Livin' in the Forest " The Foster Family"
September 30, 2008 by admin
Filed under Livin' in the Forest
Although we have only lived in the Forest for five years we have grown to truly appreciate those who have been here for 20+ years. I had asked some of the veterans to write a monthly feature for the Forester so that the newcomers could get a better sense of how the neighborhood was in it’s earlier years. Larry Foster has generously offered to be the first.
John WomeldorfÂ
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Livin’ in the Forest
The Foster’s have spent twenty great years in the Forest – we raised two children here that could not wait to get out on their own but would be terribly upset if their parents moved. Windsor Forest is their home. They don’t have anything to worry about, we’re not going anywhere.
We arrived 20 years ago; we could not have been greeted more warmly. Our children who were 1 and 9 made friends quickly, and we made friends with their friend’s parents. Before we knew it four families had joined together to create a “Cooking Coop” where Monday thru Thursday one of the families delivered dinner to the other three homes. In essence each family only cooked one night per week, the other three nights we had great leftovers or dined out. Eighteen years later the Coop is alive and well and has been a special part of our lives and friendships. Speaking of cooking - every three months the neighborhood participated in “Knife and Fork” where 30 to 40 couples gathered in groups of 6-7 couples at assigned homes for dinner parties. Each house had the same menu and all guest participated in preparing the dinner. For the newly arrived it was a great way to meet new friends.  The friendships made at Knife and Fork continue today. Â
What did I like most? Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day – the basics haven’t changed so this will not be new to a lot of those reading this. We’d start the day with a golf tournament, followed by lunch, libation and laughs at the club house- off to the pool or horseshoes at someone’s home or both, then back to the clubhouse for a picnic. But that’s not all – after the picnic we’d play jungle volleyball until it was so dark we had to stop. Needless to say they were long, tiring but great days. What were the best things? -the camaraderie and sense of community. As a newcomer the golf was a great way to meet new people – some of my best friendships today started while participating in theses events. I remember watching the younger generation swimming in the pool and playing volleyball with us. What great memories. Members of that younger generation have gone out to do good things with their lives and I am confident they are using their memories of the holidays in Windsor Forest in their new neighborhoods.  Some have decided to raise their families in the Forest. By the way – the entire neighborhood owes a great deal of thanks to Barry Beers who has been organizing the holiday golf tournaments for at least the last 20 years- and more.
Neighborhood clean up day – loved to hate them. When I first arrived there would easily be 100 people at the club house and things were happening – mulch everywhere, weeds flying, paint spreading, libation and laughs. It was hard, dirty work! But I never left a Neighborhood Clean Up without a very strong feeling of camaraderie and sense of community.
Have you noticed the common theme?  Interesting how work and play in the Forest end with the same results. Good times, great friends- a terrific, caring neighborhood.  Â
Larry and Lee Foster
13 Tempsford Lane
Williamsburg VA
End of Season Pool Closing Work Party
Thanks to everyone who participated in our annual ritual of shutting down the Windsor Forest Pool. It was surprisingly easier this year due to the direction of Tom Oren. Maybe we can invent a tool for pulling the spring thingies on an off by next opening day.
Sorry for the poor photo quality I forgot to bring a good camera. These are from my phone.
About WFA ( Windsor Forest Association)
Windsor Forest Association (WFA) is owned and supported by its members who are residents of Windsor Forest. It is a voluntary organization although membership is strong encouraged. We normally have over 70% of our neighbors as members.
The Windsor Forest Association provides homeowners with a list of amenities that makes the neighborhood unique and the envy of others. The Association Officers and Board Members are hard working volunteers that are dedicated to the improvement and well being of Windsor Forest. Member Benefits
Some of the benefits of being a member of the association include:
Access: As an association member, you and your family have automatic access to the clubhouse ( small fee) tennis courts, soccer field, basketball court, and playground. You also receive free admission to several community-sponsored events. Additional charges are incurred to join the pool.
Use of the recreation area including the playground, soccer field, tennis courts, clubhouse (small fee), basketball, and volleyball.
Also, the Association provides a neighborhood directory, monthly newsletters, neighborhood watch program, and social activities.
The Association also maintains the common areas which include the Recreation area and the Entrances. (The three main entrances on Longhill, the recreation area entrance, and the Seton Hill entrance)
 Value: WFA dues are significantly less than Association dues in other communities with similar amenities. Financial prudence together with lots of volunteer support gives you tremendous bang for your buck.
 The Association maintains the common green areas along with the Windsor Forest Association Recreation Area. Homeowners that join the association receive many benefits and have access to the Recreation Area. For an additional fee Homeowner Members can join the Windsor Forest Pool. The Windsor Forest Swim Team, known throughout the Virginia Peninsula as the Frogs is a championship team that is a source of pride with all the neighbors.
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We are all aware that the pool and common areas, clubhouse, tennis courts, athletci field and playground add greatly to the appeal and value of the homes in our neighborhood. As property owners, we are also all aware that along with ownership come responsibilities.  The WFA was founded to fulfill these responsibilities:
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Management of common areas
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Management of clubhouse
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Maintenance of the swimming pool and adjacent areas
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Planning and execution of social events to foster family life
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Maintenance of high standards regarding any changes to real property within the neighborhood
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Improvement of communication between the association and its members through monthly newsletters and the regular publication of a residents directory.
WFA Board and Committees
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From the beginning, WFA has relied on an executive board made up of neighborhood residents who volunteer their time to fill each of the positions. In addition to the executive board, their are additional board members in charge of each of the committees. Click the following links to learn more:
If you would like to volunteer your time and join the board, click this link to let us know. If you would like to simply add your name to a list of able volunteers for neighborhood projects on an “as-needed” basis, click here.
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A Covenant Community
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Since its inception, Windsor Forest has been a covenant community. These covenants are designed to protect your interests within the community. Regardless of what a real estate agent or seller may have told you, or whether you have seen them or not, every homeowner and resident is legally bound to abide by these covenants, so it is important to familiarize yourself with them.  The covenants are available here on the website for your review, simply click this link to see them.
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Management of common areas
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Management of clubhouse
-
Maintenance of the swimming pool and adjacent areas
-
Planning and execution of social events to foster family life
-
Maintenance of high standards regarding any changes to real property within the neighborhood
-
Improvement of communication between the association and its members through monthly newsletters and the regular publication of a residents directory.
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