Letter from the President – July/August 2019

Howdy Neighbors!

Summer is in full swing in Sandbridge and the community is bustling and vibrant. We’ve been blessed with some wonderful weather so far, and we look forward to more of the same in the coming months. Everyone will surely enjoy our clean streets and beaches under clear blue skies. Many thanks to our friends and neighbors for keeping Sandbridge free of detritus and also the
city for keeping our beaches and access ways clean and clear.

Along with enjoying some fun in the sun, sand, and water, our local rescue squad’s Boosters have been holding Family Bingo every Wednesday night. The proceeds help benefit the rescue squad to purchase supplies that are necessary to continue to provide the awesome emergency services this neighborhood and the whole city sometimes requires. Our EMS and our lifeguards give us peace of mind knowing that they’ll be there when help is needed. And they will provide the best care with a smile on their faces. Many thanks to our  professionals and volunteers in the whole EMS system.

Summer also brings a celebration of our nation’s birth on July Fourth. The whole community joins together to embrace the event in a myriad of ways from grilling, to partying, to volunteering, watching fireworks or the annual Boat Parade, or just taking a moment to reflect. While we remember our founding fathers’ sacrifices and risks, we also honor those who have served and continue to serve in defense of the freedoms granted us so many years ago. Many thanks to all the public servants who work everyday to support and defend our Constitution.

So, let’s enjoy this summer, take a break, relax, and let the warm sun energize us so we can experience life’s wondrous beauty all around us. All of nature is alive right now and surrounds us everywhere we look. How awesome is that?

Be kind and greet each other with a smile and wave. Have wonderful and safe summer!

Andrew Roper

SBCL President

Letter from the President – June 2019

This newsletter is going to print just days after the worst mass shooting in the history of  Virginia Beach. Although it appears no one from Sandbridge was among those killed or injured, we do have neighbors who were in the Municipal Center at the time of the attack. We join the rest of Virginia Beach and the nation as we support the families of the victims in this heart-wrenching time.

Turning to summer: we have a lot going on this month in Sandbridge. Party at the Pier will have us rocking and rolling on June 14. Bingo begins on Wednesday night, June 12, for a ten-week stretch. For the kids and teens, there are the Junior Lifeguard Camps at the end of the month. The Memorial Day parade has just taken place and there were a lot of new families involved in helping to kick off the season and show our patriotic pride!

Our celebration of the red, white and blue continues next month with our Fourth of July Boat Parade. My vessel will be leading the pack as we sail out of Osprey Bay (behind Teal Crescent). Boats will gather at 6:30 p.m. with a start slated for 7:00 p.m. The theme is Peace, Love & the Fourth of July. Hope to see you there! Also, State Senator Bill DeSteph spoke at our last membership meeting and he is giving the SBCL flags to put out to celebrate Independence Day. As he told us, “Let’s paint Virginia Beach red, white and blue!”

We have lost some longtime Sandbridge neighbors and friends. John Settle and Sandbridge Realty owner Tom Shell passed away as this issue goes to print. In this newsletter, we have several tributes to Jean Siebert. We are all feeling the loss of these dear friends who have left deep footprints in the sand
here in Sandbridge.

Also in this issue: Pig Pickin’ has some new events and sponsorship opportunities. Check it out!

Hope you have a safe and productive summer!

Fondly,

Andrew Roper

SBCL President