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Social Distancing in Sandbridge

Social Distancing in Sandbridge: Why beach house rentals are the best option during the Covid-19 pandemic

We don’t need much convincing to believe that renting a beach house is a good idea, but if you’re worried about how the COVID-19 pandemic may affect your travels or ability to limit exposure, we are here to ease your mind.

Maximum Social Distancing: As opposed to resorts or hotels, a vacation home creates the exclusivity to maintain distance from those not in your immediate family, while enjoying the relaxation of a beach vacation. Private pools and full kitchen amenities create the opportunity to completely eliminate contact with others.

Low Cost: Bring your own food to cook, enjoy the beach and other included cottage amenities and skip the vacation overspending guilt without compromising on the fun.

No Airplane Required: A busy airport is no place for social distancing! Sandbridge is a short drive from many states. Ease your mind and lower health risks by driving to your vacation destination. Plus, you’ll save on the expense of a rental car when you arrive!

A vacation home is never a bad idea, but during these unprecedented times, it is the best idea to keep your family safe and healthy.

13 Sep

Glowing Waves in Sandbridge

Local Events byCory B

Glowing Waves in Sandbridge

The waves are glowing up and down the coast of Sandbridge! Bioluminescent algae was once common in the southern Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico, but now it is becoming an annual event on the Virginia coastline. Although this algae can be toxic to different types of sea creatures, it is not harmful to humans. The bright glow will only be visible when a wave crashes which causes a chemical reaction. We encourage all current vacationers to go for a walk one night and see for yourselves! These pictures were taken as early as 10 PM.

Pictures: Gregory Hardison

6 Sep

Gold Petal Farms

Local Events byCory B

Gold Petal Farms

September is here, but there are plenty of beach days left to be had in Sandbridge. If you’re the type of person who enjoys drinking your pumpkin spice lattes next to the pool of your vacation home, you may be dreaming of falling leaves and pumpkin patches while still savoring the summer sunshine. What if we told you that you could have your (pumpkin flavored) cake and eat it too?

Gold Petal Farms of Chaptico, Maryland brings a little late-summer sunshine to Virginia Beach with 6 acres of pick-your-own sunflowers on Seaboard Road, a 15 minute drive from Sandbridge. With plenty of family vacation photo opportunities and the transitional summer to fall vibes you crave, Gold Petal Farms is a great addition to your Sandbridge vacation experience and a bouquet of sunflowers will brighten up any room in your beach house or serve as a cheerful souvenir of your visit.

For more information visit https://goldpetalfarms.com/

31 Aug

Virtual Learning in Sandbridge: Nearby Historical Attractions

Local Events byCory B

Virtual Learning in Sandbridge: Nearby Historical Attractions

As a parent, Fall 2020 may be looking a lot different for you as many schools adopt an online learning platform for distance learning and back to school shopping becomes a distant memory. The good news is that now school can be done from anywhere, including a cozy beach house in Sandbridge, Virginia. In fact, its Hampton Roads location is rich with military history, close to many Revolutionary War landmarks, and only a short car ride from the first permanent English-speaking settlement of the United States.

Who says distance learning has to be limited to a computer? Now is the perfect time to take a vacation that balances relaxation with hands-on learning, creating fun for the whole family.

• • •

Colonial Williamsburg — Williamsburg, VA

Distance from Sandbridge: 67 miles

What you’ll learn: The former capital of colonial Virginia, Williamsburg is rich with the history of America’s beginnings from its role in the American Revolution to its unique living-history depiction of daily life in Colonial Virginia. Stop by the other two corners of the historic triangle: Jamestown and Yorktown and witness live glass blowing demonstrations, visit historic battlefields, or enjoy the scenery with a drive down Colonial Parkway.

Fort Monroe — Hampton, VA

Distance from Sandbridge: 38 miles

What you’ll learn: Fort Monroe is a former US-Army base, turned national monument in 2011. There, you have the opportunity to explore the vast fort, built in 1819 to protect the Hampton Roads area. Stop by the Casemate Museum to learn more about the area’s rich military history and role in colonial America, visit Jefferson Davis’ jail cell, collect shells from the Chesapeake Bay, and enjoy the historic beauty of the original architecture and homes which lend Fort Monroe its charm.

Nauticus Maritime Museum — Norfolk, VA

Distance from Sandbridge: 25 miles

What you’ll learn: Spend the day immersed in maritime history and indigenous sea life to the Hampton Roads area at this unique museum rich in history and science. Visit the USS Wisconsin and learn all about Battleship Aviation in the 50-year life of the Norfolk Aircraft Carrier.

Military Aviation Museum — Virginia Beach, VA

Distance from Sandbridge: 10 miles

What you’ll learn: History comes to life as you view airplanes from World War I & II. Learn about the key role these aircrafts played in United States history, visit the outdoor Jurassic Park display, and even go for a ride on an airplane!

10 Jun

Sand Replenishment

Local Events byCory B

Expect a much larger beach when you vacation with us in 2020!

Sandbridge is replenished with sand every 5-7 years because the beach gets shorter and shorter due to hurricanes and the ocean washing up on the shore. Sand is pumped from 3 miles out onto the beach through the pipes. After making it to shore, the sand drops and the water flows back into the ocean leaving a mound of sand that the workers then push and move to make it flat and level. The tall tripod is a CRAB and it determines how much sand is needed for that section of the beach.

21 May

Pick Local: Strawberries Edition

Local Events, Postcards from the Beach 2020 byMary Logan Donnelly

Where to pick?

Two of the biggest farms in our area are the Flanagan Family Farm and the Brookdale Farm! Below you will be able to find a little more about each of them!

Flanagan Farm is located ½ mile south of the Pungo stoplight in southern Virginia Beach, on what is commonly called Pungo Ridge. Pungo Ridge is home to some of the most prime soils for vegetable farming in Virginia Beach. The farm where Flanagan Farm is located is currently farmed by the fourth and fifth generations to consecutively produce crops on this farm. They have two acres of you-pick strawberries grown utilizing plasticulture to enhance the plant growth and keep the berries clean for harvest. Available late April through early June. They also grow a variety of fruits and vegetables starting in the Spring and going all the way through fall.

Brookdale Farm grows the Chandler variety strawberries which are known for their great taste and forgiveness for not being picked totally ripe. They also grow the Camerosa variety which is known for it’s lasting berries and great taste if picked totally ripe. Lastly they also have Ruby Junes again this year, which are a great size and taste amazing. Please note that weather can always affect varieties differently! On their website they also explain that they have made some changes to picking this year. They are allowed to have picking within State guidelines.Keeping everyone healthy is the driving force behind their changes. They want to keep their fields open so compliance is necessary. For more information about how they are compiling with the ever-changing guidelines check out their website here.

Why pick?

Picking your own strawberries is great for so many reasons! The first is that it is an opportunity to get out of the house and get outside! Just outside of Sandbridge there are many different farms which are offering a U-pick system and have place strict guidelines in order to accommodate for coronavirus concerns. Another great reason is by picking at our local farms, you will be helping support small business! Many of these farms also have delicious baked goods and fresh vegetables pre-picked and ready for pick up! The last reason we at Siebert Reality love picking our own strawberries is they taste so much sweeter after all your hard work!

Bucket on buckets of strawberries… What to do now?

So now that you’ve done all of the hard work what now.. you could just eat them straight out of the bucket or you can start cooking! Below I’ve shared some of our staff’s favorite strawberry-based recipes!

Try one of these delicious recipes!

Breakfast!

Classic Strawberry pancakes

Fancy up your classic Sunday morning pancakes with strawberries! This is a simple but delicious recipe, just make your favorite pancake batter. Following dice up some of your fresh strawberries and place them in a bowl. Pour your batter like normal and sprinkle a few diced berries on top before flipping! We like to finish them off with butter and powder sugar!

Main dish!

Substitute strawberries for tomatoes in the delicious Strawberry Caprese

Toast some sourdough bread lightly. While the bread is toasting, slice some fresh mozzarella and strawberries and place to the side. On one piece of sourdough spread some pest. Then top with strawberries and a couple piece of mozzarella. To finish it drizzle a balsamic glaze and top with your other piece of sourdough! And enjoy!this dish was inspired by one of Virginia Beach’s local coffee shops: Sawdust!

Side dish!

Strawberry Salsa is the perfect summer dish to serve with chips or a fun way to top fresh tacos! For this recipe you will need:

2 cups strawberries slice and cut into small pieces
1/2 cup red onion diced small
2 Tbsp jalapeno pepper seeded and diced small
1 Tbsp cilantro chopped
1 tsp lime zest
2 Tbsp lime juice
2 Tbsp white balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper

Instructions

Blend it all together & refrigerate until ready to serve.

Dessert!

Fresh strawberry bundt cake served with vanilla ice cream…might be heaven. We don’t need to talk this one up, here’s the recipe!

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs
3 tablespoons lemon juice divided
Zest of 1 lemon
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 ounces Greek yogurt, plain or vanilla
12 ounces fresh strawberries diced
1 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan (10-15 cup pan). In a large bowl, sift together 2 1/4 cups of flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix in the lemon zest and set aside.
2. In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 3-5 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Alternate beating in the flour mixture and the yogurt, mixing just until incorporated.
3. Toss the strawberries with the remaining 1/4 cup of flour. Gently mix them into the batter. Pour the batter into the Bundt pan. Place in the oven and reduce the temperature to 325 degrees F. Bake for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
4. Allow to cool at least 20 minutes in the pan, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely. Once cooled whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and the powdered sugar. Drizzle over the top of the cake.

Drinks!

Strawberry mojitos the perfect way to cool off after a long summer day! For two servings you will
need:

1 cup of sliced strawberries
12 fresh mint leaves
1/8 cup of simple syrup
Juice from 1/2 of a lime
4 ounces of light rum
Club soda
strawberries, lime wedges and/or mint sprig to garnish

Instructions:

1. In a cocktail shaker, muddle strawberries, mint leaves, simple syrup and lime juice with a muddler (use the back of a wooden spoon if you don’t have a muddler).
2. Pour in two glasses over ice (equal amounts). Add 2 ounces of rum to each glass and top with club soda. Garnish with a strawberry, lime wedge and/or mint sprig if desired.

Recipe Sources:

https://theblondcook.com/strawberry-mojitos/#tasty-recipes-18127

https://www.aspicyperspective.com/farmstand-fresh/

https://cookieandkate.com/strawberry-salsa-recipe/

17 Feb

The Dinner Detective

Local Events byCory B

Plan a dinner date for this year’s Sandbridge vacation! Head out to The Dinner Detective for a night full of guaranteed laughs after a long day on the beach. The Dinner Detective is a comedic murder mystery dinner. Anyone in the room might end up playing a part in the show, and the action unfolds throughout the entire room. Over the duration of the night, a crime will occur, hidden clues will be revealed, and the detectives will assist everyone in trying to crack the case.

Every murder mystery admission ticket ($60) includes appetizers, fresh rolls and butter, salad, your choice of entree, and dessert. The food is tasty, and we recommend the chicken option for the entree. There is also a full bar if you would like to purchase alcohol. The dress code is a dressy casual, and we suggest an age limit of 18 and up. The jokes will sometimes include profane language, mild adult content, and loud noises.

The show happens about twice a month, and the storylines are switched up regularly in case you wanted to go back for another mystery. Look ahead at their calendar of events, and schedule a night out while you’re here in Sandbridge. Your facial muscles will hurt after laughing all night long!

https://www.thedinnerdetective.com/virginia-beach/

5 Feb

Igloo Lounge

Local Events byCory B

Looking for something fun to do on vacation this winter? Igloos have made it to Virginia Beach! Head down to the Oceanfront with 6 of your closest friends, and prepare for a unique experience.

The igloos are $75 to rent for 90 minutes, so make sure to arrive early to fully take advantage of the allotted time. Once entering the Hilton hotel, you’ll wait by the elevators before a staff member takes you all the way to the roof. Entering the warm igloo is nice after walking out onto the cold rooftop! Inside you’ll find spacious seating for 6-7 adults as well as a charcuterie board, space heater, and Bluetooth speaker. Each igloo also has a designated waiter for drink orders.

The igloo lounge will remain open until the beginning of March. Call 757-213-3472 or email alexander_white@hiltonvb.com for availability.

29 Oct

Sandbridge Local in World Series

Local Events byCory B

Sandbridge is a vacation destination to many, but others call it home. Join us as we cheer on our most famous local, Ryan Zimmerman, when the Washington Nationals take on the Houston Astros in Game 6 of the World Series at 8 PM.

Ryan grew up in Sandbridge where he starred for local travel teams and high school teams before attending The University of Virginia. After a successful stint in college where he was named All American, Ryan was taken in the first round of the MLB draft by the Washington Nationals. He was actually the very first pick the franchise ever made!

In addition to his baseball ability, Ryan has also given back to his community in spectacular fashion. He recently donated $1 million to help renovate the UVA baseball stadium, but his most noble charitable efforts are found in the ziMS foundation which he started in 2006. Ryan’s mother was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when he was young, but his charity is determined to find a cure for the disease. To date more than $3.5 million has been raised by ziMS mainly through charity events throughout Virginia Beach.

Ryan has already hit one home run in the World Series, and hopefully tonight he can launch another. Go Nats!

22 Oct

Beer Around Here

Local Events byCory B

Tips on Taps – Smartmouth Brewing

One of the first Craft Breweries to set up shop in the Hampton Roads area, Smartmouth Brewing, has helped shape the local craft brew scene. Their emphasis on flavor over flourish, quality ingredients, and incredible atmosphere makes Smartmouth a great environment for beverages.

Started in 2012 by Porter Hardy, now ex-lawyer, Smartmouth was his way of taking his life and hobby a little more seriously; trading in briefcases for oke-barrels. Smartmouth headquarters has served the Norfolk community one beer at a time, for seven years, with help from local bands and food trucks. Smartmouth is the perfect place to unwind after a day on the beach. Since then Smartmouth has opened its VA Beach location in December of 2017. The location is a former post office and fully renovated for brewing and fun. With a reservable tasting room, a wall of beer taps, and a room of glass walls to watch the magic happen — there is no better place for a flight or two of great beer.

Smartmouth signature brews keep many coming back for more. Their head brewer Jimmy Loughran leads a team of “hop-heads” and “barley buffs” who are artisans creating distinct and memorable year-round beers like Alter Ego Saison, Murphy’s Law Amber, Notch 9 Double IPA, and Safety Dance Pilsner. The team also provides seasonal brews throughout the year.

The Princess Oktoberfest is available Aug-Oct, the Cowcatcher Milk Stout is produced from Oct-March, and the Summer Fling Hefeweizen is ready from April-Aug. We highly suggest visiting their beer page to explore the options before heading to the brewery.

Before heading back to Sandbridge after enjoying a night out in Virginia Beach, grab a growler for when you are staying in and watching the waves. Remember to drive safe, or maybe just rideshare, because you can’t have only one of Smartmouth’s beers. Then ask the Beach People for what’s next during your beach vacation.

VA BEACH PILOT HOUSE

313 32nd Street, Va Beach, VA 23451

Tuesday – Thursday: 4:00p – 10:00p

Friday: 1:00pm – 10:00pm

Saturday: 12:00p – 10:00p

Sunday: 2:00p – 8:00p

22 Oct

Beer Around Here

Local Events byCory B

Tips on Taps – Smartmouth Brewing

VA BEACH PILOT HOUSE

313 32nd Street, Va Beach, VA 23451

Tuesday – Thursday: 4:00p – 10:00p

Friday: 1:00pm – 10:00pm

Saturday: 12:00p – 10:00p

Sunday: 2:00p – 8:00p