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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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.