June Fox Talk Digest VOLUME 6, ISSUE 6 2000 Deadline for Submissions: 1st of each month Editors: Maurice & Ruth Dean 147 Foxboro Drive

Crime and Punishment

Seems like everything is now at full bore! Most of us have been busy attending our own particular condo meetings to be brought up-to-date on the latest developments. Folks are busily engaged in getting their own home site into shape for summer relaxing and entertaining. The whole area is also being spruced up due to the almost tireless efforts of a legion of volunteers. It is pretty safe to say that we are all very proud of our community and want to maintain it as a most attractive, residential area.

There are those among us who, on occasion, forget that we do have a few Foxboro Green rules and regulations. They are the ones who believe that the "rules are made for all the others", though most of us are guilty of having bent the odd one. In most communities (village, town, city, or whatever) there are specific penalties for miscreants. As yet we do not have any penalties set forth. If we exceed the speed limit or, heaven forbid, forget ourselves and absentmindedly drive into the area by the exit road, we will not be penalized.

Fear not, there is a solution. We suggest that we reintroduce a form of punishment from days of yore, namely that the "Stocks" be brought back and, perhaps for some infractions, the "Pillory". For those unfamiliar with this equipment the "stocks" were benches with leg holds. Offenders were required to sit on the bench with their legs outstretched and locked in that position. Citizens could then stroll by to stare, point their fingers, make disrespectful remarks, throw tomatoes whatever took their fancy. The "pillory" required that the guilty had to stand with his/her hands and head locked into the punishment frame. Subject to the same attention as those in the "stocks".

Of course, our frames would have to be a bit more elaborate. We would have the bench upholstered and it would have to fit in with the overall décor. We would need to form a committee to decide on colours, size, location and such..

The final form of punishment would be to revive the "Dunking Stool". This means that the small pond (the one we have to decide whether or not to keep) would have to be deepened and the "vegetation" encouraged. Miscreants of the worst kind, yes those people who do not "stoop and scoop", would be fastened into the chair and suspended over the pond. Then the wronged parties, those whose homesites have been defiled, would take turns dunking the chair and contents into the water.

All of the necessary equipment could undoubtedly be made by our resident woodworkers.

All in favour say "Aye" at the "town hall" section of the next management meeting.

Grounds Management Organization

The Grounds Committee has adopted a new name which seems to describe our function more accurately. This has been probably been the busiest and most productive month we have had since the Homeowners started to take responsibility for the appearance of our beautiful property.

Although we meet every week on Thursday mornings during the busier parts of the summer, it is an almost overwhelming job to be aware of and solve the multiplicity of problems that arise without spending much more money than is available from our dues.

What has made this past month so productive is the new format of our meetings. The following format, that seems to be working so well, was adopted about a month ago.

Our meetings start at 9.30 and Chairman Bill Hall outlines the most pressing issues. Then the meeting breaks up into round table Workshop discussion groups dealing with the two or three most pressing issues. At these discussion groups the most knowledgeable people in the G.M.O. outline what we know about the problem and invite participation from everyone present or who is most affected by this issue.

During this time, the G.M.O. Executive is discussing the many other issues that must be resolved on a regular basis.

In about forty five minutes, we return to a general meeting format and hear reports from the Workshops and, if appropriate, put recommendations to a vote.

This allows time for a thorough discussion of each issue and input from Homeowners who are most interested in the issue. Attendance at our meetings has increased over last year and the Workshops have dealt with the following subjects.

Plants and Adopt a Bed Program:

Selection of plants has already been made by Committee for planting by Greenway consisting of the following:

Alyssum - Begonias - Coleus - Wave Petunias. Residents needed only to OVERSEE planting!

Pictures of the flower beds that can be adopted will be posted - they are to be weeded, watered and after consultation with Committee, may be added to if wished.

The R.V. Compound:

A Policy Statement re the priorities for using the R.V. Compound was prepared for presentation to the Board.

The Geese and Algae problem:

Approval in Canada has been granted to spray methyl anthranilate on lawns to deter the geese. But the manufacturer in London has not received his approval certificate yet. We propose to purchase 5 litres to test it's effectiveness.

The aerator continues to work and we are getting prices to run heavier wiring to the island and will try the aerator in different locations.

The Three Settlement Ponds:

Graham Macdonald mentioned that his condo moved that the pond in front of Centre be left in place and deepened. The other two ponds may also be kept as ponds instead of grassy gullies with a ditch running through them. Money that would have been spent on the ponds to complete the original plan will likely be made available to us for other uses by Foxboro Green Inc.

Homesite Irrigation System:

A Policy Statement defining the extent of Homeowners responsibility is ready for the Board. We recommend that the Homeowners Assoc. be responsible for the irrigation system right up to the taps on the outside of each house. We recommend that the Board clarify the insurance and liability questions.

Lawn Care:

The bare spots along the roadway badly need fixing! This got deferred because of the possibility that they would again need extensive repairs after the final coat is applied to the road by F.G.Inc. The ongoing challenge is to find some way to keep the snowplough and cars off the grass in the winter.

When this problem came up at the May Board meeting the consensus was, - 'fix it'.

When it was priced out to do a professional job the estimate amounted to $5,100. This estimate was taken to a special meeting with the Executive and they felt, as we did, that this was too costly. Chairman Bill, arranged a work party on May 22 and we staked the bad spots off and spread topsoil and seed and fortunately it rained. So we hope to see these areas quickly improve.

The Paths:

We are very concerned about the paths. They were not engineered to handle rainstorms and will continue to be a source of expensive repairs until there is a swale along the sides to carry storm runoff and until small culverts are installed to handle the water flow when it needs to cross the path. The May 25th Workshop on the paths seemed to generate a dedicated group of people who decided to walk the paths to document the worst areas and recommend remedial actions. Pictures were taken and many practical solutions to the various problem areas were suggested. Perhaps this will be the group that will tackle this very serious problem.

Reorganization of our Grounds Committee:

This workshop was held at our May 25th meeting and will no doubt be followed up with more meetings. Lou Hill had prepared a discussion paper outlining some very dramatic ideas and organizational charts which he feels would make our tasks more effective and much less onerous on the Executive. I must confess that I did not grasp the extent of the changes Lou was suggesting until he explained his ideas verbally.

Lou's observation is that more responsibilities will soon have to be assumed and the Grounds Committee should be split in two, each with a Chairmen, Vice Chairmen, and Secretary. (We must ensure that we have continuity during the winter months.)

Basically, responsibility would be split along the lines of one Chairman looking after the appearance of the grounds and the second Chairman looking after the buildings and equipment.

Another fundamental idea is to have individuals working under each chairman responsible for clearly defined jobs that must be done. These individuals would each have a mandate to do their job with full autonomy to spend funds within the confines of their budget. When this Workshop continues, as I feel sure it will, try to attend and see what you think about this discussion paper.

Recreation Centre

Centre Security System

The Centre is now monitored by a security company for fire, burglary and equipment failures. It is essential that all doors and windows be closed securely before the security system automatically turns on at midnight.

It will be appreciated if late users of The Centre ensure their areas are secure before leaving.

Centre Environmental Systems

Several separate systems, which are preset and automatic, control the physical environment in The Centre.

Pool Area

This system controls the temperature of air and water, and humidity levels in the pool area. Opening outside doors adversely affects this system, as well as allowing insects into the building. The pool crash doors (to the patio) must be kept closed except in the case of an emergency.

Woodworking Shop and Dressing Rooms

A separate air exchanger constantly changes the air in these areas.

Lower Activity Rooms, Upstairs Salons and Foyer

Three separate furnaces and air conditioners serve these areas. All temperatures are pre-set and cannot be easily changed. Fan settings can be changed to AUTO or ON at the upstairs thermostats. Extra heat can be obtained by pressing the "three hour occupied" button.

Windows and doors should not be open when the air conditioners are operating - just like at home! There are no screens on external doors; leaving them open allows insects to come in. Do you really want them in your Centre?

Residents and Guests

Residents are reminded that no guests are allowed in The Centre without a resident accompanying them. Several violations of this rule have occurred recently. In particular, two older teenagers, as yet unidentified, have been seen entering The Centre and using the facilities. Someone has given them the entry security code.

This practice, obviously, can cause problems for all concerned.

FOXBORO HISTORY

The Foxboro Historical Committee is in the process of compiling a history of our community, Foxboro.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

If you have any photos, pamphlets flyers videos, articles maps, signs, stories, etc. about Foxboro

Please contact one of the following:

Joan Beveridge 634-5956

Lillian Good 634-9902

Don Hill 634-9841

Mary Loker 634-5925

Keeping In Touch

Sue and Alberto Alves, Geri and Peter Soloman, and Elaine and Audi DesRoches were welcomed to our community in May.

Cards and flowers were given to Irene Inglis, Dave Beveridge, Bill Congdon and Elaine DesRoches following their hospitalizations.

Heather Keith and Ted Stover both lost their mothers and we have given them plants on behalf of the community.

Foxboro Green Water

Peter Schmidt has received several calls from concerned residents about our own water supply. He has followed up on this important issue.

Peter contacted Thomas Schmidt (no relation) who is the senior person in charge of water for the Waterloo Region. This gentleman informed Peter that since they have taken over from Wilmot Township our water has been tested once a week. He claims that they have never had a negative test.

The head of Public Works for Wilmot told Peter that when they used to test our water, they too never had a negative test. He also stated that our water here is the nicest and safest in the whole region.

Peter said that our water is continuously chlorinated.

Hot Water Tanks

Last September Jim Allan submitted an article about our hot water heaters. More tanks have sprung leaks since then. Four years seems to be about the limit that they last. Make sure that you check on yours and if you are going to be away for awhile, get one of your neighbours to "keep an eye" on it.

They are only guaranteed for five years. So be aware!

Care Committee Report

The second Cataract Education program was held Tuesday May 23rd. Twelve residents attended and again the questions were excellent and Jerry Szeps fielded them with great aplomb. We thank Jerry for his excellent explanation of the anatomy and physiology of the eye and how it operates. People who have had cataract surgery were able to share their experiences. It was a great evening!

The Cataract video is available from Marg Macdonald should anyone wish to see it.

The Care Committee Coordinators continue to be available to offer assistance and guidance to any resident with difficulties due to medical restrictions. Please feel free to call your Coordinator if you or someone in your neighbourhood could use some encouragement. We are here to help and we have lots of volunteers who also love to give their help!

Craft Corner

SORRY, NO CRAFTS IN JUNE, JULY OR AUGUST

unless someone contacts June with an idea (634-5724)

Lawn Bowling and Pot Luck

All Foxboro Residents

Sunday, June 25th

:) Another Happy Day :)

Lawn Bowling and Pot Luck

Watch for Sign-up Sheet

New Hamburg lawn bowlers welcome you to "pay-as-you-play" on any Mon., Wed. or Fri.

Contact May Aquilina - 634-9977

Allan and Ethel Groves - 634-1065

Golf Tournament

Foxboro Green Golf Tournament

Reserve this day

August 10th, 2000

WE NEED SOME HELP

to continue this annual event.

Committee:

Prizes Bruce Boucher

Prizes Don Ruppe

Treasurer Doug Wendland

Organizing the day Jim Arbuckle

Setting up the teams Wally Morrison

Working with the golf course Marci Fry

Etc.?????

Many thanks to the above people for their help. If you can assist or donate a prize, please telephone one of the committee.

Entry forms will be available near the end of June.

If you have any suggestions please contact

Jim Arbuckle 634-9777

Library

Due to the shortage of space in the library, we are unable to accept the following:

Readers Digests Cook Books

Torn or Old Books Gardening Books

Thank you for your cooperation

Community Calendar

June 2000

Fri. 2nd 4:30 p.m. Happy Hour

Wed. 7th 2:30 p.m. Toyota Plant Visit

Sat. 24th 8:00 p.m. House Party

Sun. 25th ?? Lawn Bowling & Pot Luck

July 2000

Sat. 1st All Day Canada Day & BBQ

Thurs. 6th 7:00 p.m. FG Assoc. Board Mtg.

Mon. 10th 6:30 p.m. Horse Racing & Dinner

Upcoming Special Events

Toyota Visit - Wednesday June 7th at 2:30 p.m.

In less than 8 hours the Toyota plant tour was completely filled and names placed on the stand-by list. If anyone is unable to go, would you phone Ted Tibbles, so that someone else may go? Only 48 may go at one time and the demand for tours is very high! We will try to get another but it may take some time! Thank you Jim Ainsworth for arranging this exciting visit!

Dress Code Reminder: No skirts, tear-away pants, wind suits, cameras. Wear natural fibre clothing. Everyone must wear long pants or slacks.

Please meet at the Recreation Centre so that everyone leaves at the same time. Toyota wants us to arrive 10 minutes prior to our scheduled tour time. Jim and Ted will be your hosts both at Toyota and at dinner afterward.

For those who are going, have fun!

Canada Day

Canada Day - Saturday July 1st

Canada Day will be celebrated all day, with games and our usual fabulous BBQ in the evening. For the first time we are going to sell tickets for the BBQ in advance. This will enable us to plan more accurately for the quantities of food required. At the time of the ticket purchase you will be asked what meat you prefer or whether you want one of each, a hamburger patty and/or a breast of chicken. This too will help us to plan our shopping.

Tickets may be purchased:

Tues., June 13th and Thurs., June 15th

4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

and

Tues., June 20th and Thurs., June 22nd

4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

In the entrance lobby of the Recreation Centre

BBQ Cost

Double dinners for $15 - Single dinner $7.50

This reasonable price includes salads and desserts.

Beryl Boughey is in charge of ticket sales. Should anyone be unable to purchase tickets at the specific times or want tickets after these dates please call Beryl.

All day Wally and his team will be running sporting events. This is one of the highlight events of our year. Sports sign-ups will be posted well in advance. Book your day with us!!!

Next Community BBQ: Friday September 8th. Mark your calendar now.

Dance

Time For Another

Dance to some of your old favorites

Sat. June 24th, 2000

from

8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

For more information, call

Gail 634-9983

Elmira Race Track

Let's All Go To The Races

Elmira Race Track

Monday, July 10th

Buffet Dinner at 6:30 p.m.

as you watch your winners romp home

Elmira will name a race for our party

The "Foxboro Green Stakes"

Cost of $16.95 for entrance and dinner

If there is enough interest, we can hire a bus

Put this date on your calendar

Watch for the

sign-up sheet in the middle of June

For more information call

Wilma Wilkinson 634-5200

Past Special Events

Gail Ruppe had the best Happy Hour ever as she won $44 in the 50/50 draw, the largest purse in a long time. Congratulations Gail!

Thursday May 11th at 2 p.m. in Salons A&B.

Again Jennifer Zehr lit the community with her vivacious personality as she demonstrated the 12 step beauty program of "Look Good, Feel Better".

Barb Lashbrook, Pat Tibbles and Beryl Boughey hosted the event. Barb spoiled the gang with "melt-in-the-mouth" squares and everyone had a great time!

Pancake Breakfast

Ron Wilkinson and Al Keith, Co-Chairs

By all accounts, the Pancake Breakfast was a great success. Fatty bacon and sausage were replaced with honey baked ham and scrambled eggs. Freshly made pancakes with pure maple syrup from our neighbouring Shantz farm, Gourmet coffees, freshly brewed tea and Florida orange juice. All for $3.49! How do they do it?

The answer of course is simple. Lots of willing help from the men in the community who spent many hours in the planning and running of the event.

Checking the food choices provided some interesting insights. Of the 115 residents in attendance, 5% chose not to have pancakes and a further 5% chose not to have ham. That seemed normal, but a whopping 20% chose not to have eggs and suggests that we need to look at alternatives, such as "eggbeaters", for those who can't enjoy "regular" eggs. We're working on it!

Despite the ridiculously low price of $3.49, we did make a profit, due in large measure to a low overhead, poor wages, and a great deal on the hams.

We have, with the approval of the Social Committee, purchased a second grill and other small kitchen items for community use. The remaining money has been given to the Social Committee.

Our next breakfast is scheduled for

September 30th

Further details in the August issue of Fox Talk

Editors' Note:

What can we say??? As usual the pancake breakfast was an absolute success. To our way of thinking THE MERRY MEN OF FOXBORO GREEN outdid themselves. Now we have to wait until September for a repeat.

From all of us who did the eating A GREAT BIG THANK YOU for all your hard work. It was really appreciated. To Ron and Al, many thanks for organizing such a very successful event.

Get What You Ask For

A veterinarian was feeling ill and went to see her doctor. The doctor asked her all the usual questions, about symptoms, how long had they been occurring, etc., when she interrupted him: "Hey look, I'm a vet - I don't need to ask my patients these kinds of questions: I can tell what's wrong just by looking." She smugly added, "Why can't you?"

The doctor nodded, stood back, looked her up and down, quickly wrote out a prescription, handed it to her and said, "There you are. Of course, if "that" doesn't work, we'll have to have you put to sleep."