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  • ⭐Painting Workshop at Gamble-Rogers, Artemis II Update, Tussock Moth Caterpillars

⭐Painting Workshop at Gamble-Rogers, Artemis II Update, Tussock Moth Caterpillars

Issue #877

30 Mar

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Tropical Update
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Photo: The McGee’s Website

If you have been looking for a reason to visit Gamble Rogers State Park in Flagler Beach, April 16th just handed you one. The park — a quiet, tucked-away stretch of Florida coastline wedged between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway — is hosting a Plein Air Landscape Painting Workshop from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at its Tradewinds Pavilion. Local artist Trish Vevera will lead the session, guiding participants through the experience of painting outdoors in the morning light along the Intracoastal. No experience level is specified, which means the only real requirement is showing up curious and willing to make something. Space is limited, a $10 materials fee applies, and registration goes through the Ranger Station at 386-517-2086. Worth the drive.

✦

For those keeping an eye on the sky this week — and really, everyone should be — NASA's Artemis II mission is targeting a launch on Wednesday, April 1 from Kennedy Space Center, just down the coast from us. The mission will send four astronauts on a trip around the moon, the first crewed lunar flyby since Apollo 17 in 1972. To put that in perspective: everyone reading this newsletter was either not yet born or very young the last time human beings traveled that far from Earth. It is a genuinely historic moment, and it is happening in our backyard.

The crew arrived at Kennedy Space Center on Friday and has entered quarantine ahead of launch. Fueling of the Space Launch System rocket begins at 7:45 a.m. on Wednesday, nearly twelve hours before the launch window opens at 6:24 p.m. NASA will provide status updates today and again tomorrow, with weather and technical readiness the two remaining wild cards. The Space Coast is close enough that on a clear evening, the launch will be visible from Volusia County beaches. Set an alarm.

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And finally, a public service announcement that is equal parts science and self-preservation: the Tussock moth caterpillar is out in force across Central Florida right now, and it would very much like you to leave it alone. These fuzzy, brush-covered insects emerge this time of year to search for spots to build their cocoons, and they have a habit of turning up on trees, fences, park benches, and anywhere else you might absent-mindedly rest your hand. The tiny spines on their backs can break off into skin on contact, causing irritation and a rash. Entomologists recommend moving them with gloves or a credit card rather than bare hands — and note that even the cocoons carry the same irritating hairs, so if you need to clear them from an area once they've become moths, use a broom.

They are, for what it's worth, an important part of the local ecosystem — food for birds and other wildlife — so the goal is coexistence, not eradication. Just admire them from a respectful distance. Have a good Monday, Volusia. Wednesday's launch is going to be something.

Sources
"Paint stunning landscapes at Gamble Rogers State Park in Flagler" — Daytona News-Journal, March 29, 2026
"Artemis II: Countdown to launch day" — WESH, March 2026
"Experts Warn: Don't touch these fuzzy Florida bugs!" — Click Orlando, March 29, 2026

This Day In History

  • 1282 — The Sicilian Vespers uprising began against Angevin rule in Sicily.

  • 1296 — Edward I of England sacked Berwick-upon-Tweed during war with Scotland.

  • 1699 — Guru Gobind Singh established the Khalsa in Anandpur Sahib.

  • 1814 — Allied forces entered Paris, leading to the collapse of Napoleon’s rule.

  • 1822 — The Florida Territory was officially organized by the United States.

  • 1842 — Crawford W. Long first used ether anesthesia in surgery.

  • 1856 — The Treaty of Paris was signed, ending the Crimean War.

  • 1867 — The United States agreed to purchase Alaska from Russia.

  • 1912 — The Treaty of Fez made Morocco a French protectorate.

  • 1939 — The Heinkel He 100 set a world airspeed record of about 463 mph.

  • 1940 — Japan declared Nanjing the capital of a new Chinese puppet government under Wang Jingwei.

  • 1944 — The Nuremberg Raid became one of the costliest operations for RAF Bomber Command in World War II.

  • 1964 — The game show Jeopardy! premiered on U.S. television.

  • 1981 — U.S. President Ronald Reagan survived an assassination attempt in Washington, D.C.

  • 2017 — SpaceX achieved the first reflight of an orbital-class rocket booster.

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📅 Monday, March 30, 2026

📍 Ormond Beach

📚 Community

  • LENT DINNER CHURCH AT TOMOKA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

      Time: 6:00pm
      Location: Tomoka United Methodist Church Bleekman Hall, 1000 Old Tomoka Rd. - Ormond Beach

  • eLab Open Assistance

    • Need some tech help to start the week? Drop into the library's eLab for free, one-on-one assistance with basic computer skills, cover letter and resume building, email setup, or navigating job applications.

    • Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

    • Location: Ormond Beach Regional Library (LaunchPad, 30 S Beach St)

  • Master Gardener Plant Clinic

    • Bring your gardening questions, pest issues, or sickly plant clippings! Volusia County Master Gardeners are on-site to offer free, expert advice to help your spring garden thrive.

    • Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

    • Location: Ormond Beach Regional Library (30 S Beach St)

🎨 Arts & Culture

  • Monday Afternoon at OMAM

    • Start your week with some quiet inspiration. The Ormond Memorial Art Museum is open for peaceful gallery viewing, and the surrounding tropical gardens remain a perfect, shaded spot for a mid-day walk.

    • Time: Museum hours 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

    • Location: Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens (78 E Granada Blvd)

📍 Holly Hill

🏓 Active & Leisure

  • Monday Open-Play Pickleball @ Pictona

    • Start your week on the courts! With the weekend tournaments and festivals wrapped up, the 49-court facility returns to its standard open-play schedule. Drop in for a few games to get the blood pumping.

    • Time: Open daily (typically 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM)

    • Location: Pictona at Holly Hill (1060 Ridgewood Ave)

  • FHCP Club Hub Games

    • Not in the mood to sweat on the courts? Pictona hosts the "Club Hub" in the Osprey Room. It is a relaxed, welcoming indoor space for the community to gather, socialize, and play Mahjong, cards, chess, and backgammon.

    • Time: All Day

    • Location: Pictona at Holly Hill (Osprey Room, 1060 Ridgewood Ave)

📍 Daytona Beach

🏛️ Civic & Local Government

  • US-92 Mixed-Use Public Hearing

    • Local city business is back in session. Residents are welcome to attend this public meeting regarding the upcoming US-92 Mixed-Use development project.

    • Time: 6:00 PM

    • Location: Daytona Beach City Hall or designated event location (1820 Checker Flag Blvd, Daytona Beach)

🃏 Social & Community Games

  • Monday Afternoon Euchre

    • Gather with locals for a friendly, competitive afternoon of the classic trick-taking card game, Euchre. It's a great way to socialize and keep your mind sharp.

    • Time: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

    • Location: Daytona Shores Community Center (3000 Bellemead Dr)

  • Chair Volleyball

    • A fantastic, low-impact way to stay active! This highly popular Monday afternoon activity gets you moving and laughing without the strain of traditional sports.

    • Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

    • Location: Daytona Shores Community Center (3000 Bellemead Dr)

📅 Tuesday, March 31, 2026

📍 Ormond Beach

📚 Library & Community Education

  • Computers & Technology: eLab Workshop

    • Need help navigating your devices or mastering basic software? The Ormond Beach Regional Library is hosting an in-person, adult-focused technology workshop in the Sand Piper Room. Seats are limited, so registration is recommended!

    • Time: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

    • Location: Ormond Beach Regional Library (30 S Beach St)

🏥 Health & Wellness

  • Tour The Baby Place (In-Person)

    • Expecting parents are invited to AdventHealth for a guided, in-person tour of The Baby Place. Meet the staff, view the maternity suites, and learn about the amenities available for your upcoming arrival.

    • Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

    • Location: AdventHealth Daytona Beach (301 Memorial Medical Parkway, Ormond Beach)

📍 Holly Hill

🏓 Active & Leisure

  • Tuesday on the Courts @ Pictona

    • Keep your weekly fitness routine going strong! Pictona is open for standard play across its 49 courts. If you prefer to stay out of the afternoon sun, head to the "Club Hub" in the Osprey Room for indoor table games and socializing.

    • Time: Open daily (typically 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM)

    • Location: Pictona at Holly Hill (1060 Ridgewood Ave)

🌮 Local Dining

  • Taco Tuesday at the Duck

    • Support a great local business and treat yourself to dinner! The Drunken Duck Brewing Company frequently hosts local food trucks, and Tuesday evenings are all about grabbing some tacos to pair with their fantastic craft beers on tap.

    • Time: Taproom opens at 4:00 PM

    • Location: Drunken Duck Brewing Company (101 2nd Street, Unit 401)

📍 Daytona Beach

⛵ Outdoors & Adventure

  • Small-Group Sailing Tour

    • End the month out on the water! Book a ticket for a relaxing, small-group afternoon sailing tour departing from the Halifax River. Enjoy the ocean breeze, look for dolphins, and take in the beautiful coastal views.

    • Time: 1:45 PM

    • Location: Departs from 721 Ballough Rd, Daytona Beach

    • Cost: $69.00

🧘 Community & Fitness

  • Active Classes at the Shores Community Center

    • The Daytona Beach Shores Community Center has a completely packed schedule today to keep residents moving, socializing, and having fun:

      • Zumba Gold: 8:45 AM

      • Sittercise: 9:00 AM

      • SilverSneakers: 9:30 AM

      • Bridge (Card Game): 11:30 AM

      • Chair Yoga: 4:30 PM

      • Gentle Yoga: 6:00 PM

    • Location: Shores Community Center (3000 Bellemead Dr)

🎲 Leisure & Social

  • Adult Gametastic!

    • Head to the local library for an afternoon of friendly competition! This adult-focused event is a great way to meet neighbors, play a variety of tabletop and board games, and unwind.

    • Time: Afternoon (Check with library staff for exact start time)

    • Location: Daytona Beach Regional Library (105 Jackie Robinson Pkwy)

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