PTOO December 2019

PORT ORANGE

Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

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VOLUME 3, NO. 5

Sales tax back on the agenda 2020 or 2022: When should a sales tax appear on the ballot again? County officials continue talks. PAGE 5A

Dog-dining ordinance gets OK Restaurants will need to apply for a $50 permit.

JARLEENE ALMENAS NEWS EDITOR

When it comes to dining with your pup, Port Orange residents and visitors may soon see a lot more “pawsibilities.”

City Council approved an ordinance on first reading to allow dogs in outdoor restaurant seating areas with a 4-1 vote; Councilman Chase Tramont voted against. Restaurants wanting to participate in the dog friendly SEE DINING PAGE 5A

INSIDE ADOPTION DAY

Volusia, Flagler families made complete at National Adoption Day event.

PAGE 3A

FACTORY TOUR

Spruce Creek class tours manufacturing plants PAGE 11A

Time to feast

Jewish Federation helps families have a happy Thanksgiving PAGE 7A Photo by Wayne Grant

Marta Weiseerg, Nancee Rein and Carol Stauffer prepare to hand out food for Thanksgiving at the Jerry Doliner Food Bank.

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Sing along!

Photo by Mike Kitaif

Thank You Five cast members are filled with the holiday spirit for their third annual “Old Fashioned Family Christmas,” opening Dec. 13 in Port Orange. From left: Bernadette Siudock, Terence Van Auken, Desiree McCaskill, John Hardeback, Diane Neighmond, Lila Gay.

p.m. Dec. 15 Where: 4606 S. Clyde Morris Blvd., Unit 2N, Port Orange Cost: $15 Details: Fun for the entire family. Sing-along favorites presented with live music in the style of a variety show of the 1960s. In addition to the sing-alongs, there will be holiday themed comedy skits and poems performed by Thank You Five family members.

Also this year, scenes from an original holiday play by local playwright Michael Urban will be interspersed throughout the show.

Meet Santa before the show; every child will receive a gift.

Call 295-5699 or visit www.thankyoufive.org

PORT ORANGE OBSERVER

|

DECEMBER 2019

hearing applications or roadway projects.

City staff has also generated a QR code to scan with a smartphone or tablet that will direct users to a mobile-friendly version of the interactive map, the press release states. Visit port-orange.org/developmentactivityreport, and find a video tutorial explaining the layout of the map.

YOUR TOWN

DECEMBER WALKS WITH HAPPY WANDERERS

Courtesy photo

The Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team visited Port Orange Elementary on Nov. 12, and brought with them equipment for the school.

Students in first through third grades learned hockey skills, played games and had

Port Orange Elementary students learn hockey skills from the Tampa Bay Lightning team.

fun with the team. Thanks to the team’s donation, each child got a hockey stick and ball to take home. The physical education department also got hockey sticks, goals and jerseys.

LOHMAN FUNERAL HOME GETS REMODELED Lohman Funeral Home Port Orange celebrated its rededication ceremony and open house on Nov. 7, which included a multifaith program to bless and pray over the newly remodeled building.

“The updated palette is soothing and offers a comfortable environment for all types of services,” said General Manager Debby Eichenblatt in a press release. “From prearranged funeral services to

aftercare follow up, Lohman Funeral Home Port Orange is the preferred provider for many area families. We welcome our community to experience this fresh, modern remodel and join us for this special celebration.”

The funeral home opened in the former bank building at 1201 Dunlawton Ave. in spring 2007 after it was purchased and renovated by Nancy and Lowell Lohman in 2006, a press release states. Funeral home company StoneMor Partners L.P. of Pennsylvania bought the Lohman funeral and cemetery properties in 2012. A capital im-

It’s Not Just A Home...

It’s A

provement plan was launched following damage from heavy winds and rain after past hurricanes.

The funeral home’s roof was replaced, and on the inside, new flooring was installed.

The theme for the new paint and furniture selections were inspired by Claude Monet’s “Water Lilies” series, according to the press release. New landscaping was also implemented.

Funeral Director William Jerry Hart was recently appointed as manager of Lohman Funeral Home Port Orange, and he comes with 36 years of funeral and cremation experience.

In addition, Hart has 15 years with StoneMor and joined the Lohman team in April 2016, the press release states.

Email Your Town story ideas to jarleene@ormondbeachobserver.com.

The city of Port Orange now has a revised version of the development activity report, featuring a geographic information system-based interactive map, announced earlier this month.

The map will serve to update citizens and City Council members on current, residential, non-residential and roadway projects, according to a press release. While the former development activity report — which was in place for over 20 years — was updated monthly, the new interactive map will be updated weekly with the most current information available to staff. It also has searchable functions to help locate current development applications, public

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Happy Wanderers will be hosting three 5K Holiday Lights walks in Port Orange during the month of December.

The first is scheduled for Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. starting at Willow Run Park, located at 100 School House Drive. The second is planned for Dec. 18 at 6 p.m. starting at All Children’s Park, located at 5959 S. Spruce Creek Road. The final one will occur on New Year’s Eve on Dec. 31 at 3 p.m. starting at Riverwalk Park, located at 3431 S. Ridgewood Ave. Happy Wanderers recommends you bring a flashlight to the Willow Run Park and All Children’s Park walks. For the New Year’s Eve walk, Happy Wanderers will dine at Aunt Catfish. RSVP for that event required. Call 386-214-3890 for more information, or visit happywanderersfl.org

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PORT ORANGE OBSERVER

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DECEMBER 2019

“Sometimes ‘yes’ is the only thing we can say because we are here for a bigger purpose.”

AMANDA BAILEY, former CPC worker

David and Dominic join the Peña family, of Port Orange

Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Adoption creates a “ripple effect of happiness and hope,” said Amanda Bailey

‘We are moving mountains’ Volusia and Flagler families made complete at National Adoption Day event JARLEENE ALMENAS NEWS EDITOR

F

or some, Nov. 22 was an ordinary day. But for 23 children, it was the day they officially became part of their forever families.

The National Adoption Day event at the Plaza Resort and Spa in Daytona Beach finalized the adoption of these children into 15 different families from Volusia, Flagler and Putnam counties.

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Hosted by the Community Partnership for Children, the ceremony was held publicly to celebrate the importance of adoptions, according to a press release. Last year, CPC finalized 277 adoptions in the three counties.

“We are on track to exceed our goal this year as well,” said Tiffany Garten, adoption supervisor at CPC. “This adoption unit works hard to ensure that we are achieving permanency for as many of our children as we can through the process of adoption.”

Circuit Judge Christopher France shared a personal story of adoption in his family — it was about Andrew John, the brother he gained when his father remarried. A.J. had been adopted by France’s stepmom.

Years after their parents married, France and A.J. had a “heartto-heart.”

“I told him, ‘A.J., you are the brother I never had,’” France recalled. “And he looked at me and said, ‘I feel the same way.’”

Just like A.J. changed his life, France said what these families came to the Plaza to do would also change their lives.

“By this act that we are about to embark on, this legal act, we’re really engaging in an adventure of a lifetime, and I’m proud and thankful to each of you for choosing to do that,” France said.

Former CPC worker Amanda Bailey also spoke at the ceremony. She said when she left her job due to moving out of the area, she soon realized how much she missed the joy of adoptions. Later on, she got involved with helping CPC with recruitment.

By taking in an adopted child, you are changing their lives, Bailey said. It creates a “ripple effect of happiness and hope.”

“Sometimes ‘yes’ is the only thing we can say because we are here for a bigger purpose,” Bailey said. “We may not have seen it two months ago, two years ago or even the day of placement, but through saying yes, we are moving mountains.”

Still, while she loved the feeling of helping someone create their family through adoption, Bailey admitted she never thought it would form part of her story.

Bailey and her husband have

FOSTERING FLORIDA Children who are in kinship foster care placements in Florida

13,449

Children who are in licensed foster care placements

10,277

Children available for adoption

740

Data as of Jan. 1, 2019, according to the Department of Children and Families, from myflfamilies.com.

started the process to adopt a child of their own. She knows now firsthand how difficult the process can be.

“There’s a lot of loss to resolve and some big questions that need to be asked and answered,” Bailey said. “There’s major faith from deep within that you need to find.”

Days like this adoption event, Bailey said, give her that faith.

The Cowher family of Ormond Beach are all smiles as Ava, Ayden and Nicholas officially join their family.

The Williams family welcomes Eric into their lives forever

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PORT ORANGE OBSERVER

|

DECEMBER 2019

County Council faces ‘game changer’ on event sponsorships JARLEENE ALMENAS NEWS EDITOR

The Volusia County Council finds itself once again having to revise its sponsorship process, this time due to an opinion issued by the Florida Commission on Ethics.

The Oct. 30 opinion on gift acceptance and disclosure determined that tickets to events held by both non-profit and for-profit entities paid for by government entities via a sponsorship contribution are considered gifts if elected officials attend the event.

It would be a gift from the government entity to the elected official, to the amount of the entrance ticket’s value. If that value is over $100, then that elected official must include the gift in his or her financial disclosures.

How does that affect Volusia County? At the Nov. 19 council meeting, the council approved a $1,500 sponsorship for the Volusia Literacy Council’s 9th-annual “Lights of Literacy” Gala, rendering them a silver sponsor of the event with a reserved table for eight and presentation of county logo on event signs and materials.

That table for eight could likely be entirely vacant at the gala.

“Until that’s totally cleared up, I’m not going to another one,” Kelley said, adding that if he wants to go to a county-sponsored event, he’ll buy his own ticket.

County Attorney Dan Eckert said it calls into question the entire sponsorship arrangement

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and whether it is the best way to direct funds into nonprofits like the Volusia Literacy Council. Last fiscal year, which ended Sept.

30, the county allocated $46,650 toward sponsorships, according to accompanying agenda documents. This fiscal year, $3,000 have already been pledged to sponsorship. This latest one bumps it to $4,500.

“I think it places the council members in an unfortunate position, and you may wish to change how to do business about this,” Eckert said.

County Councilwoman Deb Denys called the Commission on Ethic’s opinion a “real game changer.” She suggested a moratorium on support until the matter can be addressed by the county’s legal department, which she believes has an obligation to tell the council how much each they will need to individually disclose with every possible sponsorship.

“You owe it to council to tell us exactly what implication it is to us,” Denys said.

Council members also expressed concern about the possibility that it would appear that the county was contributing to elected officials. Suggestions to let the nonprofits know of the situation were also brought up.

Kelley also asked why the county would sponsor an empty table.

“We’re being penalized for a contribution for a 501c3 representing the county that we’re having to then declare,” he said.

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DECEMBER 2019

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2020 or 2022: When’s the next sales vote? Dog-dining in Port Orange Volusia County elected officials feel time is of the essence if Volusia is to compete in the aerospace industry.

JARLEENE ALMENAS NEWS EDITOR

It could be just a matter of time until Volusia County residents find themselves voting on a new sales tax.

City and county leaders at the Elected Officials Roundtable on Monday, Nov. 18, discussed the possibility of placing a new sales tax referendum on either the upcoming 2020 ballot or waiting until 2022. Earlier in the meeting, the officials were given a presentation by Volusia County Councilwoman Deb Denys on ways to bring aerospace to the county, a topic that was revisited throughout. Without the proper infrastructure in place, some officials feared companies will overlook Volusia.

CEO Business Alliance President Kent Sharples said if the county isn’t ready in 12-18 months to start construction on infrastructure improvement projects, then Volusia County is out of the space race.

“Until we get that infrastructure in place, we’re not going to be successful,” Sharples said.

In regard to whether the new initiative should aim for a fullcent sales tax, DeLand Mayor Bob Apgar said his commission didn’t think it would be wise to

do so, since the half-cent sales tax failed. He suggested that, to improve trust in the public, perhaps the initiative should come from the business community.

Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry disagreed, saying they need to be careful of the tax coming across like a “top-down” initiative.

“I think it should be more focused in having residents as a part of the process,” Henry said, adding that they should build a committee of people from different communities.

TO WAIT, OR NOT TO WAIT

The elected officials realize there is a lack of infrastructure in the county to support companies and high-paying jobs, said Deltona Mayor Heidi Herzberg. As a whole, she believes all the municipalities and the county will benefit from sales tax funding.

But, she said a sales tax won’t go through unless the elected officials decide infrastructure will be a main focus.

“The money is not going to drop from the sky,” Herzberg said. “If we’re going to go ahead and do the initiative again, whether it’s a

“The money is not going to drop from the sky.”

HEIDI HERZBERG, Deltona mayor

half-penny or a penny, this entire group really has to sit down.”

The lack of trust among constituents was also discussed.

Mayor Don Burnette said it might be wise to wait until 2022 to place it on the ballot, and reevaluate the way it was presented to residents. He also reminded the roundtable that several of them were up for re-election in 2020.

Kelley said he agreed with Burnette. The School Board was able to lay out its sales tax plans to the public in a way that was successful. He suggested they follow the School Board’s example since the local infrastructure needs aren’t going away.

“These are not infrastructure needs that were created overnight,” Kelley said. “They’ve been building up.”

‘TOO MUCH AT STAKE’

Volusia County is at a crossroads, Denys said. Either they as elected officials have to decide Volusia is “worth it” and work together to fund infrastructure, or they’ll have to pass on companies like SpaceX and the United Launch Alliance.

Saying the sales tax failed because of a lack of trust is not the answer, she said.

“I’m sorry that answer is wrong from here on out,” Denys said. “There’s too much at stake.”

Sharples said timing is “everything.” Waiting until 2022 would mean projects won’t be finished until 2024, at the earliest.

“Tomorrow is almost too late,” Sharples said.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

dining program will need to apply for a $50 permit. This ordinance doesn’t affect service animals.

The ordinance is a result of new restaurants, such as Jimmy Hulas, asking city staff about dog dining regulations, said City Planning Manager Penny Cruz at the Nov. 19 council meeting. Staff has also observed existing restaurants already allowing dogs in outdoor seating areas, such as Panera Bread and Neighbors Ice Cream.

The city’s ordinance is a mirror of the state statute that allows for dog friendly dining, Cruz explained, and staff contacted other local governments who have implemented it. None reported issues or complaints since adopting it, according to Cruz.

“This is pretty easy to me,” Councilman Scott Stiltner said. “The restaurants have got to know their clientele, right?

And so if this upsets people, they won’t go. If this is something they’re in favor of, they’re going to go.”

Some restaurants have already been allowing dogs in outdoor seating areas, he added.

Tramont wasn’t on the same page. He said he thought this decision would have been easier for him, as he believes businesses should be making their own decisions, but this one was “trickier” for him.

“I’m not sure it’s a road I’m willing to go down, to be honest with you,” he said. “I think there’s far too many unknown, for that matter known, health and safety concerns that I can see with this.”

To apply for the permit, restaurants will need to include a diagram of the designated dog friendly area, the hours of operations in which dogs will be allowed, as well as public signage notifying patrons that dogs are allowed, city documents detail.

Dogs will also need to be kept on a leash, be wearing their current rabies tag, and will not be allowed on chairs, tables or other furnishings.

Restaurant employees will need to abide by sanitary regulations, including keeping a cleaning kit for dog waste accidents near the area. Dog waste must be cleaned immediately, and the area has to be sanitized, the city said.

Should the restaurant close or change ownership, the permit will expire. Permits will need to be renewed annually, and violations will be handled by code enforcement.

City Manager Jake Johansson said, to date, he hasn’t received a complaint about dogs in restaurants. There’s a lot of animal lovers who take good care of their pets, he said, adding that had new restaurants not inquired about regulations, city staff may not have been aware regulations needed to be put in place.

“The restaurants have got to know their clientele, right?

And so if this upsets people, they won’t go.”

SCOTT STILTNER, City Council

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PORT ORANGE OBSERVER

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DECEMBER 2019

BRIEFS

On Volusia’s environmental resilience “It’s all about the funding. That’s the big kahuna at the end of the day.”

NEWS EDITOR

By 2100, Volusia County’s coastal cities — including Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach — could be underwater due to rising sea levels.

That’s based on 2017 projections by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that estimate sea level could rise up to eight feet in about 80 years.

“It’s a little bit sobering, and hopefully, this never comes to pass,” said Ginger Adair, county director of environmental management.

To prevent this scenario, we we must adapt now, Adair continued at the Tallahassee Speaker Series event titled, “Resilience: Balancing Environment and Economy” held at Bethune-Cookman University on Tuesday, Nov. 12. In addition to Adair, the estimated 30 people in attendance also heard from Jenifer Rupert, of the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council; and Julia Nesheiwat, the state’s new chief of resilience officer. As the state’s first person to occupy the new position, Nesheiwat is tasked with preparing Florida for the environmental, physical and economic impacts of sea level rise, according to a press release by the office of Gov. Ron DeSantis.

WHAT IS RESILIENCE?

Rupert defined it as the ability to “bounce forward,” absorb, recover and get better in the face of short-term shocks, like hurri-

Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Julia Nesheiwat, the Florida’s new chief of resilience officer.

canes and infrastructure failures, and long-term stressors, like affordable housing.

“It is the common ground that all of our local jurisdictions across all of our eight counties really have to understand and adapt to,” Rupert said.

RESPONSE TO FLOODING

Nesheiwat wants to build a repository of best practices for the state, as well as one for “lessons learned.” She also hopes to use her new position to accelerate environmental projects throughout the state. From a federal standpoint, she aims to find ways to make Florida stand out to harness federal grants.

“It’s all about the funding,” Neisheiwat said. “That’s the big kahuna at the end of the day.”

At the local level, Adair said the county has put into place a Sustainability Action Plan as well as a 2017 plan called Resilient Volusia, to assess ways to build resiliency against flooding and sea level rise.

Nesheiwat, a Stetson graduate who is also a former U.S. Army officer, said being a witness to the 2011 Fukushima tsunami in Japan inspired her research into resilience, especially as it relates to natural disasters. As Floridians, she said we are seeing impacts of rising sea levels with stronger storms “front and center.”

While the state has great standards when it comes to hardening against strong winds, Nesheiwat said, standards to get ahead of Ginger Adair, county director of flooding are not up to par. environmental management.

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The Halifax Humane Society received a $50,000 donation from Lowell and Nancy Lohman in a “spur of the moment act of generosity” after the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on Nov. 12, according to a press release.

After hearing at the dinner that volunteers had donated over 50,000 hours of time, Lowell Lohman said he was “so touched,” and surprised staff and volunteers by announcing that he would be donating more money for the renovation of the veterinary services area at the main campus.

“Even at just $10 an hour equivalent hourly wage, that is a savings of over $500,000,” said Lohman in the release. “I knew I needed to do more for this organization. I asked the people I was seated with, including Dr. Green, the director of veterinary services, what did HHS need next and the answer was an updated, more efficient veterinary services area.”

Lohman then asked Chief Financial Development Officer Pam Clayton if she could estimate how much a renovation of the veterinary services area could cost, and she quoted him $43,000. After touring the space, the Lohmans decided to donate $50,000.

“Lowell and I are so impressed with the dedication and commitment of the volunteers we have met this evening,” Nancy Lohman said. “We applaud your efforts and how you care for our community’s animals.”

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Observer

Lohmans donate $50,000 to Halifax Humane Society

We must adapt now, county official tells Daytona chamber.

JARLEENE ALMENAS

PORT ORANGE

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PORT ORANGE OBSERVER

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DECEMBER 2019

Jewish Federation helps families prep for Thanksgiving People received turkey with sides and fixings.

WAYNE GRANT REAL ESTATE EDITOR

A long line of people received complete Thanksgiving meals and more from the Jerry Doliner Food Bank on Nov. 22 at the Jewish Federation of Volusia and Flagler Counties, 470 Andalusia Ave. Those who are registered with the association were eligible to pick up the food which included a variety of vegetables, fruits and desserts, and of course a turkey. The holiday meal giveaway for 300 people cost $12,000, according to Gloria Max, executive director of the association, and all came from donations.

The people used rolling suitcases, boxes and wagons to transport the foodstuffs to the car, and they were helped by volunteers, which included members of American Legion Post 267, 156 New Britain Ave., Ormond Beach.

Among those receiving a meal was Lisa Tatro, whose husband, Joel, is now paralyzed after a gunshot wound on Feb. 17 in a confrontation at a party and she has become his caretaker. The Tatros were contacted by the federation after news reports of the Oak Hill couple’s situation.

“It’s a wonderful thing they do here,” Lisa Tatro said. “It’s overwhelming that they would

“Gloria Max is my hero, I Photo by Wayne Grant

Kim and Eric Braswell carry groceries for Thanksgiving dinner after receiving it at the Jerry Doliner Food Bank.

think she’s superhuman.”

CHARLOTTE RUSSO

Charlene York is helped get Thanksgiving meal groceries into her car by volunteer Jonathan Miller.

reach out to us. This is going to put a meal on the table for us.”

Also thankful was Charlotte Russo.

“They give you everything you need for dinner, even pies and cakes,” she said. “Gloria Max is my hero, I think she’s superhuman.”

Max has continued to work while receiving cancer treatments for several years.

Impact a child's future today!

Join the Imagination Library Champions who are working to make sure 3,600 children in Flagler and Volusia counties continue getting high-quality age appropriate books delivered to their homes.

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Questions? Contact Allison Miller at 386-317-3352 or Nancy Walsh at 386-317-3373

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(Checks payable to: "Early Learning Coalition of Flagler and Volusia Counties"; please include "DPIL" in the memo)

PORT ORANGE OBSERVER

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DECEMBER 2019

Spruce Creek student holds 10th shoe drive High school freshman Matthew Monroe has been collecting shoes for Soles4Souls for a decade.

JARLEENE ALMENAS NEWS EDITOR

Not every teenager asks for shoes on his birthday, but for the last decade, that’s exactly what 15-year-old Matthew Monroe has put on his wishlist.

The thing is, he doesn’t keep the shoes. He never has. Since his sixth birthday, Matthew has conducted an annual shoe drive to help Soles4Souls, a Tennessee nonprofit organization that distributes shoes to people in need around the world. This year marks the 10th-annual shoe drive for the Ormond Beach resident and Spruce Creek High School freshman.

“I never really expected it to go as far as it has,” Matthew said.

His passion for giving back was ignited by a friend in Atlanta who collected toys for the Ronald McDonald House on his birthday. Matthew was 4 years old at the time, and for his fifth birthday that year, he decided he wanted to help a pet pantry. So instead of presents, he asked for cat and dog food donations.

Matthew learned about Soles4Souls in his Sunday school back in Atlanta. And so, for his sixth birthday, the shoe drive was born — an initiative he would later bring to Ormond Beach.

Matthew’s mother, Cynthia Petrie Monroe, remembers ask-

ing him if he was sure he didn’t want to collect pet food again for his sixth birthday.

“He said, ‘Mom, I want to help people,’” Monroe recalled.

Over the years, Matthew has donated thousands of shoes. The drive has expanded beyond his birthday party to local businesses

and schools. This year, there are nine locations in the county serving as designated drop-offs.

The highest collection Matthew has ever sent to Soles4Souls was 1,120 pairs of shoes, in 2013 for his 9th birthday. This year, he’s aiming for 1,200. His mother, who helps him sort and bag the shoes, is ready for the challenge as well.

“We have to make a big splash for 10 years,” Monroe said.

Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Matthew Monroe holds up a bag of donated shoes in his Ormond Beach home.

DONATION LOCATIONS:  Spruce Creek High School, 801 Taylor Road, Port Orange  Seabreeze Senior High School, 2700 N. Oleander Ave., Daytona Beach)  Pine Trail Elementary, 300 Airport Road, Ormond Beach  Ormond Beach Middle School, 151 Domicilio Ave., Ormond Beach  Ormond Beach Elementary, 100 Corbin Ave., Ormond Beach  Children’s Musical Theatre Workshop, 399 N. U.S. 1, Ormond Beach  Ormond Orthodontics, 163 Tomoka Ave., Ormond Beach  Ormond Lanes, 260 N. U.S. 1, Ormond Beach  Halifax Rowing Association, 201 City Island Parkway, Daytona Beach

Soles4Souls will take any kind of new or gently-worn shoes.

Heels, sneakers, flip-flops, soccer cleats — Matthew will accept them all. One year, he even got a pair of ice skates.

When his collection surpassed 1,000 pairs of donated shoes, Soles4Souls sent Matthew a poster of a child holding a pair shoes. Seeing the shoes go to people in need was “incredible,” Matthew said.

Knowing he’s helping people in need is what drives him.

“There’s enough bad in the world,” Matthew said. “I think there needs to be some good to balance it out.”

Monroe is thankful for the community’s support for the drive over the years. In 2015,

“There’s enough bad in the world. I think there needs to be some good to balance it out.”

MATTHEW MONROE, Spruce Creek High School freshman

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PORT ORANGE OBSERVER

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DECEMBER 2019

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Unique to Regions Mortgage.

Designed for You. While every lender has the same basic tools, Regions also offers unique products to fit your personal needs. It helps us stand out from the crowd. Listed below are a few solutions: • • • • •

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Courtesy photo

Matthew Monroe with his very first shoe drive collection when he was 6 years old.

said Monroe in a text message.

If you would like for shoes to be picked up, or would like to become a donation location, call Monroe at 678-525-3160.

© 2019 Regions Bank. Member FDIC. NMLS# 174490. All loans subject to qualification, required documentation, and credit approval. Certain exclusions may apply.

Loan terms and availability subject to change. Regions and the Regions logo are registered trademarks of Regions Bank. The LifeGreen color is a trademark of (11/19) Regions Bank.

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To see photos of Matthew’s shoe drive through the years, see this story on ormondbeachobserver. com.

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Ormond Lanes hosted Matthew’s birthday drive when rain almost cancelled his annual party. Miss Priss in Ormond Beach donates a box of shoes every year, and this year, the first large collection of shoes came from the Seabreeze color guard.

“It is heartwarming and encouraging, with so much negativity in the world, to see how our community supports each other,”

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PORT ORANGE OBSERVER

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DECEMBER 2019

BUSINESS OBSERVER A clogging revival

Photo by Wayne Grant

Jerry Bush, chef, and Mario Younes, owner, pose in front of My Cousin Vinny’s Italian Restaurant.

MY COUSIN VINNY’S: ITALIAN RESTAURANT OPENS My Cousin Vinny’s Pizza and Pasta has opened at 1930 West Granada, Blvd Suite 5, in Tymber Creeek Plaza, the former location of Little Italy Pizza and Pasta, which closed.

Mario Younes, who owns the restaurant along with Eddie Salami, operated the My Cousin Vinny’s restaurant on Beach Street for 10 years.

“I love cooking, and I love people,” he said.

He has heard from customers from the old Beach Street location, calling and asking when they can eat, he said.

Younes said he likes to talk and laugh with his customers and make sure they have a good time.

“I treat them like family and give them the service they deserve,” he said.

Younes has been in the restaurant business his whole life, as well as his chef, Jerry Bush, who has 50 years of experience.

Bush retired 10 years ago, but had told Younes that if he ever opened a restaurant again, he’d

Photo by Wayne Grant

Pete Szunyogh pours one of the last beers at Tomoka Brewery.

TOMOKA BREWERY CLOSES IN ORMOND Tomoka Brewery, 188 E. Granada Blvd., served up their last beer and pizza Nov. 24. The business has stopped operation after six and a half years.

“It was a good run,” said Pete Szunyogh who owned the shop along with wife, Jen Hawkins. “I appreciate the love and support over the years. I’ll miss the fun and have good memories.”

In 2014, they expanded by opening a Tomoka Brewing in Port Orange along with partners where they had capacity to brew beer not available at the Ormond Beach location. It’s unclear why they recently sold their interest in Port Orange, but without the connection, do not have brewing capabilities in Ormond Beach.

Tomoka Brewery was one of the first in Volusia County. Szunyogh said they plan to take some time

off and enjoy the holidays before deciding on their next step.

TOMOKA EYE HELPS JESUS CLINIC The Tomoka Eye Foundation has donated ocular exam equipment valued at over $5,000 to the Jesus Clinic in Daytona Beach.

“The doctors were using eye exam equipment from 1973 so we were very much in need of an update,” said Jesus Clinic Medical Director Dr. Bill Gilmer.

The Jesus Clinic, 1630 Mason Ave., Unit A, opened in 2005 and most patients are ‘working poor’ with no medical insurance, a press release stated. Medical professionals volunteer at the clinic, including Dr. Joseph France, the founder of Tomoka Eye Associates, who volunteered for 10 years.

Call the clinic at 386-259-6359.

YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR HEADS TO NATIONALS

Stetson University junior Bryson Pritchard, of Ormond Beach, won first place in a recent student entrepreneur pitch competition hosted by the Entrepreneurs’ Organization. This is the fifth first-place win for Pritchard, who was featured in the Ormond Beach Observer last March.

As a result of the win, Pritchard will head to Silicon Valley in February for the national championship as he pitches his idea, a medical device to help mitigate bloodstream infection rates. Pritchard has won $34,500 in entrepreneur competitions and is using his winnings to pay for patents, legal fees and product development.

RIVIERA

The Place Where Friends are Family

Our residents enjoy: • Independent Living and Assisted Living • Spacious apartments with choice of floor plans • Nutritious gourmet, restaurant style dining • Housekeeping and laundry services • Scheduled local and medical transportation available • Social, recreational and spiritual activities

WAYNE GRANT REAL ESTATE EDITOR

There’s nothing cloggy about the dance that’s done by the Speed City Cloggers, of Ormond Beach.

It’s lively, fun and done to modern dance music.

Brianna Cassisi, director, says it’s an exercise that doesn’t feel like exercise, and it provides a social opportunity. A dancer does not need a partner and makes new friends at the classes.

The Speed City Cloggers are a year-round class at the Elite Academy of Music and Motion, 142 E. Granada Blvd. in the Fountain Square Shoppes. There’s a 12-week beginner’s class that begins in January.

The clogging class functions as a club and recently returned from a Florida Clogging Council convention in Haines City with a second-place trophy. They’ve gone to the convention three times and this was the second time they’ve returned with a trophy.

Several dancers at a recent class said there’s no pressure or judgement in the class.

“It’s all for fun,” said Debbie Jervis, of Ormond Beach. “You forget you’re exercising. The next thing you know you’re doing a dance you didn’t know what you can do.”

After moving to Ormond Beach, Jervis saw an ad for the clogging class.

“I always wanted to do tap, and this is similar,” she said.

One misconception is that cloggers wear wooden shoes, Cassisi said. Instead, the shoes are similar to tap, with extra metal pieces at the heel and toe to make a jingling sound.

Currently the ages range from 30 to 80 in the class, which numbers 15 to 18.

Pam Connor, of Ormond Beach,

danced with the Ormond Follies for 15 years, and now does her dancing in the clogging class.

“I’m just loving this. She’s fabulous. She’s fun,” Connor said, referring to the teacher, Cassisi.

Some of the dancers have tap dancing in their background, such as Betsy Levin, 80, who has danced all her life, even entertaining the troops with the USO. “It’s wonderful,” she said. “You meet nice people. You get your body moving.”

The camaraderie is what Chona Wylie, a psychiatrist who lives in Ormond Beach, enjoys the most.

“It’s great to be with people,” she said. “Share the love.”

Rose Ann Felice said it’s good for her brain. “You have to learn the music,” she said. “You have to count and stay on the beat.”

Cassisi, who learned clogging at age 13 and eventually became certified as a teacher, said clogging gained popularity in the 1980s, with the growth of River Dance. There’s now another upswing, she said.

“It’s a uniquely American dance,” she said.

Clogging developed in the Appalachian region, where it derived from European folk dances.

NEVER TOO LATE FOR MUSIC

Elite Academy celebrated its fiveyear anniversary last year, and a wide range of musical instruments and voice are taught there.

Over the years, they doubled their space in Fountain Square Shops and now have about 165 students.

Damian Bonazzoli, owner, said many students are adults who have taken up an instrument late in life.

Visit elitemusicandmotion. com or for clogging, visit speedcitycloggers.com.

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Photo by Wayne Grant

A clogging class meets at the Elite Academy of Music and Motion.

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Dancers bring home trophy from state convention.

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come back as chef. Bush, 73, often rides his bicycle to work, about five miles.

The restaurant offers catering and has a complete menu of Italian cuisine. Find them on Facebook or call 386-265-1778.

PORT ORANGE OBSERVER

EMERALD ISLE Beautifully updated pool home, just a few feet from the ocean. This beachside gem features 4 bedrooms and 2 baths. Gorgeous tile floors throughout the first floor. A large dining and living room greets you as you walk in. Desirable open floor plan with incredible natural light provided by multiple french doors. MLS#1060509 $449,900 Call Dennis Kirschbaum 386-871-6305.

LPGA

Gorgeous and spacious 3-bedroom, 4-bath pool home, with an office or optional 4th bedroom, in the desired Halifax Plantation golf course community! This home is perfectly situated on a corner lot of a cul-de-sac and offers privacy both within the home and around the pool lanai. MLS#1062303 $485,000 Call Cindy Lee Harper 386-5664747

Cute, Cozy & Conveniently located. This home is located in a very desirable neighborhood. Floor to ceiling brick fireplace is the focal point in the large living room. Porcelain tile has just been installed in the entire home. Master shower has also been retiled. Fresh paint inside. MLS#1064134 $224,900 Call Connor Feasel 386-846-2608.

WOW! Don’t miss this one!! Located in the famous gated Spruce Creek Fly-In community, where adults and children play. This custom built concrete 3 bedroom 2 bath home is the largest lot in Turtle Point. It is situated on a cul-de-sac overlooking a pond, golf course and preserve. MLS#1062677 $359,000 Call Darlene Mazur 386-235-8239.

LOOKING FOR AN IN-LAW SUITE? This home has 4 bedrooms, 2 baths inside the main home and a detached in-law suite with separate entrance. You will love the curb appeal of this home with the pavered drive and well maintained lawn. MLS#1064844 $235,000 Call Ernie Simmons 386-852-8225.

OWNER FINANCING AVAILABLE* This parcel is sold as a set with 5006 S. Ridgewood with a total combined acreage of 0.91.

Approximately 200 feet of frontage on Ridgewood Ave with an Annual Average Daily Traffic of over 20,000. MLS#1063179 $1,063,179 Call Arun Reddy 386-341-0121.

Spectacular 5 acre, private estate. Quite, Private paved road w/ multi million dollar homes surrounding. This home is designed perfectly for entertaining & families. Enchanting Tomoka River included with property. 4 extra large bedrooms, all with large walkin closets, six baths, 4+ garage. MLS#1058332 $799,000 Call Cathy Schuler 484-894-8045.

SPRUCE CREEK FLY IN

GREAT LOCATION! GREAT PRICE! POOL HOME! This 4 bedroom, 3 bath home has almost 2000 living square feet and is located in a highly sought after area close to everything Ormond Beach has to offer. With a little TLC this could be the perfect family home.

MLS#1064783 $200,000 Call Cindy Lumpkin 386-795-3000.

4 bedrooms-3 FULL bathrooms & Media Room...there is room for everyone. Brand New Roof and 2 new A/C units installed in summer of 2018. New Carpet in most of the home. Kitchen has new S/S appl, 42’’ Cabinets and Granite Countertops. MLS#1060167 $372,400 Call Christina Bovier 386-846-8284.

AMAZING POOL HOME in COQUINA KEY - 3BED 2.5BATH 2CAR - ON CONSERVATION!! This Custom 2 Story (all Block) Home has over 2700sf of living area. Covered Entry Stairway to Central Landing. Main Level is the Upper Story. The Open Design features an Open Kitchen - Great Room - Dining Room. MLS#1064855 $535,000 Call Alexandra Grossholz 386-767-0002.

CHARLESTON SQUARE

ORMOND TERRACE

Beautiful 4 Bed/2 Bath ICI Home with Owner putting $30k+ in upgrades. Beautiful Stacked Stone graces the front entrance which leads you to the Formal Living with Fireplace; Formal Dining or Den/ Office space. Split Plan with 2 Car Garage. Stainless Appliances; Granite Counters with extended Breakfast Bar. MLS#1064185 $329,900 Call Bryan Morford 386-299-1131

WESTWOOD HEIGHTS

WATERS EDGE

BEACHSIDE OFFICE - 386-441-SOLD (7653) 2110 Oceanshore Blvd., Ste. B, Ormond Beach, FL 32176 PORT ORANGE OFFICE - 386-767-SOLD (7653) 840 Dunlawton Ave., Ste. D, Port Orange, FL 32127 COMMERCIAL OFFICE - 386-253-8565 211 E. International Speedway Blvd., Ste. 104, Daytona Bch, FL 32118

COMMERCIAL LAND

CORPORATE OFFICE - 386-677-SOLD (7653) 900 West Granada Blvd., Ste. 3, Ormond Beach, FL 32174

NORMAN LANE, Rotomation Inc.

HALIFAX PLANTATION

319858-1

A group of students interested in technology got a chance to see what goes on at three Ormond Beach manufacturing plants on Oct. 31. The tour for students in the Academy of Information Technology and Robotics at Spruce Creek High School was organized by Norman Lane, own-

“They see the road going into the business park but don’t realize there are hundreds of people in here making things that go all over the world.”

SPECTACULAR 2012 BUILT CHELSEA PLACE HOME! This 5 bedroom, 3 bath home has tons of space for the entire family at over 2800 living square feet. Enter the home from the spacious covered front porch. MLS#1058067 $425,000 Call Gail Quinteros 386-316-3267.

CONDOMINIUM

REAL ESTATE EDITOR

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Beautiful riverview 2/ 2 condo close to the beach. This 2 floor unit has been remodeled to open the kitchen up to the living and dining areas. The kitchen features white cabinets, double door refrigerator, smooth top range, microhood, dishwasher & an island affording more counter and cabinets space. MLS#1064899 $149,500 Call Elena Scott 386-566-6984.

BEACHSIDE BUNGALOW

WAYNE GRANT

er of Rotomation Inc., 11 Sunshine Blvd.

“So many kids never see the inside of a manufacturing plant, and have no idea of what we make here,” Lane said before the tour.

He has volunteered as a mentor in the AITR program at the school for eight years.

The other companies on the tour were Teledyne Oil and Gas, 1026 N. Williamson Blvd.; and Hudson Technology, 1327 N. U.S. 1, all members of Volusia Manufacturing Association.

Teledyne makes marine prod-

CHELSEA PLACE

Technology class tours manufacturing plants

COQUINA KEY

Y T N U O C A I S U L VO

ucts for energy exploration and Hudson makes a variety of metal parts that are used by other manufacturers to build an end product. Rotomation makes rotary actuators, used by manufacturers around the world in their assembly processes.

Lane said people are surprised how much manufacturing there is in Ormond Beach.

“They see the road going into the business park but don’t realize there are hundreds of people in here making things that go all over the world,” he said.

The entrance to Ormond Beach Business Park is on Airport Road.

Manufacturing provides jobs with good pay and benefits that also are challenging because they require problem solving, Lane said.

Some of the students on tour expressed the opinion that they want jobs that require working

DECEMBER 2019

HEART OF ORMOND BEACH

N I E D A M

Attila Kovacs, machinist at Rotomation, explains how parts are made.

with their hands.

“I do not want a job where you just sit all day,” said Tyler Maxell, of Ormond Beach.

Brendan Willett, of South Daytona, agreed, saying he’d rather be a mechanic than an engineer.

On the tours, the students learned the variety of jobs in manufacturing, including engineering, machinist, tool and die, etc.

Kimberly Stears, teacher in the AITR academy, said they want students to realize there are many jobs where a college degree is not necessary. Good jobs can be obtained with a certificate from Advanced Technology College in Daytona Beach, for example.

Christina Chandradat, of Hudson Technology, said the students learn about the companies on the tour, but the companies also learn about future workers.

“These are the people we could be hiring,” she said.

She said the students were interested to find that many of the things they make turn up in products they use every day, such as automobiles.

In January, robot season starts.

Lane will help the Spruce Creek students to build a robot. For the past three years, the class has gone to the national championship in Houston, after winning regional competitions.

“Next year we’re going to win the national,” Spears said.

Lane said they have been having the tours since 2014 to show students how and why the products are made.

“Maybe they will choose manufacture as a career,” he said. “We want to expose them to the trades and engineering. One of the missions of VMA is to develop a workforce locally.”

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The home is spacious with 3/ 2 & is full of charm. It has been remodeled inside with new floors, paint, light fixtures, ceiling fans, most of the kitchen has been redone with new appliances and just about every surface has been updated. MLS#1064871 $239,900 Call Helen Tucker 386-290-7577.

PORT ORANGE OBSERVER

|

DECEMBER 2019

WE CAN CHANGE FOR THE BETTER

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