Karen Leone, President
Karen is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law with undergraduate degrees in Political Science and International Relations. Her specialty is taxation and she has had her own practice since 2010. She enjoys hiking, riding her bike, sometimes riding horses, and spending time in nature.
Shortly after her husband's death in 2020, she got a trail bike, knowing that outdoor exercise would help with the grieving process. Although she has lived in Deland for two decades and had heard about Hontoon Island, she did not visit until 2022. She has found the island to be a wonderfully healing, peaceful place, where she could feel a connection to something larger than herself. Karen notes, "There is something magical about taking the ferry to get here, putting the cares of the world behind me, and exploring the many trails for hours on end. Working with the Friends of Hontoon Island State Park is a way for me to act as a steward for this extraordinary park, helping to preserve it now, and for future generations to enjoy."
Dani Pleines, Treasurer
Dani's journey in volunteering began at Blue Spring State Park in August 2023, where she has immersed herself in a variety of volunteer work, including surveying and trap training the endemic Florida Scrub-jay, guiding all-terrain wheelchair hikes, contributing to special events, and more recently, learning the intricacies of wildland firefighting. Dani's love for the outdoors traces back to her upbringing in DeLand, where proximity to the St. Johns River and Lake Woodruff Wildlife Refuge fostered a deep connection to nature. She recalls her childhood 'backyard' as a sanctuary for exploration and solitude that played a significant role in shaping the person she would become.
Shortly after starting out as a volunteer, Dani connected with James Schaeffer of Hontoon Island State Park, who invited her to help reestablish Hontoon Island's Citizen Support Organization (CSO). Dani is excited to collaborate with her fellow board members to revitalize the CSO, citing the dedication and range of skillsets everyone brings to the table. She hopes to turn the spotlight on Hontoon Island within the DeLand community, and ultimately, to cultivate deeper connections between the community and the park.
Dani recalled, "Hontoon Island is a special park because it is truly is a hidden gem. I had only discovered the park after living in DeLand for over 15 years when a friend invited me to join her on a hike. From boarding the ferry to standing atop the Mayaca shell midden, I still remember the sense of adventure I felt when I first visited. Whether you are looking to hike, fish, camp, birdwatch, meditate, picnic, explore, escape, or just do something off the beaten path, Hontoon Island is a must-visit to anyone who is living or passing through DeLand."
Nancy Marksbury, Secretary
Nancy holds a PhD in information science and currently works for a federal agency. Her environmental interests have threaded throughout her career with interest in land conservancy and environmental preservation. Her first visit to the area was a chance happening at Hontoon Island Marina. The unspoilt beauty of the area, the Floridian flora and fauna were reminiscent of where she and her husband made a home in Southampton, NY -- but without the alligators!
"Hontoon Island and the St. Johns River biome is a treasure that deserves the work we do to contribute to its protection and preservation."
Vera Bendicksen, Social Media Master
Vera is a current student at Stetson University from Ukraine, majoring in finance and economics and managing social media for the Friends of Hontoon Island State Park. Her greatest passion lies in the outdoors, where she enjoys camping and exploring nature. Through her role in social media management, she hopes to raise awareness about environmental protection and showcase the stunning scenery of the park.
Vera noted, "Hontoon Island holds a special place in my heart, as my family and I always went there to camp during December. With perfect weather for a campfire, watching different animals pass by, and appreciating the beautiful Florida nature, it became a place where family and friends connect and create unforgettable memories. It is where I feel deeply connected to nature and inspired to protect and preserve it."
Ken Oravsky, Member
Ken brings a wide variety of professional and personal outdoor experience to the board. He has served as a park superintendent in New Jersey and an assistant regional parks manager in Montana, in addition to developing successful businesses in computer network administration and outdoor event photography. On a personal level, Ken and Claire have kayaked, canoed, hiking, backpacked, and camped in most U.S. states and Canadian provinces. Ken and Claire currently live in West Yellowstone, Montana, in a house of their own design and construction.
"Although we have lived and camped in many diverse parts of the U.S. and Canada, working as volunteer marina hosts at Hontoon Island this past winter introduced us to a strange and mysterious world. We quickly became enchanted with the sounds of the night—barred owls, limpkins, and many other sounds we never identified. The live oaks, the alligators, the misty mornings on the river and in the pine flatwoods will be fond memories forever."