October 2004

Message from the President
"Challenging"! An appropriate adjective for the last couple of months at HBV......
Another apropos adjective, "Exciting".

As usual the board members, research analyst, and staff have risen to the challenge. Over $30,000 in delinquent accounts has been collected. Many of our maintenance projects have been completed. Many more await our spring schedule. You'll be receiving an update on the specifics of this plan by the end of the year.

A winterization program has been approved and is being implemented in preparation for the winter season. Because of our proactive response to water run off issues, HBV fared better than ever even in the IVAN rainfall this summer.

A reminder to all homeowners who rent their units:
According to the NC Building Code:

1. You must have a smoke and carbon monoxide alarm in your unit if it is on the rental market.

2. A 1-bedroom unit has a maximum occupancy of 4 persons and a 2-bedroom unit a maximum occupancy of 6 persons. An owner can be fined if these occupancy levels are violated. Please inform your rental agents of these limitations on occupancy levels for these units.

Katie, our administrative assistant will be leaving the end of November. Lou Williamson will be leaving the board to take her position. Lou brings the experience, skill, and knowledge to this position that will be an asset to HBV.

Although we still have miles to go on this journey of rebirth of our community, we have made a good start. Thanks to all board members, special assistants, committees, staff and homeowners for all your contributions of time, and/or resources for the improvements to our beloved Holiday Beech Villas community.

Greetings for the Holiday Seasons
Karen Alexander, President

Log on to new Holiday Beech Villas website
Website Up and Running
HBV's long-awaited web site is now accessible through the Internet at:
www.HBVillas.org

Using the same address as HBV's e-mail address, with the different ending of "org" (because HBV is chartered as a non-profit organization) should make it easier to use both email and website.

Most-current information about upcoming activities, Board decisions and changing personnel will be placed on this site on a regular monthly basis, at the end of each month. Anyone with access to the Internet will be able to read and retrieve these up-to-date pages.

The website will be updated monthly by HBV homeowner Dr. W. Greg Lanier, a volunteer. Updating will usually occur the last week of each month so that the Minutes of the Board meeting (the third Saturday of each month) and the Gazette can be added to the website.

There are nine sections, under the following buttons:

Area Maps
Contained under the button "Area Maps" are three local maps showing the location of Upper, Middle and Lower Holiday Lanes from different perspectives. Using these maps, newcomers can find their way to the Beech Mountain Club and Lake Coffee, Sunset Park and the Buckeye Lake recreation area. Details also show Beech Tree Village and the ski slopes, the county line, and a blow-up sketch of the immediate roads around Holiday Beech Villas.

Also under this button are sketches of each HBV building, showing the location of each unit, where the building's electrical boxes are located, and the source of exterior lighting for that building.

Association By-Laws
Newest revisions of the By-Laws for the HBV association, as amended and passed at the July Homeowners meeting, are included. These By-Laws cover financial matters, stating how and for what reasons fees will be collected, as well as governances of the association.

Board Minutes
Most recent minutes of the previous month's Board of Directors meeting will be added for viewing when needed. Hard-copy minutes will no longer be mailed to homeowners.

Gazette Newsletter
HBV's most recent newsletter will appear under this button, added to prior month's newsletters for continuous coverage of action and activities. Social events, new acquisitions for the clubhouse, and new plantings will be highlighted.

Practical Information
Questions about HBV will be answered in this section. As new questions are asked by unit owners they will be added with answers from appropriate Board members.

Upcoming Events
What's happening in the area will be listed by event, time, place, and phone numbers where more information can be obtained. Some of the listings are found in your local telephone book (see "Attractions" in the blue section, pages 52-55). Arts events come from newsletters from various counties.

Who's Who
Names of responsible HBV persons, including Board of Directors, maintenance staff, insurance company, lawyer, etc.

Contact the Office
Phone and Fax number, e-mail address for getting your questions, needs and problems to the person in charge.

Thanks to HBV Owners Who Developed Web-Site
The initial concept of a website for HBV was developed by Jesus Hernandez (F Bldg) in concert with Jim Cary (B Bldg) who developed the face of the website and its buttons. Greg Lanier (H Bldg) finalized the site in mid-October and will up-date its contents monthly. All work and maintenance will continue to be done on a volunteer basis.

The website was envisioned to serve several purposes:

1. To present a fresh, modern image of HBV to its community so that realtors, renters and prospective purchasers would be alerted to the progressive nature of the community;

2. To inform and communicate with HBV unit owners electronically with 24/7 access and cost-efficiency;

3. To catalog strategic information, such as power sources on each building, for maintenance purposes;

4. To highlight the values inherent in HBV's prime location and effective management style.


As the website evolves, each of these categories will be amplified. Input from unit owners on this website should be addressed to HBV's office.

Unit owners who are not computer proficient are urged to find a friend, relative or business colleague who can bring up HBV's website and/or print each month's Gazette for him/her. We urge all unit owners who have computer access to email HBV's office with their updated email addresses. As in the past, unit owners who wish to have the minutes, Gazette, etc. mailed to them must make this request in writing to HBV's office.

Think HBV Twice at the End of Each Month
When you're writing your monthly fee check to HBV at the end of each month, check HBV's new website for that month's Board Minutes and Gazette articles.

Board Minutes and Gazette articles will be posted during the last week of each month. Writing your check can then become a reminder to log on and keep informed about current happening and up-coming events at HBV.

A Big Thank You to Jim Cary for developing the forms for building inspections and for unit inspections. Excellent work! On October 25th, or earlier, Jim will begin unit inspections.

Next HBV Party Scheduled for Spring 2005
Pat Kyle, Social Committee
Hard to believe, but the first party for 2005 is underway. Plans are being made to use HBV's new outdoor grill for more of the party foods that enticed unit owners during lunch at the annual meeting. Because two waves of unit owners return to the High Country for the cool breezes of spring and summer, two parties will be scheduled.
In April (since Easter falls at the end of March) for those who visit on weekends and sporadically during the month. In June, for those who drive longer distances to spend the summer at HBV.

Because the Christmas and New Year's times are considered too hectic for most unit owners to drive to Beech Mountain for a festive holiday party at HBV, only spontaneous, smaller parties will occur during December on-site.

NOTICES!!
Transfer of Ownership
The Board of Directors request that you advise, in writing, upon the sale of your unit. Name and address of the new owner should be provided to the HBV office so records can be updated and to insure that your name will be removed from our records. Thank you.

Maintenance Work Requests
Just a reminder regarding work requests: Scribbled notes on a pad are NOT work requests. Unit owners are required to complete the work request forms for all needed maintenance work. These forms are on the bulleting board located outside the HBV office door. Thank you.

Winter Unit Usage
If you plan to open your unit during the winter season (November 1 - April 1) please call or email the HBV office 24 hours ahead and leave a message containing your unit number and the dates of arrival and departure. This request is made in an effort to make sure all ice and snow is clear on your 'path'. Thank you.

From the Editor...
Many thanks go to Pat Kyle for her input to the Gazette articles. Pat has constantly been available to assist with any request. And a HUGE thank you to Greg Lanier for the HBV website. Everyone has been most complimentary about it...thank you Greg!

Commencing with this issue, the Gazette will be printed in this new format (no columns) for downloading to the new website. Due to the holidays, there is no December Board meeting and no December Gazette. In lieu of the Gazette, look for a very interesting article on 'The History of Beech Mountain' in the Gazette section of the website. Happy Holidays to one and all