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Avalon ‘will move forward’ JARLEENE ALMENAS ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Though ultimately slated to be a 10,000-home development with 1 million square feet of commercial retail by 20145, the Avalon Park project will start by constructing 3,250 homes and 200,000 square feet of commercial retail by 2030, a goal split in two phases for the former Minto Communities land parcel south of State Road 40 near Breakaway Trails. Ormond Beach Public Works Director Shawn Finley said that equates to about 400 new homes a year, from the time the project breaks ground in 2022. Some in the Ormond Beach community hoped the project, which is under the jurisdiction of the city of Daytona Beach, could be stopped, perhaps by the city of Ormond Beach declining to provide utilities, as outlined in a 2006 settlement with Daytona Beach. This is not possible. “The Avalon Daytona project will move forward,” Finley said. The area west of I-95 in Ormond Beach falls within Ormond Beach Police’s patrol zone 7, which experienced 2,950 calls for service from January to mid-November of this year. In comparison, citywide, OBPD reported 78,273 calls for service for the same time period. Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey said he is planning to add more officers and remap patrol zones based on calls for service. And with more people moving into the area as a result of the project, Ormond Beach Fire Chief Richard Sievers said the proposed station to be built within Avalon Park will be a benefit to the community.
BIZ BUZZ
Brewing for change Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach resident Corrie Herbruck opened the nonprofit Beautiful Gate Cafe four months ago.
“It’s more than just coffee. It’s making an impact in both the community and in the world.”
JARLEENE ALMENAS ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Corrie Herbruck knew from a young age that she wanted to make an impact. But she didn’t initially think she would do so through coffee. Herbruck, of Ormond Beach, opened Beautiful Gate Cafe at 142 N. Nova Road four months ago, with the aim to create a nonprofit coffee shop to support both local and global humanitarian efforts. She hopes her cafe serves as a welcoming space for people
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temple. The disciples healed him, and the beggar went with them inside the temple. On the side of the cafe’s bar is a quote from Acts 3:6: “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give to you.” For Herbruck, that passage represented her passion in helping others through faith. After college, Herbruck attended a Living Hope International ministry-based training school in Mexico for two years where she worked with orphans, refugees and helped offer different forms of humanitarian aid. She later
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Matthew McLendon, manager at the International Speedway Boulevard branch of Bank of America, recently presented a check to Leslie Giscombe, founder of the African American Entrepreneurs Association, for $5,000. The bank became a corporate member of the AAEA in March 2021. For more information on the AAEA, see their website at www.aaeassociation.org.
Mainland’s girls basketball team faced Spruce Creek in a showdown.
Photos by Brent Woronoff
Tia Dobson (10) runs the offense for Mainland.
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from all walks of life — a place of refuge where people may find fellowship. “It’s more than just coffee,” Herbruck said. “It’s making an impact in both the community and in the world.” The concept of the cafe was inspired by the third chapter of the book of Acts in the Bible. Herbruck, who majored in Biblical studies in college, said her business name derives from the passage where two of Jesus’ disciples were heading to the temple for prayer, and noticed a crippled beggar at the “Beautiful Gate” of the
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Spruce Creek’s Parris Thompson guards Mainland’s Lauren Stewart
he Mainland girls basketball team knew there’d be nights like this. The Buccaneers assembled a killer schedule to prepare themselves for the state playoffs. So after suffering their second loss in five games, they weren’t hanging their heads. Mainland (3-2) suffered a 50-38 loss to Spruce Creek on Nov. 29 on the
• DECEMBER 2021
took a trip to Turkey where she assisted with refugee camps. It was a heartbreaking experience, Herbruck said, but at the same time, it inspired her to immerse herself in a new culture. She longed to learn more. “As soon as you entered their house, tea was on the table and everything,” Herbruck said. “We came there to offer aid, right? But they’re offering way more to us than we could ever.” Beautiful Gate Cafe has touches from Herbruck’s travels, from a floor seating area to the placemats adorning table tops. In December 2020, Herbruck almost moved overseas, but after some prayer, she said she realized she needed to stay stateside. Herbruck made the decision to open a coffee shop the following month, and while initially she was hoping to open her nonprofit cafe in a bigger city, she eventually decided to remain in her hometown. “When we came across this place with my parents, I was like, ‘OK this is the one. I don’t know why,’” Herbruck recalled. “Everything fell into place.” Since opening, she’s gotten the chance to speak to people from as far as Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the Philippines, and business has been picking up in the last month. While Herbruck selects a specific mission to support every month, Beautiful Gate Cafe — which makes all of its syrups and alternative milks in-house — is a partner with Rapha International, a Missouri-based nonprofit that works to end the trafficking of women and children. “The whole goal and mission here is to encourage our young generation to be passionate examples of the one,” Herbruck said. “And who is the one? That’s the one that’s lost, and that’s also the one that found us, which is Jesus.” Visit beautifulgatecafe.com
Hawks’ home court. “Our goal is to get to states, so this game doesn’t faze us,” said Mainland senior guard Nyasia James. Creek scored the first 11 points of the game and stayed in front the rest of the way. The home team opened up a 20-point lead (45-25) midway through the fourth quarter, but the Bucs went on a 10-2 run to pull within 12 points with 1:30 left. That would be as close as they would get the rest of the way. “We’ve had some good shooting nights, but tonight we were off,” Mainland coach Brandon Stewart said. A large crowd watched two of the best teams in Volusia and Flagler counties. The Hawks (3-1) feature Tyja Beans and Kiana Bean, who each averaged in double figures last year, and sophomore forward Ya’niya Lawson, who scored a game-high 20 points against Mainland. The Bucs are led by sophomore guard Tia Dobson and Flagler Palm Coast transfer Lauren Stewart, a 6-foot senior forward, who has received interest from Division I programs. Mainland’s other loss came in the season opener to private-school powerhouse Montverde Academy. The Bucs have two other privateschool powers on the schedule in Kissimmee Central Pointe Christian (Dec. 3) and IMG Academy (Jan. 29). They also play a couple of teams that advanced to the state final four in their classifications last year in St. Augustine (Dec. 21) and Wekiva (Jan. 11). “This just shows us what we need to work on,” James said.
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DAYTONA WEST OBSERVER
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OrmondBeachObserver.com
DECEMBER 2021
Nurses needed Halifax Health staffing shortage mirrors national trend MIA STRIEGEL CONTRIBUTING WRITER
About 73% of hospitals across Florida were expecting a critical staffing shortage in midSeptember, according to the Florida Hospital Association, and Halifax Health Medical Center is one of many in the state that is still dealing with a lack of staff through November. “It is the biggest challenge right now,” said Alberto Tineo, senior vice president and hospital chief operating officer. “It will remain an issue across the state and country. In nursing we have over 130 positions we are looking for. We are also needing radiology, respiratory, cardiology and other hospital positions.” Tineo said that the hospital had a staffing shortage before COVID-19, but the pandemic deepened it. Hospital workers who were looking to retire in a few years sped up those plans and left early. What’s happening at Halifax reflects a national trend. In a recent survey conducted by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, twothirds of nurses said they feel their pandemic experiences have led them to consider leaving the profession. “I have heard from my nurse practitioners. They’re like, ‘I wonder how much real estate pays,’ or, ‘I wonder what I could do if I didn’t do this.’ I
“But always the patients are what keep me going and inspire me.” MERRILEE FELKEL
Photo courtesy of Jeannine Waterman
Jeannine Waterman suits up in protective gear before entering the COVID-19 unit.
don’t know that they would still formally leave, but it certainly makes people think,” said Jeannine Waterman, a nurse practitioner manager with the Halifax Health, hospice and palliative care team. Waterman has been at Halifax for over 27 years. “I’m not going anywhere,” Waterman said. “I work with a lot of young nurses who are 20, 22, 24. And they were like, ‘What am I doing?’ To come out of your nursing career into this is really hard. And a lot of them haven’t dealt with death and dying in their normal life, much less coming to work and dealing with it every day. It’s hard for them emotionally.” Nurses are not just considering leaving the profession, some are also looking into becoming a travel nurse. They work for short periods of time at hospitals around the country to fill positions. This has worsened the staffing issue. According to Indeed, travel nurses make approximately 20% more than all registered nurses. “A lot of where the nursing shortage is coming from in terms of what’s happening in hospitals right now is they’re offering a lot of money for nurses to go travel and take assignments in other areas,” Waterman said, “which is pulling staff out of our normal staff, out of the hospital.”
Halifax Health is trying its best to retain and recruit staff. Tineo said the hospital is making sure nurses’ benefits and compensation are competitive, and Halifax is getting creative with sign-on bonuses. One Halifax hospital administrator said the level and quality of patient care has not been negatively impacted by the staff shortage, but it has impacted the hospital as an organization. Lindsay Martin, director of nursing for emergency and trauma services at Halifax, said that she doesn’t believe the staffing shortage is affecting patient care but does think it has affected the flow of patients in the organization. Martin said this “leads to upset patients not being able to get to their next step in the process as quickly as we would all like. This causes stress on the staff as well. Patients are sicker than I’ve ever seen.” Nursing is not the only area that is short-staffed. Merrilee Felkel, a staff radiographer at Halifax, is feeling the effects as well. “It’s a little disheartening, but not surprising,” Felkel said. “And it doesn’t matter because we’re here to do the job we signed up for and people need care. And it just means sometimes we have to be stretched a little thinner or work a little harder, but you still go in with the attitude that you’re going to do a good job.” Being short-staffed doesn’t dampen Felkel’s spirit. “A lot of things can get you through a day, particularly if you’re having a tough day,” Felkel said. “But always the patients are what keep me going and inspire me — the reason I went into this business. It’s the reason I’ve stayed in it for so many years.”
District 4 candidates emerge for 2022 election JARLEENE ALMENAS ASSOCIATE EDITOR
The 2022 elections might be a year away, but Volusia County Council District 4 already has candidates at the ready. On Nov. 24, incumbent District 4 County Councilwoman Heather Post announced via Facebook that she plans to run for the at-large seat on the council, leaving her seat open to new candidates in an election year where all districts seats will be on the ballot. As of Tuesday, Nov. 30, only two Ormond Beach locals have filed to run for District 4, which includes the city of Ormond Beach, Ormond-bythe-Sea, Holly Hill and the western portion of Daytona Beach. Ormond Beach City Commissioner Rob Littleton is one of the candidates. “I feel that my community involvement and record of accomplishment give me a unique ability to address the issues facing Volusia County,” said Littleton in a press release. “I will bring a fresh perspective to the County Council as I did on the Ormond Beach City Commission.” Littleton filed on Monday, Nov. 29. He currently represents Zone 4 in the city, and has been on the commission since 2016. He is a graduate of Daytona State College and
Ken Smith
operates Go Ormond, a tutoring agency. He states in his press release that his campaign will focus on local issues such as “growth and how to manage it, responsible budgeting with low taxes and fully funding the police.” The other candidate in the running for District 4 is Ken Smith, owner of Wall-YWorld Gallery. He filed to run on Nov. 24, once he knew that Post would be running for the at-large seat. “I wanted to work in the city level, but when that opportunity came up, I just couldn’t turn it down,” he said. “That’s my main motivation — to take the momentum Jeff (Brower) and Heather have made and carry through with it.” Jeff Brower is the current Volusia County Council chair. Smith ran in the 2020 elections to represent Zone 2 in the Ormond Beach City Commission. Though defeated by incumbent City Commissioner Troy Kent, Smith earned 42.4% of the vote. Smith is a graduate of Seabreeze High School and serves as the chairman of the Ormond Beach Citizens Police Advisory Board. “My goal is to keep a small community feel in the county as opposed to a big city, and hopefully keep some of the green spaces and keep the environmental impact low,” Smith said.
DAYTONA WEST
Observer “If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.” Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944
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Cars line-up to exit the speedway after the end of each day of the Daytona Turkey Run.
48th-annual Daytona Turkey Run is ‘largest show in history’ MICHELE MEYERS CONTRIBUTING WRITER
O
ver 160,500 guests basked in the glow of polished chrome and custom paint jobs at the 48th-annual Daytona Turkey Run, a four-day car event which kicked off Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 25, and ran through Sunday, Nov. 28. The Daytona Beach Street Rods and Daytona Beach Racing and Recreational Facilities District continue to collaboratively produce the event, and proceeds are utilized to support and enrich local communities. The car club has already started to build
Drake Chandler gives a thumbs up after selling some chocolate bars.
the 50th anniversary raffle car, which will be completed in time for the 2023 Turkey Run. The car will be a replica of show founder Stu Sarjeant’s 1932 Ford HiBoy Roadster. The club has set the fundraising goal to exceed $1 million by the end of 2023. Jennifer Labonte, director of marketing, was impressed with the number of first-time participants at the show. “This was our largest show in history,” she said. “We are thrilled to see so many people introducing the Daytona Turkey Run to their friends, families and children. We can’t thank the participants and guests enough for joining us this year and being such an amazing crowd.” Whether shopping for car parts at the swap meet, enjoying a beverage at the Hops and Hoods craft beer festival or ogling a ’64 Chevy Impala in the car corral, the Turkey Run offered a wide variety of activities for everyone. A large percentage of participants and guests alike return annually to attend the festivities held at the famous Daytona International Speedway and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow car enthusiasts. Detlef Lange has been flying to the fall show from his home in Germany for seven years. On occasion, he has added the spring show to his travel plans. In 1984, Lange was in the army and spent some time in the United States. He liked the country and decided he must have an Americanmade muscle car. Eight years ago, he finally bought his dream car: a Ford Mustang. “I bought a Mustang, so I looked for car shows in the United States and found Daytona,” he said. “I usually go to the swap meet and buy parts for my car. It’s also a place to meet people with the same interests.” The Palm Coast Cruisers returned for their fifth year to what president Steve Lancour described as his favorite show. He purchased 76 tickets for spots in the show-car area, hoping to accommodate his club’s increased membership, up by 125 from last year for a total of 500 members. Lancour said that most car clubs only have a small percentage of actual participants. His goals for the upcoming year are to have 200 active
REVVED UP Florida Flywheelers owner Crazy Bill and Big John pose in front of the trailer.
Photos by Michele Meyers
Guests enjoy a little car talk with the Palm Coast Cruisers at the Daytona Turkey Run.
members and broaden their ability to help others in need. “We raise funds for the Community Cats of Palm Coast and have also helped the Live Like Cameron Foundation,” Lancour said, “We are a nonprofit organization now and can do more for the community. I would like to do something for the boy that broke his neck diving into the ocean. His family really needs our help.” The 32nd-annual Spring Daytona Turkey Run will be held at the Speedway March 25-27, 2022. Nicolas Vallejo is excited to meet Savannah the stunt dog.
Show cars and trucks cruise onto the speedway early in the morning to get in position.
Cars line-up to exit the speedway after the end of each day of the Daytona Turkey Run.
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DAYTONA WEST OBSERVER
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OrmondBeachObserver.com
DECEMBER 2021
JARLEENE ALMENAS ASSOCIATE EDITOR
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his holiday season, Ormond Beach has its very own gingerbread house. Rose Villa Southern Table and Bar, located at 43 W. Granada Blvd., has transformed into a “Gingerbread Fantasy” by way of a decorative light display, and from now through Jan. 9, it will offer locals the chance to decorate their own gingerbread houses. It’s a unique experience the restaurant is excited to offer, said Pat Sullivan, Rose Villa operating manager, as there aren’t many opportunities to decorate a gingerbread house while inside a house decorated like a gingerbread house. Sullivan thought of the idea shortly after last year’s holiday season when he saw Rose Villa from across the street. He thought to himself, “The restaurant looks like a gingerbread house.” With COVID-19 having impacted how people celebrated in 2020, he knew he wanted to innovate and implement new ideas for this Christmas season. “I was thinking to myself, ‘Christmas is going to be big in 2021. Let’s try something different,’” Sullivan said. To celebrate the first “Gingerbread Fantasy” display, artist Perago also created a painting of the decorated Rose Villa onsite. A FAMILY ACTIVITY
On Friday, Nov. 19, the first day of the Gingerbread Fantasy display, one Ormond Beach family got to be the first to decorate a gingerbread house. Katie and Matt Hoffman and their 7-year-old son, Carter, have decorated gingerbread houses at home in the past, and when Katie Hoffman saw on Facebook that Rose Villa was looking for families to participate, she contacted the restaurant. She informed Carter of what they would do, and he worried that the gingerbread house would fall apart. They always do, Carter told his mom. “I’m like, ‘No, they’re already going to have the house together. So you just decorate it,’” Katie Hoffman said. “Because that’s the fun part.” As Carter focused on piping icing onto the house, laughing as it slid off before he could place candies, his father Matt Hoffman said it’s always enjoyable to see him unleash his inner artist. “He’s such a creative kid, and it’s so much fun to see where he takes things,” he said. Decorating a gingerbread house is available daily from 10 a.m. to noon by reservation only. It costs $99 and groups of up to 16 people will be accommodated. Rose Villa has 800 gingerbread houses ready to be assembled and decorated. TRANSFORMING THE DOWNTOWN
The holiday display was installed in two days by B Morrow Productions, a design production company that does displays for resorts, museums and theme parks. Producer Erin Pyne said the team installed over 10,000 lights. “It’s just a great opportunity for us at B Morrow Productions to come and transform the beautiful Rose Villa into a gingerbread house,” she said. Beyond the lights decorating the historic home, which served as a bed and breakfast for rich and famous
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Carter Hoffman, 7, decorates a gingerbread house
visitors of Ormond Beach starting in 1901, the Gingerbread Fantasy display consists of topiary snowmen, themed glass windows, lollipops and gingerbread men — one of which sports a handlebar mustache in homage to local developer Bill Jones, who restored the house in 2007. Jones stopped by the restaurant on the first day of the display and praised the idea. “It brings out the kid in me,” he said. Beside his own gingerbread man is a gingerbread version of his own French Bulldog, Winston. The other gingerbread dogs featured in the display represent Sullivan’s husky, and managing partner Kirk Roberts’ poodle. Jones, who has restored and built many of the buildings in Ormond Beach’s downtown — including 31 Supper Club, the Ormond Garage and the Pumphouse, which is under construction — said restoring Rose Villa was a project that took almost three years. He and his team restored original fixtures and doors and brought the house back to its former glory. Jones said he fell in love with Ormond Beach in 1986 when he moved from the state of New York.
Ormond Beach’s Rose Villa turns into a ‘Gingerbread Fantasy’
Colin Doane, Erin Pyne, Pat Sullivan, artist Perego and Jame Liska.
“I was thinking to myself, ‘Christmas is going to be big in 2021. Let’s try something different.’” PAT SULLIVAN, Rose Villa operating manager
“Slowly but surely,” he said he’s been working to transform the downtown into a place where mom-and-pop businesses thrive. “I figured, let’s build something,” Jones said. “Let’s make a downtown out of it. I’ve been trying to do that with the help of all these guys.” For gingerbread house reservations, call 386-615-7673. Visit rosevillarestaurant.com
Artist Perego painted this art piece of Rose Villa Southern Table and Bar in under an hour
Photos by Jarleene Almenas
Rose Villa Southern Table and Bar is decorated as a “Gingerbread Fantasy”.
OrmondBeachObserver.com
DAYTONA WEST OBSERVER
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5
DECEMBER 2021
Ormond Beach pastry chef to appear in new Disney+ ‘Foodtastic’ series Alejandra Galan will appear in the series’ Avengersthemed episode. JARLEENE ALMENAS ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Alejandra Galan is no stranger to baking TV shows. A past contestant on shows like the Food Network’s “Chocolate Meltdown: Hershey’s After Dark” and “El desafío de Buddy: Latinoamérica,” the Latin American version of the “Next Great Baker,” Galan is familiar with the standard premises of these type of shows. But when an opportunity with Disney arose, the Ormond Beach resident was in for a unique experience. Galan, who is a pastry chef, will be competing in the Disney+ original series “Foodtastic,” which will premiere on the streaming service on Dec. 15. The show is hosted by actress Keke Palmer, and features global food artists creating sculptures and scenes using only food. Produced by Endemol Shine North America, Flour Shop founder Amirah Kassem and NYC’s City Cakes founder chef Benny Rivera serve as food experts on the series. But it’s not your average cooking show. Galan said viewers should expect a lot of surprises along the way. “I was very grateful to have the opportunity to be chosen as a person from Latin America, and to have the experience to live like a theme park in a baking environment, because that’s what it was,” Galan said. “It was magical.” DESIGNING MOMENTS
A native of Colombia, Galan’s love of pastry began when she was young. Her parents own a cheesecake factory in the country, and she said she knew early on that she wanted to follow in their footsteps. In 2010, she opened her own bakery in Bogota, Colombia, and nine years later moved to the U.S. Prior to studying to become a
Photo courtesy of Disney/Endemol Shine North America
Alejandra Galan (right) featured with her teammates on “Foodtastic.”
pastry chef, Galan did work as an industrial engineer. But she dreamed of being an artist, and found that with food, she could do both. Plus, Galan said playing with food is much more fun. “What I love is to design moments,” she said. “So if you go to a party — someone’s birthday, or something — and that moment when you give them your incredible cake or whatever you made for them and they don’t believe that is actually edible, that’s completely priceless. And that’s something that they’re never going to forget. It’s a moment you actually design, more than the cake.” Galan will appear in the Avengers-themed episode, in which teams were tasked with coming up with a creative idea to showcase two Avengers saving a city from an attack. The only problem was that Galan had never seen any of the movies in the Marvel Cinematic Uni-
verse franchise. So her first order of business was making sure she knew everything she could about the Avengers by watching all of the movies. Her favorite Avenger? Iron Man. ‘ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE’
The “Foodtastic” set provided contestants with endless ingredients and equipment, which Galan described as “heaven for a chef.” Being on a Disney show was a dream, she said. Growing up, traveling to Disney World from Colombia to visit the theme parks was special, and now as an adult that lives within driving distance of the parks, Galan said she turns into a child every time she visits. Plus, “Foodtastic” is the only show she’s ever seen where food of all kinds are incorporated, and she’s excited to see the creations made by competitors in other episodes. After all, like Galan, they were all placed into teams with strangers
where the only thing they had in common was their passion for food. “It was a huge challenge, but I would take from that, that anything is possible,” Galan said. “That was actually the name of my team — anything is possible.” Since moving to the area in 2019, Galan said people have welcomed her and opened doors for her which have led to this opportunity. She thanks them, and said she has seen how this community help others grow, especially within the food industry. Though she doesn’t have her own bakery here yet, she said that is the future plan. “I believe if I was still in Colombia, this opportunity would have never happened.” See Galan’s pastry creations on her Instagram page, @cakefactoryale, or view her youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/ user/alejagalan.
“What I love is to design moments. So if you go to a party — someone’s birthday, or something — and that moment when you give them your incredible cake or whatever you made for them and they don’t believe that is actually edible, that’s completely priceless. And that’s something that they’re never going to forget. It’s a moment you actually design, more than the cake.” ALEJANDRA GALAN
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DAYTONA WEST OBSERVER
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OrmondBeachObserver.com
DECEMBER 2021
Setting the
BARRE Ormond Beach ballerina exemplifies dedication
stuff, is definitely a challenge, but it’s really fun.” Chanfrau has been dancing with the European School since she was 2 years old. Her older sister danced at the school first, and Chanfrau recalls watching her and wanting to follow in her footsteps. And she did. Now, 15 years later, her chapter with the European School is coming to a close as she experiences her last year. Despite Chanfrau’s intense schedule, she is still one of the best dancers in the studio, said Michelle Boutros, artistic director at the European School. “She loves what she does and you could see that even from how she walks into the studio,” Boutros said. “… It’s like home for her.”
JARLEENE ALMENAS ASSOCIATE EDITOR
C
aroline Chanfrau is meticulous with her weekly schedule. She has to be. The 17-year-old dancer with the European School of Performing Arts in Ormond Beach rarely has a moment to spare. She dances five nights a week, plus all-day Saturday at the school, on top of being student body president at Father Lopez Catholic High School and completing all her regular school work in a way that has her on track to graduating at the top of her class. And next week at the Peabody Auditorium, the Ormond Beach resident will star as the sugar plum fairy in the European School’s production of “The Nutcracker.” “Being able to have a part like this is really special because it’s challenging me in a lot of ways,” Chanfrau said. “I haven’t really danced like this before. I’ve done partnering and I’ve done solo work, but having to do back to back to back nonstop
BORN TO BE A LEADER
Taylor Falb will play the dew drop fairy in the “Waltz of the Flowers” number in “The Nutcracker.”
IF YOU GO:
Eris Potts, Turtle Bagamery and Eliza Dent practice the “French Divertissement” number in “The Nutcracker.”
Dancing has always been an integral part of Chanfrau’s life — a creative outlet that gives her an escape. It’s therapeutic, she said. When she’s dancing, she doesn’t have to worry about her other responsibilities. “Having to be here six days a week really makes me try and manage my time other places and makes me really focus on what I want,” she said. “It’s a really big commitment, so I have to be sure it’s something I like doing.” But once Chanfrau decides she wants to do something, she commits. She joined the swim team in her sophomore year, and, each fall since, she’s had practice straight after school before coming to the dance studio for a few more hours of hard work. Though swimming is not her favorite activity, she still gave it her maximum effort. This fall, she was captain of her swim team. “Education has always been really important in my family, and I’m very fortunate to go to a school like Father Lopez, so it’s very important to me to take advantage of everything
Photos by Jarleene Almenas
“THE NUTCRACKER” Caroline Chanfrau, When: 7 p.m. Saturas the sugar plum day, Dec 11; and 2 p.m. fairy, practices the Sunday, Dec. 12 "Grand Pas de Deux" Where: Peabody Auin "The Nutcracker." ditorium, 600 Auditorium Blvd. Details: See the European School of Performing Arts production of Christmas classic, “The Nutcracker.” Directed by Michelle Boutros and Jeremiah Garner. Tickets are available for purchase at Ticketmaster.com, or between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Peabody Box Office. Prices range from $25 to $45. Enjoy Christmas treats and a Nutcracker-themed boutique during intermission. Visit peabodyauditorium.org
Caroline Chanfrau, as the sugar plum fairy, and guest artist Sasha Kachanouski, practice the “Grand Pas de Deux” in “The Nutcracker.”
Parker Byrom (Nutcracker), guest artist Sasha Kachanouski (Snow King), Victoria Schmidt (Clara), Olivia Tegner (Snow Queen) and Camryn Esposito (Clara’s understudy), run the snow scene in “The Nutcracker” during practice.
that’s around me,” Chanfrau said. She’s always been like this, said Boutros. Though she recently became the artistic director for the European School, Boutros taught at the studio three years ago, and Chanfrau’s work ethic has remained steady. “She was born to be a leader, and so I’m not surprised at her progress, and, in a way, it’s almost an expectation for her,” Boutros said. “She puts it on herself, and she meets it.” Chanfrau takes dance seriously, her director continued, and goes out of her way to help others in and out of the studio. A few years ago, Chanfrau and a friend began volunteering her time to teach a monthly dance class at Hope Place, a homeless shelter for families in Daytona Beach. It’s an experience Chanfrau said gave her a new appreciation for dance. “Whenever I would go in there, it broke my heart,” Chanfrau said. “They would be so excited about learning the simplest things that I’ve been doing since I was 2 years old. It made realize how privileged I am to be here and be able to do this every day.” Boutros has been teaching for 25 years, and Chanfrau has never failed to impress her. “To see someone reach the pinnacle of their art form, and still be humble, is so refreshing,” Boutros said. “Now, has Caroline reached her pinnacle? No, not yet, of course. She’s only 17 years old, but always humble. She’s always kind.” BALLERINA FOR LIFE
Chanfrau attended a summer intensive for ballet in New York City. There were only 21 girls, and many were from top ballet schools or had played lead roles, like Clara in “The Nutcracker,” for the New York City Ballet’s production. “And then it was me, from Ormond Beach,” Chanfrau said. “It was defi-
Jessica Gazzoli, playing the Candy maker, is lifted by the Bon Bons, during a scene in “The Nutcracker.”
nitely a very big learning experience, but I think that I kind of realized that I loved ballet in a very different way than they did. It wasn’t my whole life, but it was a specific joy that I had.” Once in college, Chanfrau doesn’t know yet if dance is the professional path she will take. She’s looking forward to exploring her options and taking all sorts of different classes to find what she likes. A daughter of two local lawyers, she has a feeling she may follow in their footsteps. But dance will continue to be a part of her life. She’s appreciative of having been able to grow up in the European School. Sometimes, it may not have felt that way, especially when the frustration of not getting a step sets in, but Chanfrau said dancers need to look at the “bigger picture.” “I feel like every little girl wants to be a ballerina, and so I think that everyone needs to remember that desire that they had when they were little, or their dream, and not focus on all the setbacks,” Chanfrau said. “Just remember why they love it all the time.”