We are seeking volunteers that wish to get involved with keeping Cameron Wood safe by forming the

Cameron Wood Neighborhood Watch.

 

The goal is to have a network of residents looking out for other residents in Cameron Wood and making

our community safer and stronger. To be clear, there haven’t been any major issues or concerns that are

sparking this program; this program was a suggestion at the annual board meeting.

 

If you wish to learn more details and get involved, please reach out to Cameron Wood VP Mike O’Kelly

at 704.576.5194 or email at mkokelly@gmail.com.

 

 

 

 

 

Calling all photographers: We are really proud of our neighborhood and are updating our website with photos of the unique and beautiful elements that make Cameron Wood so special. During the month of June, Cameron Wood will be running a photo contest, the winning photographer and junior photographer will each receive a $50 Visa gift card. 

 

Please submit photos to Chris Zweier (gertengirl@gmail.com) and Jeremy Selan (selan.jeremy@gmail.com) prior to July 1st and include your name and if you're are a junior photographer (under 18) or not. Any photographs sent could be used in the future on the Cameron Wood website. The winner will be announced in July's e-blast and the summer newsletter.

 

 

Many of us are spending more time outdoors now that the temperatures are rising, so you may

encounter some other creatures sharing our paths and trails – snakes. Snakes are most active during

the spring and summer, so if you are interested in familiarizing yourself with the various types of snakes

we have in Cameron Wood, here are two articles you can check out:

 

 

During the past few months, this has been a difficult time for everyone in our community in some way,

shape or form. The Cameron Wood HOA board made the decision in Mid-March to suspend inspections

and violations, except for public safety issues, due to the uncertainty of what was going to happen due

to Covid-19. Some residents may have received notifications after that date, but those were for

inspections that happened weeks before the pandemic hit Charlotte.

 

We fully understand on the heels of the tornado that ripped through our neighborhood, Covid-19 put a

stress on some of our neighbors and made it difficult to maintain their yards and homes and fix what

was needed to be fixed. That is why there was a hiatus on rules and regulations for almost 10 weeks.

During that time, many residents got the opportunity to complete DIY projects and to repair some of the

damage done by the tornado. It also appears some have not had an opportunity to do so.

 

We ask that if neighbors see that something needs to be done, please reach out and offer a helping

hand. Someone could be working the frontlines at a hospital and not have the time or energy to perform 

that repair at this time.

 

It’s all about neighbors helping neighbors.

 

With that said, our property management company CAM (Community Association Management) has

restarted their monthly inspections of the neighborhood and will be sending out reminder letters to

anything that sits outside of the neighborhood guidelines.

 

If you are thinking of upgrading a deck, repairing a fence, or any other home improvement and you

are unsure if it falls in the community guidelines, please reference the Cameron Wood website and

submit an ARC request so we may assist you thru the process. All projects need to be documented and

approved before completion.

 

Please feel free to reach out to the board with any questions. We are all going thru this pandemic

together and may be able to assist.

 

Mike O’Kelly - Architecture Compliance (ACC) - 704.576.5194 or email at mkokelly@gmail.com

Chris Zweier– Architecture Review (ARC) – email at gertengirl@gmail.com

 

 

As of 6/1, Mecklenburg County will resume regular yard waste and bulk pickup. Please remember to check the county's size restrictions here https://charlottenc.gov/SWS/ResidentServices/Pages/Yard-Waste-Collection.aspx and to schedule large pickups ahead of time here https://servicerequest.charlottenc.gov/service/BULKITEM

 

Please remember that you are responsible for the disposal of anything not taken by the county. In addition, make sure that the roadway and curbside is raked or swept after trash has been taken as this debris has been blocking drainage when it remains in the roadway. 

While we can't have our traditional Egg Hunt this year, we CAN still have some fun with the kids! Similar to the "shamrock" hunt we did for St.  Patrick's Day, we are going to do a window-themed "Egg Hunt" for Easter. Here's how it's going to go: 

 

 

 

Have fun with this! Thanks so much to CW resident Stefanie Jacobs for finding this, and for Ashley Swistak for helping pull it together! 

 

 

In late 2019, Austin attended a CW HOA meeting and presented an idea to build outdoor exercise equipment as an amenity that would enhance the neighborhood and promote fitness. After careful review of his plans, the board granted Austin approval. Over several weekends in January, he led a group of scouts, friends, and family in completing his project. It entailed selecting a site, clearing it, digging 2.5 ft holes, setting 6 X 6 support posts in concrete, and then building two pull up bars, a flat bench, and an inclined bench. Austin and the team then added a perimeter and filled with gravel. 

 

Today it can be used to perform many different exercises, some of which have been illustrated on signs Austin designed and posted on the equipment. Austin would like to thank the Cameron Wood HOA for providing a good portion of the money to support this project. He would also like to thank Lowe’s of Pineville for providing heavily discounted materials and tools, and to Home Depot for providing a free jackhammer rental. Lastly, he would like to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who donated their time to assist him; this wouldn’t have gotten done without your help. The next time you are out for a walk, take a lap around the pond and put the neighborhood’s new exercise equipment to use!  

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Fall is interesting here in Charlotte: you want to bust out the layered clothing in the morning and light the fire pit at night, but in the middle of the day, you’re sweating through your new fall boots. Here is a healthy, tasty, seasonal recipe to get you through that mid-day sweat-fest! It’s creamy and cool, with the perfect taste of fall. 

 

 

Why is fall tree planting season? Because the October through December moderate N.C. temperatures allow the tree roots to become established before the ground freezes (if it does freeze at all here).  

 

I’m recommending if you have cut down some trees in your Cameron Wood yard, consider replacing a few with trees that are native to this area and are fast growers, averaging about 30 feet tall, and give spectacular fall color. 

 

Several trees that Dr. Larry Mellichamp, the recently retired director of the North Carolina Charlotte Botanical Gardens and author of Native Plants of the Southeast, recommends for our area are the Southern Sugar Maple (Acer barbatum), the Chalk Maple (Acer leucoderme), the Red Maple (Acer rubrum), and the Pawpaw (Asimina triloba). If you want even smaller, fast growing maples, go to the website of North Carolina’s premiere Japanese Maple growers, mrmaple.com. I have four of their maple trees. They are relatively inexpensive, are shipped well-packed, and are mostly deer resistant. Happy planting!

 

 

Back to school is an important time for families to discuss safety with their children, review safety tips and be aware of threats to their children at home and school. The more informed we are as parents, the safer our children and the community will be. Please use the following tips for safety:

 

·       Map out a safe way to walk to school or to the bus stop. Avoid crossing busy roads and intersections, if possible. Do a trial run with your kids so you can discuss areas to avoid along the way, such as vacant lots, construction areas, and parks where there aren’t many people. Encourage kids to walk to school or to the bus stop with a sibling or friend, and wait at bus stops with other children. 

 

·       Snap a photo of your child and enter up-to-date descriptions in case it is needed. 

 

·       Ask about the safety and emergency plans for your children’s school. How is local law enforcement involved? How are students and parents involved? What emergencies have been considered and planned for?

 

·       Talk to your children about their day. Ask your children if they see anyone bullied, or if anything makes them feel uncomfortable. Look for signs of bullying, like a sudden drop in grades, loss of friends, or torn clothing. 

 

·       If you see something suspicious, report it to local law enforcement. 

 

·       Teach children to resolve problems without fighting. Talk to them about other ways they can work out a problem, such as talking it out, waking away, sticking with friends, or telling a trusted adult. 

 

·       Keep an eye on your children’s Internet use. Talk to your children about what they do online: what sites they visit, who they email, and who they chat with. Encourage them to speak up if something makes them uncomfortable, or if they witness forms of cyberbullying, such as threats or harassment. 

 

• Canned chicken
• Canned tuna
• Vienna Sausage
• Beef Stew
• Chili
• Mini Ravioli, Spaghetti Meatballs, Spaghetti-Os
• Hearty Soups, Noodle Soups, Soup
• Spaghetti Sauce
• Beans (all kinds)
• Peanut Butter
• Canned Veggies (carrots, corn, green beans, mixed veggies,
• potatoes, peas, etc.) — we need LOTS of veggies!
• Pasta (anything boxed, noodles)
• Rice-a-Roni
• Rice (ready bags)
• Mashed potatoes (packets)
• Scalloped potatoes (boxed)
• Macaroni and Cheese (boxed or individual)
• Flour Tortillas
• Ramen Noodle packs
• Microwave Popcorn
• Oatmeal (individual packets) — we need LOTS of oatmeal packets!
• Cracker packs (peanut butter crackers, cheese crackers, etc.)
• Granola bars
• Fruit and grain bars
• Applesauce cups — we need a LOT of fruit/applesauce cups!
• Fruit cups
• Individually wrapped popcorn bags — we go through a LOT of these
• Snacks (individual packs)

Our Community Fall Yard Sale will take place on Saturday, September 8th RAIN OR SHINE from 8:00 am - 2:00 pm.

 

***IMPORTANT! Mecklenburg County requires a permit for residents who plan to have a yard/garage/attic sale. This license is five dollars ($5.00) per day per household and must be available for inspection at all times during the sale.

 

Details can be found here: https://www.mecknc.gov/TaxCollections/BusinessTaxes/Pages/YardSaleLicense.aspx

 

The permit can be applied for online here: https://biztax.mecklenburgcountync.gov/yardsale/Default.aspx

 

If you have questions, please contact Al Smith.