Fundraiser Is Huge Success

Last November, Deputy B.J. Mull of the Mecklenburg Sheriff's Department was injured while on duty when a tree limb fell on his car fracturing all 7 cervical vertebrae. To add insult to injury, Workman's Comp has denied the claim classifying it as "an act of God".

On April 12^th, a benefit was held at the River Ridge Golf Course in hopes of raising money to help with some of the medical bills incurred by Deputy Mull and his family during his recovery. Deputy Mull and Sheriff Bobby Hawkins were present at the benefit.

There was a team golf tournament, bake sale, and Brunswick stew sale. A check was presented to Deputy Mull in the amount of $3565.65. In addition to the check, the first and second place winners of the tournament donated their cash winnings.

Rose Phelps wishes to thank everyone who took part in the fundraiser and as usual, our great volunteers who helped make it all happen.

If you wish to print a copy of the collage above please go to the print page for larger, higher resolution images better suited for printing. There are 4 variations of the collage available to print or save to your computer.

Here we go again folks! Yesterday I had an ex-board member tell me that I should shut down the Grapevine because "when people come to the web site the first thing they read is all the garbage on the Grapevine."

Ok, let me go through this again for the millionth time! WRONG! The first thing people see when they come to this web site is the very page you are reading at this very moment.

To get to the Grapevine you have to physically click on the menu button in the column to your left. There are only 3 forums on the Grapevine that are readable by all; they are the Grapevine Help forum, Electrical Upgrades forum and the Robert's Rules Of Order forum. The latter 2 are moderator controlled and all posts in these 2 forums must be approved by a moderator before they are viewable by the public. The Grapevine Help forum is read only. These forums do not require registration because they contain important information that needs to be relayed to property owners.

ALL other forums require registration before you can even view them. Anyone who has ever used any forum knows that the posts are comments, suggestions and opinions of the registered users. That is why I included the following disclaimer readable prior to entering the forum:
All posts on the Public Posting forum of the Grapevine are the personal opinions and comments of registered users and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of myself (Webmaster) or the River Ridge Board of Directors.

I try very hard to keep the Grapevine "appropriate" but once in a while a post gets through. Inappropriate posts are removed and if necessary the poster will be banned for a period of time or have their account deleted permanently depending on the infraction.

Will I shut down the Grapevine? Absolutely not!

As Bob Dylan said... The times they are a-changin'. The same holds true for River Ridge and the time has come for our Blue Rules to be revised.

Meetings will be scheduled to discuss any changes you wish to see in our rules whether these be new rules or revisions of current rules. Property owners are invited to attend the meetings to discuss these changes. The next meeting will be Saturday - March 24^th at 10:00 AM at the Kountry Kitchen. If the Kountry Kitchen is unavailable, the meeting will be held at the Clubhouse.

If you are unable to attend the meetings and have any suggestions you wish to submit for consideration, please write to:

Bob Aldridge - Blue Rules
c/o River Ridge Association
P.O. Box 40
Bracey, VA 23919

Another year has gone and this web site is one year older and still going strong. What started out as a simple page with no more than a few addresses, phone numbers and some office hours, has turned into a plethora of information and fun. This was all possible because of the many people who contributed to this web site along the way. I would love to be able to thank everyone by name but that would be impossible.

I want to start by thanking all the people who have written to me over the years with their comments and suggestions for improvements or new features. This web site has grown because of your ideas so please keep those letters coming.

Thank you to all the people who provide information to this web site to share with others. I’m talking about all the photos, updates, activities, meetings and more.

I want to thank Rita at the Association Office for providing the minutes of the monthly board meetings. A special thanks to Pat and Sandra Markham for taking on the responsibilities of the Electrical Upgrades forum moderators on the Grapevine. It’s not as easy as it looks from the other side of the fence, is it guys? Pat is doing a great job with keeping everyone informed on the electrical upgrades for the camping sections.

There are so many people who have helped make this web site what it is today and I would like to thank all of you. I hope you continue to visit the web site often and also the new forums on the Grapevine open to the public.

Wishing everyone a wonderful and prosperous 2012!

The registered letters were sent out December 13^th to the effected lot owners in Deer Village Phase 1 confirming the drop dead date for transfer of electrical service from old to new.

Additional information is provided for the lot owners detailing what is required. If anyone has any questions or does not receive the letter please contact Rita Southerland at the Association office or contact Pat Markham. Letters will also be posted on the front door of each lot owners effected property.

Friday February 10, 2011 @ 8:00 AM the old service will be disconnected and the new service energized.

Click here to read or print the letter in it's entirety or visit the Electrical Upgrades topic on the Grapevine for questions or comments.

Bo is now at home and will be spending Christmas with his family and friends. This is a post from the Grapevine by Mr. Pat Markham that I wanted to share with everyone.


Click here to visit this topic on the Grapevine.

As you all know, "Bo" Crowder from our Maintenance Department has been hospitalized at MCV (Medical College of Virginia) since October following a very serious motorcycle accident.

I spoke with Pam Gaitley (head of Maintenance) today and was informed that Bo will be coming home on Wednesday. He still has a long way to go with his recovery process and it will be a while before he is able to return to work. Pam has a Christmas box at the Maintenance Office and is collecting items for Bo and his family. All donations are welcome, money, gift certificates, food, clothing, etc. This box will be delivered on December 16^th.

Anyone wishing to help make the Crowder Christmas a little more pleasant, please stop by the Maintenance Shop during business hours and drop off your Christmas cheer.

Christmas wishes do come true!

Obviously there were some interesting meetings this weekend and once again the Grapevine seems to be the root of all evil. In response to the numerous calls, emails and PMs I have received, I would like to say, the answer is NO! Contrary to what you may have heard, neither this web site nor the Grapevine will be closing.

Over the years rumors have destroyed the reputation of the Grapevine. I have people come up to me and tell me they do not read it because of one reason or the other and when I ask them what it is they find offensive, I am told “Oh, I’ve never been on it, I just heard”. OK! There’s your sign!!!

If there is something posted on the Grapevine that is offensive or violates the rules, please don't hesitate to contact me and I will take care of the matter. But do NOT under any circumstances come up to me and tell me something "you heard"! I couldn't care less about rumors!

Many have criticized the web site because of something posted on the Grapevine by an indivudual so let me point out, once again, the web site and the Grapevine are two completely different entities! The web site is written by me and the Grapevine is written by many, many, many registered users. Everything on the web site is fact checked and updated when necessary

Yes, there is a lot of nonsense posted on the Grapevine but there is also a lot of other useful information. Let me give you a quick tour of the Grapevine and maybe we can clear up some of the rumors that many of you "have heard".

The Grapevine is comprised of different forums and each forum contains many different topics. There are currently two (2) public forums on the Grapevine, the Electrical Upgrades forum and the Grapevine Help forum. Public simply means these forums may be read by anyone, whether or not they are a registered user.

• Grapevine Help - offers assistance with registration, troubleshooting problems and help with using some of the more popular Grapevine features.



• Electrical Upgrades - contains information on the current electrical upgrades in progress and offers a place to ask questions regarding the upgrade(s).

Both of these forums are maintained by moderators and may be viewed by anyone. All information on these two forums is factual and up to date.

• Public Posting - Now, let’s talk about the Public Posting forum, or if you prefer, our redheaded stepchild! The Public Posting forum was created for property owners and prospective property owners to be able to communicate with each other, ask questions, offer ideas, post events, congratulations, condolences, etc. Unfortunately some have deemed this their private place to publicize on going personal battles. The worst part is that there are people who read the Public Posting forum and believe every single word they read. Why would anyone even do that?

Please use good judgement when reading the Public Posting forum and remember the Public Posting forum is open to all registered users of the Grapevine and the comments posted are personal opinions of these users and should not be construed as gospel.

All posts on the Public Posting forum of the Grapevine are the personal opinions and comments of registered users and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of myself (Webmaster) or the River Ridge Board of Directors.

Tina Revelle has started a nice little project to distribute gift boxes to some of the folks here in River Ridge to help brighten their holiday. You can contribute items or prepare a gift box yourself for someone you know. You can deliver the box or have it delivered. The box can also be delivered “from you” or “anonymous”.

The gift boxes do not have to be only food. You may also want to consider pet foods, toys, blankets, clothing items, laundry detergent, gift cards or anything else you wish. Consider the person or family the gift box will be given to and make it specific for them. You know the family and what they need.

For more information on Santa Help, please contact:

• Tina Revelle: (434) 636-5714 -OR-
• Margaret Faithful: (434) 636-3546

You may also visit the Grapevine topic to post any questions or comments.

The holidays are rapidly approaching and while many are planning a huge turkey dinner and writing letters to Santa, there are those who aren't as fortunate. Please keep these people in your hearts this holiday season. It doesn't take much... purchase some extra food, buy an extra toy, drop a dollar in a jar... the list goes on.

• The River Ridge Golf Course will hold a tournament on November 19^th with proceeds going to the Bread Box Food Pantry of South Hill. See Golf Course page for complete tournament details.



• Ways and Means will be collecting toys for Toys For Tots. You may drop off new, unwrapped toys at the Security Office or the Pro Shop.



• Don't forget "Bo" Crowder from our maintenance department. He is still in the hospital following a motorcycle accident last month. This is a very difficult time for his family and any help will certainly be appreciated.

A new forum has been added to the Grapevine entitled Electrical Upgrades and contains all the current information regarding the upgrades to the camping villages.

This is a PUBLIC ACCESS forum meaning you do NOT have to be registered to view or post. This forum was created as a communication link for all property owners currently involved with the Deerchase Village upgrade or who are scheduled for a future upgrade. Pat Markham has agreed to moderate this forum and will gladly answer your questions or help with any concerns you may have.

The new forum allows Pat to post documentation as needed keeping all information up to date. Other documentation pertaining to the Deerchase upgrade i.e. building permits, electrical permits, etc. may be found on the Forms page of this web site.

Thomas "Bo" Crowder from our maintenance department was involved in a very serious motorcycle accident over the weekend. He was Med-Flighted to MCV (Medical College of Virginia - Richmond, VA) where he is in critical condition suffering from head trauma, multiple fractures, thoracic and spinal injuries.

Anyone who wishes to help with the financial burden on his family may leave a donation at one of the following locations:

• Maintenance Shop (Pam Gaitley)
• Security Office (Person on duty)
• Association Office (Rita Southerland)

Bo's wife Alice does not drive and is dependent on others for transportation. I'm sure she would appreciate a ride to get groceries or to visit her husband in the hospital if someone is heading toward the MCV area.

Please keep the Crowder family in your thoughts and prayers as this is a very trying time for them and all of us who know Bo.

On Saturday, October 8^th the following people voulnteered their time for the Adopt-A-Highway clean up in memory of David Joyner:

Frances Joyner; Crystal, Shawn, and Carson Blackburn; Andrew Griffin; James Joyner; Marie Hedgepeth; Tim, LeAnne, Allison, and Heather Traub; Jeff, Heather, Heidi, and Carly Brown; Angela, Austin and Brittany Bissette.

Orange warning signs are posted along Golf Drive when there is a clean up crew working. Please show respect when they are out there by slowing down and giving them some room. There are also young children along the roadside helping with the clean up.

The family thanks everyone for their time. Click here to visit the Grapevine topic.

Learn more about the Adopt-A-Highway program.

In the past, the Board Members and their assignments have been posted on the main page only to be lost amongst future posts. The same held true for the board meeting minutes.

Everything has now been combined on one page for easier reference. The new menu column button, Board Of Directors, shows a list of all the board members and their assignment(s) in the column to your left and Board meeting minutes in the column to your right.

Since most of the archive searches have been for board minutes, I have also provided a list of all the minutes ever posted on the web site. Click on the top button for the lastest board meeting minutes and use the links below to access older minutes. Archived minutes are available from 2003 to the present.

This is just a friendly reminder to remain seated at all times while riding a golf cart. Besides being one of our rules, it is plain common sense. I am NOT talking about skinned knees and elbows. Falling off of a moving golf cart and slamming your face into asphalt and gravel causes serious, life threatening injuries.

Golf carts are not toys! They are motor vehicles that can KILL you if not operated properly and if simple common sense rules are not followed.

Would you allow someone to stand on the hood of your car as you drove down the street? I certainly hope not, so why in the world would you allow them to stand on the golf cart while it is in motion?

Please review the golf cart rules below. These rules are also available on pages 2-3 of the River Ridge Rules and Regulations.

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Golf cart passengers must be seated. No standing up on carts. Golf carts will be limited to four people or available seating capacity only. Golf cart drivers must keep to the right of roadways and allow vehicles to pass.

Minors under the age of 8 years are strictly prohibited from driving a golf cart. Any minor between ages of 8 through 18 years of age can operate a golf cart as long as they are accompanied by an adult (over the age of 21 years). The adult must be in the front passenger seat of the golf cart.

All minors less than 18 years of age and at least 14 years of age are permitted to drive golf carts provided that they have in their possession a:

• River Ridge golf cart permit - OR -
• State learner's permit license (any state) - OR -
• Valid driver license (any state)

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You may obtain a River Ridge golf cart permit by satisfactory completion of the golf cart driving test (approx. 1-hour). There is no charge for the test or the permit. Proof of age and parental permission are required. For more information or to schedule an appointment please contact:

• Rose Phelps at (434) 636-5879 - OR -
• Security Office at (434) 636-5536

DO NOT leave your permit on your cart or where others can obtain access. Keep it with you at all times.

For all the people posting ads on the Trading Post, please remember your ad automatically expires after 30 days unless renewed by you. If you provided a "real" email address when you registered, you will receive a notice prior to expiration of your ad. You may renew your ad up to 6 times.

To renew your ad or check how much time you have before it expires:

1. Log on using your Trading Post log on. Your Grapevine and Directory log on will NOT work for the Trading Post.



2. Click on the title to open your ad.



3. Once the ad is open you can check expiration time and/or renew your ad for another 30 days.
   
   
   • Days left until expiration will show you how long you have before your ad expires.
   
   
   
   • To renew your ad simply click on the modify link (upper right) then OK (bottom button). This will renew your ad for another 30 days. If you have multiple ads, you will need to renew each one individually.

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