Vol 21 No. 9 11 November 2017

A bit to do around the house and truck when we got back to Daytona Beach.  We had a few things on for the weekend.  Had a couple of meetings in Deltona, then took a leisurely drive to Ocoee, Florida.  Stopped in Sanford for lunch and to check out two Brew Pubs there.  The historic Georgetown area of Sanford is lovely.

Lunch and a beer at the Sanford Brewing Company.

Opened in October 2016 c 1930 building.

Across the street is Wop's Hops' Brewing Company in an historic building.

Website:  Wop’s Hop’s Brewing Company is Sanford’s first microbrewery.  Our Brewery is located in the landmark Stokes Fish Market building.

We were headed to the city of Ocoee, north of Orlando, for the 24th Annual Founder's Day Festival. Alot of towns and cities across the USA have Founders Day celebrations - parades and festivals.  Founders Day celebrates the anniversary of establishment of a society or organization on which its founder is honoured.  The Ocoee Festival was held for two days - the Friday and Saturday, it is sponsored by businesses and organisations in the area.  No entrance fee or charge for the entertainment.
There were alot of midway rides and entertainment, stalls and markets.

There were guided tours of the Withers-Maguire Mansion.

Internet:  The Withers-Maguire House, is one of Orange County’s oldest homes.  It has been Tastefully updated with an additional kitchen and restroom while the main rooms of the house are much the same as they have always been.  It is on the US National Register of Historic Places.

The home was built in 1888 by General William T Withers.  His widow, Martha, sold the house to David Maguire in 1910.  The house had only been owned by two families in almost 100 years.  The City of Ocoee purchased it in 1983. 

Handmade quilt made of scraps of fabric.

Pink police car for breast cancer awareness.

There were live bands all afternoon, but we were there to see the last three of that day.

Internet:  Shenandoah has released nine studio albums, of which two have been certified cold.  The band has also charted twenty-six singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.  Number one hits – “The Church on Cumberland Road”, “Sunday in the South”, “Two Dozen Roses”, “If Bubba Can Dance, I Can Too”.

Craig Campbell is one of the younger (new) Country artists and he is an impressive entertainer, musician, singer and songwriter.  We both enjoyed his show.

Internet:  Craig Morgan has released two albums, Craig Campbell in 2011 and Never Regret in 2013.  He has had seven singles on the country charts.

While his band took a break, Craig invited two members of the audience to sit at his 'Piano Bar', while he played and sang.  It was very personal and memorable.

The headliner was Dwight Yoakam.  The fourth time I have seen Dwight and a favourite.  He sang and entertained non-stop for an hour and a half.  It was fabulous.  The crowd was up and dancing around.

Internet:  Dwight Yoakam is a singer, songwriter, musician and actor most famous for his pioneering country music.  Popular since the early 1980’s, he has recorded more than twenty albums and compilations, charted more than thirty singles, and sold more than 25 million records.  He has recorded five Billboard No 1 albums, twelve gold albums, and nine platinum albums.

Full moon and fireworks after the concerts.

It was about an hour and a half back to the house - we stopped at Waffle House on the way back.  It was a big day!

Caught up with Lis and Harvey and Carol at Brian's Barbeque on Monday evening for nickle beers and great barbeque.

Tuesday afternoon, Jim and I and our friend/neighbour Diane, went to the Volusia County Fair.  Have not been there for about 20 years.

Website:  The Volusia County Fair and Youth Show, founded in 1930, provides a place of youth to learn and show their livestock products, residents of Volusia County are encouraged to participate in art, photography, music, agriculture, horticulture, home and craft projects.  The fair gives students an opportunity to showcase their talents while competing for awards.

The Fair runs for 10 days, to include the first two weekends of November each year.

Pat Boone was the musical entertainment that day - he had a 3pm and 7pm performance. We attended the 3pm - it was very entertaining.

Internet:  Charles Eugene “Pat” Boone is an American singer, composer, actor, writer, television personality, motivational speaker, and spokesman.  He was a successful pop singer in the US during the 1950s and early 1960s.  He sold more than 45 million records, had 38 top-40 hits, and appeared in 12 Hollywood films.

According to Billboard, Boone was the second-biggest charting artist of the late 1950s, behind only Elvis Presley, and was ranked at No. 9 in the 100 Top 40 Artists 1955-1995.  Boone still holds the Billboard record for spending 220 consecutive weeks on the charts with one or more songs each week.

Born in 1934, at 83 years of age – he put on a great show. A lot of old video clips of his life with him giving a running commentary of the best, and embarrassing times during his life.

"Love Letters In The Sand", "April Love", "Ain't That A Shame", "Moody River", "Speedy Gonsales".

Pat Boone in concert.

Some great old tractors.

A walk through the pavillions was interesting - very much like our shows/exhibitions.

There was a table setting section.

 Not very crowded while we were there on a week day.

Also walked through the livestock pavilion - saw the chickens, turkeys, rabbits, guinea pigs.

It was a fun afternoon, we left just on dark, before the evening crowd.
Wednesday evening, stopped in DeLand at Persimmon Hollow Brewing.

We left Daytona earlier to miss traffic, we were on our way to DeLeon Springs, where Lis cooked and treated us!  One of our favourite eating places!  :-)
Jimmy got in from trucking on Thursday, caught up with him at McKs Tavern on Beach Street, Daytona.

The International Speedway Boulevard bridge looked spectacular from the Main Street bridge as we headed back to the house.

Jim and I stayed busy getting business, the house and truck ready for the three and a half months we will be in Australia.  It is a process!
Took the truck to New Smyrna Beach on Friday afternoon, stopped at the New Smyrna Beach Brewery for their new winter brews.

Canal Street, New Smyrna Beach, FL.

Then caught up with Ron, Tim, Helena, Lamont and Mary Lynn at The Half Wall Beer House.  Always lots of fun and laughs with the New Smyrna friends.

Daytona Beach Greek Festival is held each year, the 41st this year - a couple of blocks from our house.
Website: Celebrate Greek culture, food and tradition in a lively atmosphere along the Halifax River.  Enjoy dancing performances, live music, fresh make food and pastries.
Great food!  And sunsets, even though there were storm clouds around.

That is it for Casey Capers - USA for 2017.  Jim and I fly to Australia tomorrow (Sunday, here).