Ormond Beach Observer 03-28-24

‘It’s versatile,’ one barber said. ‘I think we’re all remembering now why we loved them in the 1980s.’ PAGE 2A Mullet named city’s No. 1 ‘best’

Stanley Flatt claims he was trying to ‘do a good deed,’ but the potholes had historical value, neighbors say.

PAGE 2A

Rogue pothole filler sentenced to 30 days in jail INSIDE

This

Sand has blown away during storms in the past, but “we’re not going to take it anymore,” Stormy Gunna added. Photo by Stefan Maritz on pexels

Photo

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LOCAL EVENTS

THURSDAY, MARCH 28

NATURE WALKS WITH URBAN

FORESTER CAROL

When: 10-11 a.m.

Where: Linear Park, 31 Greenway Court, Palm Coast

a snake

by a Central Florida Zoo expert. Free. Register at parksandrec.fun.

HALIFAX GENEALOGICAL

SOCIETY MONTHLY MEETING

AND PROGRAM

When: 1:30 p.m.

Where: Ormond Beach Regional Public Library auditorium, 30 S. Beach St., Ormond Beach

Details: Halifax Genealogical Society President Patricia Peoples will present, “Finding Your Ancestors’ Irish Townland and Building the Jigsaw Puzzle.” Guest registration is free.

FRIDAY, MARCH 29

YOGA OUTDOORS

When: 10 a.m.

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

Details: The Environmental Discovery Center is hosting a free outdoor beginner level yoga class by Kim Latford. Chairs available. Mats recommended. Space is limited. Call 386-615-7081.

‘DANCE TO THE MUSIC’

DANCE PARTY

When: 6-10 p.m.

Where: African American Museum and Cultural Center of Florida, 4422 U.S. Highway 1 N., Palm Coast

Details: Attend this dance party with Soulfire. The theme and attire is “through the decades.” Tickets cost $25 and include a spaghetti dinner. Call 609-304-9412.

SATURDAY, MARCH 30

12TH ANNUAL SPOONBILLS AND SPROCKETSCYCLING TOUR

When: 6-9 a.m.

Where: Hammock Community Center, 79 Mala Compra Road, Palm

Coast

Details: Cycle 15, 37, 62, or 100 miles for the Spoonbills and Sprockets Cycling tour, to start at the Hammock Community Center. There is also a 25-mile e-bike ride option with Flagler County Commissioner Andy Dance. Race registration starts at $60. Visit spoobillsandsprockets. com.

67TH ANNUAL FLAGLER COUNTY CRACKER DAY

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

Where: Flagler County Fairgrouds, 150 Sawgrass Road, Bunnell

Details: Celebrate Cracker Day with your friends and family. See bull riding, steer riding, sack races and more. Rodeo begins at noon. Admission costs $20 per person and includes lunch, to be served between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Children 3 and under are free.

‘GENEALOGY IN THE LIBRARY’

When: 1-4 p.m.

Where: Ormond Beach Regional Public Library, 30 S. Beach St., Ormond Beach

Details: The Halifax Genealogical Society is hosting a free, one-on-one research assistance program for anyone interested in researching family history. The volunteers convene in the Sandpiper Room in the library. To register, contact halifaxgensociety@gmail.com.

EASTER AT THE TRAILS

When: 1-3 p.m.

Where: The Trails Shopping Center, 254 N. Nova Road, Ormond Beach

Details: Get your picture with the Easter Bunny and enjoy J’s Mini Donuts, face painting, balloon twist artist, bounce houses and other activities. Visit Burntwood Tavern, J&B; Jewelers, Talbots, and Stretch Zone to participate in an Easter Egg Hunt and search for the golden egg to get a prize. Visit Dairy Queen for a free ice cream cone and Five Star Pizza for a free slice of pizza.

EASTER EGG DYEING

AT KIDS CREW

When: 3-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 29-30

Where: Hammock Beach Golf Resort and Spa, 200 Ocean Crest

Drive, Palm Coast

Details: The resort is hosting an egg dyeing event for all guests and members. Activity costs $15 per dozen. Confirm a spot by calling the Kids Crew at 386-246-5661 by March 23.

SUNDAY, MARCH 31

ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT

When: 11 a.m. to noon

Where: Hammock Beach Golf Resort and Spa, 200 Ocean Crest Drive, Palm Coast

Details: Attend this complimentary egg hunt for guests and members of the resort. The egg hunt is taking place on Champions Event Lawn. Guests bring their own baskets. The egg hunt is divided among age groups.

MONDAY, APRIL 1

PALM COAST ASTRONOMY CLUB

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

Where: Flagler County Public Library, 2500 Palm Coast Parkway NW, Palm Coast

Details: The Palm Coast Astronomy Club’s next meeting is themed, “The light bending property of gravity.” Anyone interested in astronomy is invited to attend. The meeting room is located immediately to the right after entering the library.

TUESDAY, APRIL 2

TECHNICOLOR!

OPENING RECEPTION

When: 1-2 p.m..

Where: Gallery 202, Daytona State College Building 530, 1200 International Speedway Blvd., Daytona

Beach Details: See art by the 2024 “Photography and Art” class at the University of Central Florida. The exhibition, titled “Technicolor!” will feature colorful, vibrant student work. The exhibit will tun through April 24. Gallery hours are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

THURSDAY, APRIL 4

YOGALATES

When: 10 a.m.

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

Details: The Environmental Discovery Center is hosting a free beginner level yogalates class by Victoria Bennett. Chairs available. Mats recommended. Space is limited.

Call 386-615-7081.

FRIDAY, APRIL 5

FREE FAMILY ART NIGHT: “TEXTURED TURTLES”

When: 5:30-7 p.m.

Where: Ormond Memorial Art Museum, 78 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond

Beach Details: Take part in this month’s project, inspired by exhibiting artist Antoinette Slick. Work together with your family to create a “textured turtle” with art instructor Linda King. All art supplies provided. Free admission. No art experience is needed and all ages are welcome.

MOVIES ON THE HALIFAX

When: 8 p.m.

Where: Rockefeller Gardens, 26 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach

Details: Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy a showing of “The Princess and the Frog,” rated G. Movies are weather-sensitive. Call 386-6763216 for rainout information.

Saturday, April 6World War II Air Bases and Coast Guard

STATIONS IN NORTHEASTERN FLORIDA

When: 10 a.m.

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

Beach

Details: Speaker Robert Mattson will provide an overview of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard bases and facilities in northeast Florida just prior to and during World War II. Free program hosted by the Ormond Beach Historical Society.

16TH ANNUAL TURTLE FEST

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Veteran’s Park, 101 N. Ocean Shore Blvd., Flagler Beach

Details: The Volusia/Flagler Turtle Patrol will hold its annual Turtle Fest, which is its primary fundraiser. Activities will include face painting, turtle races, live music, entertainment, vendors, and food and beverages for sale. If possible, a rehabilitated turtle will be released on the beach midafternoon. Free admission.

AUTISM AWARENESS FESTIVAL AND RESOURCE FAIR

When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Central Park in Town Center, 975 Central Ave., Palm Coast

Details: Join Vincent’s Clubhouse for its second annual Autism Awareness Festival and Resource Fair. There will be a bounce house village sponsored by Premier Chiropractic, a kid zone, food trucks, local community resources, games and entertainment. Free admission.

ORMOND ART WALK

When: 3-7 p.m.

Where: Ormond Beach 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 openings and art events.

SUNDAY, APRIL 7

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS PANCAKE BREAKFAST

When: 8 a.m. to noon

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

Details: The Father Eamonn Gill Council 13018 Knights of Columbus will serve a pancake breakfast at the Social Hall. The breakfast includes all the pancakes you can eat, scrambled eggs, sausage, orange juice and coffee. The breakfast costs $6 for adults, and children under 12 eat free. All are welcome.

11TH ANNUAL SPRING FESTIVAL AND PLANT SALE

When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Flagler Palm Coast High School, 5500 State Route 100, Palm Coast

Details: The festival, hosted by theGarden Club at Palm Coast, will feature vendors selling plants, flower arrangements and hosting demonstrations. There will be crafts, music, kids activities, food trucks and raffles.

Lots of vendors - inside and outside. Wide variety of plants, flower arrangements, demonstrations, Crafts of all types. Music, Kid’s Activities, Food Trucks, Raffles, and Tons of Fun for all!

Send entertainment or nonprofit community events to Jarleene@ observerlocalnews.com

Waiting-period, background checks gun ordinance could be repealed in Volusia

The County Council may repeal an ordinance impacting the sale of firearms on public property, such as during gun shows.

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

The Volusia County Council could repeal an ordinance that requires a three-day waiting period and criminal background check for those who purchase firearms in public places.

On Tuesday, March 19, the County Council unanimously voted to give staff the green light to come back with a draft ordinance repealing the waiting period and background checks requirements, which were adopted in 1999 and largely impact gun shows and personal sales on public property. The Florida Constitution allows counties to set a waiting period of up to five days.

County Councilman Danny Robins, who asked for the proposal to repeal the ordinance be brought forward, called the exiting policy overly restrictive. Robins owns a sporting goods store that is licensed to sell firearms.

“There’s a notion out there that if we can just ban guns or throw restrictive, intrusive roadblocks up that all the violence would end” Robins said. “I believe in my heart that that couldn’t be further from the truth.”

The county ordinance, he said, is a restriction of the Second Amendment of the Constitution, which gives people the right to bear arms.

“Repealing this policy has everything to do with good versus evil, and forcing free people to wait, forcing them into a state of unarmed helplessness,” Robins said.

Councilman Jake Johansson countered Robins’ argument by citing research by Harvard University that found waiting-period laws reduce gun homicides by about 17%. A three-day waiting period, Johansson said, doesn’t block a person from purchasing a firearm, it only delays.

Florida’s recent law allows anyone 21 years or older who can legally possess a firearm to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. Those who do have a permit, however, can purchase a weapon without a waiting period. All others are subject to a mandatory three-day waiting period, if purchasing a handgun from a retail store.

A similar repeal ordinance for

the County Council was proposed in 2013, but no action was taken, according to the county agenda item summary.

Johansson said he felt Robin’s argument of an unarmed person feeling helpless becoming suicidal felt “troublesome.”

“If I feel like my life is in danger, I’m not going to pick up the phone and find out where the nearest gun show is,” Johansson said. “If I’m in that much duress, I’m going to go to my buddy’s house and ask him for his weapon — which is legal to do. If I’m in duress, I’m going to call the police.”

He said he struggled with repealing the ordinance, as some “nefarious actors” may take advantage of gun shows and personal sales to buy weapons because they know a criminal background check won’t be required.

Only one person spoke before the council about the ordinance: Deltona City Commissioner Dana McCool, who told the story of her mother’s death. Her mother purchased a gun at a shop without a waiting period and committed suicide the next morning.

“I haven’t heard horrible things about when people don’t get guns, but I’ve heard horrible things about

when people do get guns,” she said.

McCool said she believes the Second Amendment is sacred, and believes in responsible gun ownership. But, she doesn’t agree with repealing the ordinance because “sometimes people do not protect themselves in our society,” she said.

“The Second Amendment never guaranteed instant delivery of guns,” McCool said. “... This was written so that we had guns, but with that, and as we advance, we also have circumstances in today’s societies that must be addressed by people that are put in powers of position and that is you for us.”

Robins said if someone is going to commit a crime with a gun, they’ll do it regardless of an ordinance.

“There’s a lot more deaths by butter knives, hammers, screwdrivers, steak knives,” he said. “So there comes a point in time where we have to look at, realistically, why is this in place? Is it worth punishing the 99.99999 infinite portion of our population for one or two knuckleheads that are evil in society?”

He said he wants Volusia County residents to be armed, calling firearms an equalizer in the face of threats and violence.

County Councilman Don Dempsey agreed with Robins.

“Just because something’s illegal doesn’t mean the bad guys can’t get their hands on it,” Dempsey said. “... So all we’re doing now is punishing law-abiding citizens from their ability to get a gun quickly.”

County Council Chair Jeff Brower said it’s a constitutional issue. “I say frequently that our highest responsibility is to protect our God-given constitutionally protected rights and when you read the Second Amendment, it doesn’t leave any wiggle room,” Brower said. “The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. For 200 years we’ve been infringing.”

Home that belonged to Root family, Coca-Cola’s bottle designers, listed at $5 million

The house has six bedrooms, six baths and three half-baths. It was built in 1994 for Chapman Jay Root’s great grandson.

JARLEENE

ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

An oceanfront home in Ormond Beach that once belonged to the great-grandson of the man who developed the original Coca-Cola bottle is on the market for $5 million.

The home — which has six bedrooms, six baths and three half-baths — was built in 1994 at 489 Ocean Shore Blvd. for Chapman J. Root II, great-grandson of Chapman Jay Root, whose glass bottle design was chosen in 1916 by Coca-Cola after the company launched a competition, challenging glass companies in the U.S. to develop a unique bottle for the soda. His grandson Chapman Shaw Root moved the Root Company to Daytona Beach in 1951, according to the Museum of Arts and Sciences.

The family continues to be a part of the community today, thanks to their philanthropic efforts through the Root Foundation.

Listing agent Chad Going, of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, said the home not only has a great history, but it’s also an “amazing property.”

The home features a 63-foot infinity pool.

Real estate sales in the area have been strong recently, Going said, especially for luxury home sales in the last three years. Prices surged after the pandemic, he said. A house down the street at 359 Ocean Shore Blvd. sold for $6.2 million in December 2023.

It’s also located several houses deep in both directions between public beach access, making it feel more private, he said.

“They really just had the prime location,” Going said. “... From the street, it doesn’t do it justice at all. The beach view is amazing.”

“Even though it was built almost 30 years ago, it looks like a home that was just built,” Going said.

The three-story home was designed by Jacksonville architect William Morgan, who won a Nation-

The house spans 7,483 square feet and also has 33-foot ceilings and glass walls facing the ocean in the first-floor living room, as well as a zen garden with a koi pond, an outdoor living space with a 63-foot infinity pool and a third-floor owner’s suite featuring oceanfront views and a private balcony.

al Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects for the house, which includes solid copper stairs, glass and stone walls, and two concrete towers connected by bridges.

“That’s his masterpiece,” Going said. “He called it his crown jewel.”

Chapman J. Root II sold the home in 2001 for $1.6 million. Then, in 2020, the home was sold again for $3.2 million.

Going said he’s had “quite a few showings” since listing the home about two weeks ago. He already has a potential buyer.

For a luxury oceanfront home, Going said, the home is priced competitively.

“Ormond Beach is still a very affordable place for beachfront homes, and that’s what we’re looking for — someone that’s looking for a nice, luxury beachfront home can get a better value there,” Going said.

Ormond Beach hotel developers ask city to eliminate public sidewalk from plans

The developers offered to construct a sidewalk at the Seminole Avenue beach approach, but the county has declined to maintain it.

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

Hotel developers are seeking to remove a proposed public sidewalk to the beach after Volusia County declined the additional access.

The sidewalk was part of Ormond Beach Holdings LLC’s plans for a new 137-room, five-story hotel at 251 S. Atlantic Ave., which the Ormond Beach City Commission approved in January 2023. According to a city staff report, the development originally included a sidewalk at the Seminole Avenue beach approach, and though city staff believed the county was supportive of the idea, city staff became aware last August that the county didn’t want to accept the maintenance and liability of the sidewalk.

On Thursday, March 14, the Ormond Beach Planning Board

unanimously recommended approval for the removal of the sidewalk from the plans.

“I don’t know why we would want a sidewalk there when you have a road bed ramp that is 20 feet wide,” Planning Board GG Galloway said. “I would much rather be walking down a road bed than a sidewalk that — by the time I got to the end of the sidewalk — may or may to have stair steps to get me down to the beach.”

An Oct. 16, 2023, email from county staff to the city stated that the county already provided public access to the beach with the Seminole Avenue beach approach, and, that the hotel developers could deed it or provide an easement to the county if they wanted to. But, the county would not maintain it, and suggested that the city or the hotel developers could do so instead.

Ormond Beach Holdings LLC told city staff that they are willing to build the sidewalk — but would not have proposed it in the first place if they knew they would be required to maintain it and provide liability insurance, according to the city staff report.

The Planning Board inquired what the cost of maintaining the sidewalk

would be. City Planning Director Steven Spraker said that he didn’t have an exact cost at the time of the meeting, but that “there certainly is a cost.”

“There’s also an unintended consequence, because the city doesn’t maintain beach access,” Spraker said.

“... That is a function of the county, so now you are assuming a county function, and that may lead to other assumptions or other demands in the future.”

City Attorney Randy Hayes said it was a multilayered issue due to maintenance, jurisdiction and liabil-

ity concerns.

“I can tell you on past experience that the county staff has always been very sensitive to liability issues when it comes to sidewalks and we’ve had some cross jurisdictional issues on liability matters,” Hayes said. “There never seems to be an easy resolution of those issues.”

It’s a policy question for the City Commission to determine, Hayes said.

Rob Merrell, the attorney representing the developers, said the developers were still willing to build the sidewalk, but that he didn’t feel it was appropriate for a private entity to maintain and be liable for a public access.

“We wanted to do this,” Merrell said. “We thought it was a good gesture. The county was saying they wanted it and the city wanted it.”

Galloway said he didn’t believe the city should accept liability for an access that would traditionally fall under the county’s jurisdiction.

“That’s just poor taxes, to me, in the long run and to our citizens,” Galloway said.

The amendment is tentatively scheduled to be heard by the City Commission at its April 16 meeting.

Volusia County Councilman Danny Robins. File photo

The 137-room hotel project is proposed for the vacant oceanfront lot on A1A by the Seminole Avenue beach approach. Rendering by Studio Z architecture

The home at 489 Ocean Shore Blvd. was built in 1994. Photo courtesy of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty

CITY WATCH

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

Ormond mayor to receive Home Rule Hero award

Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Partington has been selected as a recipient of the 2024 Home Rule Hero award by the Florida League of Cities.

Partington will be presented with the award at the Volusia League of Cities meeting on Wednesday, May 30.

The Florida League of Cities presents the award to local government officials, both elected and nonelected, who “consistently responded to the League’s request to reach out to members of the Legislature and help give a local perspective on an issue,” according to a press release.

“The dedication and effort of these local officials who tirelessly advocated for local decision-making was a difference-maker this legislative session,” said Casey Cook, FLC chief of legislative affairs in the press release.“On behalf of the League and its legislative team, we’re proud to recognize each of them and thank them for their service.”

Partington was previously recognized with the award in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. He was first elected to the City Commission as the Zone 4 representative in 2003.

Planning Board OKs more electronic signs

stations. Should they require a special exception?

The Ormond Beach Planning Board recommended approval with a 4-1 vote for four special exceptions for these type of signs at its March 14 meeting. One of the requests is from Wawa, which is proposing to build a new gas station at the Ormond Gateway commercial subdivision at 1670 North U.S. 1, and the other three are from 7-Eleven, which seeks to replace its signs at three of its local gas stations: 3 N. Yonge St, 460 S. Atlantic Ave. and 1546 W. Granada Blvd.

Planning Board member GG Galloway questioned why a special exception process is still required for electronic changeable copy signs, seeing as the board has already approved them for other gas stations.

“This is what drives the private sector crazy,” he said. “Once you set a

precedent, why does a company have to come through and go through this exercise again?”

City Senior Planner Sarah Cushing said city signage regulations mandate gas stations go through the special exception process, so they cannot be approved administratively at this time.

City Attorney Randy Hayes said that the city’s regulations in the Land Development Code is derived from state law.

“Prior to the enactment of this exception in the state law, these applications didn’t come before you and wouldn’t likely come before you, unless you made some wholesale change in the land development code, with respect to electronic signage,” Hayes said.

Before 2019, electronic changeable copy signs were not allowed in the city of Ormond Beach, Planning Director Steven Spraker said. A

“Our purpose is to educate the public on the rabbit situation in Florida. There are over 1,200 rabbits currently with no home or placement, including in shelters.”

special exception process was then established to review them. If the board thinks they shouldn’t require a special exception, Spraker said, they can recommend the process be changed. Board Chair Doug Thomas said he liked the special exception process because it allowed for more input.

Board member Mike Scudiero was the only board member to vote against the special exceptions, citing an inconsistency in how the ordinance is written.

“I don’t think it sends the right message to other business operators in the city that might also have a very finite number of characters on their sign that could be electronic, but can’t,” Scudiero said.

The special exceptions are tentatively scheduled to be reviewed by the City Commission on April 16.

Fort Wilbur Rabbit Resources CEO Vanessa Hill on education event. See Page 5B

Tomoka Christian Church seeks new two-story building

Tomoka Christian Church is seeking a special exception to build a new, standalone twostory building on its property at 1450 Hand Ave.

The building, proposed to span about 20,000 square feet, will house a care center, thrift shop and food pantry.

The Planning Board unanimously recommended approval at its March 14 meeting.

City is hiring summer camp counselors

The city of Ormond Beach is looking to hire summer camp counselors for its three summer camps, according to a notice on the city’s website.

The positions are for the Club T-Rec for Special Populations, Summer Connection Day Camp, and the Environmental Discovery Center’s EnviroCamp.

According to the application, the hourly pay is $15 for camp counselors and $15.50 for the lead camp counselor. Visit bit.ly/3IURbU8.

BY THE NUMBERS

122

room hotel proposed for a 1.33 acre parcel on the corner of Atlantic Road and Plantation Oaks Boulevard. A land use amendment from “Medium Density Residential” to “Low Intensity Commercial” was recommended by the Planning Board.

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

The sign at the Wawa at 600 West Granada Blvd. was approved in 2019 via a special exception process. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

BUSINESS OBSERVER

Beach vendor rebrands after $10K grant

Victoria and Alex Kratochwill’s small business was one of 20 chosen by Venmo to receive the grant.

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

Victoria and Alex Kratochwill have their eyes set on an endless summer.

The Ormond Beach couple runs Ormond Beach Rentals, a beach vendor business headquartered out of a truck stationed at the Cardinal Drive approach. For the last six years, the Kratochwills have provided Ormond beachgoers with loungers, umbrellas, boogie boards and games.

This comes after the Kratochwills received a $10,000 grant from Venmo. Ormond Beach Rentals was among the 20 small businesses who received the funds, chosen from over 64,000 who applied.

“We were definitely due for a fresher look,” Alex Kratochwill said. “... Why would we redo what we’ve already had? It was, ‘Let’s go for something that’s going to be a new, fun, exciting “wow” factor.’”

The couple also wanted to differentiate Ormond Beach from the other coastal communities. Their former umbrella colors — yellow and blue — are fairly common in beach rentals.

“We love Ormond more than anything in the world, so we just wanted to let that play out on this beach as well,” Victoria Kratochwill said.

The colors are also a tribute to their new daughter, Avie,

who thankfully, seems to love the beach.

“She gets her toes in the sand a little bit,” Victoria Kratochwill said. “We’ll just make sure we keep her lathered up and thank God we have plenty of shade.”

Alex Kratochwill found out about the Venmo grant while on their babymoon. Because their business had gone cashless over the COVID-19 pandemic, they were already using Venmo for their transactions.

They applied for the grant in August and heard the news they’d won the funds in January.

The Kratochwills, who are both former government employees, also have plans to expand their business to serve the beach’s new four-legged visitors.

Last November, Volusia County launched the dogfriendly beach pilot program in Ormond Beach, allowing them in a 0.6-mile stretch of beach between Milsap Road

and Rockefeller Drive.

The Kratochwills are working with Daytona Dog Beach to provide beachgoers with pink and orange dog bowls.

“Just seeing people with their dogs makes it a much happier, inviting experience out here,” Alex Kratochwill said. “We’ve had no bad issues. We’ve had nothing but ... people coming out here being respectful, being responsible, so we’ve had nothing but a great response so far.”

When they became a beach vendor in 2019, the couple initially thought they’d give their business a try and see how it panned out.

“Then we just really realized we play an important role in being that liaison between what we know about the beach, the ecosystem, the rules, and then making sure that people that come here can appreciate why those are intact,” Victoria Kratochwill said.

Their focus as Ormond Beach Rentals has always been convenience, Alex Kratochwill said. They do the hard work to set up, and all people have to do is show up and enjoy the beach.

All under a pink and orange umbrella.

“A lot of people when they rent something or use something from a surf shop, it is blue, it is yellow — A lot of those colors are very tied to the beach already,” Alex Kratochwill said. “So we figured what’s bright, what’s vibrant, what’s different? And then, playing into that endless summer, forever summer brand of being pink and orange.”

Visit ormondrentals.com.

Best friends invent tablecloth holder

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

It was a windy Fourth of July in 2022.

Ormond Beach residents Karen Thorburn and Amy Kolis were at a friend’s barbecue, and the tablecloth was flapping around, knocking everything over. Thorburn had to hold it down by pressing her finger to the cloth underneath the table.

Thorburn and Kolis, longtime best friends, thought there had to be a better way.

And that’s how Table Teeth came into existence.

After that July barbecue, Thorburn searched online for a device that would solve their problem, but found nothing. Once they decided to make their own product, Kolis and Thorburn tried out different variations before deciding on a waterproof silicone “jaw” that attaches beneath a table, allowing users to slip the cloth between the teeth of the holder.

“We are optimistic that it’s going to go through,” Thorburn said.

The local best friends participated in the Daytona Home Show at the Ocean Center last September and began selling on Amazon soon thereafter.

Table Teeth retails for $12.99 for a pack of four.

“I guess so,” Thorburn said. “It’s weird saying that ... I just think it’s great that new things are still possible.” Visit tableteethholder.com. Meet

Thorburn and Kolis filed for a patent last December.

TRIBUTES

Ralph Joseph Leahy

November 15, 1927 - March 14, 2024

Ralph Joseph Leahy, 96, of Ormond Beach, FL, passed away on Thursday, March 14, 2024. He went peacefully, surrounded by those who loved him.

The youngest of 4 sons, Ralph was born on November 15, 1927, in Washington, DC, to loving parents, James and Mary. Having been raised in a very patriotic home, a young and eager 15 year old Ralph was certified by Roosevelt’s US Citizens Defense Corps as a Messenger. In 1945, as soon as he was of legal age, Ralph joined the US Navy and served most honorably, until his discharge in 1954.

At 16, while still in high school, Ralph went on to join his father at Washington Gas & Light Company, becoming the third generation of Leahy to work there. While serving his time in the Navy during WWII, Ralph also joined the company full time, starting as a Helper in Gas Support. Seeing the great potential that Ralph possessed, Washington Gas encouraged Ralph to obtain his degree and promoted him as an engineer to Manager of the Operations and Maintenance Department. He was a loyal and valued member of Washington Gas for 43 years, until he retired to take care of his loving wife, Pat, during her time of need.

When Ralph and Pat met, it was love at first sight. They were married in 1951, and they lived a wonderful life together in Rockville, MD, until she passed away in 1993.

Ralph lived life to the fullest. He loved good jazz, especially Kay Starr and Ella Fitzgerald, and good whiskey, Jack Daniels Single Barrel being his favorite. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion and donated to veteran charities regularly. Ralph was an avid sports fan and was a life-long Washington Redskins and University of Maryland supporter, keeping season tickets for decades. Later in life, he learned to enjoy NASCAR, as well, and traveled to the tracks in Daytona and Talladega for fun. He enjoyed collecting owls, dogs and military items, and loved to gift special things to all he cared about. Ralph and his companion Anna cruised all over from Alaska to the Caribbean, and on his 85th birthday, Ralph went skydiving for the first time. Even with all of his accomplishments and hobbies, Ralph’s biggest enjoyment came from

It’s fun being in business as best friends, they said. “We work well together,” Kolis said. “We both have easy personalities and I think since we’ve known each other for so long, it helps too.” When asked if they considered themselves to be inventors, the women looked at each other with a shrug and a smile.

Thorburn and Kolis have been friends since the late 1990s. They met in the Cayman Islands, when Thorburn’s family moved there for her father’s job. Three decades later, they live in the same neighborhood in Ormond Beach. Kolis moved to Ormond 10 years ago, and Thorburn moved to town five years later.

friends, family and fellowship. He was generous to a fault and gave without wanting any recognition. He was a devout Catholic and supported his church and numerous charities faithfully. His amazing blue eyes, quick wit and generous heart will be remembered always.

Ralph is preceded in death by his parents, James Henry Leahy & Mary Stefonia Gassenschmidt Leahy; Brothers, Bernard James, James Henry & Robert Earle Leahy; Beloved wife, Audrey Patricia Leahy; Cousin, Sister Francis Gassenschmidt; and Partner, Anna Maria Gooding. He is survived by nieces, Patricia Whitmer (children Ben, Mary and David Erdelyi), Gail Dagenhart, Patricia Hall & Linda Cook; Nephews, James Michael Leahy (son Conor) & Daniel Leahy & wife Rose (children Jesse, Gina & Stephanie); Great nephew, John Michael Spicer & wife Elizabeth; Great niece, Laila Maureen Partridge & husband Chad (children Caden & Sophia); Companion & friend, Marian Byrnes; and Good friend, AJ.

Services will be held on Friday, May 3, 2024 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Rockville, MD at 10:30am, followed by a visitation with the family at Francis Collins Funeral Home in Silver Spring, MD from 2-4:00pm. Ralph’s funeral will follow on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Silver Spring, MD at 11:30am. In lieu of flowers, Ralph’s family has asked for donations to be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, Tunnels to Towers, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America or any charitable foundation close to your heart. Ralph, until we meet again, Be safe, Behave and Take care of yourself.

Amy Kolis and Karen Thornburn hold up their Table Teeth. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Avie, Victoria and Alex Kratochwill are looking forward to the 2024 summer season after their business rebranding.

Photo by Jarleene Almenas

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

A house on John Anderson tops sales list in Ormond Beach

Ahouse on John Anderson was the top real estate transaction for Feb. 11-17 in Ormond Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea. Ralph Taylor Harmon and Ivy Brook Harmon, as trustees, sold 687 John Anderson Drive to Nathan Lanier Bivings and Robin Elliot Bivings, of Ormond Beach, for $700,000. Built in 1963, the house is a 4/2.5 and has 2,205 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $425,000.

ALEXIS

Condos Diahann

BIZ BUZZ

SMA HEALTHCARE ADDS DR. TAREK ALY TO BOARD

ORMOND BEACH

Halifax Plantation Judith Sergi, of Derry, New Hampshire, sold 3126 Connemara Drive to Jay Cramblit, as trustee, for $300,000. Built in 2004, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,670 square feet. It sold in 2009 for $162,000.

D.R. Horton, Inc., of Orlando, sold 1339 Middle Lake Drive to Robert Tancinco, of Valley Head, Alabama, for $367,000. Built in 2023, the

SMA Healthcare has added Dr. Tarek Aly to its board of directors. Aly is the owner of Mosaic Psychiatry and is a board-certified psychiatrist.

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Aly to the SMA Healthcare board of directors,” said CEO Ivan Cosimi. “His passion for this industry and for helping others will elevate our organization to another level.”

Aly earned his medical doctorate in 2015 from the Ross University School of Medicine and has owned and operated Mosaic Psychiatry since 2020. Aly grew up in the

house is a 3/2 and has 1,672 square feet.

Misners Branch

Frank Garmon and Sylvia Hunnicutt Garmon, of Ormond beach, sold 14 Misners Trail to Joanne Eames, as trustee, for $239,000. Built in 1987, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,482 suare feet. It sold in 2016 for $70,000.

Ormond Terrace

Bruce Wayne Menard and Linda Mae Menard, as trustees, sold 277 Warwick Ave. to Shawn and Caroline Page, of Ormond beach, for $550,000. Built in 1963, the house is a 3/3 and has a boathouse, a dock and 1,920 square feet. It sold in 2013 for $130,000.

Donivan and Stephanie Domasky, of Ormond Beach, sold 535 North Yonge Street to Rosalyn Devane Conza and Steven Conza, of Ormond Beach, for $382,000. Built in 1973, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,605 square feet. It sold in 2016 for $172,000.

Edgewater/New Smyrna Beach area and attended high school in Volusia County.

ARC HIRES NEW MARKETING DIRECTOR

Southern Pines

Gerry and Alma Corrigan, of Ormond Beach, sold 94 Chrysanthemum Drive to Harison Parra, of Ormond Beach, for $565,000. Built in 2015, the house is a 4/2 and has a pool and 3,097 square feet.

The Trails

Valerie Jean Schultz, of Daytona beach, sold 7 Fox Run Trail to JJ10 Properties, LLC, of Ormond Beach, for $210,000. Built in 1978, the house is a 3/2.5 and has 1,674 square feet. It sold in 2005 for $220,000.

Woodmere South

Dustin and Tammy Cornett, of Ormond Beach, sold 846 Lindenwood Circle West to Julian and Amy Zovluck, of Ormond Beach, for $419,000. Built in 1975, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 1,498 square feet. It sold in 2017 for $190,000.

ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA

Lynhurst Joseph Bazemore, of Ormond Beach, sold 111 Lynnhurst Drive to ALM Investments Group, LLC, of Longwood, for $215,000. Built in 1956, the house is a 2/1 and has

1,096 square feet. It sold in 2003 for $93,000.

Starboard Light

Montye Haines Conlan, as trustee, sold 113 Mariners Drive to Joselyn and Gregory Diette, of Ormond Beach, for $435,000. Built in 1986, the house is a 3/3 and has a fireplace, an in-law suite and 2,043 square feet. It sold in 1986 for $91,700.

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

The Arc of Volusia has hired Karen Haught as its director of marketing and operations.

Haught has more than 30 years of marketing and operations experience and has been involved in the Volusia County business community for the past 21 years.

Most recently, she was the marketing and operations director of Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe, headquartered in DeLand, and was previously the director of marketing and corporate social responsibility for Quality Brands, Inc, the former Anheuser-Busch wholesaler in West Volusia.

Haught has also built many positive relationships in the community through her volunteer endeavors. She currently is a member of the Rotary Club of Daytona Beach and serves on the West Volusia Tourism Advertising Authority Board.

She is a past president and 18-year board member of the Mainstreet DeLand Association and was previously a member of the Rotary Club of Downtown DeLand.

“We are thrilled to have Karen join the Arc team as she brings an impressive amount of experience and capability to this new role,” said Laurie Davis,

Arc of Volusia CEO. Upon accepting the position on March 11, Haught said she “was excited about the opportunity to use her decades of building strong business relationships in the community to raise awareness of and build support for the Arc of Volusia and the local clients that it serves.”

Arc of Volusia has been providing education and training for local adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1961.

The house has 2,205 square feet of living space. Photo courtesy of Adams, Cameron and Co. Realtors

Karen Haught

Dr. Tarek Aly

CRIME REPORT

Bunnell police arrest two for recent shooting

Two

COPS CORNER

MARCH 20

NO CAMPING

8:05 p.m. — 2100 block of Coconut Boulevard, Flagler County Petit theft, burglary. Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a man after he broke into his landlord’s camper to charge his phone.

The camper is on the same property as the home the suspect was renting from, according to the man’s arrest report. The landlord called the Sheriff’s Office and told deputies the suspect knew he was not allowed in the camper.

Deputies found the suspect inside the home and he admitted to being inside the camper. The suspect said he pushed in the camper’s air conditioner and crawled through the window to get inside.

The suspect said he did all this to charge his phone, the report said, but fell asleep

a BPD press release said.

The camera footage showed a fight break out between Henderson and another man, with others watching the fight.

The 19-year-old victim — who was standing across the intersection, watching the fight — was shot twice, once in the armpit and the other in the abdomen, and he was flown to a trauma center.

The victim’s mother told BPD her son sustained “devastating internal injuries” that required several surgeries and the removal of one of the 19-year-old’s kidneys, the press release said. Jefferson was arrested on March 25. Henderson was arrested on March 22.

while waiting for the phone to charge.

The suspect has been charged with burglary and petit theft.

DISTURBING THE PEACE

8:15 p.m. — First block of Putnam Avenue, Ormond Beach Breach of peace. A 54-yearold Ormond Beach woman was arrested for screaming profanities in a local neighborhood.

When officers arrived at the residence, the woman was yelling “at a loud volume” at another woman, who was leaving with a bicycle, according to a police report. Two neighbors told police that only the woman screaming profanities was disturbing the peace.

Neighbors also said they witnessed her driving erratically in the neighborhood and that she “was acting in a very disturbing manner” that evening. The woman, who is a caregiver of an elderly resident at the home, is soon to be evicted due to causing past issues at the home, ac-

BRIEFS

Old Kings Road to be closed at US 1 for months

Old Kings Road will be closed at Highway U.S. 1 by the Florida Agricultural Museum for several months to accommodate road construction for a roundabout. The closure began on March 25.

There is a marked detour at Matanzas Woods Parkway that motorists are instructed to use. Alliant Engineering designed the roundabout, which has been approved by the Florida Department of Transportation, for the developer of Sawmill Creek, D.R. Horton, according to Wimpée. The project should take about four months to complete.

cording to the police report. Police also found mail and some items belonging to the elderly resident scattered on the roadside of the intersection of Putnam Avenue and North Beach Street.

Police arrested the woman, who declined to provide a statement. The other woman involved was trespassed from the home.

AFTER-HOURS ACCESS

9:57 p.m. — 600 block of South Yonge Street, Ormond Beach Burglary of a unoccupied structure. Police arrested a 26-year-old Ormond Beach woman who was suspected to be living inside a storage unit.

Police responded to a local storage facility after a couple saw a woman and a man enter the property by cutting some of the chain link fencing, according to a police report. The couple told officers that they saw the man leave afterward, but not the woman. When a search of the area outside the facility didn’t result in their discovery,

Solar traffic beacons coming to Palm Coast school zones

Palm Coast’s Public Works

Traffic Division is working to upgrade and install new solarpowered traffic beacons in local school zones.

The project will include seven new beacons and upgrade one existing beacon at Indian Trails Middle and Belle Terre Elementary, add four new beacons and upgrade another three at Buddy Taylor Middle and Wadsworth Elementary and upgrading two beacons at Rymfire Elementary.

The work will be completed in the coming weeks, a city press release said. The work will be done inhouse by the traffic division,

police began searching for damaged locks or open storage units inside.

The woman was found inside a storage unit without a lock. The woman said she had been evicted from her storage unit the day before. Though officers found an air mattress, the woman denied living in the unit. She said she had come in to clear out the unit.

When asked about the fence, the woman eventually admitted to coming in through the fence since it was after-hours. She said that the fence was already cut but held together with metal clips, which she removed to enter the property.

The woman was arrested and taken to jail.

MARCH 22 SEIZE AND DESIST

3:45 a.m. — 4600 block of Belle Terre Parkway, Bunnell Resist arrest, loitering. A Bunnell man arrested for loitering near a local church pretended to sleep and then faked a seizure after he was confronted by a Sheriff’s Of-

saving the city over $120,000. Flashing school zone beacons are required by state law and the new solar-powered ones will with functionality and keeping the city in compliance with regulations, the press release said.

Palm Coast traffic signal technician Matthieu Johnson said the installation will also help with maintenance as it sends real-time status updates to technicians.

“These beacons aid in keeping our motorists, pedestrians and students safe and any way that we can provide a more efficient manner of doing that is something we see as a win-win for the community,” Johnson said.

Send Palm Coast news to Sierra@observerlocalnews. com.

fice deputy.

The deputy was conducting an overnight security check when he saw the suspect leaning over behind the church’s fence messing with something, the man’s arrest report said. Because of an uptick in vandalism at church parking lots, the deputy drove up to the suspect and turned on his overhead lights.

The suspect immediately laid down and pretended to sleep, the report said. When the suspect refused to identity or explain himself, the deputy arrested him.

The suspect was placed in the patrol car and began to shake like he was having a seizure.

The deputy believed the suspect was faking it, the report said, because the man continued to talk through the shaking and had a normal breathing and pulse rate.

The suspect was taken to the hospital where hospital staff gave him the all-clear to be booked in the county jail.

YOUR TOWN

CHICKEN PANTRY CLOSES AFTER 68 YEARS

Bunnell’s historic Chicken Pantry restaurant has closed its doors after 68 years.

The Chicken Pantry, located at 602 E. Moody Blvd., first opened in 1956. A social media post on Monday by FlaglerRestaurants.com announced that the Chicken Pantry had closed. EstateSales.org is advertising a short-notice auction for the entirety of the Chicken Pantry’s restaurant contents, including grills, friers, tables, and its iconic rooster memorabilia, amongst other decor.

The auction will be held online on Friday, March 29 at 11:30 a.m. at EstateSales’s website. The Observer could not reach the Chicken Pantry for comment in time for publication.

PALM COAST ARTIST JOINS FC3

Flagler County Cultural Council nominates Lawson Glasergreen — a Palm Coast resident, national and international visual artist, and project manager — to the board of directors.

“We are excited you join us as we embark on our Board iniatives and work on planning for the future,” FC3 Co-Chair Nancy Crouch said. FC3’s mission is to advocate, support and foster collaboration for the arts and humanities in Flagler County.

Glasergreen looks forward to offering his experience to FC3.

“Lawson’s unique career trajectory as an activist, project manager, and artist has taken him all over the globe, from Central America as Peace Corps volunteer to eight months in the frozen, windblown desert of Antarctica, said Beren Goguen, of the Colorado State University Office of Engagement and Extension.

Glasergreen completed a Pan American Highway 40year experience from Antarctica to Alaska in 2023.

Goguen wrote an article about Glasergreen in 2023, titled “Staying Vibrant Through Art and Service.” To read, visit https://engagement.source.colostate.edu/ staying-vibrant-through-artand-service.

Lawson Glasergreen

Make yourself at home

Quarters for green rubber junk? Step right up

Luke’s adventures in Walmart, featuring coin-op happiness machines.

BRIAN MCMILLAN PUBLISHER

In today’s age of credit cards and tap-to-pay, there is something alluring about a purely mechanical procurement process: coin-op toy machines.

This is what inspired Luke, my 5-year-old son, to accompany my wife, Hailey, and me on a recent trip

LETTERS

St. Johns River Water Management Board gets ‘two thumbs down’

Dear Editor:

On March 12, I traveled to Palatka, Florida, along with about 20 others to attend the St. Johns River Water Management District Board meeting; we were on a mission to “Save Spruce Creek.” The board’s agenda included consideration of the controversial I-95/Pioneer Trail interchange issue. If constructed, as proposed, the interchange would directly affect 50+ acres of wetlands, and would adversely affect Spruce Creek.

YOUR TOWN

STEM MUSICAL COMING TO THE NEWS-JOURNAL CENTER IN APRIL

As part of its Young Audience Series, the Peabody Auditorium Foundation will present TheaterWorksUSA’s family musical, “Ada Twist, Scientist and Friends,” based on books by Andrea Beaty.

The books — “Rosie Revere, Engineer” ; “Iggy Peck, Architect” ; and “Ada Twist, Scientist” — inspired this STEM-fueled musical featuring role models for young scientists, according to a press release. The musical tells the story of three out-of-thebox thinkers who are faced with “the ultimate test of their problemsolving skills” to be conquered only through teamwork during a field trip gone awry.

“After a sold-out crowd for our last production, we are really looking forward to sharing ‘Ada Twist, Scientist and Friends’ with our community,” said Kathy Berman, executive director of the PAF.

PAF President Rene Bell Adams agreed.

“This production is doubly exciting because it not only brings the unique joy of a musical, but highlights STEM — and is another show we are so proud to bring to children and families here in Volusia County,” she said in the press release.

Tickets cost $25 each. The performance is recommended for ages 4-9 and will be held at the News-Journal

to Walmart. Usually, he only comes if we promise to buy doughnuts at the end. Today, a fistful of quarters was burning a hole in his pocket.

At the entrance, there they were: about 10 different machines designed to swallow your savings whole. The bottom row promised bubble gumballs for a quarter apiece. But he wanted the toys on the second row.

“Those are two quarters each,” Hailey told him.

Luke was dejected, sensing — even without knowing too much about math — that his toy haul was no longer a paradisiacal bounty but instead a carnival-game gamble.

But Hailey had planned ahead, saving the day. “That’s why I gave you some of our quarters, so you would have enough,” she added.

“Wait, what?!?” I asked. “Who approved this?”

SJRWMD board member Maryam

Ghyabi — sister of the developer pushing this environmentally damaging project — appropriately recused herself. Nevertheless, to citizen attendees at the board meeting it appeared the deck had already been stacked.

It was a very irregular and disappointing proceeding; after their presentations to the board, principals were sent out of the room by the chair presumably to negotiate. The plaintiff’s spokesman was not afforded his three-minute rebuttal after FDOT respondents presented.

But it was too late. Luke had stepped right up. He slipped two quarters in the slots. He turned the crank, and presto! Like magic, he now had a little grotesque piece of junk: a green, rubbery face of a creepy old man that can perch on your pinky.

The rest of the trip to Walmart went downhill from there. Luke held onto several other quarters for several aisles, but then exclaimed, “Ugh!”

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

He pointed to a clothing rack full of men’s basketball shorts, and it was clear: One of his quarters had rolled under the display.

As I crawled on the floor with my cell phone flashlight to help him look, he let out another “Ugh!”

Down went another quarter, rolling away, this time under a pallet of potato chips in the middle of the

walkway. Just like that, a whole green-rubber face’s worth of quarters had disappeared. He was, again, devastated. But there was more to it. As I studied the expression on his face, frozen under the bright Walmart lights, I saw that he was also a little afraid — of displeasing me. In that moment, I wished I could be a little more like Hailey, a little more willing to forget about practicality and instead freely donate a few quarters to the coin-op happiness machine. We gave up on finding the quarters and finished our shopping, only to find another row of coin-op contraptions on the way out. And, after one of them inexplicably “ate” the first quarter, Luke put in two more and came away with another gem: a dinosaur that is split open down the spine so that it can be stretched by the neck and flung through the air like a rubber band, like a quarter hurtling through space, never to be seen again.

ORMOND BEACH Observer

“If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.”

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944

Publisher Brian McMillan, brian@observerlocalnews.com

Managing Editor Jarleene Almenas, jarleene@observerlocalnews.com

Associate Editor Brent Woronoff, brent@observerlocalnews.com

Staff Writer Sierra Williams, sierra@observerlocalnews.com

Design Manager Hailey McMillan, hailey@observerlocalnews.com

Director of Engagement Kaitlyn Stier, kstier@observerlocalnews.com

Operations Manager Bonnie Hamilton, bonnie@observerlocalnews.com

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mendation to deny the permit.

No one spoke in favor of the interchange. Interestingly, the “public comments” were entertained by the board while the principals were out of the room.

When the principals returned after lengthy delay, no agreements had been reached. The board made no motion on the issue; there was no discussion or “consideration” by the board; there was no vote. By default, the issue went forward to the SJRWMD executive director to issue the permit, setting aside an administrative law judge’s recom-

The chair started to proceed to other agenda items, but had to be “called out” by an attendee that “public comment” had not been heard. A dozen or so speakers, representing various environmental groups, and some representing themselves as affected property owners all spoke in opposition to issuing a permit for construction of the I-95/Pioneer Trail interchange.

Center at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 27. Visit www.peabodyfoundation. org or call 386-631-1974.

ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA LIONS GIVE BACK IN FEBRUARY, MARCH

What have the Ormond-by-the-Sea

Lions been up to recently?

Four members attended the combination Zone 6 and 7 meeting at the Piggotte Center in South Daytona in February. Hosted by the South Daytona Lions Club, members learned about the Volusia Recovery Alliance speaking on the use of Narcan.

February also had club members holding numerous blood sugar screenings. Three members traveled to Immokalee to help screen migrant workers at their health fair. Two members traveled to Palm Coast to screen at the Health and Fitness Fair. Most recently, the Lions participated with other local clubs at the Ocean Center’s Health and Human Services Summit.

The Lions also started offering monthly screenings at St. Brendan’s Food Pantry and donated $250 to the food pantry for food purchases.

In March, the club continued its service with two members helping Halifax Urban Ministries with clean up after the Empty Bowls fundraiser at Hope Place. Five members also volunteered preparing meals for the homeless on March 4. Past District Governor and OBTS Lions Charter member Jacquie Tripp, now a candidate for international director, traveled up from Cocoa Beach to help.

Seven OBTS Lions helped serve over 40 residents at the Coquina Rehab Center with a St. Patrick’s Day

Party, which the club hosted.

In addition, the Lions helped clean A1A and the beach, participated with the Ormond-by-the-Sea Eagles in delivering 60 Easter baskets to Beachside Elementary School and donated $800 to Lions International for disaster relief. The club also welcomed new member Marcia Pizzimenti at its recent meeting.

The OBTS Lions Club meets the first and third Wednesdays of every month at 6:30 p.m. at Alfies Restaurant, located at 1666 Ocean Shore Blvd. Call 386-441-4421.

CONFERENCE TO SPOTLIGHT LOCAL COMMUNITY NEEDS

Professionals working locally to reduce overdose, combat family homelessness and meet mental

Overall, the St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board gets “two thumbs down.” It failed to seriously consider public input; it failed to uphold its core mission (per its website) to “protect our natural resources.”

As a kid growing up watching “Superman” on television, I never fully grasped its catch-line: “the never-ending battle, for truth, justice, and the American way.” Now I have a much better understanding. The fight goes on.

ROB BRIDGER Ormond Beach Editor’s note: Rob Bridger is the political committee chair of the Sierra Club, Volusia-Flagler Group.

health needs will offer hands-on advice for being involved in solutions for these issues during this spring’s Interfaith and Community Resource Network Sharing Conference.

The conference will take place from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, April 14, at the Catholic Church of the Epiphany at 201 Lafayette St. in Port Orange.

The seasonal Sharing Conference is free, including refreshments. Open to all, it is geared toward helping service providers in and around Volusia County learn from one another and identify opportunities for collaboration. Interfaith and Community Resource Network leaders encourage houses of worship, nonprofit organizations and government agencies to send participants.

“We invite everyone to become more aware of the interrelated challenges we face, build relationships

TWO LOCAL TEENAGERS RECEIVE BLACK BELTS

Two local teenagers received their black belts from Stan Lee’s United Martial Arts in Ormond Beach on Saturday, March 16.

Jaden Quinn, 18, and Peyton Raymond, 16, passed their black belt tests prior to the ceremony that evening. The test involved a demonstration of all the martial arts skills they had learned since they wore white belts. These included striking, grappling, a self-defense choreography and a board-breaking demonstration.

“The standards are very high and the amount of time and effort and commitment that both of them put in are something you just don’t see,” Lee said. “It’s very rare in today’s world to see people — to see any child or teenager — stick with the same goal for three, four, 10 years. It’s unheard of these days. They’re

special people.”

Quinn, a Flagler Palm Coast high school student, has been training for 10 years. She started in Lee’s after school program, but had to stop in middle school when her family moved to Flagler County. “Then, like four years later, when she got her driver’s license, the first thing she did is drive herself down to get back enrolled in lessons,” Lee said.

Raymond, who is homeschooled, began training three-and-a-half years ago. Last summer, he also started working as an assistant instructor with Lee. “He’s been here every single day, every single class since he got here, and then worked his way into a job,” Lee said. Visit ormondbeachmartialarts. com.

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and develop unified responses,” said Sue Odena, a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Daytona Beach who founded the network in spring of 2022 with the help of Congregational Care Pastor Frank Johnston of First United Methodist Church in Ormond Beach. Free vision and blood sugar screenings will be offered by local Lions Clubs. For more information, visit ICResourceNetwork.org or contact Odena at 407-760-2304 or carepartneratourladyoflourdes@ gmail.com.

HALIFAX REPERTORY THEATRE HAS A NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Halifax Repertory Theatre has appointed Jennifer McGill as its new artistic director.

McGill is bringing over 30 years of experience in the arts. Her journey began in Orlando when she joined the Disney Channel’s “The All-New Mickey Mouse Club” as a Mouseketeer at 10 years old. Since then, McGill has worked as a speaker, recording artist, songwriter and vocal coach. She has performed alongside artists such as Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Ryan Gosling and more, according to a press release.

“Jennifer is an incredible woman and mentor,” said Sandy Cook, Executive Director of Halifax Repertory Theatre. “She has so much talent and her extensive experience make her the perfect fit for HRT. Jennifer is a wonderful addition to the HRT family where she can continue to teach, inspire and entertain people of all ages.”

After graduating with honors from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, McGill performed in the “American VYBE” a capella group at Disney World and coached Disney’s “Magic Music Days” choral groups. She is also the co- creator and director of two live touring shows, “Bravehearted Girls: The Warrior Princess Quest” and “Freedom Fighters”.

In 2017, McGill released her fulllength pop inspirational album, “Unbreakable.”

“I am honored to join the Halifax Repertory Theatre family and to contribute to the vibrant arts scene in Ormond Beach,” McGill said. “I believe in the transformative power of theatre to inspire, educate, and unite communities. I look forward to collaborating with the talented team at Halifax Repertory Theatre and to creating unforgettable experiences.”

McGill will begin offering private voice lessons in April and will head up HRT’s youth performance and competition team.

Jaden Quinn, Stan Lee and Peyton Raymond. Courtesy photos

Lions Richard Snyder, Jean Cerullo, Mary Yochum, Bobbie Cheh, Carol Snyder and Melinda Uebel help Coquina Rehab Center residents celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Jennifer McGill

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Observer

INSIDE HEALTH MATTERS

„ How to raise a healthy, active child PAGE 2B

„ Caring for children’s teeth PAGE 2B

„ How to protect against illness PAGE 2B

„ Tips for caring for your mental health PAGE 3B

„ Snapsnot of Alzheimer’s in Florida PAGE 3B

Doctor-Recommended Health Goals

Doctors say you can make the biggest impact with small, incremental tweaks to your routine. – STATEPOINT

1.

2. Tweak your diet.

Include more water and less sugarsweetened beverages. Replace processed foods — especially those with added sodium and sugar — with nutritious, whole foods. Stock your fridge and pantry with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, low-fat dairy products, and lean meats and poultry.

4. Get screened.

Estimates based on statistical models show that since April 2020, millions of screenings for breast, colorectal and prostate cancer

6. Watch for prediabetes symptoms

One in three American adults has prediabetes, a condition that can lead to Type 2 diabetes if left unmanaged. However, healthy eating and exercise can help delay or even prevent it. Learn your risk by taking a simple two-minute self-screening test at DoIHavePrediabetes.org. This resource also features helpful lifestyle tips that can help you reverse prediabetes.

9. Correctly use prescriptions

3. Get up to date on your vaccines

A number of respiratory viruses circulating this winter can be serious and even life-threatening, so the annual flu shot and the updated COVID-19 vaccine for everyone 6 months and older are recommended. Vaccines are also available to protect older adults from severe RSV. New tools to protect infants during RSV season include maternal vaccination and monoclonal antibody immunization. If you have questions, speak with your physician.

may have been missed due to pandemic-related care disruptions. Check in with your physician. If you’re due for preventive care, tests or screenings, make an appointment. These measures are designed to keep you healthy and help your doctor spot certain conditions before they become serious.

7. Restrict alcohol intake

If consuming alcohol, drink only in moderation. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans defines that as up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men, and only by adults of legal drinking age.

8. Quit smoking

Your health care provider can offer resources and guidance for quitting tobacco and nicotine. Declare your home and car smoke-free.

Follow your doctor’s instructions when taking prescription drugs – especially opioids. Always store and dispose of medications safely to prevent misuse. Whenever prescribed antibiotics, take them exactly as directed. Not taking the full course can lead to antibiotic resistance, a serious public health problem, and will not make you feel better if you have a virus, such as a cold or flu.

LOOKING TO FEEL

BETTER? CONSIDER

ADDING AN IRON

SUPPLEMENT

Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional shortfall globally, including in the United States, where it is estimated that 1 in 5 people need more iron to function properly. This holds true across all age ranges and physical conditions, but most notably this is the case for women of childbearing age.

WHY YOUR IRON LEVELS MATTER

Without sufficient iron, the body cannot produce enough hemoglobin – the substance in red blood cells that enables them to carry oxygen to tissues and organs. Iron deficiency can also exacerbate many health conditions, especially cardiac, pulmonary and circulatory problems, and it plays a critical role in conditions like restless leg syndrome, ADD/ADHD, celiac disease, and Crohn's disease.

That said, the symptoms of less severe iron deficiency can be harder

10. Manage mental health

5. Manage blood pressure

High blood pressure, often referred to as hypertension, can increase your risk of heart attack or stroke, and it affects millions of Americans. Visit ManageYourBP. org to understand what your blood pressure numbers mean and what you can do to get your blood pressure under control.

“It is quite common to set big-picture, ambitious health goals. But the good news is you don’t have to make major changes in one fell swoop; small, positive health choices made right now can have long-lasting effects.”

Good mental health is part of good overall health. Manage your stress, get sufficient sleep, exercise and seek help from a mental health professional when you need it.

to pinpoint. They include:

• Tiredness or lethargy

• Weakness

• Irregular heartbeat or shortness of breath

• Headache, dizziness, lightheadedness

• Unusual food cravings and appetite changes

• Appearance issues like thinning hair, pallor, dark circles, or brittle nails

• Behavioral issues like excitability, inability to focus, or irritability, especially in children

CHOOSE WISELY

Adding an iron supplement is an easy way to address a host of pressing issues, but buyer beware – not all iron supplements are created equal. Even those who know they need iron may not take supplements because they are notoriously bad-tasting and can cause significant gastrointestinal distress. The supplement market is also largely unregulated, resulting in many companies producing inferior products or making unsubstantiated claims about effectiveness.

HOW CAN YOU FIND THE BEST SUPPLEMENT FOR YOUR FAMILY?

The short answer is to ignore the marketing hype and trust medicine. Follow your doctors’ advice and look for an iron supplement that has been clinically proven.

From enhancing your appearance and providing an immune system boost to giving you the stamina and focus you need to complete tasks with confidence, adding an iron supplement can improve your overall health and wellbeing.

— STATEPOINT MEDIA

New report: How to raise a healthy and active child

Genetics play a role, but here are some tips for helping your child.

Many factors can encourage a healthy lifestyle for your child, and help prevent obesity and other illnesses that can extend into adulthood.

At a time when few children and adolescents meet the recommendations for nutrition and activity, a new clinical report from the American Academy of Pediatrics, “The Role of the Pediatrician in the Promotion of Healthy, Active Living,” offers guidance to help optimize a child’s health regardless of their weight, as well as strategies based on the best science that can also help prevent obesity at every stage, from infancy through adolescence.

PRACTICAL TIPS

„ Learn about good nutrition. Visit MyPlate.gov for great ways to take a team approach to planning and making meals so that kids have an active role in what they eat. The site takes into account cultural traditions, giving examples of healthy meals that include familiar foods.

„ Reach for water. Sugary drinks such as 100% fruit juice, sodas, sports drinks and fruit drinks, account for 24% of added sugar intake in the U.S. diet in people 1 year and older. Consumption contributes significantly to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, childhood obesity, Type 2 diabetes and other health risks, according to USDA statistics. Ideally, aim for one sugary drink or fewer per week. Bonus:

drinking water cleanses teeth and gums, preventing cavities now while setting the stage for lifelong dental health.

„ Limit ultra-processed foods. It may not be realistic to avoid ultra-processed foods altogether, but try to limit their access and help children and adolescents learn the benefits of eating whole foods like fruits and vegetables. You can also talk with them about the health risks of too much “junk food,” which is generally loaded in sugar and salt, doesn’t increase feelings of fullness, and prompts overeating.

„ Adopt a family media plan. Everyone benefits from sensible screen time limits that make room for healthy activities. Engage kids in creating a plan for the whole family.

„ Move more. It can be challenging to get up and move more, but when you make it a priority, kids benefit. Organized sports aren’t the only option. Your family can also enjoy walking, biking, swimming and dancing. Indoors, you can try active gaming or online fitness classes to

strengthen muscles, build coordination and release tension.

„ Manage stress. If your schedule is jammed with so many commitments that there’s no room for healthy downtime, consider what you can let go. Rest rebuilds the body’s systems after the challenges of a tough day or week, so reserve time for it.

„ Lean on support. Not all neighborhoods have safe places for children to play and walk to school, or offer nutritious and affordable food nearby. Additionally, factors like racism, toxic stress, housing or food insecurity and safety risks can impact your child’s health. Creating a safe environment at home, and leaning on the support of schools, health care systems and the wider community can create a healthier life for your child. One important resource is your pediatrician. Talk to them about ways to support an active, healthy lifestyle for your child.

For more tips and resources, visit healthychildren.org.

— STATEPOINT

How to protect against illness

Caring for children’s teeth brings peace of

mind

for families

Tooth decay is the most common preventable chronic disease among children in the U.S.

If left untreated, tooth decay can negatively affect a child's physical and social development, as well as their school performance.

As a parent or caretaker, there are steps you can take to protect your child’s oral health. Through the dental health benefits provided through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, children will have access to oral health care.

SCHEDULE ROUTINE CARE

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that a child’s first pediatric dental visit occur before their first birthday and that as they get older, they see the dentist twice a year for cleanings, X-rays and treatment.

Regular dentist visits can help identify and treat potential issues early. Use the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid

Services “Find a Dentist” tool to find dental providers in your area that accept Medicaid and CHIP.

HEALTHY HABITS AT HOME

Helping your children brush their teeth twice a day and flossing regularly can keep cavities, gum disease and tooth decay at bay. During pregnancy, you can even positively impact the health of your baby by taking care of your own teeth and gums.

MEDICAID AND CHIP

Medicaid and CHIP cover more than 39 million children in the United States. Enrollment is open year-round. Dental care is just the beginning: You can also get help with preventive care, emergency care, behavioral health care, vision, vaccines, prescriptions, and pre- and postnatal care.

In most states, children up to age 19 with family income up to $80,000 per year (for a family of four) may qualify. Visit InsureKidsNow.gov.

Provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

— STATEPOINT

With only 8% of children and 21% of adults reporting receipt of the 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine, less than half the population reporting receipt of a flu vaccine and just 20% of adults 60 and over reporting receipt of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, it’s no surprise that rates of respiratory illnesses are at elevated levels this season.

The American Lung Association recommends the following to help prevent severe illness:

„ Wash your hands.

„ Cover your cough and sneeze.

„ Keep your distance.

„ Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

„ Get up to date on vaccinations. Flu vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older. RSV vaccination is recommended for adults 60 years of age and older after having a discussion with their healthcare provider. Maternal RSV vaccination is recommended as an option to help prevent babies from developing severe RSV illness and is given during weeks 32-36 of pregnancy during September through January. COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older.

„ Consider monoclonal antibodies. If you have an infant or are an expectant parent, ask your healthcare provider.

„ Seek treatment. Antiviral medications are available. For more resources, visit, lung.org/viruses. — STATEPOINT

Adobe Stock photos

Seven tips for how to stop worrying and start living

Take a break, and focus on the facts of your situation.

GUEST WRITER

Do you find yourself worrying about everything that is going on around you?

HOW TO DISCUSS YOUR MENTAL HEALTH WITH OTHERS

It can be frustrating to struggle with your mental health and to get your family and friends to understand where you are coming from.

Here are six suggestions on how to deal with the people you know regarding your mental health situation.

1. Listen to the professionals: Your friends may mean well, but when it comes down to it, the professionals are aware of your circumstances more than anyone.

2. Don’t argue with others: It is not your job to worry about how others may view your circumstances. Focus on managing your mental health rather than trying to get everyone’s approval.

3. Choose your friends wisely: Distance yourself from those who won’t make an effort to help understand what you are going through. You need to surround yourself with positive and supportive people. If you have problems or issues with a par-

It can be very tiring and depressing to constantly worry about your family, your job, your health, and everything else that is happening. Having things out of your control is very scary. As a result, here are seven tips on how to overcome the cycle of worry and fear in your life.

1. Focus on the facts of your situation; not your thoughts: When people are stressed out, they rely on their fearful and depressing thoughts.  Your fearful thoughts are exaggerated and are not based on reality. When you are anxious, focus on the

ticular person, then its best to keep your distance and hang out with those people are more supportive.

4. Attend a mental health support group: There are many mental health awareness support groups in any given area. Many hospitals, churches, and counselors in your area will be able to provide you with a list of these organizations. These groups will be aware of your situation and can give you additional advice regarding your concerns.

5. You are not alone: There are millions of people around the world who struggle with their fears, anxieties, and depression. Many of your relatives and friends more than likely struggled with anxiety and stress sometime in their life. Do not feel that you are alone.

6. Your goal is to get better: Focus on how you can handle the anxieties and stresses in your life rather than arguing with others who are giving you a difficult time. This isn’t a public relations event where you need to get approval from everyone. This is your life.

facts of your current situation and not on what you think.

2. You can’t predict the future : Remember that no one can predict the future with one hundred percent certainty. Even if the thing that you are afraid of does happen, there are circumstances and factors that you can’t predict which can be used to your advantage.

For example, you miss the deadline for a project you have been working on. Everything you feared is coming true. Suddenly, your boss tells you that the deadline is extended and that he forgot to tell you the day before. This unknown factor changes everything.

3. Take a break : Take a deep breath and try to find something to do to get your mind off your anxieties and stresses. A person could take a walk, listen to some music, read the newspaper, watch TV, play on the computer, or do an activity that will give them a fresh perspective on things. This will distract you from your current worries.

4. Take it one day at a time : Instead of worrying about how you will get through the rest of the week or month, focus on today. Each day can provide us with different opportunities to learn new things and that includes learning how to deal with your problems.

5. Learn how to manage your thoughts : Challenge your negative thinking with positive statements and realistic thinking. When encountering thoughts that make you fearful, challenge those thoughts by asking yourself questions that will maintain objectivity and common sense.

6. Things change over time: Regardless of your circumstances, your current situation will not stay the same. Everything changes over time. Knowing that your situation will improve will help give you the confidence that things will get better.

7. Get some help: Some-

times, it helps to be able to talk to someone about your stressful situations. Talking to a trusted friend, counselor, or clergyman can give you additional advice and insights on how to deal with the fear of the unknown. Remember that there is nothing wrong in asking for assistance. Stan Popovich is the author of “A Layman’s Guide to Managing Fear” which covers a variety of techniques that can improve your mental health. For more information, visit http://www.managingfear. com.

STAN POPOVICH

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Easter ‘eggsperts’

United Methodist Church

Tits annual Easter party and egg hunt on Saturday, March 23.

The public event invited preschool and elementary school children to participate in Easter themed crafts, games and snacks. A story time was also held in a separate room to educate the children about the meaning of Easter.

There were also photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny and multiple egg hunts. The egg hunt was divided into three age groups: preschoolers, kindergarten through second grade, and third through fifth grade.

omoka

held

–ALEXIS MILLER

Sierra, Levi and Amir Perkins pose with the Easter Bunny.

Warner Allison and Lauren Smith introduce Asher Allison to the Easter Bunny. Easter party attendees smile as they sit around a table.

Piper Wiles, Patty Bornean, Diane Forbes and Amy Monroe help with snacks and drinks. Photos by Alexis Miller

Children in grades kindergarten through second participate in the Easter egg hunt.

Amy Vick and Mila Devalle enjoy a momet with the Easter Bunny.

Nonprofit shares ‘bun’ facts

Fort Wilbur Rabbit Resources holds a rabbit awareness event.

public on the rabbit situation in Florida,” said Vanessa Hill, CEO and founder of Fort Wilbur Rabbit Resources. “There are over 1,200 rabbits currently with no home or placement, including in shelters, and how important adoption is and doing your research before adopting. So, we are here to provide the assistance and the support, as far as research and education goes.”

Hill, of Ormond Beach, began working with animals in high school and worked for Florida Fish and Wildlife doing wildlife rehabilitation. She then transferred to working in animal shelters and humane societies, as well as shadowing at veterinary clinics. When she realized there was not much help for rabbits, she decided to take matters into her own hands and started Fort Wilbur in 2011.

“It all started when I was working in animal rescue and we received a call about some rabbits with special needs, one of them was named Wilbur,” she said. “He had a heart murmur and wasn’t expected to live very long. That was when I decided to start focusing on rabbits.”

Fort Wilbur started as a rabbit owner support center, taking in surrendered rabbits and fostering them. After realizing how many rabbits were not cared for and the need for rehabilitation, Fort Wilbur started its journey treating rabbits and providing free therapy and rehabilitation treatments.

In 2019, Fort Wilbur received its license as a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Since then, shelters have been placed in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas and the number of volunteers has expanded offering assistance to any rabbit in need including therapy programs, rehabilitation, grooming, and health evaluations.

The Fort Wilbur team is currently made up of 12 regular volunteers, but temporary volunteers are used often for event set up and take down, handing out flyers and for general support of the foundation and its cause.

Desiree Razon has been a volunteer at Fort Wilbur for almost four years and connected with Hill through her rabbit, Nila.

“I had never had a bunny before and researched a lot — that’s how I heard of Fort Wilbur,” Razon said. “I contacted Vanessa right away and she helped me tremendously and showed me the ropes of having a bunny.

Fort Wilbur also helped find Nila a new playmate after the rabbit that she had been adopted with, Choco, died. Over a year later, Toast came to Fort Wilbur and Razon took a chance on him. Nila and Toast have been inseparable ever since.

Hill has had rabbits of her own for 14 years. She has a rabbit named Buddha who

“Families who want bunnies really need to know how much time and work it takes, so I would suggest research and educating yourself.”

DESIREE RAZON

has been a mascot for Fort Wilbur for many years. He is taken to schools, nursing homes and events to teach all ages about rabbits. The March 23 event was Buddha’s last, as he is retiring to be a “stayat-home bunny.”

Orlando Rabbit Care & Adoptions, Inc. teamed up with Fort Wilbur for the first time at the event to provide additional rabbit resources to people

interested in adopting. ORCA started as a nonprofit organization in 2006, focusing on education. In 2016, it became a rescue operation and helps other rabbit organizations.

“Families who want bunnies really need to know how much time and work it takes, so I would suggest research and educating yourself,” Razon said. “I also suggest fostering a bunny that’s been in an adoption center for a few years gives them a chance to have a forever home. That’s our purpose.”

Fort Wilbur’s CEO, Vanessa Hill and her bunny Buddha. Photos by Alexis Miller

Jeep enthusiasts host Jeep parade for Palm Coast girl with terminal illness

Four-year-old Veda

Ulrich has Sanfilippo Syndrome, a degenerative, terminal illness similar to Alzheimer’s.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Local Jeep enthusiast Charlie Brown said he came home one day and found his wife, Sarah, crying over a video describing 4-year-old Veda Ulrich’s fight with a terminal genetic condition called Sanfilippo Syndrome.

Veda was diagnosed with the terminal genetic illness Sanfilippo Syndrome in September 2022, at just 2 years old. Children with Sanfilippo typically die of the disease in their early teens, though it varies. There is no cure, and no FDA-approved treatment.

Sarah Brown said she and her husband really sympathize with the Ulrich family: both husband and wife

work in the health care fields, and their daughter is also just 4 years old.

“Just to see what this family is going through in our community — we wanted to find a way to support them,” Sarah Brown said.

Charlie Brown said his wife turned to him and asked if there was anything he and his Jeep friends could do.

And there was.

He said over the last three weeks, he has been reaching out to local Jeep enthusiast organizations — Daytona Jeep Club, Volusia Jeep Club, MidFlorida Jeep Club — and organized a Jeep parade for Veda on March 23.

Charlie Brown reached out to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office while planning the parade, and Sheriff Rick Staly and several deputies decided to join in the fun.

Sanfilippo Syndrome is a terminal neurodegenerative genetic illness, caused by a missing enzyme, according to the nonprofit Cure Sanfilippo Foundation’s website. It affects 1 in every 70,000 births.

Sanfilippo Syndrome is simi -

“Just to see what this family is going through in our community — we wanted to find a way to support them.”

SARAH BROWN

IMAGINE SCHOOL’S ROBOTICS TEAM TO COMPETE AT WORLDS

Imagine School at Town Center’s robotics team finished in second place at the FIRST LEGO League Florida State Championship.

The Championship was held in Palm Beach over the March 9-11 weekend. The Electro-Lions’ second

place win has secured the team a spot at the FIRST LEGO League World Championship in Houston, Texas, an Imagine School press release said.

The competition will take place April 17-20, according to the competition’s website.

The FIRST — “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology” — LEGO League World Championship is a prestigious event that brings together the best young minds in robotics from around the globe, the press release said. The competition challenges teams to design, build, and program robots

using LEGO Spike Prime technology to perform complex tasks. This event not only tests the technical skills of the participants but also fosters teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills.

The Electro-Lions’ success story is a testament to their dedication, teamwork, and the power of STEM education, the press release said. As they gear up for the World Championship, they carry with them the hopes and dreams of their community, ready to make their mark in the world of robotics. Send stories to sierra@observer localnews.com.

lar to Alzeihmer’s, but in children. Children diagnosed with Sanfilippo reach a peak in learning new skills — usually around 2 or 3 years old, the Foundation’s website said — and then begin to decline, losing their skills and mobility until they are unable to walk and need a feeding tube.

The Ulrich family, in conjunction with the Cure Sanfilippo Foundation, launched a fundraiser called Saving Veda for a new clinical treatment trial for the genetic illness. So far, Saving Veda has received almost $33,000 in donations, as of March 24.

Charlie Brown even secured a $500 donation to the Saving Veda fundraiser from Jeep Beach, a large, annual Jeep-enthusiast event in Daytona Beach.

Christin Ulrich, Veda’s mother, said she had not expected such a turnout.

“Honestly I thought it would be, like, a few jeeps,” Ulrich said.

And, she said, she had no idea Staly and FCSO deputies would be joining in until just a few days prior to the parade.

Staly said he made sure he could attend the parade once he heard what and who it was for. The Sheriff’s Office has been a part of similar, special-occasion parades since the COVID-19 pandemic, Staly said.

“I don’t think there’s any better way to show community sup-

DONATING TO SAVING VEDA

The Ulrichs have launched a fundraiser in conjunction with the Cure Sanfilippo Foundation called Saving Veda.

Anyone who wants to donate can do so at SavingVeda.com

The goal is to raise $500,000 to fund the clinical trial of a new treatment for Sanfilippo Syndrome. Go to CureSanfilippoFoundation.org to learn more about Sanfilippo and other ways to help.

port for a family than an event like this. And the sheriff’s office is glad to be able to participate,” he said. “We hope it brightens the family’s day a little bit.”

Ulrich said she’s grateful for both the support from everyone who attended and the donation to the Saving Veda fundraiser. They’re hoping the fundraiser will pick up speed and gain more traction and awareness, especially with Staly’s support as well.

“We understand times are hard for people,” Ulrich said. “But we’re hoping that the more and more and more it gets out there that we will get the funds that are needed [for the clinical trial]. Because without it, Veda doesn’t have a shot.”

WOMEN SUPPORTING STUDENTS

University Women of Flagler presented Flagler Habitat for Humanity with their Non-Traditional Student Grant of $1,000, on March 20. These funds will be used by one or more of their homeowner women in Flagler County who need to complete their technical training, education, or certification for a job or career.

are (left to

standing) UWF members Phyllis

ORMOND FAMILY’S CARD GAME RECOGNIZED

A card game released by an Ormond Beach family received an honorable mention for best new board or card game at the annual Playthrough Gaming Convention held in Raleigh, North Carolina on March 16-17.

The category featured 35 new games this year, according to a press release. Josh and Breana Akerberg, of Mandatory Family Fun LLC, brought the card game “Bare Foot -N- Wild” back into production after realizing their family’s favorite game was no longer available for purchase. The game — a 2-6 person canastastyle card game — had a limited release in 1986 in Central Florida.

As the award was announced, the judges at Playthrough 2024 highlighted the ease of learning the game, strategy, and the risk/reward components, the press release notes.

“We are incredibly humbled and excited to be recognized like this,” said Josh Akerberg, chief fun officer at Mandatory Family Fun. “All of the

games featured at Playthrough ‘24 were top notch. We’re especially thankful to L.K. Turnbeaugh, the creator, for entrusting us to carry on her legacy.”

Bare Foot -N- Wild is sold online at barefootnwild.com and at local bookstore Fern & Fable, located at 51 W. Granada Blvd.

Most of the Jeep owners left gifts for Veda with the Ulrich family.

The Ulrich family look at a card the Jeep organizations made for 4-year-old Veda Ulrich. Photos by Sierra Williams

One participant of the Jeep parade left Veda a diorama with toy Jeeps on it.

Front row: Caleb Cook, Addison Herndon, Quinn

Photo courtesy of

Pictured

right

Erno, Jean Seavey , Kay Forest, and seated Jo Dervan UWF President and Lindsay Elliott, Executive Director, Flagler Habitat for Humanity.

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RAMSHACKLE by Jeff Chen, edited by Jeff Chen

By Luis Campos

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The Fusco Brothers

Mainland hires former Buc Jerrime ’Squatty’ Bell to be new head football coach

Bell replaces Travis Roland, who led the Buccaneers to a state championship last season.

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

When the Mainland High School head football coaching position opened last month, Jerrime “Squatty” Bell asked his wife if he should apply. She told him to go for it. How could she not?

“Mainland is a dream job for me,” Bell said. “I’ve been a Buc my entire life.”

Bell was named the Buccaneers’ head coach on March 20, three weeks after Travis Roland stepped down to take the head coaching position at Georgia powerhouse Camden County High School.

Roland led the Bucs to the Class 3S state championship in December.

Bell was the head coach at Atlantic High School in Port Orange the past three years. He led the Sharks to a district championship and a playoff appearance this past season.

Bell played on the defensive line for the Bucs from 1998 to 2001 and graduated from Mainland in 2002. He becomes the third consecutive Mainland football coach who also played for the team. Scott Wilson, who graduated from Mainland in 1997, coached the Bucs from 2010 to 2020. Roland, who graduated from Mainland in 2004, coached his alma mater the past three seasons.

Mainland athletic director Terry Anthony said Bell’s familiarity with the program played a part in his selection, but it wasn’t the deciding factor. “We received about two dozen resumes and then we selected a few candidates that we thought would be a good fit for this program, and he stood out above the rest,” Anthony said. “Him knowing the area and having that Buc pride in his blood played a little bit into it. But the thing

that stood out the most is he’s proven now. He’s proven that he could take a program and build it up.”

The Bucs have made the playoffs in 30 consecutive seasons. They were state runners-up in 2022 before winning the championship last year. Bell knows all about Mainland’s legacy as well as the school’s high expectations.

“The talent pool is great. The feeder programs are tremendous,” Bell said. “Mainland is one of the best jobs in the state.”

The Bucs are losing eight Division I signees from their state championship team, but Bell said the talent pool at Mainland is never going to dry up.

“We’ll have a lot of young talent and a lot of senior experience (next year),” Bell said. “I’ll be able to lean on the senior leadership to keep the program running at a high level.”

Bell coached Pop Warner football, one of Mainland’s feeder programs, for several years. He was the offensive coordinator at Calvary Christian in Ormond Beach in 2012 and was an assistant coach at Treasure Coast High School in Port St. Lucie for seven years before taking over a 1-6 team at Atlantic in 2021. He said he will keep all of the assistant coaches on staff if they want to stay. “Why get rid of a championship staff?” he said. Roland served as the team’s offensive coordinator last season. Bell said he has a few options to bring a new offensive coordinator aboard. If they don’t work out, he said, he can lead the offense with help from his offensive assistants. He has served as a coordinator on both sides of the ball at Calvary and Treasure Coast.

Two late touchdowns lead to win for Mainland flag football

The Bucs snapped a four-game losing streak with a 20-8 victory against Atlantic.

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Recent offensive struggles have been a concern for Mainland’s flag football team. But after beating Atlantic 20-8 on Thursday, March 21, at the Buccaneers’ home field, Mainland’s players are confident they can repeat last year’s run to the final four. The Bucs scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns against the Sharks to end a four-game losing streak.

“We finally got some things clicking,” Mainland coach Ethan Simpson said. “The defense gave us some short yardage situations that gave us an opportunity at the end to score some points. I’m proud of the effort of the girls.”

Mainland gave up a touchdown and a safety to trail 8-0 early, but Adrianna Mallumaci caught a touchdown pass in the second quarter to make it 8-7 at the half, and Kiera Williams and Mallumaci each caught touchdowns in the final three minutes to put the

game away. Mainland improved to 5-4 heading into spring break. The Bucs’ 20 points were the most they have scored since their first two games of the season when they beat Deltona 27-6 and Sanford Seminole 21-6 on Feb. 20-21.

“We just needed something to kick us into gear to play like Bucs, so this game really brought that for us,” Williams said. “It was just great energy, great vibes from the home crowd.”

Mallumaci jumped high to catch the Bucs’ final touchdown from quarterback Brielle Jackson. Mallumaci then added the extra-point catch.

“I know we’ve been going through stuff, but we knew we need to bring the old Mainland Bucs back,” Mallumaci said. “We’re hoping to go farther than the final four this year. We’re trying to be state champions.”

The Bucs’ defense has been solid all season. They held Five Star Conference champ Spruce Creek to a total of 20 points in two losses, and they have allowed more than 13 points in a game just once.

“We started off 4-0, and we played some really good teams in Spruce Creek and New Smyrna — well-coached teams in the area,” Simpson said. “We played with

them, but for some reason on offense, we haven’t been able to finish lately. So this is encouraging going into spring break to give us a win.”

After the break, Mainland ends the regular season at Apopka on April 3 and at home against Lake Mary on April 4.

“I know we’ve been going through stuff, but we knew we need to bring the old Mainland Bucs back. We’re hoping to go farther than the final four this year. We’re trying to be state champions.”

ADRIANNA MALLUMACI

“They’ve put up a lot of points with the spread system,” he said. “But we may add the single wing to our rhino package for short yardage situations.” Bell will finish the school year as a staff member at Atlantic, but after spring break he plans to come over to Mainland after school to run a voluntary off-season conditioning program for the players. In May, he’ll run spring practice.

“There were some very good resumes,” Anthony said. “But it takes a special type of person to run this program. I think he’s the perfect guy for us right now, and I think the future is bright for us.”

Bell ran a single-wing offense at Atlantic and Treasure Coast. The Sharks rushed for 268.8 yards per game last season. But he said he will keep the spread offense that Wilson and Roland ran with the Bucs.

SIDE LINES

FPC AT FSU RELAYS

FPC’s girls 4x100 relay team placed fifth at the Florida State University Relays on March 22.

The team of Aun’Yale Howard, Olivia Gaines, Jada Dotson and Summer Barnes ran a 48.80, which is the second fastest time in school history behind the schoolrecord 48.39 they ran at the North Florida/South Florida Challenge at the Bulldogs’ track on March 9.

Elijah Thero placed seventh in boys javelin with a personal record 172 feet, 11.25 inches. Maya Tyson placed eighth in girls shot put at 37 feet, 7.75 inches.

MILLS TOP THREE IN TWO EVENTS

Jordan Mills, who joined the Matanzas track team late this season after winning a state wrestling championship, placed among the top three in two events at the Dr. Phillips Panther Invitational on March 22.

Mills, who missed all of last season while recovering from shoulder surgery, placed second in the 400 hurdles with a time of 57.61 seconds and third in the 110 hurdles with a 15.18. Both times were personal records. His times are currently ranked 19th in the 400 and 13th in the 110 in Class 3A.

PIRATES SOCCER SKILLS CAMP

Matanzas’ new Pirates Boys Soccer Inc. booster club is hosting a three-day soccer skills camp for boys and girls in grades 3-8 on May 29-31 (Wednesday-Friday), 8:30-11:30 a.m. each day. Matanzas soccer coaches and players will lead the camp, which will include technical and tactical skill training, competitive drills and scrimmages. Each camper will receive a camp T-shirt.

Cost is $100.

To register go to https://bit. ly/3IYDraI.

Email Brent Woronoff at brent@ observerlocalnews.com

Former Mainland High defensive lineman Jerrime “Squatty” Bell is the Buccaneers’ new head football coach. Courtesy photo

Adrianna Mallumaci scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Kiera Williams (8) rushes the quarterback while Kaitlin Barba (1) and Cadence Haley (23) stay back in pass coverage. Photos by Brent Woronoff

Cronk commits to N.C. State

The FPC defensive end chose the Wolfpack after making a spring practice visit.

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Flagler Palm Coast defensive end Colby Cronk will have one less worry heading into his senior football season this fall – deciding where to attend college.

The junior, who has received at least 13 Division I football offers so far, has committed to North Carolina State.

“I am extremely excited to announce that I am 100% committed to NC State,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on March 22. “Thank you to all the colleges that have recruited me, it’s been an honor. Time to put in the work!”

Cronk told the Observer that N.C. State “is the right school for me for sure.” He announced his decision a day after returning from his second unofficial visit to the school.

“When I went up there I wasn’t planning on committing, but after I got there I was sold,” he said.

meetings and watch how they analyze film. It’s just D-line specific. When we do it, it’s the whole defense.”

What separated the Wolfpack from the other schools that have offered him was the coaching staff and the engineering department, Cronk said.

“The coaching staff is awesome,” he said. “And the academic part, I was able to meet with one of their engineering professors and got some information about their opportunities.”

Cronk led the Bulldogs with 75 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, 12 quarterback sacks and 46 quarterback hurries last season.

TRIBUTES

Robert Allen Hudson

October 17, 1949 - March 15, 2024

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Robert Allen Hudson on March 15th, 2024. Robert, a distinguished veteran of the US Army 1st Battalion 92nd Field Artillery Regiment, leaves behind a legacy of service, sportsmanship, and kindness.

Born on October 17th, 1949, in the tranquil town of Lennon, Michigan, Robert, fondly known as “Bob,” was the cherished son of the late Luella Jean and William Chester Hudson. He grew up in Lennon, where he spent his early years before graduating with honors from Durand High School. Following this achievement, he continued his academic journey at Ferris College.

School.

On his first visit to the Raleigh, North Carolina, university in January, he piggybacked on a Junior Day visit to nearby Wake Forest. This time, he was invited back to watch spring practice.

“The first time I was only able to see the football facility, which is awesome of course, but I wasn’t able to see the campus at all,” he said. “This time I was able to see everything. I was able to see how (defensive line coach Charley Wiles) coaches. Their practice schedule is very similar to ours at FPC, which is also very intriguing. I was able to sit in on a couple of D-line

Duke, Pittsburgh, Wake Forest, Vanderbilt, Iowa State, South Florida and Florida International were among the other schools that have offered him. Cronk is slated to become the first Flagler County football player to sign a letter of intent with a powerfive football conference team directly out of high school. Others have transferred to power-five schools.

“I just have to worry now about getting better and playing football,” Cronk said. “I’m really happy with the decision, I’m really excited to be a part of the Wolfpack.”

During his high school years, Robert was a standout athlete, demonstrating prowess in baseball, basketball, and cross country. His exceptional talent in pitching led his fastpitch 4H Softball Team to victory in a state championship. Following graduation, Robert dutifully served as a private in the renowned “Brave Cannons” battalion during the Vietnam War from 1970 to 1975.

A steadfast fan of the Detroit Tigers, Robert found joy in sports, whether perfecting his swing at golf courses like Curry Golf Course in Midland, Michigan, or engaging in friendly yet spirited tennis matches at the Greater Midland Tennis Center. His passion for sports was matched only by his commitment to helping others, often seen donning a cap and running shoes, ever ready to lend a hand to those in need.

Robert’s unwavering kindness, patience, and generosity endeared him to family, friends, and neighbors alike. His profound impact on the lives of those he touched, both on and off the field, will be forever cherished and remembered.

Robert is survived by his loving sister, Janice Jean Robbins, and his nephew, Tracy Lee Robbins, along with Tracy’s wife, Gena Brodie Robbins. His spirit lives on in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know him.

Upon his return, Robert embarked on a career journey, first with the Grand Trunk Western Railroad and later with General Motors, where he dedicated many years of diligent service. Upon retirement, Robert split his time between Michigan and Florida, drawn to the warmth and proximity to his beloved sister, Jan. In Crescent City, Florida, he devoted himself to nurturing young athletes as a volunteer coach for the girls’ tennis team at Crescent City High

In honoring Robert’s memory, let us carry forward his legacy of service and compassion, embodying the values he held dear. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Colby Cronk stands during the national anthem before a home football game against Tocoi Creek on Oct. 27. File photo by Brent Woronoff

OF THE CITY OF BUNNELL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN RELATIVE TO CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY TOTALING APPROXIMATELY 2,877 + ACRES, OWNED BY JM PROPERTIES X LLC AND WEYERHAEUSER COMPANY, WITHIN THE CITY OF BUNNELL AS DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT “B”; PROVIDING FOR LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT; PROVIDING FOR ASSIGNMENT OF THE LAND USE DESIGNATIONS FOR THE PROPERTIES DESCRIBED

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