Community GardenThe garden is a GO for this year. The next meeting of the steering group will be on March 16 at 7 p.m. at the home of Rodney Graham (510 North Faulkner Way). Some informational literature is available to prepare for this meeting. Plans are to locate the first garden on the north side of O. Henry Avenue on the natural gas pipe line right-of-way along the path leading to the dog park and nature trail through the woods. Rodney Graham is chairman of the Community Garden Committee and Dave Stout and Shannon McLean have agreed to help with registration and organization. If you are interested in helping, please RSVP to Rodney at 704.896.8872 or Dave at 704.895.9117. Yard-of-the-Month RecognitionThe “Yard-of-the-Month” is our neighborhood’s way of recognizing neighbors whose yards stand out from the rest. The extra time, energy and money these residents expend on their yards not only enhance the value of their homes and the homes around them, but the care also fosters a positive image of the entire neighborhood. Selection
is determined by appropriate and well maintained landscaping and
will be made each month from April to November. The home chosen will
be featured in the newsletter and posted on the website. Only Single
family homes are eligible for this recognition. However, as a follow-up,
plans are being made for a Christmas decoration contest for the entire
neighborhood in December. Newsletter Delivery VolunteersMany thanks are due our newsletter delivery volunteers each month. The February volunteers included Barbara & Tom Doster, John Hart, Sherman Kahn, Norm Reid, Dave Smith, John & Marcia Williamson. A special thank you goes to two new delivery volunteers, Norma Stewart and Phyllis Twitty. If you wish to volunteer, please call Dave Smith at 704.897.1472 (e-mail at davidbsmith@bellsouth.net). Shred It for Security!One of the most common suggestions for protecting yourself against identity theft is to shred address labels and important papers with sensitive information. Although many residents are likely to own and use personal shredders, there are also companies in the business of providing this service at some minimal cost. Several people have expressed interest in having this type of service brought to our neighborhood. As many neighbors are aware, moving to a new location often presents the ideal time to “clean out” old records and files. The shredding of large volumes of paperwork (including staple removal for some) can be tedious and time consuming. Therefore, a shredding service centrally located for a half or full day can be a welcome solution. Thanks to Erna Brandenburg, some initial inquiries have already been made. However, we need to know the interest for such service among friends and neighbors. The Association has not budgeted such an event so costs will be passed on to each user. However, the fees are minimal ($20 per large bag of total shredded paper). If you are interested in having a “Shred It Day,” please contact Dave Smith by phone at 704.897.1472 or by e-mail at davidbsmith@bellsouth.net). If there is enough interest, a committee will be formed to plan a date. SPINN Volunteers NeededFor the last three years, the neighborhood has celebrated SPINN (Spring Party in New Neighborhood) in Faulkner Square. The tentative date this year has been set for Saturday, June 3, with a rain date of Sunday, June 4. This is an annually budgeted event supported by the Neighborhood Association. However, it does require organization and communication in order to occur and be a success. Co-organizers for SPINN 2006 will be Brian & Teresa Furlong (O. Henry Avenue) and Tom & Leigh Ann Hamic (Wolfe Street). NOW is the time to begin thinking about this celebration. Lots of notes are available from past years to jump-start the planning process. Volunteers are needed in many areas:
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the Furlongs at 704.896.6059 or the Hamics at 704.895.7721. We are expecting the biggest party yet in 2006! |