October Fox Talk
Digest
VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10 2000
Deadline for Submissions:
1st of each month
Editors: Maurice & Ruth Dean
147 Foxboro Drive

http://www.geocities.com/foxtalkbackissues/bann01.gif

Articles:
Homeowners Association
Recreation Centre
Service & Equipment
Antifreeze

Events:
Calendar
Past Events
Upcoming Events
Tea Party

Social:
Care Committee
Recipe
Tablecloths
Craft
Recipe
Jan Price

Notices:
Pancake Breakfast
Woodworkers
Many Thanks
SNOW BIRDS

The Great Debate Revisited

As a debate the Great Debate was a bust - but as a well run information meeting it was a winner. The Property Management Committee have to be thanked and congratulated for the time and effort they have put into assessing our needs and the available resources. The Committee Chair kept the meeting on track, not an easy task in this community, and the panel were thorough in outlining the points that have to be considered before we vote on the proposal. Not yet a "fait accompli".

Naturally at meetings of this nature some comments are made that require analysis or, at least, more detail. It was said that some 98% of the residents were in favour of hiring a Property Manager. That made us wonder a little bit. If true why would so many people attend this "standing room only" gathering. Of course most of our wondering centered on the statistic. Assuming that there are roughly 200 occupied homesites, 98% indicates 196 in favour. Speaking for ourselves, we have never indicated yea or nay on this matter, trying to keep an open mind. This being so, we idly wondered who the other three minority home-owners were and whether they were in attendance.

We also wonder if there are some who imagine that hiring a Property Manager will mean that there will be an individual on site for immediate response to problems major and minor. We are inclined to suspect that what we will have available is a telephone number to call to report our problems. Presumably this will be very efficient and high tech. You dial the number and get a multiple choice. Dial one if you are calling to compliment us on our service, dial two for service in French, dial three for service in German (which is really our second language), dial four if you have a problem. Naturally you dial four and get further choices, dial one for a common area problem, dial two for a dog poop or stoop and scoop complaint, dial three for a Rec. Centre problem, dial four for golf ball or algae problems, dial five for any other concerns. So you dial five and find yourself with a dial tone again.

The P.M. (short form, easier to say, and perhaps more appropriate, than Property Manager) having intercepted all the calls, pleasant and unpleasant, that would previously have been taken by a Board Member will present a summary report indicating exactly how many calls they received in each complaint category, probably further classified into Abusive and Non-Abusive. All the Board will have to do then is to decide which, if any, category requires action and exactly what action the P.M. will take.

Sounds workable to us the original fence sitters, go for it. Hey! It's only $6 per month isn't it? Well - it is for openers!

Homeowners Association

SNOW REMOVAL 2000 - 2001

The Snow Removal contract for the winter season (November 15, 2000 to March 31, 2000) has been awarded to Roderick's Skid-Steer Services Limited - Rod Roth, President.

Our streets, parking areas and service roads will be plowed as requested. Many owners have installed concrete or other curbs that come close to the edge of the asphalt road surface. Some upgraded driveway surfaces (interlock or concrete) also finish at the edge of the road. These items are owner improvements on the common area bordering the roads that are not covered under the condominium's insurance policy, but under the individual owner's betterment and improvements coverage.

The snowplow contractor has been instructed to plow to within 6 inches of the edge of the asphalt road surface. To minimize the hazard to curbs and lawns, homeowners are asked to properly mark the end of their driveway, as close as possible to the edge of the lawn and especially at the end of curbs. Also, for those homesites in high-risk areas (corner lots, on the curve and court areas) please help us by placing stakes ** at the vulnerable areas.

To allow proper plowing, residents are asked to NOT PARK ON THE STREETS during or immediately after a snowfall.

The contractor will be placing and removing marker stakes at every telephone and cable junction box. These stakes will be about 4 feet tall and have orange tops.

Again this year we have contracted for salting to reduce the cost of the service. To minimize the environmental impact, only intersections and problem areas will be salted regularly. Any freezing rain or icing weather will receive general salting. In the event this level of salting is judged to be inadequate we have the option to increase salting to the "bare roads" standard.

After the end of the contract period, (March 31, 2001) all residents are expected to report any noticeable damage caused by the snow plowing activity to their respective condo presidents by April 10. Repairs, as required, will be completed by April 30.

Thank you for your cooperation,
Service & Equipment Committee
Foxboro Green Homeowners Assoc.

** Stakes should be tall enough to always protrude above the snow, have reflectors or brightly coloured tops and be made of flexible metal or wood. Please DO NOT USE REBAR. Also, since pipes and cables run below ground beside the roads, DO NOT DRIVE STAKES MORE THAN 6 INCHES INTO THE GROUND.

Notice approved by FGHA Board of Management Meeting.

Questions regarding this matter should be directed to respective condo presidents.

Recreation Centre Report
Ron Donaldson
REPAIRS Pool Window Frames - Approval has been received to proceed with repairs and painting of the pool window frames. The work should be done in October.

Dryatron - A humidity sensor failed in the Dryatron; it has now been repaired.

Handicap Door Openers - Two of the openers have not been operating properly. We are working on having them repaired.

POOL CLEANING
As soon as a date can be set the pools will be drained and thoroughly cleaned. Volunteers will not be used for this task due to the use of chemicals and liability issues.

FLIES
Sorry about the number of flies inside at the Recreation Centre - the kitchen door was left open during a recent party. PLEASE, don't leave outside doors open under any circumstances.

RECREATION CENTRE COMMITTEE MEETING
The next meeting is Thursday, October 5th at 9:30 a.m. at the Centre. Agendas are available from the hanging file in the Mailroom. Make sure that your Condo reps (especially new ones) are aware of this meeting.

WATER QUALITY SEMINARS
Do you have any questions about our water treatment? Here is your chance for answers.

On Thursday, November 2nd from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., representatives of Waterloo Region will be at the Recreation Centre to give a slide presentation, answer questions and to conduct a tour of our own treatment facilities.

Catering
In the library there is a folder with the names of caterers used and recommended by residents. Please return the information after you have used it.

Chandelier in Rec. Centre
It has been noticed by one of our residents that quite often the large chandelier in the Rec. Centre main hall has been left on all night. This is not on a timer, so please make sure that it is turned off before you leave late at night.

Out of the Mouths of Babes
Brenda Churton
Recently I had my twin, 10 year old grandsons staying with me. As we went back and forth to the pool, people that we passed would wave. Finally one grandson said, "Nana, how come they only let friendly people live here"?

ATTENTION SNOW BIRDS
from the editors of Fox Talk
The time is drawing near when many of our residents will be disappearing for the majority of the winter.

We, the editors, would appreciate knowing how to handle your copy of the newsletter.

If you wish to have it sent to you, we would require a letter size, stamped, self-addressed envelope. We will happily mail it to you.

If you would like us to retain your copies until you return, then please inform us and we will keep them for you. Just give us a call and you can pick them up on your return.

If we do not hear from you and your Fox Talk has not been picked up for two months we will discontinue printing yours. We will not start again until you inform us to do so. This decision was made due to the number of copies that were never picked up and had to be thrown out (there were approximately 500 sheets of paper all with double-sided printing). As Ed Sullivan would have said "A really big waste of time and money".

If you are not interested in receiving Fox Talk, please let us know and we will discontinue making your copy.

Congratulations

Jan Price
Won first prize at the New Hamburg Fall Fair for her wonderful "bread and butter pickles". I wonder if she gives out free samples???

Wally Morrison
Had a "hole-in-one" at Foxwood Golf Course on the men's closing field day. Wally says that this is his second. Boy are some people lucky!!

Jim Brodie
Had a "hole-in-one" on Foxwood's fifth hole on the blue nine We understand that Jim is still on "cloud nine".

Isobel Smith
Isobel went right through to the final twosome, in the Foxwood Golf Club's Match Play Championship.

The twosome went 18 holes all tied and had to play a 3 hole playoff. Isobel lost by 1 hole. Bad luck Isobel. Coming in second is quite an accomplishment and you put up quite a battle to the end.

What a great month for our talented Foxboro Green residents.

From Our Mail Lady
She wishes to thank everyone for not putting junk mail into the outgoing mail box. She says that it makes her job much easier.

Care Committee

Flowers and good wishes were extended to Bill Wallace in August following his hospitalization.

A welcome card was given to Olive and Bruce White of 37 Sun Valley Drive.

Foxboro Woodworkers
Fred Rastel
To all members who could not attend the Sept. meeting at which annual shop fees ($10) were collected. You are requested to see that the chairman receives your fees as soon as possible and definitely before leaving to go south.

This notice is meant to avoid a lot of phone calls and collection at the door.

With five new members since May, our club now has thirty-one members.

Thanks for your cooperation.

Many Thanks

On September 27th, 24 residents were out and about pulling the weeds and cutting out trees around the waterfall area. It was a beautiful day full of sunshine and fun.

Chili, homemade bread and dessert was served to all the workers at noon.

The GMO would like to thank the residents who came out to our workday for all their help. A special thanks to Jean Fox and Helga Stamm for planning the menu and seeing to it that all the workers got enough to eat before heading back out to finish the project.

For all the workers that helped in organizing this day
A BIG THANK YOU

Recipe Corner
courtesy of Marion Magnan
Frozen Raspberries 2 cups frozen raspberries
1 cup sugar
2 egg whites
1 tbls. lemon juice
1 tsp. vanilla
Beat above ingredients on high speed for 15 minutes.

1/2 cup whipped cream
Mix together whipped cream and raspberry mixture. Freeze for at least 24 hours.

Use 9 or 10 inch spring form pan.
Can have a Graham Cracker crust if desired.

Missing Missing Missing

Two white, round tablecloths from the Rec. Centre. Perhaps you took them home to wash and have forgotten to return them. It would be appreciated if you (singular or plural) bring them back. Thank you.

Craft Corner

Date: Wed. October 25th
Time: 1:00 p.m.
A Halloween Ghost will be made. The list of items required is posted in the Craft Room.

For further information, please call June Davies at 634-5724.

Upcoming Special Events
Marg Macdonald
Mystery Tour of Wilmot & Wellesley Townships
Sign-up now for the October 17th tour. Warren Stauch will join us and we will bus through remote areas of the Townships and see special places. Warren will describe origin, history and uniqueness of the spots that we see.

Dinner at Crossroads
We have organized a buffet dinner for the evening of October 17th. For only $13.95 (tax & tip included) we will have an "all we can eat" feast. We are hoping for 50 people. Bus transport will be available should at least 30 wish to travel together. Sign up now! Bus will leave here at 5:15 p.m.

You can go to just one or both of the above events.

Weekenders Fashion Show
On Thursday November 2nd a fashion evening will be held. Beryl Boughey and a dynamite team are organizing this event. The gorgeous gals of Foxboro Green will model and orders can be placed on the spot (after of course trying things on). We always have a great time at a Weekenders night. We'll see you there!

Annual Decorations Up Bash
Sunday November 26th we'll have our annual Decorations Up Bash. This is the first of a series of Christmas events! Dick & Doreen Dean, Rita & Don Hill organize the many volunteers who come to share the joy of creating Christmas spirit at Foxboro. We don't only work but more about that in your next Fox Talk.

AVON PRODUCTS FUND RAISER Tuesday, October 24th
3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
50% of proceeds from the sale of Christmas Tree Ornaments
to be donated to one of the Foxboro Organizations

Community Calendar

October 2000
Tues. 3rd 1:00 p.m. Lady Duffers Annual Golf Tournament
Thurs. 5th 9:30 a.m. Rec. Centre Comm. Mtg.
Fri. 6th 4:30 p.m. Special Happy Hour
Fri. 13th sign up sheet Oktoberfest Tour
Tues. 17th sign up sheet Mystery Tour
Tues. 17th 5:15 p.m. Bus leaves for Crossroads
Tues. 24th 3:00-5:00 p.m. Avon Products Fund Raiser
Wed. 25th 1:00 p.m. Crafts

November 2000
Thurs. 2nd 2:00-4:00 p.m. Water Quality Seminar
Thurs. 2nd ?? Weekenders Fashion Show
Tues. 7th 10:30 a.m. Special Events Com. Mtg.
Sun. 26th ?? Christmas Decorating Bash

Past Events
Marg Macdonald
Grand River Historical Evening
Fifty residents gathered on September 21st to hear Warren Stauch of Shunpiking Tours describe and show slides about our beautiful Grand River. In addition to his narration he brought along books and posters to illustrate his talk. People who have lived in this area for years said that they learned things that they had never known!

After the talk residents chatted and ate goodies prepared by Nancy Arbuckle, Audrey Euler and Ruth Cooke who donated these goodies for the event. Thank you.

BBQ In Celebration of Our Volunteers!
Two hundred Foxborites gathered in the glen below the Rec. Centre on the most beautiful afternoon of the summer, to eat, drink and be merry. Grant Day from St. Clements cooked 92 lbs. of truly tender beef. Meanwhile Al Groves and his team picked up 20 dozen cobs of Herrle's corn, an iron kettle and a tripod for the cooking. Stacey at Teddy's Bakery in Baden made 2 gorgeous carrot cakes with our Foxboro logo on top. The ticket sales went on until 4:00 p.m. when even the organizers' tickets were sold. To say the least we did very well financially. We wanted to have as many residents as possible to celebrate the many who have, do and will volunteer. All the food was eaten, there were no leftovers!

After we had entertainment! Peter Schmidt said a few words to start it off. Then May Aquilina took over with her usual pizazz! She got the Chairs of all the committees up to the front and had them singing. As you can imagine they are not soloists so Russ Wilson (May's trusty program assistant) along with their committee members joined in the singing.

We were delighted to have Lorraine and Doug Hutchison and Pat and Bob Barnhart join us for our first gala celebration. It was Bob who started this tradition.

As a part of our program Mary Loker prepared a historical display with posters and an album. Nancy Arbuckle had a display of casual clothing with the Foxboro logo on them. Business was so good that more order forms had to be printed.

THANK YOU to all our volunteers who set up, served and cleaned up, leaving the Centre and surrounds as beautiful as they were before the party.

The Gallivanting Ice Cream Cone Eaters of Foxboro Green

Low Cal Naturally
From left to right Barb Koerber, Helga Stamm, Mary Loker, Lil Good, Donna Rastel Caroline Golbeck, Pat Tibbles and Irene Allison

Antifreeze
Graham Macdonald
If you drain the water systems in your house you probably put antifreeze in toilet bowls and sink drain U-bends to avoid ice cracking the fixtures in the event of heating failure. When you come home you probably flush these chemicals, which end up in the environment or in our waste treatment plant. Perhaps you should consider reclaiming them for re-use, or at least use the less toxic propylene glycol, sold as Plumber's Antifreeze. Automotive antifreeze (Prestone), which is usually ethylene glycol and also contains corrosion inhibiting chemicals, should not be used.

Exposure to large amounts of ethylene glycol can damage the kidneys, heart, and nervous system. Both compounds can change your body chemistry by increasing the amount of acid. Many cases of ethylene glycol poisoning result from accidental ingestion by children who can take in large amounts since the substance tastes good. Only 100ml (less than 1/2 cup) of ethylene glycol is considered a lethal dose for an adult, much less for children or pets. The EPA has set a drinking water guideline for ethylene glycol of 7 milligrams in a litre of water for an adult. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified propylene glycol as "generally recognized as safe," which means that it is acceptable for use in flavourings, drugs, and cosmetics, and as a direct food additive.

What happens to ethylene glycol and propylene glycol when they enter the environment?

* Neither compound is likely to exist in large amounts in air.
* About half of the compounds that enter the air will break down in 24-50 hours.
* Both compounds break down within several days to a week in water and soil.
* Both compounds are readily biodegradable in biological waste treatment plants.

This sounds like "good news", but why pour ever more unneeded chemicals into our delicate environment? Use Plumber's Antifreeze, recover it, and re-use it. We can all do a little to reduce the stress and fight the cold, besides going to Florida!

Fall Pancake Breakfast

What can I say? I run out of superlatives.

It was great! Really our guys should form a company. We gals would get customers and send them out to cater breakfasts far and wide. We would also be more than willing to collect the money. What do you think?

Seriously everyone to whom I talked thoroughly enjoyed both the breakfast and the company. The service was excellent and the gentlemen were always ready with a smile.

Another success. THANK YOU one and all, Ron Wilkinson, Al Keith (maitre d'), servers, cooks, cleanup crew and setup crew.

Recipe Corner

My request for recipes pretty well fell on deaf or indifferent ears. A total of three people volunteered one of their favourite recipes. The reaction was quite disappointing.

As of December unless there is a better response to this, it will be discontinued permanently by me.

It had been suggested that we might have published our own Foxboro Green Recipe book. Not feasible with just three.

It doesn't take much of YOUR time. Let's have another "go at it".

Victorian Tea Party
Jeanne Malich
The Spruce Grove Ladies social event of their season was a sensational success. The invitation was to an English Victorian Garden Tea Party, on September 6th, with an enclosed presentation card. Our butler, George Walker, who performed magnificently, presented each lady as she arrived. Mimosa was also served by the butler.

Each of the guests came dressed in Victorian Style - long gowns, huge hats all decorated in keeping with the Victorian era.

The tables were covered in cloths of silver-gray, powder blue and dusty pink topped with heirloom white lace tea cloths. The fine china was mainly ancestral and the best of silver was used.

The menu consisted of scones with strawberry jam and Devon cream, followed by dainty cucumber, watercress and ginger/cream tea sandwiches. To tempt, their sweet tooth there were tiny lemon tarts and small oatmeal cookies filled with lemon curd. Our maid, Sandy Rowe, arranged the serving plates for the butler to pass.

Two of our ladies, Mary Penner and Jeanne Malich, entertained us with duets from the past and they were sung beautifully.

Photographer Don Hill, photographed the event and produced many wonderful pictures.

The hostesses were Lucille Balcomb, Jeanne Malich and June Davies. The Tea was held on the deck of Lucille Balcomb's home. Pictures of this event can be viewed at www.photos.yahoo.com/jmalich

Names from left to right: Standing
Ellen Walker (as Cleaning Lady), George Walker (Butler), Sandy Rowe (friend of mine who helped in the kitchen) Rita Hill, Jocelyn Kennedy, Lucille Balcomb, Mary Penner, Brenda Adsetts, Jeanne Malich, Sue Webber, Pam Linnemann, June Davies, and Blanche Smith.

Kneeling:
Norma Fisher, Mary Wright, Isobel Smith, & Laura (June's daughter).

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