Dear Neighbors,
Once again, it's Fall at Sea Pines. Labor Day has come and gone - it seemed remarkably empty this year, perhaps because the hurricane that arrived that Friday night (which ended up being a non-issue) kept folks off Cape. Summer doesn't want to let go but those cooler, dryer days and nights are arriving. Sunset watching at the beach path landing happens earlier and earlier and often requires sweatshirts and long pants now. Children are back at school, the beach is usually deserted, the pool was closed on September 27 and the preparation for the wild winter parties in the Clubhouse begins again. I'll bet you didn't know about those parties, eh? Well, you'll just have to make a trip down to find out! The photos that Vera Fields took of past parties are telling! Oops.
DEADLINES !!!
VARIANCE REMINDER: Any modifications you would like to make to your unit or common area (deck, garage, etc) beyond interior paint and wallpaper require a variance. If you make such modifications without a variance, the Grounds and Maintenance committee may order you to undo the modifications at your cost until a proper variance is submitted. Avoid stress, hard feelings, and wasted time, effort and money - SUBMIT A VARIANCE! It makes no difference how many other people have done similar changes - a variance is ALWAYS required. If you are not sure whether you need to submit a variance, call Mercantile or one of the Grounds Committee members (chairperson is JoAnne Keuch.) If you disagree with how the Grounds Committee handles your variance, you have the right to appeal the decision to the FMB.
FMB meetings are always the last Saturday of every month, except for Nov/Dec when the only meeting is the first Saturday of December. Note that the February FMB meeting is usually canceled. They are held on these Saturdays in the Clubhouse at 8:30am. Owners are encouraged to attend. The schedule of FMB can always be found on the Sea Pines web site at http://SeaPinesBrewster.com and click on "Events".
NStar has been doing road work of late as they replace various main electrical trunks along Sea Pines Drive, improving electrical capacity and reliability. They say that similar work on the various side streets is not on their current schedule but may be planned.
All but a few owners have responded to the dryer vent survey and have had their vents cleaned or replaced. Thank you for helping keep Sea Pines safe!!! Those few remaining owners will be contacted by phone by their Phase Presidents to ensure that this important activity is completed.
Nothing new to report on the legal issues with our abutter, who continues to appeal the decision to permit the kayak racks up the state court system. The other case concerns the claim that the kayak racks and boats on the beach and in the water unreasonably interfere with the abutter's non-exclusive beach easement. This case was recently rescheduled by the courts and is now due to go to trial in mid-November.
Sad news indeed. Original owner and tennis guru Lloyd McDonald of 19 Friendship Lane passed away on October 4. Lloyd's passion for the use and care of the Sea Pines tennis courts is legendary and will be missed. I'm told a service will be held later this month. Watch the web site for details.
Jim Dalton of Phase 4 has had to step down from the FMB. He will be missed. A replacement for the remainder of Jim's term will be selected in the coming months.
Nigel and Nancie Godwin, owners of 11 Grove Lane for 25 years have sold their unit. They will be missed. Here is their "goodbye note":
After owning a unit here at Sea Pines for 25 years, we are sailing via the Queen Mary II into a new future in a senior living community in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. For us, there is a lot more to Stratford than Shakespeare - two super grandsons and their parents nearby! We finally retired full time here 18 years ago thinking we would enjoy Cape living for perhaps 10 years. Nancie's early association with Sea Pines was as a camp counselor in 1950, when walking up to Cobies was a time-off treat! During our years here together, winter storms, the Bay frozen, and the camaraderie of everyone helping each other out when we lost our power are all pleasant memories. Throughout our time here, we have been grateful for the many people who have given their time and expertise to keeping Sea Pines such a wonderful place to live. We wish you the very best, and know you will welcome our buyers, Kay and Mike Cosgrove, from St. Louis.
Let me know if you have comments on this newsletter or thoughts on future ones or the Sea Pines web site.
Sincerely,
Christopher Wroten
19 Landing Lane