April 2014 VHC Newsletter

1The Villages at Herring Creek

Committee members hope you are enjoying Our Villages Newsletter. We’ve worked to narrow down the content for easier

reading. If you have a story you would like included, please email your info to [email protected] or contact Bernie Blain at 302 947-1906 by the first of the month. We strive to publish the newsletter near the middle of the month.We’re beginning reconstruction of our website and hope to have an update by our next newsletter. Dirt Busters Committee - Janice Blain, Dora Nemeth, Arlene Hannon, George BolschThanks to some wonderful creativity and handiwork. Its “curtains” for us in our kitchen.

May is Veterans Month May is a month where we traditionally honor our veterans. We’d like to list and honor our Herring Creek veterans in our May issue. If you were in on of our uniformed services, please send us your name, your ending rank, and your uniformed service area (i.e., Army, Navy, Air

Force, Coast Guard, Marines, etc.).

Our Villages

CommuniCations Committee:Jack L. Vogt – [email protected] Blain – [email protected] Sue Fortier – [email protected] Espitia – [email protected]

Photo Sue Fortier

April 2014


On March 22nd, a Board meeting was held with the in-tent of having committee reports from each of the estab-

lished committees. The HOA has over 30 people volunteering their time to make the Villages an active and improved communi-ty. The committees’ priorities are progressing and an impressive agenda is being collectively accomplished.As new members join the community, the Board and committees continue to seek participation and ideas on how the HOA can improve. If anyone has an interest or concern, please feel free to contact a Board or committee member with your input. As more interests surface, any member can take the lead on organizing activities of shared interest. The HOA’s resources (Board, com-mittees, newsletter, and web-site) are available to support orga-nizing efforts.On March 26th, an email was sent to all members inviting them to discuss the SOP on the evenings of April 9th and/or 16th at 7 PM at the Community Center. This input will be incorporated into the final draft. The Board will vote on accepting the SOP at the Annual Meeting.The Annual Meeting is scheduled for May 3rd. You will receive an official notification on the time of the meeting and the agenda.

President’s Message, April 2014


Common GroundsJack Vogt, BoB Banholzer, leVergne rayhon, Brian reichley and george strickler

In March, the CGC presented its charter for affirmation by the BOD and community. The committee is also actively reviewing various issues within the community center, including the kitchen floor, HVAC system, and hot water heater. We are assessing areas whereby we recognize potential to improve upon the efficiency of the building systems, including alterna-tive approaches to energy supply. We continue to pursue drawings for the community center as well as some of the utility sys-tems in the community.We have also reviewed the several contracts issued by the HOA and expect to assess any risks with the finance committee.The accent lighting along the Skyler entrance drive was converted to 110v during March. We anticipate both a longer bulb life and a reduction in power usage. In April, we anticipate an inspection of the storm water management system and will docu-

ment conditions during a rain event of consequence.

FinanCe Committee updatesSue Fortier, Bernie Blain, Rita Lysik or Vince AversaThe Finance Committee is working through three items as it begins its first steps along the re-cently adopted charter. We are working to understand the available reports provided through Seascape and have begun an initial review of our major contracts. In addition, we need your help in contacting other HOA organizations so that we may solicit information about their ex-periences and best practices. Please contact Sue Fortier, Bernie Blain, Rita Lysik, or Vince Aversa with any nearby HOA contact information. We’re also beginning the reconstruction of our website and hope to have an update by our

next newsletter.

Committee

updates


soCial Committee updates nancy strickler, george & Marie Bolsch, leVergne rayhon, carol aVersa, & Patti Whitaker

• Welcome two new Social Committee members: Carol Aversa and Patti Whitaker.

• Welcome home from Florida, George & Marie Bolsch!• May 14th – Ladies Coffee Chatter at the Clubhouse at 10:30

AM• May 17th – Ice Cream Social at the Sanderling Model from 2

– 4 PM (Coordinators: Patti Whitaker and Jan Willis)• Date TBD - Ladies Tea – More information to follow (Coordi-

nator: Carol Aversa)June 28th – Luau / Pig Roast – Poolside (Coordinators: Roberta & Gary Desch and Patti & Bill Whitaker)

The VHC community is hosting Yoga classes at the clubhouse weekly on Tuesday mornings at 10:45 AM. We have been extremely fortunate to have found an awesome teacher who has be-come a major “hit” with all of the wom-en who are taking this class. There are 14 women who have enrolled thus far. There is still room for more, so any-one – men or women – who is interest-ed is welcome to join the group. All they

need to do is bring $10 cash and a yoga mat to each session. Please wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothes.E-mail Sheila Young at [email protected] if you are not currently enrolled, but wish to join or ask questions. You can be added to the roster when you contact Sheila.


CommuniCations Committee Jack Vogt, Bernie Blain, Debbie Espitia, & Sue FortierCommittee members hope you are enjoying Our Villages Newsletter. We’ve worked to nar-row down the content to about 4 pages for easier reading. If you have a story you would like included, please email your info to [email protected] or contact Bernie Blain at 302 947-1906 by the first of the month. We strive to publish the newsletter near the middle of each month.

We’re also beginning the reconstruction of our website and hope to have an update by our next newsletter.

dust Busters CommitteeJanice Blain, dora neMeth, arlene hannon, & george Bolsch

Thanks to some wonderful creativity and handiwork, it’s “curtains” for us in our kitchen. Check out the new window coverings the next time you visit the clubhouse.

Kindness Committeearlene hannon, Marie Bolsch, Patti Whitaker, sheila young, Jan raggie, connie Jones

The Kindness Committee is reviewing fundraising options – stay tuned.

Did you know? Pickle BallThis sport is a cross between tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It’s one of the fastest growing sports in the country, and it is espe-cially popular in senior communities like “The Villages” in Florida. Check out this website:http://www.thevillagesfloridabook.com/pickleball-paradise/Sheila Young has been playing Pickle-ball and loving it. She has purchased two rackets and outdoor balls. She would love to teach it to anyone interested and is willing to share her rackets until those interested can purchase their own. She knows of sev-eral Pickle-ball groups in the area. However, she wants to start our own group right here in the Villages at Herring Creek. We have a tennis court, and it can easily be outlined for a pickle ball court with washable sidewalk chalk. If anyone is interested in learning or playing Pickle-ball, please contact Sheila Young at: [email protected]


From the golf course to the beachDave and Sandy McGowan

Dave and Sandy McGowan moved to the Vil-lages at Herring Creek from their two-story, single family home on a golf course in Limer-ick, PA. They have one son and a cat. Dave was long time Verizon (37 years) service technician, while Sandy retired from her career as a staff accountant with Altria. They, like many of us at Our Villages, had heard that Delaware was a good place to live with a great quality of life, friendly people, and low taxes. So they struck off to search for their new home. After 15 or so visits, they decided to build a Beacon model Schell home in Our Villages. They moved in to their new home in July 2013.So far, being in their new home has involved unpacking, organizing, arranging, painting decorating and handling punch list work with

Schell. Now, they’re hoping to tackle land-

scaping, as the weather improves. Sandy likes gardening so this is something she is happy to get going. They’ve been out and about the local area and visited a few of the local restaurants: Big Fish, Shuckers, and Striper Bites. They’ve taken time to visit two of our favorite beaches, Lewes and Rehoboth, and they are hoping to explore much more this season. They would really like to drive further south and explore the scenery and life all around the area. They want to have a busy and active retirement. Dave already found part-time work at the Re-hoboth Country Club Golf Course. Natural-ly he enjoys playing golf and meeting people. Sandy has spent much of her time unpacking, decorating her new home, and meeting her new neighbors. She also wants to maintain an active lifestyle and may search for a job shortly. Like her Mom, who was an artist, Sandy enjoys woodworking. She’s met her neighbor, Norma McCauley, and had the opportunity to view her sculpted art work. With all the tasks of resettling just about done, Dave and Sandy are really looking forward to enjoying this summer and hosting family mem-bers who come to visit them in their new home.


Thank You and kudos Thank you to Dave and Sandy McGowan for contributing to our homeowner article and to Carol, Joyce, and Nancy for our kitchen curtains.

Happy Spring

Documents

April 2014 VHC Newsletter