7 minute read
Your Town
ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA LIONS CLUB ADDS TWO NEW MEMBERS
A new Lions year has started and the Ormond-by-the-Sea Lions Club has welcomed two new members, according to a press release.
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Debbie Hernandez and Sarah Thomas were both recently installed, and the club extends an invitation to the public to attend its meetings to see what Lions are all about. Lions Clubs are also offering an entrance or charter fee waiver to anyone joining a local club through Dec. 31.
In addition, Lions Clubs will be assisting at the Special Olympics to be held next June in Orlando. If you would like to volunteer, please attend a future OBTS Lions Club meeting for more information.
Visit Lionsclubs.org and click on “Find A Club.”
NEW HIRES FOR REALTY GROUP
Lifestyle Realty Group recently hired a new branch office administrator and two new real estate agents to its Ormond Beach branch at 1095 N. U.S. 1.
According to a press release, new Branch Office Administrator Holly West has 20 years of experience as a banker and executive administrative assistance. She is a graduate of Daytona State College and has a degree in accounting.
“I look forward to concentrating my efforts on serving the dedicated team of real estate professionals at Lifestyle Realty Group and to supporting the needs of their buyers and sellers,” said West in the press release.
The new real estate agents are Leslie Johnson and Ashlee Parsons. Johnson comes to Lifestyle Realty Group from EXP and is a former Department of Defense employee and retired U.S. Air Force veteran. She has a passion for helping fellow veterans realize the dream of home ownership. Parsons comes from Reagan Realty and specializes in working with homeowners interested in selling, and helping landlords and investors find tenants.
Send Your Town stories to jarleene@ormondbeachobserver. com.
Leslie Johnson
Holly West
Ashlee Parsons
Courtesy photo Henry Fortier, secretary of education and superintendent of Catholic Schools at the Diocese of Orlando, presents the award to St. Brendan Catholic School’s principal Philip Gorrasi and pastor Friar Thomas Barrett.
ST. BRENDAN WINS AWARD FOR SERVICE
St. Brendan the Navigator Catholic School was recently honored by the Diocese of Orlando with the St. Teresa of Calcutta Award for service in the 2020-2021 school year after the entire student body rallied around a long-time teacher battling cancer.
St. Brendan won the award, which is given annually to two schools in the diocese that demonstrate the compassion and corporal works of mercy exemplified by St. Teresa, for its care of the sick.
In a year marked by COVID-19, the St. Brendan community faced an additional struggle as their teacher, Donna Waldron, suffered from cancer. Waldron had been an educator at the school for over three decades, inspiring a love of learning and a passion for technology in generations of students. The student body put all their energy into showing their love and gratitude to Waldron by organizing a parade for her in April.
The students paraded past her home as she waved to them. Each class had something special to share with her, be it a cheer, a card, a song, bouquets of balloons or handmade signs. Unfortunately, she succumbed to her illness two weeks later.
“Visiting the sick was the mission of St. Teresa of Calcutta and was certainly practiced by every student that day,” said Henry Fortier, secretary of education and superintendent of schools at the Diocese of Orlando. “I would like to congratulate St. Brendan Catholic School for the compassion and love that they shared with Mrs. Waldron in her last hours.”
Fortier personally presented the award to St. Brendan’s principal, Philip Gorrasi, and pastor, Friar Thomas Barrett.
“As Catholic schools, we are charged to live the works of mercy and to have been recognized for doing that in a special way is humbling,” Gorrasi said.
“Deep Sorrow” by Vicki Payne
The Casements Camera Club recently announced the winners for its 41st-annual show, which according to a press release, drew a variety of entries that were judged by photographer Susan Francis, co-owner of the Harmon Studio of Photography in Orlando.
The results are as follows: Best of show: “Deep Sorrow” by Vicki Payne First place: “Charleston Harbor” by Donna Armstrong Second place: “Pelican with an Attitude” by Larry Parker Third place: “Tomoka Mist” by Nancy Munier The Casements Award: “Charleston Harbor” by Donna Armstrong
The public is welcome to view the exhibit, which is on display at The Casements gallery. The gallery is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturdays. The exhibit will be up through Sept. 29.
PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION
On Wednesday, Aug. 25, Gallery500, a contemporary fine art gallery at One Daytona, announced that it, along with Oil and Vinegar, will be hosting a pop-up exhibition featuring Daytona Beach artist Brandon Stanley’s photographic work.
The show took place from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 2, at Oil and Vinegar, located at 2644 LPGA Blvd. The event is part of the gallery’s “Photography: A Fresh Perspective” exhibition, and a portion of the sales were donated to World Vision’s Clean Water Fund.
Stanley is the first artist in the gallery’s “Emerging Artist” series. According to a press release, Stanley uses an underwater housing unit for his camera, allowing him to capture images centered around the water and his love for the ocean.
“We’re proud to support our local artists and the Emerging Artist Series allows us to open the doors for upcoming talent from our region,” said Lesa Kennedy, Gallery500 owner, in the press release.
PUBLIC RELATIONS CHAPTER INSTALLS NEW LEADERSHIP
The Volusia/Flagler Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association has installed Cyndi Hines as its board president for 2021-2022.
Hines, public relations and events specialist with SMA Healthcare Foundation, was sworn in by FPRA State President Devon Chestnut during a luncheon on Aug. 26, at the Daytona Beach International Airport, according to a press release.
The other new board members are: President-Elect Christine Martindale, city of Port Orange Immediate Past President and Vice President of Programs Chris Graham, city of DeLand Vice President of Membership Shari Simmans, city of DeBary Vice President of Finance Karen Eastman, Florida Healthcare Plans Vice President of Accreditation and Certification Cindi Lane, APR, Volusia County Schools Vice President of Communications Mary Dorn, APR, Mary Dorn Communications Assistant to Vice President of Communications Molly Justice, National Center for State Courts Vice President of Student Services Sara Withrow, freelancer Student Faculty Advisor Ray Victor, Bethune Cookman University Secretary Angelene Davis, city of Palm Coast Senior Advisor Bob Barker, retired
Martindale and Simmans were recognized as chapter “Member of the Year” and “Rising Star,” respectively.
Nina Masters and her daughter and son-in-law, Sylvia and George Nikitas.
REMEMBERING A LOCAL TEACHER
Nina Masters, a retired Seabreeze High School art teacher, died last month.
According to the Ormond Beach Memorial Art Museum’s newsletter, Masters taught art at the school for almost 50 years. She developed the “Tradewinds” annual exhibit of student art work that was exhibited at SHS and OMAM for many years.
Her obituary, published in the Daytona Beach News-Journal, states that Masters was a 1994 Teacher of the Year top five finalist, and that “her greatest achievements during her 50 years of teaching were the accomplishments of her students.”
She served as the school’s art department chair until her retirement in 2010.
ORMOND BEACH Observer
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