Thursday, November 14Hampton Roads Weekly
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Community

How the Greatest Generation Can Save Our Current Generation

How the Greatest Generation Can Save Our Current Generation

Community
By Bruce Meyer As we have just passed the 5th anniversary of the tragedy that occurred in Virginia Beach on Friday, May 31st, 2019 and more recently at the Chesapeake WalMart and the Uvalde Elementary school in Texas, people all over the Country asked once again when these mass shootings will stop. There are two primary strategies that have been discussed for several years. The first strategy discussed by Democrats and the media is gun control. The second strategy discussed by Republicans is arming schools and citizens and eliminating stringent gun control laws. We can debate for years (and we have) the advantages and disadvantages of each proposed strategy; however, at the end of the day, they are not solutions to the problem. They are, in fact, just a band aid. The infection is sti...
Live Like Freddie…

Live Like Freddie…

Business, Community
Positive poignant lessons learned from a beloved businessman  as told by his daughter.  The Brown Paper Bag  By Connie Aron Meyer  Each year, this very week in time on the calendar, my mind travels back to another decade with my dad, Freddie Aron, at Rogers Men’s Clothing store in Portsmouth, Virginia  –and the all important lessons in business and in life that I learned there.  It is after a hectic, but wonderful Christmas season, and is time now to clear away last year’s merchandise to make room as new fresh spring items flood in our back door.  I am standing behind the large, U-shaped, mahogony counter that houses the cash register, gift wrapping area, and the shelves filled with paper bags. There were two kinds of bags stored ther...
Resiliency for Family Caregivers: Navigating Times of Crisis

Resiliency for Family Caregivers: Navigating Times of Crisis

Community
Times of crisis may bring out both the best and also the worst in us. During the coronavirus pandemic, we’ve heard stories of people hoarding items and selling them in order to make an excessive profit, along with stories of people who selflessly met the needs of others despite their own fears. The key to weathering the storms in an appropriate way is resiliency. Mia Bartoletti, clinical psychologist for the Navy SEAL Foundation, works with families of individuals serving in the armed forces, and provides tips which can help build resiliency for family caregivers through any time of crisis. 1. Express your reactions. It is common to experience many different responses to a crisis: flashbacks to other overwhelming situations, dreams and nightmares, withdrawal and avoidance, challenges...
Scouts –  Preparing Our Young People For Life

Scouts – Preparing Our Young People For Life

Community
By John Scheib Scouting in South Hampton Roads proudly marches on and is as relevant today as it was more than 100 years after its origin.  With its youth development program that is centered on values, citizenship, and preparing young people for life, Scouting has extended its reach to boys and girls to help them “be prepared” for life.  HISTORY On September 21, 1911, twenty eight of Norfolk’s most prominent businessmen met to form the Norfolk Council, Boy Scouts of America (BSA). In 1934, the Cub Scout program was formally adopted by the Norfolk Council. The challenge of the day was “new ambition for greater service to more boys throughout America.”  In January 1935, the council was given its present name, The Tidewater Council, Inc., BSA.  Today, the coun...
Live Like Freddie…The Best Advice in Business and Life

Live Like Freddie…The Best Advice in Business and Life

Business, Community
Positive poignant lessons learned from a beloved businessman as told by his daughter. Misguided Traditions… Jadis and Freddie turn wounds into wisdom By Connie Aron Meyer The most influential woman in my life was an amazing American woman who happened to be Black.  I identified Jadis in this way, because this is the way Jadis taught me. Being American always came first, before being identified by the color of her skin.  Jadis and I spent our days together in the turbulent 1960’s, when I was a child and Jadis was the glue that held our household and family together.  Jadis helped us in our home “watching out” for me, cleaning, washing, drying, ironing, prepping meals-everything my parents did not have time to do for us since they both worked long hours.  My dad,...
Seniors’ Guide to Navigating the Digital Age: Quick Start with AI and ChatGPT

Seniors’ Guide to Navigating the Digital Age: Quick Start with AI and ChatGPT

Community, Technology
In today's fast-paced and ever-evolving world, technology is changing at an astonishing pace, reshaping the way we live, communicate, and interact. The relentless march of innovation seems to have brought forth remarkable advancements, and at the forefront of this digital revolution are Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI-driven chatbots, such as the incredible ChatGPT. While the idea of AI might appear difficult or even intimidating at first glance, it is worth noting that these technologies are not only cutting-edge but also remarkably user-friendly and, most importantly, exceptionally beneficial—especially for seniors who find themselves at that unique intersection of traditional wisdom and contemporary technology. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, we can now see how seniors...
Why Do We Love To Hate?

Why Do We Love To Hate?

Community
by Caleb Knox If you were to ask what people believe is the greatest threat facing our nation right now, you could expect a wide variety of answers. Among concerns of Coronavirus, gun violence or immigration, there would likely be mention of our national divides. Incoming research from political scientists is showing us that Americans no longer hold a shared sense of national identity. More than ever Republicans and Democrats view the other as being motivated by hate, while their party is motivated by love. This development, simply put, is not stable.   So what is pushing us toward hating each other? Although it can be tempting to see our current state of polarization as a more recent threat to our nation’s well being, the Founders were well aware of the dangers of rigid group i...
Catholic Schools: Boldly Putting Kids First

Catholic Schools: Boldly Putting Kids First

Community
By Kerry Dougherty Any parent of a kid with disabilities will tell you, more than anything else in the world, their child just wants to fit in. Not easy when you’re a little different. My son doesn’t mind if I tell you he has severe learning disabilities. He’s worked hard his whole life to overcome them. But I still remember his look of surprise and relief on the morning of his first day of 1st grade at St. Gregory the Great in Virginia Beach. We held hands as we walked from the parking lot to the line for his class. He was taking deep breaths and squeezing my hand.  Then he caught sight of his classmates and his first-day nervousness evaporated . “We’re all wearing the same thing!” he exclaimed. The 26 or so children in his class were all dressed as he was, in kh...
Tarnished Truth: Enjoyed Locally…  Celebrated Nationally

Tarnished Truth: Enjoyed Locally… Celebrated Nationally

Business
Congress finally did something right! Congress finally did something we can appreciate and enjoy! Granted it happened back on May 4th, 1964 when they declared bourbon a distinct product of the United States.  Thank goodness for this, otherwise we wouldn’t have such an illustrious local gem as Tarnished Truth Distilling Company.  Enjoyed locally, awarded nationally, Tarnished Truth produces many different types of spirits, but what they are most proud of is their bourbon.  Tarnished Truth, founded just a short time ago in 2017, has certainly made its mark in this area when it reclaimed the Hunt Room downstairs in the historic Cavalier Hotel.  Most of us wonder where the “Tarnished Truth” moniker comes from.  The distillery’s name stems from the legend that ha...
35th Annual Westminster-Canterbury Flotsa

35th Annual Westminster-Canterbury Flotsa

Community
Treasure hunters will stake out their places to vie for the best finds at the highly anticipated 35th Annual Westminster-Canterbury Flotsam and Jetsam Super Summer Sale. The sale is back after a two-year hiatus. The benefit event offers thousands of high-end, vintage, and distinctive items at bargain prices, The Super Summer Sale takes place at All Saints Episcopal Church, 1969 Woodside Lane, Virginia Beach, Va. from August 12-14. Visit www.wcbay.com/upcoming-events for sale times and more details.