Ormond Beach resident takes the Observer abroad

Two Ormond Beach residents recently returned from traveling around Scotland, and in their travels, they shared their hometown newspaper with a few new friends.

Alan Hovey said in an email that he and his wife Sue found the people of Scotland to be friendly, hospitable and delightful. He shared photos of people reading the Ormond Beach Observer.

"Without exception, they found the Ormond Beach Observer to be a great read," Hovey said. "I can testify that sharing the Observer is also a fine way to connect with the locals when visiting foreign countries."

Daytona Solisti begins concert season

The Daytona Solisti Concert Series will kick off its 15th-annual season with "Mozartiana" on Oct. 27 at the First Presbyterian Church of Daytona Beach. The Daytona Solisti will also be celebrating Beethoven's 250th birthday in 2020 with two Beethovenfest concerts this season and continuing into the next.

“Mozartiana” will feature the Daytona Solisti Chamber Orchestra performing Mozart’s Symphony No. 29 in A Major, and the concert starts at 3:30 p.m. Admission is a requested $15 donation. The performance will also feature soprano Csilla Csagoly joining the ensemble for Mozart’s “Exsultate, Jubilate." Csagoly is a professional opera singer from Hungary who now resides in the Daytona area.

The program also includes Mozart’s Concertone in C Major for Two Violins, with violin soloists Susan Pitard Acree and Sue Cryan. The Solisti's 2019-202 season will showcase the music of Schubert and Solisti's annual Valentine's themed "Romancing the Strings." For a schedule of events, visit daytonasolisti.com

OBPD to join Police Unity Tour

Four Ormond Beach Police officers are raising awareness for the Police Unity Tour, joining hundreds of other law enforcement officers from around the nation in May 2020 to participate in the three-day, 250-mile bicycle ride from Portsmouth, Virginia to Washington D.C.

Police Chief Jesse Godfrey, Sgt. Mike Pavelka, Sgt. Michelle Willis and Officer

Rafael Medina are currently training for the ride, according to a press release. The Police Unity Tour is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about officers killed in the line of duty and supports the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial and Museum in Washington D.C.

The museum was established in 1984 by an act of the U.S. Congress and serves to honor over 20,000 men and women who had died in the line of duty. As the museum relies on charitable donations, those joining the tour must raise a minimum of $2,000 per rider to participate. If you wish to donate to assist the officers, here are the links:

Chief Jesse Godfrey: https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/jesse-godfrey-2/2020-Police-Unity-Tour-Chapter-VIII

Sgt. Mike Pavelka: https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/william-pavelka/2020-Police-Unity-Tour- Chapter-VIII

Sgt. Michelle Willis: https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/michelle-willis-1/2020-Police-Unity-Tour- Chapter-VIII

Officer Rafael Medina: https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/rafael-medina-2/2020-Police-Unity-Tour-Chapter-VIII

Ocen Art Gallery to feature Ormond-by-the-Sea artist

Ormond-by-the-Sea resident Renata Holder has been chosen as the featured artist at Ocean Art Gallery with a show entitled "Outside The Proverbial Box," opening Saturday, Nov. 2 and running through Nov. 30.

Holder's work will be shown on a large wall just inside the front doors where guests will have an opportunity to chat with the artist. Her style of painting primarily modern abstract and consists of acrylic paints applied on a canvas or combined with mediums of various types, according to a press release. Holder often works with epoxy resin finishes to add vibrancy and depth.

Holder said there is nothing in life more stimulating yet calming than creating art. Her art is not premeditated but a visual process in which the end result presents itself as a subjective image, the press release states.

“I'm creative when I title each piece, but rather than my inventing a story for them, I leave it up to the viewer to interpret in their own way," Holder said. "I get fulfillment hearing what my works say to them."

The “Outside The Proverbial Box” opening reception is from 5-8:00 p.m. and is part of the Ormond Beach Art Walk.