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 The Cape Board of Directors would like to thank everyone for such a wonderful year! We had a great turn out at the Annual Meeting/Vote. David Echevarria, Guenter Kass and Joyce Edwards were re-elected to the board and kept their appointments respectively: Treasurer, Secretary and President. The community voted “Yes” for the board to move forward with the Village Initiative/Incorporation effort. The community voted “Yes” for two lots owned by Southern Destiny on Sedgley Drive to become part of The Cape HOA. 

 

The Cape has seen much change to our landscape this year and significant projects have been brought to completion. The Telfair Ditch culvert replacement was completed. The Becker Woods ditch clean up will be completed by the end of November. The Masonboro Country Club replaced many drainage pipes. The course and all three entrances have been completely renovated and upgraded gates have been installed at the River Road entrances. Masonboro Country Club is performing final touches for its Thanksgiving Day Opening. We’re excited that a number of Cape residents are signed up to be among the first to play! If you utilize the River Road entrances, you may have noticed that during this final push for golf course completion, the gates have been up during daylight hours. The gates are being closed at night and will be back on a regular schedule after opening day. MCC and the CHOA Board thank you for your patience in the interim.

 

With the help of technology and forward thinking, the Architectural Control Committee (ACC) and CHOA Board have been working to streamline our process in keeping The Cape clean and beautiful. We appreciate their untiring efforts. In addition, we have noticed that many residents are taking pride in their own yards as opening day approaches. Masonboro Country Club ownership and employees have expressed their enthusiasm and appreciation for all the residents who have made landscape improvements course-side. It is an exciting time for all of us!

 

Masonboro Country Club Update (Submitted by Steve Isley; MCC Pro)

 

After two years and much anticipation we are down to the last few days before Masonboro Country Club will be open. We share in everyone’s excitement of our upcoming opening and look forward to being a big part of this community. The fairways, tees and greens were over seeded with a rye grass in October to ensure everyone would be playing off beautiful green grass all winter long. It is a proven fact that having color on the course in the winter not only helps the beauty of the course but also helps your golf game. Please feel free to stop by our Golf-Shop if you have any questions or to book tee-times as they are filling up fast. Yearly pass information and applications are ready and can be picked up anytime.

Masonboro Country Club and its staff would like thank everyone for your patience during our reconstruction process and look forward to providing you with a wonderful golf course to play on as well as services that go above and beyond.

 

The Cape Social Committee (Submitted by Julia Morrison, Chair)

 

The Cape “Fall Fest” was a huge success. The day was beautiful, the food was delicious, but most of all - everyone had a great time! Cindy Redfield and her committee did a wonderful job. If you weren’t there you missed out and we missed YOU! Plan to attend The Cape’s 2nd “Annual Spring Fling,” scheduled for Saturday, May 1st 2010.

 

Cape Wine Tastings: September, we spent a lovely evening on the rooftop of Tangerine Caribbean Grill. The wine was wonderful, the view gorgeous and the food was out of this world. Our wine host even handed out a couple of prizes for those who answered the correct wine related questions. The October tasting was at the home of Barbara Shaw and Divine Wines was our wine connoisseur. Barb outdid herself with the food. The wine was good, but the company was best. Our next Wine Tasting will be November 30 at our home, Julia and John Morrison. The wines will be from Chile and Ernie from Divine Wines will host. If you are interested in attending this tasting, contact: Vin or Anne Cousineau @ acousineau62@aol.con or 392-2901 to make your reservation. ($10.00 per person. Reservations required.) Note: There will be no Wine Tasting in December but in January we hope to go back to Tangerine Caribbean Grill. Check the website for details.

 

We had about six TGIF’s this year… what fun they’ve been! TGIF’s are an impromptu gathering in various Cape neighborhoods on Friday evenings. At the beginning of the week, if the weather looks good for Friday and there are no conflicting activities, you will see signs through out the Cape announcing the TGIF. You will need to check the website for time/place. Bring your own chair, your own drink (& a snack if you want to nibble). We hope there will be some warm Fridays this fall/winter… If not, we’ll see you in the spring! If anyone wants to host a TGIF in your neighborhood, let me know. We won’t just set ourselves down in the middle of a neighborhood if no one from that neighborhood is there, but we would like to include more areas of The Cape. Nothing special is needed from the host – just a few feet of concrete or grass to sit on.

 

At our most recent Kayaking Outing, five of us gathered at Trails End - just as a storm moved in, so we had to cancel that …but weather didn’t stop us! We headed up to the County Park on River Road and paddled over to Pirate’s Island where we found sharks teeth. Ken Maus organizes these outings. We usually have an extra canoe or two, so plan to join us. Contact Ken at green_kayak61@yahoo.com This activity is always “Weather Permitting”.

 

The Cape Travelers: If you are interested in the most outstanding, all inclusive, tour packages for active seniors, retirees, neighbors and friends-including first-class hotels, meals and countless other extras at incredibly affordable prices, contact Ed Buckley at 799-3490 or capetravelers@gmail.com, or check out the website @ www.capetravelers.com. They had a trip to Paris in September, a trip to Ireland November 12-22 and are planning an Ancient Exotic Egypt- 7 day River Ship Cruise on the Nile from Feb. 4th to the 18th. Sounds like fun!!

 

The Welcome Committee chaired by David Bellm is always on the move welcoming new residents. If you are new to The Cape, “Welcome!” If you haven’t yet received a visit from David, just call him @ 397-0047. He is available to answers your questions.

 

The Cape Book Club keeps growing! We have been reading exciting books like: “Blessings” by Anna Quinlin, “The Space Between Us” by Thrity Umrigar and “The Activist’s Daughter” by Ellyn Bache. Discussions have been really enlightening as we begin to know each other. Each month some one hosts the meeting while the previous months host is responsible for directing the discussion. This makes each month a little different. For information call: Jan Sparks @ 796-1931. 

 

There is discussion about forming Men’s and Ladies Golf Leagues here at Masonboro Country Club. If you are interested, contact Masonboro Country Club Golf Pro, Steve Isley @ 397-9162. If Ladies are interested in the 18 Hole League contact Sue Menage at SueMenage@aol.com or @ 452-1642. Sue is planning an informational meeting in January. Check the website for further detail as the time nears.

 

The Progressive Dinner has been so successful that we actually have a waiting list. Most homes can only hold about 20-24 people so that limits our numbers. Our October dinner theme was German. Our November theme was American “Turkey”. Each month we try something different. A Progressive Dinner works its way through three homes: one for Appetizers, one for the entrée and one for the dessert. The hostess supplies the home and others sign up to bring the food. If anyone is interested is starting a second group, let us know. In the mean time, add your name to the waiting list and as enough people add up to start a second group, we’ll help you get started.

 

We held our last two “Cape Night Out” gatherings at Harbor Masters Restaurant. It is a great opportunity to meet new friends and catch up with old. We gather about 6:00 for drinks and most people stay for dinner. It is not mandatory. You can just stop in for drinks. You see new faces all of the time. It is lots of fun and no work for anyone. If you have suggestions for other places to go, please let us know! Check the website for future happenings or call Carolyn Dunn @ 397-7955.

 

A new activity that we are anxious to get going after the first of the year is The Cape Garden Club. If you are interested contact: Rosalie Hutter @ huttcape@charter.net. Rosalie will have an informational meeting after the New Year begins. Check the website for updates.

 

Last but certainly not least, our “Holiday House” Holiday Decorating Contest. The judges will be scoping the community Holiday Decorations on Thursday, December 17th. Make sure your lights are on. We will have prizes!!! The first place winner will get to display our official “Holiday House” sign in their yard. Winners will receive a Cape Christmas Tree Ornament, among other prizes. Celebrate the season and help “Light Up The Cape” for the holidays.

 

Thank you all for making this year a wonderful success. I have certainly enjoyed meeting so many of my neighbors. I would love to meet you all. I look forward to more ideas and activities in the coming year. Help me continue to make The Cape a special place to live.

 

The Cape Social Committee Mission is to weave the fabric of the Social Community of the Cape by providing opportunities and activities for residents of all ages. - To do this we need your help - Want to become involved and meet new people. This is the way to do it. Just call me, Julia Morrison 799-1951- We sure could use your help and especially your ideas. Thank you

 

Protecting our Ground Water (Submitted by Jesse Bowles; CHOA Property Manager)

 

Ground water is located beneath the earth's surface. Many people think that ground water occurs in vast underground lakes, rivers, or streams. However, it is usually located in rock and soil. It moves very slowly through irregular spaces within otherwise solid rock or seeps between particles of sand, clay, and gravel.

An exception is in limestone areas, where groundwater may flow through large underground channels or caverns. Surface water may move several feet in a second or a minute. Ground water may move only a few feet in a month or a year. If the ground water is capable of providing significant quantities of water to a well or a spring, it is called an aquifer. Any contamination of aquifers is very troubling, because these are the sources or our DRINKING, washing and irrigation water.

Ground water is replaced mostly from rain or snow that enters the soil. However, some water from lakes, streams and irrigation systems become ground water. Water that is above ground can move in three ways; it can evaporate into the air, it can move across the surface - as in a stream or a river, or it can move downward from the surface. Plant and other organisms absorb some of the water. Another portion of the downward moving water is held in the upper layers of the soil. The rest moves down through the root zones and relatively dry soil zone until it reaches a zone saturated with water. This saturated zone is the uppermost layer of ground water is called the water table. The water table is the "dividing line" between the ground water and the soil table above it.

There are many factors that effect water quality most of them are man made. Some of the things that we do can help to protect ground water are to apply fertilizers and pesticides at the recommended rates. Do not apply these chemicals if there is heavy rainfall predicted. And another is to clean up after your pet and dispose of the waste in a proper manner. Just remember whatever you put on the ground will more than likely wind up in your body in some shape or form at some later date.

 

Good Advice - H1N1 Preventive Methods (Submitted by Jeff Nicol)

 

The following advice, given by Dr. Oz, makes a lot of sense and is important for all to know:

The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tami flu):

1. Frequent hand washing (well highlighted in all official communications).

2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat or bathe.)

3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine or Hydrogen Peroxide if you don't trust salt). H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat / nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tami flu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.

4. Similar to 3 above, clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water, or hydrogen peroxide. Blowing the nose softly once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.

5. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.

6. Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

 

Fall Yard Maintenance (Submitted by your Architectural Control Committee)

Residents are reminded to keep trashcans out of sight (either in your garage or behind a screened area) except on trash pick up day. Fall is the time of year when landscapes abound with scattered pinecones, dead annuals, loose pine straw, leaves, etc. The ACC asks that you “police” you property to help keep the Cape looking neat and pretty.

 

Speaking of yard debris, there has been a great deal of talk and controversy over the waste disposal/plastics ban/yard debris ban issue. The current board of directors and property management has been looking into the “history” of the matter, have been speaking with a number of trash haulers and New Hanover County (NHC).

 

Historically, previous CHOA boards have worked very hard to achieve a number of waste disposal objectives for CHOA residents. They have endeavored to maintain a single trash hauler in the community in order to:

1) Have fewer heavy trucks on our roads, since the CHOA membership bears the sole financial responsibility to maintain and replace them,

2) To have trash cans set out on a single appointed weekday, so that a.) The Cape maintains aesthetic consistency within the community and b.) the ACC is not bogged down trying to determine who is and who is not in violation of the Deeds & Restrictions,

3) They have endeavored to negotiate the best possible pricing for Cape HOA residents.

 

In 2002, some residents began to switch to another company. At that time, the CHOA board negotiated a better rate with Waste Industries and requested residents switch back. They did and residents have enjoyed those negotiated rates for some time. But as with all areas of life, cost of waste disposal has quietly risen. The new Plastics Ban and NHC’s recent decision to enforce the 1993 Yard Waste Ban have spotlighted the issue and created new potential cost factors for residents. The topic was so hot in fact, that at the annual meeting a committee was appointed to look into alternatives. The committee appointed to look into the issue has done considerable homework on the subject and created a survey to help determine the depth of our needs.

 

As options were uncovered by the committee, we posted them on the cape-hoa.org website. Following our posting, NHC issued a public statement, which made the most appealing alternative invalid and it became unavailable to us. Waste Industries also stepped up in an effort to maintain their exclusivity. We have published their letter, offering smaller cans at a reduced rate and offering to re-evaluate their pricing after a 60-day study. We apologize for the confusion this issue and our website well intended postings have created.

 

The CHOA board has begun discussions with the local general manager of Waste Industries and has sat down with him to further discuss current pricing, the yard debris issue and the long-term goals of The Cape. We have endeavored to maintain the objectives listed above, to the best of our ability, within the confines of our limited authority.

In a meeting Friday with Waste Industries, new rates were negotiated for The Cape residents and pricing documentation was sent to you via email entitled “The Cape November 09 Newsletter”.

 

Incorporation Efforts (Submitted by the Village Initiative Committee)

 

The Village Initiative Committee and the CHOA Board of Directors are busy at work finalizing the Petition to Incorporate The Cape as a Village municipality. We have set an internal deadline of January 12, 2010 for submission of all necessary documents to “The Joint Legislative Commission on Municipal Incorporations,” which is 6 weeks prior to the statute deadline.

 

Currently we are preparing the following materials:

 

1. A 2010 Village Operational Budget

2. A Charter that will outline our government

3. A process for collecting community signatures

4. A letter of intent to contract with New Hanover County for services including fire protection, tax collection and managing our elections

5. Continued positive discussions with our Legislative Contingent and New Hanover County Commissioners in supporting our incorporation plan.

We have contracted with Stock Surveyors to provide our Meets and Bounds mapping, as required by state statutes. We will conduct a house-to-house visit the first two weeks in December to garner necessary registered voter signatures. We may be looking for volunteers to assist us with this endeavor. If you are interested in helping, please contact the CHOA Office and submit your name and times you will be available during these 2 weeks.

 

The documents listed above will be available in the CHOA Office by November 18th, for residents to read, review and/or study. The Board of Directors will continue to pursue incorporation, as directed by the overwhelming referendum vote of our community, with diligence and openness. Thank you for your patience and confidence.

 

In closing, the CHOA Board of Directors would like to thank everyone in the community for such a great year. A “Special Thanks!” to Jesse Bowles and the entire property management staff for all the behind the scenes work we never see. Thank you to the ACC for helping us maintain community pride. Thank you Social Committee for your “fun loving” labor. Thanks to Jeff Nicol and his website crew for keeping us up-to-date. Many thanks to MCC for our beautiful new views, entrances and gates. Last, but not least, special thanks to the Village Initiative Committee for pioneering our new path…

 

Happy Holidays! The CHOA BOD wishes the best to you and yours!