Palm Coast Observer 05-02-24

CITY WATCH

Former city manager received $174,000 payout after firing

Former City Manager Denise Bevan received a $174,000 payout after she was terminated from the position.

At the April 23 City Council workshop meeting, the council received an overview of the city’s first six months of expenses and revenue for the 2024 fiscal year budget. The presentation covered from Oct. 1 to March 31.

Not yet included in the data for the Administration and Finance expenses was Bevan’s payout after termination since the payout happened in April, city Budget and Procurement Manager Gwen Ragsdale said. Bevan was abruptly fired from her position on March 19. Among others, the Administrative and Finance section of the budget covers the City Council, the city manager and city attorney budgets. It was allotted $5.9 million in the 2024 fiscal year. Also not factored into the budget was the price of searching for a new city manager, since the council has not chosen how it will hire a search firm to fill the position.

‘We can’t afford a rollback’: Tax rate debate begins

Palm Coast has drafted its first list of priorities for the next budget cycle, including a discussion on potentially adopting another rollback millage rate — meaning no increase in tax revenue collected. But opinions differed on the likelihood of keeping taxes down.

It was Vice Mayor Ed Danko who advocated for a full millage rate rollback for the 2025 fiscal year, at the April 23 workshop meeting.

All four other council members said they would like to see a full millage rollback rate for the 2025 budget, but council member Theresa Carli Pontieri said the residents want improved infrastructure more than a “$30 decrease on property taxes.”

“We can’t afford a full rollback,”

she said.

Pontieri said the feedback she has heard from residents is that they want their roads fixed or their swales repaired faster, while staff has repeatedly told the council there is not enough funding to improve those programs.

“As I look at this right now,” she said, “I look at our infrastructure needs. It is to me, a very real issue that we have, and we cannot afford a rollback as we sit here right now.”

Mayor David Alfin said he would like to see a revenue and impact analysis before deciding on whether a rollback is possible. He called the goal of a rollback millage rate a “lofty” one.

“Without having seen the numbers yet, it’s hard for me to be assured that we are providing sufficient funding for our current infrastructure needs, and that would be a requirement,”

Alfin said.

The City Council did approved a

FIRE DEPARTMENT CELEBRATES ‘LIGHT THE NIGHT’

The Palm Coast Fire Department will once again be participating in the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation Light the Night.

rollback millage rate for the 20232024 budget last July. That was the first time since the 2022 budget that the city has changed its millage rate at all and the first time in a decade that the city had adopted a rollback rate.

Both council member Cathy Heighter and Nick Klufas said that the money for a rollback millage would need to be found elsewhere.

Heighter said she’d like to see the city “find ways to cut back on some of the other budget items.”

Klufas said finding alternative forms of revenue — like exploring solar power initiatives to save costs and earn additional money — would be key to saving money for residents but also covering the city’s needs.

“It’s going to be increasingly more difficult to find more and more places to cut,” Klufas said. “If we can find

The PCFD is inviting the community to join the city and light up their homes, businesses, and community in red for fallen firefighters on May 1-5, a Palm Coast press release said. Palm Coast City Hall, the Palm Coast Community Center, the fountains throughout the com-

WHAT’S THE CITY COUNCIL’S STRATEGY?

The Strategic Action Plan will be reviewed again at the May 25 workshop. Below is a list of all 12 objectives the Palm Coast City Council has tentatively landed on:

Objective #1: Identify savings and conduct a revenue and impact analysis to fund a property tax rollback for the coming fiscal year

Objective #2: Conduct a solar evaluation of city assets to identify opportunities to utilize this energy source and achieve cost savings

Objective #3: Design and implement a citywide plan for road repair and road safety

Objective #4: Design and implement a citywide plan for swale maintenance and performance

Objective #5: Continue saltwater canal dredging initiative

Objective #6: Optimize citizen information from and engagement with city government and consistently ensure an excellent customer service response

Objective #7: Design and produce a capital improvement plan focused on technology for city government

Objective #8: Enhance current economic development efforts to result in better paying jobs and attracting major employers such as health care

Objective #9: Enhance transit options and citizens awareness of these services in partnership with the county government

Objective #10: Enhance housing options for the workforce and senior citizens by conducting an assessment of current housing stock and considering available public policy options to increase supply

Objective #11: Identify a dedicated funding source for arts/cultural/ historical activities and facilities

Objective #12: Implement the Parks Master Plan

ways to try to offset some of the the fixed costs of operating our city, we may be able to accomplish both.”

The discussion came as part of the Strategic Action Plan discussion.

SAP priority items provide a guide line for how and what items are prioritized in the new budget.

Among the other suggested SAP priority items, Alfin also suggested the city upgraded its communication response to residents. But Pontieri

suggested staff make that a broader technology analysis, to include the possibility of building an app for the city to improve communications both from residents and staff as complaints are filed and then addressed.

Danko said he loved that idea, likening it to how Amazon takes a photo of a packaged when it’s delivered.

“Yes, we just fixed your pothole, boom, there’s the result,” he said.

munity, and all five fire stations will be illuminated red in honor of fallen firefighters. The fire department will light the nights in memory of Firefighter Brant Gammon, who died on Nov. 3, 2022, after a battle against metastatic brain cancer, the press release said. Gammon began his career with the Palm Coast Fire Department in 2018 as a volunteer firefighter and joined the ranks of the career staff in October 2020 as a firefighter-EMT. Email sierra@observerlocalnews. com.

Palm Coast City Council member Theresa Carli Pontieri. Photo by Sierra Williams

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Complaint filed for student who attacked MHS staff member

The complaint, filed on behalf of Brendan Depa, alleges that the school district did not meet Depa’s needs as required by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Lawyers have filed an administrative complaint against Flagler Schools on the behalf of Brendan Depa, the former Matanzas High School special education student who is facing 30 years for attacking a school paraprofessional.

Depa’s lawyers — Stephanie Langer of Langer Law in Miami and Maria Cammarata of Cammarata & Cammarata in Fort Lauderade, special education and disability lawyers — filed the complaint with the district and the Florida Board of Education. The complaint, sent to the Observer by Langer, alleges that the school system failed to adequately provide for Depa’s needs as a special education student, as provided for under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

“It’s frustrating to see kids like him who have these identified disabilities … being allowed to exist in the school buildings without getting the proper

supports and services,” Langer said.

Langer said the complaint will go through the Department of Administrative Hearings and be decided upon by a judge, if it is not settled between the parties ahead of the final hearing. Depending on the outcome of the judge’s ruling and if a party appeals that decision, the case could possibly then go on to federal court.

As of April 30, Langer said the complaint is seeking compensatory education for Depa. But Depa’s sentencing, she said, could change that request.

Depa, 18, was 17 at the time of incident and charged as an adult with aggravated battery on an educational employee and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 1 at the Flagler County courthouse — after press time for this edition. Surveillance video of the February 2023 incident showed Depa knocking paraprofessional Joan Naydich unconscious, stomping on her and punching her repeatedly.

He was ordered to undergo a mental evaluation at a pretrial hearing in March 2023 by Circuit Judge Terrance Perkins, the judge presiding over the case. In a second pretrial hearing that May, Depa’s defense lawyer, Kurt Teifke, asked the court for the competency hearing.

Depa entered an open plea in October, leaving sentencing in the hands of Circuit Judge Terence Perkins, according to court records. He faces up to 30 years in prison.

“That ending was different, but the trajectory of what happened is pretty common.”

STEPHANIE LANGER, Langer Law

MY VIEW

Langer said, in her experience, it is pretty common that school systems fail students with disabilities in some capacity, either by not providing the support services the student needs .

“That ending was different,” Langer said, “but the trajectory of what happened is what is pretty common.” The Individuals with Disabilities

Education Act is a federal civil rights law that is meant to ensure all students with disabilities are provided education in a way that is designed to meet their unique needs, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Langer said districts are required to meet that on an academic level, but also on communication, behavioral, social and emotional levels.

Schools that receive federal funding must comply with the IDEA, she said. The complaint said that the plan the school district had in place was not sufficient, nor were the support services in place, Depa’s placement in the school nor that the staff training was sufficient.

“And this student [Depa] had deficits in communication, social, emotional, as well as independent functioning,” she said.

The Flagler County school district did not address his needs on those levels, Langer said. When the Observer reached out to Flagler County Schools Communication Coordination Don Foley, he said the school district does not have any comment at this time.

“The IDEA is broader than just academics,” Langer said. “The goal is to have kids who graduate school who are functioning independent as much as they can be ... and being productive members of our communities in our society.”

The filed complaint is completely separate from the criminal case, she said, now does it in any way negate or excuse what Depa did. But Langer said she believes if Depa’s disabilities had been adequately provided for by the district, the incident might not have happened in the first place.

“I feel like it was preventable and avoidable,” she said.

Email sierra@observerlocalnews. com.

Detention center provided tutoring, GED services for Brendan Depa

Collaborative effort: a retired educator, FTC’s GED facilitator and the Tax Collector’s Office to assist Brendan Depa.

DANIEL ENGERT FLAGLER SHERIFF’S OFFICE

CHIEF OF COURT AND DETENTION SERVICES

After reading recent articles published on FlaglerLive titled, “The Dis-Education of Brendan Depa” and other articles, I felt compelled to highlight the collaboration and teamwork that has taken place to provide continued educational opportunities for Depa during his stay at our facility.

As Chief of the Court and Detention Services Division for the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, I oversee the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, also

BRIEFS

Palm Coast man pleads guilty to sex crimes against minors, sentenced to three years

A Palm Coast man arrested multiple times within a year on multiple charges of sex crimes against children has pled guilty and been sentenced to three years in a Florida prison.

Alan Avellan Jr., 38, pled guilty to the charges on April 24. After his three-year sentence, Avellan will be required to register as a sex offender and will be on probation for eight years, a Flagler County Sheriff’s Office press release said.

Avellan’s was arrested in October 2023 and March 2024 on charges that included two counts of video voyeurism, unlawful use of a two-

known as “The Green Roof Inn.”

Over the past year, on average there were almost 300 inmates in custody each day in our facility. Depa has been included in this count since August 22, 2023, when he turned 18 years old and was transferred to our facility from a Jacksonville juvenile detention center.

I am very proud of our detention team and their desire to adopt Sheriff Rick Staly’s mission to “Improve Inmate Outcomes to Improve Our Community” by offering various inmate educational and technical skills, mental health and addiction recovery in our jail. In fact, our jail was recently recognized by the American Jail Association as an innovative leader in correctional facilities.

Depa’s case was a national story and remains very polarizing within Flagler County. Getting some form of education was vital for him but was also not the statutory responsibility of the Sheriff’s Office. Even before his arrival, I had been involved in discussions with his mother about his housing, his access to reading materials and visitation. Last fall, a retired special education educator, Eugene Lopes, contacted me and expressed an interest and desire to tutor Depa.

way communication device, lewd/ lascivious exhibition with a victim under 16 years old and felony child abuse, the press release said.

“This disgusting pervert knew his back was up against a wall because of the strong cases made against him by our Major Case Unit detectives so he decided to take a plea deal. While this means he will only be locked up for three years, he will remain a registered sex offender for life,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “This outcome is all in thanks to the courageous juveniles who came forward explaining what happened to them and the dedicated detectives and prosecutors with the State Attorney’s Office.”

Florida law takes effect, banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy

Florida abortion providers and activ-

Over many years, Flagler Technical College (FTC) and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office have enjoyed a very positive relationship to provide adult education programs to inmates including GED classes and testing. I immediately reached out to FTC and discussed the possibility of partnering to provide Depa with an opportunity to continue his education with the goal of him taking the GED examination.

All parties worked collaboratively with detention staff to accommodate a schedule that would work best for our volunteer instructor.

Depa and Lopes spent 3⁄4 of the lessons in December preparing him to take the Reasoning Through Language Arts section of the GED. The other 1⁄4 of his time was spent on either math, science or social studies. The educational plan we created was for him to take these sections after language arts.

By mid-January, he completed all sections of the reading prep. Depa was now ready to take the Language Arts section of the GED, except one roadblock was identified. Depa did not have a Florida ID Card since he was incarcerated when he turned 18. He needed this in order to be enrolled for the exam.

ists have been preparing for a state law, taking effect Wednesday, May 1, that prevents abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.

The Republican-controlled Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2023 approved the six-week limit, building on a 2022 law that banned abortions after 15 weeks. The Florida Supreme Court recently upheld the 2022 law, also clearing the way for the six-week limit to take effect.

Access to abortion is limited for women in the state and across the Southeast.

“It’s been pretty chaotic,” Michelle Quesada, a spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood said.

Planned Parenthood clinics “have been packed” in the days leading up to the six-week limit, Quesada said.

While providers rushed to see as many patients as possible before Wednesday, abortion-rights supporters also were bolstering efforts to help women travel out-of-state to obtain the procedure.

Our team contacted Flagler County Tax Collector Suzanne Johnston’s Office and another partner emerged! Shelly Edmondson and David Herne provided access and enrollment instructions and we transported Depa to the Tax Collector’s Office one morning before the office opened, provided the documents required and he obtained his Florida ID Card.

Now it was up to Depa as all educational roadblocks had been removed. We are proud to say he passed the Language Arts section of the GED! He has now completed all sections of the social studies and science lessons of the GED prep, and we are in the process of arranging computer access so he can take the social studies and science sections of the GED and to complete the required math lessons. Math has always been a struggle for Depa but he is making significant progress through the lessons, according to Lopes.

By providing long blocks of time with Depa, our team and partners, we were able to dramatically increase his academic stamina. Lopes doesn’t think Depa would have been able to sit and focus for a two-hour test prior to their work together. While in-custody in our

The closest places for women in Florida to obtain abortions after six weeks will be at least a day’s travel by car. North Carolina allows abortions until 12 weeks of pregnancy but requires a 72-hour, in-person waiting period. In Illinois, abortions are allowed until “viability” of the fetus, which means the fetus can survive outside of the mother’s womb. Virginia bans abortions after 26 weeks and six days of pregnancy.

The 2023 Florida law includes exceptions for victims of rape, incest and human trafficking, with women needing to show documentation. The law also includes exceptions to save the life of the mother, requiring two doctors to certify in writing a “medical necessity” for abortion “to save the pregnant woman’s life or avert a serious risk of imminent substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman.” An exception also exists for fatal fetal abnormalities, until the third tri-

detention facility, Depa has worked on his coping mechanisms for dealing with frustration and developed time management and pacing skills. FTC’s GED facilitator, Mr. Paul Delisle was the glue that made this arrangement work. Most importantly, he also developed a strong relationship with Depa, making him feel important and smart every time he was in the classroom and sometimes taking on instructional duties when Lopes was not available. Our detention staff made sure that Depa was always ready and on time for his classes and gracefully providing encouragement when he was struggling to adapt to incarceration and living in a jail environment.

While we do not know how his education was previously handled, we can assure the community that since he has been in our custody our dedicated detention team, with the partnership of FTC, the Tax Collector’s Office and our amazing volunteers and through the vision of Staly, we have been able to provide him his education, the cornerstone of success in society, in a difficult situation.

Send letters to the editor to brent@ observerlocalnews.com.

mester. The exception also requires certification by two doctors.

Abortion-rights supporters maintain that the exceptions are impractical.

Rachel Humphrey, a high-risk pregnancy specialist who is a maternal-fetal medicine physician based in Orlando, said she recently saw a patient who was about 18 weeks pregnant and whose fetus was diagnosed with trisomy 18, a condition that carries multiple, severe birth anomalies. Trisomy 18 affects about one in 5,000 pregnancies, with the vast majority of babies not surviving beyond one month after delivery and fewer than 10 percent living about a year, Humphrey said.

“She got the diagnosis at the same time that most people get the diagnosis, which is 18 to 20 weeks, which is beyond the 15-week ban,” Humphrey said.

The doctor said she determined the patient was not eligible for an abortion.

Brendan Depa, 17, has been charged with aggravated battery on an education employee and could face 30 years in prison. Photo by Sierra Williams

Building application moratorium extended

The extension will allow Flagler Beach commission, board to review building height policy and exemptions.

SIERRA

WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

The city of Flagler Beach has extended its moratorium on new building applications for an additional six months if the commission does not agree to lift it sooner.

The City Commission is hoping to have an informational joint workshop meeting with the city’s Planning and Architectural Review Board to review the city’s 35-foot building height maximum policy and its exemptions.

The Flagler City Commission set a tentative date of the June 4 PAR board meeting for the joint workshop at its April 25 commission meeting.

The city implemented a six-month moratorium on new building applications last November to examine the policy, though that moratorium expires in May, necessitating the extension. The PAR board will review the June 4 date at its May meeting.

Commissioner Rick Belhumeur did ask City Attorney Drew Smith if the moratorium could be lifted sooner if the city makes a decision on the policy before the six months are up.

“It goes away as soon as we adopt the goal of the moratorium,” Smith said.

The main areas of debate on the building height policy has been its exceptions.

The ordinance limits buildings to 35 feet in height, with exceptions for “chimneys, cooling towers, elevators, bulkheads, fire towers, gas tanks, steeples, water towers, ornamental towers or spires, communications, radio or television towers or necessary mechanical appurtenances.”

The exceptions cannot exceed 40% of the 35-foot maximum — which breaks down to a maximum of an additional 14 feet — and cannot be used as livable space.

Commissioner Eric Cooley, at a March commission meeting, said he would like to see the exceptions have clearer definitions, closing any potential loopholes. And both Cooley and Commission Chair Scott Spradley said at the March meeting that the 40% exception seemed a little high.

BRIEFS

Flagler Beach resident Bill Clark files for County Commission seat

Flagler Beach resident Bill Clark has filed to run for the Flagler County Commission District 3 seat.

Clark moved to Flagler Beach in 2010 for its “old Florida” demeanor. In a statement on the Flagler County Supervisor of Elections website, he said he filed to run because he is concerned about the direction the county is moving in.

Preserving the “old Florida” style through responsible growth is one of Clark’s platforms for his candidacy. In his statement, Clark said he would also, as commissioner, support local law enforcement, prevent tax increases through responsible government oversight, promote small business incentives, listen to residents and promote home rule and self-governance at the local level.

Clark also wants to prioritize conserving Flagler County’s wetlands and natural landscapes and is a member of multiple conservation and wildlife organizations.

Clark has a Master’s of Science in accountancy and Bachelor of Arts in business, the statement said.

“I will be working as a fulltime commissioner to find ways to protect what we all love about Florida and Flagler County,” Clark said, “Let’s promote responsible growth by retaining the quality of life for all citizens and future generations in Flagler County.”

Palm Coast’s Pam Richardson runs for County Commission

Palm Coast resident Pam Richardson has filed for a seat on the Flagler County Board of Commissioners.

Richardson is a realtor with Watson Realty Corporation, according to its website. According to her statement on the Flagler County Supervisor of Elections website, Richardson’s key platform items are improving quality of life, holding the line on taxes and supporting law enforcement and first responders.

Richardson said she is “a lifelong Republican who is fiscally conservative.” She hopes to act as a good steward of tax dollars by taking a cautious approach with budget expenses and make sensible decisions that benefit Flagler County residents.

Richardson can be reached for her campaign at

Pam4Flagler@gmail.com and at Pam4Flagler.com.

Jamaris Dornan runs City Council District 1 seat

Jamaris Dornan has filed to run for the Palm Coast City Council District 1 seat.

Dornan, a Palm Coast real estate agent, has a bachelor’s degree in psycohology from Florida Atlantic University. In a statement on the Flagler County Supervisor of Elections website, Dornan wrote that his priorities on the council would be the city’s budget, property taxes and listening to proposals from the public.

Dornan wrote he is a firm believer in community, compassion and love for all his neighbors.

“I have great plans for the community, our children and the well-being of all our residents,” Dornan wrote. “Community is a priority to me.”

Dornan wrote that he will be present for community members to speak to and assist in any way he can. He said he wants to help bring forth a generation of prosperity, hope and success.

Jeffery Seib files for City Council District 1 seat

Jeffery C. Seib, a resident of

Palm Coast for nearly three decades, has announced his candidacy for the City Council, District 1 seat. Seib has a bachelor’s degree in forest management, a master’s degree in wildlife biology and has had a diverse career in with roles in business, industry, and academia, including 25 years as a senior research scientist at the University of Florida, according to a press release from Seib. Over the years, Seib has served on several Palm Coast committees, including Palm Coast’s Service District Advisory Council from 1997 to 1999, and the Palm Coast Beautification and Environmental Advisory Committee for eight years. Seib said he is committed to listening to the community’s concerns and addressing key issues such as taxes and infrastructure, enhancing the city’s roadways and open spaces while working to attract businesses.

“I am excited to be running for the City Council and look forward to collaborating with the people of Palm Coast to create a brighter future for our city,” Seib said. For more information about Jeffery C. Seib’s candidacy and his plans for Palm Coast, visit seibforcity.com.

Jamaris Dornan, Palm Coast City Council candidate. Courtesy of the Flagler County Supervisor of Elections website

Pam Richardson, a candidate for the Flagler County Commission District 5 seat. Courtesy photo

Jeffrey Seib has filed to run for Palm Coast City Council. Photo courtesy of Jeffrey Seib

Bill Clark, a County Commission District 3 candidate.

Bunnell Elementary is 100 years old

The Centennial Celebration featured activities, speakers and a bit of history.

BRENT WORONOFF

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Guests strolled the 100-yearold campus of Bunnell Elementary School during its Centennial Celebration on April 26. The celebration stretched from the cafeteria, playground and garden — where there were 20 activity stations including mini golf, pickleball and a garden scavenger hunt — to the Little Red School House and the Old Gym. There were garden tours and the “BES 100 Challenge” activity station in the cafeteria. Students served 100 slices of chocolate zucchini bread each hour. The zucchini was grown in the school’s garden.

Becky Cox, a BES teacher dressed in period garb, was stationed in the Little Red School House where she informed guests about the history of the building, built in 1938 for the Bunnell School’s Future Farmers of America chapter.

Cox was a student at BES in the 1970s. One of her teachers was Diane Marquis, who

was instrumental in the ’80s in raising funds for the restoration of the old ag building after years of neglect, converting it into the Little Red School House Museum in the ’90s and getting the tworoom brick building listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.

“I just love this little building,” Cox said.

At the celebration ceremony at the Old Gym, BES Principal Cari McGee announced that a future artifact will be joining the collection at the Little Red School House — a time capsule that will be opened in the year 2124.

The speakers at the ceremony included Bunnell Mayor Catherine Robinson, who graduated from Bunnell High School with a graduating class of 53 students. The K-12 school burned down in 1970 and the high school was replaced four years later by Flagler Palm Coast.

Dr. Phyllis Pearson, president of the Flagler County NAACP Branch, spoke about

being hired as principal at BES in 2000, becoming the first Black principal in Flagler County.

“Right out of the gate, our BES team worked and grew together, caring for each child and providing the resources they needed to be successful,” Pearson said.

BES Teacher of the Year

Melissa Atkinson-Brock spoke about the history of Bunnell School. She is one of four generations of her family who attended the school, which was built in 1924 for $57,000, she said. Her grandmother graduated from the school in 1939, her parents in the early ’60s. AtkinsonBrock attended BES in 197781 when it was a K-6 school. Her daughter is the fourth generation.

Polly Conkling talked about her 16 years as a teacher at BES. Current BES teacher

Jerri Berry, who is also president of the Flagler Playhouse, presented the Penguin Project participants, who danced to the project’s signature song, “Don’t Stop Believing.” This year’s Penguin Project show will be Peter Pan Jr., scheduled June 7, 8, and 9 at Matanzas High School’s Pirate Theater.

Faith in Flagler

Building faith strengthens our community.

I despise channel surfing and aimless scrolling. My life was a lot like that. I spent so much time searching. No direction, no answer, no purpose. The purpose of life is a life of purpose. Today I know that God has a plan. I was created on purpose, by purpose, for purpose.

Will Motosicky, Campus Pastor

Brought to you by:

Becky Cox, a media center assistant at Bunnell Elementary School, led tours of the Little Red School House. Photos by Brent Woronoff

BES fifth grader Aubrey Bracewell offers chocolate zucchini bread to guests. The zucchini was grown in the school’s garden.

Bunnell Elementary School Principal Cari McGee speaks.

Faith in Flagler submissions can be sent to Brian@ observerlocalnews.com.

COPS

APRIL 23 CRASH TESTING

10:56 p.m. — 100 block of Brownstone Lane, Palm Coast Property damage. A Palm Coast woman allegedly caused over $9,000 in property damage as she drove home while having a medical issue.

1:01

of North Yonge Street, Ormond Beach Firing weapon. Police responded to a residential area after a 65-year-old Ormond Beach man fired a gun at a “rabid” raccoon.

Officers were dispatched to the neighborhood after receiving a call about a shooting. Once they arrived, they spoke with the man who told them he had been having an issue with a rabid raccoon that “has been trying to attack people” according to a police report. He said he had been at his brother-in-law’s house when they both went across the street to another home, at which point the the raccoon jumped out from the bushes and tried to attack them.

The man said he tried to shoot at the raccoon with his gun, but that it malfunctioned, so he used his brother-in-law’s gun, discharging one round.

The raccoon, the man said, ran up a palm tree and because he didn’t have a clear shot, he didn’t shoot a second time. He told officers he was advised by Animal Control that he could shoot the raccoon because it was allegedly rabid.

Witnesses told police that they had heard gun shots in previous days. Instead of being taken to jail, the man was released with a notice to appear in court.

A Sheriff’s Office deputy arrived tracked a car that had left the scene of several crashes to a residential home. The car had severe front damage, deployed airbags and a mailbox and a plant under the front bumper, according to an arrest report.

The woman who had driven the car said she was on her way to a drugstore when she blacked out because of her Type 1 Diabetes, the report said, hitting a light pole, causing an estimated $9,000 in damage.

She then drove back home, causing property damage at four addresses along the way, the report said. Both the mailbox and plant from under the bumper were returned to their home address with a case card, since the residents were not home.

APRIL 27

BEACHED ON A DUI

4:04 a.m. — 1200 block of South Ocean Shore Blvd, Flagler Beach DUI. A Palm Coast man crashed his car into a dune on State Road A1A, claiming he’d hit a deer.

When a police officer arrived on scene, there was no deer, or even damage from a deer on the driver’s car, according to the arrest report.

A bystander told the officer she called 911 after seeing the crash. The suspect had immediately begun running around the car and, upon seeing her screamed “I don’t like you” in her face as she offered to help him. When the officer approached the suspect, he asked the officer to turn off his body

camera because he’d “been fishing all day.” The officer noticed the suspect was behaving erratically, talking very quickly but also smelling of alcohol.

During a field sobriety, eye-tracking test, the suspect claimed he had “stutter” in his left eye when nervous. Throughout the DUI testing, and even to the county jail, the man continued to make bizarre statements, and even refused to take the breathalyzer.

He was charged with DUI, property damage and failure to carry a driver’s license.

BATHROOM BURGLAR

12:40 p.m. — 300 block of Collins Street, Ormond Beach Burglary of an unoccupied dwelling. A 41-year-old Ormond Beach man was arrested after he was found showering in house in which he didn’t live.

One of the home’s owner told police that he was having construction work completed when a worker alerted him that there was a man inside that claimed to live in the house. The man had removed the key from the lock box to gain entry that morning, and when workers arrived soon afterward and locked him out, he informed them he lived in the house and was let back in.

The home’s owners then arrived to find the man showering, and when they told him to leave, the man once again claimed he lived there, according to a police report.

When police arrived, the man was still in the shower. Officers announced their presence and ordered him to open the bathroom door, but he refused and continued to shower. He was then removed from the shower by police.

The man refused to both speak to officers and put clothes on, according to the police report, and was escorted out of the home in a towel. He was taken to jail.

BIZ BUZZ

FIRST ROBOTIC LUNG SURGERY PERFORMED IN FLAGLER COUNTY

Board certified cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Patrick Mangonon performed Flagler County’s first thoracic robotic (lung) surgery at AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway on April 5.

AdventHealth has a proven track record of performing robot-assisted surgeries, with a focus on orthopedic, gynecological, general and urological procedures.

In the last year, the county’s newest hospital, AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway, introduced a robotics program,

YOUR TOWN

Flagler sheriff recognizes issues Great Kids awards

Three Flagler County students received Sheriff Rick Staly’s “Great Kids Award” on April 18.

Flagler Palm Coast High School student Kaighman Gordon, Belle Terre Elementary School student Joey Paci and Imagine School at Town Center student Annabelle Murray were each recognized for setting good examples for

featuring the community’s only Aquablation system and bringing a second da Vinci surgical system to Flagler County. The first da Vinci XI robot is located at AdventHealth Palm Coast. Now, Mangonon has taken the robotic surgery program to another level by performing thoracic (lung) procedures via the da Vinci system at Advent Health Palm Coast Parkway. While new to Flagler County, Mangonon is not new to the area. After a successful career spanning 17 years in South Florida, he relocated to AdventHealth Daytona Beach in 2016 as an experienced minimally invasive heart and lung surgeon. In 2019, he was tasked to start and develop the robotic thoracic surgery program at AdventHealth Daytona Beach. Now, after over 400 robotic car-

Dr. Patrick Mangonon recently performed the first ever thoracic robotic surgery at AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway.

at 3 AdventHealth Way, Suite 220.

their peers, according to a Flagler County Sheriff’s Office press release. The award is presented every month during the school year to students who respect their peers, help others, work hard in academics, and represent themselves and their school well, the press release said. Students are nominated by the school resource deputies and school employees.

Gordon received the award for going above and beyond to help, not just her teammates on the soccer team, but everyone around her. She is self-motivated and works hard on her academics, the press release said. Paci was nominated for his willingness to always help his classmates, the press release said. He is responsible, positive influence on his peers and always offers to help run errands to the office. Murray exemplifies the core values of Imagine School, the press release said. She is respectful, trustworthy, hardworking and full of school spirit. As captain of the girls’ volleyball team, she is a leader and role model.

diac and thoracic procedures performed, Mangonon expanded his practice and opened a second clinic at AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway. His second clinic is located

Courtesy photo

Imagine School at Town Center student Annabelle Murray accepts the Great Kids award.

Flagler Palm Coast High School student Kaighman Gordon

Belle Terre Elementary School student Joey Paci accepts the award from Sheriff Rick Staly.

CORPORATE

BEACHSIDE OFFICE - 386-441-SOLD (7653)

Singas Famous Pizza opens Ormond store

Singas Famous Pizza, a chain founded in New York, boasts build-your-own pizza pies.

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

A new pizza restaurant has recently opened in Ormond Beach, and its owners hope to bring a taste of New York to the community.

Naresh Patel and his sonin-law Hetal Pancholi opened a Singas Famous Pizza location at 376 W. Granada Blvd., Suite A, last month. Singas Famous Pizza was originally founded in 1967 in Elmhurst, New York.

Singas Famous Pizza has had a longtime presence

in both Patel and Pacholi’s lives. Patel said that, when he was about 11 in the 1970s, his father used to take him to Singas to eat pizza. As the chain offers a vast menu of vegetarian options, he said, it is a popular pizza restaurant for the Indian community.

“One day, me and my sonin-law were talking and his father used to do the same for him in Long Island [New York],” Patel said. “So that’s how we got into it.”

Singas Famous Pizza offers build-your-own pizzas, as well as salads, sandwiches and pasta dishes. Patel said all ingredients are fresh, down to freshly cut pineapple and jalapeños, his personal favorite pizza toppings.

Patel and Pancholi opened the Ormond Beach location within three weeks, as Singa’s new storefront on Granada

Place was previously a Pizza Hut. The pair have been working to open another Singas Famous Pizza location in their hometown of Orlando, but that has been an almost ninemonth process, and continues to be ongoing.

“As soon as I looked at this community up here, I liked the area,” Patel said. The Ormond Beach location is their first restaurant. They hope to open five or six other locations throughout Florida, including Jacksonville, Lakeland and Lake Mary. Patel said his favorite part of running a restaurant is pleasing customers. “This business is all about freshness,” Patel said.

Singas Famous Pizza in Ormond Beach is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Organic coffee shop opens in Flagler

Located at 5927 N. Oceanshore Blvd., Debra Jean’s is owned by siblings Jeremie and Kyle Purdy.

WILLIAMS

SIERRA

STAFF WRITER

Debra Jean’s Organic Coffee Café has opened up in the Flagler County’s Hammock.

Located at 5927 N. Oceanshore Blvd., the coffee shop is owned by local siblings Jeremie and Kyle Purdy and uses mindfully sourced beans and natural ingredients, through the siblings’ coffee company, Hammock Coffee Company.

There’s been a bit of a learning curve, but a lot of support from the community, Jeremie Purdy said.

“We’ve been working for almost two years to build up to this,” she said. “So it was a lot of emotions. It was a lot of excitement.”

The Purdys named the restaurant after their mother, who died in 2018. The restaurant opened on March 1 and Purdy said she and her brother have had a lot of interest from the community, even selling out of all of their bagels on the first day.

“We’ve had increase our order 25% each week,” she said. “… We’re expanding our menu weekly.”

The café serves a variety of coffee, including lattes and and what the Debra Jean’s menu calls “FooFoo’s,” an iced, sweet drink made of milk, syrups, espresso and whip cream. Among the treats on the food side of the menu, it has kosher, vegan certified bagels flown in from New York

from a 50-year-old immigrant family and croissants flown in from France.

“Because no one makes croissants better than France,” Purdy said.

The Purdys put a premium on sourcing all their food and ingredients organically, from the coffee their company makes to the food at Debra Jean’s. They try to source food as local as possible, she said, though finding organic, commercial-scale food has been hard. As much as possible, Purdy said she tries to make the food in-house.

Purdy said the organic ingredients have an obvious impact on how their coffees tastes, making their coffee less acidic than people might assume.

“We’re just being very conscious about what we’re serving people,” Purdy said. “All our syrups are organic. Anything that goes in a coffee cup is 100% organic.”

The straws and cups them-

selves are also recyclable and biodegradable. Purdy said eating organically and prioritizing environmentallyfriendly methods is how she and her brother were raised — their mother used to make everything from scratch It may make costs more expensive and the profit margins smaller, she said, but this is the right way to do it.

“When I started off doing this with my brother,” she said, “I told him I said if we can’t do this organically and do it the right way don’t want to do it.”

Purdy said their mother always wanted to have a pastry shop of some kind. When designing the cafe, Purdy said she and her brother put in place all of their mother’s favorite things to remember her by.

“When you walk in here,” she said, “anybody that knew my mom can definitely feel her spirit in here.”

Naresh Patel opened a Singas Famous Pizza location in Ormond Beach in March. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Debra Jean’s Organic Coffee Café, located in Flagler County’s Hammock area. Courtesy of Debra Jean’s

Your Home Sold opens new franchised branch

Broker Jesse Warmka heads up the new franchise office. The office works with both buyers and sellers.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITERE

Palm Coast has a new franchised branch of Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty.

The brokerage held a grand opening ribbon cutting on April 26 at its new offices at 4865 Palm Coast Parkway Northwest, Unit 1. Broker

Jesse Warmka has worked in the real estate industry for 10 years and at the national company since 2021.

Previously, the Your Home Sold branch in Palm Coast

was a subset of the company’s Orlando offices until Warmka purchased his own franchise this year after receiving his broker’s license.

“To me, my challenge is just to grow and to help people while you grow,” Warmka said. “I’m not really driven by money, I’m driven by accomplishments.”

Your Home Sold has branches, offices and franchises across the United States. Not only does the company offer multiple buying and selling guarantees to clients, Warmka said, it also donates a percentage of its sales to charities.

Over the three years Warmka worked at the local office, that branch donated over $44,000 to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Warmka’s franchise will be

donating its sale percentages to Give Kids the World Village in Kissimmee, he said. Give Kids the World is an 89-acre nonprofit resort for children with terminal illnesses and their families. By working with organizations like Make-A-Wish Foundation, Give Kids the World offers families a week-long,

dream vacation.

The best part of working at Your Home and now owning his own franchise, Warmka said, is being able to give back to the community.

“A percentage of every transaction is donated to charity,” Warmka said. “So the bigger the sale, the more we give.”

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

House in Island Estates sells for $2.8 million

Ahouse in Island Estates was the top real estate transaction for March 7-13 in Palm Coast and Flagler County. Mike and Sharon Lochirco, of Sanford, North Carolina, sold 114 Island Estates Parkway to Gary Lynn and Judy Alligood, as trustees, for $2.8 million. Built in 2000, the house is a 4/4 and has a boat dock, a fireplace, a pool, an outdoor kitchen, a hot tub, a boat house, a boat lift and 3,302 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $1,120,000.

ALEXIS MILLER

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Condos

John and Ann Faccone, of The Villages, sold 4600 East Moody Blvd., Unit 15C, to Etoile Realty, LLC, of Palm Coast, for $165,000. Built in 2005, the condo is a 2/2 and has 951 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $170,000.

Richard Schultz Sr., a trustee, sold 65 Veranda Way, Unit 60, to Kathleen Derickson, of San Antonio, Texas, for $278,000. Built in 2004, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,143 square feet. It sold in 2004 for $133,000.

PALM COAST

Bernard Meadows

Una Raffio, of Briarcliff Manor, New York, sold 2 Blair Court to Candice Barry, of Palm Coast, for $325,000. Built in 1981, the house is a 4/2 and has a pool and 1,748 square feet. It sold in 1988 for $82,500.

has 1,999 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $393,800.

Pine Lakes Eleanor Trepanier, Brenda Jean Gugino, Brenda Buchas,

Brett Buchas and William Buchas Jr., of Palm Coast, sold 36 Westbriar Lane to CEMA FL Enterprises, LLC, of Palm Coast, for $250,500. Built in 1990, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,767 square feet. It sold in 2005 for $218,000.

Vassyl Omelianovitch Ioukhyma and Natalia Stepanova Ioukhyma, of Vancouver, BC Canada, sold 21 Whittingham Lane to Kerri Carubia, of Palm Coast, for $430,000. Built in 2006, the house is a 4/2.5 and has 2,917 square feet. It sold in 2008 for $170,000.

Robert Harris Jr. and Gail Harris, of Minneola, sold 84

Whippoorwill Drive to Bobby Joe Lowery, Jr., Kathy Sue Norton and Charlene Hatton, of Palm Coast, for $478,000. Built in 2004, the house is a 4/2 and has a pool, a hot tub and 2,138 square feet. It sold in 2015 for $228,000.

Woodland Maureen Steuer, of Oakdale, New York, sold 13 Blairmore Place to Wayne and Sharon Harrington, of Palm Coast, for $215,000. Built in 1985, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,081 square feet. It sold in 1985 for $67,500.

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

Grand Landings

Grand Haven Robert and Karen Knickerbocker, of West Union, South Carolina, sold 6 Sweetwater Court to Thomas and Anne Sabroe, of Medford, New Jersey, for $720,000. Built in 2014, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 2,198 square feet. It sold in 2014 for $46,000.

Gertrude Hannah, of Palm Coast, sold 116 Spoonbill Drive to Kevin and Sarah McPherson, of Palm Coast, for $449,200. Built in 2017, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,325 square feet. It sold in 2017 for $254,100.

Indian Trails

Fred Swanson, of King City, Oregon, sold 13 Burning Sands Lane to Brazit Group, Inc., of St. Augustine, for $310,000. Built in 2000, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,702 square feet. It sold in 2000 for $119,800.

Matanzas Shores William and Thea bland, of Port St. Lucie, sold 78 Las Casitas Blvd. to Mark and Gertrude Buren, of Palm Coast, for $520,000. Built in 2021, the house is a 4/2 and

The team at the Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty franchise branch, owned by Jesse Warmka. Photo by Sierra Williams

LETTERS

School Board to blame for budget woes

Dear Editor:

An old saying goes, “Take care of the pennies, and the dollars will take care of themselves”; well, it doesn’t always work out that way. While trying to get rid of a gym (at the Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club) that they claim loses $80,000 yearly, the School Board was being robbed of $700,000 (in a cyber theft). If anything goes wrong in education, blame it on the School Board; they’re in charge.

Our chief financial officer ensures us that this will never happen again; I have a problem with this; it did happen; we lost $700,000, and our chief financial officer didn’t get fired; do this in the real world and you get fired, but I guess if you have tenure it ain’t no big deal.

The Flagler Schools budget is (approximately $325 million), and someone easily stole $700,000, but Will Furry and his gang shut down the gym, and apparently the voters in Flagler County couldn’t care less.

DOUGLAS R GLOVER

Palm Coast

Editor’s Note: The school district projected an operational loss of $176,758 for the Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club for the 2023-24 fiscal year. Their projected operating expense in moving to a student focused facility, discontinuing gym and pool memberships and having no staff on site is $79,000.

YOUR TOWN

PERRICELLI GARDEN NAMED MAY 2024 GARDEN OF THE MONTH

The Garden Club of Palm Coast proudly announces Patricia and Frank Perricelli of Frankford Lane as the Selection of the Month for May 2024.

Hailing from New Jersey, the Perricelli’s brought their passion for beauty and creativity to Palm Coast when they relocated in 1997. Frank, a Navy veteran turned advertising professional, is an artist at heart. His passion for painting extends beyond canvases to the vibrant canvas of his garden. With Patricia’s support, Frank’s creative vision comes to life in their yard, transforming it into a colorful oasis of whimsy and charm. Their garden is a masterpiece of sculptured beds adorned with various plants, including variegated agave, society garlic, schefflera, pansies, lantana, and spineless yucca. Standing above the beds are trees like Roebelenii palms, crape myrtles, a Meyer lemon, and an impressive Loquat tree. Azaleas, crotons,

Whose hose is it, anyway?

One of us was like Tom Sawyer, I think. Just not sure who. Make yourself at home

BRIAN MCMILLAN PUBLISHER

After a stressful day of work, sometimes I want to go home and do something really meaningful and make great memories with my family. But instead, on Monday, I went outside by myself to water the lawn with a garden hose because that’s all the brain power I had left.

Fortunately, as I was unwinding the hose, my son Luke found me.

At 6 years old, Luke is looking for an adventure everywhere. And if he doesn’t find one, he brings one.

“Dad, do you know what a sousaphone is?”

“Not sure,” I said, screwing on the spray nozzle. “A phone used by Dr. Seuss?”

“Dad!” Luke said in his half laugh, half scold.

“OK,” I said, “what is a sousaphone?”

“Well,” he said, thrilled to share his knowledge, which he later told me he learned from his music teacher at school that day. “This guy, John Sousa, played a tuba. And he wanted to play it in the marching band, so he uncurled the tuba in a specific way, and he made a sousaphone instead.”

I looked at Luke for more explanation, but there was no moral to the story, just a fact that amazed him. And he was satisfied with amazement.

He pulled up a chair next to me, and we watched the water spray on the grass for a while. I had planted seed in a pesky thin patch several days earlier in the backyard, so this was actually a do-or-die moment for that seed.

In the spray, a rainbow appeared. Then a red cardinal landed in a tree branch.

“Can I try?” Luke asked, holding his hand out for the hose.

This circumstance began to remind me of Tom Sawyer, who tricked his friends into painting the white picket fence for him. I just didn’t know if I was Tom Sawyer, or Luke was.

I gave him the hose, and he immediately started playing with the settings on the nozzle sprayer: shower, full, center. The task at hand was no longer being com-

Hawaiian Ti plants, Mexican heather, plumbago, and birds of paradise provide additional splashes of color.

The Perricelli’s Garden is not merely a collection of plants but a reflection of their creativity, dedication, and love for nature, making them truly deserving of this recogni-

tion. The Garden Club meets monthly on the second Monday of the Month at 1:00 p.m. at Club 51 at 51 Old Kings Road. North Palm Coast, Sept. through May. The plant sale is open to the public 11:30-1 p.m.

ABOVE AND BEYOND TOP SCHOLARS

pleted.

“Stick with ‘mist,’ please,” I said. “We’re trying to get the ground wet so the seed will grow.”

Soon, his feet were getting sprayed, then his hands. Finally, I had to take the hose back, and he was gone, running away, happily dissolving into a new adventure back inside the house.

I was left outside, spraying the grass, or lack thereof. None of my problems at work had been resolved, of course, by this little episode.

But in unexplainable ways, I felt restored, once again, by the miracle of a child’s attention.

What mundane household chores do you do with your children or grand children? Email brian@observerlocalnews.com.

MEET THE FLAGLER HUMANE SOCIETY’S ADOPTABLE PETS

The Flagler Humane Society is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1 Shelter Drive in Palm Coast. Adoption fees vary based on the animal, and the shelter has both dogs and cats up for adoption. Contact FHS at 386-4451814 or visit flaglerhumanesociety. org.

“If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is

a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.” Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944

Publisher Brian McMillan, brian@observerlocalnews.com

OBO Managing Editor Jarleene Almenas, jarleene@observerlocalnews.com

Associate Editor Brent Woronoff, brent@observerlocalnews.com

Staff Writer Sierra Williams, sierra@observerlocalnews.com

Design Manager Hailey McMillan, hailey@observerlocalnews.com

Director of Engagement Kaitlyn Stier, kstier@observerlocalnews.com

Operations Manager Bonnie Hamilton, bonnie@observerlocalnews.com

DRIVEWAY DELIVERY

The Palm Coast & Ormond Beach Observers are published every Thursday. To subscribe for driveway delivery, visit www. observerlocalnews.com/subscribe, call 386-447-9723, or email subscribe@observerlocalnews.com.

TO ADVERTISE Will your customers remember you when they need you? Call 386-4479723 to see how we can help.

EVENTS Submit local nonprofit or entertainment events here: observerlocalnews.com/ calendar.

LETTERS Send letters to brent@ observerlocalnews.com. The editor may make changes for

assigned to the Reconnaissance Attack (Heavy) Squadron (RVAH-11) in 1972 when it was involved in combat operations in the Republic of Vietnam.

Jeffries received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and the Meritorious Unit Commendation. He enrolled at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, in Daytona Beach, using the GI Bill, to obtain a license in airframe and power plant maintenance.

Jeffries relocated to Southern California and took a position with Pacific Southwest Airlines as an aircraft line mechanic, where he worked for 12 years before it got absorbed by US Air. He was hired by DHL Worldwide Express as a station manager at Los Angeles International Airport. After 11 years at DHL, he was hired by the Federal Aviation Administration as a safety inspector, where he worked another 12 years. In 2017, Jeffries retired to Palm Coast. He is a Master Mason in the Freemason fraternity.

Ebru Snodgrass, left, and Lizzette Sanchez represented Flagler Schools at the Able Trust’s High School High Tech Program recently. Supported by Flagler County Education Foundation, the HSHT Program has been recognized as a “Quality High School High Tech” program by meeting, or going above and beyond, the Able Trust Guideposts. Photo courtesy of Flagler Schools

The Flagler/Palm Coast Kiwanis Club recognized its last three Seniors of the Month for the 2023-2024 school year recently, at Flagler Palm Coast High School: March: Leila Jackson; April: Kameran Gordon; May: Nigel Ginola “NG” Njok. Photo courtesy of FPC on X.

Patricia and Frank Perricelli were named the Garden Club’s Selection of the Month. Courtesy photo

Lily, 3

Sprite, 4

Gemma, 8

Holly, 8

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Oasis by the ocean

Themed restaurant takes Shape (of Water) in Palm Coast

CHRISTINE RODENBAUGH

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

State Road A1A meanders along 383 miles of Florida’s East Coast providing a scenic drive with an eclectic collection of restaurants, shops, bars and residences. By the end of the year, Palm Coast could boast its own unique themed dining destination on A1A, The Shape of Water Restaurant, at 5047 N. Oceanshore Blvd. in the Hammock.

A two-story-high water feature beckons guests to stop at an otherwise unassuming spot where gourmet fare will be served in intimate spaces surrounded by waterfalls, lazy rivers and sculpted rocks and trees.

With no background in restaurants or commercial kitchens, aeronautical engineer and entrepreneur Brent Bruns set out on a journey to create not just a place to eat, but rather a place to share a one-of-a-kind dining experience. Nearly 75,000 labor hours later, 21 waterfalls are complete along with a bleeding heart bridge, upcycled waterwheel, decks, crow’s nest seating and a grotto. Bruns’ inspiration for each space has been less about planning, and more about observing the world

around him. The process is organic.

“Most of my ideas come to me at 3 o’clock in the morning. That’s when I plan my day,” Bruns said. “I wanted to call it Hammock Play Garden, but nobody liked that name. I just thought about waterfalls, water, waterfalls … The Shape of Water Restaurant. Everyone loved it, so I kept the name.”

At the beginning of this journey, artist and sculptor Jennifer Butler listened to Bruns’ dream and offered a rough sketch of his vision. Bruns paid her to create a more detailed version and the partnership began a push and pull of creativity.

For example, Butler tucked a small fairy into a nook of a “faux roche” (fake rock) supporting a bridge over one of the many pools of water. From there, Bruns conceived an entire fairy village hoping guests will see something different on each visit.

“The idea is for guests to experience something they never have,” Bruns said.

French cuisine is the heart of the menu featuring such dishes as escargot vol-au-vent, chateaubriand and saumon en papillote. Off-menu and offered as specials, the chef will prepare grass-fed lamb from New Zealand, abalone flown in from California or scallops from Digby, Nova Scotia. Weekly specials may include Boeuf Wellington, Kobe beef or prime rib.

An expanding wine cellar will

include six private label house wines in the most popular varietals like chardonnay and merlot. Repeat customers can look forward to certain VIP perks like a complimentary glass of wine or a sweet bite to finish the meal. From an open kitchen, the chef will visit tables and engage with diners.

Reservations will be required, particularly for premium spaces like the private Sweetheart Room, the Grotto or near the Fire Raintree Tower. Dress will be business casual to semi-formal with limited space for family dining. Expect a 90-minute experience with entertainment such as a violinist, guitarist, mandolin player or magician.

For a more casual experience without reservations or a dress code, guests are welcome at the cozy tiki bar for a variety of libations and appetizers.

With a targeted opening by the end of the year, the public can arrange a tour of the property in progress by calling 386-986-8207 for an appointment.

“This is an atmosphere,” Bruns said. “And I want to tell you about it. I’m planning five years out. In the future, there will be a treehouse.”

Bruns understands that many businesses fail in the first year, especially restaurants. Still, an optimistic motto hangs outside his office door, “Failure is not an option.”

“If you do the right thing, it eventually will come back to you,” Bruns said.

Bruns aspires to offer excellent cuisine with the best service in the most unique atmosphere — at least along Highway A1A.

With the idea of intimate sweetheart dining in mind, the Bleeding Heart Bridge is meant to serve as a portal for lovers to pass and leave any heartbreak behind.

The dining space known as “The Grotto” includes water features in the lighted cave experience. Photo by Christine Rodenbaugh

For Brent Bruns, “failure is not an option” for The Shape of Water Restaurant opening soon at 5047 N. Oceanshore Blvd.

THURSDAY, MAY 2

YOGALATES

When: 10 a.m.

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

Details: The Environmental Discovery Center is hosting a free beginner level yogalates class by Victoria Bennett. Chairs available. Mats recommended. Space is limited. Call 386-615-7081.

PALM COAST

SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL

When: Hours vary, first performances begin 5 p.m. May 2-4, and 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 5.

Where: Daytona State College Palm Coast Amphitheater, 545 Colbert Lane, Palm Coast

Details: Over 40 songwriters are expected to perform with over 150 hits. Single Day (reserved and general admission) tickets are available for purchase, along with a very limited number of Four Day Reserved Seat Passes. Between May 3-5, the Festival will host other shows earlier in the day at local restaurants. For more information including the schedule and to purchase tickets, visit the Palm Coast Songwriters Festival website at www.palmcoastsongwritersfestival.com.

SWING INTO SPRING

When: 6:30-8 p.m.

Where: The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach

Details: Celebrate the start of spring with free concerts at The Casements’ north lawn. This concert series will begin with Blu Highway.

FRIDAY, MAY 3

GLOW ENCOUNTER 2024

When: 7 p.m. Friday, May 3; and 9:15

a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May

4

Where: Calvary Christian Center, 1687 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach

Details: Join other women for the Glow Encounter — 24 hours to

encounter the transformative love, power and light of Christ to be authentically you. Free admission but advance registration is requested. Visit https://calvaryfl.shop/products/glow-encounter.

SATURDAY, MAY 4

LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN

When: 8 a.m.

Where: Ormond Beach City Hall, 22 South Beach St., Ormond Beach

Details: The 1-mile run will start and finish in the breezeway at Ormond Beach City Hall. The run starts at the breezeway, goes west down Corbin Avenue, to Eileen Butts Street, Tomoka Avenue, South Yonge Street, then north on South Yonge Street, east onto West Granada Boulevard to City Hall’s rear sidewalk. The event will also include a Touch-A-Truck event, a DJ and food vendors. Contact Sgt. Michael Garner for more vendor information at pdoutreach@OrmondBeach.org 386-559-0622.

PALM COAST ARBOR DAY FESTIVAL

When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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

Details: Celebrate a love of trees with this event, hosted by the city of Palm Coast. There will be a tree giveaway, a butterfly tent and release, live entertainment, food/ pet food drive, exhibits, a petting zoo and other activities for all ages. Free admission. Free paper shredding will also be available. Attendees may exchange a canned good or pet food item for a free 3-gallon native hardwood tree, while supplies last. Visit https://www.palmcoast.gov/events/ home/Details/arbor-day.

THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS IN CENTRAL FLORIDA

When: 9:30-11 a.m.

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

Details: Learn about the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis and how it was a direct and dangerous confrontation between two world’s superpowers of the time, the United States and the Soviet Union. This program, presented by Lewis Metzger, investigates

the role of military installations like MCO Air Force Base and the ways in which the local media reported on the crisis. Free. Hosted by the Ormond Beach Historical Society.

ORMOND ART WALK

When: 3-7 p.m.

Where: Ormond Beach MainStreet Arts District, 128 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach

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

SUNDAY, MAY 5

PLANT, BOOK AND J

EWELRY SALE

When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Temple Beth Shalom, 40 Wellington Drive, Palm Coast

Details: Temple Beth Shalom will host a pre-Mother’s Day plant, book and jewelry sale event, with Judaica items also available for purchase through the temple’s gift shop. Plants include perennials, herbs, small vegetables, hanging baskets and more. There will be hard and soft cover books, and jewelry to include pearls, natural stone beads and vintage costume jewelry. Collector items may be included. Unsold plants will be available for sale on Monday, May 6, at the temple from 9 a.m. to noon. Call Marylynne Newmark at 954-401-1144.

DAYTONA BEACH CHORAL SOCIETY

When: 3:30 p.m.

Where: Central Baptist Church, 152 Fairview Ave., Daytona Beach

Details: See the Daytona Beach Choral Society perform its program, “City Lights, Country Nights,” to feature America, movie soundtrack favorites, Phantom of the Opera and more. A $10 donation is suggested.

PATHWAYS 5K AND COLOR FUN RUN

When: 4 p.m.

Where: Pathways Elementary School, 2100 Airport Road, Ormond Beach

Details: Join this 5K Color Run or 1-mile Color Fun Run.The early bird deadline to register is April 15. Visit www.pathwayspta.org/color-run.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

PANCAKE BREAKFAST AND BLOOD DRIVE

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

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

Details: The Father Eamonn Gill Council 13018 Knights of Columbus will serve a pancake breakfast at the Social Hall and the OneBlood Big Red Bus will be onsite to accept blood donations. All donors will receive a free pass to the pancake breakfast, as well as a free gift, $20 eGift card and a complimentary

wellness checkup from OneBlood.

The breakfast includes all the pancakes you can eat, scrambled eggs, sausage, orange juice and coffee. The breakfast for non-donors costs $6 for adults, and children under 12 eat free. All are welcome.

MONDAY, MAY 6

PALM COAST ASTRONOMY

CLUB MEETING

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

Where: Palm Coast Public Library, 2500 Palm Coast Parkway, Palm Coast

Details: The month’s meeting is “Astronomy Club Eclipse Observations.” Anyone interested in astronomy is welcome. Meeting room is located immediately to the right after entering the library.

TUESDAY, MAY 7

SPRING BIRD WALKS

WITH JOAN TAGUE

When: 8 a.m.

Where: Environmental Discovery Center, 801 Division Ave., Ormond Beach

Details: Master Naturalist Joan Tague, of the Halifax River Audubon, will lead participants on a casual bird walk along the trails of Central Park. Bring water. Walking shoes and sunscreen recommended. Free.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 8

AARP MEETING

When: 10 a.m. to noon

Where: Ormond Beach Unitarian Universalist Church, 56 N. Halifax Dr., Ormond Beach

Details: The meeting’s guest speaker will be Joseph Cavanaugh, a poet, playwright and government consultant. An optional $5 light lunch will follow. For more information, contact AARP Chapter 1057 President Jeff Boyle at 386 341-9013.

PROBUS CLUB OF PALM COAST

When: 11 a.m. to noon

Where: Social Club of Palm Coast, 51 N. Old Kings Road, Palm Coast

Details: This is a social club for retired and semiretired men and women who meet monthly with a guest speaker on a topic of interest, with other social events during the month. This month’s speaker is Casey Ryan on “Aromatherapy.” All welcome. Free. Explore the benefits of joining. For more information contact Larry Wright at palmcoastprobusclub@gmail.com.

THURSDAY, MAY 9

HALIFAX GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY MONTHLY MEETING

When: 1:30-3:45 p.m.

Where: Ormond Beach Library Auditorium, 30 South Beach St., Ormond Beach

Details: Genealogist Ann Osisek will give a presentation titled, “Calico & Cornbread – How to Find Your Female Ancestors” for the club’s May meeting. The presentation is meant to help with faster researching of the women in a genealogist’s family

trees. Guest registration is free.

TRADEWINDS EXHIBIT 2024

When: 5-7 p.m.

Where: Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens, 78 East Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach

Details: Celebrate the opening of “Tradewinds 2024,” an exhibit featuring artwork by Seabreeze High School students. Meet many of the exhibiting artists and enjoy light refreshments.

SWING INTO SPRING

When: 6:30-8 p.m.

Where: The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach

Details: Celebrate the start of spring with free concerts at The Casements’ north lawn. This concert will feature The Moonlighters.

SATURDAY, MAY 11

LOW-COST PET SHOT CLINIC

When: 9-10:30 a.m.

Where: The Ice House, 810 State St., Bunnell

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

FOURTH ANNUAL PALM COAST TOUCH A TRUCK

When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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

Details: The city of Palm Coast will host its annual Touch a Truck event. This year’s theme, “Connecting Our Worlds to the Future,” aims to provide local youth with an interactive and educational experience, allowing them to explore and engage with various equipment.

PILOT CLUB OF THE HALIFAX AREA’S ANNUAL FASHION SHOW

When: Noon

Where: Mary McLeod Bethune Performing Arts Center, 698 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach

Details: Thus annual fashion show is a fundraiser to benefit the local youth and charities. Tickets are $36 each, and the show will include a luncheon, the latest fashions from JCPenney, basket raffles and a 360 photo booth.Tickets can be purchased at halifaxpilotsclub. ticketspice.com/halifax-fashion-fest and the show is also viewable virtually at halifaxpilotsclub.ticketspice. com/halifax-fashion-fest for those unable to attend in person. The virtual attendees will be eligible for cash prizes. Doors open at 11 a.m.

AWARD-WINNING PIANIST TO PERFORM IN ORMOND BEACH

Vienna Grand Prize Virtuoso International Music Competition winning pianist Alessandro Fonseca will be presenting a concert in Ormond Beach on May 19.

The concert will begin at 3 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, located at 56 N. Halifax Drive. Originally from Brazil, where Fonseca completed his undergraduate musical studies, he moved to the U.S. where he obtained his master’s degree in piano performance and a doctorate in musical arts at the University of Oregon. During his career, Fonseca has been the recipient of many prestigious international awards in Brazil, Europe, and America. He is currently on the faculty at Daytona State College, where he teaches piano and works as an accompanist for the music school. Fonseca is also the pianist for the Bel Canto Singers of Daytona and has been the featured soloist with many orchestras throughout Florida.

The first half of this solo concert will focus on the Romantic and Classical periods of the European

tradition: a Beethoven Sonata and Chopin Nocturne and Waltz. The second half will feature music from outside of European traditions. He will play two pieces by 20th century Brazilian composers, Villa-Lobos and Guarnieri, then “Rhapsody in Blue” by Gershwin, and end with “Islamey,” written by Russian composer, Mily Balakirev. This last piece is considered one of the most difficult of all piano pieces, according to a press release.

The event is open to the public, and tickets are $25 in advance (available at www.tinyurl.com/UUPianoConcert). Limited tickets are available, and if seating remains, tickets at the door will be $30.

AFRICAN AMERICAN GIRLS MENTORING PROGRAM GRADUATES

19 FLAGLER SENIORS

Flagler Schools Superintendent LaShakia Moore opened the 2024 African American Mentoring Program for Girls End of Year event on April 26 at the George Washington

Carver Community Center. And School Board member Dr. Colleen Conklin and Bunnell City Councilman John Rogers closed the event.

AAMP graduated 19 high school seniors and hosted the largest audience in program history. Flagler Palm Coast High School’s Emerald Achievers and Matanzas High School’s Blue Diamonds stood to

take oaths to continue to strive for success and excellence.

The Flagler County Education Foundation sponsored the event. Program coordinators Maryiotti Johnson and Rashawnda LloydMiller said they look forward to the growth of the program throughout Flagler Schools.

FLAGLER FIFTH GRADE SCIENCE FAIR FEATURES

49

TOP PROJECTS AND 20 ACTIVITY TABLES

Flagler Schools’ Fifth Grade Science Fair and Expo featured 49 top science projects and an expo with 20 activity tables.

The event was held on Tuesday, April 23, at the Buddy Taylor Middle School/Wadsworth Elementary School cafeteria. Ten student projects from each of the district’s five elementary school were selected to participate in the fair. The 49 projects were judged by 17 professionals and students from Flagler Palm Coast and Matanzas high schools.

Old Kings Elementary School students swept the top three places, but the scores were very close, said Heidi Alves, the district’s teaching and learning specialist for science, PE and health.

The activity tables were provided by many community partners including The Flagler Education Foundation, Palm Coast Parks and Recreation, Marineland, EmbryRiddle Aeronautical Univerity, the Dairy Council of Florida, the Guy Harvey Foundation, Sea Grant/UF Extension Office and the Everglades Foundation. Activity tables included rock mining and making homemade ice cream. The expo also featured four showings inside the school district’s

StarDome, a portable planetarium purchased through the half-cent sales tax.

“It was a great night,” Alves said. “I cannot wait until next year.”

THE WINNERS:

First Place: The Perfect Fit by Magnolia Vandebunte, Old Kings Elementary School

Second place: Talking to Plants by Emery Ferella, Old Kings Elementary School

Third place: Is the 5 Second Rule ... TRUE? by Leila Worley, Old Kings Elementary School

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The University Women of Flagler presented the Family Life Center with a grant of $ 1,000 to use for the education, training or professional certification of one or more of the women in their shelter. Pictured from left are FLCFV Executive Director Trish Giaccone, UWF members Kay Forest, Pat Smith, Jean Seavey and UWF President Jo Dervan.

Matanzas High’s Blue Diamonds African American Mentoring Program for Girls mentees and mentors. Courtesy photos

Flagler Palm Coast High School’s Emerald Achievers African American Mentoring Program for Girls mentors and mentees.

Alessandro Fonseca will be presenting a concert in Ormond Beach on May 19. Courtesy photo

COMICS

Non Sequitur

Nancy

Mother Goose and Grimm

The Duplex

In the Bleachers

Cornered Ziggy

The Fusco Brothers

Team work

BRENT WORONOFF

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

An unexpected school record by the 4x800 relay team started Flagler Palm Coast’s run to the District 3-4A girls track and field championship. The 4x400 relay team finished it off.

The Bulldogs girls team won its first district title since 2018, while FPC’s boys placed third at the district meet on April 24 at Spruce Creek High School.

“To win this means everything,” said senior Taylor Spann, who automatically qualified for regionals with a fourth-place finish in the 100 hurdles and placed fifth in both long jump and javelin.

The Bulldogs briefly dropped to second place behind Spruce Creek with one event remaining after the Hawks’ Mackenzie and Arianna Roy placed first and second in the 3,200-meter run.

But FPC placed second in the final

Relays, field events help Flagler Palm Coast win the girls district track and field championship on April 24, at Spruce Creek High.

event, the 4x400 relay, while the Hawks finished seventh. The Bulldogs won by four points over the host team — 128.33 to 124.33. Sanford Seminole placed third with 111.50 points.

Lake Mary (116 points) won the boys championship ahead of Seminole (113) and FPC (88).

FPC athletes won four individual titles: Tanner Cauley-Bennett won the boys pole vault, tying his personal record of 3.90 meters (12 feet, 9.5 inches). Colby Cronk won the boys shot put and Maya Tyson won girls shot put. Zeli Hayworth won boys javelin with a personal record of 57.04 meters (187 feet, 2 inches).

Cronk is the state’s leading shot putter with a school-record distance of 17.75 meters (58 feet, 3 inches) set at Thursday Night Spikes on April 18 at Bartram Trail. Tyson won with a distance of 11.51 meters (37 feet, 9.25 inches). Tyson and Cronk also both placed second in discus, Tyson with a PR of 34.47 meters (113 feet, 1 inch).

“You don’t get a Colby and a Maya come around in the same year very often,” FPC throws coach Paul Spegele said.

Hayworth placed second at the Class 3A state meet last year when he was with Seabreeze. FPC boys javelin throwers took four of the top five places at district with Elijah Thero second, Jacob Stevenson fourth and Ladarius Simmons fifth.

FPC’s girls 4x800 relay team finished third behind Lake Brantley and Spruce Creek. Both of those teams are ranked among the top five in the state in Class 4A. The Bulldogs’ school-record time of 9:39.43 moved the squad from a 27th ranking in Class 4A all the way up to No. 7.

“We all PR’d,” said Arianna Slaughter, who ran the event with Bella Tarsitano, Cassidy De Young, and Madison Lagarde. “Sometimes a couple of us PR and then others

championship.

don’t. But we all PR’d today.”

They didn’t even decide to compete in the 4x800 at district until the last minute, they said.

“We weren’t going to run the 4-by-8,” De Young said. “We haven’t run it for a while, but then we were like, we should run it in case we can go to regionals, maybe states.”

They had no idea they had a chance to break the school record of 9:41.64, set in 2018, until Slaughter, running the anchor leg, heard coach David Halliday yelling to her on her final lap: “You can get the school record.”

“I was, like, ‘wait, what?’” Slaughter said. “That gave me some motivation, because I was dying at the end.”

Their previous best was 10:10.50. They dropped more than 30 seconds off their time.

“Now we’re excited for regionals,” Tarsitano said.

The girls 4x400 relay team of De Young, Summer Barnes, Karina

Marcelus and Jayden Wright set a personal record of 4:08.96, edging third-place Lake Brantley by fourtenths of a second. When Wright crossed the finish line, the girls knew they had won the team championship.

The 4x100 relay team of Aun’Yale Howard, Olivia Gaines, Jada Dotson and Barnes also placed second (48.73 seconds).

Gaines broke her own school record with a long jump of 5.42 meters (17 feet, 9.5 inches). She also set a personal record in the triple jump at 11.44 meters (37 feet, 6.5 inches).

Gaines placed second in triple jump and third in long jump to qualify for regionals in three events.

“It was just a good day,” she said.

Other automatic regional qualifiers for the FPC girls were Barnes (fourth in the 100, third in the 200), Marcelus (third in 100 hurdles), Leilany Rosa (third in pole vault)

“We weren’t going to run the 4-by-8. We haven’t run it for a while, but then we were like, we should run it in case we can go to regionals, maybe states.”

CASSIDY DE YOUNG

and Howard (third in javelin with a throw of 107 feet, 7 inches). Howard set a new school record of 109-2 at Thursday Night Spikes.

Also automatically qualifying for the boys were the 4x800 relay team (third place) of Ayden Peterson, Tyler Jones-Bock, Ryan Gilvary and Evan Williams; Chase Magee (fourth in pole vault) and Gethin Pritchard (fourth in shot put).

At-large qualifiers will be announced after the final district holds its meet on May 2. The Region 1-4A championships are scheduled for Wednesday, May 8, at the University of North Florida.

Matanzas’ Miller, Howard each win individual event at district track meet

The Pirates also won the girls 4x400 relay.

BRENT WORONOFF

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Matanzas’ Evanne Miller and Sierra Howard each won two first-place medals at the District 4-3A track and field championships April 24 at Beachside High School in St. Johns County. Miller won the girls 400-meter run in a time of 59.39 seconds. Howard won the 800-meter run in 2:22.81. And Howard, Jordan Youngman, Gabrielle Duncan and Miller won the 4x400 relay with a time of 4:06.88.

Youngman automatically qualified for regionals in all four of her events. In addition to the relay, she placed second in the 400 hurdles (1:05.86), third in the 100 hurdles (15.86) and third in the high jump (4 feet, 11.75 inches). Bryonna Bowdry placed second in discus with a personal record 32.83 meters (107 feet, 8 inches). Among the Matanzas boys, Jeffrey Powell placed second in triple jump (41 feet, 8 inches), leading three Pirates among the top five with Ladarien Baker placing third (41 feet, 7.25 inches), and Kenneth Robinson finishing fifth. Jordan Theus-Vale was runner-up in discus (142 feet, 9 inches). Jordan

Mills placed fourth in both the 110 hurdles (15.55 seconds) and the 400 hurdles (59.77 seconds).

The Pirates finished fourth in both the boys and girls team standings.

First through fourth places automatically qualify for the Region 1-3A meet on May 8 at the University of North Florida. At-large qualifiers will be announced on May 2.

“All the kids we expected to qualify did, and we had some kids step up and compete real well,” Matanzas coach Tim Kane said. “I suspect we’ll have a number of at-large qualifiers also. We’re pleased with the effort we’re getting. It’s coming at the right time.”

Jayden Wright (right) hugs Cassidy De Young after they placed second in the 4x400 relay with Summer Barnes and Karina Marcelus to clinch the district championship.

Tanner Cauley-Bennett has the height to clear the bar in the pole vault. The junior tied his personal best of 3.90 meters (12 feet, 9.5 inches) to win the district

The FPC girls track and field team poses with the District 3-4A championship trophy. Photos by Brent Woronoff

Leilany Rosa clears a hurdle in the 400 hurdles. Rosa placed seventh. She also placed third in pole vault to qualify for regionals.

Sierra Howard won the 800-meter run at the District 4-3A meet. Courtesy photo by Rachel Mills

Evanne Miller (center, at a meet in March at the Villages Charter School) won the 400 meters at the District 4-3A meet on April 24. File photo by Rachel and Abe Mills.

Synchro Belles of Palm Coast qualify for regionals

The artistic swimming club trains year round at the Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club.

BRENT WORONOFF

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

The Synchro Belles of Palm Coast competevd in a USA Artistic Swimming event, the Florida North East and North West Associations Championship, April 20-21 in Stuart. Everyone from the club’s Junior Olympic level qualified for regionals May 4-5 in Coral Springs. At regionals, they hope to qualify for the Junior Olympic championship this summer in Portland, Oregon.

The Synchro Belles train

year-round at the Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club. They have a satellite club in Oviedo. Artistic swimming combines swimming with gymnastics and dance.

“You have to be a good swimmer, you have to be be able to hold your breath,” said Michael Davidson, president of the Synchro Belles. “There’s some acrobatics, a little bit of daredevil risk taking when you’re tossed in air. They’re not allowed to touch the bottom of the pool, so they have to push the water to generate that platform. There’s some pageantry as well. The makeup they use is all waterproof, designed to be in the water.”

In addition the advanced Junior Olympic level, the Synchro Belles also have interme-

diate and novice levels.

The Synchro Belles will host a summer camp for boys and girls age 6 to 18 on Aug. 5-9, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club, 73 Patricia Drive, Palm Coast. Cost is $120. To register, go to synchrobelles.com. For more information, email info@synchrobelles.com.

Call Marylynne for more info: (954) 401-1144

Unsold

It’s been a whirlwind for Mike Klein

Seabreeze’s new football coach was hired one week before his first spring practice.

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Seabreeze offensive lineman Luke Cloer has been through this before. Three springs, three head football coaches. Mike Klein is the third coach in three years the rising seniors have been introduced to.

But this time, it’s a little different. Klein, the former defensive coordinator at DeLand High school, was hired by the Sandcrabs on April 22. One week later, he was on the field running noncontact drills on the first day of spring practice.

“The timing is terrible, but the opportunity is fantastic,” said Klein, 32, who has been a defensive coordinator for almost 10 years but has never been a head coach.

Klein takes over for Lester Davis, who resigned on April 3 after one season with the Sandcrabs to join former Mainland coach Travis Roland at Camden County High School in Georgia.

Klein met his players just five days before their first practice. On Monday, April 29, his assistant coaches ran the pre-practice meetings, while Klein, who is teaching at DeLand through the end of the school year, rushed across the county to arrive at Seabreeze by 4:30 p.m. when the players hit the practice field.

“You know, last year was kind of the same way,” Cloer said, noting the players didn’t know much about Davis when he replaced the departing Pat Brown. “But, I feel like last year when Brown left and then Davis came in, we didn’t really have the same type of strong player base. I feel like this year, the upcoming seniors like me, Hayden (Hayes), Brogan (Kelly), Brody (Boda), we all made sure that everyone was working even though we were without a coach. So, Coach Klein, I feel like he’s going to be a great leader, but I feel like we already mentally prepared ourselves, even if we were going into spring without a coach.”

STAFF HAS DEEP ROOTS

Klein said he is not trying to reinvent the wheel. He is relying on strong leadership from

his seniors, and he has no plans to bring in new guys to the coaching staff. He knows Seabreeze has a veteran staff with strong ties to the school. And he doesn’t want to make a single change.

“All the coaches on the staff are there for the kids,” Klein said. “Half of them are alumni and Seabreeze football means a lot to them. Those are the guys I want on the staff.”

Assistant coaches Blake Hillman, Pepper Johnson and A.J. McNerney all played for the Sandcrabs. They all played for Kerry Kramer, when he was their defensive coordinator in the 80’s and early 90’s or when he was head coach from 1995 to 2000. Kramer returned from retirement a few years ago, and he was in his usual place, coaching defensive linemen, on Klein’s first day.

Seabreeze’s coaches are all familiar with Klein, who played at New Smyrna Beach for former Seabreeze coach Rocky Yocam, Kramer’s cousin. Klein has been DeLand’s defensive coordinator for the past two years and Spruce Creek’s defensive coordinator for three years before that.

He’s familiar with the coaches and players in the area, and they are familiar with him.

“I’ve know Mike since he played at New Smyrna Beach,” Hillman said. “He’s going to do a great job here.”

‘A BIG PIECE OF MY LIFE’ Klein played linebacker at Jacksonville University from 2010 to 2014. He was the Pioneer League’s Defensive Freshman of the Year his first season. He received a degree in economics but he says he majored in football, which may sound like a tragic story of an athlete not preparing

for the rest of his life, but that wasn’t the case with Klein.

“I knew what I wanted to do with my life,” he said. “I soaked up everything. I wanted to play, but I knew I wanted to be a coach. I wanted to stay around the game as long as I could. It’s the best game in the world, a big piece of my life.” After coaching at his high school alma mater for a couple of seasons, he joined his college defensive coordinator, Jerry Odom, at Tusculum University for three seasons. He became Tusculum’s defensive coordinator and head of strength and conditioning for the entire athletic program. But he missed high school coaching, so he and his family moved back to Volusia County in 2019.

“College football is a lot of fun, but it’s all business,” he said. “My passion in coaching is the development of young men. I know I had some coaches who helped mentor me become the man I am today.”

Cloer believes Klein is going to restore Seabreeze into the powerhouse football program it used to be.

“I think he’s the type of coach that’s win now, reload, win now, reload,” Cloer said. “I’m Christian faith and I know he is too. I feel the most dangerous athlete is heavy in faith, and I think the most dangerous coach is heavy in faith too.”

Klein said it’s been a whirlwind since he was hired, which is just fine with him.

“Right now we’re prioritizing what needs to be done,” he said. “Sometimes God opens doors when they need to be opened. We’ve had a late start, but it’s not going to be a slow start.”

Synchro Belles Cristina Davidson, Katherine Elliott, Gabrielle Spence, Annabelle Pladdys, Emma Gilbert, Anna Lengyel and Sophia Bevilacqua

Clockwise, starting at the top, Synchro Belles Cristina Davidson, Katherine Elliott, Gabrielle Spence, Annabelle Pladdys, Emma Gilbert, Bibor Fabian, Anna Lengyel and Sophia Bevilacqua. Courtesy

photo by Janie Gilbert/Marquis VP

Anna Lengyel at the April 20-21 artistic swimming event in Stuart.

Synchro Belles Katherine Elliott, Gabrielle Spence, Annabelle Pladdys, Emma Gilbert, Anna Lengyel and Sophia Bevilacqua

New Seabreeze coach Mike Klein huddles up with his players on the first day of spring practice. Photo by Brent Woronoff

SIDE LINES

Matanzas softball is last team standing

Matanzas’ softball team is the lone survivor.

Two days into the high school baseball and softball district tournaments, the Pirates are the last local team still alive in the postseason. They have had a stellar year, and they hope to keep it going.

After defeating Mainland 4-0 on Tuesday, April 30, Matanzas (19-3) will play host to Deltona (17-5) in the District 4-5A softball championship at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 2.

Even if the Pirates don’t win the district title, they will likely advance to the regional playoffs. They are currently ranked fifth in Region 1 with the top eight teams, plus any district champs not in the top eight, advancing.

Advancing through the playoffs, however, won’t be an easy task. Four of the top five teams in Class 5A are in Region 1, including top-ranked Middleburg and No. 2 Gulf Breeze.

Leah Stevens and Ashley Sampselle combined to shut out the Bucs (4-18) in the district semifinals. Stevens struck out seven batters in 2.2 innings, while Sampselle struck out seven in 4.1 innings.

Mainland’s Bella DeJulio allowed four hits and one earned run in six innings. DeJulio, who will play softball next year at St. Leo University, finished her high school career with over 600 strikeouts.

Mainland defeated Pine Ridge 15-1 in the district quarterfinals on April 29. Jacqueline Methot drove in three runs and Lauren Cruz drove in two. DeJulio did not allow a hit in five innings. She struck out 14.

Juliet Fogel and Mackenzie Manhart each drove in a run for Matanzas against the Bucs. In other games:

SOFTBALL

FPC FALLS TO UNIVERSITY

Flagler Palm Coast fell to University 14-4 in the District 2-7A softball semifinals on April 30.

The Bulldogs (16-10) likely finished their season. Freshman Mackenzie West hit a home run and drove in three runs for FPC. University (14-10-1) collected 13 hits, including seven extra-base hits. The Titans

will face top-seeded Spruce Creek for the district title. West and Sadie Schell each batted over .400 this season for the Bulldogs. West led FPC with a .493 batting average and four home runs. Schell, who will be a senior next year, batted .404 with 12 doubles.

SEABREEZE KNOCKED OUT

Seabreeze fell to Atlantic 12-2 in the District 4-4A semifinals on April 29.

BASEBALL

PIRATES FALL IN SEMIFINALS

Matanzas defeated Mainland 15-5 at home in the District 5-5A baseball quarterfinals on April 29. But the Pirates lost to top seed Pine Ridge 5-1 in the semifinals the next night to finish the season with a 10-14 record.

Matanzas trailed Mainland 4-0 in the middle of the third inning but scored three runs each in the third, fourth and fifth innings and ended the game with a six-run sixth inning.

Braden Russell went 3 for 3 with four RBIs for the Pirates in the win over the Bucs. Freshmen Nick Pandich, Dylan Vanderbur and Wiley

Conner and senior Ben Apfelbach each had two hits. Leadoff hitter Ethan DiGuglielmo hit a triple in the sixth, walked three times and scored four runs.

SANDALWOOD EDGES FPC

Sandalwood scored three runs in the top of the fifth inning to defeat Flagler Palm Coast 3-2 in a District 1-7A quarterfinal on April 29. FPC starter Jordan Gonzalez got out of trouble in the fourth with a strikeout to leave the bases loaded. Jackson Phillips tossed a complete game for the Saints, allowing one earned run on four hits.

FPC’s Brenin Striplin had an RBI single with two outs in the second inning. Marion Clayton scored on a wild pitch in the fourth. The Bulldogs finished the season with a 14-12 record.

WOLVES SHUT OUT SANDCRABS

Deltona blanked Seabreeze 9-0 in the District 5-5A semifinals on April 30. The Sandcrabs’ season ends at 10-16.

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BEAUTY TREATMENT by Adam Simpson, edited by Jeff Chen

By Luis Campos

April 28 at St. Cloud.

FPC’s Marion Clayton rounds second base on his way to third. Clayton scored on a wild pitch to give the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning against Sandalwood. Photo by Brent Woronoff

Tatum Pierce at the USA BMX

Florida State Championship. Courtesy photo

FIRST INSERTION NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT

FLAGLER COUNTY LEGAL NOTICES

FIRST INSERTION

Law, PA

Empress Lane Palm Coast, Florida 32164 Telephone: (386) 864-3578 May 2, 9, 2024 24-00095G

FIRST INSERTION

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2024 CP 000045 Division 48 IN RE: ESTATE OF LYNN MARGARET LAUTERBACH Deceased.

The administration of the estate of Lynn Margaret Lauterbach, deceased, whose date of death was October 19, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Flagler County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is Kim C. Hammond Justice Center, 1769 E Moody Blvd Building #1, Bunnell, FL 32110. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AF-

TER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ANY WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, all of its right, title and interest to the following Equipment: (1) 2014 Utility Dry Van Trailer VIN: 1UYVS2539EP038406 (1) 2023 Freightliner PT126SLP Sleeper Tractor VIN: 3AKJHHDRXPSNK1236 Terms: Successful bidder must pay 25% of purchase price at time of sale via cash, certified or acceptable bank check, with the balance payable in good funds on the next business day, unless: 1. The bidder has pre-qualified by presenting CCG with a written non-contingent, lending commitment from a source and in a form acceptable to CCG in its sole discretion, in which case we will entertain bids up to the amount of such written commitment; or 2. The bidder has obtained from CCG written credit approval in advance of the scheduled public sale. CCG reserves the right to bid at the sale. Contact Herb Orengo at (630) 718-4684 for additional information or to arrange an inspection of the Equipment. May 2, 2024 24-00147F FIRST INSERTION NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2024 CP 000038 Division 48 IN RE: ESTATE OF HOPE G. SANBORN a/k/a HOPE ELIZABETH SANBORN, HOPE MARY ELIZABETH GARDNER Deceased. The administration of the estate of Hope G. Sanborn, deceased, whose date of death was August 14, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Flagler County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 1769 E. Moody Blvd, Building #1, Bunnell, FL 32110. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is May 2, 2024. Personal Representative:

/s/ Siobhan M. Connolly, Trust Officer Garden State Trust Company 2101 Highway 34 South, Suite A Wall Township, NJ 07719 Attorney for Personal Representative: /s/ Anthony C. Soviero Anthony C. Soviero, Esq. Florida Bar Number: 296910 1025 W. Indiantown Road, Ste 106 Jupiter, FL 33458 Telephone: (561) 278-0098 E-Mail: tony@soviero.net Secondary E-Mail: lisa@soviero.net

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is May 2, 2024. Personal Representative: Julia Lauterbach 7 Criston Court Palm Coast, Florida 32137

Attorney for Personal Representative: /s/ Jennifer A. McGee

Jennifer A. McGee, Esq., Attorney Florida Bar Number: 1023165

6 Meridian Home Lane, Unit 201 Palm Coast, Florida 32137 Telephone: (386) 320-7300 E-Mail: jennifer@mcgeelawfl.com Secondary E-Mail: denise@mcgeelawfl.com May 2, 9, 2024 24-00096G

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF FLORIDA IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY GENERAL JURISDICTION DIVISION CASE NO. 18-2021-CA-000358 US BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR VRMTG ASSET TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. JOHN CHRISTOPHER SCHMITT AKA JOHN C. SCHMITT, et al., Defendant. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Summary Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered December 21, 2022 in Civil Case No. 18-2021-CA-000358 of the Circuit Court of the SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT in and for Flagler County, Bunnell, Florida, wherein US BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR VRMTG ASSET TRUST is Plaintiff and JOHN CHRISTOPHER SCHMITT AKA JOHN C. SCHMITT, et al., are Defendants, the Flagler County Clerk of Court, TOM W. BEXLEY, will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash online via https://flagler. realforeclose.com/index.cfm in accordance with Chapter 45, Florida Statutes on the 7th day of June, 2024 at 11:00 AM on the following described property as set forth in said Summary Final Judgment, to-wit: Lot 4, Block 6, Palm Coast, Map of Florida Park Section 2, according to the plat or map thereof described in Map Book 6, at Page(s) 3, of the Public Records of Flagler County, Florida, as amended by instrument recorded in Official Records Book 35, at Page 528, of the Public Records of Flagler County, Florida. Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the lis pendens, must file a claim before the clerk reports the surplus as unclaimed.

If you are a person with a disability who needs an accommodation in order to access court facilities or participate in a court proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. To request such an accommodation, please contact Court Administration in advance of the date the service is needed: Court Administration, 125 E. Orange Ave., Ste. 300, Daytona Beach, FL 32114; (386) 257-6096. Hearing or voice impaired, please call 1 (800) 955-8770.

By: /s/Robyn Katz

Robyn Katz, Esq. McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC

Attorney for Plaintiff 225 East Robinson Street, Suite 155 Orlando, FL 32801 Phone: (407) 674-1850 Fax: (321) 248-0420 Email: MRService@mccalla.com Fla. Bar No.: 146803 23-06723FL May 2, 9, 2024 24-00097G

FIRST INSERTION NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 7th JUDICIAL COURT IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO. : 2024-CP-000162 DIVISION : 48 IN RE: ESTATE OF: WILLIAM M. McGILL, III a/k/a WILLIAM McPHEARSON McGILL III Deceased. The administration of the estate of WILLIAM M. McGILL, III a/k/a WILLIAM McPHEARSON McGILL III, deceased, whose date of death was December 6, 2023; is pending in the Circuit Court for Flagler County, Florida, Probate Division, File Number 2024-CP-000162; the address of which is 1769 E. Moody Blvd, Building #1, Bunnell, FL 32110. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, and who have been served a copy of this notice must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE

FIRST INSERTION NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA GENERAL JURISDICTION DIVISION CASE NO. 2018 CA 000256 U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff, vs. ANNEKE DILLARD TURNER, et al. Defendant(s). NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated March 28, 2019, and entered in 2018 CA 000256 of the Circuit Court of the SEVENTH Judicial Circuit in and for Flagler County, Florida, wherein U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION is the Plaintiff and ANNEKE DILLARD TURNER; UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF ANNEKE DILLARD TURNER; JAMES KUYKENDALL; CARLYN KUYKENDALL; FLORIDA HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION are the Defendant(s). TOM W. BEXLEY as the Clerk of the Circuit Court will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash at https://flagler.realforeclose.com, at 11:00 AM, on May 24, 2024, the following described property as set forth in said Final Judgment, to wit: LOT 3, OF BLOCK 47, OF PALM COAST, MAP OF PINE GROVE, SECTION 28, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 9, PAGE 51, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA. Property Address: 21 PORT ROYAL DR, PALM COAST, FL 32164 Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the lis pendens must file a claim in accordance with Florida Statutes, Section 45.031. IMPORTANT AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT. If you are a person with a disability who needs an accommodation in order to access court facilities or participate in a court proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. To request such an accommodation, please contact Court Administration in advance of the date the service is needed: Court Administration, 101 N. Alabama Ave., Ste D-305, Deland, FL 32724, (386) 257-6096. Hearing or voice impaired, please call 711. Dated this 24 day of April, 2024. ROBERTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNEID, CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC

Attorney for Plaintiff 6409 Congress Ave., Suite 100 Boca Raton, FL 33487 Telephone: 561-241-6901 Facsimile: 561-997-6909

Service Email: flmail@raslg.com By: \S\Danielle Salem Danielle Salem, Esquire Florida Bar No. 0058248 Communication Email: dsalem@raslg.com 18-151107 - EuE May 2, 9, 2024 24-00099G FIRST INSERTION NOTICE OF ACTION IN THE CIRCUIT COURT, IN AND FOR

(3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. FIRST DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE IS: May 2, 2024. /s/ DEBORAH MARINELLO 5806 NW 126th Terrace Coral Springs, FL 33076 /s/ PHILIP A. DIGATI 5600 Davie Road Davie, FL 33314 Fla. Bar No. 205631 Phone No.: (954)524-6300

Email:Padlawyer@yahoo.com May 2, 9, 2024 24-00098G