December_January Parkwood Press Final

DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020
The Parkwood Association Neighborhood Newsletter

Happy Holidays and

Happy New Year!

Hoping 2020 bring Parkwood lots of good cheer and wonderful memories!

Special thanks to the volunteers who helped with the 2019 Parkwood Press!

Steven Berkowitz Ken Hoover

Michael Brooks Tamarea Parker Rushdan

Don Bryson Isabel Rodriguez

Jackie Clanton Sharon Schulze

Lindsey Clayton Weigman Derek Treuer

Ann Marie Crosmun Sandy Valnes Quammen

Parkwood Elementary Introduces Nanci Dingsor!

by Lindsey Clayton Weigman

In this third installment of introductions to some of the many people that make Parkwood
Elementary an amazing place, we’re delighted to present Nanci Dingsor, our Media Center
Coordinator!
Tell us a little about you. My name is Nanci Dingsor. I was born and grew up in NJ. I moved
to the community of Parkwood in 1979! I have one daughter (who went to Parkwood
Elementary School!) and a 3-year-old granddaughter. My daughter teaches 4th grade in
Queens, NY. My son-in-law is Colombian and Dominican and is fluent in Spanish so my
granddaughter is being raised bilingually. My favorite place to be is the beach -- ANY beach,
but I am partial to the Jersey Shore!!
What made you pursue a career in teaching? and/or What do you like best about
teaching? I recently had a former student of mine -- she's in college now -- come up to me and
talk about a book I read to her 3rd grade class as a read-aloud and how she loved it and never
forgot about it. She had seen the book somewhere and it brought back great memories for her
and so she bought it right then and there for her (grown-up) self! THAT's what I like best about
teaching!
How long have you been at Parkwood? This is my 31st year at Parkwood!!
What do you like best about our school? What I like the best about Parkwood right now is
the camaraderie and rapport we have with each other -- staff and students!
What would you like our community to know about our school? I need our community to
know that we are a warm and welcoming neighborhood elementary school. We have respect
for everyone and an urgent but enjoyable desire for everyone to learn! We are a warm,
welcoming, and inviting school! Parkwood Panthers Show Pride!!!

Stay tuned for future
events in 2020!

Parktown Food Hub
By Sharon Schulze

December is going to be a very exciting month at the Parktown Food Hub and there are LOTS of ways for you to be involved.
We will have our regular food distributions on December 9 and December 16. In January, distributions will be on January 13 and
27. Contact us at [email protected] or 919-423-5057 to make an appointment for a December distribution. There will
also be regular volunteer hours (for prep work, no food given out) on Mondays from 1-4 pm, Wednesdays from 4-6 pm, and
Thursdays from 11-1 pm.

This year the Hub will be hosting the annual Christmas Giveaway for Parkwood Elementary School families. Starting on Sunday,
December 1 your family will be able to adopt a family in need. Stop by the hub and pick a family off of our Angel Wall. Then bring
gifts back to the Hub by Thursday, December 12.

On Tuesdays in December (December 3, 10, and 17) from 6:30-9:00 pm we will have Christmas Giveaway work nights that start
with a moment of quiet and then a short time of sharing our hopes for ourselves, our families, and the community, especially the
community around the Hub. We hope that these conversations will be helpful in planning for 2020 as the Food Hub expands to
meet more needs among our neighbors and community. After the short opening, we will work on getting everything ready to
share gifts and boxes of food.

Then on Friday, December 13 from 3-7 pm and Saturday, December 14 from 3-6 pm we will have family-friendly work times. Do
your teens need community service hours? This is the time. Do your younger children love getting presents ready? Bring ‘em on.
Do you have a strong organizer streak and love helping get everything ready for a big event? This is your chance.

That’s a lot of dates, but you can keep track of all that’s going on at the Hub on our website: https://soduco.org/parktown-food-
hub (scroll down to see a calendar of all the upcoming events)

Thank you for your support as we have gotten the hub up and running in 2019. We can’t wait to see what 2020 will bring.

Parktown Food Hub is located at PUMC 5123 Revere Rd. (919) 423-5057 Visit their
Facebook page: @ParktownFoodHub

Delivery Opportunity

Parkwood Press

We are looking for people to help
deliver the Parkwood Press on a

quarterly basis. We will be
delivering the newsletter to every

household on
March, June, September,

December/Janaury
If you are interested in helping out

and earning some extra income,
please let us know!

[email protected]

Music Man: Celebrating the Season
By: Ken Hoover

Christmas is a season for which music is the natural companion.
Gentle young Mary wishing only to magnify the Lord. Shepherds in the fields discovering Alleluia, Wisemen beckoned
from far distance lands, following a star and bringing gifts. And a child, the promised one, the word made flesh to dwell
among us.

Music fills the churches, the concert halls, the very air around us. It ranges from sublime to raucous, some good, some
not so much. One thing is clear: If you want to enter the Christmas event in music and come out moved, uplifted and
inspired, the one to hear is Handel’s Messiah. This year we have at least five major performances to choose from.

Duke Chapel Choir and Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Zebulon Highben, will perform in Duke Chapel on Friday, Dec. 6
at 7:30 PM, on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 2:00 PM, and Sunday, Dec. 8 at 3:00 PM.
North Carolina Symphony, with the North Carolina Master Chorale, conducted by Grant Llewellyn, will perform in
Meymandi Concert Hall on Friday, Dec. 6 at 8:00 PM and on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 8:00 PM. Choose any of these
performances for an outstanding musical experience.

Here are a few other Christmas concerts that are well worth your attention:
North Carolina Symphony; Grant Llewellyn, conductor - Holiday Pops Memorial Hall, UNC campus in Chapel Hill,
Tuesday, Dec. 10, 7:30 PM
North Carolina Symphony; Wesley Schulz, conductor, North Carolina Symphony Children’s Chorus; Jeremy Tucker,
chorus director Meymandi Concert Hall in Raleigh, Friday, Dec 13 at 8:00 PM, Saturday, Dec. 14 at 3:00 PM and
Saturday, Dec. 14 at 8:00
White Memorial Presbyterian Church adult choirs, with guest soloists and orchestra.J S Bach: Cantata 10 and
Magnificat in D White Memorial Presbyterian Church, Raleigh -Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019 at 3:00 PM
North Carolina Master Chorale: Joy of the Season, annual holiday concert Meymandi Concert Hall, Raleigh -
Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019 at 7:30 PM
Raleigh Boychoir: Carols of Christmas Edenton Street United Methodist Church, Raleigh - Fri., Dec. 20, 2019 at 7:00
PM
Vocal Arts Ensemble, Rodney Wynkoop, Conductor: "O Holy Night" -Duke University Chapel, Durham - Friday, Dec.
20, 2019 at 8:00 PM
Raleigh Ringers: Annual Holiday Concert, Meymandi Concert Hall, Raleigh - Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019 at 4:00 PM
and Sunday, Dec. 22, at 4:00 PM

Find details of these and more on the internet at CVNC.org (Classical Voice of North Carolina). And please support and
enjoy your home church’s Christmas music program.

Summary of Minutes of Novemer 14, 2019 Board Meeting

Welcome Guests Passed Motion: To reduce the Community Center Garden
Guest 1 addressed the board with a request to purchase budget to $500 contingent on current signs to be taken
land from the Parkwood HOA to expand their current down and acknowledgement of HOA funds not to be used
property that lies on the border of our community. for private memberships.
Guest 2 to endorse some of the capital investments brought *Note the following motions were brought forward in
forward to advance Parkwood, such as the proposal for the committee* Passed Motion: To reduce the Community
Sedwick Loop Project and the repair of the HOA Parking Lot Activities line item to $2000 with the events committee
Guest 3 is here to answer any questions about the proposed seeking additional funding from donations and fundraising
lake loop from the PPC. efforts.
M. Brooks is here to report the PPC proposal for the *Note the following motions were brought forward in
Sedwick Lake Loop committee* Passed Motion: To reduce the Ball Field
Maintenance line item to $5000 which is what it was in
Committee Reports 2019.
Executive Committee - I. Bowditch Property Taxes Add line item for property taxes, not
previously represented in budget
Brief discussion of reserve study (RS) working session Other Discussion 2020 Budget Planning meeting planned
Discussion of roles, responsibilities, and priorities for office for November 20th at 6:30pm.
administrator. (e.g. differentiating between leasing or
property manager of a rental complex and our homeowner’s Events Committee - I. Bowditch
association); consider other strategies to reduce disruptions WinterFest will be cancelled this year due to not reaching the
and/or more appropriately triage requests/communication to MVP needs.
most appropriate point(s) of contact.
Preliminary brainstorming of board and committee priorities Parks, Lawns, Ball Field - L. Hutchison
for the upcoming year and considerations for ensuring PL & BF BUDGET 2020: Committee discussed and agreed
alignment of efforts and priorities across committees. upon the proposed budget at the October meeting, which was
submitted to the finance committee. The committee
Finance Committee (FC) - E. Mitchell discussed the challenge of finding a volunteer to handle
October Financial Report reviewed supervision of Ball Field league rental, and decided to
Drainage Maintenance, Engineering, & Community continue to advertise in the newsletter. However, if one
Events accounts are at ZERO dollars. cannot be found the committee recommends to hire these
October Status Report 11 delinquent accounts as of October responsibilities out to a part-time employee (or add
3 - closed files 4 - on payment plans 3 - have set hearing administrative hours) for a total of 50 hrs per year (@ $20.00
date 1 - moving forward with NOH & appointment of GAL per hr) during the league rental seasons (Fall and
Budget discussions 2020 Budget Planning Spring). The committee discussed the need for annual funds
Seaton Road building Capital: Carpet replacement: put off for drainage projects. The playground committee is finalizing
until later (2028 per reserve study) bids for the Tot Lot play equipment, which would include a
Employer Taxes & Payroll Service: E. Mitchell is reaching slide and a few pieces of additional play equipment, within the
out to Paychex for more information so the FC can playgrounds current budget (approx. $10,000- $15,000).
properly budget. Special Infrastructure Projects: Current Dam Emergency
Playgrounds FC discussed to use RS report as a Action Plan Update S Berkowitz reported that the HOA has
reference to see what the replacement schedule is for the paid Hazen and Sawyer ½ of their bid price, with the
playground items so we can properly delegate budget for expectation that the work would be completed after the first of
2020. the new year.
Planning Committee Project: Rescue Lawn Care Projects Update: Confirmation was sent
*Note the following motions were brought forward in to RLC to move forward on 2 projects (Euclid pond erosion
committee* Passed Motion: To move the Planning control and parking lot gravel) that were approved by the
Committee Project line item and to make it it’s own board. Rubble pile: Safety issue resolved, and rubble
category separate from Grounds. Passed Motion: To removed. The diseased crab apple trees and junipers at
reduce the Planning Committee Project line item to Custer Circle were also removed. RLC planted pansies in the
$4000. front bed for the winter months.
The FC discussed the newly proposed line item brought Ball field projects update: J Beidler provided an update on the
forward by the PPC: “Capital Construction Fund” ongoing search for a volunteer to cover Ball Field supervision
*Note the following motions were brought forward in responsibilities, which has not yet been successful. He also
committee* Failed Motion: To reduce the Community reported that the Tot Lot fence repair and grading were
Center Garden budget to $500 contingent on the Garden completed; the seeding of the play area is currently in
Committee first raising $500 progress.

Playgrounds - J. Beidler
*No report submitted*

Parkland Planning Committee - M. Brooks

New business: D Hamill has created a PPC-only

GoogleGroup, ParkPlanCom, which committee members are

now encouraged to use for all PPC-related internal

communications. D Bryson & M Brooks announced that all

QR code tags and trail directional signage have been

installed

Parkland-focused community events: White Ash/Old Growth

Forest Tree Tour on Sat., Nov.16

Sedwick Park/Lake Loop Trail phased development: to begin

Previous Business Updates: C Classen confirmed that the by using the funds remaining in the PPC 2019 budget. In

azaleas were being cared for at the garden until they can be 2020 we will propose the completion of this trail through

planted. She will be coordinating the planting event with RLC Sedwick Park to connect with Sedwick Rd. A bridge or

and community volunteers. L Hutchison and S Berkowitz are boardwalk over the swale will permit safe walking and use

following up to confirm progress on the Travis and Sinnot pipe by strollers, wheelchairs and bicycles.The completed trail

repair and erosion control projects with the Durham City-County from Pelham to Sedwick will enhance the value of important

Planning Department. L Hutchison confirmed that the shipment Parkwood assets. The committee agreed to produce a

of blue flag irises had been received, and planting would begin in presentation for the November 2019 Board meeting,

November. M Brooks confirmed that the Environmental requesting release of remaining 2019 PPC budgeted funds

Enhancement Grant was successfully submitted and that a follow for construction of the 2019 section of the Sedwick

up meeting would occur in November or December. B Mitchell Park/Lake Loop Trail.

confirmed that Dragonfly Pond Works had begun the dredging

project at the lake forebay, which was due to be completed by

11/14/19. The committee proposed that approx. $5,000

remaining from the tree removal budget could be used for the

dredging project expense. B Mitchell also confirmed that the

diseased crab apple trees were removed at Custer circle. Parkwood Board
New Business: B Mitchell confirmed that the fire ant mounds at

the north end of the lake and Emerald pond had been treated, Summer Anderson, President, Dist. 8

and RLC had treated the one on Clermont successfully. The Irene Hui-Bowditch, VP, Dist. 4
committee discussed the need to request that RLC prune the
azaleas and the vegetation growing on the back side of the dam. Jenny Edwards, Secretary, Dist. 2

Garden Committee - C. Classen Elizabeth Mitchell, Treasurer, Dist. 3
We have taken down or changed our signs to reflect that you
don’t have to be part of the garden volunteers to harvest our Leigh Hutchison, Dist. 1 Don Bryson, Dist. 5
crops. The membership to the NC Botanical Garden has been
paid by Chris Classen and another volunteer. It was not Hannah Gardner, Dist. 1 Olga Rodriguez, Dist. 5
submitted to PPM for reimbursement. We have lost two faithful
volunteers because they have had family issues to tend to. Since Chris Classen, Dist. 2 Dawn Dampier, Dist. 6
the frost has gotten the summer crops we are not as busy in the
garden.We have winter crops planted. They are collards, kale, Bobetta Clark-Jones, Dist. 2 Marsha Brooks, Dist. 7

Craig Golden, Dist. 3 Marie Dean, Dist. 8
Tamarea Parker, Office Admin.

Open At-Large positions available.

Please call or email office if interested.

radishes, carrots, lettuce and spinach. We think we have a Parkwood Office
squirrel or rabbit who is chomping on our veggies and digging in Phone: (919) 544-2161
the dirt, thus the covers. The broccoli was doing so well until the
culprit ate all the leaves.

Communications - J. Edwards Email: [email protected]
Communications did not meet and needs a new committee chair. www.parkwoodnc.org

Parkwood Press Subcommittee - O. Rodriguez Office Hours
Worked on the November newsletter and will be working on the Mon: 1:30pm - 6:30pm
combined December/January issue that will be delivered to all
homeowners. The deadline to submit anything for that is November Tue-Fri: 10am-3pm
15th. We will take a break for December and start back up in Sat & Sun: Closed
January for the February issue. Thank you!

Executive Session requested by D. Dampier to discuss our
guests with their request of purchasing Parkwood owned land.

PASSED MOTION (J. Edwards): To inform Guest 1 that the
Board is not empowered to sell Parkwood assets, and that
no Parkwood assets are currently for sale.

To read the full board meeting
minutes please visit:
www.parkwoodnc.org

and click BOD Minutes

The Parkwood Homeowners Association is a
501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies heavily
upon the participation of community members to
serve on the Board of Directors, it's committees,

and to host fun, engaging community events.

Scan the QR code with your smartphone, or visit the
link to express your interest!

*All hours are earned and credible for regulated
community service, volunteer credit, and project
management certification hours.

Contact the Committees & Board

All Board Members: [email protected] Communications Committee: [email protected]
President & Officers: [email protected] Meets 1st Monday, 7pm
District Reps: [email protected]
(be sure to use your district number) Events Committee: [email protected]
Report Standards Violations: [email protected] Meetings vary

Did you know? Finance Committee: [email protected]
Garden Committee: [email protected]
You can host your own
Meets Sundays at 10am, Garden
neighborhood or private event, too! Parkland Planning Committee: [email protected]

It's FREE to host a community event (must be open and free to the Meets 3rd Tuesday, 7pm
public) and only $5 for residents to rent out the Community Center for Parks, Lawn & Ballfield: [email protected]
private events! Contact the HOA office to add your next event to our
Meets Monday before Board meeting, 7pm
calendar.

HOA OFFICE CLOSED

Happy Holidays!

HOA OFFICE CLOSED