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Hey DeLand, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Riverside Park Story Trail, Florida State baseball showdown, and luminous fireflies + lots of fun things to do for free.

Quick money tip: 2025 was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%. Analysts expect the momentum to continue, making precious metals a smart way to protect your savings. Curious how it works? Check out AHG’s free investor guide.*

📰 In the news

New projects boost community life: Earlier this month, New Smyrna Beach commissioners advanced a Riverside Park Story Trail, reviewed beach restoration options, and moved plans for a Sprouts grocery, with partners covering Story Trail costs — see what’s planned next.

Florida footprint set to grow: Jack in the Box plans a Clermont restaurant after its Longwood location, scouting Altamonte Springs, Apopka, and Volusia County. No timeline yet, but a second could open this year — get all the details.

Updated open burning rules: Volusia County Fire Rescue lifted the outdoor burn ban March 5 after improved conditions in northwest Volusia. Drought lingers, small-pile rules remain, and permits required for burns outside rules — see what’s allowed and required.

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.*

Paying hundreds of dollars a month for car insurance? Switching providers could save you up to $600 a year, and shopping around is way faster than it used to be – free comparison tools like this one make it easy.*

Highlights this week:

• Master three gold-on-silver techniques with Jenny Reeves
• Stetson hosts Florida State baseball showdown
• Stetson softball hosts Florida Gators
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home*

💎 Local business spotlight

Let the zoomies loose: Need a midweek energy dump? Barkley Square Dog Park spreads out over 14 shady acres with separate spaces for bigs and littles, a small lined pond, and plenty of benches and water stations—aka an easy way to tire out your four-legged roommate before dinner.

Relax without overthinking it: When you need a quick exhale that actually sticks, St. John Club Day Spa delivers thoughtful facials, no‑drama massages, and soothing vibes that make weekdays feel special. Book a little me-time, mute notifications, and let someone else worry about your knots for once.

Local hangout, zero pretense: OB’s Restaurant & Lounge is the kind of DeLand staple where you can catch live bands, shoot a little pool, and settle into that easy “everybody sort of knows everybody” vibe. When you just want cold drinks and uncomplicated good times, this place delivers.

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

🫶 We got your back

Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, *their curated kits are worth a look →

The $1,300 mistake most Americans make every year: According to the National Financial Education Council, poor financial literacy costs the average American over a thousand dollars annually. That’s not investment losses. That’s money lost to bad decisions, missed strategies, and advice from people who may not always put your interests first. There’s a free way to fix that, and it starts with one question. Find out what it is →

$22k in interest (on a $30k balance): That’s what minimum payments cost you over 20 years. You’ll pay back nearly double what you borrowed, and your credit card company is counting on you not doing that math. Debt settlement programs negotiate balances down and get people out of debt in 2-4 years instead of 20. Learn more about how they work →

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 five programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your homeowners insurance has a blind spot: It covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as “normal wear and tear,” and they’re 100% on you. We looked into solutions that fill that gap. Here’s what we found →

📆 Free events worth checking out

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.

📖 Storytime @ Museum of Art – DeLand Downtown | Friday (3/20) at 11:00 AM – A free storytime at the museum teams up with Volusia County Public Library to corral babies, toddlers, and preschoolers for stories, songs, and wiggles. Each session riffs on current exhibitions, linking books, pictures, and the world, while you snag a rare sit-down.

🥍 Stetson Women’s Lacrosse vs Coastal Carolina @ Athletic Training Center | Saturday (3/21) at 12:00 PM – Game day at Stetson means sticks, scoops, and hustle as the Hatters host Coastal Carolina in a non-conference showdown at the Athletic Training Center. Admission is free, which pairs nicely with your thrifty streak. Swing by, cheer loud, then brag you called a crease violation.

🙏 Mercy Hour @ First Church DeLand LEC | Saturday (3/21) at 1:30 PM – Pass it on: Mercy Hour at the LEC offers free showers, a free meal, and more on first and third Saturdays. Know someone who could use a reset, or want to help? Low drama, high impact, no small talk required, just kindness.

🚗 Cruise In @ Indiana Avenue | Saturday (3/21) at 2:00 PM – Every third Saturday, the DeLand Area Cruisers are lining downtown DeLand with chrome and stories, and it is free. Expect raffle prizes, tunes from Rockin Rich Bedford, and the Miss Paws & Pistons Pinup Contest, because nostalgia should come with applause, not parking tickets.

🚐 Mobile Meals @ First Church DeLand LEC | Saturday (3/21) at 4:00 PM – Swing by E. Georgia Ave near S. Alabama for free meals for anyone, courtesy of Farmshare, served until they’re gone. No RSVP, no quiz at the door, just good food and neighbors. Bring your appetite, your patience, and maybe a spare to-go container.

♟ DeLand Library Youth Chess @ Libraries-Public, Deland Regional Library | Monday (3/23) at 4:45 PM – Send your mini grandmasters to DeLand Library for a free youth chess meet, where screens go quiet and brains actually turn on. It’s low-key, friendly, and sneaky educational, with new buddies, sharper moves, and that smug checkmate grin for the car ride home.

✨ Luminous Fireflies @ Blue Spring State Park (Orange City) | Wednesday (3/25) at 7:00 PM – Swap screen glow for firefly sparkle at this after-hours boardwalk hang, with a laid-back insect lesson, a craft to take home, and plenty of night magic. RSVP to Rachelle at [email protected], and the $14 after-hours fee politely bows out.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 DeLand report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 60°F – Low: 41°F – Precip: 3%

Sunny, with a high near 60. North northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. North wind around 5 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 66°F – Low: 48°F – Precip: 1%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. North wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. North wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

This house is wild

Minutes from Downtown DeLand, this 5 acre agriculturally zoned compound pairs a 2 bed, 1.5 bath home inside a 70×30 metal building with a covered breezeway and flexible work space. A fully irrigated greenhouse spanning over 25,000 square feet joins an attached pole barn and a 60×37 workshop. Unincorporated status, ag exemption, and optional furnishings and equipment.

Take a peek inside →