Sailboat Bay Newsletter - October 2020
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MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD
By Janet Williams
Three hurricanes within 5 weeks—a direct hit, a slap in the face, and a near miss. We have certainly shown what we are made of in Sailboat Bay. The tenacity of this community is my inspiration. Life events and personal choices have changed your board substantially since March, and I find myself at the helm of a ship that has a broken mast but a strong rudder. There is plenty of wind on the stern to move us forward, and forward we will go.
I don’t know many of you by face; I generally keep to myself, spending most of my time with my daughter. But Sally has demanded more of me and all of us, so I am stepping far out of my comfort zone to address you and encourage you. If you see me walking my dogs, please stop and introduce yourself so I can place the name with the face.
After Sally, our efforts to rebuild seemed slow at first, but insurance approvals have finally started and things will begin to move quickly now. Let’s get excited and stay positive through reconstruction. It will be messy, loud and frustrating. But every hammer, every nail, every shingle makes us better, stronger, newer. Some of you will be displaced and terribly inconvenienced...stay strong. Just as in the days immediately after the storm, where neighbors made sure everyone had food, water and care, we will get through this.
The reconstruction effort includes plans to rebuild to current building codes that will greatly enhance our safety and our ability to withstand storms in the future. But it must also include rebuilding us, as a community. This newsletter plays an important part in that plan—to get to know each other as people, not as unit numbers; to continue to support and care for one another as neighbors and friends. Our piece of paradise demands nothing less.
If you are not receiving emails, please send an updated working email to sbbboard@sailboatbay.net so you can stay informed!
As always, if you have ideas and photos you want to share in this newsletter, just pop Michelle a quick email at michelle@navigatecontent.com. If you have complaints, or HOA questions or comments, DO NOT leave them here. This is a happy place and there is no room here for complaints, negativity, or politics. Send questions, complaints, and concerns to your board at sbbboard@sailboatbay.net.
A DOG DAY AFTERNOON
We often see all the dogs around our community, so let’s meet the dogs of Sailboat Bay! If your dog is not featured here, please email a photo to michelle@navigatecontent.com. Next month will feature the CATS!!!
MEET OUR NEW NEIGHBORS
Please welcome the newest members of our amazing Sailboat Bay community!
Stan & Martha Sikes
Unit 1226B
Stan and Martha Sikes live in Ramer, Alabama, and recently celebrated 40 years of marriage. They have four children. Brittany (36) and husband Jamin have 2 boys (Cooper and Walt). Joshua (32) and wife Jordan have one daughter (Maggie) with another one due in January. Their youngest daughters are Alexandra (24) and Catherine (24). They haven’t retired, so Sailboat Bay will be their getaway place for now.
Stan is self-employed and Martha is a middle school teacher in Montgomery at Baldwin Magnet School. She has a Masters Degree is Social Science. Stan stays busy remodeling a house, adding on additions, building outdoor kitchens, etc.
Stan is also one of the best cooks around and that’s not just grilling. His love for cooking has influenced each of their children because they are all great cooks! Stan also loves to fish and hunt. Martha enjoys playing tennis, cooking, traveling, and is heavily involved in the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes at their church along with the Jesus2020 movement, that has spread across the country.
The entire family loves to fish and looks forward to many years at Sailboat Bay. May God bless each one of you.
FEATURED RESIDENTS
Wendy Troup
Wendy Troup is an avid fisherman, a Sailboat Bay resident, and a breast cancer survivor! Read her AMAZING story and watch the video that was featured on WKRG News 5.
Tom French
Earlier this month, Tom French fell and broke his right femur, had surgery the next day, and has recovered enough to be back home. About four years ago, the second day he and his wife, Kate, moved to Sailboat Bay, it was raining and the stairs were wet. As he was carrying two lamps downstairs, he slipped and broke his left femur in the same exact spot. He had to have surgery then as well. He's a pro at bouncing back. He is tough as can be! Please keep him in your prayers. Here he is giving us a thumbs up!
FUN FACT: Tom was a NASA scientist with the Apollo Mission.
Catherine Sikes
Catherine Sikes caught an Alabama State record Permit Fish—a popular fish caught in South Florida but not commonly found in Alabama until recently. Catherine caught this impressive 4 pound, 12.8 ounce fish on August 14, 2020 in Orange Beach. She still has the fish frozen and plans to mount it and eat it! “It was such a cool experience to say the least!,” Catherine said. Marine resources plan to feature Catherine and her record fish in the 2021 Alabama Marine Information Calendar (the tide calendar for fishing).
MAKING OUR COMMUNITY BEAUTIFUL
By Catherine Naman — Landscape Committee
The Monarch Butterflies are migrating through on their way to Mexico and they are loving the red bottlebrush blooms!
Catherine Naman works hard with community volunteers to keep the grounds of Sailboat Bay beautiful! If you are aware of any landscaping needs, or if you would like to volunteer to HELP with the landscape committee, please call or text Catherine at 251-510-9750.
CHILI COOK OFF
The six plex buildings got together and had a fun and delicious Chili Cook Off, organized by Lisa Barnett and Cathy Barnes. There were eight chili entrees—Brandon Stampley and Donnie Vinson tied for first place, while Cathy took third place for her super yummy homemade cornbread! Will and Lisa Barnett have been having the annual Chili Cook Off since 2000. In fact, even though the tradition began in their home of Tennessee, this was the 20th anniversary. It began because their old neighborhood was the place to go for trick or treating in their county and so there were many kids there on Halloween. They invited parents to their home to hang out and since it’s cold in Tennessee in October, they began making chili. The cook off was a way to get a lot of food there to feed a lot of people! Some years, they had more than 100 people attend. Will made the trophy out of a can of beans, and the rest is history. We are so happy they brought the tradition to Sailboat Bay!
FISHING REPORT
Thanks to the hurricanes, Red Snapper season has been extended on weekends only in Alabama until the state quota has been caught. Please send your fishing images to michelle@navigatecontent.com or to Chris Hinton so we can feature them in future newsletters.
DON’T FORGET…
Keep noise levels down at night.
Close garbage bin access doors when done.
Speed limit is 15 mph.
Keep personal stuff out of common areas.
Storage yard items must have unit numbers and tags affixed to them.
Pick up after your pets.
Reporters and photographers are needed. Please send your comments, stories, news, and pictures to michelle@navigatecontent.com to be included in the next newsletter. You can leave a comment here, but remember that this is a HAPPY PLACE. If you have complaints or any questions and concerns about Sailboat Bay rules or HOA stuff, contact the board at sbbboard@sailboatbay.net
HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS
As we all are well aware, Hurricane Season is here. It is extremely important for Sailboat Bay’s residents to be prepared. For quick tips and information about Sailboat Bay’s hurricane preparedness requirements, please follow this link.
COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE CONTACT LIST
Below is the phone tree to keep handy. Do not hesitate to call any of the listed people below if you need any assistance.
Volunteers
Lisa Barnett — (615) 308-4523 — Unit 501
Rita Pate — (251) 284-0439 — Unit 1022C
Lynn Ruehl — (513) 476-8880 — Unit 1225H
Karen Byrd — (307) 262-9131 — Unit 101A
Catherine Naman — (251) 510-9750 — Unit 1226D
