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Hello DeLand! Hope your coffee’s especially good this morning.

In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: A-rated school district, Stetson vs Florida State baseball, and a nationally ranked birding tour + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.

Heads up for pet parents: An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.*

📰 In the news

Success spans every school: Volusia County Schools earned an A rating for the first time in 16 years, announced at the State of Our Schools, including a 95.6% graduation rate and 4,600-plus industry certifications — see the districtwide results.

Nationally ranked birding experience: Marine Discovery Center’s boat tours to Disappearing Island in New Smyrna Beach will showcase dozens of rare migratory birds in outings March and April 2026 with local Audubon leaders — get all the details.

Compassion powers a comeback: Earlier this month, a Deltona homeowner had her hurricane-damaged roof replaced for free after insurance denials, as Central Florida companies and a helpful stranger coordinated local vendors and secured coverage — read the full story.

Gold just hit record highs. What about your savings? While traditional IRAs have been treading water against inflation, gold has gained over 50% in three years. That gap is why more retirees are rolling a portion of their savings into gold IRAs (the kind that hold physical metal). We compared the top five options and broke down who they’re best for. Check it out here →

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:

• Discover luminous fireflies after hours
• Stetson hosts Florida State baseball showdown
• Stetson softball hosts Florida Gators
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home*

💎 Local business spotlight

Make space for art: Between rotating exhibitions and a gallery shop stocked with prints and gifts, Museum of Art – DeLand is an easy downtown detour when the week needs a reset. The Florida Highwaymen show is up now, so swing by, wander a bit, and let your brain unclench.

A proper tea moment: Book a slow, cozy hour at Sweet Tea Cafe Deland—tiered trays, legit scones, and a rotating tea lineup that makes afternoons feel fancy without trying. If you’ve been meaning to catch up with a friend this week, here’s your excuse to actually put it on the calendar.

Bold intro phrase: Turn it up, DeLand: Cafe DaVinci keeps downtown humming with original live music and high-energy sets in a laid-back space that makes weeknights feel like weekends. Text a friend, claim a corner, and let the band handle the soundtrack while you catch up.

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 →

Own a piece of Apple for less than a coffee: Every time you buy something from Amazon or Starbucks, you’re putting money in their pocket. Fractional shares flip that: you can own a slice of those companies for as little as a dollar. Most investing apps make it incredibly easy, with zero commissions and no account minimums. See which ones we recommend →

Mom says she’s fine. You’re not so sure: “What if something happens when you’re home alone?” You’ve asked a hundred times, but the outcome’s always the same. I don’t need that. Life Alert’s for old people. The real struggle isn’t finding a medical alert system that’ll work… it’s finding one she won’t fight you on. We looked into five options designed to settle the standoff, from smartwatches to systems with nothing to wear at all. See which ones stood out →

Thinning hair? Your shampoo was never going to fix it: I’ve spent an embarrassing amount of money on hair-loss products, biotin, masks, sprays, you name it. Not one of them lasted. Turns out, most things target the strand, not the follicle (where thinning actually happens). Dermatologists have been prescribing treatments that work for years, but there are now plenty of options available with no office visits required. See our top picks for men and women →

Strangers can buy your personal data for $0.50: Data brokers sell your name, home address, phone number, estimated income, and other personal info to anyone willing to pay. Scammers and identity thieves use these databases to take advantage of you. There are dozens of affordable services that can help you protect yourself. These three are our favorites →

📆 Fun for the whole fam

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.

🔬 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.

🥍 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.

🚗 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.

🎭 Hansel and Gretel @ DeLand High School | Sunday (3/22) at 3:00 PM – Get your fairy-tale fix with Hansel and Gretel from Stetson Opera Theatre, lush, playful, and refreshingly breadcrumb-free. It’s Humperdinck the composer, not the crooner, at DeLand High School. Tickets drop September 1 on stetson.edu/concerts, so snag yours before the witch does.

✨ 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.

⚾ Stetson Baseball vs UCF @ Melching Field at Conrad Park | Tuesday (3/24) at 6:30 PM – UCF is rolling into DeLand to face Stetson at Melching Field for a non-conference rivalry that feels anything but casual. Expect crisp infield, stubborn pitching, and neighborly chirping. Grab seats at GoHatters.com, and pretend the Knights took I-4 just for the loss.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 DeLand report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 66°F – Low: 50°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 66. North wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. North wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 68°F – Low: 48°F – Precip: 5%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 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

Under construction in North DeLand, this agricultural estate spans 4 acres backing to Clark Bay Conservation Area. The 4 bed, 4 bath plan gives each bedroom an exterior entrance, suited for multigenerational living, guests, or studios. A chef’s kitchen offers pro appliances and granite. Moen fixtures, a hybrid water heater, solid block construction, and a butler’s pantry laundry maximize efficiency.

Take a peek inside →