Thursday, February 24, 2011

Astor Florida History


While Exploring the St. John's River in early 1596, Don Pedro Menendez made the following notes into his diary: "We found the third village of the savages on the West bank, halfway between a very big lake and a smaller one farther up stream on a likable spot in the shade of formidable trees. The river seems to be full of goodly fish, and the forest inhabited by all kinds of birds and beasts, the meat of which is quite tasty.


"The royal botanist John Bartram and his son visited the same spot in 1765 to study the flora and the fauna of the St. John's. Upon discovering a trading post named Spalding's Upper Store, they decided to stay several weeks. In his subsequent book "TRAVELS", William Bartram devoted 72 pages to describing the area in vivid and colorful detail, such as "this blessed land where the gods have amassed into one heap all the flowering plants, birds, fish and other wildlife of two continents in order to turn the rushing streams, the silent lake shores and the awe-abiding woodlands of this mysterious land into a true garden of eden."

Monday, February 21, 2011

7th Annual DeLand Bike Rally


Event Happens: Mar 05, 2011 (10:00 AM - 07:00 PM)
The 7th annual DeLand Bike Rally is a festive, family-friendly kick-off to Daytona Beach's world famous Bike Week. The Bike Rally features a Pro-Am bike show complete with trophies and cash prizes, motorcycle drill team performances, vendors and exhibitors, live music, food, free parking and thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts gathering along the streets of DeLand.The rally takes place in historic Downtown DeLand, a nationally award-winning Florida MainStreet community. Its streets are lined with a variety of restaurants and sidewalk cafes, pubs, antique and gift shops, art galleries, boutiques, specialty wine and collectible stores and more!Voted one of the 'Must Attend' and 'Best' rallies in H.O.G. Magazine.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Crusin' Downtown DeLand


DeLand: Cruisin' Downtown DeLand - Classic Cars & Rods
Event Happens: Feb 19, 2011
Cr show in downtown DeLand including music and fun!
Hours: 4:00pm-8:00pm

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Spring Break 2011


As the days creep closer to spring break 2011, the days are also progressively getting warmer. Warm weather is what we want in Astor and it’s what we’re going to get this year! As of now, the temperatures for the next few weeks range from 70-75 degrees, and the sun will definitely be shining. With this weather, you’ll be able to do everything you want to accomplish outdoors during spring break. There’s no doubt that you won’t enjoy your time in Astor.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Valentines Movie


Great Movie to Watch on Valentines Day!


City of Angels
Director : Brad Silberling
Released in : 1998
Cast : Nicolas Cage as Seth
Meg Ryan as Dr. Maggie Rice
Plot : Angels are among us and when we feel an invisible presence, you better believe they are watching you. For a Los Angeles heart surgeon named Maggie, that is too much of a stretch. She believes that it is her job to save the lifes of her patients and when she meets Seth after visiting hours are over, he tells her it's simply just their time to go. She becomes intrigued by his presence and opinion. Seth is not just normal, he is an Angel. He meets Messinger while visiting patients. Messinger can see him because he was once a Angel but gave his power up to become human. This makes Seth want to become human so he can feel, smell, and love Maggie.

Friday, February 11, 2011


Treat your sweetheart to a
Get a Way this Weekend!

Call for Reservations
386-749-4407


2 Night Stay Plus
$40.00 Dinner Voucher to Castaways

$168.00

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Daytona Speedway 2011


Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200
February 12, 2011
The future stars of racing battle for 80 laps, 200 miles in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200, the season-opening event for the ARCA Racing Series.

Budweiser Shootout
February 12, 2011
The Budweiser Shootout, the climax to a racing doubleheader, is a no-holds barred non-points race with the top NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stars.

Daytona 500 Qualifying
February 13, 2011
The prestigious front row for the 53rd annual Daytona 500 will be at stake.

Gatorade Duel
February 17, 2011
Gatorade Duel At Daytona features two 150-mile qualifying races that determine the starting lineup for the 53rd annual Daytona 500.

NextEra Energy Resources 250
February 18, 2011
The tough trucks from the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will tackle Daytona International Speedway in a 100-lap, 250-mile battle that is famous for its wild and unpredictable three-wide racing.

DRIVE4COPD 300
February 19, 2011
The rising stars of the NASCAR Nationwide Series face off against the stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in a 120-lap, 300-mile event.

DAYTONA 500
February 20, 2011
Forty-three of the best stock car drivers in the world compete in “The Great American Race,” NASCAR’s biggest, richest and most prestigious event.

Great Fishing Stories!

Blake Robinson hauled in a keeper mackinaw trout and quickly gutted it, while ice fishing from the Flaming Gorge Reservoir. He was more than a little shocked to discover a human thumb in the fish's belly!!! Turns out the thumb belonged to Utah resident Robert Lindsay, who lost it in a boating accident the year before. Preserved in the near freezing water, Lindsay's thumb was most likely mistaken by the trout to be an oversized grub worm. Luckily, the thumb was retrieved before the fish's stomach acids could digest the unusual meal!

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Visit Blue Springs State Park

The largest spring on the St. Johns River, BlueSpring is a designated Manatee Refuge and the winter home(November-March) to a growing population of West Indian Manatees.Seasonal swimming, canoe rentals, narrated river cruises, kayaktours and rental, walking trail, snack bar, picnic pavilions,outdoor grills, camping, cabins.

Address: 2100 W. French Ave. - Orange City , FL
Phone: 386-775-3663

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Feb 5th Fishing Report

Captain Joe Hussey at Sorrento Bait and Tackle reports the specks have been on the beds for the last 2 weeks and are still spawning in most area lakes. Look for bedding fish in coves and canals around pads and grass. Shallow water is the key. We have caught fish in 1 ft of water in the pads on the St. Johns river. The Apopka-Beauclair canal is producing some good stringers of specks around fallen trees and brush. Tight lining with a drift rig will still get the larger females as they finish spawning. Be sure to use a Zip Jig tipped with a minnow. Good colors are Pink, Orange/Yellow and Gold. Also we have a Gold Plated Ice jig that works great for crappie. For bass fish the mouths of residential canals with shiners. The Howey Bridge is producing some nice stringers of specks at night under lights. Some crappie are being caught in Lake Monroe tight lining a drift rig in the deep channel in front of the Sanford Marinaand in mid-lake.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Awaiting Spring by Wanda Garner

I raced with anticipation to find it...
Like an old friend, dearly missed,
To hold it once more in my hand.
The urge I could hardly resist.

I sighed with relief with I saw it
Still standing where it had been left,
Propped up in the corner of the cabin.
My excitement had not been bereft.

In a rush I placed a hook
Upon the line once more.
And headed to the dock,
Where my bait, I watched it soar.

It hit the water with a plop
And I let it sink down low.
Then I began to reel it in
So gently... so ever slow.

The sun was shining really bright,
The wind it slightly blew.
The water was fairly calm
With just a slight green hue.

Though not a fish one took my bait,
It sure felt mighty good
To get that rod and reel back out
Just like I knew it would.

Springtime is 'round the corner,
Warmer weather 'round the bend.
It's been a real long winter,
And I'm anxious for it to end.

To spend my days on the river,
Knee-deep in swirling water
Will raise my spirits, bring me a smile,
And my heart to go aflutter.