~HOA Board President’s 2008 Annual Report ~

The year 2008 marked the 6th year for the Grande Park Homeowners Association. The Homeowners Board has continued the established programs that were in place during previous years. The board consist of 5 members. Morgan Property Management continued to represent Grande Park and their contract was renewed for another year.

Newton’s Landscaping contract was renewed for another year. Newton’s Landscaping has done an excellent job and based on reports received everyone seems satisfied. The Social Committee. Carol Hammett and Shinnette Richmond co-chaired the Social Committee. They continued with events and programs such as the Easter Egg Hunt, yard sale, National Night Out, and fall festival. The December Lumination was left up to each individual homeowner. Everyone enjoyed the Christmas Caroling and the donations of food for the Durham Rescue Mission was a success. The $25.00 gift certificate was given to Jill Hoffman on Carey Place for the best decorated house during Christmas. These events were successful due to the tireless efforts put forth by the Social Committee. Our community owes this committee a great deal of thanks. Ann McCracken, Amy Kujawa, Kristen Barnhill and Lenore Plymire helped in some of these events and their assistance was greatly appreciated. Thank you on behalf of our community!!!!

The Block Captains, established in 2004, continued to play a role in representing the neighborhood and making sure needed information was distributed to their respective groups. As of this time all nine Block Captains positions are filled. Some of the older Block Captains would like someone else to step up and give them a break. It is not in the best interest of Grande Park to keep the same ones without giving them a break. The Grande Park Newsletter, edited by Don McFarland, was discontinued. The reason for the stopping the newsletter was the implementation of the Grande Park Blog. This web page was set up and maintained by Carol Hammett. This Blogs offers the community an instant update on current events and other useful information. Every resident should earmark this web site on their computers because if you want to know what is happening or need help this is where you go.

Comments and suggestions are always welcome. The Architectural Improvement Committee (ARC) continues to keep our neighborhood in compliance with the Architectural Guidelines that were established and then revised in August 2003. This committee is composed of Cas Duval. Cas has done an exceptional job and our thanks go out to him. Cas can use some additional help and if you are interested in serving please give him a call.

The additional light in the playground was finally installed. This additional light was needed and provided the light necessary to make everyone feel safe. Along with the new signs pertaining to the playground rules seems to have helped decrease the late night activities.

Appearance: Thanks to each homeowner for the way they have maintained their property’s appearance. I have continued to receive complaints from some homeowners within the neighborhood itself concerning animal waste. Each person is responsible for the cleanup of their animal’s mess.

Stolen Property and Malicious Vandalism: There has been a few instances where some items were stolen from cars and garages. Most of the time the cars were unlocked. These problems and some other incidents have created the need for the Neighborhood Watch Program to be escalated. Anyone seeing someone stealing, vandalizing property or suspicious activities should call 911 immediately. You may request that you not be identified if that is your desire. Each Block Captain is requested to update their telephone tree and make the necessary contacts when the need arises.

Neighborhood Needs: The HOA Board is considering a spring cleanup of the neighborhood. Particular interest is the poor condition some of the mail boxes and mail box post are in. There is always a need for people to serve on our different committees. These committees are there to make sure that your investment in your home remains solid. I hope your desire is to have a beautiful and a safe neighborhood. Without your help it is difficult to get everything done.

Thanks to each member of the board and committees during the past year. Your tireless efforts did not go unnoticed. Without your time and efforts this neighborhood would not be the fine place it is. It has been my pleasure to serve as your HOA Board President for the past year. I appreciated your support and input.

~Donald McFarland, Board PresidentGrande Park Homeowners Association

GRANDE PARK ANNUAL MEETING

Wednesday January 14, 2009

7pm @ Aldersgate Church, 2nd Floor

You should have received your annual notice and proxy (if you won't be attending the meeting) in the mail this week. Please come!!!!!

Holiday Tree Collection

The City’s Department of Solid Waste Management will collect Christmas trees for recycling for all Solid Waste customers from January 5-30, 2009. Trees should be placed at the curb by 7 a.m. on residents’ normal household collection day. Trees taller than six feet should be cut in half. Residents should also remove all decorations, including tinsel, lights, garland, and ornaments, as well as stands, nails, and other hardware. Residents are also asked to not place trees in bags.

Christmas trees may also be dropped off at the City’s Waste Disposal & Recycling Center at 2115 East Club Boulevard, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., at no charge until January 30. Customers are asked to arrive at least 30 minutes before closing. Trees delivered after that date will be subject to the usual disposal fees

CAROLING FOR CANS ~ A GREAT SUCCESS!!!

The Caroling for Cans event was such a great success! Thank you to all the Grande Park residents that participated, both Caroling and donating! We had about 20 carolers!!!! And we collected a huge amount of donations for the Durham Rescue Mission! My mini-van was full!

Everything from canned food, diapers, hygiene items to Diabetes equipment, baby bottles and shampoo was donated! The Rescue Mission was very excited for the delivery and very appreciative! We hope to have this event annually, it really helped me, and hopefully others, get in the spirit of the holiday season! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

DON'T FORGET ITS TONIGHT!!!!

GRANDE PARK CAROLING FOR CANS

Please join the Grande Park Caroling for Cans event to benefit the Durham Rescue Mission. http://www.durhamrescuemission.org/

On Sunday, December 21, 2008, please place a donation of canned food or other needed items beside your mailbox. A group of Grande Park Carolers will be Caroling at those houses that have put a donation out. We will collect the items and bring them to the Rescue Mission for those that can really use them at this time.

We will be Caroling around sunset, so please have your cans out by 5pm that evening. If you would like to place luminaries out to light our way, please do so!

We will also be scouting out the BEST HOLIDAY DECORATED HOME again this year! A $25 gift card to Lowes will be awarded by the HOA to the home with the most spirit this holiday season!

If you would like to ‘Carol’ with us, or if you have any questions about Caroling for Cans or Holiday decoration contest, call Carol at
341-1174.

We would love to have as many people join us as possible!

Thank you and have a joyous holiday season!

Durham Fire Department Collects Toys In Exchange For Fire Truck Rides

This holiday season, Durham children will again have a little extra something to smile about thanks to an annual campaign by the City of Durham Fire Department (DFD).

The DFD is launching its 2008 Toys-4-Rides Campaign by giving free rides on their fire engines in exchange for new, unwrapped toys for children of all ages. On Saturday, December 13, and Sunday, December 14, citizens are asked to bring toys for children of all ages to either Fire Station #1, located at 139 E. Morgan Street, or Fire Station #2, located at 1001 Ninth Street, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Those who are unable to attend during the 2008 Toys-4-Rides Campaign, but still wish to participate, are encouraged to take toys to any local City of Durham Fire Station during business hours, from now until December 21.

The collected toys will be distributed to children in need throughout Durham County during the month of December. The DFD’s Toys-4-Rides is held in conjunction with the U.S. Marine's Toys-4-Tots Program.

For additional information on the 2008 Toys-4-Rides Campaign, contact Angelica Stroud, community relations coordinator and public information officer for the DFD, at (919) 560-4233, extension 242 or via e-mail at Angelica.Stroud@durhamnc.gov.

Thanksgiving would not be the same without turkeys, yet very few people take the time to learn how to handle them properly. Any poultry needs special attention when handling. Thawing a frozen turkey the proper way is important to the safety of your family. Never thaw a turkey at room temperature because this promotes the growth of dangerous bacteria.

The safest way to thaw a turkey is to thaw it in the refrigerator. You should do this with the turkey still in its' own unopened wrapper breast facing up and placed on a tray. The accepted rule of thumb for time is 1 day refrigerator thawing for every four pounds of turkey.

Start holiday cooking with a clean stove and oven. Keep the kitchen off-limits to young children and adults that are not helping with food preparations to lessen the possibility of kitchen mishaps. When cooking, do not wear clothing with loose sleeves or dangling jewelry. The clothing can catch on fire and the jewelry can catch on pot handles, causing spills and burns.

Cook on the back burners when possible and turn pot handles in so they don't extend over the edge of the stove. Never leave cooking unattended. If you must leave the kitchen while cooking, turn off the stove or have someone else watch what is being cooked.

Deep Frying Turkeys....Ah, nothing is better than turkey on Thanksgiving Day. And now, many families are choosing to deep fry their turkeys instead of cooking them the old fashioned way. There are dangers associated with using turkey fryers. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) staff recommend consumers who choose to fry turkeys follow the following safety guidelines: Keep fryer in FULL VIEW while burner is on. Place fryer in an open area AWAY from all walls, fences, or other structures. Never use IN, ON, or UNDER a garage, breezeway, carport, porch, or any structure that can catch fire. Raise and lower food SLOWLY to reduce splatter and avoid burns. COVER bare skin when adding or removing food.

Check the oil temperature frequently. If oil begins to smoke, immediately turn gas supply OFF. If a fire occurs, immediately call 911. DO NOT attempt to extinguish fire with water.

For safest operation, the Durham County Fire Marshal’s Office recommends that consumers follow these guidelines as they prepare to use a turkey fryer:

Make sure there is at least 2 feet of space between the liquid propane tank and fryer burner.

Place the liquid propane gas tank and fryer so that any wind blows the heat of the fryer away from the gas tank.

Center the pot over the burner on the cooker.

Completely thaw (USDA says 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds) and dry turkey before cooking. Partially frozen and/or wet turkeys can produce excessive hot oil splatter when added to the oil.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions to determine the proper amount of oil to add.

If those are not available: Place turkey in pot. Fill with water until the turkey is covered by about 1/2 inch of water remove and dry turkey. Mark water level. Dump water, dry the pot, and fill with oil to the marked level.

By following the above directions, you can ensure that your family will have a happy, safe & tasty Thanksgiving holiday!For more information on safety, please contact your local Emergency Medical Service or Fire Department.

Durham County Fire Marshal/Emergency Management
Safety & Training Officer
2422 Broad St., Durham, NC 27704
919-560-0660