That’s the cry of the Barred Owl, often heard reverberating through our neighborhood after sunset and before sunrise.
Barred owls are highly territorial, and they choose a mate in the middle of winter. This year, the evening of January 6 appeared to be the winter social “hoot-enanny,” as dozens of owls loudly staked their claims to mates and roosts.
The owls lay a clutch of eggs, which are incubated for a period of about four weeks. This nesting pair has delighted keen-eyed passersby along the Henderson Road side of the path in the City park near Williamsburg Road. We will be watching for babies toward the end of February.
Hamilton Lakes and Parks will host its annual community picnic and fishing clinic on Sunday, September 18, 2022 at the Lake Euphemia Park, at the intersection of E. Kemp Road and Starmount Drive.
Our afternoon kicks off at 2:00, with a fishing clinic for kids of all ages. We’ll have experienced coaches to provide you and your kids with tips, tricks, and plenty of encouragement. Loaner rods and bait are also available. This community tradition stretches back for ten years.
At 5:00, our fall picnic gets into full swing. The Alley Rabbits, a local favorite band, will entertain us with bluegrass-inspired interpretations of classic tunes.
Food trucks are back this year! We are featuring the taco truck from Taqueria Azteca and frozen treats from the Ice Queen.
Come and celebrate a “return to normalcy” with your friends and neighbors in this relaxing setting, on what promises to be a beautiful afternoon!
Wills Maggart stands on the newly-anchored swan nesting platform in Lake Hamilton
My name is Dick Gordon, and my wife, Martha is a board member on the Hamilton Lakes & Parks Association.
The Board at Hamilton Lakes & Parks had been discussing how to keep the swans and any cygnets they have safe from predators that have killed our swans in the past. One thing they learned about was to have a floating “habitat” for them, but only one company in Chicago makes them. And they would not deliver them!
Martha and I noticed that our back door neighbor was a gifted carpenter and mechanically-inclined man. When the subject of the nesting platform came up, we eventually thought to ask if Mr. Zachary Maggart, and his son, Wills, may help. It turns out that Wills was looking for an Eagle Scout project, and BINGO! They jumped at the chance to build the platform. Wills carefully designed the platform and planned its construction, and wrote a very convincing proposal to the Board.
Wills and Scout Troop 26 built and launched the platform on the weekend of September 26. It all looks great! It’s anchored in the cove at the north end of Lake Hamilton. The habitat has soil and vegetation from the surrounding area, so the swans should feel comfortable once they get used to their new home.
Adding the float for the ramp for the swans to enter the habitat
I would like to thank Mr. Maggart and Wills for their effort and for further adding to our community. I hope that this new arrangement can keep the swans safe from predators and that they have healthy offspring.
Hamilton Lakes and Parks, Inc. will hold its annual open meeting in February. All residents of the Hamilton Lakes neighborhood are invited to attend.
Per our bylaws, this is the time for residents to approve the Board for the coming year. It’s also a great opportunity for you to meet your Board members and your neighbors, to hear about upcoming social events such as our fishing clinics and picnic, and to learn about what we’re doing to preserve the natural beauty of our lakes and parks.
When: Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. Where: Hamilton Lakes Swim and Tennis Club, 800 Montpelier Ave., Greensboro
(Please note that Hamilton Lakes and Parks, Inc. is not formally affiliated with the Hamilton Lakes Swim and Tennis Club. However, we thank the Club for generously providing us with the use of their meeting space.)
Lake Euphemia, Lake Hamilton, and Jim King Pond now all have pair of swans, thanks to the generosity of our neighbors in Hamilton Lakes and Parks. These majestic birds are enthralling to watch, and they also help keep the Canada geese under control.
Jack and Rose were relocated from a farm in Minnesota to Lake Hamilton in February.
Pretty Girl joined Big Boy, who was already a resident on Jim King Pond. They’re still getting to know each other, but maybe they’ll be in love by next year!
One of your neighbors recently wrote:
I wanted to thank you and the rest of the board for all the work that you did to get us not only a new swan couple for Lake Hamilton but also a mate for the widower swan that is on Jim King Pond. For me these birds have added so much pleasure to already joyous walks on the paths in our beautiful neighborhood. And I missed them terribly when they were gone. I know that many others value them as well even if not everyone has told you so. Please accept my thanks and extend it to all those who helped with this effort.
Annual Membership Meeting Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at 7:00 pm Hamilton Pool & Tennis Club
Happy New Year to everyone! We know you have made resolutions, and we are sure they include the following:
Pay your Hamilton Lakes Association dues promptly
Attend the Annual Meeting
Your $85.00 dues payment can be made via PayPal, or mailed to HLP. Do this now, and be halfway through your resolution list!
At the Annual Meeting, we will be reviewing expenses from last year, reviewing the budget for 2019, electing new board members, presenting volunteer opportunities, and taking suggestions. It’s also a great way to meet your neighbors!
If you have made a resolution to perform more volunteer work in 2019, what better place to do it than in Hamilton Lakes? Social media outreach and helping to plan/run the Annual Picnic are areas where our organization needs help. These are vital functions with small time commitments. Please consider sharing your time and talents! Info will be available at the Annual Meeting, or you may contact Anne Hurd.
