Fox Point Update: November 2023 Edition
- On October 31, 2023
President’s Letter
By Abe Ryder | Email
Greetings Fox Point Neighbors,
November is here! That means year-end is around the corner and holiday celebrations will soon be upon us. Between all of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, please take a moment of personal time for Thanksgiving and reflection. For me, as I begin the wind-down to my last year on the Board and as the Fox Point Homeowners Association President, I want to once again thank our current and past Fox Point Board members for their stewardship of our assets, their time and energy dedicated to building and maintaining community within Fox Point and for a well-run, self-managed homeowners association. When you see a Board member, please thank them for their service.
As a reminder, we are in the process of identifying homeowners who are interested in running for the Fox Point Homeowners Association Board to fill the upcoming vacancies as Board terms expire. We are seeking 4 candidates to run for an election that will take place in January in conjunction with our annual meeting. I encourage people to run for the Board and get involved! If you are interested, please reach out to our Nomination Committee Chair or other members listed below:
Taylor Shanfeld – Nomination Committee Chair / current Board member, who can be reached HERE.
Jennifer Kloss – Homeowner at large
Jordan Linville – Homeowner at large
Rena Slovick – Former Board member
Bruce Wahlborg – Former Board member
A big THANK YOU to our Nomination Committee for helping to select candidates!
Our next Board meeting will be held on Monday, November 20th at 7 PM at the Village Church. As always, we encourage homeowners to attend our monthly Board meetings. We welcome ideas, suggestions, and feedback, as we all have a vested interest in this community we call home.
Be sure to read on to get more information on upcoming neighborhood events and Board reports. For those homeowners who live adjacent to Lake Cook Road, you will want to check out Jay Robert’s message on the wooden fence and your responsibilities as a homeowner. Continue reading (and think – SAFETY) to ensure that you are up to date on what is happening in Fox Point!
All the best.
Safety & Welfare
By Bill Graff | Email
Happy Fall to all and to the big holidays on the horizon! These are exciting times for the neighborhood between Halloween, an FP classic, and all the holidays that follow, I can’t wait! That said, here are a few tips to consider as you polish off your fall clean-up list…
First, please light the gas lantern at your home… please!! We are entering those dark days of the seasons ahead and a well-lit property really helps the safety and overall “look” of FP. Here again, are the vendors many of our neighbors have used to get that task completed.
All Safe Fred’s @847-751-0533 ask for Todd. Another vendor is Fox Gas Light @ 847-691-9182 ask for Steve. Hope this helps your lighting efforts!
Second, please wear reflective gear when outside in the dark hours. This is a must and is not only safe but also WISE! With reflective vests, a flashlight via your phone, and a well-lit dog leash, you get the direction I’m going. I hope this too will be on your list of to-dos!
Well, this is it for November! Thanks to all and enjoy this wonderful season!
Tennis Report
By Taylor Shanfeld| Email
Hi neighbors!
I hope you had a chance to enjoy some tennis or pickleball this fall when the weather was nice! Due to the dropping temperatures, all nets and windscreens have been taken down and stored away for winter.
Please reach out to me with any questions.
Social
By Melissa Pohl | Email
Happy November, FP! We have some fun planned for you this coming month!
Foxy Ladies Friendsgiving: We are attempting to pull off a Friendsgiving on Friday, November 17th! Save the date!
Last but not least, please vote on how you would like to have your FP Santa this year! Home visits? Santa Parade? Vote here!
Enjoy this beautiful month, neighbors!
Civic Affairs
By Mark Villalovos | Email
Hey there, neighbors!
As the final leaves drift down from the trees and the smell of cinnamon and cloves start wafting from kitchens, we know what time it is—November in our cozy Fox Point corner! Let’s talk turkey, leaves, and all the things that make this month uniquely ours.
A Gathering of Hearts and Plates
First up, the main event: Thanksgiving! Whether you’re hosting a lavish dinner or enjoying a simple feast, now’s the time to start planning. Reach out to family and friends, dig out Grandma’s famous stuffing recipe, and start debating turkey or ham? Both? Let’s make this Thanksgiving a symbol of community, both at our tables and in our hearts.
Leaves, Silent Flooders
Okay, I’m going to sound like a broken record here, but those leaves aren’t just for making backyard piles to jump into. Please keep ’em out of the drains. Again, the rule is simple: leaves in bags, not drains.
The Season of Layers
Ah, November in the Midwest. A time when layering is less about fashion and more about survival… scarves, mittens, vests, hats—you name it, we wear it. If you’re new to the area, don’t underestimate the power of heavy socks and a good flannel shirt!
Football Fever
Lastly, how can we forget that November is prime-time football season? Whether it’s the high school playoffs or some good (?) NFL action, the sound of cheering fans is our November soundtrack. So grab some snacks, huddle around the TV or, if you’re brave, venture to the local stadium and cheer for Da Bears!
And that, my friends, wraps up our Fox Point guide to enjoying November in the Midwest. Whether you’re around the Thanksgiving table or cleaning out those drains, let’s make this a month to be grateful for each other and the community we share.
Until next month,
Your Neighborly Civics Committee Chair
Architecture
By Andrew Shwarz | Email
If you are considering exterior alterations in 2024, please ensure your Architecture Approvals are submitted using THIS FORM (linked).
Recent updates from the Boat Landings improvement project, which have been shared live at Board Meetings, can be found in prior newsletters (available on the FP website). The Board is continuing to prioritize seawall installation at the highest possible elevation/grade at the shoreline, with installation occurring at some point in 2024 (the budget has already been approved in 2023). Beyond that, we intend to issue an updated vision statement for the project overall and potential enhancements/amenities by the end of the year following our 2024 budget process this fall.
Lake Report
By Steven Kipferl | Email
Happy fall ya’ll! Lake is proud to report that we have completed our fall stocking this week. Thanks to neighbors’ generous donations the entire stock order was privately funded. We were able to stock mature largemouth, mature crappie, and juvenile northern pike 12-16 in. Happy fishing!
Reminder to reach out to Lake@foxpoint.org to register your boats for the spring if you have not done so already.
Please be kind and return your boats to the rack when finished. The boats on the rack are private.
Guests are welcome on the lake, however, a resident must accompany all guests on the lake/marina area at all times.
Common Grounds
By Jay Roberts | Email
Greetings Everyone!
I hope you all are getting ready for winter and are planning some fun activities with the family as the weather starts to change!
This time of year, due to winter, Common Grounds will start to prepare for next year. One of the things that I have mentioned in previous reports is our wood fences along Lake Cook Road. They need our help!!! Currently, there are SEVERAL spots where the overhang is too much and the walls are past-looking unkempt. If you are a homeowner who has the wood fence as part of your property line, I would ask that you take a look at your area and see what course of action needs to be taken. In most cases, it’s just the pruning back or trimming of your trees and plants. Later this month, a letter will be coming out to all of you that will outline those responsibilities.
At some point, there will be board meetings about a potential replacement of those wood walls. If we can start now with some trimming back of the landscape that would be a big first step. This will help to protect the walls from further damage and the board continues to assess those structures and appropriate next steps. As a gentle reminder, your landscape is your responsibility and should not crowd the wood fences.
If you have any questions or need any guidance, please feel free to reach out!
Thank you for your continued support!