Thursday, December 1, 2022

December Newsletter and Events

  • Upcoming Events
    • 12/10 - Saturday - Second Saturday Hike at Indian River Park
    • 12/15 - Thursday - Volunteer Recognition and Holiday Party
    • 1/1 - Sunday - First Day Hike at Indian River Park
  • Other News
    • “Main Street” Indian River Holiday Lighting & Decoration Contest
    • Election Results
    • Tidewater Master Naturalist Training Class 
    • Volunteer Updates
    • Volunteer Needs


Upcoming Events

Second Saturday Hike @ Indian River Park

Date: Saturday, December 10, 8:30 am

Location: Indian River Park entrance at Rokeby Ave. and Main St. (2001 Rokeby Ave.)

Learn about the history of the park, the native trees and plants in this century old forest on the Indian River floodplain, and its value to maintaining the health of local butterfly, bird, and wildlife populations. Note: the forest trail has uneven surfaces and minor elevation changes.

Please pre-register at https://forms.gle/7q6rER4rSiq9vEqd7


Annual Volunteer Appreciation and Holiday Party

Date: Thursday, December 15, 7 pm

Location: Oaklette United Methodist Church, 520 Oaklette Drive

Mark the date for the return of the Friends of Indian River Holiday Party!

This will be our end of year celebration to recognize our many accomplishments, recognize our volunteers, and socialize. Please bring a dessert or appetizer to share and join the festivities. 

We'll have a silent auction, so you can finish some Christmas shopping too.   Donations of silent auction items are welcome.

Please also consider bringing a donation of non-perishable food items for the Oaklette United Methodist Church food pantry to the meeting this evening. 

Even if you have not been to a meeting in a while or if this would be your very first meeting, we encourage you to come out and partake in the merriment.


First Day Hike @ Indian River Park

Date: Sunday, January 1, 1 pm

Location: Indian River Park entrance at Rokeby Ave. and Main St. (2001 Rokeby Ave.)

Welcome the new year with our traditional First Day Hike at Indian River Park.

Learn about the history of the park, the native trees and plants in this century old forest on the Indian River floodplain, and its value to maintaining the health of local butterfly, bird, and wildlife populations. Note: the forest trail has uneven surfaces and minor elevation changes.

Please pre-register at https://forms.gle/zDqHrnnJf3hEmB66A



Other News


"Main Street" Indian River Holiday Lights & Decorating Contest

Our 4th Annual “Main Street” Indian River Holiday Lighting & Decoration Contest is now open. To participate, just decorate your storefront! Contest is open to all businesses along Indian River Rd from Oaklette Bridge to Military Highway and along Sparrow Road from Nautilus Ave. to Fontana Ave. 

Judging will be between 4 pm and 7 pm on Thursday, Dec 8, and based on overall appearance, festiveness, and being fresh and appropriate for site.  Top 3 winners will be announced by Thursday, Dec. 16.  Winners will receive $50 prize money and be recognized in our newsletter and social media channels.

Election Results

Congratulations to all the winners in the local elections. The Friends of Indian River look forward to working with all our elected officials to continue to improve the quality of life for all the residents of the Indian River neighborhoods!   In the City Council, Vice Mayor John DeTriquet and Councilmember Ella Ward won reelection and will be joined by Jeff Bunn, Amanda Newins, and Daniel Whitaker.   On the School Board, the winner were Amanda Dean, Michael Lamonea, John McCormick, Norman Pool, Kim Scott, and Brittany Walker.  At the Federal level, Bobby Scott was reelected in the 3rd Congressional District and Jen Kiggans took the 2nd District.  

But there is still one more vote for those in parts of Virginia Beach and Norfolk.  A Special Election is being held on January 10th for Jen Kiggans' old seat in the Virginia 7th Senate District which is just west of the Chesapeake/VB city line.  Early voting is already underway.  On the ballot to fill this seat are Aaron R. Rouse - D and Kevin H. Adams - R. Learn more at Upcoming Elections - Virginia Department of Elections 

Tidewater Master Naturalist Training Class

The Tidewater Master Naturalists are accepting applications for their 2023 training class.  Their mission is “to develop a well-informed corps of volunteers to provide education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within local communities for the Commonwealth of Virginia”.  Several Friends of Indian River members are also Master Naturalists.  And the Friends have a special deal for members interested in taking the training program.  Learn more at https://tidewatermn.org/ and/or contact us at info@friendsofindianriver.org

Volunteer Updates

Thank you to all the volunteers who came out in November for work at both the Oaklette Bridge plantings along Indian River Road and the Native Plant Garden at Indian River Park.   Both are looking great!

Volunteers Needs

We need volunteers to help with weeding at the new landscaping at the Oaklette Indian River Bridge and at the native plant garden at Indian River Park.   We also need volunteers to help with removing invasive plants at the Park.  There are also other volunteer opportunities listed on our website at http://www.friendsofindianriver.org/p/volunteer.html.  If you can help out on any of these, please contact us at info@friendsofindianriver.org 

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