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- ⭐ Mary's Garden, Raw Milk Controversy, Blaney Wins
⭐ Mary's Garden, Raw Milk Controversy, Blaney Wins
Issue #663
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Today’s Forecast
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Brian Shields Tropical Update
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🌹 Mary's Garden Blooms in Ormond
After two years of thoughtful planning and a maze of permits, Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Ormond Beach has officially broken ground on "Mary’s Peace Garden"—a serene addition to its parish campus designed for prayer and reflection. On August 6, church leaders and parishioners gathered to celebrate the start of construction on this unique sanctuary, which will feature a 5-foot-tall marble statue of the Virgin Mary atop a 5-foot base, plus 14 Stations of the Cross made from natural stone.
Dominic Bui, the project coordinator, emphasized the space's purpose: a peaceful alternative to indoor worship, ideal for quiet contemplation and outdoor services. Located just east of the church’s main parking lot, the garden will include a 170-foot sidewalk and multiple benches. Bui says it’s a rare project in the Volusia area, both in scale and intent.
With the statue imported from Italy and much of the funding coming from community sponsors, the final piece is construction. Luxury Builders of Daytona Beach is handling the work, which is expected to wrap up by the end of November.
Source: Ormond Observer
🥛 Raw Milk, Real Trouble in New Smyrna
Keely Farms Dairy in New Smyrna Beach is under fire following a wave of illnesses—21 in total, including a tragic fetal death—allegedly linked to its raw milk products. Though legally labeled “not for human consumption,” the dairy’s offerings have drawn scrutiny from the Florida Department of Health (FDOH), prompting a lawsuit and a swirl of controversy.
Owner Keely Zeller Exum says FDOH never tested the milk or directly notified her before naming the dairy publicly. Meanwhile, Keely Farms has launched a GoFundMe to help stay afloat, citing financial hardship and community support. So far, the campaign has raised over $18,000 of its $40,000 goal.
Supporters include Volusia County Council members and raw milk advocates, but critics, including food safety experts, are waving red flags. The Centers for Disease Control and FDA both warn against consuming raw milk due to risks of E. coli, Salmonella, and other pathogens. The story is a lightning rod for debate, especially as Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo has endorsed the “potential benefits” of raw milk—contrary to mainstream science.
State investigations and legal proceedings are ongoing, with questions swirling around due process, safety, and the legal gray zones of raw dairy sales.
Source: Daytona News-Journal
🏁 Blaney Takes Daytona in Four-Wide Photo Finish
Saturday night’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona delivered everything a NASCAR fan could ask for—chaos, strategy, and a final-lap showdown worthy of slow-motion replays. Ryan Blaney emerged victorious in a nail-biting four-wide finish, notching his 15th career win and his second at Daytona. The victory also secured him the fourth seed in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.
Blaney credited teammate-like coordination with Cole Custer in the closing laps and the good fortune of racing chaos behind him. “We were able to really get good shoves,” he said. Daniel Suárez finished second, followed by Justin Haley, Custer, and Erik Jones.
The race was more than just a spectacle—it had high stakes. Fourteen playoff spots had been claimed by winners, leaving two open for top-point drivers. Tyler Reddick and Alex Bowman were on the bubble, and with Bowman involved in a multi-car crash, his hopes rode on Blaney preventing a first-time winner from bumping him out. Mission accomplished.
As the dust settles and the brackets lock in, the 2025 NASCAR playoffs are set. And Daytona once again proved why it’s one of racing’s most unpredictable stages.
Source: NewsDaytonaBeach
This Day In History
1609 - Galileo Galilei demonstrates his first telescope to Venetian lawmakers
1814 - War of 1812: On the second day of the Burning of Washington, British troops torch the Library of Congress, United States Treasury, Department of War, and other public buildings
1825 - The Thirty-Three Orientals declare the independence of Uruguay from Brazil
1830 - The Belgian Revolution begins
1875 - Captain Matthew Webb becomes the first person to swim across the English Channel, traveling from Dover, England, to Calais, France, in 21 hours and 45 minutes
1916 - The United States National Park Service is created
1939 - The United Kingdom and Poland form a military alliance in which the UK promises to defend Poland in case of invasion by a foreign power
1944 - World War II: Paris is liberated by the Allies
1958 - The world's first publicly marketed instant noodles, Chikin Ramen, are introduced by Taiwanese-Japanese businessman Momofuku Ando
1960 - The Games of the XVII Olympiad commence in Rome, Italy
1981 - Voyager 2 spacecraft makes its closest approach to Saturn
1989 - Voyager 2 spacecraft makes its closest approach to Neptune, the last planet in the Solar System at the time, due to Pluto being within Neptune's orbit from 1979 to 1999
1991 - Linus Torvalds announces the first version of what will become Linux
2001 - American singer Aaliyah and several members of her entourage are killed as their overloaded aircraft crashes shortly after takeoff from Marsh Harbour Airport, Bahamas
2012 - Voyager 1 spacecraft enters interstellar space, becoming the first man-made object to do so
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Ormond Beach 180 Degree Cam
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NOTE: Event information is gathered from online sources without verification. Readers are advised to check with the venue or other sources to confirm info
Mon Aug 25
Event: 🎤Monday Karaoke at Grind Gastropub, 6 – 10 PM
Grind Gastropub & Kona Tiki Bar, 49 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach
Enjoy a fun-filled karaoke night with great food and drinks!Event: 🏘️Housing Authority, 7 PM
100 New Britain Ave, Ormond Beach
Community meeting discussing local housing matters.Event: 🌿Unity Night @ Kava Kula, Aug 25 – Aug 26
Kava Kula, 142 E Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach
An evening of connection and wellness with kava and local community vibes.
Tue Aug 26
Event: 🌐Networking Group 1, 7:30 – 8:30 AM
Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce, 165 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL
Connect with local professionals over morning networking.Event: 🏋️♂️Private Training: 1 Day, 10 AM – 12 PM
Ormond Beach Sports Complex, 700 Hull Rd, Ormond Beach, FL
Customized athletic training session at the local sports complex.
Wed Aug 27
Event: 🎶Ormond Beach aka Ormond-by-the-Sea – Tom Renick Park, 7 – 8 PM
Tom Renick Park, 1565 Ocean Shore Blvd, Ormond Beach
Community gathering by the sea.Event: 🎨Veterans Creative Expression Workshop, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens, 78 E Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach
Creative workshop for veterans to express themselves through art.Event: 🤝Networking Group 2, 12 – 1 PM
Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce, 165 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach
Local professionals connecting and exchanging ideas.Event: 🎉Wednesday is BINGO Night at Kava Kula, 7 – 11 PM
Kava Kula Kava Bar & Lounge, 142 E Granada Blvd #213/214, Ormond Beach
Bingo night fun with a relaxed vibe and refreshments.Event: 🏗️Site Plan Review Committee, 9 AM
10X Ormond Beach Apartments, 600 Crowne Commerce Ct, Ormond Beach
City planning and development discussion.
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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