The Olde Forge - Surrey Square Website

Doing my job as Association President only works when we have dedicated volunteers. Our neighborhood has been particularly blessed with a small cadre of folks who keep things ticking in a number of ways.

I would especially like to thank Gary and Mimi Krause for most recently taking on the job of OF/SS Association liaison to the County Parks Commission. They’ll be fulfilling a real need making sure we have an active voice in plans for our neighborhood parks, Long Branch trails, and other Parks related issues. In this issue you’ll also read about an upcoming event being planned by our energetic Social Committee. Among other things this issue also contains a “HELP WANTED AD” highlighting a neighborhood need and a summary of upcoming events.

I hesitate to mention it for fear of jinxing us but I’ll take a chance and observe that this absentee winter that we’ve been enjoying has been notable for its lack of neighborhood snow removal, slippery driving and tough parking issues – let us hope that everything stays nice and calm on the snow front for another four weeks or so. --George Klein

The Olde Forge - Surrey Square website is to promote the Olde Forge and Surrey Square Neighborhood --

• Our wonderful neighbors
• Our activities and events
• The babysitting co-op
• The Brandywine pool
• Neighborhood Watch
• Civic association(s)
• The list goes on!

The website is built with Joomla, which is open source content management software. This means that community leaders are able to add and manage publication of articles and information without needing to know html or a lot of technical details. So check back frequently, as it will grow and change.

In addition, we have set up two lists (so far): the Co-op list and the Neighbors list. The co-op list is limited to members of the co-op. The Neighbors list is open to neighbors living in our community, as long as they obey list rules. We don't want any spammers or objectionable content.

Welcome and let us know what else we need to add to this site!

-- Dorothy Firsching, site administrator

At the Annual Meeting of the Olde Forge - Surrey Square Civic Association (OFSS) on May 4, 2011, the following board members were elected:

• George Klein, President
• Rob Wood, 1st Vice President
• Dana Dillon, 2nd Vice President
• Kathy Augustine, Treasurer
• Kelly Dillon, Secretary

Rob Wood:  Footbridge Recognition / Presentation

Rob Wood welcomed and thanked Bill Schell, Chief of the Infrastructure Branch, Maintenance and Stormwater Management Division, Department of Public Works and Environmental Services.  Mr. Schell and his team were recognized with the presentation of a plaque from OFSS, for their outstanding vision, effort and perseverance in the planning and completion of the footbridge in Olde Forge Surrey Square neighborhood. Rob acknowledged the phenomenal job, noting healthy trees / shrubs and the drainage restoration.

Rhonda Shoemaker:  Upcoming Events

• International Night -- community event held in conjunction with pool association as last year, designed to address / embrace diversity
• National Night Out, August 2 -- National event in concert with the pool to acknowledge and embrace community and our Neighborhood Watch program. 
• Fall Festival for all ages and all members of the community -- anticipate October date

It has been a pleasure serving the neighborhood these past two years in the role of Civic Association President.

However, every two years the Civic Association solicits nominations and holds elections at the annual meeting for new board members.

It is with regret that no one other than three of the current board members volunteered to remain on the board. The board will be short two offices as we move into the 2011-2013 term. If there is anyone interested in serving on the board, please contact me at 703-978-4333.

Karla Leavelle
Civic Association President