Community Cheers: Turning 40, and Bringing Everyone Together

A Lasting Tradition of Shared Birthday Celebrations

My sister and I were born just one year and 10 days apart, which means we shared a lot of birthday parties growing up! Rather than having back-to-back events, we would work with my parents to choose a combined theme and a date in the middle of our days to invite our friends to. I do recall one year where we had separate Barbie cakes, but for the most part, even the food was a shared experience.

Despite getting tired of this tradition by the time I became a teenager, I am now about to turn 40 and have been doing the same thing for my two youngest daughters and myself for the last several years. I actually share the exact same birth year and day with my good friend here in Daytona, Dr. Ronnie Mack: April 22, 1986. The first year we realized this, I already had a party in mind for my birthday and just invited him in for the shenanigans, but for the last two years, we have worked together to plan a joint celebration.

Celebration at The Connect

This year’s party will be a throwback to last year’s and everyone is invited! We’ll meet inside The Connect (565 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd., Daytona Beach) between 1 and 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 25. The annual Crab & Seafood Festival will be taking place along the avenue out front from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., so we’ll be able to enjoy delicious food, drinks, and desserts all day long. 

Our hope is that folks joining us will support local vendors and stay for the music and kids’ zone in Daisy Stocking Park nearby.

Contemplative Walk at the Ormond Memorial Art Museum

If you are not a big fan of festivals and parties, I also plan to join local author, Deb Gregory, on a “Contemplative Walk” through the Gardens at the Ormond Memorial Art Museum (78 E Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach) on Friday, April 24 at 10:30 a.m. Deb has a new book out about using walking or “wayfinding” as a spiritual discipline and will be leading us in looking for fractals, spirals, and other natural textures throughout the garden. 

Community Vibes and Shared Experiences

Both Ronnie and I value connecting people in the community to each other and supporting local businesses and events. Whether it’s joining us for a large street festival or on a quiet walk, we just want to see you out and about! Feel free to tag me, 

@CassGoAroundDaytona, in any of the spots you visit during the month of April as your gift to me for my 40th birthday!