Ormond Beach FL Historic Car Garage Proposed

Cars, racing, and speed records are an integral part of Ormond Beach Florida history. One local group wants to replicate the historic Ormond Beach garage which burned down in 1976. Originally built in 1904, about a quarter mile west of the Birthplace of Speed Park, it was on the grounds of Henry Flagler's Hotel Ormond, which originally stretched from the Intracoastal to the ocean.

The Motor Racing Heritage Association in Daytona Beach is proposing to build a small replica of the Ormond Garage large enough for a pair of sculptures of the Olds Pirate and the Winton Bullet racecars, at a cost of about $3,000.

The garage would be built at the Birthplace of Speed Park at Granada Boulevard and the beach, which was home to the cars, until corrosion forced them to go on an extended pit stop.

The roughly 16-foot-wide, 20-foot-long and 8-foot-tall garage would be built at no cost to the city, said Dan Smith, a member of the board of directors for the racing heritage group. "It would be a historical addition to the park, as well as protect the cars," Smith said. "Even though the original garage has been gone for a long time, it's still a big part of Ormond Beach's history."

To read more about the proposed project, visit News-JournalOnline. If you are interested in helping with the construction of the garage, call Smith at 386-441-7793.

Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
386-679-3191
sherry@sherryarmstrong.com
www.sherryarmstrong.com

Volusia County Events

Just a quick look at the OrlandoSentinel will convince even the most stay-at-home types that there are many wonderful opportunities to learn, be active, meet people, and just be involved, here in the Ormond Beach area and Volusia County.

Here are a few of the current events in Volusia County (courtesy of the Orlando Sentinel):

1) Concert performance: Composer-conductor-instrumentalist-author David Amram will give a free public performance/presentation, "At Home Around the World," from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. March 27 at Stetson University's Mary B. McMahan Hall, located at North Woodland Boulevard and East Michigan Avenue, in DeLand. Details: 386-822-8920.

2) DeBary Garden Club: Bonnie Cary, outreach education coordinator for Volusia County Land Acquisition and Management, will speak at 7 p.m. April 2 at the DeBary Civic Center, 38 South Shell Road. Details: Christy Jefferson at 386-574-9376.

3) Woman's Club: The Village Improvement Association, Orange City Woman's Club, will have a public affairs meeting at 1 p.m. April 2 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ of Orange City, 201 W. University Ave. The guest speaker will be Karen Tendards, mortgage specialist from Bank of America. Details: 386-822-7829.

4) Lighthouse maintenance: The Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, 4931 S. Peninsula Drive, will offer a "Canaveral Lens Maintenance Demonstration" from 1 to 2 p.m. April 3. Join the lighthouse keepers as they talk about the history of the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse and demonstrate their maintenance duties on the 1st Order Fresnel Lens. Included with regular admission of $5 for adults, $1.50 for children 11 or younger. Details: 386-761-1821.

5) Easter egg hunt: Volusia County's annual "Egg-stravaganza" will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 4 at Gemini Springs Park, 37 Dirksen Drive, DeBary. The free event will include games, food and entertainment for children of all ages. Children can meet the Easter Bunny and take part in an egg hunt at 10 a.m. A special-needs egg hunt will begin at 10:30 a.m. Details: Garrett Veirs at 386-736-5953, Ext. 6702, or e-mail gveirs@co.volusia.fl.us. After the egg hunt, parents can bring their children to DeBary Hall Historic Site for tea with the Easter Bunny. Tea time will include games, crafts and finger sandwiches. Each child will receive a free picture with the Easter Bunny. Tickets are $15 per person. Advance registration is required. Call: 386-668-3840.

And this short list doesn't include plant sales, concerts, drivers ed, ballroom dancing, Lenten fish fry, etc. - you get the idea!

Have fun -

Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
sherry@sherryarmstrong.com
www.sherryarmstrong.com
386-679-3191

Spring Arrives in Ormond Beach FL Gardens

The News-Journal Online listed some fun and educational gardening events coming up soon for Ormond Beach residents. We missed the "Rain Barrels and Rain Gardens" but these are still ahead:

WILDFLOWER FESTIVAL, MARCH 28: hosted by River of Lakes Heritage Corridor; includes vendors, exhibits and field trips, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., historic Downtown DeLand, Woodland Blvd., DeLand. FREE. 386-822-5778.

HERB FAIRE, MARCH 28: festival, and plant sale; presented by Seaside Herb Society, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Riverbridge Meeting House, 1 N. Beach St., Ormond Beach. FREE. Lunch available for purchase. 386-405-5269.

There are events for every interest here in Ormond Beach - it's a great place to live!

Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
sherry@sherryarmstrong.com
www.sherryarmstrong.com
386-679-3191

Buicks to Star at Birthplace of Speed Event in Ormond Beach FL

This week, the city of Ormond Beach will hold the 7th installment of their centennial Birthplace of Speed Celebration. In 2003, the city began honoring top class racers, their cars and teams from the short period from 1903 to 1910, when Ormond Beach was the place to set land speed records.

In 1909, "Wild" Bob Burman and Team Buick tested their stripped-down racer against an airplane, and won. That same car, called the Buick Bug 60s Special, is now owned by Jay Leno. Mr. Burman and Team Buick will be honored at this year's celebration.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 25. The day starts with a classic car parade on the beach from the Cardinal Drive ramp to the Harvard Avenue ramp. The parade will be followed by a larger classic car show, entertainment and awards at Fortunato Park on John Anderson Drive and a public reception at The Casements. For car aficionados, the show will highlight vintage pre-1932 cars, with a mix of cars from the 1940s to 1960s. Live bands will play jazz and swing, and food will be free.

The car show attracts owners from all over Florida. For more information call the city at (386) 676-3241. (source: MyHometownNews)

We have a lot of fun here in Ormond Beach - contact me for details!

Sherry Armstrong, REALTOR
386-679-3191
sherry@sherryarmstrong.com
http://www.sherryarmstrong.com/

Scammers Target Troubled Borrowers

From Realtor.Org comes a warning about scammers who are threatening homeowners, who try to take advantage of borrowers in trouble. The scammers charge fees for "quick and successful" negotiations" with banks. But in most cases, do nothing except take the homeowner's money.

The Federal Reserve issued this advice for borrowers who want to modify their mortgages:

1) Work only with HUD-approved nonprofit counselors. (See www.hud.gov)
2) Don't agree to pay a fee before you are provided with the promised service.
3) Beware of people offering "guaranteed" results.
4) Don't sign blank forms or documents you haven't read.

Contact me with any questions - I've worked with many homeowners in preforeclosure situations.

Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
www.sherryarmstrong.com
sherry@sherryarmstrong.com
386-679-3191

Education in Volusia County, FL

Enough is enough was the message brought to the state capitol in Tallahassee Wednesday by parents, educators, and students, echoing President Obama's constant reminders that improved schools have to be one of the cornerstones of the country's economic recovery. With Florida facing a multibillion-dollar budget shortfall, the PTA and other education groups led a rally aimed at convincing lawmakers to shield schools from potentially deep cuts during the coming year.

Their message, chanted again and again, was clear: "No more cuts."

"The needs of our children need to be met now," Florida PTA President Karin Brown told a crowd that packed the steps of the Capitol. "Not tomorrow, not next year -- but now."

Bus loads of supporters -- including a chartered bus that left Volusia County about 6 a.m. to make it to Tallahassee -- cheered, listened to speeches and held signs that read, "Save our schools," "Make our schools a priority" and "Invest in children."

Read more at the NewsJournal Online and contact your state represenatives and senators to voice your opinions on funding for education. For links to the communities in Ormond Beach and the school sites, visit my Ormond Beach web site.

Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
sherry@sherryarmstrong.com
www.sherryarmstrong.com
386-679-3191

Tomoka State Park, Ormond Beach FL

Native Americans once dwelled here, living off fish-filled lagoons. Today, these waters are popular for canoeing, boating, and fishing. The park protects a variety of wildlife habitats and endangered species, such as the West Indian manatee.

Tomoka is a bird-watcher's paradise, with over 160 species sighted, especially during the spring and fall migrations. Visitors can stroll a one-half mile nature trail through a hardwood hammock that was once an indigo field for an 18th century British landowner. A boat ramp gives boaters and canoeists access to the river. The Park Store offers snacks, camping supplies, and canoe rentals.

There is a burn ban currently in effect until further notice in Volusia County. The only outdoor fires allowed in the park will be charcoal or gas grill.

For overnight stays, the park has full-facility campsites and youth camping. Located three miles north of Ormond Beach on North Beach Street. Admission Fees are $4 per vehicle for up to 8 passengers, $1 for pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers and permit holders. Camping fee is $20. Contact 386-673-0022 for more information and visit Tomoka State Park. (Photo courtesy of State Park web site.)

Sherry Armstrong
www.sherryarmstrong.com
sherry@sherryarmstrong.com
386-679-3191

Ormond Beach FL Biologist Honored

Charlie du Toit, biologist for Tomoka State Park in Ormond Beach, won the Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection's award for resource manager of the year.

DuToit said he's proudest of his work restoring the miles of ditches that had been dug through what is now park land. Originally, they were dug for mosquito control, but restoring the ditches has helped to re-create the tidal environment that was once there.

"Years ago, I wasn't really hopeful that the marshes would be able to be restored. It seemed like such an overwhelming task," he said.

Read the full article at the Orlando Sentinel.

Sherry Armstrong
sherry@sherryarmstrong.com
http://www.sherryarmstrong.com/
386-679-3191

Ormond Beach FL Real Estate Market Statistics

I have just reviewed the monthly statistics for our area from the Daytona Beach Area Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service and I thought you'd like to review the current activity from March 1, 2008 to March 31, 2008.

There are currently 6418 Active residential listings. There are 3691 listed houses as of today and 139 houses have sold between March 1, 2008 and March 31, 2008. There are 1828 listed condos as of today with 26 condos having sold between March 1, 2008 and March 31, 2008.

For a breakdown by price ranges, please contact me directly. There are still great buys available in all price ranges in this coastal county of Volusia, but you need a local Ormond Beach market expert to help you. I have over 21 years of home buying and selling experience.

For true local knowledgeable service in the Ormond Beach real estate market, contact

Sherry Armstrong
386-679-3191
www.sherryarmstrong.com
sherry@sherryarmstrong.com