Life is too short to live anywhere else! July 2017 Mike s Musings · 2017-06-30 · with you in...

www.MiddleridgeCivicAssociation.org

Inside This Issue:

Middleridge Civic Association July 2017 Life is too short to live anywhere else!

Mike’s Musings

By: Mike Torrey,

MCA President

Mike’s Musings 1

July Calendar 2

Middleridge Home Tour

3

Neighborhood Watch 4

Board Minutes 5

July Puzzle 8

Middleridge Free Little Library 9

Membership Committee Article 13

National Night Out 14

NNO Event Map 16

MCA Membership Form 17

New Distribution Chairperson 18

“Well, it’s time to

again get ready for

our signature event,

the National Night

Out, which will be

held from 6-8pm in

Middleridge Park on

Tuesday, August 1st.”

wonderful to see the

transformations that

emerge from taking a

simple space and mak-

ing it truly beautiful.

This event is scheduled

to be held from 1-4pm

on Saturday, July 8th.

Well, it’s time to again

get ready for our signa-

ture event, the Nation-

al Night Out, which

will be held from 6-8pm

in Middleridge Park on

Tuesday, August 1st.

This event, one of the

largest and longest run-

ning in Northern Virgin-

ia, has drawn crowds of

400+ attendees, not to

mention many of our

elected officials, for

quite some time. We

will have local law en-

forcement, to include

police and fire depart-

ment search & rescue

personnel on hand, as

well as a band, a variety

of booths on display, a

prize drawing, and

games for the children.

Because of all the coor-

dination involved, the

need for volunteers is

great, which presents a

great opportunity for

those high school stu-

dents in need of service

hours. For those wishing

to lend a hand during

this event, please contact

Past MCA Board Presi-

dent, Catie Morales,

our event POC. We look

forward to another mem-

orable event this year!

I would like to thank

Vernon Campbell for

taking the reins as the

Neighborhood Watch

chairman. Your willing-

ness to take on this im-

portant and sorely need-

ed duty is greatly appre-

ciated! I and the Board

look forward to working

with you in helping to

monitor the safety of our

neighborhoods.

Please take the time to

volunteer and serve for

one weekend over a 12-

month period. As many

of you may know, there

have been incidents of

theft and mischief in sur-

rounding communities

over the past year, due to

such things as, open gar

I hope that everyone is

having a relaxing and en-

joyable summer. This

past month was relatively

a quiet one regarding ac-

tivities here in Middler-

idge, as many of us wit-

nessed high school gradu-

ations as well as the

school year coming to an

end. However, we will

soon be back in event

mode, as the Tour of

Homes and Gardens

takes place on July 8th

and the National Night

Out celebration will be on

Tuesday, August 1st.

Past MCA Board Presi-

dent, Mary Vander

Maten, is still looking for

a few more homes where

homeowners are willing

to share the results of a

recent renovation or en-

hancement to their prop-

erty. This has been a

very popular event in re-

cent years, as it has

brought our community

members together to ex-

change ideas and make

new friendships. It is

Continues on Page 9

http://www.middleridgecivicassociation.org


Reaching 578 Homes and Families

1:00-4:00



Middleridge News

Middleridge Home and Garden Tour

Saturday, July 8, 1-4 PM rain or shine

We have three fantastic homes for you, with lots of ideas inside and out - Look for balloons

on mailboxes!

Matt and Molly Hochstetler, 5303 New Church Ct (Braddock Colonial Model)

We would love to show our new kitchen. We just did a MAJOR renovation that involved putting in a

load bearing beam to remove an awkward pillar and things look fabulous. Our home is a Braddock

colonial. Our kitchen has been bumped out and expanded to feature a large island with seating

around it and has large windows that overlook our beautifully landscaped yard. Our main floor has

an open concept that is ideal for entertaining guests.

Susan and Francis Stockwell, 5517 Shooters Hill Ln (Braddock Colonial Model)

Over the years living in our center hall Braddock colonial, we have remodeled the kitchen and laun-

dry area, opened walls on the main living level, installed plantation shutters and new front door. We

have done extensive landscaping as well as a new deck. Most recently, we renovated the basement

adding a full bath, a wine bar, custom cabinetry and media center.

(Mary’s note: check out the sunroom)

Greg and Jessica Summer, 5403 Willcoxon Tavern Ct (Carter Model)

We love living in Middleridge and want to update our floor plan so that we can live here for many

more years. Over the lasts 15 years living in our home we’ve worked on improvements throughout the

house. We live in the Carter model, the split level and we finally decided to tackle the main living

space. We wanted our main floor to be more conducive to entertaining and have an open and airy feel

to it. We completely remodeled the kitchen to update the space and create a flow which also makes

the room feel much bigger than it was originally. We have a large island that works perfectly for our

family and a kitchen that we love to use! The once unused living room now feels like a whole new part

of our home. The changes we made have completely modified how we use the space and we couldn't be

happier with the results.




We have planned and commu-

nicated the neighborhood

watch patrol schedule for the

months of June through Sep-

tember. Please ensure that

[email protected] is

marked as safe in your email

so that our emails do not get

caught in your spam filter.

Those of you that have partici-

pated since we re-started the

NW at the end of May have

made great observations that

assist in keeping Middleridge

the neighborhood we all love.

I try to accommodate any spe-

cial requests for scheduling

the patrols, but if you are

scheduled for a patrol and

can’t make it, and are unable

to swap with someone else,

then please let me know so we

can try to ensure the patrol is

covered. Thanks all for your

continued support and stay

safe.

Crime Prevention Unit

Tips

Lock all doors and win-

dows to the home when

away and at night when

you are sleeping.

Use your alarm system

if you have one, and en-

sure it is registered

with the County.

If you have an attached

garage, please close the

garage door and night,

and lock the entrance

door to the house.

Change your alarm code

every once in a while.

Use exterior lighting, es-

pecially flood light, mo-

tion detectors and lamp

posts.

Trim the bushes around

your windows.

Be sure to put away your

extension ladders at

night.

Secure all tool sheds.

Be sure to get to know

your neighbors, and look

out for each other.

If you see suspicious ac-

tivity, call the FFX Coun-

ty police non-emergency

number (703) 691-2131.

Neighborhood Watch

by Vernon Campbell, Neighborhood Watch Coordinator

Summer is officially here! It

comes the day before my birth-

day) and with it is an increased

need to stay observant around

the neighborhood. With the

children spending their days

home from school for the sum-

mer, now may be a good time to

review appropriate use of the

house doors with them, especial-

ly the younger ones. Children

should understand when and for

whom they should open the door

to the house. Teach kids to ask

who’s at the door or look out a

window before opening it. This

way they can be safe if an adult

is ever unavailable to get the

door.

The Middleridge Civic Associa-

tion membership drive will be

starting with the celebration of

National Night Out, and with

that in mind I invite everyone to

give some thought into volun-

teering to participate in Neigh-

borhood Watch. The member-

ship form will have several are-

as of interest for your considera-

tion. If you think Neighborhood

Watch is something you would

like to participate in then please

check it on your form. It will get

to me even if you do not hand it

to me directly at the Park that

night.


mailto:[email protected]


Middleridge News

Middleridge Civic Association

June Meeting—June 1, 2017 at Mike Torrey’s home

Call to Order: 7:00PM

Members Present: Mike Torrey, David Simon, John Tedrick, Brad Koch, Catie Morales, Carolyn

Vaughan, Rick Jones, Tim Harazin, Kim Nelson, Joe Landry, Mary Vander Maten

Review of Minutes: Brad Koch

Treasurer’s Report: John Tedrick

Membership Committee: Al and Sandy Obuchowski

Other Committee Reports

Webmaster/Server Update—Kim Nelson and Joe Landry – Website to be operational end of June,

with an official launch in September. Board voted to purchase the domains “middleridgeffx.org”

and “middleridgeffx.com”.

Welcoming—Carolyn Vaughan – Carolyn gave an update on new neighbors that have been wel-

comed in the past few months; she will be sending out an email periodically with her tracking

spreadsheet to the Board

Newsletter—Catie Morales – No Update

Neighborhood Watch—Vernon Campbell – No update

Continuing Business—Issues and Updates

Little Library-installation to take place later this month; Catie to call in Miss Utility ticket; to be

installed in grass strip between the curb and sidewalk.

Best of Braddock (BoB) Awards-- “Neighbor of the Month” recognition—selectees to be highlighted

with a few paragraphs in the monthly Braddock Beacon as to why they are special—nominees?

Board Meeting Minutes

Continued on Page 18



Middleridge News



Middleridge News

age doors, unlocked vehicles, and reduced situational

awareness. We all have a stake in helping to keep Mid-

dleridge as one of the most desirable communities in

which to live in Northern Virginia, as it has a direct re-

flection on our property values. It would be great to see

more of you signing up and lending a hand to help us in

this endeavor.

Please take the time and check out our new website,

www.middleridgeFFX.org. You will find that it is very

smart phone friendly, with news and events, and lots of

great information right at your fingertips. Many thanks

to Joe Landry and Kim Nelson for helping to coordi-

nate this entire effort!

Please consider becoming a member of the MCA if you

have not already done so. Our membership co-chairs, Al

& Sandy Obuchowski, are more than happy to assist

you with an application. We will have applications

available at our National Night Out celebration as well

as on page 17 of this newsletter. Al can be reached via

email at [email protected]. A $25 contribution is all it

takes to become a member, and when you consider what

HOAs around the area cost, it is a pretty good deal!

Your membership and generosity helps us to fund many

of our activities as well as scholarships for our col-

lege-bound high school seniors.

I and the Board are always open to new ideas and

suggestions, as we work to continually improve our

ability to serve you and the community. Even if it

is for a long-standing event, we are open to sugges-

tions. A prime example of this would be, Erick Ar-

raya, taking the reins for our community yard sale

last September, and making it more “digital”, so

that it would be more efficient for both MCA mem-

bers as well as potential buyers. That event was so

popular, that a second yard sale was held this past

April, and was yet another resounding success.

I wish you all a safe and happy July 4th Weekend.

See you around Middleridge!

Continued from Page 1

Rick Jones, David Simon & Tim Harazin work

hard to install our very own Little Library! It’s here! Middleridge has started our

very own, Free Little Library … a “take

a book, return a book” community Library

for the neighborhood. What a great way

to spread the job of reading!

Please feel free to drive by and add a book

(please, no dirty books) or pick up a book

to read.

Our Free Little Library is registered

with the National Free Little Library Or-

ganization, a Not-for-Profit Organization

fostering community spirit and a love for

reading.


http://www.middleridgeFFX.org



Middleridge News



Middleridge News


Members Help to Improve YOUR Neighborhood

The Middleridge Civic Association (MCA) does many things to help keep the neighborhood looking

great so that property values for everyone are maintained at a high level. Middleridge is a much

sought after neighborhood and that is certainly evidenced by the high number of sales we have seen

this year! By being a dues paying member (just $25 per year), you can help by adding your member-

ship fee to that of others to help fund the many programs of the MCA. Please seriously consider be-

coming a member of the MCA during the upcoming 2018 membership drive.

In these often difficult times, everyone can be a vital participant. Does each and every $25 member-

ship help? Absolutely! Other neighborhoods have a Homeowner’s Association (HOA); we do not. Our

fee is very minimal in comparison, but the membership fee is primarily what is used to support the

activities of the association. We have added many new activities over the years and each one serves

some part of the population, whether it is focused on youth or adult. Will you be interested in all of

the activities? Will everything be done according to your wishes? Most likely, your answer is no, un-

less you are a member and very involved in what happens. So, you are important and your member-

ship helps in some way. Please become an active MCA member.

There is one other aspect of membership in the MCA that is also very important: Volunteerism. The

MCA needs volunteers to help conduct its events and activities. Without volunteers, nothing can take

place. If you are not pleased with something, only you can “fix it” by being a voluntary participant.

One negative thought comes to mind. It is not fair to complain about something if you did not provide

positive input into the planning of that something. Monday morning quarterbacking is easy; being in-

volved is not so easy. However, good things do not happen without involvement. Please do your part

to be a member first, an active participant second, and finally a proud resident of this great Middler-

idge community!!

Block captains will deliver the membership forms to all homes with the July Newsletter. Please

sign up as soon as you receive your form. A tendency to set the form aside for a later date, often leads

to it being misplaced or forgotten.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call a board member or contact us at the below email.

Thanks in advance for supporting the MCA.

Sincerely,

Al and Sandy Obuchowski

Membership Co-Chairs

[email protected]




Middleridge News




WELCOME DISTRIBUTION CHAIR

I want to let you know that Melody Rudy has graciously volunteered to be the

Distribution Chairman for MCA. A very big thank you Melody for volunteering

and taking over for me. It has been my pleasure being the Distribution Chairman

for more than a dozen years – Middleridge is a wonderful community and I love

being involved and will continue to be involved.

Sandy Obuchowski

Past Events( Recap)

Scholarship awards—Noah Bayer, Grace Tedrick, Hunter Cornwell

Continuing Business—Upcoming Events

Tour of Homes & Gardens—July 8th, POC: Mary Vander Maten, still needs 2 more homes

NNO; August 1st, 6-8pm

Movie Night—Sept 2, 8:30pm at FCE Pool Parking Lot – Need to reserve screen and pick movie for

the event. Coordinated with Chris Jewett/FCE.

New Business:

NNO Prep—Catie requested help with calling potential exhibitors and to get prize donations.

Rick Jones to call Verizon Store. David Simon to look into animal shelter or pet adoption

groups.

Place of next meeting: June 29th at Rick Jones’ home

Meeting Adjourned: 8:30PM

Continued from Page 5



Middleridge News




2017 MIDDLERIDGE CALENDAR OF EVENTS

July August September October

Home & Garden Tour

July 8, 1:00-4:00

National Night Out

August 1

Executive Board Meeting

August 3

MCA/FCE Moving Night

September 2, 8:30


September 7, 7:00


October 5, 7:00

Halloween Parade & Party

October 28, 2:00-4:00

Every Month:

MCA Board Meeting: 1st Thursday of the month Neighborhood Watch

Newsletter Delivery: 5th of the month Welcoming: As needed. Please notify Carolyn Vaughan


Middleridge Website

www.middleridgeFFX.org

Look for:

List of MCA Officers

Committee Contacts

Photos of Events Past & Present

Past Newsletter Issues

Neighborhood Police

Reports

Middleridge Map/Street Name

History

And much more!!!

Executive Board

President—Mike Torrey

Vice President—David Simon

Secretary— Brad Koch

Treasurer—John Tedrick

Other MCA Contacts

Webmasters—Joe Landry & Kim Nelson

Newsletter Editor—Catie Morales

Distribution—Melody Rudy

Directory Editor—Al & Sandy Obuchowski

Membership—Al & Sandy Obuchowski

Neighborhood Watch—Vernon Campbell

Community Service—Vacant

Welcoming Chair— Carolyn Vaughan

Notary—Catie Morales

Middleridge Mailing Address

P.O. Box 208

Fairfax Station, VA 22039-0208

Newsletter Administration

Business Advertising Rates:

Regular Member*

Full Page $75 $50

1/2 Page $50 $30

1/4 Page $30 $20

1/8 Page $20 $10

*2016/2017 Paid MCA Member

Monthly Deadline for ads and articles: 25th of the Month

Checks Payable to:


P.O. Box 208

Fairfax Station, VA 22039

Mail ads to the address above or Email Ads to:

[email protected]


http://www.middleridgeFFX.org

mailto:[email protected]?subject=Newsletter

https://www.facebook.com/Middleridge-Civic-Association-168315163191611/?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/Middleridge-Civic-Association-168315163191611/?fref=ts

Life is too short to live anywhere else! July 2017 Mike s Musings · 2017-06-30 · with you in...

Documents

Transcript of Life is too short to live anywhere else! July 2017 Mike s Musings · 2017-06-30 · with you in...