DeLand Living - Best Version Media

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.

05/11/2026

Every month, we get the privilege of highlighting what makes DeLand and Maitland so special: the people, families, businesses, nonprofits, events, and stories that bring these communities to life. 🧡

Through DeLand Living and Maitland Neighbors, Team Brownlee helps local businesses become part of the community conversation through meaningful sponsorships, trusted print exposure, website development, and digital advertising that keeps them visible where people are spending their time.

And while our magazines are rooted in DeLand and Maitland, we can help businesses grow all across Central Florida.

If you own a business and want to build trust, stay visible, and connect with the right local audience, we’d love to talk.

Reach out to learn more about how we can grow together. 🌱

05/10/2026

Happy Mother's Day! 🌷

In the May issue of DeLand Living, we were grateful to feature a conversation with Khelsea Bauer, CEO of AdventHealth DeLand.

With May bringing both Mother’s Day and National Women’s Health Month, the timing felt especially meaningful. Khelsea shared about leadership, kindness, family, women’s health, and the importance of not putting your own care at the bottom of the list.

One reminder from the conversation really stood out:

“Caring for yourself is part of caring for the people you love.”

We are thankful for leaders like Khelsea who are not only helping guide healthcare in our community, but who also care deeply about the people and families who call DeLand home.

You can read the full feature in the May issue of DeLand Living.