Leaving 2020 Behind to Move into 2021
May everyone have a much better 2021 as we leave 2020 behind us. It is important to remember the many lives that were lost due to Covid-19. For all those that worked in the health care field it has been a trying and difficult time enduring the long work hours with unexpected unknowns each work day of what it was really like for the front line staff. There was also the isolation for some families, children, and the elderly. Plus, many neighbors in our community have not seen family members for a very long time and/or have not even been able to come across the border to their homes in the neighborhood too.
So many businesses as well have suffered financial loss or closing of a business. This has taken a toll in Blaine and Birch Bay locally, in the county, state, and the nation. The toll on businesses and owners affects families just trying to survive and pay bills. With all of these concerns in 2020 it has affected many individuals with their mental health too. The list goes on as everyone has been affected in some way by Covid-19 this past year that will never be forgotten.
It is has also been a time for individuals to think about the positive things that did happen in their life this past year. For those that would want to share their memories for the next HOA newsletter, please write a paragraph highlighting their Covid-19 memory and send a photo if you want too. It can be a story as simple as developing a new hobby, finding a treasured heirloom when cleaning and organizing, or even someone you know that experienced Covid-19 and what it was like, and such. Thanks in advance for anyone that would like to share their story by sending the information to [email protected].
Blaine/Birch Bay Boy Scouts Christmas Tree Pick Up Fundraiser – Sat. Jan.2nd
The local Boy Scouts will be in our neighborhood this Saturday collecting Christmas trees (donations optional but appreciated). Trees should be out by the curb by 8:00am this Saturday for anyone needing to get rid of their tree.
Neighbors Sharing Worthy Information to Read
Neighborhood Report of Safety on December 29th Regarding a Coyote
On Tuesday, December 29th at approximately 9:00am neighbors Aaron and Hillary Rockwell who live in the 4400 block of Castlerock Drive witnessed seeing a very emaciated and possibly injured coyote (shown in the attached picture). It was wandering around the wetlands behind their house and coming through their yard, as well as wandering through the adjacent neighbors’ yards too. The coyote looked like it had an extreme case of mange and one of the coyote’s back legs appeared to be injured.
Hillary has contacted the local animal control to see if they can come look for it and hopefully put the coyote out of its misery. She was informed that if there are multiple sightings in our neighborhood and area that the Animal Control staff will come and try to find the coyote and hopefully trap it.
Please be on the lookout for this coyote and be careful, especially since injured animals can sometimes be more dangerous than usual. If you see the coyote, please call the Wildlife Department of Animal Control at (360) 966-8845. It is greatly appreciated. Please share this information with all family members and children walking, jogging, and riding bikes alone sometimes too. Their safety matters.
Neighbors Sharing Their Story and Highlighting Their Recent Rodent Issue
Incident as reported from Casa Moore at 4371 Castlerock Drive by Douglas Moore
Starting three years ago, Mary and I noticed early evening scratching noises emanating from the crawl space under our house. We made a noise ourselves and the problem seemed to subside. I personally checked the space thoroughly and saw some minor displacement of insulation but not enough to set off alarms. Noises subsided over the summer.
This year in September we experienced a more aggressive scratching and subsequently arranged for the Pest Control company CROACH to do an inspection. Three Norway Rats were discovered dead and after the inspector finished his examination of the crawl space, photos were shown to Mary and I showing that we had become the cemetery for these large Vermin, and all of our insulation had to be removed, replaced, and access points sealed up at a total cost of $10,000.
We bring this to your attention, because we have secured our home and will be setting ten bait traps around the exterior of our home. The rats will choose a new place to die. That is how they found our place through easy access, so our recommendation is for you to have Croach do a free inspection, and perhaps you will employ them to secure your crawl spaces and save you some grief and cash.
Happy New Year!
Our Christmas presents have gone to the RATS.
Regards,
Douglas Raymond Moore
4371 Castlerock Drive
Blaine, Washington USA 98230-6600
Cell 206-660-5801
Office and Home (360) 778-3193
Email [email protected]
P.S. Doug is happy to talk to anyone considering using CROACH services and he can share their experiences too. He knows of another neighbor that has used them too. Many more photos available on request too.
The CROACH contact information is: [email protected] or (425) 202-7890.
Note: These are the kind of noteworthy neighbor responses of stories of these neighbors that contacted me to share as a result of writing this newsletter. In all honesty, they both could have just ignored sharing this information but they both involved neighborhood safety issues as well keeping our neighbors informed too. Plus, it might save someone stress, and a whole lot of money both short term and long term too if rodents are invading your own home too.
Weather Related Information in the Neighborhood
The weather report looks like the rain will be here to stay for the next few weeks, but then of course this may change. Knowing this, the boulevard grass areas will be very wet and soft. Please homeowners (family members included), renters, guests, and hired vendors need yet another reminder to NOT PARK OR DRIVE ON THE GRASS BOULEVARDS.
Also, with the recent snow and icy days it can be hard to even see where the road leaves off and the grass begins, so be respectful of the neighborhood and show extra caution during snowy days to prevent boulevard damages. For those not aware too, the gates will remain open during snowy and icy days to prevent gate damage and personal vehicle damage sliding into the gate when vehicles do not slow down quick enough. WRS will also continue to monitor the weather and arrangements will continue to be made with Board President Ryan Barnes for snow and ice removal throughout the winter when deemed necessary as in the past week.
Speaking of weather, we are lucky to get a few nice moments on some rainy days with clouds and a little blue sky too for everyone to enjoy when you can plan to walk. Norma Jean Crozier sent the featured photo at the top of this newsletter a few weeks ago that she photographed on Ashbury Court from her view of her home looking at the golf course. Thanks for sharing Norma Jean.
Happy New Year to Everyone! Send any information no later than January 10th for the next newsletter update to [email protected].
Submitted,
Kathy Barnes
HOA Newsletter Volunteer
[email protected] (360) 305-5508 or Text