Is it really time for Oktoberfest? Where did the summer go? Tina and I find ourselves wondering what happened to that whole year we had to get ready for the wedding. We hope your family took advantage of the Montclair recreation facilities and the fun summer events. New in 2007, Friday Night Movies at the beach was a great success. Nearly 50 children and their parents enjoyed popcorn and the walk-in movie. I'm sure the Events Committee is planning more movies for summer 2008 so be sure to vote for your favorite family movie. Our Events Director Maryanne Toal, supported by the hardworking Maintenance Dept. took the Montclair Teen Beach Party to a new level. The Joust and a giant Slip & Slide provided ample opportunity for the teens to get wet and let off steam while being entertained by local bands and an excellent DJ, John Caniford. A special thanks goes to the Montclair Lions who again responded to a last minute call to serve pizza and drinks when the planned provider backed out. I was very disappointed that of the three hundred teens who benefited from this event, only a couple parents responded to the call for chaperones.

Last month I drew your attention to the planned Town Meeting to discuss the upcoming Lake Montclair dredging project. I'm very pleased to report that a great turn out, including Delegate Jeff Fredrick, took advantage of this opportunity to hear an informative and detailed presentation by Chair Ned Greene and the Lake Management Committee (LMC). The total briefing can be found on ArmstrongConnect. At the August Board meeting, the Board approved the proposed lake dredging project and even expanded the effort to include more of the head of the lake adjacent to the Southlake Cove and Waters Edge shoreline. This contract, worth nearly $900,000, is a significant investment in our lake, which in turn benefits the entire downstream watershed of the Chesapeake that Lake Montclair protects. To help stretch out the need for future dredging I am asking the Membership to write and encourage our PWC supervisors to fund and build the proposed fore-bay upstream of Lake Montclair.

• Approved the minutes from the July 11 Board of Directors meeting
• Received the draft 2007 audit
• Awarded the lake dredging contract for Lake Montclair to Lake Services to include the fore bay.
• Approved two variances, denied one variance, and approved the request for the waiver on non-compliance fees
• Approved the General Manager to renew the Worker Compensation and Employers Liability and the Commercial Auto Insurance Policies on behalf of the MPOA.
• Approved the installation of a marker on the north side of Waterway Drive, across from Alexander Place about 10 feet from the sidewalk, commemorating the location of a civil war encampment.
  

What happened this Summer?

Gahagan & Bryant Associates, Inc. (GBA) performed a topographic and hydrographic survey. The survey was used to identify areas within the lake with a depth less than four feet and to create plans of Lake Montclair in its present condition. These plans served as the basis for development of the dredging recommendations. The Board of Directors authorized a dredging contract, which included the recommendations of GBA plus funding for a forebay, to Lake Services, Inc. which performed the dredging in 1991, 1996, and 2001.

As fall is approaching, the Events Committee is working hard on the preparations for Oktoberfest. We seem to be on track, but as always, I would like to ask for everyone's help who can make some time that day to volunteer during the event.

For those of you who have never volunteered before, the work involved is just two hours and you will have a lot of fun and will meet new people, possibly one of your neighbors you just never had a chance to introduce yourself to. School age children can use this time as part of their community service hours.

The Events Committee is also planning a new event for Halloween, a spooky party at Kids Dominion followed by a costume swap shop at the MPOA office. Children will have a chance to trade their old costumes for different ones. If you are "spookily" creative, please help us decorate the playground. You can e-mail your ideas to mangrios4montclair@hotmail.com before hand so that we can get the necessary supplies in time. Please make sure you write "spooky party" in the subject.

September and fall are upon us and several properties in Montclair have suffered from the lack of rain and continuous heat. 

Some property owners may only have to re-seed there lawns; however, the majority will have to amend the soil prior to planting seed or installing sod.  Amending the soil will take some time and patience, as you may have to aerate or till the area, in addition to adding top soil, and fertilizer.

If you have no prior knowledge for growing grass or lawn maintenance, there are several avenues available to assist in your needs.  Local home improvement stores and lawn servicing companies can provide you with landscaping tips and advice.  Scotts Lawn Care has a great website for lawn care tips at www.lawncare.com.