From her obituary...

With heavy hearts, we share the passing of our dear friend, Barbara J. O’Connell (Relihan). Barbara left us peacefully on Saturday, January 25, 2025, in Virginia, surrounded by her loving family. Born on May 17, 1929, in Rutland, Vermont, to the late Harold and Octavia Relihan (Bell), she was a cherished member of the Abbewood Estates community for many years.

Barbara was a vibrant part of our lives—a past President of the Enfield Claddagh Club, a dedicated book lover, and an active member of our Abbewood book club. Her creativity knew no bounds; whether painting, sewing, knitting, or quilting, she poured love into every piece she made, leaving behind beautiful keepsakes for her family and friends.

More than anything, Barbara treasured time with her loved ones. She celebrated life’s moments, big and small, and made every gathering special. Her warmth, wisdom, Irish wit, and ever-present smile brought joy to everyone around her. To know Barbara was to love her, and her kindness and friendship will be missed beyond words.

We invite all who knew and loved Barbara to join us in honoring her memory. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 31, 2025, from 4-7 p.m. at Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels, 61 South Road, Enfield, CT. A funeral procession will gather at the funeral home at 9 a.m. on Saturday, February 1, 2025, before a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Bernard Church, 426 Hazard Avenue, Enfield. Barbara will be laid to rest at St. Bernard Cemetery.

In her memory, donations may be made to the Mark O’Connell Foundation for Lake Winnipesaukee Safety at https://www.themarkoconnellfoundation.com/take-action.

To share online condolences, please visit https://www.leetestevens.com/memorials/barbara-oconnell/3321065/index.php.

Barbara was a gift to us all, and while she may be gone, the love and joy she shared will remain in our hearts forever.

Happy Holidays! December Newsletter

Board of Directors Minutes: 11/26/24

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Welcome and Updates

          Welcome to the Sciarras!

We are delighted to welcome longtime Enfield residents, John and Lisa Sciarra, to the Abbewood community! They recently purchased Alice Allen’s home at 2 Stratton Circle. Please join us in giving them a warm welcome—they will surely be a wonderful addition to our neighborhood.

 

New Landscaping Contract Announcement

The Executive Board is pleased to announce that we have signed a new three-year contract with Beebe Landscape Services, covering both lawn care and winter services. This decision followed a thorough review process, during which we evaluated a formal proposal from another company and held discussions with two additional suppliers.

Beebe was selected for their comprehensive range of services and their flexibility in negotiations. We are particularly pleased that this new contract enables us to maintain the current HOA fees for fiscal year 2024-2025.

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to another great year in Abbewood!

New Neighbors

 

Fall Cleanup Monday November 24th

 

Bear on Knollwood 10-22-24 3:15 pm

 Bill Kiner just saw a very hungry Black bear wandering on Knollwood.

Stay inside!

If you encounter a black bear in the wild, it’s important to stay calm and follow these steps to ensure your safety:

1. Remain Calm and Avoid Sudden Movements

• Do not run. Black bears can run faster than humans, and running may trigger a chase response.

• Stay still and assess the bear’s behavior.

2. Make Yourself Appear Larger

• Stand tall, raise your arms, and make yourself look bigger.

• If you have a jacket or backpack, lift it over your head.

• Speak in a calm but assertive voice.

3. Back Away Slowly

• Do not turn your back on the bear.

• Slowly move backward while keeping an eye on the bear, but avoid direct eye contact, which may be seen as a challenge.

4. Be Noisy

• Clap your hands, shout, or make noise to let the bear know you are human and not prey.

• If you’re with others, stand close together to appear more intimidating.

5. Avoid Attracting the Bear

• If the bear is approaching, it may be curious. Avoid leaving food out and keep any food or scented items securely packed away.

• Never feed a bear, as this can lead to aggressive behavior.

6. Use Bear Spray (If Available)

• If the bear gets too close (within 30 feet), use bear spray. Aim for the bear’s face, as the spray will deter it without causing long-term harm.

7. In Case of an Attack

• If it’s a defensive attack (the bear feels threatened or is protecting cubs), play dead by lying flat on your stomach with your hands over your neck, legs spread to make it harder for the bear to roll you over. Stay still until the bear leaves.

• If it’s a predatory attack (rare for black bears, but possible), fight back aggressively. Use any available objects (rocks, sticks, or even your fists) to defend yourself, aiming for the bear’s face.

8. After the Encounter

• Once the bear leaves, slowly and cautiously retreat from the area.

• Report the encounter to local wildlife authorities if you are in a park or reserve.

By remaining calm, making yourself appear larger, and not provoking the bear, you can safely navigate most bear encounters.

New Fox Run

Thanks to Benji and John for sending pictures of our resident fox!

Encountering a fox can be a surprising experience, but it's usually not dangerous as foxes tend to avoid human interaction. Here are some tips on what to do if you come across a fox:
1. **Stay Calm**
   - Foxes are generally shy and not aggressive towards humans. Stay calm, avoid sudden movements, and don't run, as this could trigger a chase instinct.
2. **Give the Fox Space**
   - Allow the fox to have an escape route. Most likely, the fox will run away when it feels safe to do so.
3. **Don't Approach**
   - Avoid trying to approach or feed the fox. It's important to maintain a respectful distance, especially if the fox seems curious or unafraid.
4. **Make Yourself Appear Larger**
   - If the fox seems too curious or is getting too close, raise your arms, make yourself look larger, and make some noise. This can help scare it away.
5. **Avoid Eye Contact**
   - Direct eye contact may be interpreted as a threat. Look in the general direction of the fox without staring it down.
6. **Keep Pets Away**
   - If you're walking a dog, make sure it's on a leash and pull it close to you. Dogs may provoke or chase the fox.
7. **Don't Turn Your Back**
   - If you need to leave, back away slowly, keeping the fox in sight until you are at a safe distance.
8. **Report Abnormal Behavior**
   - Foxes are generally wary of humans. If a fox is showing signs of aggression or approaching without fear, it could be sick or injured. In this case, report the sighting to local wildlife authorities.
Foxes are fascinating creatures, and most encounters are harmless. By respecting their space, you're likely to have a peaceful and brief experience.

BOD Meeting Minutes - 09/10/24

 

Bear Sighting 09-06-24

Good morning! Thanks for the heads up Bill . It’s always good to stay alert when a bear is in the area. Make sure to secure any food sources like garbage bins, bird feeders, and pet food, and keep a safe distance if you see it around. Stay safe!

 # 10 chatfield!

Photos by Bill.  

Driveway and road repairs is rescheduled for Friday, August 30th.

 Sorry for the late notice but due to a delay, this is rescheduled for Friday, August 30th.

Dear Abbewood Homeowners,

As part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining the quality and safety of our neighborhood, we will be conducting street maintenance on **Friday, August 30th**. To ensure that this work can be carried out efficiently and without interruption, we kindly ask all homeowners to refrain from parking on the street or in the guest parking areas on this date.

**Please make arrangements to move your vehicles to your driveway or garage before Friday, August 30th.** 

We understand that this may cause some inconvenience, and we appreciate your cooperation in helping us keep our community in excellent condition.

Thank you for your understanding and support. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me.

Best regards,

Guy Bourassa  
Vice President
Abbewood Homeowners Association Board of Directors

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Ray Kay Tree Service on Woodbridge

Dear Abbewood Homeowner,

Please be advised that Ray Kay Tree Service will be on the property in the next few days to perform necessary tree work between 2 Woodbridge and 4 Woodbridge. The work area has been clearly marked.

For the safety of both homeowners and Ray Kay associates, we kindly ask that you respect the boundaries of the work area and avoid interrupting any Ray Kay personnel.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.

Thank you,  

*Abbewood Board of Directors*