Sail Camp

Registration is going on now for the annual summer Sail Camp put on by the New Smyrna Beach Recreation Department. The camp is held at the Smyrna Yacht Club and offers two sessions. June 8th through the 12th and June 22nd through the 26th. It is for ages 12-20 and features yacht club members teaching students the mechanics of sailing. Lessons include hands on training on the water, techniques, terminology, wind, currents and safety precautions. Class size is limited to 13 students per session. The cost is $150 for residents of the city and $155 for non-residents. 

Class size is limited to 13 students.  All students must bring their lunch, drinks, sunscreen, sunglasses, sneakers or boat shoes and swimwear. Each student also must have a type 3 life jacket and training manual. Manuals are $25.

Students are able to register at the recreation department located at 1000 Live Oak Street or online at www.nsbpnr.com. Call 386-424-2175 for more information. 

The Yacht Club is located at 1201 S. Riverside Drive. 

Rocco Park Upgrades

New Smyrna Beach will open it's very first universally accessible playground this Saturday, May 2nd. It will be a place for all children who may not be able to use other playgrounds to play! New Smyrna Beach officials will celebrate the opening of the park from 10:00 am - 11:30 a.m. There will be activities for children following the ribbon cutting ceremony.     

Rocci Park has been around for a long time and the old equipment was about 17 years old and was not ADA compliant. The new park features sidewalks, slides, interactive panels, bubble panels, a shade canopy and many opportunities for play. The park is designed for children from 5 years of age to 12 years of age and can accommodate 75 children at a time.     

The renovations to Rocco Park were almost $59,000 dollars. The park was funded by the City's General Fund and an $18,800 grant from GameTime. 

Rocco Park is located at 2490 Sunset Drive in New Smyrna Beach. 

Free Community Yard Sale

Each Month the Heart of Worship Community Church holds a free yard sale at 403 West Street in New Smyrna Beach. It is held the last Saturday of each month and yes, everything is free! Household items, clothes, hot dogs and drinks. They have activities for the kids and this month there will be a fire truck and a race car there to check out.

You can check out the churches website here and learn more about them. In the meantime if you or someone you know is in need please direct them to this event. If you have items you would like to donate there are several email on their website and you can contact them thru their Facebook page.

Spring with Tails

Most of us have animals, pets that we love. The folks at the Edgewater Animal Shelter really love animals. This weekend they are holding a fundraiser at Hawks Park in Edgewater. There will be activities for kids, face painting, games, contests, music and all sorts of vendors. They will of course have the animals there for the adoption event. 

If you would like more information give Beverly or Megan a call at the shelter  (386) 957-3994

To keep up with their activities check out their Facebook Page.

The Juliet Austin Spirit Memorial Scholarship

On Tuesday, April 14th,  New Smyrna Beach High School English teacher Juliet Austin passed away after a long illness. Mrs. Austin was a favorite teacher, loved by students and parents alike. She truly cared about her kids and made every effort to help them succeed.

One of her students, Eliezer Otero has organized a fundraiser in her honor. Money raised will go to the "Juliet Austin Spirit" Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship will be presented to a NSBHS student on Honors Night which is May 28th at the high school.

The fundraiser is being hosted by Pub 44 on Saturday, May 2nd from 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Pub 44 will donate a portion of each check to the scholarship fund. Pub 44 will have flyers available to give to your server. This lets them know you are there for the event. There will be a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction as well.

Memorial T-Shirts are also available for $15.00 each and all proceeds will go to the scholarship fund.

If you are unable to attend and would like to donate contact Heather Otero via email.

If you are a student and would like to apply for the scholarship it is very easy. Simply write a 500 or less word essay about what Mrs. Austin meant to you. Turn it in to the guidance office on or before May 1st.

The Local Butcher

My friend Glenda and I had lunch at The Local Butcher (430 Canal Street) on Thursday. I have been meaning to get in there but haven't had a chance. I have heard only good things and was looking forward to lunch. They did not disappoint.

They have their daily menu up on a chalk board in the front, you can order and take it out, call ahead and they will have it waiting for you or sit down and let them bring it to you. We chose to dine in. I had a roast beef sandwich that came on this jalapeno cheddar biscuit and had a brown gravy with it, I was thinking the gravy thing was kind of weird. I should just not think, it was fabulous. Half of the sandwich is pictured above. It was huge. Glenda ordered a pork belly sandwich which was equally huge and delicious. They also have salads and other sandwiches, the sides on Thursday were a choice of greens, potato salad and macaroni and cheese. We of course went the carb route and had mac and cheese and potato salad and sampled each others. Delicious.

The Local Butcher obviously has meat. Steaks, roasts, lots of meat. I will go back and get meat next week, I had too many other errands to run to get any this week. The service was excellent and the prices good. If you are on Canal Street at lunchtime I would recommend them for sure!

P.S. They had no idea who I was or that I was going to write about them. That is how I like it! 

The Women's Club of New Smyrna Beach

The Women's Club of New Smyrna Beach is being resurrected! This is very good news, the General Federation of Women's Clubs was founded in 1890 and is a unifying force designed to bring women's clubs from around the country and the world together. They are dedicated to community improvement and volunteer service in communities across the country. The GFWC of Florida's website will give you more information on the organization as a whole.

Locally, the first general meeting of the New Smyrna Beach Chapter will be on Monday, April 20th at 6:00 pm. It will be held at the Women's Club located at 403 Magnolia in New Smyrna Beach.

I have women ask me every week where they can volunteer, how they can help. Here is your answer. Stop by on Monday night and learn about what the women's clubs are doing in other communities in Florida and start making a difference right here in our town.

Women's Club of New Smyrna Beach
403 Magnolia St
Monday, April 20th, 6:00 pm
Bring a sweet treat to share!

Like their Facebook Page to stay informed.

Florida Lighthouse Day

Photo by Tony Giese Photography

See more of his beautiful work here

Who doesn't love a lighthouse? Did you know Ponce Inlet is the tallest lighthouse in Florida?

Saturday, April 18th is Florida Lighthouse Day! The Ponce Inlet Lighthouse will be holding events from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. There will be crafts, activities and workshops geared toward children and families. You can meet the "Lighthouse Keeper", tour the museum and climb the lighthouse.

All activities are included in your regular admission which is $5.00 for 12 and over and $1.50 for children under 12. You do not need special reservations just show up and enjoy!

Check out their website for more information on the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse.

Babe James Center Open House

Mark your calendar for April 29th. The Alonzo 'Babe' James Community Center will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony followed by an open house at the newly renovated center in New Smyrna Beach. The festivities will be from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm at 201 N. Myrtle Ave.

The public is invited to attend the program which will be hosted by NSB Mayor Jim Hathaway. Following the ribbon cutting there will be performances by the NSB Police Athletic League youth, tours of the facility and refreshments. 

The renovations added 1646 square feet of space to the center which will allow larger groups to use the center and provide better accommodations for the youth and seniors that are served through various community service programs.  For more information on the event or the center itself call 386-314-4849. 

         

Around Town-Weekend Events

This weekend you can celebrate the nice weather by air or sea! The Lipton Cup Regatta will be taking place just off the beach near Flagler Ave. This regatta is one of the races in the Halifax River Yacht Club's Commodore Cup 10 race series. Get more information on the Smyrna Yacht Club website.

If you prefer the air, check out the Balloon and Sky Fest at the NSB Municipal Airport. This event features airplanes, helicopters and of course hot air balloon rides. There are a ton of food vendors and many other exhibits and vendors to choose from. Get more information here.

Whatever you decide to do enjoy the weekend!

Food Festival

Flip Factory Summer Camp