With the holidays just around the corner, the FCHOA Activities Committee (FCAC) is ready to receive the annual gifts to the Holiday Gift Fund.  Those who benefit from the Holiday Fund are the people you see every day in Ford’s Colony.  The Security, Project Maintenance, Activities & Recreation and Administrative staff who serve the community receive this distribution and are very grateful for this sign of appreciation. The annual FCAC letter with more details is here.  Checks made payable to FCAC Holiday Gift Fund can be dropped off at Community Services and the John Pott Gate window and are requested by December 15 in order to be included in this year’s distribution.  

 

Thank you in advance for your gift. 

 

 

Ford’s Colony is once again pleased to sponsor a Marine Toys for Tots toy collection to benefit local less fortunate children. The campaign is ongoing through December 5.

 

The Marine Toys for Tots Program collects new, unwrapped toys and distributes those toys to less fortunate children during the Christmas holiday. Collection boxes are in the S&T Club and Community Services Office. Please drop off any new, unwrapped toy at either of these locations. Age groups are 1 to 14 years of age.

 

Thank you for making a difference to a child during this most wonderful time of the year.

 

 

The voting for the Board of Directors, Annual Meeting Proxy and the IRS Section 70-604 Roll over is now open and posted in the FCHOA Community Link Portals.  Each unit in Ford's Colony Homeowners Association can submit one ballot in this vote.  The election closes December 13 and results will be announced at the Annual meeting and in the What’s Happening in Ford’s Colony e-newsletter.

 

Click here to read about the candidates in the October Talk of the Colony magazine on pages 5 through 8.

Step-by-step voting instructions are attached to this email or can be found on the fchoa.org website under ABOUT US > FAQs and on the Portal under DOCUMENTS > PORTAL HOW-TOs.

 

Thank you for voting!

 

 

The HOA’s Standing Committees are looking for your time and expertise, but at a much slower pace and stress level. One example is the Strategic Planning Committee, which is responsible for developing the 5 Year Strategic Plan for Ford’s Colony and managing the Annual Resident Survey, is searching for new members who have a background in strategic planning and/or conducting surveys and polling. Participation in the Committee offers an opportunity to gain a deep understanding of the issues facing Ford’s Colony and the ability to influence how they are addressed. All Committees have opportunities. Click here to see the rest of the list.
 
CLUBS & ACTIVITIES NEWS       

 

GARDEN CLUB HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE
Sunday, December 1 | 2 - 4 p.m. | S&T Club  

 

Ford's Colony Garden Club invites you to come and enjoy six beautifully decorated trees, including one that will remind you of the one you had growing up, complete with tinsel. You will also see five lovely tablescapes, decorated for the holidays. Coffee and cookies will be served.

 

 

Join Colony Kids for the annual Holiday party on December 8th from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Swim & Tennis Club. The event is open to children of all ages and will include arts and crafts, a photo booth, a cookie decorating station, and a visit from Santa! RSVP using the link here.     

 

 

These free lessons are for new learners with card playing experience or players who need to learn American Standard. You should commit to attending all six lessons. Space is limited.

 

Dates: January 22-23; January 29-30 and February 5-6. Lessons start at 1 p.m. in the S&T Club.

 

Contact: Debbie Abrams at dabramshome@hotmail.com.

 

 

 

Residents may drop off leaves free of charge from Nov. 9 to Jan. 12 at the Jolly Pond Convenience Center, located at 1204 Jolly Pond Rd. daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In addition to clear bags, residents may now bring leaves in truck beds, trailers or containers which allow Convenience Center staff to clearly see the contents are leaves only. Residents are responsible for unloading their leaves into the leaf pile (opening bags and dumping, shoveling leaves from truck bed, etc.).

 

 

The County will provide one round of curbside leaf collection. Collection dates for Ford’s Colony properties are December 8-14.

Leaves must be in clear bags no larger than lawn or leaf-size (40 gallons or less). Bagged leaves must be left curbside by 8 a.m. on the first day of collection (December 8). Each street will be collected one time only. Bulky materials such as brush and tree limbs cannot be accepted. 

 

 

Burning of leaves is not permitted, except in certain areas zoned A-1, General Agriculture.

 

Time change and winter bring darkness early. Wearing light colored or reflective clothing while walking or biking after dark will keep you and drivers safe. Walkers, when walking in the street, should face oncoming cars. Before stepping into a crosswalk make sure there are no oncoming cars or that they intend to stop. Cars only have to stop if they see you in the crosswalk. Intending to enter the crosswalk does not mean a car must stop.

 

 

The Casemate Museum Foundation (CMF) is partnering again this year with Wreaths Across America (WAA), [Non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization] to remember the fallen and honor those who served by placing wreaths at grave sites in State and National Veterans’ Cemeteries.  For every wreath sponsorship attributed to the CMF we receive $5 from WAA.  CMF has supported WAA since 2017.  There are multiple options to participate available, with the most basic being a single wreath for $17 placed on a grave in Arlington National Cemetery.  However, you may choose to sponsor a wreath or wreaths at participating Veterans Cemeteries around the world and can even sponsor a wreath for a specific Veteran by name and grave site (location permitting). December 3 is the cutoff date to ensure wreaths reach Arlington National Cemetery during this calendar year; other cemeteries may have different cutoff dates.  Wreaths will be placed in cemeteries on December 14 on National Wreaths Across America Day. Visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/VA0198P to sponsor a wreath and see all the options available.  

 

The Casemate Museum Foundation (CMF) is a Non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization, founded in 1983 to promote and advance the museum and to raise funds for the museum’s benefit.  The Casemate Museum is located at Ft. Monroe, VA and contains historical artifacts and displays reflecting the more than 400 years of history from Old Point Comfort, through the Civil War, until the present day.  Learn more at Casemate Museum Foundation .  

 

Any questions contact Ford’s Colony resident, Donald Ellerthorpe at 757-229-4828 or doncellerthorpe@yahoo.com.

 

 

This program provides $300 travel stipends to help send local junior enlisted service members home to be with their loved ones at Christmas.  It is administered by the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Marine Corps Security Force Regiment, and Coast Guard Training Center Yorktown.  It is funded entirely through the donations of individuals, businesses and other organizations in our area.  For more information including how to donate see attachment below. Donations close on Friday, November 29th so make sure to allow adequate time for mail delivery.

 

Call Ann Bowe at 757-645-0687 for more information. This notice is provided by Jim Icenhour, Ford's Colony resident.

 

 

 

All events listed here are open to all Ford’s Colony HOA members. For future events and complete event information click here.

 

Saturday, December 7 | 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Williamsburg Library, Norge | Model Railroad Club Annual Show

 

Sunday, December 8 | 1 - 4:30 p.m. | Williamsburg Library, Norge | Model Railroad Club Annual Show

 

Saturday, December 14 | 10 a.m. | Lafayette High School Auditorium | HOA Annual Meeting

 

Sunday, December 29 | 7 - 9 p.m. | S&T Club | Marsh Hawk Band's Pre-New Year's Eve Show

 

Saturday, January 25 | S&T Club | Marsh Hawk Band's Beatles Night

 

 

Click here to view the answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the Homeowners Association on the FCHOA web site.

 

Click here for a printable listing of contact information for local utilities, emergency medical facilities, FCHOA contacts, country club contacts and other emergency services near Ford's Colony. This list can also be found on fchoa.org under RESOURCES, AREA GUIDE, New Resident Docs.

 

Up-to-date information is available on fchoa.org and to view the current issue click on: Talk of the Colony.