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Hi DeLand, hope you’re having a great weekend!

In today’s in-case-you-missed-it edition: Florida Bee Gees show, Firefly Nights at Blue Spring State Park, and Science Saturday’s STEAM Festival + the top stories from this week & a sneak peek at next week.

From today’s sponsor, FinanceBuzz: Many Florida drivers end up paying higher auto insurance premiums because they don’t shop around enough. The same driver with the same car can get wildly different quotes from different insurers, so it truly pays to compare. Their free tool makes it easy.*

📰 Most-clicked stories this week

Active adult lifestyle hub: Cresswind DeLand celebrated a ribbon cutting for its new resident clubhouse, Club Cresswind, with the mayor and leaders, adding a fitness center, yoga studio, pickleball courts, and a resort-style pool — explore the amenities and offerings.

Where tradition meets tranquility: Rooted in DeLand, St. John Club Day Spa has refreshed locals since 1999 as owner Mary Ann Paul honors her Greek heritage with massages, facials, and more in 3,000-square-foot space — see the services and story.

Major service changes explained: VoTran has integrated Uber Transit and overhauled night service starting March 1, ending Route 1, simplifying Route 3, and shifting A1A coverage to Route 19, with departure times adjusted — see all service changes.

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.*

Gold & silver are hot: Last year was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. Curious about precious metal investing? GoldCo has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.*

All the crowd favorites:

• Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at CWC
• Enjoy food trucks and artisan vendors
• Florida Bee Gees deliver unforgettable night

💎 This week’s top finds

Serious sandwich cravings: Manzano’s Deli stacks hefty Italian sandwiches on fresh New York bread with Boar’s Head fixings, ideal for a quick, satisfying lunch that beats the sad desk meal. Keep it classic or go fully loaded… either way, your taste buds win.

Quick trail fix: Lake Beresford Park offers a shady 1.8-mile loop, nature trails, and a link to the Spring-to-Spring Trail, so you can keep it quick or go long. Pavilions and playgrounds keep things simple, making a low-key afternoon feel relaxed and hassle-free.

Craving cozy diner vibes: At C’s Country Diner, it’s classic comfort all the way: no fuss, just the cozy, country-diner feel DeLand loves. Add it to your weekly rotation when you want something easygoing and reliably satisfying… because sometimes simple hits exactly right.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements — they’re the local spots your fellow readers clicked on most this week.

🫶 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 →

Paying full price is officially optional: Blu Dot just marked down dozens of their best sofas, beds, dining tables, outdoor pieces, and lighting by as much as 60%. Not because something’s wrong with them, but because every great design eventually has to make room for the next one. The deals change daily, so it’s always a new adventure. *See what’s on sale today →

Most people have no idea what’s happening inside their body: Not because the data doesn’t exist, but because no one’s collecting it. Routine annual checkups miss things like body composition, biological age, and the biomarkers that can help predict long-term patterns. The good news? HumeHealth offers tools to help you track all of that at home for less than the cost of a specialist visit. *Use code NEW20 to save 20% →

Something in your house is about to break: It might be your AC, your water heater, your fridge… doesn’t matter. Every major appliance has an expiration date, and when it goes, you’ll be staring down a repair bill that can climb into the thousands fast. An AHS home warranty covers these types of surprises + *select plans are $150 off right now →

📆 Sneak peek at next week

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.

🎨 Artist Showcase @ Chronic Guru Dispensary & Lounge – Deland | Wednesday (3/18) at 6:00 PM – Skip the crowded chains and wander DeLand’s Artist Showcase, a lively blend of art, live music, and unlimited wine and sangria from local creatives. It is equal parts culture and buzz, with real talent, real people, and zero pretense.

🛍 2026 Annual Vendors Showcase @ Earl Brown Park | Friday (3/20) at 10:00 AM – DeLand’s annual vendor showcase is basically a hometown treasure hunt, minus the lawn mower parts. Shop local makers, snag quirky gifts, and graze your way through tasty bites. Bring a tote, comfortable shoes, and that friend who barters like a pro.

🔬 Science Saturday: STEAM Festival 2026 @ Gillespie Museum | Saturday (3/21) at 10:00 AM – Ready to let the kids touch stuff on purpose? Science Saturday’s STEAM Festival at the Gillespie Museum dishes up hands-on fun from Stetson student orgs across science, technology, engineering, art, and math, with a Physics Extravaganza, a beekeeping demo, and nature art; registration helps, not required.

🌱 Build Your Own Pizza Container Garden Class @ Abbey Bar | Saturday (3/21) at 11:00 AM – Growing your own pizza toppings is the move, with a hands-on container garden class that sends you home with tomato, pepper, and herb plants, all potted. Twenty-five bucks covers plants, container, soil, gloves, and instruction, just RSVP, bring your charm, and skip the pineapple debate.

🎭 Steel Magnolias @ Athens Theatre | Sunday (3/22) at 11:45 AM – Hop a comfy bus from Port St. Lucie or Vero, let someone else wrangle I-95, and spend the afternoon at DeLand’s Athens Theatre for Steel Magnolias with preferred seats. Big hair, bigger hearts, and the finest laughter through tears, served sweet as Southern tea.

🌱 2026 Spring Plant Swap @ Deltona Regional Library | Sunday (3/22) at 12:30 PM – Trade cuttings with folks who can tell a pothos from a philodendron, RSVP required, space limited, and yes, you have to label everything. Ask before you take, swap care tips, skip the invasives, use your library voice, then quarantine your green roommates, just in case.

✨ Firefly Nights @ Blue Spring State Park (Orange City) | Sunday (3/22) at 6:00 PM – Swap the couch for Florida’s finest light show as the Blue Spring boardwalk glows with hundreds of fireflies after dark. Buy your after-hours pass early, weekends sell out fast, then stroll softly, no flashlights or bug spray, and let Mother Nature do the flexing.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 DeLand report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 86°F – Low: 65°F – Precip: 65%

Patchy fog before 9am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11am and 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1pm and 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2pm and 5pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. South southeast wind 0 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

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Tomorrow – High: 81°F – Low: 43°F – Precip: 81%

Showers and thunderstorms after 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. South southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. West northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Most popular house this week

This updated 4-bed, 2-bath pool retreat sits on 2.55 acres of block with 2,440 sq ft. Built in 2004 and renovated in 2023, it shows off 12-foot vaulted ceilings, an open plan, and a dual-sided granite fireplace. Perks include Level 3 granite, Level 4 porcelain tile, office, saltwater pool, two sheds, chicken coop, and 2024 roof, AC, water heater.

Take a peek inside →