CONDO VII NEWSLETTER – December 2019
From the Latin word decem, “ten”, because this had been the tenth month of the early Roman calendar.
DATES TO REMEMBER
• December 7 – Pearl Harbor Day
• December 22 – First Day of Winter
• December 22 – Hanukkah Begins at Sunset
• December 25 – Christmas Day
• December 26 – Kwanzaa Begins
• December 31 – New Year’s Eve
It’s hard to believe that we are reaching the end of another year as well as the end of the second decade of the 21st century. Where has the time gone? I don’t feel like I’ve aged that much and yet when I look at the calendar, twenty years have passed, I’m into the sixth month of my retirement, and I’m wrapping up one year of writing this newsletter. I think it was a very good year for Condo 7. Our biggest accomplishment was finishing the roof project. While there are still some areas that need attention, on the whole, our landscaping is starting to look good again. We stayed within our budget to complete all the necessary work to maintain, and hopefully, improve the Condo, and we kept the maintenance increase for the 2019-2020 year at a reasonable amount. This community is made up of good people who take pride in it and it shows in the way we all work to keep it looking nice.
As I write this in early November, the temperature is in the 30s as we are getting our first arctic blast. They have even mentioned the dreaded four-letter word “snow” for the second week of November. I’m not happy because winter is not my season. However, we can’t avoid the inevitable, so it’s time for a few seasonal reminders.
Some winter reminders
Outside hose bibs – if you have a valve for the outside water bibs inside your unit and you have not yet turned it off, please do that and also remember to open the outside bib.
Snowbirds – for those of you who have not yet left us for the warmer climates, please remember to leave your thermostat set for at least 55 degrees to avoid the pipes freezing; close all your water valves; park your car in one of the long term parking spots located in Parking Plaza 29A; leave a key and contact information with a neighbor.
Parking – back-in parking is only permitted during a substantial snowstorm.
Miscellaneous – in the event of snow, pick up your doormats so they don’t get caught in the snow blowers; keep ice melt on hand; once the roads have been plowed, move your cars out of the plazas so those can be cleared; Upper Lamont owners – clear your balcony of snow to avoid a potential leak to the lower unit.
Handicap Parking Spots
It has been brought to the Board’s attention that the use of some handicap parking spots is being abused. Some of the spots are needed permanently; however, some spots were assigned on a temporary basis. In order to ensure that anyone who requires a handicap parking spot has access to one, the Board is requesting updated documentation from all residents currently using one. Please provide us, by January 15, 2020, with a letter (dated within 30-45 days of 1/15/20) from your doctor stating you require access to a handicap spot, a copy of your handicap parking permit with the make, model and license plate number the permit is assigned to, and your parking plaza number. Make sure you display your permit in your car when parking in a handicap spot. The owner of any vehicle in violation will receive one written notice and after that, the car will be towed. If you need a handicap spot, submit a work order and we will arrange for a sign to be installed once your documentation has been received. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation in this matter.
Toilets
We have had some issues with toilet backups in some of the units. As a reminder, the only things that should be going in your toilet are human waste and single-ply toilet paper. DO NOT flush heavier toilet paper, wipes, feminine products, paper towels, etc. down the toilet. These items all clog the drains and will eventually come back up into your residence causing a flood. You will be responsible for the cost of cleaning the drain and the trap as well as repairing any damage to your unit (and your neighbors as well) as a result of a backup.
Fun Christmas facts:
Artificial Christmas trees were developed by the Germans in the 19th century due to concerns over deforestation.
The first artificial Christmas trees were made of goose feathers that were dyed green.
In Germany, they believe the pure of heart can hear animals talking on Christmas Eve.
In Iceland they don’t just have one Saint Nick, they have 13 Yule lads. The holiday begins 13 days before Christmas.
The tradition of celebrating Christmas was banned in Scotland for 400 years. It wasn’t declared a public holiday until 1958.
The first retail Christmas tree lot was established in 1851 by a Pennsylvanian named Mark Carr, who hauled two ox sleds loaded with Christmas trees from the Catskill Mountains to the sidewalks of New York City.
The first president to set up a Christmas tree in the White House was Franklin Pierce, the first president to establish a Tree Lighting Ceremony on the White House lawn was Calvin Coolidge.
In 1882, the first tree lights were sold in New York City.
The first American to print and sell Christmas cards was Louis Prang of Roxbury, Massachusetts, who began publishing cards in 1875.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower is given credit for sending the first “official” Christmas card from the White House.
The first department store Santa was James Edgar, who, during Christmas seasons beginning in 1890, would wander about his store (the Boston Store) in Brockton, Massachusetts, dressed as Santa Claus, talking to the children of customers.
Happy Hanukkah! Merry Christmas!
Happy Kwanzaa! Happy New Year!
Whatever holiday you celebrate, may it be joyous and happy and spent in the company of your loved ones.
See you in 2020!
Susanna & the Condo VII Board
Thoughts for the month:
Christmas, children, is not a date. It is a state of mind. – Mary Ellen Chase
I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. – Charles Dickens