🎃 The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
September/October 2025 Edition
It’s that magical time of year again, Richland… the leaves are turning, the skeletons are migrating from garage bins to front porches, and the HOA inbox is filling up with ARC requests for 12-foot clowns and animatronic zombie babies. Husbands are arguing with the budget committee for a seasonal increase (something about tariffs and fog machines), and one neighbor keeps asking to put a mourning shroud on the clubhouse. (You know who you are.)
But before we carve pumpkins or summon fog, we must speak of something truly terrifying...
The Annual HOA Meeting.
Yes, it's happening. And yes, it's required by the bylaws. So dust off your cloaks and your voting rights, because the veil between the living and the board is thinning.
You don’t think the Annual Meeting is important?
Well, let me tell you a story about Old Mrs. Juno. She thought the same thing...
Many years ago—sometime in the late 1900s when fax machines roamed the earth and people still paid bills by mail—Mrs. Juno moved into a tidy little home near the lake. The listing said “quiet daytime neighborhood.” She assumed that meant low traffic.
Boy, was she mistaken.
By week three, she discovered Richland was less “Mayberry” and more “Underworld.”
She kept getting mail addressed to someone named Otho, her neighbors never aged, and she found a Polaroid of ghosts in designer sheets posing in front of her rose bush. And of course, her house just happened to sit near the long-forgotten resting place of Captain Jacques “Shadowblade” Buleaugh, pirate, land surveyor, and self-declared HOA enforcer.
Still, Mrs. Juno pressed on—making shrimp cocktails for her ghostly neighbors, filing her ACC forms in triplicate, and even attending her first HOA meeting…
Which she left early and never attended again, in her words, that was just a waste of time!
That, friends, was her mistake.
Soon after, strange things began happening. Her kitchen drawers rearranged themselves into a pentagram. Her garage door only opened when she said the word “compliance.” And one night, while watching Matlock reruns, she was briefly possessed by someone claiming to be a bio-exorcist from the 1300s.
But they say the final straw came during a neighborhood luau-turned-seance, when she was kept up all night drinking bottom-shelf rum with a ghostly tally man who insisted on singing everything twice. All poor Mrs. Juno wanted the next morning was to go home.
But she couldn’t. Because she hadn’t attended the HOA meeting.
And when you skip the official one and show up to the Full Moon Luau hosted by vampires, werewolves, and one very hungry banshee… well, let’s just say Mrs. Juno wasn’t on the guest list—
she was the entrée.
Mrs. Juno vanished not long after that. Some say she sold her house and moved to Florida. Others claim she got a job working for the management company, handling “special cases” from… somewhere else. A few residents even claim they’ve seen her—still clutching a clipboard—in a small, dark office behind the payment dropbox, muttering about bio-exorcists and people who skipped their mandatory annual meetings.
👻 So Remember…Every ghost starts as a resident who skipped the HOA Annual Meeting!
📅 The Annual HOA Meeting
Date: October 27
Time: Sign-in begins at 6:30 PM, meeting starts at 7:00 PM
Location: The Richland Clubhouse
Be there—or risk an eternity of filling out paperwork… in triplicate.
We’ll be discussing important topics like:
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⚙️ Ongoing Y-16 Dam repairs
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🌊 The HOA’s cautious exploration of lake dredging
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👔 And whether pinstripe suits should be banned at future meetings
(kidding… mostly)
So grab your ghost-free chairs and join us. Just don’t sit in the third seat from the left.
We haven’t been able to clean it since that one incident when...well, just don't sit there, trust us.
Ok...for real though - we have an annual meeting coming up :)
- Who: All members of the Richland HOA community (in good standing) and the current HOA board.
- What: The Richland HOA Annual Meeting, where the annual budget will be presented, various community issues will be discussed, upcoming major projects will be introduced, and accomplishments for the year to date will be reviewed.
- When: October 27th, with sign-in beginning at 6:30 pm and the meeting starting at 7 pm.
- Where: The Richland Clubhouse
- Why: Required by state law to inform community members about the financial status, as well as to address concerns, discuss future plans, and review the past year's achievements, as well as to provide an opportunity for community members to voice their opinions and concerns.
🎨 Upcoming Richland Events
Get your calendars (and cauldrons) ready! There’s a lot brewing in Richland this spooky season…
🍷 Sippy & Paint (for kids).
New Date: Sunday, September 14th
Join us for a fun, relaxed afternoon of sipping juice boxes and painting. Perfect for unleashing your kids inner artist.
🐷🌺 End of Summer Pig Roast, Luau & Pool Closing Party 🌺🐷
📅 September 26 & 27, 2025
It’s back—and it’s going to be meatier than ever! Join us for Richland’s most deliciously smoky tradition as we say goodbye to summer with hula skirts, questionable dance moves, and a whole lotta butt rubb’n. This year’s pig roast will take place over two flavorful days:
🟤 Friday, September 26 – Operation: Butt Rub Begins
The smoker fires up in the late afternoon, and the magic begins. We’ll be lovingly massaging seasoning into butts all night long (the pork ones, of course… well, mostly), and we could use a few extra hands who know their way around a rub. If you’ve always dreamed of staying up late to monitor meat while quoting BBQ blogs and arguing about wood chips—this is your moment. Email social@richlander.com to volunteer.🍽️
Saturday, September 27 (12:30–4 PM) – The Main Feast
Come hungry! We’ll be serving up smoked pulled pork, chips, sides, and drinks. It’s a BYOAB event (bring your own adult beverage), so pack your cooler, bring your flamingo tumbler, and get ready to soak in one last glorious poolside Saturday.
👀 VEGAN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
We’ve got the carnivores covered—there are plenty of brave souls ready to rub, smoke, and serve the meat. BUT, if you’re vegetarian, vegan, or simply vege-curious and want to see something plant-based on your plate, we need YOU! Without a volunteer stepping up to plan and prepare vegetarian/vegan options, there will be no veggie dishes served. None. Nada. Not even tofu masquerading as a boneless chicken wing!
So if you know your way around a beyond burger, veggie skewers, or jackfruit tacos, and you’re okay being worshipped by hungry herbivores, email social@richlander.com with your ideas and an estimate for what you’ll need. 🛒 IMPORTANT NOTE: The HOA will cover the cost of ingredients and necessary supplies. But this is a labor of love, not a job posting on Upwork.
Extra points if your recipe takes all night, you emotionally bond with your dish, and you’re asleep before it’s served. As always, thank you for keeping Richland weird, full, and fed.
🎃 BOO BASH WEEKEND
12 PM – 5 PM:
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Giant Inflatables
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Cotton Candy
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Popcorn
6 PM – 10 PM:
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Boo Bash Party
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DJ & Dancing
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Pizza & Party Vibes
🐐 Sunday, October 26th (Time TBD)
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Hay Ride
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Petting Zoo
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Face Painting
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Pet Costume Contest (Online Only!)
Important Pet Note:
Pets are not invited to the Boo Bash in person—but we do want to see them in costume!
📸 Submit a photo of your pet in costume by October 23rd.
🗳️ Online voting ends October 24th at 8 PM.
🏆 Winners will be announced the same evening!
Our monthly brainstorm sessions (some call them meetings) are at 7pm, on the last Thursday of every month at the Richland Clubhouse. Fancy joining? Have some ideas? What to help out- or just bring us pizza and slide it under the door? Drop us an email at: Social@richlander.com. See you there! 🥳
HOA Board Updates
🌊 Lake Sediment & Dredging Update
As many residents are aware, sediment buildup in our lakes has become a growing concern. Over time, county activities, as well as natural runoff and erosion have reduced the depth and health of these bodies of water, impacting both aesthetics and function. The HOA is actively exploring long-term solutions, including potential dredging to remove accumulated sediment. While no final decisions have been made, we are working closely with contractors and engineers to fully understand the scope, logistics, and costs involved.
You may recall, as part of this ongoing effort, the HOA had established a dedicated reserve fund specifically for future dredging and sediment-related work. This fund was made possible by the increase in annual dues last year, which was earmarked exclusively for this purpose. We are also in preliminary discussions with certain lakefront property owners about potential easement agreements that would allow access for future equipment staging and dredging operations.
Importantly, no decisions have yet been made regarding how the HOA will address costs associated with dredging areas of the lake that are technically owned by individual residents. How those costs may be allocated remains an open item, and one that we will begin discussing at the upcoming Annual Meeting. As this process evolves, we will continue to keep the community informed and welcome your feedback. Maintaining the long-term health and function of our lakes is a shared responsibility and one we are committed to tackling together.
🏊♂️ Swimming Pool Update
Thanks to the addition of our new pool heaters, we’re excited to announce that the Richland pool will remain open through Fall Break (Oct 14)—weather permitting! The extended swim-at-your-own-risk season has been a hit, and we’ll continue to monitor both usage and temperatures as we approach that date. So grab those towels, soak up the last of the sun, and make the most of these extra poolside days!
A Richlander's Guide to Trick or Treating
Richland boasts a vibrant young supernatural community that comes alive on All Hallow's Eve. Expect to see a plethora of Ghosts, Zombies, and Vampires, complemented by a diverse array of k-pop demon hunters, superheroes, and beloved cartoon characters. And yes, we do have youngsters who opt for the classic high-school student look. For instance, in Laurel Lake (a nod, or apology, to my fellow residents), we typically welcome 150-200 spirited trick-or-treaters annually. If you're new to our community, it's a good idea to check with neighbors to gauge the number of visitors you might expect. And if you're pondering over candy choices, this list has some top recommendations - particularly the first 5!A gentle reminder to our Zombie and Vampire residents: please ensure you've had a hearty meal before the festivities kick off, typically at dusk. Remember, living people are your neighbors , not food!
Our trick-or-treating typically kicks off just before dusk (especially for the littlest of monsters) and continues until around 8:30 or 9 pm. For those new to this Halloween tradition, a heads-up: homes that are lit up, decorated, or have pumpkins displayed are clear invitations for a stream of young visitors on October 31st. If you prefer to sit this one out, whether due to child allergies, just too tempting of a meal, or other macabre reasons (if it's really good, please feel free to share in the comments below!), it's best to keep your lights off and doors locked. A few might still give a knock or two, but they'll quickly get the message. Wishing everyone a spook-tacular Halloween!
Community Amenities/Activities
Richland Sharing Library
Just
a reminder – we have small community library at the clubhouse. Feel
free to pick up or drop off a book. If you do want to donate a book for
others to enjoy, please place them on the shelves. The library is
located on the pool side of the clubhouse. There is a wide variety
including romance, self help, historical fiction and science fiction.
The Richland Book Club
The Richland Book Clubs meets the 4th Tuesday of every month at 7pm at the Clubhouse. Please contact Ingrid Shell directly at ingrid.r.shell@gmail.com for more details.
Richland Fire-pit
Just
a reminder, Richland has 1 community fire pit. It's located behind the
tennis courts closest to the club house. There are also two park style
grills as well as 4 built in benches around the pit. 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 fire-pit - use as much as you need - we'll make more water!
Richland Trails
🎾 Pickle Ball and Tennis Court Time Reminder – Reserve Your Spot! 🏓
Just a friendly reminder to all our tennis and pickleball enthusiasts: our courts are open and active! With the continued popularity of both sports, especially pickleball, it’s more important than ever to reserve your court time in advance.
Please use ReserveMyCourt.com
👥 2025-2026 HOA Board Officers
The Board confirmed officer positions for the upcoming term:
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Jay Bulot – President
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Alan Meeks – Vice President
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Don Tam – Treasurer
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Sandra Hill – Secretary
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Ricky Fiorillo – Member at Large
🏠 Clubhouse Updates
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Front Doors: We reviewed quotes to replace the aging clubhouse doors. Pricing ranged from $2,000 per door to a higher-end $66,000 option, which includes a full transom window and double doors. The board is considering all options.
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Kitchen Floor: Some floor tiles have cracked. We’re reviewing quotes for replacement: $4,525 and $7,200.
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Dumpster Area: Ongoing discussion about dumpster access and pickup schedules to improve appearance and manage costs.
🌳 Landscaping & Grounds
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Portsmouth Entrance: New landscaping approved to increase visibility of the entrance sign. Cost: $1,967.50.
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Irrigation Installed: New irrigation zone added at Portsmouth entrance—$2,200.
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Creek Cleanup: Zamora cleared the creek on August 15.
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Insurance Claims: Three active claims are being processed for car accidents affecting HOA property.
Lower Parking Lot Repairs: Quotes obtained: $9,536 and $1,000. Board considering all options.
🏊 Pool
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The pool will remain open through October 5th—thanks to the new heaters!
🎾 Tennis & Pickleball
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Four leaf gates have been installed at the tennis courts to assist with maintenance and debris control.
🥾 Trail Maintenance
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. 
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