“News You Can Use”
Stratford Manor Association’s
Newsletter
(May 2026)
HELLO MAY! May is recognized as the bridge between spring and summer, characterized by warm weather, blooming gardens, and the emerald birthstone. It is known for holidays like Mother’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, and Memorial Day, alongside observances such as Mental Health Awareness Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and the Kentucky Derby
Cookout Update: The April 26th cookout was
cancelled due to bad weather. It will be rescheduled for late summer or early
fall, and the HOA will share the new date when confirmed.
NEW
EVENT HAPPENING!
“Bookish Bites” meets on the 2nd Tuesday each month. The next event is May 12th
at Sage Kitchen, Anderson’s Gardening Center, 11:30 a.m. Bring a book to swap
and pay for your own meal. Attendance at the first book swap was low, so we
hope for more participants this time. Questions? Email Barb Lucas at barbwlucas@yahoo.com.
Home Inspections in May. Stratford Manor owners: Abbitt Management will conduct
spring exterior inspections in May, joined by Association Board members.
Inspectors will check for issues like peeling paint, loose shingles, or sagging
gutters. For more details, see the Architectural Compliance checklist at
stratfordmanornn.blogspot.com.
Let’s Get Connected: Communication means sharing information. The board now sends
newsletters and mass emails to save on paper and provide timely updates. If
you’re not receiving these, email Fran “Dobby” Hodges at Secretary.StratfordManor@gmail.com.
Landscaping – Good to Know! Atlantic
Landscaping is scheduled to begin removing ivy and overgrowth from the fences
behind Sloane Place and Wellesley Drive within the next month. This maintenance
will help extend the life of the fencing. The work will be billed hourly and
completed in phases, based on the HOA’s budget.
Safety
Concerns – Ounce of prevention worth a pound of cure: A
resident on Sloane Place recently reported an intruder in their backyard.
Police were contacted, but the person had already left. To stay safe, keep front
and back porch lights on and report any suspicious activity to the police.
TOP 10
THINGS THAT ARE GOOD TO KNOW: The information below
reminds Stratford Manor residents of key community guidelines. Newer neighbors
might not be familiar with all the rules, and following them helps keep our
neighborhood harmonious and valuable. These points are provided as a handy
reference for everyone. Protecting Stratford Manor’s integrity and value
depends on everyone working together. Please read and follow these reminders:
1. Bulk
trash should only be placed at the curb during the designated weekend before
collection. Early placement may cause complaints and detract from the
neighborhood's appearance. Keep your trash schedule handy from each newsletter
for easy reference. Bulk waste pickup occurs every two weeks, on the same day
as recycling. Mark your house number clearly on all trash and recycling bins.
2. Bring
in trash and recycling bins quickly after collection. Bins
should not remain at the curb beyond pickup day. Place bins 3-4 feet apart to
avoid blocking collection.
3. Get
approval before changing exterior paint colors. To
maintain uniformity, submit an architectural review application before altering
doors, windows, porches, or trim. Download the application at
stratfordmanornn.blogspot.com.
4. Visitor
curb parking is generally prohibited. Contractors or brief case
workers may park temporarily, but routine visitor curb parking creates safety
risks and could lead to towing. Direct visitors toward public street parking.
5. Do not
use front porches for storage. Storing coolers, tools, or
bikes on porches negatively affects the community's appearance.
6. Follow
the 15-mph speed limit throughout Stratford Manor.
Speeding puts pedestrians, especially seniors and children, at risk. Drive
safely.
7. Report
criminal activity immediately by calling 911. The SMA board cannot handle
criminal issues. Violations of SMA rules are not crimes and do not fall under
police jurisdiction.
8. Send
neighbor complaints directly to Abbitt via email. Use Associations@abbitt.com
for official complaints, ensuring proper documentation. Avoid hearsay evidence.
9. Contact
the board through official channels for questions or suggestions. Reach
out via president.stratfordmanor@gmail.com or
attend a board meeting.
1 Practice responsible dog etiquette. Dogs
must always be leashed outdoors. Owners must promptly pick up pet waste from
both private and shared areas, including patios, to prevent odors and keep
everything clean.
Let’s
Keep Stratford Manor Strong – Maintain your townhome
promptly to protect property values. Support the HOA by participating and
paying dues on time. Follow guidelines for neighborhood harmony and communicate
to build better relationships. Thank you for helping keep Stratford Manor a
great place to live.
TRASH PICKUP DATES:
May 5 (bulk), May 12, May 19
(bulk), May 27 (delayed for Memorial Day)
************
SMA Board for 2026
Doug Marmon, President
Email: President.StratfordManor@gmail.com)
Ryan Hatter, Vice President
Fran (Dobby) Hodges, Secretary
Email: Secretary.StratfordManor@gmail.com)
Bob Lucas, Treasurer
(Email: lucasb@att.net)
Sara Hanson
(Email: Smhanson64@gmail.com)
#####
Association’s
Website:
stratfordmanornn.blogspot.com
Contact the Board via their email:
or through Abbitt.
Property Management:
Abbitt Management
Ms. Tricia Wells, Manager
Mr. Zachary Wise, Assistant
Email:
associations@abbitt.com
757-874-4900
Board
Meeting Dates:
June 10, 2026, August 12, 2026, October 14,
2026, and December 9, 2026.
All
board meeting will be held at Abbitt Management and will start at 5:30 p.m.
Annual Meeting
November
18, 2026, at 7 p.m.
Abbitt
Management Company
.
