It’s official: Daytona Beach’s new Trader Joe’s opened on Friday, Nov. 14.
The store hosted a grand opening ceremony and ribbon cutting at 8:55 a.m., with the store opening at 9 a.m., according to a press release from Trader Joe’s.
The Daytona Beach Trader Joe’s is located at 1507 Cornerstone Blvd. in Tomoka Town Center.
The store will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
More than 60 crew members were hired from the
surrounding areas and transferred in others from Trader Joe’s stores, the press release said. And, as part of the company’s longstanding Neighborhood Shares Program, the store will donate 100% of products that “go unsold but remain fit to enjoy” to local nonprofit and community-based organizations seven days a week.
It is one of two new grocery store chains opening in the area. The second is a Sprout’s Farmer’s Market that will open sometime in 2026 at the Shoppes at Williamson Crossing.
Tomoka Elementary School students Aaron Dye and Case DeBord play with
Photo courtesy of Trader Joe’s
NEWS BRIEFS
Palm Coast couple found dead in apparent murder-suicide
A Palm Coast couple on Pinelynn Lane was found dead in their home on Wednesday after an apparent murder-suicide, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
Julio Alonso, 85, and Martha Alonso, 74, were found dead inside their bedroom on Nov. 12 after relatives asked the FCSO to conduct a welfare check. The FCSO said the preliminary investigation indicated Julio Alonso shot his wife with a gun and then killed himself.
Sheriff Rick Staly said the FCSO’s condolences and prayers go out to the family.
“Losing a parent is never easy but losing both parents to what appears to be a murder-suicide is unimaginable,” Staly said.
Relatives of the family asked for the welfare check when they were unable to reach the Alonsos by phone or text. A neighbor said they had last seen the couple leaving for the hospital on Tuesday, Nov. 11, the press
COPS CORNER
NOV. 6 LOADED
11:03 a.m. — Airport Road, Ormond Beach
Possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. A 43-yearold Ormond Beach man was arrested by a state agency officer after he was found with 748 rounds of ammuni-
release said. The deceased have been transported to the medical examiner’s office, and the investigation continues by FCSO’s Major Case and CSI units, the press release said. Staly and FCSO remind residents there are numerous resources available in Flagler County for those struggling with health issues, and help is always available for those who need it.
Those who feel suicidal or overwhelmed can get help by contacting Flagler Cares at 386-319-9483 or contacting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling 988 or visiting 988lifeline.org.
Shooting near Beach Village, both claim ‘standyour-ground’ law
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that occurred at a Palm Coast apartment complex on Nov. 16 the left two people with non-life-threatening injuries.
At 8:35 p.m., deputies were called to a domestic disturbance involving gunfire at an apartment complex near Beach Village Circle. A caller told emergency communications dispatchers that two people had been shot during
tion on his person. According to his arrest report, the man was illegally camping on state lands.
NOV. 11
‘SATANIC’ ENCOUNTER
6:20 p.m. — 1500 block of North U.S. 1, Ormond Beach Grand theft. As a 34-year-old Ormond Beach woman was being detained after a crash, she told police officers, “You have met Satan today.” She was rolling a cigar, according to her arrest report
the incident, an FCSO press release said. One was still inside the apartment while another had gone to a nearby convenience store. No one has been charged yet in the disturbance, but the investigation is ongoing.
Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly said both parties are making stand-your-ground claims but said neither “appear to be completely truthful or cooperative.” The 2005 law allows the use of deadly force when there is a fear of death or great bodily harm, according to the statute.
Flagler County Fire Rescue, the Flagler Beach Fire Department, the Flagler Beach Police Department, and the Palm Coast Fire Department also responded to the incident. A FBPD officer and the first FCSO deputy on scene went to the convenience store where Tyree Smith, 22, was found with gunshot wounds to his upper body and arm.
The law enforcement officers provided medical aid until emergency services arrived, the press release said. EMS treated Smith and then he was taken to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach.
At the apartment complex, an underage boy had a gunshot wound to his leg. He was treated on scene by EMS and then also taken to Halifax
and was also charged with petit theft for stealing 10 cigars and two lighters from a gas station. She was taken to jail.
NOV. 15
CIGARETTES AND LOLLIPOPS
9:48 p.m. – 5800 State Road
100, Palm Coast Trespass. A Sheriff’s Office deputy was called out to a local gas station because a man had entered the store despite his previous trespass order, according to an arrest report.
Health for further treatment before he was released.
A handgun was found inside the apartment in the hallway with spent shell casings and evidence of bullet impacts in the home.
A woman who lived in the home said the incident began with an argument between her and Smith. The argument escalated into a physical fight where she was struck, fell and began screaming for help, the press release said.
That is when the juvenile came into the room with a gun, telling Smith to stop, the press release said. When Smith charged at the boy, the boy fired a shot, hitting Smith, the press release said. The two struggled over the gun and a second shot was fired, hitting the boy in the leg.
FCSO’s Major Case and Crime Scene Investigation units are investigating the incident.
Palm Coast man faces 25 years for fentanyl trafficking charge
A man arrested by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office in July on a narcotics-related search warrant has been rearrested and is facing a fentanyl trafficking charge of over 28 grams.
The suspect told the deputy he knew about the trespass but went inside anyway and refused to leave the property because “he ‘wanted cigarettes and a lollipop.’”
The man was placed under arrest and taken to jail.
NOV. 16
BAR FIGHT
1:39 a.m. – 5800 block of State Road 100, Flagler County Disorderly conduct. Staff members at a local restaurant
Ryan McArthur, 37, of Palm Coast is being held at the Volusia County Branch Jail where he was rearrested on Nov. 10.
If convicted of a fentanyl trafficking charge, McArthur faces a mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.
16-year-old facing robbery charges
A 16-year-old Palm Coast boy has been arrested and is facing felony aggravated assault and battery charges for allegedly repeatedly hitting one man with a gun and then pointing that gun at a second man.
The teenager has been charged with robbery with a firearm, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The State Attorney’s Office will decide whether to charge the 16-year-old as an adult.
The incident happened just after midnight on Nov. 16 at a home on Pitt Lane, a Flagler County Sheriff’s Office press release said. A witness called 911 and said several individuals had entered a home on Pitt Lane and attacked a person inside and that a gun had been fired.
One victim told Flagler deputies that he and a friend had
told Sheriff’s Office deputies that a man began yelling slurs while watching the game, upsetting other customers in the restaurant. The suspect then got into a verbal argument with the man next to him and shoved the man, according to an arrest report.
Other patrons then stood up to intervene, but the suspect shoved them, too, and the other customers began hitting the suspect, the report said.
At around 1 a.m., the suspect refused to leave
driven to the home to pick up a package and were attacked by two masked people. Deputies determined the teenager, one of the masked suspects, had followed the first victim into the home, pistol-whipped him repeatedly and then chased the victim outside.
The victim’s friend, who had remained in the vehicle, told deputies he ran when a man pointed a gun at him from the driver’s side while a women opened the passenger door where the second victim was seated, the press release said.
FCSO deputies investigating the alleged assault determined the teenager stole the first victim’s shoes, cell phone and car keys, the press release said. Major Case Unit detectives and deputies found the victim’s shoes underneath a bed in the home and the car keys in a dirty cat litter box.
When questioned by detectives, the teen said the gun did go off unintentionally when he fell in the grass outside afterward. The teen said he got rid of the gun and fled the scene, deputies said. The teenaged suspect was booked at the county jail before he was turned over to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice. The incident is still under investigation. Email AGossett@flaglersheriff.com.
so an employee physically escorted the suspect out of the restaurant and locked the door behind him. When two other men came up to enter the restaurant, the suspect then got in an argument with them and began recording the bystanders and calling them racial slurs, leading to another physical fight, the report said. Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested the suspect for disorderly conduct. He was cleared by the hospital and taken to the county jail.
DOWN BY THE RIVER
Riverfest draws 10% bigger crowd than last year’s festival.
BRIAN MCMILLAN PUBLISHER
Of all the elements that went into the plan -
ning of the 16th annual Riverfest in Ormond Beach — from the 100 volunteers and 100 vendors to the parking shuttles and sports lounge — the element that might have contributed the most to the event’s success was the one that couldn’t be planned: the weather.
“The weather couldn’t have been better,” said Becky Parker, executive director of Ormond Beach Mainstreet. “It was perfect, beginning to end, all weekend long.”
Based on data from volunteers, shuttle rides and beer sales, Parker estimates that between 7,200 and 8,000 attended the Nov. 15-16 festival, which is about a 10% increase over last year.
“It was really, really busy,” Parker said. “… This event was always designed as a community, family friendly, inclusive event, so that is our No. 1 purpose in hosting it over the past 15 years: to get people out of their homes and into their
communities and get people to connect with their neighbors, and do so in a relatively low cost way.”
The event, which is free to attend, was organized by Parker and a committee led by Cassie Dixon. Nancy Cortez was the volunteer coordinator, alongside committee members Dr. Maryann Bull, Bill and Michelle Zirkelbach, Brie Cunniff, Nick Accion, DW Smith, Tom Bull, Victoria Lancaster, Kathy and David Grosskurth, Colin Overbey, Andrea and Bob Ott, Jordan Bowling, Tony Puglia, Caryn Baker, Jade Faber, Tom Caffrey, and Kevin Wakefield. Bill Partington II prepared food for the volunteers.
“We partner with Seabreeze High School’s AICE program, drafting program, the culinary program, and the media program, and we make a donation back to them from the event — directly to those programs,” Parker said. “... It was the smoothest running festival that I’ve done in 11 years, and that is because we’ve had the best team we’ve ever had working on it. … We are not a for-profit event production company; we are a group of individuals pulling this together on very few resources, so I’m very proud that we are able to do that.”
Parker said the boat show, put on by Bluewater Marine, helped enhance the event’s celebration of the waterfront.
And, with Wakefield’s help, she was able to eliminate the internet glitches that plagued the “sports lounge” tent in past years. This year, the games played smoothly on the TVs, so that enticed people to make Riverfest an all-day hangout.
“People wanted to linger,” Parker said. “Usually at the end of each day, it starts to die down, and people naturally leave. This run, I was concerned and said, ‘Y’all better go catch that shuttle!’ They wanted to stay. … All around I don’t think I’ve ever had such positive feedback.”
Lana Hopkins displays bracelets from her business.
Brittany Giles provided face painting at Riverfest 2025.
Novel Tea Book Shop’s Stephanie Gonter and Dasha Linna, with Mango Leaf Trading owner Jen Idleman.
Halifax Humane Society volunteers Ann Wolf and Melissa Robertucci.
The Robert Keele Band performs on stage, at Riverfest, in Ormond Beach. Photos by Sydney Tevin
A paella from JP’s House of Food.
Clay Bitter performs beneath the bridge.
Oak & Dough Wood Fired Pizza owner Ryan Dealy pulls a pizza from the oven.
Ormond Planning Board OKs new freestanding ED
AdventHealth is proposing to construct the 12-bed emergency department at 1561 N. U.S. 1, near I-95.
JARLEENE
ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR
AdventHealth’s proposed off-site emergency department project on North U.S. 1 in Ormond Beach took a step forward on Thursday, Nov. 13. In a 5-0 vote, the Ormond Beach Planning Board approved a zoning map amendment and a development order for a new standalone ED, which will span about 13,451 square feet on a 2.47-acre site near the U.S. 1 and I-95 interchange at 1561 N. U.S. 1. The one-story ED will have 12 beds and a helipad.
AdventHealth is projecting a 2026 buildout for the project.
“I think it’s an advantage, especially as our traffic situations are getting worse on our road structures,” Planning Board member Al Jorzcak said of the ED. “Having a facility that has the capability of reaching an accident scene quicker is obviously, where minutes and seconds count, a very positive thing for our community.”
The property previously housed a Wendy’s and a gas station, both of which have since been demolished. According to the Volusia County Property Appraiser, AdventHealth Daytona Beach purchased the vacant parcel earlier this year on Jan. 6, for $2.375 million.
Though the property is currently zoned B-7 Highway Tourist Commercial — in which an emergency department is an allowed use —
AdventHealth is seeking a zoning change to a Planned Business Development.
The project came before the Planning Board with a recommendation to approve by the city’s Site Plan Review Committee, with the exception of denial of a signage waiver to allow a 12-foot monument sign along the intersection of Rosemary Street and North U.S. 1; the SPRC recommended maintaining the city’s 8-foot monument signage standard, according to the staff report.
“At the site plan meeting, they stated it was based on corporate branding,” City Planning Director Steven Spraker said. “The need to have the use be easily identified from the roadway.”
Attorney Jessica Gow, of Cobb Cole, represented AdventHealth at the Planning Board meeting. She said
that the site requires visibility from the interchange and from going down U.S. 1 for emergency vehicles and patients, in light of other large business signs and the proximity to the interchange.
“The goal of this signage is to say, ‘This is where you need to be when you have an emergency,’” Gow said.
Planning Board members were OK with the taller sign.
“Being a hospital, I think it’s warranted,” Board member Michael Gentry said.
The closest hospital to the proposed new ED location is 14 minutes away, Gow said. AdventHealth Palm Coast is seven miles away and AdventHealth Daytona Beach is 11.
“When you’re looking at medical emergencies and facilities to serve those patients, where minutes save lives, they (AdventHealth) think that this is a key corridor
to be in for the Ormond Beach population,” Gow said. She added that the site went through remediation with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in the past for petroleum impacts and some more remediation may be needed. As such, AdventHealth has entered into an agreement with DEP to clean up the site under the Florida Brownfield Program.
“We’d like to see this act as a catalyst for the remainder of the U.S. 1 corridor, especially with the interchange improvements,” Gow said.
The design phase for the new I-95 interchange at U.S. 1 is underway by the Florida Department of Transportation and is expected to be completed in fall 2026. Construction is estimated at $219 million and slated to begin in fall 2027.
NEWS BRIEFS
$700K donations in eight years: Volusia County Women Who Care
In eight years, the Volusia County Women Who Care has donated over $700,000 to 40 local nonprofits.
The organization is a 501c3 “giving-circle” dedicated to making a collective impact by donating funds from member contributions directly to local nonprofits. Founded in 2017, the organization has over 375 registered members who are “committed to transforming their community through collective giving,” a VCWWC press release said.
Volusia County Women Who Care is a volunteer-driven organization that asks members to contribute $100 each, four times a year, to go to a local nonprofit. The members also nominate nonprofits for potential funding and vote
to determine the quarterly recipient. Three nonprofits are selected for members to vote on. During its 2025 fourthquarter meeting on Nov. 13, the VCWWC selected Presbyterian Counseling Center, Inc. as the primary recipient of the quarter’s collective member contributions, totaling more than $30,000 in direct support, the press release said. The Presbyterian Counseling Center supports “individuals, couples and families with compassionate, professional counseling.”
The VCWWC also awarded the Halifax Repertory Theatre and the Sender Retreat Foundation $1,250 each in sustaining grants from the Community Partner Impact Fund. The eighth anniversary event also celebrated the group’s first ever VCWWC Intern Leadership Award of $1,000, given to Fernanda Castillo-Enriquez for exceptional service, leadership and contributions to the VCWWC mission, the press release said.
The emergency department will span about 13,451 square feet on a 2.47-acre site. Map courtesy of the city of Ormond Beach
VCWWC members Brittani Preschel and Angie Achler-Ray. Courtesy photo
‘Protecting our city’: Flagler Beach votes 4-1 for Summertown annexation
‘It’s real simple: you don’t annex it ... you have no control,’ Commissioner Eric Cooley said. Summertown was part of Veranda Bay.
SIERRA WILLIAMS
STAFF WRITER
The Flagler Beach City Commission has passed the first of two votes to annex a 540-acre project called Summertown into the city from Flagler County.
Summertown includes property that stretches from State Road 100 to 2 miles south along the west side of John Anderson Highway. Thirty acres of the property is already within city limits, so the application is to annex 514 acres, with supplemental applications to change the property’s zoning and land use. The Summertown project will next go to the state for review and approval and then will return to Flagler Beach for a second vote, with
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a workshop before the second reading to discuss additional changes.
The commission voted 4-1 to annex, with Commissioner John Cunningham voting against it. Despite the approval, many of the commissioners felt there was more discussion needed before the project could be approved in full.
“I do feel there is more negotiations that need to be done before we fully give this the rubber stamp,” Commission Chair James Sherman said.
As part of the annexation agreement with Flagler Beach, the developer has agreed to limit development to a maximum of 1,640 residential units, 840,000 square feet of nonresidential uses and 250 hotel rooms.
Summertown is one part of what was a 2,700-unit, 900acre development known as Veranda Bay that has been undergoing the annexation process in Flagler Beach for two years. The developer — represented by Ken Belshe in the meeting — broke the massive development into two: Summertown and Veranda Bay.
The Veranda Bay develop-
The Florida Women’s Arts Association is conducting a holiday toy drive, benefitting the Domestic Abuse Council of Volusia County. The toy drive will run through Dec. 15. The gifts should be new and unwrapped, and FLWAA is looking to provide gifts for
ment — 210 acres of land that encompass the east side of John Anderson Highway south of S.R. 100 — has been tabled until the Jan. 22 meeting. That development will be limited to a maximum of 377 residential units, 16,200 square feet of nonresidential uses and a 150 marina berths as part of its annexation agreement with the city.
Flagler Beach is currently just over 2,400 acres in size. Both developments together, if approved, will add 29% to Flagler Beach and potentially double the population in the future.
Flagler Beach commissioners originally asked Belshe to annex the property into Flagler Beach back in early 2024, but the project received major backlash from the public and was eventually tabled after a potential lawsuit over a created enclave.
Commissioner Eric Cooley said despite the work that still needs to be done on the annexation agreement, he would rather Flagler Beach have a say in the direction of the development by annexing it.
“It’s real simple: You don’t
children ranging in age from infants to teenagers.
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Art Spotlight, 67 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach
The Ormond Beach Lions Club recently announced that Piper Reis, of the Academic
annex it, you’re out,” he said.
“You have no control over anything. You’re not protecting the city. You’re not protecting anything. You’re turning it over to the universe.”
The majority of the other commissioners and Mayor Patti King agreed with Cooley. But the projects, both
Oasis school in Ormond Beach, was the winner of the 2025 International Peace Poster contest.
This year’s contest theme was “Together as One.” Piper’s entry, according to the Lions Club, will move on to the next level to judged alongside other area winners.
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What is your club or organization doing in the community? Send stories and photos to brent@observerlocalnews. com.
Veranda Bay and Summertown, have left many residents with concerns, even beyond the the number of rooftops.
Flagler Beach residents urged their commissioners to protect the city’s roadways and water and wastewater infrastructure, as well as Bulow Creek, which abuts the Sum-
mertown property.
The developer has committed to multiple concessions in the name of annexing the project: building out a spine road before constructing a certain number of residential units; using 40% of the property, including some directly around Bulow Creek, as open space; applying additional buffers around the property, including a 100-foot natural buffer around Bulow Creek.
Attorney Michael Chiumento, representing the developers, and Belshe even said they are willing to work with Flagler County to potentially sell the low-lying floodplain portion of the property.
Despite all the moving parts and continued work, the commission moved forward to the next step in the annexation process.
Cooley said annexing the project is about “protecting our city.”
“I will not, at this point, just wash my hands and say, ‘Let’s hope for the best,’” Cooley said. “Let’s hope that boards that do not have our best interests at heart are going to have our best interest at heart.”
The 540-acre Summertown development is highlighted in yellow. Image courtesy of Flagler Beach
Lion Trish Vevera and Piper Reis. Courtesy photos
Daytona offers $2.3M for
The city wants to buy out Ormond’s water, wastewater service rights for the 3,000acre development.
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
The Ormond Beach commission could be holding a shade meeting to discuss a settlement offer for a lawsuit with a developer and the city of Daytona Beach.
Avalon Park Daytona Beach sued both Ormond Beach and Daytona Beach in 2024 after it alleges Ormond Beach failed to provide the information needed for the developer to move forward with its water utility infrastructure designs. At its Nov. 5 meeting, the Daytona Beach City Commission voted 4-2 to buy out Ormond Beach’s water and wastewater service rights for $2.3 million to end the dispute.
According to the court documents, the case has been in mediation since June and could soon go to trial. A non-
jury trial is scheduled for Dec. 8, but a hearing to continue the trial to a later date was set for Nov. 19, according to the Volusia County Clerk of Court records.
Though the suit was filed in 2024, the disagreement on water and wastewater services has been ongoing for almost four years, since Avalon Park first proposed a 10,000-home development in west Daytona Beach in 2021.
Ormond Beach City Commissioner Travis Sargent said it’s time the commission be given an update on the issue and the water and wastewater service agreements involved.
“We’ve never been able to talk about it together,” Sargent said. “I just think it’s important that we maybe sit down and talk about it.”
Sargent proposed the council hold a shade meeting to discuss the settlement offer specifically, but also hold a general workshop presentation to update both the commission and the public on the details of the problems.
A shade meeting is a meeting in which an elected board meets out of the public eye to
Avalon Park water rights
discuss active litigation. Once the litigation is resolved, the transcripts are then made public record.
“I understand we’re limited to what we can talk about, but think it’s time for us all to get together and discuss this item,” he said.
The rest of the commission agreed and dates for a shade meeting and a workshop meeting will be scheduled.
The disagreement between Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach and the Avalon Park development stems from four agreements between the two cities from 2006.
At the Nov. 5 meeting, Daytona Beach City Attorney Ben Gross said that in 2006, the two cities entered into water and wastewater service agreements that, in part, say the area around Avalon Park is in Ormond Beach’s service area.
According to the agreements, Gross said, Ormond Beach has the right to service the area for water and wastewater utilities and sell the services wholesale to Daytona Beach. In addition, Ormond can charge Daytona Beach impact fees to the city for pro-
viding service as well as some of the costs to extend their lines to the development.
Per the agreements, Daytona Beach could then sell the service at a retail price.
Avalon Park, a development that was originally proposing 10,000 homes across the 3,000-acre property, lies within Ormond Beach’s water and wastewater service boundaries. The property is west of Interstate 95 within Daytona Beach’s borders.
Ormond Beach’s rights to service the water and wastewater in the area is functionally the city’s only way to help control the growth in that area. Because of the scope of the project, Ormond Beach residents would feel the impact from its neighboring city.
But, Gross said, under the agreements, if Ormond is unwilling to service the area, Daytona Beach has the right, though Ormond could later change its mind, to begin servicing the development and charge other fees.
This is why the city’s outside attorneys on the suit and Gross recommended Daytona Beach offer the settlement to buy out Ormond Beach’s service rights from the agreements.
“We believe that the costs to Daytona Beach of abiding by those agreements could be exorbitant and duplicative,” Gross said.
The proposed amount of $2.3 million would still be “far less” than the costs facing the city should the agreements remain in place, he said.
The outside attorneys hired for the case attended the meeting virtually and called the 2006 agreements “ill-advised” and said they exposed Daytona to “millions and millions of dollars of liability.”
First United Methodist seeks new building
The church plans to demolish its southern building for a new multi-purpose hall.
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
The First United Methodist Church of Ormond Beach will be demolishing and rebuilding one of its buildings.
Located at 336 S. Halifax Drive, the church has applied for a special exception to demolish the southern gathering hall building, the south parking lot and the covered breezeway attaching the building to the northern building. The Ormond Beach City Commission approved the application 5-0.
Commissioner Harold Briley said his parents and some of his father’s siblings were married in the church and he himself was christened in the old sanctuary.
“It’s going to be tough to see it go,” he said.
The building has been on the site since the 1950s and is just over 20,300 square feet in size. Its replacement will be approximately 23,311 square feet in size and two stories.
The new building will serve as a multi-purpose gathering room with educational classrooms, restrooms and kitchen facilities. A schematic of the new building shows there will be multiple smaller rooms and two large meeting rooms that can be separated or joined together with the moving partition.
The construction work will also include reconfiguring the southern parking lot and replacing the west walls separating the church from the residential neighborhood. The church plans to have the breezeway also rebuilt to the main church. The replacement west wall will be a vinyl fence most of the way around, except for one section that will be a three-foot retaining wall. The building will also be moved further away from the residential area.
When the construction is complete, the upgraded lot will have additional parking spaces, for a total number of 214 parking spaces, according to meeting documents. The project will likely take between 12 and 18 months to complete, according to attorney Jessica Gow from Cobb Cole, representing the church.
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Ormond Beach Commissioners Lori Tolland and Travis Sargent. Photo by Sierra Williams
The First United Methodist Church is seeking to demolish and rebuild one of its buildings. Photo by Sierra Williams
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Embry-Riddle meets gifted Tomoka students in STEM Outreach event
‘We want to give them that hands-on, interactive experience,’ Embry-Riddle student Ryan Mercer said.
SIERRA WILLIAMS
STAFF WRITER
Amid laughter and smiles, Tomoka Elementary School’s 37 gifted fifth graders may not have looked like they were learning science on Nov. 14, but that is exactly what was happening.
“We want to give them that hands-on, interactive experience,” said Ryan Mercer, an Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University STEM student, “to
get their foot in the door, into the STEM field, and give them their ‘Aha,’ moment to come to learn and love engineering and STEM in itself.”
Every year, Tomoka Elementary School sends its fifth grade gifted students to Embry-Riddle to take part in its STEM Outreach program, of which Mercer is the current president. The program focuses on mentoring local K-12 students where ERAU STEM students go to local schools and teach principles in science, technology, engineering and math.
The group will also be meeting with Ormond Beach Cub Scouts Pack 327 on Nov. 24, marking the fourth year in a row the STEM Outreach students have met with the cub scouts.
This is the first year the program came to the Tomoka students, instead of the other way around. A group of 12 ERAU students set up five stations where Tomoka students were able to experience interactive
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lessons on static electricity, kinetic energy, chemistry and physics.
Tomoka Elementary School Principal Julie Rosebloom said it was exciting that the students could experience the science enrichment of the STEM Outreach program from their school.
“The students, this way, get to spend so much more time in their school day and not miss as much of their other subjects,” Rosebloom said.
STEM Outreach faculty advisor and ERAU associate engineering professor Claudia Ehringer Lucas has been the STEM Outreach advisor for eight years.
Lucas said the STEM events allow those children who do not have exposure to the sciences to be able to see that these fields are available to them.
Lucas’s own son, a fifth grader in Tomoka’s gifted program, participated in the STEM event. As an engineer, professor and as a parent, she said, she hopes her ERAU students are providing these children with an opportunity to learn about STEM that they might not get elsewhere.
“I definitely want the students from Embry-Riddle to give the opportunity for younger students to look up to them and learn from them,” Lucas said.
Mercer said the ERAU students were not just there to supervise the experiments but they were actively teaching the kids about why each demonstration responds the way it does. The students planned in advance ways to teach the principles in simple, understandable ways to inspire the children.
“We love going to these places and giving kids this moment,” Mercer said.
“We want to give them that hands-on, interactive experience, to get their foot in the door into the STEM field and give them their ‘Aha’ moment to come to learn and love engineering and STEM in itself.”
RYAN MERCER, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University student
STEM Outreach students Emelia Thompson and Nicholas Christianson with the dry ice experiment
Tomoka Elementary fifth grader Ayla Beach plays with static electricity.
Tomoka Elementary School’s fifth grade gifted students and teachers with the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s STEM Outreach students and professor Photos by Sierra Williams
Tomoka 5th grader Sai Naran (left) places a marble on the slide for a kinetic energy experiment.
STEM Outreach student Elizabeth Ptak show Tomoka Elementary School students physics experiments.
Salty Church expands reach with new coffeehouse ministry
The church’s newest venture, The Boardroom Coffee Co., plans to open Dec. 7, in former LuLu’s spot.
ALEXIS MILLER
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Salty Church, described by its leading pastor as “a staple of faith and community along the coast since 2005,” is celebrating its 20th anniversary with more than reflection — it’s celebrating with expansion.
Founder and lead pastor Robbie O’Brien and his team are transforming the former
NEWS BRIEFS
Nexus Center grand opening and gala: Dec. 4
Flagler County’s Nexus Cen-
ter’s ribbon cutting and Grand Opening Gala that will be held on Thursday, Dec. 4. The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 4 p.m. at the Nexus Center –the new home of the Bunnell Library and Flagler County Health and Human Services – located at 2199 Commerce Parkway. Tours and events follow from 4:30-7 p.m. Snacks and beverages will be available in the Community Room where a DJ and a 360 photobooth will be set up. Magician Mark Alan will do a show in the Youth Services Program Room and will also do some sleight-of-hand tricks as he strolls through the crowd.
Princess Tiana and Sonic the Hedgehog will delight youngsters in the Children’s Room. There will be video games in the Teen Center. There will be an Ozobot demonstration and button making in the Innovation Lab. Tours will be self-guided with staff ready and available to answer questions.
Wadsworth Skate Park closed
Dec. 3-22 for
upgrades
Wadsworth Skate Park will be closed for about three weeks — Dec. 3-22 — as it undergoes significant upgrades and renovations.
Some 60% of the skate park equipment, such as ramps and grind rails, will be replaced. It will also get a new chainlink fence.
“We will also make necessary concrete repairs,” said Flagler County General Service Director Mike Dickson.
“The adjacent bathroom will also be repainted.”
The cost of the improvements is $240,000.
“This equipment has been well-used, and it shows,” Dickson said. “Our skateboarders, and their parents, will be happy to see the changes.”
Wadsworth Park is located at 2200 Moody Blvd. in Flagler Beach. The remainder or the park will be open during the renovations.
Seasonal maintenance to close two
Palm Coast parks
The City of Palm Coast’s Parks and Recreation department will be closing several facilities beginning Dec. 1, for routine maintenance and seasonal closures, which will include both dog parks and the Splash Pad at James F. Holland Memorial Park, as well as the Indian Trails Sports Complex.
LuLu’s Oceanside Grill, at 30 S. Atlantic Ave., Ormond Beach, into The Boardroom Coffee Co., a new venture designed to blend caffeine, community and connection.
Set to open Dec. 7, the space will function as a coffee shop by day and an extension of the church’s mission throughout the week, offering a relaxed environment where anyone, regardless of belief, can gather.
When weekend services reach capacity, The Boardroom will also double as an overflow venue where guests can watch live worship streamed from across the street.
“Our vision is to become the community’s preferred gathering place,” O’Brien said. “No matter who you are or what you believe, we want it to be a cool spot to hang out. Our mission isn’t to run a business — it’s to create an environment that starts with
coffee and can lead people toward Jesus.”
The name “Boardroom” carries a dual meaning: a nod to both collaborative spaces and the coastal, surf-inspired culture that has shaped Salty Church from the start. Inside,
The maintenance at the Splash Pad includes cleaning and replacing Life Floor tiles, performing chlorinator maintenance, and repainting and making repairs to the pavilion. The Splash Pad will reopen for its 2026 season on March 1.
The dog parks at Holland Park will be closed from Dec. 15-22 to undergo aeration and seeding of the grounds with rye grass seed for the colder weather months.
Similar to the dog parks, the Indian Trails Sports Complex will also undergo its seasonal reseeding transition to ryegrass on its 35 acres of fields and will be closed from Dec. 8 through Jan. 5. Crews have already begun work on this project, applying herbicide and aerating the grounds before adding nutrient-rich green command sand to assist with the process. The four-week closure at the facility will allow the rye seed to germinate and the grass to grow to the necessary 1-2 inches required to ensure optimum durability during the cold season.
“We want to thank the residents and visitors to our facilities for their patience as we work to complete our annual transition process and make our fields play-ready throughout the colder months,” said Recreation Supervisor Joe Higgs. “As our Bermuda grass grows dormant this time of year, this process brings an added layer of protection and quality that allows our fields to be used year-round, which is a big benefit for everyone who visits our fields and facilities.”
Your
Pie, a
fastcasual pizza restaurant, opens in Ormond Beach
guests will find surfboardthemed décor reflecting the beachside roots of the church’s laid-back atmosphere.
According to the Volusia County Property Appraiser, Salty Ministries, Inc. purchased the Lulu’s property for $1.5 million, adding 5,043 square feet of indoor space to its growing ministry footprint.
With six campuses already established across Volusia and Flagler counties — and plans underway for a digital campus — Salty Church continues to ride a wave of growth it says is driven by connection, creativity and community.
As The Boardroom Coffee Co. prepares to pour its first cup, O’Brien said the message behind the expansion remains simple: “Come as you are — and stay for something deeper.”
sha Patel said. “Our goal is to create a place where friends and families can gather, laugh, and enjoy great food together.” Your Pie was founded in Athens,
distributing assets. It’s about protecting your family from stress, confusion, and conflict. Without a current estate plan, your loved ones may face unnecessary court proceedings, delays, or even family disputes that can overshadow their grief. A solid plan—whether it includes a Will, Trust, health care directives, or powers of attorney—provides clarity when your family needs it most. Holidays are also a reminder of how quickly life changes. New marriages, new babies, new diagnoses, and even new homes can all affect your estate planning needs. If your plan hasn’t been reviewed in the last three years—or hasn’t been started at all—Thanksgiving serves as a gentle nudge to get your ducks (or turkeys) in a row. Approach the conversation with warmth, not legalese. Something as simple as, “I want to make sure things are easy for all of you if anything ever happens,” can open the door. Most families are grateful for the transparency. And if the room grows unusually quiet, just reassure everyone that you’re not announcing dramatic news— you’re being responsible. Once the dishes are cleared and leftovers are packed, take the next step: schedule a meeting with an estate planning attorney. A professional can help ensure your documents reflect your goals, comply with Florida law, and protect your family both now and in the future. So this Thanksgiving, enjoy the food, the laughter, and the people who make life meaningful. And while everyone is together, take a moment to talk about the future. Your family will be thankful you did.
beer and wine. “We’re excited to bring Your Pie to Ormond Beach,” Mani-
O’Brien with his newest expansion, The Boardroom Coffee Co. Photos by Alexis Miller
The Your Pie Ormond Beach team. Courtesy photo
Friends of A1A host 17th annual Super Scenic Garage Sale
The money raised by the garage sale supports the Friends of A1A’s All American Road projects.
SIERRA WILLIAMS
STAFF WRITER
The 17th annual 150-mile Super Scenic Garage Sale hosted around 400 participants this year.
The Super Scenic Garage Sale is organized by the Friends of A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway, a nonprofit that promotes the preservation of A1A. The garage sale took place on Saturday, Nov. 15, and stretched from Jacksonville to Daytona Beach.
“The cities are finding value in doing it,” Garage Sale Coordinator Danielle Anderson said. “They’re providing a service for their residents, and they’re creating exposure for small businesses.”
Between all the community sites, businesses and homes, Anderson said there were close to 200 registered, but many paid a flat rate so multiple groups could participate
Denise Woodward and Sharon Smith at Hammock First Baptist Church garage sale.
Hanky Panky’s in Ormond Beach also participated in the 17th annual Super Scenic Garage Sale. Photos by Hannah Hodge
YOUR NEIGHBORS
Ballerina mindset
Ormond Ballet will present two shows of ‘The Nutcracker:’
7 p.m. Nov. 22, and 3 p.m. Nov. 23.
JARLEENE ALMENAS
MANAGING EDITOR
Seabreeze High School senior Alexis Stockhammer has been dancing since she was 5 years old. But her transformation into the dancer she is today started four years ago, during a ballet class. Michelle Boutros, codirector of Ormond Ballet, noticed Stockhammer was not putting in her full effort into the dance.
Boutros said she didn’t understand why. Stockhammer was dedicated and never missed a class.
“She finally said, ‘Well if I try, I’m just going to fail,’” Boutros recalled. “And then I was like, ‘Hold everything.’”
Stockhammer said it was then that she looked around the studio at her fellow dancers and asked herself why she
felt that way. “I just didn’t know how to start becoming better,” she said.
Over the course of the next year and some private lessons later, Stockhammer started changing her mindset. Now, she’s set to perform a solo during the Chinese Dance in Ormond Ballet’s upcom ing production of “The Nut cracker.”
The ballet — which will feature Madeline Fleming as Clara, Sabrina Bobeck as Snow Queen and Eliza Dent as the Sugar Plum Fairy — will be performed at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, at the News-Journal Center.
Ormond Ballet performs the full two-act ballet by Tchaikovsky. This will be their fifth year doing the show.
The studio also moved into a new space on July 1, located at 333 W. Granada Blvd.
Stockhammer has played different roles in the ballet throughout her five years with
being and someone who just exudes love and joy in the studio with her peers.” Tickets for “The Nutcracker” cost $25-$35, plus fees. Visit ormondballet.com.
Sabrina Bobeck as Snow Queen and Jeremiah Garner as the Nutcracker.
Jeremiah Garner as the Nutcracker and Madeline Fleming as Clara.
Angelica Butakova, a Snowflakes demi-soloist, rehearses alongside Dallas Kinsley, Mia Esguerra, Summer Euson and Rowan Combs. Courtesy photo
Alexis Stockhammer will be featured as a soloist for the first time in Ormond Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker.” Photos by Jarleene Almenas
Remembering Melique Joseph’s smile, heart
The recent Flagler Palm Coast High School graduate died on Nov. 4.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Melique Joseph’s educators, mentors, coaches and friends remembered the recent Flagler Palm Coast High School graduate for his ever-present smile and determination and his unwavering support for his family, friends and teammates.
A Celebration of Life was held for Joseph on Saturday, Nov. 15, in a standing-roomonly Worship Center at First Baptist Church of Palm Coast. Joseph died after a sudden illness on Nov. 4, two months short of his 20th birthday. According to his obituary, “Even as a baby Melique was playful and full of joy. Family often talked about how he would always wake up smiling.” He graduated in May of this year from FPC, where he was a three-sport athlete — a defensive lineman on the football team, a shot putter on the track and field team and a regional champion wrestler. Joseph’s obituary said he “was an integral part of the Destined for Greatness Ministries family,” where he served as a video technician and was an adjutant serving in both his local church and within the National Vision Covenant Connection Fellowship.
Following high school, Joseph continued to pursue his goals, obtaining employment in the mental health field and working toward an associate degree at Daytona State Col-
lege, the obituary said. At Joseph’s Celebration for Life, Lisa O’Grady, Joseph’s principal at Imagine School at Town Center, said, “Melique had a joy that could not be taken from him.” His smile revealed “something inside of him that he wanted to give to each and everyone he came in contact with.”
FPC Principal Bobby Bossardet said, “Everybody remembers that grin followed by that smile that said, ‘Don’t be mad at me.’”
Bossardet said Joseph was a little mischievous and could sometimes test your patience, but he always lifted people up.
“He had the ability to take a tough moment and turn it into a shared laugh,” Bossardet said. “You knew his warmth, his honesty and that spark that made him unforgettable.”
FPC wrestling coach David Bossardet said Joseph is on his Mount Rushmore of Flagler wrestlers.
“He was a competitor in every sense of the word,” David Bossardet said. “I learned a lot more from Melique than Melique learned from me.”
O’Grady said, “Melique’s story lives on in how we choose to share the joy he shared with us. If we do that, we honor Melique.”
LOCAL EVENTS
THURSDAY, NOV. 20
WILD EDIBLES HIKE:
FORAGE & EXPLORE
NATURE’S BOUNTY
When: 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Where: Gamble Rogers
Memorial State Recreational Area, 3100 S. Oceanshore Blvd., Flagler Beach
Details: Hike through Joe Kenner Nature Trail and learn about foraging. The hike will end with a special tasting of tea. Register by calling 386517-2086. Park entry fee.
EIGHTH ANNUAL ‘ALL
THINGS CHRISTMAS’ SALE
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 20 and 21; and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22
Where: Santa Maria del Mar Catholic Church, 915 North Central Ave., Flagler Beach
Details: This is the church’s major fundraising event, with all proceeds supporting St. Vincent de Paul, Santa Maria Del Mar Conference, with charitable activities to support the community. There will be hundreds of Christmas items at thrift store prices. New merchandise added daily. Raffle baskets also available. Free admission.
RECIPES AND READS
CULINARY LAB: BASIC
COOKING — SAGE
When: 2 p.m.
Where: Ormond Beach
Regional Library, 30 S. Beach St., Ormond Beach
Details: Learn all about sage and its uses in this cooking demonstration, presented by library staff. Free program.
ORMOND BEACH AREA
DEMOCRATIC CLUB
When: 6:30-8:15 p.m.
Where: 56 N. Halifax Drive, Ormond Beach
Details: Attend the November meeting of the Ormond
Beach Area Democratic Club.
Federal, state and local issues will be discussed with available actions to address them. Like-minded guests are welcome to attend. Visit ormondbeachdems.org.
Details: K-12 students are invited to join the EDC for a presentation on seasonal fall changes. Free program.
STEVE SOLOMON: “FROM BROOKLYN TO BROADWAY”
When: 6:30-9 p.m.
Where: Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center, 5500 E. Highway 100, Palm Coast
Details: Spend an evening with Steve Solomon, the author and star of one of the longest running one-man comedies in Broadway’s history, “My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish & I’m in Therapy.” Tickets cost $54$64. Visit flaglerauditorium. org.
CRT PRESENTS ‘AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS’
When: 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 21 and 22; and 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 23
Where: City Repertory Theatre, 160 Cypress Point Parkway, Suite B-207, Palm Coast
Details: This play inspired by Jules Vernes’ novel, and adapted by playwright Mark Brown, features five actors playing every part, including an elephant, at a speed that promises to keep audiences gasping and laughing all the way through. Tickets cost $25 for adults and $15 for students. Visit crtpalmcoast. com.
Details: Children 5-11 years old are invited to learn about the characteristics and life cycles of moths in a presentation, hands-on activity and a craft project. Space is limited. Call 386-610-0615 to sign up. Free program.
HONEYBEE BUZZ: HEROES OF OUR PLANET, MAKING HONEY HAPPEN
When: 10-11 a.m.
Where: Gamble Rogers
Memorial State Recreational Area, 3100 S. Oceanshore Blvd., Flagler Beach
Details: Join beekeepers Bill and Barry to learn about bees, which Florida plants benefit them and what it takes to raise bees and harvest honey. Park entry fee applies.
KIX COUNTRY FEST PRESENTS CHASE BRYANT
When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Flagler County Fairgrounds, 150 Sawgrass Road, Bunnell
Details: Join the Flagler County Fairgrounds for a day of live country music, presented by Arctic Breeze.
Gates open at 10 a.m. and live music starts at noon. Tickets cost $25 and parking costs $10; portion of proceeds will benefit local charities. There will be food trucks, a kids zone and more. Headliner Chase Bryant will perform at 6 p.m.
‘IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT’ FILM SCREENING
When: 2 p.m.
Where: Cinematique Theater, 242 S. Beach St., Daytona Beach
Details: See Jafar Panahi’s latest Persian film, with English subtitles. Free to the public. Hosted by the Iranian American Society of Daytona Beach. RSVP by Nov. 19 by calling 386-882-1694 or emailing admin@iasdb.org.
Where: Veterans Park, 105 S. 2nd St., Flagler Beach Details: Attend a movie in the park. Free event.
AN EVENING WITH ACOUSTIC ALCHEMY
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, 399 N. U.S. 1, Ormond Beach Details: See this smooth jazz group, presented by the Regalitos Foundation. Tickets cost $50-$65. Visit ormondbeachperformingartscenter. csstix.com.
MONDAY, NOV. 24
FAMILY TALES: BEARS When: 10 a.m. Where: Ormond Beach Regional Library, 30 S. Beach St., Ormond Beach Details: Family Tales is an interactive literacy program designed for children of all ages. Families will enjoy a bear-themed storytime, accompanied with a bear craft.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 26
ONE NIGHT OF QUEEN When: 7 p.m.
Where: Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center, 5500 E. Highway 100, Palm Coast
Details: Relive the iconic hits of Queen as Gary Mullen & The Works present this two-hour tribute concert featuring songs like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Are the Champions” and more. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $54-$64. Visit flaglerauditorium.org.
THURSDAY, NOV. 27
FEET TO FEAST THANKSGIVING 5K RUN/ WALK When: 7:45-10 a.m.
Where: Daytona State College Palm Coast campus, 3000 Palm Coast Parkway SE Details: Kick off turkey day with a 5K, sponsored by AdventHealth Palm Coast. The race starts at 7:45 a.m. Registration costs $35; student registration is $20. Visit https://runsignup.com/ Race/FL/PalmCoast/FeettoFeast5k.
FRIDAY, NOV. 28
BEACHSIDE ORMOND GARAGE OPEN HOUSE When: 4-7 p.m.
Where: Birthplace of Speed Park, 21 Ocean Shore Blvd., Ormond Beach Details: Attend this open house, hosted by the Motor Racing Heritage Association. Volunteers will be on hand for tours and information. This will take place before the annual Gaslight Parade.
67TH ANNUAL GASLIGHT PARADE When: 7 p.m.
Where: Corner of East Granada Boulevard and Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach Details: Join the Volusia Region Antique Automobile Club of America for
Baliker Gallery, 5928 N. Oceanshore Blvd., Palm Coast
Details: See the works of sculptor Paul Baliker, artist Lorraine Millspaugh and glass artist Rob Stern, all who will be demonstrating. The gallery will contribute 10% of the night’s profits to The Ocean Conservancy.
Melique Joseph. From ewlawson.net/obituary
FOCUS ON FAITH
Temple Beth-El in Ormond welcomes new rabbis
Rabbis Stanton Zamek and Martha Bergadine came to Ormond Beach after 17 years in Hong Kong.
JARLEENE ALMENAS
MANAGING EDITOR
Rabbis Stanton Zamek and Martha Bergadine spent 17 years leading a congregation in Hong Kong. They loved it. But, it was a long way from the place they still considered to be home — the United States. Feeling the call to be closer to family, the husbandand-wife duo started looking for a new congregation. Aug. 1 marked their first day at Temple Beth-El in Ormond Beach. With a membership of just over 200 families, Zamek said Temple Beth-El is a multigenerational congregation with a
CLASS NOTES
Tincher named Flagler’s sunshine state scholar
Matanzas High School’s Ethan Tincher has been selected as the 2026 Sunshine State Scholar from Flagler Schools, and Flagler Palm Coast High’s Suki Liu has been named the district’s alternate.
Each year, Florida’s school districts honor their top 11th graders in the areas of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) through the Sunshine State Scholars program. The program will be held March 5-6 in Orlando. Contributions from State Farm and Florida Prepaid College Foundation allowed the Sunshine State Scholar program to provide 43 one-year college scholarships for the 2025 Sunshine State Scholars class.
Ed foundation presents 54 teacher grants
The Flagler County Education Foundation presented 54 teacher grants through its partnership with Beaver Toyota and the matching-grant program from the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations.
The grants were presented with Bucky the Beaver from Beaver Toyota over two days across 11 schools.
“Beaver Toyota’s commitment to matching these funds has exponentially amplified our reach,” the Ed Foundation said in a press release. “These grants empower our educators
long history.
“Temple Beth-El has been an active and important component of this community long before I got here,” Zamek said. “We’re just trying to be good stewards of that legacy.” Zamek, who led United Jewish Congregation of Hong Kong since 2008, was ordained in 1996 by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. He and Bergadine, the congregation’s director of youth and family services, graduated from the same class. They previously served
in congregations in San Francisco, California and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Bergadine is helping with curriculum at Temple Beth El’s Shalom School. She also leads a monthly family service.
Becoming rabbis was a career change for both Zamek and Bergadine. Zamek previously worked as an attorney. Bergadine had worked in advertising.
“I have worked mostly in education, both for kids and adults,” she said. “But I do get the real privilege and honor of also being with people at important points in their lives.”
For example: leading part of Temple Beth El’s High Holy Days in late September and early October. It was the first time Bergadine and Zamek have been able to lead those services together.
As rabbis for almost 30
years, they have participated in recovery work following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in Louisiana, worked with their previous Hong Kong congregation for a new Torah scroll, and been part of numerous baby namings, bat mitzvahs and bar mitzvahs.
Bergadine said that during their time with the congregation in Hong Kong, children that went through the religious education program would often come back from college to visit, sometimes coming to their house for Shabbat dinner. Other times, they would hear from the parents that their child had become president of their college Hillel chapter.
“It’s a really a gift,” Bergadine said. “Those moments when you see that you’ve had an influence or made an impact on someone’s life like that.”
Zamek said both he and
to implement creative, handson learning experiences that directly address student needs and lead to greater achievement.”
The grants cover a wide range of subjects, including STEM initiatives, literacy programs, hands-on career and technical education projects and positive behavior supports.
Flagler Palm Coast Kiwanis honors top seniors
The Flagler Palm Coast Kiwanis Club honored the Seniors of the Month from Flagler Palm Coast and Matanzas high schools for the months of August, September and October.
Teachers and administration select a student each month for the honor. The students were recognized and awarded a stipend and certificate at the club’s Nov. 12 luncheon meeting.
The students of the month for Matanzas were: Ava Muldoon (August), McKenzie Manhart (September) and Sthefany Cruz Torres (October).
The students of the month for FPC were: Bobby Branton (August), Abigail Blumengarten (September) and Oliva Delgado (October).
Career exploration for VCS students with disabilities
As a result of a partnership with The Able Trust, FUTURES Foundation is expanding a career and postsecondary education exploration program for students with disabilities in eighth to twelfth grade.
The Consortium of Florida Education Foundations, FUTURES Foundation and the Volusia County School’s ESE Department will all support the program, called Futures in Focus. This is an expansion of Project SEARCH, which is for students between the ages of 18-21 who are transitioning from high school and deferred their diplomas. The goal is for students to find competitive employment, according to the school district.
“Our vision is to connect and build capacity to primary caregivers and students in Volusia County to agencies that provide services to help people with disabilities prepare for, secure, and maintain employment by offering individualized support like career counseling, training, assistive technology, and job placement assistance,” a press release stated.
Students will benefit from campus and employer visits,
Bergadine met the “right kind of teachers at the right time” to set them on their journey. They were both inspired by the late Rabbi Mark Shapiro, the longtime rabbi of Congregation B’nai Jehoshua Beth Elohim in the Chicago area.
During the High Holy Days, Avinu Malkeinu, a Jewish prayer, is often recited. The prayer translates to “Our God, Our King,” and Zamek said it packs an emotional punch during the High Holy Days.
Shapiro had a way of reading it, Zamek said, that has stuck with him over the years.
“I hear his voice in my head when I do that,” he said.
“That’s who I’m thinking about when I do that.”
Moving from Hong Kong was not easy. Zamek and Bergadine came on a ship with all of their boxes.
The congregation has embraced them, rushing to help them when their new home experienced an emergency roof leak.
“The spirit of this place, the kindness of these people is
of Florida Education Foundations to provide funding that directly benefits Volusia County Schools,” said Shimene Shepard, FUTURES Foundation Executive Director. “Grants like Futures in Focus allow us to connect students and families with meaningful experiences and resources that prepare them for success beyond high school,”
incredible,” Zamek said. The vision for the congregation’s future is one they all need to come up with together — one that blends longtime traditions and new ideas, he said. One thing he has implemented so far is his “One Congregation, One Book” initiative, where he invites as many people as possible to read the same Jewish book over the course of a year, with regular get-togethers to discuss it. This year’s book is “The Story of the Jews” by Simon Shama.
“I came here at a good time because the congregation is at a time of revival,” Zamek said.
“We’re just part of it, but it was already in process. More people joining, new younger families coming in — a new sense of vibrancy. Getting a new rabbi is part of that path.”
moments,” Balgobin said in the press release. “We are proud to stand beside our students as they discover their strengths, build confidence, and take bold steps toward a future of independence and achievement.”
Matanzas student selected for allstate orchestra
career-readiness workshops and connections with the Florida Department of Educational Vocational Rehabilitation, according to a press release.
“FUTURES is proud to partner with the Consortium
Volusia County Schools Superintendent Carmen Balgobin said that through Futures in Focus, “we are opening doors that many students never imagined possible.”
“These experiences, from college tours to career-readiness workshops, are not just activities but life-changing
Matanzas High’s George Biedenbach has been selected to the Florida All-State 9-10 Concert Orchestra. He is Matanzas Director of Bands Ryan Schulz’s first student to be accepted to an auditioned all-state ensemble.
Matanzas’ Ethan Tincher, fourth from left with school and district administrators, is Flagler Schools’ 2026 Sunshine State Scholar. Courtesy photo
Rabbi Stanton Zamek. Courtesy photo
Stephenson, Wilcox and Associates
REAL ESTATE
Hammock Dunes condo goes for $1.6 million
Acondo at 19 Avenue De La Mer, Unit 501, in Hammock Dunes, was the top real estate transaction for Nov. 1-7 in Palm Coast and Flagler County. The house sold on Nov. 4, for $1,600,000. Built in 2005, the condo is a 4/3.5 and has 3,283 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $1,460,000.
ALEXIS MILLER
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Condos
A condo at 45 Riverview Bend South, Unit 1917, sold on Nov. 6, for $260,000. Built in 2006, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,115 square feet. It sold in 2019 for $205,000.
A condo at 85 Riverview Bend South, Unit 1515, sold on Nov. 6, for $335,000. Built in 2006, the condo is a 3/2 and has 1,586 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $360,000.
A condo at 3 Broadmore Circle, Unit 3, sold on Nov. 5, for $170,000. Built in 1980, the condo is a 3/2 and has 1,163 square feet. It sold in 2001 for $72,000.
PALM COAST
Cypress Knoll
A house at 29 Evans Drive sold on Nov. 6, for $395,000. Built in 2003, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 1,930 square feet. It sold in 2012 for $210,000.
Lehigh Woods
A house at 84 Robinson Drive sold on Nov. 7, for $365,000. Built in 2006, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 1,981 square feet. It sold in 2014 for $165,900.
A house at 10 Riverview Place sold on Nov. 6, for $277,000. Built in 2002, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,716 square feet. It sold in 2004 for $167,500.
Matanzas Woods
A house at 26 Lindberg Lane sold on Nov. 7, for $350,000. Built in 2025, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,754 square feet.
A house at 10 Lake Charles Lane sold on Nov. 6, for $415,000. Built in 2004, the house is a 4/2 and has a pool and 2,454 square feet.
Palm Harbor A house at 29 Fenwood Lane sold on Nov. 7, for $300,000. Built in 2005, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,770 square feet. It sold in 2017 for $176,500.
A house at 16 Cedardale Court sold on Nov. 7, for $530,000. Built in 1986, the
house is a 3/2 and has a pool, a boat dock, a boat lift, a boat house and 1,481 square feet. It sold in 2009 for $200,000.
A house at 2 Cleveland Court sold on Nov. 7, for $845,000. Built in 1993, the house is a 4/3 and has a pool, a boat dock, a hot tub, an outdoor kitchen and 2,963 square feet. It sold
Country Acres home in Ormond Beach: $859K
Ahouse in Country Acres at 3428 Longleaf Road was the top real estate transaction in Ormond Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea for the week of Oct. 25-31. The house sold on Oct. 30, for $859,000. Built in 2001, the house is a 3/4 and has a pool, a spa and 4,332 square feet. It last sold in 2003 for $285,000.
JARLEENE ALMENAS
MANAGING EDITOR
Condos
The condo at 5500 Ocean Shore Blvd., Unit 104, sold on Oct. 27, for $73,000. Built in 1973, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,214 square feet. It last sold in 2017 for $93,000.
ORMOND BEACH
Assessors Ormond Beach
The house at 307 John Anderson Drive sold on Oct. 28, for $800,000. Built in 1955, the house is a 5/4.5 and has two fireplaces, a pool, a spa, and outdoor kitchen and 4,542 square feet. It last sold in 1996 for $254,000.
Breakaway Trails
The house at 34 Old Bridge Way sold on Oct. 29, for $791,500. Built in 2001, the house is a 5/3.5 and has a fireplace, a pool, a spa, an outdoor kitchen and 3,185 square feet. It last sold in 2001 for $363,240.
Fountain View
The house at 1323 Lawndale Court sold on Oct. 30, for $351,990. Built in 2025, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,828 square feet.
Ormond Green
The house at 21 Greenvale Drive sold on Oct. 30, for
DAYTONA WEST
Latitude Margaritaville
The townhome at 840 Coral Reef Way sold on Oct. 27, for $440,000. Built in 2022, the townhome is a 2/2 and has 1,616 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for $321,300.
The house at 318 Good Life Way sold on Oct. 30, for $715,000. Built in 2021, the house is a 2/2.5 and has a pool and 2,158 square feet. It last sold in 2021 for $413,900.
The townhome at 511 Margaritaville Ave. sold on Oct. 27, for $417,000. Built in 2021, the townhome is a 2/2 and has 1,464 square feet. It last sold in 2021 for $285,000.
$375,000. Built in 1998, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,957 square feet. It last sold in 2016 for $205,000.
Ormond Terrace
The house at 460 Andrews St. sold on Oct. 27, for $300,000. Built in 1959, the house is a 2/1.5 and has 1,122 square feet. It last sold in 2023 for $269,900.
Ortona Park
The house at 863 Riverside Drive sold on Oct. 28, for $355,000. Built in 1962, the house is a 3/2.5 and has 1,986 square feet. It last sold in 2010 for $140,000.
The house at 75 Harvard Drive sold on Oct. 30, for $330,000. Built in 1958, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,624 square feet. It last sold in 2001 for $114,000.
Plantation Bay
The house at 1332 Sunningdale Lane sold on Oct. 28, for $500,000. Built in 2003, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 1,920 square feet. It last sold in 2003 for $201,530.
Spring Meadows
The house at 73 Spring Meadows Drive sold on Oct. 27, for $420,000. Built in 1999, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace, a pool and
The townhome at 949 Margaritaville Ave. sold on Oct. 27, for $555,000. Built in 2023, the house is a 2/2 and has a pool, a spa and 1,563 square feet. It last sold in 2023 for $481,200.
The house at 754 Coral Reef Way sold on Oct. 30, for $460,000. Built in 2023, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,558 square feet. It last sold in 2023 for $340,500.
Lennar at Preserve at LPGA
The house at 2315 Green Valley St. sold on Oct. 27, for $310,000. Built in 2025, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,487 square feet.
The house at 2296 Green Valley St. sold on Oct. 28, for $332,990. Built in 2025, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,487 square feet.
1,920 square feet. It last sold in 2018 for $250,000.
Tomoka Oaks
The house at 55 N. St. Andrews Drive sold on Oct. 30, for $339,900. Built in 1978, the house is a 4/2 and has a fireplace and 2,044 square feet. It last sold in 2018 for $216,300.
Trails North Forty
The townhome at 166 Deer Lake Circle sold on Oct. 30, for $280,000. Built in 1986, the townhome is a 2/2 and has 1,686 square feet. It last sold in 1986 for $83,900.
The townhome at 16 Big Buck Trail sold on Oct. 31, for $285,000. Built in 1984, the townhome is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 1,664 square feet. It last sold in 2024 for $330,000.
Tymber Creek The house at 96 Hollow Branch Crossing sold on Oct. 29, for $462,000. Built in 1982, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace, a pool and 1,925 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for $499,900.
ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA
Coquina Key
The house at 3816 Islamorada Drive sold on Oct. 31, for $630,000. Built in 2000, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 1,631 square feet. It last sold in 2024 for $585,000.
Ormond Oceanside
Estates
The house at 2685 John Anderson Drive sold on Oct. 28, for $665,000. Built in 1965, the house is a 4/3 and has a pool, a spa and 2,768 square feet. It last sold on April 25, for $400,000.
John Adams, of Adams, Cameron & Co. Realtors, contributed to this report.
The house at 1220 Belle Isle Lane sold on Oct. 29, for $355,239. Built in 2025, the house is a 5/2.5 and has 2,122 square feet.
LPGA
The house at 329 Perfect Drive sold on Oct. 29, for $404,000. Built in 2006, the house is a 3/2 and has 2,106 square feet. It last sold in 2016 for $240,000.
Mosaic
A house at 616 Mosaic Blvd. sold on Oct. 27, for $755,000. Built in 2020, the house is a 4/3 and has a pool and 2,224 square feet. It last sold in 2024 for $740,000.
John Adams, of Adams, Cameron & Co. Realtors, contributed to this report.
BUSINESS
Ormond women launch children’s clothing store: Doss + The Girls
Inspired and aided by their kids, Melissa Frankel and Shea Williams open store at Ormond Collective.
JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR
Ormond Beach residents Melissa Frankel and Shea Williams like to support local businesses, but when it came to finding clothes for their kids, the women found there weren’t many options.
So, they decided to create one.
In September, Frankel and Williams launched Doss + The Girls, a kids’ and tweens’ clothing store. The name was inspired by their children — Williams’ son is named Doss and collectively, the two best friends have four daughters.
“It’s not just about clothing for us,” Frankel said. “It’s about creating connection. It’s giving families a local option, supporting women in business and building something that feels fun, meaningful and rooted right here in Ormond.”
The Doss + The Girls store is located inside Ormond Collective, a boutique located in the downtown at 58 W. Granada Blvd. that hosts over 30 local vendors.
Frankel and Williams first got the idea earlier this year for their brand while spending an afternoon at the Oceanside Country Club pool with their kids. But after hearing that business owner Rayna Dunlop was opening Ormond Collective, Frankel said, “it was all hands on deck.”
“That was our ‘OK, let’s do it. Let’s just jump in headfirst and do it,’” Frankel said.
On Thursday, Nov. 13, the women collaborated with Karen Holmay, owner of Elements of Design, for a pop-up at her store at One Daytona. It was a natural fit, Frankel said — three women business owners collaborating to bring a shopping experience for other moms and daughters.
“Last night reminded us why we love what we do — women supporting women, businesses lifting each other up, and choosing connection over competition,” Elements of Design stated on its Facebook page.
One of the most important
aspects of Doss + The Girls, Frankel said, was teaching their kids to be young entrepreneurs. All of them — Doss, Madi, Lou Lee, Adeline and Marlowe — help their moms pick out pieces, prepare for events and unpack new clothing.
“This is an experience we’re doing with our children,” Frankel said. “Our children are very much a part of this. There’s a picture of them in the store because this is not Shea’s and I’s store. This is our store with our children.” Fashion also happens to be Frankel’s professional background. Before moving to Ormond Beach, she studied fashion, and worked for Fendi and Diane Von Furstenberg. In the past years, she’d grown frustrated at being unable to utilize her degree locally. With Williams being the executive director of local modeling agency Michele & Group, they found they could bring a shared vision to life. “We kept on thinking, ‘Why not us?’” Frankel said. “We wanted to create something that existed here, and we thought we were the perfect people to do it.’”
Madi Williams, Shea Williams, Lou Lee Williams, Doss Williams, Adeline Frankel, Melissa Frankel and Marlowe Frankel. Courtesy photo
Ormond by the Sea – This cozy 2-bedroom, 1-bath home sits just a few blocks from the beach. Enjoy easy living and cool ocean breezes. Priced at $290,000.
SPORTS
‘We’ve
got to keep rolling’
Mainland beats
Middleburg 34-13 in playoff opener
MICHELE MEYERS
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
It was a happy birthday indeed for Mainland quarterback Sebastian Johnson who led his team to a 34-13 win over Middleburg in the Region 1-5A quarterfinals on Friday, Nov. 14.
Johnson turned 18 the day the second-seeded Bucs guaranteed themselves a playdate with No. 3 seed Lynn Haven Mosley in the semifinals at Daytona Stadium on Friday, Nov. 21.
Head coach Jerrime “Squatty” Bell was all smiles as he was doused with a celebratory torrent of water following his first quarterfinal win with the Bucs. Last season, Tallahassee Lincoln eliminated Mainland with a 21-0 win in the first round.
“Offense played well. Defense played well. Special teams played well. It was a complete game, again,” Bell said. “We have some things to clean up. We had too many
of those drives, so it was great. It was a good night.”
Middleburg running back
Gino Addison rushed in for the game’s first touchdown, while the Broncos’ defense held the Bucs on downs multiple times and kept them off the scorboard in the first quarter. Addison finished with 89 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
Mainland running back
Braylyn Simmons shifted the trajectory of the game with a rushing touchdown minutes into the second quarter. The Flagler Palm Coast transfer carried the ball 18 times for 151 yards and three touchdowns and caught two passes for 15 yards. All year long, Bell said he has been saying that Simmons is “a special kid.”
“That’s what Braylyn Simmons is,” Bell said. “... Everybody in Flagler County got to see it last year. Everybody in Daytona Beach got to see it his whole youth football career. Tonight, he put it on display for the rest of the state to see. When the ball is in his hands, special things are going to happen.”
Simmons had two more touchdowns that were called back. Wide receiver Kadin
you can call it either way or you don’t call it either way,” Bell said. “We’ve got to make sure we don’t put ourselves in positions to allow them to call stuff like that.Whether we believe it or not, we’ve got to clean it up.”
Johnson threw for 277 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Chris Butler scored on a 52-yard touchdown catch with seconds remaining in the first half. Christian Cooper grabbed a 54-yard pass and sprinted into the end zone in the third quarter. Butler finished with 104 yards receiving, and Cooper snatched five passes for 97 yards.
Cooper’s first year as a
We’ve got to keep rolling. It’s a standard to win round one here, so it’s after Thanksgiving or bust. I’m just ready for the next game and hopefully we get to play all the way to December.” Mosley defeated Lincoln 33-30 in their quarterfinal on Nov. 13. The Dolphins are now 10-1. Quarterback J.P. Holsombake had 260 total yards and one touchdown against Lincoln. Wide receiver Ga’Marcus Halstead had 90 yards teceiving with three touchdowns. The Dolphins’ defense racked up five tackles
for loss and five sacks.
Mainland had seven tackles for loss against Middleburg. With linebackers Dennis “Tank” King III and Tamaj Woodard leading the way on defense, Bell said he is looking forward to the matchup against Mosley.
Woodard led with eight solo tackles, five assists and one tackle for loss. King and Marcus Day each had nine tackles.
“They’re a tough opponent,” Bell said of Mosley.
“I always thought they were probably the second best, most talented team in our region. Whether we are playing in the third round or playing the second round, we have to play a tough team. We’ve been watching them on film throughout the year, and they do some really good stuff. They have a great coach who has turned that program around. They play tough.”
In addition to the Mainland-Mosley matchup, the other Region 1-5A semifinal games Nov. 21 are Ponte Vedra hosting Beachside, Orlando Edgewater hosting Tampa Bay Tech and Lakeland hosting Tampa Gaither.
“Everybody in Flagler County got to see it last year. Everybody in Daytona Beach got to see it his whole youth football career. Tonight he put it on display for the rest of the state to see. When the ball is in his hands, special things are going to happen.”
Mainland running back Braylyn Simmons (6) drags Middleburg linebacker Kadin Hanifen (8) for a first down.
Mainland quarterback Sebastian Johnson (10) throws a pass.
Mainland defensive back Ivan Gaines (bottom) tackles Middleburg wide receiver C.J. Williams (center). Photos by Michele Meyers
54-yard touchdown reception.
JERRIME BELL, on Braylyn Simmons
Matanzas fights to the end in 42-37 loss to Bartram Trail
The Pirates’ season ended with Ladarien Baker’s leaping grab in traffic for a final touchdown.
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Ladarien Baker ran to the back of the end zone. Surrounded by three defenders, he leaped up to catch a 31-yard touchdown pass. It would be the final play of the season for Matanzas and the final catch of Baker’s high school career.
The Pirates scored two touchdowns in the final minute, including Baker’s grab with no time left, but came up short, 42-37, to Bartram Trail on Thursday, Nov. 13, at the “Ship” in a first-round game in the Florida Invitational
Tournament.
“I thought our guys played really hard. We kept fighting,” Matanzas coach Matt Forrest said. “We just ran out of time.”
The Pirates ended their season with a 7-4 record. Bartram Trail (4-7) advances to the Class 4A-7A FIT quarterfinals at Tate High on Nov. 20.
The Pirates had won four straight entering the firstyear consolation tournament.
“We knew after we lost to Mainland (on Sept. 25), that we had to win out to get to this point,” Baker said. “I just know we all gave it our hardest. I know none of us left nothing on the field.”
Baker caught two touchdown passes to finish the season with seven TD catches. Quarterback Cole Walker threw four touchdown passes in the game to give him 22 for the season, breaking the Pirates’ single-season record.
He also set the school singleseason passing yards record with 2,387. And he broke his own single-game mark with 329 yards passing.
Walker threw his final pass high enough where only the leaping 6-foot-5 Baker could grab it.
“I knew I could go get it anytime,” Baker said. “Cole just threw it up, and I went to go get it. I just saw the ball in the air, and I jumped over everybody.”
Baker is planning to play college football next year. He has offers from BethuneCookman, Presbyterian and Stetson and is also talking with South Carolina State.
“What a play,” Forrest said of Baker’s final catch. He had a 49-yard touchdown reception earlier in the game and finished the contest with nine catches for 152 yards.
“He’s a phenomenal athlete,
a phenomenal player,” Forrest said. “It shows how far that young man has progressed in our program for four years. I saw him as a JV guy. If things weren’t going his way, he’d get frustrated and, wow, what a senior year for that young man. So, I’m very proud of him and his effort, and what he’s becoming and turning into.”
WILD SECOND HALF
Both teams made mistakes in the game. The Bears fumbled a potential touchdown catch in the second quarter and dropped a wide open pass in the end zone just before halftime to head in the the locker room tied 14-14.
But the turning point came early in the third quarter when a punt snap went over Alex Procek’s head. Procek hesitated as the ball bounced into the end zone and Bartram Trail recovered for a touchdown to go up 20-14.
Procek kicked a 34-yard field goal to close the gap to 20-17 with 1:47 left in the third quarter. But Bartram Trail’s Joel Raggins returned Procek’s ensuing kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown. Bears sophomore quarterback Gavin Peterson ran for 203 yards and three touchdowns in the game and passed for another touchdown. His 17-yard scoring run put the Bears up 42-24 with 3:05 left.
The Pirates tried to come back with two touchdowns in the final minute, including Walker’s 3-yard pass to Thomas Larywon with 46 seconds left.
“As long as there’s time on the clock, there’s an opportunity,” Forrest said. “We were in a bad spot where we’re down multiple possessions,
and we tried two onside kicks and didn’t get them, but came close to getting one. We called timeouts to try to get the ball back and got it (for the final possession).
“It’s not easy to keep fighting when things aren’t going your way,” Forrest added. “So, I am proud of our program. I think that’s a big step. I think if you pay attention to football and how programs progress, that is a giant step against a team that’s a perennial power in Northeast Florida.”
Besides Walker’s two touchdown passes to Baker and one to Larywon, the senior also threw a 30-yard scoring pass to running back Wiley Con ner. Walker played just one sea son for the Pirates.
“One year. I wish it would have been more,” For rest said. “We were still only working at about a 70 to 75% clip (of the team’s
offense), because we had to do things he was comfortable with. He hasn’t even been in our program for a calendar year. But he believed in what we were coaching, he believed in our philosophy and in our players around him. And he did a phenomenal job in distributing the ball. When he was on, it was special, and he was on more times than not.
“And the offensive line did a great job all season protecting him,” Forrest said.
“Between Cole and Wiley, and those four receivers (Baker, Larywon, Jordan Schendorf
“Cole (Walker) just threw it up, and I went to go get it. I just saw the ball in the air, and I jumped over everybody.”
LADARIEN BAKER
Matanzas blocked two Bartram Trail extra-point kicks. Photos by Keishia McLendon
Matanzas defensive back Javonte Patton dives to make the tackle.
Palm Coast star gymnast (also Miss Mainland) signs with D-I Temple U
Kaiya Brown is Palm Coast Gymnastics’ first athlete to sign a full Division I gymnastics scholarship.
BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Palm Coast Gymnastics held
a celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 12, as Mainland High School senior Kaiya Brown signed a letter of intent to continue her gymnastics career at Temple University.
Brown is the first athlete from the Palm Coast gym to receive a full gymnastics scholarship at a Division I university, Palm Coast Gymnastics owner and coach, Kelly Flagler, said.
“She’s really set the bar for us, which is really exciting for the future of the girls here,” Flagler said.
Brown has been a competitive gymnast since she was 6 years old. When she was 10, she was selected for the TOPS (Talent Opportunity Program) National A Team. She is a multiple state champion, a regional qualifier and an Eastern National Championship qualifier in Level Nine.
“She is very good at all four events,” Flagler said. “She is an all-around strong athlete. She has power, and she has grace. She’s flexible. She tumbles sky high. She vaults sky high. Her release moves are huge on bars. Her form is really good. So, that’s kind of
the package.”
Brown said she’s always wanted to be a collegiate gymnast. “I never wanted to second guess or think that I wasn’t able to reach that goal,” she said. “So, I’ve always been persistent and very deter-
mined, and it really paid off, and I’m really excited to attend Temple.”
Brown went to a gymnastics camp at the Philadelphia university during the summer before her sophomore year of high school. During her official visit, she said she fell in love with the university, the city, the coaches and the team.
“All the girls made me feel so welcomed, and everything about it was just perfect,” she said. “I knew that it was the place for me.”
Brown has worked hard to achieve her dream, but she has not been fixated on one part of her life. At Mainland, she is involved in the Student Government Association, the Student Advisory Team and the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Leadership Team. She is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She has taught Bible classes to elementary school students at Calvary Christian. She is dual-enrolled at Daytona State College and will earn her associate degree along with her high school diploma. Last spring she was crowned Miss Mainland. She also has a job and volunteers in her community.
At Palm Coast Gymnastics, she won the Charlie’s Angels Award, which is based on leadership, work ethic, helping out where needed and being a good role model for the younger athletes.
“It’s unbelievable, all she does,” Flagler said. “It shows that she’s learned very good time management. She can handle stress. You can put her in any situation, she’s going to shine.”
Brown was joined at the signing by her parents and younger brother as well as the gym’s other gymnasts, including her longtime friends and teammates, Anna Schwartz and Eva Iannarelli.
Gymnastics was always Kaiya’s choice, her mom, Chairese Brown, said. “Mommy and Me” classes led to young Kaiya wanting to be a competitive gymnast when she was 5, Chairese said.
“My husband and I talked it over, and we said, ‘No. It’s too involved, too much of a commitment for her at such a young age’ — but she was very persistent,” Chairese said.
When they were attending a birthday party at a gymnastics gym in Ormond Beach, Kaiya convinced her mom to sign
her up. They were told that for the first year she would learn skills before she would be able to compete. That plan lasted about 15 minutes into her first class, Chairese said. The head coach had taken Kaiya aside to work on skills, and at the end of the class she told Chairese that they would like Kaiya to compete at their next meet, just two weeks later.
Brown, who joined Palm Coast Gymnastics in 2017, is now a Level 10 gymnast. Her goal this spring is to make the Level 10 nationals.
“That’s been my goal for a while,” she said. “It’s really hard to make it. Our region is super competitive, but I’m going to work really hard this season, and I hope I accomplish that goal.”
Brown plans to major in advertising at Temple. She said she wants to be a positive force for her team and her university.
“I want to make an impact on the team in all the events that I can, and just contribute as much I can to the girls, just being a light,” she said. “I want to be able to represent the Owls with pride.”
Surfers of all skill levels compete in 23rd annual Tommy Tant Memorial
Surfers in pro divisions competed for $12,000 in total prize money, in Flagler Beach.
OBSERVER STAFF
The 23rd Annual Tommy Tant Memorial Surf Classic was held Nov. 15-16, south of the Flagler Beach pier. The event began as the community’s response to the
loss of local surfer Tommy Tant who died unexpectedly in 1998. It has become one of the longest-running surf contests on the East Coast.
This year’s event featured 19 divisions for all ages and skill levels with pro divisions competing for $12,000 in total prize money. Since its founding, the Tommy Tant Memorial Surf Classic has raised more than $200,000 for local scholarships, food banks, and The Marfan Foundation, sup-
THE PRO WINNERS
Mens pro — 1. Robbie McCormick. 2. Ryan Huckabee.
Women’s Pro — 1. Lanea Mons. 2. Georgia Brown.
porting research into connective tissue disorders like the one that affected Tommy.
Jr. Pro — 1. Matton Bain. 2. Mako Musilunas. Longboard — 1. Saxon Wilson. 2. Shane Konrad. For complete results, go to liveheats.com/ events/422678
The event also featured a memorial paddle-out Sunday afternoon.
Kaiya Brown (second from left) with Palm Coast Gymnastics teammates Anna Schwartz (left) and Eva Iannarelli (right) with Coach Kelly Flagler. Photos by Brent Woronoff Palm Coast Gymnastics athletes celebrate with Kaiya Brown (center) at her signing ceremony. Brown signed a full gymnastics scholarship with Temple University.
Photo by Keishia McLendon
SIDE LINES
Seabreeze boys advance to state cross country
The Matanzas boys and girls teams and the Seabreeze boys team qualified for the Class 3A state championships Nov. 22 at Apalachee Park, in Tallahassee.
The Seabreeze boys were seventh at the Region 2-3A meet at New Smyrna Beach High, with Hunter Shuler placing 22nd in 17:02.5. At the Region 2-1A meet at Holloway Park in Lakeland, Father Lopez sophomore Lucy Fulton just missed state qualification with a PR time of 21:59 for 20th place. Fulton improved her time by nearly eight minutes from a year ago.
The Matanzas girls place placed fifth at the Region 1-3A meet at Cecil Field. Sophomore Peyton Cerasi placed third with a time of 18:38.1. The Matanzas boys were fourth.
Flagler Palm Coast’s Arianna Slaughter set a school record with a time of 18:17.3 to place fourth at the Region 1-4A cross country meet at Cecil Field Golf Course in Jacksonville. She improved her personal record by 24 seconds.
Two hugs for Hald, one FPC goal that counts
Isabella Kummernes was dog-tired at the end of the game. Make that Bulldog tired.
“It was a long game, a really long game,” she said. The senior midfielder scored the game’s only goal with about 13 minutes left to give Flagler Palm Coast its fifth consecutive victory, 1-0 over Middleburg on Nov. 12 at Sal Campanella Stadium.
After the goal, Kummernes ran over to the sideline and hugged FPC coach Pete Hald. It was Take 2. Earlier in the second half, she punched in a goal, ran over and hugged Hald, and then discovered it didn’t count.
“They called it offsides, which I didn’t think it was,” Kummernes said. “But the ball never lies, you know, ’cause I scored again.”
Kummernes said the hug was prearranged. She was just glad that she was able to make it count.
“I made a deal that I would hug him if I scored,” she said. “In the DeLand game, we were losing at halftime 1-0, because I cost us a goal. I did not track back, and I started sprinting back and then fouled the girl, and they got a free kick and scored. I scored that game to make up for it, but I felt really bad about it, and I apologized to (Hald) and the team after the game. So, this was my way of showing it again.”
She almost scored another goal a few minutes later, blasting a free kick that bounced off the cross bar.
“Isabella played well,” Hald said.
“She got hit a few times. She gave up some size there, but she played smart, and we needed her to, because that’s where their strength was — in the middle of the field.”
Kummernes said it’s exciting to be undefeated after the first five games.
“We hope to keep it that way all season,” she said. “I think we’re just more glued together in terms of passing and keeping the ball. I think last year we were still scattering around.”
‘AWESOME’ DEFENSE
After a scoreless first half, the Bulldogs played harder in the second half against the Broncos, Hald said.
“We were a little bit more physical. You look at the fouls, warning our players and all that. But I felt that it
was both ways,” Hald said.
Senior goalkeeper Natalie Neal had four saves to achieve her third shutout in five games.
“Our backline played awesome,” Hald said of defenders Eva Sites, Marlee O’Fallon, Laura Hererra and Makayla Barbel.
“Eva Sites was dynamite at centerback. And you got Natalie back there, so I think that gives everybody comfort,” Hald said. “In the first half, they had two opportunities that did not hit frame, but Natalie played them perfectly, cutting the angle. They were good opportunities to score.”
Kummernes now has two goals on the season and 17 in her career. She scored eight goals during her freshman season but has been slowed the past two years with ankle injuries.
“I’m trying to get back to it, get back in shape and get better,” she said. “There’s always work to do.”
Hald said he hopes the game gives Kummernes some confidence moving forward.
“She had one of her better games,” he said. “She needs to have some
positive moments to give herself some momentum.”
Hald is now three wins away from notching his 550th career victory at FPC. The Bulldogs will try to give him win No. 548 on Wednesday, Nov. 19, in a home game against Taylor. When he reaches 550, his whole team will line up to give him hugs.
Isabella Kummernes hugs FPC coach Pete Hald as Katherine Ouellette (9) watches. Kummernes ran to the sideline twice to give her coach a hug. The first time, her goal didn’t count. But the second time was after she netted the gamewinner.
Photo by Brent Woronoff
FPC’s Eva Sites (16) was “dynamite at centerback,” coach Pete Hald said.
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org. under Procurement. The date of Solicitation: December 11, 2025 Nov. 20/27 25-00113V FIRST INSERTION WALKERS GREEN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING Notice is hereby given that the Board of Supervisors (“Board”) of the Walkers Green Community Development District (the “District”) will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at 908 Taylor Rd, Port Orange, FL 32127. The meeting is open to the public and will be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Florida law. The meeting may be continued to a date, time, and place to be specified on the record at the meeting. There may be occasions when Board Supervisors or District Staff may participate by speaker telephone. A copy of the agenda for the meeting may be obtained at the offices of the District Manager, PFM Group Consulting LLC, located at 3501 Quadrangle Boulevard, Suite 270, Orlando, Florida 32817 or by phone at (407) 723-5900 (“District Manager’s Office”), during normal business hours, or from the District’s website at https://walkersgreencdd.com/ Any person requiring special accommodations at the meeting because of a disability or physical impairment should contact the District Manager’s Office at least forty-
NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA GENERAL JURISDICTION DIVISION Case No. 2024 12005 CIDL Freedom Mortgage Corporation, Plaintiff, vs. Kevin Bates, et al., Defendants.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to the Final Judgment and/or Order Rescheduling Foreclosure Sale, entered in Case No. 2024 12005 CIDL of the Circuit Court of the SEVENTH Judicial Circuit, in and for Volusia County, Florida, wherein Freedom Mortgage Corporation is the Plaintiff and Kevin Bates; Janelle Bates; United States of America on behalf of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; Stone Island Homeowners Association, Inc. are the Defendants, that Laura Roth, Volusia County Clerk of Court will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash at, www.volusia.realforeclose. com, beginning at 11:00 AM on the 8th day of January, 2026, the following described property as set forth in said Final Judgment, to wit: THE NORTH ONE-HALF OF LOT 4, BLOCK “C”, STONE ISLAND ESTATES, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 11, PAGE 221, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA. TAX ID: 910802030041
Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the lis pendens must file a claim before the clerk reports the surplus as unclaimed. REQUESTS FOR ACCOMODATIONS BY PERSONS WITH DISABILTIES If you are a person with a disability who needs an accommodation in order to participate
in this proceeding, you are entitled, at not cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact Court Administration, 101 N. Alabama Ave., Ste. D-305, DeLand, FL 32724, (386) 257-6096, at least 7 days before your scheduled court appearance, or immediately upon receiving this notification if the time before the appearance is less than 7 days;if you are hearing or voice impaired, call 711. THESE ARE NOT COURT INFORMATION NUMBERS SOLICITUD DE ADAPTACIONES PARA PERSONAS CON DISCAPACIDADES Si usted es una persona con discapacidad que necesita una adaptación para poder participar en este procedimiento, usted tiene el derecho a que se le proporcione cierta asistencia, sinincurrir en gastos. Comuníquese con la Oficina de Administración Judicial (Court Administración), 101 N. Alabama Ave., Ste. D-305, DeLand, FL 32724, (386) 257-6096, con no menos de 7 días de antelación de su cita de comparecencia ante el juez, o de inmediato al recibir esta notificación si la cita de comparecencia está dentro de un plazo menos de 7 días; si usted tiene una discapacidad del habla o del oído, llame al 711.
ESTOS NUMEROS TELEFONICOS NO SON PARA OBTENER INFORMA-
CION JUDICIAL
Dated this 12th day of November, 2025.
BROCK & SCOTT, PLLC
Attorney for Plaintiff 4919 Memorial Hwy, Suite 135 Tampa, FL 33634
Phone: (954) 618-6955
Fax: (954) 618-6954
FLCourtDocs@brockandscott.com By /s/Justin J. Kelley Justin J. Kelley, Esq. Florida Bar No. 32106 File # 24-F01177 November 20, 27, 2025
current place of business is unknown THE CORPORATION IS HEREBY NOTIFIED that an action to foreclose a mortgage on the following property: LOT 6, BLOCK F, REPLAT OF PENNSYLVANIA PARK, A SUBDIVISION ACCORDING TO
IN
178, OF THE
23,
RECORDS OF VOLUSIA
FLORIDA
against you and you are required to
a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on counsel for Plaintiff, whose address is 6409 Congress Ave., Suite 100, Boca Raton, Florida 33487 on or before December 15, 2025 /(30 days from Date of First Publication of this Notice) and file the original with the clerk of this court either before service on Plaintiff’s attorney or immediately thereafter; otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint or petition filed herein. THIS NOTICE SHALL BE PUBLISHED ONCE A WEEK FOR TWO (2) CONSECUTIVE WEEKS. WITNESS my hand and the seal of this Court at Volusia County, Florida, this 13 day of November, 2025. LAURA E ROTH CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT (SEAL) BY: /s/ Jennifer Vazquez DEPUTY CLERK
SECOND INSERTION
COUNTY, FLORIDA
JURISDICTION DIVISION
11544 CIDL FEDERAL
LOAN MORTGAGE CORPORATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FREDDIE MAC SEASONED LOANS STRUCTURED TRANSACTION TRUST, SERIES 2019-1, Plaintiff, vs. THE UNKNOWN HEIRS, BENEFICIARIES, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES AND ALL OTHERS WHO MAY CLAIM AN INTEREST IN THE ESTATE OF BERNICE P. BROCKMAN, DECEASED, et al. Defendant(s). NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated August 28, 2025, and entered in 2024 11544 CIDL of the Circuit Court of the SEVENTH Judicial Circuit in and for Volusia County, Florida, wherein FEDERAL HOME LOAN MORTGAGE CORPORATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FREDDIE MAC
Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the lis pendens must file a claim in accordance with Florida Statutes, Section 45.031. IMPORTANT AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT.
If you are a person with a disability who needs an accommodation in order to access court facilities or participate in a court proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. To request such an accommodation, please contact Court Administration in advance of the date the service is needed: Court Administration, 101 N. Alabama Ave., Ste D-305, Deland, FL 32724, (386) 257-6096. Hearing or voice impaired, please call 711. Dated this 11 day of November, 2025. By: \S\Danielle Salem Danielle Salem, Esquire Florida Bar No. 0058248 Communication Email: dsalem@raslg.com ROBERTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNEID, CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC Attorney for Plaintiff 6409 Congress Ave., Suite 100 Boca Raton, FL 33487 Telephone: 561-241-6901 Facsimile: 561-997-6909 Service Email: flmail@raslg.com 23-173438 - NaC November 13, 20, 2025 25-00571I
SEASONED LOANS STRUCTURED TRANSACTION TRUST, SERIES 20191 is the Plaintiff and THE UNKNOWN HEIRS, BENEFICIARIES, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES AND ALL OTHERS WHO MAY CLAIM AN INTEREST IN THE ESTATE OF BERNICE P. BROCKMAN, DECEASED; THE UNKNOWN HEIRS, BENEFICIARIES, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES AND ALL OTHERS WHO MAY CLAIM AN INTEREST IN THE ESTATE OF LORI BROCKMAN, DECEASED; APRIL BROCKMAN A/K/A APRIL BROCK are the Defendant(s). Laura E. Roth as the Clerk of the Circuit Court will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash at www. volusia.realforeclose.com, at 11:00 AM, on December 09, 2025, the following described property as set forth in said Final Judgment, to wit: LOT 4, BLOCK 1730, DELTONA LAKES UNIT SIXTY-SIX, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 28, PAGES 124 THROUGH 127, INCLUSIVE, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA.
NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA GENERAL JURISDICTION DIVISION CASE NO. 2021 31152 CICI NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC D/B/A CHAMPION MORTGAGE COMPANY, Plaintiff, vs. KENNETH AYERS, et al. Defendant(s). NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated October 10, 2025, and entered in 2021 31152 CICI of the Circuit Court of the SEVENTH Judicial Circuit in and for Volusia County, Florida, wherein WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY IN ITS CAPACITY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR OCWEN LOAN ACQUISITION TRUST 2024-HB 1 is the Plaintiff UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; FLORIDA HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION; VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA ; G GUNTHER CONSTRUCTION INC.; THE ORMOND TERRACE ANNEX HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.; UNKNOWN SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE OF THE TRUST AGREEMENT DATED SEPT 25, 2002; THE UNKNOWN HEIRS, BENEFICIARIES, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES AND ALL OTHERS WHO MAY CLAIM AN INTEREST IN THE ESTATE OF ROBERT H. HILDEBRANDT A/K/A ROBERT HILDEBRANDT, DECEASED; PAMELA PETRILLI; KENNETH AYERS; MICHAEL AYERS; ROBBIN AYERS; THE UNKNOWN HEIRS, BENEFICIARIES, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES AND ALL OTHERS WHO MAY CLAIM AN INTEREST IN THE ESTATE OF ROBERT A. HILDEBRANDT, DECEASED; PATRICIA CHRISTINE HILDEBRANDT ; NICOLE HILDEBRANDT; KELLY
HILDEBRANDT are the Defendant(s).
Laura E. Roth as the Clerk of the Circuit Court will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash at www. volusia.realforeclose.com, at 11:00 AM, on December 10, 2025, the following described property as set forth in said Final Judgment, to wit: THE EASTERLY 125 FEET OF LOT 1 AND THE EASTERLY 125 FEET OF THE NORTHERLY 32.5 FEET OF LOT 2, BLOCK 4, ORMOND TERRACE ANNEX, ACCORDING TO THE MAP THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 10, PAGE 137, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA Property Address: 530 N. YONGE STREET, ORMOND BEACH, FL 32174
Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the lis pendens must file a claim in accordance with Florida Statutes, Section 45.031. IMPORTANT AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT.
If you are a person with a disability who needs an accommodation in order to access court facilities or participate in a court proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. To request such an accommodation, please contact Court Administration in advance of the date the service is needed: Court Administration, 101 N. Alabama Ave., Ste D-305, Deland, FL 32724, (386) 257-6096. Hearing or voice impaired, please call 711. Dated this 11 day of November, 2025. By: \S\Danielle Salem Danielle Salem, Esquire Florida Bar No. 0058248
Communication Email: dsalem@raslg.com ROBERTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNEID, CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC Attorney for Plaintiff 6409 Congress Ave., Suite 100 Boca Raton, FL 33487 Telephone: 561-241-6901
Facsimile: 561-997-6909
SECOND INSERTION NOTICE OF ACTIONCONSTRUCTIVE SERVICE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA GENERAL JURISDICTION DIVISION CASE NO. 2025 13215 CIDL COMPU-LINK CORPORATION, DBA CELINK, Plaintiff, vs. ALTON JONES, et. al. Defendant(s), TO: ALTON JONES, UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF ALTON JONES, . whose residence is unknown and all parties having or claiming to have any right, title or interest in the property described in the mortgage being foreclosed herein. YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that an action to foreclose a mortgage on the following property: THE WEST 101.68 FEET OF THE NORTH 235.45 FEET OF THE SOUTHWEST ONE QUARTER OF BLOCK 79, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OF LAKE HELEN, AS RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 2, PAGE 93, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA. AND THE NORTH 134.0 FEET OF THE EAST 180.0 FEET OF THE SOUTH ONE HALF OF THE SOUTHEAST ONE QUARTER OF THE NORTHEAST ONE QUARTER OF THE NORTHWEST ONE QUARTER OF SECTION 36, TOWNSHIP 17 SOUTH, RANGE 30 EAST, VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA. EXCEPT THAT PORTION LYING WITHIN THE RIGHT OF WAY OF INTERSTATE HIGHWAY NO. 4, CONTAINING .80 ACRES, MORE OR LESS. SUBJECT TO A DRAINAGE EASEMENT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (D.O.T. RIGHT OF WAY MAP, SECTION #7716-401 AND 7911-401, SHEET 16 0F 19, DATE OF JULY 1957) has been filed against you and you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on counsel for Plaintiff, whose address is 6409 Congress Avenue, Suite 100, Boca Raton, Florida 33487 on or before December 5, 2025 /(30 days from Date of First Publication of this Notice) and file the original with the clerk of this court either before service on Plaintiff’s attorney or immediately thereafter; otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the
