Palm Coast is mourning the death of Arthur E. Dycke, a foundational figure who died Monday at age 92. Dycke co-authored the city’s original charter, co-founded the Palm Coast Historical Society, and served as an official city historian. His extensive research, columns, and books preserved the legacy of early residents. Local leaders praised his profound contributions to safeguarding the community’s heritage.
Culture
Saturday in Byblos:
Maupassant’s Colonial Delusion
Guy de Maupassant’s 1884 short story “Châli” explores, against Maupassant’s intentions, the deep moral rot of European colonialism through a French admiral’s disturbing exploitation of a young Indian slave as the narrative highlights how imperial powers disguised systemic violence as benevolent paternalism. The literary self-deception directly mirrors the historical degradation of colonialism defined by Aimé Césaire.
Palm Coast Council Will Join State Program Focused on Protecting Historical and Cultural Assets Citywide
Palm Coast City Council members agreed to draft an ordinance seeking inclusion in Florida’s Certified Local Government Program, which creates a partnership between federal, state, and local governments to evaluate and protect historic properties. The designation allows the city to access grant funding for preservation efforts citywide. Though 88 Florida cities and counties are part of the program, not a single Flagler County entity is. The efoort was spurred by concerns over Palm Coast’s westward expansion.
Palm Coast’s 21st Arbor Day Draws Thousands
The City of Palm Coast is celebrating another successful Arbor Day following its 21st annual event held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Central Park in Town Center. This year’s celebration drew nearly 2,000 attendees who took part in eco‑friendly activities, educational opportunities, and family fun.
The Force Is Strong In Flagler As Jedi Clerk Tom Bexley Hosts Star Wars-Themed Mass Wedding
The Kim C. Hammond Justice Center–Tatooine for short–transformed into a celebration from a galaxy not so far away on May 4 as Flagler County Clerk of Court Tom Bexley hosted the office’s first-ever Star Wars–themed wedding ceremony in honor of May the Fourth.
Catherine Pepper Wickline Wilson, 1930-2026
Author and Flagler Beach Historical Museum Founder Leaves a Lasting Legacy
Catherine Pepper Wickline Wilson, a dedicated community leader, historian, and musician, passed away peacefully at the age of 95 at her home surrounded by family. A longtime resident of Flagler Beach, she leaves behind a legacy of civic service and cultural contributions.
City Repertory Theatre Revives Absurdist Classics With Multi Actor One-Act Plays for Season Finale
Palm Coast’s City Repertory Theatre concludes the current season with a trio of absurdist one-act plays featuring playwrights David Ives and Israel Horovitz. The production includes “The Universal Language,” “Sure Thing,” and “Line.” Local actor Danno Waddell brings his expertise in the fictional language of Unamunda to the stage as performances explore human connection and competition. Shows run from April 24 through May 3.
Council Approves Shift to 244 Houses at Sawmill Development as Concerns Over Ruined Historic Site Surface
Palm Coast City Council members approved a plan converting 320 planned townhomes into 244 single-family houses within the Sawmill Branch development on US1. Council member Dave Sullivan cast the lone dissenting vote over irreparable destruction of the Revolutionary-era Hewitt Sawmill historic site due to recent construction drainage. The developer promised to investigate these preservation claims before the final vote scheduled next month.
Saturday in Byblos:
Charlie Sheen’s Addictive Book of Hedonism
Charlie Sheen survives his own history of addiction to deliver a surprising memoir in “The Book of Sheen,” a three-voice fugue of stardom, debauchery, and Casanova-like reflections. He skips the Hollywood trap of mawkish regret as his narrative energy and wit recount a life spent mostly in a drug-induced haze.
Flagler Beach Approves Extended Farmers’ Market Hours for Turtle Fest, But with Warning on Future Street Closures
The Flagler Beach City Commission approved extended hours for the farmers’ market during Turtle Fest on April 11, but Commission Chair Eric Cooley has significant reservations about the city’s increasing frequency of downtown street closures and their negative impact on residents and business owners. The market will partner with Turtle Fest on April 11 and the Cedar Bridge Foundation’s autism Run/Walk on April 26, donating its revenue to the two organizations.
Saturday in Byblos:
François de Rosset’s Story of the Execution of Two Siblings
François Rosset was a bestselling French writer who in 1619 fictionalized the story of the tragic 1603 execution of Marguerite and Julien de Ravalet for adultery and incest after eloping to escape social norms and, for Marguerite, a decrepit husband. Rosset questioned the brutal judicial system and described the couple with remarkable compassion even as he nodded in the direction of the era’s social and religious norms. The theme has since evolved through literature, art and law, with at times surprising results.
François de Rosset, “Of a Brother and Sister’s Incestuous Love and Tragic End” (1619)
A translation from the French of François de Rosset’s “Of A Brother and Sister’s Incestuous Love and Tragic End,” or “Des amours incestueuses d’un frère et d’une soeur et de leur fin malheureuse et tragique,” form Rosset’s 1619 collection, Tragic Stories (“Histoires tragiques.”)
St. Augustine Tops Southern Living Magazine’s List of Best Little Cities in America
Southern Living magazine came out with its list of the best small towns in the South and Florida snagged five spots on that ledger with St. Augustine topping the rankings.
What Makes Art Art? City Repertory Theatre Hangs the Question with Yasmina Reza’s Comedy
City Repertory Theatre presents Yasmina Reza’s comedy “Art” in Palm Coast from March 20-29, featuring an all-female cast that explores tensions triggered when a friend buys an expensive white painting. The play examines the subjective nature of aesthetics and the hidden complexities of long-term friendships. Director John Sbordone leads the troupe in this unique interpretation for Women’s History Month.
Saturday in Byblos:
Wendell Berry’s Celebration of Old Jack’s Crusty Life
Wendell Berry’s 1974 novel explores the final day of Jack Beechum. The narrative drifts through decades of Kentucky history as Jack finds sanctuary in the land but remains alienated from the people on it or in his life. The prose reaches heights of elegiac beauty, occasionally descending into mawkish parody and didactic sneers as Berry maintains a tension between agrarian ideals and harsh judgment of urban progress and human failure. The novel is part of the Port William series.
Mozart And Mendelssohn Masterpieces Featured In Daytona Solisti Winter Music Festival Finale Concert
The Daytona Solisti Classical Players conclude their 2026 Winter Music Festival with “Classical and Romantic Realms” on March 15 at Port Orange Presbyterian Church. Artist in residence Michael Rickman will perform Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 12. The program also features Mendelssohn’s String Symphony No. 2, along with works by Vaughan Williams, Saint-Saëns and Bruch. Admission is by a requested donation of $15.
Palm Coast Council Approves $226,000 Design Plans to Transform Historic Fire Station 22 Into Museum
The Palm Coast City Council approved a $226,000 design contract to transform historic Fire Station 22 into a museum and home to the Palm Coast Historical Society and possibly a welcome center. Saved from demolition by the Palm Coast Historical Society and Council member Theresa Pontieri’s advocacy, the 1977 building will feature exhibition spaces, meeting rooms, and an art studio. Funding comes from fire impact fees as the city seeks grants to cover future construction costs for the site.
Day Of Celebration In Palm Coast Honors Local Heroes And Demands Urgency For State Black History Museum
The Day of Celebration at Palm Coast United Methodist Church highlighted the urgent need for the Florida House to approve the Museum of Black History in St. Augustine. Local leaders honored figures like the late Jim Guines and the Seeking Insights for Solutions Group and were brought to their feet by a pair of young performers who brought Black history to life. Despite unanimous Senate support, the project remains stalled in the House, prompting calls for legislative action to preserve Florida’s heritage.
Saturday in Byblos:
John Updike and Paul Bowles do Morocco
American authors John Updike and Paul Bowles portray Morocco in two short stories that start from the same geographic spot on the Mediterranean. Bowles approaches his Moroccan characters with a lyrical detachment that leaves room for interpretation. Updike projects a bleak, fear-driven racism reducing Arabs to menacing stereotypes. Both writers reveal much more about American anxieties and orientalist attitudes than the actual North African landscape they visited.
New Endowment Secures Future Funding for Dolly Parton Imagination Library in Flagler County
Local resident Linda Mahran has established the Flagler County Early Literacy Endowment to provide free, age-appropriate books every month to children from birth to age five. Coordinated in partnership with local organizations, the fund will sustain the region’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library program. By raising community donations, the endowment aims to eliminate year-to-year fundraising dependence, foster early reading habits, and improve vital overall school readiness.
Flagler Beach’s $2.6 Million Beachwalk Project at the Pier Is Dead; City Returns $745,000 Grant to the County
Flagler Beach is officially abandoning its $2.6 million Beachwalk project, opting to return a $745,000 tourism grant after the Florida Department of Environmental Protection required a costly new dune system to proceed. The city will now simply refurbish the existing A-frame structure instead of expanding it. The returned grant money will most likely be reallocated to a field lights project located in Palm Coast.
Florida Senate Unanimously Backed Black History Museum in St. Johns, But Will House Meet The Moment?
Florida’s Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 308, sponsored by Sen. Tom Leek, to establish a state-funded Museum of Black History in St. Johns County, correcting a historical omission. The proposed museum would offer space for education and heritage tourism on land holding deep personal and historical significance. While the Senate acted decisively, the companion bill currently stalls in the House, leaving lawmakers to choose between symbolic gestures and meaningful action.
City Repertory Theatre’s Black History Celebration Skewers Stereotypes with ‘The Colored Museum’
City Repertory Theatre in Palm Coast is staging George C. Wolfe’s biting satirical play “The Colored Museum” to celebrate Black History Month. The edgy production features a series of freewheeling vignettes exploring Black identity, culture, and historical stereotypes. Director Sal Jones leads a talented cast through scenes that blend absurd comedy with profound historical pain, challenging audiences to confront uncomfortable truths while laughing.
Deep Reading Is Your Best Tool Against Misinformation
The average American checks their phone over 140 times a day, clocking an average of 4.5 hours of daily use, with 57% of people admitting they’re “addicted” to their phone. Tech companies, influencers and other content creators compete for all that attention, which has incentivized the rise of misinformation. Deep reading can be an effective way to counter misinformation as well as reduce stress and loneliness. It can be tough to go deeper than a speedy skim, but there are strategies you can use to strengthen important reading skills.
Parental Rights or Parental Property? The Looming Threat to Florida’s Minors
Florida is tightening control over youth autonomy through legislation requiring parental consent for essential medical care and state-mandated censorship of university curricula. By replacing sociology with sanitized history and restricting academic freedom, officials aim to shield students from diverse ideas. These efforts to blinker the next generation often backfire, as students naturally resist censorship and seek out forbidden knowledge.
Saturday in Byblos:
Raja Shehadeh’s Vanishing Palestine
Florida’s House Bill 31 seeks to rename the West Bank as “Judea and Samaria,” erasing Palestinian history and rights to their land and violating international law. Raja Shehadeh’s “Palestinian Walks,” originally published in 2007, explores the systematic expropriation of Palestinian land through legal chicanery, balkanization, theft and settler vigilantism. But it does so through six walks that, for all the politics and bitter history, also have the transcendent feel of inner discovery of the soul through nature or reverence for the deep roots of genealogy through places as ordinary as a hillside.
Saturday in Byblos:
Sophocles’s ‘Ajax’ and the Savagery of Honor
Sophocles’ Ajax remains a visceral critique of the destructive power of pride and the vanity of hollow honor. By contrasting Ajax’s murderous fury with the profound empathy of Ulysses, the play explores the transition from fanatical violence to civil justice. It serves as a timely reminder that true nobility lies not in vengeance, but in recognizing our shared human frailty.
Nonprofit Veteran Sheila Pillath to Lead Flagler Beach Historical Museum
The Flagler Beach Historical Museum has named Sheila Pillath as its new executive director, effective February 1. Pillath, who previously held senior leadership roles at the Community Foundation & United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties and the YMCA, brings extensive experience in fundraising and grant management. She succeeds interim director Cindy Dalecki to lead the museum’s community impact and sustainability efforts.
The Last Gallery Standing: How GOLA’s Crafty Art Defies the Odds in Flagler Beach
Amid a shrinking local art scene, Marge and Ted Barnhill’s Gallery of Local Art (GOLA) remains a vital hub for creators in Flagler Beach. Now expanding into their adjacent restaurant, GOLA recently featured photographer Sayre Berman’s striking metal prints. Berman’s work, ranging from iconic rock stars to coastal landscapes, seeks to evoke deep, tactile emotions.
Florida House Moves to Ban Certain School Library Books Regardless of Literary or Artistic Value
A Florida House committee has approved HB 1119, a bill establishing a specific legal definition for school library materials deemed “harmful to minors.” The legislation builds on a 2023 law by potentially allowing the removal of books even if they possess literary, artistic, or scientific value. While supporters argue the measure protects students from pornography, critics contend it facilitates censorship and unfairly targets LGBTQ narratives. The bill now heads to the House floor for a final vote.
Saturday in Byblos:
Saul Bellow Goes Looking for Mr. Black
In “Looking for Mr. Green,” Saul Bellow crafts a “Heart of Darkness” in Depression-era Chicago. Classically educated George Grebe hunts for an elusive check recipient, navigating a Black neighborhood Bellow depicts as a “blighted” backdrop. The author’s sublime prose serves a supremacist lens, reducing human beings to transactional props for Grebe’s enlightenment.
Stetson Concert Choir Joins Orlando Philharmonic at Phillips Center This Weekend
The Stetson University Concert Choir will collaborate with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra for two performances at Steinmetz Hall at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Orlando on Saturday, Jan. 24, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 25, at 2:30 p.m.
Saturday in Byblos
Claptrapped in the Underworld: Karl Ove Knausgaard’s ‘Morning Star’
Karl Ove Knausgaard’s “The Morning Star” following nine interconnected Norwegians over two sweltering August days, using a sudden celestial event to explore the boundaries of life and death. The narrative is addictive and atmospheric but devolves into incoherent theological meanderings and dangling plot threads. Knausgaard proves to be a masterful architect of labyrinths but an ultimately unsatisfying guide through them.
A Surprise Tribute for Nancy Crouch as ‘Turtle Trail Artists’ Exhibit Opens in Palm Coast
More than 150 guests attended the Sunday opening of the “Turtle Trail Artists of Flagler County” exhibition at Expressions Art Gallery. The event featured new works by the creators of the county’s public sea turtle sculptures. During the reception, arts advocate Nancy Crouch was honored with a miniature replica of “Claude,” the trail’s inaugural sculpture.
Flagler County’s New Nexus Center Aims to Compete with Palm Coast and Hilton in Local Event Market
Flagler County is positioning its new Nexus Center–the South Side library–as an event venue to compete with local community centers and hotels. Library Director Holly Albanese presented a fee schedule featuring a $200 hourly rate for the 2,500-square-foot community room, alongside options for gallery and portico rentals.
Registration Open for 5th Annual Tunnel to Towers 5K Run/Walk
Registration is now open for the 5th Annual Tunnel to Towers 5K Run/Walk Palm Coast, taking place on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Central Park in Town Center, beginning at 8am. The four previous events have raised nearly $100,000 with all proceeds going to the foundation.
Bettie Eubanks Retrospective Opens Sunday at African American Cultural Society
The African American Cultural Society in Palm Coast hosts a retrospective for fine artist Bettie Eubanks, beginning Sunday, Jan. 11, with a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. Known for her vibrant textures and Florida-inspired landscapes, Eubanks’ work is featured in major North American museums. The exhibit explores her lifelong career, offering a joyful counter-balance to modern life through bold colors.
Capturing the Essence: Laniece Fagundes Returns as Billie Holiday at City Rep’s ‘Lady Day’
City Repertory Theatre in Palm Coast celebrates its 15th season by reviving “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill,” running January 9–18. Starring veteran performer Laniece Fagundes as Billie Holiday and Ben Beck as her pianist, the production explores the legendary singer’s final months in 1959. Rather than a simple imitation, Fagundes seeks to embody Holiday’s emotional essence, weaving her tragic personal history and “cursive” vocal style into a revelatory, semi-fictionalized musical performance.
Peter Johnson Named President of Palm Coast Historical Society
Peter Johnson, a former candidate for Palm Coast mayor and one of the leaders of the recent Bunnell History Day celebration, has been appointed President of the Palm Coast Historical Society. Serving with him are Reasa Pabst as Vice President (she is also the immediate past president), Richard Cooper as Treasurer, and Mia Parada as Secretary. Tricia Aanderud and Alex Maller serve as Board Directors.
Parking Capacity Will Double at Indian Trails Sports Complex, But Council Also Wants More Fields Lit Up Soon
The Palm Coast City Council unanimously approved a $1.55 million project to add 136 parking spaces to the Indian Trails Sports Complex, nearly doubling its capacity. Utilizing city crews is expected to save $350,000. While the project addresses long-standing congestion affecting nearby schools and churches, council members are also pushing to accelerate a $1 million lighting expansion for additional fields to maximize tourism revenue and accommodate a growing schedule of year-round sports tournaments.
Turtle Trail Artists Featured in New Exhibition at Expressions Art Gallery Starting Jan. 11
The Flagler County Cultural Council and Expressions Art Gallery present Turtle Trail Artists of Flagler County, an exhibition featuring original works by the creators of the county’s iconic turtle sculptures. The show runs Jan. 11 through Feb. 21 at Expressions Gallery, 2298 Colbert Lane. A free opening reception is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 11, from 1 to 3:30 p.m.
Saturday in Byblos
Getting to Know Karl Ove Knausgaard
Karl Ove Knausgaard’s “My Struggle” is a polarizing masterpiece of autofiction, blending mundane details with profound existential dread. Despite his flat style and occasionally tedious philosophical tangents, Knausgaard’s uncompromising honesty regarding family, addiction, and self-loathing creates a bewitching, page-turning intimacy as he ennobles the ordinary. His place as a Scandinavian literary giant seems assured even as he tests the reader’s patience with his massive scale.
Reading Into Them: Flagler County Leaders’ Favorite Books of 2025
The third edition of FlaglerLive’s annual best reads project celebrates the personal joy of reading over academic or literary hierarchies. Featuring contributions from a local judge, attorneys, elected and other Flagler County leaders, the collection highlights diverse favorites ranging from Thomas Mann’s “Magic Mountain” and Erik Larson’s history to a legal decisions and self-actualization books. Here’s to venturing beyond comfort zones to discover transformative titles.
New Marineland Dolphin Leaders Promise ‘Miracle’ Turnaround and Wellness Focus, and Hint at Ragga Surf Return
New leadership at Marineland Dolphin Adventure appeared before the Town Commission to outline a wellness focused future for the attraction, now operated as a non-profit by Apex Associates. Directors Jack Kassewitz and Felicia Cook promised transparency, announced an upcoming National Geographic documentary, and hinted at the return of Ragga Surf Cafe. While commissioners welcomed the vision, the transition removes the property from tax rolls, costing the town one-third of its property tax revenue.
Palm Coast Marks 20 Years of Fantasy Lights in Town Center Saturday
The City of Palm Coast invites residents and visitors to Central Park in Town Center on Saturday, December 20, for a special 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Fantasy Lights Festival, presented by the Rotary Club of Flagler County.
‘Define Yourself’: Stedman Graham, Leadership Coach and Life-Partner of Oprah Winfrey, Tinsels Flagler Tiger Bay
Stedman Graham, author and leadership consultant, addressed the Flagler Tiger Bay Club on Wednesday, sharing his philosophy of “Identity Leadership.” Graham recounted overcoming childhood discouragement in segregated New Jersey to define his own future. He emphasized that self-awareness is a prerequisite for leading others. The event, which also honored a club member with the Fang and Claw Award, drew local officials and followed Graham’s earlier appearance before 250 Flagler County students.
46 Vessels Set for Palm Coast Boat Parade Saturday
The City of Palm Coast will host the 42nd Annual Holiday Boat Parade this Saturday, Dec. 13, starting at 6 p.m., with the usual procession of illuminated vessels and the attendant logistical challenges along the waterfront. Some 46 boats have registered, about half the number of boats that took part in the record-setting 2023 boat parade, when the Palm Coast Yacht Club sponsored it.
County Opens Nexus Center in Bunnell, Giving West Side ‘True Jewel’ Library Albanese Imagined 19 Years Ago
Flagler County officials opened the $16 million Nexus Center in Bunnell on Thursday, delivering a long-awaited standalone library to the county’s west side. The 23,000-square-foot facility on Commerce Parkway replaces a cramped storefront and now houses both the library branch and the Health and Human Services Department.
Thousands Drawn to Palm Coast’s Tree-Lighting in Central Park
Palm Coast welcomed more than 6,000 residents to Central Park this past weekend for the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, with an additional 10,000 viewers joining the celebration through the livestream. The remarkable turnout reflects the community’s enthusiasm for one of Palm Coast’s most cherished traditions and marks an exciting start to the holiday season.
Palm Coast Starlight Parade on Dec. 6, Boat Parade on Dec. 13
Two of the community’s most cherished holiday traditions are returning: the Starlight Parade on Saturday, December 6, and the Holiday Boat Parade on Saturday, December 13. Both events are free for spectators and participants, and registration is now open for those wishing to join the fun with a float or decorated boat. “Palm Coast shines […]
