Welcome to the archive of Mapleton Hollow's community newsletter!
The Mapleton Mobile-izer is issued quarterly, following the MHA membership meetings. Special editions are issued as needed, for example before a quarterly meeting where MHA members will be voting for executives or making an important decision..
Volume 11.5 Newsletter of the Mapleton Home Association March
2008
Click here to view this newsletter in it's original PDF glory!
In this issue:
- Management Chair: Deb Feustel
- Garden Club Update
- Notes on How To Blossom:
- Update on the Common Area North of the Washhouse
- New Welcome Wagon arrives in MMHP
- Infrastructure Update from Jim Harrington
- A note from the Secretary
The next quarterly meeting, scheduled for Sunday, April 27, 5:30-7:00 pm at Unity Church, will be the time to elect some new members to the MHA Executive Board. Yes, it rivals the importance of the presidential election for our country, unless you have a low opinion of presidential and national politics and prefer to vote for American Idol contestants. While we won’t have the number of contestants for this election, and we won’t have numerous opportunities to witness their talents expressed, there will be a few people running. It is possible that there will even be a contested election this go around.
If you have interest in the unfolding future of the Mapleton Mobile Home Park, please come and express your opinions and your vote. If you don’t have much interest, or are numbed by 18 months of heavy machinery running by your house, please come anyway and vote. If you are apathetic to politics and elections at any level, please go somewhere and have a peacefully enjoyable evening (weather has a good chance of being wonderful that day).
Here’s a list of positions up for election:
Vice-President – I have heard rumors that Lilly Wallace is going to run for this
Treasurer – An interested person for this position is Colette Roy
Secretary – Krista Morien is interested, if Robert vacates.
Management Committee Chair – Nick Tamm is running, and Robert Power might also run for this position.
Site Committee Chair – Hmmm, what’s this about? (Robert Power is inclined towards this position.)
The current Board voted to include this position on the Board. It is provided for in the MHA By-laws as an “if needed” position. Now, I can’t say if anything is ever truly needed beyond a hot bath on an icy day and hot tea in the morning; nonetheless, we see the potential for having a position that is a bit more visionary in nature. This position could be focused on looking out for the long-range aesthetic and landscaping appeal, as well as any long-range issues that might come up and impact the park (like food production if oil prices jump way beyond their current rising trend). This position will also look toward the infrastructure upgrades on the north side of the Park.
So, because Robert Power is inclined to one of two positions coming open, this means that the Secretary position will open up.
Who else in the Park has interest? I have heard that the old timers want to “pass the buck” on to newer residents, hence they are relaxing with dreams of Caribbean pina coladas and hot springs that will warm their tired bodies and homes (geothermally). I have also met a few people who have asked questions or expressed some interest. There are many in the park whom I haven’t met though who might have interest. Please let someone know on the Board, or come to the quarterly meeting in April, and get the word out.
What do you want for the MMHP heading into a future that is likely to be tumultuous on a national, international and climatic level? Let us know at the next election, or write an email to HYPERLINK "mailto:mha@powerlisteningcenter.com" mha@powerlisteningcenter.com (Robert’s email address) and I’ll pass the word to the rest of the Board. (Or let anyone else know on the Board).
Management Committee Mainstay is saying goodbye
Alex Wilson, a management committee member for many years, since the inception of the committee actually, is retiring as of the last Board/Management Committee meeting. If I hadn’t joined the Board, I may not have met him, and while on the Board, I have been very grateful for his presence and for his willingness to care for what happens here. He is one of the “old-timers” who is passing on to the rest of us the opportunity to manage the Park having been a valuable contributor to bringing MMHP to its present configuration and stability. (Remember, the infrastructure on the south side is almost done, and then it will seem very stable.) Thank You, Alex, and may you be richly blessed as you continue on your life’s journey!!! RP~Secretary
The Trailer Wrap is available for purchase, finally!!! The asking price is $35,000 which could be a great deal given that the materials cost is much higher than that for the remodel. I have heard many opinions about it, from enthusiastic endorsements of the design and aesthetic, to dismay at the lack of a bathroom door. So, it is the kind of property that will have great appeal to a certain section of the population, and will be scorned by others.
Having said that, I ask you to put out the word that it is available. MHA has hired Steve Money of 5-Star Realty to be the sales agent. Interested parties can contact him at:
303-447-1800.
Last note, I have shown the home to one person who was ready to buy it until he found out that we don’t allow dogs in the park. This was before we had obtained the letter of completion from the City of Boulder which made it available for sale. It could sell quickly.
Robert Power~Secretary
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Hello Fellow MHA Residents,
It's been a long and hard two years for me as Chairman of the Management Committee but the MHA is still strong and viable. I can honestly say that the diversity of our Executive Board and Management Committee members help to maintain the balance needed for our corporation. Yes, we are a business that faces many challenges and must maintain fairness to all in order to remain fiscally responsible to our partners and community.
I'm stepping down with a sense of accomplishment but the months and years ahead will be a challenge but in the end it is all worth the work. Remember, it is our home and neighborhood that is at stake. How we shape our future is left in the hands of a few because there is not enough community participants. So if you wish to make a difference why not join the Management Committee – it's a great place to start and gain a sense of how and why decisions are made on your behalf. Contact the Chairman of the Management Committee for details.
Remember the children's story of the Little Red Hen who wanted to bake a cake and asked her fellow barnyard pals if they would help her and how all declined until she asked “and who will help me eat the cake?” Of course everyone wanted to eat the cake but no one wanted to help make the cake. Well it's the same with the MHA. I know that our community members have a lot to offer but we don't often see you at the quarterly meetings. These meetings are where you get an update on MHA's condition, voice your support and concerns as well as getting to know your neighbors who live on the other side of the park. So hopefully, we'll have a packed house in April.
On this note, I want to extend my enormous gratitude to one of the founders of the MHA - Alex Wilson who has chosen to step down. He will be sorely missed. As one of our elders his wisdom and balance will leave a space for others to consider filling. So when you see Alex don't forget to say Hi and a big thank you for his many years of service on your behalf. Big Hugs to you Alex.
Hope to see more faces at the upcoming April 27th quarterly.
Deb Feustel
We are imagining that soon, the Mobile-izer will be filled with great recipes for garden-grown produce, or ikebana suggestions for the beautiful flowers that will be blooming in many people’s yards.
Meanwhile, the Club participation/membership is growing. Spring is coming and the urge to sprout is strong! Actually, one becomes a member by expressing interest, or saying hi to a gardener when you see him/her in the yard, or coming to the potluck meetings we have, or asking for email updates. Nothing formal here; just a willingness to participate in whatever way you want. Currently, I am keeping the email list which is the primary notification mechanism for reminders about meetings. So, email mha@powerlisteningcenter.com if you want to be included. The list currently stands with around 23-26 people on it.
There’s only one irrevocable thing that you can do to your garden, or any garden, and that’s not to start one. Everything else can be corrected.
If you are new to gardening, start small but have a large perspective. Each year it will increase. Get to know your garden area. Walk around, without negative judging or evaluating. See, not what’s there, but what’s possible.
Visualize plants in certain areas. Can you see them, taste them? Are they happy? Are you happy? That really affects your garden. Remember, you have an inner garden too.
There are no perfect gardens, but there are gardeners blossoming into perfection every growing season.
Plant a garden just because you can, and not because of the weeds of the world’s fear demand you must. And above all else play; if things don’t get done today, get excited about tomorrow.
I can guarantee you success in both your outer and inner garden if you do this one thing;
Joyfully…keep on diggin’
Submitted by a Garden Club member
Update on the Common Area North of the Washhouse
Thanks to all who filled out the survey that was in the last Mobile-izer. Here are the results after receiving 10 survey responses. Keep in mind that respondents could check more than 1 answer (and everyone who responded did so).
Here are the results of the survey:
3 - Community Garden
1 – grassy area
8 – Covered meeting space
2 – Gravel area for meetings
5 – landscaped flower garden
Comments included:
- “ I don’t mind meeting space as long as people respect “quiet hours”
“Cement are to the north, grass in the middle, gravel to the south” - “Concrete slab (covered) plus bushes”
- We (the MHA Board and committee members) will be looking for more feedback from all MMHP residents on what you want to see in the common area. Included in this newsletter is another survey form, just like the last one. If you completed it before, then ignore it this time. If you didn’t complete it, please do so and return it to the Wash House box, or feel free to email your ideas or comments to mha@powerlistening.com
Robert Power~Secretary
New Welcome Wagon arrives in MMHP
Greetings fellow neighbors, I wanted to share with you the intention of starting a Welcome Wagon (WW) to support newcomers as they move into MMHP.
Some of it’s beginning ideas so far is to:
Offer an intentional welcome by a member of MMHP’s WW a few days after they move into their home.
Gift them a small “Welcome Box” including the following; maps of the area, a pamphlet explaining how MMHP is governed, website addresses to help them get educated about MMHP’s history, coupons or advertisements from resident’s businesses or services offered, and a listing of all neighbors who want to make themselves known to each newcomer.
This list of neighbors is voluntary, you will need to either email or drop a note in Lilly or my mailbox (#185) indicating you would like to be listed with your name, trailer number, and contact info. Lilly (#23) also thought it would be great to include any of your hobbies, mobile home tips, any services you offer (ie: astrology readings, babysitting, web design, plumbing, landscaping, etc.) for the folks to get a more in-depth sense of some of their neighbors. It might also be fun to include how long you have lived in MMHP.
If you are interested in being a part of planning this new endeavor, please contact me or Lilly at:
ColetteRoy@gmail.com or
umaslove@yahoo.com
A group effort would be delightful.
Infrastructure Update from Jim Harrington
The Infrastructure work on the South Side of the park is nearing completion. Over the next month you can expect to see: the end of digging in the streets, concrete sidewalks poured, asphalt roads restored, and landscape planted. Additionally, the final hook up of new electrical service to your homes will take place. MMHP during the upcoming Spring and Summer months will be yours to enjoy again, construction free! Please remember to water your new plants and lawns and also to check your heat tape in the fall. Thank you as always for your ongoing cooperation and patience through our infrastructure journey.
- Further construction work on the North Side is not expected to start for five years so enjoy some peaceful living. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact Jim Harrington Special Project Manager for Thistle Community Housing at 303.443.0007 ext 117
- Request for everyone’s email addresses
- The internet is such a great tool for so many reasons, yet communication is one of the most beneficial ones in my opinion. Please allow our MHA’s resources to go to other expenses other than the printing of the Mobile-izer. Please send me your email addresses, and I will send out a splashy colorized PDF version of the newsletter, which makes it so much more enjoyable to read. Not too mention we would be saving a lot of resources. I would love to have everyone’s email address for a group mailing of the Mobile-izer; as well as a handy way to get information out to the masses in a timely fashion. Your addresses would NOT be used for anything other than announcements from the MMHP community and would be invisible to others receiving the email. This really would be an efficient way for all to stay connected and informed. Take a moment to check out the updated blog and please do send me your email addresses so I can start the database. Many Thanks.
ColetteRoy@gmail.com
I have been doing the work of recording meetings since June 07. It has taken awhile to “learn the ropes” and “get up to speed” on communicating to residents what is happening. Then I got involved in the infrastructure meetings and the Trailer Wrap completion process. So, a personal intention I have had to make communication more available has been slow to be realized. I just want to acknowledge this.
By the time you are reading this newsletter all the minutes from the meetings June 07 – Jan 08 should be available for viewing on the MHA website. They will also be posted in the wash house on the bulletin board (please leave them there for others to read). If you would like to read them in the comfort of your home on your computer, please email a request to ColetteRoy@gmail.com, she will promptly forward the zipped file to you.
I don’t really know what most people in the park are interested in knowing about. Please feel free to send suggestions for other communications to my email address, HYPERLINK "mailto:mha@powerlisteningcenter.com" mha@powerlisteningcenter.com. Hopefully, we can use the Mobilizer as another means of communication on issues of interest, now that we are getting into the swing of publishing it again.
Robert Power~Secretary
The Mapleton Home Association
Executive Board
Paul Keaton President.
303-939-8140
Steve Gaines Vice President.
303-449-1094
Keith Ainsworth Treasurer.
303 440-7721
Debbie Feustel Mgmt Chair
303-247-0658
Management Ccommittee
Alex Wilson
303-447-8508
Gene Langlois
303-444-4988
Mamud Kabir
303-443-8029
Site Committee
Kurt Bischoff
Attorneys Dennis R.Frohlich
Susan Perkins
More info
The Mapleton Mobile-izer is published quarterly by the Mapleton Home Association and is distributed free to all residents of Mapleton Mobile Home Park.