Sales Tax Holiday

This weekend is the annual Sales Tax Holiday. Starting Friday shop for clothing, footwear, school supplies, computers and more without paying sales tax. Many stores are also combining some great sales in conjunction with the tax free days. Happy Shopping!

Art Walk & Gallery Stroll

The monthly Gallery Walk & Art Stroll is this Saturday on and around Canal Street. The Hub, Arts on Douglas, Harris House and the Clay Gallery will all be open to visit. There is also exhibits, artist talks and live music. Local merchants will be open with great local merchandise. It all starts at 10:00 am.

Very Sad Day

Yesterday my 16 year old son got his driver's license. He was quite proud of himself, the examiner told him he had the highest score of the day. I Was Scared. 

Last night a 16 year old boy that he has gone to school with, played baseball with and has known since elementary school was killed in a terrible car accident. A tragedy for the kids, the parents, the school, the community. 

We cannot protect our children from everything, it is a different world than the one we grew up in. All we can do is be vigilant, as I know Cody's Mom tried so hard to be. 

My son was reading me Cody's tweets last night...this one stuck with me. "Straightening up. I'm going to make you proud mom" and this one broke my heart. "You'll never honestly know how much you love some one.! Or care about them intel there dead an you don't get to tell them how you really feel"

I have known Cody and his Mom for many years. She puts her heart and soul into her children. No one should endure what this family is going through today.

Cody Goodrich & his mother Brandy


I hope and pray that this tragic accident affects all of these kids in a positive way. That they think! If not about themselves and their future but about those that love them and worry every time they leave the house.

Talk to your kids, tell them it will break your heart if something happens to them. I did, today to my son and his best friend. They both looked at me and said..are you crying?

Yes, we are all crying, for Cody, his mother, his little brother, we are crying for everyone who loves him. We are crying for all of those kids in that truck, all those whose lives will never be the same.

We are crying.

Visitation for Cody is on Sunday from 4-8 pm at Settle - Wilder - the Funeral is Monday at 11:00 am at the First Baptist Church of Oak Hill.

Please keep his family in your prayers.

"There but for the Grace of God, go I"

...and the Winner is!

The Kountry Klutter Candle Giveaway winner is Deb Jacklitch! 

Hook & Ladder Night

Join the New Smyrna Beach Professional Firefighters Association, Local 2271 on Wednesday, July 31st for the inaugural Firefighters Hook & Ladder Night. This event will raise money for the Local 2271 Fallen Firefighters Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Local 2271 High School Scholarship Fund.

The fun starts at 6:00 pm and runs until 10:00 pm. Passports are $20.00 and include a Souvenir T-Shirt & Cup and one free draft beer per location (maximum 5 drafts) You can join either the Hook or Ladder Crew. You can purchase your passport in advance right here.