President’s Letter

By Mike Moran | Email

Welcome to Spring!! I can’t believe we are less than a month away from the 2019 Fox Point pool opening. It has been a long winter and the opening of the summer pool season is the official start of the summer season for all Fox Pointers!!

This is one of my favorite times of the year in Fox Point as the neighborhood starts to come alive after a long and challenging winter. The beautiful landscape starts to blossom, and we start to see our neighbors as each begins to enjoy the beautiful warm weather that is now upon us.

We have a lot of new neighbors here in Fox Point in the past few years so please take the opportunity to get out and meet each during the next few months. Whether you are on an evening walk, playing tennis, visiting the pool, or simply hanging out in front of your house, take the opportunity to meet someone & introduce yourself. It is part of what makes our community a great place to live and raise a family.

It is also that time of year when we all must be very careful when driving around our neighborhood. With the increase in new families/kids, we must be vigilant in maintaining safe speeds throughout Fox Point.   The joy of having plenty of kids playing throughout the neighborhood requires that we always drive at or below 20 MPH. Please take a few minutes to remind your family especially if you have older children that are coming home from college.   The safety of our families is paramount so please be safe as you drive.

Thanks to the many volunteers that have put on some great social events!!

I look forward to seeing everyone out in the neighborhood.

Social

By Stephanie Paine| Vice President | Email

April was a fun month around the hood! See below for recaps of our April events and information on upcoming events.

Annual Card Party Recap

We had another successful card party on April 12 thanks to the efforts of Melissa Mickey and Christie Hewlett! The competition was fierce – the main round ended with a 4-way tie for 1^st place, so a high stakes card draw was held to determine the winner. The Carl/McElroy landed 1^st, with 2^nd place going to the Graff/Cocoma team and 3^rd place to the Asher/MacKenzie team. Rounding out the prize recipients was the Folz/Daly team who took last place.

Easter Egg Hunt Recap

Over 100 kids descended upon the tennis courts and park at the annual Fox Point Easter Egg Hunt on April 13! Thanks to Jodi Johnson for coordinating the event and stuffing over 3,000 eggs, to Taylor Shanfeld and Cheryl Laurence for helping hide eggs and Tim Gal for playing Mr. Easter Bunny.

Fishing Derby at the Boat Docks – May 25 at 8:30 AM

Bust out your fishing poles & join your neighbors for our annual fishing derby! Prizes will be awarded based on age. The event is free – but please register at the link below so we have ample bait. Please remember to bring sunglasses or safety goggles for your kids. Thanks to Brian Meier and Brian Paine for coordinating!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080c48a8a92fa4fa7-foxpoint18

Summer Campout at the Boat Docks – Save the date for August 17, 2019!

The Fleming, Dimucci and Paris family selected a date for the annual campout – Saturday, August 17. School starts on a Tuesday this year, so your kids will have a few days to catch up on sleep after the campout.

Architecture

By Geoff Ommen | Email

Hello neighbors,

Quick report this month. Spring is finally here. Plenty of work projects are underway. Between contractors, landscapers, Amazon delivery vehicles and chipmunks, the roads are jammed full of activity.

If you are having construction work done, please suggest that your workers park on your side of the road. This should help a bit to eliminate congestion on the streets. This is probably stealing a bit of the Safety & Welfare chair’s thunder, but I would remiss not to remind people about this.

Also, please note that trash containers should not be outside on the curb more than 24 hours on either side of pickup. The village ordinance is a bit stricter than that. I know that sometimes people go out of town and it is not possible to adhere to the letter of the law. However, please do not just leave your trash bins outside for days on end. I do believe there is such a thing as the “trash can police” in Barrington. We should not need them to help us do what is right.

NOTE: As a reminder in February, the Board approved an amendment to the FPHA Architecture Guidelines requiring board approval for Solar Panels. You can view the updated guidelines and Architectural Form  in the Architecture section of the website.

Civic Affairs

By Margaret Graff | Email

Fox Point has officially gone social – we’ve-launched an official Facebook Page

(@Fox Point Homeowners Association) and we’re in the process of launching an official Instagram (#foxpointorg) account.

Several homeowners have asked me why we’re doing this and wanted to understand the role social media will play in Fox Point communications vs. this newsletter and foxpoint.org.

I’m glad you asked! First and foremost, all official news and communications of the FPHA will be communicated via the Fox Point News – which are uploaded onto foxpoint.org. Additionally, we continue to rely on NEXTDOOR as an internal social channel for Fox Point neighborhood communications.

Our presence on social channels like Facebook and Instagram serve a dual purpose – of reaching both Fox Point Residents and a broader audience. This broader audience includes past residents, prospective residents and Barrington etc at large. Our goal is to promote and celebrate all the great things we know and love about Fox Point. These are purposely open communities so that anyone can view what we’re posting (we want the world to see all the great things FPers are doing!). Neighbors are welcome to post on our FB page as Visitors or tag pictures. (Please help us make this a vibrant, robust online community!!) Our goal: elevate and promote what a great place Fox Point is to live.

NOTE: However these social channels are managed by the FPHA – and we reserve the right to take down any controversial, negative or spam posts. We are also in the process of finalizing and implementing privacy and communications guidelines to ensure that all media channels reflect our shared sense of community, ethics, decency etc.

Common Grounds

By Jay Roberts | Email

Happy Spring everyone! Hope you all enjoyed the nice weather on Easter with your family and were able to get outside!

As I’ve mentioned previously, Common Grounds has a lot going on right now and each month I hope to give you an update as some of these projects start to move forward. Some like the monument walls will be ongoing for a few months and others like the Austrian Pines being removed near the tennis courts will move much faster. Stay tuned for those updates.

The new landscaping crew did complete the Spring cleanup a couple of weeks ago. This is their prep for the grounds this season to get started with their services. In the next couple of weeks, they will mulch and replace any dead plants around the pool or main entrances.

For anyone looking for a mosquito service, you may want to consider Clarke. They have been doing the grounds at Fox Point for the last several years. They are offering a discount to any Fox Point resident. Pricing will be based on the square footage of your lot. Their number is 630-326-4633.

If anyone has any questions or you need any further updates, please let me know!

Lake

By David Jobes | Email

The new boat storage system project at the Boat Docks has gotten underway. We will provide regular updates on the installation process and how many slots will be available for boat storage. We are also working to finalize how neighbors will be able to reserve and pay for their spaces. Look for updates via NextDoor and in future newsletters.

Over the last several weeks you may have noticed a variety of birds on the lake, and they appear to have stuck around longer than in past years.  The only two things that would make that happen are food and habitat.  The fact that fish eating birds stuck around longer would presumably mean there were more fish this year, and btw, love the video that was shared of the bald eagle catching a fish.  In addition to the typical birds that have been reported, there have migratory birds as well, including loons, mergansers, swans and white pelicans.

With spring upon us let’s all remember to be good stewards of our watershed. Minimize chemicals, sealers and fertilizers to our properties, all excess chemicals wind up into the storm sewers and then the lake.

Now that it is getting warmer, try and get out and explore the lake.

Pool

By Horace  Seely-Brown | Email

Try on those bathing suits, dust off your goggles and purchase your sunscreen! The pool opens at 11am on May 25^th, just 25 short days away! We look forward to seeing you all up there and hope the weather cooperates! (Fox Point Pool Calendar 2019)

As you drive by the pool you will notice activity in a fury state. The water is on, the pool will soon be filled, and the equipment tested to avoid any mechanical surprises. When we closed the pool last year, we identified a few aged mechanical items related to the pool and those will be replaced in the next week. We are trying our best to be proactive in reviewing the equipment to avoid any delayed openings or closings, especially on holiday weekends!

Calling all Pre-Swim Teamers!

Much like 2018, we are offering swim lessons for those swimmers ages 4-6 and a step away from competing on the Fox Point Swim Team. We currently have 4-5 swimmers interested in the “program” and while we can run with these numbers, I would love to see participation increase. Please email me if you have an interest in learning more!

For those adult residents looking to kick off their day with a swim, Fox Point has approved usage by the Barrington Masters program this summer on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30-8am. Adult Fox Point residents are welcome to join! As the start time is early, please by respectful of your neighbors and keep your noise level to a whisper!

The pool renovation project continues its path forward with bids having now been received and two contractors being reviewed for selection. As the scope and details become a bit clearer, we will begin our communication with the neighborhood. Much more to come on this exciting project in the coming weeks!

Stay tuned for the release of the full pool calendar. We will be posting on the website, NextDoor and at the pool house in the next week. Additionally, for those looking to book summer events, the event request sheet will also be posted

Last, a few reminders of Good Neighbor Policy at the pool this summer as a refresher for longtime residents or an introduction to those new-comers in the neighborhood. Drinks and food products must be kept 4 feet away from the pool so please no drinking while in the pool or setting drinks/food on the gutter as you enjoy a refreshing dip. Absolutely No GLASS containers are allowed on the pool deck. Last, remember to pick up after yourselves so the guards can focus on the water!

We look forward to a wonderful swim season and as always, if you have ideas, suggestions on ways to improve the overall experience, please let me know!

Dolphins

LAST CALL –The Fox Point Dolphins Swim Team and Water Polo Team Registration Deadline is NOW!

* You can register by clicking the online registration tab on the Team Unify Home Page.
Payment and Registration deadline is May 1st.

Swim Team  

The Fox Point Dolphins Swim Team is a recreational team that is open to all children aged 5-15 years residing in Fox Point. Our season runs from early June until mid-July ending the season with our team banquet. Swimmers will practice daily from 8:00 am – 11:00 am.

A couple of reminders:

• Participation: Children must be 5 years of age by the first day of practice – no exceptions, and be able to swim one length of the pool unassisted. If you are new to swim team, there will be an evaluation at the start of the first practice conducted by our coaches. The decision of the coaches is final.
• 2019 Meet Schedule is Posted on Team Unify: There are 5 meets, typically held on Thursdays, but sometimes Tuesdays and 2 championship meets at the end of the season. Meets start promptly at 4:30 pm and usually last a few hours. Note, we have 3 HOME MEETS this year, so if your child plans to participate, remember a parent will be required to volunteer multiple times through the season.
• Practice Times: A similar practice schedule to years past will likely be followed, but we will want to confirm with Colin. For planning purposes, here is the tentative practice schedule is below. For swimmers enrolled in early morning summer school programs (Academic) we are looking to have an alternate time available for your swimmer to practice; however, space will be limited and acceptance into the alternate time is at the discretion of our head coach. Remember – grade guidelines are for the grade your child will be entering in the fall of 2019.
  • K through 2nd grade: 8:00 am – 8:45 am
  • 3rd grade through 5th grade: 8:45 am – 9:45 am
  • 6th grade to 15 years old: 9:45 am – 11:00 am
• Volunteers: We are confirming the lead volunteer jobs for this season, and will be communicating volunteer jobs in the coming weeks. Given we have three home meets, all families will be required to volunteer for three shifts. If you are unable to volunteer, you will need to have a sub. If you are interested in being a sub, please reach out to us.
• Cost: 1st Swimmer: $215.00; Each additional Swimmer: $155.00 

Questions? Please contact Swim Team Chairs @ foxpointswimteam@gmail.com

Looking forward to a great season – Kristin Cannon, Jen Fleming, Jen Livingston, Jenny Postma, Tiffany Seely-Brown, Victoria Sivrais 

Water Polo

Players age 9-15 of all skill levels are welcome to join – whether you’ve played before or not! The season starts right after school is out and ends mid-July. 

Coaches

We are excited to announce that our co-coaches for this season will be Fox Point’s very own Will Graff and Jack Streeter!    Both boys are varsity water polo players on the Barrington High School team and bring several years of experience swimming on Fox Point’s water polo teams.  

Practice and Match Schedule

Practices are generally held two evenings per week and matches are on Monday nights.  The practice and match schedule for this season is shown below:

• Monday 6/3: Practice 4:30-6 PM
• Tuesday 6/4: Practice 4:30-6 PM
• Wednesday 6/5: Practice 4:30-6 PM
• Monday 6/10: Game @ Lincolnshire – 7:00 PM warm up, 7:30 PM match
• Tuesday 6/11 Practice 4:30-6 PM
• Wednesday 6/12: Practice 4:30-6 PM
• Monday 6/17: Game @ Farmington – 7:00 PM warm up, 7:30 PM match
• Tuesday 6/18: Practice 4:30-6 PM
• Wednesday 6/19: Practice 4:30-6 PM
• Monday 6/24: Game @ Fox Point (v. Tennaqua) – 7:00 PM warm up, 7:30 PM match
• Tuesday 6/25: Practice 4:30-6 PM
• Wednesday 6/26: Practice 4:30-6 PM
• Monday 7/1: Game @ Fox Point (v. Lake Forest) – 7:00 PM warm up, 7:30 PM match
• Wednesday 7/3: Practice 4:30-6 PM
• Monday 7/8: Game @ Fox Point (v. Old Willow) – 7:00 PM warm up, 7:30 PM match
• Wednesday 7/10: Practice 4:30-6 PM
• Thursday 7/11: End of season all-team scrimmage @ Old Willow – 6:00 PM warm up, 6:30 PM match

Cost/Registration

The 2019 registration fee is $125 per player.  You can register by clicking the online registration tab on the Team Unify Home Page.  Registration is open until May 1. 

Questions? Please contact Parent Chairs: 

Joanna Carl – Joanna_carl@hotmail.com

Allison Meier – aameier804@gmail.com

Mary Monk – mary.e.morrison@gmail.com

We look forward to a great season!

Tennis

By Christine Mickey | Email

The Fox Point tennis courts are open for the season! We hope you enjoy the second summer on our new tennis courts! Please remember that the tennis courts are for tennis only. No biking, rollerblading, skateboarding, hockey, dog walking, etc. Please help to keep our new courts in great shape!

First Serve will be back this summer with a full schedule of adult and junior tennis programming. Please see the information in the documents linked below to view the summer schedule and sign up for the tennis classes.

Please submit your registration form to Christine Mickey at 749 Indian Way by May 31, 2019.

FOX POINT JUNIORS TENNIS 2019

FOX_POINT_TENNIS_ADULTS_2019

FOX POINT TENNIS REGISTRATION FORM 2019

The tennis committee is looking for Fox Pointers to plan the summer’s tennis social parties. If you would like to volunteer, please contact me! A few Fox Point tennis socials to look forward to in summer 2019 are the annual Cocktails on the Courts Party, Fox Point vs. Biltmore Country Club and new this year Fox Point vs. Barrington Hills Country Club. If any Barrington Hills members would like to help plan the new event, please reach out to me.

See you on the courts!