March 28 will be our annual easter Egg hunt. As always, our Social Committee is planning these events with Covid-19 in mind. Right now, donations are being accepted for Easter Egg Candies at 657 Village Green Parkway. There will be a tote out on the porch for all donations. As we get closer to the date, we will have more information for this event.
It was pointed out to me that we had quite a bit of fun last year despite the odds and I have neglected on commenting on such things. Therefore, I wanted to take a moment and talk about some of the things we accomplished as a community. Now I know this is not everything, but it is a few of the highlights from 2020. I would not call it a “Year in Review” per se, mostly because it would be denying the fact that so much negativity was prevalent in our lives. Instead, I want to focus on the good things that happened for us in hopes that it will inspire our Neighborhood to continue these trends.
First up was the fact we had a pool opened for the summer. It was such a big thing for us because someone had to step into the role of manager and organize everything from lifeguards to making sure the chemicals were set exactly right. Lucky for us Donnie has decided to stay on in that capacity and we look forward to yet another successful year at the pool this summer.
Swim Team meets kept our young ones in the water and helped to fight off the pains of a challenging year. Even though it looked different than it had in the past it was still a great success for us here. I know that my little ones are seriously looking forward to the warmer weather for swimming practice.
Next let’s talk about Movie Night in the Park. It was our own little version of drive-in theaters, filled with popcorn and social distancing as best we could. Someone even managed to convince some food trucks to come out and breweries to deliver. I’m sorry I can’t remember who you are right now but Thank You! That I hope we can do again. Especially when the weather warms up.
Then we had a few campouts in the park too. What a great way for folks to come together and teach the kids how to camp. A repeat will be happing in the future, this one I know for certain. On that note though quick, let’s not forget that most of these events happened in our park. Thanks to many volunteers the park has remained a crucial part of the Green.
We do have some things we need to do still in order to make the park even better. Thanks to the folks in our Social Committee, we have already managed to raise over $1,300.00 for new playground equipment, IN ONE EVENT ONLY!!!! The Turkey Trot was a huge success and although we are taking a pause on events right now there are more in the works.
All this and we still managed to keep many of our Village Green traditions as well. The Big Man himself, Santa Clause, made time to come have breakfast with the little ones even with the need for social distance. The 4th of July Parade, and all the shenanigans of the biathlon has become a household favorite. Seriously, these amazing people went for a swim and then decide “Oh hey I think I’ll air dry by running around the neighborhood.” I’m just saying after the Turkey Trot, I know I need to train to be ready for that. Just need to learn how to actually, um, swim.
I hope to see many more events like this coming soon. I know for some of us it is hard to think past tomorrow or even today, and that is ok. This storm will pass just like the last one and you have the whole Village to lean on. We acknowledge that it was not an easy time for any of us, but we also managed to have some well-deserved fun. I hope that we see you at the next event safe, and healthy. Until then, please wash your hands, wear your mask, and take a moment for yourself. 
Happy New Year! After our first snowfall of the year and a second one possibly coming on Sunday, I figured I would remind the pool lovers out there what will be here in a just 4 short months…
With that said…if you are interested in being a lifeguard at our pool, please send me a txt (757-768-9326) or email [email protected].
I am also looking for a couple of adults to help me with the pool this Spring and Summer as we will be self managing again this year since it was such a SUCCESS last year!
Valentines is quickly approaching so let us spread some neighborly love. Our Social Committee have been gathering Valentines for the Elderly living at Yorktown Convalescent. So many of these wonderful people have been in isolation due to Covid-19 and have not been able to see their families. Make it an afternoon project for a cold day and send some homemade love to them.
Here are the details:
Drop off at 657 Village Green Pkwy through February 12.
If you can help it no loose pieces such as puffy stickers or beads for the safety of our Elderly Friends.
Simple Valentines and Colorings are especially welcomed.
As we are not doing “In-Person” events right now this is a great way to still do something together as a Neighborhood.
Our second fundraiser for new playground equipment is fast approaching! We will be having a basket raffle on January 22nd. If you are interested in donating a basket for the raffle, or getting donations from local businesses, please contact Stephanie GianDonato at 240-672-2747 or 721 VGP.
Through the Turkey Trot and donations, we have raised $1400. This is half of our goal! Let’s band together to get the next $1400 raised so our children can have the best park in the area!
Editors note: Neighbors I can’t express how awesome this is that we were able to raise so much from a race. I can’t wait to see what kind of baskets people are able to put together for this next event. Covid-19 makes it hard to bring us together for lots of fun but we can still do small things that add up to big results.
Next city wide date is January 4th to have all the leaves on the street. This means we need to come together again on Saturday, January 2nd to clean up the park. Very few participants on the first go-around meant that several people had to come back again the next day to get the park finished. Let’s get enough people out there this time that we do not have to go back out.
Hey Neighbors,
It has been a few months now since I started learning how to do all the things needed to run a web page and our Town Crier. A skill set I am still working on mastering. But during that time we have had a few events and some amazing people helping in the Green. I fully believe we have shown what a few volunteers who are willing to give up some time are able to do. I am writing to you on Friday night as has become my routine and am amazed at the impromptu “Light up the Park” that was organized by Jenn Greene as a perfect example. I want to give an extra shout out to her and Ryan for all the things they have done stepping up to help keep our park looking amazing and for the dedication to the Village Green as a whole.
Stephanie Brown GianDonato really deserves some recognition as well, she has been raking leaves all summer and fall and getting them bagged and moved out to the curb. Not only that but if you noticed the front entry way as we drive into the Neighborhood you can see her handiwork at play there too. She dug out the stones, weeded, and landscaped it beautifully back in October. I know there are many others out there that are doing amazing things for us as well. My goal here is to start to highlight those exceptional people who make this neighborhood a true Village. Be it through high visibility things like Stephanie and Jenn, or through all the background things that folks like Donnie Woodruff and family contribute.
I cannot do it all alone, we have over 300 homes here in Village Green! That means there are more people doing great things than my reclusive self will ever be able to see. To catch everyone, I will need help, YOUR HELP. That is right. You, the person reading this right now. It does not take much just send me a few notes of the Who What When Where and Why. If you are ambitious write it all out and well post it in the Crier for you too. You know you have caught your neighbors helping each other out, I see it all the time driving around the Green.
Finally, I will be making a call for volunteers to help with the Crier itself. Contributors, editors, web designers, photographers, I need your help. High Schoolers who are interested in Journalism come and volunteer to help. I will be more than happy to sign your volunteer paperwork too.
Thank you to all the people I have not gotten around to highlighting just yet, I hope we manage to be able to do so soon. In the meantime, keep up the good work. Let us make it a well-known fact that this is more than just a neighborhood, we are a Community. We are a Village, and we do it ourselves through selfless service and commitment.
Your Friend,
Joshua
2020 has been a challenging year, but for some Village Green families it was important to bring some holiday spirit to the Green. As an impromptu decision, some Village Green families decided to “Light Up the Park” for the holidays. It is a reminder that the unity in our neighborhood shines brighter than ever, even during some challenging days. Our hope is to build upon this year after year and continue to light up the park even better than the year before. One tree I’m particularly stood out and was designated the “Village Green Christmas Tree.” We would love to see families create or designate some family ornaments to hang on the tree to decorate it. Feel free to drop by the park and check out the lights and hang your family ornament! Happy Holidays Village Green!!!
Article and Photos Submitted By Jenn Greene
A HUGE thank you to all those that organized, participated, and volunteered for the 1st Annual Village Green Turkey Trot!! We raised a total of $1,360.70!
The overall winner was Jacob Peek coming in at an astounding 25 minutes! First place Female goes to Rachel Frye at 26:27. The kids also rocked their fun run, being the first race for all of the participants. Jackson Greene was our fun run winner!
This is a great start to our “Fund Our Fun” journey. We have raised almost half of our goal of $2,800. Please keep your eyes peeled for our next fundraiser coming in mid-January. We are planning a Wine and Cheese Night with a Basket Raffle! *The basket raffle will be held no matter what. The Wine and Cheese portion will be Covid/Governor imposed restrictions dependent. We are looking for volunteers to help put together baskets and for donations for the basket as well. We are off to a great start to help start replacing some of the worn out playground equipment in the park.
By Stephanie GianDonato
The Annual Breakfast with Santa is fast approaching! This year it will be held on December 12th at 10:00am. For those that are new to the neighborhood, traditionally the parents will provide a gift for their child(ren) for Santa to give them at the breakfast. Gifts may cost no more than $15. All gifts (and any donations) to be delivered to 721 VGP by December 11th. Please coordinate with Stephanie GianDonato (240-672-2747) for drop off.
There will be a Christmas Ornament craft provided for the children.
The event will be held outside this year, in order to remain within all Covid social distancing guidelines and restrictions. Dress accordingly! If interest is high, we will add a second time to ensure our group numbers do not violate any government imposed restrictions.
This event is traditionally a VGCA members only event. This year we would like to open it up to all residents of Village Green. If you are not a member, it will be $5 per child. Payment must be cash or check and is a donation to the ongoing “Fund our Fun” fundraiser for new playground equipment in the park.
*All food will be prepared by an FDA Certified Food Handler.
By Stephanie GianDonato