Easter Egg Hunts

Next Saturday, April 7th there will be Easter Egg Hunts in Edgewater, New Smyrna Beach and Port Orange!

The American Legion Post 285 in Edgewater will host one at 11:00 am at the post, it is located at 4497 US 1 in Edgewater. They will divide children into groups based on age. Prizes will be awarded. Please bring your own basket. Call Wally at 386-690-8385 if you need more information.

New Smyrna Beach will hold their very first Easter Egg Hunt at Old Fort Park. This one starts at 12 noon. With over 6500 eggs hidden around the park it is a big one! They will also divide the children into age groups. Bring a basket! Call the NSB Recreation Department for more information. 386-424-2175.

The Green Market in Port Orange will host their 2nd annual Easter Egg hunt from 8am-1pm. They are located at The Pavilion. Bring a basket and enjoy the fun!

Edgewater Business Expo

The Edgewater Business Expo is this weekend. This is a great opportunity to check out many local businesses. It is also a great way to have some fun with the family. Kennedy Park will feature a Kids Zone Carnival, The Food Truck Bazaar will be there with a fleet of gourmet food. There will be a Tug Boat Race, A Talent Show, Entertainment, Contests, Giveaways and all sorts of things.

Get the entire list of events on their website.

We Love Our Visitors!

New Smyrna Beach is a great place to live. It is an even better place to vacation and visit. Regardless if you are a biker, spring breaker, retiree, or family vacationer here are a few tips to make your stay more pleasant.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Grab a bagel with any and all choices of eggs, meat, cheese, veggies etc at Bagel World. Best Bagels anywhere, great service, good coffee..love Bagel World, they are cash only. If you are beach side and want a tasty, traditional breakfast, cheap and fast, hit The Beacon on Flagler Ave.

Seafood choices are plentiful, JB's Fish Camp, Off The Hook, Ocean's Seafood and Dolphin View are a few of the local favorites.  The NSB Steakhouse has about everything on the menu and always wonderful service.

Other good restaurants to check out.....Thai Mango on Canal Street, Merk's on the North Causeway (great wings), McKenna's Place on US 1 (something for everyone). Cafe Heavenly on Flagler, SoNapa Grille and NSB Yu Mi Sushi. 

Want to order pizza...we have the usual chains. Best local on the Beach is Mikey's. They deliver beachside or you can pick up. They only take cash.

Some other things to remember when visiting our beach....we have beautiful beaches, please help us keep them that way...there are trash and recycle containers available all along the beach. Please use them and do not litter.

Our wildlife is also plentiful, please do not disturb the birds, turtles, or other critters that inhabit our beach.

When traveling on A1A, please notice there are crosswalks. There are several from Publix on down to Bethune Beach. They could be marked better BUT, if a pedestrian is in the crosswalk, YOU MUST STOP. There is also a major crosswalk at 8th Avenue and Saxon. This one is clearly marked with stop signs and pedestrian crossing signs. Please be careful and observe the right of way of the many walkers, runners and bikers that utilize these areas. You will get ticketed if observed running one of these when someone is in the crosswalk. Even worse someone could be hurt or killed.

Please watch your children on the beach. Most drivers are careful, some are not. Do not take a chance. Watch your kids.

Yes, we have sharks. We also have an ocean, sharks live in the ocean. I get at least 2 emails a week asking if it is safe to swim here. Most of the nippy little pests are hanging out in the inlet near the jettys. I have lived here several years and visited here since 1989. I have spent many hours in the water, so have my children, not one shark encounter to report. 

While on the topic of swimming. We have an over abundance of lifeguards. They are well trained, observant and know what they are doing. Swim near them. Ask them questions, read the boards they have on their big red chairs. Lots of information like water temp, rip current threat, shark sightings.....Another good thing to note....IF they are waving at you to get out of the water and blowing their whistle it is probably for a good reason...lightning, rip current, shark (sorry, couldn't resist) to name a few.

There is all kinds of touristy things to do on Flagler Avenue, but be sure and check out Canal Street while you are here, nice shops, some good restaurants and on select weekends entertainment as well.

Please email me if you have questions or need information. I am happy to find out the answer if I don't know it (good chance of that). Also check out our Visitor's Center website. They have a great calendar of events and all kinds of information. Also a great resource is Volusia County Mom's. She has events and activities all over Volusia County, not just at the beach.

Check out the links in the left sidebar for other local information, news, beach and surfer access, boat ramps etc. 

All the restaurants mentioned in this post I have eaten at and can recommend. (they are on beach side or close) If they have a website you can click on their name and take a look.  I know there are other good places to eat, if you have a question about a specific restaurant post a question on my Facebook page and someone will surely answer.

Thanks for reading and enjoy the beach!

Port Orange Family Days-Spring Fair

The Port Orange Family Days Spring Fair is coming this weekend! This is a slightly smaller version of the big event held in the fall. There will be a carnival, movies, games, food and entertainment. This is a really nice family event that won't break the bank. Admission is free, parking is free and the entertainment is free! Get the full schedule on their website.

This event is held at the Port Orange City Center.

Around Town-Weekend Events

What to do this weekend? Choosing will be hard there is a lot going on.

Saturday is the Art & Wine Walk on Flagler starting at 10:00 am.

The Balloon and Sky Fest is happening all weekend at the NSB Municipal Airport.

Callie Kaye Kicks Cancer Golf Tournament at Hidden Lakes.

Farmer's Markets at Hawk's Park in Edgewater, Norwood's at the beach and Old Fort Park in New Smyrna.

The Annual Lions Club spring chicken barbecue is Saturday from 11am-4pm. The cost for a meal is $7.00. It is held at their clubhouse at 2340 Sunset Drive. Eat-in or take out.

There will be entertainment at almost all the restaurants/bars on Flagler this weekend. Plenty of music and fun for the Spring Break crowd. Call NSB Free for a ride if you plan on going out.

Support your local business!

Show What You Know Day

Hope Reins Therapeutic Riding is having their Annual Show What You Know Day on May 12, 2012. The event begins at 10:00 a.m. and is held at Marcody Ranch located at 3804 Pioneer Trail in New Smyrna Beach. They are just past Samsula Rd on the left going west on Pioneer Trail.

This fun event features all sorts of great riding, barrel racing, drill teams, jumping and other demonstrations by not only the riders at Marcody but professional riders as well. There will be food and beverages available and a bake sale. All the proceeds go to benefit the programs at Hope Reins.

If you or your business would like to be a sponsor for this event there are plenty of opportunities available here. It is a great way to help a local charity, it is tax deductible and some super advertising.

Support your local business!

What Is Your Place For Seafood

What is your favorite place for seafood in New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater, Oak Hill or surrounding area? There are plenty of choices and if you eat seafood I am sure you have a favorite! Leave me a comment with your first choice for seafood and you will be entered in a random drawing for a $25.00 gift card to try the seafood at Off The Hook in New Smyrna Beach.

Just leave a comment here or on our Facebook page, they will be assigned a number in order of time left and the winner will be chosen via random.org. Please Like our page while you are there!


Have a great day, good luck and SUPPORT your local business!

Balloon and Skyfest

This weekend is the 4th annual Balloon and Sky Fest in New Smyrna Beach. Here is the schedule of events for the weekend. There will be something for everyone at this event, an air show, kids zone, food, entertainment. The weather should be great!

4H Day at the Farmers Market

Living Roots Nursery and Farm in conjunction with Fidler Farms and the New Smyrna Beach Farmer's Market are sponsoring a 4H Farm Day tomorrow in front of City Hall at Sams Avenue. This is a great opportunity to bring your kids out and get up close to ducks, chickens and all sorts of other farm animals. They are having a bake sale and all proceeds will go to support the local 4H Chapter.


Grab some fresh produce and support your local students!

Shamrock & Roll

St. Patrick's Day is tomorrow! I almost missed it....The annual Shamrock & Roll is going on down on Flagler Avenue from 5:00pm-9:00pm. This has corned beef and cabbage, dancing, prizes, entertainment. I have never attended this event, but I have told it is for the adults and not the children and family crowd. If anyone has attended and feels differently please comment below!

If you want to go out and have a nice Irish Dinner hit McKenna's in New Smyrna Beach for their Irish Fest Menu. Good food, nice atmosphere and family friendly!

Celebrate National Week of the Ocean

The National Week of the Ocean is April 1st through the 7th. You can celebrate this by exploring the beautiful waters of the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon. East Coast Paddle is going to hold Paddle Tours launching from JB's Fish Camp on April 6th, 7th and 8th. The tours will launch at 10am and 1pm. Experience the wildlife, beautiful scenery and get some exercise at the same time.

To register for one of the tours call 407-432-6332 or email Cheryl.

JB's Fish Camp is located at 859 Pompano Ave, New Smyrna Beach. 

Support your local business!

Floral Fantasy - Afternoon Tea

On Saturday, April 14th, join the ladies of "Belong" as they hold an afternoon tea to benefit Cudas Unhooked. The tea will be held at the Venetian Bay Clubhouse from 4pm-6:30pm and will have entertainment, door prizes, a silent auction and a raffle. Wear your favorite spring hat and bring your favorite teacup!

The cost is $25.00 and all proceeds will go directly to help the area's homeless students. Please contact Marianne at 386-424-9872 or Pam at 386-663-4593 for more details or to make a reservation.

Venetian Bay Clubhouse is located at 63 North Airport Road.

Support your local students!!

UCF Book Festival

This looks like an interesting event for all my writer and reader friends out there. UCF is holding a Book Festival on March 31st. From 9am-4:30pm at UCF Arena. This event is free and parking is free. There will be 50 or so authors in attendance. There will be forums and readings, you can interact with the authors and learn what makes them successful.

Their website has a full schedule of events and lists the authors attending.

Food Truck Bazaar

Love Food? This event is for you!!! The Food Truck Bazaar is coming to New Smyrna Beach! This is exciting news for foodies all over town. On Friday, March 30th from 5pm-8pm, come on down to Flagler Ave and get a taste of the Food Truck phenomenon. This fun gourmet event is usually reserved for larger cities. However, we are going to have two opportunities to try it out in March. If you miss it on Friday night, you can hit the Edgewater Business Expo on March 30th from 10am-4pm, The Food Truck Bazaar will be there as well.

Read all about it here on the News Journal Online.

Golf to Support Callie Kaye Farmer

Callie Kaye is three years old and she has Retinoblastoma. This rare form of eye cancer is primarily found in children under 5 years old and is very aggressive, it can result in blindness and death. Callie Kaye should be worrying about Barbie Dolls and getting ready for Kindergarten. Certainly not going blind.

A group of her families supporters have put together a golf tournament to raise money to support her fight. The tournament is at Hidden Lakes Golf Club on March 24th. It starts at 8:00 am, the cost is $60.00 per golfer. It is a four person scramble, but don't worry if you don't have four people they will line you up with other golfers. There will be lunch, a silent auction, door prizes and a 50/50 raffle. Most of all it is for a great cause.

Don't golf? Sponsor a hole and get your business name out there supporting this little girl. Sponsorship opportunities are available for as low as $100.00.

If you would like to help call Rob Schwab at 386-427-4138 or Mike Greene at 386-478-9146.

Hidden Lakes is located at 35 Fairgreen Ave., New Smyrna Beach.

Check out the Event Page on Facebook.

Cuts For Cudas

The BIG thing to do this weekend is Cuts for Cudas! Come to Canal Street on Sunday and get a haircut, take a stroll, check out all the sponsors, food, entertainment and support your local students.

The second annual Block Party to support Cudas Unhooked is going to be huge, fun and so important to our students and community! Cudas Unhooked is one of the single most beneficial organizations in our community RIGHT NOW!

Support your local business! Support your local student!

Marine Discovery Center Open House

The Marine Discovery Center is hosting an Open House this weekend to celebrate the opening of the new Center and Artist's Workshop. It is this Saturday from 10am-3pm. There will be food and drinks provided, admission is free. The new Marine Discovery Center is located at 520 Barracuda Blvd. in New Smyrna Beach.

Kona - The Dog

This too cute little guy is Kona. He was wandering around our neighborhood yesterday afternoon. He came to my neighbor's house then to mine. Anyone who knows me or my way too soft hearted children know this is very BAD. Any stray animal in my zip code is very bad...

This story has a happy ending, we posted him on Facebook. Many of my readers shared his little picture and sure enough his owner lived one street over, some hapless pool guy left the gate open and off he went! The very nice and worried owner saw him, contacted me and picked him up late last night. So..the moral of the story is...well I am not sure...send me pictures of your lost pet and I will post them...post them on your Facebook Page. Maybe get a new pool man....whatever the case we are glad this one worked out!

Around Town-Things To Do

There are quite a few things to do....The American Legion Post 17 at 619 W. Canal Street is having a Casino Night at 6pm this Saturday. All proceeds will go to disabled American Veterans.


Edgewater Fire Rescue is hosting a spaghetti dinner on Saturday, March 10th from 5-7pm. The Fire Rescue Hall is located at 2616 Hibiscus. Dinner will include spaghetti and meatballs or plain sauce, with salad, bread, beverage and a dessert. Cost is $7, children under 10 is $4. Takeouts are available. Tickets will be sold at the door.

Bike Week is going on throughout Volusia County.  


Give your boat a safety inspection on Saturday at the west side of the municipal ramp on the North Causeway. Flotilla 40 of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary will be doing voluntary safety checks...may help you avoid a ticket!

East Coast Cruisers will host the Canal Street Cruise from 4pm-8pm on Saturday. Stroll Canal Street and check out some beautiful cars. 


Saturday there are Farmer's Markets in Old Fort Park, Hawk's Park and Norwood's Fine Seafood.

Western Atlantic Pro Surf Series

The Western Atlantic Pro Surf Series is rolling into town tomorrow! With great surfing and prizes check out all the action on their site. Perhaps the wind will die down..

Boston Whaler Tour

Did you ever wonder what goes on behind those white gates at Boston Whaler in Edgewater? You will get a chance to see it for yourself on March 8th. They are offering a tour of the facility at 9:45am. This tour is free but you do need to register. You can do that by calling 386-257-2628 or email scarlett@parkerboats.com.

Around Town-Weekend Events

Good morning and Happy Friday in New Smyrna Beach! Plenty of fun going on around town this weekend!

Farmer's Markets at Hawk's Park in Edgewater, and Norwood's Seafood Beachside in New Smyrna Beach.

The American Legion at 619 W. Canal Street is holding a Baby Back BBQ dinner tomorrow from 4pm-7pm. The cost is $11.00 and you get Half rack of ribs, coleslaw, baked beans, roll and dessert. Proceeds are going to Special Olympics.

The monthly Art Stroll and Gallery Walk is tomorrow from 10am-5pm on Canal Street. Then from 4pm-7pm stroll the galleries on Douglas Ave. This event is always free and at 11am there will be music by Tres Bien Duo in Christmas Park.

There is a pet shot clinic at Family Dollar at 109 Boston and US1 in Edgewater. It is Saturday from 4-5:30pm. There is no appointment needed and it is cash only.

The Book Rack in Edgewater is holding a book signing from 11am-2pm on Saturday. There will be refreshments and free stuff, there will be a raffle of a gift basket. The proceeds from the raffle are used to ship books to troops, VA Hospitals, Wounded Warriors, Navy Ships and Rehab Centers. If you would like a list of authors attending please call 386-423-1190.

The NSB Garden Club Rummage sale is today and tomorrow.

The Volusia Chapter of the Antique Auto Club is holding an Auto Exhibit and Ponce Inlet Lighthouse on Saturday. The lighthouse is located at  4931 S. Peninsula Drive.

Bike Week starts March 9th. Get Ready!

Have a great weekend and support your local business!

Pop Warner-2012 Season

You can still sign your child up for Pop Warner Football or Cheer for the 2012 season. Sign-ups are March 24th from 9am-12pm in the K-Mart Plaza in New Smyrna Beach. The cost is $175.00, please bring a copy of your child's birth certificate, a wallet size picture, 2011 Pop Warner Medical Forms and three copies of your child's report card.

Southeast Volusia Camera Club

Did you know Southeast Volusia County has a Camera Club? I did not. They meet on the fourth Monday of each month from 7pm-9pm at the Edgewater Public Library. They hold Shutterbug Workshops on the second Tuesday of each month from 7:15pm-9:15pm also at the library.

They have a special photo contest going on right now.  You can get full details, contest rules etc on the Camera Clubs website.

Their website also has all kinds of other information, local photos and much more. Check it out!