Ormond Beach Observer 06-20-24

ORMOND BEACH

CITY WATCH

Gardens on their way to becoming historic landmark

The Ormond Beach Planning Board unanimously recommended approval on Thursday, June 13, for the Ormond Memorial Art Museum’s gardens to be added to the city’s Historic Landmarks List.

The designation comes due to the Timicua burial mound by the museum garden’s waterfall, which was evaluated by the Smithsonian Institute in the 1920s.

Based on the Florida State Antiquities Act of 1906, the mound is a protected site. Youth photo contest deadline extended

The city has extended the deadline for its Young Adult Photography Contest.

Children ages 12-17 are invited to submit a maximum of three photos for the city’s “Park Perspectives” contest. The deadline to submit an entry is now Friday, June 21. Awards will be given to Best in Show, first, second and third place winners. All entries will be displayed at The Casements during July.

The official entry form can be found at https://forms. gle/tz4n3fbFTVtR2Xj9A.

$2 million in state funds vetoed for Ormond

Three Ormond Beach projects were vetoed from the state budget last week.

The city was seeking over $2 mil-

lion in state funds altogether: $1.45 million for the design of a new joint police station and emergency operations center, $225,000 for stormwater improvements, and $333,333 for the Central Park Expansion project.

It’s the second time the new police station and EOC project is met by a veto pen; it was also struck from the governor’s 2023-2024 budget.

“While the city has been fortunate in recent years receiving an

unprecedented level of funding to help with the planning design and construction of for projects related to water quality and flood control, utilities, public safety and the development of recreation facilities, this year’s requests unfortunately were removed from the final state budget prior to the approval of Gov. DeSantis,” Public Works Director Shawn Finley said in a statement to the Observer.

Phase 1 of the EOC project — a space needs analysis — is underway thanks to past legislative funding, Finley said. The city recently

contracted JL2 Architecture for the $200,000 study.

This year’s request was aimed at acquiring funds for the second phase of the project, which is estimated to cost about $51 million at this time.

The stormwater improvements funding would have gone the creation of a regional stormwater plan for the neighborhoods north of Granada Boulevard.

“The exclusion of this project from the state budget does lessen the importance of this project or change its priority to the City,” Finley said.

“I always need a good answer for my constituents ... and I don’t have a good answer on why Volusia County is going to pay more than the state of Florida for the building.”

County Councilman Troy Kent on Pace Center for Girls Volusia-Flagler’s $2 million funding request. See Page 7A

Signage update in the works for Ormond Beach

Should Ormond Beach allow a wider usage of electronic changeable copy signs?

The Ormond Beach Planning Board discussed the process to update the city’s Land Development Code regarding these signs at its meeting on Thursday, June 13. The board members will be examining the use of electronic changeable copy signs on a zone by zone basis, and what conditions, if any, should be placed for their approval. They will also consider whether new signs should continue to require a special exception, granted by the City Commission. The discussion was born after the commission approved four special exceptions for electronic changeable copy signs for gas stations at a May 7 meeting. When the special exceptions came before the Planning Board in March, Board member Mike Scudiero was the only one to vote against them — but he did so with purpose.

“The only reason I voted against the gas station ones was to provoke this very discussions, because I don’t think it’s fair,” Scudiero said. “... I don’t want to see it overly restrictive. I don’t want to explain to one business on Granada why they can have an electronic sign, but one 100 yards away cannot.” Electronic signs were banned in the city in 2010. In 2015, a signage amendment was granted to Destination Daytona. Then, in 2019, as Wawa was being constructed at 600 W. Granada Blvd., the commission adopted another amendment to allow gas stations to display their pricing via an electronic sign.

Email Jarleene Almenas at Jarleene@observerlocalnews. com

The city was seeking funding for three Ormond Beach projects: the proposed joint police station and EOC building, the creation of a regional stormwater plan and the expansion of Central Park. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

JARLEENE ALMENAS SENIOR EDITOR

Hart-felt Pride

Unity of Ormond Beach founder Avery Hart blazes the trail and organizes the first Ormond Pride festival on Saturday, June 15.

MICHELE MEYERS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Avery Hart had never gone to a Pride event — not even a parade.

He decided to do something about it and organized the first Ormond Pride festival on Saturday, June 15 at the Kava Kula Bar & Lounge. Nearly 100 people attended and enjoyed a night of music, perused the wares of multiple vendors, played a little kava pong and celebrated Pride.

“I’ve never been to Pride so this is my first one,” he said. “I’m still in a state of shock right now. I’m just so happy. I’m just over the moon. So many people are walking up to me and thanking me and saying ‘I’ve never been to Pride before, this is really nice that it’s in Ormond, of all places’. I’d like for the next one to be

“I want people to know that they’re not alone. ... When I first moved here, I felt more alone than I ever have in my life. When you have a group like this and a family like this, you really don’t feel like a minority any more.”

AVERY HART, founder of Unity of Ormond Beach and Ormond Pride organizer

even bigger.”

DJ 27 played music by LBGTQ+ artists from the years 1978 to the present while guests sipped nonalcoholic drinks and chatted with friends. Attendees also had the opportunity to get a tarot card reading by Mike and peruse a variety of artists wares, including Bejeweled Bakes, Gabbee Crochet, Mystical Magical Wookery, The Wook Doctor and Octoquantix33.

Hart moved to Ormond Beach from Pennsylvania five or six years ago to be with his husband Michael, who is in the National Guard. Hart is currently an environmental science student at Daytona State College, is a pet sitter and volunteers at both the Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet and the Central Florida Zoo in Sanford.

Two months ago, he started the online group Unity of Ormond Beach, which came to fruition from a desire to have an easily reachable, safe space for LBGTQ+ adults, their friends and family. He approached John and Jackie Sekula, the owners of Kava Kula, and asked if he could have weekly meetings at their business. He said the owners thought it was a great idea.

On April 24, Hart had the first Unity meeting at Kava Kula and over 30 people showed up.

“I was not expecting it to take off the way that it did,” he said.

Club Unity currently has 80 members on Discord, an online community where people can talk and check posts for upcoming event information.

Charles Meares was helping with security at the event. A Votran employee, he said he volunteers to give back to a great cause.

“When I found our group, Unity, I found a new family environment,” he said. “We’ve only been around since April and it being our first event, this is absolutely amazing. Our founder is amazing.”

Hart said Unity started as a social club but is evolving rapidly. He would like to make it a nonprofit and have a facility where people are welcome every day — whether they need to talk to somebody or just need a place to go.

Currently, Unity has scheduled a group outing to the Marine Science Center and the Central Florida Zoo. He said he will be combining his love and knowledge for environmental science with his passion helping the community. He already has a lot of interest in doing beach cleanups.

“I just want to say thank you for all the support I’ve received,” he said. “I didn’t expect this much support in Florida. I want to thank my husband for just being there for me through everything.”

He also thanked the Sekulas for their support.

“I want people to know that they’re not alone,” Hart said. “... When I first moved here, I felt more alone than I ever have in my life. When you have a group like this and a family like this, you really don’t feel like a minority any more.”

Bejeweled Bakes co-owners Olive Hutchens (left) and Ivy Lane (right) sell their baked products.

Rachel You, Isabella You and Aeryn Cash stop by to check out the vendors at the first Ormond Pride at Kava Kula Kava Bar & Lounge.

DJ 27 (left) plays music from LBGTQ+ artists.

Avery Hart, Unity of Ormond Beach founder and president, thanks everyone for their support at the first Ormond Pride celebration held at the Kava Kula Bar & Lounge. Photos by Michele Meyers

Friends Sheran Martin, April Penne, Sam McGill and Hannah Blake

OBPAL basketball coaches have mentored, guided local boys for decades

The coaches strive to build bridges with their players to help them lead successful lives.

JARLEENE

ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

The Ormond Beach Police Athletic League coaches have spent decades watching boys become young men on the basketball courts of the South Ormond Neighborhood Center.

To them, basketball is more than just a sport — it’s a path to mentorship.

“We provide a safe haven here for them, without a doubt,” OBPAL Coach Steafon Jenkins said. “Kids trust that we’re going to make sure they’re fine here.”

Jenkins has been volunteering his time to coach the OBPAL Bruins basketball teams for over 30 years, same as his fellow coach James “Pepper” Johnson. Together with coaches Greg Stokes, Clayton Walden and Avery Randolph, the coaches take on about 30 boys every season.

And yes, the boys learn basketball skills, and learn them well — the Bruins 14U team recently won the Florida Police Athletic League tournament — but the coaches also work to instill the value of getting an education and what it takes to be a good man.

That’s important to them. Jenkins, Stokes and Johnson all were raised by their mothers, and because of that, they said they understand the need for a strong support system,

and a father figure to look up to.

“We try to build a whole man — a complete person,” Jenkins said. The best reward? Seeing the kids come back, thank them, and then pay it forward in trying to help the next generation, Johnson said.

“That’s the joy about it,” he said. “That, when they come back, you know you instilled something special in these young men.”

‘WE HAVE TO BUILD A BRIDGE’ Growing up, Johnson said sports meant a lot to him. Johnson, one of Seabreeze High School’s all-time leading scorers, said he was blessed to

“We don’t care — race, creed or color — when you come in those doors, we take care of you.”

STEAFON JENKINS, OBPAL Coach

have had good coaches mentor him, Joe Daniels, for which the city renamed SONC, and Walden among them.

“It’s always been a familybased community,” Johnson said. “You’ve got to do the right thing. The stuff that I was taught, it goes a long way in life.”

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TRIBUTES

Peggy Johnette Kent

September 9th, 1948 - June 10, 2024

Peggy Johnette Kent, age 75, of Ormond Beach Florida, passed away peacefully after a short illness on Monday, June 10th, surrounded by her loving family at home.

Johnette was born on September 9th, 1948 in Warrenton, Virginia to John Troy and Emma Jean Counts. She moved to Ormond Beach as a young child and attended Osceola Elementary. One childhood summer, while on vacation in Manassas, Virginia, she met Don Kent when she was 11 years old and he was 13 years old. Johnette graduated from Seabreeze High School in 1966, and a few weeks later, married Don, who she referred to as the “love of her life”. Johnette’s lifelong dream was to become a mother, and she devoted her life to her six children. They were her absolute pride and joy, and she loved them fiercely. She was their biggest cheerleader and always in their corner. She raised her three sons and three daughters with the strong values of honesty, integrity, strong work ethic and a deep love for family by demonstrating these qualities as a living example. Throughout her life Johnette enjoyed bowling, beach trips, singing, games, family gatherings, following the Royal Family Celebrations by hosting elaborate English Teas, giving advice, and holidays – especially the Christmas season.

Johnette is survived by her husband of 58 years, Donald Kent, and her six children: Donald Kent (Shanelle) of Chandler, Arizona, Sue Thompson (Albert) of Ormond Beach, John Kent (Sherry) of Deltona, Julie Finch (Adam) of St.

Mary’s, Georgia, Troy Kent (Heather) of Ormond Beach, and Jeanne Neat (Jason) of Ormond Beach. In addition to her children, she also found great joy in her 14 grandchildren, who lovingly called her “Nana Bear”. They include Alexandra, Skie, Griffin, Noah, Emma, Jessica, Jennifer, Jenna, Zach, Gabby, Wyatt, Camryn and Adyson. As her family continues to grow, she also leaves behind 7 great-grandchildren that include Everett, Kaiden, Lillian, Theodore, Hudson, Truett and Stella. Johnette is also survived by her two sisters; Stephanie Baker of Leesburg, Fl. and Georgia Smith of Texas, several nieces and nephews, and her two best friends; Charlie Harkness and Nancy Redmond. Johnette was adored and loved by her family and will be missed greatly. A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Most of the players play with the team for five or six years. A program like OBPAL wouldn’t work without having parents on board, Stokes said. He’s been coaching the team for about 25 years. Established in 1996, OBPAL aims to encourage positive relationships between the police department, local youth and the community through sports and academic programs.

For Stokes, mentorship means guidance. It’s being a “substitute parent” when the parents are not around — because it takes a village to raise a child, said Stokes, who is a retired Ormond

Beach Police officer and former school resource officer for Ormond Beach Middle School.

“We have to build a bridge, win their confidence, to the point that we become their confidant,” Stokes said.

When you build a rapport, the kids are more open to sharing things that will help the coaches in guiding them, Jenkins said. Some of their players go through things most people wouldn’t be able to imagine, he added;.

Their mission is to help these boys keep “on the straight and narrow,” Jenkins said.

“Around every corner there can be trouble, and what we do is try have conversations

to let them know what’s coming, because we already know — we’ve been there done that,” Jenkins said. “... That’s the main thing, just help them grow up to be productive in society.”

SAVING LIVES When the boys are under their care, they’re their fathers, Johnson said.

That may mean making sure they have the proper gear to play – shoes, socks, whatever they need. The coaches pay for it out of their own pockets.

“None of us are rich,” Jenkins said. “But we’ve been down that road, so we understand not having.”

The coaches don’t have to worry about funding for the program. In 2023, local developer Paul Holub pledged an annual $30,000 donation to the organization for the next 20 years. This covers the team’s expenditures, from hotel rooms and transportation when traveling to away games, to taking the boys out to dinner.

The only thing the coaches want is for the boys to be successful, Stokes said. That may mean attending college or getting a good paying job.

“That’s our reward,” Stokes said. “We look back, ‘Okay, I had a hand in that kid’s life.’ Whether you’re digging ditches or whether you’re in the NBA or NFL, it doesn’t matter as long as you’re doing the right thing.”

Through the years, players have gone on to play football or basketball at the university level. Some have reached the NBA.

When the kids make their school’s basketball teams in high school, the coaches try to be at their games.

Johnson said his wife used to tell him that if he could save one kid every season, he’s doing a great job.

“She said, ‘You’re not going to be able to save them all, but do the best you can and save as many as you can,” Johnson said.

They coach and mentor the boys that come through the doors of SONC because they care, Jenkins said.

“We want the kids to thrive,” he said. “We don’t care — race, creed or color — when you come in those doors, we take care of you.”

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The OBPAL Bruins 14U team won the state PAL tournament in March. Courtesy photo

Coaches Steafon Jenkins, James “Pepper” Johnson and Greg Stokes. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Three City Commissioners reelected

City Commissioners

Lori Tolland, Travis Sargent and Harold Briley will serve a second two-year term.

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

Three Ormond Beach City Commission incumbents have been reelected without opposition.

City Commissioners Lori Tolland, Travis Sargent and Harold Briley — who represent Zone 1, 2 and 4, respectively — were reelected on Friday, June 14, after no other candidates filed for their seats by the end of the 2024 elections qualifying period. They will all serve a second two-year term on the commission, as they were all first elected in 2022.

Tolland, a local registered nurse, said she’s enjoyed serving the citizens on the commission and looks forward to a doing so for another term.

“I’ve been very grateful for the last two years working with the present commission,” Tolland said. “I think we’ve done a lot of good work and we have a lot of good work ahead us.”

Some of the issues she’s looking to continue to advocate for in her next term include native plants to

address sustainability and resilience, water quality improvements, particularly concerning decreasing effluent into the Halifax River, and continuing to fight the proposed fuel terminal at 874 Hull Road.

She congratulated Sargent and Briley for their reelection and said that the fact all three ran unopposed is a sign they have the trust of the community.

“I’d like to think that just means it’s a vote of confidence in the work that we’re doing,” Tolland said.

Sargent, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, has worked in insurance for over two decades. In a statement to the Observer, Sargent said he’s “honored to be a voice for the residents in Zone 2.”

“It’s a great day for Ormond Beach residents and businesses because they have the assurance today that a majority of the commission will be back for an encore the next two years,” Sargent said. “The attentive, responsive policy that this commission has done will continue and I think that’s a very positive day for our city.”

Briley, who works as a real estate agent for Realty Pros Assured, thanked residents for their support.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to serve as City Commissioner in Ormond Beach, and

in Zone 4,” Briley said. “It’s very rewarding.”

He’s looking forward to continue some of the ongoing city projects and initiatives, as well as continue to advocate against the construction of the fuel farm. One of the past initiatives he’s proud of is the creation of a Citizens Academy, which celebrated the graduation of its first class last month.

Briley said continuing to address concerns over development pressures is also on the to-do list for the next term.

“How we address that will certainly be a challenge for this upcoming commission, but I think working together, we can solve a lot of things,” Briley said.

Two Ormond Beach City Commission races will be decided by voters this season: The mayoral race and the Zone 3 race.

Running for mayor are Susan Persis, who currently represents Zone 3 on the City Commission, and local businessman Jason Leslie.

The Zone 3 seat has three candidates: Barbara Bonarrigo, a local manufacturing company CEO; Kristin Deaton, a sales manager with Guild Morgage; and Daniel Dragone, a new candidate who filed to run on Monday, June 10. They will head to the primary election on Aug. 20.

County Councilman Troy Kent is reelected

Troy Kent, who represents District 4, will serve on the County Council for a four-year term.

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

Volusia County Councilman

Troy Kent has been reelected. With no candidate having filed to run against him by the end of the qualifying period for the 2024 elections on Friday, June 14, Kent will continue to serve as the District 4 representative on the council for a four-year term. Kent, who filed to run in January, was first elected in 2022 for a two-year term.

“I am humbled and I feel honored that the residents in District 4 have given me another opportunity to be their voice on the County

Council,” Kent said. “Being a public servant is extremely rewarding for me.”

Kent said he’s just as excited today as he was when he first took office two years ago, and he looks forward to continuing to “give Volusia County back to the residents” — giving residents areas to legally bring dogs on the beach, like he did in Ormond, increasing the utilization of the Ocean Center for events like concerts or comedy shows and figuring out ways eliminate existing toll costs for residents who want to drive on the beach.

One of his top goals for the next term is to ensure needed infrastructure is in place where growth and development are proposed. LPGA Boulevard, he said, is an example of a road where development was allowed without having infrastructure to support it.

“It has created traffic nightmares and somebody has to say, ‘Enough is enough

until the infrastructure is in place,’” Kent said. “... My job as a County Councilman and the vice chairman is to make people’s lives better in Volusia County, not worse.” Regarding the proposed fuel terminal by Belvedere Terminals at 874 Hull Road, Kent said he’s thankful for the help of Florida Rep. Tom Leek, Rep. Chase Tramont, Sen. Tom Wright and Sen. Travis Hudson for their help in securing $10 million in state funds that could help to relocate the project.

“We need to use that money to relocate where this fuel terminal would go, and then Volusia County Council needs to clean up what our zonings will allow so that we do not allow nonsense like that to ever pop up in an area next to neighborhoods and recreation,” Kent said. “We have to take the lead as the Volusia County Council and fix this problem.”

Daniel Dragone runs for City Commission

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

A third candidate has entered the Ormond Beach City Commission Zone 3 race.

Business owner Daniel Dragone filed to run for the open seat on Monday, June 10. Dragone, who owns a local pool cleaning company, has lived in Ormond Beach for 30 years and said he decided to run because he wishes to make a change on how the city develops.

“Between the fuel depot and the Tomoka Oaks golf course, I think overdevelopment will destroy our city ad that’s what

I’m running to stop,” Dragone said. “That’s my platform.”

Dragone previously ran for City Commission in 2014 to represent Zone 2. His wife, Sandy Kauffman, also ran to represent Zone 3 in 2018.

Dragone said he decided to run a few weeks ago and said he is almost a “one-issue voter, one-issue candidate.” That issue being overdevelopment.

“I’m only passing through this world,” he said. “I’m only passing through this town — I have to leave something better for the future. That’s how I really feel. I’m very passionate about this.”

Dragone is a member of

City Commissioners Lori Tolland, Travis Sargent and Harold Briley have been reelected. Courtesy photos

the Ormond Beach Historical Society, Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce and Ormond MainStreet. He also serves on three of the homeowners associations that are part of The Trails, including as a director on the main HOA for the subdivision.

Daniel Dragone.Courtesy photo

FCSO honors employees, partners, citizens at 2024 first quarter award ceremony

The 15 Life Saving Award recipients included a Flagler citizen who saved a newborn’s life.

OBSERVER STAFF

Employees who providing life-saving CPR, rescued a missing person hiding under a dock, and solved lengthy investigations are among those who were honored during the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office’s 2024 First Quarter Awards Ceremony, held on June 17 at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Operations Center.

“All of our employees that were honored today went above and beyond the call of duty and I was honored to recognize them,” Sherif Rick Staly said.

One Life Saving Award was given to Communications Specialist Lucas Santos for saving a man by providing CPR directions over a 911 call.

COPS CORNER

In December 2023, Santos answered a 911 call about a woman’s husband who was not breathing. For seven minutes, Santos walked the caller through CPR compressions until emergency services arrived on scene. EMS arrived and took the man to the hospital, leaving his status unclear, the press release said.

In February, the patient made a surprise visit to the FCSO Communications Center to thank Santos. Dan, the patient, and his wife Carol told Santos that Dan would not be alive if CPR had not been started as quickly as it was.

Dan and his family attended the award ceremony on June 17.

Flagler County resident Love McLaury was the only citizen given a Life Saving Award at this ceremony. McLaury saved a newborn baby’s life by giving CPR to an infant she noticed was not breathing. After calling 911, McLaury began giving CPR under the direction of a dispatcher and continued to do so until emergency services arrived.

The officers soon discovered he had an open warrant for his arrest on a fraud charge out of Georgia.

Police knocked on the door for the home, but no one answered. There was a lot of blood in the backyard, according to the police report. Police noted that the broken window was very small and no one would be able to fit through it, nor gain access to a locked door.

The man was taken to jail.

on the scene, they found a 40-year-old Ormond Beach man with his shorts falling down and blood running down his right arm.

The man told him that two people had been chasing him, according to a police report, and that he decided to hop a residential fence and knock on a window to try to get the homeowner’s attention.

He said he broke the window in the process, and that he then fell in the pool in the backyard. When he got out, he took off his shoes so no one would hear him moving around, he told police.

JUNE 8

CAMP DISPERSED

2:39 p.m. — 600 block of South Yonge Street, Ormond Beach Trespassers. Transients in the woods? Open flames and prostitutes?

Police walked into a wooded area after receiving a call about the presence of a homeless camp, according to a police report. The officers did find transients, but no prostitutes or non-cooking flames.

Each of the transients were trespassed from the property and

LIFE SAVING AWARDS

„ Communications Specialist Lucas

Santos

„ Cmdr. Glenn Davis Jr.

„ Deputy First Class Laura Jenkins,

„ Deputy Caleb Tassy

„ Deputy Lauren Liptak

„ Deputy Cameron Punsky

„ Communications Specialist

Whitney Zuazua

„ Deputy Aaron Clay

„ Deputy Hayleigh Prentiss

„ Detective Bryan Denker

„ Lt. Dan Driscoll

„ Firefighter Joshua Gilliam

„ Citizen Love McLaury.

UNIT CITATIONS

Two groups received Unit Citation awards.

„ Cmdr. Scott Vedder, Sgt. Paul DeSousa, Cpl. Adam Barkoskie, Master Deputy Marcus Dawson and Deputies Marx Rexford and Ardit Coma.

„ Sgt. Jacob West, Cpl. Troy Cavas, Cpl. Joseph Barnett, Master Deputy

given one day to collect all their belongings from the camp, which the report states was longstanding.

The officers took photos and submitted them to the city’s Neighborhood Improvement Division.

ORDER UP

4:05 p.m — State Road 100 and Old Kings Road, Flagler County Possession. An Orlando woman caught napping in a fast food restaurant’s parking lot was found with three prescription bottles that did not belong to her.

An employee called Sheriff’s Office deputies when they noticed a car parked in a mobile order spot for close to an hour, according to a press release. The black BMW was running but no one had gone in or out of the car.

When deputies arrived on scene, they found a woman sleeping behind the wheel of the car with a prescription pill bottle in the passenger seat. Deputies woke her up and she told them she was headed out of state

Jeff Turner, Deputy First Class Philip Kotowski and Deputies Kyle Somers, Matthew Mortimer, Cameron Punsky, and Kayleigh Perkins.

CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION

„ Cmdr. Jonathan Dopp

„ Sgt. Franklin Gamarra

„ Deputy Dominic Quintieri

„ Sgt. David Edmonds

„ Deputy Kayleigh Perkins

„ Master Detective Daniel LaVerne

„ Master Detective James Crosbee

„ Detective First Class Kathryn Gordon.

EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH

„ January: Deputy Cameron Punsky

„ February: Communications Specialist Lucas Santos

„ March: Detective First Class Kathryn Gordon.

YEARS OF SERVICE

„ 5 years: CCTV Operator Andrew Crowley, Detention Deputy Douglas Evans, crossing guard Lisa Hanson, Detective Stacy Kusek, Deputy

and had pulled over to rest, the report said.

The pill bottle was for Gabapentin and was prescribed to a man; when deputies asked her about it, she said it was her father’s that he left in her car.

After searching her car, deputies found two more prescription bottles, but for methadone and prescribed to the woman’s sister.

The woman was placed under arrest for possession of a controlled substance.

JUNE 15 UNDERDRESSED

10:56 p.m. — first block of Beacon Mill Lane, Palm Coast Battery on law enforcement. A naked Palm Coast couple was arrested in their home after they hit several Sheriff’s Office deputies.

Michael Lane, public service officer Kenneth LaVerne, Detention Deputy Abd Lulu, Deputy Christopher Nguyen and Deputy Jonathan Schmidt

„ 20 years: Cmdr. Glenn Davis Jr., records clerk Mera Kozlenko, Sgt. Chris Ragazzo, Cmdr. Scott Vedder and Cmdr. Bernard Woodward

„ 35 years: records clerk Sandra Terrell

2023 PERSONS OF THE YEAR AWARDS

„ Detention Deputy of the Year: Cpl. Peter Descartes

„ Law Enforcement Deputy of the Year: Deputy First Class Jennifer Prevatt

„ Professional Support Staff of the Year: Communications Specialist First Class Megan Burton

„ Volunteer of the Year: Citizen Observer Patrol Chief Roberson Brown Jr.

„ Citizen of the Year: Carol Nitopi

„ Kiwanis Law Enforcement Officer of the Year: Cpl. Peter Descartes.

and hung up immediately.

When deputies knocked on the home’s door, a drunk woman who was not wearing pants answered the door, according to an arrest report. She said she was the one who called, but would not explain what happened or why she had called.

The woman was yelling at the officers when a man, the woman’s husband, walked out of a back room, completely naked, the report said. The man and woman then began to tell the officers to leave, the report said. The woman joined in, but kept trying to get her husband to go back to the bedroom. When an officer attempted to keep her from shutting the bedroom door, she slapped his arm away.

The woman was arrested for battery on an officer.

When she was placed in handcuffs, the man tried to pull her away from the officers and began fighting with them. He was also placed under arrest.

The deputies arrived at the home because they had received a suspicious call from a woman who said she was hiding in the home’s closet.

The woman did not give her name

$10 million of state funds may help relocate Ormond fuel farm

Volusia County plans to apply for the funding — but only if Belvedere Terminals is open to moving the project from 874 Hull Road.

ALMENAS

JARLEENE

MANAGING EDITOR

Volusia County is hoping that $10 million of state funds allocated to the Florida Department of Commerce will help relocate Belvedere Terminals’ proposed fuel farm at 874 Hull Road near the city of Ormond Beach.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the “Focus on Florida” 2024-2025 budget on Wednesday, June 12. The budget totals $116.5 billion. The budget, according to a press release, prioritizes tax relief for citizens, the state’s education system, law enforcement, disaster preparedness, economic development and environmental conservation.

“This budget delivers historic support for education, infrastructure, and conservation, yet spends less than the year before and includes major tax relief,” DeSantis said in a press release.

Volusia County stated in its own press release that the $10 million of funding “could potentially fund the relocation of a fuel storage and distribution terminal currently proposed to be located in Ormond Beach to a more appropriate site in Volusia, Brevard, or Flagler County. ... Volusia County will only apply for the funding if the applicant cooperates in relocating the terminal to an alternate location.”

“Volusia County is grateful to the governor, the state Legislature, and the Volusia County Legislative Delegation for responding to our request for funding and their support in helping to solve the community’s concern and potentially relocate the fuel terminal to a more suitable location,” County Manager George Reck-

tenwald said.

Belvedere plans to build a fuel terminal at 874 Hull Road consisting of three tanks with about 300,000 barrels of fuel storage on site, or about 12.6 million gallons.

Citizens have been pushing back against the proposed fuel terminal since becoming aware of it in August 2023. They have cited concerns surrounding safety, quality of life and the environment, due to the proposed location’s proximity to local neighborhoods, the city’s municipal airport and the Ormond Beach Sports Complex.

The state budget also allocated $2.1 million to Volusia County for the expansion of its emergency operations center in Daytona Beach. The expanded area, the county stated, will function as a dual-purpose saferoom during emergencies and a training area during non-emergency periods. The facility will be enhanced to include bunk space for 70 people and equipped with necessary restroom facilities.

DESANTIS ON HIS VETOES

DeSantis vetoed almost $1 billion in projects previously included in the budget.

In his veto letter, the governor said the budget reflected less overall spending for the upcoming fiscal year, “emphasizing the fiscal soundness and security of Florida under my leadership.”

“We’re making big investments in our future while spending less of our taxpayer’s money to maintain our state’s strong financial standing and robust economy,” he wrote.

Pace Center for Girls’ $2.5 million request tabled

The Volusia County Council is unsure about helping the school fund its new $6.2 million building.

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

A $2.5 million funding request by the Pace Center for Girls in Ormond Beach was tabled by the Volusia County Council at its meeting on Tuesday, June 18, with councilmen directing staff to bring back more information.

Pace helps girls in need in Volusia and Flagler counties to obtain an education while providing mental health support, life skills training and career and college preparation. But the school, located at 208 Central Ave., has outgrown its building, said Tekoa Pouerie, vice president of resource development for the Pace Center for Girls.

“Our Pace Volusia center is in a building that is 100 years old,” Pouerie said. “We are grateful to be in the building for as long as we have, but it is not conducive to where we want to take our girls, even from a technology perspective. We can’t upgrade the technology for what our girls need. It does not have the space — because currently, on any given time, we have about 20 girls wanting to enter Pace and we don’t have the capacity or the space.”

Pace, Pouerie said, has been able to break ground on what will become a 12,000 square-foot facility in Ormond Beach, slated to open in 2026. It will cost Pace $6.2 million.

“We know that here in Volusia County, there are more girls that need this work,” Pouerie said. “There’s more girls that need the mental counseling and the services that we provide.”

Pace has received $2.25 million from the state for the project, and is expecting about $300,000 in an in-kind contribution from Volusia County Schools.

Pace is still negotiating with the city of Ormond Beach for support,

Pouerie said.

If the Volusia County Council approves the donation to Pace, $2 million will come from the county’s remaining American Rescue Plan Act dollars — funds originally set aside for a stormwater runoff project at the Volusia County landfill. The remaining $500,000 would come from Community Development Block Grant Program funds.

Volusia County Councilman Troy Kent, who asked for the item to be placed on the agenda in April, said he did so after he was approached by Maryam Ghyabi-White, a local transportation consultant who serves on the Pace Center for Girls Board of Trustees. But he said he was uncomfortable with being asked to contribute more toward the project than the state and the Volusia County School Board — both of which have bigger budgets than the county.

“You hear ARPA funds are federal funds, but guess what? They’re still taxpayer dollars,” Kent said. “I always need a good answer for my constituents ... and I don’t have a good answer on why Volusia County is going to pay more than the state of Florida for the building.”

About 97% of the girls who attend Pace Volusia-Flagler reside in Volusia County, with the majority residing in the zip codes of 32114 and 32117, both of which are part of Daytona Beach.

County Councilman Danny Robins asked if Pace had approached

Daytona Beach for a partnership; Pouerie said no, but that Pace is in the process of speaking with Flagler County as well.

Councilmen also had questions about the salary for Pace’s CEO and asked leadership if they had explored becoming a public charter school. Pouerie said Pace would not be able to become a charter school without altering its program.

Some of their students, she said, have come to Pace after failing from charter schools.

Ghyabi-White said the funding request is not one that is coming out of the blue; she had invited each of them to see the existing building’s condition. The staff and Pace board have been working for months to compile data to be eligible for funds.

“We will come back ... because I won’t give up,” Ghyabi-White said.

“But the way you’re looking at it is just wrong, and you will have to live with your conscience, because you know what? Our roof might fall.”

Councilman Matt Reinhart said he’s seen the building — and the gymnasium where the students were displaced into. Neither are safe, he said.

“I think that these young ladies and the return of investment with these young ladies and providing them a safe structure, or at least assisting in helping them keep them safe — this building does that,” Reinhart said.

The Pace Center for Girls Volusia-Flagler is located at 208 Central Ave., formerly home to Rigby Elementary, which used to be Ormond Beach’s school for Black students. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

BRIEFS

Kemp’s ridley sea turtle returns to Volusia nest

A Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, the rarest and smallest of the sea turtle species, was observed nesting in Ponce Inlet on Monday, June 10. This turtle, first tagged in 2005 by the Marine Science Center, has returned to Volusia County to nest eight times since then. She laid her first clutch of eggs this season in Ponce Inlet a few weeks ago.

Kemp’s ridley turtles are unique among Florida’s sea turtles because they usually nest during daylight hours. They primarily breed in Mexico, making their nesting in Florida a rare occurrence. Since 1996, only 26 Kemp’s ridley nests have been recorded in Volusia County. This season, the county hosts four of these nests — three in Ponce Inlet and one in

New Smyrna Beach, matching record counts from 2017 and 2023. Across the state, only 13, including the four in Volusia County, Kemp’s ridley nests have been recorded as of May 31.

Overall, 283 sea turtle nests have been recorded in Volusia County this year, including four Kemp’s ridley, six leatherback, one green and 272 loggerhead nests. Hatchlings are expected to start emerging in the coming weeks.

Beachgoers should flatten sandcastles, fill in holes, and remove chairs and equipment at the end of the day to avoid obstructing nesting and hatchling sea turtles. Beachfront lighting poses a threat by deterring nesting females and disorienting hatchlings, drawing them toward danger instead of the ocean. Residents can help by redirecting lights away from the beach and turning them off when not in use, allowing natural moonlight and starlight to guide the turtles.

The sea turtle nesting season extends from May 1 through Oct. 31. For more information on Volusia County’s sea turtle protection efforts or how to implement turtlefriendly lighting, call 386-2384773. Additional details are available at www.volusiaseaturtles.org.

Ormond Beach mother-son duo helps with free sports physicals

Ormond Beach resident Jill Piazza never gave much thought to the sports physicals she took her children to each year.

“My kids are healthy, and I went into the screenings thinking we were just checking a box,” said Piazza, who has two sons.

In 2021, she took her son Ethan to AdventHealth’s annual free sports physical event at the Daytona International Speedway. The free

physical also included an optional cardiac screening.

The screening revealed the Seabreeze High School soccer player had a congenital heart condition called WolffParkinson White syndrome.

“The diagnosis was just a big shock, especially since I had been playing sports for so long,” Ethan said.

After undergoing treatment, Ethan returned to life as normal and is now an undergraduate student at the University of Central Florida.

“Unfortunately, other families have had children with undiagnosed heart conditions that had tragic outcomes because they didn’t know about their condition,” Piazza said. “As I learned about what could have happened to us, it became personally important to me to give back.”

Piazza and Ethan were among the 500 volunteers who helped AdventHealth perform nearly 1,800 free sports physicals for Volusia County and Flagler County

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

Beachwalk home is Flagler County’s top sale

Ahouse at 12 Moana Court E. in the Beachwalk subdivision was the top real estate transaction for April 25 through May 1 in Palm Coast and Flagler County. The house sold on April 26 for $614,900. Built in 2023, the house is a 3/3, and 2,600 square feet.

GRANT MCMILLAN

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

PALM COAST

Beachwalk

The home at 45 Moana Court S. sold on April 30 for $544,990. Built in 2023, the house is a 3/3 and has 2,676 square feet.

Belle Terre

The home at 124 Persimmon Drive sold on April 30 for $323,990. Built in 2024, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,552 square feet.

Indian Trails The home at 40 Briarvue Lane sold on April 26 for $296,990. Built in 2023, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,272 square feet.

Lehigh Woods

The home at 15 Ripcord Lane sold on April 29 for $320,990. Built in 2024, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,862 square feet.

Matanzas Lakes

The house at 17 Tideway Trail sold on April 26 for $408,900. Built in 2023, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,813 square feet.

No subdivision The home at 22 Seminole Ave. sold on April 30 for $500,000. Built in 2023, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,509 square feet.

Pine Grove

The home at 36 Pineapple Drive sold on April 26 for $315,990. Built in 2023, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,862 square feet.

Pine Lakes

The home at 28 Westgrill Drive sold on April 29 for $314,990. Built in 2023, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,862 square feet.

Reverie at Palm Coast The home at 16 Jackson Blue Place sold on April 26 for $461,191. Built in 2023, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,967 square feet.

Sawmill Branch

The home at 41 Lumber Jack Trail sold on April 30 for $359,098. Built in 2023, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,044 square feet.

The home at 28 Hulett Woods Road sold on April 30 for $329,990. Built in 2023,

the house is a 4/2 and has 2,147 square feet.

The home at 13 W. Sawmill Court sold on April 29 for $371,440. Built in 2023, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,988 square feet.

Seminole Woods

.The home at 137 Pine Grove Drive sold on April 30 for $309,900. Built in 2024, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,270 square feet.

The house at 70 Sloganeer Trail sold on April 26 for $322,900. Built in 2024, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,500 square feet.

Whiteview Village The home at 8 Waverly Lane sold on April 25 for $320,000. Built in 2023, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,618 square feet.

BUNNELL

Daytona North

The home at 1322 Sherwood St. sold on May 1 for $328,000. Built in 2022, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,373 square feet.

Grand Reserve

The home at 52 Bogey place sold on April 30 for $305,990. Built in 2024, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,655 square feet.

The home at 7 Caddy Court sold on April 26 for $299,990. Built in 2023, the house is a 3/2, and has 1,655 square feet.

Toby Tobin, of gotoby.com, contributed to this report.

student athletes, JROTC cadets, fire academy students, and band members in April and May.

Every year since Ethan’s diagnosis, his mother has volunteered at AdventHealth’s annual event. And after Ethan’s recovery, he joined his mother and began volunteering too.

“I plan on continuing to pay it forward and give back,” Ethan said. “The screenings are a 10-minute process and it’s a potential lifesaving procedure.”

Across both counties, nearly 50 students were flagged for follow-up cardiac care this year. Of those, five needed immediate follow-up care.

“This is a powerful reminder of why we do this every year,” said Erik Nason, AdventHealth manager of sports medicine and partnerships. “While five students out of 1,800 might seem like a small number, it is important to keep in mind that this number represents five local lives.

Pool home tops Ormond Beach’s sales list

Ahouse at 200 Royal Dunes Circle was the top real estate transaction for May 5-11 in Ormond Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea.

The house sold on May 6 for $740,000. Built in 1963, the house is a 4/3 and has a pool and 1,967 square feet. It sold in 2015 for $332,000.

GRANT MCMILLAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

ORMOND BEACH

Halifax Plantation

The house at 3105 Bailey Ann Drive sold on May 7 for $420,000. Built in 2017, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,695 square feet. It sold in 2017 for $271,400.

The home at 1333 Cork Drive sold on May 10 for $359,240. Built in 2024, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,614 square feet.

The house at 2884 Monaghan Drive, sold on May 10 for $440,000. Built in 2022, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,839 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $406,500.

Hidden Trails

The house at 45 Bramblewood Lane sold on May 8 for $460,000. Built in 1977, the house is a 3/2 and has one fireplace and 1,732 square feet. It sold in 2019 for $259,900.

Hunter’s Ridge

The house at 36 Meadow Ridge View sold on May 9 for $343,000. Built in 1993, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,815

square feet. It sold in 2000 for $128,000.

Ormond Lakes The house at 15 Deerskin Lane sold on May 9 for $485,000. Built in 1998, the house is a 4/2 and has a pool and 2,391 square feet. It sold in 2019 for $323,500.

Park Place

The townhome at 37 Park Place sold on May 10 for $268,900. Built in 1981, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,436 square feet. It sold in 2012 for $60,000.

Rio Vista The house at 926 S. Beach St. sold on May 7 for $545,000. Built in 1958, the house is a 3/2 and has one fireplace and 1,876 square feet. It sold in 2017 for $340,000.

Silver Pines

The house at 1749 Valencia Ave. sold on May 10 for $282,500. Built in 1971, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,179 square feet. It sold in 2009 for $89,000.

The Trails The house at 146 Pine Cone Trail sold on May 8 for

Identifying potential health issues like this early on can lead to timely interventions, which can truly save lives. Jill and Ethan’s experience is a testament to the immense impact of these annual screenings and serves as an example of why we are committed to this effort year in and year out.”

Goodwill opens Donation Xpress center in Ormond

Goodwill Industries of Central Florida has opened a Donation Xpress in Ormond Beach at 1425 W. Granada Blvd. The company also opened a location in Orlando in early June, and according to a press release, both donation centers will add “just over a half-dozen jobs to the local workforce and provide a more convenient way to drop off gently used items.” Employees will meet people at their vehicle to pick up donations, which will be sold at Goodwill retail stores in Orange, Volu-

$200,000. Built in 1977, the house is a 2/2.5 and has one fireplace and 1,664 square feet. It sold in 2005 for $180,000.

Tomoka Estates The house at 1036 Shockney Drive sold on May 8 for $435,000. Built in 1964, the house is a 3/1.5 and has a boat dock, a boat lift and 1,124 square feet. It sold in 2019 for $232,000.

Tomoka Oaks The house at 57 S. St. Andrews Drive sold on May 8 for $620,000. Built in 1968, the house is a 5/4 and has one fireplace, a pool and 4,310 square feet. It sold in 2018 for $400,000.

ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA

Seabridge South The home at 47 Seagull Drive sold on May 8 for $680,000. Built in 1984, the house is a 3/2 and has one fireplace and 1,571 square feet. It sold in 2023 for $635,000.

The home at 2860 Ocean Shore Blvd. sold on May 10 for $343,000. Built in 1990, the house is a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, no fireplace and 1,056 square feet. It sold in 2017 for $210,000.

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

PALM COAST

ORMOND BEACH

The house has 1,967 square feet. Photo courtesy of Katie Brousse/Realty Pros Assured

CareNeeds Platinum (HMO D-SNP): These plans are available to anyone receiving both Medicare and Medicaid: Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMB/QMB+), Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries (SLMB/SLMB+), Qualifying Individuals (QI), Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI) and other Full Benefit Dual Eligibles (FBDE). Sponsored by CarePlus Health Plans, Inc. and the State of Florida, Agency for Health Care Administration. Important: At CarePlus, it is important you are treated fairly. CarePlus Health Plans, Inc. complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, disability, age, marital status, religion, or language in their programs and activities, including in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, their programs and activities. The following department has been designated to handle inquiries regarding CarePlus’ non-discrimination policies: Member Services, PO Box 277810, Miramar, FL 33027, 1-800-794-5907 (TTY: 711). Auxiliary aids and services, free of charge, are available to you. 1-800-794-5907 (TTY: 711). CarePlus provides free auxiliary aids and services, such as qualified sign language interpreters, video remote interpretation, and written information in other formats to people with disabilities when such auxiliary aids and services are necessary to ensure an equal opportunity to participate. This information is available for free in other languages. Please call our Member Services number at 1-800-794-5907. Hours of operation: October 1 - March 31, 7 days a week, 8 a.m.

LETTERS

Density versus road concerns

Editor:

Dear

The June 6 Observer included an article highlighting deadly traffic statistics compiled by Smart Growth America, which publishes the report “Dangerous by Design” ranking 101 metro areas regarding pedestrian deaths. In 2022, our metro area (Ormond Beach-Daytona Beach-Deltona) ranked as the number one most deadly in the U.S. for pedestrian fatalities. Their 2024 report has us tied for fifth place. Fortunately, Ormond Beach is aware of our dangerous roads. As Mayor Bill Partington acknowledged in the Observer’s article, the Florida Department of Transpor-

tation recently completed several pedestrian safety projects and will be implementing more. One project, still in the design stage, is safety improvements for Nova between Granada and U.S. 1. My neighborhood, Tomoka Oaks, will be directly impacted since our neighborhood’s primary entrance intersects with Nova at the area under review. I initially found out about this Nova Road safety project from our Zone 3 Commissioner Susan Persis when seeking her input for the April 2023 issue of the Tomoka Oaks Times newsletter. The April newsletter focused on how the proposed Tomoka Reserve residential development of the Tomoka Oaks golf course property presents traffic safety issues for our neighborhood. It detailed multiple Nova fatalities and provided testimony from homeowners regarding legitimate

Make yourself at home

traffic concerns if a new neighborhood is developed within the center of Tomoka Oaks. Commissioner Persis provided information regarding the “Nova Road Project Visioning Team” partnering with FDOT to address Nova’s dangerous traffic hazards between Granada and U.S. 1. This further validated that Nova is deadly in its current configuration. And now there is the potential for multiple traffic sources to converge on Nova during the same timeframe: Tomoka Oaks and Escondido Condo vehicles, Nova Road improvement construction trucks, and Tomoka Reserve new home construction trucks and equipment if any development is approved.

In 2006 the city approved a Planned Residential Development limiting residential density on the golf course property to 119

multifamily units and three estate homes while preserving the golf course green space in perpetuity. Comparing 2006 traffic needs to today’s traffic needs is like comparing apples to oranges. And a density acceptable in 2006 may prove too high a density for 2024.

The Ormond Beach mayor and commission recently denied the developer’s application to rezone the golf course property from PRD to R-2 “Single Family Low Density.”

Residents thank our city leaders for their recognition that an R-2 density would have devastating impacts on traffic and pedestrian safety.

CAROLYN DAVIS Ormond Beach

Send letters to Jarleene@observerlocalnews.com

Going yonder makes the heart grow fonder

BRIAN MCMILLAN PUBLISHER

Last week as I attended a wedding in Idaho, I was able to get reacquainted with my youngest niece, Rose, whom I’ve only seen a few times, so far, in the two years since she was born. Wearing a navy blue dress, blond curls dangling to her eyebrows, she sat on her mother’s

YOUR TOWN

Pilot Club of the Halifax Area makes donations to the community

At the the Pilot Club of the Halifax Area’s Officers Installation Ceremony on June 4, the club donated $900 in total to two organizations. According to a press release, the club donated $500 to the Rose Marie Bryon Children’s Center in Daytona Beach. This is a quarterly donation to fund weekend meals for children. The club also donated $400 to the Howard Thurman Home and Museum in Daytona Beach for its children’s summer educational program.

lap during the reception dinner, waiting impatiently for her mother to offer another spoonful of blueberries.

It was not going well. The plastic spoon was much too large for her, and one of the blueberries kept eluding her, so Rose got both hands involved and attempted to doublepalm it toward her mouth. Still, the blueberry rolled off the table and plopped onto the floor.

I remembered my own experiences in the past, being on the other side of that spoon, getting more and more frustrated by my own children’s unsuccessful attempts to eat food without making a ridiculous mess. The more baby food that ended on up on their cheeks and in

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 44 to hold Vessel Safety Check

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 44, in coordination with Tomoka Boat Club and Marina, will host a Vessel Safety Check on June 22.

To be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1001 N. U.S. 1, the event aims to kick off the boating season safely. Enjoy a courtesy Vessel Safety Check, along with food and beverages available for purchase. Bring your trailered boat or drive it up to the marina. Bring your boat registration. Any equipment needed to pass — such as lines, flares, personal flotation devices, fire extinguishers and more — will be available for purchase. Make a VSC reservation at the Tomoka Boat Club Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ share/p/Ci5z1ji6NZx1fiVq/.

their hair, the faster I wanted dinner to be over.

Not to mention the diapers and the tantrums. Being a parent of small children can be thankless and exhausting.

So why, when I was watching my sister take care of Rose, was I so mesmerized by those tiny fingers and that determined frown — so much so that I was perfectly willing to accept the mess and the inefficiencies without any annoyance?

Surely, some of my patience was due to my freedom to walk away from the mess; I was just the observant uncle, not the responsible parent.

When I returned home, I tried to be more of an observant uncle

with my 6-year-old son, Luke, rather than a stressed-out parent.

I watched him fail to spread butter on his toast, and I didn’t take away the knife but instead talked him through it.

On Sunday, he handed me a nickel and three pennies.

“Happy Father’s Day,” he said with a proud smile.

“Why did you give Dad 8 cents?” his 9-year-old sister, Kennedy, asked, clearly disapproving.

“It was in one of my pockets,” Luke said. Maybe it was the travel and the time away, making my heart grow fonder. Maybe it was Rose. Whatever it was, I looked at those little faces and felt rich.

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

Marketing Consultant April Koehler, akoehler@observerlocalnews.com

Office Coordinator Kay Raymond, Kay@observerlocalnews.com

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Local philanthropist Preston Root has joined the Million Dollar Roundtable, a global group of philanthropists that have contributed $1 million or more within three years to causes through their local United Way organization. As an advocate for the Community Foundation and United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties, Root’s efforts as a donor, board member and CF division chair “closed gaps and opened opportunities for countless people in our community to achieve success,” a press release stated. Root invested in EDGE (Every Dollar Gets Empowered), which is an endowment supporting CF UWVFC, and committed a legacy gift.

“This community has been so good to my family for more than 75 years; it’s part of our vision to foster sustainable support for the programs and people who need help,” Root said. “The Community Foundation of Volusia-Flagler Counties and our DAF (Donor Advise Fund) help us in our area of passion and assure our mission of supporting endowments is fulfilled. God willing we can keep this tremendous honor going for many years.”

This past year, he has also supported animal welfare, the Indianapolis Motor Sport Hall of Fame and Speedway, and geriatric care through his Donor Advised Fund with CF UWVFC.

“The multiple ways in which Preston invests in the community through CF UWVFC demonstrates his trust in our ability to fulfill his philanthropic vision and we are proud to partner with him,” CF UWVFC Board Chair Nicole Miller said.

During a recent reception honoring Root, guests read table placards highlighting grants he made this year, the press release states.

“This is a milestone moment for our organization and for the communities that are impacted by Preston’s gifts,” said Courtney Edgcomb, president and CEO of CF UWVFC. “Every gift has a personal story, and we are proud to be a part of Preston’s legacy in this community.”

Ormond author to host book signing for debut novel Lions offer free vision, blood sugar screening services for Juneteenth

An Ormond Beach author will host a book signing for her debut novel at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26.

Claudia Chianese, a former college professor, will lead a discussion about becoming a self-published author at the event, to be held at Soraya Café at 156 E. Granada Blvd. Chianese will also read passages from her book and answer questions.

She began writing after reading a notice in a newspaper about a Florida Writers Association meeting that was going to be held at the Daytona Beach Regional Library, according to a press release. Three of her short stories were published in FWA’s anthology collections. Her novel, titled “Morningside Drive,” was released on May 3. It tells the story of Joy Webb Garner, who returns to her childhood home in Daytona Beach after the sudden death of her husband.

She had fled her hometown as a Stetson University freshman who learned she was pregnant and believed her father was a murderer, according to the press release.

“Thirty years later, Joy finds a lot of resentment and slammed doors on her way to uncovering the truth,” the press release states.

At the book signing, there will be homemade quiche and baklava with a choice of hot or cold beverage available for $25. Reservations required. Call Soraya Café at 386265-0137.

“Morningside Drive” is available at most online bookstores including Amazon, Barnes &Noble; and Books-a-Million. It’s also available in Volusia County’s regional libraries of Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach and Port Orange.

Members of the Daytona-Halifax and Ormond Beach Lions Clubs are helping to celebrate Juneteenth by offering free vision and blood sugar screenings, according to a press release. Vision screening is available for ages 2-99 and does’t require drops, nor touching. Blood sugar screenings do not require fasting. Call 863-451-1386.

Laurie Kaye, PCHA president, presents a check to Janet Bryant, executive director of the Rose Marie Bryon Children’s Center.

Ormond Beach author Claudia Chianese will host a book signing for her debut novel at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26.

Nancy Barrett explains blood screening results to a police officer.

Philanthropic Advisor Tiffany Joubert, Preston Root, Lynn Root and Courtney Edgcomb, president and CEO of the Community Foundation and United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties. Courtesy photos

Philanthropist Preston Root has contributed $1 million to local United Way

The

YOUR NEIGHBORS

HULA HOOP AT THE HOP

Fathers and daughters enjoyed a night of ‘50s-themed fun, food and laughter at The Casement Guilds’ Father Daughter Sock Hop.

MICHELE MEYERS

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The Casements was hopping with the sounds of music, dancing and laughter at the second annual fatherdaughter dance on Saturday, June 15.

This year, guests donned their best poodle skirts, saddle shoes and leather jackets in preparation to twist the night away to their 1950s-style favorites. Fathers, grandfathers, guardians, daughters and granddaughters arrived at The Casements, where a red carpet welcomed them toward a classic 1950s Chevrolet automobile. Guests could stop for a photo op or enter the house and get their photos taken with a 360 degree camera. Dinner was served before the dancing commenced and a choice of Hershey’s Ice Cream floats were available throughout the night upon request.

The Casements Guild hosted the dance with support from sponsors Hershey’s Ice Cream, Morejon and Andrews Orthodontics, Ormond Beach MainStreet and Volusia ECHO. DJ Alyssa Engdahl with 103.3

The Vibe provided the music and took requests from any genre.

Siobhan Daly, Ormond Beach Cultural Center coordinator, said this year the ticket sales initially seemed to drag. As they got nearer to the event, sales picked up and they ended up selling six more than last year for a total of 51 tickets.

“We had 70 tickets for sale but I think it’s a perfect crowd,” she said. “They can all dance at the same time and maneuver through the house comfortably.”

Samira Dehili took over the role of special events coordinator from Carlee McKinney, who proposed the idea for a Father’s Day event to the city of Ormond Beach last year. Daly said they toyed with whether or not to continue with the 1920s theme since the house was in its heyday during that era.

“We were trying to think of a different theme and we said that fifties is very fun — the music is fun,” Daly said. “It may be easier for the dads and daughters to come up with an outfit. It’s just a fun theme and I think everyone had fun with it.”

In keeping with the 1950s theme, guests could participate in several contests — the twist, best dancing duo, best dressed and the hula contest. Winners took home familiyoriented gift packages — a dinner for four at Larry’s Giant Subs paired with Tomoka Outpost kayaking, a Blue Springs and DeLeon Springs boat ride combined with a meal at the the Sugar Mill Pancake House and a package from Fern and Fable Books.

Gillian Grimm won the twist and Piper McClafferty was crowned queen hula hooper. The best dancing duo title went to Payton and Anthony Bare while the best dressed award went to Emily and Louis Perry who wore a pompadour for the event.

Lily O’Jibway bought her long blue and pink sequined dress from Ross. She wanted to attend the event to dance with her dad Nick O’Jibway.

“I came here to dance but I mainly came here to be with my daddy,” she said.

“I came here to dance but I mainly came here to be with my daddy.”

Emily and Louis Perry (left), Lorelei DeMay and Johnathon Spoor (center) and Isabelle and Steven Bartolotta pose in front of the 1950s American classic car at the Shake, Rattle and Roll Sock Hop.

Reigning Hula Hoop Queen Piper McClafferty.

Paris and Naim Shahab

Kayden Herring and her dad Casey dance at the Father Daughter Sock Hop hosted by the Casements Guild. Kayden said her favorite part was the spins. Photos by Michele Meyers

Siobhan Daly, the City of Ormond Beach Cultural Center Coordinator, waits for guests to arrive.

Eliana and James Mulcahy pose for a photo op.

Doug and Gillian Grimm grab a photo after Gilliam won the twist contest.

LILY O’JIBWAY, daughter of Nick O’Jibway

LOCAL EVENTS

THURSDAY, JUNE 20

ORMOND BEACH AREA DEMOCRATIC CLUB

MEETING

When: 7 p.m.

Where: 56 N. Halifax Drive, Ormond Beach

Details: Join the Ormond Beach Area Democratic Club for its June meeting. Checkin and socializing will begin at 6:30 p.m. Information and activities for the Aug. 20 and Nov. 5 elections will be presented, discussed and planed. Like-minded non-members are welcome to attend as guests. Visit ormondbeachdems.org.

‘BIRDLAND: COASTAL FLORIDA VIEWS’ OPENING RECEPTION

When: 4-6 p.m.

Where: Ocean Art Gallery, 197 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach

Details: Join Ocean Art Gallery for its mid-month exhibition, “Birdland: Coastal Florida Views,” featuring artists Kenneth Fasnacht, Bibi Gromling, Patricia Conway and Stewart Jones. Light refreshments will be served. Call 386-317-9400.

‘PLANT IT AND THEY WILL COME’ EDUCATION FORUM

When: 5-6 p.m.

Where: Ocean Art Gallery, 197 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach

Details: As part Ocean Art Gallery’s eduction forum, hear Melissa Lammers, of the Halifax River Audubon, speak about what can be done to help bird populations by planting native plants. Free event. Open to the public. Reservations required. Call 386-317-4900.

FRIDAY, JUNE 21

MOONRISE AT THE BEACH When: 8:15-9 p.m.

Where: Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreational Area, 3100 S. Oceanshore Blvd., Flagler Beach

Details: Take in the view of the moon rising over the Atlantic Ocean. Bring binoculars and a camera for photo opportunities. Program included with paid park entry fee of $5 per car.

SATURDAY, JUNE 22

SUMMER BOOK AND BAKE SALE

When: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Where: Flagler County Public Library, 25500 Palm Coast Parkway NW, Palm Coast

Details: The Friends of the Flagler County Public Library are hosting a book and bake sale.

LOW-COST PET SHOT CLINIC

When: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: A Pampered Pooch Groomer, 295 S. Yonge St., Ormond Beach

Details: Get your pet vaccinated at a lower cost. Rabies shots will cost $5 for 1-year vaccinations. Other shots offered include dog distemper/parvo combo, dog flu, cat distemper combo, feline leukemia and more. Heartworm prevention and flea control products will be available for purchase. All vaccinations are administered with a licensed veterinarian. No appointment needed. Clinic is open to everyone. Proceeds benefit abused animals. Call or text 748-8993 or visit spcavolusia. org

REMEMBERING HEROES COUNTRY BBQ

When: 12-4 p.m.

Where: 2K Ranch of Bunnell, 6067 Tangerine Ave., Bunnell

Details: Remembering Heroes and 2K Ranch are hosting a fundraiser to support veterans, first responders, Gold Star military families and local community heroes. There will be food, games, vendors and raffles. Donations of $25 per person re-

quested; children 6 and under are free.

AMERICAN RADIO RELAY

LEAGUE’S ANNUAL

FIELD DAY

When: 2 p.m. Saturday, June 22, to 2 p.m. Sunday, June 23

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

Details: Local Amateur Radio operators will be representing the community in the American Radio Relay League’s annual Field Day. Hams associated with the Flagler Palm Coast Amateur Radio Club, Flagler Emergency Communications Association, and Flagler County ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) will operate multiple Ham Radio stations for 24 hours. The public is welcome to visit. Opportunities will be available to operate radios. Free event.

FLAGLER FREE CLINIC

CASINO NIGHT When: 6:30 p.m.

Where: Italian American Club, 45 Old Kings Road N., Palm Coast

Details: Join the Flagler County Free Clinic for a night of casino games, for entertainment purposes only. The funds raised will benefit the clinic. Tickets cost $100. Visit flaglerfreeclinic.org.

MONDAY, JUNE 24

SCUBA VACATION

BIBLE SCHOOL

When: 9:30 a.m. to noon, Monday June 24, to Friday, June 28

Where: Lighthouse Christ Presbyterian Church, 1035 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond

Beach

Details: Lighthouse Christ Presbyterian Church will host a Scuba-themed vacation Bible school, where kids will participate in Bible-learning activities, sing songs, play games and make crafts. The school is open to children entering kindergarten to graduating fifth graders.

Registration costs $10 per student or $25 for a family, which includes all materials, a T-shirt and snacks. Scholarships are available. Call 386-677-4076 or email aia@ lighthousecpc.org.

BREAKER ROCK BEACH

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

When: 6-9 p.m. Monday, June 24, to Friday, June 28

Where: Flomich Baptist Church, 1305 Flomich St., Holly Hill

Details: Flomich Baptist Church is inviting children from first to 12th grade to attend its annual free vacation Bible school. Visit http://www. flomichbaptist.org/vbs-vacation-bible-school-2024-intro.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26

ALOHA SUMMER LUAU

When: 10 a.m. to noon

Where: Tanger Daytona Beach, 100 Cornerstone Blvd., Daytona Beach

Details: Celebrate the summer season at this luau, presented by Halifax Health. The event will take place next to the splash pad, so bring your swimsuit. There will be face painting, musical entertainment, sand creations, Polynesian dancers, crafts, games and giveaways. Free event.

THURSDAY, JUNE 27

FLAGLER TIGER BAY CLUB 2024 CANDIDATE MEET

AND GREET When: 5-8 p.m.

Where: Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway NE, Palm Coast

Details: Flagler Tiger Bay Club is hosting a candidate meet and greet. Get to know the candidates running for Flagler County’s local races and state representatives. Flagler County Supervisor of Elections Kaiti Lenhart will conduct a straw poll from 6-8 p.m. The results will be announced immediately after the poll closes. Free event.

FRIDAY, JUNE 28

BARBECUE AND JAZZ When: 4-7 p.m.

Where: Palm Coast Community Center, 3005 Palm Coast Parkway NE, Palm Coast

Details: The North East Florida Jazz Association presents this event featuring the Melvin Smith Quartet. Tickets cost $40 for members, $45 for non-member. Visit nefja. org.

ONGOING

BAM SENIOR FITNESS CLASS When: 9:30 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays Where: Palm Coast First Baptist Church, 6050 Palm Coast Parkway NW, Palm Coast Details: Join this Balance and Motion class and develop

strength and endurance, core stability and balance. Taught by senior fitness specialist Artie G, the class is open to all fitness levels and free with most insurances. A donation is accepted for those without coverage. See full schedule at synergyseniorfitness.com or call 386-931-3485.

WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB When: 12:30-2 p.m. every Tuesday Where: Central Baptist Church, 152 Fairview Ave., Daytona Beach Details: Join this book club, which will study “Love Stories of the Bible Speak” by Shannon Bream. The book club will meet in the Marchman Building, room 117. Contact Sylvia Meincke at 386-451-5223.

MOMS OF PRE SCHOOLERS When: 9:30-11:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Friday of the month

Where: Central Baptist Church, 152 Fairview Ave., Daytona Beach Details: Moms of Pre Schoolers is a free faithbased program for moms, moms-to-be and their preschoolers for support and encouragement. Breakfast is provided, as well as a video with discussion and crafts. Playtime offered for children, with adult supervision. Call 386-255-2588.

MOAS EXHIBITIONS

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday Where: Museum of Arts and Sciences, 352 S. Nova Road, Daytona Beach Details: Want to spend a day looking at fine art? The Museum of Arts and Sciences has the following shows on display: “Tide Pools: Exploring Coastal Communities” ; “The Lure of Florida Fishing” ; and “Megalodon: Largest Shark that Ever Lived.”

Art by Bibi Gromling and Ken Fasnacht. Photo courtesy of Ocean Art Gallery Facebook page

Indian Trails Middle School students are Future Problem Solving world champs

Tyson Landon and Project BOSS placed first in their Community Problem

Solving divisions at the international competition.

BRENT WORONOFF

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Two Community Problem Solving projects, each created by Indian Trails Middle School students, have been judged to be the best in the world at the Future Problem Solving Program’s International Conference.

Tyson Landon for his Arrive Alive project and the Project BOSS team of Wesley Kopach, Kendall Willis, Liam O’Connor, Arlo Bottinelli, Jorge Guerrero, Dempsey Manhart and Paris Milton took home firstplace trophies in the Middle Division at the international competition on June 5-9 at Indiana University. Gavin Albertson was also on the Project BOSS team, but did not make the trip to internationals.

Rymfire Elementary School’s Vocab Lab project also won an award. The team of Kenan Davis, Elissa Griffin, Evelyn Sheifer, German Kabaloev and Elisei Volkovskiy placed fourth in the Community Problem Solving Junior Team Division.

Thirty-four students and 14 chaperones and coaches from Flagler County traveled to Bloomington, Indiana, for the competition. All of the Flagler students received invitations to the International Confer-

ence based on their performances at the state competition in April. They were among 1,263 student competitors representing 243 schools from 44 states and 12 countries.

“We had an amazing trip. The campus was beautiful,” said Amy Kopach, Flagler Schools’ instructional technology specialist and an FPS board member and coach. “Other than the official competitions, the students were able to participate in a scavenger hunt around the campus, a variety show, a dance, a memento exchange and many workshops offered by the FPSPI Conference.”

The memento exchange on the first night was a highlight with students from different states and nations trading souvenirs. Florida competitors brought inflatable pink flamingos, Florida flags and other trinkets to trade for mementoes such as a Wisconsin cheese head, a Texas cowboy hat or a toy koala bear from Australia.

“It’s a really cool event,” Kopach said of the exchange. “It’s meant to get the kids engaging with each other and get everyone a little loosened up, talking to each other.”

The Community Problem Solving teams submitted a 5,000-word report, a three-minute video and a visual portfolio. They were interviewed by evaluators and presented their projects during a two-hour showcase with peers and adults walking up to their tables.

“They have people from all over the world — New Zealand, France, Alaska — visiting their tables,” Kopach said.

Project BOSS, which stands for Bring On Student Start-ups, was created by the eight ITMS students to help young students develop an entrepreneurial mindset. They hosted a youth business fair, started an entrepreneurial club for students and applied for and received a grant to buy materials for lessons. They placed first in the CmPS Team Middle Division.

Landon placed first in the Individual Middle Division. His purpose with Arrive Alive is to improve safety measures and knowledge for students walking, biking or riding a bus to school. His presentation to the

Palm Coast City Council prompted the city to install new beacon lights and signs.

“I think in the middle division, there were 18 projects total. So, these two projects were the best out of 18 in the world,” Kopach said.

Vocab Lab instituted theme days with teachers’ support to improve language skills throughout the school. Rymfire has a large number of students who are English Language Learners. By the end of the year, the school improved its English Language Arts test scores significantly.

There were seven other Flagler County teams and individuals competing at internationals.

“We always try to tell the kids that they worked hard for this and their prize is this trip, and it is an amazing experience just being able to see things that they’ve never been able to see before,” Kopach said. “We tell them, if you win and you get something, great, but if you don’t, it’s also OK, because this is stiff competition when you’re competing against the top 12, 16, 18 projects in the entire world.”

FLAGLER COMPETITORS

RYMFIRE ELEMENTARY —

(Coaches, Caryn Taylor and Judy White)

Community Projects: Vocab Lab (fourth place Junior Teams) — Kenan Davis, Elissa Griffin, Evelyn Sheifer, German Kabaloev and Elisei Volkovskiy.

Community Projects: WINS — Jaycob Griffin, Gia Rego, Alijah Pressley.

INDIAN TRAILS MIDDLE SCHOOL — (Coaches Beth Blumengarten and Neil Kopach)

Community Projects: BOSS (first place Middle Teams) — Wesley Kopach, Kendall Willis, Liam O’Connor, Arlo Bottinelli, Jorge Guerrero, Dempsey Manhart and Paris Milton (Gavin Albertson did not make the trip).

Community Projects: Arrive Alive

(first place Middle Individuals) — Tyson Landon.

Global Issues: Bella Glasco, Brenden Scarbough Sanders and Emily Rhee

Multi-affiliate Global issues: Mary Grace Seward

MATANZAS HIGH SCHOOL — (Coach Amy Kopach)

Community Projects: Spill the TEA —Megan Rhee, Lily Lisowski, Brianna O’Malley, Eva Luis and April Goebel (Olivia Chochev did not make the trip).

Community Projects: WON — Tony Pacilli, Landen Cangialosi, Dmytro Savchenko and Carter Ives (Cline Hansen and Will Wells did not make the trip)

Scenario Writing: Ava Muldoon Flagler Palm Coast High School: (Coach Melissa Castaneda) Global Issues: Ava Mello, Arianna Slaughter, Victoria DaSilva Carvalheira and Liam Lafferty.

Flagler Habitat awards scholarships BTMS team competes internationally

The organization distributed over $9,000 in scholarships to three of its Prep Club students.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Flagler Habitat for Humanity gave out over $9,000 in scholarships to its Prep Club students at its June 11 awards ceremony.

The Prep Club has been around since 2019, but has had its largest group of participating students this past school year, Community Outreach Coordinator Maureen Crompton said. In total, 48 children participated in the program in the 2023-2204 school year.

These students, she said, are the children of Flagler’s 131 Habitat for Humanity homes. The club, in conjunction with Intracoastal Bank, provides the students with bank accounts and the students earn money based on their academic performance throughout the year.

“The program was started to teach [kids] financial responsibility, getting good grades, and then giving back to the community,” Crompton said.

At the end of the year, Flagler Habitat for Humanity hosts an award ceremony celebrating the students’ success and awarding scholarships to Prep Club seniors.

Three students won the Prep Club’s scholarships: Flagler Palm Coast High School seniors Aun’Yale Howard and Richard Sligh, and Prep Club alum Gerod Tolbert. Howard and Sligh each won a $500 Coast Title Insurance book scholarship, plus Howard won the $5,000 Nancy Katz Scholarship and Slight the $3,000 Hildegard Lash Foundation Scholarship.

Tolbert, who received the Coast Title Scholarship in 2023, received the $500 Prep Club Alumni Scholarship for continuing his education. The awards ceremony rec-

ognized the students who earned the most over the year for their grades and bonuses and the top earners in each grade.

Some students also received Community Services Awards, these students earned bonuses for the community service work they’ve performed and for saving at least some of their Prep Club funds throughout the year.

The goal of this program is to set the students up for success and encourage them to continue their education.

Some Habitat homeowners, Crompton said, were not able to graduate high school or attend college themselves.

“So we’re trying to break that cycle, so that the children see the value in school,” she said.

The underwater robotics competition featured teams from around the U.S. and five countries.

OBSERVER STAFF

Buddy Taylor Middle School’s Team Manta Rays competed in the International SeaPerch Challenge held May 30 to June 2 at the University of Maryland and got to meet other top competitors from around the world.

SeaPerch is an underwater remote operated vehicle, similar to a remote controlled submarine. BTMS had nine students participate in its SeaPerch program this year.

“The goal of this program is to help students learn engineering skills in a fun and creative environment,” said

Tracy Jones, the school’s SeaPerch advisor. “Students must design and build their ROVs from scratch using the given supplies in their kits.”

The students practiced during the school year at the Palm Coast Aquatics Center. Buddy Taylor’s four teams competed in the Greater Jacksonville SeaPerch competition on April 13 with the Manta Rays team of Lucas Strunk, Sophia Costa and Nathan Cabrera Delombard placing first and receiving an invitation to the international competition.

According to the SeaPerch organization, the students that were invited to internationals are considered to be among the top 5% in the world, Jones said.

The Manta Rays placed 66th overall out of 71 middle school teams, finishing 61st for the technical design report, 63rd in obstacle course and 58th in challenge course.

“The kids had an amazing time,” Jones said. “They have a ton of new ideas. They networked with other students from all over the world. There were a total of 174 teams from 32 states and U.S. territories, five countries and four continents. They met students from New Zealand, China, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Puerto Rico and all over the United States. They are eager and excited to start building a new robot with their new ideas. It was a wonderful and exciting learning experience for all of us.

“We are looking forward to starting again in August.”

“Internationals was a great trip,” she said. “We did not do as well as we had hoped. We had some buoyancy issues with our ROV. The students were able to complete the challenge and obstacle course but did not score as well as they have done in practice.”

Matanzas’ Lily Lisowski of Project Spill the TEA and Ava Muldoon, who competed in Scenario Writing at FPS International Conference.

Indian Trails Middle School’s Project BOSS brought home the first-place trophy in the Community Problem Solving Team Middle Division at the Future Problem Solving International Conference at Indiana University. From left, Kendall Willis, Paris Milton, Wesley Kopach, Liam O’Connor, Jorge Guerrero, Arlo Bottonelli and Dempsey Manhart. Courtesy photos

The Flagler Habitat for Humanity Prep Club students.

Graduating FPC seniors Aun’Yale Howard and Richard Sligh were each awarded several thousand dollars in scholarships. Photos courtesy of Flagler Habitat for Humanity

Team Manta Rays — Lucas Strunk, Sophia Costa and Nathan Cabrera Delombard — meet and network with students from the Experimental School of Beijing University, Beijing, China. Courtesy photo

Mrs. 88 Keys joins her partner in heaven

Blanche London, who was half of the act, Mr. and Mrs. 88 Keys, died in Palm Coast at 103.

BRENT WORONOFF

EDITOR

ASSOCIATE

Marva Jones fondly remembers her childhood, growing up as the daughter of Blanche and Sim London — Mr. and Mrs. 88 Keys.

Blanche and Sim toured the Eastern part of the United States from the 1940s through the ’70s. They played side-by-side on the same piano, sang songs together and teased each other. Marva and her brother Sim Jr. lived with their grandparents while Blanche and Sim toured in the winter and then they’d spend the summer with their parents in Ontario, Canada, where Mr. and Mrs. 88 Keys would play at a resort.

“They gave us a good childhood, a good life,” Jones said. “All of us have the music in our souls.”

Blanche London died on May 14 at 103 years old. She was full of life and loved being

around young people, which in her later years included just about everyone in her estimation. She was a stylish dresser and smoked until she broke her hip at 99 years old. A Celebration of Life will be held for Blanche at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 22, at the Palm Coast United Methodist Church.

“She had a crazy sense of humor that everybody loved,” Jones said. “We used to eat at the Golden Corral after church on Sunday, and she would go outside and smoke. And one time, one of our dear friends, Jim Sims, told her, ‘You shouldn’t be doing that.’ And she said, ‘I’ll tell you what you do. You go downtown and buy yourself a business, and stay out of mine.’”

After Blanche and Sim retired from the road, they bought a nightclub named Mardi Gras in Shaker Heights, Ohio. In later years, she worked for the Cleveland Council for the Aged and at Collinwood High School. She worked until she was 86, but continued playing piano in church.

In 2012, after Blanche turned 90, Jones told her

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

When: 10 a.m., Saturday, June 22 Where: Palm Coast United Methodist Church, 1 Torrino Drive.

Blanche London was born on Dec. 26, 1920. She died at 103 on May 14. She was the mother of Marva Jones, grandmother of James E. McMillan, Heather McMillan, Dorian McMillan and Sim London III. Blanche was a professional musician who entertained from the 1940’s to the ’70’s with her husband, Sim London, as a piano duo named “Mr. and Mrs. 88 Keys.” She was a member of the Palm Coast United Methodist Church.

it was time that she moved down to Palm Coast where Jones and her late husband, BJ, lived.

Blanche quickly made

TRIBUTES

Patricia Ellen McGovern

February 28, 1934 - April 2, 2024

Patricia Ellen McGovern, age 90, of Palm Coast Florida passed away on April 2, 2024 as a result of complications from a fall suffered at her residence.

Pat was born on February 28, 1934 in Brooklyn New York to Phillip and Sarah McGovern. She was a graduate of Saint Joseph’s College for Women in Brooklyn New York receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in 1955. While at Saint Joseph’s she served in the Navy Reserve.

After graduation she began a long career teaching primary grades in the Valley Stream, NY school system. She did not have any children of her own but considered herself to be incredibly lucky to call hundreds of children through the years her “kids” and many of them stayed in contact with her years after their graduation.

Upon her retirement from teaching, she moved from New York to Palm Coast where she lived for over thirty years until her death. She was very active in Palm Coast Little Theater and appeared in numerous stage productions well into her seventies. She was also very involved in the Flagler County Democratic Party and loved hosting fundraisers for longtime friend Jim Darby as well as other local candidates.

Pat was predeceased by her sisters Marilyn Moynihan and Milli-

cent McGrath. She is survived by her former husband, Edward Walsh of New Jersey, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Pat lived in the Las Palmas community for the last five years and her family would like to thank the staff there for the support they provided. A special thank you also to her caregiver of the past few years, Amy Burt, for the love and care she gave to Pat.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seaton on June 22, 2024 at 1pm with inurnment following at the Columbarium at the church.

The family of Ms. McGovern have entrusted arrangements to Clymer Funeral Home & Cremations, 39 Old Kings Rd. N., Palm Coast, FL.

and found a home at

would take Blanche to get her nails done at Sofia Nails.

“Everybody at Sofia’s embraced her,” Jones said.

After Blanche broke her hip, Sofia would come to the Flagler Health and Rehab Center and give Blanche a manicure and pedicure there. When Blanche went into assisted living, they would come do her nails there, Jones said.

Because of Sim and Blanche’s influence, music and art infused into the family’s genes over three generations. Sim Jr., who died unexpectedly in 2012, played

drums for R&B artists such as Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes and the Spinners, and he also painted, Jones said.

“His paintings and drawings are all over my house,” she said.

Jones’ son, James McMillan, is an entertainment lawyer, representing successful musicians. Her other son, Dorian McMillan, plays guitar and sings.

In her 90s, Blanche performed at Flagler Auditorium for Flagler Palm Coast High School’s Black history program.

“She talked to the children, and they all enjoyed listening to her play,” Jones said. And Blanche continued playing in church.

TRIBUTES

Etta Miller Blonsick May 16, 1933 - April 15th, 2024

Etta Miller Blonsick, of Palm Coast, passed away April 15th at 90 years of age following a brief illness.

Born Etta Francis Miller in Amelia, Virginia, she was raised on their Depression era tobacco farm on Miller Hill with her eight siblings. She lived variously in Virginia, Florida, Ohio, Peru, Washington state as well as Miami and Palm Coast. She was a two-time cancer survivor and donated regularly to the American Cancer Society.

A retired Administrative Secretary for Miami-Dade County Schools, PTA President of Coral Reef Elementary School, she enjoyed membership in the Palm Coast Orchid Society, Red Hat Society and the Palm Coast Garden Club. She was very active in VFW Post 8696 Women’s Auxiliary. Etta loved her outings with her friends in the “Lunch Bunch.”

Etta was married 55 years to her late husband, Captain Jack Blonsick, USMC/USN, Eastern Airlines. Etta is survived by daughter Barbara Hersh and

Those who celebrate her life at the Palm Coast UMC will hear her play and sing again with her late husband, Sim, as the church will show a video from 1947 of a 27-yearold Blanche London and a 30-year-old Sim London tickling the ivories and singing, “Wherever There’s MeThere’s You.” At the end of the video, which can be seen on YouTube (youtube.com/watch?v=vVgSyonIMA), a 93-year-old Sim and 90-year-old Blanche can be seen jamming together on the piano again. Watching the video one can’t help but to tap their toes or snap their fingers and smile.

her husband Paul McKune; daughter Donna Kuhl and her husband Gary; son Capt. John Blonsick and his wife Sonia; her grandsons Greg and Stephen Hersh and Jonathan Kuhl; granddaughters Ashley Blonsick and Nicole Stearns. She had five great grandchildren, Calvin, Russell, Jackson and Eliza Hersh and Jackson Stearns.

A memorial service will be held at the VFW Post 8696, 47 Old Kings Rd N, Palm Coast, FL, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 10, 2024. Etta will be interred at the Cape Canaveral Military Cemetery in a private ceremony.

friends

United Methodist Church where she became a favorite of Pastor Kevin James. Jones

Blanche and Sim London, Mr. and Mrs. 88 Keys, in 1947. Courtesy photos

Blanche London celebrates her 103rd birthday with Rick and Pearl Jones, Pastor Dr. Kevin James and Marva Jones.

After five years, a local premiere

New musical “Riding Time with No Hands” now showing at Seabreeze High.

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

A new, original musical written by Volusia County residents graced the Seabreeze High School auditorium stage for the first time on Friday, June 14.

The premiere of “Riding Time with No Hands” marked the culmination of a five-year production journey. Written by composer and lyricist Mary Beth Koplin and her husband Ed Koplin, of Edgewater, the play tells the story of an aspiring songwriter named Ellie Turner, who pursues her dream while dealing with the challenges of living in a working class, steel town community.

“It’s an old-fashioned story about personal heroism and being successful in the face of overwhelming odds against you,” said Producer Gary Broughman, of Positively Florida Theater Company.

New Smyrna Beach resident Shirey Brown plays the lead role of Ellie Turner. Broughman said Brown was made for the role.

“It’s great to watch her taking on a role that really has to carry this show,” he said. “I’ve seen her grow as she’s been doing it.”

The show, inspired by a true story, is composed of a cast of 18 — professional actors, community theater veterans and a couple Seabreeze High School students. The cast has been rehearsing since April, meeting four nights a week.

Director Harriet Winokur, of New Smyrna Beach, said it’s exciting to finally be able to premiere the show, which she believes has the potential to be shown in other theaters in the future.

The music is outstanding, Winokur said. Her favorite number is “Treasure Hunting,” and it’s one

IF YOU GO “RIDING TIME WITH NO HANDS” When: 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday June 21, and 22; and 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 23

Where: Seabreeze High School auditorium, 2700 N. Oleander Ave., Daytona Beach

Details: See this original musical by Mary Beth and Ed Koplin. Tickets cost $25. Visit positivelyflorida.com.

that may bring some members of the audience to tears, she said.

“It’s a story about memories, about when your children grow up, or your family grows up and leaves,” Winokur said. “... The first time two of the cast members heard it, they cried.”

The show features 19 original songs in the pop and soft jazz genres.

The musical director is Leigh Ann Singleton, and Tosha Williams of the Orbit Academy in Port Orange choreographed the show.

“Riding Time with No Hands” was originally supposed to premiere

at the Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, but due to the fire that occurred less than a month after its reopening following a $1.7 million renovation, the show was relocated to Seabreeze’s 700-person audito rium.

pany has been hosting live theater in the area since 2015. Broughman said he loves being involved with the ater. To put on “Riding Time with No Hands,” his arts organization launched a crowdfunding campaign that raised $10,000 in two days.

audiences to finally see the show, and believes the mes sage will resonate.

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AUTO BIOGRAPHIES by Aidan Deshong, edited by Jeff Chen

By Luis Campos

Arlene McManus, of Palm Coast; Shirey Brown, of New Smyrna Beach, and Crosby Adams, of New Smyrna Beach. Photos by Jarleene Almenas

Larry Schnabel, of Palm Coast, stars as Mr. Manicotti.

Riley Barnes, of Daytona Beach, stars as Mike, alongside Kirsten Lindemulder, of Orlando, as Sophie, and Riley Sparks, of Palm Coast, as Jimmy.

THE FINE ARTS

ROSEATE SPOONBILL IN FLIGHT

John Costin said he’s always been fascinated by birds, and his detailed portraits are now on display at the Ormond Memorial Art Museum.

His interest in art began at a young age, when he used crayons on the walls of his grandmother’s house, according to his artist statement. Costin, of Ybor City, studied art history and printmaking in college, and has been a professional artist since 1979.

“I think I was born with a pencil in my hand because the act of drawing

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is one of my earliest pleasant childhood memories,” Costin said. “My imagination was overactive and drawing seemed to be the perfect vehicle to express myself, and has always been an activity in my life.”

He creates his art using multi-plate etching; he individually hand paints each print. His solo exhibition, “Wings of Splendor,” will run through Sept. 22.

–JARLEENE ALMENAS

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Non Sequitur

Nancy

Mother Goose and Grimm

The Duplex

In the Bleachers

Cornered

Ziggy

The Fusco Brothers

SPORTS

All about love

Coach Joe Giddens hosts summer basketball league

MICHELE MEYERS

WRITER

CONTRIBUTING

Mainland High School head basketball coach Joe Giddens said starting the summer basketball league was all about love.

This is his sixth year he’s hosting the summer league. He said he started his own league when he began coaching at Mainland where there is plenty of space for multiple games to be played simultaneously. The school is home to the Vince Carter Athletic Center which houses a main court and three additional courts on the second floor.

“You don’t win championships in the summer, but you get a chance to build up to become champions,” he said.

Giddens has been coaching at his alma mater since 2017, and the Buccaneers have since been reigning district champions, playing in every regional tournament and blazing through top-tier opponents to the state final four the past two years. In 2023, Mainland lost 49-30 to Belen Jesuit in the Class 5A state championship and fell to Blake 53-40 in the Class 5A state semifinal round in 2024.

He said when he was in high school, his team played summer league at Father Lopez High School’s original location east of Nova Road between Madison and Mason Avenues in Daytona Beach.

“When I was in high school, we got better in the summer time,” he said.

“I just thought it would be great to get teams in here so we can get better. This is a great way to build character and for teams to come together. It’s good for my kids and for the community. They get a chance to see teams from different places.”

Eleven varsity and junior varsity teams are playing this year in addition to the host team including Atlantic, Deltona Trinity, Matanzas, Olympia, Pine Ridge, Seabreeze, Spruce Creek and Viera. The games are fast-paced with four 10-minute quarters, three 30-second timeouts, a three-minute warm-up and halftime.

The Seabreeze JV team lost 60-59 to Matanzas on Thursday, June 13.

The Sandcrabs led 31-26 at the half but could not reclaim the lead following the Pirates’ 17-point run in the third quarter.

Seabreeze JV coach Chris Wilson said most of his squad played of which a few will be selected to play for the varsity team.

“We only play varsity teams in these tournaments because we want to get them better,” he said. “I like that they’re able to compete against high-level teams that automatically get us better and gives us more confidence. Today we lost by one, but that gave them the confidence to say, ‘We can still hang with these big boys.’”

Jordan Anthony scored 19 points for the Sandcrabs with Jeremiah Outler and Christian Simmons each adding eight. Outler led the team with eight rebounds and Simmons

“The main thing the summer league does, like I told my principal, it keeps the kids out of trouble. If they’re in the gym, they’re doing something right. If I can keep kids here Tuesdays and Thursdays from five o’clock to eight o’clock then they won’t get in any trouble ... You never know whose life I’m going to save by having kids come here.”

JOE GIDDENS, Mainland head basketball coach

dished out five assists.

Incoming freshman Roman Sword said he played pretty well but turned the ball over too many times down the stretch. He scored six points, had four assists, three rebounds and two steals.

“The Mainland summer league is a great league,” he said. “It gives me more reps against bigger, stronger players.”

Seabreeze varsity coach Ray Gaines took over the Sandcrabs’ program in the summer of 2022 and changed the culture of the team. The Sandcrabs went from a 1-19 in 202122 to 10-13 the following season. He said it is about teaching the kids to have pride in the program and pride in themselves. This year, six of his seniors graduated. He said he has six open spots and the summer league gives the coaches a chance to evaluate the players in a competitive environment.

“It’s good because a lot of times, these younger guys don’t get a chance to play varsity competition,” he said. “We make sure that every game they play has to be a varsity game because a lot of those guys that played tonight have aspirations of playing varsity next year.”

Henry Robinson is going into his fourth year as Matanzas’ head coach. Overall, he has been coaching for 19 years. The Pirates’ summer league team includes three rising juniors, sophomores and freshmen.

“It’s a huge benefit (to play in the summer league),” he said. “They are getting varsity minutes. Most of them have only played middle school basketball. It’s a big jump. Them getting to see it now is beneficial for us instead of us going into the season and that be the first time they see real competition.”

Giddens said he is excited to see all of the young talent coming out of the middle schools. The summer league is an opportunity for coaches to evaluate their players and for players to

increase their skills in a positive environment.

“The main thing the summer league does, like I told my principal, it keeps the kids out of trouble,” he said. “If they’re in the gym, they’re doing something right. If I can keep kids here Tuesdays and Thursdays from five o’clock to eight o’clock then they won’t get in any trouble. They’ll be too tired. They’ll go home. You never know whose life I’m going to save by having kids come here.”

A Matanzas player closely guards Seabreeze’s Jordan Anthony as he drives to the basket. Photos by Michele Meyers

A Mainland player drives to the basket against the Olympia Titans.

Matanzas center Alex Davis, with the ball, gets triple-teamed in the lane by Seabreeze players.

Mainland guard Kade Manley (right) pivots to pass.

Matanzas’ Jermelle Guerrero drives to the basket past a leaping Jake Anderson (30) of Seabreeze.

Matanzas’ Jermelle Guerrero goes up for the shot as Seabreeze’s Jeremiah Outler defends.

First to commit: Matanzas volleyball player Rylan Miller chooses Georgia

Miller, one of the top liberos in the 2026 recruiting class, accepted the Bulldogs’ offer on the first day coaches can contact rising juniors.

Matanzas volleyball player Rylan Miller didn’t waste any time in deciding her college destination. Miller was the first player in the 2026 national recruiting class to commit to a school, telling University of Georgia coach Tom Black that she will sign with the Bulldogs.

Black contacted Miller at midnight on June 15, the earliest date that NCAA coaches can recruit incoming juniors. They arranged for a 7:30 a.m. phone call, and Miller immediately accepted the offer.

SIDE LINES

FPC-sponsored surfing team places third at national championships

A surf team sponsored by Flagler Palm Coast High School placed third in the nation at the National Scholastic Surfing Association’s High School National Championships June 14-16 at Salt Creek Beach Park in Dana Point, California.

The team included:

„ Benji Lacy, a freshman at FPC, NSSA regional finalist and USA Surfing Prime Series competitor.

„ Braeden Kopec, the team’s captain, a senior in Florida Virtual School, who will be attending Stetson this fall. Kopec is a long-time Flagler County resident. He is a current USA Surfing Jr. National Team member, has won 10 NSSA regional championship titles and was a 2023 NSSA High School National Championship runner-up.

„ Corbin Akers, a junior at Spruce Creek High School. He is an NSSA regional competitor and USA Surfing Prime Series competitor.

„ Cash Nipper, a freshman in Florida Virtual School, is an NSSA regional championship finalist and USA Surfing Prime Series competitor.

The team’s coach and coordinator is Dr. Ben Lacy of Palm Coast.

“He was the first person I talked to and the last person I talked to,” Miller said. “Georgia just felt right. I went to their camp on (June 13) and I just loved it, the coaches, the campus, the players, the commits. They were so nice to me, and I just knew that’s where I wanted to go. When he called and offered, I said yes. It was awesome.”

In two years, Georgia will be getting one of the best volleyball liberos in the nation. Miller was recently ranked as the top libero in Florida by Prep Dig. The libero is a defensive specialist that exclusively plays in the back row and wears a different color jersey.

Some of Miller’s accolades include a selection to the USA Volleyball National Team Development Program, an invitation three years in a row to the Under Armor Next camp and inclusion in Prep Volleyball’s 2026 Top 150. She is also on the American Volleyball Coaches Association’s All-America Watch List for 2026, and she has been named an AVCA Phenom.

Signing with a Division I college team is the culmination of a dream she’s had since she started playing volleyball at 10 years old, Miller said.

“Ever since I was able to pick up a volleyball, I wanted to go as far as I can and be the best I can be,” she said. “It’s a dream come true.”

Matanzas volleyball coach Dawn Moses has been coaching the sport for 40 years and said Miller is by far the best libero she has ever seen.

“Her ability to read the court and her ability to react is crazy. That makes her so special. She gets to balls everyone thinks is hitting the floor. And she came to us like that,” Moses said.

Miller joined the Pirates as a freshman when her family moved to Palm Coast from Texas.

“When she first walked into the Matanzas gym, I said, ‘Holy cow, this kid is a freshman,’” Moses said. “It does not take long to see how special that kid is. She stays on her feet as much as she can, but she pursues every ball like it’s the last one she’s ever going to touch. She makes these phenomenal plays.”

Miller has played for two of the top club teams in the nation in Texas Advantage Volleyball and, since moving to Florida, OTVA Jacksonville. In addition to playing volleyball year-round, she trains with a speed and agility coach, a skills coach and mental performance coach.

“She’s homeschooled so she can be trained daily,” Moses said. “I think we’re seeing more and more of that for kids who have this goal of being the best they can be and playing on the collegiate level.”

Miller is also a great teammate and is very humble, Moses said.

“I’ve had special kids come along in my career, probably 10 that I can

“Ever since I was able to pick up a volleyball, I wanted to go as far as I can and be the best I can be. It’s a dream come true.”

RYLAN MILLER

name that were special in work ethic and ability on the court and made everybody around them better including us coaches, Moses said.

“Rylan stepped in and we had two winning seasons (16-9 in 2022 and 21-6 in 2023). This year we’ve really upped our schedule. It’s important for her growth. We’re going to make sure Rylan takes a little bigger leadership role in our defense.”

Miller said she loves playing for the Pirates.

“I like the girls, the trainer. They’re all super nice people. And I love Coach Moses,” she said.

Miller said she has attended five college camps between June 2 and June 13. The last one turned out to be the right fit.

“I feel so good about it,” she said. “I have my Georgia shirts on and everything. It’s awesome.”

Ormond Youth Baseball teams head to state Palm Coast Little League teams win districts

The Ormond Beach Youth Baseball and Softball Association is sending two all-star baseball teams to the Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth state championships. The 11U team beat the West Volusia Athletic Club for the District 4 championship to advance to the

state tournament June 27-30 at the Flagler Babe Ruth Fields at the Flagler County Fairgrounds, 1120 County Road 13. The 10U team beat Flagler for the District 4 title to advance state tourney in Lake City.

The Palm Coast Little League’s Junior League all-star softball team and Senior League all-star baseball team won District 19 championships to advance to the sectional tournaments. The sectionals begin Saturday, June 22, at the PCLL fields at the

in the deciding game.

Ormond Beach 11U All-Stars. Front row: Cannon Parsons, Dominic Amato, Henry Jones, Gavin Beach, Jaxon Tremblay and Jacob Cornett. Middle row: Loudon Trosan, Rylie Georg, Andrew Elston, Chase Rivera, James Caputo and coach Will Jones. Back row: Coaches Jeff Caputo, Chad Parsons and Brian Trosan.

Palm Coast Little League’s Senior League All-Star baseball team won the District 19 championship.

Ormond Beach 10U All-Stars. Coaches: Colin Gray, John Holcomb, Tom Reardon and Justin McLeod. Players: Blake Gray, Luke Holcomb, Dominic Santoianni, Espn Haines, Madden Weisman, Beckett Reardon, Nick Miller, Barry Kral, Shamus Lafferty, Carson McLeod, Declan Tran and Luca Jegede. Courtesy photos Palm Coast Little League’s Junior League All-Star softball team won the District 19 championship.

Matanzas libero Rylan Miller (left) gets ready to receive a serve in a game against Gainesville Buchholz on Oct. 16, 2023. File photo by Brent Woronoff