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It’s Friday, Sanford! Let’s finish this week strong.

In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: Florida by rail, a St. Patrick’s Day river cruise, and a strawberry festival + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Sanford 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.

📰 In the news

Central Florida’s evolving nexus: The article explores DeBary, officially incorporated in 1993, as Sanford’s gateway neighbor where the St. Johns River, shared corridors, and nearby travel hubs link history, commerce, and daily life — explore the cities’ connections.

Faith-led unity and purpose: Deltona High School will host the 2nd Women of God In Unity Conference on June 20 with speakers and worship, possibly moving to Daytona Beach Auditorium if attendance reaches 2,000 — get all the event details.

Sleepy downtowns in view: Published February 28, this feature rides Florida by rail, savoring proud small-town stops from DeLand’s historic core and Stetson’s red tile roofs to a quiet pause for Lake Monroe — 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:

• Dance with AltEra at Seminole Harley-Davidson
• Celebrate Count Basie’s big band brilliance
• Dine and dance at Diamonds and Denim
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home

💎 Local business spotlight

Fresh inspiration, right here: If your walls crave real personality, Gallery on First delivers with rotating local art and working studios you can wander. It’s the place you drop in “just to look,” then leave smiling, possibly with something framed, after watching artists at work and discovering fresh favorites.

Backyard upgrade, anyone? Warner Construction Group builds custom wood, composite, and PVC decks made for Florida weather, plus repairs, extensions, and staining. Add railings, stairs, or built-in seating tailored to your space, and your deck feels like an extra living room.

Waterfront seafood fix: Craving an easy weeknight dinner with a view? St Johns River Steak & Seafood keeps it casual with riverfront scenery and comfort classics: grouper, shrimp and grits, and more. The menu makes choosing pleasantly tricky, so share plates, sip something cold, and settle into Sanford’s breezy side.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.

🫶 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 →

📆 Around town this weekend

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.

🛍 Annual Rummage Sale @ Deltona Presbyterian Church | Friday (3/13) at 9:00 AM – If you love treasure hunting without Craigslist weirdness, hit DPC’s annual rummage sale. Part yard sale, part neighborhood reunion, all sanctioned snooping, with prices your grandma would approve of. Bring small bills, your best poker face, and a trunk with ambition.

🍓 DeBary Strawberry Festival @ Gateway Park | Saturday (3/14) at 5:00 AM – Gateway Park in DeBary turns into strawberry central with a free festival packed with sweet eats, desserts, and vendors selling every berry-themed thing you didn’t know you needed. Strawberry Shortcake’s swinging by, so bring the kids, your inner child, and a big tote.

🌿 Indie Market @ Natalia’s Garden Center (DeBary) | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Indie Market is blooming at Natalia’s Garden Center with handmade finds, local coffee, and fresh sourdough. Wander the aisles of spring plants, chat up local makers, and pretend that new succulent is for a friend. Sunshine, good vibes, and smug satisfaction of shopping local.

🛒 Spring Swap And Shop Market @ Deltona Sons and Daughters of Italy Lodge #2441 | Sunday (3/15) at 10:00 AM – Consider this spring cleaning without the cleaning. The Sons & Daughters of Italy hall turns into a Swap & Shop with handmade crafts, seasonal goodies, and rummage-sale scores from folks you probably know. Stroll, haggle a little, support locals, and call it quality time.

☘ St Patrick’s Day Celebration @ St. Johns Rivership Co. | Sunday (3/15) at 11:30 AM – Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day the civilized way on a Barbara Lee lunch cruise gliding past Lake Monroe and the St. Johns while Jimmy Bragg handles the tunes. Reserved tables, proper service, Shepherd’s Pie, green beer, and free parking, because we’re not fighting downtown pub lines.

🌱 Planty Sip & Shop @ Celery City Craft | Sunday (3/15) at 2:00 PM – Celery City Craft becomes a leafy marketplace, with craft pours, plant folks, and local makers who know basil from begonias. Sip, adopt a low-maintenance green roommate, and find gifts that are not another scented candle. Free, friendly, Downtown Sanford stroll approved.

🌸 Planting for Ostara @ Dear Universe Apothecary | Sunday (3/15) at 4:00 PM – Whether you’re ritual-curious or just need a reset that isn’t another checklist, come plant a teacup succulent for Ostara, set intentions, and call it spring cleaning for the soul. Cozy, all supplies included, only 10 seats at Dear Universe Apothecary, so stake your claim now.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/13 Crystal Vision @ Swamp House Riverfront Grill and Happy Snapper Tiki Bar (DeBary) – 4:00 PM
• 3/14 Show Your Ride @ Longwood VFW Post 8207 – 12:00 PM
• 3/14 New Collective @ The Alley – Sanford, FL – 8:00 PM
• 3/15 Irish Music Brunch @ Buster’s Sanford – 1:00 PM
• 3/15 Damon Fowler’ Birthday Bash Weekend Tour @ The Alley – 4:00 PM
• 3/15 Erick Baker @ Colonial TownPark (Lake Mary) – 5:00 PM
• 3/15 The African Children’s Choir “Just As I Am” Tour @ LifeWay Community Church – 7:00 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Sanford report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 78°F – Low: 63°F – Precip: 7%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. East northeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 79°F – Low: 65°F – Precip: 39%

A chance of rain showers after 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 79. East northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Later: A chance of rain showers before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

This house is wild

Set in 24-hour guarded Buckingham Estates with direct Seminole Trail access, this Sanford stunner pairs efficiency with resort vibes. A remodeled kitchen with 42-inch cabinetry and a new GE double oven anchors a three-way split layout with study. Outside, a screen-enclosed saltwater pool and spa shine. Paid-off solar, 2024 roof, EV plug, and a 3-car garage seal the deal.

Take a peek inside →

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