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Unveiling — Enterprise resident Sandy Walters unveils a plaque remembering Dr. James Glass, who lived on Thornby and so-named it in the early 20th century.
BEACON PHOTOS/PAT ANDREWS
Gathering — A group gathers to dedicate a gazebo in Deltona’s Thornby Park. Former Deltona City Commissioner Janet Deyette, left, Vice Mayor Paul Treusch, Mayor John Masiarczyk, Enterprise residents Sandy and Roy Walters, who donated the money to build the gazebo, and County Council Member Pat Northey celebrate the new addition.
By Pat Andrews
posted Nov 2, 2012 - 9:09:57am
Thornby Park, on 37.3 acres along Lakeshore Drive at Providence Boulevard in Deltona, overlooking Lake Monroe, opened in 2011, complete with a playground constructed to be friendly to all children — including those with disabilities.
There wasn’t any place for people to get out of the sun for a rest, though.
So, this year, Thornby supporters Sandy and Roy Walters of Enterprise donated a large gazebo to the park, alleviating that problem.
On Oct. 22, Deltona Parks and Recreation Director Steve Moore, Deltona Mayor John Masiarczyk, former Commissioner Janette Deyette, Vice Mayor Paul Treusch, County Council Member Pat Northey, and Kevin Finn, Titus Marvin and Chairwoman Cindy Sullivan of the Enterprise Preservation Society, and other interested residents, gathered to dedicate the structure.
Thornby, now in the city of Deltona, is part of Enterprise and Florida history, going back to pre-Columbian times, when Native Americans lived on Lake Monroe, leaving a treasure of artifacts and an Indian midden or mound on what’s now the Thornby property. It’s a treasure-trove of native plants, as well.
Thornby is believed to be the site of Fort Kingsbury, built around 1838, during the Second Seminole War, though the fort is long gone.
Dr. James Glass and his wife, Anna, were among the people who settled in Enterprise in the early 20th century.
A dedication plaque in the gazebo notes that “Dr. Glass cared for ‘many a poor white man and many a poor black man’ and ‘the only reward he would accept was their heartfelt thanks.’”
Another plaque thanks the Walterses for their donation of the gazebo.
It was James Glass who named the property “Thornby” to honor Jennie Thorn, a hospital president and philanthropist.
Fast-forward almost a hundred years, to the early 2000s. The property looked doomed to development when a cadre of Enterprise locals, including the Walterses, fought for the oasis of green along the lake to be turned into a park, instead.
In 2009, after years of contention, city workshops and support and opposition from Deltona residents, the property became public. The $3 million cost was paid, half by the City of Deltona and half by the county’s Volusia Forever program.
Parks Director Moore noted the playground was completed at a cost of around $294,000, and the park’s grand opening was held on Feb. 12, 2011.
Parks staff began working with Sandy and Roy Walters on the gazebo, which was completed in May, at a cost of around $50,000, and the formal dedication and unveiling of plaques on Oct. 22 brings the Thornby history to date.
“I’m happy we could do this,” Sandy Walters said.
She is author of The Story of Thornby, a book about the effort to save the property.
Thornby, part of Enterprise history, will also be part of the future, with improved walking trails through its woods for students of Florida plants and those who want to enjoy a relatively undisturbed outdoors. It’s also a trailhead for the East Coast Regional Trail, which will eventually go all the way to Titusville, Roy Walters said.
In the meantime, children played on the swings and slides as the group met for the dedication.
Thornby will always be part of Enterprise’s history, heart and soul.
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She is good at giving away taxpayer money to her friends and supporters, just another common politican that represents herself.
Ask Pat about how much the Daytona Beach News Journal got from the Volusia County ECHO system...how many millions was it Patty? What happened soon after Patty, do you remember?
Research the Orlando Sentinal article by Mike Lafferty on the subject. How did Pat vote? Ask Pat!
Amazingly Pat Northey's friends at the Debary Arts league got a $50,000 gift for their arts center in Pat Northey's district from the Daytona Beach News Journal....that sure was nice wasn't it Pat?
ASK PAT all about it...ASK Pat why she resigned from the Gateway Center for the ARTS in Debary. Remember who it was that asked you about your conflict of intrests? I remember, it was the meeting where you an Ted Doran got $25K from the Debary City Council for TEAM VOLUSIA. CHA CHING....Pat let the peole read the Team Volusia annual report...LMAO!!!
ASK PAT...why she keep appointing the same old woman to the Volusia County Cultural Council and that council always votes to give the Gateway Center for the Arts thousands of dollars every year. ARTS & Culture welfare money right Pat?
Ask Pat why she loves the 5th district yet wanted to jump to a better higher paying job as Vol CO. Elections Commssioner....what happened Pat. Why don't you tell the people what happened?
Tell em Pat, tell em all about Team Volusia INC. How much did that non profit organization get and what your role was..tell em Pat.
Persis, Northey and Bruno.....what a bunch of ethical people they are. They have done enough damage in Volusia County Vote em Out...who knows more ethical people might replace them!
Take a moment to listen to the archived VCC meeting of Nov 1st 2012, and hear Ms Northey use the forum and property of the Taxpayers of Volusia County, advance her re-election campaign agenda. Perhaps this may seem wrongful and inappropriate to most of we taxpayers, seems Ms Northey is completely unaware that this practice is reprehensible and an Insult to the Good Citizens of Volusia Co. We the People own the County Council Chambers, Ms Northey, not yourself to advance your political career.
You had my vote, untill I heard you yesterday abuse your position as a "representative" of district 5 in VC campaign for yourself, on the Citizen-owned airwaves of Volusia County. You ("No Politics") Northey should be ashamed of yourself as this mistake will follow you forever.
The Voters now see it's about you Ms Northey, and not about the best interests of Volusia County. Thanks for you help in my dist 5 decision. It's about the taxpayers and not about Northey.
Any mention from these politicians of the taxpayers that had to pay for this?
Of course not...it is just free money taken from hard working businesses and individuals.
Visit Debary we have 12 parks....no jobs..just parks.
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