Washington Post, November 6, 2001

Prolonged Dry Spell Takes Toll on Potomac

According to an article in the Washington Post this month, the Washington Area is experiencing significantly lower rainfall than normal and is approaching drought conditions. 

The landscape committee would like to remind all homeowners that watering of grass and trees is essential to maintaining the beauty of our landscape and the health of our trees.  In the past year we have planted 7 new trees throughout Tollgate.  Both new and older established trees depend on getting adequate moisture over prolonged periods of time.  There was a significant drought in 1999 and several long periods of dry weather since then.  Many of our specimen trees are showing the signs of that drought by succumbing to disease and parasites.   We urge each of the homeowners to give the trees in their yards a good soaking at least once a month, if not more often.  This is best done by a slow watering of the area under the tree’s drip line – the area directly under the canopy.

New Landscape Company Hired for 2002, Flores Landscapes, Inc.

The Landscape Committee has decided not to renew its contract with Curb Appeal after an unsatisfactory experience in 2001.  Curb Appeal will continue through the end of 2001 with leaf pickups in November and December and fall pruning. 

Flores Landscapes, Inc. currently is the contractor for Wren’s Way and won high praise from their landscape chairman.  They were so satisfied that they just signed a new 3-year contract.  After interviewing Flores and soliciting bids from a number of landscape companies, including Living Color, the Landscape Committee decided to contract with Flores because of their emphasis on doing a quality job and continuous maintenance.  All of our past landscape contracts called for x number of weedings per year and y number of prunings, etc.  This resulting in the grass cutting crew ignoring weeds for weeks at a time.  Flores claims to have trained each of its crew to weed and prune whenever it is needed, not just at selected times.  We hope this will result in a much more satisfactory experience next year.  Although the contract is significantly more than we spent last year, we believe that you get what you pay for.

Tollgate Christmas Decorations

The Annual Tollgate Christmas decorating will be held on Saturday, December 1st.  Meet at the gazebo at 9:00 am.  Homeowners are reminded to place a single candle in each window starting Saturday.

Annual Meeting, December 2, 2001

At the home of Edna Frady, 5pm.  The Board urges everyone to attend this year’s Tollgate Annual Meeting.  In addition to electing a new Board of Directors for 2002, there are several important proposals that require a vote of 20 or more households.  These proposals were distributed earlier to all homeowners and in addition, one of the Board members will be calling on each homeowner to urge you to attend the meeting or give someone your proxy.  Copies are available at the website; www.tollgateway.org.

Board Nominating Committee

Pat Towell, Edna Frady and Ella Lyons have are currently soliciting people to run for the Tollgate Board.  If you are interested or willing to serve the community as a board member, please contact the Nominating Committee.

New Board Candidates

Ella Lyons & Bill Arthur have agreed to run.  Additional candidates welcome.

Incumbent Board Members (who have agreed to serve next year)

Bob Donaldson, Anki Ehmer, Terry Zawacki

Tollgate Christmas Party

The Annual Tollgate Christmas Party will be held on December 16, 2001, starting at 6 pm.  Terry Parsons, 127, has graciously agreed to host the party again this year.  Please bring an appetizer or other tasty munchies.