Winter 2024

LATEST NEWS
Winter 2024

LETTERS FROM THE LAKESIDE
The 2024 winter season in Upstate South Carolina has been marked by dramatic weather events, starting with the impacts of Hurricane Helene in late September and culminating in a recent snow and cold snap. Hurricane Helene, a powerful Category 4 storm, brought catastrophic winds and torrential rains to the southeastern U.S., including the Carolinas. Here in Heritage Lakes we incurred some damage including many fallen trees and roof damage. While we're still addressing some of those issues, roofs have been replaced on the clubhouse and pool buildings. Downed tree clean up will continue, and hopefully, we'll have our grounds back to normal by spring.

As winter progressed, the region experienced bouts of severe weather, including an EF-1 tornado in Saluda County in January, which damaged trees and homes. January also saw heavy rainfall from a low-pressure system that caused moderate flooding along major river basins, such as the Saluda and Broad rivers. More recently, the Upstate encountered a significant winter storm that brought snow and a sharp cold snap, which is relatively rare for the area.

With spring around the corner, the promise of warmer weather brings a fresh energy, inviting everyone to step outside and enjoy the natural beauty of the season. Crisp mornings give way to sunlit afternoons, perfect for exploring the area's stunning parks and trails, such as those at Paris Mountain or Table Rock. Local farmers’ markets brim with fresh produce and outdoor events bring the community together to celebrate the season. It’s a time to savor nature’s renewal, connect with neighbors, and enjoy all the Upstate has to offer.

COMMUNITY CLICKS
Your community as seen thru a neighbor's lens.

The first snow of the year dusts our entrance signage.

FROM THE OUTGOING PRESIDENT

Happy winter Heritage Lakes! I hope everyone is having a good start to 2025 and enjoyed playing in the recent snows.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Annual Homeowners Meeting in November. It was a very productive meeting. Thank you to the board members that are stepping down for all of your hard work and to the new board members coming on; we are excited about the upcoming year!

The most feedback we received during the Annual Homeowners Meeting was that not everyone was receiving notifications about upcoming events. If you know any of your neighbors that would like to receive these notifications but aren't, please tell them to email the board and we will add them to our email list.

It has been a pleasure serving as your Board President this past year, however I am stepping down this year and will be serving the board in other capacities. Chris Marron is stepping up as President for 2025 and will do a great job. Please let us know if you have any interest in volunteering for any of the upcoming events in the neighborhood.

Sincerely,

Matthew Anderson

OUR NEW BOARD PRESIDENT

Chris Marron moves from Secretary to President.
We are pleased to introduce Chris Marron as the new President of the Heritage Lakes Property Owners Association. A dedicated member of our community, Chris has called Heritage Lakes home since 1993 and has served on the HOA board since 2017. Throughout the years, she has been actively involved in fostering a strong, connected and friendly neighborhood.

Chris is a familiar face at our community work days and has a can-do attitude when it comes to helping out… and her volunteerism doesn't stop at the borders of Heritage Lakes. If you're an active voter you've probably seen her when heading out to cast your ballot as Chris has worked as a polling place volunteer for years.

Chris looks forward to continuing to serve and work alongside residents and fellow board members to enhance our neighborhood. Please join us in welcoming her to this new role!

SOCIAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS NEEDED!

Bring New Energy and Ideas to Our Community!
Are you looking for a fun and fulfilling way to get involved in our community? We’re seeking enthusiastic volunteers, especially younger residents and families, to join our Social Committee! This is your chance to help create vibrant events and meaningful connections for neighbors of all ages. Whether you’re full of fresh ideas or simply want to lend a helping hand, your contributions can make a real difference.

Our POA has long benefited from the dedication of senior members who’ve helped build a strong foundation for our social activities. Now, we’re looking to infuse new energy and perspectives into our events. By joining the Social Committee, you’ll have the opportunity to shape the future of our community — designing family-friendly gatherings, planning fun holiday celebrations, or introducing new traditions that reflect the interests of younger residents.

Volunteering is a great way to meet neighbors, showcase your creativity, and even develop new skills. Plus, it’s a rewarding way to spend time with your family and inspire others to get involved. Whether you have a little time to spare or a lot, every contribution counts! These are not board positions that require you to attend monthly meetings but you’re all welcome to attend should you wish too.

Let’s work together to make our commnity a welcoming, dynamic place where everyone feels at home. If you’re interested or have questions, please reach out to us. We can’t wait to see what exciting ideas and energy you’ll bring to our community!

TENTATIVE EVENTS FOR 2025 (subject to change)

TBD: Spring Workday

4/19: Easter Egg Hunt

5/26: Memorial Day/Summer Kick Off Party

6/13: June Movie on the Lawn

7/04: 4th of July Extravaganza

7/18: July Movie on the Lawn

8/15: August Movie on the Lawn

8/30: Labor Day/End of Summer Party

TBD: Fall Workday

10/25: Halloween Trunk or Treat

12/20: Christmas Parade

WE'VE GOT NEW ROOFS!

Gilstrap Roofing took great care of our roofing needs.

Hurricane Helene took it's toll but The Cincinatti Insurance Companies and our claims adjuster, Steven Flack, made dealing with it a breeze. Several roofing companies were asked to provide bids, and in the end it was Gilstrap that was awarded the job. They were the second lowest price but offered us better quality materials, a stronger warranty and the added value of being a long-established roofing contractor in the Upstate.

We're still waiting on the final invoice as some repairs needed may not have been visible until tearoff of the old roof was complete. We anticipate the total cost to be $22,000 +- $500 so our out of pocket after our insurance settlement is expected to be around $5,000. Next up for the clubhouse is NEW WINDOWS! Even with the roof expense, we will still be within budget and have no intention of raising POA fees.

POOL REPAIRS START SOON!

If you've walked by our pool area you no doubt noticed that there's work to be done. The good news is the weather is starting to warm and that means crews from Upstate Pools will soon be able to finish replastering and tiling our kiddie pool. For the main pool, Upstate completed a series of leak tests to determine where our pool water was going and found several leak sources. We're lucky that the structural integrity of the pool seems to be fine so work will begin soon to seal up leaky fixtures, drains and skimmers. Handling these repairs now will help us avoid big water bills and prevent structural damage that would eventually create a much bigger repair need and cost.

SWIM TEAM COACHES NEEDED

If you're not yet familiar with the Heritage Lakes Blue Wave Swim Team, we thought you'd like to know just how successful they've been in competition. 2024 saw them claim their 3rd consecutive Founders Cup Trophy, set 16 all-time records (with some swimmers ranking in the top 3% in the country) – and they've even received national recognition with the prestigious President's Volunteer Service Award along with a personal letter from Gov. Henry McMaster.

Want to get involved? Heritage Lakes is looking for a head coach and an assistant coach to lead our team for the 2025 season. Email them if you're interested.

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