DeLand Living - Best Version Media

09/23/2026

The September issue of DeLand Living is here. Our cover story is especially meaningful. We’re sharing the stories of four local veteran families who recently received the keys to brand-new homes through West Volusia Habitat for Humanity’s Veterans Build. “Four Front Doors, Four New Chapters” introduces you to the families behind those doors and the community effort that helped make homeownership possible.

And there’s an opportunity THIS WEEKEND to help Habitat continue creating stories like these! 🏠❤️ https://givebutter.com/c/hard-hats-high-heels-gala-2026

West Volusia Habitat for Humanity’s Hard Hats & High Heels Annual Gala is Saturday, September 26, beginning at 6 p.m. at the DeLand National Guard Armory. It will be an evening of fine dining, entertainment, cocktails and inspired giving, with a goal of raising $100,000 to help make future Habitat homes possible.

Also inside the September issue:

AdventHealth shares important information about colon cancer screening, early detection and why routine screenings can be such an important part of preventive health care.

Local Realtor Tracy Snow of Lively Real Estate explains why local knowledge still matters when buying or selling a home and how understanding the neighborhood, community and lifestyle surrounding a property can be just as important as the numbers.

Our Business Profile celebrates 55 years of St. Barnabas Episcopal School and its longstanding DeLand tradition of Faith, Virtue and Excellence, from its beginnings in 1971 to the generations of families who continue to call St. Barnabas home.

You’ll find our September community calendar, Pet Corner, local expert advice, real estate updates and plenty more from around DeLand.

Pick up the September issue of DeLand Living (or view it online here: https://bit.ly/DL-Sept26), and please consider joining us in supporting West Volusia Habitat for Humanity this Saturday! 💙

📸

08/26/2026

As August begins to wind down, we wanted to take one more look back at a really special issue of DeLand Living — and an even more special cover family. ❤️

The Bass family’s story is such a great reflection of DeLand: building a life, raising a family, growing local businesses and choosing to pour back into the community they call home.

A special shoutout also goes to Nicole and Dreamscape Photography + Video for the beautiful work on this month’s cover and feature. They captured the Bass family — and the beauty of DeLand — so perfectly. 📸

Inside our August issue, there’s plenty more DeLand to celebrate. Mayor Chris Cloudman shares a thoughtful letter about the local businesses and people who make our community what it is. We get to know the story behind CFB Outdoors, Inc. and how a local business that began in 1998 continues to grow and serve West Volusia. We also take a look inside Hot Yoga DeLand's new HYD-North location and the new ways they’re helping our community move, connect and recharge.

And summer isn’t quite over yet! There’s still time to taste your way around West Volusia and vote for your favorite CoolCraft American Summer beverage before the winners are crowned. ☀️🥤

We also celebrate a place that truly is part of the heart and soul of DeLand — the Athens Theatre — and the incredible role the arts continue to play in bringing our community together.

And, of course, there’s much more tucked inside these pages.

📖 Read the full August issue here:
https://bit.ly/45Q8hhn

As we say goodbye to August and get ready for September, thank you to all of the families, businesses, organizations and neighbors who continue to make DeLand Living something we’re so proud to share each month.

And if you’re a local business looking for a meaningful way to reach DeLand residents and be part of what we’re building each month, we’d love to hear from you. Contact Denille Brownlee at [email protected] to learn more about advertising and partnership opportunities.

We’ll see you in September! ❤️

07/28/2026

🇺🇸 July in DeLand was filled with hometown pride, summer traditions and stories that remind us what makes this community so special.

At the heart of our July issue was the unforgettable Dot Brown. At 98 years young, Dot’s life is woven into generations of DeLand history, from the Hotel Putnam and Stetson University to St. Barnabas, local organizations and the many friendships she has built along the way. Her joy, energy and love for this town inspired our cover story, “Go, Dot, Go: A Life Well-Loved in DeLand.”

A very special thank-you to Dreamscape Photography + Video and our talented photography team for capturing Dot’s warmth, personality and remarkable story so beautifully.

Also inside the July issue:

❄️ Helpful summer A/C advice from Jacob Heating & Air Conditioning
🏠 The story behind Beery Roofing and Redesign and their commitment to West Volusia
📐 Expert guidance from Mike Self of MS Design & Construction on plans, permits and peace of mind
💼 Retirement questions worth considering from Evin Lynch of Edward Jones
🏛️ A thoughtful letter from Mayor Chris Cloudman about DeLand’s traditions, history and hometown spirit

DeLand Living is created to celebrate the people, businesses and stories that bring our community together. Have a neighbor we should feature, a local story to share, a favorite pet photo or an idea for a future issue? We would love for you to be part of your hometown magazine.🐕

Local businesses are also invited to reach out and learn more about opportunities to be featured, share their expertise and connect with DeLand residents through the magazine.📱

Thank you to our readers, contributors, photographers and local business partners who make each issue possible! 💙

July 2026: bit.ly/DL726

06/22/2026

June in DeLand brings sunshine, summer rhythms, and another issue full of the people, places, and stories that make this community feel like home.

In our June issue of DeLand Living, we were honored to feature the Adams family — a beautiful story of Old Florida roots, family legacy, and the ongoing work of preserving something truly special along the St. Johns River. Through Highland Park Fish Camp, the Rawlins family helped create a DeLand landmark, and now Bryn and Chad Adams are carrying that heritage forward with love, grit, gratitude, and a deep commitment to keeping an Old Florida legacy alive.

Also featured in this issue:

🌿 Evin Lynch shared insight on retirement planning and the importance of building a savings goal around your real life, not just a random number. Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Evin Lynch, CFP

🌿 Kurt Dye gave us a closer look at the legacy of DeLand Nissan and the trust built through decades of serving local families. DeLand Nissan

🌿 Jeff Schimming offered timely guidance on getting homes storm ready before hurricane season arrives in full force. Jeff Schimming

🌿 Alliance Community highlighted the peace of mind, connection, care, and lifestyle that can come with finding the right retirement community. Alliance Community for Retirement Living

🌿 Bee Realty’s Real Estate Update gave readers a look at current DeLand-area market activity and a reminder of the value of creativity, communication, and care in a slower market. Bee Realty Corp, The Energy to move you

Thank you to the families, experts, businesses, and neighbors who help make DeLand Living a true reflection of this community.

Special thanks to 📸 Dreamscape Photography + Video

June 2026: https://bit.ly/DLJune26

05/29/2026

Thank you, Amanda, for such kind words and for trusting DeLand Living to help share what CFB Outdoors, Inc. is doing.

One of the best parts of this work is getting to know the people behind local businesses and seeing how much they care about DeLand. We are grateful to be part of this community and thankful for partners like you who make this magazine possible.

05/28/2026

Google did not create the trust.

Google captured the demand.

That is the part of ROI targeting that a lot of business owners miss.

Someone may see your name in the neighborhood, hear about you from a friend, notice your ad, pass your sponsorship sign, see your post online, and slowly start to recognize you.

Then one day, the need becomes real.

They go to Google.
They search for the service.
Your name appears.
They click.

When you ask how they found you, they say, “Google.”

And technically, they are right.
But the trust was built before the search ever happened.
That is why real marketing ROI is not just about who clicked today.

It is about who already trusted you when they did.

05/26/2026

As the school year wraps up, we asked DeLand seniors to look back and tell us about the teachers who helped shape their journey.

Their answers were a sweet reminder that great teachers are remembered long after the final bell rings.

To every educator who encouraged, challenged, cared, listened, pushed, prayed, showed up, and believed in a student this year, thank you. You are making a difference. 🍎

05/25/2026

Amazing afternoon at DeLand’s Got Talent celebrating incredible local talent and community support.

Grateful to volunteer alongside my Rotary club and Rotarians from across West Volusia, who helped make this event possible.

Congratulations to all the finalists, and especially Annalyse Coley, winner of both the Judges’ Choice and Audience Choice awards for her choreographed dance routine to “Spanish Rose” from Bye Bye Birdie.

So much talent right here in DeLand!

- Denille

05/18/2026

Simply the best! 🫶
📸 Dreamscape Photography + Video

Sometimes the best family moments are the simplest ones. ☕🤍

No big poses. No pressure. Just spending time together, laughing, talking, and enjoying a slow moment as a family.

These are the kinds of photos that end up meaning more and more over time because they capture what life actually felt like in that season. ✨

We love creating portraits that feel natural, relaxed, and true to each family’s story.
Living

— NOW BOOKING 2026/2027 —
www.DreamscapePhotography.com

05/14/2026

In our April issue of DeLand Living, we were proud to feature Hot Yoga Deland and their vision behind DeLand Yoga Fest, a celebration of yoga, wellness, mindfulness, and community right here in the heart of DeLand.

Held April 25-26, DeLand Yoga Fest brought together yoga lovers, wellness enthusiasts, and community members for a weekend centered around movement, connection, and mindfulness.

Created by Heather McIver and Kirsty Boyer, DeLand Yoga Fest was born from a simple idea: bring people together, share the love of yoga, and create a space where everyone feels welcome. From energizing flows to gentle restorative practices, breathwork, meditation, and meaningful connection, the festival reflected what makes DeLand so special: people showing up for one another.

As Heather and Kirsty shared in the article, “DeLand Yoga Fest is about coming as you are, leaving a little lighter, and remembering that you’re not alone on this journey.”

We also want to congratulate Hot Yoga DeLand on their exciting growth and the announcement of a second location — a testament to the incredible community they’ve built and the impact they continue to make throughout West Volusia.

We love getting to spotlight local businesses that do more than provide a service. Hot Yoga DeLand is helping build community, encourage wellness, and create spaces where people can move, breathe, connect, and feel at home.

Thank you, Hot Yoga DeLand, for bringing this kind of energy to DeLand.