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⭐Grants, Growth, Gatherings and Getaways
Issue #845
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🎁 Pilot Club Awards Grant to Support Seniors
A boost for local seniors is arriving courtesy of the Pilot Club of the Halifax Area, which recently awarded a $2,000 matching grant to Avante at Ormond Beach.
The funding — made possible through Pilot International’s Founders Fund and the local club — will go toward purchasing cognitive enhancement supplies for Avante residents. These materials are designed to support memory care and mental engagement, key components in improving quality of life for individuals in assisted living and skilled nursing settings.
The Pilot Club of the Halifax Area, a nonprofit service organization dedicated to serving Volusia County, focuses its efforts on community health, safety and education initiatives. By directing funds toward cognitive resources, the club continues its mission of hands-on service with tangible local impact.
For Avante residents and their families, the grant represents more than new supplies — it signals ongoing community investment in senior care and well-being.
Source: Ormond Observer
🎭 Cultural Arts Grants Headed for Reconsideration
Arts organizations across Volusia County may soon learn whether long-frozen funding will be restored.
The Volusia County Council is set to revisit its earlier decision to withhold more than $611,000 in Cultural Council grants originally allocated to 33 arts groups for the 2025–2026 cycle. The March 3 meeting follows months of public debate after concerns were raised about third-party drag shows and Pride-related events hosted by two theaters that had applied for funding.
Those theaters — Athens Theatre and Shoestring Theatre — later withdrew their applications, hoping the remaining 31 organizations would still receive funding. The council initially declined.
The impacted organizations include longstanding institutions such as the Ormond Memorial Art Museum, Daytona Playhouse, Daytona Beach Symphony Society and the Museum of Arts and Sciences, now known as The Brown.
Advocates note the original $611,758 allocation represented just 0.04% of the county’s $1.4 billion budget, while generating an estimated $2 in local tax revenue for every $1 invested. Some organizations have already reduced programming, scholarships and operating hours.
If the council ultimately votes against reinstating approximately $571,926 for the remaining groups, those funds will instead be redirected to sidewalk upgrades and installations.
For now, the arts community waits — hopeful that a reconsideration could bring both funding and clarity.
Source: Ormond Observer
⛪ Parkview Church Prepares Ormond Beach Launch
In a different kind of renewal story, Parkview Church is expanding into Ormond Beach, breathing new life into a church building that has sat vacant for five years.
The Palm Coast–based congregation recently purchased the long-closed property and is renovating it as part of its broader “Even Greater” growth initiative. Improvements already completed include a new roof, exterior painting and substantial interior work inside the auditorium, with additional updates ongoing.
Pastor Brad Goeman says the new campus is about more than square footage. It represents an opportunity to reach families in a new area while restoring a once-active community space. On Feb. 22, the church hosted an Ormond Prayer Night at the site, inviting residents to tour the renovations, participate in worship and symbolically dedicate the space by writing scripture on the auditorium floor.
The Ormond Beach campus will feature live worship, with sermons livestreamed from the main Palm Coast location. Leaders anticipate launching regular Sunday services by Easter, with more details forthcoming.
For residents eager to see the building’s doors open again, the countdown has officially begun.
✈️ Avelo Extends Daytona Flights Through Fall 2026
And finally, for those already thinking about autumn travel, there’s fresh runway news.
Avelo Airlines announced it is extending its Central Florida flight schedule through Nov. 17, 2026, giving travelers a longer window to plan fall vacations and weekend getaways. One-way fares start at $42.
The airline serves six Central Florida airports, including Daytona Beach International Airport, along with Fort Myers, Lakeland, Orlando, Sarasota and Tampa. From these hubs, passengers can access destinations such as Atlanta, Nashville, Detroit, Philadelphia/Wilmington, San Juan and several cities in the Carolinas and Northeast.
In a press release, Avelo’s Head of Commercial Trevor Yealy highlighted the carrier’s affordable pricing and reliability, encouraging travelers to secure seasonal trips early — whether for leaf-peeping excursions, outdoor adventures or cultural city escapes.
For Volusia County residents, the extended schedule means more flexibility and more opportunities to lock in travel plans well ahead of the holiday rush.
Source: Daytona News-Journal
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Coleen McMahon: A Nurse’s Heart and a Fighter’s Spirit for Ormond Beach Zone 1
For Coleen McMahon, running for the Ormond Beach City Commission isn’t about politics; it’s about people.. As a nurse, McMahon has spent her life caring for others, and now she is ready to bring that same compassion and dedication to City Hall as the Commissioner for Zone 1.
McMahon’s journey back to Ormond Beach revealed a city that had changed, one where she felt the local government was no longer listening to its hardworking residents. "My heart is for people," McMahon says, noting that she is tired of seeing residents get only three minutes at a podium before being dismissed. She is running to ensure that the community is not just tolerated, but truly heard.
A central pillar of McMahon’s platform is fiscal responsibility and transparency. She has personally dug deep into the city’s checkbook, uncovering what she describes as out-of-control spending, including the auto-renewal of major contracts like Waste Pro without proper bidding. She is questioning why city management salaries dwarf the average resident's income and is calling for a state "DOGE" audit to ensure taxpayer dollars are respected.
McMahon is also a champion for "responsible growth". While acknowledging that growth is inevitable, she opposes developments that threaten wetlands and exacerbate flooding issues, particularly in vulnerable areas of Zone 1. Her commitment to Zone 1 is specific and actionable: she is fighting to reopen the Riverbend Golf Course, mitigate airport noise for nearby residents, and ensure the safety of local soil and water by opposing "Toilet-to-Tap" initiatives.
Beyond policy, McMahon is a hands-on advocate for the vulnerable. She is currently standing up for seniors in mobile home parks facing skyrocketing lot rents and actively helping homeless veterans secure housing. She promises to be a commissioner who doesn't just sit behind a dais but goes out to meet residents where they are.
Coleen McMahon offers Ormond Beach a fresh start—a leader who combines the caring heart of a nurse with the tenacity of a resident ready to fight for her community. She is ready to hold the city accountable and ensure Ormond Beach remains a wonderful place to live for everyone
“My campaign is a true grassroots campaign, not backed by special‑interest groups or developers. I’m standing with residents, and I’m asking for your help so we can win this together. Please visit McMahon4OrmondBeach.com and support the campaign with your time or a contribution. Every bit of community support makes a real difference.” ..Coleen McMahon
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Thursday, Feb 26, 2026
🎭 Theater & Interactive Shows
Come on down! America's most beloved game show experience hits the stage at the Peabody Auditorium. This interactive live show gives randomly selected audience members a chance to play classic games like Plinko™ and Cliffhangers™, spin The Big Wheel™, and win cash, appliances, and even a new car.
Time: 7:30 PM (Doors at 6:00 PM)
Location: Peabody Auditorium, Daytona Beach
'Start Spreading the News' with Liza and Frank
A spectacular night awaits as Tony Sands and Whitney Grace deliver a mesmerizing tribute to Frank Sinatra and Liza Minnelli. Experience classic hits like "Cabaret," "All That Jazz," and "My Way" alongside incredible duet performances.
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center (US-1)
🌲 Conventions
Public Lands Alliance Convention (Final Day)
The massive national convention wrapping up its final sessions at the Ocean Center. Nonprofits and land management agencies conclude their week of networking and strategies for America's parks.
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Ocean Center, Daytona Beach
🥦 Fresh & Local
Stock up on fresh produce and local goods before the Bike Week traffic hits its peak. Browse vendors under the live oaks at City Hall Plaza.
Time: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: City Hall Plaza, Ormond Beach
🎶 Local Community
A relaxed, community-favorite event where local musicians gather to play acoustic sets. Listeners are welcome to drop by and enjoy the informal concert.
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:45 PM
Location: Daytona Shores Community Center
🏍️ Bike Week Alert: The Eve of the Rally
Vendor Load-In & The Early Roar
Tomorrow marks the official start of the 85th Annual Daytona Bike Week. Today, Main Street in Daytona and the US-1 corridor in Ormond Beach (Destination Daytona, Iron Horse Saloon) will be buzzing with final vendor setups, early arrivals, and impromptu pre-parties. Expect motorcycle traffic to dominate the roads from here on out.
Here is the curated event list for Friday, February 27, 2026.
The wait is over! Today is one of the loudest and busiest days of the year in Volusia County as the 85th Annual Daytona Bike Week officially roars to life. Expect massive crowds, heavy motorcycle traffic, and non-stop live music.
📅 Ormond Beach & Beyond: Friday, Feb 27, 2026
🏍️ THE MAIN EVENT: 85th Annual Daytona Bike Week
Official Bike Week Opening Day
The thunder has arrived. Today marks the official kickoff of the 85th Annual Daytona Bike Week, a massive 10-day rally bringing an estimated 500,000 riders to the area. Vendor villages are fully operational, the bikes are loud, and the city is transformed into a motorcycle mecca.
Location: County-wide (Heaviest concentrations on Main Street, Daytona International Speedway, and Destination Daytona in Ormond Beach).
🎸 Bike Week Headquarters & Live Music
Main Street Station: Day 1 Kickoff Party
Start the rally right in the heart of the action on historic Main Street. Main Street Station hosts nonstop live music across two stages from the afternoon well into the night.
Lineup Highlights: Sets from local favorites Greentree Brothers, Diesel, Montra, Papa Wheelee, and a late-night set by Nookie (a Limp Bizkit tribute).
Time: Music starts at 1:00 PM and runs until 2:00 AM.
Location: Main Street Station (316 Main St), Daytona Beach
🏟️ Speedway Action
Bike Week Marketplace at Daytona International Speedway
The "World Center of Racing" opens its massive front-stretch midway. This is the area's largest motorcycle marketplace, featuring factory demo rides from major manufacturers, custom builders, stunt shows, and endless gear vendors. It's also a major move-in day for the RV city in the infield.
Time: All Day
Location: Daytona International Speedway (International Speedway Blvd)
🍻 Bar & Vendor Hubs
The Ormond Beach US-1 Corridor
If you want the Bike Week experience without venturing into the tight quarters of downtown Daytona, North US Highway 1 is the place to be. Teddy Morse's Daytona Harley-Davidson (Destination Daytona) and the world-famous Iron Horse Saloon will be packed wall-to-wall with bikes, outdoor vendors, and live music.
Time: All Day & Night
Location: US Highway 1, North Ormond Beach
🧘 Escape the Roar
Ponce Inlet Lighthouse & Museum
If motorcycles aren't your thing, head south! Ponce Inlet remains relatively insulated from the heaviest Bike Week traffic. Climb Florida's tallest lighthouse for a spectacular, quiet coastal view far away from the exhaust fumes.
Time: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Location: Ponce Inlet (South of Daytona Beach)
NOTE: Event information is gathered from online sources without verification. Readers are advised to check with the venue or other sources to confirm info.
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