Kingspoint Neighborhood Association June News

Native Oakleaf Hydrangea

Summertime at last!  We hope that everyone has some fun planned to enjoy time with loved ones.  We are blessed with so many opportunities to have a great time in the Williamsburg area, and the Fourth of July is always a special celebration in the community. 

New neighbors will notice that we can hear fireworks from both Colonial Williamsburg and from Busch Gardens here in Kingspoint.  Busch Gardens hosts “Summer of Wonder” from June 14 through August 11 with concerts each Saturday evening.  Fireworks are planned on Friday and Saturdays, weather permitting.  Special fireworks for the Fourth of July holiday will explode each night from July 3-5 at 9:30 PM.

Colonial Williamsburg has a series of special programs this summer. There will be a full schedule of special events at Colonial Williamsburg on July 4, 2024, including a program of patriotic readings and music at 8:00 PM, on the Governor’s Palace Green, withfireworks at 9:30 PM.  You can apply for a free, one day pass  for July 4 at the link above.  

As a reminder, the use, possession, display, sale or storage of fireworks is illegal in James City County.  This includes fireworks that were legally purchased elsewhere.   Anyone wishing to set off personal fireworks must first obtain a permit from the Fire Marshal.   (*See FYI below for more information) The sounds of fireworks or weapons may be troubling to many neighbors and their pets.  Let’s work together to maintain our peaceful, neighborly community so that it feels safe and welcoming for all.

Remember to visit the ‘Little Library’ in the Smith’s front yard at 103 Southpoint Drive to check out the available books for summer reading.  The rule is simple:  If you borrow a book, then donate a book, or return the book you borrowed.  The library is there for everyone’s use and enjoyment.  What a fun way to encourage our kids to read this summer!

Families may be interested in the wide variety of summer camps open to county youth this summer that are sponsored by the county’s Parks and Recreation office.

Many of us enjoy living in community with the many animal and plant species indigenous to our area.  Neighbors routinely see frogs. turtles, lizards, and snakes as well as many sorts of birds, rabbits, squirrels, deer and sometimes even coyotes, foxes, raccoons, opossums, and other creatures.  It is a thrill to watch nesting eagles and to notice the birds and butterflies who visit us each season. 

Let’s help protect the wildlife that shares our community with us.  The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources offers some terrific guides you may find useful.  Please watch out for these animals and help to protect them as they find their way to areas of safety in the ravines and around the lakes.   Most of these wild areas are Resource Protection Area easements and vegetation there may not be disturbed, by law.  Please be aware that many of the animals, including all snakes, are protected, as well.  Learn more here.  

To reduce the possibility of problems with wildlife, don’t leave small pets outside unattended at night. Also, remind children to use caution when playing outside in areas where they may encounter snakes or biting insects.  The first settlers in our area wrote that at Jamestown, “the air is alive with a buzz.” The same can be said today.  Learn more here about the various insects that thrive in our area each summer, and how to protect yourself while enjoying time outside at area attractions.  Ticks and chiggers lie in wait in tall grasses, weeds, and in wooded areas, and may bite without your awareness that they are even there.

Remember that any food, food containers or wrappers, and standing water left outside will attract various animals. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in as little as an inch of standing water.   If you leave water out to support wildlife during our hot dry summer, please remember to dump and refresh it frequently.

The next VPPSA Household Chemical Collection will be August 10 at Warhill High School from 8:00 AM-Noon.

VDoT has been working in Kingspoint to repair some areas of erosion and potholes, and to improve drainage in some areas.  There are a few more projects scheduled near the neighborhood entrance that they will get to in the coming days. Please give the workers plenty of room and a wave of appreciation when you see them.

Please contact Kenita at secretarykpna@gmail.com with any changes to your listing in the neighborhood directory.

Many thanks to all our dedicated front entrance volunteers for their work.  Ann Hobson is leaving our KPNA team as she and her husband Chuck prepare to move across the Creek to The Landing soon.  Ann has been a loyal and dependable member of our Board, always taking care of the entrance and ready to help whenever needed.  We will miss her so very much.  David Miller is taking over the responsibilities of coordinating our efforts to keep the neighborhood entrance well-maintained.  Chris Bonday is continuing his ongoing efforts to keep the grass neatly trimmed and trash removed.  His partner in this service, Tom Mahone, passed away iin early May.  If you are willing to join our crew of volunteers to help with maintenance chores at the entrance, please get in touch with David Miller.

We appreciate everyone who has already given Treasurer Karen Schneider your 2024 membership dues for the neighborhood association.  I am touched by the goodness and kindness of our neighbors here in Kingspoint, and your voluntary support for keeping our neighborhood vibrant, beautiful, and connected.  A few dozen unclaimed daffodil bulbs remain for those who want them, and who have not yet turned in their membership form for this year.  You will find complete details and a membership form in the first few pages of your 2024 Kingspoint Directory.

If you are new to the community, or have a new family living near you, please let us know so we can visit with a copy of the Kingspoint Directory and include them in the 2025 listings.Contact us at kpwebmistress@gmail.com to add your email to our distribution list, to change your email, or to have your email address removed so you no longer receive community updates.

Please visit our KPNA website for news and useful community links.

FYI:   Fireworks

The summer celebrations are important to all of us, and many of us have visitors this time of year.  We are looking forward to the public Fourth of July special events and fireworks displays in our area.

*As a reminder, the use, possession, display, sale or storage of fireworks is illegal in James City County.  This includes fireworks that were legally purchased elsewhere.  Anyone wishing to set off personal fireworks must first obtain a permit from the Fire Marshal.  

Individuals who have purchased, or are in possession of fireworks, are encouraged to turn them in at any county fire station or call the Fire Marshal’s office at 757-220-0626 for assistance. Anyone voluntarily surrendering fireworks will not be criminally charged.   We are all aware of the serious injuries and property damage caused by accidents with fireworks.  Fireworks are also a leading cause of fires, particularly during dry, hot weather.

Kingspoint Neighborhood Association April News

Mountain Laurel, Kalmia latifolia, blooms each April and May in Kingspoint

Spring creeps up on us slowly some years.  Then one day we notice that the trees are green, and the mountain laurels are covered in flowers once again.  Have you noticed how sweet the breeze smells this time of year?  We have been happy to notice clouds of native bees visiting flowering shrubs this month.  Researchers tell us that bee populations are rebounding these days, perhaps thanks to all the folks planting flowers and leaving habitat in their yards to support them over winter.  We’ve already spotted several butterfly species this spring, so perhaps the butterflies are making a come-back, too. 

It is such a pleasure to walk in Kingspoint and enjoy the many beautiful shrubs and flowers growing in neighbors’ yards and on their porches, while listening to the sounds of birds.  Many thanks to everyone who has been cleaning up this month and preparing for the long summer ahead.  There are a few special events in the next few weeks which may interest you.

Our local chapter of The Virginia Native Plant Society’s Annual Plant Sale will be Saturday, May 4, 9:30 am – 2:00 pm at the Williamsburg Community Building, 401 N. Boundary St.  Any interested in learning more about native plants, and perhaps purchasing a few, is invited to attend.  Members already have over 1000 plants prepared for sale. Our local chapter is an active, friendly group, always welcoming new members.  Come out to see old friends and make new ones while shopping for a great cause.  Many of the proceeds of the sale to go provide Nature Camp scholarships to young people in our area.

The Master Gardener Plant Sale will be held at the Williamsburg Botanical Garden and Freedom Park Arboretum again this year on May 11 from 9:00 AM until Noon.  Freedom Park is located at the intersection of Centerville Road and Longhill Road.  Visitors will find a wide variety of native and non-native perennials, trees and shrubs along with garden art and other items.  Master Gardeners will be available to answer questions.  Enjoy beautiful Freedom Park as you shop.

The James City County Police, in cooperation with the DEA, will sponsor a Prescription Drug Take-Back event this coming Saturday, April 27, from 10 AM to 2 PM at the police headquarters at 4600 Opportunity Way.  Please follow the link for specific details about what will and can’t be accepted.

You may be interested in this edition of JCC News to Know, which provides more information about the county budget and a free summer concert series.  The County Parks and Recreation Department also has lots of interesting events planned in the next few months.

Our KPNA Board is so pleased that Kenita Hill has resumed her work as our secretary.  Kenita has done a wonderful job over the years keeping up with all the neighborhood comings and goings, so our Directory remains accurate.  With Joe Bailey now greeting new neighbors, and Kenita keeping track of names and contact information, we have a terrific team.  Kathy Williams took the work on briefly but resigned earlier this month.  Please contact Kenita at secretarykpna@gmail.com with any changes to your listing.

Ann Hobson will also leave our KPNA team as she and her husband Chuck prepare to move across the Creek to The Landing in early summer.  Ann has been a loyal and dependable member of our Board, always taking care of the entrance and ready to help whenever needed.  We will miss her so very much.  David Miller is taking over the responsibilities of coordinating our efforts to keep the neighborhood entrance well-maintained.

Many thanks to all of our dedicated front entrance volunteers for their work.  Tom Mahone and Chris Bonday are continuing their dedicated efforts to keep the grass neatly trimmed and trash removed.  If you are willing to join our crew of volunteers to help with maintenance chores at the entrance, please get in touch with David Miller.

We appreciate everyone who has already given Treasurer Karen Schneider your 2024 membership dues for the neighborhood association.  I am touched by the goodness and kindness of our neighbors here in Kingspoint, and their voluntary support for keeping our neighborhood vibrant, beautiful, and connected.  Neighbors have already requested over 300 jonquil bulbs. We have ordered 500 from Brent and Becky’s Bulbs in Gloucester, so please make sure we have your request soon if you know you want to join in this beautification effort.  Everyone who joins the KPNA this year can request 5 free bulbs with their membership, and 10 for a small additional contribution.  We will deliver the bulbs in November, and we can’t wait to see our community in bloom next spring!

Please remember to share the streets with caution and courtesy, whether you are walking, biking, or driving. Warm weather brings us outdoors, and we can expect to encounter more neighbors on our streets.  Watch for playing children on many side streets and more pets along the way.   There are a few particularly difficult spots for walkers, especially after heavy rain.  Walkers frequently need to step off the pavement when traffic approaches. Please pause and look both ways at Kingspoint intersections and keep a sharp eye out for neighbors walking or riding bikes.  Remember that Swim Team members will be out heading to the pool for morning and evening practices before we know it.

If you are new to the community, or have a new family living near you, please let us know so we can visit with a copy of the Kingspoint Directory and include them in the 2024 listings. Contact us at kpwebmistress@gmail.com to add your email to our distribution list, to change your email, or to have your email address removed so you no longer receive community updates.

Please visit our KPNA website for news and useful community links.

The Kingspoint Neighborhood Association January 2024 News

Poisonous Helleborus hybrids are just beginning to bloom in Kingspoint. All parts of this plant are highly poisonous, which means that deer and squirrels leave them alone. Grow Hellebores with confidence that they will survive to bloom for many years to come. Deer will graze English ivy, however, which helps keep this ‘invasive’ plant under control in our community. 

Happy New Year, and may this year be a blessing to you and your family.  As we each count our blessings, we remember how fortunate we are to live in this beautiful neighborhood.  As you may know, our community will celebrate 60 years of life in 2025.  Our infrastructure is a little frayed in places, but the Kingspoint spirit of community and volunteerism remains strong. 

VDoT workers did a good job of patching nearly a dozen potholes on major neighborhood streets this month.   We are still on the list for some major repaving as funds come available.   And I have heard that we can look forward to some upgrades in our water and sewer lines in the next few years.  I was told that JCSA has prioritized the replacement of water lines in Kingspoint in their Capital Improvement Plan as JCSA’s next neighborhood improvement project.  The current cost estimate for the project is $6.9 million, and they hope to initiate the project in 3-5 years once they have the funding.  Funding is key to all improvements, as each of us certainly knows first-hand.

We have had some issues with leaks in the plumbing of the neighborhood in recent days.  JCSA workers have been on the job to find the source of the leaks and to make repairs.  While we can all take precautions to prevent frozen pipes in our own homes, issues will still arise in unusually cold weather, especially when things thaw very quickly, as they have this week.  We are very fortunate that JCSA is extremely responsive when problems arise.  Please call their after-hours emergency number at 757-566-0112 if you spot a leak around your own home or on the street after 3:30 PM.  You can call the day-time emergency line 757-229-7421 between 7 AM and 3:30 PM.

We have had some unusual stretches of cold weather in January, and we may have some more ahead.  Long-time Williamsburg residents know that snowy weather may continue to find us in February or March.  When snow is in the forecast, please remember to park your vehicles in driveways and garages to keep the street clear for emergency equipment and snowplows. We always hope that VDoT will spread sand and plow our community, and they will do a better job for us all if they don’t have to work around parked cars.

Find updates and work-around detours for the Colonial Parkway Rehabilitation Project here.

The message boards at the neighborhood entrance sustained some damage during storms in mid-January. We appreciate the work of Karen and Phil Schneider, who covered the most damaged sign to protect it from the weather, and Gary Gordon, who is making repairs and upgrades to both message boards. Gary expects to have both message boards repaired and back in service by the end of January, weather permitting.

Deer and other wildlife are looking for their next meal and may be more active around landscaping in winter when less food is available.  I recently heard from a neighbor that deer were interfering with mail delivery on his street.  The growing deer population is a significant problem throughout Virginia, and especially here in James City County.  Find tips for ‘deer-proofing’ your yard in the article on our Master Gardener website, “But Will Deer Eat It?”  Please keep in mind that many different types of animals will be attracted to any food source in your yard, including bird feeders. 

You will soon notice new reflectors installed on existing street sign and traffic signposts around Kingspoint.  David Miller and John Williams will head up this effort to assist delivery drivers, mail carriers, and guests to navigate Kingspoint after dusk.  We want to make sure that intersections and side streets are clearly marked.  If you have had difficulty finding or navigating a particular intersection at dusk or after dark, please drop me a note at kpwebmistress@gmail.com.

David Miller, Ann Hobson, and Joe Bailey volunteered one Saturday morning in late December to spread new mulch over the extensive excavation work at the neighborhood entrance.  We appreciate their hard work, on a very cold morning, to neaten up that area after the electrician finished.  David is also training a few additional volunteers on how to manage our new lighting system. 

Kathy Williams recently set up the new Kingspoint Facebook group.  Interested neighbors can join the new Kingspoint group page at:   https://www.facebook.com/groups/kingspointneighborhood    If you have any questions, please direct them to Kathy at: willfam7plus@gmail.com. 

KPNA Secretary, Kenita Hill, is working on revisions to our 2024 Kingspoint Neighborhood Directory, which we plan to distribute to every home in March. Please look over your own listing in the 2023 Directory and contact her by February 19 with any corrections to your phone number and personal information. We have noticed some out-of-date land-line numbers which need to be updated with current cell numbers.  If you haven’t checked your listing recently, please contact Kenita.

Please welcome our newest neighbors, Joanmarie del Vecchio and Kalle Jahn, who recently moved into their new home at 104 Glenwood Drive. Joe Bailey has taken over the happy work of welcoming new neighbors, and bringing them a welcome packet, from Mary Haines. 

If you are new to the community, or have a new family living near you, please let us know so we can visit with a copy of the Kingspoint Directory and include them in the 2024 listings.   Contact kpwebmistress@gmail.com to be added to or removed from our email news list.  Please visit our KPNA website for news and useful community links.

Kingspoint Neighborhood Association October News

As we enter the season of celebration, thanksgiving, and abundance, we all have a great deal to celebrate and appreciate here in Kingspoint.  It has been a good year in our community.  Many hands make light work, and we all appreciate the work of the many volunteers who keep the community humming.  The thoughtfulness and dedication that Kingspoint neighbors show to one another and to our neighborhood ensures that Kingspoint remains vibrant, caring, and beautiful.

Kingspoint neighbors are helping to set the mood for Halloween with such creative displays this year! If you have not yet had a chance to walk around our neighborhood and enjoy all the autumn and Halloween decorations, please take time to walk or drive through the community soon.  There are lighted displays, pumpkins and cobwebs, pots of bright flowers and festive fun on every street. 

We are looking forward to Halloween Trick-or-Treating on Tuesday, October 31, from 6PM-8PM in James City County.  The Kingspoint Club’s Social Committee has organized a Halloween party for members at the Clubhouse, with Trick-or-Treating to follow at 6PM.

Please remember to have the little ones carry lights and wear colors easily seen after dark.  All neighbors can assist by leaving their streetlights burning to make it brighter and safer for those out celebrating.

Neighbors who aren’t participating in Halloween Trick-or-Treating should leave their porch lights off.  

Now that days are growing shorter, please take extra care to make sure you are visible when you are out walking, jogging, or biking so there are no close calls with drivers.  Lights and reflective clothing will help ensure your safety and alleviate stressful moments for folks heading out in the morning or coming home at dusk.

David Miller has been overseeing our project to bring electricity to the front entrance and tells us that we should have new lights on the Kingspoint sign around November 1.  He has done a great job of working with the contractors, the county, and with Dominion Power to bring this effort to fruition.  The effort is not inexpensive, however, and so we are making a follow-up membership appeal to new neighbors and to those who did not contribute annual membership dues to the KPNA last spring.   Anyone who wants to help support this effort to light the entrance may leave their contribution with Treasurer Karen Schneider at her home at 100 Kingspoint Drive.  We appreciate everyone who contributes and supports the work of the Neighborhood Association.

Lately I’ve had contacts from neighbors telling me that there are stray chickens pecking about in their yards.   Everyone who buys a home in Kingspoint is expected to sign the Covenants which follow the deed to their home, and the covenants clearly prohibit keeping livestock. (Covenant #5, in your 2023 Directory)  It is a health issue, especially these days when the Avian Flu has affected poultry flocks across the country, and it is a safety issue if chickens get in the street.  There should be no chickens in Kingspoint.  If you see wandering chickens, then you should call either animal control (757.565.0370) to request that they are picked up or call our county zoning office (757.253.6718) to complain. 

Please make your plans now to vote on or before November 7.  Your vote is very important in this mid-term election with seats on the Board of Supervisors and the School Board in play.  Our neighborhood votes at Laurel Lane Elementary School.   Anyone who hasn’t voted already will find the information and contacts you need on the JCC Office of Election’s website.  Here is complete information about the options available to you to vote this year.  Visit the VOTE411.org website to learn about the races on our ballot.  

We spot a wide variety of wildlife in Kingspoint.  Visit the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources website for easy reference materials should unusual wildlife that may turn up in your yard.  Cornwells Wildlife Control (757.264.6369) will safely remove a variety of animals from your property and will help you close openings to your home to keep wildlife out of doors.  Any birdseed, small pets, or food left outdoors overnight may attract unwelcome visitors. 

Many thanks to Ann Hobson and her volunteers for their continued work at our neighborhood entrance.    Tom Mahone and Chris Bonday are continuing their dedicated efforts to keep the grass neatly trimmed.  If you are willing to join our crew of volunteers to help with maintenance chores at the entrance, please get in touch with Ann at annhobson1010@gmail.com.

If you are new to the community, or have a new family living near you, please let us know so we can visit with a copy of the Kingspoint Directory and include them in the 2023 listings.  Contact kpwebmistress@gmail.com to be added to or removed from our email news list.  Please visit our KPNA website for news and useful community links.

Kingspoint Neighborhood Association August News

Some of us have a few more weeks to relax and enjoy summer, while others are preparing for back to school and back to work on our various projects.   Perhaps you also feel the change in the air as summer winds down and the cooler, brighter days of September beckon.    The new academic year brings its own challenges as well as promises of good things to come. William and Mary students are already arriving for fall term.  Classes begin August 30.    WJCC Public Schools open to students on Monday, August 28 this year.

It is time once again to watch out for the children and give school buses plenty of room as they settle into their new routines.  We typically have large family groups gathering at the bus stops in the mornings and afternoons.  Working together, we can help everyone get to work and school on time, while everyone stays safe.   Please keep parked cars away from intersections so that everyone can see far enough ahead to drive safely.

Let’s also keep an eye out for neighbors walking pets and those on bikes as we drive through Kingspoint.  We need to treat all intersections with care.  Sometimes children, pets and walkers aren’t visible until we round that corner.  You’ve heard this before, but neighbors continue to experience close calls.  (We encountered a speeding car rounding the corner onto Crownpoint Road just this morning.)

Excitement is building as this especially hot, humid summer draws to a close. Labor Day weekend through the first frost of November is one of the best seasons of the year in our area. It is a great time to walk, get out on the water, or bike on the Colonial Parkway.

Mid-September through early November is the best time for planting new trees and shrubs because they can establish good roots before cold weather arrives.  We can plant daffodils and other bulbs in October through December, and we enjoy pots of bright chrysanthemums and pansies once the weather begins to cool.  Neighbors appreciate all efforts to keep your yard and home beautiful.

As you know, A major rehabilitation project along the Colonial Parkway  began in mid-August. The project will upgrade about 10 miles of the Parkway, and will last for three years, ending in June 2026.  There will be disruptions and detours in various areas for a long time to come.  Find the proposed work schedule and detours here. 

Neighbors have been asking about new user fees for the Colonial Parkway in recent months.  Signs for those new fees appeared at many of the parking areas between Kingspoint and Jamestown Island last week.  Now, one is expected to have a pass to park in any of the parking areas, use the beaches or fish, as well as to visit the various visitor centers.  This is new and unusual for many of us accustomed to just hopping on the Parkway.

We did a bit of research and learned that there are a lot of different options for passes, particularly for those who are disabled veterans or who are over 62.  There are annual or yearlong passes available to use on the Parkway, even for those under 62, and special National Park passes for every child in grade 4.  Disabled veterans can get a free lifetime pass that also provides generous discounts on certain user fees and admission to attractions, including free admission for a party of four to the archeological site at Jamestown.  Find details at the link above.  These various passes can be used in any national park.  Take your ID cards to the Visitor Center at Jamestown and the friendly staff there can advise you on your best option and sell or give you your pass the same day.  Ask about the hanging pass your car, too….

Your Neighborhood Association Board voted this week to install electricity and electric lights and outlets at the neighborhood entrance.  We have an electrician ready to begin work this fall to install lights on timers or light sensors, and to also install outlets for the white twinkle lights at the holidays.  This entire project, including the fee for Dominion Power to run a new line out to the sign and set up our new account, will cost around $3500.00. 

Neighbors have asked about better lighting at our entrance over the years.  We have been using solar lights, but there are many problems when the batteries don’t properly charge up on overcast days.  The lights often didn’t stay on deep into the evening in winter.  We expect these new electric lights will be a definite upgrade for the neighborhood as we will soon have reliable lighting on our sign every evening. 

Many thanks to David Miller for his tireless work with Dominion Power and with local contractors to gather all the information needed to begin this project.  This initiative to light the entrance will entail the initial expense for installation of all of the fixtures, meter, and control panel, as well as a new monthly financial obligation for the KPNA to pay for the electricity.

We are asking neighbors who have not yet supported the KPNA this year to please consider sending in your annual membership contribution of $25.00 now, as we face these additional expenses.  We plan to send out a follow-up membership letter next month to those neighbors who have not yet contributed in 2023.  If you have been intending to return your membership form in your 2023 Directory, this is a good time to do so, as it will save us sending you a letter next month.  We will greatly appreciate any additional contributions from neighbors to help finance this special project.

Please send your contribution, with a note stating your name and address, to KPNA Treasurer Karen Schneider.  You may mail it, oryou may leave it in the Schneider’s mailbox at 100 Kingspoint Drive at any time.  Find details in your 2023 Neighborhood Directory.

This is the last call for anyone wanting to participate in our Redbud Initiative to replant native redbud trees throughout Kingspoint.  Any neighbor may request two free seedling trees as a gift of appreciation for their 2023 KPNA membership.  Simply request your trees when you make your membership contribution.  Karen is keeping track of who has requested trees.  We will order the trees in early September for delivery next March.  Participants will be contacted when the trees are available for pick-up next spring.

JCSA is still waiting for their paving contractor to repair Kingspoint Drive.  It should be any time now and we’ll provide further information as we receive it.  VDoT still need to apply the promised sealer on Kingspoint Drive, once that repair is made.  We expect their to be flaggers controlling traffic when this work begins.

We are extremely fortunate that severe weather has missed us so far this year.  Hurricane season, which lasts until November 30, can be nerve wracking.  Even when the big storms pass us by, we still have plenty of weather excitement in late summer.  We have had several severe thunderstorm alerts in recent weeks.   You can sign up for JCC alerts to your phone or tablet, to stay in the loop when severe weather threatens. 

If you, or anyone in your family might need special help during or after an evacuation or other weather emergency, consider signing up for James City County’s special needs registry.  This service allows our emergency services to know who may need special assistance due to mobility or other health issues. 

James City County wants to help anyone with special or functional needs develop a plan so they will be prepared to survive for an extended time, with the possible loss of electricity, water, communication, food, and medical resources. Call 757-259-3100 for more information.

Many thanks to Ann Hobson and her volunteers for their continued work at our neighborhood entrance.    Tom Mahone and Chris Bonday are continuing their dedicated efforts to keep the grass neatly trimmed.  If you are willing to join our crew of volunteers to help with maintenance chores at the entrance, please get in touch with Ann at annhobson1010@gmail.com.  We need volunteers to help spread mulch in the coming weeks.

If you are new to the community, or have a new family living near you, please let us know so we can visit with a copy of the Kingspoint Directory and include them in the 2023 listings.   Contact kpwebmistress@gmail.com to be added to our email news list.  Please visit our KPNA website for news and useful community links.

Kingspoint Neighborhood Association June News

An Eastern Box Turtle is looking for breakfast.

Happy Summer to All!   We hope that everyone has something fun planned to enjoy with loved ones.  We are blessed with so many opportunities to have a great time in the Williamsburg area, and the Fourth of July is always a special celebration in the community. 

With children home for summer break and the pool open, we are all more mindful when driving around the community.  We have more walkers and bikers than any other time of year.  If you are out in the early morning or late evening, kindly carry a flashlight or wear reflective clothing so drivers can see you from a distance and give you plenty of space.  Walkers should remember to walk facing oncoming traffic, and to allow space for cars to pass safely.

Neighbors have asked that we use special caution when entering Kingspoint Drive from Northpoint Drive and from Crownpoint Road.  Though no sign is posted, many of us stop and look before pulling out into these busy intersections and drive a bit more cautiously than usual through our neighborhood when school is out.

Remember to visit the ‘Little Library’ in the Smith’s front yard at 103 Southpoint Drive to check out the available books for summer reading.  The rule is simple:  If you borrow a book, then donate a book, or return the book you borrowed.  The library is there for everyone’s use and enjoyment.  What a fun way to encourage our kids to read this summer!

Lisa Smith, who maintains the library, shared that there is a new selection of children’s books available.  She also shared her dismay to find that someone egged the little library this past weekend.  She and her husband built the library for the community and want to offer this gift of books to everyone who visits.  It is very disturbing to find out that someone vandalized it.  If there were other recent acts of egging or other vandalism in the community, please let me know at kpwebmistress@gmail.com.  We can request additional patrols from county police if necessary.

You may already know that our long-time postal carrier, Rodney Hammond, plans to retire at the end of this month.  Rodney has been an important part of our community for many years now and is legendary for his friendly, helpful service to his customers.  He always goes above and beyond what might be expected to take care of ‘his family’ in Kingspoint.  If you see Rodney over these final days of his service, please express your appreciation for all he has done for Kingspoint neighbors and our pets.

We have two new families in our community.  Kathryn and Matt Haines and their four children are now living at 121 Kingspoint Drive.  Kathryn will continue to commute back and forth to their previous residence in Chesterfield County through the end of the year as she completes her term on the School Board there.  Daniel and Brittany Quinn are moving into their new home at 102 Wakerobin Road with their cat and two dogs.  They expect to be living here full time by mid-July.  Dan is a graduate of Jamestown High School, and his parents still live in the area.  Please see their introductions elsewhere in the June Crier.

Long time KPNA Board member, and former Treasurer Brandy Belue and her family will leave us in the next few weeks for their new home in Florida. Brandy and Brian are returning to their home area to be closer to their families and their work. We will all miss them, and their daughter, Willow, because they have been an important and beloved part of our community for so many years. Brandy and her dogs are well known to other dog walkers in our community, because she always has a friendly greeting and some comment to bring a smile. Brandy has served on our KPNA Board since 2019. Please wish Brandy well when you see her during her last few weeks here in our community.

New neighbors will notice that we can hear fireworks from both Colonial Williamsburg and from Busch Gardens here in Kingspoint.  Busch Gardens hosts “Summer Nights” from June 16 through August 13 with concerts each Saturday evening.  Fireworks are planned on Friday and Saturdays at 9:15 PM, weather permitting.

There will be a full schedule of special events at Colonial Williamsburg on July 4, 2023, including a program of patriotic readings and music at 8:00 PM, on the Governor’s Palace Green, with fireworks are at 9:30 PM.  There is a free, one day pass available for July 4 only, and you apply for it online at the link above.   

As a reminder, the use, possession, display, sale or storage of fireworks is illegal in James City County.  This includes fireworks that were legally purchased elsewhere.   Anyone wishing to set off personal fireworks must first obtain a permit from the Fire Marshal.   (See FYI below for more information) The sounds of fireworks or weapons may be troubling to many neighbors and their pets.  Let’s work together to maintain our peaceful, neighborly community so that it feels safe and welcoming for all.

The question of whether area residents may rent out portions of, or their entire homes for vacationers has been a hot topic in our area for the past few years. In areas of Virginia where this has been allowed, many affordable properties are purchased by those intending to rent them instead of living in them.  This has been a topic of discussion for our county government recently, and you may have seen the May 27 article about this in the Virginia Gazette.  This article prompted neighbors to inquire about the short-term rental policy in Kingspoint.

Short term rentals are not allowed in Kingspoint for two reasons.  First, Covenant 1 states that “Lots may be used for residential purposes only…”  All homeowners are bound by our Kingspoint Covenants, which follow each deed.  (Find the complete list in your 2023 Neighborhood Directory.)  The second reason is that our zoning is R-1. Residential Zoning doesn’t permit short term rentals.  If anyone is renting a room, apartment, or their entire Kingspoint home for any purpose other than as a permanent residence (for a minimum of 30 days), they are in violation of county code.  Please contact Christy Parrish, JCC Zoning Administrator at 757.253.6671 with any questions or concerns you may have about this matter.

This should be reassuring to families who don’t want vacationing strangers coming and going to short term rentals near our homes, and the many sorts of problems this sort of situation invites. 

A major rehabilitation project to the Colonial Parkway  begins in August. The project will upgrade about 10 miles of the Parkway, and will last for three years, ending at the end of June 2026.  There will be disruptions and detours in various areas beginning in August.

There will be an ‘open house’ meeting about this renovation project next Thursday, June 22, 2023, from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the Quarterpath Recreation Center, Multipurpose Room 2, 202 Quarterpath Road, Williamsburg. Two brief presentations and Q&A sessions will be held at 6:15 and 7:30.

Summer brings out a wide variety of wildlife in our neighborhood, which is home to many species.  Neighbors routinely see frogs. turtles, lizards, and snakes as well as many sorts of birds, rabbits, squirrels, deer and sometimes even foxes, raccoons, opossums, and other creatures.  Please watch out for these animals and help to protect them as they find their way to areas of safety in the ravines and around the lakes.   Most of these wild areas are Resource Protection Area easements and vegetation there may not be disturbed, by law.  Please be aware that many of the animals, including all snakes, are protected, as well.  Learn more here.  

Many of us enjoy living in community with the many animal and plant species indigenous to our area.  It is a thrill to watch nesting eagles and to notice the birds and butterflies who visit us each season.  Let’s help protect the wildlife that shares our community.  Don’t leave pets outside unattended at night and remind children to use caution when playing outside in areas where they may encounter snakes or biting insects.  Please remember, too, that any food, food containers, or standing water left out will attract various animals.

The first settlers in our area wrote that at Jamestown, “the air is alive with a buzz.” The same can be said today.  Learn more here about the various insects that thrive in our area each summer, and how to protect yourself while enjoying time outside at area attractions.

The next VPPSA Household Chemical Collection will be August 12 at Warhill High School from 8:00 AM-Noon.

Many thanks to Ann Hobson and Phillip Schneider for their continued work at our neighborhood entrance.    Tom Mahone and Chris Bonday are continuing their dedicated efforts to keep the grass neatly trimmed.  If you are willing to join our crew of volunteers to help with maintenance chores at the entrance, please get in touch with Ann at annhobson1010@gmail.com.

If you are new to the community, or have a new family living near you, please let us know so we can visit with a copy of the Kingspoint Directory and include them in the 2023 listings.  Many thanks to Mary Haines, who has joined our team of volunteers, and the KPNA Board, to help greet new families in the neighborhood.

Please visit our KPNA website for news and useful community links.

Crape Myrtle

FYI:   Fireworks

The summer celebrations are important to all of us, and many of us have visitors this time of year.  We are looking forward to the public Fourth of July special events and fireworks displays in our area.

As a reminder, the use, possession, display, sale or storage of fireworks is illegal in James City County.  This includes fireworks that were legally purchased elsewhere.  Anyone wishing to set off personal fireworks must first obtain a permit from the Fire Marshal.  

Individuals who have purchased, or are in possession of fireworks, are encouraged to turn them in at any county fire station, or call the Fire Marshal’s office at 757-220-0626 for assistance. Anyone voluntarily surrendering fireworks will not be criminally charged.  

We are all aware of the serious injuries and property damage caused by accidents with fireworks and outdoor fires, especially when the weather has been dry.

The KPNA Redbud Tree Initiative

The land used to develop our community was a forest before development began in 1964.  The developers planned to leave as many of the original trees as possible to maintain the beauty of our community.  You may notice that the streets run along the ridges, and the ravines are left as natural areas, many of which are environmentally protected as Resource Protection Areas.  Long time neighbors describe how native stands of mountain laurel, dogwood, oak, poplar, holly, beech, and redbud trees gave our community its distinctive character and beauty.

Kingspoint has lost many trees in recent years to storms, a clearing project done by the Colonial Pipeline Corp., and to a variety of tree diseases.  We invite you to help restore native redbud trees to our community by planting one or more redbud trees in your yard.  Redbuds are very healthy trees, aren’t currently under threat by pests or disease, and are very easy to grow.

Eastern redbud, Cercis canadensis, blooms in early spring.  It is a member of the pea family of plants, and so has the ‘superpower’ of fixing nitrogen in the soil.  This fertilizes not only the redbud, but also supports other nearby plants.  The flowers and seed pods are edible, and its bark has medicinal uses.  Redbud trees supports early pollinators, including native bees, when little else is in bloom.  It hosts 12 Lepidoptera species in the spring.

Redbud trees will grow in full sun or partial shade, on all soil types, including our Kingspoint clay.  These trees are drought tolerant once established, tolerate summer heat, and are rarely bothered by deer or rabbits.  They may be grown as small trees or large shrubs and reach a maximum height of 30’ after many years.  These are much safer to grow around our homes than larger trees like oak and beech.  These trees are usually found on the woodland edges in nature and grow well as ‘understory’ trees.

We will give each KPNA member who wants to participate 1 or 2 trees and make additional seedling trees available for $5.00 each.  A few trees are available this spring, we hope to have more available this fall, and we’ll deliver the remainder in the spring of 2024.  Please contact Elizabeth McCoy with any questions and offers to help.

Kingspoint Neighborhood Association January News

Happy New Year to everyone in our Kingspoint Community! May 2023  be good to you and your family.  We trust that you enjoyed the beautiful holiday decorations throughout Kingspoint as much as we did this year.  Many thanks to everyone who brought light into the winter darkness and shared your festive spirit with neighbors throughout the holidays.

Yuko Sato constructed the stunning evergreen holiday arrangements on our sign again this year.  We all appreciate her talents and willingness to continue this beautiful Kingspoint tradition.  We appreciate the families who donated greenery from their gardens for the arrangements and David and Wendy Miller, who decorated trees and shrubs at our entrance with white lights.  We all enjoyed the beauty resulting from this terrific teamwork!

Many thanks to Sarah Huber and Eric Hilton and their Kingspoint Club team for their efforts to organize our Kingspoint Luminary Night celebration on December 11.  Brandy Belue, Phil and Karen Schneider and David Miller set out luminaries at the entrance, donated by Sarah and Eric. We hope you had the opportunity to walk or drive around our neighborhood to enjoy the beauty of it all.  It is always magical to see a winter evening transformed by holiday lights.

Our neighborhood organized our informal Neighborhood Watch and began our ‘No Solicitors’ policy in October of 2015, with the help of the JCC police Community Services Officers.  We had a growing problem with people going door to door to sell products and services, which was a safety concern for many residents.  We learned from MPO Alan McDowell that anyone going door to door to do business must have a Peddler’s License and photo ID.  Police do a background check when issuing the Peddler’s License.

MPO McDowell asked residents at our neighborhood meeting in 2015 to contact the police about anyone going door to door, who didn’t have the license, so that police could check their ID and inform them of county policy.  KPNA volunteers posted several ‘No Soliciting’ signs near the neighborhood entrance.  We asked neighborhood residents to decline to do business with door-to-door salespersons, and to inform them of the neighborhood’s ‘No Soliciting’ policy.  This effort has been very effective, and now we rarely have anyone cold-calling at neighbors’ doors.

As you may know, political operatives and religious outreach fall outside of the county statues if these workers aren’t offering a product or service for sale.  Many residents, particularly those living alone, don’t want strangers at the door for a variety of reasons.  We can look out for one another, and help keep our neighborhood safe, by presenting a united front on this issue.  Canvassers may justify their work by informing us that streets in Kingspoint are public, which is true.  However, your yard and porch are still private property, of course, so this doesn’t justify their presence at your door.

You can reach the JCC Police dispatcher at the ‘non-emergency’ number (757-566-0112) and ask them to have an officer come and speak with anyone going door to door in the community.  Be prepared to offer a description of the person(s) and any vehicles you observe.

Resident children and youth participating in fundraising activities for their school or community groups can get the word out to neighbors through the Crier and community emails, so that interested neighbors can get in touch with them directly to place orders.

Did you know that James City County offers a huge range of recreational opportunities, facilities, and classes, including at their indoor pool and weight rooms, at the Recreation Center on Longhill Road?  Learn more about opportunities and fees here.  You may purchase passes for family members for just a few months, or for the entire year.  Here is a link to the JCC Winter/Spring 2023 Activity Brochure and information about upcoming programs in local parks, including full-moon hikes at Freedom Park.

Kenita Hill is working on revisions to our 2023 Kingspoint Neighborhood Directory, which we plan to distribute to every home in March. Please look over your own listing in the 2022 Directory and contact Kenita by February 26 with any corrections to your personal information. 

If you are new to the community, or have a new family living near you, please let us know so we can visit with a copy of the Kingspoint Directory and include them in the 2023 listings. We publish the Directory in hard copy, and distribute only to neighborhood residents, to protect neighbors’ privacy.  Many thanks to Mary Haines, who has joined our team to help greet new families in the neighborhood.

Although we have enjoyed a mild January, long-time Williamsburg residents know that snowy weather may still find us in February or March.  We request everyone’s cooperation in keeping Kingspoint streets free of parked cars when it snows.  We always hope that VDOT will spread sand and plow our community, and they will do a better job for us all if they don’t have to work around parked cars.

We are always happy to welcome neighbors who want to work with us on various projects.  Please reach out to any Board member if you or a family member can volunteer.   We will need some help spreading mulch at the entrance, and we have an ongoing list of neighbors with chainsaws and rakes, willing to help clear fallen trees during and after storms.  Please send an email to kpwebmistress@gmail.com, if you can help.

Kingspoint Neighborhood Association November News

It is the season of gratitude for our many blessings as individuals, families, and for our beautiful Kingspoint community.  We remember so many friends and neighbors who are no longer living with us in Kingspoint, their friendship over the years and the contributions they made to our community.  We are also grateful for new friendships with families who have joined us over the past year.  Our community continues to grow and thrive. Best wishes to all for the weeks of celebration ahead.

We are looking forward to the excitement of the holidays in Williamsburg.  Soon, our beautiful entrance will be dressed with holiday arrangements and white lights.  Yuko Sato will work her floral magic again this year as she creates evergreen arrangements on the Kingspoint sign.  We appreciate those families who donate greenery from their yards for the arrangements.  David and Wendy Miller will decorate trees and shrubs at our entrance with white lights.

We all enjoy the many light displays and other holiday decorations that neighbors share with us each December.  This is ‘the season of light’ for many of us, and the comfort we take in candlelight and holiday lights during this darkest time of the year unites us.  Our beautiful neighborhood is especially festive at the holidays, thanks to the efforts of so many. 

Special thanks to all those who have served on or volunteered to work with our Neighborhood Association Board this past year.  We will soon welcome our new Treasurer, Karen Schneider, who is in the process of taking over from current Treasurer, Brandy Belue.  We decided to postpone our membership campaign until early spring to give Brandy and Karen a chance to complete the transfer.

Our very talented and generous neighborhood volunteers have repaired signs, installed lighting, blown leaves, watered shrubs, mown grass, pulled weeds, cleaned up fallen trees, painted, picked up trash, pruned, raked, mulched and generally pitched in to help this year.   Our community is better for the volunteer efforts of so many generous neighbors.   

We are always happy to welcome neighbors who want to work with us on various projects.  Please reach out to any Board member if you or a family member can volunteer.   We will need some help spreading mulch at the entrance, and we have an ongoing list of neighbors with chainsaws and rakes, willing to help clear fallen trees during and after storms.  Please send an email to kpwebmistress@gmail.com, if you can help.

We welcome many guests to our community during the holidays.  Please ask your guests and visitors to drive cautiously, with an eye out for children, pets, and neighbors out walking.  The days have grown very short, and pedestrians may be harder to see. Walkers are encouraged to carry a flashlight and wear bright and reflective clothing at dawn and dusk.

James City County will pick up leaves in our neighborhood one day between December 9 and 15.  Leaves must be left at the curb in clear plastic bags before 8:00 AM on December 9.  We don’t know which day the truck will come, and they will make only one trip this year.  Bulky items, like limbs, won’t be accepted.   Residents may also drop off leaves free of charge from Nov. 12 to Jan. 15 at the Jolly Pond Convenience Center, located at 1204 Jolly Pond Road. The Convenience Center is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Leaves may be in clear plastic bags, or loose in a truck or container, and should be prepared to unload their own leaves.

Used, fresh Christmas trees may be dropped off at any of the County’s Convenience Centers from Jan. 1-31, free of charge during normal operating hours. All tinsel, ornaments, lights and stands must be removed. Trees will be mulched or composted. 

You may drop off your own bagged leaves at the Jolly Pond Convenience Center, 1204 Jolly Pond Road, daily between 7 a.m.-5 p.m. on January 8-16.  There is no charge during this week.  Leaves dropped off by residents will only be accepted in clear bags no larger than lawn or leaf-size (40 gallons or less).   

Many thanks to Ann Hobson, Chris Bonday, Tom Mahone and those working with them as theyspruce up our neighborhood entrance and keep the grass cut and shrubs watered throughout the summer. 

Please continue to let us know when new neighbors arrive near you.  We want to welcome all new neighbors and bring them a current Kingspoint Directory. 

Please visit our KPNA website for news and useful community links, regular updates and a link to the digital Crier.

Elizabeth McCoy e.mccoy105@gmail.com

for the Kingspoint Neighborhood Association Board

Kingspoint Neighborhood Association September News

Female Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly

Neighbors have put up with quite a bit of disruption in the neighborhood these past few months as Dominion Energy began replacing the original power cables into our community with new, more dependable lines.   Between the power outages; the ongoing utility work; and the workers, heavy equipment and rolls of cable turning up throughout the neighborhood; our patience and good humor have been put to the test.  Many neighbors are still working to receive compensation for damages during the outages. 

Through this entire process, Dr. John McGlennon, our member of the Board of Supervisors, and numerous members of our county’s staff have been invaluable allies. They have done what they could to make things better and speed the process along.  They continue to advocate for neighbors during the ongoing landscape repairs and reparations for damages. 

VDOT has proposed a series of improvements along Rt. 199 between Brookwood Drive and John Tyler Highway.  You may still submit comments about their proposals.  Find complete information about the proposals on this VDOT website.

The Neighborhood Association will launch its fall membership campaign in October, again this year. Please watch for an updated KPNA brochure and consider supporting the work we do in Kingspoint. We depend on volunteer effort and voluntary contributions from neighbors to keep up our initiatives on behalf of all Kingspoint residents.

We are always happy to welcome neighbors who want to work with us on various projects. Please reach out to any Board member if you or a family member can volunteer. We have an ongoing list of neighbors with chainsaws and rakes, willing to help clear fallen trees during and after storms. Please send me an email if you can help and aren’t yet on our Chainsaw Gang list.

Please make your plans now to vote on or before November 8.  This is an important mid-term election, and your vote is very important.  Our neighborhood votes at Laurel Lane Elementary School.   If you haven’t already made a plan to vote, you will find the information and contacts you need on the JCC Office of Election’s website . 

The Office of Elections has moved to 4095 Ironbound Road.  This is behind the Courthouse, between Monticello Avenue and Ironbound Road. Any registered voter can vote absentee by showing up at the office with your ID, between now and November 5, 2022. 

You may also request a ballot through the mail at vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation.  Note your reason for voting at home as ‘social distancing’.  Request a ballot to be mailed to you by Friday, October 28.  Completed ballots can be mailed to the Office of Elections on Ironbound Road, or ballots may be dropped off in person.  Find complete details online about voting this November.  New neighbors may be interested in this map of voting districts and precincts.

We find ourselves in the midst of another election season where most of us have strong opinions. It is our Kingspoint tradition to abstain from displaying political signs on our properties, right of ways or at our community’s entrance. We all want to maintain our beautiful, peaceful community free from politics. See the covenants page in your Directory for more details about displaying signs.

Bear sightings continue around our area.  This year neighbors have shared their sightings of a bear in their back yard, snakes in their garage, and bats in their home.  And of course, we always have families of deer, rabbits, squirrels, and a variety of turtles in the neighborhood.  Please keep in mind that it is illegal to feed deer between September 1 and early January.  Bears are attracted to many different food sources, including bird feeders, garbage cans, grills, and fruit bearing shrubs. 

While Animal Control officers are available to help with family pets, they won’t remove wildlife.  In most cases, it is up to the homeowner to have wild animals removed when they cause a problem.  And quite often, there are laws protecting those animals that make it illegal to catch them and release them elsewhere, or to harm them in any way. 

Please bookmark the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources website for easy reference should unusual wildlife turn up in your yard.  Cornwells Wildlife Control (757.264.6369) will safely remove a variety of animals from your property and will help you close openings to keep wildlife out of doors. 

Many thanks to everyone who has worked together to make the opening of school safe and successful in the neighborhood this year.  It always requires patience and consideration to work together to get everyone to work and to school on time.  Let’s continue to look out for one another.  As days grow shorter, please remember to carry a light or wear reflective clothing when you are walking, jogging or biking around dawn and dusk.

Many thanks to Ann Hobson, Chris Bonday, Tom Mahone and those working with them as theycontinue work on our neighborhood entrance and keep the area well-maintained throughout the year.  They work hard to keep that area beautiful.  Heartfelt appreciation to all Kingspoint neighbors who keep their homes and yards attractive.  Your pots of flowers, wreathes, and thoughtful plantings bring a bit of happiness to us all. 

We want to welcome all new neighbors and bring them a current Kingspoint Directory.  Mary Haines is visiting new neighbors, so please contact her when new neighbors arrive near you.

Visit the  KPNA website for news and useful community links, regular updates and a link to the digital Crier.