Yes, summer is upon us.  With May Day, the official celebratory day of Spring, coming later this week, there is much to look forward to.   

 

On May 5th, our pool service folks will be on hand to get the pool ready for opening. 

 

Once again, we have assembled a wonderful group of volunteers to help care for this season.  Thanks to:  Gary Goselin, Barry Gadbois, Bob and Ronda Bond, Mike and Mary Magruder, Steve Husak, Mary Schweigert, John Hart, John Wieliczko, and Mark and Alice Argyelan. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Being Prepared is Just Being Smart!

 

By now, we hope every neighbor knows Arbor Grove is a great place to live!! We are lucky enough to be surrounded by neighbors who honestly care about each other. 

 

That being said, things can go sideways.  When they do, we want to be as prepared as possible.  One step to be prepared is to be sure you have an emergency contact on file with Arbor Grove. No one is prying; it is just to be sure you and your home are safe if something goes sideways.  As the song goes, “There is a season for everything.” Now is the season for our Board to gather much-needed Emergency Contact Information for all residents if you are willing to share it. All emergency contact information is kept completely and exclusively private and is only accessible by a Board member.  They are only there in case of emergency and are never to be accessed for any other reason. 

 

Everyone in Arbor Grove, especially those who live alone, is the obvious answer. It is also crucial for residents who leave for any period (yes, you snowbirds). The Board also encourages everyone, especially snowbirds and those who live alone, to have a Knox Box. A Knox Box, coupled with emergency contact information on file, can save valuable time in an unfortunate case of emergency.

Where will my Emergency Contact Information (ECI) be kept, and who can see it?

 

Your ECI will be kept in your profile on the Arbor Grove website.  That way, you can update it anytime your life situation changes. No other residents can see your information. ONLY a Board member will be able to view your ECI in an emergency. 

 

 

Family, friends, neighbors, roommates, and coworkers are great choices for emergency contacts, but it's important to consider who might be the most useful if faced with a real emergency. Ideally, your emergency contact should know your essential health information and where to find your legal documents. This information includes your medical history, current medical conditions, medications, and previous surgeries or hospitalizations.

 

Just click on this link to access your Profile. You will need to log on using your username and password. Your current profile has blank fields for Emergency Contact name and phone number. Remember the format for phone numbers is ten digits and must include the dashes (000-000-0000).   You will see a box in which you can provide additional information, including a second emergency contact if you’d like. Please remember to include their phone number. You can also enter your information by logging on to the website, selecting “Your Profile” in the upper right-hand corner, and then selecting “Update Profile.”

REMEMBER TO HIT SAVE at the bottom of the page.

How can I change the information once I’ve entered it?

You can change your EC information anytime by going to your Profile at the top right of the website and selecting Update Profile from the list of options.

 

Are you having any difficulties? Please don’t hesitate to contact Rosemary Wieliczko at rwieliczko@aol.com for help or to ask questions.

 

Please take time to complete this vital information. A couple of minutes can make a huge difference in surviving an emergency. 

Before we get started on this month’s topic, a huge thanks and shout out to our Maintenance Committee, Co-Chaired by Rich Allers and Scott Stevenson; ably assisted by committee members Rick Balthazor, Joe Donovan, Sandy Frenzke, Mike Magruder, Terry Schaafsma, John Wieliczko,  with pond maintenance members Jack Dorn, Barry Gadbois and Gary Goselin.

 

Just like getting a regular oil change for your car, taking a walk or working out at the gym to maintain your health, your home needs regular and preventative maintenance too.

 

Interestingly, according to a study conducted by Sears Home Services in 2024, when they took a look at home maintenance habits, maintenance isn’t a “top priority for American Homeowners.”  Not waiting until something leaks or breaks is very important.

 

Between maintenance recommendations from Rich Allers, American Home Inspectors Trainers, and lots of other recommendations available online there is a plethora of great suggestions for home maintenance, including schedules.

 

Some of the schedules available online, like the one from AHIT, include exterior maintenance, which thankfully, our Maintenance Committee and Landscape Committees take care of on your behalf.  One recommendation for the exterior of your home did catch our eye – the suggestion was to walk around the outside of your home and just observe what is going on. If something doesn’t look right – complete a Maintenance Request Form to report a concern.  We need to keep our exteriors in great condition.

 

The same can be said about your home’s interior.  Walk around and take note of anything that looks off.  If it needs attention, if you can, take care of it. If you cannot, be sure to contact your favorite vendor or visit Arbor Grove Website to look at recommended vendors we have utilized.

 

All that being said – we have tried to put together a pretty comprehensive checklist.  It is not the be-all-end-all by any means, just a compilation of information available. Click Here for a suggested “interior” maintenance checklist.

Arbor Grove is a terrific place to live; just ask any of us. We all get along very well. This, in part, is because we have a few common-sense rules and regulations. Arbor rules and regulations will not be addressed in this edition of Monthly Matters as they are easily accessed on our website under FAQs and Resources.  

 

This month I would like to address a few other items of particular interest.  Now, some of you know a lot about the ins and outs of life here in the Grove, some of you only know a little, and then there are always some who know it all.  This little article has been written for the enlightenment and edification of all, with a bit of humor added, just for fun.

 

Did you know, for example, that each homeowner is responsible for maintaining the appearance of their front door?  True, it is an ‘external’ feature, but it is YOUR door, the gateway to your inner sanctum.  Our doors occasionally appreciate a fresh new coat of paint, especially those that face west, but did you know… we must keep the same color?  No shade other than the lovely Sherwin Williams very own - Merlot, paint code number 2X30145.

 

Beyond the front door, our association has always asked that no flag other than the good ol’ Stars and Stripes be flown outside. This means no cute little hummingbirds or Confederate banners. If you do decide to hang a new flag, please get the bracket system and location approved by our maintenance committee before you get the drill out. Of course, no political signs in the yard. It's best to keep those opinions for coffee hour… or not.

 

A couple of ‘Key’ items;  should one misplace their mailbox key…and it does happen…you can contact any board member to get a new one, but you might as well skip right to the man, Wayne Helgeson, he typically is the one who gets them… I hear he has an inside contact at the post office.  And that little clubhouse fob, your electronic key to all things fun here at AG, oh my, how those wander off.   If such a sad occurrence does happen to you, please contact Rick Balthazar in maintenance or Wayne as they are the go-to guys. And we thought Wayne only had friends in the government.  Just so you do know… a replacement is going to cost you ten big ones ($10); these things are no doubt NASA approved, high-tech gizmos.  

 

Did you know that the Bourbonnais Fire Protection District department encourages all of us to sign up for ‘Code Red’ emergency notifications? This means receiving severe weather alerts, boil orders, power outages, etc. sent directly to your personal telephone.  You may do this by signing up. Just click the link: Public Code Red

 

Last but not least, did you know that our Village of Bourbonnais Police has a non-emergency phone number—815-937-3579? You may wish to keep this on hand, for instance, when a crime is NOT in progress and there is NO imminent danger. Situations like theft from your car or garage, or maybe you spot a suspicious-looking character roaming the neighborhood in a trench coat and dark sunglasses—you just never know.  

 

Did you know???  Now you do. 

 

 

Regarding financials and accounts payable/receivable, let's start by showing some love to key players. Marlene Ganci is the running back here at Arbor Grove. Bills are submitted by vendors or individuals in various ways to Dianne or Wayne for approval. Once verified, the bill is approved and sent to Marlene for payment. Marlene plays a vital role in the budget by correctly categorizing payments, so QuickBooks reports are accurate.   So much time and effort go into this process, and every effort is made to make things as efficient as possible. So, a huge pat-on-the-back to all who use ACH to pay your monthly HOA fee. 

 

QuickBooks reports are generated as needed. It’s what you see posted on the AG website after each board meeting and at year-end, listing every bill paid for the year. These financial reports are the basis for building the annual budget. Thanks to Mar and Dianne for keeping our information correct and available!

 

 

The real work begins long before the owners receive the budget before the annual meeting, which is shared with homeowners. In July, the committee chairs are asked to submit their budgets for the upcoming year. The committee work is highly involved and requires getting bids for painting and lawn care or estimating next year's chemical needs for the pool and pond. The committees estimate and plan maintenance work or projects for the upcoming year. This work involves committees getting estimates from various vendors and submitting RFPs (Requests For Proposals) so every effort is made to get the best price within our marketplace. 

 

Next, we review and estimate day-to-day items such as utilities, insurance, etc. Reserve items are reviewed for accuracy and future needs to ensure the monies are available when needed. Using all the information above to determine next year's expenses is the playbook for suggesting the HOA fees for the upcoming year’s budget. 

 

Here's where the Finance Committee starts their work. They review the proposed budget in detail. We frequently must return to the committees to discuss their budgets and potentially reduce some optional expenses. The Finance Committee is also the reserve's watch guard to ensure we have enough funds to keep Arbor Grove up to snuff, as it were, where we all want to live. When finished, the Finance Committee recommends a proposed budget to the Board of Directors.

 

Finally, the Board reviews the Finance Committee's recommendations and approves sending it in the annual package to all owners. The Board eventually approves the budget at the annual meeting.

 

How are we doing Financially?  

 

Our operating funds are good.  We have been able to build up some working capital from the closing fees received from the sale of units.  We do our best to estimate costs, but some things may change, like the amount of snowfall or increases in utility or insurance rates that are beyond our ability to estimate.  Operating Budget funds are not spent unless necessary or approved by the board.  Arbor Grove saves a tremendous amount of money through the volunteer work of all committee members and by not hiring a management company.

 

Every year, during the budget analysis, Rosemary and Dianne review the Reserve Projections with input from various committee members.  AG does not spend money based on what is in the reserves but rather on the necessity of the work.  Building costs increase regularly, and we try to increase our estimates as they do.  Our reserves are not fully funded.  Our goal is to contribute to the reserves every year.  At the present time, it appears the reserves will be able to cover projected expenses until 2034. 

 

           The Finance Committee includes:

 

Dianne Schaafsma & Rosemary Wieliczko
Chairpersons

Committee Members
Jack Dorn
Sandi Frenzke
Marlene Ganci
Roy Quanstrom
Sharon Schiller

We have flourished as a community for seven years because of Volunteerism! Every activity, event, function, meal, meeting, and project here at Arbor Grove has a volunteer coordinating it—in most cases, multiple volunteers. It is essential to have volunteers in our community to keep us afloat.

 

With busy lives, it can be hard to find time to volunteer. However, the benefits of volunteering can be enormous. While studies show that the more you volunteer, the more benefits you’ll experience, volunteering doesn’t have to involve a long-term commitment. We always need volunteers to help the community with basic jobs and activities. 

 

If you are interested in volunteering or have any questions, please visit the Arborgrove.org website to view the various committees. See what interests you, and contact one of the chairs or a board member for more details. 

 

Make This Your Best Summer Yet at Arbor Grove!
 

Yes, summer is upon us.  With May Day, the official celebratory day of Spring, coming later this week, there is much to look forward to. Hope many Grovers were able to get to Container Gardening with Lois Ware earlier this month. 

 

On May 6th, our pool service folks will be on hand to get the pool ready for opening (we still want more volunteers if you can contact Gary Goselin or Barry Gadbois).  Once filled, with proper chemicals in place and water warmed, we will be up and running.

 

For those who don’t swim, why not come poolside to get fresh air and a little vitamin D in your system?  Bring a good book, good mood and just enjoy the day. 

 

If you are an angler at heart, bluegills, sunfish, catfish, and largemouth bass are waiting to be caught—and, of course, released.  

 

In order for everyone to share our wonderful grounds and amenities to their fullest, there are, of course, AG policies and rules in place so everyone can enjoy themselves. 

 

While this article will include a link to these community guidelines, there are some that many seem to be unaware of. Sometimes, folks have confusion about:

 

Have you rented the clubhouse?  Enjoy, but party guests are not allowed poolside.

 

If the Clubhouse is rented by someone else, feel free to enter the side or pool entrance if exercising or swimming.  The bathrooms and exercise room are always accessible to residents.  If you do go from pool to bathroom, please thoroughly dry off so no one slips and hurts themselves on a wet floor. 

 

Have family members visiting?  Enjoy, but do not give them access to the clubhouse, pool, or fishing pond unless you are onsite with them. Children under age 18 are not to be in clubhouses unattended by an adult. Remember – pool guests are limited to 4 guests per unit and residents are responsible for their behavior and noise level.  AG’s pool is a place for both fun and relaxation so consideration of others is a must.

 

When you are ready to leave the pool/clubhouse area, please take all your belongings with you and clean up after yourself. if you use a table, wipe it off.  It is only fair to the next person who comes along.

 

We have phenomenal amenities here at Arbor Grove to make summer fun, so, please visit the pool/clubhouse/pond area often and make this Your Best Summer Yet at Arbor Grove!

 

Full Use Amenities – Click Here