President's Page

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We have made it all the way to February with no snowfall – do you think we will have a snowless winter? Were you here in 1980? If so, you should remember the big snowstorm with the circus in town. Then the blizzard on March 2nd that brought this area to a standstill for days. Could it happen again – wait and see. And now that it is February, how many of you are still staying true to your New Year’s resolutions? Do you remember what they were? Well, maybe next year.

If we do have a hard freeze, and a layer of ice forms on Lake Smith, please do not be tempted to go on the ice. Lake ice in our area is never sufficiently thick enough to support a person – even a young child. Let’s not have any tragedies this winter.

I encourage everyone to visit our website (www.LHGCL.org) often. Our webmaster, Don Krudop, is doing an excellent job maintaining and expanding the website. You may want to make the website your homepage on your browser. Don would welcome ideas you may have for future pages on the site.

It’s early in the new year, the city council elections are behind us, and there is already talk of a possible need for increasing some fees on our utility (water) bills. Now that the COVID money from the federal government is gone, we need our city manager and department heads to live within the available revenue stream without going to the well – that would be us - for more. It’s what we all have to do as we adapt our household budgets to live within our means. Most of us do not have a money well in the back yard. It’s the city council that would need to approve any increases, and we, and hopefully the Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations, will be watching and writing letters.

The civic league membership drive for 2023 is looking good. As of January 25th we had 204 household on the roster with dues paid for this year – and some for future years. A list of members is in this newsletter. I encourage everyone living in the neighborhood to take a minute and join the civic league. Whether you own or rent, if you live here, we welcome you to become a civic league member. Our low annual household dues of just $15 have not increased is several years. I know people who spend that much at Starbucks in two visits. All revenue received by the civic league is used for the civic league administration, events, meetings, and this newsletter. There are no paid staff in the civic league. We are all volunteers who also pay dues each year. So, if you haven’t yet sent in your check, please do it today. We need your support.

Our newsletter editor, Rick DeJaegher, has a need for part-time reporter and photographer. Do you have a high school student in your home with a future career goal in journalism or photography? If so reach out to Rick at rhdejargher@gmail.com. It could be a rewarding opportunity.

Stay warm but keep those snow shovels handy.

John Eason