Byrnwyck Beacon July 2010
Published by the Byrnwyck Community Association
Dear Neighbors,

      With July 4th falling on a Sunday, and the official holiday on the 5th, I just wanted to remind you that Chamblee will hold its annual fireworks display on Saturday, July 3rd at Keswick Park.  July 4th is the annual Byrnwyck cookout.  RSVP NOW for JULY 4th COOKOUT
     After the cookout, you can join a million of your closest friends for fireworks on the 4th at Lenox.  But don't stay out too late because the annual Dunwoody Parade is on Monday, July 5th, kicking off at 9:30 down Mt. Vernon and ending at Dunwoody Village.  It has become the largest parade in Georgia!
     As many of you know, the Renovation Committee has been working on ideas and firming up the details on a proposal for redesigning the pool area.  Many of you have provided comments and suggestions and I have heard that they have all been very constructive.  The Board will be meeting with the Committee to understand the issues that have been raised to to determine next steps. Please keep your comments coming as this will provide the best outcome.
      In this issue, you will hear about the winning season of our Byrnwyck Blue Dolphins. Thanks to Julie Francour and Nanette Vaughn for heading up the swim team in its 22nd year! The tennis courts have also been very busy with the Byrnwyck ladies Alta team winning their division and going on to the City Finals!  Have a great 4th!!

Tom Halaburt, President BCA
Byrnwyck Dolphins Swim to Win!  by Alexendra Viers
Coaches cheer on team The Byrnwyck Blue Dolphins finished their season June 29th with a meet against the Mountaire Barracudas.  Led by coaches Alexandra Viers, Carter Price, Andrew Thompson and Megan Guenther, the Blue Dolphins ended with a winning season, beating Mark Trail, Hammond Hills, and Spalding Woods.  This season was especially hectic due to the unpredictable Atlanta weather.  Two of the five meets were rescheduled due to rain, but the Blue Dolphins pulled through and won both meets.  The team has come a long way since practice began in early May, and the team ended with a party last Wednesday night.  It is still unsure whether coaches Alexandra and Carter will be returning for another season of swimming, but either way the Blue Dolphins will continue on winning! (pictured above:  Coaches Alexandra Viers and Coach Carter Price cheer young swimmers on.)
Swim Team bring out best in Byrnwyck
by Rebecca Chase Williams
Concessions stays busy     If you are not part of the Byrnwyck Swim team you may not know what an incredible asset it is to the neighborhood.  This year about 120 children from ages 5-18 started practicing five days a week to get ready for the six meets that we compete in against other neighborhood teams.  You may have seen the cars parked all the way up the hill for the several home meets.  That's because a meet will draw 3-400 people counting all the swimmers.  It takes a great deal of organization and commitment.  This year Nanette Vaughn and Julie Francour were our team parents.  Suzanne Simpkins was the volunteer coordinator, Terri Maxwell and Kate Emling ran the concession stand, Susan Viers was treasurer and Laura Dougherty was a big help as well. And all the parents volunteer to keep things running smoothly.  We owe them a huge THANK YOU!!  The Byrnwyck Swim Team has been going for 22 years.  Please consider volunteering to be next year's team parents.  Contact Nanette for Julie for more information.
     My children spent many years on the Byrnwyck swim team and I was always amazed at how much their strokes improved each season.  From the early days when I held my breath, not sure my little girl was going to make the length of the pool, to when both my daughters were swimming the most difficult Individual Medley races.  What I cherish most is how the swim team brings our neighborhood children together.  The older kids are there to cheer on the little ones, the little ones seem to adore being around the bigger kids, and our neighborhood coaches have always been excellent role models.
New Rules for Tennis Courts
    For the first time ever, Byrnwyck has two women's teams and three children's tennis teams.  The good news is that the Byrnwyck tennis courts have never been busier.  The bad news is that the board has received complaints that some members have not been able to get court time or that there has been some rude behavior over court rights.
     At the recent BCA board meeting, after much discussion, the board voted for some changes that we hope will allow as many people as possible to play and also make sure that we are covering the costs of the added wear and tear on the courts.
     Teams that had been using the courts three out of five weekday mornings have been asked to limit their use to one morning practice a week and one morning every other week for matches. No weekend makeup matches will be available.  It was also decided that the greater number of members on a team must be Byrnwyck Community Association members (60%). Children's teams may apply for an exception to this rule.  Members forming a tennis team will be encouraged to include other members of the BCA before adding non-BCA members.  The fee for using the courts for non-BCA members will go up to $60 per season.  Going forward, the Board reserves the right to revisit this issue and restructure the fee requirement. The captain of each team is responsible for collecting the fees from each team members and making a timely payment to the BCA treasurer. Complete rules will be posted on the www.byrnwyck.org website.
     Remember that courts are reserved on the www.byrnwyck.org website.  The area around the tennis courts is also being used by BCA members attending a bootcamp led by Byrnwyck resident Stacey Cooper.  We welcome this activity which is obviously being enjoyed by our members.
     Summer is a great time to meet neighbors and enjoy our beautiful facilities and grounds.  Lets just try to be good neighbors about sharing court time.

Neighborhood News
    WELCOME to Bill and Susan Dabney who have moved to 3901 Byrnwyck Place from the Chastain area.  The youngest of their two children lives at home.  Devon is a rising sophomore at St. Pius -- a runner, swimmer, and does national triathalons.
    Congratulationsto Paul and Judy Courtney on the marriage of their daughter Jane.  We are thrilled that Judy recovered from her bad accident of being thrown off her horse in time to made it down the aisle as the mother of the bride. 
    Watch for news of neighborhood meetings concerning proposed plans to renovate the pool area.
     Don't forget to votein the July 20th primary.  We are electing a new governor and the state legislators who represent Byrnwyck.
     We are glad to welcome the 30+ families who live outside the Byrnwyck neighborhood  who have joined the Byrnwyck Community Association to enjoy our beautiful swim and tennis club.
     SHAPE UP. If you are interested in Stacy Cooper's bootcamp held in Byrnwyck, email Stacy at [email protected]or check out her website www.exerciseyourpotential.com.  There is also a group of gals from Byrnwyck who go to Dynamo Swim Club on Tuesday's and Thursday at 9:30 for deep-water running--a great no-impact way to get a total body workout and catch up on neighborhood news! 
      Send me your news or emails of anyone else who would like to receive the monthly Byrnwyck Beacon. 
Stay cool! 
Rebecca Chase Williams  
Water's Fine!!
Coaches cheer on team
Swim team season has just wrapped up but the beautiful Byrnwyck pool will be open through Labor Day.