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Holiday House Awards - December Yards of the Month

12/21/2021

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​COLLINGTON HOLIDAY HOUSE FESTIVE AWARD 2021

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​Shane and Amberly Elmore of 15001 Avening Place (Longtown Section) are the Collington Holiday House Festive Award Winners for 2021.  The Elmores have lived in Collington for over five years. The process for decorating their house begins on Thanksgiving Day every year and includes the addition of more lights and inflatables. 
The Elmores take full advantage of the corner lot the house sits on and decorate with a mixture of multi-color lights that encompass three sides including the fence that outlines the back yard, each window, as well as the shrubs and along the driveway.  This house glows from blocks away.  As you walk up their driveway, you are greeted by Frosty the snowman.  You definitely want to take the time to stop by 

​COLLINGTON HOLIDAY HOUSE CLASSIC AWARD 2021

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​Mike and Shannon Hayes of 8924 Lavenham Loop (Lavenham Section) are the Collington Holiday House Classic Award Winners for 2021.  They have lived in Collington for over three years.  The Hayes children contributed a major portion of the time spent to decorate their house.
The first thing you notice as you drive down the road are the three deer that light up the front lawn.  They have big red bows around their necks.   The shrubs are beautifully decorated with white lights, with all the windows having wreaths with snowflakes on them. The eight-piece manger on the front lawn gives a feeling of calmness and peace.  This house has three spotlights that accentuate the total picture.  This is truly a simple, but elegant and classic house.  Take the time to visit and let your mind appreciate the peacefulness…
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October 2021

11/3/2021

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The Collington Grounds Committee “Yard of the Month” award, for the month of October, has been presented to Caitlyn Sexton of 14200 Ashmill Drive.

Caitlyn certainly knocked the committees “Fall Décor” theme out of the park. Caitlyn has lived in Collington for 3 years and her love of community and her neighbors is obvious while talking with her about activities she is involved within the Ashmill section.  As posted the end of September, the committee judged porch and yard décor with a FALL theme this month. The pictures speak for themselves with beautiful groupings that include mums, different size and color pumpkins, colorful pillows, vintage stepstools, rustic signs, scarecrows, hay bales, and an elegant fall door wreath.

Caitlyn will have the “Yard of the Month” sign in her front yard till the end of November and received a $25 Lowes gift card.

We encourage residents to take a stroll or drive around the community and view the festive decor, the Holiday Season is upon us! You will definitely be inspired!

We have a long list of honorable mentions this month: 14525 Tealby Drive, 14619 Collington Court, 11107 Collington Drive, 10507 Pembrookdock Place, 10042 Paddockwood Terrace, 9818 Bayford Drive, 9807 Bayford Drive, 14001 Ashmill Drive, 9837 Bafferton Road, 14813 Lavenham Lane.
There will NOT be a YOTM award for November, but we present TWO awards for Holiday decorations in December.

The Classic Holiday House award is for elegant/traditional/classic decorations. Our Festive Holiday House award is for whimsical/funny/any thing goes décor. These awards will be chosen the middle of December. We generally review houses twice for these awards: at night and during the day.
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September 2021 Yard of he month!

9/30/2021

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The Collington Grounds Committee “Yard of the Month” award, for the month of September, has been presented to Barbara and Fred Gray of 9842 Bafferton Road.

Barbara and Fred received this award two years ago as well. Not only are they making a statement in Collington with their green thumb, but friends from former communities still call and tell them how much they miss seeing their beautiful flowers. The Grays have lived in Collington for five years.
Included in this simple but elegant front yard are: light and dark pink vinca, white and pink begonias, abelia (which blooms yellow) Japanese holly, soft touch miniature cedar, a cherry tree which blooms pink in the spring and arborvitae.

Fred and Barbara do their own pruning. A very smart tip that Fred shared was to make sure to toss fertilizer in the hole just before planting your annuals. He uses a mixture of soil and fertilizer that can be purchased at our local home improvement store. And it goes without saying, Bloom Booster and Miracle Grow are a usual in just about all of our award winners’ yards! It truly will keep your blooms vibrant all season.
Barbara and Fred will have the “Yard of the Month” sign in their front yard till the end of October and received a $25. Lowes gift card.

Honorable mentions for September are: 13930 Collington Mews, 14406 Parracombe, and 14112 Hockliffe Lane.
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YOTM is chosen during the last week of May, June, July, August, September, and October (fall porch and yard décor). The criteria for picking are based on the front yard only. The committee looks for 1.) Overall turf health/nice balance of green, and well-manicured grass, 2.) Shrub maintenance and grooming (trimmed shrubs), 3.) Color/flowers being used to enhance the overall curb appeal. Once a resident receives the award, they are not eligible again for two years.  YOTM for December is a Holiday Award and has its own criteria for Classic and Festive décor, both are chosen in December.
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August 2021 Yard of the Month

8/28/2021

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The Collington Grounds Committee “Yard of the Month” award, for the month of August, has been presented to Richard and Vicki Gentile of 14549 Parracombe Lane.

Richard and Vicki also received this award in September of 2018. Their easy and simple green thumb techniques obviously are still working!! The Gentiles have lived in Collington for 8 years. While their front yard thumb print is small, the well-trimmed shrubs and flower choices will catch your eye right away.
The driveway post light welcomes friends with beautiful red and white hibiscus. The Holy bushes, that line the walkway to the front door, make a lush green back drop for the pink and white alternating begonias. Richard and Vicki’s gardening tips include: fertilizing with 10-10-10 as a base about 3 times a year and watering three times a week for at least 20 minutes in each zone. Vicki keeps the begonia blooms bright and fresh with Miracle Grow and Blossom Booster (alternating these each month). The New Genia inpatients, that are filling the large pots flanking the front porch, get the same treatments.
Richard and Vicki will have the “Yard of the Month” sign in their front yard till the end of September and received a $25. Lowes gift card.

Honorable mentions for August are: 11107 Collington Drive, 10543 Pembrooke Dock Place, 9842 Bafferton Lane, 14112 Hockliffe Lane.

YOTM is chosen during the last week of May, June, July, August, September; and October (fall décor). The criteria for picking are based on the front yard only (but we may include photos of side yards just for fun). We look for 1.) Overall turf health/nice balance of green, and well-manicured grass, 2.) Shrub maintenance and grooming (trimmed shrubs), 3.) Color/flowers being used to enhance the overall curb appeal. Once a resident receives the award, they are not eligible again for two years.  

YOTM for December is a Holiday Award and has it own criteria for Classic and Festive décor, both are chosen in December.

To view previous YOTM recipients, and steal their gardening tips and ideas, go to www.collingtonhoa.com/yard-of-the-month.
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July 2021 Yard of the Month

7/31/2021

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COLLINGTON YARD OF THE MONTH – JULY 2021
The Collington Grounds Committee “Yard of the Month” award, for the month of July, has been presented to Richard and Jamie Stacy of 14900 Wooferton Drive.
Richard and Jamie have lived in Collington for 14 years.  Jamie has picked mostly ‘deer resistant plants’ for her yard and has learned which plants fit this category through her own trial and a little help from her mother, (take notes folks, we all feel the deer and bunny presence in Collington)!  
The bright long lasting colors come from plants that fill in an area but won’t appear overcrowded. Color in this yard comes from annual and perennial flowers plus various shades of perennial shrubs.  Included are:  vinnca, lantana, cone flowers, zinnia, gaura, gerber daisies, lime light hydrangea, kaleidoscope abelia, gold mop cypress, blue star juniper, nandina, and purple fountain grass. There are several varieties of trees as well. Here you will find Japanese Maple, Weeping Red Bud, Dapple Willow (which can withstand extremely wet areas – take note), and Yoshino Cherry (which blooms in the spring). Richard and Jamie live on a corner lot but have built flower beds on their property that give the side and back of the house privacy without feeling boxed in or small. Jamie waters every day in the spring and the start of summer and uses Miracle Grow twice a month. 
Richard and Jamie will have the “Yard of the Month” sign in their front yard till the end of August and received a $25 Lowes gift card.
Honorable mentions this month (who are still eligible for the award through the season) include: 10907 Collington Drive, 11107 Collington Drive, 110224 Wycombe Court, 10530 Brightstone Drive, and 14112 Hockliff Lane.
The grounds committee enjoys the opportunity to recognize residents who beautify our community. The YOTM is chosen during the last few weeks of May, June, July, August, September, and October (fall décor). The criteria for picking are based on the front yard only (but we may include photos of side yards just for fun). We look for 1.) Overall turf health/nice balance of green, and well manicured grass, 2.) Shrub maintance and grooming, 3.) Color/flowers being used to enhance the overall curb appeal. Once a resident receives the award they are not eligible again for two years.  YOTM for December is a Holiday Award and has its own criteria for Classic and Festive décor, both are chosen in December.
For gardening ideas and tips from past award winners go to collingtonhoa.com, committees/grounds/yard of the month.
The committee understands gardening is not everyone’s idea of a fun summer day, and that some residents are not able to do the work themselves. We greatly appreciate the time that is taken, no matter the size of your front yard, to beautify our community. We do absolutely drive down every street in ever section. It takes several hours of driving, taking notes, and going back to houses on the ‘standout list’ to pick a house. Feel free to make recommendations if you see a house that meets the criteria, even your own yard!! Please send recommendations to kayshciltz3@gmail.com
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June Yard of the Month

6/21/2021

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COLLINGTON YARD OF THE MONTH – JUNE 2021

The Collington Grounds Committee “Yard of the Month” award, for the month of June, has been presented to Dee and Charley Keith of 9612 Redwick Drive.
Dee and Keith have lived in Collington for 15 years. The committee is very excited to present this award on this particular street, especially since most front yards on Redwick are small. But in this case ‘size doesn’t matter” because the number of flowers planted, over 170, and the beautiful color packed into this quaint size space is spectacular! Dee and Keith hand tilled and cultivated this space for 4 years with compost, garden soil, and organic material before being able to achieve the rich dark soil out of what we all know started as ‘clay’ in Collington.  
The multicolored blooms include portulaca, marigolds, cannas, begonias, and calla lilies. To add even more color the Keith’s used shrubs and trees with varying leaf colors and blooms during the spring and summer: included are barberries, Japanese lace leaf maple, young blood maple, crepe myrtle, and weeping red bud.  There are many different plants, yet it does not look over crowded. 
Dee and Keith will have the “Yard of the Month” sign in their yard till the end of July and received a $25. Lowes Gift Card. Take the time to drive by and check it out. You might find Charley sitting in his driveway, with cocktail in hand, watering the plants, as he doesn’t have irrigation in that part of his yard . . .  yet. See it CAN be done!
Honorable mentions this month (who are still eligible for the award through out the season) include: 11024 Wooferton Court, 10907 Collington Drive, 14549, Parracombe Lane.
This award is difficult to choose as it takes quite a bit of time due to the number of beautiful yards throughout Collington. The committee members truly enjoy the opportunity to honor our residents who beautify our community with such incredible yard work. The YOTM is chosen during the last few weeks of May, June, July, August, September, and October (fall décor). The criteria for picking are based on the front yard only. We look for 1.) Overall turf health/nice balance of green, and well manicured grass, 2.) Shrub maintance and grooming, 3.) Color/flowers being used to enhance the overall curb appeal. Once a resident receives the award they are not eligible again for two years. YOTM for December is a Holiday Award and has its own criteria for Classic and Festive décor, both are chosen in December.
To find gardening tips from past award winners, especially what types of plants work best for this area, go to collingtonhoa.com, committees/grounds/yard of the month.
The committee understands gardening is not everyone’s idea of a fun summer day, and that some residents are not able to do the work themselves. We greatly appreciate the time that is taken, no matter the size of your front yard, to beautify our community. We do absolutely drive down every street in every section. It takes several hours of driving, taking notes, and going back to houses on our ‘stand out list” to pick a house. Feel free to make recommendations if you see a house that meets the criteria, even your own yard!! Please send recommendations to kayschiltz3@gmail.com.

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May 2021 Yard of the Month

5/29/2021

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​COLLINGTON YARD OF THE MONTH – MAY 2021
 
The Collington Grounds Committee “Yard of the Month” award, for the month of May, has been presented to Don and Michelle Hines of 11215 Longtown Drive.
 
Don and Michelle have lived in Collington for 6 years. Don, a military veteran, and his wife Michelle have certainly found what works best in their yard, as it is beautiful throughout the season. Dons’ tips include, watering twice a day, especially with the heat we have already experienced, and feeding perennials and annuals every two weeks.
 
This established yard is very well maintained and groomed from the perennial shrubs down to the grass. Included in the front yard are: evergreen shrubs of different shades, dark pink Drift and Knockout Roses (which bloom first in the season), and Abelia, which are whitish pink in color and bloom after the roses start to fade. A white Crepe Myrtle in the center of the front yard sets the tone highlighting the potted geraniums framing the front porch.  Evergreens and tall grasses highlight other parts of the yard without overcrowding or making the yard to busy. This is a beautiful ‘postage stamp’ on our community.
 
Don and Michelle will have the “Yard of the Month” sign in their yard till the end of June and received a $25. Lowes Gift Card. 
 
Honorable mentions this month (who are still eligible for the award through out the season) include: 10012 Paddockwood Terrace, 14549 Parracombe Lane, 14531 Forest Row Trail, and 15012 Wooferton Drive.
 
As usual the Yard of the Month Award is difficult to choose as it takes quite a bit of time and there are so many beautiful yards throughout Collington. The committee members truly enjoy the opportunity to honor our residents who beautify our community with such incredible yard work. The YOTM is chosen during the last few weeks of May, June, July, August, September, October (fall décor). The criteria for picking are based on the front yard only. We look for 1.) Overall turf health/nice balance of green, and well manicured grass, 2.) Shrub maintance and grooming, 3.) Color/flowers being used to enhance the overall curb appeal. Once a resident receives the award they are not eligible again for two years. YOTM for December is a Holiday Award and has its own criteria for Classic and Festive décor, both chosen in December.
 
To find additional gardening tips, ideas for your own yard, and pictures of past award winning yards, go to collingtonhoa.com, committees/grounds/yard of the month.
 
We know gardening is not everyone’s forte and also that some residents are not able to do the work themselves or do not the time. We also realize that some sections of the community do not have front yards conducive to a lot of landscaping, or planting, in particular those who might have very small front yards. We do absolutely drive down every street in every section. It takes several hours of driving, taking notes, and going back to houses on our ‘stand out list’ to pick a house. We would love to have recommendations if you see a house worthy that you feel meets the criteria, even your own yard!!! Please send your recommendations to kayschiltz3@gmail.com.
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Collington Holiday House Award 2020

12/22/2020

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As the grounds committee drove through the neighborhood, for two and a half hours the first night, then 45-60 minutes another couple of nights, to pick the Holiday House Festive and Classic awards for 2020, we were amazed at the number of homes decorated! This was the most difficult year ever to choose just ONE house for each award. We thought it would be nice to list Honorable Mentions, but we have a full page of Honorable Mentions for each award! It doesn't matter whether you have a BIG house or a SMALL house, the decorations were outstanding. Some we were sure are visible from space! Frontyards, backyards, side yards, all decked out. Storm troopers, baby yodas, Elfs, Santas, Bears, white lights, multi lights, spot lights, you name it. Moving parts, musical parts, videos, light shows! We had to see some houses during the day and night just to make decisions. Please keep doing what you are doing Collington, FANTASTIC JOB! The winners are not eligible for the next two years so we have kept our lists to check them twice - NEXT YEAR - and year after year! ​

COLLINGTON HOLIDAY HOUSE FESTIVE AWARD 2020

Jonathan and Alexandra Bottoms of 15007 Hazelbury Circle are the Collington Holiday House Festive Award winners for 2020. (Longtown section) 

The Bottoms family has lived in Collington since July 2019. Their Festive display includes music and a radio connection that allows for a light show coordinated with music. As if the radio connection isn’t enough the family has a movie screen that loops five movies complete with Santa blowup chairs for your viewing pleasure. Their mailbox is adorned with lights and the driveway is flanked by Santas.  At the top of the driveway you are greeted by a candy cane stripped garage door, a huge tree, and a waving bear. Across the driveway you enter the “North Pole” with Santa close by literally counting down the days till Christmas! On the roof Santa and his reindeer have landed while the Grinch watches. The Bottoms doorbell even plays Christmas music. Jonathan started putting up this Holiday display at the same time he took down his Halloween décor. Make sure you take the time to stop by and enjoy the display. 

COLLINGTON HOLIDAY HOUSE CLASSIC AWARD 2020

John and Linda Schmitz of 10000 Paddockwood Terrace the Collington Holiday House Classic Award winners for 2020. (Paddockwood section)

John and Linda have lived in Collington for a little over a year.  Their Classic decorations are just as beautiful during the day as at night. John gives all the credit to his wife Linda and graciously invited me in to see the interior as well. I have to admit, I wanted to go home and redecorate my own home, it was stunning! You will find wreaths with bright red bows and a single white candle light in each window, white lights and garland surrounding their red front door, and evergreen trees with white lights flank the front porch.  Large toy soldiers guard the garage, presents on the porch, and Santa’s sleigh and reindeer in the front yard. This is truly a simple, elegant, and classic Holiday statement.
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September Yard of the Month

9/30/2020

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For the Month of September 2020, the Grounds Committee has chosen 8961 Lavenham Loop as the “Yard of the Month”.

Owners Kate and David Beizer have lived in Collington for 2 years and do all their own planting and yard maintenance . The colors are bright and eye catching and very fresh even for the end of September! Kates tip is ‘Miracle Grow’!

The flowers includes dark and light pink vinca, purple asters and golden mums, and red knockout roses with a backdrop of  lush green boxwoods.  On the porch in beautiful red pots (that David picked out) are lime green and burgundy coleus. There is even a bit of welcoming whimsy added with a metal sculpture of a kitty near the front steps, so cute! 

Congratulations to Kate and David. They will have the “Yard of the Month” sign in their yard through this month and have received a $25 gift card from the Grounds Committee.

The next Yard of the Month to be awarded will be in December for Christmas décorations. There will be two awards: Festive and Classic, more info regarding criteria for these awards to come.

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July 2020

7/31/2020

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The Collington Grounds Committee ‘Yard of the Month´ award, for the month of July, has been presented to Sheila and Daniel McManus of 10425 Pembrook Dock Court.

This front yard is simple, elegant, and colorful. Even the colors in the roof line seem to coordinate. There are many mixtures of colors that seem to be fresh as spring even with the heat we have had in Virginia this July.

Sheila’s primary tip to keeping the blooms looking fresh is Bloom Booster by Scotts. The front yard includes a variety of petunias, marigolds, nandina, boxwood and spirea. The perfect mix of annuals with the different shades of green in perennials is a key factor in making the yard stand out.

Large pots with tall grass like plants to anchor and colorful blooms around them along the property line, and on each side of the garage door, give a welcoming atmosphere. Sheila and Daniels back yard is truly a ‘tropical island oasis’ complete with a hammock. Lots of shade trees, colorful flowers in pots, and various seating areas certainly make you feel like you are on vacation. (The back yard is not used in judging the YOTM; it’s just a perk of the job). The grass in the yard is perfectly maintained and edged making this property an eye catching “postage stamp” in the community.

The Grounds Committee really enjoys the opportunity to honor our residents who find the time to beautify our community with such incredible yard work. The drive through to pick “The Yard of the Month” is usually during the last full week of the month. The criteria for picking a yard is based on the front yard only. We look for 1.)  Overall turf health/nice balance of green, and well manicured grass, 2.) Shrub maintance and grooming, 3.) Color/flowers being used to enhance the overall curb appeal.

Sheila and Daniel will have a “Yard of the Month” sign in the front of their house for a month and will also receive a $25. Lowes gift card.

We know gardening is not everyone’s forte and also that some residents are not able to do the work themselves or do not have the time. We also realize that some sections of the community do not have front yards conducive to a lot of landscaping or planting, in particular those who might have very small front yards. We do absolutely drive down every street in every section. It takes several hours driving, taking notes, and going back to houses on our ‘stand out list’ to pick a house.  We would love to have recommendations if you see a house worthy in the neighborhood that you feel meets the criteria, even your own yard!!! Please send your recommendations to kayschiltz3@gmail.com.
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    Yard of the month

    The three main criteria used to evaluate residential properties for the Yard of The Month are:
     
    1) Overall turf health. Is the yard being properly nourished and irrigated, and does it show a nice balance of green.

    ​2) Shrub maintenance and grooming (shaping versus shaggy)

    3) Color. Are colorful
    flowers being used to enhance the overall curb appeal of the property.

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