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Editor's Note: One week after the New Smyrna Beach 'Cudas finished the 2008 football season with a convincing 21-13 victory over the DeLand Bulldogs, Peter Mallory, a member of the 1952 squad that triumphed in the miracle on the gridiron, was so thrilled by what the 21st-century team had done against their playoff-bound opponents that he was inspired to write this story:

The one thing you had to admire about first year Coach Pete Maman was that he showed absolutely no signs of the panic and despair that must have gripped him as he looked out over the practice field. No matter how many times he counted heads he could only find 12 candidates who had shown up for his first August practice session at New Smyrna High School in 1952. I was among them.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The New Smyrna Beach Regional Library will present “Solid Gold Country Classics” with singer Bobby Meeks at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, said Volusia County spokeswoman Pat Kuehn.

The concert is free and open to the public.

Meeks has been a local singer and songwriter for several years, performing at festivals, amphitheaters and nursing homes. He was second runner-up in a “Daytona Discover” contest for his original song “Whiskey Bottles.”

This “Live in the Library” performance is sponsored by the Friends of the New Smyrna Beach Regional Library.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The 'Cudas family is comprised of much more than the football team. The cheerleaders, the Show Dolls and the Band all contribute to the festive atmosphere of New Smyrna Beach High School football.

Enjoy the video shot by Sera King of NSBNEWS.net at Friday's season finale at the New Smyrna Beach sports complex, won, of course by the 'Cudas over the visiting DeLand Bulldogs, 21-13.

You can read our previous story for game highlights.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Here are video highlights of the 'Cudas' season-finale win over the DeLand Bulldogs, 21-13 at the New Smyrna Beach sports complex.

The NSBNEWS.net video was shot by Sera King. See previous story for game highlights.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a robbery of a taxi driver that happened early this morning near New Smyrna Beach, Sheriff's spokesman Brandon Haght said.

"The assailant was a customer who during the ride pulled out what the driver believed to be a gun and demanded money," Haught said. "The driver handed over some cash and the suspect then jumped out of the vehicle and fled. There were no injuries or shots fired."

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- General gun season is now open in the Central Zone, which is where we are located, through January. It is legal to take deer having one or more antler at least 5 inches in length visible above the hair line, wild hogs, rabbits, raccoons, opossums, coyotes, nutrias, skunks and beavers. All legal rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, crossbows, bows, and handguns may be used.

If using a center-fire, semi-automatic rifle, it cannot have a magazine capacity exceeding five rounds. Fully automatic or silencer equipped rifles are illegal as are non-expanding, full metal case ammunition for the taking of deer. Using rim-fire ammunition is illegal to hunt deer. Antlerless deer season started Saturday and runs through Nov. 21. Limit is two deer daily regardless of sex. Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The Little Theatre of New Smyrna Beach will hold auditions for "Out of Order," a comedy by playwright Ray Cooney, at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 23 and Monday, Nov. 24.

Auditions are held in the Little Theatre rehearsal hall and are open to everyone and no experience is necessary. Readings will be from the script and
a copy is available for viewing at the reference desk of the New Smyrna Beach Library.

The show will run two weekends: Jan. 9 & 10 and Jan. 15, 16 & 17 at 8:00 p.m. Matinee performances are on Jan. 11, and Jan. 18, at 2 p.m. The director is

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- As part of its green initiative, Volusia County Government recently launched a recycling program on the beach, county spokeswoman Pat Kuehn said.

One hundred recycling containers have been placed in New Smyrna Beach adjacent to the trash cans.

To promote the program, Volusia County will give away free recycling tote bags to the first 1,000 beachgoers from 8 a.m. - noon, Friday, Nov. 21; Saturday, Nov. 22 and Sunday, Nov. 23, at the New Smyrna Beach toll booths.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Quarterback A.J. Granger came back from a non-throwing bruised shoulder in the Homecoming game to lead the 'Cudas to victory over DeLand, 21-13, in the season finale with two running touchdowns in the second half.

And even as DeLand mounted a late rally with seconds left in the game, an interception by 'Cudas defensive back James Hill, his second of the contest, sealed playoff-bound DeLand's defeat to give New Smyrna Beach a 2-8 record for the season.

Perhaps, the DeLand coaching decision to hold out its starting quarterback and first-string runner to rest up for the playoffs was a factor. Regardless, it was the personnel on the field that counted and the 'Cudas made the most of their opportunities.