Advocate
April 2019Aberdeen Homeowners Association
“Don't own so much clutter that you will be relieved to see your house catch fire.”
― Wendell Berry
Do you believe in Magic?
Perhaps you've all heard of Marie Kondo from her Netflix show, "Tidying Up". My first introduction to Marie Kondo was at my in-laws' home. They are avid readers, so there are always new books lying here and there when we visit. Early in 2017, I noticed a book on the coffee table called "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up". As a mom of two kids, it would be a lie to say that the title alone didn't intrigue me...heck, excite me even. But I didn't have time to read a book, even if it promised to teach me the secret to happiness. Fast forward a few months and an overwhelming sensation of drowning in school papers and clothes we'd all outgrown. I was able to find the companion book, "Spark Joy" at the library (my mother-in-law's book had become part of the clutter, not part of the solution to the clutter, and couldn't be found). I soaked in all of its secrets in a few short days.
In the book, Marie Kondo explains that there is an order in which specific categories should be decluttered and tidied. The first category is clothing, followed by books, papers, miscellaneous items, and sentimental items. The theory behind doing the decluttering in this order is that by the time you get to sentimental items, you're an expert at identifying what "Sparks Joy". This is the core of Marie Kondo's belief system. Basically, if you don't use it daily or love it dearly, don't keep it. Another unconventional approach of Kondo's is to gather like items, no matter what room it "lives" in. This way you can see that you probably do not need 6 sets of queen sheets when you only have one queen bed in the entire house. When the decision is made to discard an item, she teaches that you should "thank" the item for its usefullness before passing it on. This seems a little hokey, but I think the point is more to acknowedge that it was useful to you at one time, but no longer. Now, there is someone else out there that will find either usefulness or joy from it.
Undoubtedly, you're asking yourself how I did. Did I finish tidying up and finally find joy? Nope. Well, I didn't finish, any way. It's still a work in progress. I have noticed that it's easier to "not keep" things, which is huge. In the past, if I didn't like the way a shirt fit me I would just hang it back up and hope I'd run into the perfect cardigan to wear over it. Now, I give it away. When the kids bring home their work on Friday, I'm not compelled to keep every single penciled line. There are still many things in my home that I consider sentimental items, such as baby clothes, that I've noticed have less pull on my heart when I dig them out. I'm getting closer to thanking those items and passing them on to someone so that they may be useful again. When's the next community garage sale? I have a few things I need to thank and then pass on.
-Megan Waite
Don't forget to have your planting beds and mailboxes looking good by April 15th!
Parks and Rec
Did you know that Forsyth County Parks and Recreation has some pretty cool classes and activities for all ages? Here are some things to do
this summer at the Old Atlanta Recreation location but be sure to visit https://parks.forsythco.com/ to explore all the offerings
throughout the county!
June 8, 2019 Tips for Retirement $35
June 27, 2019 Family Fitness Night $5
July 9, 2019 Women's Self Defense FREE
SENIOR BANNER
Senior Banner Deadline...April 15th!
Contact Patti Shaw at pdshaw@bellsouth.net
with your child's name and school.
Pool Schedule 2019
April and May
Saturdays and Sundays
12pm-6pm
through
May 19th
May
13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, and 23rd
11am - 3pm
Summer
Kick-off
Party
May 24th
4pm-10pm
*pool open
11am-10pm
May 25th- June 30th
Sunday-Thursday
11am-9pm
Friday and Saturday
11am-10pm
Egg Hunt April 14th, 4pm
RSVP at http://evite.me/dHmqzdYDQC
*Volunteers Needed! Please contact Jessica Mercon at
sgnjordan@hotmail.com or 678-793-6197
FISH FRY!
A few weeks ago I passed a sign on the way to take JP to soccer at Fowler Park that advertised a fish fry, every Friday, during Lent at St. Brendan's Catholic Church (4633 Shiloh Rd, Cumming). Being a southern girl that loves a good fish fry, I made plans to go. And since it was being put on by the local Knights of Columbus chapter to raise money for charities, I invited my dad (a member in Atlanta). This Friday, April 12th (5p-8p), is the last day to enjoy hand-breaded fried cod or baked halibut! You also get a choice of three sides- homemade coleslaw, greenbeans, macaroni and cheese or french fries. There are also grilled cheese sandwiches or fish sticks for the kiddos!
Adults: $10
Children (6-12): $5
Children under 6: FREE
Ladies Wine Club of Aberdeen
Do you enjoy wine? Are you interested in learning more about wine while getting to know your neighbors? Join the Ladies Wine Club of Aberdeen. Simply follow the link below to join the facebook group page and to be notified of future events!
From left: Charlie Smith (Secretary, Treasurer), Jessica Mercon (President), Katie Bagosy (Member at Large), Bob Kapelski (Member at Large). Not pictured, Hal Clark (Member at Large)
March 4th brought in three new board members, Charlie Smith, Bob Kapelski, and Hal Clark. We appreciate their willingness to contribute their time to the community!
A big thanks to Thomas Bauer, Michelle Kehres and Steve Alvey for their time served on our board, as well.
Aberdeen Neighbors become our Area's Newest Restraunters
Bob and Michelle Kehres, of Aberdeen, have set sail on a new and tasty adventure! They have purchased Local Kitchen and Tap and plan to change the name to SoFo Modern Cuisine and Cocktails. This is not Bob's first adventure in owning a restaurant. In the 1990's, Bob owned and operated Double's Pizza in Roswell. Although, you can still go to SoFo for hotwings, the menu is gradually changing. Michelle and Bob have a vision: to provide an elevated dining experience with modern decor, authentic recipes and fresh ingredients. Their plan is to transition to a more "small plate" menu but will have a curated selection of seasonal entrees and salads, as well. Look out for other additions like an onsite Sommelier to suggest wine pairings, a wine room and Sunday Brunch (complete with a mean Bloody Mary). Currently, SOFO is still operating under LK&T, but plan to close briefly, in June, for renovations. They are now open Tuesday through Saturday, so go by and try their Fried Deviled Eggs, Meatball Parmesan, or Dirty Martini with hand-stuffed Blue Cheese stuffed Olives. Visit their Facebook page for more info!
- Megan Waite
Community
Garage Sale
Want to help plan the community garage sale in May? Please contact
directors.abd@gmail.com to volunteer.
Book Club
Aberdeen Book Club welcomes all Aberdeen residents.The book for April is a memoir, Educated
by Tara Westover. May’s book will be Clock Dance
by Anne Taylor. We meet the 3rd Monday of every month at the club house at 7pm for book discussion, food and laughter. Contact Debbie Mervich at dmervich@gmail.com
for more information.
-Debbie Mervich
Tennis News
The tennis pavillion expansion has begun and should be completed by
late May or early June. For your safety please do not enter the pavilion area. The courts are still accessible through the gates at the front of the courts.
Please contact Wendy Barker or Jerry Frix with questions.
Board of Directors:
Announcements
Amendments to Covenants
Although each change to the covenant carries its own merit, none passed with the necessary 277 votes needed. The Board would like to further the discussion by answering questions and gathering resident input for possible wording changes in the amendments before putting them up for another vote. Changes in the covenants require a 2/3rds majority vote. In order to help with this they are forming a committee of 2-4 Aberdeen residents to oversee this. If you are interested, please contact Charlie Smith at cismith@gmail.com or call 404-372-1310.
Proposed Amendments to our covenants, written circa 1990 are:
1. Setting rules for rental properties,
2. Instituting a capital funding fee, paid at closing by the purchaser, to address the issue of reserve fund contribution, and
3. Clarification on what residential use is and isn’t.
Internet Improvement
The Board is looking at increasing the internet speed at the clubhouse to improve any T.V. streaming service used there. The previous Board installed another access point that improved internet coverage and we will install a third one when the tennis pavilion construction is complete.
Your opinion on a few matters is needed! Please pick one or more of the topics below and send your thoughts to us at directors.abd@gmail.com.
· The proposed amendments – as you may have just read, we want to rethink these and the folks working on this will definitely want to know what should be changed from the original content, or just people’s thoughts in general. Please let us know.
· We are thinking about adding streaming TV service in the clubhouse of some sort, via a device that users can access and then stream their own content by logging into their Netflix, Amazon or YouTube TV account. Good idea? One immediate issue is forgetting to remove the login password, so there is further thought that has to be put into this. Comments and ideas welcome.
· TVs have gotten extremely inexpensive, so there might be the opportunity to acquire a second TV for the other room. It’s a good place to stash kids during an event and the room can be closed off. Do we want that?
-Aberdeen Board of Directors
Social Butterflies Still Needed
Are you a Social Butterfly, Decorating Diva or Persistent Planner? Aberdeen Social Committee Chair and other members needed. Without these positions being filled, much loved events like the Aberdeen Egg Hunt, Cookies with Santa, and others simply can't and won't happen. Please email the board with interest at directors.abd@gmail.com
April 15th begins the Aberdeen Breakers 2019 summer swim season. After a Championship season last year we are looking forward to continuing our tradition of competative family fun. Our practices will be Monday-Thursday April 15-May 23 from 4:15-8pm and Monday-Friday May 27-June 27 from 7:30-11am. If you have questions about swim team or our beginning level Little Waves program, please feel free to reach out and ask (jenmatt52@gmail.com). Our schedule will be available soon and I will post it on the Aberdeen Neighbors FB page and our team website. Would love to have some friendly neighbors come cheer us on and see the excitement on the faces of the children.
Weather permitting we are hoping to offer a free to the neighborhood event, Dive In Movie Night. Tentatively scheduled for June 1st. Swim team provides a child-friendly movie, popcorn and drinks. All are welcome to swim and watch the movie. More details will be provided on facebook and our website as it is finalized. Our website is: https://www.teamunify.com/Home.jsp?_tabid_=0&team=recasab
Thank you for your continued support!!!
Go Breakers!
- Jen Matthews,
Swim Team Manager
Website
Navigation
Did you know that Aberdeen has a website? Our website is www.aberdeencommunity.org. On it you can make updates to how you receive community notifications, reserve the clubhouse, view facility use guidelines, download Property Modification Requests, and much more. If you are new to the neighborhood and do not yet have a login, you can request one directly from the website!
Notification Updates:
Once you logon to site, go to MY PROFILE tab at the top of the page and click. On this screen you'll see EDIT PERSON- [Your Name]. Below it will be four tabs. Click on SUBSCRIPTIONS tab. Make updates as needed.
Reserve the Clubhouse:
Once you logon to site, go to ACTIVITIES tab at the top of the page. A drop down will appear and you'll select EVENTS CALENDAR to verify the date you want is available. When you've confirmed the date, return to ACTIVITIES tab and select RESERVATIONS. Fill out reservation form and SUBMIT. Clubhouse manager will confirm your reservation.
Facility Use Guidelines:
Once you logon to site, go to ACTIVITIES tab at the top of the page. A drop down will appear and you'll select AMENITIES. To the right of the page you'll find a list of the amenities. Click on the amenity you are looking for information on.
Property Modification Request:
Once you logon to the site, go to RESOURCES tab. A drop down menu will appear. Select DOCUMENTS. On the right side of the DOCUMENTS page will be another drop down box titled CHOOSE A CATEGORY. Select ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL COMMITTEE. Click on "PMR, with online fields, preferred version".
Login Request: Go to www.aberdeencommunity.org . Click on the EFORMS tab at the top of the page. In the middle of the page there will be a box titled EFORMS. Click on "Login Request Form". Fillout request form and SUBMIT. If you do not recieve a login within a few days, email the board at directors.abd@gmail.com
.
- Megan Waite
to M.O.E.S!
No, Aberdeen did not just get a new burrito joint. What we want to welcome you to is Moms of Elementary Schoolers of Aberdeen! M.O.E.S. of Aberdeen is a neighborhood group designed to connect moms in our community through meetups, playdates, and more. We look forward to getting to know you all better!
-Tara Garcia and Megan Waite