Town Crier Articles

 

Gratus is the Latin word for thankful, each is reflective of a single word that denotes a state of mind—and for the wise, a perpetual state.  “Be thankful for what you have, and you will be thankful for much,” the saying goes. Maybe a little schmaltzy, but none the less true, as there are always great blessings in life for those who take the time to tally them. And we are now in the great gold and russet month of thankfulness and gratitude that ushers in that joyous time of year when, as Dickens wrote, “…Want is keenly felt and abundance rejoices.” Let the tally begin for our abundance is considerable. 

 

We are a flawed nation, but a great, none the less; and in comparison to the rest of the ranging world, fortunate, indeed. Our ancestors recognized this truth and saw the need to be thankful, just up the road on scenic Route 5, where the true “First Thanksgiving” was celebrated at Virginia’s Berkeley Plantation. The Plymouth Pilgrims, despite the media hype, trailed the First Virginians by years in celebrating a day of thankfulness and prayer--but both communities, while differing in religious scope, saw the need and honored it. So, our ancestors, and very near neighbors, seized this one day in November (well, okay, it was actually in December,) as one in which an “attitude of gratitude” was righteous and due.  Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!

 

November-December Events:  

The New Town Residential Association (NTRA) Activities Committee is planning a Dessert Fest/Bake Off to be held on December 7th from 6:00-8:00pm at Legacy Hall. The entire community is invited to sample baked goods of the holiday and non-holiday variety. Visit the related Town Crier article for more information and to register as a contestant or judge!

 

A popular local publication, Next Door Neighbor Magazine, is a treasure trove of interesting people and businesses in our area and offers an online calendar of events for the city and county-at-large that is chockful of details for each event showcased.  All you need do is click on the link below to open the calendar, scroll through to each day for a list of that day’s events, and click on the event for details.  A special shout out here for Heritage Humane Society’s Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, November 19th, from 9-3 pm, at Bruton Parish Hall.

 

For information on holiday events offered by New Town Commercial Association, please see the article regarding the same in this issue of The New Town Crier and visit their website. 

 

Some Thanksgiving-themed entries for the month: 

 

Holiday Riddle: What is a mathematician’s favorite food on Thanksgiving? (Answer below.)

 

Curious Thanksgiving Info: An estimated 50 million pumpkin pies are eaten every November.

 

Historical Thanksgiving Fact: Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday on October 3, 1863. Sarah Josepha Hale, the woman who wrote “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” convinced Lincoln to make Thanksgiving a national holiday--after writing letters to institute this day of national gratitude for 17 years.

 

Holiday Hack: Thanksgiving is about being grateful and spending time with loved ones. If your meal doesn’t turn out perfectly or the house is decorated on time, don’t let that spoil your enjoyment of your family and friends.  Don’t forget to relax and enjoy the holiday, too!

 

Black Friday Hack: Use a Credit Card, not Your Debit!  If you make a purchase online Black Friday without being totally sure of the seller, be sure to use a credit card. In general, you have zero liability to pay for a fraudulent transaction. Even if you hit one of the rare exceptions to this policy, federal law says you are not liable for more than $50. Remember: Using a debit card online gives thieves direct access to your bank account(s)—the funds from which you may be entirely responsible for despite being withdrawn without your permission.

 

 

Pet Care:  Cooked bones from any animal should never be given to your dog, but especially turkey bones or chicken bones. Any kind of cooked bone will splinter when your dog chews on it. Turkey bones and chicken bones are especially brittle, and will break into small, sharp pieces when they are chewed.                                                         

 

Riddle Answer:  Pumpkin Pi

 

(757) 817-0245 (Direct) | (757) 229-4400 (Office)
Carmen.Hamner@longandfoster.com

 

October has come and gone, leaving behind crisp, cooler air, colorful foliage and sightings of pumpkins and mums on porches. Preparing your home now for the colder months ahead will help prevent costly repairs later and keep your home running in good condition all winter. 

 

We’ve put together a few tips to make your home a warm, safe and comfortable place to enjoy with friends and family. It’s also a good idea to keep a record of your home maintenance routine for your own use or to pass to the next owner of your home should you sell it. 

 

Turn off exterior faucets. Drain the water from your outdoor faucets and garden hoses after turning off the exterior faucets from inside the house. Water in pipes can freeze easily, which can cause pipes to burst. 

 

Clear gutters and downspouts. Leaves, branches and other debris can clog gutters, causing water and ice to collect under your shingles, potentially damaging your roof. Clean outside drains of leaves to prevent water back-ups into your basement.

 

Schedule a furnace tune-up. Stay toasty during the approaching cold weather and save money on energy bills by having your system checked now to avoid outages and potentially costly repairs later.

 

Clean humidifiers and change filters. Prevent bacteria and mold from polluting your indoor air by cleaning your humidifier and changing its filter.

 

Reverse ceiling fans. Switch the direction of your ceiling fans clockwise and run them at a low speed to push warm air down, which will save on energy bills.

 

Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Press the “test” button on your alarms to verify they work. If they don’t work, replace the battery. If they still don’t work, replace the unit rather than waiting until it chirps in the middle of the night.

 

Have additional cold-weather preparation tips? Share them with us in the comments! 

 

 

With the end of this year approaching, it is time for the Finance Committee and the Board of Directors (BOD) to tackle next year’s budget.  This is no small task given the impact of inflation and the uncertainties surrounding Village Walk, both continued maintenance and the potential turnover of common areas.

 

The Board is holding the line on costs where possible. To help with the workload for our management company, more administrative support is needed. Additionally, staffing at the pool next summer will be increased for weekends and holidays. Significant BMP maintenance and repairs will be funded from the NTRA reserve fund. Do not forget to attend the Budget Town Hall Meeting at Legacy Hall on November 16th to hear all the details.

 

Due to the on-going maintenance challenges, the BOD has been negotiating with Eagle Construction to come up with an agreeable solution to roof and siding issues in Village Walk.  We have made some progress in that regard and hope to see the start of roof repairs very soon.  

 

The Williamsburg Area Transit Authority (WATA) has informed the Association that they are planning to increase their bus service through New Town.  They propose additional stops on Casey Boulevard and more frequent service.  This new service has already been approved by James City County, City of Williamsburg and the WATA Board.  Two options for an inbound route stop on Casey Boulevard (Bus Route 15) are possible. Please see the related Crier article and direct any questions and/or comments to:  goWATA.org.

 

Once again we would like to give a big thank you to the Activities Committee for the great job they did with the Fall Funfest!  They had a great turnout and the multigenerational attendees really enjoyed themselves.  There is one remaining Dessert Fest planned for December.  Each event is a great way to meet your neighbors and make new friends.  Don’t miss out!

 

See more of the Board’s news from this month in the Crier articles on the October 18th Special Meeting and the selection of a new landscape contractor.

 

My term as a Director ends in December.  It has been an interesting and enlightening year.  I urge you to consider running for election to the 2023-2024 Board of Directors. 

 

 

Williamsburg Area Transit Authority (WATA) is soliciting feedback on upcoming route changes in your area. As a result of a Transit Consolidation Study, the proposed changes include restructuring WATA’s existing Route 5 and Route 14 services resulting in a new route that will go through your area: Route 12. In 2020, we discontinued our trolley service due to COVID-19. Route 12 will serve as its replacement, becoming a full-service fixed route. Due to the restructuring of the routes, WATA would like to hear your feedback on a couple of proposed new stop locations, especially the two inbound route options on Casey Boulevard in the residential community. 

 

On Route 12’s outbound trip beginning at the Williamsburg Transportation Center, WATA is proposing new stop locations in the following places: 

o   Center St at Casey Blvd. 

o   Casey Blvd at Settlers Market (Actual intersection is unnamed street- Petco/Which Wich) 

 

On Route 12’s inbound trip heading back towards the Williamsburg Transportation Center, WATA is proposing new stop locations in the following places: 

o   Casey Blvd at Settlers Market

o   Casey Blvd at Center St.

or

o   Casey Blvd at Foundation St.

 

These route changes will provide increased access to public transit by providing service more frequently to the New Town area. Each bus stop will be marked with signage only and buses will stop in the road.

 

These route changes are planned to go into effect as of November 14, 2022. 

 

Your feedback is important to help WATA ensure that the new stop locations provide safe and effective service to your area. Please email all questions and comments to Ben Goodill, Director of Planning and Administration at Info@gowata.org, no later than November 9th, 2022

 

October 18th Special Members Meeting to Vote on Revised Documents – Why Was the Vote Continued?  

 

The first phase of our vote for revised Governing Documents took place from September 6th to October 18th.  The results were inconclusive because less than 300 owners voted. This total was announced at the meeting and included all the electronic, absentee and in-person votes as of that date. Due to the lack of participation, the Special Meeting was continued beyond the October 18, 2022 meeting date.  

 

There is still time for you to participate and vote!

 

Generally, the voting for a set of revised HOA governing documents can be a drawn-out affair – averaging 8 to 12 months in many cases.  The Board of Directors hoped to conclude the vote in time for our 2023 budget preparation because the revised documents would change the assessment methodology. Since a new budget must be approved by December 1, 2022, we plan to prepare assessments based on our current documents and await the final vote results. 

 

There have been a few questions about the continuation or adjournment of a Special Meeting under Roberts Rule of Order. Here are some facts to help you sort out this process.

Recall that in 2020 the first NTRA homeowner Board of Directors extended the vote for the First Amendment to the Master Declaration (related to Savannah Square) in order to gather enough “yes” votes to pass the amendment. (Please see the Town Criers of June, July, August and September 2020 for how this was handled – https://www.ntrawilliamsburg.org/news-articles/)  

 

However, in the current election NO ONE HAS COUNTED THE BALLOTS OR IS TRACKING THE FOR AND AGAINST VOTES.  The electronic votes are locked in the ezVote software system and Chesapeake Bay Management has control of the paper ballots as part of their professional responsibility.  We are holding a secured, honest and fair election that has not yet been called.

 

The Association needs sufficient New Town wide participation to determine the will of most owners. Ballots from less than half of our 618 lot owners do not do that.

 

Owner apathy hurts everyone in our community. Get involved! Use an absentee ballot or your electronic ballot link from ezVote to let your voice be heard.

 

 

Applicants are needed to stand for election for 2023-24. Send a one-page application with: your name, contact information, neighborhood, background/suitability for the Board, reason for serving on the Board to the NTRA Board secretary – ntra.secretary@gmail.com no later than November 4th.

Committee Openings:

Send an email to ntrawebsitecommittee@gmail.com to express interest in any of these Committee positions and we will put you in touch with the Committee chair. 

 

Landscaping Update: New Landscaping Contractor and Our Area’s Plant Diseases 

 

The largest single cost for the New Town Residential Association’s (NTRA) is landscaping. This past spring we began a process for finding the best possible and affordable landscaping provider for the Association during the next three years. 

 

This process began with the Landscape Advisory Committee’s (LAC) development of a comprehensive Request for Proposal (RFP). They used their landscaping experience in New Town, past New Town landscaping surveys, and sample RFPs from other communities in the area to draft a new NTRA RFP. Next, the Board of Directors reviewed this document and ensured that it reflected the community’s expectations for landscaping services.

 

Five Williamsburg area landscaping contractors received the RFP and were invited to participate in a comprehensive tour of our community.  Each of our neighborhoods were visited during the tour and their specific landscaping needs were explained.  

 

We subsequently received four bids. The pricing and level of services of the four proposals were judiciously compared and evaluated.  The two contractors with the best proposals were selected for interviews.  The Board used these meetings to clarify services and pricing as well as communicate our community’s landscaping policies and expectations.  While the providers were preparing their best and final offers, each of their references were contacted for recommendations.  These recommendations and the contractors final submissions were evaluated and used to select the 2023-2025 NTRA landscaping provider.

 

During our October Board meeting, the NTRA Board approved James River Grounds Management as our next landscaping service provider. James River has been invited to meet the community at a meeting on November 21 in Legacy Hall.

 

One of the first services that James River Grounds Management will be providing is a comprehensive audit of the entire NTRA community. This will help prepare them for providing services to the community in 2023 and will also give the Association the information needed for the LAC to develop a draft five-year plan for landscaping improvements.

 

Hundreds of volunteer hours were spent developing the landscaping RFP and evaluating these proposals. This effort has resulted in the selection of the best and most affordable landscaping services for our community.

 

 

Knock Out Roses arguably have the most flower power of just about any shrub available in Virginia.  As reported in the July 2022 Town Crier, and first identified by VLL in February 2021, many of the Knock Out roses in New Town have become infected with the Rose Rosette disease which is carried by a tiny mite (Phyllocoptes fructiphylus) that travels by crawling, through air currents, or on clothing and equipment. The mites feed and reproduce on the tips of new growth of rose bushes. The disease causes deformation and discoloration of the bush.  There is no treatment for this disease and trimming back the infected roses will have no effect as the virus remains in the stocks, roots, and in the ground.

 

The LAC has completed an inventory of all NTRA homes where the disease is present. These homeowners will be formally notified to remove these bushes no later than June 1, 2023. The only solution is to completely remove the bushes and the roots of the infected plant. At this point, only the Knock Out roses in New Town have been infected, but this virus is also known to attack all Rose varieties.  No roses should be replanted in the area.

 

The NTRA will be removing all diseased Knock Out roses from our common areas. We have asked the New Town Commercial Association to similarly eradicate their diseased bushes.

 

Unfortunately this is not the only plant disease problem that we have in New Town.

 

 

Our community has also been attacked by crepe myrtle bark scale (Acanthococcus
lagerstroemiae). See April 2022 Crier Article. While it is not a fatal disease, it really stresses the crepe myrtles.  Infected trees bloom later in the spring and the blooms tend to be much smaller and fewer than trees that are not infected.  In addition, many of the limbs die and the and the black bark with the white scale becomes an eye sore.

 

The NTRA is now treating all crepe myrtles in our Association common areas. However, homeowners are responsible for treating their own infected crepe myrtles.  You can tell if your crepe myrtle has been infected by examining the bark. If it is black and has small white specks on it, it has been infected. You may also see snow white crawlers moving up and down the limbs.  If you crush the crawlers or white specks, they will turn blood red. 

 

Inspect your trees and treat them now! Crepe myrtle bark scale is treated by washing as many of the blackened branches as possible with a mild detergent and then spraying an oil on the infected bark. The soil around the crepe myrtle can also be treated with a soil drench of imidacloprid or dinotefuran when crepe myrtles begin to leaf out in the spring.  Fertilizer can also be applied at that time to help the tree remain healthy.

Working together as a community on both infestation problems will help keep our plantings healthy and beautiful.

 

 

Join your neighbors for a Dessert Fest & Bake Off at Legacy Hall, December 7, 6:00-8:00PM.

 

This event, which will help kick off the holiday season in New Town, includes a Bake Off and a Dessert Fest. The Activities Committee is seeking New Towners interested in competing in a baking contest featuring both holiday and non-holiday desserts.  On December 7 at Legacy Hall, Bake-Off participants will present their baked goods in two categories: bars/cookies and cakes/cupcakes, and New Town resident judges will pick winners, who will receive gift certificates. New Towners who want to serve as judges, and bake-off contestants need to pre-register on the New Town Residential Association website. 

 

The entire community is invited to the Dessert Fest, where they will have the opportunity to taste samples of the submitted baked goods as well as desserts from local bakeries. Coffee and water will be provided in addition to the desserts, and there will be seating for attendees to relax with neighbors and new friends and enjoy the goodies. No registration is required to attend and sample! 

 

We look forward to another opportunity to gather with neighbors! Remember, if you want to be a bake-off contestant or judge, make sure to register!

 

 

Santa is coming to New Town!

Free photos with Santa in front of Regal New Town:

Saturdays & Sundays

11AM-4PM Each Day

Nov. 26-27

Dec. 3-4

Dec. 10-11

Dec. 17-18

 

For the most up to date information, check the New Town Commercial Association website, Facebook, or Instagram!

 

 

 

I never had much interest in cars, especially antique cars, until a trip to Staunton a few years ago. There was an antique car museum downtown run by Bruce Elder, perhaps the most personable man I’ve ever met. My wife and I had the first of several wonderful visits with Bruce, and we became more than acquaintances.

 

Sadly, Bruce passed away a couple of years ago, and Staunton is a bit too far for the purposes of this exercise. That doesn’t mean there isn’t something similar out there that you could enjoy.

Reader Mark Johansson contacted us about the possibility of publishing a nationwide map of auto museums that he has compiled.

 

 

It’s an impressive collection, but one of many that stood out to me is in Colonial Heights, slightly more than one hour’s drive from New Town. The Keystone Truck & Tractor Museum encompasses more than 125,000 square feet of memories. Despite its name, the museum offers far more than farm equipment, including antique road trucks, classic cars, vintage gas pumps, oil cans, automotive signage, clocks, and advertising posters of yesteryear.

 

Hundreds of farm tractors are on display in this private collection dating from 1917 through 1960. The Keystone Museum’s collection features rare tractors such as the UDLX Minneapolis Moline (only 25 known restored today) and the Sampson Jumbo, Silver Kings, and a Graham Bradley farm tractor that was sold by Sears, Robuck and Co., and Allis-Chalmer’s. Plus, there’s a lineup of the Massey Harris, Massy Ferguson, Farmall, Case, and Oliver farm tractors. Finally, there’s the Cockshutt farm tractor, showcasing the model 30, 40, 50 & 70.

 

The Museum collection is ever changing and growing. It’s a fun way to learn about the evolution of agriculture in America. To get there, take I-64 W, then I-295 S to VA-36 W/Oaklawn Blvd in Hopewell. Take exit 9B from I-295 S. Then take VA-144 N/Temple Ave to W Roslyn Rd in Colonial Heights.

For more information, visit this website: https://keystonetractorworks.com/, or phone 804 524 0020.

 

 

Gratus is the Latin word for thankful, each is reflective of a single word that denotes a state of mind—and for the wise, a perpetual state.  “Be thankful for what you have, and you will be thankful for much,” the saying goes. Maybe a little schmaltzy, but none the less true, as there are always great blessings in life for those who take the time to tally them. And we are now in the great gold and russet month of thankfulness and gratitude that ushers in that joyous time of year when, as Dickens wrote, “…Want is keenly felt and abundance rejoices.” Let the tally begin for our abundance is considerable. 

 

We are a flawed nation, but a great, none the less; and in comparison to the rest of the ranging world, fortunate, indeed. Our ancestors recognized this truth and saw the need to be thankful, just up the road on scenic Route 5, where the true “First Thanksgiving” was celebrated at Virginia’s Berkeley Plantation. The Plymouth Pilgrims, despite the media hype, trailed the First Virginians by years in celebrating a day of thankfulness and prayer--but both communities, while differing in religious scope, saw the need and honored it. So, our ancestors, and very near neighbors, seized this one day in November (well, okay, it was actually in December,) as one in which an “attitude of gratitude” was righteous and due.  Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!

 

November-December Events:  

The New Town Residential Association (NTRA) Activities Committee is planning a Dessert Fest/Bake Off to be held on December 7th from 6:00-8:00pm at Legacy Hall. The entire community is invited to sample baked goods of the holiday and non-holiday variety. See the Town Crier Article in this edition for more information!

 

A popular local publication, Next Door Neighbor Magazine, is a treasure trove of interesting people and businesses in our area and offers an online calendar of events for the city and county-at-large that is chockfull of details for each event showcased.  All you need do is click on the link below to open the calendar, scroll through to each day for a list of that day’s events, and click on the event for details.  A special shout out here for Heritage Humane Society’s Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, November 19th, from 9-3 pm, at Bruton Parish Hall.

 

For information on holiday events offered by New Town Commercial Association, please see the article regarding the same in this issue of The New Town Crier and visit their website. 

 

Some Thanksgiving-themed entries for the month: 

 

Holiday Riddle: What is a mathematician’s favorite food on Thanksgiving? (Answer below.)

 

Curious Thanksgiving Info: An estimated 50 million pumpkin pies are eaten every November.

 

Historical Thanksgiving Fact: Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday on October 3, 1863. Sarah Josepha Hale, the woman who wrote “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” convinced Lincoln to make Thanksgiving a national holiday--after writing letters to institute this day of national gratitude for 17 years.

 

Holiday Hack: Thanksgiving is about being grateful and spending time with loved ones. If your meal doesn’t turn out perfectly or the house is decorated on time, don’t let that spoil your enjoyment of your family and friends.  Don’t forget to relax and enjoy the holiday, too!

 

Black Friday Hack: Use a Credit Card, not Your Debit!  If you make a purchase online Black Friday without being totally sure of the seller, be sure to use a credit card. In general, you have zero liability to pay for a fraudulent transaction. Even if you hit one of the rare exceptions to this policy, federal law says you are not liable for more than $50. Remember: Using a debit card online gives thieves direct access to your bank account(s)—the funds from which you may be entirely responsible for despite being withdrawn without your permission.

 

Pet Care:  Cooked bones from any animal should never be given to your dog, but especially turkey bones or chicken bones. Any kind of cooked bone will splinter when your dog chews on it. Turkey bones and chicken bones are especially brittle, and will break into small, sharp pieces when they are chewed.                                                         

 

Riddle Answer:  Pumpkin Pi

 

 

The below is an excerpt from an article by Carmen Hamner, Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

(757) 817-0245 (Direct) | (757) 229-4400 (Office)
Carmen.Hamner@longandfoster.com

 

October has come and gone, leaving behind crisp, cooler air, colorful foliage and sightings of pumpkins and mums on porches. Preparing your home now for the colder months ahead will help prevent costly repairs later and keep your home running in good condition all winter. 

 

We’ve put together a few tips to make your home a warm, safe and comfortable place to enjoy with friends and family. It’s also a good idea to keep a record of your home maintenance routine for your own use or to pass to the next owner of your home should you sell it. 

 

Turn off exterior faucets. Drain the water from your outdoor faucets and garden hoses after turning off the exterior faucets from inside the house. Water in pipes can freeze easily, which can cause pipes to burst. 

 

Clear gutters and downspouts. Leaves, branches and other debris can clog gutters, causing water and ice to collect under your shingles, potentially damaging your roof. Clean outside drains of leaves to prevent water back-ups into your basement.

 

Schedule a furnace tune-up. Stay toasty during the approaching cold weather and save money on energy bills by having your system checked now to avoid outages and potentially costly repairs later.

 

Clean humidifiers and change filters. Prevent bacteria and mold from polluting your indoor air by cleaning your humidifier and changing its filter.

 

Reverse ceiling fans. Switch the direction of your ceiling fans clockwise and run them at a low speed to push warm air down, which will save on energy bills.

 

Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Press the “test” button on your alarms to verify they work. If they don’t work, replace the battery. If they still don’t work, replace the unit rather than waiting until it chirps in the middle of the night.

 

Have additional cold-weather preparation tips? Share them with us in the comments! 

 

 

Budget Town Hall -   Wednesday, November 16, 2022 – 6:30PM

Briefing on proposed 2023 NTRA budget. 

Legacy Hall

 

(tentative) BOD Candidate Forum and Landscape Briefing – Monday, November 21, 2022 (Time TBD)

Meet our new landscape contractor and hear from those NTRA Members running for the upcoming Board of Directors election.

Legacy Hall 

 

Annual Members Meeting – Wednesday, December 14, 2022 – 6:30PM

Annual meeting of the Members of the NTRA 

Legacy Hall

 

 

   

On a recent Saturday afternoon, under a bright fall sky and mild temperatures, peals of laughter rang out across the Village Walk green, as a large crowd of New Town residents joined in the fun of an old-fashioned Fall Festival.  Families with children, young adults and seniors wandered across the green, which was decorated by scare crows, ghosts, and pumpkins.  They munched on popcorn, cookies, and apples and drank cider as they enjoyed a wide array of games and races, an obstacle course, pumpkin painting, and New Town’s version of a cake walk.  Residents mingled and met neighbors, and parents enjoyed watching their kids burn off energy and having fun playing traditional games, often joining in themselves.  

 

At one location, children and the audience watching them loved the game, Pie Face Showdown, during which two kids competed at pounding a button to see who could be the first to get a lever attached to a hand to toss whipped on their opponent’s face.  The “victim” often gratefully licked the whipped cream off their cheeks and begged to try again.  The three sets of the New Town version of  the traditional cake walk were also a crowd favorite.  Adults and children competed in the cake walk to win a giant cookie cake by walking to music in a large circle around fourteen numbered signs decorated with images of fall and Halloween.  When the music stopped everyone scrambled for a number, with our smaller residents aided sometimes by volunteer Virginia Barch.  Resident Rick Byrnes, who provided music for the event, called out a number picked from a hat, and the person who was at that number left the circle but was rewarded with a cupcake and a round of applause from the crowd.  Round and round New Towners marched to the music, starting, and stopping fourteen times before the winner, the last contestant in the circle, won the cookie cake.  

 

Adults played cornhole and croquet, while children ran from game to game, collecting candy at each attempt at ring toss, bean bag toss, splash toss, shark toss and Halloween bucket toss.  Kids and even several moms took on the obstacle course, which involved crawling through two tunnels, moving across a line of boxes without touching the grass and stretching themselves doing the limbo by bending backwards under a pole held by volunteer Eden Glenn.  Little ones enjoyed  building and knocking down houses constructed with cardboard bricks and kids and even some grownups giggled as they raced each other in old-fashioned flour sacks and in a competition requiring pushing a ball with a broom into a bucket. Finally pumpkin painting appealed to residents of all ages.  

 

The fifteen volunteers, including members of the Activities Committee, who made the event possible, also had a fun afternoon. Volunteer Vicki Mahr shared with the  event organizers “some unsolicited feedback from Cora (8 yrs) – ace frisbee thrower! . . . “This is so much fun, I’m really glad we came!’”

 

 

It’s Fall in Virginia, time for an amazing array of festivals. Crab, apple, and pumpkin are the biggies, of course. But here are some others likely not as well-known but are within easy driving distance.

 

Suffolk Peanut Fest: It’s the 44th annual event, a four-day affair that features a parade, amusement rides and concerts. Here’s something you don’t see every day: A peanut butter sculpting contest. Times are 4-10 p.m. on October 6, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Oct. 7 and 8, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Oct. 9. Festival grounds are at the Suffolk Executive Airport, 1410 Airport Road, Suffolk. Tickets start at $5. For more information, visit this website: suffolkpeanutfest.com or phone 757-539-6751.

 

Mac and Cheese Festival: No, seriously, there is such a thing. This version features more than 15 vendors serving more than 40 styles of every kid’s favorite meal (kids at heart, too). There’s a cheese fry bar, a giant beer garden, and an actual contest to see who does it better than the rest. Tickets start at $14.99. The event takes place from 2 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 8, on Norfolk’s Waterside Drive, 333 Waterside Drive in downtown. For more information, visit this website: tinyurl.com/macandcheesefest or phone 757-426-7433.

 

 

Oyster Fest: I’m not an oyster-eating guy, but I’m smart enough to realize I’m in the distinct minority. That makes the upcoming Oyster Crush Charity Fundraiser hosted by the Cape Henry Rotary Foundation a big deal. The menu includes oysters and barbecue, Orange Crush and beer. Dance the afternoon away to get rid of the extra calories. Tickets are $75; for people 21 and older. The event takes place Oct. 9 from 1 to 6 p.m. at Ballyhoos, 2865 Lynnhaven Drive, Virginia Beach. For more information, visit this website: oystercrush.com, or phone 757-412-4441.

 

Norfolk Fall Beer Fest: Noon to 5 p.m. on Oct. 8. at Cogans Pizza North, 4311 Colley Avenue. Tickets are $30. For more information, visit this website: cogansbeerfest.com or phone 757-627-6428.

 

Yorktown Market Days’ Fall Festival: The event takes place on Oct. 8, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Riverwalk Landing, 331 Water St., Yorktown. For more information, visit this website: tinyurl.com/yorktownfallfest, or phone 757-890-5900.

 

Oktoberfest Celebration: The event takes place on Oct. 8 from noon to 9 p.m. at The Bier Garden, 438 High St., Portsmouth. It is an attempt at an authentic German beer hall, at least as authentic as you’re going to get in this neck of the woods. OK, yes, Busch Gardens, but that’s not the point here. Tickets start at $5. For more information, visit this website: tinyurl.com/biergardenfest, or phone 757-393-6022.

 

Bier Garden Portsmouth

 

We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals. Immanuel Kant

 

Amanda Wilbourne received her first dog at the age of 18; and Roxy, a Welsh Corgi, soon became the love of her life.  Roxy was the catalyst, and animals thereafter became a major focus in Amanda's life.  In time, that focus became a drive, became a passion—a passion that has endured.  At 20, she thought it would be fun to open a shop devoted to dog care and carried through with the idea by opening up a shop called Nautical Dog, riverside in Mattaponi.  She eventually moved that shop to New Town, keeping the name, the focus, and the passion.  That move was 14 years ago, and Nautical Dog, Main Street New Town, has, in every way, thrived--a testimony to Amanda's good will and dedication and to the community's love for its animals.  New Town Main Street has seen many merchants and a number of big retail chains come and go over the years; but Nautical Dog, with unique pet items and healthy food choices, lovingly selected and well-priced, has remained.  But more than remain, the store has gone through some amazing avatars that have endeared it even more to New Town, Williamsburg, and to the county-at-large.

 

 

Due to the great success of her venture, Amanda expanded her business in 2018, moving out of the store’s original space for larger quarters next door.  Nautical Dog became Nautical Dog Pet Market and Dog Wash, adding an area equipped with indoor washing stations, where resident dog and cat lovers could come and wash their fur babies in a safe and loving environment.  The washing stations were and are a big hit with locals; but in truth, the business success of Nautical Dog has become the lesser story, because Amanda’s vision was even greater.  Her desire to "give back" to the community by helping those animals without loving owners--the disabled, the challenging, the overlooked—was very strong; and the Dog Wash became a means to satiate it.  Now, every 3rd weekend of every month is "Clean for a Cause Weekend" at Nautical Dog, with $5 from every self-serve dog wash going to an animal charity. The store holds food drives throughout the year for different animal rescues as well, such as the pumpkin and gourd collection after Thanksgiving, last year, the drop-offs going to a local farm animal rescue—and now, on the 2nd Saturday of every month, Nautical Dog hosts on-site pet adoptions with The Heritage Humane Society. 

 

But Amanda’s heart is large and her vision ever growing with regards to meeting the needs and securing the well-being of animals.  A remarkable reality, given she is a very busy wife and mother of two young children--Aidan, 6 and Charlee, 3--as well as being an amazing entrepreneur. Oh, yes, and Amanda brings her work home with her.  She is also mom to 11 animals, at present, 5 dogs and 6 cats, all of them rescues and one a hospice foster dog. She has a true heart for rescues, especially senior and hospice-care animals; so, it’s not surprising that her desire to help animals has not ended with the dog wash, site adoptions, or food drives.  Welcome Schwartzy’s Cat Cove!

 

The most popular pet in America today is the dog, followed by the cat, followed by the domestic rabbit. Surprisingly, given the ease of its care and how unobtrusive a pet it can be in the life of its owner, the cat is the most abandoned animal in American shelters and rescues today. (The runner-up is the domestic rabbit.)  When the space that housed the original Nautical Dog became available, Amanda envisioned that adjacent space becoming a haven to take in adoptable cats, to showcase them to patrons who, perhaps via a loving impulse, would take them home and love them forever. Named after Amanda’s first store cat, Schwartzy,  Schwartzy’s Cat Cove, playing on the nautical theme, opened on July 16th of this year, marvelously recreating for patrons an undersea kingdom thanks to Amanda’s clever design and the construction talents  of her husband, Kyle, owner of KMW Construction in Toano. To date, the Cove has found loving homes for 54 cats. In every way, the dream has been realized and New Town and Greater Williamsburg are all the better for it.  The Cove kitties are provided by Heritage Humane and remain at the Cove until their new owners find them.  “By taking in cats from Heritage Humane, Heritage is then able to take in animals from other shelters, elsewhere.” Quite simply, it's a lovely domino effect.  Amanda’s great kindness just keeps on giving.

 

Cove kitties come and go every week, and there are usually anywhere between 8-15 cats at any given time at The Cove.  They are silly and sweet, adorable—and waiting.  Stop by to visit.  It’s a magical place that has truly enriched New Town —and you never know, a new friend may be waiting there for you.

 

 

 

The operators of The Nature Bus don’t mince words when it comes to their mission. They aim to be “a vehicle for transformative, shared nature experiences... To nurture peoples' affinity for the natural world.”

 

They do it in a couple of different ways. They offer private tours of a variety of nature options for groups of 10 to 16 people. Tours can last a half-day, full day, or two days.

 

They also offer Saturday tours that are open to anyone – singles welcome -- at what seems like a reasonable price. For example, a local artist will teach you how to paint nature ($30 per person), or you can go on an intimate tour of Virginia Beach, led by a historian (also $30 per person).

 

There’s yoga on the beach, a naturalist guided tour through a forest, bird watching, even a trip to Back Bay Wildlife Refuge where you can peer at the stars in the sky through a telescope, led by a local astronomer ($25 per person).

 

Most Saturdays, the tours leave from the REI Co-op shop, 350 independence Boulevard in Virginia Beach.  

 

“The purpose of the bus is to connect people of all ages with all of the possible nature settings and nature experiences one can imagine,” The Nature Bus owner, Suzanne Moss, told The Virginian-Pilot.

 

According to their website, when Moss’s daughter Mariah) was 5 years old they started a little “nature club” together. A few years ago, they expanded the club, partnering with the Master Naturalist program, to create what is now known as the Virginia Junior Master Naturalist Program.

 

With many years of experience, Suzanne wanted to offer nature experiences to the public at large, all ages, not just children. So, she purchased a bus, allowing her to organize nature experiences that include both local (Southside Hampton Roads) and distance destinations across all of Virginia.

 

As she writes, “there are countless reports and research studies online that disseminate all of the health benefits of connecting to nature.”

 

For a full report on what The Nature Bus is, and a complete guide to what it offers, visit the website https://thenaturebus.com/, and follow the appropriate links. You can also reach Moss by email or phone: info@thenaturebus.com and 757-288-9595 (text only).

 

     

Images courtesy of The Nature Bus and Dafna Sonnenthal

 

The end of summer is always poignant and sad.  The beach trips and backyard camp-outs end; corn-on-the-cob and s’mores ingredients in local markets become scarce; water shooters, pool noodles, and slip’n sides get consigned to the garage—and the dreaded (for your child, at least) notebook and backpack displays pop-up in every store in the area.  But the end of summer also begins the cooler days of fall and our hopes for the holiday season to come.  One of my most beloved books is Something Wicked This Way Comes by the author, Ray Bradbury.  I hope quoting the opening here, which beautifully anticipates the charms of arguably autumn’s seminal festival, will ease the going of summer in our hearts:

 

 

Favorite Books and Recipes Round-up!  Front Porch Chat is still looking to highlight your favorite book and/or recipe in the months ahead, so if you have a beloved book—old or new—or a rave recipe you’d like to share with your New Town neighbors, send them on in!  No takers on our BBQ Recipe request, so here’s a little ditty from resident, Angela Lesnett, along those lines:

If temps are way too high today

Try “Pierce’s.” It’s the best, I’d say.

 

Honorable Mentions: Old City Barbeque and Matchsticks BBQ Co.!

 

To brighten your day: 

Jokes:  What do you call a boomerang that doesn't come back?  A stick.

 

Funny Quote:  People say money is not the key to happiness, but I have always figured if you have enough money, you can have a key made. —Joan Rivers

 

Poems: 

—Ogden Nash

  

Historical Fact:  There were female Gladiators in Ancient Rome! A female gladiator was called a Gladiatrix, or Gladiatrices. They were extremely rare, unlike their male counterparts.

 

Curious Happening:  Aeschylus, Greek “Father of Tragedy,” lost his life when a hungry eagle dropped a tortoise on his head so the shell would break and the eagle could eat the meat. Apparently, the eagle mistook his bald head for a rock. 

 

Household Hacks:  Hot water and an Alka-Seltzer tablet for 15 minutes will clean away stubborn messes in your frying pan or skillet.

 

PC Hacks:  Alt-Tab will display all your open windows at once. Tab to the window you want—and simply lift your finger off to get to your destination.

 

Recipes: 

 

Sesame Date Rolls—thank you, resident Miranda Saumier!

8 ounces chopped dried dates-- hot water as needed

¼  cup toasted sesame seeds, divided

¼  quarter cup chopped walnuts

½  cup whole raw almonds

½  cup unsweetened, shredded coconut

1  tablespoon coconut oil

¾  teaspoon ground cardamon

¼  teaspoon of cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 pinch of salt            

 

Pet Care:  If your dog or puppy is a super-fast eater, place a tennis ball in the bowl with the food.  It will slow pup down, as it will cause he or she to work around the inedible obstacle to eat what is. 

 

 

As your newest Board Member, I want to thank the many community members who have reached out to me to express their appreciation that the vacant Board Member position has now been filled.  (In fact, I even had one gentleman offer to take me out to lunch at his expense so he could personally bring me up to speed on the problems in the community.)  Having served on two prior Boards for Associations in the past (New York City and Vienna, VA), I can certainly appreciate the amount of time and effort it takes to help out in the community … and with many of us having full-time jobs and families, it is not always an easy task to undertake.  But I stepped up to help in whatever capacity I can, and I encourage all of you to find ways to volunteer and do your part. 

 

As you know, the Board has been working for the last year on the new governing documents. The Board is required by Virginia law to follow the Association’s current documents (regardless of whether the Developer Board followed them). These documents are old, overly complex and contain errors and omissions. It’s past time for their overhaul.

 

We recognize that the new governing documents may not meet with 100% approval from all members – but we believe the new governing documents are a big step in the right direction and will benefit the community.  If these revised documents are not approved by 2/3 of the community, the current Developer documents remain in force – and keeping the current documents in force will continue to balloon our legal expenses, complicate our assessment calculations, and limit lawn service to fenced yards. 

 

On Wednesday evening August 17, the Board had a Zoom Informational Meeting for NTRA owners. Several valid questions were asked and answered regarding the new governing documents – and others were submitted via email and responded to. The slides from this meeting are available on the NTRA website along with a summary of the Board’s response to specific statements that had been widely circulated to owners. The Board posted this document to correct misleading and incorrect information. Read our explanations and form your own opinion. 

 

One question in particular that seemed to create a lot of confusion at the Informational Meeting was the threshold for calling a Special Meeting of Members. Although our legal counsel recommended a change to 20% to conform with the majority of other associations in the area and for a number of valid reasons, e.g., expense, time, etc., the Board decided to revise this proposal and keep the Special Meeting threshold at 10%.  

 

We are happy to report that the Association will not need your mortgage holder information after all. We learned of this after the Zoom meeting. So your mailed packet for the upcoming vote will only contain the Special Meeting Notice and absentee/paper ballot.

 

The proposed documents are being finalized and EzVote links will be sent soon.  Vote yes for progress and affirm that we are one community in New Town. 

More positive steps… We have now received our spring financial reports from Chesapeake Bay Management – you will recall this was a problem noted by our Treasurer, Everett Lunsford last month. The May and June reports are posted on the website, and the Board is reviewing the July data. This leaves only the reconciliation and audit corrections to our 2021 year-end records.

 

As to the financials, please keep in mind that all expenses and invoices are increasing with inflation, labor, and supply issues.  For example, a recent bill for the proposed winterization of our pool has increased by 15% in one year!  Which reminds me that during August we had an After Hours Social at the pool where I donated $120 to cover the NTRA cost of one lifeguard!

 

I see this Board working really hard to keep people happy…I look forward to meeting other New Town owners and appreciate your support as I work with my fellow homeowner Board Members to improve the community.

 

 

By, Jim Ducibella

 

The operators of The Nature Bus don’t mince words when it comes to their mission. They aim to be “a vehicle for transformative, shared nature experiences... To nurture peoples' affinity for the natural world.”

They do it in a couple of different ways. They offer private tours of a variety of nature options for groups of 10 to 16 people. Tours can last a half-day, full day, or two days.

 

They also offer Saturday tours that are open to anyone – singles welcome -- at what seems like a reasonable price. For example, a local artist will teach you how to paint nature ($30 per person), or you can go on an intimate tour of Virginia Beach, led by a historian (also $30 per person).

 

There’s yoga on the beach, a naturalist guided tour through a forest, bird watching, even a trip to Back Bay Wildlife Refuge where you can peer at the stars in the sky through a telescope, led by a local astronomer ($25 per person).

Most Saturdays, the tours leave from the REI Co-op shop, 350 independence Boulevard in Virginia Beach.  

 

“The purpose of the bus is to connect people of all ages with all of the possible nature settings and nature experiences one can imagine,” The Nature Bus owner, Suzanne Moss, told The Virginian-Pilot.

According to their website, when Moss’s daughter Mariah) was 5 years old they started a little “nature club” together. A few years ago, they expanded the club, partnering with the Master Naturalist program, to create what is now known as the Virginia Junior Master Naturalist Program.

With many years of experience, Suzanne wanted to offer nature experiences to the public at large, all ages, not just children. So, she purchased a bus, allowing her to organize nature experiences that include both local (Southside Hampton Roads) and distance destinations across all of Virginia.

 

As she writes, “there are countless reports and research studies online that disseminate all of the health benefits of connecting to nature.”

For a full report on what The Nature Bus is, and a complete guide to what it offers, visit the website https://thenaturebus.com/, and follow the appropriate links. You can also reach Moss by email or phone: info@thenaturebus.com and 757-288-9595 (text only).

 

 

By, NTRA Pool Committee

 

Whether hearing from a pool new-comer or a season regular, the feedback about pool season 2022 has been very positive! Several key improvements have added to the overall enjoyment for New Town residents. Top on the list is the great team of lifeguards we’ve had this year!  Roswitha, one of the daily pool users, describes this year’s lifeguards as friendly, kind and patient while still being punctual with the break times and effectively explaining pool rules to swimmers and parents. 

 

One of the favorite lifeguards, Fatih “Mike”(pictured under the umbrella) is originally from Turkey, but is currently attending university in Italy, majoring in Special Education with an emphasis in Autism. Fatih actually rotates among 7 pools in the area but says that the New Town pool is his favorite because of the friendly and supportive pool patrons here. Another favorite lifeguard, Tahje (pictured with the big smile) came to us from Jamaica. He is studying Physical Therapy at the University of West Indies. In these last few days while being at the pool, take a minute to thank these young men for the fine job they have done for us. Notice the lifeguard chair, newly provided this season, giving a very professional impression! 

 

This year’s major improvement of the key card system provides greater security than ever before. Another, very appreciated improvement has been the addition of the cleaning service for the bathrooms and pool deck, provided by Archie Jefferson’s Perfection Cleaning.  The umbrellas and other pool furniture were in good condition for the summer, but more loungers are already ordered for next year! 

 

A wonderful diversity of family configurations, ages and generations can be found enjoying the pool. Gayle (pictured) expressed how much she appreciates that she and her husband - great grandma and great grandpa - have a clean, safe place to bring their great grandson, always creating a fun time!! Fifteen-year-old, Jack (pictured) takes advantage of an opportunity to help his neighbor, Mary get to the pool so she can do her laps. She says she’s not sure that it’s effective physical rehab as much as it is just great, relaxing time in the water and the sun! 

Parents have found the pool and gazebo to be the perfect birthday party venue, while young working individuals and students find the late pool closing hours of 7:30 or 8:30 to create a great gathering spot. Pool time, at any time, brings neighbors together and is the best place to make a friend connection and learn about the New Town community. 

 

There are always questions and suggestions, most of which are addressed by the FAQ page on the NTRA website. Feedback is welcomed. A lot of effort, dedication and time goes into the three months of safe and fun pool days for the residents of New Town. Applause for the Pool Committee, the lifeguards, Continental Pool Management Company, Perfection Cleaning and the Association manager, Chesapeake Bay Management Company for a terrific pool season!

 

By, NTRA Activities Committee

 

The New Town Residential Association Activities Committee hosted a social at the community pool on the evening of Tuesday, August 16th which drew a variety of residents. We played "Get To Know Your Neighbor" which enabled children, students, professionals and retirees to strike up conversations with one another about their pets, neighborhood, favorite team, place of origin, etc…

 

We ate a variety of delicious hors d’oeuvres and desserts, enjoyed sunny weather with low humidity, all this with great music playing in the background (provided by Rick Byrnes.) Gift certificates from Harris Teeter were awarded to winners Ellen Morgan and Mary Mitchell. We've enjoyed our socials this year and look forward to future opportunities to come together socially. If you have ideas for additional neighborhood activities, let us know in the comments! 

 

 

By, Jim Ducibella

The results of the 2022 home inspection by the Asset Maintenance Committee of the New Town Residential Association are in. As is the case with any statistic, whether the results are positive or negative are in the eye of the beholder.

 

In all, 535 homes were inspected by the team, none of whom lived in the subdivision they evaluated. The total number of homes with no deficiencies, large or small, was 247.

 

That’s 46.2 percent.

 

Encouraging, or disturbing?

 

“I think that percentage is good, considering the pandemic,” Asset Maintenance member Ed Lacy said. “I say that because before the pandemic, there was a lack of consistent evaluations. People got used to not maintaining their property as they would or should.

 

“Also, with the pandemic, there were things that people would have done but they couldn’t get contractors. There were no inspections. That also includes assets that NTRA manages. You’ve got to ‘Walk the Walk.’ I mean literally walking through New Town, the pool, walking trail, the fences we are responsible for, and evaluate their condition. It’s also about holding ourselves accountable. We must take care of our business.”

 

Charlotte Park, with 93, had the most homes cited. Then again, Charlotte Park is New Town’s largest, with 198 homes.

 

The rest of the statistics: Abbey Commons (104 homes, 43 with no deficiencies), Chelsea Green (69 homes, 12 with no deficiencies), Savannah Square (42 homes, 13 with no deficiencies), Shirley Park (23 homes, 8 with no deficiencies), and Village Walk (99 homes, 66 with no deficiencies).

 

Lacy’s experience – and he points out that he and fellow team members Charlie Olander, Bob Jeremiah, and David Magnant all have lived in New Town for only about two years – found the following deficiencies most obvious. Start with pressure washing, and mailbox and mailbox post maintenance. Then there’s paint needed for widow trims, door frames, soffits (mostly observed with peeling or very faded paint), and missing vent covers.

 

Other deficiencies include unapproved door colors, unapproved signage, and misplaced trash cans).

 

“Most residents were very receptive,” Lacy said, “although some were a little wary. Overall, I felt very positive.”

 

Magnant, who observed Village Walk, cites BBQ grills on unstable footing, plantings -- which suffered after sale of a home to someone not as skilled in plant care – and pressure washing and paint.

 

Magnant observed that the size of trash containers might present an issue for owners. Recycling cans come in two sizes, 65 and 95 gallons, and he suggests it might do well for VW residents to request the smaller ones, should they be available from Bay Disposal.

 

“Overall, I thought the area represented well,” he said.

 

Lacy observed that some guidelines were established to achieve consistency amongst different committee members, and across neighborhoods. And, as always, the committee welcomes volunteers.

 

By, Sarah Carey

 

The August 17, 2022 Zoom meeting began with the Board introducing themselves. The purpose of the meeting was to promote an understanding and explanation of why changes need to be made to all of the Association’s governing documents.

 

The current documents were written between 2004-2007 for Abbey Commons, the first residential development in New Town. The documents were drafted from the Developer’s perspective, include significant errors, and outdated Virginia statutes. The Developer had 15 years to correct the governing documents, but failed to make changes. The current governing documents are complex, outdated, not legally compliant and must be revised by our newly owner-controlled board. 

 

The Board of Directors has made it a priority to give the community time to review and understand the proposed revisions.  Electronic (through EZ vote) and absentee voting will begin in September, and there is a Special Meeting for the Member vote on October 18, 2022 at Legacy Hall.

 

Following the presentation by the Board President, Vice-President and Treasurer, about 15 participants asked questions. These questions and answers dealt mainly with landscaping issues.  The current documents prohibit mowing and pruning within fenced yards and this will not change if our documents are not amended. Landscape services will be available to all lots if the new documents are approved. (The new documents allow but do not require the Board of Directors to charge an additional fee if they determine any landscape service is more costly than to other similar yards.) Under the new documents, residents cannot opt-in or opt-out of specific landscaping such as pruning, but rather must opt-out of all services. The current system of informal full or partial opt-outs has not worked and is problematic for the landscape crews.

 

There was a question about reserved parking which the Board of Directors has agreed to research.  Another question discussed was the change in the threshold for number of Members required for owners to call Special Meetings. The Board of Directors agreed to discuss the matter with legal counsel and include the final decision in a future Q&A. (NOTE: At the Board’s monthly meeting on August 18th, the Board did vote to keep the current 10 percent threshold for Member called Special Meetings.)

 

The Board concluded by reminding owners that these changes are for the whole community, better represent the needs of our community, and will be easier to amend if needed in the future than our current documents. Please consider the whole picture and vote to approve. 

 

By, Jack Espinal

 

Homeowners in the New Town Residential Association (NTRA) are facing the most important decision that they have had to make since the day they decided to purchase a home in New Town. Over the last 18 years we have been governed by documents written for and favoring the New Town developers. There is absolutely no reason why we should continue to use those documents which consist of 27 separate, developer oriented, confusing, and contradicting governing documents that are contained in 4 ½ inch stack of paper. We are now self-governing and it is time to make a change.

 

New documents for the NTRA have been prepared, vetted by legal experts, briefed to our membership, and then edited based upon suggestions from our community. The revised documents are organized, well written, and much easier to read. When printed, they easily fit in a ½ inch binder.

 

Adoption will require a two-thirds vote of our Association’s membership-411 votes. This is a very high hurdle, but the high quality of these new documents makes this possible. Please read the revised documents, and when you do, I am sure that you will support them because of the following factors:

1. The revised documents correct the developer’s significant errors and omissions in our existing documents. 
2. Owners’ responsibilities and the Association’s Board of Directors authority is clearly outlined in the revised documents.
3. The documents are simpler and easier to read. They will reduce confusion for owners, our management company, and your Board of Directors.
4. Future changes will be easier because amendments to the three primary documents will require only a majority vote of the Association membership.
5. The revised documents better prepare New Town for the future. They provide the Association with the flexibility to deal effectively with contract costs, expansion, and other future challenges.
6. Annual HOA assessments under the revised documents will be derived from the cost to operate the Association and the cost for services provided to individual lots. This makes it easier for members to see and understand how association funds are being collected and spent. 
7. The new documents will allow the Association to provide landscaping services to all lots in our community including all fenced yards.
8. The new documents have removed any reference to the Association assuming potential maintenance obligations related to Settlers Market LLC property, e.g. the BMPs around Village Walk. 
9. All applicable Virginia Statutes and local ordinance requirements are updated and addressed in the revised documents.

As you consider your voting decision, please don’t be misled by statements that are being circulated throughout our community. Accurate information and explanations can be found on the NTRA website, or reach out to a Board member if you have questions.

 

What are the consequences of voting “no” or not voting in this election?

 

Voting ‘No” or not voting (which is essentially “no’) will have several important future consequences.   Those consequences include:

1. Village Walk and the NTRA may continue to be at risk to fund maintenance costs for property not owned or managed by your Association.
2. The NTRA will not provide mowing and pruning services to fenced areas.
3. Legal costs will continue to rise as the Association responds to challenges caused by poorly written, obsolete text.
4. The NTRA will not have the flexibility to efficiently solve future problems in our community.
5. Administrative burdens to the management company and the Board of Directors will remain significantly higher than they need to be. 

The revised documents are well written, easier to understand, and are far, far better than our current documents. They are shorter, simpler, and more compliant. 

 

We are not Developer-centric and we owe it to ourselves to move forward with documents that reflect 1) that homeowners are fully in control of our Association, and 2) how we actually live and operate as ONE COMMUNITY. This is our chance to get things right by adopting the NTRA’s Articles of Restatement, Amended Bylaws, Second Amended Master Declaration, and two new Supplemental Declarations.  

 

 

By, New Town Commercial Association (NTCA)

 

New Town Tunes is RETURNING with a Fall Concert Series in September! 

James City County Parks & Recreation, in partnership with CultureFix and New Town, will present Three Tribute Bands Over Three Nights! The free, evening outdoor concert series will be held in Sullivan Square, behind Legacy Hall in New Town. Concerts run 5:30 – 8 p.m.; gates open at 5 p.m. Bring your lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the outdoors while you take in the tunes from some of our top area bands. Food and beverages available for purchase.

Save The Dates!  

Sept. 14 - DeLoreans - The Ultimate 80’s Tribute
Sept. 21 - Brasswind - The Classic Horn Band Tribute

Sept. 28 - Every Little Thing - The Ultimate Police Tribute  

https://newtownwilliamsburg.com/events-news/ 

 

 

By, Patti Vaticano 

 

The end of summer is always poignant and sad.  The beach trips and backyard camp-outs end; corn-on-the-cob and s’mores ingredients in local markets become scarce; water shooters, pool noodles, and slip’n sides get consigned to the garage—and the dreaded (for your child, at least) notebook and backpack displays pop-up in every store in the area.  But the end of summer also begins the cooler days of fall and our hopes for the holiday season to come.  One of my most beloved books is Something Wicked This Way Comes by the author, Ray Bradbury.  I hope quoting the opening here, which beautifully anticipates the charms of arguably autumn’s seminal festival, will ease the going of summer in our hearts:

 

 

Favorite Books and Recipes Round-up!  Front Porch Chat is still looking to highlight your favorite book and/or recipe in the months ahead, so if you have a beloved book—old or new—or a rave recipe you’d like to share with your New Town neighbors, send them on in!  

 

No takers on our BBQ Recipe request, so here’s a little ditty from resident, Angela Lesnett, along those lines:

If temps are way too high today

Try “Pierce’s.” It’s the best, I’d say.

 

Honorable Mentions: Old City Barbeque and Matchsticks BBQ Co.!

 

To brighten your day: 

 

Jokes:  What do you call a boomerang that doesn't come back?  A stick.

 

Funny Quote:  People say money is not the key to happiness, but I have always figured if you have enough money, you can have a key made.

—Joan Rivers

 

Poems: 

To keep your marriage brimming
With love in the loving cup,
Whenever you’re wrong, admit it;
Whenever you’re right, shut up.

—Ogden Nash

  

Historical Fact:   There were female Gladiators in Ancient Rome! A female gladiator was called a Gladiatrix, or Gladiatrices. They were extremely rare, unlike their male counterparts.

 

Curious Happening:  Aeschylus, Greek “Father of Tragedy,” lost his life when a hungry eagle dropped a tortoise on his head so the shell would break and the eagle could eat the meat. Apparently, the eagle mistook his bald head for a rock. 

 

Household Hacks:   Hot water and an Alka-Seltzer tablet for 15 minutes will clean away stubborn messes in your frying pan or skillet.

 

PC Hacks:  Alt-Tab will display all your open windows at once. Tab to the window you want—and simply lift your finger off to get to your destination.

 

Recipes: 

Sesame Date Rolls—thank you, resident Miranda Saumier!

8 ounces chopped dried dates--hot water as needed

¼  cup toasted sesame seeds, divided

¼  quarter cup chopped walnuts

½  cup whole raw almonds

½  cup unsweetened, shredded coconut

1  tablespoon coconut oil

¾  teaspoon ground cardamon

¼  teaspoon of cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 pinch of salt

            

 

Pet Care:  If your dog or puppy is a super-fast eater, place a tennis ball in the bowl with the food.  It will slow pup down, as it will cause he or she to work around the inedible obstacle to eat what is. 

 

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The New Town Residential Association shall hold a Special Meeting of the Members which shall be held in-person for the purpose of voting on amending the New Town Residential Association Governing Documents.

 

Date:               October 18, 2022        

                                                                                                

Time:               7:00 p.m.  (Registration for the meeting starts at 6:30 p.m.)

 

Location:         Legacy Hall, 4301 New Town Avenue, Williamsburg, Virginia 23188

 

            The purpose of the Special Meeting is to vote on the Second Amended and Restated Master Declaration of Protective Covenants, the Amended and Restated Bylaws, the Articles of Restatement, the Consolidated Supplemental Declaration, and the Amended and Restated Village Walk Supplemental Declaration.