It's official - if you are reading this, you've made it to the last month of the year. Congratulations :) You survived Kroger Wednesday, Thanksgiving Thursday, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday.
And we all know what comes next! That's right, just a few more weeks until the Winter Solstice. What is the Winter Solstice you ask???? Well, simply speaking - the winter solstice is the longest night and shortest day of the year. And what better way to celebrate it than going to Stonehenge! If you haven't booked your flight to England, you better hurry - round trip to Heathrow is about $1,300 right now. Once in London, it's just a 91 mile drive to Wiltshire. Dress appropriately, the average temps are in the low to mid 40's. A thermos of Wassail should keep you warm though!
What? Not up for traveling this Yuletide Season? Or do you just want to stay closer to home? Or maybe you just need a nice quiet place to celebrate the Night of the Immortal Stars, or place for you and your pack to howl at the moon? If that's the case - we have you covered! There are lots of ways to celebrate right here in Richland.
If that's too extreme, you can rent the club house for your own holiday themed party. We also have a fire pit by the tennis courts for those of you looking to dance outside under the full moon, or you can wake up extra early on Dec 21st and enjoy a Solstice Sunrise Nature walk on the Trails@Richland. If that's not your thing, the club house, as well as some of your neighbors (houses) are probably lit for the holidays...that's always fun viewing...and wait for it...Santa is Coming to Richland on December 10th!
Santa will have his own parade going through (most of) our subdivisions, starting at 12pm on Saturday, Dec 10th - be sure to step outside to see him pass by! Music will be blasting and treats will be flying! You will be able to follow the Santa parade route on Facebook live so you will know when Santa is near your street! See parade route below.
He should be at the clubhouse sometime around 2pm and will stay until about 5. He'll be going there right afer the parade, so if we speed, it may be sooner than 2 (check Facebook for updates). Bring your phones or cameras to take pictures that you will be able to cherish for years to come.
In addition to seeing Santa at the clubhouse the Social Committee will also put on a few holiday activities for the kids to participate in. These activities will include: a holiday word search, a sensory bin with fake snow, a marshmallow tower stacking challenge, making reindeer food to take home, writing letters to Santa, and decorating cookies. We hope that you can come by and see the jolly ol' fellow and socialize with your neighbors!
Parade Route: The numbers represent the order of the streets we will be on for the Santa route. We will start off at the lower tennis courts.
Thank You Social Committee Members!
This is a big shout out to the entire social committee for being the great individuals who work together seamlessly as a TEAM to bring fun to our community!
If you enjoy planning fun and creative events while meeting your neighbors along the way, consider joining us. Our monthly meetings are at 7pm the last Thursday in each month at the Richland Clubhouse. If you are interested in joining please, email us at: Social@richlander.com .
Richland Firepit Just a reminder, Richland has 1 community fire pit. It's located behind the tennis courts closest to the club house. Please note, while dancing around the fire pit is allowed (and encouraged), Richland is NOT a clothing optional community! And an additional word of caution - beware the Winter Wolf - some say the winter solstice is the only time of a person can be turned into a werewolf! The Fire-pit and grills are first come first serve. You can reserve the pavilions on either side using reservemycourt.com. Please plan to bring your own wood -- and please be sure to completely put out the fire when you are finished. There is a creek right behind the firepit - use as much water as you need - we'll make more!
The Trails@Richland
As referenced earlier, a traditional way to celebrate the Winter Solstice is a sunrise walk on the Trails @ Richland. Both trails are completed and, hopefully, will be cleared of most of the fall leaves by the time you read this newsletter (if they haven't been - know that we are working on getting that done). The original trail is accessible behind the lower tennis courts on Quinton Rd.
The other trail is accessible from the clubhouse parking lot, you will need to walk along the guardrail up Taylor road. You can't miss it. The image to the right is a rough approximation of the trail path. If you stay on the gravel, you should be fine!
Please Use Caution: There have been reports of folks using the trail and blindly walking out into the road. As tempting as it may be for you, or your kids, to do a live action simulation of frogger - Please Don't! It's always safest to use the crosswalk. In an effort to reduce worry and surely save countless lives, we've placed signage indicating there is a road ahead. We'd hate for you to be the next winner of a Darwin Award!
Stay up to date with all the happenings in the Richland Community. Download the NABR Network App for your phone, or check it out on the website. Once you set up your account, you set your preferences to receive communications through text message alerts or opt to receive the same information via email or you can just regularly check the community feed for updates. Additionally, you are able to pay dues, reserve the clubhouse and submit ACC requests all virtually.
NOTE: Please answer the questions fully if you are just joining!
This is a great resource to exchange information with your neighbors, find out the latest information on upcoming events, find reliable contractors, post pictures of your lost pets and, of course, to complain about the various projects the HOA is doing around the neighborhood for which you weren't personally consulted, even though they were discussed at monthly meetings, the annual meetings, newsletters, Facebook Group and NABR network.
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As has been mentioned, the HOA seemingly does not do a very good job of notifying the community of the various projects underway. This section is an attempt to remedy this by providing more updates - and to solicit ideas from the community on other possible solutions. Most, if not all, of these have been referenced or discussed at the Annual Meeting, on FB, NABR Network or the Richlander Newsletters.
- Replaster Main and Feature Pool - We are still researching options to replace the mushroom feature. If we are able to find a replacement, we will commence with plastering in the new year. Otherwise, we'll push it until next year after the summer season. If you have any suggestions, or know someone who can get us a great deal on commercial quality pool features, please feel free to email the theboard@richlander.com.
- Landscape tree work in common area - We've finished clearing the underbrush near the lower tennis courts. The contractor still has a few more trees to remove which are diseased, dead, or pose a risk to property. There is a little more clean up to occur - but for the most part this is done.
- Continue Camera System Upgrades - As many of you may know, we've had some vandalism and theft of property over the past couple of years. Our current equipment was not able to identify the individuals - even though we had recordings. HOA Board Members and our management company will be meeting with a vendor first week of December. We hope to be able to replace the current security cameras throughout the common areas - our current system is well over 10 years old and most of the equipment is no longer supported. If you have suggestions to eliminate the threat of vandalism or theft, please let us know your suggestions. Again - email theboard@richlander.com
- Richland Lakes Gwinnett County planned maintenance - No update since Annual Meeting in October.
- Richlake Silt Study and Lake Committee - No update since Annual Meeting in October.
- Nature Trail - Both trails are completed. However, we may not be able to connect to Hunt River Way as was previously planned due to the marshy lake area. We will still be getting a quote for a wooden board walk - but that may be cost prohibitive. We will keep you all posted.
- Bridges - It was mentioned during the annual meeting that the bridges connecting the Upper and Lower Tennis Courts need to be repaired or replaced. We have received a few quotes from contractors. One quote was very reasonable for replacing both bridges. Some HOA Board Members and ShaBen will be meeting with contractor the first week of December to discuss project further.
- Trail Bridge - We will also be asking for a quote to build a 3rd bridge connecting the two trails and comparing that to the quotes we received for an aluminum bridge kit which would need to be installed by volunteers.
- Clubhouse Repairs - Repairs have been made to the stairs and the ramp. These will be repainted to match the existing color scheme as soon as possible.
- Lower Tennis Court Pavilion Repairs -The steps were beginning to rot, the rotted boards have been replaced with pressure treated wood. We are seeing about getting the it all pressure washed then having it all restained/painted.
I like beer. I like absinthe too, but that's an acquired taste for many. Beer tends to be more universal and is cheaper for a toast! I'm of the opinion that the beer you drink should reflect the season. The Shorter the Day, the Darker the Beer, the Longer the Day, the lighter the Beer. So, if you've made it this far through the newsletter, this toast is for you! Happy Winter Solstice!
Jay.
Time to Vote out the HOA Board!
This Newsletter is intended for residents of the Richland HOA.
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