Recently, Seaside co-founders Robert & Daryl Davis, VP and general manager Pam Avera, Seaside staff, merchants and homeowners, architects, community members and many friends of Seaside gathered to commemorate the past 35 years of the vibrant community and to help celebrate its success. They met because in these last 35 years, Seaside has become important to each one of them and being connected has impacted them in some way. Along with Robert & Daryl, it’s the people who live, work and visit Seaside that helped to give it life—now several generations who caught Robert & Daryl’s vision and want to continue the legacy. It’s hard to imagine that Seaside started as just a dream that began with Robert’s grandfather, J.R. Smolian. But Robert caught the magic & shared his grandfather’s dream & in 1981 Seaside was born. Since then, each “Seasider” has played an important role with his or her contribution, helping establish Seaside’s personality and make it what it is today.
On the day of the ceremony, attendees were invited to share their experiences by coming to the microphone and sharing a fond memory or story. Seaside’s co-founder, Robert Davis, spoke and led all in a commemorative champagne toast. In order of appearance: