April/May Issue
Spring – A Season of Change
Spring is a time of change and renewal. The grass that was brown and crunchy underfoot through the winter has greened up. We saw the prolific white blossoms of the Bradford Pear trees come and go along with the daffodils and tulips. Then came the yellow tree pollen that dusted just about everything and now the leaves have made their presence known on the trees.
The VGHOA is experiencing a renewal of sorts too. The new board that was voted in back in January continues to meet regularly about VGHOA business and interests. By now, you’ve received a letter of introduction from Bob Cherry at Ravenel Associates, Inc. Bob has taken on the role of property manager for Village Green since Chad Hammond, our previous Ravenel property manager, is handling other properties for Ravenel. You can reach Bob at (843) 352-0300 or by e-mail to bcherry@ravenelassociates.com.
Some time ago, VGHOA put out two requests. They needed someone to take over the role of newsletter editor and someone to take over responsibilities of webmaster for the VGHOA website. VG resident homeowner Robin Daisley answered the call for newsletter editor and this issue is the first of what she hopes will be many to come. The call for webmaster was answered by Joe Bolognue, a VG resident homeowner. Joe invested his talent and time to update and redesign the website. So, as Spring continues and gives way to Summer, remember to visit the VGHOA website often – it’s your source for community news and information.
Pond News
You may have noticed a change in the coloring of the water in the ponds recently. This is part of the treatment by Aquatic Management Services, the new pond maintenance firm recently selected by VGHOA to oversee the care of the ponds. The blue dye helps control algae and improves the appearance of the water. Additionally, the ponds have also been given a chemical treatment for the alligator weed.
Each pond has been stocked with grass carp to assist with the control of vegetation in the ponds. If you catch grass carp while fishing in the ponds, please release them back into the pond. This will help to maintain the ponds and also reduce cost in the future to the VGHOA.
Finally, whenever you are at one of the ponds, please be mindful that the local wildlife enjoys them too. Ordinarily, various birds, turtles and even an alligator can be spotted from time to time. Like you, they may just want to enjoy a quiet afternoon without interruption.
Lately, there have been reports of water moccasins, (aka cottonmouth) which are dangerously venomous. Due to a range of colorations, they can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from other snakes. So, if you see a snake and are unable to identify it for certain, the best rule is to stay away. That way, both of you can continue to enjoy your day.
The New www.VGHOA.info – At A Glance
The VGHOA website has been redesigned and updated to include a variety of functions. One item of particular note is the “Subscribe Now” box positioned to the lower right of the revolving slideshow on the home page. To ensure that you will receive VGHOA updates, news, or other important information in a timely manner, please be sure to enter and submit your e-mail address in the Subscribe Now box.
Given the widespread use of computer technology, one would guess that most users will explore the new VGHOA website and find things on their own. For those who prefer to have directions to their destinations, read on…
The Home page provides a series of tabs across the top of the page for easy navigation to other pages on the site. Scrolling down the page reveals a revolving slideshow of current items, and further down the page news items are listed under the headings of “Featured”, “Latest News”, and “Most Popular”. Users will also see links to sign up for e-mail and/or RSS feeds and can also follow VGHOA on Facebook and Twitter.
Clicking the Newsletter tab will load the current issue of the VGHOA newsletter. However, hovering over the Newsletter tab will bring up a drop down menu so users can select the newsletter issue they want to view. Users can enter comments about articles or issues by entering them at the bottom of the page in the Add Your Response box.
The Community page features the VGHOA mission statement and will be updated periodically with timely information about community news and upcoming events. Use the links on the drop down menu on the Community tab to access information about the Board, Links, Management, Resources, Bulletin Board, Pool, Suggestions, and Crime Watch directly.
The drop down menu on the Vendors tab is the one to check out for names of Local Providers (a VG resident, homeowner, or someone recommended by a VG resident or homeowner) or Professional Providers. There are a number of enterprising VG residents and homeowners providing a range of services. Professionals seeking to be listed should click the Vendor tab to access information about the process to be listed.
The Blog tab allows users to navigate to a page where they can read entries and/or enter their own input on a variety of topics. Clicking the “Join” tab will result in a page that allows users to register for the VGHOA website. Those who register will be sent a password which will allow them to create a user profile.
The Contact tab allows users to access a page for submitting comments, thoughts and information.
There are icons to link the comment to Facebook, Buzz, Linked In, Stumblers, Twitter, and RSS feed, as well as to print or bookmark the post or tell a friend about the post.
Resources at the bottom of the pages include Village Green Links and the current month’s Calendar. VGHOA.info will evolve as news and information is added. So visit often!
Going Green!
We live in Village Green and now our Village Voice Newsletter has gone green! Although the newsletter was previously made available via the website, hard copies were printed and mailed to the roughly 540 of the Village Green households that had not opted for the online version.
The VGHOA Board recently made the decision to cease hard copy publication of the newsletter in an effort to reduce costs.
Beginning with the February 2011 issue, VGHOA residents and homeowners will be able to access the newsletter on the website only. And that means that the funds that would have been employed to cover the printing and mailing costs can now be applied to other VGHOA community concerns and events.
The newsletter will continue to include information about our local area, activities, events, and other items of importance and interest to VG residents and homeowners. If you have ideas for items to be included, please send an e-mail to vgeditor@gmail.com.
Upcoming VGHOA and VGRA Meetings
The next VGHOA Board meeting is scheduled for 7PM on Monday, May 16 at the St. Andrews United Methodist Church. Residents are encouraged to attend and can contact either Bob Cherry or Dave Malara before the meeting date if they wish to bring something before the Board.
The next VGRA (Village Green Recreation Association) Board meeting is scheduled for 7:15PM on Wednesday, May 18 at the St. Andrews United Methodist Church. Residents are encouraged to attend and can contact Mark Mandel before the meeting if they wish to speak to the Board.
Pool’s Open!
The Village Green pool is open. Hours are from 6AM to 10PM, which also includes the parking lot. To provide for the safety, well-being and enjoyment of all residents and guests who use the pool, there is a list of Safety/Health Regulations. All pool members and guests should be familiar with and abide by the rules. They are posted at the pool house, but you can read them and other important points HERE.
What Do You Know?
How much do we really pay attention to what is around us? We look at things all day long, but do we really see what we’re looking at? How much do we remember? Trivia question: How many street signs identify West Bridge Road? Click for the answer.
Meet the Locals!
You know your neighbors…right? Well, ok, some you just wave at as you head out in the morning or return in the evening. You chat about family or work with others, and some you know well enough to see socially. But Village Green is home to a number of non-human residents as well. Some live in our ponds, some visit our birdfeeders, others that dine on our gardens, and still others just pass through on their way to somewhere else.
One evening last week, as I was about to let my dog out for his last bit of business before bedtime, I thought to put the backyard light on before I opened the door and let him out. And it was a good thing I did because it helped us avoid a potentially nasty fight. You see, my pooch is a rather territorial type and a raccoon had decided to visit the birdfeeders on the shepherd’s hook in my backyard for a free meal. That could have been a nasty chase and fight.
The raccoon was hang
ing upside down and had both paws clamped on the top of a sunflower seed feeder, was shaking it to get the seeds out, and I swear that when he saw me through the glass, he looked at me as if to say, “Hey lady! A little help here?”
In spite of the humorous scene, it caused a certain amount of frustration because I had to tell my pooch he’d just have to “hold it” until the backyard marauder had his fill and left. My pooch clearly wasn’t happy, but he managed to wait the 20 minutes it took for the raccoon to depart and me to feel confident that he had actually left the yard.
Frankly, I was happy the sunflower seed feeder was difficult for the raccoon to open because raccoons are rather clever about getting into things. But I was also annoyed because I’d filled the feeder hoping it would attract some colorful birds to the yard for me to watch. Instead, the raccoon had managed to shake most of the seeds out onto the ground where he could collect and eat them.
So there’s a new tradition at our house now. Each night after dinner, I take the feeders down from the shepherd’s hook and bring them into the house. In the mornings, I refill them and hang them back up so the birds will have some tasty morsels to enjoy throughout the day. With any luck, the raccoon will give up visiting my yard after a few days of finding no free dinners. And my pooch will be happy because his pre-bedtime ritual of policing the yard while doing his business will not be delayed unnecessarily.
Current and Upcoming Events
April 1: Village Green pool is open. Hours are from 6AM to 10PM. A list of Safety/Health regulations is posted at the pool house, but you can read them and other important points HERE. Please take time to review them. They are meant to provide for the safety, well-being and enjoyment of all residents and guests who use the pool.
April 18-22: Spring Break for Charleston County Schools. Please watch out for children enjoying their Spring Break as they ride bikes/scooters and play near or in the street.
May 8: Mother’s Day. Take time to celebrate Mom and all that she does with and for you!
May 16: VGHOA Board meeting at 7PM at St. Andrews United Methodist Church.
May 18: VGRA Board meeting at 7:15PM at St. Andrews United Methodist Church.
June 2: Last Day of School for Charleston County Schools. Please watch out for children enjoying their Summer Break as they ride bikes/scooters and play near the street.
June 14: Flag Day. Display your patriotic nature!
June 19: Father’s Day. Celebrate what Dad means to you!
July 4: Independence Day. A day to celebrate the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Answer to the “What Do You Know?” trivia question:
Well, there is one sign at the entrance to Village Green at Ashley River Road followed by two signs at the Forest Glen/Dartmouth intersection (one on either side). There’s another at Stockbridge, one at Webster, and finally, one at Laurelwood. That’s a total of six (6) signs! Click to return/read the next article in this issue.
Village Green Home Owners Association Information
PRESIDENT: Dave Malara VICE PRESIDENT: Mark Mandel
TREASURER: Matt Dawson, CPA SECRETARY: Bob Borregard
MEMBERS: Buck Taylor, Ed Delaney, Kent Weikel and Donna Quinn
VGHOA and VGRA MANAGED BY: RAVENEL ASSOCIATES, INC.
Bob Cherry, Regime and Association Manager
(843) 352-0300 – bcherry@ravenelassociates.com
www.vghoa.info
