Classifieds 15 Real Estate 14
APRIL 1, 2021
YOUR NEIGHBORS CALENDAR SATURDAY, APRIL 3
EASTER JAM n When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. n Where: Calvary Christian Center, 1687 W. Granada Blvd. n Details: Celebrating Easter with fun outdoor activities for your family. The event features a scavenger hunt, food trucks, bounce houses, music, photo ops, hay rides, face painting and more. Call 672-5571.
Community raises over $15,000 for OBMS band director battling cancer
ROCKIN’ FOR RICKY n When: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. n Where: Ormond Garage, 48 W. Granada Blvd. n Details: This musical fundraiser benefits the Elkins family, of Ormond Beach. Rick Elkins suffered a stroke during the holidays and will likely need 24/7 lifetime care. Help out a local family and listen to a variety of different artists perform, including 80s pop star Tiffany, Bridgette Tatum, Resting Beach Face and Brothers Within Duo. Tickets cost $25. Free admission for children under 12. Visit eventbrite.com/e/rockinfor-ricky-tickets-141579695681
OBMS Band Director Bill Guthrie poses for a photo with students after a concert.
MUSIC THAT MATTERS JARLEENE ALMENAS ASSOCIATE EDITOR
F
rom the minute an instrument is placed in a student’s hand, Ormond Beach Middle School Band Director Bill Guthrie knows they’re both embarking on a journey. It’s a path to musicianship he’s taken with each one of his students for about 25 years, the last 10 of which have been at OBMS. Teaching band is both fulfilling and frustrating, Guthrie said, and he loves it. The excitement comes in small victories: The student that learns to put an instrument together, or the one who finally can make a sound on a mouthpiece with a reed, or the student who learns how to play “Hot Cross Buns.” “You celebrate that,” Guthrie said. Guthrie puts his heart into his job, and now, the community is showing him just how much they appreciate him. On Jan. 18, Guthrie was diagnosed with colon cancer. A GoFundMe to help him has, as of Tuesday, March 31, raised over $15,000 — just short of the fundraiser’s $20,000 goal. “No matter how you refer to him, this man has affected your life for the better,” the fundraising page states. “From being a friend, mentor, co-worker, family member, fraternity brother, teacher — now, he needs all of us to support him.” COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Guthrie began feeling sick in the fall of 2020. He initially thought it was a stomach bug, but the symptoms kept resurfacing as the weeks continued. Around early December, his condition worsened and he sought medical care. Since his diagnosis in January, Guthrie has been battling cancer
while staying in the classroom as much as possible, according to the GoFundMe. On March 9, he had his surgery and was anticipating several weeks of recovery. He planned to be back with his students by April 5. Unfortunately, he suffered some complications, and on Monday, March 22, had to undergo a second surgery. Still, Guthrie plans to return to school in April, albeit a couple weeks or so later than his original plans. His GoFundMe page is full of testimony of the impact he has made, and continues to make, in music education. “[Guthrie] inspires our kids through music every day with his passion and humor,” wrote Kelly Ann Markowitz on the page. “Even though it’s been nearly 10 years since our son started in the OBMS band as a sixth grader, Sam’s passion for music continues, and that’s in no small part to Bill’s influence...Everyone deserves a helping hand.” One former student said Guthrie was her first band teacher in middle school, and described him as an “an incredible man who loves his students and loves watching them grow as young musicians and young adults.” “He played a large role in my life during that time and after spending every day in his class for three years you start to form a bond that you don’t share with any other teacher,” wrote Mckayla Crotty. “I am hoping for nothing but a full and speedy recovery recovery for Mr. GU3 and I know he has ample amounts of support behind him.” Seeing the support he’s received on the GoFundMe account has moved Guthrie. “It’s really nice,” Guthrie said. “You never think it’s going to be you, and then it’s you, and everybody shows up to help. So it makes it easier.”
THURSDAY, APRIL 8
HALIFAX GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY WEBINAR MEETING n When: 1:30-2:45 p.m. n Where: Online n Details: This month, Thomas MacEntee will present “Don’t Chop Off That Branch! A Genealogy Arborist’s Handbook.” For free guest registration, contact halifaxgensociety@gmail.com
‘YOU WANT TO REMEMBER ALL THE MOMENTS’
A Volusia native, Guthrie got his start in music at the Holly Hill School. Primarily a saxophone player, he knew he wanted to be a musician, and by his senior year of high school at Mainland, was looking to major in music education at Stetson University. His passion for music education has only grown since then. “It’s as important as reading, and it’s as important as language arts, and it’s as important as everything we do,” he said. “It is the thing that makes us human.” He has favorite moments in the classroom that he can recall throughout the years, but at the end of the day, Guthrie said it’s the steps that keep him going. “It’s never ever one moment,” Guthrie said. “You want to remember all of the moments, and then suddenly you blink your eyes and that kid is playing real, honest-to-god literature in high school or in college. That’s what it is.”
SATURDAY, APRIL 17
WANT TO HELP? To donate toward Guthrie’s fundraiser, visit https:// gofund.me/ e74b2ff7
Courtesy photos
OBMS Band Director Bill Guthrie said being a band director is all about the students’ journeys.
CANCER BENEFIT LUNCHEON n When: 11 a.m. n Where: The Palmetto Club, 1000 South Beach St. n Details: The Palmetto Club will host its annual cancer benefit luncheon on April 17, featuring award-winning comedian and magician Todd Bogue, in line with the fundraiser’s theme, “Make Cancer Disappear.” Bogue was named “Florida Magician of the Year” in 2018. Luncheon donation is $35. Call 760-9476 by April to reserve a seat.
ADOPTABLE PETS
Lillie is a 9-year-old Pointer mix with a white coat.
Ripley is a 4-year-old terrier and American Staffordshire mix.
Tabby is a 10-year-old domestic shorthair.
Savvy is a 2-year-old domestic shorthair.
To adopt any of these animals, or see others, visit the Halifax Humane Society’s main campus at 2364 LPGA Blvd., or call 274-4703.
