Fall into Great Times

Willow Oaks Recreation Association • A Covenant Community

2019 Fourth Quarter Newsletter

Fall into

Great Times

at Willow Oaks

Inside This Issue

Neighborhood Events Page 3 - 5

Message from the President, Board Reports and Membership

Page 6 Summer Wrap Up!

Page 7

Neighborhood Watch, Hospitality and Announcements

Page 8

Real Estate Information and Local Businesses Supporting WORA

Dogs and Smores

Saturday, November 2nd 6:00 pm • Willow Oaks Pool See page 2 for details.

Whether you are in the mood to buy or sell, this WORA sponsored event is for you. Each household that signs up will receive copies of our neighborhood map with the locations of each yard sale marked and we

will advertise the event. There is no cost to participate, but you must sign up by noon, Wednesday, October 2nd to be covered under the WORA permit.

Contact Jo Behan at [email protected] or (757) 851-0750 to register your address.

Individual permits can be purchased ($5.00) at the Development Services Center at 22 Lincoln Street, 3rd floor or online at hampton.gov/1158/Yard-Sale-Permits.

Saturday, October 5th!

ANNUAL MEETING

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Beginning at 6:30 pm Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Simeon Center

250 Fox Hill Road

Share your voice at the

upcoming meeting!

FIVE board member vacancies will need to be filled so please attend to help ensure your voice is heard. Anyone can attend the meeting, but please check page 5 to ensure you’ve paid this year’s dues and can vote. Hampton Mayor, Donnie Tuck and David McCauley from Parks & Recreation have indicated they will attend the meeting to answer questions. Key Agenda Items for our Annual Meeting: 1. Review of the City Management’s responsibilities

with respect to their ownership of the islands within Willow Oaks as well as a status report on our efforts to draft a formal document between WORA and the City on our use of the islands.

2. WORA Board of Directors Reports

3. Pool Renovations Plans and funding efforts

4. WORA Board of Directors Elections. Five positions are up for election this fall:

• Brian Souder (President) – Seeking re-election • Heath Kearney (Vice President) – Seeking

re-election

• Jessica Glover (Secretary) – Seeking re-election • Michael Glover (Treasurer) – Seeking re-election • Rebecca Francese (Membership Chair) – Not

seeking re-election

All Class A WORA members in good standing are eligible for consideration. Nominations by eligible voters (Class A members in good standing) should be addressed to Jessica Glover, secretary.willow.oaks. [email protected], or Brian souder, president.willow. [email protected]. The consent of those nominated must be secured. Self-nomination is permitted. Only one member per household can vote in the election of the Board of Directors. The 2020 board members will vote on board positions at the January 2020 board meeting. – Jessica Glover

We will roast hotdogs and marshmallows around the campfire. Kids (and adults) can wear their Halloween costumes! The best will get a prize and all kids will get a goodie bag. Open to Willow Oaks residents, pool members and guests. WORA will provide the fixings

for hotdogs and s’mores, drinks and hot chocolate.

RsVP to Jessica at [email protected] or to Facebook Events so we can prepare enough food.

Remember, no glass containers for food or drinks at the pool!

Saturday, November 2nd

6:00 pm • Willow Oaks Pool

$5.00 cover charge per person and

please bring an appetizer to share.

Board of Directors

116 Wilderness Rd.

(757) 575-4282

[email protected] Vice President – Heath Kearney

301 Rapidan Rd.

(757) 344-9458 [email protected]

treasurer – Michael Glover

201 Cannister Ct.

[email protected] secretary – Jessica Glover

201 Cannister Ct.

(757) 969-2926

[email protected] membership – Rebecca Francese

22 Hatteras Landing (757) 537-5401 [email protected] Architectural Control – Bob Hudgins 254 Beauregard Hts. (757) 851-3532 [email protected] Grounds – Cynthia Bilyj

407 Willow Oaks Blvd. [email protected]

The WORA Board of Directors meets monthly, usually on the first

Tuesday of the month. Members in good standing are welcome to

attend any meeting with prior notice to the president. Meeting

dates are subject to change.

WORA BOARD mEEtinGs

October 1st

November 5th • December 3rd Willow Oaks Library • 6:30 pm

Annual Meeting - October 17th

Like Us on Facebook

www.facebook.com/ FriendsofWillowOaks

Board and Committee Reports

President Message

Friends and Neighbors, I am honored and excited to report that Willow Oaks has been having an outstanding year! Thanks to the incredible hard work of your Board of Directors and countless hours by numerous volunteers, we have an incredible in both community participation and the financial health of our pool! We still have some work to do in encouraging all of our neighbors to become members in good standing, but we are making steady progress there too.

I am especially proud of the incredibly positive response we have seen to the improvements at our pool. Your Vice President and Pool Manager, Heath Kearney, along with his entire family have worked overtime all summer – practically living at the pool – to create great events and help our community’s pool reach its fullest potential! Heath stepped in to fill an emergency open spot on the board and really stepped up to the plate for our community. We are truly lucky to have him!

On that subject, our fall Annual Meeting will be held on October 17th, 2019 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in the Simeon Center at 6:30 pm. Please make a point of coming out and engaging with your WORA Board. We have a lot to discuss and elections to hold. This will be your opportunity to let your voice be heard and help shape the direction of WORA for 2020! I am also pleased to announce that Mayor Donnie Tuck and members of the City Manager’s office will be attending our meeting to discuss important issues and answer questions from the community. Details are in the Annual Meeting Agenda on page 2.

We are all looking forward to seeing you at our annual meeting! Your Board of Directors is extremely proud of the great year we have had. We cannot wait to share with you all that our team has been working to accomplish on behalf of this amazing community! We also look forward to your feedback on things you feel we are doing well, as well as ways that we can improve! As always, we stand ready to serve our community. – Brian Souder

Vice President

Splash! And just like that, the gates are closed on the 2019 Pool Season. What an amazing experience it has been for my family and I. The opportunity for my wife and I to meet so many amazing neighbors and new friends has been so rewarding. We are happy to announce that with efforts of last year’s management and this year’s volunteers that we had an increase in pool membership by 20%. This gives us the opportunity to continue with some of the improvement projects that were started this spring to include painting our facility, upgrading to low cost LED lighting and grounds projects.

It is truly easy to say after this season, that we as members of Willow Oaks Recreation Association have the best facilities in Hampton and it shows! This is something we should hold our heads up and be proud of…. But it’s not cheap to maintain and without your continued support our facilities could fall to the wayside. Your donations and contributions to the pool are greatly appreciated. We have been able to setup a tax deductible donation site through the City of Hampton Neighborhood Development Partnership Commission where you can donate to our pool. (If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to WORA through the HNDP, send us a sEPARAtE check made out to the HnDP with “Willow Oaks Recreational Association” and “Pool” in the memo line.) Money isn’t the only thing needed; Painters, Plumbers, Electricians, Gardeners and more are welcome sites to these eyes. Thanks to many volunteers this season we have been able to update lighting around the property, paint the parking lot and curbs and the bathrooms. If you have any of these skills or just a strong willingness to volunteer, we always have something to do around the pool!

Brief reminder of history of WORA – our

neighborhood began its construction and recorded its first deeded homes with the city in 1968. From there we have grown to 426 luxurious homes in the heart of Hampton and for almost 50 years Willow Oaks has been a sought after community to live, raise children and always retaining home values. We have many hurdles ahead of us this year with some overdue capital improvement projects from a new pool cover, concrete repairs, and the possibility of draining the pool for some needed plumbing and plaster repairs. Without the help of our community these tasks will be impossible! The rumor has been that the neighborhood dues is what keeps the pool running. Well the truth of the matter is, the pool has been self-sustaining for a good number of years under the guidance of some super fiscally responsible residents and members of the WORA Board. But it is time for us all to dig deep and help restore the facility to its glory. Our goal this year is to raise $30,000 to fund this overdue rehab – in a fairytale world, we would click our heels or wave the magic wand and it would all be fixed. That’s just not the reality… As you have seen through the season we have added a new look to the front of the pool with the addition of

our Armed Services Flags, currently displayed at the pool are the College Flags for which our outstanding Lifeguards are attending. Through the rest of the year you will see new Flags for the season and holidays. Please take a moment and swing by just because we are closed we shouldn’t be forgotten! I hope with the upcoming 2020 Season that more of our neighborhood will rejuvenate that feeling for the WORA Community Pool and once again join us for the summertime activities. – Heath Kearney

Pool Manager’s Corner:

Just because the pool closed, doesn’t mean the work is finished! We are planning on a few work parties this fall to continue with some of the awesome improvements that were started this spring. We are hoping to complete the painting of the pool house before the weather changes from Fall to Winter. The more help we have, the faster we can get things completed. Starting in October, volunteers are needed to assist with painting of the pool house, pump house and the garage. In addition, we would like to tackle some needed landscaping projects. If you are interested in lending a hand, a brush or a shovel, please contact Heath Kearney at (757) 344-9458 or email vp.willow.oaks. [email protected]. – Kristina Kearney

Membership

Fall has finally arrived and with the refreshing change in season, it’s a good time to take stock in the transformation of Willow Oaks and our commitment to making it the neighborhood of choice in Hampton. Unfortunately, there has been a significant decline in supporting members over the past year. At this time, only 180 neighbors or 42 percent of Willow Oaks residents have submitted their annual membership dues. That means a very small percentage of our friends pay to support the neighborhood. Please remember that the annual $60 dues or about $1.20 a week, helps to maintain our community. That money is not only used to support the fun and philanthropic activities for the neighborhood – including the annual food drive, Easter egg hunt, community yard sales, Memorial Weekend Commemoration Ceremony, and Dogs and S’mores – but it also keeps our lights on, the newsletter printed and insurance payments up to date. Please support the neighborhood and pay your annual dues. In order to vote in the annual meeting, you must be a member in good standing. See you in October! – Rebecca Francese

M. Baker J. & E. Ballard-Spitzer P. & K. Barber C. & C. Barnes J. & K. Barthlome J. Behan J. Benger J. Berube M. & C. Bilyj M. Bjornby L. & L. Black S. & J. Brady B. & T. Brooks N. Browning R. & L. Butler R. & R. Cabler R. & M. Casey N. & J. Cecil P. & S. Cherry R. & D. Christiansen S. & D. Claflin J. Clark D. Colson M. Conage T. Cooper M. Copeland S. & G. Cowles C. Criste L. & L. Darden G. & S. Daugherty B. & T. Denton R. & D. Dunn W. & S. Dynes I. & K. Eanes J. & J. Esson H. & B. Eure T. & H. Feild M. & E. Foley S. & B. Forrest R. & J. Foulks R. & J. Francese J. & S. Frith K. & K. Fyfe R. & G. Gentry R. & D. Gibson P. Gilreath M. & J. Glover D. & B. Godwin F. & S. Goodwin B. & L. Grandle D. & S. Grantham J. & B. Griffin K. Grimes R. & D. Grimm M. & P. Gross N. Gruttman E. & M. Guldner R. Hagin G. Hall D. Hamilton Hampton R&HA D. & K. Hayes L. & I. Heggen J. & C. Hill D. & E. Hockenbroch D. & L. Holley B. & J. Hudgins G. & K. Humphrey J. & S. Hurst M. Johnson R. Johnston K. & L. Jones D. & N. Jordan W. & K. Kearney A. & D. Kelly J. & K. Kilgore P. & J. Killian M. King D. & A. Kinslow J. & W. Kissinger C. Kovacs M. Kraft K. Landreneau B. & R. Lentz S. & R. Leonardi D. & R. Logan V. & R. Lyeth D. Magaldi T. & K. Majerus A. & M. Manns B. Massiah J. & B. McGlothlin N. & S. McInnis H. McKinney B. & S. Meidenbauer V. Merritt K. Messier J. Michael L. & R. Minetree K. & C. Moore N. Moran L. Morris C. Murphy D. Napier R. & S. Newman L. & L. Nisley J. & D. Nogrady/Dell G. & K. Onks P. & C. Oswald M. Owens J. & J. Pace A. & P. Packard M. Paul F. Pauling D. & B. Peyton P. & J. Phillips K. Pinzel V. & I. Pokras T. & M. Pressey J. & S. Quitaro M. & G. Ready D. Reddy N. Reduto F. & S. Repasky J. & A. Reynolds V. & N. Reynolds J. & M. Rhodes J. & C. Robinson F. Rodriquez K. & D. Romney D. & E. Roos D. & C. Rowley M. & R. Ruffino M. & B. Saavedra P. Sakach M. Savage N. & L. Schaeffler J. & G. Schwartz D. & M. Seitz G. & Z. Siekirski F. & D. Simmons, Jr E. & A. Skjoldager S. Sollars-Dews B. & C. Souder K. & S. Spence J. & M. Spencer L. & M. Stewart D. Stone M. & L. Story J. & N. Sweat A. Thomas D. Thompson M. & J. Upton M. & S. Urick A. & P. Van Bibber

L. Vasquez E. Vest D. & M. Wall L. & D. Ware J. & W. Warren A. & W. Warren D. Webster S. & J. Wells T. & S. Wharton B. Wild D. & C. Williams K. Williams N. Williamson C. & D. Wilson C. Winarski S. Winbourne W. & A. Wolkowich B. Wood P. Wright D. Wright P. & S. Yarrington A. Yost V. & A. Young W. & B. Young C. & J. Zollicoffer

Thank you Class A members for your support!

They are eligible to vote and become board members.

It’s not too late

_{to pay your membership}

and participate at the

2019 Annual Meeting!

Please neatly print your name & address. _____________________________________ Name _____________________________________ Address _____________________________________ Phone _____________________________________ E-mail

Please provide your e-mail address so WORA can inform you of neighborhood events and news.

BAsiC mEmBERsHiP

make membership checks or money orders payable to WORA. nO CAsH WiLL BE ACCEPtED.

New memberships paid before or at the annual meeting on October 17th, will be eligible to vote.

Summer Pool Wrap Up!

Thank you to all who brought food to the pool for our Summer

Food Drive. WORA collected

200 pounds of food to the Virginia Peninsula Food Bank.

The Food Bank can always use donations. Please consider visiting them at 2401 Aluminum

Avenue, Hampton.

hrfoodbank.org

Summer Food Drive

This year’s dog swim was a blast.

WORA collected $120 that will

be donated to the Animal Aid Society, a local no kill animal

shelter. If you are thinking of adding a fur baby to your family, please consider AAS at 80 Butler

Farm Road in Hampton.

AnimalAidSociety.org

A Special Thank You!!

Many thanks to all the families that participated in the Last Late Night – A special thank you to one of WORA’s own, Summer Food Drive with

miXXstAR DJ’s for donating his time for our Pool Activities We would also like to recognize Anne Doop with Abbitt Reality for

Block Captain Updates

Thanks again to everyone for

supporting our block captains as they help keep us up to speed with what’s going on throughout the various areas of our neighborhood. Please reach out to your block captain anytime you have a concern.

We still need a neighborhood Watch Coordinator, if interested, contact Jessica Glover at (757) 969-2926 or [email protected].

Hampton Police Division

Non-Emergency Line (757) 727-6111

HPD Community Relations (757) 727-6574

A community network for the distribution of information. To sign up, go to willowoaksva.nextdoor.com.

Have a New

Neighbor?

Let Hospitality Know!

If you are new to the neighborhood or know of

someone who just moved in,

please contact me for a gift bag with neighborhood information, coupons and treats.

I am looking for volunteers to join the Hospitality

Committee to help welcome new members to our community. Please contact Chelsea souder at

(757) 754-1901 or [email protected].

WORA

HOSPITALITY

COMMITTEE

Please submit your good stuff to Jessica Glover at [email protected] or notify your Block Captain if you have a story to share from your area of the neighborhood. Include

any information on new neighbors as well, as we are looking to welcome them in each quarterly

newsletter (residents and renters).

2019

Yards of the Month

April – 147 Wilderness Rd • Joe Hill

may – 203 Manassas Ct • Gary & Keely Humphrey June – 308 Gaines Mill Lane • Anthony Parker July – 300 Lookout Pass • Steve & Maria Urick August – 303 Rapidan Rd • Larry & Ingrid Heggen

september – 306 Rapidan Rd • Jan & Nan Jordan

Neighborhood Yard Cleanup

We all know that when the leaves start to fall, it’s hard to keep up with the cleanup of your yard, so please let us know if you have extra equipment/manpower to help other neighbors keep up with their yards. We will be looking to assist a variety of homeowners in the coming months and could use as many helping hands as we can find! Please email Jessica Glover at secretary.willow.oaks. [email protected] with your information or for additional information. We thank you for your willingness to help our community. Date to be determined.

Roses

&

Thorns

WiLLOW OAKs REAL EstAtEmEnt

Provided by tina Chrismon CuRREntLY FOR sALE

Address Bedrooms Baths sq. Ft. List Price

2 Susquehanna Court 3 2.5 1,950 $235,000 113 Wilderness Road 4 2.5 2,320 $279,000

5 Kempers Charge 4 2.5 2,507 $285,000

unDER COntRACt

Address Bedrooms Baths sq. Ft. List Price

303 Chantilly Court 4 2.5 2,285 $254,900 RECEntLY sOLD

Address BR / Baths sq. Ft. Date Closed sale Price

2 Chattanooga Court 4 / 2.5 1,888 09/09/19 $149,000 316 Falmouth Turning 3 / 2.5 1,810 08/07/19 $150,000 228 Chickamauga Pike 4 / 2.5 1,885 08/16/19 $230,000 307 Falmouth Turning 4 / 2.5 2,347 08/09/19 $233,000 236 Beauregard Heights 4 / 2.5 2,113 08/26/19 $247,000 100 Horseshoe Landing 4 / 2.5 2,543 07/29/19 $250,000 115 Horsehoe Landing 4 / 2.5 2,296 08/02/19 $254,000 6 Kanawha Court 4 / 2.5 2,520 07/10/19 $265,000 All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed ~ Source: Real Estate Information Network

Hampton Real Estate update – Detached single Family Homes

Year-over-year Change March 2018 March 2019 Change %

Number of Homes for Sale 668 510 -23.7%

Under Contract 145 182 + 25.5%

Closed Sales 167 188 +12.6%

Average Sales Price $184,000 $202,251 +9.9%

Inventory of homes for sale remains low…

If you’re thinking about making a move, now may be the perfect time. Call or email me today for a personal consultation… —

Tina

tinA CHRismOn

Associate Broker, CRS, GRI “Bringing Great People & Great

Homes Together For 34 Years!!” Cell: 757-846-4194 Office: 757-873-3636 Ext. 2334 Email: [email protected] On the Web at: www.tina4homes.com

Your neighborhood

REALtOR

PENINSULA