President’s Letter

By Mike Moran | Email

It has been quite a challenging year as we look towards the last couple of months of 2020.   From a board perspective, we are busy finalizing the budget for 2021 and working on an excellent slate of candidates for the January 2021 election.  We will have four terms expiring in 2021 and I am very optimistic that our current and future board members will continue to do an excellent job at managing very necessary functions of the Fox Point Homeowners Association.  I am sure as neighbors we are all trying to get ready for the coming holidays while doing so in a manner that is safe for our families.

While we can’t do many of the things we would all like to do during this holiday season, I challenge everyone to light up your yards for the holidays, and let’s see if we can bring some joy to Fox Point through the beauty that is the holiday season.  It will allow us all to get outside and enjoy Fox Point as we see the beauty & enjoy the bright and colorful lights of the winter season.

I know many are hoping & yearning for significant change that will lead us back to some form of normalcy within all aspects of our life.  The challenges associated with this past year are unfortunately going to be with us for years.  I think it is extremely important as neighbors and as a community to be cognizant of everyone within our extended world to make sure that everyone is staying emotionally strong as we navigate these challenges especially throughout the holidays and winter seasons.  I ask that you check on your neighbors especially those that are older, living alone, or ones that you think might feel some form of depression.  It is a very tough time for many in the world and “emotional challenges” have increased three-fold in the US this year alone.  In our small community of Fox Point within the very affluent town of Barrington, we are not void of these types of issues.  It has never been more important to remember our duty to be a “Good Neighbors!”  

During this extremely hard time and compounded with the holiday season it is very important for us to be there for each and every one of our neighbors and friends.   I challenge everyone to go above and beyond in the coming months and do “Good” for a neighbor or stranger.  Pay for the Starbucks for the person behind you in the line at the drive-through, buy a small gift for someone & give it to them just because, send a quick text or email simply telling someone to enjoy their day or one of a thousand small things that can make someone’s day a little brighter as together we work to get back to life as we once knew it.

While the members of the Fox Point Homeowners Board have roles and responsibilities, we have no more important role than to help and support our community.  Please use each of us as a resource should you or a neighbor need anything in the coming months.  If you sense a challenge of any sort with one of your neighbors, please reach out, and let’s be “Good Neighbors” together.  Our contact information is always available on the Fox Point website and mine is below.

Mike Moran

Social

By Rena Slovick Email

Fox Point Annual Golf Outing 

Huge Fox Point Thank You to Tim Twitchell for planning yet again another successful golf outing. Neither Covid nor Mother Nature could stop us from getting out there. We played at Palatine Hills Golf Course this year, which was a new venue for us. From what I’ve heard everyone was well behaved so we will be invited back next year.

Santa Visits

Neighbors have no fear.  Santa is not passing over Fox Point this year.  He will be visiting Fox Point on December 5^th, for a fun, old-fashioned Christmas this side of Barrington.  New for this year, Santa will be coming to us curbside at the Fox Point Pool House, in his one-of-a-kind, decorated house complete with an indoor fireplace to keep guests jolly and warm!  Children can visit with Santa, get their last-minute requests in, and Mom and Dad can snap that token crying face pic. 

The Fine Print:

To ensure Santa remains healthy to deliver presents this holiday season, Santa’s house is set-up for proper social distancing and sanitation protocols.  There is a limit to 6 family members in the hut at the same time, limited to 15 minutes. No exceptions. Masks are required on everyone above 2 years old and must be worn at all times except while taking photos with Santa.

This event is rain/snow or shine and is NON REFUNDABLE.

The cost for this event is:

• 1-2 children in a family – $30
• 3-4 children in a family – $40
• 5 + children in a family – $50

Santa Visits will go Live on Saturday, November 7th, 2020 at 10:00 am

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080c48a8a92fa4fa7-foxpoint30

We’re on the Gram!

We heard that’s what all the cool kids call it and we didn’t want to be left out. Our handle is foxpoint_barrington. Give us a follow and send us some photos at foxpointbarringtonsocial@gmail.com

Please keep a lookout on the Website Events Calendar, Nextdoor, or via Email for continued Social Updates! A lot can happen in-between newsletters.

Civic Affairs

By Margaret Graff | Email

As we approach Thanksgiving, this year more than ever, I’m reminded of all that we have to be thankful for as a Fox Point neighborhood.

Our enclave of 411 homes is filled with people from all walks of life who are choosing to raise their families and live their lives as a community.

While we may have varied opinions and beliefs, we share core values like respecting our neighbors, acts of kindness, and giving back to the community.

I hope you and yours have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Common Grounds

By Jay Roberts | Email

Hope everyone is safe and enjoying the Fall season!

This month, I do not have any new updates for the monument walls. As I’ve mentioned, we are taking a step back and looking at our best options. There are many moving parts to coming up with a proper solution. The hope is that we can consolidate all of those and come up with 3 solutions so that we can narrow the focus.

As a board, we all agree that the walls are part of the neighborhood and should be either preserved or even modified with a completely new look. The key will be to look at our budget and make sure that the solution will be a long-term fix.

This month, we will be completing the final phase of our cul-de-sac project. This should start the first or second week of November. Hopefully, we will get some of the normal Fall rain that will help the new plantings adapt to these spaces. Each cul-de-sac will take a few days to complete.

Next month, I will give you an update on the type of plants that we used.

The mums are out by all the main entrances! Hopefully, we will get a few more weeks of some good temperatures so that they can stay in color.

If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.

Stay safe!

Lake

By David Jobes | Email

Lake County Dept of Health finished up the field survey work for Lake Louise in October.  The County does detailed reports on every lake in the County and Lake Louise was last done in 2015.  They collect water and sediment samples, survey the fish population, in water and near water plants, and look at our shoreline.  This will be a 75 page + report that details our watershed, current conditions, trends, and recommendations for the years ahead.  You can view the 2015 report athttps://www.lakecountyil.gov/DocumentCenter/View/14160/2015-Lake-Louise-Report-PDF   The Lake Committee will let you know when the 2020 report is released.

One of the beneficiaries of the pandemic and delayed pool opening was our Lake.  More residents were on, in, and around the lake this summer. Rafts, paddleboards, swimmers, and all sorts of boats/canoes/kayaks were a regular appearance.  We hope that trend continues.  

The fishing was slow this year.  To help replenish our fishery, the Lake Committee is stocking some larger fish this fall.  Besides the usual Largemouth and Crappie, we are adding a few Northern Pike in the 12+ inch range.  See if you can put one of those on the end of your line as we get to colder temps and even through the ice!  As a reminder, we are a catch and release lake.

Did you know?. . . the Lake Committee has been working closely with the Village of Barrington to add more water sampling locations as the water flows through Fox Point.  Sampling is occurring at Baker Lake (our headwaters), Makray Golf Club, Lake Cook Rd, Entrance to Lake Louise, and outlet of Lake Louise.  This is a valuable tool to understand what is coming into our lake and what effect our projects in the creek, pond, and lake have on the water quality.  These reports are available from the Lake Committee. 

Pool

By Criss Chang | Email

It’s all quiet on the pool deck and the pool facilities have been winterized in preparation for colder temperatures.

Thinking towards next summer plans to re-paint the baby pool and unclogging a drain line are being budgeted and planned for prior to opening for the season.

Further, a comprehensive service and maintenance logbook has been created and will be used to proactively track and record repairs and replacements.

Enjoy the holiday season and please reach out to me if you have any comments or feedback.

Tennis

By Mark Johnson | Email

Leaves are changing color and falling while temperatures have dropped – significantly. That’s a good indication the outdoor tennis season is over, so the nets and windscreens have been packed away for the winter. They will be re-installed in the spring with the hopes of a more traditional summer, with tennis just being a small part of that overall experience.

Thanks to everyone for a successful season, especially given the unique circumstances. Enjoy your winter and we’ll see you next spring!