CLARKSBURG W.VA. (WV News) — COVID-19 probably had lots of West Virginians and Americans humming “Summertime Blues” in June, July, August and September of 2020.
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Will the Eddie Cochran / Jerry Neal Capehart classic youth angst song be back on our minds for an encore in 2021? North Central West Virginians hope they’ll be channeling the Beach Boys instead by having fun “All Summer Long.”
But most realize the summer of 2021 is going to be a balancing act with the pandemic.
White Hall’s Jantanna Bolyard said she doesn’t have any current summer plans save for a possible weekend beach trip.
“I’m definitely hoping to return to some sort of normalcy,” Bolyard said.
“Taking it slow, of course, but we definitely need to find a way to get back to living again.”
Bolyard predicts a different kind of normal may be in the offing, ranging from continued limits on how close people can crowd together to continuing to make sure good cleaning practices are a priority.
{p class=”p1”}”The year has definitely felt heavy. I miss family and traveling a lot,” Bolyard said. “I’m ready to be able to gather together again and laugh and enjoy one another without the fear of someone possibly getting sick.”
{p class=”p1”}Clarksburg’s Alissa Minardi said her family hopes to vacation somewhere out of state this summer, perhaps Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
{p class=”p1”}”I hope that my 8-month-old son can finally meet people and family that he has not gotten to meet due to COVID-19,” Minardi said.
{p class=”p1”}She also is hopeful her son can have a first birthday with friends and family.
{p class=”p1”}”I don’t think this summer will be 100% normal. This is something that we do not know a lot about, and it will take time to open up and go back to our ‘new normal,’” Minardi said.
{p class=”p1”}Meanwhile, everything has been put on hold to make sure her son is safe, she said.
{p class=”p1”}”He has not gotten the social interaction he would have had if there had not of been the COVID-19 pandemic. But, we do what we think is right and best to keep him safe,” Minardi said. “We are looking forward to hanging out with friends and him getting to meet all the people he didn’t get to this past year.”
Jane Lew’s Ginger Morrison said they have already booked a condo where her family normally stays each summer.
“Both adults have or will be getting the vaccine by the time we leave for vacation, and the only one I’m concerned about is my daughter,” Morrison said. “We’ve already planned to stick to ourselves, stay away from tourist areas, and order takeout if we want to eat out.”
Morrison and her daughter are planning small day trips through the Mountain State because there is so much to do outside such as parks, lakes and rivers. Their family also likes to support local businesses in and around these areas.
Morrison hopes her daughter also can attend camp this summer.
“I’m truly just waiting and seeing what’s going to happen and make the best decision for my family,” Morrison said.
Morrison noted she has several nieces and nephews, and she has missed seeing them.
“Pictures, FaceTime and talking on the phone are great, but they grow so fast. I miss seeing them in person,” Morrison added.