November 2015
 

While it has seemed like a never-ending fall with the amazing weather recently, the holidays are almost here! To kick off the season, we will be Lighting up the Greens on Friday, November 27th for all to enjoy.  We also invite you to join us for the annual neighborhood meeting and celebration on Wednesday, December 9th at 6PM in the Community Room. We begin with a one hour social gathering offering appetizers and drinks followed by the formal meeting at 7PM to present our 2016 plan/budget and vote on elected positions. We hope you can be there!

Regarding budget, we do plan on an increase in HOA dues for 2016.  With contractual costs increasing across our core vendor base next year and to continue funding reserves and investing in our neighborhood, the board felt this was necessary only after exhausting all other cost cutting options. The increase should be equivalent to one Starbucks drink per month for each family.  We will send a separate email blast later this week regarding a dedicated meeting on this specific topic to field questions, comments and concerns from homeowners.  We also gave a preview of our analysis to the attendees at the November board meeting. The final plan will be presented at our year-end meeting.

Thanks to all those who responded to my "call to action" last month to serve their community! We look forward to a great 2016 but still need to fill a critical remaining gap in our News and Web position to continue the newsletter, emails, and website beginning in January. I hope to hear from a willing volunteer soon.
 
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Jeff Rector
HOA President
Remember to click on the advertisements you see in this newsletter to visit the advertisers' websites. Please support those companies that support Heritage Greens! (Advertisers are not endorsed by Heritage Greens HOA) 

Heritage Greens Swim Team

Save the Date!  December 22nd
Heritage Greens has such rich traditions and so many wonderful people who make these traditions special. Please thank Molly Brandsma and Jane Estes-Schmeling for all of their help in continuing the tradition of the Lighting of the Luminaries. You will find purchase and pick-up information for both the luminaries and the butter braids in this Newsletter.  
 
Also thank you to Stafie Parker and Holly Malcolm of Metro Brokers - Hume & Co. for the new tradition of the Sleigh Ride on December 22. Detailed information on this fun, family event will be in the December newsletter. We are so grateful that so many people in our neighborhood celebrate with these continued traditions.

Interested in Becoming a Swim Team Coach?
All previous coaches and newly interested coaches are asked to complete this brief "Interest in Coaching Form".  We will accept forms from November 1, 2015 - December  31, 2015. We plan to hold individual, in-person interviews during the Winter/Christmas break. 

Kristen Dimig, hggators@gmail.com, 303-324-0181
Suzette Loving, hggators@gmail.com, 303-681-1711

GO GATORS!

Covenants Corner I

Just a gentle reminder that Heritage Greens is a "Covenant Community". Our covenants are readily available on the HG HOA Documents web page under Covenants, Bylaws and Amendments.

Outside Storage
Under Article VI, Use Restrictions, section O.
"All clotheslines, equipment, trash/re-cycle cans,service yards, woodpiles or storage piles shall be kept screened by adequate planting or fencing as herein permitted so as to conceal them from view from neighboring lots and streets."
 
A basic interpretation of this is if you are storing items outside, say on the side of your home, and they can be viewed from the street, you are in violation of this covenant. Please do your part in keeping Heritage Greens the premier community that it is! 

John Nielsen, HOA Board Secretary

Covenants Corner II

Fencing is a Covenant issue and is regulated therein.  Recently, TREX material was approved by the HG Board, and in three colors.This was in response to multiple homeowners requests. This is detailed in the Design Guidelines and Procedures section of the Covenants, page 7. Also, no fence can exceed sixfeet in height. On the subject of fencing, a good neighborly thing to do, would be to talk to your neighbors before you begin the construction process. Your fence will most likely impact their home too. We're all in this together, let's keep Heritage Greens a great place to live, and a good neighbor one at that!

A caveat, the north side of HG, by Comcast, Lifetime Fitness and Mira Vista have a 6 foot fence, that is owned by the homeowners, maintained by these homeowners. And homes that abut South Suburban Golf Course are required to have 3 ft split rail fence.

John Nielsen, HOA Board Secretary

Lighting of the Luminaries

luminarias Nothing feels more like the holiday season than the annual Heritage Greens Lighting of the Luminaries! 

Please join your friends and neighbors in participating in this long standing Heritage Greens tradition on December 24th.  Not only has this been a wonderful community tradition, it is a significant fundraiser for the Heritage Greens Swim Team.

Make your holidays extra sweet!  Back by popular demand, we are selling a variety of delicious Butter Braid pastries and yummy Duffy Rolls!

Want one more task off your holiday checklist?  This year, no need to pre-order your luminaries & sweet treats!   Simply show up at the Heritage Greens Clubhouse on Sunday December 20th from 10 AM to 4 PM or Monday December 21st from 4 PM to 8 PM to pick up your items in the quantities that you would like!! 

Luminaries are $9 per dozen (average order is 4 dozen).  Butter Braids & Duffy Rolls are $12 each.  Orders can be paid for at pick up with cash or check!  Unable to make one of our pick up days?  Feel free to have a neighbor or friend pick up your order! 

Interested in volunteering for this community building event? Click HERE for a link to sign up! 

This fundraiser is sponsored by:

 
Questions?  Please contact:

Jane Estes-Schmeling, janeestes@aol.com
Heritage Greens Gators Luminaries Committee

Moms, Pops & Tots
Thank you to everyone who came out to the Fall Festival jointly hosted with The Social Committee! We had a great time. We couldn't have pulled it off without the help of some special volunteers. Thank you so much to Maria Schmelling, Tilly Kretzschmar, Madylynn Malcolm, Maverick Malcolm, Jack Smith, Mackenzie McElinhey, Connor McDermott, and Danika Thompson who volunteered their time and creativity to help make the party fun!
 


Our preschool playdates are wrapping up for the year. We'd like to say a huge thank you to all of the families who volunteered their homes for these playdates in 2015. It has been so fun to see some of the younger kids build friendships over these past few months! Stay tuned for 2016 plans.
 
We hope to see you at our Mom's Pops and Tots holiday events! Join us on Saturday, December 5th from 9:30-11am for Breakfast with Santa at the HG clubhouse. We will have breakfast, crafts, and a visit from the Big Man!  
 
Friday, December 11th from 6-8pm - HG Annual Cookie Exchange.  Bake (or buy) your favorite holiday treat, head to the clubhouse, and join your neighbors for drinks and baked goods! You don't need to have young children to participate in cookie swapping, so please bring a neighbor with you to this one!
 
If you are new the neighborhood and would like to be included in Moms, Pops & Tots, please send us an email. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Moms, Pops & Tots  
Neighbors and NonProfits: St. Thomas More
christmas-present-boy.jpg The youth group at St. Thomas More Parish wants to thank the residents of Heritage Greens for their generous support in the past years. Your support makes it possible to hold this event for four and five year olds from Denver Public Schools and inner city Catholic schools.

On December 7th, 600 young children will come to St. Thomas More for a day of celebration and fun. The children will enjoy a puppet show, face painting, food, a magic show, balloon animals, coloring, playing, and, of course, a visit and gifts from Santa Claus.

In the past, Heritage Greens has been a generous sponsor to help with the cost of putting on such an event. Food, entertainment, supplies and gifts (approximately $25.00 for each child) need to be purchased or donated. Remember, for many of these children, this will be the only gift they receive. Any donation you could make would be appreciated. Please mail your tax-deductible check, payable to St. Thomas More Church, to 8035 S. Quebec St., Centennial, Colorado 80112, attention David Tschumper.

The party is December 7th, from 9am to 2pm in McClellan Hall. If you would like to come and help the youth of STM, or make cookies, or serve lunch, please contact David Tschumper in the Youth Ministry Office at youth@stthomasmore.org. If you have any further questions, please call Shari.

Shari Lamb
HG resident
720.231.2217

League Tennis
Even though the league tennis season has recently ended, it is going to soon be that time when we will have to be thinking about league again.

Before the December newsletter comes out, ratings will be out and the request period for teams will have begun.  I urge every new and current league players to look at the rules and familiarize yourselves with the process.   Please keep in mind that any new player wanting join a team has to go through the request process outlined in the HG Tennis League Rules found on the website.  In addition, any players moving up or down in their rating and wants to join a new team must go through the request process.

Please do not hesitate to email me with any questions regarding the rules, we all want this process to be as smooth and easy as possible for everyone!
Enjoy your winter season-
 
Marty Smith
League Coordinator
mlsmiff@msn.com
303-507-9605

Colorado Gives Day
Neighbors,

Have you heard about Colorado Gives Day?  It is an exciting, annual statewide movement to celebrate and increase philanthropy in Colorado through online giving.  This year Colorado Gives Day is on Tuesday, December 8th and all donations are accepted through ColoradoGives.org.

What is even more exciting is that our Littleton Public School Foundation and local Parent Teacher Organizations (PTOs) are participating for the first time this year.  So, you have a terrific opportunity to participate in the statewide Colorado Gives Day AND support our local public schools DIRECTLY.

Our schools...
Have you noticed that you don't receive door-to-door solicitations for popcorn, candy & cookie dough from neighborhood kids recently asking you to support their school?  This is because our local PTOs have eliminated the door-to-door campaigns and moved to direct-donation campaigns.  The direct donation campaigns ensure that 100% of the contributions go to the schools.

The PTOs for Lois Lenski Elementary and Powell Middle School have their own page on the ColoradoGives.org website which describe their specific charitable need for their school.

Lois Lenski Elementary PTO raises funds for the specials teachers' salaries which ensures that all of our students receive small-group, differentiated learning.  To contribute to Lois Lenski PTO, please go to http://ColoradoGives.org/Lenski.

Powell Middle School PTO's main fund-raising goal is to keep school technology up-to-date in the ever-changing world, as well as enhance the one-to-one use of student Chromebooks.  Funds raised last year helped to provide two Google classrooms, updates to STEAM programs and a new sound system in the cafeteria. To contribute to Powell PTO, please go to http://ColoradoGives.org/Powell.

Arapahoe High School donations go to the LPS Foundation directly.  You can view their charitable goals and make your contribution through https://www.coloradogives.org/lpsfoundation/overview.

Have family & friends out of state?  They can contribute too!  Send them this information, post it on your social media pages and they can participate in Colorado Gives Day too!

Our local public schools are among the BEST in Colorado and we all benefit from our exceptional schools.  So, whether your kids have yet to enter school, are in school or are alum of these schools, or you simply want to support public education, please contribute on Colorado Gives Day, Tuesday, December 8th.

Sheryle Gaston
Lois Lenski PTO, Ways & Means

Sustainability
REpurpose: and have fun too! (here are some creative ways to repurpose with an Autumn twist).

REduce:  Reduce landfill waste by putting those leaves directly in your trash bin or recyclable bags.  They decompose that way!

REcyle:  Many of you completed painting projects this summer and have left over paint you would like to get rid of.  Contact Waste Management for their hazardous recycle bags.  If you don't have enough to fill, coordinate with your neighbors.  It is a great way to keep hazardous waste out of the landfills.


Waste Management Education Center
Waste Management invites you to join them as they present their newly updated Education Center and celebrate America Recycles Day!

Monday, November 16, 2015
Open House: 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Welcoming remarks and brief presentation at 3:30 p.m.
 
Be among the first to see our recently-enhanced Education Center and learn how recycling is creating more beautiful and sustainable communities in Colorado. Experience the resources available to help educate youth on the benefits of recycling and join the conversation about advancing recycling in Colorado.
 
Light appetizers will be served. The event is free to attend but space is limited, so please be sure to RSVP via our registration site here or call us at 303-486-6035.
Residents..We Want to Hear From You
Heritage Greens Residents - what are your interests?  What are you passionate about?  We welcome articles written by residents of all ages.  Please contact the editor with article ideas and submissions. Articles are due the 5th of each month. 

Kristen Dimig
HG News & Web

Heritage Greens Website
One Account Per Household
Each household has one account (that means you have to share your log in information with your wife/husband/partner). The user name is the email associated with the address. If we have two emails for your household, only one of them will be the user name. The password is a random set of letters and numbers. If you lost your log in information please contact me at HGNewsWeb@gmail.com.

Features
  • Click on Tennis, VB & Community Room Reservations to see when these amenities are available, as well as make reservations for tennis or volleyball courts.
  • Under Community Room you will find instructions and information on how to reserve the community room for an event.  
  • Check out Teen Services to see what services teens are offering around the neighborhood.
  • There is also the Find a Sitter page where baby and pet sitters can post their information.  
  • The Message Board allows you to post your own message to the neighborhood. Be sure to click My Subscriptions at the top to choose the topics that interest you.
  • There is a Classifieds page so feel free to post what you want to sell with a photo. 
  • Under HOA Documents you can find all the information you need before making changes to your home, as well as minutes from the board meetings and financials. 
  • And don't forget all the information in the Resident Directory. You can search for friends and neighbors by their name or address.
If you have any questions, problems or concerns, feel free to contact me directly.
 
Kristen Dimig, HG News & Website
P.S. Don't forget to like our page on Facebook. We use Facebook to get the word out on lost pets and found items as well as social event and other activities. Please LIKE us today!
South Suburban Events
Friday Night Films at the Nature Center Friday, November 20, 7-8:30 pm, South Platte Park, 3000 W Carson Drive, Littleton. Delight in the film My Life as a Turkey. The life and family of wild turkeys will surprise and impress you. Watch what happens when a biologist becomes a mother to a clutch of baby turkeys and raises them to adulthood. Recommended ages 8 and up. For more information, call 303.730.1022. 

Holiday Pass Sale Monday, November 23, 2015 - Sunday, January 3, 2016. Start your holiday shopping with 10% all South Suburban recreation center passes and facial packages; 10% off Private Pilates Reformer, personal training, specialty training and nutrition services for adult and youth. Contact fitness@sspr.org for more information about this private training. Also enjoy 10% off all drop-in gymnastics' punch cards. For more information about the Holiday Pass Sale, call 303.347.5999. 

Thanksgiving Break/ Child Care Monday - Wednesday, November 23-25, 7 am - 6:30 pm, Lone Tree Recreation Center, 10249 Ridgegate Circle, Lone Tree. Children ages 5-10 will socialize with peers as they participate in daily activities including swimming. Parents in Centennial drop off at Goodson Recreation Center, 6315 S. University Blvd in Centennial by 8 am for transportation to Lone Tree Recreation Center and pick up at Goodson between 5 - 6 pm. Parents provide a morning snack and lunch each day. We will provide an afternoon snack. Participants to bring a swim suit and towel each day. On some days (weather permitting), we will be outside - wear tennis shoes, no flip flops or Crocs. Pease call Mary Kaminski at 303-435-8242 for more information. 

Turkey Burner Fitness Jam Thursday, November 26. Join us for the Turkey Burner Fitness Jam on Thanksgiving morning. Burn off those calories before your Thanksgiving Feast even begins. Drop-in fees apply. Modified fitness schedules and recreation center hours Nov. 26-27. For more information, contact kelseyw@sspr.org. Black Friday 5K Friday, November 27, 10:00 am, deKoevend Park, Shelter C, 6301 S. University Blvd., Centennial. Bring the entire family to burn off some turkey or relieve some shopping related stress at the Black Friday 5K! Runners of all ages and abilities, friendly dogs on leashes and strollers are welcome. Register at RunningGuru.com. Early registration fee is $25/$15 (ages 14 and below) through Friday, November 13 (includes timing and race t-shirt). Beginning November 14 through race day, registration fees will be $30/$20 (ages 14 and below). Race day registrations will be accepted. This is the last event of the 2015 South Suburban Parks & Recreation District's race series. 

Free Admission - 29th Annual Arts & Craft Fair Saturday, December 5, 9:30 am - 3 pm, Goodson Recreation Center, 6315 S University Blvd., Centennial. Hand-made crafts, pottery, jewelry, clothing, quilts, paintings, photography, floral arrangements, wood-work, holiday items, specialty foods and much more from 75 of Colorado's artisans. For more information, contact Darcie La Scala at DarcieL@sspr.org 

Tantalizing Tastes- It's a Wonderful Life Tuesday, December 8, 6-8 pm, Lone Tree Golf Club & Hotel, 9808 Sunningdale, Lone Tree. Your very own holiday It's a Wonderful Life food experience will be provided by Executive Chef Joseph Westley, CEC and his culinary team. Cost is $36 per person. Guests must be over 21. Reservations required. Call 303.790.0202. Seating is limited.