The VBREA 2017 Annual Meeting revealed accomplishments, had speaker presentations, covered business points-of-interest and offered additional surprises for members in attendance.  
  
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MR. JAMES K. SPORE
Guest speakers began with Mr. James K. Spore, who as City Manager, City of Virginia Beach in 2006, recapped the essence of his vision for what was to become the VBREA.  Mr. Spore over-viewed necessary steps to create our association which began in 2007.  For more details about the process, visit our “In Gratitude” page of our website.  A member of the VBREA himself, Mr. Spore explained that since his retirement as City Manager, he has not missed a beat with workdays as he now serves as President and CEO supporting Region 5 of Reinvent Hampton Roads, a community leadership initiative focused on collaborative efforts to improve the region’s economic performance and profile. Touching upon a more personal note, he shared his support of positive psychology as identified by the book “Authentic Happiness” authored by Martin Seligman.  To explore the meaning of this classic positive psychology book, CLICK HERE.  Mr. Spore gave a heartfelt note of gratitude to members for their service to our community and for continuing his vision as VBREA members since 2007.

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MR. JOE FLANAGAN
In addition to Mr. Spore’s attendance at the very first Annual Meeting of the VBREA, a return guest speaker at today’s meeting was Mr. Joe Flanagan, who retired after three decades at WVEC television as a reporter.  He is also recognized as a feature reporter for the “Joe’s Job” series and as anchor for 13NewsNow at Daybreak, on weekends.  Since retiring, Mr. Flanagan has focused his efforts similar to his work history as they relate to media communication.  His most current project was inspired by a special on Ireland when he was still with WVEC.  This journey to Ireland included a walk, with his mother, down the path his ancestors took before coming to America.  This experience deeply embedded the value of capturing family photos, traditions and historical importance of those who walked before him.  His travel's has led Joe down a new path during retirement!  Joe shared some of a recently completed project of photos captured and accompanying audio of the family of Paul Webb who was Old Dominion University’s head coach of the Monarchs.  An inspiring presentation,attendees were encouraged to capture their own history for future generations.

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MR. DAVID L. HANSEN
The meeting was also attended by Dave Hansen, City Manager, City of Virginia Beach. Mr. Hansen discussed ongoing city activities, infrastructure problems, and management updates.  Mr. Hansen noted that the current economy’s recession is subsiding resulting in increased real estate values. City revenue is still looking good (5th year consecutive growth) but storm water remains a continual problem (climate change is real.)  One only needs to recall our prior year weather to see storm intensity has seemed to increase.  The city is working hard to identify ways to better control storm surge and efforts to grow our city economically.  The city’s goal/vision is for Virginia Beach to become the preferred coastal city on the Atlantic coast.

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PROJECT LIFESAVER
MPO Jason Karangelen, Virginia Beach Police Department demonstrated the Project Lifesaver’s Program which has helped provide a search and rescue program operated internationally by public safety agencies.  Individuals prone to life threatening behavior of wandering away from families in Virginia Beach have been saved and returned home thanks to this program.  A wandering citizen without a Project Lifesaver device can average an 8 hour search and rescue with costs exceeding $325,000.  A wandering citizen wearing a Project Lifesaver device takes an average of 22 minutes to be located in Virginia Beach. Currently, Virginia Beach has 320 clients in this program.  The VBREA presented Project Lifesaver with money to purchase two additional devices for clients.
 
In the above photo, MPO Jason Karangelen is accepting the VBREA donation from Barbara Byrd, VBREA President.  To learn more about this project click here to visit:  Virginia Beach Project Lifesaver on Facebook.

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The VBREA’s “Tinth” Anniversary” meeting agenda was informative, productive and just plain fun!

For those in the know, TIN is the traditional material for gift giving when sharing a 10th anniversary.   

At the closure of our meeting, members in attendance were given VBREA related mementos in a tin container.

Additional photos for the event are posted for your viewing pleasure.
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The VBREA Holiday Luncheon was great fun!

Members are encouraged to plan ahead next year so that you too can join us as we celebrate the holidays together.
The Knit Wits were very generous with their time and pockets in 2017!  Giving from their heart, so that citizens in need may stay warm, members knitted and donated a total of 115 hats and 65 scarfs in 2017.  (This group accepts donations to purchase supplies.)
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New to knitting...
​already skilled?
Join our Knit-Wits today!
 
The Knit-Wits meet once a month.  If you are interested in joining, please contact:  Irene Bates at 757-430-3636.

 Donated School during 2018 at any General Meeting
Each year VBREA members have donated much needed school supplies, such as shown to the left, that will be given to a designated school, located within the Virginia Beach school system.  You again stepped forward to give from the heart in 2017. Thank you very much to each of you who supported this effort!  Let's exceed our 2017 amount during 2018!!
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Traveling??  Save those hotel give-away toiletries!
Through-out the year, members are encouraged to bring to events and meetings toiletry items, such as shown in the below picture, which we donate to shelters supportive of our citizens.
If you have items, bring them to our meetings and turn them into the meeting leader.  Your acts of kindness mean the world to grateful recipients!                                                                               
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2017 VBREA Annual Picnic
2017 VBREA Annual Picnic

A damp morning challenged the day as members of our Involvement Committee set up for our 2017 VBREA Annual Picnic at Great Neck Park.  Motivated by their hearts and without much ado, the committee turned our picnic into a sunny event where fun, laughter, and a delicious lunch were second only to the heartfelt reunions enjoyed by everyone in attendance.  The sun came out and members were able to travel through time by reviewing the “olden days” while catching up on what have become the “golden days”.  If you missed our picnic this year, put a tickler on your calendar for June of next year.  It will be great…join us next year as we come together for good food and wholesome soul nourishment.


                     Below are VBREA Board Members                         at the Picnic
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  • L to R/ Front Row: Barbara Byrd, Donna Brehm, and Rose Dawley
  • L to R/ Back Row: Nancy Moore, Twila Leavitt, Jane Draper, and Pete Leavitt


          Below are Members of the Involvement Committee             at the Picnic
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  • L to R/ Front Row: Joelle Talbot, Rose Dawley and Pat Hamm
  • L to R/ Back Row:  Nancy Moore Roberta Snyder, Pete Leavitt, Sue Shipp, and  Ilene Snyder
                    
        Below are Communications Committee Members                at the Picnic
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L to R: Mary Cardwell, Rusty Bedard, and Twila Leavitt. 

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