April 2019 Editor’s Note "Farewell GP"

I don’t know about all of you, but March was a bit of a roller coaster ride for us here at Beachside Media. March began with diminishing grey skies which brought forth the sunshine, defrosting us delicate, Floridian flowers. The promise of longer, warmer, happier days were upon us. Local businesses began to flourish from our out of state visitors who appreciate and love our area as much as we do. Spring has sprung and things were indeed looking up. Unfortunately, life has its dips and turns, and occasionally, it also has a way of stopping you right in your tracks. Friday, March 15, was one the the hardest days we have experienced here, as a team, as friends, we lost a man we held very dear to our hearts. His name, Gary Propper. When GP first started hanging with us, I wouldn’t say it was love at first site, but it didn’t take long for us to fall for him and his personality. He was easy to talk to and cool as shit. He was, undeniably, EXACTLY who he was with no apologies, no remorse and no need to justify. He would often remind us of our unique, misfitted team and how we were united in the desire to perform for the greater good and our mission.

GP was always there, urging us with the faith we needed to carry on. That was what brought us so close, and why losing him has been so difficult. Losing our friend has most certainly left us with an empty seat that may never be filled. It’s easy to get caught up in the questions of: Did we listen hard enough? Do we remember all his teachings? Did we do enough to show him we cared for him in the same way he cared for us? GP wouldn’t have wanted it that way. He wouldn’t have wanted us to fret. Rather, he would’ve wanted us to remember him as that goofy misfit, a man of his word, and a strong force who simply rode the waves of life.

-GP. This one’s for you. Sincerely, Amanda Dreyer