Parks receive new play equipment
Three neighborhood parks in West Volusia are set for renovations after Volusia County Council approved a contract Aug. 16 for new playground equipment.
The parks are Sylvester Bruten Park and Spring Hill Park, both in DeLand, and Seville Village Park. The contract, for a total amount of $741,665, covers the replacement of existing playground equipment that has reached the end of its useful life.
The play areas will be designed for use by children aged 5-12 and will include composite play structures, swings and a variety of floor and elevated play activities such as slides and climbing apparatus .
The contract was awarded to Melbourne-based Advanced Recreational Concepts.
Elections for low-income representatives
Volusia County Community Welfare will hold public meetings for community members to elect one person at each meeting to represent low-income people in this area on the Social Services Advisory Board.
Each meeting will consist of an overview of human services, roles and responsibilities of an advisory board member, and election. A substitute may also be elected.
Meetings will take place at the following times and locations:
• 5:30 p.m. September 6: Deltona Regional Library, 2150 Eustace Avenue, Deltona
• 5:30 p.m. September 7: DeLand Regional Library, 130 E. Howry Ave., DeLand
For more information, contact Social Services Manager Clayton Jackson at (386) 736-5956 or [email protected].
DeLand Pride and Support Volusia Open House
The DeLand Pride and Support Volusia Community Open House will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, August 31 at The Create Space, 110 S. Woodland Blvd., DeLand.
Find out how you can get involved and support Pride.
Meet the Support Volusia Board Members and learn about the new Lake Helen Pride and Daytona Pride Chapters from their founders.
West Volusia Historical Society Historic Bus Tour
The West Volusia Historical Society will be hosting a historical bus tour of East DeLand, Lake Helen, Cassadaga at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday September 7th.
Explore East DeLand, stop at charming Lake Helen, then head to the quaint spiritualist-populated town of Cassadaga for a relaxing lunch and storytelling.
After stops at City Hall and the Lake Helen Museum, relax for lunch at the Cassadaga Hotel and hear intriguing stories about the people who founded the Spiritualist Retreat.
Tours depart from the WVHS Conrad Center, 137 W. Michigan Ave., DeLand, at 10:30 a.m. and return around 2:30 p.m. Participants must register at 10:00 am. Masks are recommended on the bus.
Cheap pet clinics
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Rescue will be hosting two low-cost pet shooting clinics on Sunday, August 28.
The first clinic will be from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at DeBary Ace Hardware, 220 N. Charles Richard Beall Blvd.
The second clinic will be held from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the DeLand Lions Club, 400 N. Garfield Ave., DeLand.
Rabies shots will cost $5. Heartworm prevention and flea control and products will be available for purchase. The clinics accept cash only for shots, cards are accepted for the purchase of products. Proceeds go to abandoned and abused animals.
For more information, call or text (386) 748-8993 or visit spcavolusia.org.
SPCA fundraiser
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals No Kill Animal Rescue will be hosting fundraising events over the next few months, including garage sales, holiday raffles and special pet clinics until on December 31.
The organization hopes to raise $50,000 by the end of the year to continue rescues and other work for the animals.
All donations are tax deductible and can also be made to the SPCA, PO Box 1411, Orange City, FL 32774.
For more information, call or text the group at (386) 748-8993 or visit spcavolusia.org.
Call for more information
Hometown News will publish “In Season” again at the end of September.
“In Season” is a master calendar for special events in Volusia County between September 30 and March 31. It includes concerts, festivals, sporting events, theatrical performances, holiday events, and art exhibits.
Send event details, including event name; time, day and date; address; brief description of the event; all cost; and a phone number or website to give more information to the public.
Also provide a contact and phone number (not for publication). The deadline for submitting information is August 31.
Send information (with In Season in the subject line) to [email protected]. No virtual event.
The LEC provides nature walks, programs
Learn about Volusia County’s native plants and wildlife during outdoor hikes and indoor programs at the Lyonia Environmental Center, 2150 Eustace Ave., Deltona.
The free programs begin in the center’s classroom. One must reserve; call (386) 789-7207, extension #21028.
Here is the August schedule:
•Art of leaf rubbing: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 27. Participants will use crayons and watercolor paint to create a leaf rubbing project.
• Sea slugs: from 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. on Saturday August 27. Nudibranchs are beautifully colored sea slugs found in oceans around the world. This program is recommended for ages 6-13.
• Science of bubbles: 10:30 to 11 a.m. on Sunday, August 28. Kids 5 and up and their families can learn fun facts about bubbles while making a bubble wand to take home.
• Species Search Challenge: 10 am to 11:30 am on Sunday, August 28. Learn how to use the iNaturalist app and work in groups to identify 50 species in Lyonia Reserve. This program is recommended for participants ages 7 and up.
For more information, visit lyoniapreserve.com.
DeBary Hall organizes events
The DeBary Hall Historic Site is planning various events for August and September at 198 Sunrise Blvd. Upcoming events include:
• Discussion on wildlife: alligators, crocodiles and caimans: 1 pm on Saturday, August 27. Join local author and wildlife enthusiast Marcia Meara to learn the difference between an alligator and a crocodile.
• Storytime at DeBary Hall: 9:30 am on Fridays, September 2 and 16. Children are invited to the Kid’s Corner, a free outdoor storytime featuring stories, songs and activities. The program is designed for preschoolers, but children of all ages are welcome.
•Lemonade Lecture: A History of West Orange County: 1 pm Saturday, September 3. Jim Crescitelli, Director of Winter Garden Heritage, will present a story that begins thousands of years ago and continues today. This presentation is part of the Free Lemonade Lecture Series sponsored by Volusia County. Light refreshments and lemonade will be served.
Registration is required for all programs; call (386) 668-3840 or email [email protected] to register.
County Maps Explore Volusia Programs
Learn about Volusia County’s conservation lands and land management practices during free Explore Volusia programs in August. Environmental specialists will lead a variety of outdoor adventures and volunteer and learning programs.
Registration is mandatory; call (386) 736-5927.
Upcoming events include:
• Volunteer and Learn at Blue Spring: 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 26. Join Volusia Volunteers and Save the Manatee Club for a cleanup at Blue Spring State Park. Participants will remove trash that could be blown into the spring and threaten manatees, birds and fish. Meet at Blue Spring State Park, 2100 W. French Ave., Orange City.
• Ponce Inlet Snorkeling Adventure: 11:00 am to 12:30 pm Tuesday, August 30. Discover the wonders of the underwater ecosystem. Participants must know how to swim and have their own equipment. Under 18s must wear a personal flotation device and be accompanied by an adult guardian at all times. Bring snorkel gear and meet at Lighthouse Point Park, 5000 S. Atlantic Ave., Ponce Inlet.
Candidates Wanted for Historic Preservation Board
Volusia County Council is seeking volunteers to serve on the Historic Preservation Board, which issues certificates of designation for eligible historic resources (structures, archaeological sites and historic districts) and certificates of suitability for demolition, alteration, relocation and new construction.
The nine-member council was established to advise the county council on all matters relating to historic preservation policy, including the use, management and maintenance of historic resources owned by the county.
Applications and more information are available at volusia.org/consulting.
For more information on the duties and responsibilities of advisory councils, contact Deputy Registrar Karissa Green at [email protected] or (386) 736-5920, ext. 12613.
Cities can get free cat trap return service
Trap-neuter-return, or the humane trapping of stray cats to neuter or neuter them and then release them back into their environment, is a proven program that helps reduce both the feline population and cat euthanasia.
Volusia County Animal Services already provides the service free of charge for stray cats brought in from anywhere in unincorporated Volusia.
There had been a $45 per cat fee for the trap-neuter-return service for stray felines brought in from within the municipal boundaries of the county’s 16 towns.
However, that fee for cats that come from cities is now being waived thanks to a $10,000 grant from the nonprofit organization Franklin’s Friends that will cover the costs.
The county animal care clinic performed 1,739 TNR surgeries last year and more than 500 so far this year. Grant money will cover the cost of trap-neuter-release services for approximately 500 or more additional free-roaming cats.
For more information, visit clinichq.com/online/43afe94b-4e91-4773-809e-22253b78033d.
Candidates wanted for the environmental committee
Volusia County Council is seeking candidates for the new Environment and Natural Resources Advisory Committee, which will be responsible for providing input on setting policies and targets as well as implementing ordinances regarding management growth, management and development of environmental resources.
Members will meet at least quarterly, hold an annual goal-setting session, and make an annual presentation to the county council on the achievement of their work plan. They will also work with county staff to recommend minimum standards for environmental protection under applicable provisions of the Volusia County Charter.
Applicants must live in Volusia County and must have experience, education, and knowledge of environmental programs and standards. To apply, go to volusia.org/consulting.
