Date	Event Details and Location
2009-10 Gwinnett County Public Schools Calendar (Click for full calendar)
December 14	Meeting - ROEHA Board of Directors, 7pm at the clubhouse. Neighbors welcome!
December 14-16	Early release for high school exams
December 19-January 2	Winter Break
January 3	Begin second semester
January 29	Annual Homeowners' Meeting & Election of Board Members. Homeowner's Dues payment deadline.

Volunteers Needed for Fall Events!

We have bought some wreaths and ribbons and new lights for the neighborhood front entry. We desperately need VOLUNTEERS to help assemble and set up a " plan" for the Christmas Decorations. We could use your help, so no matter if you are artistic or just good at taking direction... there is a place for everyone. Please don't think that someone else will volunteer for this event... Great things happen when you make it happen, so join us on Nov 13th. Contact Christie White at christiewhite74@yahoo.com to volunteer.

Donations are going to be accepted during this time for the North Gwinnett CO-OP. The CO-OP no longer wants turkeys (too hard to store!) so we will be collecting grocery store gift cards and non- perishable items. You may buy Gift cards from any store in any denomination on your own, OR you can stop by at the club house and buy Kroger Gift cards in denominations of $25, $50 and $100 from us. These cards will have a dual charitable effect, because the money on the card will go directly to the CO-OP but Kroger has given the Haitian Timon Foundation a discount when they were purchased. So, if you buy the cards at the club house they will benefit both the North Gwinnett CO-OP and the efforts to feed Haiti.

Christmas Party Cancelled:

Due to the low turnout of the Christmas party and the cost of putting on such an event, the Social Committee has cancelled the Dec 4th event. Please adjust your calendars.

Tips to Declutter Your House

This decluttering tip is oh-so-simple, and it works on a gradual basis, whether you have time right now for decluttering or not! I call it "Take One Thing." Wherever you are in your house, in the middle of walking through a room, or making a meal, just "take one thing" and move it to where it's supposed to be.

Take one thing and put it where it belongs (the trash, the closet, the drawer, the file cabinet - wherever). Make a habit of doing this just a few times a day, and you'll notice a difference - a much more serene life! 

— Mimi Tanner,
Author of Declutter Fast - How to Get Your Home In Order Almost Immediately!
http://www.declutterfast.com

5 Manageable Ways to Go Solar

Submitted by: Kira @ TipHero.com
While going completely solar may be a possibility for all households in the future, it costs a pretty penny at the moment. Going completely solar would save you money in the long run, but it could cost you $20,000 to $50,000 upfront. Here are some ideas for ways you can go solar and save energy and money without breaking the bank.

1. Solar Water Heating: generally costs less than $5,000 and will completely eliminate your heating and hot water bill forever. This is a great investment because you'll eventually make back that $5,000 and start saving big on monthly bills.
2. Tubular Sky-lighting: costs about $150 - $600.These devices take sunlight from the roof to light a dark room.
3. Solar Powered Attic Fan: costs about $300 - $700 and will help keep your attic cool and reduce your AC usage.
4. Solar Powered Chargers: these devices cost anywhere from $20 - $200 and will power cell phones and other small electronic devices. These work great especially for people who spend a lot of time outdoors.
5. Solar Outdoor Lights: only cost around $10, but add outdoor lighting to your yard or garden without having to dig up your yard for wiring.

So if you're thinking about going solar but can't quite take the full plunge yet, try some of these smaller purchases that will help you save money on energy costs.

Are you prepared for an emergency?

Every year we face possible disasters - wildfires, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes and winter storms. If a disaster strikes your home, are you and your family prepared? Do you know where important documents, medications, and essential supplies are in case you have to evacuate? Do you and your family know how you would get out of your house, what you would do with your pets, where you meet each other if you get separated? Do you have a single point of contact you can call to let others know you’re safe?

If you don't have the answers to these questions, now is the time to prepare. Don’t wait until faced with a disaster to begin thinking about emergency preparations! No matter what potential disaster you might face, there are basic items everyone should have in their emergency kit (continued) — Mark Gupton

Past Events

North Gwinnett High School Girls' Soccer:
Georgia High School AAAAA State Champions 2010

Easter Bunny Visits Royal Oaks Estates!

On March 27th Royal Oaks received a visit from the Easter Bunny. There was a Grand Easter Egg Hunt, with younger and older children finding their candy-filled eggs. The children looked high and low for those special Gold and Silver Eggs, which contained a special surprise. There was an Egg Scramble race, and many tried but only a few made it back with their eggs intact. Fun and prizes were had by all. The Easter Bunny took special care to see who had been good and bad for the upcoming weekend at Easter. I hope you all got good reports and had awesome Easter Baskets.

A special thanks to everyone who brought baked goods and contributed the donations that made this Easter Egg Hunt possible. See photos attached.
Thanks! Christie

The Seven “C’s” of Christmas

Kids from Royal Oaks gathered at the clubhouse on December 13th for the 7 C's of Christmas. First, the children enjoyed Christmas Crafts, including ornaments, snowmen, Santas, and reindeer to make and take home for their families. While doing the crafts, the children and adults enjoyed Christmas music and snacks — cookies, hot cocoa and yummy cider.

The highlight of the afternoon was a visit from Santa Claus. He greeted the children with a jolly "hello," and one by one they presented their lists and Christmas wishes. He read them a story and had a great question and answer session. Unfortunately, the hay ride and Christmas Caroling were cancelled due to the weather, but everyone still seemed to enjoy themselves. A special thanks to all those who lent a helping hand. Visit the Photo Gallery for more photos of Santa and the kids!
Christie White

Turkey Drive

by Michelle Griffith

The Turkey Drive was slim this year. I really think people were skeptical of gift cards. We had 3 Rubbermaid containers full of canned goods, 10 winter coats donated and 3 Publix gift cards. We gave out chocolate chip cookies and hot cocoa. Jim 'n Nicks BBQ, at Old Peachtree Road, donated cocoa and cups and gave out $5.00 off coupons to all who donated food. The food and clothing were delivered Monday to the North Gwinnett Co-Op.

 

The Halloween "Chill"ren's Festival had a good turn out. Lots of children showed up in costume and ready to have fun. The hayride around the neighborhood, was a big hit, as was the Cake Walk. Everyone enjoyed lemonade and hot dogs and some sweet treats baked by our neighborhood bakers. Adults took part in the fun with the costume contest, as they became the judges... as the children paraded around the circle. See more photos in the Photo Gallery.

The Costume Contest Winners were as follows:

Most Original: "The Detective" Roman Dzikowski

Cutest/Funniest: "Dalmatian" Maya White

Scariest: "Skeleton" Evan Duke

Best Overall: "Cleopatra" Abby Ginsburg

 

Thank you, for all neighborhood volunteers who helped make this event happen.

Michelle Griffith and her team of girls ...Haley, Kasey and Mary Grace and Beth

Angela and Abraham Duke... for their hay ride extravaganza

Gina and Victoria Fonzi... Maker of the awesome signs and booth help

Tish Busby and Micaela Knott for booth help

Bakers... Alice Dzikowski, Christy Cartwright, Shea Criss, Tish Busby, Michelle Griffiths

Donations: Pam Wilkinson, The Jones, The Luczka's , Cathy and Ben

*Please forgive me if I forgot anyone, You were appreciated. We will blame it on the pregnancy brain this time.
Thanks, Christie White, Social Committee Chair