Hello, Team LMOA,

January is a quieter month when it comes to activities, so we will not be sending out a Plan Your Month Monday email this time. Instead, we will update you on upcoming events in the GM Corner. We also expect winter weather on Monday, and we encourage everyone to make preparations. Please read the tips below, and as always, thank you for reading LMOA’s latest official news update!

Snow on Monday? Currently, the weather forecast for Monday is an 85% chance of snow. Our staff is busy preparing for dangerous conditions and possible power, internet, and water outages, and we encourage you to do the same:

• If it snows, please stay home and do not get on the roads unless you absolutely need to.

• If you must drive during inclement weather, drive slowly and leave plenty of stopping distance. Prepare your vehicle by ensuring you have a full tank of gas before Monday, good tires with plenty of tread, a good battery, and an ice scraper so you can clear all of your windows entirely. 

• Please help us keep the phone lines free for emergencies by reporting non-emergency maintenance requests via email when possible. Report downed trees, for example, to [email protected].

• Purchase emergency supplies. The Virginia Department of Health has some great tips HERE.

• If lake coves freeze over this winter, do not get on the ice as it does not get cold enough in our area for strong ice that can support your weight. 

• If we open hole #14 on the golf course for sledding next week, we will announce this on our official Facebook page.

New Date for Everbridge Test Run: So far, 780 residents have signed up for the convenience of text alerts from LMOA via the Everbridge platform. A test message was scheduled for January 15, but with the upcoming snow, January 6 is a great opportunity to test Everbridge. Residents who have signed up can expect a message this coming Monday letting them know whether LMOA Administrative Offices will be open. Voluntary registration is easy—just click THIS LINK, fill out your details, and select the types of alerts you want to receive. Please use THIS MAP to determine your section. If you receive a test text on Monday, please use the confirmation option in the text so that our Communications Department knows it worked. Thanks!

Boat Slips and Racks Renewal: Though payments aren’t due until March 1, 2025, the Marina is already accepting payments for boat slips and kayak/canoe racks. Be sure to secure your spot as soon as possible because payments for slips and racks are late after March 31, and unpaid spots will be offered to the next person on the waiting list. The Marina is open Thursday - Monday from 10 AM - 4 PM and closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. For more information, visit the Marina at 962 Jefferson Drive or call 434-589-1692.

Aqua Virginia Refund: We are happy to report that Aqua Virginia’s Communications Specialist, Heather Keefer, confirmed that interim rate credits were applied to customer accounts in December.  Customers should see the credit on their online account now, but it does not include details.  A description of the credit will be on the next billing statement, according to Heather. As permitted by SCC regulations, Aqua Virginia started charging its customers an interim rate increase on February 5, 2024. Since that increase was higher than what the SCC approved in their final order, Aqua Virginia has provided a refund in the form of credits.

West Coast Swing Beginner Lessons: Looking for a New Year's resolution? Learn to dance! Kyla Miller will start a new beginner West Coast Swing class on January 8 from 6:30 - 8 PM in the Terrace Rooms of the Ashlawn Clubhouse. This is a progressive class that will last for 8 weeks, and it’s FREE! For more information and to register, please contact Kyla at [email protected].

Buy Fluvanna First: Your full Buy Fluvanna First Passport was due on December 31, 2024. The County will draw prize winners on Tuesday, January 7. We hope you all had a fantastic time exploring local businesses. We can’t wait to let people know who won the year membership at the Golf Course!

Free Wellness Clinic: Hygia Wellness Group is back on January 18 with a new program called “Four Key Strategies to Rest, Reset and Restore.” Join Anna DeLong, LCSW, CEAP, NPT-C, Mindfulness Teacher, in Terrace Room B from 3-4:15 PM at the Ashlawn Clubhouse to learn some simple strategies that have been shown to successfully reset the nervous system and set the stage to rest and restore. To reserve your spot, email Cynthia at [email protected].

More Mind & Body Health: Holly Chen is holding a workshop on "Qigong for Better Mind and Body Health" at the Ashlawn Club House in the Lake Room on January 10 from 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM. The event is free of charge and open to all LMOA residents. During the workshop, participants will learn the fundamentals of Qigong and its differences from Tai Chi. For more information, contact Holly at [email protected].

Pavilion Workgroup: Lake Monticello residents are invited to volunteer for the Pavilion Working Group. This group will focus on researching and proposing alternative locations for the Board-approved pavilion, funded by the Lake Monticello Community Foundation, an independent nonprofit. While the current location next to the Ashlawn Clubhouse was approved at the August 22, 2024, Board meeting, residents living near the proposed site have expressed concerns. In response, the Board has encouraged those with concerns to collaborate and present alternative options for consideration. If you are interested in joining the group, please sign up HERE.

Women’s Winter Golf: Interested in playing golf during the winter months?  Come on out and play with the women of the Lake Monticello Ladies Golf Association (LMLGA.)  Our regular season runs from April through October, but we also play during the winter with individuals who desire to play when their schedule or the weather suits them.  Play Tuesdays (18 holes or 9 holes) and/or Fridays (9 holes.)  It’s a great way to meet new people and keep your skills up while learning more about the women’s golf leagues and playing opportunities. Contact Jacque Lamb, the 2025 LMLGA President, for more information at [email protected]!

Newcomers & Old Friends: Please read THIS NEWSLETTER more about the many fun activities organized by this Lake Monticello club!

Have a great weekend!

Tom Schauder
LMOA General Manager