by Ted Wessel

The month of November means a lot of things; fall will soon be coming to an end and the cold winter months are closer than we think.  Fall is the perfect time for planting trees.  Recently, the Board of Directors approved the replacement planting of the Bradford Pear Trees along Waterway Drive.  Election time, Veteran's Day, and Thanksgiving are approaching quickly.  I hope you are able to spend time with friends and family. 

Oktoberfest was a great success and Montclair couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day.  Roughly 1300 residents and guests enjoyed great food and entertainment.  Thank you to the MPOA staff, Community Events Committee, and countless Montclair volunteers who donated their time and energy.  Your help was appreciated immensely.  I look forward to Montclair's next events-the Senior's Christmas Party, Santa's Ride, House Decorating Contest, and Holiday Caroling.   

The MPOA website is currently experiencing a complete makeover thanks to the Montclair Website Committee.  Montclair residents John Byrd, Chris Casey, Michael Junge, Bill Riski, TJ Southard and Geoffrey Winkworth have been working for months revamping the current Montclair site.  The new site should be launched sometime this month.  You can access it at http://www.montclairva.com/.  

In October, Armstrong Management Services mailed Montclair homeowners a flyer with registration instructions and a password for the new online service, ArmstrongConnect.  As a result, almost 300 users have signed up for the program.  Please continue to signup and encourage others to do so as well.  If you have misplaced your registration materials or have any other questions regarding ArmstrongConnect, please contact MPOA's Communications Director, Courtney Larson, at newsletter@montclairva.com or call the MPOA office. 

At the October Board Meeting, the Board of Directors approved the Annual Meeting Administrative Schedule.  The Annual Meeting is scheduled for March 24, 2007.  The schedule in-full can be found on page 13.  Montclair will be electing four at-large representatives to serve three-year terms.  If you are interested in running, please fill out the ‘Call for Candidates' form located on page 12.

In closing, a quick reminder that our community guidelines have been amended.  Article 5, Section 4.12 and 4.13 regarding fences now include the following language: Fences are to be constructed of wood and are to be left either to weather naturally or stained in a semi-transparent stain in a natural wood color.  No redwood stains, paints, or solid stains will be accepted.

Happy Thanksgiving!