EDGEWATER -- A friend forwarded a request from a military friend of hers in Afghanistan telling her they were hit really hard and lost all their personal things. He said they needed towels, razors, and anything personal anyone would send to them. Turns out there are 100 people in his company who lost their stuff.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- They don't want to get mentioned, but I want to thank them for helping the less fortunate among us in Southeast Volusia at Thanksgiving and again at Christmas.
EDGEWATER -- When I heard about Dick Clark’s passing this morning, I felt as if I had lost a family member. He had been very much a part of my life since American Bandstand so long ago.
DELTONA -- The loss of the Space Shuttle from the place it took flight this Tuesday morning is a sad day indeed for all of us in Volusia County, the Sunshine State and across America. It is more then an end of an era.
EDGEWATER -- A sense of relief came over me with the arrest of George Zimmerman on the charge of second-degree murder in the Sanford shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. As much as the whole state of Florida is a tinderbox of dryness prone to fire, I was more and more feeling that this situation was also a tinderbox that was on the verge of exploding into violence.
EDGEWATER -- The bus full of high school band students I was chaperoning grew quiet so suddenly that it was eerie. When I looked up, I saw the bus driver stop just short of the railroad tracks and open the door to listen then looked all around.
Grade: A
New Smyrna Beach's fourth annual Balloon and SkyFest was a monumental success and has become the signature event for the coastal city with lots of family fun and certainly a crowd pleaser with the array of aerial displays. There was something for everyone at the New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport, from balloon rides, to air shows and carnival rides.
There were a lot of educational displays as well. This was a tremendous draw for balloon and air show enthusiasts near and far.
Grade: A
Gov. Rick Scott appointed Jacksonville area State Attorney Angela Corey as special prosecutor to head the state's investigation into the Feb. 26 shooting death of Trayvon Martin.
The governor also announced that Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll will oversee a task force to study the merits of the "Stand Your Ground" law, which Sanford police cited as the reason George Zimmerman wasn't charged in the killing of the 17-year-old Miami boy.
Grade: F
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Like has happened for centuries are again on the minds of many adults who ponder the age old question: “Is the Easter Bunny a rabbit or a hare?” Spring has arrived and Easter is right around the corner, which also means the Easter Bunny is on the minds of many children.
EDGEWATER -- I don't think I am alone in receiving donation mail, receiving address labels, greeting cards, note pads. nickles, dimes and even $2.50 checks, you often wonder how many are scams. Send in a donation once and you are on their list forever.
