August is finally here with the hope that cooler temperatures are in the future. August also means the end of summer for the many students and teachers in our community. As we look forward to the beginning of the 2017-2018 academic year, may we also look to how we, as Ransom Canyon citizens, can make our town a better place to live. The information provided below will provide you information about what is happening in your community. Do you want to be more involved? Email the RC Property Owners Association Board
A Message from the RC POA Board:
Swimming Pool Memberships Continues to Grow An overwhelming success by the Pool Committee, Monica and the lifeguards. Memberships have reached 131 now doubling last years sales of 65. Pool rentals are on track to meet and exceed last year and Water Aerobics has been a success. The pool has truly been the highlight of bringing new families together in our community. Fourth of July Community Celebrations The Ransom Canyon 4th of July Celebration and activities that included the parade, Cabela's Fishing Contest, All American Friday Hamburger/Hotdogs and the July 4th BBQ Brisket, Free Swim Day, and Kids-Diving for Coins was a tremendous success. The POA and the Fire Department wants to thank the community, the volunteers and everyone that attended and helped make this one of the most well attended activities in many years. Accounting Update As stated last month the POA has contracted with Karen Gilliland of The Tax Place Bookkeeping Service to set up and fully automate all POA billing and accounting records.Their number one focus has been to get all Property Owners into the system and to validate with the LCAD for 100% accuracy. The second priority has been to input 2017 Property Owners dues payments received are verified and also in the automated system. They have verified 90% have been paid. It appears about $4000 of property owner dues are still outstanding. New statements will be sent out to those that still show a balance due. If you receive a statement and you still owe for your dues, please pay. If you feel your statement is in error, please follow instructions on statement so needed corrections can be made. If any property owners would like to see the progress of our new accounting system, the POA Board will be happy to set up a meeting with The Tax Place Bookkeeping Service and let you see how the books will look once fully up and running. Legal Update Michael McCauley with McWhorter Cobb and Johnson, LLP will deliver a draft update to the board in the next 4-6 weeks that ensures our 1965 POA Deeds and Restrictions and By-laws meets all state and federal regulations and laws. Once the Board reviews, Community Property Owner Meetings will be conducted to share with the community and receive input which will also include a recommended changes which will include a request for a reasonable increase in annual Property Owners Dues. Property Owner Concerns: Fireworks and Loud Music in the Canyon Over the past month there have been three cases where non property owners renters of the Ranch-House have set off fireworks on the island, continued to play loud late into the night and trash out the Ranch House. After reviewing the situations we have determined the need to update the property usage agreement to more clearly state there will be zero tolerance for these types of actions. This will be discussed and finalized at August POA Board meeting. Recommending Steering Committee Meeting Changes Many Steering Committee leads have recommended we move away from ad-hoc meeting dates to a regularly scheduled meetings on the same day of the week each month. A recommendation is first Tuesday of every month, 6:00-7:15 pm, all committees will meet at the Ranch House. The thought is, attendance, participation, and attendance will increase by creating a constant routine, and this will allow interaction between committees as needed. This will be up for final discussion at August Board Meeting.
The POA Needs You!
We have a volunteer to help us write grants! If you are interested in joining this elite group of volunteers, please contact the RC POA.
We need two volunteers willing to co-chair and lead the activities and events steering committee
More volunteers to join the landscape committee and help develop a multi year master landscape improvement plan for the Island.
The Pool
Congratulations to Phyliss Lutrick for winning the paddle boards! Thanks to the generous support of you, the pool made roughly $1100 on the raffle. In other good news, YOU have doubled the pool memberships to 131!
Do not hesitate to contact Monica at 806-789-1677 to reserve the pool for your "Back to School" swim parties. If you would like to have a party at the pool these dates have already been reserved: Sat. August 12 ~ 6p.m. - 9p.m. Thurs. August 17 ~ 6p.m. - 9p.m. Wed. August 23 ~ 6p.m. - 9p.m. If you are a key holder mark your calendars that the pool will not be available during these times, please. August swim lessons will be offered by Thad Zuber who is a resident of Ransom Canyon and currently ranks #3 in Illinois for diving. Thad can be reached at 806-300-3676. Water Aerobics are still going strong on Tuesday nights at 6:00pm with Amy Chisum. The cost of water aerobics is $7.00 per class. Please come and join the fun!
Pool Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 1pm-6pm. Sundays 2pm-6pm. Closed Tuesdays. Please be aware that the pool will be staffed with lifeguards only on the weekends beginning the week of August 27th (RISD school starts). The pool staff and steering committee are always grateful for your support.
The winners of the August Yard of the Month are #20 Highland Drive, the home of Jerry Don Gladden & #7 Tanglewood, the home of Denton and Allison Collins. Thank you to these homeowners who make our canyon a beautiful place to live. These homes will soon have a "YOM" sign in their yards to recognize their homes. Thank you to Berkshire Hathaway Realtors: Becky Harvey, Phyllis Lutrick, Ron Mouser and to McDougal Relator: Sue Keveryn, for sponsoring the "YOM" signs. The Beautification Committee of the RC POA will award 2 YOM winners (1 in the canyon and 1 on top of the canyon) in the months April-December.
A Message from the Chapel Can you believe that it is a mere 6 months until Christmas?! As a result, we are beginning to plan for the 2017 Christmas Tour of Homes! It will be on Dec. 14th 6:30-9:00 pm. As many of you know, this is the main fundraiser for our Ransom Chapel Memorial Chapel and has been a fabulous event promoting our community for 32 years!
If you would like to have your home on the Tour this year, please call me! If you would like to be on our planning committee, please call me! If you have any questions, please call or email me!
Look forward to hearing from you! Carol Farris 829-2637, email.
CALENDAR August 7 ~ 6:00pm-7:15pm Steering Committee meetings at The Ranch House August 8 ~ 6:30pm City Council Meeting at The Ranch House August 14 ~ 6:00pm RC POA Board meeting at The Ranch House August 20 ~ 5pm-8pm Summer Music on the Island August 22 ~ 6pm City Property Tax Rate Hearing at The Ranch House September 2-4 last pool weekend September 4 ~ Labor Day - no charge at the pool September 5 ~ 6:00pm-7:15pm Steering Committee meetings at The Ranch House September 5 ~ 6pm City Property Tax Rate Hearing at The Ranch House September 11 ~ 6:00pm RC POA Board meeting at The Ranch House Community Forum Meetings TBA (September & October) Mark your calendars: The Taste Of Ransom Canyon returns on Sunday, October 1!