Download the Fall 2007 Dominion Station Express issue (721KB PDF)
Pool Party a Splashing Success!
By: Lisa Eyler
Kids and adults alike really enjoyed this summer’s Dominion Station Pool Party, held on August 4th from 1-4pm, with searing temperatures! With over 150 attendees, this year’s party was well attended. The pool was full with children and adults. Papa John’s pizza and homemade desserts were aplenty. The snow cone and popcorn machines were a hit, as were the candy-filled piñatas and visit from a clown who made shaped balloons for the kids. A special thanks to Melissa Fishman, Chair of the Shared Facilities Committee, for organizing the fun afternoon. Committee members Carolyn Erice, Laura and Evan Brownstein, and myself participated in the planning, setup, and onsite event, along with help from Joan and Gary Whitehead (the lifeguards), and kids who helped man the machines. Rave reviews were heard from attendees for days after the event, including: “The party was the best ever!”, “It was awesome!”, and “What a great day!”
If you would like to serve on the Shared Facilities Committee, please contact Melissa Fishman at shared@dshoa.com or (703) 298-4482. We are always looking for residents to volunteer in the planning of community events, including the pool party, pool registration, community yard sales, and community cleanups.
From the Chairman
With Halloween just around the corner, here are some reminders to make it a safe and fun night:
- While its fun to dress up, make sure any mask selected allows full visibility.
- Make sure that the costume selected does not pose a tripping hazard.
- Make sure everyone has a light of some sort on them so that they can be seen. Glow-Sticks work really well.
- If you are driving through the community, drive slow and keep an eye out for trick-or-treaters.
- Inspect all candy when you get home and throw out any candy that is unsafe or expired.
Have a safe and fun holiday season!
Eric Blackmer
Chairman, Newsletter Committee
ARC Submission Guidelines
The Architectural Review Committee (ARC) meets on the third Monday of each month. Applications must be submitted before 5 p.m. on the Thursday prior to the ARC meeting.
The application for exterior modifications or additions (available on the DSHOA Website) must be delivered to the on-site property manager, not the ARC chairperson or its other members. The application must be properly completed and accompanied by other documents, some of which depend upon the nature of the request (see application form for instructions on this). The application will not be forwarded to the ARC for review unless it is deemed informative and complete.
Remember:
- You must have the signatures of 2 neighbors on your application
- Include pictures, brochures, drawings, and plans.
From the President’s Desk
Fall is here and as we end the active summer quarter, I wanted to take a few moments to extend my personal thanks to everyone in the community. Since early spring and throughout the summer months, we have all chipped in and embarked on the much needed revitalization process and things are looking great compared to this time last year!
In this issue, I want to address a few specific topics which are of high interest to many of us. The Board met with Potomac District Supervisor Bruce Tulloch for a working session in September. During our session, Supervisor Tulloch advised us of the proposed Orbital expansion. It was also announced that the Atlantic Blvd project is now fully funded and fast-tracked for completion. Currently, the engineering study is underway and the ground breaking in imminent. Along with the expansion is the closing of a few of the access roads which currently connect Atlantic Blvd and Rt. 28. What does this mean for us? Well, first and foremost, easier access to Rt. 28 via the completed Atlantic exchange. Of greater importance to the Board is the potential overall impact to our community. The Board is highly interested in the unfolding proposals and is committed to working actively with the County and VDOT to ensure that the integrity of our community is maintained along the Atlantic Blvd corridor.
The second topic of discussion was Magnolia Rd and Blossom Rd. Over the past 5 years, we have seen a dramatic increase in traffic, speed, accidents and commercial vehicles on these two roads. The DS Board submitted a letter to VDOT and Supervisor Tulloch’s office in late spring asking for assistance with this problem. To date, VDOT has completed a line of sight study and determined that a few parking areas on Magnolia Rd were originally marked incorrectly. As a result, an area from Church Rd to Golden Spike Terrace was remarked as no parking in order to comply with State regulations. This equated to a reduction of approximately 15 parking spaces on Magnolia Rd. There has also been an increase in patrols for speeding and commercial vehicles parked on these roads. As the Atlantic Blvd project begins, the Board will continue to work with the County and VDOT to ensure that Magnolia traffic decreases, that parking is appropriately retained and commercial vehicle traffic is eventually restricted. Hopefully, we will not see anymore accidents like the four we saw this summer on Magnolia Rd.
A special thanks for Supervisor Tulloch for his work and interest within and around our community. He has committed to continuing to work with the residents of Dominion Station as we continue on our current path of ensuring the safety and retention of the integrity of our community. The Board is very pleased and excited about his commitment and is working to have him out in the near future to speak directly with the community.
As the housing market continues to slow, we need to set ourselves apart from other communities. One way to do so is by ensuring that the initial sight of our community is aesthetically pleasing and the pride and respect we have for our community, our homes and each other is evident. During the fall home re-inspection there was a dramatic decrease in violations and a noticeable increase in curb appeal within the community. Thank you to everyone who took the time out to take pride in their homes!
Specific to the aesthetics of the community, the age of the community has really begun to show in many areas. The current Board has been working very hard to identify and correct current and looming issues within the community. In response to community request, we are continuing to gathering requirements and planning for the next phase of the common area revitalization. We have been consulting with various professionals to identify and correct the landscaping, irrigation and erosion issues which have been brought to our attention. We have signed a new contract with Genesis Landscapes which has presented many great landscaping ideas for the community. We have also been reviewing contracts for a separate irrigation company to maintain and repair the aging irrigation system.
We have been gathering information for future tot lot renewal. We have corrected the maintenance issues around the clubhouse. We have also completed the installation of 2 speed humps on Guilford Station as well as successfully negotiated and executed on the curb repainting and concrete work within the common areas. Overall, the hard work has begun to show, just look around.
In terms of general management of the HOA, we have contracted with a new legal team to represent our community. We are also pleased that we now have Kathy Simonovich, the President of SFMC, directly managing our community. Her expert advice has proved invaluable for the Board. We are excited to have received her pledged to continue to actively manage the day to day operations of our community. I would like to point out that our current Treasurer, Dave Durham is a financial professional. His active involvement has been instrumental to our ability to reinvest our holdings to achieve maximum returns. He along with the rest of the Board has been working diligently to balance the budget and calculate needed reserves in order to effectively plan for the HOAs future financial success.
In closing, I would like to add that I have been asked to sit on the Potomac District Planned and Managed Growth committee. The committee was formed to:
- Identify recreational and nature parks, libraries, recreation centers, and fire, police, and rescue needs.
- Ensure developers provide more housing choices to meet the needs of the entire workforce and people at all stages of life.
- Create plans for parks, green ways, and trails.
- Invest more in local streets with more interconnections to reduce traffic more effectively.
- Analyze options to provide dedicated bus/transit lanes and improved express bus service and identify how the Virginia Regional Transit should flow through our district.
- Design our community to provide the best use of safe and convenient choices for walking and bicycling to schools, recreation, and stores.
I have committed to creating and chairing an ad-hoc committee which will focus on these specific issues as they relate to Dominion Station. The committee will be tasked to identify and report on needs which are specific to the aforementioned items. The ad-hoc committee will also engage with other nearby communities to identify any collective efforts which will enhance the overall landscape of areas around our community. This will be a very effective way to formally request for enhancements around our community from the County. If anyone is interested in being on the committee, please contact me for more information. Remember that it takes all of us together to make our community the best place to live in Loudoun!
I hope everyone enjoyed their summer. Stay tuned to the website (www.dshoa.com), the newsletter and the monthly board meetings for updates. I look forward to seeing everyone at the annual meeting!
Warm Regards,
David Robinette
President, DSHOA
Your 2007 Board of Directors
President – David Robinette
Vice President – Sarah Turner
Secretary – Vacant
Treasurer – David Durham
Director – Harry Anderson
SFMC Community Manager: Kathy A. Simonovich, Phone (703) 392-6006, ext 202, or ksimonovich@sfmcinc.com.
SFMC On-Site Administrator: Barbara Pandolfo, Phone (703) 406-3587.
Neighborhood Watch Update
By: Lisa Eyler
Mark your calendar to attend the next Dominion Station Neighborhood Watch Program meeting on Wednesday, November 7th at 7 p.m. in the DS Club House. Deputy Leydig will relay recent crime statistics within our community, discuss the Sheriff Department’s recent efforts to decrease speeding along Magnolia Road, and promote the Sheriff's Auxiliary Unit. For more information, please call Lisa Eyler at (703) 501-2043 or Melissa Fishman at (703) 298-4482.
Letters to the Editor…
To the Editor: There have been NO Letters To The Editor since June 2006.
Letter to the Editor Policy
Dominion Station Newsletter reserves the right to publish or not publish any correspondence received. If a letter is published, it may be edited for content or for space reasons.
Write us at newsletter@dshoa.com and let us know how the newsletter is going. We welcome advice, corrections, and input from our friends and neighbors.
Real Estate Corner
Enjoying Your Home
By: Nancy Jackson
Fall is the time to prune and trim your trees and shrubs, divide perennials, and revive your lawn after the heat of the summer has taken its toll. Now is the time to winterize your yard with fertilizer so it will grow back strong and healthy in the Spring. Gardening not only improves the appearance and value of your home, but also gives you a chance to enjoy nature and the company of your neighbors as well.
After you’ve taken care of Autumn chores, don’t forget to enjoy the many Fall activities scheduled in our own backyard of Loudoun County. One of the most exciting events in Loudoun County at this time of year, attracting visitors from all over the world, is the International Gold Cup Race near Middleburg, VA. This annual steeplechase race runs on Saturday, October 20. Wine lovers can participate in several activities at the local vineyards and wineries which are now gaining international acclaim. Tour the twelve vineyards of Loudoun County on your own self guided tour route. The annual Loudoun Farm Tour takes place on October 20 & 21. This year there are 25 farms participating in the interactive event.
The author, Nancy Jackson, is a Realtor with Long and Foster and resident of Dominion Station. For more information about exciting Loudoun County events this Fall go to: www.visitloudoun.org and www.loudounfarms.org
Sign Reminder!
Real estate directional signs, rental signs, or just any signs for that matter, are not allowed on common areas in the community (per Policy Resolution 1.1, Design Guidelines, ARC, Section II, Item K) without prior written approval of the ARC.
“Open House” signs are OK, as long as they are removed after the open house ends.
Staff Update
For the fifth issue in a row, the Dominion Station Express has had information and updates coming in from our intrepid reporters throughout the community. This adds real diversity to our newsletter and keeps everyone informed on a broad range of issues and activities.
We can still use input from the community to make this a better paper. Therefore, we are continuing our call for reporters to sign on: everyone so far has signed up on an issue by issue basis .
We welcome any and all input. However we would particularly like to find people to fill the following beats:
Senior Beat: What activities are coming up, where the good discounts are, anything and everything that might interest our older residents;
News Beat: If one thing is true, one editor cannot know it all. We need input on what is happening in the community, in Sterling, and nearby haunts, which can enrich our lives. It might be volunteer opportunities, concerts, or community get togethers, but the more news the better.
Loudoun Beat: Gather news about the county, what is going on, what services are available, where to go for help, complaints, input, etc.
Guest or permanent columnist: Want to write but don’t have a forum? Submit a guest column or suggestion for an ongoing effort. As in the past, the Dominion Station Express welcomes guest editorials.
We will consider and work with you to make it happen. Food, pets, handy-man tips…whatever your expertise, we can put it in the newsletter.
As the editor of the Newsletter, I can assure you that we do not censor articles or letters. We do, however, reserve the right to edit for accuracy and grammar and spelling. We strive to make content non-partisan, and every issue is reviewed by Dominion Station legal counsel before going to press.
In addition to staff writers, the Newsletter is in need of an Advertising Editor and a Board Reporter. If you would like to fill one of these positions or join the Newsletter as a staff writer, please contact the editor at: newsletter@dshoa.com.
Your 2007 Newsletter Staff
- Committee Chairman – Eric Blackmer
- Editor – Holden Blackmer
Staff Writers
- Eric Blackmer
- Holden Blackmer
- Lisa Eyler
- Nancy Jackson
- Heather Snyder
REMINDER
Skateboarding on the fire lanes is prohibited. There has been damage reported in the community to the recently-painted fire lanes. We should all have respect for where we live.
Holiday Recipes
Since the next newsletter is set to be published in January, here are some recipes for Halloween, Hanukah, Thanksgiving, and Christmas (all recipes were borrowed from www.fabulousfoods.com.)
Halloween
Diabetic Friendly Pumpkin Brownies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup pumpkin purée, canned or cooked
- 1 ¼ C whole wheat flour
- 1 C brown sugar, firmly packed
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- ½ tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. baking soda
- 2 tsp. cinnamon
- ½ tsp. ground ginger
- 1 tsp. nutmeg
- ¼ C buttermilk
- ¼ C vegetable oil such as canola
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 eggs, well beaten (further reduce fat & cholesterol by substituting 1 egg + 1 egg white, or ½ cup Egg Beaters® egg substitute )
- ½ C walnuts, finely chopped
Makes 24 Bars
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375°F. Coat a 13x9x2-inch baking pan with vegetable spray.
Combine all ingredients and beat well. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 30 to 40 minutes. Cool on a wire rack; cut into bars.
Thanksgiving
Chocolate Stout Silk Pie
Ingredients:
Crust
- 1 ½ cups crushed graham crackers
- 1/3 cup melted butter
Filling
- 12 oz. semi-sweet or bitter-sweet chocolate (chocolate chips work well)
- 24 large marshmallows
- pinch of salt
- 2/3 cups stout
- 1/3 cup evaporated milk
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 T crème de cacao (liqueur, light or dark will work)
Directions:
Serves 6-8
Pre-heat oven to 350° F. Add melted butter to crushed graham crackers and mix until well blended. Using fingers, press crust mixture into bottom and up the sides of a pie pan. Bake crust for about 6 minutes until set. (You can alternatively use a ready made graham cracker crust.)
Place chocolate, marshmallows and salt in a blender. Blend until well mixed and chocolate is finely ground.
In two separate saucepans (in order to prevent curdling), heat stout and evaporated milk until very hot, but not boiling.
Pour stout and milk into blender and blend for one minute. Add vanilla and crème de cacao and blend. Pour into the crust and refrigerate overnight. Garnish with whipped cream.
Christmas
Christmas Cookie Pops
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ C flour
- ¼ tsp. salt
- 1 C butter at room temperature
- 1 C confectioners sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ tsp. vanilla extract
- ½ tsp. peppermint extract
- ¼ tsp. liquid red food coloring
- ½ C crushed peppermint candy, such as candy canes (a food processor makes quick, albeit noisy work of this)
Directions:
Makes about 2 dozen
Pre-heat oven to 350° F. Mix flour and salt together, set aside.
In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat butter until creamy, gradually beat in confectioners' sugar and continue beating until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Beat in egg, vanilla, and peppermint extracts then lower mixer speed and gradually mix in the flour mixture, beating just until blended. Remove slightly more than half of the dough from the bowl and set aside. Add the red food coloring and crushed peppermint candy to the remaining dough and beat until evenly mixed and colored.
For each candy cane, scoop 1 teaspoonful of the plain dough and 1 teaspoonful of pink dough (tip: a small melon baller will give you about the right amount). Roll each dough portion between your hands to make a 4 inch rope. Twist the ropes around each other like a Barber Pole and shape into a cane shape. Arrange cookies on a parchment paper lined baking sheet (or a lightly greased baking sheet), about 1 inch apart.
If dough becomes too soft, refrigerate for a few minutes until it firms up again, and only take out small amounts at a time to speed production.
Bake for about 8 minutes until firm to the touch. Do not let the cookies brown. Cool for a minute before using a wide spatula to transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely. Store in a tightly covered container, separating the layers with waxed paper.
Hanukah
Apple-Onion Noodle Kugel
Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
- 2 medium onion, chopped
- 2 medium Golden Delicious apples, cored and diced
- 1 cup golden raisins
- 5 eggs
- 1/3 cup sugar
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 12 ounces medium egg noodles, cooked and drained
Directions:
Serves 12
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking pan.
In a medium skillet, heat oil. Cook onions and apples until slightly softened over medium heat, about 4 minutes. Stir in raisins and cook another 30 seconds. Let mixture cool slightly.
In a large bowl beat eggs with sugar, cinnamon, salt and pepper. Stir in apple mixture and noodles until well combined. Pour into baking pan. Bake about 1 hour or until golden brown on top. Serve warm or room temperature cut into squares.
Board of Directors Meeting
Come see democracy in action by attending the next Board of Directors meeting which takes place at the clubhouse the fourth Tuesday of the month at 6:30 PM. Check the community board outside the clubhouse for further details.
Deadline for Newsletter submissions:
1 January 2007: letters, editorials, articles, and advertising. Remember all submissions for the newsletter should be made to: newsletter@dshoa.com.
Disclaimer
Dominion Station Express is a volunteer generated publication, produced for the residents of Dominion Station by volunteer residents and as such it does not reflect any official policy or process of the Dominion Station Community, its Board of Directors or Management Company. All rights are reserved.
Download the Fall 2007 Dominion Station Express issue (721KB PDF)