Marine Science Center Rescues Ormond Beach Turtles

Although the Marine Science Center is in Ponce Inlet, the residents and visitors to Ormond Beach enjoy and benefit from the facility, as do all the folks in the Daytona Beach area. Right now the Turtle Terrace is popular, because it's the turtle time of year. The Center is a turtle rehab facility and bird sanctuary, and provides education about the coastal ecosystem preservation and environmental protection needed to keep our coasts healthy.

53 sea turtles - both loggerhead and green - arrived at the turtle section of the Center between Feb. 24 - April 1, all with a mysterious disease. Comatose turtles washed ashore the coasts all along Volusia County, and Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Officers brought them to the Center.

Specimens were sent to a lab for analysis, but the results were inconclusive, so the center had to treat the turtles symptomatically instead of for a specific illness. Several turtles have completed their rehabilitation and have been reintroduced to their natural habitat, while others continue their convalescence. Many suffered from internal blockage as a result of overindulgence.

Explained in an article for AJC, "Sea turtles often follow in the wake of shrimping boats as they cull their catch, indulging in a tempting, all-you-can-eat seafood buffet. Crustaceans, like crabs, are normally easily digested, but the bycatch from a shrimping boat is a feast, far more food than the sea turtles could ever catch on their own, and they tend to overindulge. The irony is that their gluttony can lead to starvation."

Michael Brothers, Interpretive Chief for the Center, explained, "They get lethargic and bloat, which causes them to float. Because they are bloated with gas, they can no longer go to the bottom for food. It’s like having a life preserver tied to them, and they eventually wash up onshore emaciated.”

The Center is experienced in caring for sick turtles, but its bird sanctuary is well-known as well. Area residents who find a sick or injured bird can place it in a drop-off box that is available 24 hours a day, with the assurance the bird will be treated by a team of experts. The Sanctuary includes a guest viewing area, currently featuring red-tailed hawks, pelicans, egrets, and owls, and a Bird Observation Tower, which provides a panoramic view of Ponce Inlet.

If you are visiting Ormond Beach, drop by to discuss our real estate buying opportunities. If you are considering relocation to Ormond Beach, I'm enthusiastic about our lifestyle and community, so just ask for a Free Relocation Package, or visit my web site and sign up.

And by the way, while you're here, please protect and preserve our coasts, inland, river, and Atlantic.

Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
386-679-3191
yourkeytothebeach@gmail.com
www.ormondbeachflhome.com

Ormond Beach FL Celebrates Park & Rec Month

Governor Charlie Crist recently signed a proclamation recognizing July as Park and Recreation Month, and the Florida Park Service wants everyone to experience outdoor recreation at a Florida state park in July. “Florida’s state parks provide an endless opportunity for family and friends to enjoy the great outdoors and all of its benefits,” said Florida Park Service Director Mike Bullock. “During Park and Recreation Month, we encourage residents and visitors to experience the treasures of state parks in their backyard.”

State Parks in our Ormond Beach area include:

Blue Spring State Park

2100 West French Avenue

Orange City, FL 32763

386-775-3663

Bulow Creek State Park

2099 North Beach Street

Ormond Beach, FL 32174

386-676-4050

Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach

3100 South A1A

Flagler Beach, FL 32136

386-517-2086

Hontoon Island State Park

2309 River Ridge Road

Deland, FL 32720

386-736-5309

North Peninsula State Park

40 Highbridge Road

Ormond by the Sea, FL 32176

386-517-2086

Tomoka State Park

2099 North Beach Street

Ormond Beach, FL 32174

386-676-4050

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park

6400 North Oceanshore Blvd.

Palm Coast, FL 32173

386-446-6780

In our state parks, you can find almost any outdoor activity you enjoy. Protect, preserve, and have fun!

Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
yourkeytothebeach@gmail.com
386-679-3191
http://www.ormondbeachflhome.com/

Ormond Beach Teacher Wins Presidential Award

Pine Trail Elementary School teacher Becky Pittard has won the nation's highest level of recognition for a kindergarten-through-12th-grade math teacher. Pittard has been a teacher for 20 years, and teaches 4th and 5th grade students. She won the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. She also will receive $10,000 in cash and an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. for a White House awards ceremony in the fall.

The Presidential Award has been won by approximately 3,900 teachers since 1983. 87 math and science teachers won in 2008. They were recognized for their contributions to teaching and learning.

East Volusia News reports, "Pittard, 58, said teaching students and other educators is her calling. 'I just love it and because it is my passion, I spend an enormous amount of time learning how to become a better teacher,' she said.

"To engage children, she said she brings math to their world and level by using real-world situations. Children might conduct experiments and analyze data from a state park, learn division by talking about how to share items at parties, or learn fraction skills with Hershey bars. 'I'm a firm believer that you just don't be creative for the sake of being creative,' she said. 'I like to tell stories along with my math, but it's not just to engage children, it's really based on research strategies.'"

Read more about Ms. Pittard at the East Volusia News story.

Congratulations to Becky Pittard!

Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
yourkeytothebeach@gmail.com
www.ormondbeachflhome.com

Ormond Beach Homeowners to Benefit from new Freddie Mac Rules

To help borrowers who have seen significant home price declines refinance their existing loans, the Obama Administration announced the availability of loan-to-value (LTV) ratios up to 125 percent for Home Affordable Refinance mortgages, including Freddie Mac's Relief Refinance Mortgage. The previous maximum LTV ratio for Relief Refinance Mortgages had been 105 percent.

As a result of this change, qualified borrowers will be able to obtain Relief Refinance Mortgages with loan amounts up to 125 percent of the current value of their property. The higher LTV ratio is expected to give homeowners - especially those in markets that have experienced sharp declines in home values - more options to refinance into mortgages with terms that better position them for long-term homeownership.

To encourage borrowers with 30-year fixed rate mortgages to consider a shorter 25-year term, Freddie Mac is providing a special price incentive to lenders. The incentive only applies to Relief Refinance Mortgages with LTV ratios between 105 percent and 125 percent. The 25-year term will result in borrowers paying less interest over the life of their loan and improving their overall equity position over time.

Freddie Mac's Relief Refinance Mortgage is available to borrowers who are current on mortgages that are owned or guaranteed by Freddie Mac. Borrowers should visit https://www.freddiemac.com/corporate/ and complete the online form to determine if Freddie Mac owns their mortgage.

Read more on the RealEstateChannel.com.

If you are an Ormond Beach homeowner struggling to make your mortgage payments, contact me to discuss your options. I am a CDPE (Certified Distressed Property Expert) and can help you avoid foreclosure.

Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
386-679-3191
yourkeytothebeach@gmail.com
www.ormondbeachflhome.com
www.sherryarmstrong.com

Riverfront Pool Home in Melrose of Ormond Beach Priced at $1,250,000

Most rare opportunity of a unique riverfront home! Almost an acre of land on the intracoastal riverfront with dock and boathouse. The panoramic views from this home are truly awesome!
This 4647 sq ft home has 3 suite areas. The first suite has 2 bedrooms with a full bath and views of the river. The Master suite is on the second floor and boasts a huge bathroom with soaking tub, his and hers vanities, walk-in closet, sitting area, 21 X 10 office and a second story veranda overlooking the river. A front row seat for sunrises and full moons over the intracoastal river.

The third suite area is the detached guest house complete with bedroom, full bath, full kitchen, living area, laundry area and private entrance (800 sq ft).

Both the house and guest house share a full deep porch surrounding the pool. The main home features a formal living room, formal dining room and family room. Details include maple hardwood floors, crown molding, and 6” baseboards downstairs.

The remodeled kitchen has granite counters and raised panel cabinets, new stainless JennAir downdraft stove, and new stainless GE Profile dishwasher.

The backyard is fenced and landscaped for privacy while you enjoy the pool. An oversized 2-car garage has a large workshop area.

This home is perfect for enjoying our waterways and a boating lifestyle with guests, extended families or in-laws. Owner is a licensed Realtor.

Directions: East on Granada from US1 to Beach St. turn right exactly one mile to 546 S Beach.

For a private showing, contact Sherry Armstrong, (386) 679-3191.