Some of us gained a glimpse of another world when we lost power and saw our access blocked to certain roads in the hours and days that followed Tropical Storm Michael’s visit to the area. We suddenly gained perspective on what we take for granted and on the degree to which we rely upon modern technology.

This was important and useful perspective, but we are also grateful that what was lost was restored in fairly short order. For that, we owe heartfelt thanks to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Town of Farmville.

We would like to echo the praise handed out by the Prince Edward County Board of Supervisors at its Nov. 8 meeting where it gave a round of applause to VDOT.

When the chance came for supervisor comments, Farmville 801 District Supervisor and Board Chair Pattie Cooper-Jones said, “I’d like to say ‘thank you’ to VDOT for (work done following) the past two storms that you had. It was a tremendous amount of work, trees down everywhere and people complaining, but I take my hat off to you for the service that you provided to Prince Edward County, because being without lights was a really bad experience. I’ve been here 35 years — (it was) my first real experience with no lights, so I’m thankful. I do appreciate you.”

Farmville 701 District Supervisor and Board Vice Chair Jim Wilck joined her in praise of VDOT regarding the work it did clearing the trees.

“I’d also like to say something about the Town of Farmville,” he said, “because I saw their trucks all over the place, picking up limbs, cutting off limbs and getting streets ready and so forth, so there’s a lot of praise to go around.”

Cooper-Jones said, “And I will second that. Thank you to Mr. (Gerald) Spates and the Town Council. You did a remarkable job as well.”

This prompted another round of applause.

At the conclusion of his comments, Farmville 101 District Supervisor Gene A. Southall said, “And the highway department, I’ve noticed on all the roads, they’ve really done a fast job of cutting the trees on Price Drive and Briery Road.”

Thank you, VDOT and the Town of Farmville, for the restorative work that you all did to get the area back up and running.