West Volusia Community Notes, May 26, 2023

DeBary Hall plans storytime

DeBary Hall Historic Site will host storytime at 9:30 a.m. Friday, May 26, at 198 Sunrise Blvd.

Children are invited to Kids Corner for a free storytime featuring stories, songs and activities. The program is designed for preschoolers, but children of all ages are welcome.

Registration is requested for all programs. For more information or to make a reservation, call (386) 668-3840 or emaillperez@volusia.org to sign up.

Historic Preservation Board to meet

Volusia County’s Historic Preservation Board will meet at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 30, in the county council chambers at the Thomas C. Kelly Administration Center, 123 W. Indiana Ave., DeLand.

The group will welcome new members, set goals for the coming year, and assign the chair, vice chair and secretary. The public is invited to attend and participate in the meeting.

For more information, contact Planner Kristen Ray at kray@volusia.org.

Extension offers homebuyer classes

The UF/IFAS Extension Volusia County offers pre-purchase homebuyer workshops that meet the education requirement for those participating in the program.

Extension Agent Lisa Hamilton, a HUD-certified housing counselor and accredited financial counselor, will instruct the virtual classes on Microsoft Teams.

English language classes will be conducted from:

•9 a.m. to 1 p.m., May 26

•5 to 9 p.m., June 1 and 8

•9 a.m. to 1 p.m., July 21 and 28

•5 to 9 p.m., Aug. 10 and 17

•9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sept. 8 and 22

•5 to 9 p.m., Oct. 12 and 19

Spanish language classes will be conducted from:

•9 a.m. to 1 p.m., June 22 and 29

•9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Aug. 24 (one day)

The classes consist of eight hours of education. Participants will receive a certificate of completion that will enable them to apply for a federal down payment and closing cost assistance program available through Volusia County, Seminole County and the City of Deltona.

The cost is $10 per household. Scholarships are available upon request.

Advance registration is required. For more information visit https://homebuyered.eventbrite.com or contact Patricia Caradonna at (386)822-5778 or pcaradonna@volusia.org.

Volusia County schedules planning workshops

Volusia County’s Planning and Development Services Division will host five public workshops to explain changes to the future land use element in the county’s Comprehensive Plan. The public is invited to attend and provide input on how they would like to see Volusia County grow.

The meetings, which will be held in each of the County Council’s five districts, are scheduled for these dates and locations:

•District 1-4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 31, in the first-floor training room of the Thomas C. Kelly Administration Center, 123 W. Indiana Ave., DeLand

•District 2: 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, June 14, at the Daytona Beach Regional Library, 105 Jackie Robinson Parkway

•District 3: 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, July 5, in the Hester Building at the Volusia County Fairgrounds, 3150 E. New York Ave., DeLand

•District 4: 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, June 28, at the Ormond Beach Regional Library, 30 S. Beach St.

•District 5: 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, June 7, at the Deltona Regional Library, 2150 Eustace Ave.

For more information, contact Planner Kristen Ray at kray@volusia.org.

Historic Bus Tour

The West Volusia Historical Society will host a bus tour of East DeLand, Lake Helen and Cassadaga from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 2.

With knowledgeable West Volusia Historical Society guides, discover the parts of West Volusia most closely associated with Henry Addison DeLand and the dream he made a reality. Leaving from the West Volusia Historical Society Conrad Center Complex aboard an air-conditioned City of DeLand bus, the tour first stops in Lake Helen, named for Mr. DeLand's daughter.

After a stop at the Lake Helen Town Hall and Museum, relax for lunch at the Cassadaga Hotel and hear intriguing stories about the people who founded the spiritualist retreat.

Tickets are $42.50 per person and includes lunch at Sinatra's in the historic Cassadaga Hotel.

Tours depart from the WVHS Conrad Center, 137 W Michigan Ave., DeLand.

Participants should check in at 10 a.m. Masks are recommended on the bus.

Advance reservations are required. For more information, call the office (386) 740-6813 or come by the Conrad Center.

Juneteenth program

The Men Who Made Juneteenth Possible program will be 1-2 p.m. Thursday, June 1, at DeLand Regional Library Auditorium, 130 E. Howry Ave.

In honor of Juneteenth, which commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, Dr. Gannon will highlight the role of African American soldiers during the Civil War.

Learn about the battles, the recruitment of African American soldiers, the discrimination faced by these men, the importance of their service to Union victory and their white comrades’ view of their service and support afterward.

For more information visit volusialibrary.org or call the library at (386) 822-6430.

Volunteer Fair

A Volunteer Fair will meet 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, June 3, at the DeLand Regional Library. The library auditorium will host more than a dozen local organizations, including nonprofits for human services, education, health, animals and environmental causes. Registration is not required for this free event. Attendees can come any time during the fair and ask questions and get information. These volunteer opportunities are meant for individuals 18 years or older.

The Volunteer Fair will also start at the DeLand Library’s Summer Collection drive. From June 3 to Aug. 3, drop off toiletries, clothing, hygiene products and water bottles at the library to benefit the Neighborhood Center. Food will not be collected at the library. To donate food, contact the Neighborhood Center directly.

County Council members to attend public meetings

Two or more members of the Volusia County Council plan to attend the Veterans Museum one-year anniversary at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 3, at 302 Vermont Ave., Daytona Beach

County Council members’ presence and participation may constitute a public meeting for purposes of Florida Statutes Section 286.011.

For more information, call the County Manager’s Office at (386) 736-5920.

Poverty and Homelessness Conference

Stetson University is hosting the 2023 Poverty and Homelessness Conference.

Rising Together: Advancing Educational Excellence and Equity, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., June 20, at Stetson University, Hollis Center, Rinker Field House, 602 N. Bert Fish Drive, DeLand.

Space is limited. Register at stetson.edu/phc-registration.

For more information, visitstetson.edu/artsci/education/home/phc.php.

Summer library programs for young children and teens

Volusia County libraries will host summer reading challenges from June 5 to Aug. 11.

Children, teens or their parents, can track summer reading online with a link provided upon registering for the challenge “All Together Now.”

Children and teens who read at least four days a week throughout the summer will earn prizes from the library.

Registration for these challenges will begin May 28 at volusialibrary.org/slp/.

For a complete listing of upcoming programs and access to the library’s resources, visit volusialibrary.org.

Select library locations will offer breakfast and/or lunch for children 18 and younger throughout the summer, beginning June 5. Feeding locations, days and times will be published later this month at volusia.org/summerfood.

Veterans Stand Down event set

Volusia County’s Veterans Services Division will host its annual Veterans Stand Down 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, June 9, in the Hester Building at the Volusia County Fairgrounds, 3100 E. New York Ave., DeLand.

Veterans and their families may stop by for free clothing, toiletries and haircuts. They can also learn about service dogs, health care resources and housing assistance and speak to representatives from various agencies about benefits and resources. Also, staff from multiple divisions will be present to discuss employment opportunities within Volusia County Government.

In addition to Volusia County Government, agencies that will be onsite include the Department of Veteran Affairs, Florida Department of Health-Volusia, CareerSource Flagler Volusia, Daytona State College and Daytona Beach Vets Center.

For more information about the event, contact Scott Olson at (386) 740-5102 or solson@volusia.org.

LEC plans nature hikes, programs

Discover Volusia County’s native plants and wildlife during outdoor hikes and indoor programs at Lyonia Environmental Center (LEC), 2150 Eustace Ave., Deltona.

The free programs will begin in the center’s classroom. Reservations are required; call (386) 789-7207, ext. #21028.

The May lineup includes:

•Wildlife Wednesday walks: 9-10 a.m. every Wednesday. Volunteers will lead exploratory hikes through Lyonia Preserve.

•Leaf rubbing art: 10-11 a.m. Saturday, May 27. Nature provides artistic inspiration. Make a card using watercolor paint and leaves found in nature. All supplies will be provided.

•Save the monarchs: 2-3 p.m. Saturday, May 27. LEC staff will discuss monarch butterflies and explain how to construct a rearing cage where you can raise monarchs at home before releasing them. One participant will take home a completed rearing cage and milkweed plant to get started.

•Saltwater tank feeding: 10:30-11 a.m. and 3-3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 28. Watch LEC staff and volunteers feed marine animals in a 400-gallon saltwater aquarium. Kids of all ages can also enjoy a touch tank experience with a sea cucumber, sea star and sea urchin.

 •Wildlife Wednesday walks: 9-10 a.m. every Wednesday. Volunteers will lead these exploratory hikes through Lyonia Preserve.

If walking through Lyonia Preserve, wear closed toe shoes, bring water and be prepared to hike on sugar sand trails.

Lyonia Environmental Center hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. Learn what’s happening at the LEC at lyoniapreserve.com.

Car show to benefit DPAL and youth cadets

The DeLand Police Department will host its first car show, “Jeeps and Corvettes,” supporting two of the agency’s youth programs.

The DPD Youth Cadets and DeLand Police Athletic League are collaborating for the event which will be 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, June 3, 100 W. Georgia Ave.

Join for a day of raffle prizes, Jeep and Corvette shows and music.

DeLand Regional Library

The Volusia County Public Library’s theme for Summer 2023 is “All Together Now.” Enjoy free programs throughout the month at the DeLand Regional Library, 130 E. Howry Ave.

For more information visit volusialibrary.org or call the library at (386) 822-6430.

Note: There will be no Master Gardeners program at the DeLand Library in June.

•Sew It Seams: 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Thursday, June 1. Bring an item that needs to be mended or patched and learn how to fix it. Library sewing machines and assorted supplies will be available in the library classroom, along with library staff to provide assistance. Brought to you by the VCPL and the Friends of the Deland Library.

•Writers’ Workshop: 12 p.m. Saturday, June 3, and Saturday, June 17. All forms of writing and levels of experience are welcome. Instructor Robert Vickery has 20 years of experience; he currently teaches English at University High School in Orange City. No registration required for this free program in the DeLand Library classroom.

•Social Worker in the Library: Wednesdays. The social worker in the library program provides information on utility and rental payments, referrals for employment, SNAP assistance, career source referrals and other resources within the County. Scheduled appointments are available on Wednesday mornings at the DeLand Regional Library from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Afternoon walk-in assistance is available from 2 p.m.-5 p.m. Visit volusialibrary.org for more information.

The library is open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon-5 p.m. on Sunday. Enjoy free programs all month long at the DeLand Regional Library, 130 E. Howry Ave. For more information visit volusialibrary.org or call the library at (386) 822-6430.

Vendors needed

Vendors and entertainers are needed for the third annual Juneteenth DeLand Unity in the Community Celebration scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 17, at Earl Brown Park, 750 S. Alabama Ave., DeLand.

The DeLand Police Department will play a friendly softball game with the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. DPD officers and VCSO deputies will participate in a match-up alongside other community members such as Man up Mentoring and Sisters Build Network for Girls. Game time will be 4 p.m.

For more information, email sistersbuild@primrosecameron.com.

County plans Explore Volusia programs

Learn about Volusia County’s conservation lands and land management practices during free Explore Volusia programs in May and June. Environmental specialists will lead a variety of outdoor adventures and volunteer and learn programs.

Registration is required; call (386) 736-5927.

Upcoming events include:

•Halifax River paddle: 9-11 a.m. Friday, May 26. Look for marine mammals while exploring the waters of the Halifax River. Bring a canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard, along with a life preserver and whistle. Meet at Sanchez Park, 329 Sanchez Ave, Ormond Beach.

•Beach cleanups: 8-10 a.m. Tuesday, May 30. Help environmental specialists remove debris from the beach after the Memorial Day holiday. Participants will learn about sea turtle nesting season and how trash can impact sea turtles. The cleanups will be held at Sun Splash Park, 611 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach and Winter Haven Park, 4589 S. Atlantic Ave., Ponce Inlet.

•Snorkel and swim adventure: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 7, and 10:30 a.m.-noon Wednesday, June 21. Learn about various marine species and the wonders of the underwater ecosystem while snorkeling the high slack tide near Ponce de Leon Inlet. Participants must bring their own snorkeling gear and be able to swim. Those under age 18 must wear a personal flotation device and be accompanied by an adult guardian at all times. Meet at Lighthouse Point Park, 5000 S. Atlantic Ave., Ponce Inlet