Santa is Coming to You! (if you RSVP) By Amber Barbieri

You better watch out, You better not cry!

You better not pout, I'm telling you why. 'Cause Santa Claus is coming to ELV,

December 20th!

The Big Guy himself will be swinging through Emerald Lakes Village to drop off some Holiday Cheer! Santa’s ELVes will be putting together bags of extra cheer for children in our neighborhood! Currently, Santa is scheduled to stroll through ELV Sunday, December 20th from 12-5 pm delivering Holiday Cheer personally to your house — socially distanced, of course. If interested in participating or you have questions, please email or call our Head Elf Amber ASAP at elvchildrensocial@gmail.com or (248) 885-1069! This is replacing the Winter FunDay event for kids that was planned on Pebble Point.

ELV Holiday Lights Contest & Scavenger Hunt The ELV Holiday Lights contest is back for another year of fun and this year we want your input to select the winners and participate in a Holiday Lights Scavenger Hunt!!

By using the Google form (web address below or find it in the ELV Residents Facebook group and on www.elvsite.com) you can submit your vote for the two best displays (Classical Christmas and Clark W. Griswold) and participate in the scavenger hunt electronically. Or you can fill out the answer sheet on page 3 and return it to the green ELV mailbox at the driveway of 6653 Emerald Lake. Submissions have to be completed by December 21st for consideration in the voting and the scavenger hunt winners.

Go to: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1s0GTdbhbEfAzx47hZ5SSgwlx_yg9MmQWz6YLP9UzDfE/edit?usp=sharing to submit your answers to the hunt and votes for best displays electronically.

Emerald Lakes Village Update

December 2020 www.elvsite.com Editor: Kathleen Donovan

Something New Instead of Flannels & Furs By Amanda Vizzini, Adult Social Chairwoman

It is with deep sadness we have to cancel our December 20th Flannels and Furs Holiday Party. The current extension of the governor's mandates limit all outdoor gatherings to 25 people or less. With that being said, we had over double that planning to attend! This neighborhood knows that community and togetherness are important.

Since we can't be together in person let's take some time to spread light and cheer on Facebook with a Holiday Card Challenge. Get silly, dress to the nines, wear those matching PJs and snap a Holiday Photo. Share your virtual card on the ELV Residents page (https://www.facebook.com/ELVRESIDENTS) and feel free to give some family updates like good old cards or letters do. Let's spend time getting to know each other, even though we have to be apart. The card with the most likes will get bragging rights going into 2021. #BeTheLight #HolidayCardChallenge

Restrictions Reminder Our Restrictions Agreement states: No sign of any kind shall be displayed to the public view on any single family residential lot except political signs as permitted by City of Troy ordinance, which must be removed within 48 hours after the relevant election.

2021 ELVHA Dues Thank you if you have already paid your 2021 dues. Dues can be paid now through February by mailing a check to the P.O. box with the invoice at right, putting them under the welcome mat at Kannav’s house (6860 Little Creek), or using your bank’s online bill pay method and including your address on that check. If you have question contact Treasurer Kannav Sharma at ELVTreasurer@gmail.com or 248-590-6007. The Board discussed other electronic means of dues payment (e.g. PayPal, Venmo), but will not be offering those options for 2021.

2021 ELV HOMEOWNERS’ DUES INVOICE

$220 payable through February 28, 2021. $25 late fee applies on or after Mar. 1.

Mail this invoice and check payable to Emerald Lakes Village Homeowners’ Association to: ELVHA, P.O. Box 113, Troy, MI 48099-0113.

Please Print Your Name

Street Address

Check No. Phone ( if new number)

Security Security Chairman Joe Lowry reports that on the evening of Saturday, November 21 Troy Police arrested suspected porch pirates (kids) that had taken packages from homes in ELV that day. If you have not received a package that you had been expecting around that time contact Detective LaForest at Troy PD, 248-524-3477.

To try to prevent a delivery item being stolen off your porch Joe recommends adding delivery comments to your purchases, such as "place behind bush or porch wall" or some other hidden or safe location.

All residents can help, too. If you see a package on your neighbor’s porch let them know it’s there.

Community Spirit Residents Hot to Trot By Amber Barbieri, Children’s Social Chairwoman

Whether they were dashing for drumsticks, making room for seconds, or knew they would be paying the price for all things pumpkin spice, all turkeys (young and old) trotted across the 2020 finish line — some in-person and others virtually.

There were 50+ ELV Trot Squad finishers. Some of our younger turkeys even ran with the big birds for the whole 5k, while others made their way around Pebble Point Ct or all of Pebble Lake. Each Trot Squad finisher received a certificate, cookie, and an ice cream certificate for a job well done! Our older turkeys were also blessed with certificates to stuff themselves with ice cream, too!

We all have so much to be thankful for, but there are a few that deserve some well needed recognition. Big thank you to Amanda Vizzni for hosting and coordinating the 2020 ELV Turkey Trot (3rd year) and Amber Barbieri and Meggha Koshal for designing the children’s certificates and coordinating prizes for all ages. Thank you to ELV for sponsoring the children’s 2020 ELV Trot Squad! And for all those that stood outside cheering on our runners, whether by chanting and clapping, ringing of cowbells, or playing inspirational music, THANK YOU!

5k Bike Top Finishers 1st Pete Gawthrop 2nd Maria Sarmiento 3rd Ryan Sarmiento

Village ELVes Deck the Walls That would be “deck” as in decorate, not knock the walls down. Thank you to our holiday ELVes (Emerald Lake Volunteers) Jane Hussar, Kelli Roskelly, Niki Johnson, and Christie Dombrowski, for adding to the spirit of the season by hanging wreaths and

garland at our entrances at Walker, Lyster, and Emerald Shores.

Snow Rules Keep in mind that the village has some special rules to follow to keep our lake waters clean in addition to city ordinances.

Do not use salt to melt ice. Use poultry grit (available at Uncle Luke’s), kitty litter, SafePaw® Ice Melter, granular sugar, or sand

on your sidewalks or driveways.

We have many winter walkers. Please clear at least 1 shovel’s width of your walk. City ordinance says property owners are responsible for clearing snow over 2” deep from sidewalks. Snow and ice should be cleared from sidewalks within 24 hours following the end of the event which led to their accumulation.

Do not shovel snow back into the street.

Using a roof rake clear snow from at least the lower 4’ of your roof to prevent ice dams.

Clear snow away from fire hydrants, mailboxes, dryer and furnace vents.

Happy winter! Really.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR REMOVING LEAVES FROM STREETS & LAKES.

Last day for yard waste collection is December 15.

Ice Safety Please use extreme caution when out on lake ice. Be reminded:

Beware of the first ice of the season as well as ice formed after a thaw. It is not uniform in thickness.

Stay far away from the lake drains where moving water may weaken the ice.

Snow acts as an insulator, ice beneath it may be weak.

After ice forms solidly, a 4” thickness is safe for general use.

IF YOU FALL THROUGH THE ICE:

Spread your weight and roll out sideways.

Use a long support to pull yourself out.

IF YOU SEE SOMEONE FALL THROUGH THE ICE: Call 911 immediately.

Throw the person a life ring or a long support (e.g. hockey stick, tree limb, broom) to pull them out. Or toss them 2 screwdrivers that they can jab into the ice to help pull themselves out.

Lay down, spread your weight on the ice and reach out to the person in the water.

Congrats, Tom! In case you missed all the Oakland County election results ELV resident Tom Kuhn was reelected to serve on the Oakland County Board of Commissioners for District 11, which includes portions of Troy (including Emerald Lakes Village), Auburn Hills, and Rochester Hills. It’s good to have you back as a commissioner, Tom.

5k Top Finishers 1st Matt Gawthrop 20:20 2nd Todd Hachigian 20:50 3rd Curtis 21:10

1 Mile Top Finishers 1st Aiden Vizzini 2nd Will Gentner 3rd Liliana & Katarina Tasich

Recommendation Need snow removal? Two very

dependable high school seniors eager to continue building their clientele. Their fall work was

excellent and very reasonable. Highly recommend! Call Justin. 248-607-0274.

Classified Ads Childcare College student with babysitting

experience. Contact Grace at 248- 376-4817. Text is preferred.

For Sale Dark Pine chest of drawers and

dresser with mirror. Will need to be moved from upstairs. Call Judy at 248-879-2319.

For Sale Start a new hobby! Large sheets

(25” x 42”), many small sheets, many colors of glass, even sheets with stones embedded in them for stained glass projects. Instruction books, tools, copper foil, etc. all priced to sell. Call Pam Kondziola, 248-879-0802.

Home Services Looking for someone to clean

your house? Call my housekeeper , Delia. She is honest, reliable, and hardworking. Her number is 586- 850-3050.

Need a handyman? Call Bill at 248-879-9234 and leave message.

Other Services Open Enrollment is here - Medicare

plans as low as $0 Premium with Prescription, Vision and Dental coverage included. For a no-cost, no-obligation quote, please call ELV Resident Dan Dombrowski at 248-633-3452. Group, Individual and Medicare Plans.

Emerald Lakes Senior Services, LLC is offering transportation by appointment to or from your home to Detroit Metro or Flint Bishop airports to all ELV residents. Call or text resident Hank at 248-891-1108.

Next deadline: Mon., January 4, 2021 Mail or bring to: 6653 Emerald Lake Email to: jbktroy@aol.com

ELV Holiday Lights Scavenger Hunt Questions & Classical & Griswold Nominees Write down the address of each ELV house and return your answers to the ELV mailbox located on the driveway of 6653 Emerald Lakes Drive. Be sure to include your name and phone number. Submissions have to be completed by December 21st for consideration in the voting and the scavenger hunt winners. Happy hunting!

Your Name: _______________________________________ Phone Number: _____________________________

1. Which house has two wreaths and tops of their bushes to look like a face? ________________________________

2. Which house has a bow, but not on the presents? ___________________________________________________

3. Which house has a shooting star? ________________________________________________________________

4. Which house should get advertising revenue from Charles M. Schultz? __________________________________

5. Which house has giant walls of blue lights and dancing trees? _________________________________________

6. Which house has penguins sledding in the front yard? ________________________________________________

7. Which house is in a "galaxy far, far away"? _________________________________________________________

8. Which house shows both their patriotism and their love of the holidays? __________________________________

9. Which house has two story columns wrapped in white lights? __________________________________________

10. After so many cookies and milk, nature called…which house did Santa go to? ____________________________

11. Which house has Santa all tangled up? ___________________________________________________________

12. Which house has a blow-up that is likely to bounce away? ____________________________________________

13. Which house has a Nativity scene above the front door? ____________________________________________

14. Which house has an elf who has taken getting warm with a hot Santa Mug of cocoa a bit too literally?

____________________________________________

15. Which house makes you want to get out of your car and run through arches of lights? ______________________

16. BONUS: How many Nativity scenes are on display in ELV? _______________

17. Give address of your nominees for: Classical Christmas Winner _______________________________________

Clark W. Griswold Winner ________________________________________

(Editor’s Note: Have fun, everyone! I know the Holiday Lights Contest committee had fun putting together the scavenger hunt. Thank you, clever, clue hunting and clue creating committee. )

ELVHA NEWSLETTER C/O 6653 EMERALD LAKE DR. TROY, MI 48085

You want to stay in the place you call home. We can help.

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Comprehensive Care Household Duties Personal Care Respite Care Meals & Nutrition Hospice Care Transportation Support Services

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Partnering Companies – Balancing Resources Unique Opportunities in Robotics & Automation

Retirees / Engineers / Students

Contact ELV Resident Richard Rondeau

586.404.6378 www.rondoautomation.com Veteran Owned Small Business

MASTER PLUMBER

Dean Moser Licensed & Insured

New Construction Remodeling Repairs

Water Heaters All Piping Sump Pumps Sinks and Faucets Gas Lines Ceramic

Work Saturdays and Evenings, Too Special Rates for ELV Residents

Call or text 248-417-7070

LAW OFFICE OF

JOHN FREEMAN

John Freeman, Attorney Criminal Defense

3150 Livernois, Suite 270 formerfedlawyer@hotmail.com

Troy, MI 48083 www.formerfedlawyer.com

248-250-9950 248-250-5857 (FAX)

See ICE SAFETY info on page 2.