Living the Vacation Life - Bulle Rock Newsletter - Winter 2021

the Vacation Life

Vol. II Issue I

OPERATION GRATITUDE

Meet Royal Candidate!

Nuts, Bolts & Patience BULLE ROCK

Gives Back

And more…

The Official Lifestyle Publication of the Bulle Rock Community Association

2021

W I N T ER

LIVING

LIVING the Vacation Life

The Official Lifestyle Publication of the Bulle Rock Community Association ©2021

Table of Contents

10 7

18

5

Message from the Lifestyle Director

6

Welcome Home New Residents

7, 8 & 9

Operation Gratitude

10 & 11

Meet Royal Candidate

13

Lifestyle Rewind

14 & 15

Nuts, Bolts, and Patience

16

Seven Ways to Use a Basement Rec Room

18 & 19

Brag Board

20

Bulle Rock Gives Back

Living The Vacation Life E-Journal Team EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Brendalys B. Snee | Lifestyle Director CONTRIBUTORS TO THE WINTER 2021 ISSUE Rhiannon Blankenship | Assistant Lifestyle Coordinator Alana Goldberg | Richmond American Homes Marianne Mikulsky | Resident

16

Daniele Oliveira | Graphic Designer Larry Smith | Resident

WISHING YOU A

HAPPY NEW YEAR! From your BrightView family Meet Matt Brawn Bulle Rock’s Account Manager Matt Brawn brings more than 30 years of professional landscaping experience to Bulle Rock. He is keenly familiar with the local landscape, having been born and raised in Perry Hill, MD. A graduate of Towson University, Matt’s attention to detail and positive attitude make him the perfect addition to this team. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his wife and 6 kids, hiking, visiting the beach and cheering for the Ravens.

Contact Us BulleRock@brightview.com info.brightview.com/bullerock

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Happy New Year Bulle Rock!

We have made it through 2020 and now have a year ahead of us full of opportunities to have fun, learn new skills, be a good neighbor, and keep living the vacation life!

Bulle Rock is a fantastic community to live in, and that has never been more evident than during this past year. We continue to be impressed with your generosity and contributions to make Bulle Rock and Havre de Grace a better place to live. Check out page 20 for a year-end tally of how you gave back in 2020.

We welcomed many new residents into the community during the past several months. Visit page 10 to meet one of them: Marianne Mikulsky and her special horse Royal Candidate. Car aficionados, don't miss Larry Smith's story on pages 14 and 15. And the Residents' Brag Board on pages 18 and 19 is sure to put a smile on your face.

Living the vacation life is not just a slogan but a state of mind that we take seriously around here and plan to keep it that way in 2021. Please be on the lookout for a Lifestyle Survey during the first quarter of the year. We look forward to receiving your feedback and ideas and remain committed to delivering exceptional service to you.

Enjoy this new year to the fullest, Bulle Rock!

Brendalys B. Snee Lifestyle Director

Bulle Rock Community Association 1200 Bulle Rock Parkway Havre de Grace, MD 21078 Tel. 410-942-1491 email: bullerock.lifestyle@fsresidential.com On The Cover: Royal Candidate, great grandson of Secretariat, owned by Bulle Rock resident Marianne Mikulsky.

FOLLOW US! /bullerocklifestyle /bullerocklifestyle LIVING THE VACATION LIFE | WINTER 2021

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Welcome NewResidents Did you know that Bulle Rock has a Welcome Committee?

Their mission is to provide support to new residents and their families. We know that 2020 was quite a year to make a move into a new community!

We are glad you are here and look forward to meeting you at one of the upcoming Virtual Welcome Events. If there is anything you need, please don't hesitate to reach out to bullerock.lifestyle@fsresidential.com and we'll put you in contact with them!

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LIVING THE VACATION LIFE | WINTER 2021

BARBARA SPONN

KAREN HOLT

KATHY MIKOS

BRIAN ZACK

RICK WEINGARTEN

OPERATION GRATITUDE We are honored to have many veterans and service members living in Bulle Rock.

On Veterans Day, we had the opportunity to treat 75 Bulle Rock veterans to a gift bag with a Chaps gift card, Stars & Stripes coffee, and red, white, and blue popcorn. These are a few of the veterans living in our community!

Thank you for your service!

GERALD VAN KEUREN U.S. AIR FORCE

KIM CHARLESTON U.S. ARMY

DAVID ANSTRAND U.S. MARINES

MARK YOCUM NATIONAL GUARD

LIVING THE VACATION LIFE | WINTER 2021

7

AL AN DOUCETTE U.S. ARMY

DENNIS PHIL APAVAGE U.S. AIR FORCE

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LIVING THE VACATION LIFE | WINTER 2021

ARNIE CALLESANO U.S. ARMY

DEWAYNE ROPER U.S. MARINES

EBONY PRICE- BRUECKNER U.S. ARMY

JIM WASSON U.S. ARMY

A

CARL SCHANDELMEIER N.J. NATIONAL GUARD

JOHN MARX ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

DANIEL GRANT U.S. ARMY

DAVID NOCERA U.S. ARMY

ROBERT WALTHER U.S. COAST GUARD

VICKI ALSTON U.S. ARMY

LIVING THE VACATION LIFE | WINTER 2021

9

Meet

ROYAL CANDIDATE AN INTERVIEW WITH BULLE ROCK RE SIDENT M ARIANNE MIKUL SK Y

How long have you lived in Bulle Rock? Please share a little bit about you and your family.

John and I purchased our home on Spectacular Bid in August of this year. We moved from Bel Air and Delaware. We sold two homes and bought one all in the same month of August. So grateful to finally be settled in this beautiful community.

What made you decide to move to this community?

We fell in love with the town after staying at The Spencer-Silver Mansion Bed & Breakfast in Havre de Grace last year. We thought we would love to retire here someday. When we found the commute to work wasn't too bad for John, we decided to do it now.

We love how close we are to I-95, and it's an easy commute for all our children to visit too.

It was exciting to hear that you own a very special horse. Please tell us more!

My daughter and I own an OTTB (Off The Track Thoroughbred). His registered name is "Royal Candidate," and he is a great-grandson of Secretariat.

Royal was born and raised in Illinois and is full of personality. He likes attention and treats (a lot of different treats) but loves the warm "soup" I make him in the winter. Although his career on the track was short, he found his talent in Eventing. Thoroughbred horses are bred to be athletes, so they can be a little more high maintenance than your average horse.

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LIVING THE VACATION LIFE | WINTER 2021

What I love about the thoroughbred horse is that they will try their heart out for you when you bond with them. He has been off the track for about six years now, and we have owned him for three. All OTTB's have a permanent tattoo on the inside of their upper lip, which is recorded by The Jockey Club of America. There are several organizations that retrain and re-home Off The Track Thoroughbreds for their new careers.

You mentioned that your daughter rides the horse.

What type of riding do they do? How often do you get to visit him?

We board him at a beautiful equestrian center in Bel Air called Olney Farm. They also teach riding and have pony camps. I mostly pleasure ride him and will compete in smaller shows from time to time. My daughter is the better rider, though, and she Events with him. An Event is a competition in which you compete in three divisions for an overall score at the end of the day. Kind of like a triathlon. Dressage, Stadium Jumping, then Cross Country Jumping. It takes a lot of skill and guts. They both really enjoy it.

It's a family affair too, as we all tailgate and volunteer to be jump judges out in the fields. Our farm is always looking for volunteers when we host these events, and a lot of work goes into them. It's a fun way to spend a day on a beautiful farm full of history.

What are you and your family looking forward to this coming year?

Like everyone, we are ready to get our life back to normal. We would love to get more involved in the Bulle Rock community too. Everyone we have met so far has been so friendly. We just love it here!

His registered name is "Royal Candidate," and he is a greatgrandson of Secretariat.

LIVING THE VACATION LIFE | WINTER 2021

11

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Contact brendalys.snee@fsresidential.com for advertising info and rates.

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LIVING THE VACATION LIFE | WINTER 2021

LIFESTYLE REWIND The last quarter of the year was full of fun for the young (and young at heart!) residents of Bulle Rock. Over 2,100 residents participated in 35 socially distanced and virtual activities during the Fall. Some of the activities included Flu Clinics, Vegan Dessert Class, Trivia, Military Thriller Book Presentation, Active Aging Presentation, charitable drives, and much more. Participating in lifestyle activities is a great way to stay engaged and build community, so we look forward to seeing you at upcoming events!

Best friends at Halloween

Halloween is not just for kids!

Santa at Bulle Rock!

Electronic Waste Recycling Event

DIY Christmas Ornament Kit

Ugly Pet Holiday Sweater Competition Contestants

LIVING THE VACATION LIFE | WINTER 2021

13

Nuts, Bolts & Patience

By Larry Smith, Resident and Bulle Rock Car Club Facilitator

We moved to Bulle Rock in 2014 when Karen and I retired. So far, retirement has been great if we don't include 2020. It has allowed me the time to pursue interests that I couldn't while I was working. Golf, woodworking, and I even took up Texas hold 'em, just to name a few.

But my real passion has been restoring old muscle cars. I come by it naturally after growing up in California in the '60s.

So, in response to me coming to my senses and not buying a Harley during my mid-life crisis.

I decided to go back to my roots, and I found a car. I have been hauling it around (literally dragging it sometimes) since 1996. It is a 1969 Mustang convertible with a 390 cubic inch big block "UUUEEGGHH." I bought the Mustang while I was living in Colorado, sight unseen from a seller in California. I flew out to California and bought it the next day. It had a flat gray spray can paint job and was sitting in a vacant lot, looking very sad. I spent the next week underneath it, making it safe to drive back to Colorado, which took 26 hours non-stop! I drove it and worked on it, taking care of the mechanicals until we moved to Maryland in 2002. There it sat in the garage till 2014.

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LIVING THE VACATION LIFE | WINTER 2021

I was retiring, and it was time to get moving on the car. I found someone to do the bodywork, and the next phase started. Eight months later, got the car back. I moved the car to Bulle Rock and proceeded to take the car apart and put it back together again, which took an additional six months. I have had the Mustang on the road for about three years but only driving it in good weather. Each winter, I find some other upgrad keep me busy through the cold weather.

Up until 2020, some of the events we attended were car shows, parades, First Fridays in Havre de Grace, and happy hours in the Bulle Rock

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Residents' Club parking lot. Cars are a great way to meet new people. Kids love sitting in them, old guys want one, and other car people are always interested in how you manage to get that nut or bolt loose! The last is why we started the Bulle Rock Car Club. The Club is open to anyone interested in automobiles, old or new, fancy or plain. I am looking forward to next year with some sort of normalcy. Please be on the lookout for an e-mail to residents in 2021 with information about the Bulle Rock Car Club.

LIVING THE VACATION LIFE | WINTER 2021

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7 WAYS TO USE A BASEMENT REC ROOM

by A l an a G o ldb e rg , Richm on d A m e ric an H o m es

Now, more than ever, we recognize the importance of versatile spaces that can meet the changing demands of daily life. Working from home means finding a workspace at home. Remote learners need a quiet spot to study. As fitness routines and movie nights move homeward, houses are doing double and triple duty at the center of our lives.

That’s why a finished basement can be a virtual goldmine of possibilities for today’s homeowners.

They’re typically large, open areas that are easy to parcel out by purpose just by carefully arranging furniture and equipment to fit the need. Here are just a few of the ways you could use this space.

HOME GYM Having a home gym is great for so many reasons, including convenience and privacy. Install a smart TV in your basement gym for easy access to online workouts.

Want to make fitness a family activity? Choose equipment that’s fun for all ages—jump ropes and hula hoops can be a great addition to your exercise routine!

MEDIA ROOM It’s easy to create a cozy space for movie nights! Just add a comfortable couch, soft blankets and a table or two for all that tasty popcorn. Depending on your technology of choice, you can also use an attractive, functional storage piece for DVDs or other equipment.

CLASSROOM This idea is newer to the rec room lineup but very relevant! Use creative, practical shelving to create a welcoming space for your little learners. Headphones and supportive chairs also come in handy.

ENTERTAINING SPACE A rec room may also come with appealing optional features, such as a thoughtfully designed wet bar.

Having a stocked refrigerator and sink nearby is very helpful for gatherings and daily use.

PLAYROOM From card and board games to dress-up and watercolors, a basement can be a fun area for the whole family! Even better, creating a dedicated space for playtime can make it less disruptive to everyone else in the home.

HOME OFFICE Working from home is so much better when you have a comfortable spot to focus and keep items organized. A corner of a generous rec room is perfect for arranging office supplies and video calls alike!

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LIVING THE VACATION LIFE | WINTER 2021

LIVING AREA A basement with a bedroom, full bath, and large rec room can serve as a semi-independent living space for adult children who live at home, housemates, or relatives who are comfortable with stairs.

Looking for more creative ways to use the space in your home? Check out Homeward™, Richmond American Homes’ blog. You’ll find decorating ideas, organizing tips, recipes, and other articles about buying, selling, living in, and loving your home! If you’re interested in making a move this year, be sure to check out Richmond American’s floor plans at Bulle Rock. They’re designed with flexible living spaces in mind—including finished basements!

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LIVING THE VACATION LIFE | WINTER 2021

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BRAGBOARD BRAG BOARD Brag alert! It has been a challenging year, so why not celebrate all the small and big things that are happening in our lives?

“My daughter Jaisen recently started Taekwondo and was promoted to Orange Belt on 14 December 2020.”

April Marinakes

“We were very fortunate to purchase our first singlefamily home in Bulle Rock at the end of October 2020. We immediately met our nice neighbors and began enjoying walks around our beautiful new neighborhood and trails. The past month and a half living in Bulle Rock has been wonderful, and a huge highlight was having a very small party with our parents to celebrate our daughter Brielle's first birthday with a custom macaron cake from Les Petits Bisous.

We are really looking forward to 2021, our first full year living in Bulle Rock. We can't wait to meet more neighbors and make more memories here.” Lindsey and Daniel Pope

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LIVING THE VACATION LIFE | WINTER 2021

“Our French Bulldog, GCH Idyll’s Dancing In the Dark, “Raye Raye,” has had limited dog showing this year due to COVID cancellations and social distancing. She was one the dogs awarded entry in the National Dog Show on November 14/15, 2020, and showed on NBC on Thanksgiving Day. Raye Raye won Best of Breed and Group 4 in the Non-Sporting Group. She was the #1 French Bulldog Female in the United States for the NOHS (National Owner Handler Series) and #2 Overall French Bulldog in the United States same series in 2019.” Sherry Bosley

“Our newest addition to the family during the pandemic April 14, 2020: granddaughter, Hope Marts.”

Rich Marts

“In 2020, I was appointed by the Hon. Ryan McCarthy, the Secretary of the Army, to be the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for the State of Maryland. The Secretary of the Army is the highest-ranking person in our Army, over all the Generals. This was indeed an honor for me. I am also the Maryland State President for the Association of the United States Army and the President of Maryland's National Guard Free State Challenge Academy Foundation". Mary Jane Jernigan

“I am bragging about my granddaughter Rayven.

She is an awesome little five-year-old girl that loves everything and complains about nothing. She enjoys school, playing, reading, riding her bike, and church.

She remembers Bible verses like you wouldn’t believe. She has a heart of gold, yes already, she is so concerned about others and gives the best hugs. I love her so much that you just can’t imagine, and she gives it right back to you. I hope nothing but the best for her and for her to continue to be the precious angel she is.

She calls me Nana.” Linda Cherry

LIVING THE VACATION LIFE | WINTER 2021

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Bulle Rock Gives Back One of the things that makes Bulle Rock an amazing community is its residents' boundless generosity. Here is a summary of what you all accomplished in 2020!

279

pairs of glasses donated to the Lions Club

2

vehicles full of food pantry donations to St. John’s Cupboard

200+

masks made by residents for healthcare workers

110

old flags collected for a proper Retirement Ceremony

56

30+

residents donated to St. John’s Cupboard during quarantine

residents baked dozens of goods for healthcare workers

196

coats plus toiletries, gloves, hats, and scarves for veterans

75

pies purchased for Pie It Forward

17

505

beanie babies collected for troops

232

Christmas gifts for homeless families served by Harford Family House

pairs of pajamas for children in longterm hospital stays

$1,890

in Weis gift cards + 1 full vehicle of Thanksgiving donations to St. John’s Cupboard

LIVING the Vacation Life

T he Of f icial Lifestyle P ublication of the Bulle Rock Community A ssociation

1200 Bulle Rock Parkway, Havre de Grace, MD 21078 Tel. 410-942-1491 For feedback, to become a contributor or to advertise, contact Brendalys B. Snee, Lifestyle Director, at brendalys.snee@fsresidential.com