Ormond Beach veterinary hospital treating injured veteran's dog

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Capt. Gabe Gonzalez with Arnold. Courtesy Photo
Capt. Gabe Gonzalez with Arnold. Courtesy Photo
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A chocolate brown labrador service-dog-in training named Arnold is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the same time as his veteran owner, Capt. Gabe Gonzalez, an active duty Air Force pilot injured in Iraq in 2017.

The team at Animal Emergency Hospital Volusia in Ormond Beach became aware of Arnold and Gonzalez's story while treating Arnold after multiple emergency surgeries. In a press release, the veterinary hospital stated that Arnold ate a ball that obstructed his gastrointestinal system, and though his initial prognosis was grim, Arnold is en route to recovery. 

Arnold is being taken care of by Gonzalez's uncle, Bruce Davis, who takes him to all his appointments and to see Gonzalez every two weeks at the VA hospital in Tampa, where he is currently recovering from a traumatic brain injury.

Couple celebrates 50th anniversary

Ormond-By-the-Sea residents Carl and Shirley Eskew celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a vow renewal ceremony

Carl and Shirley Eskew. Courtesy photo
Carl and Shirley Eskew. Courtesy photo

officiated by their 17-year-old grandson, Wyatt Eskew, on Saturday, Aug. 11, at the Plaza Resort in Daytona Beach.

The couple got married on Aug. 12, 1968 in Zion, Illinois, and have lived in Volusia County for the past 15 years. They are co-owners of Shirley Jean's Antiques and have three children: Carla Eskew of Port Orange, Dr. Melanie VanDemark of DeLand and Eric Eskew of Jacksonville. They also have six grandchildren: Wyatt Eskew and Lucille Aboff of Port Orange, and, Emily, Imani, Cody and Jake VanDemark of DeLand.

Carl Eskew is a U.S. Air Force veteran and a retired shift engineer from ComEd. Shirley Eskew is an avid genealogist and member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. 

Lions Club helps kick start school year

To help with the start of a new school year, the Ormond-By-the-Sea Lions Club presented check donations to two local schools. 

The club donated $500 to the Seabreeze High School Band for its trip to London in 2019 and $200 to Ortona Elementary School for T-shirts for students. Members also donated hand sanitizer for the

Vice President Peggy Bull, Member Joyce Juliano, Past President Bobbie Cheh and President Mary Yochum with Seabreeze High School Band. Courtesy photo
Vice President Peggy Bull, Member Joyce Juliano, Past President Bobbie Cheh and President Mary Yochum with Seabreeze High School Band. Courtesy photo

new school year. Osceola Elementary also received donations of refreshments for their Back to School night thanks to the Lions Club. 

The club also welcomed new officers for 2018-2019: Co-Presidents Lion Mary Yochum and Lion Les Walter, First Vice President Lion Peggy Bull, Second Vice President Lion Colleen O'Connor, Secretary Lion Shirley Graham and Treasurer Lion Katie Hamlin. The Lions Club also instated new directors: Lion Jeffrey Graham and Lion Melinda Uebel, Lion Tamer Lion Frank White, immediate past president and Tail Twister Lion Bobbie Cheh and Membership Chair Lion Dianne Zeimetz. 

Two new members joined their pride as well: Lions Pastor Michael and Jennifer Moxley.

Rotary Club raises $3,000

The Rotary Club of Downtown Ormond Beach recently raised more than $3,000 for its various charitable causes, which included planned free opioid counseling for recovering addicts and its mentoring program at Osceola Elementary.

Jim Cavedo, Jen Lambright and Josh Canup at the Rotary Club of Downtown Ormond Beach's fundraiser. Courtesy photo
Jim Cavedo, Jen Lambright and Josh Canup at the Rotary Club of Downtown Ormond Beach's fundraiser. Courtesy photo

The club accomplished this via its first-annual Minute to Win It fundraiser held at Fletcher's Irish Pub in Ormond Beach. The fundraiser consisted of raffles and game challenges like "This Blows," "Face the Cookie" and "Penny Hose." Two gift baskets were raffled to lucky winners, one with an over $300 value in wine and liquor and the other with more than $600 in gift cards. Both were donated by local members and businesses.
 

 

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