March 2024 – President’s Message

I want to thank everyone who wished me a speedy recovery from my fall during the February snow storm. I am recovering and will be 100% in no time. And while I was out of commission, things kept moving, and now I have to catch up. That’s what makes the HOA organization a joy to be part of – the truly dedicated and skillful volunteers that are passionate about what they do for the community.  We have fun, but there is a lot more than socials and party time events.  Some things going on:

The President of the HOA is a member of the Tellico Village Volunteer Fire Department Board of Directors (something I didn’t know when I took the job) and I had the pleasure of attending a board meeting in January. Rest assured that the TVVFD is one of the most talented, trained and capable fire departments in East Tennessee. The 38-member all-volunteer force made 1500 (mostly medical) calls in and around Tellico Village 2023 so please support them in every way that you possibly can.

You will soon receive a flyer in your mailbox’s newspaper slot about our Neighborhood Watch Organization led by Sherry Le.  The flyer is asking you to join the Neighborhood Watch, but once you join, you don’t have to do anything or pay anything. The flyer is only asking for permission to send you information on safety and security activities ongoing in your neighborhood. If you’re already a member, thank you, but we would like everyone on board. The more the merrier safer.

The Aesthetics and Environmental Committee, led by Dori Holt, is working with the Tennessee Environmental Council (TEC) to celebrate Tennessee Tree Day on March 16. You can order trees at www.tectn.org for a small donation and pick them up at the Tugaloo Beach Pavilion on that day. TEC has 16 tree types to offer, all native and from East Tennessee nurseries so you know they’ll thrive. Make sure you order by March 4. Plant trees, save water and start working towards a Smart Yards certificate to boot.

The HOA is in discussions with the POA about transitioning the Highway Safety Committee from the HOA to the POA.  Both the HOA and the POA are working with local and state transportation agencies on traffic concerns in and around Tellico Village, and it may be time to streamline the efforts.

Congratulations to the HOA’s Litter Angels Team led by Annie LaCour for being the 2023 Adopt-A-Highway group winner in TDOT’s “No Trash November” challenge by collecting a total of 960 pounds of trash during the month of November! The team received a trophy and publicity in the local media for helping TDOT meet its statewide collection commitment and helping to make the state’s roadways clean and safe in advance of increased holiday travel.

The HOA’s Social and Event teams are keeping the fun side of the HOA rolling. The February social was a fun Valentine’s Day event with over 200 people attending.  Everyone enjoyed the clowns, vocal group and each other. Congrats to Roxanne Jackson and her team for the great job.

Twelve new events opened in February with more in March and the following months by Betty Fortune’s team of event coordinators. Join your friends in Dining Out and Theater Show events, and games like Singo, Bunco, Hand & Foot and many more.  Betty will be leaving the VP of Event Planning position soon, so the HOA is recruiting for a Vice President of Event Planning.  Look for an article elsewhere in the Voice for the details.  We will definitely miss Betty and appreciate all that she has done, but we look forward to welcoming our next VP of Events and encourage everyone to consider joining our team.

Finally, if you haven’t signed up or renewed your membership for 2024 in the HOA, please do so right now in Tellico Life or using the QR code. Just a few clicks get your entire household everything I talked about and a lot more.  I’ll see you soon at a future event or social!  Thanks for all your support.

Harry Rucker

HOA President