Our Blog

I was elected treasurer at the May annual meeting. I would like to report our financial situation to our members. You may recall that last year, we requested donations in addition to our low $10 dues, and the Civic Association and Pool purchased new sign boards. We also conducted the Cleanup day without the benefit of the County providing dumpsters at the pool (which turned into two days of work for the volunteers, to drive everything to the dump). We ended the year with a lower cash balance than it began, despite significant donations (which were essential).

We are now at 194 paid members, and I am confident that we can end up with at least as many members as we had last year. Unfortunately, dues alone won’t cover our planned expenses this year!
We want to do the events we usually do: Easter egg hunt, Graduations, 4th of July, National Night Out, Fall Festival, etc., distribute paper newsletters to those who want them, and support Neighborhood Watch. We also plan to produce a directory this year. But the big kahoona is the Cleanup Day.

John Firsching and the board have investigated a number of options for the Cleanup. The challenge is that quotes are difficult to nail down when we can’t exactly predict how much capacity we will need, and gasoline and rental prices are higher than before. Their best judgment is that we need two rental trucks and two to three dumpsters at the pool.

The end result is that we need all the members we can get, AND additional donations in order to break even for the year. The hard truth is that we can’t spend money we don’t have in the bank. We are projecting roughly a $1400 shortfall. If you would like to see us do the Cleanup, please consider making an additional donation if you are able. $25 to $50 would really help out, and earlier rather than at the last minute so that we can plan how many trucks and dumpsters we can afford. We probably need to increase dues for 2023 if the County doesn’t resume providing dumpsters for Cleanup Day.

You can pay your dues and make donations at https://www.forgesquare.com, or make your check payable to the Olde Forge – Surrey Square Civic Association and drop it off in the mailbox at the pool. Please use a membership form if you want your information included in the directory (I just added a donation line on the form). Thank you!

Dorothy Firsching
Membership and Treasurer

This winter, I was assisted by Patty Keppler in welcoming new neighbors. The new neighbors are included in the most recent newsletter. 

With the COVID situation, contact has been more challenging.  If you are new and have not yet been welcomed, please let me know!

Going forward, I will continue to try to welcome new families at a distance! I rely on all of you to let me know when you know that someone new has moved into a house near to you. Please send me a quick email or text with any information you might have. I will then stop by and leave a note introducing myself and our Civic Association to them with ways for them to contact me. Hopefully they will join our listserv and I will send an introductory email to you on their behalf. Thanks for your assistance. I look forward to hearing from you.

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Dear Neighbors,

I hope that this newsletter finds you safe and well. I know that we are all stressed from the pandemic. It has been a long 2+ months. It seems like we have been stuck at home for longer. As you know, we have been under the governors’ “Stay at Home” and “Social Distancing” orders. First let me say that I am appreciative of everyone heeding these orders. I know that many of you still have to travel to your work location and I hope that you remain safe and virus-free. For those working at home, I hope that you are able to continue that approach. For the students and parents – I know that you have been extremely challenged with homeschool schedules and online learning issues. And for the seniors – both high school and college level – my thoughts are especially with you as you have had to endure the most unusual senior year.

Changing schedules – I have been trying to get our annual meeting scheduled, but the pandemic has proven to be an ongoing challenge. We have had to re-schedule it twice now. I will schedule an in person meeting as soon as possible. We will meet at the Korean Presby. Church on Braddock / Nan Mill as soon as we can. If we continue to have restrictions, I may consider a virtual meeting and I will keep you all posted on plans for that approach.

Caution on our neighborhood streets – During the pandemic, we have had less cars and buses coming in and out of the neighborhood. However, we have seen a big increase in the number of walkers, runners, bikers, dogs, scooters, strollers, and kids learning to ride their bikes out on the sidewalks and streets. Please use caution when driving. Stop at the stop signs and slow down!

Next, we jumpstarted Phase I of the membership drive this year to get the new process up and running. Many of you have joined the Civic Association again by renewing your membership and/or starting a new membership. I appreciate those who have joined already. For those who have not, please try to get your $10 annual fee in by June 1st.

Plans for Neighborhood Memorial -- Several of you have asked if we could build a neighborhood memorial of some sort for those who have left us to date. Joan Bishop and Gary have been working with the county to learn what is possible and where it could be. It seems buying and placing a memorial bench is easier than a tree planting with the county. Previously, there was a memorial bench that has since been moved. We are looking into replacing that bench, relocating it to the entrance of the OF-SS “side” of the walking bridge and erecting a memorial plaque of some sort. Please stay tuned for details on these plans.

Please send emails to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or directly to me at my personal email. If you are in need of anything at all, please let me know. I know that the neighborhood will rally to help in any way possible.

Finally, happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms, grandmothers (including greats), Godmothers, aunts, surrogate moms, and dads (who are moms) in the neighborhood. Please stay safe and well! 

Joan Bishop

Thanks to those residents that purchased a t-shirt in the initial order. If there is interest, we will order more t-shirts. We are also looking at magnets and other items that have our motto on it. Please let Joan know if you are interested.