Falling into Farmers Markets!

  I don't know about you, but when I think of Fall I think crisp morning air, beautiful foliage and farmers markets galore! Hampton Roads has a plethora  of farmers markets in the 7 cities that are rich in the diversity of the culture here, that gives a nod to the area's huge transplant community! We love to support other local small businesses and what better way to support your community than to visit a local Farmers Market this weekend!   Old Beach Farmers Market   Just 6 blocks from the Virginia Beach Oceanfront this farmers Market is smack dab in the middle of THe Vibe District. With the eclectic and laid back mood it's perfect for a weekend stroll with a cup of coffee in hand! This particular market is completely volunteer run and has been a staple in the community since 2008. The array of vendors pay homage to the lifestyle and beauty of the area. From food trucks and craft beverages to live music and local art there's something for everyone here. The seasonal produce you'll find from local farmers is of the highest quality… You'll also find vendors that offer homemade baked goods as well as local chefs offering their premade dishes! Open Saturdays from 9a-12p  through December, this is a market you find that you just keep coming back to!   Portsmouth Olde Towne Farmers Market   Nestled in the heart of Portsmouth, this urban Farmers market offers way more than just produce and farm fresh eggs! The Portsmouth community really makes this a social event for everyone to join in! Start your morning off with group yoga in the courtyard, or sip some fresh coffee and enjoy the live music under the live oak trees every Saturday! With over 70 vendors with various offerings there truly is something for everyone to fall in love with. 3 major farm stands hold everything from fresh produce and meats to artisanal and craft items. Bring the whole family including the pup as it is a dog friendly market!     Obviously these are just two of the amazing Farmers Markets that our area has to offer. Each season brings new delights to this east coast beach community. Get out, explore the melting pot that is the 7 cities. While every state is diverse in its own right, I fully believe that Hampton Roads has some of the best cultures all living in one area. Don't forget that supporting local small businesses means that usually it goes right back into your community!  You are supporting a neighbor, you're supporting a friend, you are supporting a family!

Squeezing out the last drops of Summer!

With the unofficial end of summer knocking down our doors, we want to enjoy those last fewdays before our schedules get busier and temps get lower! It's no secret that everyone here atthe United Family loves the casual “island time” approach to life outside of the office, but wewanted to take the guesswork out of how to really squeeze the most out of the last few days ofsummer! Obviously you can head to the beach, as most of you will, to soak up the sun andallow the breeze to carry your worries away. But, if you'd like to do something different with your weekend, here are some fun things going on in Hampton Roads to kick off fall! Friday Night: Head on out to APEX Sportsplex in Towne Center VB and take part in their R&B Glow and PaintNight! It starts at 7pm. Space is limited and tickets will run between $35-$40 dollars and can bepurchased in advance on Eventbrite. If paint isn't really your vibe you could break out your lawnchairs and jam out to the beautiful sounds of the Symphony Orchestra at the “ Finally FallFridays” concert series at Mount Trashmore! Starting at 6pm, this event has free parking andtakes cash and card for any purchases at the event. These events will continue every Fridaythroughout Fall! Saturday: Saturday is the 1st National Cinema Day. In an attempt to get patrons back into the seats ofmovie theaters nationwide, participating companies (AMC, REGAL, and CINEMARK) areoffering up $3 dollar movie tickets to all of their showings! Contact your favorite cinema forconfirmation of participation! Or maybe you’d rather spend your day outside. If that’s the case,and flea markets are up your alley, cruise on over to the Olde Towne Antique and Flea Marketgoing on Saturday starting at 9 am! Peruse each table's vendor choices and find those amazinghidden gems that will make your house a home! After a morning of shopping, head over toReavers NFK at 4pm for their Boozy Book Fair in honor of National Read a Book Day onSeptember 6th . Sip your favorite adult beverage while scanning for your next read! Sunday: Sundays are notorious brunch days and you can find those just about anywhere in HamptonRoads. If you're looking for something a little off the beaten path Virginia Beach Winery ishosting a wine tasting starting at 12pm on Sunday. Sample some amazing whites or pinks tohold onto the last moments of summer or try a red and find your new favorite fall go-to. Thewine tasting is free with purchase of any bottle! For those less inclined to wine and brunchingand more interested in motor oil and horsepower, Boulevard of Wheels is hosting a car showstarting at 10am down on Virginia Beach Blvd. To round off your weekend, and put a smile onyour face, take a trip to the Zoom Room and take part in their Adoption event starting at 1pm!Meet the amazing staff and play with the cute pups that will all be up for adoption!There are so many other awesome things happening this weekend around Hampton Roads: livebands all weekend at the Oceanfront, Margarita Fest, farmer’s markets and if none of that suitsyour fancy, go on a hike down one of our amazing nature trails in the area or just sit back relax How you can squeeze out the last drops of summer this weekendand enjoy the beautiful world around you! Tell us what will you be doing this weekend assummer unofficially draws to an end?

3 Hidden Hampton Roads beaches to visit.

Water views when you live on the East Coast are a dime a dozen. You can head in almost anydirection in Hampton Roads and find a sandy spot to lay down a towel and crank up the musicloud. If you're looking for a spot that's a little less “tourist trap” and a lot more “breathtakingbeauty”, try heading to one of these 3 amazing hidden gems. Grandview Nature PreserveJust off the beaten path In Hampton you'll find the enchanting Grandview Beach. The area itselfis home to over 475 acres of salt marsh, tidal creeks, and a long stretch of Chesapeake Baycoastline. Patrons are welcome to walk the trails, observe the migrant birds, fish, or just enjoythe quiet beauty of the shore line! There is a short walk through the preserve to get to thesecluded beach so pack accordingly! The preserve and its beach is open year round fromsunrise to sunset! Parking can be a bit tricky, but is free and runs along the right side of StatePark Drive! Outlook Beach at Fort MonroeAs the name suggests this stretch of beach is on the inactive Fort Monroe Base. It’s open andfree to the public as it was decommissioned back in 2011. Feeling secluded is easy when youare surrounded by water on all sides! The amazing views, old military artifacts, fishing pier andlighthouse all in close proximity will fill your day with sand, sun, and fun! Take a stroll down theboardwalk and watch the waves dance along the shore line or come early and watch the sunrise over the water to start your day. While the beach is open year round from sunrise to sunsetlifeguards are only present Memorial Day through Labor Day.   Kiptopeke State ParkLast but certainly not least on our list is Kiptopeke State Park. This gorgeous stretch of beach isnestled on the south end of the Eastern Shore in Cape Charles, its spectacular view nods to thearea's WWII maritime commission. While you swim the day away make sure to check out thestring of concrete ships about a ¼ mile off the coast. Once used as a protection barrier forextreme weather, these ghost ships are now home to a plethora of native fish, birds andshellfish! While you’re visiting you can also enjoy fishing, boating, camping, and hiking!The end of summer is fast approaching, whether you visit one of these beaches or the dozensof others in our area enjoy yourself. Stop to take in the sights that our beautiful area has to offer. Kick off your flip flops, get sandy, and dive in.

Taking Please and Thankyou to the next level

As a company that specializes in going above and beyond, we have a major soft spot in our heart for local businesses that  help us accomplish that goal. Spotlighting Please and Thankyou was a no brainer! From coozies, local beer and wine, custom branded tumblers and t-shirts to bath bombs, baby onesies and coastal decor this locally owned and operated gift shop takes the stress out of finding the perfect gift! Though in existence since 1999, the Bailey family took ownership in 2021. It was a whirlwind of serendipity that caused this wife and husband team  to uproot their family from Pennsylvania and dive into the world of personalized baskets and  gifts. With Becky’s background in corporate events and incentive travel and Roger’s  experience in business development and networking, the couple welcomed the challenge of growing a business during COVID. And boy did they succeed! With big corporate clients and small businesses alike, everyone jumped to take advantage of  the stress free “ongoing gift” service that Please and Thankyou offers. While they do welcome corporate clients with open arms, they also love to cater to the public by offering personalized gifts for just about any occasion. While 40% of their revenue comes from the holidays, they have a store front of ever-changing stock to match the season. Whatever you can imagine, the staff can create! All of their products can be branded for you, your business or the gift recipient. Recently Please and Thankyou has started offering Sip 'n shops and private events  where you can get together to sample their offerings (many locally-sourced), browse their extensive collection of customizable products, and even create your own basket to purchase. Additionally, Pleas and Thankyou is expanding into the world of pop-up shops around Hamptons Roads. Matching the stress-free vibes of Virginia Beach, they also offer grab ‘n go baskets, pop-by boxes, and gifts under $25 dollars in their store for purchase on the fly. For those clients and/or loved far away in miles but close to your heart, they also hand-deliver their gifts daily as far up as NOVA and all the way down into North Carolina or offer worldwide shipping. We were so fortunate to get to meet with Becky and get an inside peek at how Please and Thankyou operates and we are beyond excited to support them and watch this fellow locally-owned business keep growing and thriving! You can check them out on Facebook and Instagram or pop in to the store and tell them United Atlantic sent you!             Please and Thankyou 195 S. Rosemont Rd. #113, Virginia Beach 23452 / 757-498-4707       www.PleaseandThankyou.com/ sales@pleaseandthankyou.com/ #Pleaseandthankyougifts