February 7 - Aquia Harbour Living

Transcription

Where Are We With
The Budget?
Is Your Home/Yard a
Fire Hazard?
Are You a Busy Body or Is
It Your Business?
Free Online Magazine for Aquia Harbour Residents
RResResidents
Aquia Harbour Living
February 2015
SPONSORED BY AQUIA EVENING LIONS
WHEN: SATURDAY, MARCH 7
WHERE: AQUIA HARBOUR
COUNTRY CLUB
TIME:
7:00 PM
COST: $20.00/ticket
Advanced ticket sales only
ENJOY HORS d’OEUVRES AND DESSERTS
CASH BAR
Games include Blackjack, Roulette, Craps and Texas Hold ‘Em
Door prizes donated by many local businesses. Bring your
checkbook for some great items up for auction as well.
For reservations or more information, please call
call Dodi at 540-659-2825 or email [email protected]
All proceeds go to benefit the Sight and Hearing Programs
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aquia-Evening-Lions-Club/
http://www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/aquiaeve
Potomac CFC # 99070
Aquia Harbour Living February 2015
2
Policies of
TM
Unless written by Aquia Harbour Living
articles and editorials do not reflect the
opinion of the owner or publisher of
Aquia Harbour Living, residents, the
BOD (Board of Directors) for Aquia
Harbour or Aquia Harbour Property
Owners Association.
Committees and clubs are encouraged
to provide jpegs of photos to accompany
their article. Use will be determined
based on their article size. We will make
every effort to allow ½ page for
committees and ¼ page for clubs each
month. Harbour Committees and Clubs
are not charged for their space. We
have a read more button available for
articles needing additional space.
Click here for advertising information.
Deadlines
Articles and ads must be submitted no
later than the 15th of the month for
publication in the next issue.
A subscriber may print 1 copy of an
article for their personal use only. Any
other reproduction of articles, photos, or
advertising is strictly prohibited without
written permission of the publisher. You
may contact No Ink Publishing here.
Copyright ©All rights reserved 2015
No Ink Publishing LLC.
Important Aquia Harbour Numbers
Front Gate (540) 659-5224
AHPOA Business Office Hours: M-F 8 -7pm
Emergency
AHPOA Police
Rescue Squad (non-emergency)
Country Club Restaurant
Golf Course Pro Shop
Marina
Stables
Pool Country Club
Pool Harbour Inn
Preschool
(540) 659-3050)
911
(540) 659-4600
(540) 659-8911
(540) 288-0091
(540) 659-4478
(540) 659-4232
(540) 659-5024
(540) 659-1258
(540) 659-4003
(540) 659-5771
Aquia Harbour Board of Directors
President, Chip Collins
(540) 659-3691 email: [email protected]
Treasurer, Barb Cole
VP Director, Christopher Greene
Director, Robert Stephens
(540)657-0865 email: [email protected]
Director, Mike Shepherd
(540)659-0032 email: [email protected]
VP Director, Don Winter
Director, Debe Caldwell
[email protected]
3
TM
Goals Of Aquia Harbour Living:
In This Issue
page
Articles
AH Rescue
AH Golf
AH Preschool
AH Calendar
Beautification
Budget Time
by Suzi
Calendar For Homeowners
Colds and Flu
Desk of the Chief
Fire Prevention Tips
FYI
Harbour Calendar
Harbour History
Hot Topic Rescue Squad Land
Is Your Home a Fire Hazard?
In This Issue/Policy
Neighbor to Neighbor
Preschool
Recipe Corner
Rescue Squad
Unofficial BOD Highlights
Stafford County
Unofficial Board Highlights
Volunteering
Women’s Club
Yard Snippets
23
16
22
9
27
6
8
32
10
24
12
15
9
17
18
13
2-3
20-21
22
31
23
28-29
33
28-29
25-26
14
30
We appreciate those committees, clubs, and
residents who took the time to send articles
for inclusion this month.
We wish to thank all for the positive
feedback and encouragement!
Thank You Neighbors in the Harbour!
 To help raise awareness in residents about the
changing needs of our community.
 Facilitate communication to residents regarding
Harbour events, committees, schools, and clubs.
 To keep residents informed about “Hot Topics”
of the AHPOA and BOD actions.
 Provide articles/tips on home maintenance and
DIY landscaping/gardening ideas.
 To showcase amenities.
 Have “the talk” about “curb appeal” in the
Harbour.
 Provide discussion on the best ways to maintain
our property values; our homes and our
community.
 Provide quality business information to residents.
TM
Our Style: Aquia Harbour Living
(AHL) is owned &
published by No Ink Publishing LLC. The owner is a
current resident, Phyllis Filoso. It is written in an informal,
conversational style. All articles and photos are
written/taken by the owner unless there is a byline for an
article or photo credit. AHL encourages comments and
articles written by other Harbour residents. Use our contact
form found here. Articles selected will be in keeping with
the goals stated above.
Be sure to sign up for your
free subscription before you leave today.
It’s a monthly reminder sent to your email
when our next issue is available.
(1st of each month)
A couple of pieces of information- words
underlined or that say website are
hyperlinked. Please allow your browser to
open them. We don’t use cookies or
collect data on you other than your email
when you subscribe. Please make sure you
have confirmed your subscription.
And we never share email addresses!
4
Ask a Question
Q
A
Thank you for your interest! Our intent here is to have residents ask questions
ranging from gardening, selling a home, home improvements, DIY for home and
garden, to activities here in the Harbour. We’ll do our best to research or have
someone more familiar with the topic answer your question. Chances are if you
have the question, others do as well. Click here to fill out our contact form.
Vickie Minnick asks, “Would it be possible to have a "soggy doggy" event at the
pools at the end of the season; I.e., where the dogs can come in and swim and
play. We take our dog down to the one in Fredericksburg....and it is a blast. Thank
you for your consideration.”
Hi Vickie- I heard this question come up at a board meeting towards the end of
last pool season. The response I heard was that it could be an expensive
proposition and was voted down. If a dog where to take a “poop” it would
necessitate special cleaning.
Anyone remember the movie Caddy Shack? I remember several years ago here in
the Harbour the pool had to be closed because someone’s baby without a diaper
did just that.
5
AHL attended the BOD’s session for the budget on the 12th, 19th and 26th. Let me begin by
saying AHL was pleasantly surprised. Chairman, Barb Cole (BOD treasurer) has done a
great job bringing the rest of the BOD up to speed on the decisions the finance committee
made in regard to the increases in the user fees and line by line changes. It was not the
time for discussion of the merits of the items. That will be done at a regular BOD session.
In last month’s issue we allotted several pages to the budget and urge anyone who didn’t
read the January issue to read it first.
We’d like to bring your attention to a few more items AHL discovered when taking a
closer look at the proposed 2016 budget.
Department
Wages
Finance/Accounting
$305,000
$8500
$33,000
Police
Gate
$332,000
$198,000
$5000
$5000
$46,140
$36,025
Roads/Grounds
$178,000
$5350
$36,500
Building Maintenance
$42,500
$630
$7200
Pools (Contract)
$97,000
0
0
Stables
$17,300
$525
0
$139,000
$2700
0
Proshop
$85,700
$1780
$7200
Marina
$59,200
$1700
--------
$1,454,200
$31,185
Golf
Totals
401 Match
Health Insurance
$200,765
Telecom total is $20,360. AHL finds this amount outrageous and urges the BOD to look
at ways to reduce this cost. The BOD still has to discuss and vote on the final budget.
6
Concepts
Diamond
Custom Jewelers
Perfect for smaller weddings,
parties, or meetings,
The Garden Room in
Fredericksburg. Website
That’s My Dress
Bridal and Prom
CHAMILIA
Custom Floral
Arrangements &
Bouquets For Your
Wedding Day
Affairs by Ayres
“Jewelry
that
defines you.”
Professional Jewelry
Services Include:

(703) 994-8557
Website



Coming to the
Harbour!
2015
Revitalization



Large Selection of
Diamonds (GIA-EGL)
Certified
Custom Designs
Jewelry & Watch
Repair on Premises
Free Jewelry
Inspection (checking
prongs) & Cleaning
Appraisals
We Buy Gold Jewelry
Engraving
296 Garrisonville Road
(Rt. 610) Suite 103
Stafford, Virginia 22554
(540) 628-2761
Mon.-Sat 10am-6pm
Website
Aquia Harbour Living January 2015
7
is a must visit boutique for:




Bridal Gowns
Prom and
Homecoming
Galas & Balls
Pageants Gowns
Located at
1 Towne Center Blvd.
Fredericksburg, VA 22407
(540) 370-8574
Website
Hours
Mon-Fri 10am-6pm
Saturday 10am-5pm
Sundays Closed/Appt. only
Visit their “sister store” for all
your cosmetic needs. 5759
Plank Rd. @ Harrison Crossing
Color me this Batman …. by Suzi
Bat Signal sent! Both my Facebook status and Twitter feed have been updated.
Bat Signal resent!
You did not swoop down to save the day! Where were you Batman when I
needed assistance with my frustrations, displeasure and demands for justice? Where
were you Batman when I sent my Bat Signal? I needed your help and assistance in
making someone else share my opinion, to see my point of view, to like my post and retweet my feed. My Bat Signals have gone unanswered for the last time!
Join me all residents! Join me in replacing Batman! He is the enemy! I will lead
you now. Batman is not worthy to be your elected director, nor your elected official,
super or otherwise. Count on me! I won’t let you down!
I shall call myself, Salty the Bacon Wrapper.
I promise to protect you from neighborhood solidarity, to stamp out good
judgment, patience and most mentionable personal responsibility. With my selfproclaimed knowledge and superior guidance, no longer will you have to suffer equal
say, equal input or exposure. I will protect you from unsolicited small business
enterprises who are only looking to better their own business! Fear not residents, I will
use my wit and sarcasm regardless of the nature of the call while sharing my popcorn
for your viewing pleasure. Fear not residents, your needs, wants and questions will be
answered!
Yes, Salty the Bacon Wrapper has the key to the back gate and the radar has been
rendered inoperable in section 3 of Gotham City. I have performed the lip service
necessary to rile the mass of followers, nay sayers, procrastinators and the lazy. You
say research, I say smesearch! Gather around me residents, as I whisper to one, to
pass to another, to grow and fester without the light of truth and wisdom.
Yes, Salty the Bacon Wrapper. Definitely not the same Bat Station or Bat Channel.
8
Brought to you by:
Brought to you by:
Mark Your Calendar for February
Cruise Planners
Happenings:
call
March 7th Correction
February 7th Monte Carlo Night sponsored by the Aquia
Evening Lions. 7PM at the Country Club, Cost: $20.00/ticket.
See Ad in this issue for more information about this fun
event.
February 7th- Registration for AH preschool. Registration
times are 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. - currently enrolled
families; 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. - Aquia Harbour residents
and 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – open to the public.
Registrants will need to bring a completed registration form,
the child’s birth certificate and the $50 registration fee
(make checks payable to: AHPS). Forms are available at:
www.aquiaharbourpreschool.org. E-mail
[email protected] with any questions.
Mindy Batien
(540) 220-2775
Associate of Lina Cola
Independently
owned and
operated
For All Your
Travel Needs!
February 14that the Country Club. Two dinner seating’s available, one at
5PM and a second at 7PM. See the special Valentine Dinner
Menu in this issue. Reservations are recommended for this
popular event.
February 25th Regular BOD meeting 7:00 PM at the Country
Club
No Hazardous Waste collection this month.
Tues Happy Hour Specials at the Country Club bar 4-8pm
Visit our
website
Sunday Brunches 10am-2pm at the Country Club
February 2015
9
250
Colds and Flu
I want to know what they put in the water this year. I’ve heard more hacking,
blowing, and gross sounds coming from people including myself this winter to last
me a life time.
I don’t normally get sick. If I get one cold a winter that’s a lot. But come on. Back to
back and I’m not the only one. Talk to almost anyone and they can’t seem to stay
well.
The weather hasn’t helped either. Warm then cold. Cold then warm. You never
know how to dress. But parents- really? Kids at the bus stop with no jacket and it’s
in the 20’s and 30’s?
So here are a few reminders to help reduce your chance of catching something.
 Any dishes that touch your mouth go straight to the dishwasher.
 Use Clorox or a disinfectant type wipe to go around and clean door knobs,
countertops, remote controls, phones, pens/pencils, computer keyboards, and
anything else the “sick one” has touched.
 Use the store sanitizers to clean the grocery cart handle.
 “Sick ones” cover your mouth and wash your hands after one of your coughing
spells.
 Wash hands before touching your nose, eyes, mouth. Just keep your hands off
your face.
 Don’t share drinks or food with people.
 Properly dispose of spent tissues.
 Try and get extra sleep. This allows your body to try and heal itself.
 Drink extra fluids.
 Eat healthy.
 Don’t go to work sick. All you do is get your colleagues sick.
 And parents don’t even think about dropping off a sick baby or child to daycare or
school. Yes, they know the dosing with Tylenol to bring the temperature down
temporarily trick. Kids blab everything to daycare workers and school nurses.
 Every couple of days wash young children’s washable toys in the sink and give
them a good wash with detergent and a little bleach.
 Replace toothbrushes following a cold or 3 days on antibiotics (especially strep).
 Buy a bottle of hand sanitizer for your desk at work and use it.
The above is not intended as medical advice, just old fashioned common sense.
February 2015
10
Clubhouse at Aquia Harbour – Valentines 2/14/15 Menu
Seating’s at 5 and 7 Complimentary glass of Champagne at the 5pm seating
Tee Time
Crispy Oysters
Mozzarella Prosciutto Crostini
Baked Brie
Lobster Fritters
Shrimp n Grits
9
10
9
12
10
The Greens
House Salad
Caesar
Pacific Rim Salad
Cream of Crab soup
4
4
6
5, 7
The Fairway
Bob’s Banging Rib eye
22
Veal with Lobster Oscar
20
Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes
19
Surf n Turf sirloin and crispy shrimp
17
Chicken Breast stuffed with cheese, spinach and prosciutto
17
Seafood Au Gratin crab, lobster and shrimp
19
Crab Stuffed Salmon
20
each served with 2 sides: green beans, loaded mashed potatoes, coleslaw, wild rice or
asparagus
Nineteenth Hole
Tiramisu
Chocolate Cake
Crème Brulee
5
5
4
Reservations Are Encouraged
(540) 288-0091
11
Nationwide Insurance
Auto
Home
Annuities
Life
Retirement
Boats & RVs
Call today for a free policy review to
see if you’re up-to-date on needs or
if Nationwide can save you money.
Mark Smith
(540) 659-5433 Website
Cakes
Truffles
Cupcakes
and more…
For All
Occasions
S.E.R.V.E.
Helps families in the
Stafford area
throughout the year.
Please consider
donating canned
goods today.
Lovely Sweets & Treats
(570) 886-0822
website
LOVE COFFEE?
You haven’t had great
coffee until you’ve enjoyed
a cup using fresh roasted
coffee beans from
Rick’s Roasters.
Website
Affairs by Ayres
Custom floral designs
for your special
occasions!
(703) 994-8557
website
We broker CDs for FDIC
Insured banks. Promotional
incentive may be included to
obtain yield.
Certain restrictions apply.
Rates may vary depending on
deposit amount.
Quantico Corporate Center
800 Corporate Drive, Suite
301 Stafford, VA 22554
(703) 884-3884
(877)230-7499
Weddings, Senior Portraits,
Special Occasions
with a Fine Arts Flair
(540) 300-1385
website
Walding Associates
Full Accounting
and Consulting
Small businesses are
our specialty.
What you don’t know can
cost you money!
(703) 380-5316
Website
7586070.INDD
11a
It can happen in the blink of an eye and spread at the speed of light. Lives can be
lost and property destroyed.
Home fires can happen at any time of the day or year but seem to happen more in the dark
of night in the winter time. Unextinguished smoking materials (i.e. cigarette butts), space
heaters, chimney, cooking, and candles seem to be the most common causes around here.
 Don’t use a chimney that is in need of cleaning. See article for how to determine if
your chimney needs cleaning.
 Burn seasoned hardwood to reduce the amount of creosote buildup.
 Only burn candles inside containers taller than the candle.
 Never leave candles burning unattended.
 Make sure smoke alarms are in good working order. Swap out smoke alarms every 10
years with new ones. It is recommended to replace batteries twice a year and to test
alarms monthly. Three out of five home fire deaths result from fires in properties
without working smoke alarms. Source
 Do not use space heaters with extension cords.
 Whenever possible purchase heaters that have an automatic shut-off if tipped over.
 Don’t leave space heaters on when you’re not home.
 Keep small children and pets at least 3 feet away from fireplaces, wood stoves, and
heaters.
 Here’s one you may not have thought of. Piles of leaves around your house are an
open invitation. If a spark or piece of paper leaves your chimney and continues to
burn on the ground the leaves can ignite and start a fire.
 Don’t overload circuits.
 Parents are cautioned not to allow children/teenagers to have candles or incense in
their rooms or play with matches.
 Make sure your family has an emergency exit plan. Practice the plan at least twice a
year with your children. (At the change of seasons would be good as well.)
 A suggestion from Stafford Country Fire and Rescue is to have your meeting place a
couple of doors down from the front of your house. You don’t want children to have
to cross the street or be in front of your house where fire trucks will be trying to park.
Designate one person to speak with fire personnel to let them know the status of
where family members are. Also check these articles from Stafford County Fire and
Rescue.
12
You know those pesky things called leaves that fall every fall? Yes, we all know we’re
suppose to rake them but we also know there are neighbors for whatever reason don’t.
These yards/homes are a fire hazard to the community.
These are
actual homes
in the
Harbour.
All it takes is
one spark
from a
fireplace
or cigarette
butt and a
fire can start.
This puts
adjacent
homes in
jeopardy
as well.
13
Aquia Harbour Women’s Club
February 2015
Submitted by Candace R. Schmidt, Women’s Club Secretary. Email: [email protected]
If you saw women wearing pajamas on Cape Cod Drive this past month, do not be
alarmed! It was only the AHWC getting together for our first meeting of 2015. If you
were not there, you missed one of our most popular and fun meetings of the year.
After our business meeting, we held our annual white
elephant auction. While it is true that it is the thought that
counts, we have all received gifts that we simply do not need
or are not suited to us. Every January, we bring in one or two
such items and auction them off to other club members. We
always have a great time and the club nets the proceeds for
our community service projects.
Our next meeting is Tuesday, February 10th at the home of
Trisha Englman, 123 Nautical Cove. As of this deadline, the
preliminary program for the evening included wine tasting! Members will receive more
details via email. The meeting will start at 7:15 pm and new members are welcome.
Please contact our membership chair, Yvonne Garcia at [email protected] or our
president, Rosanne Martino at [email protected] if you have questions about the club.
The women’s club annual coat drive is completed for this year. Thanks to Harbour
residents who donated coats and to club members Jean Hoppe and Connie Mulgrew
for collecting and delivering the coats to Stafford County Head Start.
Signboard Contact Information:
If you need to post a community message on the signboard in
In February, contact Missy Hadinger at: [email protected].
For March, contact Maggie Bacheller at [email protected].
If you encounter problems contacting any of the above, please email [email protected]
or contact the Business Office at 540-659-3050.
14
The Architectural Control Committee (ACC) is responsible for approving ALL changes
made to the outside of your home, porch, deck, driveways, fences, roof, siding, and
landscaping structures, etc. Basically anything changed after the house was first built.
Over the years you or the previous owner may have made changes that were not
approved. It is a good idea if you know the color has changed or a new porch was
added etc. and you don’t remember having it approved to submit it to the ACC so it can
be added to your file. It’s a simple form and generally is taken care of at the next ACC
meeting on Wednesday.
WHY Do This?
One day your house will be sold. It is far easier and less stressful to go ahead and get
this taken care of now rather than risk having to reschedule a closing because it comes
up in the disclosure packet as unapproved.
Now that I think about this we added a screen door a few years back. I need to have
that added to ours.
Gentle Reminder
Before making changes to the appearance or structure of your home you must get
approval from the ACC. Most items you can have permission as soon as the
following Wednesday as the committee meets each week.
There are changes residents request that necessitate county building permits or a
site visit from our head roads and grounds employee regarding culverts. The
committee will so notify you.
Failure to follow the guidelines can result in the structure having to be removed as
it violates AHPOA rules. Click for handy reference guide.
Or call the business office at (540) 659 3050.
15
February for Aquia Harbour Golf Club
by: Scott Marshall, Manager
Winter Golf
As I put my pen to next month’s newsletter, Old Man Winter is giving us our first snow fall of the
year. No golf today I suspect. However, the Aquia Harbour Golf Course does remain open year
round, weather permitting. Our die hard golfers from the Aquia Harbour Golf Association are
still meeting every Saturday and Sunday mornings at 8:00am for their weekend scrambles, and
our senior golfers are meeting every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 10:00am for their
captain’s choice best ball scrambles. Please come out and join them. This is a wonderful
opportunity to socialize with your fellow golfers and have a great time. Golfers of all skill levels
are welcomed, so don’t worry hackers and three-putters.
Frost Delays
During the cold weather months, we experience frost on our
golf greens early in the morning from time to time. Playing on
a golf green with frost kills the grass. During mornings of frost
we have to delay play on the course until the frost melts.
Before heading to the course on those cold mornings, please
contact the Pro Shop to find out when the course will be open
for play.
Sledding Reminder
The Farmers Almanac says that we should be getting more snow this winter. When it snows,
families come out to the golf course for some exciting sledding action. The golf driving range is
an excellent place to do some sledding. However, please remember not to use golf hole
number 9 behind the Country Club to sled. The snow sleds will damage the golf green, and
the trees and pond at the bottom of the hill pose a safety risk.
Renovation of the Hole Number Seven Tee Box
Several years ago, the United States Golf Association (USGA) visited the golf course to evaluate
course conditions and maintenance practices. Historically, we have had difficulty in growing
grass on our tee box on hole seven. USGA cited in their report that the cause of problem is poor
soil conditions. This coming spring this tee box will be renovated. In the coming months, our
golf maintenance crew and a contractor will remove trees that are shading the tee box. When
the weather warms, the tee box will be aerated, and a layer of new soil will placed on the tee
box and then leveled. New sod will be installed and should be ready for play after a few weeks.
A majority of the renovation work will be accomplished by Aquia Harbour Personnel, providing
significant savings.
16
A Brief History of How the Harbour Got to Where We Are Today
After World War II when soldiers returned home and started to raise families the need for
housing exploded. Thus, suburbia began. Often times tract housing began where the
houses were all basically identical or there was a handful of variations to select from. We
call them upgrades today.
The Harbour isn’t the norm. It started out as a weekend getaway for Washingtonians in
the 60’s. After going bankrupt in 1975 it was bought out and reorganized into what we
have today. It was never designed to be cookie cutter and is one of the largest
developments in Northern Virginia.
To keep the Harbour an upscale and highly desirable place to live our AHPOA was formed.
It was through pooling dues from all the residents that amenities, such as, the golf course,
pools, country club, stables, and marina were possible. It was labled a “Premiere Gated
Community”. You can read more about the Harbour’s early history here.
According to the Harbour’s attorney our covenants and by-laws were really well thought
out and written at the time and even by today’s standards. As with all things periodic
updating and adjustments need to be made to keep them current.
Times change and so must the Harbour to remain competitive as a desirable community
to live in. Although AHL wasn’t around back in 1975 when the documents were written
based on what is, AHL can comfortably state there are practices that some residents do in
here that go completely contrary to our founding documents.
Who in their wildest dreams could have imagined a homeowner parking cars ,boats, RVs
in the middle of their yards or allowing grass and weeds to grow a foot or more tall in the
front of their house?
AHL is encouraged to see the new BOD taking the appearance of homes/yards in the
Harbour seriously. A joint meeting between the General Manager, Beautification, Legal
Compliance, Architectural Control, code violation officer, the Chief, and 3 BOD directors
was held. A new AD HOC committee called Revitalization is forming to address the
appearance of homes/yards in the Harbour.
More details will be forthcoming next month and
ALL property owners will receive an important letter with their April dues bill.
February 2015
17
As of this writing, there’s still no deal regarding the Aquia Harbour Rescue
building and land. According to the General Manager at the BOD work session
on 1/21 there’s a financial offer of $190,000 from Stafford County to purchase
the property. Evidently there’s disagreement from the AH Rescue Squad about
who should get the money from the sale.
AH Rescue Squad owns the building and still has a 5 year lease on the property.
The building was built and is supported in large part with donations primarily
from Aquia Harbour residents. The Rescue Squad must also sign off on the
deal.
According to BOD discussion, possible use for the money IF the deal goes
through will be to extend the visitor’s lane and possibly install a security arm at
the gate. This would allow for better security and traffic flow at the entrance for
the Harbour and its residents.
Why is extending the visitor’s side lane a good idea?
Have you ever thought about how many cars come in and out of the gate each and
every day? It’s between 15,000-17,000 most days. Add holidays or events like the
4th of July and it explodes.
Not everyone who comes to the gate is welcome. There are the sightseeing ones,
potential criminal element, lost, and even those with a restraining order.
It is the gate guard who stands between these unwelcomed driving around on our
roads being denied access.
Extending the visitor lane allows the guards more time to check out a driver without
causing a backup in the resident’s lane.
Please call the gate when you have visitors coming.
It helps make us all safer! (540) 659-5224.
18
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18a
Recently there was quite a discussion about a school bus painted bright yellow
and green on a lot in section I on facebook. This really exists!
Basically it broke down into two camps. Those who see it as an eyesore in the
community and those who see it as it’s on their property-mind your own
business.
If the bus were on land out in the country –who’d care? The problem arises
because we live in a community where houses and yards are close together.
That’s one of the reasons the rules for the AHPOA were written. So that
neighbors couldn’t just willy nilly do whatever they wanted to their house or
yards.
I love that the Harbour isn’t cookie cutter! However, with that freedom also
comes the responsibility to keep a certain harmony in the neighborhood. For
example, would you appreciate a neon sign in someone’s yard or a purple house
with yellow shutters and trim beside you?
Stop, before you answer that- do you ever want to be able to sell your house one
day? Ask a realtor. Most buyers would never even get out of the car to see your
gorgeous house because of these two neighbors on the sides. A prospective
buyer wants to know a house they purchase has the potential to increase in
value not decrease.
There are realtors that will tell you they cringe every time they have to bring a
prospective buyer into the Harbour. Why? Because they never know what the
house/yard next door looks like or what they will have to pass to get to the
house for sale. If you were buying your house today-would you buy it knowing
that a bus such as this could be parked next door to you?
So AHL comes down on the side of it is our business. If the rules in the
Harbour need to be changed to protect property values then it’s time for that
discussion.
19
Editorial
Is it your business or are you being a busy body?
Most of us have at least one neighbor close by that does something that kind of “ticks”
us off or we just shake our heads at. You don’t say anything because it’s not serious
enough to risk a confrontation or you don’t want to be accused of being a busy body.
That’s why the Harbour has the Code Violation Officer (CVO) and Legal Compliance
Committee (LCC) to address this.
I saw this first hand on facebook recently. There’s a bright yellow and green bus parked
on someone’s lot in section I.
Living in the Harbour isn’t like living out in the country where you can almost do
anything you want to your property. When you live close to your neighbors what they
do to the appearance of their home and lot often has a direct impact on your property
value or ability to sell your home. Just ask any realtor.
I heard one committee member, who also happens to be a realtor, point out a lot that
was considered “unsightly”. “You know if they were trying to sell their house they
would clean up that mess of stuff stored in the front of the house and mow their yard.”
She also stated, “ This costs us all money.” Most buyers don’t want to move into a
neighborhood where they have to worry about something like the bus ending up next
door to them.
We all agreed to keep our home and yard in good condition when we moved in here.
It was right there in all those papers some of you may not have read close enough at
closing.
Read or not, we as lot owners have the right to expect the AHPOA to enforce existing
rules and to amend or add additional rules in the best interest of all property owners in
the Harbour.
So AHL’s vote goes to it being our business. When something a neighbor does or
doesn’t do (like take care of their property) has an effect on another’s property value
AHL believes it crosses the line to being your business. That’s one of the reasons for the
AHPOA to start with.
Just call the business office if you have a concern and they’ll have the CVO check it out.
20
cont
Editorial
Here we go again. AHL understands people want to buy firewood for their fireplaces.
Got it. The problem is that common areas, such as, parking lots are not the place to
do it. How is this any different than someone wanting to sell a sofa or refrigerator the
same way? Why not turn the parking area by Briar Patch into a flea market every
Saturday? Come on folks, who’s with me?
Advertise in one of the neighborhood’s publications like other businesses do. Do it
on facebook-just not in the Harbour’s parking lots.
21
Aquia Harbour Preschool
By: Linda Cline
Email: [email protected]
www.aquiaharbourpreschool.org
540-659-5771
Wishing you a Happy February! We have an exciting month ahead here at the Aquia Harbour
Preschool.
We would like to extend our thanks and gratitude to Dominion Power for their generosity with
supplies and repairs for our preschool. Our teachers greatly appreciated their time and effort and this
was a huge benefit to our great little school! Thank you Dominion Power!
Registration for the 2015-2016 School Year:
It is that time already, so mark your calendars! We are holding our annual Aquia Harbour Preschool
Fall Registration on Saturday, February 7th. Our classes fill quickly, so reserve a spot for your
child now! Aquia Harbour Preschool is available to both residents and non-residents of Aquia
Harbour. Your child must be the required class age by September 30 th, 2014. Our classes are as
follows:
Our 4 Year old classes meet on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Our 3 Year old classes meet on Tuesday and Thursday.
We offer AM class and PM classes.
AM Class: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
PM Class: 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Registration will be at our preschool: 1106 Spain Drive, Stafford VA 22554, located next to the
Aquia Harbour Business Office on Washington Drive. (Under Construction)
Registration Time:
Saturday, February 7th, 2015
10:00AM – 10:30AM Currently Enrolled Families
10:30AM – 11:00AM Aquia Harbour Residents
11:00AM – 12:00AM Open to Everyone
In order to register you will need:
* Completed Registration Form
* Your Child’s Birth Certificate
* $50 Registration Fee (make checks payable to: AHPS)
All forms are available on our website: www.aquiaharbourpreschool.org.
Any questions, please email us at [email protected] .
Please click to continue reading.
Teacher’s Corner
This month our classes will be learning about things from the past and discussing the present and the passage of time.
We will learn about Chinese New Year as part of our Multi-Cultural Day activities. In preparation for Valentine’s
Day, our class will be participating in a shared
22
February Article
Pedestrian Safety
Chris Schoon, President, AHVRS
On New Year’s Eve I responded to a call for a ”Pedestrian struck. ” While at the station
on New Year’s Day, the same type of call came in for the south end of the County. Two
in less than 24 hours. I do not know the fate of these victims but even 2 is too many.
The latest pedestrian injury statistics available from the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) from 2012 found 4,743 pedestrian died in traffic crashes, an
6% increase over the previous year. Without sidewalks in the Harbour, we have to be
watchful and teach our children to be careful.
Here are some safety points for walkers/joggers/runners:
 Learn and obey traffic signals and signs
 Cross the street at corners using traffic lights and crosswalks
 Never run out between parked cars or in the middle of the block.
 Always look LEFT, RIGTH, and then Left again
 Walk facing traffic
 Always watch for cars
 Children hold hands with an adult while in parking lots
 Never run out into the street for any reason
 Play in safe areas away from the street
 Never play in the driveway
 Playing loud music can distract you from the road
 Talking on cell phones and texting distract you from the road or path
 Wear reflective clothing, bands, belts or vests at dark or dusk, and carry
flashlights.
Most of these are common sense, but we have to
practice safety every day, every time we go out.
Hope to see you at the KIDS EXPO February 15th at the Fredericksburg Expo Center.
Happy Valentine’s Day
23
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6:3
Networking Stafford
As small business owners we network each
Friday at the Before N After Café. Located
35 Walpole St. Join us for meetings at 8 :00
am. Visitors are always welcome. Visit us
on the web for more information. Website
23a
Patricia S. Harman, Chief of Police
Aquia Harbour Police Department
1040 Aquia Drive Stafford, Va. 22554
C 703-407-6106 O 540-659-4600
[email protected]
AH Police
Emergency Volunteers - You may have heard of APV and CERT, but who are they and what
do they do?
CERT – Community Emergency Response Team. This is a National Program and is run locally
by the Stafford County Fire Department. It requires a standardized 24 hour training course
and monthly meetings and is set up to respond to large scale disasters. Aquia Harbour has
the largest and most active CERT Team in Stafford County. For more information on Stafford
County CERT you can contact AH resident Dusty Kitzmiller at [email protected]. He can
get you pointed in the right direction.
APV – Aquia Police Volunteers is less formal and consists of members of the Aquia Harbour
community that have agreed to assist the police department when they can in the event of a
community activity or emergency (usually weather or traffic related). Some assist regularly,
some rarely and others; only when their particular skill set or equipment is needed. The
important factor is that we have a wide variety of resources to tap into in the event of an
emergency or large scale need. We are a small agency with limited resources, and the ability
to call on a wide variety of people could make all the difference in an emergency situation.
Many of those who participate in CERT also participate in APV but it is not requirement to do
both. If you are interested in learning more about APV, contact the Chief for an application.
[email protected]
Neighbors who know one another and work together to protect their community through
programs like APV, community events, local clubs and family events create a layer of
protection that make it very difficult for the criminal element to penetrate. It results in an
extension of territoriality that makes Aquia Harbour one big Neighborhood Watch and a
safer place to live and raise your families.
We all forgot to do it sometimes but it’s important for the security of our community.
Please call the gate to let them know you have a guest coming in. There’s over 15,00018,000 cars that come in and out of our gate each and every day. That’s why calling
guests in and making sure your stickers are up to date is so important to allow the gate
to focus on those that shouldn’t be attempting to enter the Harbour.
24
Aquia Harbour Women’s Club
AHWC is a community service organization with an emphasis on helping
those in our own backyard. The Adopt a Family Program, Coat Drive,
Adopt-a-Classroom, and Annual Scholarship Award are just a few
examples of the work we do to benefit Aquia Harbour residents and
our Stafford County neighbors. The Harbour's Christmas Tree
Lighting event and Easter Egg Hunt, both sponsored by the AHWC, are two
annual community highlights. We host a variety of themed monthly
meetings such as a Pirate Bingo, Pajama Party, Bunco and a Cinco de
Mayo Fiesta.
As you can tell, AHWC members truly have fun while embracing our
community.
Meetings are held the second Tuesday night of each month (September
thru June) at 7:15 PM. We are always looking for new ladies to enhance
our club, so if you are not a current member please make plans to join us.
Please contact our membership chair, Yvonne Garcia at [email protected] or our
president, Rosanne Martino at [email protected] if you have questions about the club.
Aquia Evening Lions Club (We’re the ladies)
We meet on the fourth Thursday of each month at the Aquia Harbour Country Club.
Meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. and last approximately two hours. If you would like to be our
guest for dinner, and to learn more about Lionism, please contact us for an invitation. You do
not have to live in Aquia Harbour to become a member - many of our members live in the
surrounding area. Contact info:
The Evening Lions are involved in projects, such as, Adopt a Classroom, Adopt a Family,
Annual scholarships awarded to local high school seniors, Aquia Harbour celebration support
(July 4th and Oktoberfest), Bike Safety Rodeo, Books for the troops,Christmas Party for
special needs adults (in conjunction with the Aquia Host Lions Club),Stride Diabetes Walk,Eye
exams and eyeglasses provided to local elementary school children (referred by school
nurses, based on need),Fredericksburg Agricultural Fair,Girl Scout troop support,Head Start
Breakfast with Santa,Head Start food pantry Kids, For a Cure club camp, Lions of Virginia
Bland Music Contest (scholarships for talented youth),Lions Peace Poster Contest (youth
outreach),Prom night support,SERVE (Stafford Emergency Relief through Volunteer
Efforts)Sign and hearing van, school nurse donations, Thanksgiving food baskets, The Haven
(domestic violence women’s shelter, and Virginia Lions Eyeglass Recycling.

Kids For a Cure club camp
February 2015
25
Aquia Harbour Host Lions Club
Club service activities include the purchase of eyeglasses and hearing aids for members
of the community. Collection of used eyeglasses for use overseas and eyeglasses for
recycling for donation to the needy. Use of the Lions' Mobile Screening Van to provide
community residents with free hearing and vision tests. Purchase and distribution of
Thanksgiving Baskets to those less fortunate. The club holds a yearly Christmas Party for
mentally and physically challenged adults which includes dinner, dancing, and presents
from Santa to each participant. The club also teams up with the Aquia Evening Lions and
works a Safety Break stop on I95 North on New Year’s Day. We also sponsor numerous
youth activities.
The Aquia Harbour Host Lions are very busy throughout the year in our community and
have various fundraisers to support the many worthy causes we contribute too. Some
of our fundraisers include: Christmas Tree Sales November thru December, White House
Christmas Ornaments, a Reverse Raffle held in October, White Cane Days held in May,
Mulch Sales held in March and Texas Hold-em tournament twice a year.
Interested in becoming a Lion? We meet at 7:00 the 1st and 3rd Thurs. of each month at
the Country Club. For more information please contact Don Winters at
[email protected]
Aquia Harbour Volunteer Rescue Squad
The squad membership has remained fairly steady between 40-60 members, but with
members in different stages of training, not everyone can run a crew. The squad is
constantly looking for new members. We need drivers, all levels of EMTs and
administrative personnel. The squad knows that EMS (emergency medical services) is
not for everyone. We see people on their worst days. We study and train to make that
day our best at what we do. Whether it is a CPR, treating an injury or illness, holding
the hand of a cancer patient or delivering a baby, we train to be the best.
We also participate in community outreach programs, such as, the 4th of July parade,
National Night Out, Save Your Heart for Love, EMS Week, International Fall Festival at
St. William of York, Community first aid and CPR classes year round.
If you are interested in serving your community and volunteering at our station, Click
on the "How to Join", call the station at 540-659-8911 or email us at
[email protected]. We look forward to meeting you!
26
Beautification Committee
Ever wonder who the gals are who volunteer their time and efforts to
making the Harbour look good? It’s Jane Gill and Beth Barg. They work
tirelessly throughout the year. Their volunteer work and efforts saves the
Harbour thousands of dollars each year. These ladies have been doing
this for over 15 years. So needless to say when the proposed budget for
Beautifcation was cut from $7000 to $6000 to do the entire Harbour
on an already bare bones budget, isn’t
sitting well. The BOD needs to rethink this
one
especially in light of the of the
Revitalization effort for 2015.
Here Jane and Beth are changing out the
fall chrysanthemums to the yellow pansies
we’ll enjoy this spring. It’s through the
efforts of these ladies that there is any
“color” or landscaping on Harbour property
with the exception of the Golf course.
AHL would like to thank Green Aquia for their
efforts in tidying up the Community Garden.
Before
After
27
Unoffical Board Meeting Highlights Dec/Jan
The GM was out of commission for a couple of weeks. He’s recovering
and has been working part time. He’s back to full time now and will
provide the GM reports again starting next month.
The business office is expected to be completed by the end of February.
Between all the trips up and down the road to the county with changes
and unexpected requirements for the business office, working out the
legal details for the sale of the Rescue Squad with the county, and
budget meetings. He’s been a very busy GM.
All the BOD members have spent the last 3 Monday evenings being
brought up to speed on the finance committee’s proposed budget.
A presentation by an outside group named ADP was given to the BOD
at the last work session. The company does payroll, OSHA regulations,
health insurance, job descriptions, stays on top of the thousands of new
business regulations the federal government agencies have been busy
passing, etc. AHL was impressed with the company’s presentation.
Maybe the Harbour should consider using a company like this for even
one year to catch-up on the deficiencies left by the previous GM and
previous BOD. In AHL opinion It would be money well spent.
Supervisor Cavalier spoke and said the county is hopeful a major grocery
store chain will be coming to the town center. Fingers crossed.
While visiting the General Assembly in Richmond Director Cole lobbied
Speaker Bill Howell to pass legislation allowing homeowners to be able to
escrow their HOA dues just like they do taxes. According to Director
Cole this is already done in several other states. She also discussed the
Harbour’s dredging issues with Speaker Howell and Senator Stewart.
28
Unoffical Board Meeting Highlights 2015
Cont.
Director Cole made a point of asking Harbour residents in attendance
at the meeting to follow through and contact their elected officials to
support these efforts. AHL is asking the same of all its readers. Let
them know you vote and this is an important matter to you. Bill Howell
and Senator Stewart contact links.
Director Shepherd spoke about dredging. He reminded all of us it’s not
just about dredging a channel for a boat from the marina. The reason
we need to dredge behind the homes of those located on or near the
water is for flood control. He stated if the waterways behind people’s
homes were to silt in, where do you think the runoff from the ditches is
going to go? Into our yards and homes. Basements could easily flood if
this problem isn’t addressed.
Director Shepherd spoke about the BOD possibly removing
uncollectible accounts from our delinquent accounts summary. Homes
that are bank owned or where owners have deserted them. Our ability
to collect on these types of accounts is basically zero.
AHL would ask the BOD if there is a way the business office can keep
track of the homes in here for the following categories: It would allow
the BOD more information to make informed decisions.
 Bank owned (REO)
 In foreclosure
 Abandoned homes
 Being short sold
 Rental up to date on dues
 Rental behind on dues
 Rental property with code violations
29
It’s February. Why are you still doing
Christmas photos in the magazine?
These were some additional displays
that deserve recognition we didn’t
have room for last month.
But this brings up a very good
question. When do the decorations
need to come down?
Some people have them down by
New Year’s believing its bad luck if
you leave them up. I personally love
to see snow on the outdoor lights
but that could mean they’re up for a
long time sometimes.
Most people start putting them up
around Thanksgiving. Most take
them down sometime during the
month of January. So that’s two
months we’ve been able to enjoy
them. Leaving a door wreath up I
don’t count.
It’s the people who try and leave
Christmas lights and lawn
decorations up year round that’s the
issue.
Can we all agree to remove them by
the end of January?
After all we need to get ready for
Love the creativity!
Valentine’s day.
30
You know how some days you just don’t want to cook? Or you’re looking for
something different? Maybe a comfort food? You just want it to be good and
not take forever to make?
I came across this recipe and it was one of those cold days where a soup would
be nice but I wanted something a little different.
Viola, Crockpot Sausage & Cheese Tortellini. Double Yum!
You know me by now. I tweak most recipes. This one called for it to be done in
a crock pot. I turned this into a one pot meal and cooked it on the stove for
about an hour on simmer. I added some sautéed onions and about a teaspoon
of granulated garlic (love that stuff) with the Italian sausage to cook. Also, I
threw in a handful of frozen spinach. I didn’t follow the exact amounts of
chicken broth or tortellini either. I skipped the mushrooms. This is one of those
dishes you really can’t mess up. Just add the cream cheese the last 10 minutes
or so.
If you want it soupier, use more chicken broth or reduce the amount of cream
cheese you add. I used about 1/3 of a box of cream cheese and it was perfect.
I skipped the Parmesan cheese simply because I was out and we never missed
it. Oh, and I added a few peppercorns as I used mild Italian sausage.
Here’s the link for the original recipe but I’m telling you, this is one you can’t
mess up, make it your own. Add a salad and you’ve got a quick and easy
delicious meal. Enjoy!
31
February 2015
Outside





Keep a clear area around heat pumps with snow falls.
Make sure to keep gutters free of debris to help prevent ice dams.
Close crawl space vents, if not already done.
Dig out the snow shovel and sand to have ready to use.
If you don’t have a snow plow consider hiring teenagers to help remove
any snow from driveways and walk areas.
 Hopefully you’ve taken care of holiday decorations.
 Start taking a look and making a list of repairs/maintenance items to be
addressed when warmer weather returns.
Inside
We haven’t seen the last of winter yet.





Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Push the red button each
month to ensure they are functioning properly.
Remember candles, kerosene heaters, and fireplaces can negatively affect
indoor air quality.
Never leave burning candles unattended.
Do you have an emergency supply of food/supplies in case of a prolonged
power outage?
Replace or wash air filters.
32
By Supervisor Jack Cavalier
There’s a promising future in store at Aquia Town Center. In my recent conversations with
Mosaic Realty Partners (contract owners), they describe their good progress on the feasibility
study of the property. If all goes well, they plan to close on the property as soon as this
summer. The current work is very focused on getting commitments from a major grocery
anchor. They also continue discussions with Regal about a renovation for that very dated
movie theater. Lastly, property owner Ramco–Gershenson Properties Trust submitted a site
plan for residential development. Once approved, the project will be purchased by the
Franklin Johnston Group and construction would commence soon after. Please know that I
will work to continue to keep you up to date on this critical and evolving matter.
Stafford’s first Chipotle opened December 15 at Stafford Marketplace. The popular
restaurant was a target of the Board-initiated Retail Attraction Initiative and was highly
requested by citizens.
Officials held a grand opening celebration for the I-95 Express Lanes on December 10. U.S.
Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx was a featured speaker as well as Governor Terry
McAuliffe, Chairman Cavalier and others. The Express Lanes open to HOV traffic on Sunday,
December 14, and to tolled traffic on Monday, December 29.
VDOT has approved Stafford’s way finding sign plans and the design of the signs. The signs
are indicators arranged throughout Stafford to guide people to their destinations consisting
of gateway signs and trailblazing signs. The next step is to contact the local VDOT residency
to gain approval for the site of each sign. The installation of the signs is scheduled to be
complete by December 2015.
Stafford is first in the Commonwealth for the usage of seatbelts, with 95 percent of our
citizens using them. Sheriff Charles Jett and members of his staff were recognized in
December by the Board of Supervisors, the Virginia State Police, the Virginia Association of
Police and the International Association of Police. Stafford was awarded for their success in
reducing traffic accidents and fatalities through education and increased enforcement.
Charles Adams Bryan served as Deputy Court Clerk and Court Clerk in Stafford in the 1800s.
He was known for his kindness and integrity. He planted six sugar maple trees on the
courthouse lawn, the last of which was removed to make way for the Courthouse Streetscape
Project. At the request of the Stafford Historical Commission, a plaque was placed in his
honor on the site of the last tree in front of the courthouse.
33

February 7 - Aquia Harbour Living

Transcription

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