Happy Monday, Lakers!


This colossal edition of Plan Your Month Monday is sure to help you plan the busiest month of the year! Grab a calendar with your friends and family this Thanksgiving and prepare for endless holiday cheer! But first a few messages about this week:

• Please keep in mind that LMOA's administrative offices will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday. Be sure to email the Main Gate with your guest list as soon as possible.

• Bunker Bistro is closed on Thanksgiving Day.

• Trash Service will be on Friday and Saturday this week. If your normal trash and recycling day is Thursday, your totes will be emptied on Friday, November 29. If your normal day is Friday, your totes will be emptied on Saturday, November 30. You can also expect delays during Christmas week & New Year’s week.

Happy Thanksgiving and have fun planning December!

HOLIDAY FUN:
 

November 6 – January 5 “Habitats” at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden: Lake resident, ‘Piecemakers’ member, and Election Committee volunteer, Gigi Dodds, has two pieces being featured in the “Habitats” exhibit as part of the Fiber & Stitch Art Collective at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Entrance to “Habitats” requires a ticket to the Garden (daytime admission is $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, $10 for youth 4-12, and free for children under 3). For more info, visit lewisginter.org.

November 30 Lighting of the Memory Tree: Commemorate someone special with a blue light on the Lake Monticello Community Foundation's Memory Tree. The lighting ceremony will begin at 5:00 PM at the Fairway Clubhouse (51 Bunker Blvd). The tree will remain lit throughout the holiday season. For more information, contact the foundation at: [email protected].

**December 6 & 7 Festival of Trees: The Fifth Annual Festival of Trees will begin December 6 at 6:00 PM with dinner and dancing to live music (performed by Sh’boom) at the Ashlawn Clubhouse (41 Ashlawn Blvd). Attendees will preview the two dozen holiday trees, decorated by local businesses or groups, offering valuable gifts and prizes. The festival will continue Saturday, December 7 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and is free to attend. Tour the trees, talk with Santa, and listen to holiday stories read by Mrs. Claus. Both events will be selling raffle tickets that can be used to enter to win the decorated tree of their choice (including the trees’ decorations, prizes, and gifts). Winners may pick up their trees on Sunday, December 8 from 9:00 AM to noon at the Ashlawn Clubhouse.

**UPDATE** Dinner Dance tickets are SOLD OUT.

December 7 Holiday Arts & Crafts Market: The Five-Oh! Club is hosting a Holiday Arts & Crafts Market. Shop for handmade gifts at the Ashlawn Clubhouse from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM in the lower-level Terrace Rooms. Choose from unique and beautiful items crafted by local artists and vendors. Vendors will accept cash, card, Zelle, and Venmo.

December 12 Jingle Mingle: If you have Golf Pro Shop credit, this is the time to spend it, but it's also a great opportunity for Lake residents to discover our little store at the Fairway Clubhouse. Come sip, shop deals and LMOA merchandise, and meet neighbors from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM. Everyone is welcome, even if you don’t play golf. Please remember, all Pro Shop Credit must be used by 12/31/2024.

December 13 YRF's Ugly Holiday Sweater Karaoke Party: The Young Residents and Families Committee is hosting the annual event at the Ashlawn Clubhouse from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM. The bar will be open for individual tabs, and YRF will offer light hors d'oeuvres. Bring your best (or worst!) singing voice, and don't forget to wear your favorite ugly holiday sweater for a chance to win the Ugliest Sweater Contest. Please RSVP at [email protected] by December 12.

December 14 Holiday Home Tour: This year’s Lake Monticello Holiday Home Tour will feature five lovely Lake homes, beautifully decorated for the holiday season. The homes will be open from 12:30 PM – 5:00 PM, and the tour features an art raffle with pieces by local artists, followed by a reception at the Ashlawn Clubhouse where tickets will be drawn for prizes. Tour tickets are $10 each and can be purchased day of at the tour sites or in advance at events held at the Bunker Bistro and Ashlawn Clubhouse, or by email at [email protected]. The Lake Monticello Beautification Corps is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to creating and maintaining the common areas of Lake Monticello, including LMOA’s clubhouses, all five beaches, the golf course, and playgrounds. This annual event is a major fundraiser for the Lake Monticello Beautification Corps, and your support is greatly appreciated!

December 14 Christmas Santa: Gather along Ashlawn Blvd. or wait at Jefferson Dr. intersections to wave at Santa! The Annual Santa Parade kicks off at 2:00 PM sharp, starting at the Ashlawn Clubhouse, traveling up Ashlawn Blvd., turning right onto Jefferson, and looping all the way around the Lake to finish at the clubhouse. The parade lasts about 45 minutes and features local first responders in police vehicles, firetrucks, ambulances, and more! LMOA’s own Facilities and Ops team will feature their plow truck and dump truck. Please don’t be alarmed by the sirens!

REOCCURRING GROUP & MEETING INFO:
 

Newcomers & Old Friends: No monthly meeting

Line Dancing Class: No monthly meeting

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays in December Yoga with Renata Miller: Lake resident Renata Miller is offering three yoga classes at the Ashlawn Clubhouse. She offers a Tuesday yoga class from 8:45 to 10 AM, chair yoga from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM on Wednesdays, and a flow yoga class on Thursdays from 8:45 AM - 9:45 AM and 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM. All you need is a yoga mat!

Tuesdays in December Functionally Fit: This class meets from 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM. It focuses on agility, strength, balance, flexibility, and cognitive fitness. Janelle wishes to train others to be able to perform Active Daily Living in order to care for themselves and to continue enjoying activities such as gardening, playing pickleball, golfing, and any other daily activity. Get functionally fit and have fun! All you need is a mat and enthusiasm! All questions and registration (not required) can be sent to [email protected].

Wednesdays in December Strength Training Circuit: this new 45-minute class meets in the Ashlawn Clubhouse Cove Room from 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM. It will incorporate free weights, tubing, and body weight exercises that will help you tone your whole body and feel energized. Contact [email protected] to join. Participants should bring their own weights and a mat.

December 2 NOF Computer Club: This Newcomers & Old Friends Club meets monthly on the first Monday at 4:30 PM in the Ashlawn Clubhouse Terrace Room A. To learn more about becoming a member of the Newcomers and Old Friends Computer Club, contact Steve Beuttel at [email protected].

December 2 Fireworks Workgroup: The first meeting of the fireworks workgroup will be at 3:00 PM in the Fairway Clubhouse. To learn more, contact Ann Walker at [email protected].

December 4 Silver & Gold: This group is open to all Fluvanna County residents 55 and up and meets on the first Wednesday of each month at the Ashlawn Clubhouse from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM. Contact Peggy Shanklin for more info at [email protected].

December 11 Water Workgroup: This monthly meeting allows LMOA residents to communicate with Aqua Virginia Staff. It will be in the Ashlawn Clubhouse at 10:00 AM in Terrace Room A. If you are not a workgroup member, please hold your questions and comments until the end. Thank you!

December 18 Financial Seminar Discovering the Truth of Long-Term Care: This will be the fourth and final part of this financial Seminar series. It will be free to attend and meet in the Ashlawn Clubhouse Terrace Room A at 11:00 AM. Contact Nicholas DiGiorgio at [email protected] to sign up for this seminar.

December 19 Regular Board Meeting: This has been cancelled. The Board will resume its meetings on January 23, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Fairway Clubhouse. Sign up to speak here.

December 16 West Coast Swing: Kyla Miller is hosting another free West Coast Swing practice session from 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM in the Terrace Rooms of the Ashlawn Clubhouse. The first 30 minutes will be a lesson on variations of the push, pass, or whip followed by an hour of beginner-friendly music for open dancing. Dancers are expected to know their basics (push, pass, and whip). For more information, please contact Kyla at [email protected].

December 21 Explore Loving Kindness: Join Cynthia Moore RDN for a look, see, & (optional) practice of a time-tested method for enhancing your own well-being and the peace of those around you. There are many kinds of meditation; this is a method that is brief, guided, and easy to do. This is a free Hygeia Wellness workshop. We look forward to sharing this practice in the community with you! 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Ashlawn Clubhouse Terrace Room B.

December 24 & 25 LMOA Offices Closed: In observance of the Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Holidays, our offices will be closed. Our offices will also be closed on January 1025. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from Team LMOA!

FIND FLUVANNA

For events open to all Fluvanna County residents, visit the event calendar at findfluvanna.org. Upcoming highlights are:

November 30 ‘Buy Fluvanna First’ and Tree Lighting: Every dollar spent locally helps our community grow stronger! To celebrate and support our local economy, Fluvanna County is excited to launch the “Buy Fluvanna First” campaign. Kicking off this initiative is the Holiday Passport, a fun and interactive way to discover Fluvanna’s businesses during the festive season. For more details on the Buy Fluvanna First Holiday Passport, read the GM Corner from Friday, November 22, 2024 linked here.

December 1 Holiday Farmer's Market: Join your neighbors for the holiday edition of the Fluvanna Farmers Market at the Crofton Plaza (Fluvanna Ace Hardware) from 11 AM - 2 PM. Food trucks and other local vendors will be selling diverse holiday items. Please come and support our local businesses this holiday season! Vendors can email [email protected] if interested. No fees!

BUNKER BISTRO

Lunch & Dinner: For live music, takeout, trivia, and other events at Bunker Bistro and Lakeside Restaurant, please check out bunkerbistro.com/all-events/. Some December highlights are:

• November 27 Thanksgiving Pre-order Pickups: Ashlawn Clubhouse from 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM

• November 28 Bunker Bistro Closed: in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday.

• November 30 Memory Tree Lighting: The tree lighting will begin at 5:00 PM. The Bunker Bistro will be providing free live music featuring guitarist Steve Smith from 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM.

• December 6 Stephanie Nakasian Holiday Special sing-a-long: 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

• December 11 Open Mic Night: Sign up at Lake Music

• December 12 Music Bingo: Play to win a $20 Gift Certificate!

• December 13 South Canal Street: Admission $10, 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

• December 18 Carl DeTroir: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

• December 20 Jefferson Speedboat: Admission $5, 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

• December 24: CLOSED FOR PRIVATE PARTY

• December 25: CLOSED FOR HOLIDAY

• December 31: CLOSED FOR HOLIDAY

• December 31: New Year’s Eve Roaring 20’s Party at Ashlawn Clubhouse (more details to come).

* Trivia Every Tuesday at 6:30 PM (kids eat free)! * │ * Steak Night Every Saturday *

Coffee & Donuts: If you're sad that Freedom Drip has decided to pursue other ventures, Bunker Bistro is coming to the rescue! From December 3 to December 20, Jacie and Sam will pilot a “pop up and pop in” breakfast and coffee option featuring coffee, donuts, cinnamon rolls, sandwiches, and other signature breakfast favorites. Stop by the foyer of Bunker Bistro from 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM, Tuesday to Friday. This is a three-week test run, and additional information will be provided after the pilot program is complete.

Have a wonderful month!
Kind regards,

Karis Rivera
Executive & Communications Assistant