Hello, Team LMOA,

Thank you for reading LMOA's official news update!

Fluvanna Review: During Thanksgiving week, the Fluvanna Review announced that newspaper delivery to Lake Monticello homes would cease on December 5, 2024. LMOA staff learned of this decision a week prior to the announcement. In August and September, some residents reported dangerous encounters with the paper’s new delivery driver, who drove on the wrong side of the road during daylight hours. The Lake Police Chief informed the Fluvanna Review that deliveries against traffic were unsafe and illegal. The paper was never instructed to stop delivery but was advised to find an alternative delivery method. Two months later, the newspaper’s publisher reached out and proposed pickup points, noting that alternative delivery methods were costly and that drivers were hard to find. He stated that he had positive experiences with newspaper racks and boxes and assured LMOA that these points would be effective. LMOA Staff supported the request to place racks and boxes throughout the community instead of delivering to cubbies but asked the newspaper to collaborate with LMOA to ensure that homebound residents would still receive the paper. After this conversation, the Fluvanna Review made a decision to cease deliveries to Lake homes and will now offer pick-up points at Lake Monticello in addition to about 90 pickup points in Fluvanna, Louisa, Albemarle Counties, and Charlottesville. Lake residents can find the newspaper at locations such as Ashlawn Clubhouse, Fairway Clubhouse, Pool House (summer only), Lafayette Park, Bunker Park, and the Marina. We’re ready to help the Fluvanna Review find more locations if needed. If you or someone you know are a homebound resident and find it impossible to reach a pickup point, please contact Marieke Henry at [email protected] so she can assist with alternative arrangements.

Bistro Breakfast Trial: The owner of Freedom Drip has let us know she will be opening a shop soon and will no longer park at the golf course. Instead, Bunker Bistro is offering breakfast on a trial basis. Jacie says she is thankful for everyone who stopped by for coffee and pastries this week! She wants you to know that if you give her a call after 7:30 AM at 434-591-0106, she is happy to put an order together for you, ready and waiting when you arrive. Their breakfast option is available as a special three-week trial. If you love it and want this service to continue, we’d love for you to drop in over the next two weeks and show the bistro your support!

Brown Lake Water: Why does Lake Monticello look like chocolate milk today? It’s all due to tannins being stirred up from the bottom of the lake during a process called water turnover, which happens when the weather changes. With the recent drop in temperatures, the top layer of the Lake has cooled down, making it colder than the water below. Just like a pot of boiling water, the warmer water rises to the surface. This natural occurrence is super beneficial because it replenishes oxygen levels at deeper levels and spreads it throughout the water, which is essential for the survival of aquatic life.

Safety & Security Committee: This committee will have three vacancies in the new year and welcomes homeowners who want to help preserve and enhance the safety of our community. Its members advise the Board on safety and security responsibilities, assess the effectiveness of safety services, and recommend policies for the community’s needs. If you are interested in joining this or any other committee, please fill out the application HERE.

GFL: As winter approaches, our trash and recycling partner, Green For Life (GFL), kindly asks for our community’s understanding and preparation for potential winter weather challenges. They’re dedicated to keeping everyone informed about any schedule changes that may arise due to weather or road conditions, and they’ll do their best to communicate these changes as quickly as possible. To help ensure everything runs smoothly, please remember to place your totes out the night before your service day unless you hear about a delay—this way, your totes can be serviced as usual, provided conditions allow. During rough weather, GFL recommends keeping extra items inside the totes or holding them for the following week, as this helps their drivers do their jobs safely. Typically, they can pick up up to 5 additional bags of yard debris but may need to minimize truck stops for everyone’s safety. For those who utilize backdoor service, please ensure that your totes are easily accessible to keep the GFL crew safe from any icy patches or hidden holes. If accessing the totes poses any risk, GFL may need to skip service for that day, and they’ll reach out to you to discuss a safer staging area for future access.

Job Opportunities: LMOA has openings for a Field Inspector and IT Specialist. Both are exciting opportunities for great jobs that offer excellent work-life balance. Please visit CAREERS on lmoa.org or email Rebecca Mathews at [email protected] for more information.

Holiday Highlights:

Festival of Trees: Tomorrow, December 7, the Lake Monticello Community Foundation invites you to its annual Festival of the Trees fundraiser, taking place from 9 AM to 4 PM in the upstairs of the Ashlawn Clubhouse. You can purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win a beautifully decorated holiday tree—some of these trees even come with delightful gift certificates! It’s truly a must-see event! And don’t miss out on the festivities downstairs, where the Five OH Club will host a charming Holiday Market from 10 AM to 2 PM, featuring a wonderful selection of local handmade gifts just waiting for you to discover.

Jingle Mingle: Join us for the Jingle Mingle on December 12 in the Golf Pro Shop at the Fairway Clubhouse from 4 to 6 PM for gift shopping, hors d'oeuvres, and drinks. We have been looking forward to this social event all year long!

Karaoke: Get ready to showcase your singing talent at the Ashlawn Clubhouse on December 13! Join us for our fun-filled annual Ugly Sweater Karaoke Party, hosted by the Young Residents and Families Committee. It’s a wonderful opportunity to enjoy community spirit, delicious drinks, and tasty snacks with neighbors from 6 to 9 PM. We’d love to have you, so please let us know if you can make it by RSVPing to [email protected].

Parade & Home Tour: On December 14, bring your family and friends to wave to Santa along Ashlawn Blvd. or at the Jefferson Drive intersections. The entire parade lasts about 45 minutes as it travels around Jefferson Drive, starting at the Ashlawn Clubhouse at 2 PM. Plus, on the same day, the Lake Monticello Beautification Corps will host its lovely Holiday Home Tour from 12:30 to 5 PM. Don’t miss the chance to peek inside five beautifully decorated homes in Lake Monticello and support the Lake Monticello Beautification Corps. Tickets are still being sold at the Main Desk or can be bought on the day of the tour at any of the participating homes at 15 Clark Court, 9 Bonita Road, 18 Brougham Road, 15 Amethyst Road, and 15 Whippoorwill Lane.

Have a great weekend!

Tom Schauder
LMOA General Manager