Number 1 February 2015

The Bimonthly Newsletter of the Foxfire Property Owners Association

FOX TRAX

FOXTRAX IS GOING DIGITAL! A letter from FPOA Chairman Dave Rossman

To all our FPOA members: In an effort to reduce our operating costs, the FPOA Board has decided to stop printing and mailing copies of our bimonthly newsletter, FoxTrax, effective with the April 2015 issue, and instead post the newsletter digitally on our new website, www.foxfirencfpoa.com, which will soon be available to all FPOA members.

With this new website, you will get the newsletter (and a lot of other exciting features) in full color, and you will be able to save each issue for retrieval anytime you would like to access it in the future. If you care to print out a copy on your home printer, you will be able to do that as well. The newsletter will be posted in a “Members Only” section of the website, and we will explain how you get to it via a user-name and password.

For those members who don’t own a computer, we will accommodate them by printing some copies and mailing as before, but this should be only a small minority of you, if any at all. If you will be unable to access the FPOA web page, please call me at (910) 281-0234 so you can be put on the mailing list.

Other planned features of the new website will be sections for event sign-up, board meeting min-utes, calendar of events, buy and sell listings, directory information changes, advertiser links, new-comer information, pool information, and more.

The annual cost savings from printing and mailing more than 200 newsletters six time a year is sig-nificant: close to $2,000. This will leave more money for FPO events and other FPOA-sponsored activities. As with all new endeavors, we understand the website may take some get-ting used to. So in advance, allow me to thank you for your patience! If any of you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me or any of the FPOA Board members, at any time. We’re looking forward to an exciting year ahead!

Cheers, Dave Rossman, FPOA Chairman

2015 FPO Calendar of Events Save these dates!

St. Patrick’s Day Party***/March 17/Foxfire Clubhouse – Chad DeBonis, Bob Kirby, co-ordinators Derby Day/May 2/Foxfire Clubhouse – MJ Sheldon, Ginny Siedler, co-ordinators July 4 Picnic/Foxfire Village Green – Don Nelson, Bob Kirby, co-ordinators Foxfire Days/September 5-7 –Gail Ruppert, Page Coker, co-ordinators Halloween Trunk-or-Treat/October 31/Foxfire Village Green, Mick and Olivia McCue, co-ordinators

Christmas Party/December 6/Foxfire Clubhouse – MJ Sheldon, Ginny Siedler, co-ordinators *** SIGN UP NOW! SEE RESERVATION FORM, PAGE 7

Page 2

Thanks for the Memories! A Foxfire Christmas Album

December was a festive month at Foxfire, with both the adults’ and children’s annual Christmas parties (this page and page 3), and the annual Women’s Association charity luncheon (page 3). Here’s a look back at some of the fun that was had by all.

Page 3

The Foxfire Women’s Association (FWA) would like to thank our members and guests for an excellent turnout at our Christmas luncheon, held at the Pine Crest Inn on December 12. The program began with a champagne social, lunch buffet, holiday music by Zoopendous Show Chorus , and concluded with raffle drawings and door prizes. The FWA charity was in support of Westmoore Elementary School, in Vass, with donations of winter clothing for school-

children ages 5-12 Many thanks to all who brought donations and supported this charity.

And congratulations to our 11 raffle prize winners: Pepper Bahr, Sandy Boulanger, Page Coker, Barbara Garcia, Gladys Knight, Judy McCollum, Rose Munday (who won twice), Paula Rossman, Cathy Steranka, Karen Strand, Elva Ward (who also won twice).

Please mark your calendar! FWA has scheduled their spring luncheon for May 15 at Beacon Ridge Golf & Country Club, in Seven Lakes. Details will go out at a later date. A SPECIAL THANK-YOU Foxfire Women’s Association (FWA) requested and received permission from our village to decorate for Christmas last year. Thank you, FWA, for your D-I-Y decorations of red wreaths that were displayed at several of our main entrances for a festive bit of holiday bling. From far left: Double winners Rose Munday and Elva Ward

Enjoying the FPOA Christmas party are (clockwise from top left) Francine and Gerald Crumbaugh; Rita Ward, with Jerry Tubbs and Jean Brown; Joe and Lucille Cardelle; and Sue and Jon Bachelder.

Book Club News and Views

Page 4 Clubs

“I've learned that people will forget what

you've said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” These are the words of Maya Angelou, who for more than four decades has been a major literary figure both nationally and internationally. She passed away in May 2014 at 86. Over her lifetime, she received numerous honorary degrees, as well as being nominated for a National Book Award, a Pulitzer Prize, an Emmy, three Grammys and a Tony Award. She received the Presidential Medal of Honor three years before her death.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings was the November Book Club selection. Remaining on the New York Times Best-Seller List for two years, it is probably Angelou’s best known work and a favorite of college literature classes. It’s been translated into six languages. The autobiography begins when the author, age 3, and her brother are sent to live with their grand-mother in the racially divided small town of Stamps, Arkansas. It concludes with her teenage pregnancy at age 16. The book is a profoundly revealing picture of the brutality and bigotry in the American South during the 1930s and ’40s.

Angelou has a difficult childhood, dealing with abandonment issues, an inferiority complex, and rape at age 8. But she will eventually find hope in the face of despair, no longer a victim of prejudice, but instead a self-aware, confident woman with a strong sense of identity. Through the story of her early years, the reader explores the issues of racism, identity, history,

family, illiteracy and rape, as Angelou is shuf-fled from parent to grandparent to parent. This is a well-written, inspiring story by an inspiring woman who overcame enormous obstacles with dignity and perseverance, becoming one of the most renowned and influential voices of our time. The discussion was facilitated by Betty Dresher. An Appetite for More Than Books The Red Bowl Asian Bistro was the meeting location for December’s Book Club. They put us in a semi-private room off the main dining

area. I’m mentioning this in case you have a group that meets for lunch now and then. If you haven't been to the Red Bowl, it seems to be a popular place that serves good Asian dishes ordered from the menu. Also offered is a wide selection of sushi. But I digress!

Instead of a book for December, members brought a photo of themselves taken around age 20 or 30 and also a childhood photo. In turn, we each told about our “pre-Foxfire” days, highlighting bits and pieces cover-ing careers, family, travels, places we’ve lived. The idea came about at an earlier meeting when someone men-tioned something from their past. We realized that al-though we’ve become Book Club friends, we really didn't know much about one another's former lives ... those lives before retirement days. This turned out to be great fun ... and lunch was good, too! Questions? Please contact Judy McCollum, 420-2355, or mccollumj3@gmail.com. — Francine Crumbaugh

The Husband’s Secret

What if, while sorting through some boxes in the attic, you come across a sealed envelope on which is written, “To be opened in the event of my death.” You recognize the handwriting. It is your husband’s (or wife’s), who is still very much alive. Would you open it?

That is the thought-provoking choice Cecilia Fitzpatrick, seemingly perfect wife and mother, and pillar of her Sidney, Australia, community, faces. She is married to John Paul, one of the handsome, well respected Fitzpatrick brothers, a devoted husband and loving father. The three Fitzpatrick children attend St. Angela’s Catholic School. Rachel, the grandmotherly secretary at the school, is still grieving her daughter Janie’s unsolved murder over two decades ago. Although he had an alibi, Rachel still suspects Conner, the physical education teacher, who was the last person to see Janie alive.

Enter Tess, whose husband and cousin, Felicity, have just confessed to Tess that they are in love. Tess, with her 6-year-old son Liam, leaves Melbourne and moves back to her hometown of Sidney, enrolling Liam in St. Angela’s school. Thus she becomes reacquainted with her former boyfriend, Conner, and before long the sparks fly.

Cecilia continues to struggle with conflicted loyalties, but when she eventually makes the decision to open the forbidden letter, it has much the same results as Pandora’s box, with shocking revelations. And once opened, the lives of those affected will never be the same.

The author, Liane Moriarty, lives in Sidney, where the story takes place. The book climbed to the New York Times Best-Seller List in just two weeks, has been translated into 35 languages, and sold 2 million copies worldwide. Although the novel had mixed reviews among our members, from “loved it” to one who “didn’t like it at all,” it certainly made for a good discussion. By the way, when asked during Book Club whether we would have opened the letter, one would not, one would with her husband, and the rest of us? In a minute! — Francine Crumbaugh

Page 5

Clubs

The Newcomers Committee Welcomes The New Newcomers Committee!

After four years of enthusiastic service meeting and greeting newcomers to Foxfire, Bob and Jean Dawson (below, left) have passed the baton to Don and Nancy Boito (right), who have volunteered to take over the Newcomer Committee duties starting

in January 2015. If you know of any new folks moving into your neighborhood, please contact Don and Nancy at (910) 400-5112, or you can email them at deboito@aol.com. Many thanks to Bob and Jean for all their past help welcoming our new Foxfire friends and neighbors. Their cheerful contributions to this newsletter will surely be missed. But here’s their opportunity to say, as you have read in their many columns over the last four years, “A big Fox-fire welcome to Don and Nancy!”

Mel and Teresa Gardner Mel and Teresa Gardner moved into their new

home at 215 Foxkroft Drive in December 2014, spending their first night on Christmas Eve. Both Mel and Teresa are originally from Rockingham and still have family there. They have a home in Holly Springs, which they share with their three cats. Mel is a CPA and currently works for Trinity Manufacturing in Richmond County, which pro-duces chemicals for the agricultural industry. He has spent many of his professional years as controller and CFO for several companies. Teresa works as a payroll administrator for Wake County Community College.

They have one daughter, Ashley Stewart, who

graduated from Wilmington University. She is currently serving as deputy clerk of courts for New Hanover County.

Mel's recent job change made finding a place midway between Richmond County and Holly Springs very important. Teresa has family nearby, and they were familiar with Foxfire. They decided this was a perfect halfway point.

Mel likes to play golf and is looking forward to getting out on the course when the weather breaks and his job permits. One of his favorite hobbies is scuba diving, but he has not been able to enjoy it for the last few years.

Please welcome Mel and Teresa to our commu-nity. – Don and Nancy Boito

The Bunco Artists meet the

first Monday of each month. The

group enjoys snacks, bunco, bev-

erages and desserts. The group’s

inception is credited to Teresa

Copper Black. Seated, from left to

right: Pepper Bahr, Bernadine

Olsen, Helen Kirk, Nancy Kinney,

Louise Quella, Page Coker, Pat

Malay, Teresa Copper Black,

Karen Ramey, Francine

Crumbaugh, Carole Hunter.

Missing: Carlotta Young. Amelda

Howz took the picture.

Page 6 Golf

FLGA Sets Dates for 2015 Season

The FLGA has set its dates for the major com-petitive and social events of the 2015 golf season. Opening day will be March 4, with a 9-hole tour-nament on the Red Fox Old Course. The tourna-ment will be a change from the past, as it will be a best 2 of 4 team score. It will be followed by a luncheon and meeting.

2015 Dates: Spring Ringers – April 8/9, Red Fox Course MacKenzie Cup – May 20/21 Member-Guest (“Around the World in 18 Holes”) – May 29 Mid Year Meeting – August 5 Club Championship – September 14, 16, 17 Solheim Cup – September 30/October 1 Fall Ringers – October 14/15, Grey Fox Course Ending Day – November 11 (9-hole tournament on the Grey Old Course, lunch and meeting)

In addition to these events, the FLGA will con-tinue to participate in three interclub tournaments (Pinetop, Matchmakers and Team). There are also plans to have an informal travel group this year.

The 2015 FLGA is under the leadership of Helen Kirk. Vice Chair is Kim Spaulding; Anita Clapp is Secretary; and MJ Sheldon is Treasurer. Rounding out the Board are Directors Debby McGovern, Carlotta Young and Judy McCollum.

After a long, cold winter, the ladies are looking forward to the warmer and beautiful days of springtime in North Carolina. – Anita Clapp

DeBonis to Head FMGA in 2015

Chad DeBonis has taken the reins of the FMGA for 2015. At the fall meeting, Guy Peckitt was elected Vice Chairman; Mike Siedler has replaced Don Miller as Treasurer; and Don Boito has taken over the Handicap Chairman’s duties from Gerry LaShomb.

The FMGA has returned to their traditional Monday and Thursday play day schedule. As before, Monday will be an individual game, and players will be lined up according to their handi-caps. The Thursday game will be a team game of players assigned to teams at random or on an ABCD basis depending on the game that day. There is no longer a requirement to sign up for play day by the afternoon before the game; just show up 30 minutes or more before the tee time for the game that day. Fees will be the same in

most cases, and payouts to the winners will take place immediately after the game. Players are asked to remain in the area until the winnings are ready for distribution.

2015 Dates: Spring Breakfast/Meeting: March 5 Member-Guest: May 21-23 East-West Tournament: June 24-25 Foxfire Days Tournament: September 7 Club Championship: September 14-16 BoyzNiteOut: October 6-7 Fall Breakfast/Meeting: November 19

— Pat Ogren

Foxfire Golf Holds Inaugural Couples’ Member-Guest

The Foxfire Resort and Golf Club held its first couples’

member-guest on Sunday, November 16t, 2014. Eleven couples and their guests braved the cool damp temperatures to play an 18-hole one man/one woman best ball tournament on the Red Fox Course.

Coming in first with a 157 gross score was the team of Rita and Terry Ward and their guests, Chuck and Isabelle Daley, from Whis-pering Pines (see right). First low net by a match of cards was the team of Sue and Brian Manley and their guests, George and Pam Venet, of Whispering Pines. Their score was 129.Placing second low net – also with a 129 total- was the team of Marilyn and John Grady and their guests, Phil and Barb Fulghum, from Whispering Pines.

Following competition, a cocktail hour and dinner were held at the clubhouse. Special thanks to Foxfire golf pro Jeff Cowell, Steve and Sue Durham, and Larry and Anita Clapp for helping organize the event; Vic Koos for taking pictures; and to chef Richard and his staff for a delicious meal.

Hopefully the couples’ member-guest will become a tradition at Foxfire, and the number of participants will in-crease – along with the temperatures! — Anita Clapp

Foxfire members were sorry to say so-long to James (JW) Wilson, longtime (14 years) golf cart manager at the course. A generous group of golfers presented JW with a commemorative plaque and gift to thank him for his years of dedicated service at Foxfire. He will surely be missed here. Best wishes in your new endeavor, JW!

Page 7

St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Reservation Form For FPOA Members Only

Reservations will be limited to the first 80 people to sign up/pre-pay

Mail to Chad DeBonis or drop in marked box in the Members’ Room at the Foxfire Clubhouse. Or, email the reservation information (see below) to cdebonis@nc.rr.com. Payment can be mailed separately.

Dinner Choice

Chicken* _____ Corned Beef *_____

*Place total number for group

List names to be seated at table (up to eight persons per table) :

1. _________________________________ 2. ______________________________

3. _________________________________ 4. ______________________________

5. _________________________________ 6. ______________________________ 7. _________________________________ 8. ______________________________

Charge per person is $20, which must be paid in advance. Make checks payable to FPOA. Can be mailed to Chad DeBonis at 34 Forest Lake Drive,

or placed in the box in the Members’ Room at the clubhouse with this form. Payment and reservation must be received no later than March 6.

St. Patrick’s Day Party

Sponsored by the FPOA

FOR MEMBERS AND THEIR GUESTS

JOIN US TO TIP A FEW AT OUR 6TH ANNUAL

WEARIN’ OF THE GREEN

TUESDAY, MARCH 17

Fabulous door prizes, full buffet dinner, cash bar, Irish music — and a whole lot of malarkey!

Foxfire Clubhouse 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

$20 per person, paid in advance BY MARCH 6 Limited to the first 80 guests

Use the reservation form below, or in the Members’ Room at the clubhouse.

Foxfire Property Owners Association P.O. Box 233 Foxfire Village, NC 27281 Address Service Requested

FPOA Newsletter Staff & Contributors:

Editor: Mary Novitsky Co-Editor: Helen Kirk Contributors: Anita Clapp, Julie Andress Francine Crumbaugh Don and Nancy Boito Pat Ogren, Chad DeBonis Dave Rossman Contact the newsletter at: 910-400-5081 or email: mnovitsky@nc.rr.com

FPOA Board:

Chairman: Dave Rossman Secretary: Page Coker Treasurer: Brenda Sheldon Board Members: Chad DeBonis, Bob Kirby Don Nelson, Gail Ruppert M.J. Sheldon, Ginny Siedler

FPOA Dues Reminder

If you haven’t already paid your FPOA dues, now’s the time: Foxfire residents, $20; non-resident Foxfire property owners, $10; and social members (those living in the surrounding area who are not Foxfire property owners), $25. Please mail your check, made out to the FPOA, to P.O. Box 233, Jackson Springs, NC 27281. Thank you!

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS FOR THE APRIL/MAY EDITION OF FOXTRAX: April 1, 2015

Have any suggestions/information for the next edition of FoxTrax? This newsletter is designed to serve the residents of Foxfire Village. News, information and photos for inclusion should be sent to Mary Novitsky, 6 Buckhorn Road, Foxfire Village, NC 27281; phone: 910-400-5081; email: mnovitsky@nc.rr.com.