Sailboat Bay Newsletter - September 2020
/
MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD
Hurricane Sally was a very destructive Atlantic hurricane, which became the first to make landfall in Alabama since Ivan in 2004. There are many Sailboat Bay residents who were here for both. The outerbands of the Category 2 hurricane struck Sailboat Bay on September 15, 2020 with the eye of the storm moving directly over our community around 4 a.m. on Sept. 16. Many of our neighbors suffered severe damage as our community worked together—without power for almost a week—to help each other, feed each other, and care for each other.
This month’s newsletter is dedicated to our recovery efforts from Hurricane Sally. We hope to celebrate the amazing kindness and generosity of our fellow neighbors, share some interesting stories, and highlight some of the cleanup and recovery efforts. Please continue to look for direct emails from the board and our community Facebook Group for detailed updates on the recovery and mitigation efforts that will be ongoing. Also, please remember that the best way to get the most details is to make the time to tune in to our regular ZOOM meetings. If you are not receiving emails, please send an updated working email to sbbboard@sailboatbay.net so you can stay informed!
Just a few quick reminders…
Onsite inspections are ongoing.
The upper clubhouse is still closed due to COVID for general gatherings, and the Emergency Management teams are using it as the Restoration Command Center.
Jeannie is still working Monday-Wednesday and available for business needs.
Packages are in the gym.
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.
RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS
It is such a pleasure to share some of the incredibly wonderful gestures and actions from the Sailboat Bay community that occurred during and after Hurricane Sally hit our little island head on.
From Julia Causey
As a new owner I would like to send out a special word of appreciation to my neighbors and friends for their help before and after Hurricane Sally. Without being asked they jumped in to help!
Thanks so much to:
My kind neighbors in my building #1225 who tied up my outdoor items that I had erroneously left out in harm’s way.
The Sikes Family in the building next door who checked on my condo right after the hurricane hit, texted the status, cleaned out my refrigerator and took freezer items to safety and then returned.
My dear friends Zoee and Dennis Saltzman who have gone over to my condo every day for the last two weeks to make sure my condo is faring well and reported back to me words of reassurance.
Since I am not onsite I have appreciated the many emails and Facebook postings from the SBB board to keep us informed as well as the many positive actions and postings from SBB residents. Hats off to all those who went out of their way to pitch in and help their neighbors!
From Robin David
Mike and I are grateful for Karen from 702 and Andrea from 706. They helped us to move our cars away from SBB, kept in touch with us through the night, checked on us in the morning. Andrea opened her home to us and brought us food. (And you too, Michelle).
From Zoee Saltzman
Will and Lisa Barnett started coffee bar the day after the hurricane and hosted breakfast and coffee for a week, along with helping with clean up wherever they see a need.
Charles and Cathy Broadus cooked all the wonderful omelets and co-hosted the SBB breakfast cafe.
Steve Wamick brought over his LP gas stove to cook the breakfast meals.
Breck Campbell helped with breakfast cafe.
Chris Hinton cooked on his grill for anyone and their food too and provided ice and water.
There are many more who brought food, supplies, donated coffee, eggs, etc.
Jonathan Pharrell brought all the tools to clean up and worked so hard.
There are so many other people who deserve recognition but don’t know all the names and many generous things they individually have done.
From Catherine Sikes
Stan & Martha Sikes’ twin daughters (Catherine and Alexandra) enjoy using the tennis courts, so recently they recruited some young helpers (Alexandra’s 3- and 5-year-old sons—Cooper and Walt) to do some general leaf blowing and maintenance.
From Catherine Naman
The Sikes family hosted a barbeque for the community on Sept. 27. The food was delicious and the neighbors enjoyed the fellowship.
There were many, many other random acts of kindness that occurred and showed the true spirit of the Sailboat Bay community! Please feel free to comment below, or email michelle@navigatecontent.com so we can include them in the next newsletter.
A Few Interesting Stories from Hurricane Sally
From Janet Williams
Please meet Sailboat Sally, SBB's newest resident, saved from a pile of brush by Lisa Barnett and Jill Jensen. They heard crying and mobilized to save the tiny baby, that we think is about 5 to 6 weeks old. Sally will be vaccinated, wormed and when old enough, spayed and put up for adoption.
Should you hear any other cries from piles of brush or under rubble, please let us know in front of which building and in which pile you heard the cries. The fact that this baby survived outside what we all were terrified of inside our homes as it passed over is a miracle. The fact that these ladies heard her and rescued her is a blessing. She will have a wonderful life and bring joy to a family.
Mustang Sally
This bicycle remained upright with only the kickstand throughout the entire hurricane event. It was not tied to anything and only rested on its kickstand. So, of course, we named her “Mustang Sally.”
Sally Ivanovitch
Steve Vrana rescued the Sailboat Bay dolphin mascot that was on the pole at Bayside Point after it had been washed away during Hurricane Sally. Sixteen years ago after Hurricane Ivan Steve found this same dolphin still attached to the pole near the 1227 building. Ray and Kathy Jasperson, who previously lived in 1028C, made the dolphin many years ago. Patricia Kuther shared the picture of her husband, Max, and Ray installing our dolphin in the 1990s!
Steve and Charlie Ruehl have taken on the project to restore the dolphin, fittingly named “Sally Ivanovitch.”
MEET OUR NEW NEIGHBORS
Please welcome the newest members of our amazing Sailboat Bay community!
David & Wendy Lewis
Unit 802
David and Wendy Lewis live in Anniston, Alabama and will be living at Sailboat Bay part time. David is an Ophthalmologist, while Wendy is an Optician. They have a daughter, Heather, who is 27, and they will be gaining a son-in-law, Dylan, in October. David and Wendy both love riding horses. David enjoys fishing, hunting, and golf. Wendy loves boating and kayaking. The Lewis’ have several dogs, but they only travel with their little Chiweenie, Lulu.
CONVERSATION STARTER—Ask David anything about fishing, and ask Wendy about her passion for animal rescue!
Julia Causey
Unit 1225C
Julia Causey moved to Birmingham, Alabama after living in Atlanta for 10 years. She is retired from the Georgia State Department of Education. She previously lived in Montgomery for more than 30 years and is also retired from the Alabama State Department of Education. Julia is a part-time resident. She was in a long-term rental at Sailboat Bay for 4 years and decided to purchase a condo since she enjoyed the complex so much.
Julia has three children and eight grandchildren ages 5 and under who you will see around SBB often. Her daughter, Kristin, and her husband, Jared, live in Mountain Brook with their three children (PaImer, Flemming, and Rushton). Her son, Jonathan, and his wife, Frazier, live in Montgomery with their daughters (Anne Lucille and Mary Wells). Her son, Michael, and his wife, Katie, live in Vestavia Hills with their three children (Allie, Bo, and Laine).
CONVERSATION STARTER—Ask Julia about how she enjoys going out on her pontoon boat with family to enjoy all the fun kid activities and the great restaurants in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach!
Robin & Mike David
Unit 703
Mike and Robin David moved to Foley in 2016 after decades of living in the Atlanta, Georgia area where they raised their combined five children. When Covid had them quarantined, they decided not to wait until retirement to move to the water. Their cat, Sooshi, is still inspecting every inch of the condo for danger or vermin. Mike has been in IT “forever” and now works from home as an IT Service Delivery Specialist for a global document services company. Robin retired from the State of Georgia where she supervised an Adult Medicaid Unit and assisted in Adult Protection Services. She now works as a caregiver, truly enjoying working with families that cherish their elderly.
Mike is keen to learn how to operate a boat and purchase one in the near future. Robin knits, quilts, goes thrifting with friends, and has been known to throw random tea parties. Robin and Mike are both 61 and grew up watching Dark Shadows, Lost In Space, Star Trek, and westerns. They adore old black and white Science Fiction and Horror movies starring the likes of Bella Lugosi, Lon Chaney, Jr., Boris Karloff, Vincent Price, and Christopher Lee.
CONVERSATION STARTER—Ask them how they met, and about their kids or grandchildren! Robin and Mike are deeply family oriented.
We are also happy to welcome Stephen Chromiak & Marjorie Scaffa (Unit 1022B), Asa Goode (Unit 304), and Stan & Martha Sikes (Unit 1226B). Please send me your information so we can welcome you in the October Newsletter!
MAKING OUR COMMUNITY BEAUTIFUL
By Catherine Naman — Landscape Committee
Two days after Hurricane Sally, this beautiful bird of paradise bloomed on the clubhouse deck above the pool. Amidst the despair and chaos all around, a bit of hope shimmers to let us know everything will be all right. New life, as we rebuild.
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.
Meanwhile, some of our neighborhood trees suffered severe damage thanks to Hurricane Sally.
Debris cleanup and removal has been in progress every day since Sally hit.
Beginning repairs to our roofs has been a top priority and much progress has been made.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Our community is beautifully landscaped, but please be aware that some beautiful plants on our property are harmful.
Gardeners in warm climates often rely on oleander in the landscape, and for good reason; this nearly foolproof evergreen shrub is available in a tremendous variety of shapes, sizes, adaptability and flower color. However, it’s important to be knowledgeable of oleander toxicity and the potential for oleander poisoning before you plant. Read this article to learn the specifics.
Sago Palms are pretty plants but beware—they pack a deadly punch for pets. The popular Sago Palm enhances outdoor landscapes in warmer areas of the U.S. and serves as indoor decor in many colder climates. Read this article that explains why these short palms are toxic for animals.
Here is a guide to more poisonous plants in Florida. Thanks to Krista Gallimore for this valuable and useful research!
Here are the FEMA Debris Removal Guidelines. (Thanks to Catherine Naman for sharing this!)
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
Ginger Nahas — (251) 709-7557 — Unit 1032D
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
