Ed. — From the Sunday, July 11, print edition.
BACK BAY — The Senior Resource Center, Inc., a community hub in rural Virginia Beach, brought dozens of people together on Tuesday, July 4, to celebrate Independence Day with a hearty potluck meal and, ever so briefly, to get down to business.
The nonprofit organization times its annual business meeting to the community meal, which this year made for the sort of full house familiar at such events in the years before the pandemic.
The meeting was brisk.
“People are here to eat and meet and greet,” said Johnnie Williams, president of the board.
“Let’s say happy birthday, America,” said Sharon Prescott, vice president of the center.
“Happy birthday, America,” people replied.
A reading of minutes was dispensed with.
The officers were reaffirmed.
“Johnnie, we’re it for another year,” Prescott noted. “Now we can start the celebration.”
And there was a moment to remember the late Terry Jenkins, the former director of human services in Virginia Beach, who was instrumental in starting the center.
“We haven’t had a crowd like this since before the pandemic,” said City Councilmember Barbara Henley, who represents District 2 and helped found the center. “This is like old times. It’s important on holidays that everybody has something to do.”
And, for the Fourth, hot dogs, corn on the cob and more.
Bill Cupper of West Neck was among those who gathered at the center for the meal. “It’s wonderful, especially for senior citizens,” Cupper said. “It’s an ideal place.”
Visit vbsrc.com to learn more about the Senior Resource Center, Inc., or to support a community resource that mainly is run by volunteers.
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