The DeLand Community Development Agency will present Spring Hill T.U.R.N Festival, To Unite, Rebuild, & Network, from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at Spring Hill Park, 903 S Thompson St. DeLand,

There will be music by a DJ emcee, food trucks and community vendors.

DeLand Police Chief Jason Umberger has promoted Sgt. Matt Whittier to the rank of lieutenant.

Lt. Whittier graduated from the Central Florida Community College Police Academy in July 1996. He began his law enforcement career with the Ocala Police Department in 1996. He moved to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office as a Corrections Officer until 2006, then joined the DeLand Police Department.

During his tenure with DPD, Lt. Whittier has worked in the Patrol Division and Criminal Investigations Division, where he also served as a secondary Crime Scene Technician. He also earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Keiser University.

Lt. Whittier will be assigned to the Patrol Division under Capt. Mike Quinn where he will serve as the night shift watch commander.

Learn about Operation Christmas Child

Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child will host a Project Leader Workshop from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 10, at First Baptist Church of DeLand, 725 N. Woodland Blvd.

From mess to masterpiece, join the Volusia/Flagler OCC Team and Shoebox Recipient Mariya, and the Watchmen Quartet. See how a simple shoebox gift impacts children around the world.

For more information, email dmwilliams@samaritan.org or visit samaritanpurse.org.

DeBary Hall plans September events

DeBary Hall Historic Site is planning various events for September that feature helpful hints, history, activities and fun for all. Events include:

•Get stepping with line dancing lessons: 5:30 p.m. Thursdays, Sept. 8 and 22. There is a $3 charge for each class.

•Lemonade Lecture – Hands-on pruning: 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. Master Gardener Howard Jeffries will shares reasons and techniques for pruning a plant. Attendees are encouraged to bring gardening shears.

All events will be at 198 Sunrise Blvd., DeBary. Registration is requested for all programs; call (386) 668-3840 or email lperez@volusia.org to sign up.

DeLand library hosts Coloring Day

The DeLand Regional Library, 30 E. Howry Ave., will celebrate National Coloring Day with a free program at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14.

Coloring book artist and author Bibi LeBlanc will describe the life of a coloring book artist and the benefits of coloring. Participants will color pages from her Culture to Color series.

For more information, call (386) 822-6430.

Housing committee will look at incentives

Volusia County’s Affordable Housing Advisory Committee will host a public hearing on local incentive strategies at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14, in the County Council Chambers at the Thomas C. Kelly Administration Center, 123 W Indiana Ave., DeLand.

A copy of the draft report of recommendations is available at volusia.org/reports and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Community Assistance office, 121 W. Rich, DeLand.

For meeting materials, meeting agenda and virtual registration information, visit volusia.org/ahac.

Community Assistance announces office relocation

Volusia County’s Community Assistance and Veterans Services offices have changed.

The Community Assistance Division has moved from 717 Canal St., New Smyrna Beach to 1845 Holsonback Drive, Daytona Beach.

Community Assistance also has offices at 123 W. Indiana Ave. and 121 Rich Ave., DeLand, and 775 Harley Strickland Blvd., Orange City.

The Veterans Services office will expand into the 717 Canal St. office and provide full-time staff Monday through Friday.

Veterans Services also has offices at 123 W. Indiana Ave., DeLand, 775 Harley Strickland Blvd., Orange City, and 1845 Holsonback Drive, Daytona Beach.

Residents can drop off documents for Community Assistance at any Volusia County Public Library. For more information, call Community Assistance at (386) 736-5956 or Veterans Services at (386) 740-5102.

HOAs can learn about Florida friendly landscaping

Homeowners associations, property managers and homeowners can learn about Florida friendly landscaping during a webinar from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Sept. 14.

Brittany Council-Morton, an extension agent with the University of Florida/Volusia County Extension, will provide an overview of Florida friendly landscaping and the county’s fertilizer ordinance. Afterward, a panel of experts will take questions.

The webinar provides two continuing education units for community association managers. There is a $10 fee.

Register at https://tinyurl.com/y88mnuaj. For more information, call (386) 822-5778.

City seeking nominations for Volunteer of the Year

The City of DeLand is seeking nominations to recognize area residents for their volunteer efforts.

The Volunteer of the Year Award is given annually to a greater DeLand-area volunteer, who goes above and beyond the call of duty. The nominee must have been engaged in volunteer activities for a minimum of one year in the greater DeLand area.

The city also is accepting nominations for DeLand-area volunteers under the age of 40.

Submit nominations by Oct. 7 at deland.org or at City Hall.

LEC plans nature hikes, programs

Discover Volusia County’s native plants and wildlife during outdoor hikes and indoor programs at Lyonia Environmental Center, 2150 Eustace Ave., Deltona.

The free programs will begin in the center’s classroom. Reservations are required; call (386)789-7207, ext. #21028.

•Lyonia Photography Club: 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 10. Join volunteers from the West Volusia Audubon Society for classroom instruction and field opportunities. All skill levels are welcome.

•Reptile Bingo: 2:30 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10. Bring the family to enjoy some friendly competition and learn about reptiles during a round of Reptile Bingo. Participants can meet some of LEC’s reptile ambassadors.

•Plants for Pollinators BioBlitz: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 11. Learn how to use the iNaturalist app and help staff find 50 species in Lyonia Preserve. This program is recommended for ages 7 and older. Wear closed toe shoes, bring water and be prepared to hike on unpaved sugar sand trails.

•Waterscopes: 2 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11. Create a waterscope, which you can use to discover the world below the water’s surface. Staff will provide guidance and materials.

The LEC is part of the Deltona Regional Library complex at 2150 Eustace Ave. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free.

Black Caucus Gala features Gen. Russel L. Honoré

The Volusia County Democratic Black Caucus will host the annual Black & Blue Gala Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Ocean Center, 101 N. Atlantic ave., Daytona Beach.

This year’s guest speaker is U.S. Army Gen. (ret.) Russel L. Honoré, “The Ragin’ Cajun.” He is best known for serving as commander of Joint Task Force Katrina and coordinating military relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina across the Gulf Coast and as the 2nd Infantry Division's commander in South Korea.

Tickets are available for VIP reception and dinner, reserved and general seating and must be purchased in advance. For more information or tickets, visit volusiavountydbc.org or email vcdbcgala@gmail.com.

County plans Explore Volusia programs

Learn about Volusia County’s conservation lands and land management practices during free Explore Volusia programs in September. Environmental specialists will lead a variety of outdoor adventures and volunteer and learn programs.

Registration is required; call (386) 736-5927.

•Jetty ambassadors: 8 to 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 9. Spend the morning on the Ponce Inlet jetty informing visitors and anglers about the underwater cleanup happening just off the jetty. While there, volunteers can pick up trash and fishing line from the paved jetty or the rocks. When the underwater team returns, volunteers can assist with separating the lead weights from line for recycling. Meet at the jetty in Lighthouse Point Park, 5000 S. Atlantic Ave, Ponce Inlet.

•Volunteer and learn – Blue Spring cleanup: 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13. Join Volusia Volunteers and Save the Manatee Club for a cleanup at Blue Spring State Park. Learn about the manatees that have been harmed by trash and some of the issues affecting water quality as you help remove trash. Meet at Blue Springs Park at 2100 W. French Ave., Orange City.

•Menard May kayak cleanup: 9 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 16. Paddle around and remove debris from the islands surrounding Menard May Park. Bring a kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard along with a life preserver and whistle. Wear closed-toe water shoes. Meet at 413 S. Riverside Drive, Edgewater.

The University of Florida/Volusia County Extension offers pre-purchase homebuyer workshops that meet the education requirement for assistance programs.

Extension Agent Lisa Hamilton, a HUD-certified housing counselor and accredited financial counselor, will instruct the virtual classes on Microsoft Teams.

English classes will be conducted:

•9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 23 and 30

Spanish classes will be conducted at:

•8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 22 (one day)

The classes consist of eight hours of education. Participants will receive a certificate of completion that will enable them to apply for a federal down payment and closing cost assistance program available through Volusia County.

The cost is $10 per household. Scholarships are available upon request.

Advance registration is required. Visit https://homebuyered.eventbrite.com or contact Patricia Caradonna at (386) 822-5778 or pcaradonna@volusia.org.

Chamber Charity Champions has been rescheduled until March 2023. Applications are still being accepted.

The West Volusia Regional Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Volusia Hispanic Chamber for an event to bring the community together by providing an opportunity to have fun and give back to charity. Admission is free for bystanders.

Teams must consist of eight members. All participants must have registered and signed the insurance waiver. Cost is $300 tax-deductible fee or $400 tax-deductible fee, includes souvenir shirt.

For more information, visit westvolusiaregionalchamber.org or call (386) 218-0540.

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