President’s Letter

By Jeff Janssen | Email
309-846-0250

Spring has definitely arrived, despite Winter’s final blast of snow and cold!  Soon we will be seeing the vivid colors of beautiful landscaping and new home improvement projects will be in the works (please keep Marc Muhs in mind for your Architecture review).  The Fox Point Board is hard at work with numerous projects as well.  

Pool Chair Horace Seely-Brown led the Board in a discussion about the upcoming pool season.  We voted to approve expanded pool hours and have plans to better capture pool usage data to enhance the enjoyment of this wonderful Fox Point Asset. 

During swim team season, May 30- July 18, the pool will open at 12:30 pm on weekdays and 10:00 am on weekends.  After swim team season, the pool will open at 11:00 am on weekdays and 10:00 am on weekends.  We also tentatively approved the Barrington Swim Club to rent the Fox Point Pool from 6:00 – 7:30 am on weekdays, which will provide additional revenue to offset the cost of additional pool hours.  We will save a lane for any Fox Point adults that would like an early morning swim.

The Fox Point Board plans to offer credit card payments for social activities and swim team this year.  Our Treasurer Lynn Douglas did the necessary due diligence in regards to any liability or compliance issues (Thank you).  We also reviewed and approved our annual insurance renewal.  

In addition, we are capitalizing upon our new website by looking at a third-party vendor to create; to manage; and to maintain our digital newsletter and website updates.  The May 2017 edition of the Fox Point Newsletter will be the last paper printing and we will be fully electronic (for the record, we were only printing 4 copies).  Please see the following Board Reports for more details.

Please let us know if we can be of service to you.  Your Fox Point Board is committed to working to ensure that our community continues to be an outstanding place to grow families; to build relationships, and to simply experience the blessings of life.

Treasurer’s Report

By Lynn Douglas | Email

Payment of the 2017 Annual Assessment of $975 was due, in full, on March 31, 2017. Our declaration requires the imposition of interest on any late amounts, plus, when applicable, legal fees for collection.

If you have not done so by now, please take care of your annual obligation.

Visit the Annual Assessment page for payment options

Civic Affairs

By Erik Vandenbergh 

The Village of Barrington has just launched its very own digital newsletter!  It is an excellent source of information on all things Barrington!  If you are interested in receiving a copy via e-mail please follow this link – Barrington Newsletter.

The launch of our own digital newsletter for Fox Point has been a great success.  Due to this success, the board has voted to discontinue printing hard copies of the newsletter beginning in May. We hope you will find this change to be a positive one as we embrace this new, “green” method of providing our neighborhood news.

I hope everyone had a great Spring Break!

Social

By Stephanie Paine | Email

A big thanks to Julie Gwiasda and Doreen Colletti-Muhs for their efforts in pulling together the 2017 Fox Point Card Party! As you can tell from all of the Next-Door posts, those who attended had a great time. Congratulations to our first ever four-way tie between teams Brazil/White/Lodowsky, the Dahnke/Wristen, Fenske/Warren/Bushnell and the Twitchell/Meeske/Condon teams.

Online Event Registration and Payment

New this year, Online Registration and Payments for Social Events is officially live. It’s simple to register and pay for Fox Point Events online via a link to The Sign Up Genius. There is no longer a need to print a paper registration form, write a check and hand deliver to the Event Organizer’s home when you can easily do all of it from your mobile device or desktop. The only exception is the May Garage Sale which requires completion of a simple Village of Barrington form.

The Fox Point Social calendar is in full swing!

Spring is underway and many fun social events are being planned by the broader community – thanks to everyone who is participating in event coordination! 

Egg Hunt, April 8 at 9:00 AM – Join us for the Egg Hunt at the Fox Point Park.  This event is free, but please Sign Up Here so we have enough eggs.

Spring Garage Sale, May 6, 9:00 AM – Cara O’Hara is coordinating a spring neighborhood garage sale in response to residents’ requests.  Participation is FREE, but please RSVP via the Next Door event and complete the Village of Barrington permit & form, found there. Drop off your completed forms to 170 N. Valley Rd. If you have any questions, contact Cara O’Hara by Email or by phone, 314-497-4152 

Summer Kickoff BBQ, May 27 at 4:00 PM – Join your neighbors for a BBQ to kick off summer!  The event will take place on the lawn near the pool and will be structured similarly to the historical Pig Roast (due to resident feedback, this event replaces the Father’s Day Pig Roast).  Adults are $20 and kids under 12 are $10.

We will provide brisket, pulled pork and brioche buns from Rock ‘N Ribs in Lake Zurich, as well as sodas, juice boxes, and bottled water.  You provide a side dish or a dessert.  Please RSVP & pay via SignUpGenius link.

Note that friends and family are welcome!  Just include them in your headcount & check.  Contact Stephanie Paine, Kristin Cannon or Jenny Postma with questions!

Fishing Derby, June 3 at 8:30 AM – It’s that time of year again!  Brian Meier and Brian Paine are coordinating the annual Fox Point Fishing Derby at the Fox Point Boat Docks.  Just bring your fishing poles and safety goggles (for kiddos), and we will provide bait and snacks.  Contact Brian Meier at brian_meier2@yahoo.com with any questions. This is a FREE event, but please RSVP via SignUpGenius link 

Food Truck Fridays – June 9, 5:30 PM – We are kicking off our Food Truck Fridays series with tacos and quesadillas from Martin’s Taco Truck!  Martin will serve up all you can eat carnitas, steak and chicken tacos & quesadillas as well as a buffet of toppings.  Adults (age 12 and up) are $13 and kids (11 and under) are $6.  RSVP & pay via SignUpGenius link.

Please RSVP as soon as you can for these events – it helps the event planners execute events efficiently!

See all Upcoming Events Here

Pool

By Horace Seely-Brown | Email

It has been a busy time planning for the upcoming pool season! I really appreciate those that have reached out to assist with the many items needed to prep for the season ahead.  It is certainly a group effort.

At the most recent board meeting, we approved the pool hours for this season. Like last year, we will open the pool early on weekends to accommodate the many families with young children. New this year, we will be opening the pool earlier after the swim team season ends. All of the details can be found on our new and improved website.

We continue to discuss ways to track pool usage and guests utilizing our great asset. Additionally, we have been reviewing the best way to sell our old pool furniture. More on all of this in the months ahead. 

As always, if you have any ideas to improve the pool experience, please feel free to reach out.
 

2017 Staff Announcement-

Welcome to our 2017 Fox Point Pool Staff hired by Pool Watch.

Aquatic Director- Seth Gering

Managers- Scott Bennett, Mark Bennett, Hannah Cremer

Assistant Managers- Elizabeth Decreane and Colin Kerr

Lifeguards-

• April Adler
• Christopher Adler
• Matthew Ben
• Jack Kuta
• Matthew Kuta
• Brian Latimer
• Steven Latimer
• Nicholas Martinez
• Jack McAndrews
• Matthew McAndrews
• Paul McAndrews
• Sam Miseyka
• Payton Muhs
• Megan Uhran
• Tommy Wondrasek

Swim Team

By Doreen Colletti and Tammy Kerr | Email

Co-Treasurers:  Kim Richmond and Anissa Cyhaniuk
Volunteer Lead: Allison Meier

Swim Team 2017 is right around the corner! 

Fox Point operates an annual competitive swim program for children, the Fox Point Dolphins, who compete with other area teams.  Reasons to get your children involved include:

• Learning skills, proper mechanics, and breathing
• Friendship, creating bonds and positive reinforcement
• Teamwork
• Fitness
• Community

The Swim Team Season

The 2017 Swim Team Seasons runs from on or about May 30-July 18, followed by a pool party and award ceremony. Coached practice sessions occur weekday mornings, with staggered age appropriate group start times, beginning at 8:00 AM.  Exact schedules will be developed based upon the number and age of registered children.

Participation/Qualification  

Children must be at least 5 years of age by the first day of practice (May 30). 

All children new to the Swim Team, regardless of age, are required to demonstrate the ability to swim one length of the pool during a mandatory evaluation, conducted by our coaches. This will be held April 9 from 12-12:45 at the Barrington High School Pool (enter at the Hart Road Entrance). Please arrive about 15 minutes prior to give your child time to change. The decision of the coaches is final. Due to coaching/supervision requirements, we are unable to provide a “Pre-Team” group, this year. 

Suiting- up

Please plan on attending the mandatory Suit Try-On Event- Sunday, April 9, 2-4 P.M. at the Village Church, 1600 E. Main Street, rear entrance. We require all swimmers acquire the new team suits, which are different than last year’s suits.  Bring your checkbook as payment for suits.  Girls suits are $25 and boys are $20. Custom caps and Spirit wear will also be available. If you are unable to make it, you will need to try on and order directly through The Swim Team Store located at 830 Seton Court in Wheeling. 

Parental Commitment/Deposit

The Swim Team and the children depend on parent volunteers to operate. All participating families are required to do 3 volunteer shifts for their child/children to participate. Sign-ups for Volunteer Assignments will be distributed in May before the season begins.

A Volunteer Contingency Commitment Deposit of $250 is required and will only be charged if you do not directly or indirectly fulfill your Volunteer Commitment.

We maintain a list of prequalified subs for those instances where a family cannot honor its Volunteer Commitment.  If there are circumstances where a family is unable to execute one of its volunteer shifts, the family is responsible for securing a qualified substitute for that shift from The Sub List.  Families need to make arrangements directly with the sub. Unless otherwise agreed upon by the family and the sub, the rate is $15 per hour. 

The Swim Team Chairs will not make the sub arrangements – this is the responsibility of each family. If volunteer commitments are not fulfilled or if a substitute does not show for assignments, you will be charged $250. 

Registration/Fees

Fox Point uses the recognized online registration facility, “Team Unify” for all registrations, payments, volunteer commitments and all team communications.  As such, Team Unify is your lifeline for the Swim Team season.

Online registration/payment will begin on April 3. We appreciate early registration/payment so that we can budget, hire, schedule and communicate with all participants in May. Registration fees for the 2017 season are $195 for the first child and $140 for each child, thereafter. 

 All payments will be via credit card.  We will also maintain the “Volunteer Commitment Deposit” online. 

Visit EVENTS PAGE for dates/times for all Swim Meets and further information about registration.

Dolphins Swim Team 2017 Sponsorships

Thank you to Nonie Brown and Patsy Thallheimer of Keller Williams Success Realty for once again being our 2017 Dolphins Shirt Sponsor. Their annual sponsorship enables us to provide all registered kids (by May 1^st) a team shirt., provided you have indicated a shirt size when you register and pay for participation.

Are you a business owner? Work at a business or want to be a family sponsor? We have options to be part of our sponsorship program…. sponsorships support our team for the “extras” throughout the season that are above and beyond what the registration fees cover. Please e-mail Marc Muhs or call at 847-910-8391.

Tennis

By Christine Mickey | Email

We are excited for a great year of tennis at Fox Point!  The tennis nets will be going up in April and we can’t wait to get back on the courts.  The Tennis Committee and First Serve have scheduled several new and returning tennis events for Summer 2017.  

 See Tennis Schedule
 
 

Save the date for these upcoming Fox Point tennis events:

• Tennis Fest – Saturday, May 6, 2017,  3:00 PM – 5:00 PM at the Fox Point Tennis Courts 
  First Serve is hosting this open tennis registration event.  Stop by the Fox Point tennis courts and bring the kids to meet the tennis instructors, play some fun tennis games and win prizes!  
• Tennis and Tinis – Saturday, June 24, 2017,  5:30 PM at the Fox Point Tennis Courts
  All Fox Pointers are invited to Tennis and Tinis!  Tennis players please register for the round robin tennis tournament and non-tennis players please join us for cocktails, dinner and socializing with your Fox Point neighbors.  $40 per person includes dinner and drinks.  RSVP by June 1st with a check made out to Fox Point Social and deliver check to 749 Indian Way with your name, email address and tennis level if applicable.  Limited tournament spots available – RSVP soon!
• Breakfast at Wimbledon – Sunday, July 16, 2017,  9:00 AM – 12:00 PM at the Fox Point Tennis Courts
  Wear your Wimbledon white and come out to enjoy breakfast and play in a round-robin tennis tournament.  More details to follow.

• Fox Point vs. Biltmore Tennis Tournament – August 2017
  Let’s keep the trophy in Fox Point!  More details to follow.

First Serve Management Company, Dana Joseph, and Chris Cabanban, are very excited about another year managing the tennis at Fox Point.  This summer there are 2 tennis sessions of Junior and Adult Classes, Ladies League and Cardio tennis.  Session 1 runs from June 5 – July 6 and session 2 runs from July 10 – August 3.  

The tennis class offerings and the tennis registration form are now available.  Please complete one registration form per family.  Please get your registration form into First Serve as early as possible to ensure your spot in class.  Registrations are on a first come first serve basis.  If you know that you will miss a class when you register, please let Dana know.  

First Serve also offers “create your own class” with a minimum of 3 students.  If you are interested in this, please contact Dana at 847-404-3174 or email dsj2@comcast.net.

If you would like to volunteer to be on the Fox Point Tennis Committee, please contact Christine Mickey.

Grey Foxes

By Tom Malia and Stan Stack | Email

A Shout Out to our Senior Community

The “Grey Foxes” have historically strived to present socialization and informational opportunities to the Senior Fox Point Community when Snow Birds are more likely to be in residence. The monthly luncheon with local speakers has represented our primary opportunity to gather. We need your help to make sure we continue to organize events that attract the Senior Community and remain relevant.

1) Are you interested in periodic /regularly scheduled luncheons that are purely social? Perhaps at rotating restaurants in the area, ordering off the menu.

2) Would a change in the day of the week or time of day or location increase the likelihood you would participate?

3). How about organized field trips? 

Please call or drop Stan or I a note with your responses.

Architecture

By Marc Muhs | Email

A friendly reminder after the April Village of Barrington/School Board election please take down all political signs as soon as possible. Thank you in advance on behalf of all the neighbors!

For anyone that is going to be planning to do any exterior work at your home this spring please make sure all paperwork is filled out and signed off by all site line neighbors. Please review the guidelines on our website and don’t hesitate to call or email me. Forms need to be in my hands no later than the Friday prior to our monthly board meeting so it can be properly reviewed. See the form here

Common Grounds

By Mike Moran | Email

Hot, cold, hot, cold our bulbs in the neighborhood don’t know whether to continue to sleep or wake up for the season.  It has been a very strange winter in terms of the weather and I hope it does not affect our spring bulbs.  Last fall we planted hundreds of new bulbs at all of the entrances, the boat dock gardens, and at some of the front garden beds at the pool.  It should be a very colorful spring if they can manage their way through the ups and downs of the temperatures. 

In early-March, we had a small issue at the northwest corner of the entrance at Valley Road.  On one of those windy days, we lost a tree that fell back on to the wall and crushed the black metal fence along the top.  The broken limbs were removed immediately but the damage will be there until later in spring.  It probably does not look like much at this point since the fence was pulled back into position.  We are going to have a mason come out and repair the top of the wall, the fencing company will install the center of the fence back to the wall, and replace the tree with something similar in size and color.

 It is a fairly quiet time for the common grounds team as we continue to prepare for the spring and summer seasons.  I do want to take the opportunity to remind everyone- Please drive slowly throughout the neighbor as the weather starts to warm up.  A nice, gentle 20 MPH seems to work best when there are neighbors walking about and kids running throughout the community.