Our first stop during our Volusia County tour was Ponce Preserve. It’s a park that has a combo of opportunities to experience the original natural Florida tidal area of this part of the east coast. See the site for details. It’s a GREAT park and well worth the trip whether you take the boardwalk, the natural trail or head out to the beach.

Our next stop was Sugar Mill Gardens. It is the site of a sugar mill, a theme park, a Civil War site and a Seminole Indian War site. It covers it all. There is no doubt ‘Bongoland’ is the most interesting. I’ll let this site explain it as I run out of time to type all of this. By the way, I counted 7 dinosaurs. Above is one of them.

We continued our Volusia County tour with a stop at the Daytona Beach Museum of Arts and Sciences.WHATTAPLACE!!!!Everyting from greek statues (See right) to antique cars to Florida history to pirates to actual train cars to….It’s an amazing place!We made a stop at Zeno’s, a favorite of ours,

We next stopped at a favorite of our in Volusia County, Zeno’s. They have two locations. We stopped at the one on A1A. Got ice cream and salt water taffy. Above is cover of the box of the saltwater taffy we picked up. I love the historical photos.

After Zeno’s we wandered up A1A to Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area. The park, that includes beach access, is named for the Florida troubador, Gamble Rogers, who sang and told stories of Florida’s history, environment and a series of characters that dwelled in our state in the fictional area of Ocklawaha County.I got to meet and work with Gamble back in the ’80s when I was working with Florida music and storytellers festivals and groups. He was a sight to behold. A very calm and steady performer. I’m reading a number of books about Dean Martin. Gamble was the easygoing come-what-may Dean Martin on stage.It was a tragedy he died in the surf at the very spot where this park is. He was trying to save another person caught in the rough waters. We happened to be there when there was a red flag warning of the rough surf and dangerous waters at the beach as it was when Gamble died. The difference now is an actual red flag atop a pole flapping in the wind, see the sketch to the right. At the time of Gamble’s death there were no flags there. Too bad the story of Gamble’s death isn’t at the park. I felt like chasing after the people in the surf and warning them of the dangers and of the reason why the park area is named after Gamble.

We finished our trip in Marion County and had dinner at Lena’s Restaurant, where you can have a “whale of a meal”.To the left is the papertowel holder on every table.

This is becoming a habit….a scheduled habit…

Here’s the Dial Soap hand cleaner the doctor fellow had sitting on the counter.

Well, after four and a half weeks of being sick, I made a third trip to a doctor’s office. The doctor pointed to medicine, but primarily pointed at me and said to pull the plug and start resting. I’ve been struggling through work in the last few weeks through runny nose, groggy mind and persistent cough. I guess I’ll listen and put down the pen for the next couple of days to be stronger next week. Above is a sketch of items in the doctors office.

Sandra is currently on another trip, this time in South Carolina. She’s feelign better. Her ears have been clogged for nearly three weeks. She told me they just about opened up finally today.

Just so you don’t forget that lady who got you thinkin’ about morning trains more than 25 years ago, I thought I’d let you know Sheena is spinning into 48 today.

She’s still out there performing concerts. Sandra and I saw her in Las Vegas three years ago and the concert was terrific!

Would you believe the lovable cranky Jack Klugman shares Sheena’s birthday. Jack Klugman is 85 today.

Another recent birthday event was James Garner’s 80th April 7th.

I was at the Orlando Remembered meeting this morning. Here’s Santa Lucile Fair and her jolly elf, Jack Kazanzas.

My next stop was at Jim’s Barber Shop to have him fashion me one of his outstanding hair cuts.
	Next it was on to Orlando’s Veterans Administration nursing care facility to draw some of our mighty soldiers.Here’s Richard’s drawing. He’s 99 and once owned Longwood Nursery.

Working on the annual Christmas card. Here’s a small pencil sample of the pencils.

From Sanford we swung over to one of the biggest arts and crafts show in the Southeast, ‘Fiesta in the Park’ in Orlando at Lake Eola. I helped with the mad rush of artisans turning in cash and checking out. I had to put on my mathematical hat and make sure I put the right envelopes and cash in the right places. Sandra parked the car and made her way to where I was and did her best stay out of the way as the show was closing all around her.

Nell Atkins is the leader and primary organizer of the entire event and has been for many, many years. She is incredible. No bureaucratic nightmares. No stifling egos. She handles this gigantic effort with grace and sure-sightedness. Way too many events are handled more and more by the immature control freak mentality. Especially by younger folks. Event organizers would do themselves well by observing Nell’s ability to pulloff a world-class event.

Nell brought out the piece that got the Best-Of-Show Award. The title is ‘Gnome Home’. It’s made of camphor and has an unbelievable amount of drawers carved into it. One drawer opens to 4 that opens to 2 that… Well, you get the idea. Gary Smith, of Melbourne, is the sculptor. He said it took him FOUR YEARS to carve. That’s patience. IF I don’t get a piece of art finished in 15 MINUTES I get antsy! The drawing above is of the ‘Gnome Home’.

Well our intent was to see Rock City. A continuous rainstorm washed those plans out. This is a drawing I did from the gift shop.

I was at the Citrus Club for a gathering. I took a peek outside and thought I’d sketch my old haunt of Orlando City Hall. Now snug between other structures here City Hall peeks beteen.

Being such a big fan of The Rat Pack, I’m very sorry to read of the death of Joey Bishop. Bishop was the last of the Pack living. I remember him oh so well guest-hosting The Tonight Show and his many appearance on television. After reading of his death I broke open a DVD set of his early ’60s TV show and played them as I worked.

The art is part of this weeks ‘It Takes A Village’ from the Glenn Beck site.

By the way, I’ve been couped up working on a very large project that I fianlly finished yesterday. It’s been quite a haul getting it done. But it is done. I can’t write much more about it. If and when I can, I will.

Today begins multi-weeks on the road for one reason or the other, so this blog should get more active beyond the books I’ve been reading.