Fox Point Update: August 2023 Edition
- On August 1, 2023
President’s Letter
By Abe Ryder | Email
Greetings Fox Point neighbors,
We have started to move to the back half of summer meaning higher temperatures, peak vacation season and one last month left to take advantage of the pool! Please make sure that you do! As you read on, you will see summer reflections in Fox Point as part of Mark Villalovos’ report. Speaking of the pool, while you are there, pick up our annual directory! A thank you to our Secretary, Lindsay Keenan, for the great work in getting our directory updated – this is no easy feat. Criss Chang gives a recap of our various swim programs and pool reminders for those still working through the Omnify system of pool reservations.
A big thank you also to our Swim Team and Water Polo volunteers – Fox Point appreciates your time and energy devoted to our beloved Dolphins. So when you see Valerie Chang, Adam and Andrea Clemente, Lindsay Keenan, Brooke Kipferl and Melissa Mickey, please thank them! They work as a great team giving our Fox Point children an unforgettable experience. This year, the Dolphins took 4th out of the 6 teams in the North Shore Conference and in the Age Group Championship, our Dolphins placed 1st in the Boys 6 and Under group and a shout out to Abby Elsner who broke the league record at the Club Championships in the 25 yard kickboard race. Congrats to all of our Fox Point participants! Tremendous work done by our volunteers and swim team coaches.
As Andrew Schwarz highlights in his Architecture report, we appreciate all of the people who came out for our townhall to discuss the boat launch redevelopment project. Input from the community is critical and necessary. A link to a survey to garner even more feedback is provided as you continue reading. Bill Graf, our Safety and Welfare Chair, provides us with some of those back-to-school reminders – sorry to say, but we are getting to that time of year again! AND remember that the bike path on the Southside is NOT a proper car drop off point for our kiddos going to Lines or Station.
Lastly, I want to personally thank those of you who have been coming out to our Board meetings the last couple of months at the pool, providing comments and staying for the entire duration of the meeting. We have found that our pool Board meetings have drawn out more Fox Pointers to attend, participate and educate themselves on what is happening in the neighborhood, the work getting done by the Board and the thoughtful discussion that we have prior to the Board taking action. Again, we encourage homeowners to continue to attend and participate – this is your neighborhood.
As always, we welcome attendees at our monthly Board meetings. Our next Board meeting will be held on August 21, 2023, @ 7 pm at the Fox Point pool – bringing the Board meeting to you for the last time this pool season! We welcome ideas, suggestions, and feedback as we all have a vested interest in this community we call home.
Safety & Welfare
By Bill Graff | Email
Hard to think school is around the corner, yikes! As we launch our son back to college early next month, I am reminded this time of year is getting to be earlier every year, ugh! That being said, we ALL need to be aware that our neighbor children will be walking to and from school this mid-August. FP has worked hard to make this a safe experience! Using the stop lights, by both the pool and the soccer fields, is a must! Now on the southside, the newly stripped walking lanes have been repainted and are ready for all the walkers. Make note of the rules, well presented on the signs on Oak Ridge Circle. These basic rules, well followed, will give our kids the walking and biking experience they deserve. Another item of note is that the BPD has been reminded of our walking lanes so no mistakes please, fair warning to all! Thank you for paying attention to all our safety rules and in keeping FP the wonderful safe place it has always been for over 50 years!
Tennis Report
By Taylor Shanfeld| Email
It’s hard to believe that this is the last week of kids’ tennis lessons! Thanks to everyone who participated this year and to Barrington Area Tennis Association for the well-organized, well-staffed, and fun lessons!
Come play pickleball during one of the open play times listed below! Beginner to intermediate players. If you’d like to be added to the text chain, please email your name and number to tennis@foxpoint.org.
Mondays 6:30-7:30 pm
Wednesdays 10:30-11:30 am
Fridays 9-10:30 am
Social
By Melissa Pohl | Email
Summer is NOT OVER! We have a few more events for you!
MOVIE NIGHT: First, we have one more summer movie night left in us! Join us on August 25th, from 8:00-9:30 for movie night! We will be watching Jumanji! Please note that adult supervision and attendance are required for all children 12 and under. Popcorn is included and concessions will be available for purchase. You can sign-up here!
CAMP OUT: Our Annual Camp Out will be Saturday, August 12th. All are welcome to come, sit and enjoy a PRIMO PIZZA’s PORTABLE OVEN PIZZA beginning at 5:30 pm-7:30 pm. However, participation in the food truck is not necessary to enjoy the lake and company! Primo is asking for $25 per adult for all-you-can-eat pizza (ages 12+ need their own pizza ticket). Participants sign-up here! Volunteers sign-up here! Adult supervision is required for all children 14 and under.
At this point, our SWAG, Yeti Orders, and Hats are complete for the summer. We will reopen orders in Early Fall (October) for Holiday Gifts! Have a request? Enter it here!
We are hoping to have an end-of-summer party in early September and our Annual Golf Outing. Times and Dates TBD! If you’d like to be part of either of these events, please e-mail me at social@foxpoint.org to volunteer.
Enjoy the rest of your summer, Fox Point!
Civic Affairs
By Mark Villalovos | Email
August in Fox Point, Barrington, is a time of pure enchantment. As the sun-drenched days slowly wane, our close-knit community finds solace in the plethora of amenities that grace our charming neighborhood. From the glistening lake to the inviting swimming pool, and the lively tennis and pickleball courts, Fox Point offers the perfect canvas to indulge in the last moments of summer before the excitement of back-to-school takes over. But what truly sets Fox Point apart is the genuine warmth of its residents, who embody the Midwestern spirit of camaraderie and hospitality, making every stroll, swim, and encounter a delightful experience of building friendships and relationships.
Soak in the Summer Delights:
August in Fox Point presents an opportunity to fully immerse ourselves in the joys of summer living. With the weather at its peak, the sparkling swimming pool beckons, inviting families to splash and play, while the serene lake offers a tranquil escape for those seeking a moment of solitude amidst the beauty of nature. Taking leisurely walks or going for a refreshing run around the well-maintained streets of Fox Point becomes a delightful experience, allowing residents to connect with both their surroundings and their neighbors.
Engage in Sports and Recreation:
Fox Point’s abundant amenities offer the perfect setting for families and individuals to engage in sports and recreational activities. Gather your friends and neighbors for a friendly game of tennis or pickleball, where competition blends seamlessly with laughter and enjoyment. These activities not only promote a healthy lifestyle but also provide excellent opportunities to bond with fellow residents, making exercise an even more gratifying experience.
Poolside Lounging and Story Sharing:
As the sun casts its golden glow over the neighborhood, the poolside at Fox Point transforms into a social hub. Settle into a comfortable lounge chair, relish the warm embrace of the summer breeze, and engage in lively conversations with neighbors. Share stories, laughter, and experiences, and allow these cherished moments to deepen your connections within the community. The pool becomes more than just a recreational space—it becomes a catalyst for friendship and unity.
Seize the opportunity to create lasting friendships with your neighbors, embracing the spirit of Midwestern hospitality that makes Fox Point an idyllic haven. Savor the last drops of summer and revel in the warmth of community that envelopes this exceptional neighborhood.
Architecture
By Andrew Shwarz | Email
There has been a lot of activity this month with Architecture approvals as well as discussions around improving the Boat Landings area.
As a reminder, all exterior alterations must be shared with the Board for approval. Thank you to the roughly dozen homeowners who have followed that process this year.
Thank you also to the many people who attended the townhall on the Boat Landings improvement on July 15th. It was a lively and productive discussion on the pros/cons of any potential enhancements to that area. To that end, we are finalizing the contract to install a permanent seawall which many agree is a necessary step to preserve that space. We intend to accompany the seawall with natural plantings in the future.
Homeowners now have the opportunity to provide formal feedback on the Boat Landing redevelopment via this survey. Please take five minutes to share your thoughts and perspectives! This is a critical component of any potential improvement project as it will provide comprehensive data to the Board on how to proceed. The survey will remain open until early September.
Please reach out to me with any questions on the above topics.
Pool
By Criss Chang | Email
During the month of July, we had many exciting happenings at the pool.
- Fox Point hosted 2 swim meets for the swim team and finished off the season with many awards and personal records. Many thanks to our new Head Coach, Christine O’Hagan, in her first season leading the team, along with the supporting team of coaches, Griffin O’Leary, Joe Cidulka, Margaret Kitzman, Jenna Kerr and Michael Vitale.
- This same group of coaches also provided instruction to the 25 future swimmers of Fox Point in the swim lesson program.
- The Water Polo team made a comeback after a few years in hiatus, thanks to the efforts of Adam and Andrea Clementi, taking the lead on coaching and organizing the kids. Plans are in place to continue the program next year.
- The 2nd annual Fox Point Kids Triathlon version 2.0 was held on July 16, with nearly 40 youth participants and many more volunteers and spectators. Race director, Valerie Chang, held 4 triathlon clinics for the kids leading up to the race to help them be prepared and they rocked it!
- Barrington Master’s open swim will continue into August. As a reminder all Fox Point residents 18 and older are invited to lap swim on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Saturdays from 6:00 am-7:30 am.
As a reminder, if you haven’t done so already, go to https://foxpoint.getomnify.com to verify your profile. If you didn’t sign in last year, you will likely need to receive a link to sign in. Please send an email to pool@foxpoint.org and our admin will get you access. Active accounts and family members are required to gain access to the pool. This is our way of ensuring neighborhood security over unauthorized attendees and trespassers.
Take notice: Modified pool hours will go into effect on weekdays beginning August 21st until September 1st when school is back in session. Open swim hours will revert to 4:00 pm-8:00 pm for those 2 weeks, Monday through Friday. Enjoy these warm summer days we have ahead of us. Please be safe and if you see something, say something to the pool manager on staff or contact me at pool@foxpoint.org. Together we can make this a great experience for everyone.
Secretary Report
By Lindsay Keenan | Email
Hi neighbors! Hopefully, by the time you are reading this, the Fox Point 2023 Directory has been printed and is available at the pool house. Please stop by during normal pool hours and pick-up one copy for your household. Please reach out to me at secretary@foxpoint.org if you have any questions or need to update your contact information for 2024.
Lake Report
By Steven Kipferl | Email
We had a productive Boat Launch/Lake Meeting in July with great participation! Thanks to all that attended! We are looking for volunteers for the LAKE COMMITTEE!! Looking for folks with an idea for the lake to bring it forward and take the lead on projects. Thanks to Zoran who stepped forward and committed to a formal committee position. We are looking for more volunteers up around the small pond on the south side, and perhaps a volunteer or two along the creek to act as a local set of eyes and ears to the parts of the lake.
The boat rack reorganization has been put into progress. The list is almost complete in its update. If you still have not contacted me regarding a boat you have on the rack, please do so immediately. Boats not accounted for by the end of August will be removed on 9/1 and considered abandoned. We have many neighbors looking for slips and this reorganization is the only way to keep the lake rights available for all. Reminder next year dock fees are $100
Aerators are under repair on the north side, and the fountain on the south pond is STILL out for repair as of July due to parts. We are re-evaluating our vendor relationships for aeration services as a result of the delay.
Please contact me regarding any lake issues at lake@foxpoint.org