March 2004

PRESIDENT'S NOTE

Hello-my name is Joe White. I’m the new board president for 2004.We have enjoyed living in Springlakes for three years & I’m looking forward to helping our neighborhood in anyway I can. All of our committees are geared up & ready to serve. We need to know all of your concerns & goals for the future of Springlakes.

 Please take a few minutes to fill out the enclosed survey. Everyone’s input is needed so we can proceed with a five-year plan of growth.

We’ll be drawing a winner from the collected surveys, and that person will receive a $50 gift certificate to French Market Grille West, donated by the general manager Jim Beck. To make the process easier, we’ll be placing a collection box at the clubhouse, or you can mail the forms to the return address. Thank you very much for your participation in the decisions we have to make. I look forward to hearing your ideas.

2004 BOARD MEMBERS

Springlakes voted in the following as your board members on January 13, 2004. Springlakes would like to thank our board members and new president for volunteering their time to serve our community.

Joe White, President
Sujit Samaddar
Hank Beitzel
Tom Cook
Julie Inglett
Max Knight
Russell Mobley
Gary Otsby
Becky Sharpton

ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS

Invoices for 2004 Homeowner assessments were mailed on February 9, 2004. This year’s assessments were due before March 15, 2004. Assessments are $160 per residential dwelling and $17 per residential lot. If you did not receive an invoice, please notify Marianne Petras, Association Manager, at 855-7987, so another can be issued.

  2003 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

  2004 GOALS

• 5% Assessment Increase to $160 per Year
• Develop a 5-year plan to develop Cofield Pond Property, Update Clubhouse, and Make improvements to the Pool.
• Continue Landscaping Improvements at Entrances
• Update Springlakes Website
• Issue Updates on Flowing Wells Road Widening Plans and Schedule
• Issue Updates on Speed Hump Petitions
• Publish New Directory
• Publish Quarterly Newsletters
• Re-grade Pool/Clubhouse Parking Lot as Required
• Sponsor Annual Picnic
• Sponsor Children’s Christmas Party
• Sponsor Award for Best Springlakes Christmas Home Decorations
• Promote Luminary Night the Sunday Before Christmas
• Maintain all Common Property
• Maintain an Active Crime Watch Program
• Maintain Active Covenants Committee and Enforcement
• Continue Neighborhood Welcome Program
• Private Advertisements in Newsletter, Directory and Website

COVENANTS COMMITTEE

Thank you to all residents who picked up so very quickly after the ice storm!

We welcome in another New Year and anticipate spring. Warmer temperatures give us an opportunity to get out in the yard and tidy up after this very long cold winter. As you begin clearing your lawns from the fall, remember that our covenants prohibit all outside burning at Springlakes. Also as many of you enter spring, boats and trailers may come to mind. Please remember that no trailer (recreational or work related) or boat can be parked in such a way that it is visible from the street.

The covenants committee has been extremely busy with project requests. The committee has already addressed over 60 project requests or violations. Residents are reminded that any project that alters and/or changes the exterior appearance of your lot requires prior written approval before any work can start. This includes tree removal. The covenants committee meets the third Tuesday of the month to review project requests and violations. If you are planning a project in the near future, please include covenants in your initial planning and allow your covenants committee adequate time for project review.

The covenants committee is in need of committee members. Anyone wishing to serve on this committee please call the Association Manager at 855-7987.

LAKE REPORT by Terry Bland

The winter has not been that great for fishing. I have seen only a few fishermen out on the lake whenever the weather cooperated. The crappie seem to be the only fish biting on a regular basis, but it won’t be long before the bass go on their beds and fishing picks up. Remember, do not keep any bass caught during April and May. Return them safely back to the lake, so they can protect their beds. Also, we are going to establish 14 inches as a minimum size for bass for the rest of the year. So only keep those over 14 inches. Recommended good pond management says to remove all bass caught that are over 14 inches, because they eat the smaller fish and reduce the overall population of the lake.

 The cold weather appears to be helping clear up our lakes from the unwanted vegetation. The coon tail moss, which has inundated the lake from in front of the park up to the footbridge, appears to be retreating. Once the spring rains end, we will add another 100 sterile grass carp to help with vegetation control.

In Cofield pond, the algae are under control without use of chemicals. We will be adding some dye packs to the pond to help keep it under control. So, if you see the pond’s water change color—don’t go to the eye doctor—it is normal. Also, remember that the community property at Cofield pond is limited to only the dam and the access area between it and Kestwick Drive. Please respect the property rights of our residents surrounding the pond.

COMMUNICATIONS by Amy Catlett

WELCOME to all our new residents that joined Springlakes over the past year. It was a whirl wind year for me as new Communication Chair. In order to help facilitate the welcoming of new residents we are changing the way the Springlakes directory will be completed. In prior years, the whole directory was reviewed and reprinted annually. This year the directory will clear all past information regarding sitters and lawn care. This means if you want to be considered for babysitting, plant sitting, pet sitting, or lawn care you MUST submit your name and phone number to the PO Box.

The new directory will be delivered toward the end of May and will be in a 3 ring binder. New residents information will be in future newsletters, already hole punched, for you to place in your binder. This will help you keep up with your new neighbors and also cut down on printing and binding cost annually. Each year after you will receive a new insert for your Springlakes directory—YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE A NEW BINDER—just new pages.

If you have questions, comments, or would like to help with Communications, please contact Amy Catlett.

POOL by Ed Miller

The Springlakes Pool is eager to have new members. To encourage new membership the pool will not have an initiation fee, a savings of $420. Residents will pay the yearly $250 membership fee.

The Pool Committee has been hard at work planning for the summer season. We have a new management company and look forward to working with them. We’ve also been working with contractors to get estimates on the renovations needed at the pool.

The Pool Committee has agreed to change the current “tag” system. Instead of requiring members to wear tags, everyone will be required to sign in upon entering the pool. Lifeguards will be checking the list every hour. Members will be assigned numbers they will use when they sign in.

Because of this there will be no need for the traditional “Tag Day.” Cards with numbers can be picked up at the pool.

Pool Books and invoices will be mailed out soon. The schedule for the pool and fee information will be included.

If you’re interested in joining the pool, contact Jeanne Keeler (refer to the printed directory).

SWIM TEAM by Jennifer Miller

Adam Lewis will be returning as head coach. Sharon Rogers and Rebekah Moody will be assistant coaches. They have some big plans for the team this summer – including more individual swim clinics for swimmers and more social events. We’ll have morning and afternoon practices this summer.

We’ll be swimming in Division 3 and will be competing against some new teams. We have a great opportunity to win not only the regular season championship, but the divisional meet championship as well. But we’ll need every swimmer we can get – especially the older swimmers.

Jennifer Miller is the swim team coordinator again this year. If you have questions call or email at pool@springlakes.org.

Swim Team Signups

This year signups will be earlier. If you plan to order a team suit through the team you’ll want to be sure to sign up early. You’ll avoid additional shipping fees and will make sure you get your suit by the first meet. No late orders can be made for suits through the team. Information on ordering it yourself will be available.

Tuesday, April 27 – 6:30 – 8 p.m. Signup and order suits. Clubhouse
Sunday, May 2 - 2-3:30 p.m. Signup and order suits. Clubhouse
Monday, May 17 – 6 p.m. First Day of Practice
Monday, May 24 – Morning and afternoon practices begin
Tuesday, May 25 - Preseason meeting (covered dish dinner and party)
Tuesday, June 1 – Springlakes @ North Augusta Country Club
Tuesday, June 8 – Springlakes @ Woodbridge
TBA – Springlakes Relay Meet
TBA – Petersburg “B” Meet
Tuesday, June 15 – Jones Creek @ Springlakes
Tuesday, June 22 – National Hills @ Springlakes
Tuesday, June 29 – Springlakes @ Stratford
Tuesday, July 6 – Divisional Championship Meet – Aquatic Center
Saturday, July 10 – Stingray Mania
Sunday, July 11 – All-Star Meet – Aquatic Center (Select swimmers)

Neighborhood Directory Ads

The swim team is selling ads in the neighborhood directory. Dianne Kirby is again heading up the effort. If you’re interested in advertising please contact Dianne (refer to the printed directory). This is a great way to support the swim team and promote your business. All of the money raised is used for the team.

Rummage Sale

We are having our 2nd annual a rummage sale to help raise money for the swim team. However for this to be successful your help is required. As you go about your spring-cleaning please set aside your “stuff” for us. We are accepting any donation with the exception of major appliances. All proceeds go directly to the swim team and any left over items will be taken to Goodwill/Salvation Army.

Here’s what you need to do. Bring your items to the clubhouse March 26 & 27 (Thurs & Fri.) from 6:30p –9p. Be sure to have it ready to sell (cleaned). The rummage sale will begin on Sat. March 27 at 8am – 1pm.

Want to help? Please call Missy Manley (refer to the printed directory). We could use help with set up Sat. morning and hauling the leftovers off. If your older children (10 and up) would like to help watch tables that also would be great.  A big thanks you to Kristi Baker and Kay Knight for “volunteering” to help get this off the ground.

Volunteers

We still need a few more volunteers to fill key positions. For the team to be successful parental support is vital. Most positions aren’t difficult or time-consuming, but they require a willingness to help. If you will help, please contact Jennifer Miller.

Officials

We need more parents to become certified to be starters and stroke & turn judges. It sounds hard but it isn’t – and you don’t have to know much about swimming to do it. There will be two clinics where you will be trained and certified. Please consider attending. We can’t run meets without officials.

The clinics are:
Saturday, May 15 – 9 am-noon @ Aquatic Center
Saturday, May 22 – 9 am-noon @ Aquatic Center
The cost is $5 but the team will pay the fee. If you have questions contact Jennifer Miller. The certification lasts for two years, so if you didn’t get re-certified last summer you’ll need to attend the clinics this year.

SOCIAL COMMITTEE by Kristi Baker

Neighborhood Christmas Decoration Recognition

There following houses were recognized by Springlakes neighbors as houses that did a great job decorating their homes during the Christmas Season.

Mr. and Mrs. Paul LeJeune
Mr. and Mrs. Don McCullough
Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Master
Mr. and Mrs. David Williams
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Williams

2003 Children's Christmas Party

Springlakes hosted a wonderful children's Christmas Party.
All of the children seemed to enjoy the crafts and snacks. There we approximately 40 children at this event.

Easter

Due to scheduling conflicts, Masters week, and school breaks, there will not be a Children's Easter Egg Hunt. However, Kristi is planning on hosting a Spring/Summer Fun day for the neighborhood children. Please feel free to hide eggs at the neighborhood playground, and have a family day.

Springlakes Winetasters

Springlakes hosted its first Wine Tasting at the Clubhouse on March 5, 2004. Approximately 25 residents attended this event. Jeanne Freibert hopes to continue a monthly Friday evening social for neighbors who enjoy wine. A different house will host each month while partakers bring a bottle of wine and finger food to share. Please join us!

For more information, contact Jeanne Freibert Gronet (refer to the printed directory).

Martinez Elementary Parents

Please remember safety first when picking up your children after school on Heathcliff Drive. At 3:30 please try to enter from Sigman Drive and exit by way of Heathcliff Drive. A one way path reduces the traffic jam up and the potential for a child to get hurt.