Help make the Viva Florida 500 quilt at Volusia County libraries
Stop by one of the following libraries to make a quilt square for the Viva Florida 500 celebration.
.Deltona Regional Library: 2 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25. Call the library at (386) 789-7207, Ext. 236, for reservations.
.New Smyrna Beach Regional Library: 2 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2. Call Linda Fisher at (386) 424-2910, Ext. 111, for more information.
.DeLand Regional Library: 10 a.m. to noon Friday, Oct. 12. Call Susan Fichter at (386)822-6430, Ext. 109, for reservations.
Craft materials and stencils will be provided, but quilters may bring their own craft and decorating materials if they prefer.
The squares will later be sewn into a larger quilt that will be displayed in the rotunda of the Volusia County Historic Courthouse from Jan. 9 to 25 and then go on a tour of all the Volusia library branches.
Viva Florida 500 is a yearlong, statewide grassroots effort to recognize Ponce de Leon's exploration of Florida in 1513 and celebrate the state's rich heritage.
New historical and genealogical databases available at Volusia County public libraries
The Volusia County Public Library has added Fold3 History and Genealogy Archives Plus and Fold3 Holocaust Archives to its online eResources.
Fold3 combines an unprecedented collection of original historical documents and personal histories including convenient access to U.S. military records.
The history and genealogy database offers access to several special collections, including the African American Archives, American Revolution Archives, Native American Archives, U.S. Bureau of Investigation Case File Archives, and World War II Archives.
The Holocaust Archives, a partnership between the National Archives and Fold3, includes scanned and indexed records that tell the story of the Holocaust. Library patrons can explore everything from Holocaust assets to death camp records and interrogation reports to the Nuremburg trials.
Library-card holders can access these and other databases at www.volusialibrary.org/VCPLeresources.html.
Learn more about the library system at www.volusialibrary.org, or by contacting your local branch.
September is National Senior Center month
In celebration of National Senior Center Month, Council On Aging is encouraging adults in Volusia County, who have never visited a senior center, to stop by their local center and check it out.
The council manages five senior centers in Volusia County: Brannon Center in New Smyrna Beach, Sica Hall in Holly Hill, Ormond Beach Senior Center, Deltona Sunshine Senior Center and Wava's Hall in Orange City.
The centers are a hub of activity daily offering educational, informational, socialization and wellness activities. Although each center offers different activities, some of the most common activities include computer instruction, exercise classes, dances, board and card games including bingo, brain games, foreign languages, creative writing, social groups, and trips.
Seminars and classes focusing on health and wellness and information on issues important to our members are key, also. These feature blood pressure checks, flu shot information, seminars on balance and chronic diseases, driver safety programs, medication management, Medicare and insurance choices, life long learning classes and planning for the future.
For more information call (386) 253-4700 or visit www.coavolusia.org.
Eat fresh at fall Farmers' Markets at Stetson University
The Hatter Harvest club of Stetson University will host Farmers' Markets on three Sundays this fall semester: Sept. 23, Oct. 21, and Nov. 18.
The Stetson Farmers' Markets will be from noon to 4 p.m. on the Stetson Green, the lawn between the Carlton Union Building and the Quad, 421 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand. The events are free and open to all and pets are welcome.
Vendors should apply to reserve a spot on each market date. The fee is $10. For more information, call (386) 631-1995.
Volusia Honor Air to take final flight
Volusia Honor Air will take its final flight on Sept. 29.
Since 2007, The Volusia Honor Air flights have taken World War II veterans on one-day trips to Washington, D.C., to see the memorial that opened in 2004. Nine flights have been completed and more than $800,000 raised.
Once flight No. 10 is completed, more than 1,000 veterans will have been taken to see the memorial and this will complete the mission of the Volusia Honor Air - "to extend appreciation and gratefulness to World War II heroes for this bravery and sacrifice."
The public is invited to welcome the veterans back to Volusia County at 8:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 29, at Daytona Beach International Airport.
Protecting Pedestrians
The Orange City Police Department has teamed up the Center for Education and Research Safety and the Transportation Planning Organization to educate motorists about crosswalk laws.
By the end of the year, Orange City Police will have performed 60 crosswalk and speed enforcement operations.
"During our first operation we educated 151 motorists," Police Commander Frank Ubienski said. "Most people don't realize that they are required to stop if a pedestrian steps into a crosswalk."
For more information, call (386)775-5483.