{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Walk With a Doc April 20, 2026 - Earth Day Celebration","description":"The Roots of Volusia Earth Day Legacies: Four Lives That Built a County 1. Lillian Mohr Jost: The Aviator of Nirvana Ranch The Hook: A Vassar-educated librarian who traded her pilot\u2019s wings for a tractor. The Insight: Lillian\u2019s story is about the health of the spirit. After flying for the Ninety-Nines in WWII, she moved to rural Groveland to raise Brahma cattle at Nirvana Ranch. Her "Heaven on Earth" philosophy at age 102 reminds us that longevity is rooted in a positive nature and the ability to find beauty in the dirt and the sky alike. 2. Hubert Hudson Jacobs: The Dairyman of DeLand The Hook: The "Beacon" of health who fueled a city through the Great Depression. The Insight: Hubert\u2019s legacy is the health of the body. By founding Beacon Dairies in 1935, he provided the literal nourishment for Volusia County. From the pasture to the County Commission, he modeled civic stewardship. He shows us that a community\u2019s strength depends on reliable local food systems and the willingness to step up when your neighbors need a leader. 3. Maureen Peterson Talton: The Native Navigator The Hook: A basketball star who coached DeLand into the digital age. The Insight: Maureen\u2019s focus was the health of the environment. A "Native Floridian" born in the Pierson ferns, she bridged the gap from traditional libraries to multi-media learning. But her true "Earth Day" legacy was her compassion for the voiceless\u2014protecting Florida\u2019s wildlife and tirelessly managing the local feral cat population to ensure a balanced ecosystem for all. 4. Bettie Lee Hessey Durden: The Social Force of Nature The Hook: The real estate broker who sold the land and then fought to save it. The Insight: Bettie Lee represents the health of the community. She knew every acre of Volusia County through her 50 years in real estate, but she used her influence to lead the Audubon Society and the World Wildlife Fund. She proves that commerce and conservation can walk hand-in-hand, and that staying socially active is the key to a sharp mind at 96. ","author_name":"Podiatry Doc Talk","author_url":"http:\/\/podiatrydoctalk.com","html":"