Marilyn Joyce Atwood, of Ormond Beach, for $480,000. Built in 1976, the house is a 4/3 and has a fireplace and 2,406 square feet. It sold in 2016 for $251,500.

Pineland Paul Robert Bertram, Jr., of Ormond Beach, sold 274 Sandoval Drive to Steven and Elexus Stewart, of Ormond Beach, for $360,000. Built in 2020, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,846 square feet. It sold in 280,500.

Tomoka Estates

Carolyn Hixon, of Ormond Beach, sold 1096 Shockney Drive to Timothy Lott, of Dundee, Michigan, for $438,000. Built in 1976, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace, a boat dock and 1,780 square feet. It sold in 2000 for $138,500.

Tomoka Oaks Roberto and Laidys Roque, of Fort Lauderdale, sold 82 N. St. Andrews Drive to Thierry Christian Romain and Jean Marie Romain, of Ormond Beach, for $725,000. Built in 1970, the house is a 5/4.5 and has a pool, a fireplace and 4,075 square feet. It sold in 2017 for $395,000.

Tymber Creek

William Hegarty and Molly Cunningham, as trustees, sold 170 Fox Glen Court to Brandon Schumacker, of Ormond Beach, for $287,300. Built in 1979, the house is a 2/2 and has a fireplace and 1,260 square feet of living space. It sold in 2002 for $112,900.

ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA

Pamela Gentile, as trustee, sold 2261 John Anderson Drive to Sarah Dodge, of Ormond Beach, for $375,000. Built in 1972, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,629 square feet. It sold in 1989 for $110,000.

Oliver and Diane Simeth, of Port Orange, sold 25 San Jose Drive to Joanne Gauthier, of Middleton, New Hampshire, for $450,000. Built in 1961, the house is a 2/1 and has 1,123 square feet. It sold in 2018 for $221,000.

Stephen and Lynn LeClaire, of Ormond Beach, sold 41 Beechwood Drive to Melissa Lea AhoRice and Darren Michael Rice, of Port Orange, for $365,000. Built in 1957, the house is a 2/1 and has 1,015 square feet. It sold in 2016 for $161,000.

Daniel and Reina Giaimo, of Ormond Beach, sold 48 Seaside Drive to Casey Ferguson, of Ormond Beach, for $370,000. Built in 1959, the house is a 2/1 and has 944 square feet. It sold in 2014 for $143,500.

Encore Real Estate Investments LLC, and Michael Dudley, of Orlando, sold 39 Tropical Drive to Brent and Margo Feaser, of Longwood, for $325,000. Built in 1957, the house is a 2/1 and has 924 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $225,000.

John Adams, of Adams, Cameron & Co. Realtors, contributed to this report.

PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION AND DIRECTIONS TO THE CODE CODIFIER AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE as may be legally permitted on the day of the meeting. Instructions on how to participate by electronic or other means, if legally permitted, would be found on the City of Bunnell’s website at www. bunnellcity.us on the homepage. The public is advised to check the City’s website for up-todate information on any changes to the manner in which the meeting will be held and the location. The failure of a person to appear during said hearing and comment on or object to the proposed Ordinance, either in person or in writing, might preclude the ability of such person to contest the Ordinance at a later date. A copy of all pertinent information this ordinance can be obtained at the office of the Bunnell Customer Service Office, 604 E. Moody Blvd. Unit 6, Bunnell, FL 32110. Persons with disabilities needing assistance to attend this proceeding should contact the Bunnell City Clerk at (386) 437-7500 x 5 at least 48-business hours prior to the meeting.

NOTICE: If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Commission on this matter a recording of the proceeding may be needed and for such purposes the person may need to ensure that a verbatim record is made which includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based. (Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes)

June 1, 2023

23-00097F

FIRST INSERTION

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned intends to sell the personal property described below to enforce a lien imposed on said property under The Florida Self Storage Facility Act Statutes (Section 83.801-83.809). The undersigned will sell at public sale by competitive bidding on THURSDAY JUNE 22, 2023, at 12PM on Lockerfox. com, Where said property is stored at: iStorage Bunnell, 2303 N State St, Bunnell, FL 32110

Name: Unit # Contents Christina Lee A012 Desk, Garden tools, Boxes Christina Lee C055 Fish tank, Jewelry Box, Smoker Purchases must be paid for at the time of purchase by cash

The house at 3384 John Anderson Drive has 2,889 square feet of living space.

RED PAGES

RATES

PLACE YOUR AD: Call: 386-447-9723

Email: RedPages@ PalmCoastObserver.com Online: PalmCoastObserver.com /RedPages