Editor, The Beacon:

After meeting friends for lunch at Boston Coffee, I crossed the corner at West New York Avenue, past the blue-painted mural on the side of the Museum of Art – DeLand building.

From there, a lovely walkway of colored bricks and bushes are on the left side. Chess Park is on your right, and the entrance leads down a shade-covered path, next to our large imposing Historic Volusia County Courthouse.

I found parking in the large area across from the Athens Theatre, which produces some amazing shows by talented actors.

The computer screen on my car read “Maintenance required,” which took me to Boulevard Tire. The attendant checked the car. The verdict — in 2,000 miles I’ll need an oil change. There was no charge.

Two weeks ago, I shopped in Downtown DeLand with my son, who was visiting from Texas. It was so much fun finding stores with unique gifts.

Prior to this, he found a straw hat for me at Ace Hardware that was adorned with parrots, the very bird he studies and researches in Venezuela. This is just a sample of the reasons our family appreciates our hometown.

Claire Berg
DeLand