Town Crier Articles

In this occasional series (when they find something they like, they’ll let us know), we focus on a nearby grocery store that has re-opened its doors after a somewhat brief hiatus: Earth Fare on Monticello.

In February, 2020, the chain, which started in Asheville, N.C., announced it was closing its doors after 45 years. Known for their natural and organic offerings, it seemed like their absence would open a huge hole in the Midtown Row shopping center. But not long after declaring bankruptcy, Dennis Hulsing purchased the company and re-opened some of the stores, including Williamsburg.

 

There are some great deals to be had at this store, we’ll run down a couple of them:

Monday -- $6 for a Non-GMO fresh-roasted chicken, and fresh-baked baguettes, 2 for $3

Thursday – 4-ounce super-lump crab cakes, 2 for $10

Friday – 16-inch, take-and-bake pizzas, your choice of veggie, pepperoni or cheese, $7

The Casemate Museum is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Inside, there are brochures, including one for a self-guided walking tour. There is a daily guided walking tour of the fort at 11 a.m. from Memorial Day through September forming at the Casemate Museum entrance. Guided tours for groups of 10 or more can be scheduled by calling 757-788-3391. The cost is $3 per person. Allow a two-week notice when scheduling.

For those who don’t know, construction on Fort Monroe began in 1819, and the fort was completed in 1834. It is the 396th unit of the National Park Service. It was established by President Obama on November 1, 2011 by executive order using the Antiquities Act, the first time he had exercised this authority. 

There are 259 buildings and structures at Fort Monroe; 169 are historic. Fort Monroe is the fourth fort on this location (known as Old Point Comfort).The earliest fortifications, Fort Algernourne, were built by English colonists in 1609. Today, Fort Monroe contains 176 housing units, and approximately 160 families live there.

In addition to the history, there are numerous and varied available activities. Guests can fish off Engineer Wharf, located on Fenwick Road adjacent to Continental Park. A Virginia Saltwater Fishing License is required, which can be purchased at the Old Point Comfort Marina, or online at http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/licenses/.

There is one lifeguarded beach (Outlook Beach), though lifeguard service stops Labor Day.

In a 2009-2010 study, 89 species of birds were observed at Fort Monroe. Fort Monroe is home to a total of nine species of trees and a total of 249 species of flora representing 179 genus and 67 families of plants. The area has 136 native and 113 introduced plants meaning 55% of the plant assemblage of Fort Monroe is made up of native species and 45% of introduced species.

The Fort Monroe Event Calendar also provides additional information about on-site activities.

There is no fee at Fort Monroe National Monument. For more information, visit this website 

 

Pat Bright

Marie Theil

Tracy Waible

Ken Fones-Wolf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you perused our NTRA Bylaws, you probably noted references to our Articles of Incorporation. It is easy to miss this document because it is so much shorter than all other parts of the large Disclosure packet we received when purchasing a home in New Town. Articles of Incorporation for HOA’s vary by state, but generally set the name of the the Homeowners’ Association; declare its function as a non-profit, mutual-benefit corporation; and identify its agent (the person authorized to receive legal notices on the HOA’s behalf). Our Articles also enumerate the obligations and authority of the HOA, set the terms of membership, and protect officers and others working on behalf of the HOA from some types of liability.

 

In essence, the Articles give legal status to the organization. It is the only Governing Document that must be available to members of the public and filed with James City County as well as the Corporation Commission of Virginia. Importantly, our current Articles provide for the appointment of Directors (who did not need to be Owners or residents) during the period of Developer Control, but also delineate the process for electing the Board of Directors by our members after the expiration of Developer Control (2020). 

 

Because a large portion of our Articles of Incorporation concern the role of the Developers and are no longer pertinent, you can expect an even shorter, revised document for your review in the near future. Stay tuned as we finish unraveling the mysteries of our current governing documents and prepare to study the revisions, which will be as concise as the law and necessity allow.  Your well-informed vote matters!