Eleca Newsletter October 2008

ELIZABETH LAKE ESTATES CIVIC ASSOCIATION President Frank Dickseski Vice President Roberta Griffith Secretary Debbie Apperson Co-Treasurers Jim Yonkos Darlene Ward Architectural Teri Jennings Civic Affairs Jan Morison Garden Club Jane Gibson Grounds Frank Ottofaro Neighborhood Watch Pat Brodeur Newsletter Editor Andrea Berndt Newsletter Distribution Carol Lanshe Pool/Swim Team Oscar Alvarez Social Activities: Adult Pat Brodeur Melissa Burnette Social Activities: Children Bridget Breden Laura Ketterman Waterways Renewal Jess Wilkins

Elizabeth Lake Estates Volume 4, Issue 5

Presidential Notes I can’t even believe that summer is over and our kids are back in school. The hustle and bustle of juggling work along with school pickups, soccer, football and other extra-curricular activities is in full swing. The weather is still beautiful, so I hope everyone is continuing to enjoy the “Indian” summer that we are having. It is wonderful to just take a walk or bike ride to the lake and stick your toes in the water. The pool is now closed, but many great times were had by all who came to swim, dive, or just share conversation with old and new friends alike. As always, remember to look for those information signs when you enter the neighborhood! The pool is the center for most of our activities, so keep an eye out for those signs with the detailed dates and times. With November just around the corner, it will be time again to have our ELECA annual neighborhood meeting. If you would like to become a volunteer, provide your civic duty to our neighborhood, or have some creative ideas to share on making our part of town better, please give me a call (851-1899) so that you can become part of the ELECA board. The board meets once a month and works to ensure that Elizabeth Lake Estates is the best neighborhood in Hampton. More information on this important meeting will be forthcoming. In conclusion, just a tip to remember (I know I put this out last month, but after hurricane Ike…) . It is still hurricane season, so ensure you are prepared. Have flashlights, an AM/FM radio, plenty of batteries, first aid kit, bottled water and supplies in the cupboard to last for at least a week. If you are requested to make a mandatory evacuation, do it! If you stay and need help, rescuers will not be able to attempt to save you until after the storm has passed. Also, if you have a generator, be sure you have fuel on hand. It still feels like summer, but autumn is right around the corner!

Web Site Gene Grant Welcome Committee Claire Neubert

October 2008

Frank Dickseski

Architectural Guidelines If you are planning a home addition, fence, dock or other construction projects, be sure to get approval from the Architectural Committee before you start, by contacting Teri Jennings at 851-6789. Covenants may be accessed on the Architectural Control page of the ELECA website at http://elizabethlakeestates.net/

Page 2

Elizabeth Lake Estates

Pool Corner Summer sure went fast. As we start to prepare the pool for winter, it’s nice to reflect back on the good time we had swimming and diving at our delightful pool. The pool ran great this summer. The new hours and pool schedule were well received. The facilities are holding up well, though we had few repairs this year. We even managed to make a little money with guest fees and concessions. We have one of the best pools on the peninsula and yet we still face many challenges. Membership was down this year. Only 20% of Elizabeth Lake Estates residents joined the pool, representing approximately half the total membership. We need to reverse the trend to keep the pool in operation. Keep in mind the value the pool adds to our neighborhood. The pool serves as the center for neighborhood activities, giving everyone an opportunity to get out and meet neighbors. It fosters a sense of community and family in the neighborhood. The pool is one of the reasons Elizabeth Lake Estates is a great place to live. In order to sustain our pool we will need to work together and make it happen. Take some time to consider how you can be involved with the pool this coming year. Think about what the pool has meant for you and your family over the years. Wouldn’t you want others to share that experience and sense of community? Come to the annual meeting, hear what is going on in our community, and get involved. Make the decision to help make our pool the place to be next summer!

Swim Team Blog The Tideriders offers a well rounded, values centered program promoting teamwork and sportsmanship .

It’s not too early to secure your spot on the Elizabeth Lakes Tideriders swim team for next year. There’s no minimum age requirement and youths up to 18 years of age may join. No special swimming skills are required. Let our professional coaches strengthen your child’s swim skills next summer! This is a great way to make new friends and get physically fit. The team will practice every morning, Monday through Friday. The Elizabeth Lakes Tideriders have had a strong presence and long standing tradition of competitive swimming in Hampton. The team is committed to offering a top notch swim program with an emphasis on teaching the value of competition through teamwork, sportsmanship and striving to do one’s best. The Tideriders offer a well-rounded, values-centered program for every member, from the youngest and newest to our veteran senior swimmers. Our goal is to be the best swim team in our division and set the standard for competitive swimming in Hampton WHILE HAVING F-U-N! Contact Jennifer Denton at [email protected] or Teri Jennings at [email protected] for more information. See you at the pool!

New Faces in the Neighborhood Welcome back to the neighborhood ! Trudy Newland & Dick Rathjen 354 Agecroft Ct 851-8838 When new neighbors move in, please contact Claire Neubert (325-8551) or [email protected] so she can officially welcome them to the neighborhood.

Page 3

Elizabeth Lake Estates

News Bites

Mayflower Marathon Food Drive on Sunday, 23 November

The dredging project is currently awaiting review by the Corps of Engineers and environmental specialists. Be patient and stay tuned! Nominations are in progress to fill upcoming vacancies on the ELECA Board. If you are interested in serving, please contact Frank Dickseski at 851-1899. If asked to serve, please say “Yes!” Also, please welcome Jan Morison as our new Civic Affairs chair and Pat Brodeur as Neighborhood Watch chair. Garden Club kicked off a new season in September. The next meeting will be on 14 October, featuring a program on organic gardening and composting. To join the fun, contact Jane Gibson (850-3167) or Sue Han (851-0017). Congratulations to our Yard of the Month winners for August, Peter and Molly Edgette at 503 Brafferton Circle and September, Jack and Linda Ezzell at 406 Midlothian Square. The evaluations are in, and Elizabeth Lake Estates was rated the #1 Neighborhood Pride Tour during the Neighborhoods USA National Conference. Thank you to Olive Johnston, Sue Edgette and the Elizabeth Lake Garden Club for all your hard work and making us all look good. Thanks to all the volunteers who participated in September’s International Coastal Cleanup event. We provided over 20 volunteer hours of service and removed approximately 500 pounds of debris from our waterway. Keep up the good work! The next Adopt a Spot will be conducted on 21 October. Contact Andrea Berndt (850-8141) to participate. International Food Night and the Ice Cream Social were a big hit. Hurricane Hanna put a damper on the Chili Cook Off, so you’ll have another year to perfect that potentially award winning chili recipe. A select group enjoyed a pork roast smothered in sauerkraut dinner, accompanied by beer and wine at the neighborhood Oktoberfest. Be sure to join us for the Season Ending TGIF on Fri, 3 October at 6:30pm. Let’s finish the season on a high note and let Melissa Burnette know how much we appreciate all the time and effort she’s put in to neighborhood social activities. Congratulations to Jane Gibson for taking second place in the Neptune Festival Surfing Competition, Open Body Board Division. You go girl! Elizabeth Lake’s 8th annual Mayflower Marathon Food Drive to benefit the Foodbank of Southeastern VA will take place on Sunday, 23 November. Please place nonperishable food items or frozen turkeys on the curb by your house by 12 noon on Sunday, 23 November. Donations of nonperishable food items (sorry, no turkeys) may also be dropped off at 353 Level Green Ct anytime on the 21st or 22nd of November. For more information call Rebecca Mahan at 851-7088. The Kecoughtan Homecoming Parade will begin on Friday, October 10th at 4PM. Please come out to see exhibitions from our talented marching band, NJROTC drill teams, flag line, dance line, cheerleaders, step team and other clubs! The parade will leave the Kecoughtan High School student parking lot and travel down Club Run to Elizabeth Lake Drive, proceed to Bromley Road, across Fox Hill Road, continue down Willow Oaks Boulevard, and end at Gosnold's Hope Park! Come cheer us to victory on Saturday, October 11th at 2PM at Darling Stadium as we battle the Heritage Hurricanes!

Volume 4, Issue 5

Page 4

October 2008 Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

1

2

3 Last

4

TGIF 6:30 PM

5

6

7

8

9

10 Kecoughtan Parade

11 Kecoughtan Homecoming

Schedule of Events

• 3 Oct- Season Ending TGIF 6:30 PM at the pool. Bring an appetizer to share and let’s finish off the left-over beverages!

12

13

14 Garden 15 Club 9:30 AM

16

17

18

• 10 Oct- Kecoughtan Homecoming Parade begins at KHS at 4 PM

19

20

21 Adopt a 22

23

24

25

• 11 Oct- Kecoughtan HS Homecoming Game 2 PM Darling Stadium

30

31

Spot

26

27

28

29

• 14 Oct- Garden Club 9:30 AM Organic Gardening & Composting

Halloween

• 21 Oct– Adopt a Spot

November 2008 Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

• 31 Oct– Halloween Trick or Treat

Fri

Sat 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

• 11 Nov– Garden Club 9:30 AM Field trip to Wild Birds Unlimited • 13 Nov– Elizabeth Lake Estates Annual Neighborhood Meeting 7 PM Kecoughtan High School Library/ Media Center • 18 Nov– Adopt a Spot

9

16

10

17

11 Garden 12

13 Annual 14

Club 9:30 AM

Meeting

18 Adopt

19

20

21

15

22

a Spot

23 Food Drive

30

24

25

• 23 Nov– Mayflower Marathon Food Drive Place nonperishable food/frozen turkeys curbside by 12 noon • 27 Nov– Thanksgiving

26

27 Thanksgiving

28

29

Volume 4, Issue 5

Page 5

TINA CHRISMON… Your Neighborhood REALTOR “Bringing Great People & Great Homes Together For More than 22 Years!!”

Associate Broker, CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES Direct: 846-4194 Office: 723-3000 ext. 212 Email: [email protected] On the Web at: www.tina4homes.com

RE/MAX Peninsula

ELIZABETH LAKE ESTATES MARKET UPDATE Provided by Tina Chrismon… Your Neighborhood REALTOR CURRENTLY FOR SALE Address

Bedrooms

361 Hopemont Cir. 338 Ambler Ct.

4 5

Baths

Sq. Ft

List Price

2.5 2.5

2100 2300

$264,950 $268,500

Sales Price

CURRENTLY UNDER CONTRACT Address

514 Elizabeth Lake Dr.

Bed / Bath

Sq. Ft.

List Price

3/ 2

1798

$324,900

Inside Story Headline

Information was obtained from the Multiple Listing Service and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Square footage is approximate.

JUST MOVED!!! I am happy to announce that I have moved to the Hampton RE/MAX office. RE/MAX Select is located at 46 W. Mercury Blvd. just past King Street. You can expect the same great service with a more convenient location to better serve you. If you are thinking about making a move, please give me a call today at 757-846-4194. I would be delighted to go over a personalized marketing plan tailored to your specific needs and the current market.

Elizabeth Lake Estates Annual Meeting The annual Elizabeth Lake Estates neighborhood meeting will be at 7 PM on Thursday, 13 November at Kecoughtan High School Library/Media Center. Come hear what your board has accomplished over the past year. Find out how your money has been spent and the proposed budget for the upcoming year. Let your voice be heard… Vote on the new slate of officers. If you have any questions or wish to discuss items for the agenda, contact Frank Dickseski at 851-1899.

The ELECA Newsletter– The glue that keeps the neighborhood together!

Grounds Watch ELIZABETH LAKE ESTATES CIVIC ASSOCIATION

PO Box 1726 Hampton, VA 23669

We’re on the Web! http://elizabethlakeestates.net/

Virginia State Neighborhood of the Year

With summer break over, fall is quickly approaching. It will take everyone in Elizabeth Lakes to keep up with our yards as branches fall, hedges and bushes need trimming, and leaves begin dropping. We have a few areas that need our direct attention as a community. Leaves and yard debris should be picked up routinely to ensure they do not collect in ditches or curb areas where storm water flows each time it rains. Take a look at your trees and bushes to see if they are hanging over the sidewalks. Trim them back to provide readily accessible sidewalks and promote visibility for traffic. It’s a safety issue. Please do not place any yard debris and other trash out by the curb until the night before the trash collection day. This includes branches, bags of leaves, boxes, trash and recycling containers, and basically anything else that is considered trash for disposal. In accordance with our landscaping contract, we have our common area hedges trimmed a total of three times per season. A regular trimming consists of approximately 12 to 14 inches only. Anything more than this results in additional cost and will require an association vote for more money to be allocated. Please do not attempt to instruct the contractor regarding the trimming of common area hedges. If you have concerns, contact Frank Ottofaro at 38-9050. Please do NOT feed the ducks and geese. Water fowl and birds in general carry many diseases. Their feces pollute our waterways and pose a health hazard. While we cannot control wildlife, there is no need to encourage congregation of large flocks by feeding them. Each year we try to improve areas needing the most attention due to age and appearance. Within a few months the pool parking lot and shed will undergo a transformation. The asphalt parking lot at the pool will be sealed and top coated. Two handicapped parking spaces will be designated near the sidewalk leading to the pool’s front entrance and all the remaining parking spaces lines repainted. The shed behind the pool will be renovated, with ELECA paying only the cost of materials. All labor for the shed will be done by neighborhood volunteers.

Parting Shots The Hampton Health Department will administer flu vaccinations to the public on Tuesday, 7 Oct from 8 to 11 a.m.; Friday, 10 Oct from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.; Friday, 17 Oct from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. and Tuesday, 21 Oct from 8 to 11 a.m. Call 727-1172 for an appointment. Cost is $ 30.00. The Hampton Health Department will direct bill Medicare, Anthem or Medicaid. Pneumococcal vaccine is also available through the Hampton Health Department immunization clinic. The clinic operates on a walk- in basis Monday through Friday from 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $45.00 and may be billed to Medicare, Medicaid or Blue Cross / Blue Shield. The Hampton Health Department is located at 3130 Victoria Blvd.