 It’s been almost two years since DeLand lost one of its beloved residents. Rufus Pinkney was an icon for years because of his shoe shine business in the parking lot between Pizza Hut and the Denim Dive and Boutique, off East New York Avenue. Since Rufus passed away on Sept. 13, 2016, the city’s locals and shoes have not shined quite as bright.
 If you grew up on the north side of DeLand and went to public elementary school, there is a good chance you went to George Marks Elementary School. The school on Amelia Ave. near Stetson University since it was built 63 years ago has been an icon for many. However, it is about to get a complete makeover.
 If you are new to DeLand, you may be unaware of some of the major league talent our city has produced. The area has a rich history of musicians, artists, and designers, but recently several athletes have shown a spotlight on DeLand in a big way. Below are just a few along with recent notoriety they've received.
 Several new businesses are opening and commercial construction projects are coming to completion in the DeLand area. We thought we would give you a quick update.
 Hampton Inn & Suites DeLand Do you want to get away for a quick weekend trip? Need to get away from the hustle and bustle of the week? Look no further than DeLand, Florida. Located in between the best of Florida’s offerings on I-4, the beach and the theme parks, DeLand is quickly growing into a destination for shoppers, art aficionados, music and theater lovers, foodies and college sports fans. Boasting larger city amenities (chain hotels and restaurants, entertainment and art) yet holding on to the small town feel of a historic downtown (local/family owned shops and eateries, farmers market, seasonal art festivals and car shows) and over a century old Stetson University is what makes this town special. In fact, you could park your car and not need it again until your stay is over with all that downtown DeLand has to offer. We welcome you to our town and know that you’ll fall in love with delightful DeLand, the Athens of the Florida.
 The housing market is booming right now and many families are searching and competing with others for affordable residences with adequate square footage and amenities. One emerging trend is for buyers to purchase modular homes that can be customized to their needs.
 It’s almost fall and football season is here, and for hometown college football fans, that means that the Stetson Hatter Football program is about to get underway for another season. Fans will gather at Spec Martin stadium as they will gather all across the across the country on Saturdays to witness their teams compete for college football supremacy on the gridiron. Football brings out passionate fans and encourages excitement like no other sport. However, there are other great competitive sports to watch our hometown student-athletes compete in.
 The purchase of a commercial property by an individual (for investment purposes) or business (for either investment or business operation purposes) can be filled with the potential for missing key information that can be very costly to the buyer. Purchasers of commercial real estate are typically considered to be sophisticated parties, and whatever consumer protection laws may exist in a state for the protection of residential home purchasers seldom apply, if ever, to a commercial real estate purchaser. The adage of “buyer beware” particularly applies to commercial real estate purchases and warrants careful application of due diligence procedures and checklists.
 It’s late summer in Florida, and if you have children, you are likely running out of things to do to keep them entertained without melting in the heat and humidity. No one wants to go outside in the heat, and the options are limited … until now.
 Like waterfront property, people also move to Florida for golf course communities. Golf is a mainstay of Florida life. It draws players from young to old. For some, living in a golf-course community is the ultimate lifestyle. But is it right for you?
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