Our Ballston crossroads, at the start of World War II, was hardly the neon commercial hub the county flocks to today.

The General Assembly has concluded its work for both the Regular and Special Sessions. The days were long and the issues were complex. The pandemic has touched Virginia like an octopus, reaching into our lives, jobs, economy, housing, utilities, education, access to healthcare and in many cases, struggles to survive.

Let’s be clear — the CDC didn’t put smoking and obesity on the conditions list to do anyone any favors, except of course keeping people alive.

The new school represents to us not only a highly functional public school brilliant in myriad ways, but a symbol, a veritable monument honoring the value of public education itself.