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Hi DeLand, we made it to Thursday!
In today’s fun-for-grown-ups edition: A rip current simulator, a murder mystery dinner, and a manatee rescue update + plenty of reasons to put on real pants this week.
Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around DeLand protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.
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📰 In the news
Immersive ocean safety training: Volusia County Beach Safety introduced a rip current simulator that recreates conditions and teaches how to respond. A Florida Department of Children and Families grant will reimburse the purchase — get all the details.
Florida escapes with character: A February 25 article names DeLand among Florida’s underrated small towns, praising the historic downtown, Athens Theatre, a lively food scene, and easy access to nearby springs — see the full list.
How manatees are cared for: Florida’s manatee rescue network reports a busy 2026, with 24 rescues and more than 20 releases, including Blue Spring State Park. Returned manatees will get GPS trackers this winter — read the full story.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Highlights this week:
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💎 Local business spotlight
Need a stage night? Athens Theatre keeps DeLand buzzing with homegrown productions, concerts, and youth shows. Steel Magnolias runs through March 22, turning “just a Thursday” into a tradition. Local talent, classic titles, and fresh energy… the kind of night that lingers after the curtain falls.
Hot dog glow-up: When your week needs a quick win, The Hot Dog Dispensary delivers made-daily gourmet dogs with inventive combos and solid classics. Go playful or keep it simple, and dinner stays easy, low-stress, and craveable… the kind of meal you’ll look forward to again.
Get lost in books: Wander through 7,000 square feet stacked with 400,000 titles, and meet Ink, the resident cat. At The Family Book Shop, you’ll pop in for one paperback and leave with a new favorite author, plus a few surprises you didn’t know you needed.
\*These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.
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🫶 We got your back
Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →
Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →
Thinning hair? Don’t treat the wrong thing: When my ponytail started thinning, I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, sprays, etc.) and not one of them lasted. Turns out, most products target the strand, not the follicle… and that’s the whole problem. Once follicles go dormant, they need targeted help to come back. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn about my favorites here →
Six figures you can’t spend: Most homeowners over 50 have spent years dutifully paying their mortgage, assuming the only time it’ll pay off is when they sell. I thought the same thing until I discovered you can tap into the equity you’ve earned whenever you want (without leaving your home). Overdue for a new roof? Want to build your dream bathroom? There are two ways to turn equity into usable cash →
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📆 DeLand for grown ups
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🍻 Downtown Bar Crawl @ Sidecar Home Market | Thursday (3/12) at 6:00 PM – Finally, a crawl that encourages walking. Start at Sidecar, grab a bingo card, snag freebies, drink specials, and prizes, then chat up neighbors about making downtown DeLand more walkable, safe, and actually pleasant, because civilized strolling pairs nicely with a pint. Tickets: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/walkable-volusia-downtown-bar-crawl
🎤 Bonkerz Comedy Night @ The Center at Deltona | Friday (3/13) at 8:00 PM – Skip the group-text debate and hit The Center at Deltona for Bonkerz Comedy Night with Nick Harvey, a military vet and clean, sharp Dry Bar alum. Tickets are eight bucks, so expect real laughs, no cringe, and zero I-4.
👗 Clothing Swap & Shop @ Crustini Pizza & Cuisine (Deltona) | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Clean out that closet and swing by for a community swap-and-shop that actually saves you money. Trade your almost-favorites, browse local maker pop-ups, try your luck at the raffles, then reward yourself at the food truck, all in a friendly, everyone-welcome vibe.
👑 Drag Bingo @ Abbey Bar | Saturday (3/14) at 8:00 PM – The Second Saturday each month, drag bingo at Abbey Bar downtown, where sequins shine and the prizes are bragging rights plus karma. Cards are $15 a set, proceeds help our Neighbors Helping Neighbors, and queens like Kirk T DaVinci, Paparazzi, Carousel keep the laughs coming.
💍 Intro to Silver Art Clay @ Deland Art & Metal Studio | Sunday (3/15) at 1:00 PM – This four-part, hands-on silver clay series with Traci Remillard turns Sunday afternoons into actual keepers, not just errands. Learn the basics, rings, molds, and some fancy tricks, materials covered, tools provided. Pay per class or bundle it, then leave with jewelry you’ll brag about.
☘ 19th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Street Party @ The Elusive Grape | Tuesday (3/17) at 5:00 PM – St. Patrick’s Day calls for a street party, and the Elusive Grape is hosting its 19th in downtown DeLand to benefit the Childhood Cancer Foundation. For $35 you get corned beef and cabbage, plus two beers or wine, kids are $20. Charity, carbs, and chaos.
🎶 Forever ABBA @ Athens Theatre | Wednesday (3/18) at 5:00 PM – If you secretly know every word to Dancing Queen, the top ABBA tribute is hitting the Athens with glitter, harmonies, and the kind of nostalgia that goes down easy. Reserved seats, great sound, and a crowd that actually sings on key. Chair dancing absolutely counts.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 DeLand report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 86°F – Low: 59°F – Precip: 61%
A slight chance of rain showers between 2pm and 3pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny. High near 86, with temperatures falling to around 82 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. North northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
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Tomorrow – High: 79°F – Low: 61°F – Precip: 20%
A slight chance of rain showers after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. East northeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A slight chance of rain showers before 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. East northeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
This house is wild
Set on 3 private acres in DeLand, this 2,060 square foot concrete-built estate offers a well-designed open layout and a two-car garage. Built in 2005, it includes a generator, a well, and no HOA. Two parcels and a private access road off Woodward Road add flexibility. Easily convertible to a 3-bed, 2-bath, with sunny interiors and a spacious yard.
Take a peek inside →
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