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Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

INTO THE WOODS 8 FEBRUARY 2020

VOLUME 6, NO. 7

Seeking clarity on future of water utility Flagler County hopes to get forgiveness of loans and transfer the utility to a government agency. PAGE 3

Fireworks banned

Happy to serve

Also, three new HOA Board members elected. PAGE 2

Plantation Bay hires Michelle Brown as next tennis director.

INSIDE Q+A WITH ED KELLEY

Volusia County Council Chair Ed Kelley announced recently he won’t be seeking reelection, marking the end of an 18-year political career. PAGE 4

A LITTLE HELP FROM FRIENDS? Seabreeze High School Chorus headed to Carnegie Hall in March. PAGE 6

ENCOURAGING READING

PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID DAYTONA BCH FL PERMIT #447

Seabreeze High School chalks up campus for books. PAGE 9

Michelle Brown RAY BOONE

Local Postal Customer

SPORTS EDITOR

ennis wasn’t always a part of Michelle Brown’s life. She started out as a mom who was looking to get her daughter into the game. From there, it developed into one of her biggest passions. Brown has been enveloped in the world of tennis for the past 20 years. She is a USPTA Elite Profes-

Photo by Ray Boone

sional, who previously worked for the USTA Florida section as the team tennis coordinator, overseeing all team programming for the Florida section and running numerous local, regional and national tennis tournaments. She moved to Massachusetts in 2013, where she taught the game for six years. She eventually became the director of youth tennis at Longfellow Tennis and Health Club in Wayland, Massachusetts. There she created a

youth program that saw about 150 kids per week and oversaw a summer tennis camp that was attended by more than 300 kids. She also served as executive director of the USPTA’s New England Division during this time. After moving back to Florida a year ago, Brown was recently hired as Plantation Bay Golf and Country Club’s director of tennis. Brown lived in Florida for 20 SEE ‘A TENNIS’ PAGE 5

“You don’t lose in tennis. You either win or you get better.”

MICHELLE BROWN, Plantation Bay Director of Tennis

PLANTATION BAY OBSERVER

FEBRUARY 2020 PLANTATION BAY

Plantation Bay board passes rules for fireworks, PODs Observer ment approves additional time for mitigating circumstances. Storage containers must also be approved in advance by the community management and require a $300 deposit, refundable when the storage container is removed within a reasonable time.

JONATHAN SIMMONS

CHANGING OF THE BOARD

NEWS EDITOR

If you want to see fireworks this coming Fourth of July, don’t expect to be able to set them off in your backyard in Plantation Bay: The Board of Directors at its Jan. 27 meeting formalized rules banning fireworks from the community. The board’s vote in favor of the ban was without opposition. Included in the ban are any items “prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion or detonation, including, but not limited to, blank cartridges, toy cannons, firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, Roman candles, and dago bombs.” The board also opted, again without opposition, to regulate the use of storage containers such as PODS, the rectangular white metal boxes used to contain furniture and household items during moves or renovation projects. The regulation states that storage containers, including trailers and modules like PODS, must remain on the driveway of a residential unit while they are in use and may not remain there more than 72 hours, unless manage-

The board has also welcomed three new members: Robert LaTocha, Jack Corbett and Roseann French. LaTocha, a resident of Hampstead Lane, is replacing Marty Garbarino in the seat of treasurer. “In terms of money management, I’m conservative,” LaTocha said. “My main rule is do not spend more than you have; if you don’t do that, you’ll be OK. Do not spend money foolishly because you’ll pay for it later double price or more, and the third thing, if something is necessary, it is good to take care of it.” He added that he learned his ethics as a young man form a much-respected professor of ethics at his university. That professor? The man who would become Pope John Paul II. “I learned a lot from him in terms of ethics, and I always try in my life to stick to those standards,” LaTocha said. Also joining the board of directors are Jack Corbett, of Treetop Circle; and Roseann French, of Dovercourt Lane.

AUDITOR TO PRESENT AT NEXT MEETING

A representative of Plantation Bay’s auditing firm will present the community’s audited financial at the next Plantation Bay Board of Directors meeting, according to Pat Camino. Camino said that the firm is suggesting a change in how the community lists its reserves, advising that they be moved from the equity section to the liability section of the balance sheet — as, in the event the homeowners’ association were to ever go out of business, the excess collected over the years would have to be returned to homeowners. Board President John Gamin noted that that would occur regardless of whether the section the reserves are listed under is changed. “It sounds to me like this is the bean counters playing with definitions,” he said. “What would have happened to the money doesn’t change, it’s just putting it on a piece of paper to clarify where it goes.”

FRIEDRICH HAYEK “Road to Serfdom,” 1944

Jack Corbett

Robert LaTocha

Plantation Bay HOA

EFFORTS ONGOING TO SLOW SPEEDERS

Plantation Bay is using four radar signs, patrols by area deputies and email blasts to discourage residents and visitors from speeding in the community. The community has two fixed LED radar signs and two movable ones that are shifted as needed. Traffic information from a

Publisher / John Walsh, jwalsh@palmcoastobserver.com Executive Editor / Brian McMillan, bmcmillan@palmcoastobserver.com News Editor / Jonathan Simmons, jonathan@palmcoastobserver.com Real Estate Editor / Wayne Grant, business@ormondbeachobserver.com Staff Writer / Paola Rodriguez, paola@ palmcoastobserver.com Designer / Hailey McMillan, hailey. mcmillan@gmail.com Advertising Manager / Jaclyn Centofanti, jaclyn@palmcoastobserver.com Account Managers / Hallie Hydrick, hallie@palmcoastobserver.com, Susan Moore, susan@palmcoastobserver.com Operations Manager / Maureen Walsh, maureen@palmcoastobserver.com Circulation Manager / David Brooks, david@horizonroad.com

Roseann French

radar sign on Hampstead Lane showed an average speed of 23 mph over two weeks and 20,000 vehicles one way, but the sign also SEE SPEEDERS PAGE 5

President / John Gamin / 386-586-7530 / mjgamin@cfl.rr.com Vice President / Bruce Bandes / 386-263-2682 / sealwyr1939@gmail.com Treasurer / Robert LaTocha / linmar1974@aol.com Secretary / Helen Siegel / 386-236-9884 / hsiegel51@aol.com Directors / Bob Anderson / 386-316-1278 / rranderson1@hotmail.com, Joan Beck / 386-672-7762 / jbeck386@ aol.com, Chuck Gilles / 386-689-5222 / cjg.7@att.net, Jack Corbett / 772-405-7339 / corbettteam@ gmail.com, Roseann French / 386-671-7715 / gfrench154/aol.com

Palm Coast Observer, LLC P.O. Box 353850 Palm Coast, 32135

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Also, three new members — Robert LaTocha, Jack Corbett and Roseann French — have been elected to the board.

“If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.”

PLANTATION BAY OBSERVER

FEBRUARY 2020

Murky future for Plantation Bay water service County hopes a state agency can take over ownership. WAYNE GRANT REAL ESTATE EDITOR

About 120 residents attended a meeting at the Club de Bonmont in Plantation Bay on Jan. 22 to get the latest news on efforts to improve water quality. The good news was that water quality should now be better because of recent actions. The bad news was that the future of the utility is uncertain with millions of dollars in debt and much needed improvements. Jerry Cameron, county administrator, and Al Hadeed, county attorney, gave a presentation on the history of the utility and future plans, and staff from the Florida Government Utility Authority explained what they were doing to improve quality. “This is not about placing blame or resurrecting the dead,” Cameron told the audience. “It’s about the future.”

Cameron told the audience that 80% to 90% of the residents should now have better water with steps taken by FGUA. However, they have not located all the valves in the community, so have not been able to aid all residents. When residents spoke from the audience about still having bad color, smell or taste in their water, Cameron said to call his office so FGUA representatives can check it out. The FGUA is a state agency started in 1999 and is operated by a government-appointed board. It has no employees but contracts with local employees. FUTURE OWNERSHIP

A history of the utility system was provided by Hadeed. In 2011, it was reported that repairs were needed in the amount of $3.9 million. The county considered purchasing the utility, but ICI wanted

“This is not about placing blame or resurrecting the dead. It’s about the future.” JERRY CAMERON, county administrator

PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS UTILITY PROBLEMS  The groundwater quality is poor.  The utility is under a large debt.  There are needed improvements.  It has not been operated adequately.  There is a small customer base. POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS  Get debt forgiven or receive grants.  Have government agency take ownership.

$9 million and a sales prospectus said it should cost $1 million. Bunnell later purchased the utility using a Department of Environmental Protection loan for $5.5 million. “I was shocked,” Hadeed said. “I knew it was a bad deal, and I advised against it.” Hadeed explained in his presentation on Jan. 22 that, concerned about the water quality in Plantation Bay and not wanting the deal to “go south,” the county joined with Bunnell in 2013 in ownership and took over entirely in 2015. Another version of the sale was later provided to the Plantation Bay Observer by David Haas, now a consultant with ICI and former Flagler County administrator. He pointed out that the city of Bunnell paid Burton & Associates to ana-

lyze the value of the utility in 2013, and their conclusion was that it was worth between $7.4 million and $8.3 million. With the proper investment and maintenance, Haas said, the utility was forecast to have positive cash flow by now. But the county didn’t deliver, he said, despite higher rates. FGUA is now under contract to manage and oversee the plant for a couple of months. The county hopes to sell/transfer the utility permanently, but FGUA says the debt issue must be resolved because the cost of the utility would exceed what the rate structure will bear. The multi-million debt still looms over the utility. Also, the utility has been supported from the Flagler County general fund in the amount of $1.8 million. The utility recently made a payment to the general fund, according to meeting documents. Cameron said he’s been communicating with the Department of Environmental Protection and the county’s legislative delegation about possibilities for mitigating the debt load. He is also seeking to repurpose a $1.8 million grant. RECIPE FOR TROUBLE

Gary Deremer, president of U.S. Water, which had suggested the county contact FGUA, said Plantation Bay faces a recipe of problems: low quality of water in the ground, a big debt, needed improvements and a small customer base. FGUA has conducted a chlorine burn, performed several flushings

and repairs, and stopped the practice of recycling backwash water, according to meeting documents. The company is working on getting permits to use other chemicals for water color and taste. Deremer said he recognized that the county has limited experience in managing utilities and has been providing marginal water. In regard to the wastewater tank, which many have feared is near failure, Cameron said there is wall flexing but no imminent danger of failure. A new concrete tank is planned, and when completed the existing tank will provide redundancy and future growth. HELP FOR RESIDENTS

In the question-and-answer period, one person said that when they bought their house, the real estate agents did not say anything about water problems. In response, there was discussion about disclosure requirements, but a definitive answer was not provided at the meeting. Cameron said by the time they sell their house, the problems should be gone. An audience member asked how much utility rates would go up this year, and Cameron said not at all. Various people mentioned problems at their house, such as a sulphur smell. One person said he is at the end of the water line and a sludge comes out of the tap. In all cases, an FGUA representative at the meeting took down their addresses. —Brian McMillan contributed.

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FEBRUARY 2020

Life in politics

olusia County Council Chair Ed Kelley announced recently he won’t be seeking re-election, marking the end of an 18-year political career. Kelley, former sales distributor and president of European operations at Hawaiian Tropic, served on the Ormond Beach City Commission 1993-1997, and then again 2005-2009. He then served as the city’s mayor 2010-2016 before running for Volusia County Chair. Kelley will finish his four-year-term on the council at the end of 2020. When looking back at his legacy in Ormond Beach, Kelley said his biggest impact was establishing efficient fiscal policies that are still in effect today. He and the commission adopted a dedicated millage for roads, contracted out services like solid waste and set aside funds for stormwater projects. It was over the holidays that Kelley, who previously had announced he would run for a second term as chair, decided it was time to close the political chapter of his life. The Ormond Beach Observer recently sat down with Kelley to talk about the past, the present, a little bit of Florida-Georgia Line, and the future of several local issues. — JARLEENE ALMENAS

Q+A WITH ED KELLEY

Q: Was there a particular moment when you realized that you weren’t going to run again, and if so, what was that moment? A: My son said, “Dad, we don’t know how much time you have left with us, but what time you have left, I want to spend as much of that as I can with you.” And then we looked, and in hindsight, last year is the first time in 10 years that we did not get to see them in concert because of business and conflicts. We went five months without seeing them. Before we would try to see them once a month. Not necessarily in concert, but be together with close family. You stop and think, and you look at it, and that’s what’s most important. Q: What are you most looking forward to after your current term ends? A: Being able to choose what I want to do and where I want to go. The time constraints on free time is tough. Q: How have you seen social media affect your position on the council? A: You are able to reach a broader number of people — more diverse groups of people. Thousands of people instead of 15-20 at a time, or 30 or 40. So from that standpoint, it is very good. It’s the criticism of saying something that is there. People have always criticized politicians. I guess that goes back forever. But I think the biggest thing is the negativity expressed, and oftentimes hurtful

name-calling, which you really wouldn’t do to someone’s face. And that does hurt; I don’t care how strong of back you say you may have. When people call you a liar, or lying this-that-orthe-other, that hurts because you know you’re not doing that. When you’re serving for the right reason, to be criticized for that, that hurts. Q: You were very vocal about the importance of passing a sales tax last year. Then it failed. Now, there’s talks of bringing it back for 2022. So what do you believe is at stake in Volusia County? A: It should’ve passed. There’s very few people that will say we don’t have a need for water and infrastructure improvements. Maybe I was part of the problem of being factual about it in a short situation. It just made the most sense to be able to do something, have a use tax, instead of putting it on the backs of homeowners again. As far as going forward in 2022, I won’t be there to make that decision, as we know. But I think if the people will say, “This is what we want,” and I think some of the things that could be done to make that happen would be to create an approval board of citizens. Q: In 2018, the state’s Constitution Review Commission was criticized for bundling issues like offshore drilling and vaping. Why do you feel bundling ECHO, Volusia Forever and a sales tax is appropriate? A: I did not use that bundling

Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Volusia County Council Chair Ed Kelley

term. It’s revenue sharing. You can have the issues there that all would derive their income from a single source, and that was sales tax. If ECHO, Volusia Forever, water and infrastructure can all benefit, and share in that onecent sales tax, a percentage, it’s all relative to that one thing. Q: Volusia County has gone through a lot of changes — new medical director, revamped EMS, new county manager, and will soon get a new county attorney. What has being County Council chair been like through all of that? A: I guess it’s been exciting. If there is any one thing that I would probably regret, if the situation was different, is not being here in the coming years to help see all of that through. Because we now are at a point where we’ve put some of those things behind us. Q: What was the best piece of

advise you ever got, and how did it influence your political career? A: The best advice I got was from David Hood, who said: “We can debate, discuss or disagree, but we do not have to be disagreeable.” There were people on the council that I disagreed with back in the day, but when we saw each other outside of the commission, we spoke, we said hi and were friendly. That’s the way you should be. Q: What is your favorite Florida-Georgia Line song? A: Oh geez. Probably would be “H.O.L.Y.” It just says so much about life and about people together. I guess that I see each time that Brian and Tyler would do that one, the emotion they had and the feeling they put in. They do it every song, but on that one especially — they made it about their relationships with their wives.

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

picks up bicyclists and golf carts as well as cars, board member Bob Anderson said. Last week, he said, deputies showed up and issued tickets. “Some people complained about it,” he said. “Drive safely; no problem. ... The whole purpose of it is not to give people tickets, but to encourage safe driving.” With traffic entering the community after coming off of Interstate 95 and U.S. 1, he said, “You’re kind of now conditioned to all that highspeed travel … people, unknowingly, they’re going too fast.” Gamin said he’d noticed some speeding around Hampstead north and Bay Drive west. Steve Clair, the community’s Access Control director, said those are areas law enforcement has been directed to check. Access Control is at full staffing, and the Procedures Committee is in the process of working on a new manual for Access Control employees. HOME SALES TOP 260 TRANSACTIONS IN 2019

A total of 148 homes, of which 138 were resales and 10 were new properties, sold in Plantation Bay in 2019, Community Manager Margie Hall said. In addition, there were 113 sales in West Lake of which 23 were resales and 90 were new. There are about 1,500 homes in Plantation Bay and about 550 in West Lake, but Plantation Bay is largely built out — there are about 39 lots left, plus a few scattered

“My main rule is do not spend more than you have; if you don’t do that, you’ll be OK. Do not spend money foolishly because you’ll pay for it later double price or more.” ROBERT LATOCHA

in existing communities — while West Lake is expected to grow to a total of 2,200-2,500 homes. The Plantation Bay community management sent out 65 collection notices for dues, and turned several properties over to collectors for nonpayment. But two of the three have since been settled, and in the case of the third property, the owner had died and the community’s management is now communicating with his family. In addition, the community will receive approximately $6,000 from tax sale of a home on Bay Lake Drive; and three homes were recently foreclosed on. TIME FOR A SOUND BARRIER ALONG 95? RESURFACING PLANNED

A Woodstream Lane resident, speaking during the public comment period near the end of the meeting, said the constant noise of cars along nearby Interstate 95 has made her backyard almost unusable. She held up her cell phone and played a video recording of the highway din. “This is what I have to listen to in my backyard every day,” she said. She asked whether the state might be able to add a sound barrier wall along the highway. Gamin said that he’s had similar issues at his home on Long Cove Road and that the community had contacted the Florida Department of Transportation for help in the past, when I-95 was undergoing widening. But FDOT measured the noise level and determined they were just shy of being high enough to warrant a sound barrier. Gamin suggested contacting FDOT to see if they will remeasure. Also, the state if undertaking a resurfacing project on I-95 from Old Dixie Highway to just north of State Road 40. The $9.5 million project begins this month and is expected to continue through December 2020, with lane and ramp closures occurring at night, according to a handout by FDOT.

‘A tennis community’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

years before moving to Massachusetts. She lived in Flagler Beach and Ormond Beach, and used to work for the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce. “I know the businesses, I know the community and I certainly know the tennis in the area. It felt like coming home,” she said. “I bring a lot of energy to tennis. I want everybody to have a positive experience on the tennis court. And if you can’t play tennis, I support just getting out there and playing pickleball. Really, just having an active lifestyle.” She replaced her father-in-law, Dave Brown, the club’s director for the past 12 years, who recently retired. “I have big shoes to fill,” she said. “We have different styles, though. Tennis professionals have the same block where they gather information from. We just all say

it in a different voice. I think that the members are excited to have somebody different and new. He’s been a mentor and will continue to be.” Her main goal at the club is to develop a “nice balance” between people playing in tennis leagues and people playing socially. But she is also focused on getting more players of all ages into tennis and helping players learn the skills to compete and be successful. Her passions include creating a pathway for all players, blogging about tennis and introducing people to the sport. “Having a tennis community is really important to anybody who joins the club and wants to be a part of that,” she said. “I get really excited and I enjoy playing. I love giving people that same enjoyment. To see that they can play this sport. You don’t have to have played your whole life. It’s the sport of a lifetime.”

FEBRUARY 2020

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BARBARA & BRETT’S ACTIVITIES PAST 12 MONTHS 1063 Hampstead LN. SOLD 1337 Hansberry LN. SOLD 791 Cobblestone Way SOLD 36 Kingsley CIR. SOLD 722 Dolphin Head LN. SOLD 414 Long Cove CT SOLD 1151 Kilkenny LN. SOLD 1114 Hansberry CT. SOLD 90 Bridgewater Ln. SOLD 1057 Hampstead Ln. SOLD 674 Elk River Dr. SOLD 795 Cobblestone Way UNDER CONTRACT 1246 Hampstead Ln. UNDER CONTRACT BARBARA & BRETT’S BEST BUYS 680 ALDENHAM LN ...............................................$259,000 706 COBBLESTONE DR ..........................................$299,900 709 WOODBRIDGE CT...........................................$539,000 12 MAGNOLIA LN..................................................$549,000 1108 OXBRIDGE LN...............................................$695,000

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Don’t hesitate to call for a complimentary market analysis or with any questions you might have. Call Barbara at 386 586 6968 | bbonichi@gmail.com Brett at 407 221 7580 | brett.berdoll@gmail.com or visit plantationbayproperties.com

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Speeders continue to concern PB Board

PLANTATION BAY OBSERVER

FEBRUARY 2020

Seabreeze High School Vocal Department Director Julia Hood and her choral students.

Photo by Jarleene Almenas

A ‘once-ina-lifetime’ opportunity

The Seabreeze High School Chorus won second place at the Worldstrides Heritage Festival in Orlando last spring.

Seabreeze High School Chorus headed to Carnegie Hall in March JARLEENE ALMENAS NEWS EDITOR

he Seabreeze High School chorus has two months to raise $34,000. Why? To perform at Carnegie Hall in New York this March, an honor bestowed on the chorus after it performed well last spring at the Worldstrides Heritage Festival in Orlando. The chorus received a gold rating at the festival at Universal Studios, earning second place. The students also won the spirit award for showcasing camaraderie and support for other groups. The Seabreeze chorus was one of two groups invited to perform at Carnegie Hall, though initially the invitation was for a concert in 2021. SHS Vocal Department Director Julia Hood petitioned for 2020 instead, seeing as waiting an additional year would have meant excluding students who would be graduated by then. “I didn’t want to not include

the juniors from last year who worked so hard,” Hood said. So 2020 it was. This isn’t Hood’s first time bringing students to Carnegie Hall; as a teacher in Silver Sands Middle School in 2001, she brought a small group for a national honor choir. This time, aside from her students performing in the 200-person honor choir, her chorus group was also selected to be the featured choir. A total of 30 students — comprising the general chorus, advanced vocal ensemble and the musical theater class — are planned to go on the trip, which comes with a $58,000 price tag. That amounts to $1,780 per student. So far, Hood said students have paid $24,000 toward the trip. That leaves $34,000. Fundraising has been a challenge for the choir. Unlike SHS’s marching band, which performed in London’s New Year’s Day parade last year, the vocal depart-

ment doesn’t have a 501c3 organization. All fundraising must go through the school. On Jan. 18, the chorus held a fundraiser at Hard Rock Daytona Beach. Also, those who want to donate funds can also do so through this GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/ send-seabreeze-chorus-tocarnegie-hall If the department was able to cut the needed $34,000 in half, “that would be blessing,” Hood said before the fundraiser. SHS senior Ben Kuftic said any help getting students to Carnegie Hall is appreciated. If they don’t take advantage of this opportunity, when will they get another one? he asked. “It’s just something really great to be able to share your passion about music — which, everyone loves music, everyone listens to it all the time, but to be able to share that with someone is something not a lot of people have, and I think they should,” said Kuftic, who also participated in the 2020

Florida All-State Concert Chorus in Tampa recently. It’s an opportunity to share their voices, said SHS senior Ashley Butial. There are also a lot of different projects going on at once in the department; aside from preparing for Carnegie Hall, the students are also getting ready for Solo and Ensemble and an “Into The Woods” musical in early February. “It’s a little overwhelming, but I’m super excited to take on these challenges,” Butial said. The students will also have a chance to participate in a workshop with a Broadway performer in New York, Hood said. It’ll be a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity, and part of why Hood pushed for this class of students to go to Carnegie Hall. It stems from their love of music. “It’s not only fun, but they have a good time making music, and that’s really what this is all about — it’s about coming together to make music and to share that,” Hood said.

PLANTATION BAY OBSERVER

FEBRUARY 2020

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PLANTATION BAY OBSERVER

FEBRUARY 2020

Seabreeze High School presents ‘Into the Woods’ The 26-student cast has been hard at work these last few months putting together this ‘dark and human show’ as described by Director Crisi Simmons. JARLEENE ALMENAS NEWS EDITOR

“I wish.” These are the opening words in Stephen Sondheim’s 1986 musical “Into the Woods,” and on Friday, Feb. 7, they will be the first lines spoken onstage at Seabreeze High School’s auditorium. SHS American Musical Theater group has been hard at work for the past few months learning the difficult show. “Into the Woods” features well-known fairytale characters who will eventually face the consequences of their actions, for better or for worse. Director Crisi Simmons described it as a dark and human show, and the 26 students in the cast have learned their roles and progressed their characters in a short amount of time. “It’s been really fascinating to see how much effort and how much thought that they are putting into crafting these charac-

ters,” Simmons said. AMT has had challenges putting this musical together along the way. Originally, Simmons was the production’s choreographer. But when the first director moved to Texas, Simmons took over. “It’s been a whirlwind, but the kids are awesome,” Simmons said. “They really have stepped up in such amazing ways.” For senior Jackie Myers, that meant diving into her character of Cinderella. It’s a role she was excited about, though she’d never played a part like that. In last year’s AMT production, “Shrek The Musical,” she had played Pinocchio. “I found a lot of myself in her, which I think helped me,” Myers said. This will be Myer’s last show for her high school career, and from the beginning, she knew it had to be memorable. “If we all want it as much as the person that wants it most,

SEE THE SHOW What: “Into the Woods” When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb, 7-8; 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9 Where: Seabreeze High School, 2700 N. Oleander Ave. Details: See this Seabreeze High School American Theater Production, with music and lyrics writtten by Stephen Sondheim. Tickets cost $10. Visit vocalbreeze.org

Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Jadyn Koneski as “the bakers wife,” Ashley Boscovich as “little red riding hood” and Ben Kuftic as “the baker” in the SHS American Musical Theater production of “Into the Woods.”

then we will succeed,” Myers said. “And I think we’re starting to succeed, and it’s starting to come together.” Playing the part of the baker’s wife is senior Jadyn Koneski. In the show, her character struggles with wanting a child despite the fact that her husband was cursed with infertility by a witch. Despite the fantasy element of the stories, the show is relatable, Koneski said. “We’ve really worked so hard and this group — we’re so tight and we would love for everyone to see it,” Koneski said. Senior Ben Kuftic, who plays the baker, agreed. The show is about

want and sacrifice, he added. This will be his first role in a musical, and he said they want to show it to the community. “I want to show our rendition,” Kuftic said. Musical Director Julia Hood said she’s seen the students grow together as a team, and that the show has instilled a timely life lesson for them, too. “I think what this play does is to realize that we all have humanity, and we all are trying to do the right thing,” Hood said. “We may not make the best choices, but I think, generally, down in our hearts, people are good.”

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FEBRUARY 2020

Seabreeze High School celebrates Literacy Week JARLEENE ALMENAS

Seabreeze students participate in “Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida!”

Seabreeze High School Reading Chair Jennifer Mollo wants to get students excited about books. But in an age when smartphones reign supreme, that’s easier said than done. Even so, with a little chalk and some literary inspiration, Seabreeze’s courtyard on Thursday, Jan. 30, paid tribute to the books and quotes that changed students’ lives. The art is part of the school’s participation in the Florida Department of Education’s initiative, “Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida!” Throughout the week, the halls at Seabreeze were covered in sidewalk chalk haiku poems, students swapped books at the media center, and they created six-word stories. On Friday, they had the chance to participate in a “literacy photo booth,” courtesy of Frame of Mind. As Mollo perused the courtyard, she wasn’t surprised to see Harry Potter book titles written out on the sidewalk. But she was surprised to see books like “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” and “Kite Runner” among them. “What shocked me about those is those are all books they read here in school, like, in class,” Mollo said. Seabreeze student Justin Scheats said reading has made big impact on his life — in particular, the Percy Jackson series. “It reached out on things that teens have trouble with nowa-

days, so I felt connected to it somehow,” Scheats said. Reading isn’t student Mason Owen’s favorite hibby, but he said he does enjoy a good sports biography every now and then. Still, he said seeing the campus decorated for Celebrate Literacy Week was welcome. “It’s more creative, so it’s not like the same thing every day,” Owen said. For student Maddox Bovee, he loves a book with a good story line and writing style. “It takes a lot for me to get interested in a book, but once the writing style flows really nice, and the story is really interesting, I can get into it really well, like ‘Oliver Twist’ — that’s a favorite,” Bovee said. It’s conversations like these that Mollo strived for during the week. She said students deal with so much negativity and heavy topics that, as a teacher, she spends a lot of time building relationships with students — especially those in her reading classes who need a little extra boost in the subject matter to be able to pass their standardized tests and graduate. But things like Celebrate Literacy Week helps get the kids excited about something, she said. “Events like this, it’s important to have a little fun during the school day sometimes,” Mollo said. “Something out of the ordinary.” Email Jarleene Almenas at jarleene@ormondbeachobserver. com.

“It takes a lot for me to get interested in a book, but once the writing style flows really nice, and the story is really interesting, I can get into it really well, like ‘Oliver Twist’ — that’s a favorite.” Maddox Bovee

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FEBRUARY 2020

YOUR CA LE NDA R Ormond Beach

Flagler County

SUNDAY, FEB. 9

FEB. 14-15

'BUDDY, ROY AND FATS' When: 2:30-4:30 p.m. Where: Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, 399 N. U.S. 1 Details: See this Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison and Fats Domino musical tribute. Tickets cost $30 in advance; $35 at the door. Call 676-3375.

FLAGLER WOMAN'S CLUB RUMMAGE SALE When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Where: 1524 S. Central Ave., Flagler Beach Cost: Free Details: Annual sale, choose from jewelry, household items, home decor, clothing, toys, electronics. Call 437-5442.

TUESDAY, FEB. 11

MOAS GUILD LUNCHEON When: 10:30 a.m. Where: Halifax Plantation Golf Club, 3400 Club House Drive Details: The Guild of the Museum of Arts and Sciences will host its annual February luncheon, with this year's theme being "My Closet to Yours." It will feature purses, scarves, jewelry and silent auction items. Lunch will be either jumbo shrimp with crab or chicken breast stuffed with almonds, brie and apples. Costs $40 per person. Contact Zayna Gibson at 788-2677. OSTEOPOROSIS EDUCATION PROGRAM When: 4 p.m. Where: Ormond Beach Regional Library, 30 S. Beach St. Details: The National Osteoporosis Foundation Education and Support Group of Ormond Beach will host, "Healthy Bones and Optimum Nutrition," presented by Dietitian Jill Taufer. Call Barr and Associates Physical Therapy at 673-3535.

John B. Holt, M.D., F.A.C.S

SUNDAY, FEB. 15

ITALIAN COOKING CLASS When: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Where: The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive Details: Join Marry Maggio, a featured teaching chef at The Casements for over 20 years, as you learn how to make stuffed mushrooms, eggplant rollatini, a tuscan seafood salad and stuffed artichokes. Complete menus and recipes are provided, along with dinner and wine. Take-home containers also provided. Class costs $85. Reservations required. Call 679-6144.

FPC CHEERLEADING CLINIC When: 9 a.m. to noon Where: 800 gym at Flagler Palm Coast High School, 5500 E. State Road 100 Cost: $25 pre-registered, $30 walk-in Details: Participants will learn cheers, jumps, stunts and dances and perform for parents at noon. Register at https://forms.gle/ x35VZncwjM1EJKDU6

THURSDAY, FEB. 19

TIGER BAY CLUB HOSTS CONSTANCE BERRY NEWMAN When: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Where: Hammock Beach Resort, 200 Ocean Crest Drive, Palm Coast Cost: $40 for president’s guests/ non-members Details: Former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Constance Berry Newman, will share her insights regarding Africa’s impact on the global economy, with a question and answer session to follow for members. Reservation required for members and guests. Visit flaglertigerbayclub.com.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 12

CITIZENS FOR ORMOND BEACH SPEAKER SERIES When: 5:30 p.m. Where: Ormond Beach Regional Library, 30 S. Beach St. Details: Citizens for Ormond Beach's 2020 speaker series will address two timely community issues: HUD Community Development Block Grant process and procedures and the 2020 Census. call 770-883-1653 or email billdenny105@gmail.com.

James T. Sutton, M.D., F.A.C.S.

FEB. 27 TO MARCH 1

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK, "ROMEO AND JULIET" When: 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday Where: Palm Coast Arts Foundation, 1500 Central Ave., Palm Coast Cost: $25 for PCAF members, $35 for future members, $15 for students with ID Details: Set in the 1950s, Palm Coast City Repertory Theatre and the Palm Coast Arts Foundation’s production will infuse Shakespeare's oft-told tale with a fresh and riveting look. “We have two spectacular talents playing the leads," said John Sbordone, CRT creative director. "Lillie Thomas [Juliet] just won the Orlando Sentinel's critic's pick as Best Actress in a Musical for 2019. Brent Jordan [Romeo] is simply the best young male talent around." “This is our third year to partner with the City Repertory Theatre in bringing Shakespeare to the community," said Nancy Crouch, PCAF executive director. "This series has grown each year and an additional matinee performance has been scheduled to accommodate the demand. We look forward to how John Sbordone spins a modern twist on the 1595 romantic tragedy of William Shakespeare.” The performances takes place on the covered outdoor stage in Town Center. Visit palmcoastartsfoundation.com or call 225-4394.

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PLANTATION BAY OBSERVER

REAL ESTATE

Top transaction: Over $1.1 million A

Intervest at Plantation Bay, of Daytona Beach, sold 210 Heatherwood Court to Kenneth and Lyriss Underwood, of Ormond Beach, for $581,831. Built in 2019, the house has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,553 square feet.

REAL ESTATE EDITOR

Thomas and Marsha O’Hara, individually and as trustees, sold 1224 Castlehawk Lane to Marc Zinder and Toni O’Brien, of Ormond Beach, for $690,000. Built in 2014, the house has three bedrooms, three baths, a fireplace, swimming pool and 3,120 square feet.

Volusia Residential Construction LLC, of Daytona Beach, sold 878 Creekwood Drive to Phillip Zeidenberg, of Ormond Beach, for $540,875. Built in 2019, the house has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,565 square feet.

Intervest at Plantation Bay, of Daytona Beach, sold 207 Edgewood Court to Rolf and Kelly Palmer, of Ormond Beach, for $674,581. Built in 2019, the house has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,937 square MINT Magazine feet. ISSUE

Intervest at Plantation Bay, of Daytona Beach, sold 226 Heatherwood Court to Robert 2013 and Karen Kane, ofv1Ormond DATE: This is your only ad proof. Please review this ad carefully as it will be printed as it Beach, for $522,172. Built in by you on this proof will not release2019, you from anythe liabilitieshouse from m FF Florida Landmissed Holdings has four bedthe Magazine Publisher. Color and position of ad or page placement is not Blinds #165100 Ads with coupons may have coupon placement three baths and 2,588 LLC, of Daytonaguaranteed. Beach, sold rooms, changed to fit the pagination of the book. If the Magazine Publisher has 504 Wingspan Drive toback within two days,square feet. not receivedN. this proof the ad will be printed as PALM COAST, FL MINT here. Frank Houpt Jr. shown and Antoinette Office Use Only ARTIST TC NUMBER New Advertiser AD SAME? Perkins, of Ormond Beach, for Intervest at Plantation Bay, MINT Magazine TC- 1048990 Julie 2013 v1 Y PROOF AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION $661,500. BuiltSALES in 2019, the of Daytona Beach, sold 206 REP: CLIENT ID NUMBER CATEGORY This is your only ad proof. Please review this ad carefully as it will be printed as it is approved with changes ❑ Ad is not approved make changes indicated & Shades to Lance 00728-10-13 m missed by you on this proof will notHeatherwood releaseHome you from Furnishing:Blinds any liabilities from house has three3256JK bedrooms, Court the Magazine Publisher. Color and position of ad or page placement is not 9/16 Budget Blinds #165100 Please deliver guaranteed. asap to:Ads_____________________________________________ with coupons may have coupon placement three baths and 2,969 square Baxter, of changed to fit the pagination of theand book. If the Rose-Marie Magazine Publisher has EMAIL: ___________________________________________________________ JKOYAKMINTMAGAZINE.COMYYY not received this proof back within two days, the ad will be printed as 00728  FLAGLER CO./PALM COAST, FL MINT shown here. feet. Ormond Beach, for $460,000. PHONE: __________________________ FAX: __________________________ Built in 2019, the house has FILE Julie Blinds 1.2 TC- 1048990 Y NAME: 728.10.13 Budget PLEASE SIGN YOUR PROOF AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION four bedrooms, three baths ❑ ❑ ❑ Home Furnishing:Blinds & Shades 3256JK ISSUE DATE:

BOOK AREAS:

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EDITION NAME:

Ofﬁce Use Only ARTIST

DATE

Ad is approved

HALIFAX PLANTATION WOMAN MOONLIGHTS AS MARILYN MONROE TRIBUTE ARTIST

Ad is approved with changes

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TC NUMBER

SALES REP:

CLIENT ID NUMBER

New Advertiser

Leesa Marie Benz is a Marilyn Monroe tribute artist living in Halifax Plantation, and “the look” has taken her to rewarding paths. A post office worker discovered her in 1995, the year the U.S. Postal Service launched the Hollywood Star stamp featuring Monroe. Benz was working as a receptionist in Daytona Beach at the time. Benz was encouraged by multiple people to participate in contests and beauty pageants that allowed her to travel and entertain as the Hollywood actress and model. At events, people donate money to charities to have their picture taken with her. Visit https://www.gigsalad. com/leesa_marie_benz_ormond_beach.

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The top transaction has four bathrooms and a half-bath.

and 2,565 square feet. Jadranko Ostojie, of Calabasas, California, sold 1023 Stone Lake Drive to Julia MacMahon, of Ormond Beach, for $400,000. Built in 2005, the house has three bedrooms, two baths, a swimming pool and 2,431 square feet. It sold in 2012 for $300,000. James and Gina Fuller, of Nicholasville, Kentucky, sold 1401 Henlow Lane to Gary Dattmore, of Ormond Beach, for $390,000. Built in 2006, the house has three bedrooms, two baths, a swimming pool and 2,202 square feet. It sold in 2015 for $335,000. Volusia Residential Construction LLC, of Daytona Beach, sold 829 Creekwood Drive to Frederick and Tracy Johnson, of Ormond Beach, for $354,900. Built in 2019, the house has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,116 square feet.

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