Buckingham Greene Maintenance Corporation

Winter, 2003 Newsletter

Dec 05, 2003

What?’s New?
Yes, it?’s that time of year again when the days get shorter and the nights get colder. We hope everyone had a pleasant fall. Within the community, much was accomplished and we wanted to give everyone a quick recap.

Community Meeting Held
Community members met at the Brandywine Community Town Center on September 16th to discuss several topics of interest within our development.

The meeting began with Dan Losco of Losco & Marconi speaking to those in attendance about the deed restrictions, and the process that must be followed in order to make any modifications. The Maintenance Corporation contracted with Mr. Losco back in June to assist our community in revising our deed restrictions. Mr. Losco has reviewed the proposed amendments, and he has made edits/additions to the language to enhance clarity and content. A revised ballot (including Mr. Losco?’s edits) will be circulated throughout the community within the coming weeks. Each household will have a designated time period to return their respective ballot to the Maintenance Corporation with their votes on each individual proposal. Once all of the ballots have been received and tabulated, all of the modifications that receive the requisite number of votes (2/3rds) will be placed on a final document for signatures. This signed document must be notarized and filed with New Castle County.

Next, Wayne Smith spoke to a variety of issues impacting our community. First, Delaware and the County continue to work with the FAA on reducing airline noise/traffic over the north Wilmington area. He suggested contacting the State?’s federal offices in an effort to garner additional support. In addition, Wayne spoke of an apparent agreement involving the Avery Tract, which would prevent that property from being developed. He also gave updates on the his efforts to improve/strengthen environmental regulations and restrictions in Delaware, as well as his work on getting additional water reserves for New Castle County and the state in general.

Paul Zoppi closed the meeting by reviewing Buckingham Greene Maintenance Corporation financial statements with those in attendance. In addition, Rich McCann has agreed to become the 5th member of the Board of Directors. Thank you Rich for agreeing to participate. As always, the Maintenance Corporation is looking for residents to get involved with every and any aspect of our community. We need help with the newsletter, website, planning events, assisting with deed restrictions, etc. Please contact Paul Zoppi at 529-7760 if you can help.

Community Directory
In September, an updated version of our community directory was distributed throughout the development. We hope that the directory will go a long way in helping all of us get to know each just a little better. We all owe a big thank you to Miriam Sigler (42 Weilers Bend) for helping to lead this effort. Please notify Miriam (529-9085) if you would like to add/delete any information in the directory. Again, we plan on sending out updates annually. However, we may update the directory more frequently depending on the number of changes we receive going forward.

Fun and Games
The Social Committee was very busy planning and organizing several events within the development. First, we had our annual community picnic in September. In October, the Social Committee also helped organize the community Halloween parade. Children and adults participated by coming dressed in their favorite costumes. Everyone had a great time, and there were plenty of treats to go around for all (luckily, there were only a few tricks). Thank you to the entire Social Committee for organizing both the picnic and parade. We look forward to more fun events in the near future.

Holiday Social
Speaking of more fun and games, the social committee is organizing our first ever ?“Adults Night Out Holiday Social?”. The event is scheduled for Saturday, December 13th at Mrs. Robino?’s Restaurant in Wilmington (starting at 7PM). We will have our own private room to celebrate the holidays and upcoming New Year. The cost will be $15 per person, which will include dinner, salad, dessert and non-alcoholic drinks (cash bar will be available). The event is open to all adult residents of Buckingham Greene (sorry, no kids this time). Checks should be made to the Buckingham Greene Maintenance Corporation, and can be delivered to Paul Zoppi at 109 Scotts Way.

It?’s not too late to get in on the fun, so please join us for some good food and good fun, with a whole bunch of good people. It will be a great way to meet some of your new neighbors, and perhaps get reacquainted with some of your ?“old?” neighbors. Contact Paul at 529-7760 with any questions. Hope to see everyone there!

Announcements
Buckingham Greene would like to welcome some of our newest neighbors to the development. Rich and Denise Knight recently moved into 8 Weilers Bend. Please be sure to say hello and introduce yourself them. Welcome Rich and Denise!

In addition, Michael Duffy and Jacqueline Herr of 73 Weilers Bend were married on July 12th. The reception took place at the Hotel du Pont in Wilmington, with the newlyweds spending their honeymoon in the Bahamas. And for even more exciting news, Mike and Jackie are expecting their first child in June. Congratulations to both of them. The entire community wishes you and your family much happiness in your new lives together.

Don?’t forget, if you have anything you would like to announce to your fellow neighbors (i.e., birth announcements, anniversaries, birthdays, business advertising) please contact Paul Zoppi at 109 Scotts Way (feel free to email Paul with the specifics at pzoppi109@cs.com.) Thank you.

Upcoming Local Events
- A Gilbert and Sullivan Christmas Carol (December 12th and 13th) ?– The Arden singers present the classic Dickens' tale set to music from the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas by Gayden Wren. The Arden Gild Hall, 2126 The Highway, off Harvey Road. Admission is $10. Call 239-1313 for info.
- Longwood Gardens Christmas (November 29th through January 4th) ?– Decorations, lights, music and fountain shows. Longwood Gardens, U.S. 1 near Kennett Square, Pa. Admission is $15, ages 16-20 $6, 6-15 $2, 5 and younger are free. Call (610) 388-1000 for information. www.longwoodgardens.org
- Santa Claus Express Train (November 22nd through December 21st) ?– Santa will be onboard. Bring your own cameras. Wilmington & Western Railroad, Del. 41, north of Kirkwood Highway near Prices Corner. Admission is $10, seniors $9, children $8. Reservations recommended. Call 998-1930 for information.
- Academy of the Dance (December 12th through the 14th) ?– "The Nutcracker" performance includes guest artists, the Wilmington Ballet Company, the professional division of the Academy and the Voloshky Ukranian Dance Ensemble. DuPont Theatre, Hotel du Pont, 11th and Market streets, Wilmington. Admission is $30-$36. Call 656-4401 for information. www.duponttheatre.com
- First Night Wilmington (December 31st) Family-oriented celebration at various sites in Wilmington. Downtown Wilmington. Admission is $10 in advance; $15 after December 25th. Ages 9 and younger are free. Call 576-3095 for information.
- Hagley?’s Invention Convention (January 17th-19th) - Involves hands-on activities for kids to spark creative problem-solving skills. Hagley Soda House, Buck Road East, off Del. 100, Greenville. Admission is $4, ages 6-14 $2, 5 and younger are free. Call 658-2400 for information.

Community Corner
As a reminder, please do not throw anything into the small retention pond in the back cul-de-sac. Someone has been throwing rocks into the pond, which can negatively impact its ability to drain properly.

Also, please do not post any signs (for sales signs, yard sale signs, etc.) at the entrance to the community. This is common area, and should not be used for such purposes. Someone actually damaged our Buckingham Greene sign at the entrance to the community by taping a yard sale sign to it (causing damage to the paint). Any such unauthorized signs will be removed immediately in the future. Thanks for your cooperation.

Acts of Vandalism
In recent weeks, several Buckingham Greene residents have experienced several incidents of vandalism to and around their homes. The police have been notified and are currently conducting an investigation. As important as police involvement is, if any residents notice suspicious individuals in our community, please don?’t hesitate to contact the authorities. We all take great pride and joy in our development. Let?’s all work together to ensure that no troublemakers can detract from keeping Buckingham Greene as one of the best communities in north Wilmington. Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Contact us with Ideas:
If you have anything you would like to see published in our next quarterly newsletter, please drop off a note at 109 Scotts Way. Your input and feedback is greatly appreciated. As always, we are looking for volunteers to help with putting the newsletter together on a quarterly basis. It doesn?’t have to take up a lot of your time, and it should be a lot of fun. Please feel free to contact any of the Board Members if you are interested in participating.

Next community meeting TBD.

Happy Holidays!