Letter from the President – June 2020

Hello Neighbors,

Normally, around this time of year I would be writing about all the events that we held in spring as we prepared for our annual summer dance with residents and visitors. However, this year was very different due to the unprecedented circumstances that we all had to face. We saw social distancing, stay-at-home, food and supply shortages, work-from-home and other steps taken to limit the spread of a potentially very deadly virus. In spite of this, we remained strong. We lifted each other up in myriad ways and stayed connected thanks to  technology. If anything was proven over the last few months, it is that we are our best when we face our worst.

As life slowly returns to normal, albeit a new type of normal, we are reminded of the things that matter most – family, friends and community. We are a special type of community in that we share a little piece of heaven with others who seek a refuge from the trials of everyday drudgery. Our neighborhood is, at times, a place of solace for those who seek to reconnect with themselves and those around them. These intangibles are hard to find just anywhere.

I would like to thank, on behalf of everyone in our section of Virginia Beach, all those people who had to face adversity every day: our first responders, our police officers, our essential workers, our work-from-home parents who became teachers, our caregivers, our delivery personnel and, of course, ourselves. We all had to make shared sacrifices in one way or another in a time when it was needed most. While we are not quite “out of the woods,” so to speak, we are making progress towards some solace.

There is still work to be done. More specifically, there is civic league work to be done. In this newsletter there is a ballot to vote on proposed changes to the bylaws. Please send these back by the June 15 deadline. We will be selecting our college scholarship winners, who will be announced in next month’s newsletter. Our aim is to help a few select individuals from the neighborhood realize their educational and career ambitions.

As always, stay safe and remember to greet each other with a smile and a wave – even if that smile is under a facemask.

Yours truly,

Andrew Roper

SBCL President

Letter from the President – May 2020

Greetings Neighbors,

I hope that everyone is faring well in light of this current pandemic crisis that has gripped the nation and the world. I know that it has been tough for all of us in one way or another. While those of us with children have had to become “teachers”, others have been feeling the pinch of a slowed-down economy. It’s hard to place a value on human life, but we can at least all hope that our sacrifices will be worth it in the long run. If any of you have lost loved ones to the virus, you have my deepest condolences.

I have been encouraged by news of people volunteering their time to make masks for the community, or bringing food and supplies to those who need help, to neighbors joining together to celebrate birthdays with drive-by parades, and to people volunteering their time to assist at healthcare facilities. We sometimes take for granted our liberties that we enjoy or the people who have to face crisis daily, but this current event has definitely highlighted the value of both.

I know that we are all anxious to “get back to normal” but we know one thing for sure. Normal will not be the same again once the restrictions are lifted. We may have to practice social distancing for some time until it can be assured we are either all immune, there is a vaccine, or a treatment available to combat the viral scourge. In the meantime, we must stay vigilant with handwashing, mask wearing, social distancing, self-quarantining, home schooling and working from home. As with all things, this too shall pass.

On the bright side, spring has sprung! It seems Mother Nature just keeps the seasons rolling along. At least we all have a little extra time now to work on our yards and those home projects that we’ve been otherwise too busy to get around to doing. We’ve also gotten to know our families better ever since we’ve been asked to shelter in place. I wonder how many have been able to enjoy a dinner together for the first time in a while? Situations like this one remind you of the little things in life that really matter: love, family, community and friendships.

As always, stay safe, stay home and if you do go out, please wear a mask and still greet each other with a smile and a wave – though it might be hard to see the smile behind the mask but it will still show through.

Warmly,

Andrew Roper

SBCL President

Letter from the President – April 2020

Greetings Neighbors,

As I am writing this letter for the newsletter, we are currently in the midst of a global pandemic the likes of which nobody has had to deal with in their respective lifetimes. This is unprecedented territory for all of us inside and outside the Sandbridge community. It is important during this critical time that we heed the advice of our local, state and federal government officials and public health experts. This means maintaining social distancing. If you absolutely must go out in public, limit travel outside the home, wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face. Also, avoid person-to-person contact when possible and only seek medical help when necessary.

In accordance with government guidance, we had canceled our March meeting and are now calling off our April meeting. In an abundance of caution, we have also canceled the annual Easter Egg Hunt at Little Island Park and are canceling or postponing the Community Yard Sale and Spring Cleanup. As Benjamin Franklin famously said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

I know these are trying times. They are for all of us, regardless of our position in society, but we will get through this together. Some of us will be more affected by this crisis than others and we, as a community, should do all we can to support and lift each other up. In this vein, I will be sending out an email from the Sandbridge Community Chapel UMC about a ministry program to help those in need. I would encourage you to help where and how you can and pray for those you cannot help.

In the meantime, please leverage the resources made available by the City by going to their website at emergency.vbgov.com/coronavirus for information about what the City is doing, programs that are available, and the latest news on the City’s response efforts.

If you do happen to visit the City’s website, I would also encourage you to check out the latest City Council meeting regarding the proposed FY2021 budget. There is an important consideration before the Council regarding the Sandbridge SSD and TIF that you should be aware of. Unfortunately, the construct of this letter does not afford me the space to go into much detail, but it is vitally important that you take the time to inform yourselves.

In closing, I wish you all well and hope that you stay safe. If you or anyone in your family is ill, I pray for a speedy recovery. I will also be praying and hoping for a swift but careful end to this crisis so that we can return to some normalcy.

Respectfully,

Andrew Roper

SBCL President