Meadows Monday

A mostly weekly news update from Elk Meadows HOA, Ridgway, Colorado
June 2, 2020
FRONT PORCH PHOTO PROJECT!
Our neighbor, Deidra Krois, has a wonderful idea for a project during this unique and challenging time in history! She wants to create a photo documentary of other neighbors in our community who are self-isolating. With your permission, Deidra would stop by your home and take photos of you, your family, and/or your pets, on your front porch or driveway, from six feet of course. She will also ask for a signed release to use your photo in MM, EM Archives or on the website. You will also receive your photo from Deidra. If you have any comments about how you are spending your time in quarantine you may share that as well. You may choose to comment anonymously. This is a voluntary project and if you wish to participate, please contact Deidra at deidrakrois@gmail.com .
TRASH COMMITTEE
The trash committee, Ian Manson and Jane Wilson, researched the feasibility of various solutions to the problem of getting rid of trash, including centralized locations for trash disposal to help control bears and save wear and tear on our roads. Their conclusion after gathering information is below. While the cost of central dumpsters and payment of same are still questions-at-large. The EMBOD would like to know what the homeowners think about possible central locations. Please send your comments to: emhoa.secretary@gmail.com

Committee Conclusion through the eyes of Ian Manson:

“I do not consider a central trash pickup a realistic solution for Elk Meadows.
  • The construction costs would be considerable.
  • The running costs would be considerable.
  • Bruin Waste Management calculated that Elk Meadows would require upwards of
weight 3 yard dumpsters. There is no site that has realistic year round access for
upwards of eight 3 yard dumpsters. (each dumpster approx 4’ H x 4’ D x 6’ W)
  • The sight would be an eyesore.
  • The sight in my opinion would come with it own set of problems, in all likelihood more complex than the current problem.

Even if Elk Meadows achieves a central point dumpster site, I do understand that it is a right for residents to have curb-side pickup. I therefore encourage further investigation into a simple secured construction for each residence that has roadside pickup.”

From Taco Bear Box Co.  info@bearbox.org  
Cost of RCE 195F (above right). $1599.00 in Tahoe CA.  There are a variety of sizes.

SUDDEN ASPEN DECLINE!!
~How to Care for Aspen Trees~
Sudden Aspen Decline, SAD, is still ongoing in EM
Aspen trees (Populus spp.) grow as deciduous hardwood trees throughout North America. Aspen trees can reach heights of 60 feet, but usually don’t survive for more than 25 years in an urban or home landscape. Controlling pests and treating fungal diseases will take up the majority of your time when caring for aspen trees.
Water aspen trees deeply to thoroughly moisten the soil in the entire root zone once every one or two weeks to supplement rainfall. Allow the top 2 inches of soil around the trees to become slightly dry before watering again.
Feed aspen trees a balanced, slow-release granular tree  fertilizer  once each year in the spring. Spread the  fertilizer  granules on the ground around the tree, covering the entire canopy area and following the dosage instructions on the label.
Prune aspen trees in the winter to thin out the branches, as well as to remove any dead, diseased or damaged limbs. Never remove more than one-third of the tree in a single year.
Treat aspen trees for poplar borer infestations by injecting an insecticide into the bored holes in the trunk.
Watch for tent caterpillars in aspen trees, which create large webs around the leaves, stems and branches when they pupate. Remove the webs and spray your aspen trees with dormant horticultural oil in late winter or early spring.
Treat aspen trees for the fungal disease leaf spot if you see premature leaf drop and black blotches on the leaves. Rake away and destroy all the fallen leaves and spray the tree with a fungicide in early spring.
Control aphid infestations in aspen trees by spraying them thoroughly with a high-pressure hose and insecticidal soap.

Tip
If you see rough areas developing on the aspen tree’s bark along with tiny black lines, you likely have a scale infestation. Rake away and destroy any fallen leaves and spray your aspen tree with dormant horticultural oil in the winter. Spray the aspen tree with an approved insecticide in June.

Warning
Watch out for cytospora canker infecting aspen trees. Look for orange dots and callused canker growths on the bark to spot this fungal disease. Prune away and discard all infected branches. Always disinfect your pruning tools when cutting away diseased wood to prevent spreading the disease to other trees. Dip your pruning tools into a mixture of three parts denatured alcohol and one part water for about 30 seconds.

ALSO - TO PROTECT YOUR ASPEN TREES FROM THE DEER EATING THEM, PUT A WIRE FENCE AROUND THEM.
here will be offspring.

By: Sarah Terry
21 September, 2017
FENCE COMMITTEE
The Fence Committee is looking for three to five volunteers to walk the perimeter fence line during June 1 to June 14. EM is responsible for maintaining the fence that surrounds EM and it is inspected annually. Please contact emhoa.secretary@gmail.com if you would like to volunteer. We would appreciate homeowners whose property borders the perimeter fence line to send an email to the address above giving permission for volunteers to inspect that part of their fence. If you would like to inspect it yourselves please let us know that as well via the address above.
ANNUAL MEETING PACKET
Your Annual Meeting packet will be on its way to you in the next week or so. Please be sure to study yours as the meeting this year will be virtual. (How to connect into the meeting will be provided.) And use the Contact Information page to update what we have on record for you, and the EMHOA directory, if you would choose to be part of that.
CALL OUT FOR VOLUNTEERS FOR EMBOD
So far we have one new Elk Meadows owner (Sebastian Wicklein) who has come forward to volunteer for one of the Board vacancies. There is another open slot! Please consider volunteering for the EMBOD or for a committee and contribute your skills to the betterment of EM. 
MAY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
The minutes of the May Board meeting are now posted on the web. Also note that our Governing Policies – except the Conduct of Meetings Policy - were all reviewed and approved in February and are also posted on the web on the HOA Documents page. 
COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS
TODAY'S UPDATE
A s of today  the state of Colorado's death toll is 1458. There now have been a total of 26,577 confirmed cases of the virus in Colorado. A total of 2447 cases have been confirmed within the last 7 days. A total of 122,748 people have been tested. All residents of Colorado have been asked by Gov. Jared Polis as well as President Trump to please wear non-medical masks when out in public to help prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Here is a quick video from the Surgeon General on how to make a simple mask. 

And please remember to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; washing every finger thoroughly as well as top and bottom your your hands.
Also, PLEASE check on your neighbors. If they are ill make sure they are getting the help they need. A simple phone call or a bag of groceries dropped at their doorstep is a huge help for many people at this time.
Please remember social distancing....it is working.
It is our only chance at containing this dreaded disease!!
STAY SAFE AND STAY WELL!!
If you have some Elk Meadows pictures you would like to
see in MM please send them
to me at ElkMeadows.Kristi@yahoo.com




Photo Credit to Elizabeth & Derek Martin


None of the pictures in our database are labeled as to who provided them. Please feel free to let me know if I use one of your pictures and you want credit for it, I will credit you the following week. If not, then I THANK YOU in advance for providing pictures for all of us to enjoy.