Board Update: Signage Policy follow-up, lifeguards needed, Meet the Neighbors profile, food trucks

Hello Eagle Nest residents,

Here is a look at neighborhood news for the week of April 5:

A WORD (OR TWO) ABOUT OUR NEW SIGNAGE POLICY

Thanks to the dozens of residents who recently submitted sign approval requests in observance of our new Signage Policy. The Board appreciates your cooperation and observance of these new neighborhood rules.

In general, we’ve received great support of the policy, the goal of which is to protect neighborhood aesthetics, prevent outdated messaging (i.e., contractors and political races), and avoid front yards cluttered with commercial billboards.

Of course, we’re had a few residents concerned that the Board was overstepping its reach or trying to infringe on personal rights. That’s not true. We simply don’t want to see outdated or damaged signs lingering for months, something neighbors have complained about. So, we acted. The policy gives wide latitude on signs – but it has to start with a request. That literally takes five minutes – just snap a photo of the sign and email it with a description (materials, size, duration of display) to RulesRestrictions@att.net and we’ll respond right away.

At the March Board meeting, Directors unanimously approved all “h-stake” yard signs promoting Black Lives Matter, Asian Lives Matter, Frontline Workers Matter (i.e., police, health care, teachers, etc.), All Lives Matter, Be Kind and nonprofits. In addition, shepherd’s hooks with similar messaging and home security system signs also are approved. For now, all the aforementioned signs have an indefinite display period. But you must request permission. If not, your sign could disappear, courtesy of the Board.

Questions? Email RulesRestrictions@att.net. That also is the email address to submit proposed plans for fences, decks, sheds and other exterior lot improvements.

BOARD SEEKS LIFEGUARDS FOR UPCOMING POOL SEASON

Believe it or not, we’re just about two months away from the opening of our 2021 pool season! That’s right, per tradition the Board plans to open Memorial Day weekend, at noon Saturday, May 29 (weather permitting and assuming local COVID restrictions aren’t tightened). And like last year, we’ll have COVID waivers for everyone to sign and submit before entering the facility. More on that later.

In the meantime, we’re in need of a few lifeguards. At this writing, we have about half a dozen new and returning guards, and we need at least 10 to adequately staff the facility through the summer. If you know of someone looking for easy outdoor work this summer (hey, you get paid to suntan!), please ask them to contact Pool Manager Samantha Burns at samanthaburns51@gmail.com.

We pay competitive wages, provide a free staff swimsuit, and lifeguards do not need to be Eagle Nest residents to join our team. All employees must be current in their Red Cross certification (Samantha can provide more info about that).

MEET THE NEIGHBORS: THE LITTLE FAMILY OF TANAGER COURT

Everybody’s found their own way of coping during the pandemic. For Kelsay and Willie Little of Tanager Court, that’s meant regular game nights and carryout meals – with a twist.

“We have two kids, Xavier (12) and Alayna (9), so we love spending time together as a family,” Kelsay says. “Since the pandemic began, we've had game nights frequently and carryout meals in the back of our van.”

They enjoy traveling to new places and going on new adventures.

“And we’ve started a local youth track club called AthLead Indy and hope to impact the lives of youth in our area through sport and community service. You can check out athleadindy.com to register to learn more.”

They moved to Eagle Nest five years ago from Franklin Township on the Southeast side, where they had lived since graduating college and getting married. Kelsay's been with Roche for 11 years in Finance Operations and Order Management, and Willie works in software sales at Demandwell in downtown Indianapolis.

The pool is their favorite neighborhood spot in the summer, and they’re grateful for such good neighbors and friends.

“Our next-door neighbors are some of the best,” Kelsay says. “They are the kindest people - teaching our son woodworking, letting our daughter sit and chat, or paint a stone. They even gifted us a snowblower after a 9-inch snowfall. The kindness from the people around us has made us cherish our time here.”

Neighbors will recognize another member of the family – Flash, their 80-pound “Sheepadoodle,” a cross between an Old English Sheepdog and Poodle, who lived up to his name from the moment he arrived.

“I'm sure our neighbors will find this more amusing than we did at the time,” Kelsay said. “Before being trained, he would dart out of our house if the door was open and run all around Eagle Nest.”

The family would load everybody into the minivan and scour the neighborhood with their doors open, pleading for him to jump in the van. Kelsay finally figured out what worked, after returning from a shopping trip to Kroger.

“One time I was able to coax him home - with a cake.”

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What’s your story? We’d like to tell it. If you can spare a few minutes to introduce yourself, please email your answers to the following questions to neighborhood storyteller and Tanager Court resident John Strauss at johncstrauss@gmail.com:

• How long you have lived in Eagle Nest and where you moved from?
• The kind of work you do or have done?
• What you do for fun?
• The things you like best about the neighborhood, and what you appreciate the most about your neighbors?
• What’s a fun or amusing story about your time in Eagle Nest?

Best part is, you’ll be famous on the Eagle Nest blog!

POLL: MAJORITY OF RESIDENTS SAY YES TO FOOD TRUCKS

The last Constant Contact poll asked, “Would you like to see food trucks return this summer?” The results: 67 responses. Yes, 95.5% (42 respondents), and No, 4.5% (3 respondents).

The Board’s take: As you might recall, last year we had dozens of food trucks visit Eagle Nest as a convenience for our residents during the initial restaurant closures due to the pandemic -- one of the few area neighborhoods to organize such an activity. Good news! In May, the food truck stops will resume, a rotation of our most popular vendors twice a month. We’re looking at inviting Jet’s Pizza back, too. If you have a food truck preference or recommendation, please email scottthien@comcast.net and he’ll get things lined up.

In other news:

TRASH CART REMINDER: Please store your Republic trash and recycling roll carts out of sight (ideally in the garage or in the back of your home). It’s not just a courtesy to keep our neighborhood from looking trashy, our Declarations of Restrictions (Section 5F) prohibit storing trash containers within view of the development. Failure to comply could mean loss of access to the Association's facilities, including the pool. We hope it doesn't come to that, of course. Thank you for your cooperation!

BI-WEEKLY COMMS: Your friendly neighborhood blog is moving to a bi-weekly cycle moving forward unless special communications are needed. We started the weekly blast as a way to connect residents during the initial onset of COVID-19, but now that vaccinations are rolling out and things are opening up we can turn our attention to other neighborhood business. As always, we appreciate your feedback and suggestions for topics to include in the blast.

On behalf of the Board,
Scott Thien, President