It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas - Except for the Leaves at the Curbs

Our ROPD led the 2011 Royal Oak Holiday Magic Parade

The ROFD added Christmas red to the start of the parade

Borgo School of Dance (Royal Oak) Dance Team

ROHS Marching Band

ROHS Dance Team

Holiday Market sponsored Toys for Tots (and Gina drove the van)

Our neighborhood Northwood Girl Scouts dressed as holiday presents

Thousands of friends and neighbors lined Washington for the parade

Oakland County Sheriff Bouchard

Hello Santa (and Mrs. Claus)!

Mayor Ellison, Santa and Grand Marshal Jim Harper officially start the holiday season in Royal Oak

The Saad family - Doris, Amanda, Juli and Dan (taking the picture) wish the VEHA Happy Holidays!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the VEHA - except for the leaves still piled at our curb sides.! The holiday season officially began here in Royal Oak with the 11th annual Holiday Magic Parade Downtown on Saturday, November 19. Thousands of friends and neighbors lined the parade route to cheer our Royal Oak Police and Fire Departments, the Royal Oak High School Marching Band and Dance Team; and many other special members of the community including Borgo School of Dance (whose Dance Team performed) and Holiday Market (sponsor of this year's Marine Corps "Toys for Tots").

My neighbors are taking advantage of the mild November weather to put up their Christmas lights and set up other outdoor decorations. I admire them. I have a tradition of my own, however. I put up my lights and outdoor decorations the first weekend of December that we record a single-digit wind chill index. Smart? No. But what are the holidays without tradition?

Speaking of tradition - we will soon be "... lighting up our corner of the world" (as Luminary Chairperson Norma Regenold always says) with our traditional VEHA Luminary display on Christmas Eve. Your Block Captains will be delivering order forms before and after Thanksgiving - be sure to take part; the warm, gentle glow on Christmas Eve reflects the spirit of the VEHA and everyone who lives here in our corner of the world.

And when you're out there on Christmas Eve, take a moment to wish your neighbor a "Merry Christmas!"

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Dan Saad, VEHA Editor
daniel.saad@djscomm.com

Send me news and information for January - I'll be posting holiday "afterglow" photos from the VEHA and catching everyone up on the latest in our neighborhood!

Red Alert(s)!

The leaves on my Maple tree are turning red - autumn's here in the VEHA.

It happened even before the first official day of autumn - the leaves on the Maple tree in my backyard began to turn red, signaling the arrival of fall in the VEHA, no matter what the calendar (at the time) said.

But, like I've often written, every season in the VEHA is something to savor. The rich colors that will soon be lining each of our streets, as the leaves turn, will give us all an "up north" experience just by stepping out our doors and strolling along the sidewalk.

We had a wonderful summer. A little warm some days, but even when I had to resort to turning on the air conditioner for up to a week at a time, I kept reminding myself, "... you don't have to shovel heat!" Most of our "signature" VEHA events are behind us for the year - the annual VEHA Yard/Garage Sale was a little soggy, keeping traffic down, and attendance at the summer picnic suffered a little from the heat; but nonetheless the VEHA neighborhood spirit came through.

Ahead, in December, is our annual Luminary Night - Christmas Eve - when we, as Norma Regenold says, "Light up our corner of the world" and spread some holiday cheer. There will be news of that in a printed newsletter, and an update here, very soon. Before we light up our corner of the world with luminaries, however, we'll be lighting up our corner of the world with jack-o-lanterns on Hallowe'en. The VEHA is a wonderful place for trick-or-treaters and I always enjoy the visits with neighbors as we stand outside that evening handing out treats.

Another 'Red' alert

Many of you recall the filming of the movie "Red Dawn" right here in the VEHA in the late spring of 2009. It was especially exciting for those of us on Vinsetta, where a big chase scene was filmed. Check out the VEHA Memo archive and read the Winter 2009 edition for the full story.

Well, here's an update. More than two years after filming was finished, it seems we may be close to the film being released. The Emagine Theater, right here in Royal Oak, had a promo on its website a week ago announcing a September 23 premier. That date has come and gone, however, and the film in not yet showing. Check back at the Emagine website regularly and see if there's any hint of a new release date. Wouldn't it be great to have a "premier party" at the theater for VEHA neighbors to celebrate the "celebrity" status of our neighborhood in the film? Here's the link to the Emagine Royal Oak theater:
http://www.emagine-entertainment.com/showtimes/visshowtimes.aspx?cinemaid=1006

The stars and crew of the film "Red Dawn" prepare for a take of the chase scene on Vinsetta in 2009

 Watch for a winter 2011 VEHA Memo update soon; and keep reading, posting and enjoying!

Dan Saad, VEHA Memo Editor
daniel.saad@djscomm.com

NO Hibernating!

The VEHA can truly be a winter wonderland. The neighborhood is still calling out to you to enjoy it, only sometimes the snow muffles the call a little bit.

My cross country skis, after three loops of the boulevard on Vinsetta on a snowy January Saturday.

Even on days like the Ground Hog Day Blizzard, there's fun and adventure in the VEHA! After shoveling our walks and driveways, my family (l-r: Juli, Doris, Amanda) and I "hiked" to National Coney Island at 12 Mile and Main, just about a half-mile from our house, for lunch.

The blizzard 1-2 punch that nature delivered to the VEHA first on Ground Hog Day, then again on Saturday (February 5), drove a lot of friends and neighbors deeper into their “burrows,” longing for spring.

If you only experience winter in our neighborhood when you scrape off your car, clear the snow from your walks and driveway, or negotiate the snow-lined streets on your way to-and-from work, you’re missing the best part of winter in the VEHA.

For three Saturday mornings in a row in January, I cut (and re-cut) cross country ski tracks along the boulevard of Vinsetta; for my family and myself, I thought; but on Saturday, January 29, a neighbor from Webster stopped her car along side me as I was renewing the track and said, “Thank you so much for cutting the tracks – my family and I have been using them too, and we wondered who set them!”

I smiled and said, “Well, I’m glad all this work is getting more use than just for my family and myself – have fun!” As she drove away, I was reminded what a great place this is to live year ‘round; it’s just that at some times of the year, you have to look a little harder for the fun and fellowship.

You can always meet neighbors on a snowy weekend at “Bicycle Hill Park” which, at this time of year, becomes “Sledding Hill Park.” Adults gather and catch up on neighborhood news while the kids enjoy the snow-covered hills with sleds, saucers and even snowboards. Sometimes, against their better judgment, the adults give the hill a run too … and it’s seldom pretty!

On “Blizzard 2 – the sequel” Saturday, I decided to strap on my snow shoes, instead of my skis, and as I set out down the center of the boulevard on Vinsetta, what did I see? Snow shoe tracks! Some other neighbor had the same idea but managed to get out just a little earlier than I did.

I know most of the VEHA neighbors are eagerly looking forward to our signature spring events – the annual Park Clean-up, and our VEHA-wide Yard/Garage Sale, but don’t overlook all the neighborhood has to offer until spring gets here – and even if you’re not up to skiing, show shoeing or sledding, take a walk through the winter wonderland that is the VEHA. No hibernating, friends … the neighborhood is still calling out to you, the snow just muffles it a little bit!

Neighborly Surprise
One of the nicest things to discover after a big snowfall in the VEHA, is to find that a neighbor has gone an extra 50 feet or so with their snow blower and cleared your sidewalk.

For guys like me, who still shovel, it’s a spirit-lifting surprise; especially on those blizzard-like days when it takes two (or more) outings with the shovel to keep the walks and driveways clear. I have two drives to shovel – one on Potawatomi, and the other on the back of my lot on Vinsetta. When I finished the front drive and sidewalk on Saturday, I made my way through my yard to Vinsetta to repeat the chore and found that the walk was already done by my neighbor and friend Dennis Ellison! Dennis and Karen are typical of the kind of caring neighbors who make the VEHA such a wonder place to live.

Just a few weeks until spring, friends; but until then, I’ll see you in the snow!

Dan Saad, VEHA Editor
d1saad@aol.com

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas in the VEHA

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Royal Oak, and in the VEHA. On Saturday, November 20, the ninth annual Holiday Magic Parade on Washington Avenue kicked-off the Holiday Season in Royal with the arrival of Santa Claus.

Here in the VEHA, over the Thanksgiving four-day weekend, I saw neighbors stringing seasonal lights, setting up holiday lawn decorations and trimming doors with holly wreaths.

Soon, Block Captains will be dropping off luminary order forms at homes throughout the VEHA so that we can all join in our annual tradition of lighting up our corner of the world on Christmas Eve. During the week before Christmas, the Block Captains will be delivering the orders, along with instructions for setting up and lighting the luminaries.

To help you get into the holiday spirit, here are some photos from the Holiday Magic Parade. I hope you enjoy them, and I wish all the families in the VEHA a very Happy Holiday Season and a wonderful New Year!

Dan Saad - VEHA Memo Editor
406 Potawatomi Blvd.
d1saad@aol.com
The Book Worm was one of a number of floats from The Parade Company, the organization that sponsors the annual America's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Detroit, to appear in the 2010 Royal Oak Holiday Magic Parade.
Royal Oak's own Borgo School of Dance and Gymnastics Dance Team performed a special seasonal routine in the parade.
The Royal Oak High School Marching Band was a highlight of the Holiday Magic Parade, providing seasonal music all along the parade route.
As a 1972 graduate of Cass Technical High School in Detroit, I was happy to see the CT Marching Band in the Holiday Magic Parade. The Marching Technicians drew cheers from the crowd when they performed their show band routine, just before the arrival of the most-anticipated parade participant.
Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived in Royal Oak and were greeted by Mayor Ellison with the key to the city. With the arrival of the Jolly Ol' Elf, the Holiday Season officially began in Royal Oak!

A Very VEHA Halloween


We light up our corner of the world every October 31 in the VEHA, too, except it's with jack-o-lanterns instead of luminaries! Halloween 2010 featured a perfect late-Autumn evening and the streets of the association were full of eager trick-or-treaters and their parents.

Above are a few photos I took on Potawatomi Blvd.; in front of our house, as well as on the front porch of neighbors Doug and Diane Price.

VEHA Picnic Returns; So Do Friends and Neighbors

Return of the VEHA Picnic Brings Out Friends and Neighbors
The VEHA Picnic returned on July 17, after a year's absence in 2009. Interested neighbors restored the annual event and friends and neighbors from throughout the neighborhood gathered to share lunch, stories and friendship.

Coming just days after the storm that downed many trees and knocked out power throughout the neighborhood, that was a popular topic of conversation. In addition, though, neighbors caught up on family news, shared updates and rekindled friendships.

The picnic is one of the three signature events of the VEHA, the others being the annual VEHA Yard and Garage Sale in May, and the Christmas Eve Luminary Display.

"It's wonderful to see the picnic return," said Norma Reginold, a long-time resident and VEHA Luminary Chairperson. "Bringing the neighbors together for a social event like this strengthens the bonds of the neighborhood and makes this a better place to live!"

Keeping the VEHA Beautiful
A note from Barb Johnson: Did you notice how nice the "islands" are looking? I (and some helpers I paid for) pulled weeds and dug most of the trenches. If these trenches are maintained, grass roots and some weeds will not enter those islands and the job of upkeep is much easier. Volunteers are needed to help!

I suggest four people per island, making it about a 30-minute job each spring and fall. Will you donate some time? If so, please give me a call at 248-589-2286.

SEND YOUR NEWS and neighborhood information to Dan Saad, VEHA Memo Editor, at d1saad@aol.com; and watch this site for regular VEHA updates!

Summer Storms Changing Our Landscape

The summer storm that hit the VEHA the week of July 14 (complete with a brief power outage)
changed our Vinsetta landscape, downing one of the last Willow trees that remained on our median. This old tree, across from Bicycle Hill Park, was one that my daughters and I visited frequently throughout the years. As tots, they would climb up between its tri-trunks and jump down into my arms. In later years, it was a regular stop on our walks where we'd pause for a drink and to just enjoy the beauty of our neighborhood.

Nature changes constantly - old trees fall, and new ones sprout. While it was sad to see this old friend fall, it reminded me that it's important to enjoy each step on our journey through the landscape around us and appreciate all the beauty our neighborhood offers us all!

Happy summer!

Dan Saad, VEHA Memo Editor

Neighborhood Updates
Rabid skunks have been confirmed, in two cases, in Royal Oak this season. A family dog, not vaccinated against rabies, contracted the disease from a skunk bite. Several other skunks, witnessed acting abnormally, were destroyed and their remains sent for testing. If you observe any animals acting abnormally this summer, call the Royal Oak Police at 248-246-3500 and report it.

For more information on rabies, call Oakland County Health and Human Services at 248-858-1406, or toll-free at 1-800-848-5533. For information on animal testing, call the Oakland County Health Division - Communicable Disease Unit at 248-858-1286 or toll-free at 1-888-350-0900, ext. 8-1286.

Raccoons, including a mother with four young, have been sighted on Pinehurst climbing trees and rummaging through garbage cans. Several years ago, raccoons took up residence in some Pinehurst attics and chimneys. The City of Royal Oak has no services to trap and relocate raccoons. Residents with raccoon problems must contact a private pest control company.

If you have an e-mail address and wish to get regular e-mail updates from the City of Royal Oak, including Police Updates, go to www.ci.royal-oak.mi.us/portal/content/e-mail-notification and sign up.

VEHA Picnic - On Again in 2010
Our neighborhood picnic will be held at Waterworks Park (Beechwood and Magnolia) on Saturday, July 17 (rain date, Sunday, July 18) at noon. Instead of bringing your own lunch, just bring a dish to pass for 8-10 neighbors and your own (non-alcoholic) beverages. The Parks Department will put out picnic tables for us, so you don't have to bring your own tables and chairs. Paper goods and flatware will be provided by the VEHA. This is a wonderful way to get re-acquainted with old friends and to meet new neighbors - we hope to see you there!

A Perfect Weekend for Sale-ing

The Eberhardt family, of 411 Potawatomi, held a yard sale to benefit A New Leash on Life; an animal rescue and education organization that depends entirely on volunteers and donations.

The weekend of May 14-16 was ideal for the annual VEHA Yard/Garage Sale event. Hundreds of bargain-hunting visitors shopped throughout the association over three days of sunshine and moderate temperatures.

Two families on Potawatomi used their yard sales to raise fund for local charitable organizations. The Eberhardt family, of 411 Potawatomi, raised funds for A New Leash on Life - an animal rescue and education organization that depends entirely upon volunteers and donations to carry on its work.

"Volunteers from the organization donated all the items we have for sale," said Debbie Eberhardt, " and all the money goes directly to support adoptions, feeding, fostering and other related activities." Debbie noted that A New Leash on Life is always in need of donations of pet foods, bedding, litter; and in need of foster families to support the program.

For more in formation, visit: https://anewleashonliferescue.org, or e-mail to: anewleashonlife@hotmail.com.

Doris, Juli and Amanda Saad, of 406 Potawatomi, sold bright pink tents for the Komen for the Cure 3-Day that was held in 2006. After that event, the tents were donated to their Girl Scout Troop. The tents were still in like-new condition, even after several Scout camping trips, so the girls decided to sell them to raise money for this year's 3-Day.

"It's like recycling," Juli and Amanda said, "we're selling the tents to people who will put them to good use, and the money goes back to the Susan G. Komen foundation to fight cancer."

For more information about the Susan G. Komen Foundation, visit: www.The3Day.org.

VEHA Picnic is Coming! The annual VEHA neighborhood picnic has returned, after its cancellation in 2009, thanks to renewed interest. This year's picnic is set for Saturday, July 17 (with a rain date of Sunday, July 18). Plan to bring a picnic lunch and a dish to pass for your neighbors. Paper goods and plasticware will be provided by the VEHA. Plan to bring along tables and chairs, too.

Send your news and comments about the VEHA to Dan Saad, VEHA Memo Editor, at d1saad@aol.com, or post them here at VEHA Memo. See you at the picnic in July!