Stratford Manor: "NEWS YOU CAN USE"

“News You Can Use”

Stratford Manor Association’s

Newsletter

(July 2026)

HELLO JULY! HAPPY 250^TH BIRTHDAY, AMERICA! What a special month to celebrate! On July 4^th, 2026, America marks 250 years of independence. With one sheet of parchment and 56 signatures, the American Revolution began one of the greatest political journeys in history. July also brings the height of summer, with warm weather, vacations, and outdoor fun. Its birthstone is the ruby, symbolizing passion and energy, and its birth flowers are the larkspur and water lily. “Where liberty dwells, there is my country.” Benjamin Franklin

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SAVE THE DATE: Join us for our next adventure, a “Meet & Greet,” on Saturday, July 11^th, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Schooners Restaurant. New residents are warmly invited to meet neighbors, board members, and perhaps a few future friends. Longtime neighbors are also encouraged to come welcome our newest residents. If you have new neighbors nearby, please share a copy of this newsletter so they have the opportunity to join us. For more information, contact Barb Lucas at barbwlucas@yahoo.com or 757-880-1627. Hope to see you there! Note: Bookish Bites (Book Swap) will meet again in August; the date and time will be announced in the August newsletter. (Contributed by Barb Lucas, Welcoming Committee Chairperson)

IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD: Please remember to lock your vehicles, even for quick stops. Locked doors help protect your belongings and discourage theft, especially when valuables are visible. Also, keep your front and back porch lights on to improve neighborhood visibility. If you notice anything suspicious, please contact the police.

UPCOMING: At the last board meeting, the board approved Parking Lot Maintenance to repave Wellesley Drive. Because of budget constraints, the parking spaces will not be repaved since they remain in good condition. Parking Lot Maintenance, which recently repaved the Hidenwood Shopping Center parking lot, is expected to complete the work in July.

Summertime Clean Up: Due to scheduling issues, Abbitt Management expects to complete home inspections this month. Now is a great time to freshen up your property by cleaning gutters, weeding and mulching flower beds, removing trash and debris from the rear fence area, checking that fences and gates are in good condition, and ensuring attic vents are properly maintained. The HOA thanks everyone for helping keep our homes well cared for. Together, we can continue making Stratford Manor a beautiful place to live.

GOOD TO KNOW!

All exterior structural work must be pre-approved. All owners must gain approval prior to making exterior structural, color, or other decorative changes in appearance. No owner has the authority to authorize any exterior work to be done in Stratford Manor without prior approval of the Architectural Committee. An architectural request can be found on the Stratford Manor Blogspot. All architectural requests must be submitted to Abbitt Management Company. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

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Dealing with mosquitoes? Reduce breeding areas and help limit mosquito-borne viruses by following these tips:

· Keep gutters, downspouts, and downspout pads properly installed and working.

· Empty standing water from buckets, flowerpots, bird baths, and other open containers.

· Fill low areas outdoors where water may collect.

· Use an outdoor mosquito repellent in your yard.

· Plant citronella, lemongrass, or marigolds near patio seating to help deter mosquitoes naturally.

· Use a mosquito deterrent, such as Mosquito Dunks, in bird baths. A few copper pennies may also help keep the water cleaner longer.

· Set up oscillating outdoor fans, mosquitos are weak flyers and the breeze will help keep them at bay.

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Summertime Hints and Suggestions – Make outdoor living more enjoyable by focusing on sun protection, pest control, and comfortable entertaining.

Sun and Heat Safety – Apply sunscreen correctly and choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Stay hydrated.

Master Shade – Use overhead umbrellas along with vertical shade, such as angled planters or breezy trellis curtains, to block morning and evening sun.

Ground Heat – Place a light-colored outdoor rug on stone or concrete to reduce heat absorption and radiation.

Entertaining and Dining – Pull your seating slightly away from exterior walls, as these surfaces absorb heat during the day and radiate it at night. Avoid sweating over a hot grill by offering customizable stations (like a hot dog bar) or pre-prepped ready-to-eat salads. Keep food chilled to prevent spoilage

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DON’T BE A GARBAGE CAN’T … BE A GARBAGE CAN! The HOA has received numerous complaints about garbage cans sitting out and not promptly removed. Please follow these community trash guidelines:

- Do not keep trash, rubbish, garbage, or debris on front porches. Store trash bins behind your home, or on the side if you live in an end unit. DO NOT STORE THEM IN YOUR FRONT YARD!

- Do not allow trash, garbage, or debris to build up in your backyard.

- Do not allow trash, garbage, or debris to accumulate in common areas or make them unsightly, offensive, or harmful to other property.

- Place trash receptacles and recycling bins out the evening before the scheduled pickup day and bring them in the evening of collection or the following morning.

- Bulk trash is collected on the same day as recycling and should be placed out no earlier than the weekend before the scheduled pickup day.

- Trash receptacles and recycling bins must be marked with the appropriate house number.

TRASH PICK UP DATES: July 7, July 14, July 21, and July 28.

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SMA Board for 2026

Doug Marmon, President

Email: President.StratfordManor@gmail.com

Ryan Hatter, Vice President

Email: Murphysdad12@gmail.com

Fran (Dobby) Hodges, Secretary

Email: Secretary.StratfordManor@gmail.com

Bob Lucas, Treasurer