I was honored to be elected Chairman for the city’s 125th Birthday Celebration. The journey for me started back in March – many new friendships have been forged and old ones strengthened. With this I extend my gratitude to everyone involved in making a memorable weekend.
The city celebrated 125 years on October 24, we celebrated the birthday on Saturday, October 26.
LAKE HELEN 125TH JUBILEE PROGRAM
10:00 am – Welcome Gateway Ceremony Ribbon Cutting – ENTRANCE of Main Street
The Welcome Gateway ribbon cutting ceremony was beautiful, God blessed us with a lovely morning. Chaplain Lewis Long said a lovely prayer blessing the residents and visitors of Lake Helen. Thank you for the gift to the city League for Better Living-Betty Dougherty, the Architect Illustrator Designer Ed Blackman and Ryan Hannah who will be in charge of constructing the gateway. Thank you for Mayor Buddy Snowden, Vice Mayor Ann Robbins, Commissioners Rick Basso and Cameron Lane for making this event special.
2:00pm Time Capsule Ceremony – City Hall
Flag Service – Sea Scouts
 |
|  |
Prayer –Chaplain Lewis Long
Proclamation- Mayor Buddy Snowden
Time Capsule Entombment
Bagpipes- Reginald Lyle
MEET AND GREET: cast of “Lake Helen, the Gem of Florida” and Ms Lake Helen
Procession to Blake Park for a slice of Lake Helen Happy Birthday Cake
 |
 |
 |
6:00pm FALL FESTIVAL –Equestrian Center
7:30pm Play “Lake Helen, Gem of Florida” –Shoestring Theatre
9:00pm Fireworks – Equestrian Center
Thank you also to:
Mayor Buddy Snowden and his wife Pat Snowden (for believing in me), Vice Mayor Ann Robbins (for her endless hours of dedication and creativity -and the beautiful billboard she created),
Commissioners: Vernon Burton, Cameron Lane(for directing the music choir), Rick Basso (for designing a beautiful time capsule marker), City Administrator KC Cichon, The League for Better Living – Betty Dougherty(for gifting the city with a Welcome Gateway), Lake Helen Museum – Dene Masters, Architect Illustrator Designer Ed Blackman(designing the Welcome Gateway), Anita Campbell, City of Lake Helen Parks & Rec: Ranger James, Lynnette Saylor Wilham and David Hughes, Connie Hughes, Lewis Long, ASA Gray Park -Lake Helen Garden Club, Mary Triplett with the Sea Scouts, Event Coordinator Johnnie Chavis, 5K Buster Run- Tricia Shortlidge, Ricky and Jennifer Mullen, Rebecca Sutton of Miss Lake Helen along with the Miss Lake Helen Pageants: Alyssa Sigers– Miss/ Catie McGuirk -Junior Miss and Kyndall Carlone – Little Miss, our sister city- Orange City, BJ’s, The West Volusia Historical Society, Shoestring Theater, those who made the play possible (Lake Helen, the Gem of Florida): Producer & Director Billy de Silva, the actors: Robert Sollien, Cathy Talleckson, Will Pierce, Robert Floyd, William Crippen, Janice Driggers; the production staff: Chris Patterson, Trevor Russo, Caryn Long; Double D Video Productions of Daytona Beach; Lake Helen Police Department – Chief Mike Walker and Team. Fran Pariani(for exhibiting her 125 year old carriage and bicycle).
|
 |
Roses and Gargoyles, 3 Sisters Ice Cream Palace, Creative Arts Cafe, and at City Hall – thank you Sharon and Wendy (yes and Nancy too even though she’s not there any more).
The list can go on…soooo to all of the citizens of Lake Helen that donated money, time and energy: THANK YOU
…and my guiding star: De D’Onofrio whom without as my North Star I would have needed a flashlight.
Thank you Caryn Long for suggesting that any funds left over be donated to Parks and Rec to purchase equipment for outdoor movie screen and projector so the community can enjoy Movies in the Park.
~This experience allowed me to understand that we are capable of doing great things; and sometimes great things are made up of a lot of little things coming together. Each one of us has the potential to do great things – Believe.
