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Volume 36
No. 4
October—December 2011
Exciting Opportunity!
You could be a member of the Red Fox Cove Homeowner’s
Association Board of Directors!
Yes, it’s true. This spring, we will have three seats up for election. All homeowners
can serve on the Board, and all homeowners are encouraged to serve on the Board.
It’s the best way to be involved in the governance of the Association, and it’s a great
way get to know your neighbors.
Seriously, if you have ever thought about being more involved in helping to manage
the Association, please consider running for the Board. All are welcome, young and
old.
It’s not a huge time commitment. We meet monthly, and there are committees to serve on and projects to lead or to
help with. A rough estimate might be five hours a month. But it’s time well spent! You would be helping to maintain a
strong neighborhood. It’s volunteers that make Red Fox Cove a special place to live.
If you are interested, contact any of us on the current Board.
Eric Berglund, Board member
BE INFORMED: PLAN TO VOTE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING
RFC Wireless Internet
Recently the Red Fox Cove Board has begun evaluating the future of the RFC wireless internet service that is currently being
provided to residents. The wireless system was originally installed in 2004 to provide a low-cost alternative to dial-up connections. In 2009 management of the system was taken over by RFC volunteers in order to reduce costs and improve service. In
2010 we upgraded the access point to a commercial grade unit in order to handle the increase in users and the growth in wireless devices. The upgrade improved service for most users, but eliminated service to those located too far from the pool house
to receive the signal.
We are now considering two options regarding the future of the RFC wireless system: invest in an expanded wireless network
that covers everyone, or pull the plug on the system and eliminate the wireless network all together. Like the pool, playground
and other amenities, the wireless internet is paid with your dues. It is not possible to “decline” and not pay for the service. Do
you think we should continue to provide basic wireless internet service to residents or terminate it? We are planning on taking a
vote at the annual meeting in April to determine the future of the wireless internet service. (Pros & Cons on Page 2)
Page 2
PLAN TO VOTE AT ANNUAL MEETING (CON’T)
PROS

Internet is now considered basic necessity

Continued growth of iPods, smart phones, tablets &
laptops increases wireless demand

Simple easy access to shared wireless internet in RFC
neighborhood

Value-added amenity for RFC residents increases value
of home

Leverages purchasing power of association

No monthly user fees - only association pays connection fee of $200/mo.

Cost savings for residents paying for separate internet
service such as DSL.
CONS

Costs – increased system expansion and maintenance
costs

More hardware needed throughout neighborhood (repeaters, poles, electricity, etc)

Regular upgrades needed to keep up with
technology (5 yr cycles)

Security and virus risks are greater with wireless technology

Difficult to restrict illegal or unwanted activity

Administration – currently use volunteers to manage.
May need professionals to maintain system much like
we pay for pool services.

No “help desk” support.

Additional insurance and maintenance costs to repair,
replace and maintain equipment

Access may require resident to upgrade personal equipment at home.
COMING EVENTS ALL WELCOME
FEB 14 BOARD MEETING @ 7:00 PM Bakken’s 11811
Mar 13 BOARD MEETING @ 7:00 PM Tryon’s 11325
Apr 7 EASTER EGG HUNT - WATCH FOR SIGNS
APR 10 ANNUAL MEETING @ 7:30 Lower Level MAPLE
GROVE GOV’T CTR, EMERGENCY OPERATIONS ROOM
IN SYMPATHY
LANCE WILLIAM KIEWEL
Our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of
Lance Kiewel who passed away at such a young
age. He grew up in our neighborhood and was
known to spend a lot of time at the swimming
pool. From the Star Tribune on January 22nd:
Lance age 47, passed away unexpectedly on Jan.
16, 2012 at his home in Santa Fe, NM. Lance was
born on April 2, 1964 and grew up in Maple Grove.
He was smart, handsome, athletic and excelled at
swimming. After graduating from Osseo High
School, he moved to Boulder, CO and started a career in hotel management which he continued in
Santa Fe. Preceded in death by his mother, June.
Survived by his father, John, brother, Kurt & sisterin-law Emily & their children Samuel and Lewis; as
well as numerous aunts & uncles. Memorial services pending.
ANITA LOUISE ROY
We extend our sympathy to Anita’s family and
friends at her passing. Anita was a regular walker
in the neighborhood with her dog. Although battling cancer Anita help initiate a Red Hat Ladies
group. Excerpts from the Start Tribune follow:
Anita, age 66, of Maple Grove, wintering in San Tan
Valley, AZ, passed in her sleep early Saturday
morning. Preceded in death by her mother, Lois,
survived by husband, Robert; brother, Tom, dear
friend Fern; sons, John (Lyn) Chambers and Mark
(Amy) Chambers, Ken (Nicole) Roy and 5 grandchildren. She was dedicated to family life, and loved
the cabin up north and deserts of Arizona, where
she traveled often in her final years. Memorial service will be at All Saints Episcopal Church, 3044
Longfellow Ave.S. Mpls, visitation 10 :00 am, service ll :00 am Saturday 2/11/12. Memorials to
cancer research.
Page 3
Notice the method of developing the newsletter was typing articles
and purchasing the larger letters to cut and paste onto a sheet of paper. I was doing the bookkeeping by hand and typing the financials.
This page caught my eye when reading the first saved issue of ”Red FOXTALE NEWS” in our file
dated Nov 1978. Although I did not know the gentleman, Lloyd Holyer’s musing over the future
was most interesting. At that time, there was a farmer who tilled the land on the west side of
Hemlock Lane, which was a gravel road with ditches on each side. The land north of and east to
west along Highway 94 was gravel pits. Limited retail stores were nearby. I also thought it interesting that Mr. Hoyer was so optimistic about the future of Red Fox Cove. I think he would be
happy with Red Fox Cove, which has been very well maintained. Thank you to the many volunteers who have served on the Board/committees and assisted to maintain the community
I believe the amenities that we enjoy from the playground, pool, boat dock area to the social
events provide a great opportunity to get to know each other, developing neighborhood friendships that have a lasting affect. Not knowing your neighbor may not be “bad”, but I believe it
would be lonely.
Note: I mentioned this article to Pam Paulsen, who let me know she had seen Lloyd Holyer’s obituary in the Star Tribune a couple of weeks ago. I found the obituary to include it in this article.
By Mavis Bakken
Page 4
RED FOX COVE WEBSITE UPGRADE & NEW FACEBOOK SITE
The Red Fox Cove website has been upgraded, which will allow easy access and additional information. No sign on or password
is necessary to access the RFC Bylaws, Covenants, Architectural Standards, Red Fox
Tale, Board meetings and other information.
Navigating the site is very intuitive. If you
have any questions, contact a Board member. The web site is: www.redfoxcove.org
You can now follow RFC facebook: http://
www.facebook.com/RedFoxCove
Select “Like”to get informed about news and
social events.
EASTER EGG HUNT...
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Volunteers are needed to join the activities committee to plan, fill eggs and spend a few hours
setting up the hunt. We will be meeting during
the evening hours of the first week of April.
Weather permitting, the hunt will be on the 7th
of April. If you are interested, call Mavis at 763559-0340.
ARTICLES, POETRY, ARTWORK
AND PICTURES ARE WELCOME
It was a joy to experience the Cove with the “Winter
View of the Woods Behind My House” by Kyle Kincaid. The sights and sounds in the Cove are breath
taking, if you watch and listen carefully. Thank
you Kyle.
It would be great to have more articles/pictures, etc
submitted by anyone in the neighborhood.
Page 5
With Valentines day coming up, a couple of recipes
are included.
Chocolate cookies have
been great fun for the
children to make various
shapes.
The Cranberry Brie Bites
are great for an appetizer
or dessert. Maybe for the
evening Grammy or Oscar awards.
Page 6
PROFILE OF VOLUNTEERS IN RED FOX COVE
The picture and following excerpts are from an article
in the Osseo.Maple Grove Press, dated December 21,
2011 by Dawn Feddersen Poindexter.
Bill Beaupre first became acquainted with Meals on
Wheels when his elderly parents began receiving the
service. He saw what a help it was to the adults receiving the meals and he felt firsthand the relief of knowing that a friendly volunteer was helping to check on
his parents regularly. He decided that he had to give
that same piece of mind to other adult children, like
himself. “Meals on wheels really kept my parents in
their home longer,” Beaupre explained. “I appreciated
it and I like to see other people have that.” He now
volunteers once a week for the Maple Grove area
Meals on Wheels.
As the population in the Maple Grove area ages, the
program becomes more greatly needed, according to Stephanie Lehman, coordinator of the Maple Grove area Meals on Wheels.
The program is overseen by CROSS Food Shelf and serves not only Maple Grove, but Osseo, Rogers, Dayton, Corcoran and Hanover. Lehman also believes that there are many other adults out there who could greatly benefit from the program but she stated,
“We have a lot of homebound seniors or people with disabilities in our area and they don’t realize that this service is available.
Our drivers are there every day. They bring food, but they also check-up on these people. They walk in and say ‘How are you doing?’ It’s so much more than a food service.”
A dedicated participant in the program is Mark Lynde, owner of Lynde’s Restaurant in Osseo, which began providing the program’s
meals last June. “It’s a program we believe in,” Lynde said. “Our philosophy in that life is about what you give, not what you have.
It’s important to all of us to give back.” Lynde said that the meals are made fresh every day by the restaurant’s chef, who also
make sure to serve a different meal every day. Lynde’s has also begun baking pies from scratch and sometimes the seniors will
find a fresh slice included in their meals. Lehman described Lynde’s dedication to the program, “They’re not looking to make a
profit from this”, she said. “I remember we sat down and discussed what we were going to do for the holidays. We wanted a larger special meal the day before and he said, ‘We’ll take care of that.’ They’re just providing that meal for free. They definitely go
above and beyond.”
Currently, the program assists 45 clients and has a volunteer staff of 50 drivers. But Lehman says, the need for volunteers is growing as a need for the program grows. “It’s so flexible,” she said, “you can drive once a week, once a month, or just be a sub. The
routes take 1 to 2 hours. A lot of people get permission from their employers for a long lunch and do it on their lunch break. We
have retired couples, moms with young children, anyone can fit it into their schedule.” For more information on receiving Meals
on Wheels or to volunteer, contact Stephanie Lehman at 763-267-5182. (End of OMG Press)
In addition to volunteering, Bill enjoys having more time to devote to his avocation as a Watercolor Artist. See his artwork at www.fineartamerica.com/profiles/william-beaupre.html.
Bill also shows and sells his artwork, which include originals, prints, cards and bookmarkers.
His watercolor paintings have been shown in a number of area shows, most recently at the
Robin Gallery, 4915 42nd Ave. No., Robbinsdale. Bill is pictured at his in-home studio with
some of his artwork. Also, as an Architect, Bill is the owner of William Beaupre Studio LLC,
an architectural firm with an emphasis on residential, church and commercial design.,
By Mavis Bakken
Page 7
OCTOBER 29TH SPOOKY WALK & BONFIRE
From the Pumpkin patch to the
Witches, Scarecrows and Ghosts,
to the Skeletons and Ghouls the
Spooky Walk was enjoyed by
many who attended the event.
As one young child said while
walking the trail at dusk the last
section was creepy. But after
dark he did not want to walk
through the last section. My
eyes flashed to the darkness of
the woods as the strobe lights,
thunder and screams permeated
the night. Scary!
We did have many items with which to decorate
the trail. A number of items were loaned or donated by volunteers. A big thank you volunteers who did the setup and take down, kept
the bonfire going and grilled. Volunteering
were the following: Gerene Kincaid, Joann and
son, Chris Hanson, Pam Paulsen, Alberto &
Marisela Catarino, Mary Harms & Daughter,
Andrea, Lisa Berglund, Phil & son, Greg Jandl,
Marv Conyers and Brad Fuek. Thank you residents and guests who shared delicious foods to
fill the table and tummies. 100 + Attended
Which reminds me I have a serving FORK and a
couple of POTHOLDERS, one from the 4th of
July. To retrieve these items, call Mavis at 763559-0340.
Page 8
o
Red Fox Cove Board Meeting Minutes
Sept 13,2011
Present:
Rob Tryon, Laura Kruth, Mavis Bakken, Phil
Jandl, Marv Conyers, Alberto Catarino
was able to track down one previous owner. 2
boats are unclaimed and 1 kayak is unclaimed.
Board to follow up on disposal of canoes.
Architectural
Opening Notes:
o
Meeting called to order at 7:11 PM
o
o
Social Events/Community Affairs
o
Old/Open Business
RFC checking account number was changed by
Motion to approved finances accepted.
Common Grounds
o
Shed removed from 11561 by seller (bank) as a
follow up to RFC letter that it was not in compliance with architectural standards.
o
Internet – Laura will mock up website improvements
and review with the board before discussing with Vadim. We should be able to get a free account (vs paying for the website) once the contract is up. Rob will
review the length of the contract.
Wireless – Based on feedback at the annual meeting
the board discussed how to handle the wireless internet connection
o
Excess stones picked up from roads and used
o
New sign was put up by canoe rack.
o
New stop sign in place at the pool/lake inter-
o
o
New drain covers in the pool restrooms are
o
Rob spoke with Tim at Aladdin who recommended a new pool furnace – Cost would be
approximately $3500.
year, but we will purchase next year (likely in
winter to secure better pricing).
We will look at the deck coating for this fall.
o
Marv will train how to winterize the pool pipes
to ensure no freezing this winter.
o
Marv and Eric recovered a stolen key fob for
the pool.
o
Marv fixed a dock section that came loose
Discussed pros and cons: Not all residents
may use even if we implement, could save
neighbors money, more insurance and more
maintenance will be needed, additional support (troubleshooting connection issues) may
be needed, neighbors may need to update
their personal equipment to use, and we need
to ensure we don’t have security issues
Pool cover can’t be ordered in time for this
o
Overall discussion is that it’s a good amenity
for the neighborhood, but do we have the resources to maintain going forward? Also, is
the cost ($10-$40k) a good use of funds?
pending
o
We need to determine the best method of
administration
section.
o
We need a bigger connection. We need to add
repeaters to cover the whole neighborhood.
throughout common grounds.
o
Phil will follow up with neighbors that have
work in progress that have not received approval.
No Report
bank due to potential security breach. No other action is needed by RFC
o
Mavis spoke to neighbor with siding issues.
Siding will be replaced.
Committee Reports
Finances
11420 (Weyer) requested new siding, which
was approved.
Approved August minutes with no changes
o
Rob followed up on “abandoned” canoes and
o
Discussions will continue at the next meeting.
New Business
N/A
Closing Notes:
Meeting adjourned at 9:30 PM.
Page 9
Red Fox Cove Board Meeting Minutes
October 11, 2011
Present:
Rob Tryon, Laura Kruth, Mavis Bakken, Phil
Jandl, Marv Conyers, Alberto Catarino, Eric
Berglund
o
dead elm tree near the overflow parking near
the main entry across from 11961.
o
Meeting called to order at 7:09 PM
Approved September minutes with no changes
Committee Reports
Social Events/Community Affairs
Mavis and 6 committee members are planning
for the unscary walk. The event is set for Saturday, October 29th at 6 PM.
o
o
Rob will follow up on upcoming audit.
o
o
Rob will determine cost of conciliation court
Common Grounds
o
We will look into possible street sweeping in
November.
o
Received snow plowing contract for November 1 – March 30. They will plow when there
is 2 inches or more of snow. The contract was
5% increase over last year, but is still lower
than other bids. Motion accepted and approved to move forward on bid.
o
Annual Fall Clean up day was help on Satur-
Marv discovered that there are “bubblers” on
the west side of the lake out from the fourth
house.
for severely overdue accounts.
Motion to approved finances accepted.
The board tracked a former resident to claim a
canoe left behind. The canoe was picked up
on Sunday, October 9th.
Finances
o
In September a call was made to the city of
Plymouth engineering department to explain a
situation that has developed along Pike Creek
between RFC and Plymouth. The only check
dam that remains along Pike Creek located
near the lake and behind 11680, is failing. The
creek has cut away at the south side of the
dam and there is no longer a retention pond in
place on Pike Creek. The Plymouth engineer
took pictures and reviewed the situation but
hadn’t determined what to do about it.
Opening Notes:
o
On September 24th, Brad and Marv removed a
Architectural
o
Phil to follow up with residents doing work on
their houses.
Old/Open Business
Reviewed website revisions. Laura to follow up with
Vadim to see what can be done to make changes.
Wireless Internet – Board will present pros and cons at
the annual meeting so that residents can vote on
whether to keep and enhance or to shut off. The board
will allow a notification period if it is determined to
shut off the wireless. This information will also be presented in the newsletter.
day, October 8th, with 13 volunteers working
for various lengths of time to help with wood New Business
chipping. Brush piles near the lake front, playReceived a letter from a resident dated October 11th
ground area and adjacent to 11301, and berequesting response. The board will review and rehind 11100 near the north entrance of 63rd
spond in due course.
were cleared. A tree that was leaning over the
Discussed process for new homeowners to receive a
sidewalk along Hemlock near the North cul de
welcome package. Rob will send Alberto a notice when
sac and some brush along the property line
there are new owners.
next to the 6200 property was cleared. Volunteers: Brad Feuk, Dennis Sarell, Phil Jandl, Earl
Next meeting: Discuss update of bylaws and becoming
Gulczinski, Alberto Catarino, Lionel Albarez,
a member of MCIOA.
Fred and Mary Harms, Rob Tryon, Eric BerClosing Notes:
glund, Marv Conyers, Tim Sarell and Curt
Lund.
Meeting adjourned at 9:05 PM.
Page 10
front were not hauled away. We will ask for
this to be done in the future (during spring
contract signing)
Red Fox Cove Board Meeting Minutes
November 8, 2011
Present:
Rob Tryon, Laura Kruth, Mavis Bakken, Phil
Jandl, Marv Conyers, Eric Berglund
Opening Notes:
o
and Marv before the Unscary walk.
o
Meeting called to order at 7:08 PM
Social Events/Community Affairs
o
The Unscary walk was well attended with over
Board discussed tree watering and will look
into an adoption program. Will also relook at
the Forestry Committee.
Approved October minutes with no changes
Committee Reports
Wood chips were put down on the path by Phil
o
Marv will look into tree trimming before the
snow.
Architectural
o 11240 - new metal siding requested and ap100 people. 10-12 volunteers helped to set up
proved
and clean up. An earlier start next year may
be helpful. Bills for events were submitted by Old/Open Business
Mavis. Mavis will send a thank you to neighA letter was received from a resident about various
bors for use of their electric.
issues. The board replied in writing addressing the isFinances
sues. Work was done to remove debris and logs.
o
Reviewed accounts going to collections. Rob
had researched benefits of conciliation court
for accounts in collections. It is relatively inexpensive; however, there is not a significant
benefit for RFC.
o
o
A second letter was received on 10/23 around the time
of clean up. The request was completed on 10/28 and
the matter is considered closed. No further follow up
with homeowner.
Canoes/boats have all been claimed!
Audit was reviewed. Finding was that the fi-
Updates to the RFC website are in the works.
nancial statements accurately represent accounting principles. However, one note made New Business
was that the association has not estimated the
Laura will prepare a presentation for the annual meetreplacement value of community property
ing to present pros and cons of the wireless internet so
(although this is not required). Also, a reserve
that all association members can vote on this amenity.
study has not been done. Rob will look into
New member packets – Board needs to determine how
costs for a reserve study to be done by a third
many are in stock and ensure a proper process is in
party.
place.
o Motion to approved finances accepted.
Closing Notes:
Common Grounds
Meeting adjourned at 9:08 PM.
Fall street sweeping was discussed and it was determined that it was not necessary.
o
The board will research association owned
streets to determine if city pays for sweeping,
etc. in other circumstances.
o
Eric is working on drain covers in pool bathroom and is near completion.
o
Leaves in woodland between the pool and
woodland and by the timbers near the lake-
NO MEETING TO BE HELD IN DECEMBER
Red Fox Cove Board of Directors
President
Eric Berglund
Architectural Standards
763-559-0330
Phil Jandl 763-383-1046
[email protected]
[email protected]
Vice-President
Common Grounds
Alberto Catarino 763-551-3599
Marv Conyers 763-268-0806
[email protected]
[email protected]
Secretary
Community Affairs
Laura Kruth
763-694-9776
[email protected]
Mavis Bakken 763-559-0340
[email protected]
Treasurer
Rob Tryon 763-557-5172
[email protected]
___________________________________________________________________________
RED FOX TALE
Published by the Red Fox Cove Homeowners Association
Guest Editor: Mavis Bakken