Freedom Road founder to speak at DeBary Hall Feb. 9
Historian Derek Hankerson will present a short look at American history at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, at DeBary Hall, 198 Sunrise Blvd.
Mr. Hankerson, who lives in St. Augustine, is the managing partner and executive producer of Freedom Road, an African-American independent film company. As a youth, he published articles on the importance of American history in instilling pride, self-esteem and confidence in our youth. Today, he continues to write and is working on a reprint of a book of poems published by his great grandfather in 1930. He is a world traveler, explorer, researcher and lecturer.
Reservations are not required. For more information, call (386) 668-3840.
Senior potluck planned
Seniors beyond 50 are invited to a potluck luncheon at noon, Monday, Feb. 11, at the Community United Methodist Church, 41 W. Highbanks Road, DeBary.
Jane and Peter Schiraldi will provide music.
Participants are asked to bring a dish to share.
For more information, call (386) 775-2766.
Learn how to be financially fit
Mid-Florida Housing Partnership will host "Financial Education Series: Financial Awareness 101" at noon Saturday, Feb. 16, at Fifth Third Bank, 596 Courtland Blvd., Deltona.
Learn money management skills to break the "always broke cycle," banking for success to learn how to do more with less as well as learning credit management skills, how to understand a credit report, how to improve a credit profile and how to create fresh clean credit. Additionally, learn how to maximize a tax refund. Light refreshments will be served; registration is recommended.
To register, call (386) 274-4441, Ext. 302 or e-mail MYonkosky_mfhp@bellsouth.net.
Chamber to host wacky triathlon
The West Volusia Chamber of Commerce will host a wacky triathlon at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, at Deltona Lanes, 2716 Enterprise Road, Orange City .
There will be bowling, pool and darts.
Come and sign up as a team or as an individual.
Cost is $10 per person, which includes all games and bowling shoes. Food & beverages sold separately.
Open to members and non-members.
Check in time is 12:30 p.m. Participants who do not pre-register may check in at noon. Participants may pre-register at the West Volusia Regional Chamber of Commerce or by calling (386) 490-4606.
New president of the Democratic Veterans Caucus of Florida named
Phil Giorno was elected president of the Democratic Veterans Caucus of Florida at the caucus' annual meeting Saturday, Jan. 26, in Lake Mary.
Mr. Giorno is a former Volusia County Council chairman and 13-year chair of the Volusia County Democratic Executive Committee. He resides in Deltona.
He a veteran and longtime member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled American Veterans in Volusia County chapters. He replaces outgoing president Col. Vic Ogilvie.
Other officers elected were vice president Elena McCullough, continuing treasurer Lawrence Chayt and secretary Marian Williams, who was also elected to the Democratic National Committee earlier in the day at the Florida Democratic Party annual meeting.
Game benefits anti-bully organization
The 2013 Battle of the Boulevard Bowl Alumni Game will be played at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, at Deltona High School.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and free for children 5 and younger.
All proceeds will go to Deltona Against Bullying.
An anti-bullying program called ChangeReaction has been approved to start in Deltona. The anti-bully program is facilitated over two semesters with nationally accredited facilitators.
For more information, visit www.DeltonaAgainstBullying.com.
Volunteers sought for Florida Hospital Fish Memorial Foundation Award
Johana Knox lived in Orange City for 35 years and was known for her tireless devotion to children and those in need.
Ms. Knox passed away in 2012, but left her handprints on the heart of the community with her lifelong passion for helping others.
To honor Ms. Knox's enduring spirit of volunteerism, Florida Hospital Fish Memorial Foundation will present the fifth annual "Johana Knox Award" on April 18 at The Club at Victoria Gardens, 1001 Garden Club Drive, DeLand. The award will recognize, celebrate and encourage outstanding volunteers in Southwest Volusia.
Nominations for this year's "Johana Knox Award" recipient will be accepted until Feb. 25. Applications for nominees are available via e-mail at Deborah.McNabb@fhfm.org or by calling (386) 917-5423.
Gain access to West Volusia services
The West Volusia Community Partnership, "Caring through Sharing" will conduct an Access West Volusia event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15, at Wes Crile Park, 1537 Norbert Terrace, Deltona.
In hopes of serving the West Volusia communities more effectively, several local agencies and organizations will be offering their services and resources to residents under one roof, in one location, at one time.
More than 30 agencies will be in attendance.
For Information, call (386) 878-8616 or (386) 736-5956 Ext. 12980.
Locally written play highlights Florida history
Learn how adventurers, a cracker cowboy and a bootlegger influenced Florida's cultural history. They're colorful characters brought to life in "Ultimate Field Trip," a one-act play written and directed by a Volusia County Public Library employee.
Karen Poulsen, support services manager for the library system, wrote the play to commemorate the Viva Florida 500 celebration and offer a glimpse at lesser-known historical events of the past five centuries.
Local performers portray 36 characters.
Characters include Spanish explorer Juan Ortiz, the shipwrecked Dickinson family, British captain Robert Jenkins, Everglades explorer Alonzo Church, Miami doctor Eleanor Simmons, cracker cowboy "Bone" Mizell, bootlegger John Ashley, and drug-store owner "Doc" Webb.
The play, which lasts about 75 minutes, will be presented at these locations:
2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13 at Hopkins Hall, 192 Connecticut Ave., Lake Helen
2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, at DeBary Hall Historic Site, 198 Sunrise Blvd.
Viva Florida 500 is a statewide effort to recognize Ponce de Leon's exploration of Florida in 1513 and celebrate the state's cultural history.
For more information, e-mail kpoulsen@volusia.org or call, (386) 248-1745, ext. 11213.
City, hospital partner on 5K run for hearts
Halifax Health is joining the City of Deltona to help promote healthy hearts in February.
The inaugural "Love Your Heart" 5K run will be at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb.16.
The race starts at Deltona Middle School, 250 Enterprise Road, and follows the new "River-2-Sea Trail", looping at Thornby Park and returning to the school grounds.
The race will benefit the American Heart Association. This will be a competitive 5K Race, chip-timed with age bracket awards. It will also be a family event with a fun run for children, a bounce house and face painters. Walkers are welcome, and there will be a couples costume contest with prizes for creativity and originality.
Pre-race packets are available from 3 to 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 15, at Deltona City Hall and starting at 6:30 a.m. on the day of the race. Register online by visiting FinalMileRaceManagement.com.
For more information regarding the "Love Your Heart"5K Run, e-mail llopez@deltonafl.gov
Golf tournament benefits PAL
West Volusia Police Athletic League will have its 18th Annual Golf Tournament at the DeBary Golf and Country Club on Saturday, Feb.16.
This event will begin with an 8 a.m. "Shotgun Start," and conclude with a luncheon and door prizes. Registration and range will open at 7 a.m. Participant cost is $75 per person.
Participants in the tournament will have the opportunity to compete for several prizes including: first place, second place and third place teams, longest drive, and closest to the pin.
Registration deadline is Feb. 8.
For more information, visit westvolusiapal.com.
Chaplains honored
As part of the Four Chaplains Memorial week, at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb 10, at the DAV Chapter, 605 Eighth St, Holly Hill, Chapel Director Larry Babitts of Ormond Beach will present the prestigious "Bronze Medallion of the Legion of Honor" to three clergymen, including Rabbi Howard Schwartz, Chaplain of the Haven Hospice in DeLand. Two other local citizens will receive the title "Humanitarian of the Chapel" and three others will be named to and listed on the Chapel's rolls as "Legionnaires of the Chapel."
This event is open to the public.
For more information, call (386) 265-5084.