Summer is here, but since travel is limited due to COVID-19, Good News Wants to Know… What creative ways have you discovered to reshape your summer plans?

I am very excited because my summer will be filled with writing and recording several new teaching series. I will still visit my mom for her 95th birthday but this time will drive instead of fly. Only challenge is trying to drive the 16 hours all the way through without stopping in order to minimize risk and remain virus-free for her.

Susan Michael, U.S. Director, International Christian Embassy Jerusalem

Getting creative, in developing new tools/curriculum for emotional and spiritual maturity, has been a welcomed way to repurpose so many canceled summer plans. Instead of stressing over life’s shifting and shaking, “acceptance with joy” has become my sacrifice of praise and prayer that new levels of peace will pour out onto the teens participating at iDENTIFY Impact this summer! I’m praising God that it is not being canceled.

Dr. Andrea Hazim, President and Founder, Elev8Life Educational Foundation

Covid-19 has caused us to cancel a vacation trip and also miss two birthday parties. Zoom and FaceTime were a partial substitute for the parties but didn’t replace the hugs. The vacation has been replaced by becoming more appreciative of this beautiful place where we live with daily one-on-one walks and time in Lake Placid, Florida.

William “Bill” C. Davell, Director, Tripp Scott Attorneys at Law

A good friend surprised us with a Bounce House. This single gift has changed to trajectory of our Summer plans. Being stuck at home has never been more fun.

Bob Denison, President, Denison Yachting

Our family has made some positive changes to our summer plans. In lieu of spending time in more crowded surroundings, we have decided to spend more time with the family, on the water. We have also decided against traveling outside of the U.S. in an effort to stay safe and support our local economy as much as possible. #BuyLocal

Chip LaMarca, State Representative, Florida House District 93

Our family summers for the last 20 years have been heading to North Carolina to stay at a dear friends home in the Mountains.  The blessing it has been to swim, hike, go tubing on the lake, fish, play tons of board games and have nightly campfires has been great memories for our family.  

We actually had the opportunity to be there the last week of May and the highlight was that our oldest son got engaged at a beautiful spot by the lake.  It was extra special this year to spend a week with our future daughter-in-law and her incredible family. 

The rest of our summer will consist of a lot of baseball games, neighborhood bike rides and plenty of game nights – all while eating a lot of ice cream! 

Chris Lane, Executive Director, First Priority of South Florida

This summer using a lot more of the last letters of the alphabet- X- xtra time indoors (completing projects that could have been done already) V- Virtual activities- Bridal, Baby, Graduations, Drive By/Stop By Parties,  Zoom – Bible Study, Worship Service, Summer VBS will be virtual mixed Home Activity Boxes. Golfing- because I can get plenty of sunshine, exercise while social distancing.

Major Connie Long, The Salvation Army

Our family is really spread out. We cover South Florida, Boston, LA, Albuquerque, Phoenix, and Calgary. We rely heavily on air travel to keep the family “close.” Zoom calls and the ability to have 32 people on a FaceTime call have helped us “see” each other, but we’re really missing personal contact. While we haven’t settled on a final plan just yet, we’re most likely going to do some sort of road trip prior to the fall.

Craig Huston, Huston Consulting Group, LLC

I can’t say I have found a very creative way to reshape our summer because it’s probably what most of us will be doing, but we will

be having short weekend getaways within our beautiful State.  Sometimes just driving a few hours away from home can bring us some much needed relaxation time.

Cynthia J. Arevalo, Esq., Arevalo Law

As the sabbatical continues, I plan to stay at a beach house without tv and internet to help me focus on and finish a book about my journey to Jesus. I went from a protesting, liberal hippy while in college to searching the world’s religions and cultures in 38 nations and 5 continents for answers to life’;s big questions. The true God manifested Himself in saving me physically and spiritually on a mountain climbing expedition in Alaska–that included a grizzly bear encounter and an avalanche. He so transformed my heart, now I’m a right wing conservative.

Deborah Cusick, FAU Campus Volunteer, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship

Nothing can keep us away from visiting our first grandchild (now 4 months) in Dallas, so we have obtained optimal masks and are braving the airport for a non-stop flight to Dallas, recognizing physical distancing and masks are crucial.  For the rest of the summer, we are beginning to enjoy our new neighborhood now that unpacking is almost over–the historic Flamingo Park neighborhood is filled with walkers and we can sit on our front porch and say hello while staying far enough away to be safe.

Dr. Debra A. Schwinn, President, Palm Beach Atlantic University

We have plans to begin some minor house repairs we keep putting off. And, we decided to read some chosen books together out loud, and our millennial kids are teaching us to play Zoom games so we can spread the fun to other friends out of the area. Also, we are starting some zoom conversations with friends we haven’t spoken to in some time, about current affairs.

Dolores King St.-George, President, King Communications and GraceNet Media

Since so many business events and conferences have been cancelled it is going to be a good summer to remodel our home and explore some new Florida boating destinations.  

Don Campion, President, Banyan Air Service

What plans? 

Doug Sauder, Pastor, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale

I bought myself an inexpensive keyboard and decided that, since I’m home so much, I will take piano lessons from the teacher, “YouTube.” I’ve been doing this for the last two months and have finally figured out how to turn on the keyboard. Progress!

Fidel Gomez, Pastor, Calvary Chapel Hollywood

My wife and I bucked the system and went on a two week road trip to The Florida panhandle, Georgia, N Carolina, and Virginia. We stayed safe and had a great time!

Fred Scarbrough, DVM, Founder, Scarbrough Animal Hospital

It’s summer??  We’re still unpacking after our move from Wheaton and I’m buried deep in new admin work for Trinity Florida – lots of Zooming!  For us and many, this summer is the time to regroup, reassess, reset, revise, reopen, and “re-pray.”

Gene L. Green, PhD, Dean, Trinity International University – Florida

We have spent a lot more time with our daughters who are both in college as a result of COVID and our time together has been a blessing to our family. 

George R. Moraitis, Jr., Moraitis, Cofar, Karney, Moraitis & Quailey

The Wallicks are planning a “staycation” in August.  The family is renting four houseboats on the St. Johns River and touring the Ocala National Forest.  Our trip will be extra special this year because my parents will be able to join us, making this a truly memorable family vacation.

Gregg Wallick, President, Best Roofing, Inc.

Since we live in SoFlo, our vacations were always in the Northern states. This year however short road trips are on the map! There’s so much to do & see as a family. As our state slowly opens, our beaches and parks as well as small towns have so much to offer! Enjoying life together is the Best!

Helen Wayner P.A., Century 21 Hansen Realty

The Welch House is emerging from the shelter in place. We have three teenagers and are using this time to explore South Florida. We moved here 14 months ago and have loved taking bike rides and taking car rides. It is so beautiful and provides an opportunity to fall deeper in love with our mission field. So, we have pivoted in the pandemic to more staycationing.

James Welch, Pastor, First Baptist Fort Lauderdale

No changes. Actually traveling more for pleasure than last summer!

 “JT” James Taylor, Managing Director, Automotive, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey

I’ll be competing in America’s Top Chef competition! Just kidding. But no doubt I’ll be trying some more new recipes…I heard dandelion weeds make a tasty salad. Lol

Joyce Feldman, Executive Director, BiG Children’s Foundation

My family is enjoying long “drives to nowhere” along the coastline. We’ve stumbled upon gorgeous inlets, sweeping ocean views and charming parks we’ve never seen before.

Karen Granger, Community Relations Director, Palm Beach County, 4KIDS Palm Beach

Since our travel has been limited because of the COVID-19, we have decided to “tour” Florida and visit areas we have not seen in quite some time.  This makes for quality family time in the car and enjoying all of what Florida has to offer.

Dr. Mary Drabik, President, South Florida Bible College & Theological Seminary

Summer of 2020 is not like the others. Travel is not an option so since we are spending more time at home than ever before, we are enjoying the repurposing of many of our trends and spaces. We have developed a calendar to help us declutter, room by room. Sadly, we are paying more attention to the maintenance of our house and yard (the list keeps growing). Lastly, we are converting a bedroom into an exercise room since that has become a more regular occurrence within our family.

Dr. Michael Rozenblum, Genesis Physical Medicine and Chiropractic

Originally we had a couple of trips planned, one being a trip to Europe. Both have been cancelled. However, we rescheduled to locations closer to our home. On weekends we have added family game days, watching ESPN’s the “Last Dance” together, and other popular streaming shows. The good news is the golf courses opened at the beginning stages of Phase I, which I am grateful.

Milan Stefanovic, Chief Operating Officer, Bass Underwriters, Inc.

Summer travel plans are on hold, however a new sense of abundance has developed in me as to my immediate surroundings.  The things I have taken for granted, like living 5 minutes from the beach and being able to take long walks.  I have started bike riding again, which I haven’t done in years.  I feel like I am looking at my community and nature with a new set of eyes.  In addition, I am the taking time to devote to hobbies, like digital scrapbooking chronicling our family history and trips along with lots more reading.  Family visits on ZOOM and feeling very grateful for things that I love that haven’t had time devoted to them and for my immediate surrounding that were often taken for granted.

Nancy Robin, CEO/Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity of Broward, Inc.

Typically, our son from Law school would come down to visit us during the summer.  His enthusiasm for the trip has waned considerably over the years as more and more of his friends have moved away.  It’s not that that he doesn’t love us; rather its that spending two weeks in South Florida with out his friends, as he put it, “lame”.  Thus, this year, my husband and I decided to take a road trip to Virginia and spend a long weekend with him.  We’re excited to see him and his new apartment; he’s excited that Mom is arriving armed with a Sam’s Club card and bottomless checking account.  It should be fun…and expensive…

Oksana Horton, Artistic Director, Torch & Trumpet Theater Co., a subsidiary of Revelation Ministries

Because of the coronavirus, we have reshaped our summer plans by doing some local activities, such as going to the beach and  spending more time with our children, grandchildren and doing a little fishing from the pompano Beach pier. We will also share in a virtual Dozier‘s family Reunion with many of our relatives from around the nation.

O’Neal Dozier, Pastor, The Worldwide Christian Center

In light of limited travel, our family is vacationing by staying at home, watching movies, reading books and occasional fishing trips. It is actually nice to have increased family time and less urgency to travel. It will be wonderful to be able to visit those in other states again soon.

Patricia Colangelo, EdS, Lecturer, Professor, Trinity International University – Florida

The summer of 2020” for me, without being able to hold Saints summer sports camps, God gave the vision to create a “SAINTS SPORTS PE for Kids Summer Camp at Home Kit”, a box containing Bible Devotionals and all the equipment and instructional videos, to play summer camp style games at home!! Through the generous support of some local donors we are able to get the kit in the hands of thousands of children throughout South Florida that cannot attend summer camps!!!

Children haven’t changed… But their childhood has changed….. what a privilege we have to share the Love of God and The Gospel of Jesus Christ in such a fun and practical way during such a unique season as “the summer of 2020!

Coach Rick Andreassen, Founder/President, SAINTS International Sports Ministry and SAINTS Homeschool P.E.

With the onset of the global pandemic, our family has bonded together to make living at home the best possible. Thankfully, my wife and I are both essential workers and have not been negatively impacted by the stay at home orders. However, with some extra time on our hands, our family worked together on a number of home projects. We have also spent a lot of time making delicious food and trying new recipes that we can all enjoy. While others are not so lucky, this time has been a chance for us to be together and focus on the more important things in life: family.

Robin Martin, Executive Director, Rebuilding Together Broward

So based on the concern for flying anywhere, it’s back to the ole “road trip” times this summer. My boys and I do a golf trip every summer with a group put together by Focus on the Family. This year was supposed to be a trip to Cabot Cliffs in Nova Scotia. However, with the Canadian Border closed it got switched to Pinehurst North Carolina. So to play it safe it’s going to be a “road trip” with the three of us switching off driving. We are going to take advantage of being on the roadway though and stop in Tifton Georgia to see their 97 grandfather (Candace’s’ dad) who is in a senior living facility, and do some “social distancing”  visiting  through his bedroom window!

Romney C. Rogers, Managing Partner, Rogers, Morris & Ziegler LLP

Decided that we will spend more time in the mountains of North Carolina. 

Scott Baugh, Pastor, Journey Church

Backyard Fun! We bought a bounce house and a wading pool. The slide from the bounce house goes right in to the wading pool. Simple but fun. The grand-kids absolutely love it!

Thomas L. Lukasik, Vice President — Community Engagement, 4KIDS