Town Crier Articles
Posted on April 1, 2020 7:00 AM by Mary Cheston
Categories:
Life in New Town
With slides and vivid video, Professor John Delano succeeded in persuading a rapt audience of New Town residents that indeed the vastness of the universe exceeds common imagination. The March 11th Noon Talks in New Town was entitled “NASA’s Search for Life Beyond Earth.”
Starting with an explanation of the characteristics that made Earth suitable for complex life, Delano proceeded to demonstrate how technology since the 1990’s has been able to measure and track minute events throughout the galaxies to determine where else these characteristics are likely to exist. The video feed from the Hubble, Kepler and Tess satellites have identified 4,136 known planets, mostly the size of Earth or bigger. Scientists have been able to analyze the data to further plot a habitable zone within which only about 25 planets are believed to have the conditions for liquid water for life. All of these planets are thousands of light years from Earth.
But what form might this life take? The investment in Mars research is focused on identifying microbe life that may not be DNA-based. From meteor samples, scientists know that the building blocks of life--proteins and amino acids--are abundant but how they are linked/built together will determine whether life as we know it exists. Attendees peppered the speaker with questions varying from the cost benefits of sending humans v. technology into space, the advances of China on the moon, the U.S. Space Force, and whether any other life forms may have already visited Earth.
NASA is “on the verge of remarkable discoveries” Professor Delano explained. Watch for the launch of the Perseverance Mars rover in July 2020 and the debut of the Space Launch System in 2021, the world’s largest rocket launcher capable of launching a payload of 70 to 140 tons. NASA is simply gathering information to describe nature and determine whether life is common or rare. “The implications of these discoveries are left for others to explore,” he said.
Posted on April 1, 2020 7:00 AM by Mary Cheston
Categories:
Life in New Town
While meeting together may not be possible for some time, we’d like to encourage our New Town neighbors to continue the business of the NTRA through technology. Now is the time to experiment with virtual meetings whether it’s for book club discussions or landscape planning.
If you are holding an NTRA Committee meeting, provide the meeting time and date, and the NTRA website team will post your meeting on the site calendar. That calendar item serves as public notice of your meeting and interested community members are aware. Provide a contact number for more info or the link to the virtual meeting itself for members of the community to join.
Here’s how Committee chairs can continue to organize electronic meetings using software apps like Zoom Meeting or Skype.
Zoom Meeting - https://zoom.us/
Free to join. You set up a meeting time and the software provides a link for you to share with all your members.
Members just click on the link and share their video via computer screen or phone. (You may also download the app itself.) The free meeting time is limited to 40 minutes, but if you need more time, just set up sequential meetings and take a stretch break in between!
You can share a screen with items for discussion or just see each other to promote conversation. The software allows people to “raise their hand” to speak and helps moderators to keep the flow on track, one speaker at a time.
Skype
Maybe you already use Skype for personal chats, well you can use it for group calls as well. Just set up your group phone list. To add video, all your participants will also have to have downloaded Skype, but you can call any phone number through the internet without video.
Don’t let months go by without advancing the important business of our Association! You can also use these apps for virtual happy hours or family chats – just to keep in touch with some smiling faces.
In any case, be sure we have the most up-to-date info on the NTRA website. Send your calendar items, minutes or other community information to Mary Cheston, Communications Committee Chair at atmcheston@aol.com
Face Time for Work and Home (Max Pfannebecker)
Beyond just conducting our various business communication virtually, many once-social citizens are taking their personal meet-ups to the virtual world. Coworkers and friends all over the world are "meeting" for five o' clock cocktails on ZOOM to talk toned-down shop in a relaxed atmosphere and trade battle stories of home schooling their kids through the remainder of the 19/20 school year. Some residents are taking yoga classes, playing cards, or learning new crafts via web-based conferencing as well. Some of our own New Town residents have even taken their regularly scheduled book club online (pic below).
In this month's letter from RAB Chair Chuck Stetler, he states that "we will realize how very little we need, how much we actually have, and the true value of human connection." An eloquent statement at a time in history when we can maintain togetherness while sacrificing physical contact during a global outbreak. Our cherished friendships and relationships survive in sprite of social distancing, stay at home orders, or even quarantines. We have the opportunity through almost any connected device to see our families, whether separated by towns or entire timezones, to share love and laughs.
Women Who Read Book Club Zoom Meeting - "It was the highlight of my day" reported Sue Mulnix.
Posted on April 1, 2020 7:00 AM by Patti Vaticano
Categories:
Life in New Town
Oliver Marston (submitted by John Marston)
Oliver Marston having a deep philosophical conversation between barking at neighbor’s dogs and joggers
S’mores Courtney (submitted by Elizabeth Courtney)
This is S’mores! She is a Rex Rabbit mix, and we have had her for 3 years! She is a rescue bunny and a bit of a Diva, wanting to be massaged only when it suits her. Her favorite treats are clover and dandelion leaves.
Beau Kinkead (submitted by Rebecca Kinkead and Family)
This is Beau, our two-year old Golden Retriever rescue. He enjoys long walks, a special squeaky toy, and meeting new neighbors--and their dogs.
Gracie Lesnevich (submitted by Kathy Lesnevich)
Eight years ago, I was volunteering at a rescue shelter. The work was difficult and fast paced; however, one day, as I was racing down the hall, I stopped dead in my tracks for some unknown reason. I turned and saw that Gracie was at the front of her cubicle watching me. I told her I would be back the next day to get her. I completed the paperwork, paid the fee, and put her in my car. It was at that point I realized she only had three legs. Gracie lost her leg due to a staph infection when she was roaming in the Tennessee mountains. When I later registered Gracie for a lost pet service, I had to identify a distinguishing feature. Walker Treeing Coon Hounds all look alike, so all I could think of was a white spot on her forehead. The clerk laughed and reminded me of her missing leg. My eyes didn’t see that. When you truly love an animal or person, they are always perfect in your eyes--as it should be.
Gracie has turned out to be the sweetest dog, not at all slowed down by having a missing leg. Here in New Town, you will see Gracie being walked by Phil Roberts. Phil helped me with Gracie after my surgery. The two have now forged a strong bond. They enjoy a daily walking routine, together.
Gracie has turned out to be the sweetest dog, not at all slowed down by having a missing leg. Here in New Town, you will see Gracie being walked by Phil Roberts. Phil helped me with Gracie after my surgery. The two have now forged a strong bond. They enjoy a daily walking routine, together.
Rosabelle Browne (submitted by Teri Browne)
Hello, my name is Rosabelle or Rosie for short. Sometimes I am called “Pucki” or “Puppy” by my mother and grandmother.
I am a Coton de Tulear, a rare breed from Madagascar, and my ancestors were once the dogs of the Royal Court.
I have lived in Seattle, Colorado, and San Diego with different families and surmounted many challenges along the way. Now I am with my forever family in New Town and have become happy and frisky. My age is 13 years young.
Inside the house, I am quiet and communicate with my big black eyes and nose and an uplifting of my tail. I am friendly to everyone who enters our home. Outside, I own the territory of a large swath of houses along Roper Park that I defend vigorously against any dog or person that I see. I take my responsibility to protect my family very seriously.
I have little beds to rest in all over the house, good food to eat, treats, and Kristal and Teri who dote on me, so I guess you could say I am just a tiny bit spoiled--ha ha!
Belle Lunsford (submitted by Everett Lunsford)
Belle is a Chocolate Point Siamese and lives with New Town Resident, Everett Lunsford. Belle is 10 years old and was adopted from Heritage Humane two years ago when Everett’s previous cat passed away. Belle looks every bit of her name: Beautiful!
Honorable Mention (submitted by Max Pfannebecker)
This hippity-hopper, who just a couple days ago, was carrying quite a bit of extra rabbit and now looks a bit lighter. Somewhere, tucked in the shrubbery of Chelsea Green, is a nest of several newborn bunnies. Proud mom has been boldly foraging for food and practicing the art of social distancing with great caution.
Posted on April 1, 2020 7:00 AM by Maxwell Pfannebecker
Categories:
Life in New Town
Inspired by the Italian response to the Covid-19 crisis, Charlotte Park resident John Marston (also the resident member of the BOD) felt a need to create and embrace a light-hearted spirit of connectedness in New Town.
Planning several days in advance, Marston circulated an email to his Charlotte park neighbors and urged them to spread the word of a March 21 event to bring music and laughter to a somber time in the lives. In the offing was a coordinated kazoo rendition of Sister Sledge’s “We are Family” performed by anyone who wished to hum or play a kazoo.
At 5 pm the music queued from his front porch on Rollison Dr and echoed down the empty street. Slowly neighbors cheerfully emerged, carrying a tune (even if not the right one ????) on their kazoos, smiling, laughing, and groovin’ to the music.
All down the length of Rollison smiling neighbors crept out onto ther porches and steps to join the party.
“we understand that everyone has different perception and might consider such an activity frivolous and disrespectful of this serious crisis we face” said Marston. “We honor the diversity of perspectives on how to handle the stress and anxieties. Not everyone agrees to the light hearted ‘breaks’ from worry and grief. Many of us are dealing with very difficult situations with family and friends. So, please make sure that this sharing doesn’t give a message that everything is laugh or we lack empathy and compassion.”
Posted on April 1, 2020 7:00 AM by Town Crier Staff
Invader in Our Midst: Japanese Stiltgrass
Patti Vaticano
We have an insidious invader in New Town, a deceptively pretty and even delicate foliage that sports bright, lime-green leaves on slender stems. This is Japanese Stiltgrass, also known as Eulalia or in Latin, Microstegium vimenium. If looks can be deceiving, then Stiltgrass is the proverbial wolf in sheep’s clothing, offering incursion tactics extremely hard to combat. Even where the grass has been established for a short time, it forms a dense mat of ground cover with leaves growing up to 40 inches long and rooting at the stem nodes, deadly to all other plant growth and efficiently preventing regeneration of forests, fields, and home gardens, thereafter. Within just three to five years, the plant creates impenetrable, single stands which crowd out native herbaceous vegetation with alarming precision, reducing the growth and flowering of native species, suppressing entire native plant communities, altering and/or overwhelming insect colonies, slowing plant succession, and altering nutrient cycling. Only the full eradication of Stiltgrass will assure the recovery of native species, both plant and insect, from the destruction that it brings.
This curious aggressor prefers moist soil that is shaded from full sun. It is found in marshes, ditches, low-lying woods, floodplains, woodland borders, damp fields, woodland thickets, lawns, and along stream sides and roadsides. Wet soils that have periods of standing water are not suitable for Japanese Stiltgrass. Regardless, its seeds can survive and germinate after extended periods of inundation. Although moderately prolific, with a single plant typically giving rise to as many as 1000 seeds, the seeds remain viable in the soil for three to five years, and the plant can spread rapidly, particularly following a disturbance such as flooding or mowing. An additional means of rapid growth of this grass is via the white tail deer, which, while not feeding on the grass itself, remove its competition by feeding on other native plant species of wood and field.
Proper identification of Japanese Stiltgrass is crucial in the war against growth. It’s lime-green leaves, four to five inches in length and half an inch wide, taper at both ends and should not be confused with Wavyleaf Grass, whose sheaths and stems are noticeably hairier than those of Stiltgrass. Waveyleaf Grass is also an invader, though with somewhat weaker abilities, and eradication of the two would require very different tactics. Stiltgrass is an annual plant, beginning its life cycle from a newly germinated seed each year. Waveyleaf grass, on the other hand, is a perennial that can reemerge from an established root system to spread its seeds. Recognizing these life cycle differences is key to establishing an effective control strategy for Stiltgrass.
Native to Asia from India to Japan, Japanese Stiltgrass was first discovered in this country in 1919, in the state of Tennessee. Since then, it has spread to all states east of the Mississippi and south of and including Connecticut. One of its uses in the Orient was as a packing material for porcelain from China, and this was, most likely, its means of introduction to our area. Japanese Stiltgrass is now found in every county in the Commonwealth.
Teddy Bears Emerging from Hibernation in New Town
Mary Cheston
NBC News describes it as a nationwide phenomena – but it has now gone viral globally – Australia, New Zealand, Canada! Teddy bears appearing in windows as a welcome distraction for children as well as a sign of unity and a way to stay connected during this period of isolation. I think it captures a little bid of the kid in all of us and reminds our neighborhood children that we’re thinking of them even if we can’t hang out together like they’re used to.
We’re asking New Town residents to join in by displaying a teddy bear (even just a paper version) in their windows or porches or wherever makes sense for your home or business. We’ve already had over 30 families sign up with our coordinator Sarah Yaneza to let us know they’re taking part. It’s not too late to participate. Let’s make the boredom more “bearable!”
Parents (and adults) can use the bears as any incentive they like or as a math project or just a fun diversion. There are two organized activities:
1) Scavenger Hunt – every other day we are featuring a bear on the New Town Residential Association Facebook page. This is a fun way to target your daily walk. If you’d like to keep track of where you find them, Sarah can let you know how you did at the end of our hunt season.
2) General New Townwide Hunt – find as many locations as you can with a bear displayed, and keep track of the addresses. Then let Sarah know by April 25th. We will crown a champion “hunter/huntress” in the May Town Crier.
If possible, please leave your bear on display until April 25th to give children a chance to find them all and to extend the smile to our whole community through Virginia’s initial shelter-in-home period. Keeping a safe distance on your walks is important also.
Register your bear’s location by email to sarahbyaneza@gmail.com. (I apologize for the typos in earlier eblast messages, but this email address works-promise!) Happy hunting!
Noon Talks – “The Universe is Unfathomably Large”
Mary Cheston
With slides and vivid video, Professor John Delano succeeded in persuading a rapt audience of New Town residents that indeed the vastness of the universe exceeds common imagination. The March 11th Noon Talks in New Town was entitled “NASA’s Search for Life Beyond Earth.”
Starting with an explanation of the characteristics that made Earth suitable for complex life, Delano proceeded to demonstrate how technology since the 1990’s has been able to measure and track minute events throughout the galaxies to determine where else these characteristics are likely to exist. The video feed from the Hubble, Kepler and Tess satellites have identified 4,136 known planets, mostly the size of Earth or bigger. Scientists have been able to analyze the data to further plot a habitable zone within which only about 25 planets are believed to have the conditions for liquid water for life. All of these planets are thousands of light years from Earth.
But what form might this life take? The investment in Mars research is focused on identifying microbe life that may not be DNA-based. From meteor samples, scientists know that the building blocks of life--proteins and amino acids--are abundant but how they are linked/built together will determine whether life as we know it exists. Attendees peppered the speaker with questions varying from the cost benefits of sending humans v. technology into space, the advances of China on the moon, the U.S. Space Force, and whether any other life forms may have already visited Earth.
NASA is “on the verge of remarkable discoveries” Professor Delano explained. Watch for the launch of the Perseverance Mars rover in July 2020 and the debut of the Space Launch System in 2021, the world’s largest rocket launcher capable of launching a payload of 70 to 140 tons. NASA is simply gathering information to describe nature and determine whether life is common or rare. “The implications of these discoveries are left for others to explore,” he said.
Virtual Meetings - Staying in Touch
Mary Cheston & Max Pfannebecker
While meeting together may not be possible for some time, we’d like to encourage our New Town neighbors to continue the business of the NTRA through technology. Now is the time to experiment with virtual meetings whether it’s for book club discussions or landscape planning.
If you are holding an NTRA Committee meeting, provide the meeting time and date, and the NTRA website team will post your meeting on the site calendar. That calendar item serves as public notice of your meeting and interested community members are aware. Provide a contact number for more info or the link to the virtual meeting itself for members of the community to join.
Here’s how Committee chairs can continue to organize electronic meetings using software apps like Zoom Meeting or Skype.
Zoom Meeting - https://zoom.us/
Free to join. You set up a meeting time and the software provides a link for you to share with all your members.
Members just click on the link and share their video via computer screen or phone. (You may also download the app itself.) The free meeting time is limited to 40 minutes, but if you need more time, just set up sequential meetings and take a stretch break in between!
You can share a screen with items for discussion or just see each other to promote conversation. The software allows people to “raise their hand” to speak and helps moderators to keep the flow on track, one speaker at a time.
Skype
Maybe you already use Skype for personal chats, well you can use it for group calls as well. Just set up your group phone list. To add video, all your participants will also have to have downloaded Skype, but you can call any phone number through the internet without video.
Don’t let months go by without advancing the important business of our Association! You can also use these apps for virtual happy hours or family chats – just to keep in touch with some smiling faces.
In any case, be sure we have the most up-to-date info on the NTRA website. Send your calendar items, minutes or other community information to Mary Cheston, Communications Committee Chair at atmcheston@aol.com
Face Time for Work and Home (Max Pfannebecker)
Beyond just conducting our various business communication virtually, many once-social citizens are taking their personal meet-ups to the virtual world. Coworkers and friends all over the world are "meeting" for five o' clock cocktails on ZOOM to talk toned-down shop in a relaxed atmosphere and trade battle stories of home schooling their kids through the remainder of the 19/20 school year. Some residents are taking yoga classes, playing cards, or learning new crafts via web-based conferencing as well. Some of our own New Town residents have even taken their regularly scheduled book club online (pic below).
In this month's letter from RAB Chair Chuck Stetler, he states that "we will realize how very little we need, how much we actually have, and the true value of human connection." An eloquent statement at a time in history when we can maintain togetherness while sacrificing physical contact during a global outbreak. Our cherished friendships and relationships survive in sprite of social distancing, stay at home orders, or even quarantines. We have the opportunity through almost any connected device to see our families, whether separated by towns or entire timezones, to share love and laughs.
Community Event Defines Family for Charlotte Park Residents
Max Pfannebecker
Inspired by the Italian response to the Covid-19 crisis, Charlotte Park resident John Marston (also the resident member of the BOD) felt a need to create and embrace a light-hearted spirit of connectedness in New Town.
Planning several days in advance, Marston circulated an email to his Charlotte park neighbors and urged them to spread the word of a March 21 event to bring music and laughter to a somber time in the lives. In the offing was a coordinated kazoo rendition of Sister Sledge’s “We are Family” performed by anyone who wished to hum or play a kazoo.
At 5 pm the music queued from his front porch on Rollison Dr and echoed down the empty street. Slowly neighbors cheerfully emerged, carrying a tune (even if not the right one ????) on their kazoos, smiling, laughing, and groovin’ to the music.
All down the length of Rollison smiling neighbors crept out onto ther porches and steps to join the party.
“we understand that everyone has different perception and might consider such an activity frivolous and disrespectful of this serious crisis we face” said Marston. “We honor the diversity of perspectives on how to handle the stress and anxieties. Not everyone agrees to the light hearted ‘breaks’ from worry and grief. Many of us are dealing with very difficult situations with family and friends. So, please make sure that this sharing doesn’t give a message that everything is laugh or we lack empathy and compassion.”
Posted on March 1, 2020 7:00 AM by Mary Cheston
Categories:
Life in New Town, NTRA Business
With warmer weather and the opportunity for outdoor activities, families want to know – what’s happening at the New Town community pool playground? You may have noticed that for the past year or so the playground becomes a soggy bog after heavy rain periods. This condition is affecting its use.
The NTRA also received $20,000 in funds from New Town Associates in 2017 for additional equipment at the playground. However, no money has yet been spent and there is no timeframe for when all the playground issues will be resolved.
History
To recap how we got here:
In 2016 residents successfully reversed a proposal from the developers to eliminate any further playgrounds in New Town. James City County Supervisors agreed in July 2016 to abide by the decision of the New Town Design Review Board and RAB as to whether an additional playground would be built in the Chelsea Green neighborhood as originally designed in the New Town Master Plan.
A workgroup of residents met throughout late 2016 to review whether another playground should be built and if not, consider upgrades that might be possible to the main playground near the pool. This committee consulted with residents of Chelsea Green, the playground equipment company, and James City County. In March 2017 the RAB approved their recommendations not to build a playground in Chelsea Green and to add umbrellas and an additional structure to the pool playground. In particular, the playground group felt that the use of some type of shading device would protect users from the seasonal heat and rain, thus enhancing the area’s use.
In April 2017, the RAB Chairman met with the developer who agreed to fund a new slide, a handicapped swing, additional tables, benches, and umbrellas. In August 2017, the RAB accepted $20,000 payment from New Town Associates for such equipment and in fulfillment of the James City County proffers regarding playgrounds.
Cost then became a factor, since estimates for the recommended additional equipment exceeded the funds provided by the developer. The RAB initially proposed to cover an additional $15,000 expense through a combination of the NTRA budget and a fundraising effort. In November 2017 the RAB also asked that the playground group provide a revised list of equipment to match the $20,000 funding. However, in February 2018 the playground group deferred and asked the RAB to make the final decision considering their prior recommendation for a slide and shade equipment. They further encouraged the association to take advantage of promotional sales.
In June 2019 the RAB asked Town Management to research the cost of a slide, handicapped swing and at least two umbrellas for the pool playground. They also recognized that the drainage at the playground had become a problem.
Drainage Problem
In July 2019 New Town’s landscape contractor met with Town Management concerning the drainage problem. The location of the playground is poor with no drainage system provided for runoff from the hard surface of the pool area as well as the interior sidewalk from Roper Park. Their initial estimate of the cost to correct the issues was $18-$20,000. In October 2019, the RAB asked Town Management to obtain at least two additional cost estimates and to consult with a professional and recommend an appropriate solution to fixing the drainage problem. In December 2019, the engineering consultant, AES, had not yet completed its analysis and the RAB asked Town Management to expedite the report. The RAB further confirmed that funds for this repair should be considered maintenance and taken from the NTRA Reserve Account and that any new playground equipment be purchased using the $20,000 from New Town Associates. AES subsequently provided its engineering analysis and Town Management is in the process of obtaining additional bids.
According to Tim Grueter, Senior Community Manager at Town Management, “there are few companies who do this kind of work.” Only one additional bid is available. The second construction company proposes a multi pipe drainage system to correct runoff in multiple locations, similar to a fix provided for a James City County park with a similar problem. Complicating any cost estimate is the fact that the current playground equipment is cemented in place, requiring a contractor to manually dig around the structures to install drainage pipes.
Go Forward Plan
Until the drainage problem is resolved, the RAB is reluctant to install any new equipment, according to RAB Chair, Chuck Stetler.
The bottom line - should your family expect a mud-free and shaded summer at the playground this year? Probably not.
Posted on March 1, 2020 7:00 AM by Patti Vaticano
Categories:
Life in New Town
Betty Painter (Submitted by Lucy and Charlie Painter)
In April 2019, my husband, Charlie, and I lost our 20-year old cat, Sunny, known to some in Charlotte Park as the “Cat that got away.” He escaped when we moved in and returned five days later, much the worse for wear. When kidney disease took him in April, we made a firm decision: No more cats.
Then we met Betty.
Betty was a resident of Matthews-Gloucester Humane Society where she had lived for over a month. We were not looking for a kitten but another older cat, and Betty was turning five when we found her. Her former family had been transferred with the military and were unable to take her or her brother with them. Her brother found a forever home within the first week; but, according to the adoption counselors, Betty’s blind eye frightened off some adopters. But not us.
Betty has ruled our house, including our two dachshunds, since May 22 of last year. She is, in the words of our cat sitter, a “confident” cat, code word for spoiled, and happy – and home.
Athena and Bull (Submitted by Max Pfannebecker)
Sugar Gliders, Athena, age 7, and buddy, Bull, age 9, share their New Town home with companion, Max Pfannebecker. Though native to Australia, Athena and Bull were bred locally by Highland Sugar Gliders in Smithfield. In the wild, gliders live in colonies of a dozen or more and even as pets their good health requires company of their own species--hence this happy two-some.
While they may look like flying squirrels and can “fly” similarly; unlike squirrels, sugar gliders are marsupials, mammals whose offspring are born incompletely developed and are carried and suckled in their mother’s belly pouch until maturity. They’re very active and affectionate and like to snuggle up in hoodie pockets. Their fur is very soft like a chinchilla.
They eat mostly fruits and vegetables with a homemade glider food that adds other essential vitamins, minerals, and proteins. Sugar gliders, much like a dog or cat, live 12 to 15 years.
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Lilas Chandler (Submitted by Joyce Brown Chandler)
I took this photo of my cat, Lilas, last night. She was helping me complete my online leadership training required of my employer. She was truly intent on absorbing the new knowledge.
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Bailey Stetler (Submitted by Chuck and Susan Stetler)
My name is Bailey Stetler and I am a combination beagle and Tennessee walker. I now live with my mommy and daddy on Rollison drive. Before I was rescued three years ago, I spent some time at Heritage humane society. It’s hard for me to remember my life before the Stetler’s, but I’m told I never lived in a house. Never even walked with a leash.
My mommy Susan, had lost a sweet beagle called Molly a year before...and she said she only wanted a five pound dog if she ever got another dog. That she was tired of big heavy dogs. Well, I knew I weighed more than five pounds.....more like 55 pounds!! So, I had to pour on the charm... .and
it worked... and soon I was a member of the family. What a good life I have had these past three years....lots of walks, and plenty of great food. Maybe too much. Possibly I should call Oprah or Marie Osmond?. I somehow knew that these people would love me and give me the best home a dog could ask for. I hang out a lot with my mommy because I never know when she’ll be going to the kitchen....more food for me!!! Recently my mommy had an accident on the porch when my daddy wasn’t home, and she called for me. Only, she must have hit her head because she called me Lassie. I asked her,” who is Lassie ?” Just another fun day here at the Stetler home. My daddy says that I am the perfect dog for them...I never bark, I sleep good, and I take long naps. And you can see from my picture that my favorite place is under the kitchen table looking and begging for food from my mommy. Its a wonderful life !!
it worked... and soon I was a member of the family. What a good life I have had these past three years....lots of walks, and plenty of great food. Maybe too much. Possibly I should call Oprah or Marie Osmond?. I somehow knew that these people would love me and give me the best home a dog could ask for. I hang out a lot with my mommy because I never know when she’ll be going to the kitchen....more food for me!!! Recently my mommy had an accident on the porch when my daddy wasn’t home, and she called for me. Only, she must have hit her head because she called me Lassie. I asked her,” who is Lassie ?” Just another fun day here at the Stetler home. My daddy says that I am the perfect dog for them...I never bark, I sleep good, and I take long naps. And you can see from my picture that my favorite place is under the kitchen table looking and begging for food from my mommy. Its a wonderful life !!
If you have a furry companion who deserves a moment of New Town fame, please email bio and pic to Patti Vaticano at pastaparty54@gmail.com.
Posted on March 1, 2020 7:00 AM by Patti Vaticano
Categories:
Life in New Town
Dogs are popular and always welcome in New Town, as they add a richness and greater dimension to our lives. Unfortunately, dog urination is damaging community turf.
The Landscape Advisory Committee has developed a pilot program to address the problem and is asking dog owners to assist in its implementation. The intent is to find a solution that protects the community’s investment in landscaping while also addressing the daily needs of dogs and their owners. A total of four test sites have been identified in the neighborhoods most impacted by the problem--Chelsea Green, Savannah Square, Abbey Commons and Village Walk, Each mulch bed will be situated on common property between curb and sidewalk, near an established dog station, and incorporating a tree, a fire hydrant, or both. The appearance will be that of a markedly extended mulch bed clearly identified with appropriate signage. In a few weeks, you will be seeing these extended mulch beds being prepared. More specific location information will be provided, shortly, as well as a sincere appeal to dog owners to “Respect the Turf.” and use the extended mulch beds, as requested. LAC member, David Carter, will lead the project, and fellow-LAC member, Eden Glenn, will communicate to New Town residents the systematic progress being made.
Posted on March 1, 2020 7:00 AM by Mike Reilly, Board Liaison to Asset Maintenance Committee
Categories:
Life in New Town
The NTRA Activities Committee has released dates and topics for 2020's Noon Talks series held quarterly at Center Street Grill (registration for March 11 Noon Talk below).
NASA’s Search for Life Beyond Earth
John Delano, PhD - Geochemistry and NASA Researcher
Wednesday, March 11 @ 12:00 PM
Center Street Grill
Archeological History of Our Roper Park
Joe Jones, Director, W&M Center for Archeological Research
Wednesday, May 13 @ 12:00 PM
Center Street Grill
Dream Catchers Therapeutic Riding – How it Enhances the Lives of Individuals with Physical, Emotional & Developmental Needs
Tom Miller, Retired Physician and Charlotte Park Resident
Wednesday, September 9 @ 12:00 PM
Center Street Grill
An Historical Interpreter’s Experience at Mt Vernon and Washington’s Tomb
Dave Gaydos, Historical Interpreter and Charlotte Park Resident
Wednesday, November 11 @ 12:00 PM
Center Street Grill
Posted on March 1, 2020 7:00 AM by Dave Holtgrieve, BOD Secretary
Categories:
NTRA Business
The annual inspection program will soon commence during the months of March thru April with written violations being issued by May 15th. This year, the entire community will be inspected. As expressed at the Annual Meeting, a walk-through of the community will be conducted versus a detailed thorough inspection that cost the Association $40/home; our budget for this year was greatly reduced. Since the Asset Maintenance Committee’s inception, the goal was to have this become an annual process with the hope to create a cultural change that folks would attend to their maintenance on a yearly basis.
This program is important for the appearance of the entire community as it ages and to maintain property values. (The Master Declaration of Protective Covenants and Restrictions under Section 7.2., Maintenance of Property). Maintenance items are easier and less costly if attended to timely.
The HOA inspector does not inspect for major structural items, integrity of mechanical or electrical systems, pests, or leaks. The HOA inspector will look at obvious appearance items such as fading, chalking, blotching, and uneven paint; peeling paint on entry safety walk rails; mold and green fungus anywhere on the house, fence, or steps that require cleaning; removal of vegetation growing on the house or fence (more detail of items can be found on the link below).
Homeowners with maintenance items that need to be addressed will be requested to complete the needed repairs by June 30. If an owner does not agree with the repair requirements, they should write to Town Management by June 1 stating the reasons why they believe certain repairs are unnecessary. Town Management will review and reevaluate the need for repairs based on the facts laid out in the Owner correspondence, and if appropriate, a meeting will be set up between the owner and the Asset Maintenance Committee to discuss the resolution.
Requests for time extensions will be limited. If an owner plans to complete the repairs, but they won't be completed by June 30, then they should provide a plan and timetable for completion. Providing copies of any signed contracts as documentation is advised. Records of all inspections and related documentation throughout the inspection and compliance process will be kept by Town Management.
Over the past three years, the program has had positive results among our owners. We have a community that meets the high standards of a properties consistent with a "first-quality" development.
For further detailed information of the process please visit the links below to get to Exterior Maintenance section of our website.
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