- April 14, 2026
Sean Hawkins, Halifax Humane Society CEO; Meagan Arrington, director of marketing at Paradise Pointe; Goober, Chris McDuff, Open Paw volunteer manager at Halifax Humane Society; and Darlinda Copeland, CEO of Paradise Pointe, pose with 50 Puppy Love treat bags made by Paradise Pointe residents for local shelter dogs. Courtesy photo
Resident Mary shares a special moment with her daughter while creating Puppy Love treat bags for the dogs at the Halifax Humane Society. Courtesy photo
Resident Dennis and his daughter-in-law share a special moment creating Puppy Love treat bags for dogs at the Halifax Humane Society. Courtesy photo
Paradise Pointe resident Vera puts the finishing touches on a Puppy Love treat bag. Courtesy photo
Paradise Pointe Assisted Living and Memory Care residents recently came together to create "Puppy Love treat bags" in honor of National Puppy Day on March 23.
Residents decorated treat bags and filled them with rope chew toys, tennis balls, dental sticks and dog treats during a "Made with Meagan" activity, and on April 3, Paradise Pointe CEO Darlinda Copeland and Marketing Director Meagan Arrington delivered the donation to the Halifax Humane Society, according to a press release.
“This was truly a full-circle moment,” Arrington said. “Our residents were able to create something with love, knowing it would bring comfort and happiness to both the animals and the families adopting them.”
Their donation came just as HHS was hosting a 50% adoption fee event, and the treat bags were gifted to families as they took home their newly adopted pets.
“At Paradise Pointe, we believe our residents still have so much to give,” Copeland said. “Creating opportunities for connection, creativity, and contribution is essential to living a happy and meaningful life.”
Florida Eye Specialists has added Dr. Ronald P. Swendris to its Ormond Beach team.
Swendris is a board-certified, fellowship-trained ophthalmologist, specializing in glaucoma care and anterior segment surgery, according to a press release. He has over 35 years of experience diagnosing and treating a wide range of eye conditions, with a clinical focus on glaucoma management, cataract surgery and advanced surgical techniques.
“Glaucoma often develops without noticeable symptoms until vision loss has already occurred,” Swendris said. “That’s why early detection and ongoing monitoring are so important. I look forward to helping patients better understand their condition and providing treatment options that preserve their vision and quality of life.”
He and his wife, Cate, a registered nurse, recently relocated to Ormond Beach. They have one son, Christopher.
Erum Kistemaker, managing attorney and shareholder of Ormond Beach's Kistemaker Business Law Group, was recently announced to the 2026 Gator100 list, an honor recognizing her law firm as one of the 100 fastest-growing businesses led by University of Florida alumni.
“This Gator100 recognition is incredibly meaningful to myself, my firm and my family — especially this year, as our son will be entering his freshman year at the University of Florida! I am so proud of this and am so excited to share this with other wonderful Gator entrepreneurs,” Kistemaker said in a press release.
Kistemaker is an expert in condo, construction, HOA, real estate, business law and landlord and tenant law. She has had an influential and active role in new and changing legislation regarding Florida condo law and is consistently featured as a Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation authority on multifarious statewide panels discussing the latest regulatory changes and legislative updates.
Gili's Kitchen, a kosher restaurant on the beachside at 188 E. Granada Blvd., has now closed.
The restaurant announced its closure in a Facebook post on Sunday, April 12.
"After much thought, we have made the difficult decisions to permanently close our Ormond Beach location," the post reads. "We are incredibly grateful for your support, your loyalty."
Gili's Kitchen in Ormond Beach first opened its doors in July 2023. Its owner continues to operate a location in Jacksonville, at 126 W. Adams St., Unit 102.
