What do I know about Western Branch?
Many of its schools are rated well: Greatschools.org gives Western Branch High School a 7 out of 10, Jolliff Middle a 6, Western Branch Middle a 6, and Edwin W. Chittum Elementary a 7.
Some of the neighborhoods are wooded, giving the area, which is a hop, skip and a toll away from Norfolk, a country feel.
The area’s Chesapeake Square mall is positioned for a serious face-lift now that it’s under new ownership.
I discovered the above thanks to my house-hunting escapades that I mentioned last week. Western Branch was on the list of areas I was considering.
But beyond that, I’m at a bit of a loss.
That’s why I’m writing this column. I’m writing to ask those of you who live in Western Branch to reach out to me with story ideas. As you know we try to have stories each week from all three communities that Bridges covers: Portsmouth, Suffolk and Western Branch.
I regularly get emails about activities in Portsmouth and Suffolk, but not quite as many about the goings-on in Western Branch.
A story could be anything from a business closing or opening to a community event such as a fundraiser at a church or a volunteer activity at a nonprofit.
I’d also love to hear about what Western Branch residents are up to. Did a resident win an award for their business achievements somewhere – even if that somewhere is across the water, say in Norfolk? Or is there a former Western Branch resident who is doing well, say in Washington, D.C., who wants to share his or her story?
I’ve joined Everything Western Branch, a Facebook group for those living in the area, which thankfully has provided me with some insight. But if there are any groups in the area who aren’t aware of Bridges or my email, Bridges@pilotonline.com, please share this column with them.
And I’m not writing this column to exclude any other areas. If anyone has a story idea regarding one of the three areas that Bridges covers, feel free to share it with me over email. I can’t promise whether the suggestion will become a story, but I’d love the opportunity to hear about it.
Johanna Somers, 757-446-2478, johanna.somers@pilotonline.com
