HOA & COA News

Mind your speed on East Village Avenue

by the East Village Board of Directors

Oftentimes when one is driving on East Village Avenue, there is a motorist that is driving in excess of the 30 MPH posted speed. This creates a hazard for pedestrians crossing at crosswalks, other motorists and the motorist themselves. Speeding has far-ranging consequences—the driver has a reduced reaction time to potential hazards, increased stopping distance and increased risk of crash severity due to the vehicle traveling at a higher rate of speed.

Maryland State Law allows speed cameras to be placed on roadways with a speed or 35 MPH or less and in School Zones. If you would like to suggest a speed camera location, e-mail Richard Hetherington at Richard.Hetherington@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Abandoned Vehicles
Recently, it was revealed there was an abandoned vehicle with expired license plates that had weeds growing out of it on Fulks Farm Road, in front of Patsy Huson Ballfield. This vehicle has been reported to Montgomery County Police. If you suspect a vehicle has been abandoned (i.e. expired license plates, flat tires, hasn't moved in a while), you should call 240-773-6411, press 3 and leave a message or e-mail abandoned.vehicle@montgomerycountymd.gov. Please note that e-mail is the preferred reporting method. You will need to provide the following information:

1. Location of vehicle – complete street address or cross streets
2. Description of vehicle – make, model, color, tag (license plate) number
3. Why the vehicle is believed to be abandoned – examples include no tags, expired tags, flat tires, extensive damage
4. Your name and contact information - optional

Please be advised due to the volume of complaints, the response time to address a complaint may take up to 2 weeks. If a complaint has not been addressed after 2 weeks, contact the Vehicle Recovery Section Supervisor at 240-773-6418.

East Village Echo: for residents of The Downs, The Reach, The Estates, Essex Place II, Candle Ridge, Gablefield, Glenbrooke, Meadowgate, Ashford, Holly Pointe and Wethersfield.

Dos and Don’ts of Kitchen and Bathroom Drains

Did you know your kitchen drain line is connected to your neighbors?  If you throw the wrong things down that drain, your garbage can wind up on their kitchen floor, as well as yours! The Horizon Run Board of Directors would like you to remember that you are ultimately responsible for what’s put down your drain. Below is a helpful guide as to what SHOULD NOT, be placed down your drain.

• KITCHEN DRAINS ARE NOT MEANT FOR DISPOSAL OF GREASE AND SOLID WASTE.
• BATHROOM DRAINS ARE NOT MEANT FOR DISPOSAL OF EXCESSIVE PAPER PRODUCTS, ETC.

WHAT GOES DOWN MAY COME BACK UP!!!

PLEASE HELP US KEEP THE DRAINS RUNNING CLEAR.

When in doubt, throw it out!

• Don’t grind glass, plastic, metal or even paper.
• Don’t grind anything combustible or grind cigarette butts.
• Don’t pour grease, oil or fat into your garbage disposal or drain. Grease will slowly accumulate and impede your garbage disposal’s grinding ability as well as clog drains.
• Don’t use hot water when grinding food waste. Hot water will cause grease to liquefy and accumulate, causing drains to clog.
• Don’t grind extremely fibrous material like corn husks, celery stalks, and onion skins. Fibers from these can tangle and jam the garbage disposal motor and block drains.
• Don’t turn off the motor or water until grinding is completed. When grinding is complete, turn off the garbage disposal first. Let water continue to run for at least 15 seconds, flushing out any remaining particles. Then turn off water.
• Don’t put potato peels down the garbage disposal. The starches in the potatoes will turn into a thick paste and may cause blades to stick.
• Don’t put expandable foods into your garbage disposal. Foods like pasta and rice expand when you add water in a pot; they do the same thing once inside your pipes or garbage disposal and are the cause of many jams and clogs.
• Don’t grind large animal bones (beef, pork etc.).
• Don’t use harsh chemicals like bleach or drain cleaners. They can damage blades and pipes. Borax is a natural sink cleaner and sanitizer that effectively works on odor-causing mold and mildew that accumulates inside the garbage disposals.

As it states in your Homeowner Guild.

Inside Drains

(No grease or oil, disposable wipes, personal items, toys, etc. should be placed in drains. Failure to comply may result in a backup in your home or a liability for a backup in someone else's home, for which you will be financially responsible.) 

Truck Parking Survey update

by the Maryland Place Board of Directors

The board would like to thank each homeowner that took the time to complete the parking survey. Unfortunately, only about 12% of homeowners returned the survey. After much discussion and review of those surveys submitted, the board agreed to keep the rules as they are, with pickup trucks being prohibited from parking in the community from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. While the board understands the style and use of trucks have changed over the years, the board has a responsibility to work in the favor of the community as a whole and honor the majority of the feedback not in favor of allowing parking for pickup trucks.

The real cost of trash in the neighborhood
Let us remind you that trash is everyone’s responsibility! Placing trash, recycling, dumping of furniture or building materials on community property is against our by-laws and county laws. Furniture and building materials require a special pickup, costing the whole community money! Money that could be spent on beautifying the community or maybe a community picnic. If you see someone placing trash, recycling or furniture on community property, take a picture of the offender and/or call the MVF Office to report it to the community manager.

Placing of plastic bags of trash outside your yard or on community property attracts rodents—we have rats in Maryland Place! Nobody wants to have rats in the community, it is a health hazard. Rats are here because we are providing them with plastic bags of free food. Montgomery County law states that all trash is to be kept in plastic or metal trash cans with lids at all times on your property.

Trash is picked up from the rear of your house on Monday and Thursdays except for holidays. Trash is to be put out for pickup in a closed plastic or metal trash can outside your rear yard/fence after 9 p.m. the evening before. Trash cans must be returned to your yard, inside your fence the day of pickup. Trash cans are never to be left outside of your fence or on community property after pickup.

Let’s all work together as a community and stop this. Let’s make Maryland Place the cleanest and prettiest community in Montgomery Village!

Maryland Place Messages: for residents of Maryland Place.

Middle Village resident reminders

by the Middle Village Board of Directors

Illegal trash dumping on the property is prohibited
Middle Village no longer provides dumpster services. Every homeowner is responsible to properly dispose of their bulk trash items, free of charge, at the Montgomery County Trash and Recycle Center at the Shady Grove Transfer Station, 16101 Frederick Road, Derwood. For hours and other Transfer Station information, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/sws. Persons observed putting out bulk trash in the common areas of the property will be subject to immediate fine and further action. 

Trash/Recycling collection
Residents are reminded to properly dispose of their household trash in a marked receptacle with a closed lid to prevent spillage and trash blowing around the community. Residents putting out receptacles before or after the regular trash collection days of Tuesdays and Fridays, will be subject to fines and possible further penalties.

Please remember cardboard for recycling must be broken down and placed in your recycling bin. Recycling collection takes place on Wednesdays.

Towing
Towing enforcement is in effect 24/7 for vehicles parked in reserved spaces without a valid, properly displayed and corresponding numbered permit.

Towing enforcement is in effect from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. for vehicles parked in open (un-numbered) spaces without a valid parking permit displayed.

Middle Village Voice: for residents of Thomas Choice West and Clubside.

Final North Village leaf pickup and more

by the North Village Board of Directors

Our next and final leaf pickup isn’t until December. Watch for the signs and be ready to take action!

Leaves are scheduled to be picked up the week of December 13. Any weather-related updates or schedule deviations will be posted online at https://bit.ly/324wlzy and on NextDoor.com.

IMPORTANT: Please do not rake leaves into the streets at any time until the BrightView Landscaping signs have been posted that pickup is imminent. At all other times, homeowners are responsible for leaf removal either by bagging and recycling or mulching them. Leave them out on the curb for the county recycling on their regular service days. The county will take them at no cost. Branches should be trimmed to a four-foot width and tied in bundles for county pickup.

Hired landscapers should bag leaves and yard waste
Please remind your hired landscapers to pick up or bag the yard waste when they are done with your lawn. There has been a recent trend of workers blowing the debris and leaves onto common areas, again creating more work and potential cost to the entire community.

Parking permitting started
Permitting has begun in the neighborhoods. Watch your mailbox for information on your neighborhood. Each residence will receive two permanent permits and one visitor permit for overnight parking along our streets and in townhouse parking areas.

IMPORTANT: If you are delinquent in your quarterly fees, you will only be issued one visitor permit. To remain current on your assessment payments, contact the MVF Office at 301-948-0110 so you can obtain your permits. Residents can download the Parking Permit form at https://bit.ly/32jfMQv .

Bulk pickup is free…and keep recycling
Free bulk pickup on large items is available from our trash contractor. Remember that failure to call and arrange the bulk pickups leads to increased costs for all of us. Many of us have now seen updated recycling information on our blue cans and front doors. Review the fliers and postcard and keep them handy. For more information, see the contact the numbers below, or search “MyGreenMontgomery” on Facebook.

Say if you see
“If you see something, say something.” In other words, if you see suspicious activity anywhere in Montgomery Village, call the police at 301-279-8000. Of course, if it is an emergency dial 911.

Remaining holiday trash collection for 2021
Below is the remaining holiday trash schedule for 2021. The holidays with an asterisk (*) indicate that the county transfer facility is closed. If one of these holidays falls on a service day (Monday or Thursday), North Village will have service the following day (Tuesday or Friday). Check NextDoor messages for weather related updates to the calendar.

Important numbers to keep
APS Security: 240-631-2399
Potomac Disposal: 301-294-9700
MC Recycling – New Blue Bins – Scrap Metal: 311
Pepco: 877-737-2662
WSSC: 301-206-4001

Next meeting
The next North Village Homes Corporation meeting of is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 18, at Lake Marion Community Center, 8821 East Village Avenue. We will return to the North Creek Board Room when construction is completed.

You may contact Community Manager April Steward at 240-243-2327, with your interest in attending the meeting. If you have any questions or want to report any problems in the community, call the number above or e-mail asteward@mvf.org.

North Village View: for residents of Essex Place, Highland Hall, McRory, Perry Place, Picton, Pleasant Ridge and Salem’s Grant.

It is budget season

by the Northgate Board of Directors

The Northgate board will begin work on the FY2022 budget this month. Several contractors have notified us that fees will be increasing. A major focus for the board is community infrastructure, such as roads and sidewalks. Once a draft budget is adopted by the board, residents will be advised of any potential assessment increase.

We would like to welcome Jen Schiller to the board. Jen is filling the vacancy left when longtime board member Bob Graham relocated. Jen is the chief programs officer for the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless and holds a Master’s Degree in cultural anthropology from George Washington University. We are very grateful that she has volunteered to help the community.

Lack of proper trash disposal continues to be an issue in some sections of Northgate. Please help keep our community clean by observing the appropriate pickup days for regular and bulk trash.

Regular trash pickups for Overlea and The Points are on Mondays and Thursdays. All other sections have pickups on Tuesdays and Fridays (McKendree I & II, Apple Ridge, Shadow Oak, Dorsey's Regard and Williams Range).

If you need a bulk trash pickup, please place your items out on the following schedule:
Thursdays: Overlea and The Points
Fridays: Apple Ridge, Dorsey’s Regard, McKendree I & II, Shadow Oak and Williams Range

All bulk pickups must be placed curbside. Residents of Overlea and McKendree I & II must bring their bulk items to the curb. No recyclable items will be taken as bulk, nor will construction material generated by a contractor. If a resident places a rug or carpet out for bulk pickup it is acceptable. If a homeowner has a carpet or rug contractor replacing rugs or carpet in the home, the contractor is responsible for the removal of the carpet or rugs.

Northgate News: for residents of Apple Ridge, Dorsey's Regard, McKendree I & II, Overlea, The Points, Shadow Oak and Williams Range.

ATTENTION RESIDENTS of Park Place l and Park Place ll

PROPER TRASH DISPOSAL: All residents shall dispose of household trash inside the GREEN DUMPSTERS located in the trash corrals.

Recyclables shall be disposed within its appropriate containers located inside the trash corrals.

        Plastic Bottles & Cans                                    Paper & Cardboard

Residents shall not throw trash over the corral or place trash/recyclables outside their appropriate containers. Violation of this rule shall result in an immediate $100 fine to the unit owner.

Winter is Here

• If you intend on traveling this winter, please, DO NOT TURN OFF YOUR HEAT! Failure to do so can result in frozen pipes bursting causing major damage to your unit and others.
• Please remember that unit owners are responsible for up to the first $10,000 in the event a claim originates in their unit.
• If you plan to be away shut off the water supply valve to your washing machine.
• Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. 
• Keep your windows closed and vents open.
• If you are aware of a neighboring unit that is unoccupied contact management immediately on 301-948-0110 so every attempt can be made to contact the owner.

The ideal temperature range for your thermostat in the winter is from 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, but most people like it around 68. Whichever you choose please make SURE it remains in that range.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at (301) 948-0110 ext. 2344 or by email at Chaynes@mvf.org

Patio/Balcony Utility Closet HEATER TURN ON 2021

In an effort to save on costs, preserve your equipment, and maintain social distancing recommendations due to COVID, the board of directors is asking that each home TURN ON your own auxiliary heater that is in the hot water heater closet, located outside on your balcony or patio.

Management, is requesting that once you have performed this yearly maintenance requirement to please send an email to Chaynes@mvf.org to confirm. 

Again, please turn ON the auxiliary heater that is in the hot water heater closet located outside on your balcony or patio, for the winter season.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at (301) 948-0110 ext. 2344 or email at Chaynes@mvf.org

ATTENTION RESIDENTS of Park Place l and Park Place ll

PROPER TRASH DISPOSAL: All residents shall dispose of household trash inside the GREEN DUMPSTERS located in the trash corrals.

Recyclables shall be disposed within its appropriate containers located inside the trash corrals.

        Plastic Bottles & Cans                                    Paper & Cardboard

Residents shall not throw trash over the corral or place trash/recyclables outside their appropriate containers. Violation of this rule shall result in an immediate $100 fine to the unit owner.

Winter Preparation

As we prepare for the first freeze this winter season, Management would like to remind residents to leave their heat on at all times.

• If you intend on traveling this winter, please DO NOT TURN OFF YOUR HEAT! Failure to do so can result in frozen pipes bursting causing major damage to your unit and others. Please remember that unit owners are responsible for the first $5,000 in the event a claim originates in their unit.
• If you plan to be away shut off the water supply valve to your washing machine.
• Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night.  Temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures may incur a higher heating bill.
• Keep your windows closed and vents open.
• If you are aware of a neighboring unit that is unoccupied contact management immediately on 301-948-0110 so every attempt can be made to contact the owner.

The ideal temperature range for your thermostat in the winter is from 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, but most people like it around 68. Whichever you choose please make SURE it remains in that range.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at (301) 948-0110 ext. 2344 or email at Chaynes@mvf.org

Dos and Don’ts of Kitchen and Bathroom Drains

Did you know your kitchen drain line is connected to your neighbors?  If you throw the wrong things down that drain, your garbage can wind up on their kitchen floor, as well as yours! The Park Place II board of directors would like you to remember that you are ultimately responsible for what’s put down your drain. Below is a helpful guide as to what SHOULD NOT, be placed down your drain.

• KITCHEN DRAINS ARE NOT MEANT FOR DISPOSAL OF GREASE AND SOLID WASTE.
• BATHROOM DRAINS ARE NOT MEANT FOR DISPOSAL OF EXCESSIVE PAPER PRODUCTS, ETC.

WHAT GOES DOWN MAY COME BACK UP!!!

PLEASE HELP US KEEP THE DRAINS RUNNING CLEAR.

When in doubt, throw it out!

• Don’t grind glass, plastic, metal or even paper.
• Don’t grind anything combustible or grind cigarette butts.
• Don’t pour grease, oil or fat into your garbage disposal or drain. Grease will slowly accumulate and impede your garbage disposal’s grinding ability as well as clog drains.
• Don’t use hot water when grinding food waste. Hot water will cause grease to liquefy and accumulate, causing drains to clog.
• Don’t grind extremely fibrous material like corn husks, celery stalks, and onion skins. Fibers from these can tangle and jam the garbage disposal motor and block drains.
• Don’t turn off the motor or water until grinding is completed. When grinding is complete, turn off the garbage disposal first. Let water continue to run for at least 15 seconds, flushing out any remaining particles. Then turn off water.
• Don’t put potato peels down the garbage disposal. The starches in the potatoes will turn into a thick paste and may cause blades to stick.
• Don’t put food down the garbage disposal. Small amounts into the garbage disposal, a little at a time, with the cold water running is fine. This will help the food scraps flow down freely through the drain pipes and plumbing.
• Don’t put expandable foods into your garbage disposal. Foods like pasta and rice expand when you add water in a pot; they do the same thing once inside your pipes or garbage disposal and are the cause of many jams and clogs.
• Don’t grind large animal bones (beef, pork etc.).
• Don’t use harsh chemicals like bleach or drain cleaners. They can damage blades and pipes. Borax is a natural sink cleaner and sanitizer that effectively works on odor-causing mold and mildew that accumulates inside the garbage disposals.

Recap:

• Grease or oil.  Just because it is out of sight does not mean the garbage disposal “disposed” of it.  Usually, it solidifies and begins to build up in your pipes.  Not good.
• Vegetable peels.  You might get away with it from time to time, but odds are, eventually this one will catch up with you–and leave a soupy backfilled mess in your sink.  Garbage disposals do not do many peels–they’ll spit them up.
• Egg shells.  The membrane on the inside of the egg can wrap around the blades.
• Coffee Grounds.  Over time, the little grounds build up like sediment in the pipes.
• Pits or seeds.  Peach pits, avocado pits, cherries, etc.  
• Anything in bulk, rice and pasta.   
• Garbage.   It is not designed for those types of things.
• Stringy veggies.  Celery, corn husks, or even some types of lettuce.  The stringy parts can wrap around the blades, causing resistance on the blades.

Learn and pay attention to what your disposal SOUNDS like.  It costs you, your neighbors and even the Condominium a heavy expense if there's a serious back up of kitchen drains.  Make sure you don't contribute to those costly messes.

Addressing needs of the community

by the Patton Ridge Board of Directors

The Patton Ridge Board of Directors would like to wish all of our residents a very Happy Holiday Season and a peaceful and prosperous New Year! During recent meetings, the board has continued to focus on improvement projects and policy revisions to address the needs and concerns of the community.

Recent and ongoing projects
The Spur Hill Drive tot lot renovation was completed in October 2021. The project to replace the retaining wall at Doolittle Street started earlier this month. The main project is expected to take 8 to 10 weeks, while the walking path replacement and plantings will occur in Spring 2022.

Proposed parking policy
The board of directors has been working on a resolution to assist residents with congested parking within Patton Ridge. All residents will receive a notice which outlines the proposed policy. The board welcomes comments and feedback at pattonridgehc@mvf.org no later than Wednesday, Dec. 15.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in making our community a great place to live.

Patton Ridge Report: for residents of Arrowhead, Fairway Islands, Fairidge, Greentee I & II, Highfield and Partridge Place I & II.

South Village 2022 budget approved

by Doniele Ayres

2021 has been a challenging year in many ways, but I am grateful for the way the board of directors and Community Management have supported the South Village community. For 2 years, our budget allowed us to avoid an increase in assessments. In 2022, we will see an increase attributed to the increased cost of trash pickup. Our trash contractor has serviced us well for 3 years, but the cost of pickup for dumping in common areas, removal of trash after illegal evictions and trash left out on the wrong days has been the driver of our current increase.

South Village remains fiscally solvent, and the current budget will allow us to remain so. The budget is available in your member dashboard at www.montgomeryvillage.com, or available from the community manager.

Fall/Winter safety tips
Tips for keeping your home and family safe in the fall and winter include:

• Fireplace and chimney inspection
• Ensuring your home has working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers
• Monitoring candles - extinguishing them before you leave home or go to sleep
• Using space heaters at a safe distance
• Clearing sidewalks and other private property of snow and ice as soon as possible
• Locking vehicle doors and not leaving vehicles running unattended
• Locking doors at home and stopping newspapers and other deliveries if you will be away from home
• Watching for neighbors walking with pets in streets when sidewalks aren't passable
• Slowing down in neighborhoods and stopping at signs and intersections 

Thank you for being a resident of South Village. I hope that your holiday celebrations are joyous and that the new year brings peace.

South Village Scenes: for residents of Center Stage, Dockside, Grover's Forge, Hamptons, Millrace, Nathan's Hill and Walker's Choice.

Looking forward to winter and the new year

by Keith Silliman 

Daylight Savings Time has ended and the chill of winter has arrived. We have had our first freezing temperatures, and the leaves have colored and are falling with each gust of wind. The first round of leaf collections has begun. Time and events march on.

A big thank you to Sam Korper for his service on the Stedwick Board of Directors. Sam resigned his position after many years of service. A call for volunteers to fill that position was made and three stepped forward. Chris Leishear of the Club Hill community was appointed to fill the vacancy during the October board meeting. We thank Chris for volunteering to take on this important role in our community and welcome him to the board.

We also welcome Martha Cruz as our new management agent at the Montgomery Village Foundation (MVF) Office.

Three seats on the Stedwick Board of Directors will be up for election in early 2022 and the winners will be seated at the Stedwick Homes Corporation Annual Meeting in March 2022. Nominations for those positions are due at the MVF Office by 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. Information and forms can be obtained from our community manager—see her contact information below.

The Stedwick Homes Corporation 2022 Operating Budget was approved by the board at the October meeting. It calls for a small increase in assessments. The combined Stedwick and MVF assessment letter will be arriving soon in the mail.

The proposed revised parking policy was discussed at the October board meeting also. Unfortunately, an overall agreement on the policy and its implement could not be reached.

Please patronize our local merchants, and visit the special holiday session of the Montgomery Village Farmers’ Market on Saturday, Nov. 20. The market is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Christ the Servant Lutheran Church parking lot at 9801 Centerway Road.

The second round of leaf collection is scheduled for the week of December 13. Look for the notices at community entrances.

There will be no Stedwick Board of Directors meeting in December.

The next meeting of the Stedwick Homes Corporation Board of Directors is scheduled for 7:30 p.m on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022. The first portion of the meeting is residents time when residents can talk to the board, express concerns or otherwise make the board members aware of needs and items of interest. We are hopeful that we can resume in person meetings in January 2022. If you would like to attend that meeting, contact Community Manager Martha Cruz at 240-243-2326 or e-mail mcruz@mvf.org for the meeting contact information.

If you have an issue, concern or item to report, please visit the Stedwick Homes Corporation website at www.stedwickhc.com, contact Community Manager Martha Cruz or communicate via regular mail to the Stedwick Homes Corporation at 10120 Apple Ridge Road.

Stedwick Signals: for residents of Club Hill, Clusters of Stedwick I, II, III, Forest Brooke, Frenchton Place, Ridges of Stedwick and The Heights

Winter is Coming

As we prepare for the first freeze this winter season, Management would like to remind residents to leave their heat on at all times.

• If you intend on traveling this winter, please DO NOT TURN OFF YOUR HEAT! Failure to do so can result in frozen pipes bursting causing major damage to your unit and others. Please remember that unit owners are responsible for the first $10,000 in the event a claim originates in their unit.
• If you plan to be away shut off the water supply valve to your washing machine.
• Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night.  Temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures may incur a higher heating bill.
• Keep your windows closed and vents open.
• If you are aware of a neighboring unit that is unoccupied contact management immediately on 301-948-0110 so every attempt can be made to contact the owner.

The ideal temperature range for your thermostat in the winter is from 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, but most people like it around 68. Whichever you choose please make SURE it remains in that range.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at (301) 948-0110 ext. 2344 or email at Chaynes@mvf.org

Water Turn Off 2021

IMPORTANT  -   COLD WEATHER IS COMING!

As you know, the cold weather is coming and it is necessary to prevent the outside water lines from freezing. To properly drain the water lines, access to your unit is required. If you cannot be home or provide access to your unit, please call the office and make us aware.

The following homes have the valve located inside their Garage: 19506, 19524, 19608, 19507, 19539, 19555, 19585, 19605, 19641, and 19655 (Greenwood and Clearview Models)

The following homes have the valve located inside the laundry room area or the back patio area of the home: 19525, 19569, 19617, 19623, and 19673 (Fairway Models)

Residents of the Greenwood and Clearview Models should please make sure you leave your garage door unlocked or be home at the time of service. Residents of the Fairway Models should please make arraignments to be home during the time of service.

The plumber is scheduled to arrive Friday   October 15, 2021 between 9 am & 1 pm.

If the water is left on after this time, and damage occurs, the property owner of the unit where the valve is located will be held accountable for payment of the repairs.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter. Should you have any questions, please contact the office at, 301-948-0110 Ext. 2344

Sincerely,

Courtney Haynes, Community Manager

301-948-0110 *www.montgomeryvillage.com*tccondo@mvf.org*THOMAS CHOICE CONDOMINIUM

NOTICE

Garage and Home Owners:

Please be Mindful of Freezing Temps Inside your Garage and Homes.

A garage that gets too cold can damage not only to your car but also to the equipment you're storing there. Water has a unique property in that it expands as it freezes. This expansion puts tremendous pressure on whatever is containing it, including metal or plastic pipes. No matter the strength of a container, expanding water can cause pipes to break and water will freeze, no matter where it is. Pipes most likely to freeze, according to the Red Cross, are those exposed to severe cold and unheated interior areas. Examples of these areas are garages, or kitchen cabinets; and pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation.

Prevent frozen pipes in very cold weather, by keeping garage doors closed as often as possible. If the garage contains water supply lines, keep the thermostat set to the same temperature day and night. Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing and try weather-stripping and insulation to help protect your garage from extreme winter weather. ~Management

2021 Winter Lights contest winners

by the Whetstone Board of Directors

The 2021 holiday season has arrived, and Whetstone has once again lit up. Year after year, neighborhood residents decorate their homes to welcome the holidays and remind us all why Whetstone is a special place. We have a variety of awards and honorable mentions to share, but we recommend that you take a drive around the neighborhood and appreciate all of Whetstone’s holiday splendor. If your house is not mentioned, please know that we enjoyed and appreciated every decorated house in the neighborhood.

Our first category is “Kids Delight.” This is a house that we thought children would love. Colorful? Yes. Inflatables? Yes please! Our winner this year is 18925 Diary Road. Do they have a unicorn? Yes! Do they have a Yeti? Yes! Was the playset lit up? Yes! This was a decorated backyard you can’t miss on the left as you drive up Diary Road. Honorable mentions include 9713 Breckenridge Place, which clears up the question “Do Darth Vader and Yoda spend Christmas together?,” and 9304 Judge Place with multiple American flags and a star on the roof! 

Our next category is “Traditional Decoration.” This is a house that has traditional lights, usually a uniform color, perhaps candles in the window, or else Williamsburg-style decorations, such as apple fans and pineapple wreaths. If Whetstone sent a holiday card, this house might be on it. The winner this year is 18828 South Meadow Fence. Right on the corner by the stop sign, this house is beautiful year after year. Well done! This was a difficult category to judge because there were so many great houses, including 9717 Breckenridge Place, 19104 Annapolis Way and 9125 Digging Road to name a few.

Next is “Winter Wonderland.” This is a house that captures the spirit of a wintery holiday wonderland with colorful characters and assorted decorations. The winner this year is also a stand out house every year. You can’t miss 9748 Whetstone Drive, with Santa in the window and a riot of colorful lights. We Believe, thanks to this house. Honorable mention goes to 19140 Roman Way, because the Courts of Whetstone are here for the holidays in 2021!

All streets are not equal when it comes to holiday cheer. Each year we recognize the street in Whetstone that goes above and beyond, with most or all houses contributing to a whole-street holiday vibe. This year, “best street” was a difficult category. Breckenridge Place always puts on a show. Annapolis Way is just lovely. Digging Road is full of holiday spirit. And for a hidden gem, drive to the bottom (left side) of Roman Way and you will find six houses together forming a cul-de-sac of cheer. But our hearts were won by Five Logs Way. This small street, with just five houses, has a little bit of everything. Bright lights. Characters. Traditional decorations. Well done Five Logs Way!

Finally (drum roll please)...the award for “Best House 2021” goes to 9401 Union Place. A whole herd of reindeer. A snow family. A creche. Lights for days. It’s like a giant snow globe on the lawn. We love 9401 Union Place this year, and every year.

There were many other lovely and notable holiday features throughout the neighborhood. 9316 Judge Place and 18929 Whetstone Circle have huge decorated trees. 18909 Blue Willow has a surprisingly large inflatable deer. 9714 Eclipse has lovely lights and a nutcracker. There is a giant dinosaur with a present in its mouth on Diary Road. Best garage goes to 19157 Brooke Grove Court. And we can’t forget 9849 Canal Road, with the queen of decorated backyards (and a nice front yard as well). Coming home at night, as you drive down Montgomery Village Avenue, 9849 Canal is an annual holiday beacon shining over Lake Whetstone.

Happy Holidays everyone! 

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Whetstone Watch: for residents of The Courts, Goshenside, Lakeside and the Ridges of Whetstone.