Greetings from the Hickory Farms President

Greetings Neighbors,

As we move through the heart of winter, I want to thank everyone for continuing to make our community a safe and welcoming place. With colder weather and the occasional storm, please take a moment to check in on elderly or vulnerable neighbors when conditions are rough. A quick knock or message can make a real difference, and it’s one of the small acts that keeps a neighborhood feeling like a community.

I do want to be very clear about one important safety issue: vehicle speed within the neighborhood. We have had multiple recent incidents involving cars being sideswiped or narrowly missed due to vehicles traveling too fast on our streets. Please slow down, observe posted speed limits, and drive with the expectation that someone may be pulling out of a driveway, crossing the street, or opening a car door. A few seconds saved is not worth damage, injury, or worse.

Our neighborhood is also gradually skewing younger, which means more children playing outside and more new or inexperienced drivers on the road. Extra awareness is essential. Please assume children may dart into the street, and that not every driver has the same experience or reaction time.

Finally, we are once again looking for volunteers to help support the HOA. We currently have a few open positions, including Vice President. Getting involved is a great way to help shape the direction of our community and share the workload that keeps things running smoothly. If you’re interested or would like more information, please reach out. We’d love to hear from you.

Thank you,
Steve Kubrak
HFCA President

Annual Assessment - Past Due!

The annual HFCA HOA dues payment ($300) deadline was January 31st; any unpaid dues need to be immediately paid. For questions, please contact the HFCA Treasurer at treasurer@hickoryfarms.org or visit the annual assessment info page.

Hickory Farms Community Association Bylaws Article VII, Section 2(c) governs annual assessments. Assessment payments are the responsibility of the property owner. Payments that are not postmarked or in the physical possession of the Treasurer by February 7, 2026, are late and the homeowner will be charged an additional $50. Payments received after that date that do not include the additional $50 charge (total payment of $350.00) will be returned to the homeowner for non-payment. On March 1, 2026, delinquent accounts will be turned over to the Association's attorney for collection. At that point, the amount owed by the delinquent homeowner will be $350.00 plus all associated attorney fees and could include significant court costs if HFCA files a lawsuit. These procedures are in accord with the Hickory Farms Community Association Bylaws, which have no provision for waiver.

Upcoming Safety Info Events

February 21: Kids in Today's Society

Kids today face very different challenges than those from 20—or even just 10—years ago. As parents, caregivers, and mentors, it’s important to know how to talk with them and guide them through these difficult issues.

“Kids in Today’s Society” is a presentation that explores the challenges young people are facing today, including social media, substance use, mental health concerns, and more. We’ll share strategies for having meaningful conversations, supporting them through tough times, and connecting with the resources available through Fairfax County. The earlier you start these important conversations, the easier it becomes over time.

Saturday, February 21, 2026 | 10:00 AM-11:30 AM
Community Room, West Springfield Government Center
6140 Rolling Road, Springfield, VA

No registration is required — just join us!

February 24: Personal Safety

Have You Ever Felt Uneasy Walking Through a Dark Parking Garage?
What steps could you take to make yourself safer?

This is just one of the many important topics we’ll cover in our upcoming Personal Safety Presentation.

Tuesday, February 24, 2026 | 6:30 PM
West Springfield Government Center – Community Room
6140 Rolling Road, Springfield, VA

Officers from the West Springfield District Station will lead this lecture-based course, which is designed to enhance your awareness and personal safety. Topics include:

• Situational awareness
• How to recognize and respond to potential threats
• Strategies for defending yourself in dangerous situations

The presentation will last approximately one hour and will include time for questions both during and after the session. No registration is required.

For questions prior to the event, please contact MPO Tony Capizzi at 703-277-2363 or Anthony.Capizzi@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Please note: We follow Fairfax County Public Schools for weather-related cancellations.

The Birds of Hickory Farms

- By Bob Cosgriff

The new year is underway which means that we are once again counting every species seen every day starting on New Year’s Day. We always look forward to which species will be the first bird spotted on the morning of 1 January. Since we started this “competition” in 2014, we have had four two-time “first year bird” winners: Carolina Wren (CARW) (2014, 2022), Downy Woodpecker (DOWO) (2017, 2024), Northern Cardinal (2020, 2025) and White-throated Sparrow (2021, 2023). The 2026 first year bird honor goes to Carolina Chickadee (with two-time winner Carolina Wren coming in second!).

Below is our tabulation. All of these birds are very common in Hickory Farms and you’ve probably had all of them in your yard at one time or another:

• 2014 Carolina Wren (CARW)
• 2015 Slate-colored Junco (SCJU)
• 2016 Red-bellied Woodpecker (RBWO)
• 2017 Downy Woodpecker (DOWO)
• 2018 Mourning Dove (MODO)
• 2019 Blue Jay (BLJA)
• 2020 Northern Cardinal (NOCA)
• 2021 White-throated Sparrow (WTSP)
• 2022 Carolina Wren (CARW)
• 2023 White-throated Sparrow (WTSP)
• 2024 Downy Woodpecker (DOWO)
• 2025 Northern Cardinal (NOCA)
• 2026 Carolina Chickadee (CACH)

On New Year’s Day, we logged 19 species. Highlights included Pine Warbler, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (female), and Purple Finch (female), and recorded our first “grand slam” of woodpeckers (five of the possible six species). Other January highlights included Hermit Thrush and Northern Mockingbird (3 January). For the first half of the month, we saw a total of 29 different species of birds and averaged 16 species daily over that period. The monthly total is about average, while the daily figure, while respectable, is a bit below our results in the previous two years. It’s hard to say why the January numbers were lower than expected. This article was submitted to the editor on 14 January since we left for Florida on 15 January. (I guess that makes us snowbirds!) In the March newsletter I will report on February’s backyard results and perhaps throw in some of our Florida birding highlights. In the meantime, whatever the weather might be, I encourage you to get out into our award-winning common areas in February to see the winter birds of Hickory Farms.

When It Snows!

As snow falls across our neighborhood this winter, here is some helpful information about snow removal.

Hickory Farms neighborhood streets are plowed by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). Please note that Hickory Farms homeowners are responsible for removing snow from their driveway and sidewalks.

VDOT snow removal starts once 2 inches of snow has fallen, with their main focus being on the interstates and primary roads first. You can utilize VDOT’s Plow Tracker at plows.vdot.virginia.gov/Public/Map to see where the plows are in the area.

Besides the sidewalk in front of your home, there are other, community-focused places to consider shoveling snow:

• Fire hydrants – every second counts; clear at least three feet around
• School bus stops in the neighborhood
• Storm drains
• Sidewalks in front of homes, where neighbors who are physically unable to shovel

Snow shovel safely. Take breaks while shoveling and do not overexert yourself, especially if you are usually inactive. Shovel small amounts of snow at a time. Push the snow instead of lifting where possible.

Visit fairfaxcounty.gov/snow/remove to learn more snow removal tips.

HFCA Volunteers Stepping Down at the End of 2025

The Hickory Farms Community Association (HFCA) Board of Directors would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to Telah Jackson and Jennifer Maloney for their many years of dedication and service to the Hickory Farms community.

Jennifer Maloney

Jennifer first served as Newsletter Editor in 2005 and later returned to the role from March 2022 through December 2025. During her tenure, she produced up to 11 newsletter publications per year, ensuring timely delivery and keeping content focused on neighborhood-centered topics. Without Jennifer’s commitment and attention to detail, important HFCA Board information would not have consistently reached residents’ inboxes and mailboxes. Her contributions have been invaluable to keeping our community informed and connected.

Telah Jackson

Telah began her service as an At-Large Board member in December 2017 and later stepped into the role of Vice President, filling a vacant position through December 2025. Over seven years of dedicated service, Telah played a vital role in strengthening community engagement. She gathered meaningful feedback from neighbors through surveys, helping guide Strategic Planning initiatives, and her efforts contributed to the creation of Hickory Farms’ current branding logo. Her leadership and vision have left a lasting impact on our community.

Save the Date: Spring Egg Hunt

Hickory Farm will be hosting the annual Spring Egg Hunt on March 21st at 3 pm in the lower commons. Everyone is welcome to come!

The Social Committee is collecting empty plastic eggs if anyone would want to drop off to reuse. Juliette Giordano will have a container on her front porch from February 1st - March 7th at 4357 Harvester st th Farm Lane.

Thank you so much!
Laura Bucher and Juliette Giordano
Social Committee Chair

Hickory Farms Home Sales in 2025

*Information Provided by Sandra Crews Team with RE/MAX Executives*

Thinking about selling your home in 2026?

Before you sign with a real estate agent, visit Selling Your Home to get the required paperwork prepared and avoid delays for your buyers.

Welcome Our New Newsletter Editor & Thank You to Our Delivery Volunteers

Newsletter Editor (Officer)

We are pleased to welcome Kiera Stark, who has taken over the role of Newsletter Editor beginning with the January 2026 newsletter publication.

Newsletter Delivery Neighbors (Volunteers)

Our paper newsletters wouldn’t reach you without the help of these amazing neighbors. Please join us in thanking the following volunteers for continuing to deliver paper newsletters in 2026: Danielle Hawkins, Philip Donnell, Bob & Judy Cosgriff, Heather Webb, Jennifer Maloney, Caroline Kennedy, Dan Cook & Raleigh Onks, Carol Marshall, Mindy Koo, Cathy & Roger Basl, Clair Hill, and Lauren Seger & Joey Macisso.

HFCA Board Vacancies - We're Looking for Volunteers

The HFCA Board of Directors currently has two open vacancies and is looking for interested homeowners to step up and get involved in supporting our community.

Open Position: Vice President

This is a Board of Director position that helps keep our association running smoothly.

Key responsibilities include:

• Representing HFCA at the Braddock District Council
• Reviewing and signing VPOAA documents on behalf of HFCA for homeowners selling their homes, with input from the ACC and Treasurer
• Ensuring the language in VPOAA Parts 1 and 2 is kept up to date in accordance with DPOR Common Interest Community (CIC) Board requirements
• Completing and submitting the annual registration renewal to the DPOR – Common Interest Community (CIC) Board

Open Position: Assistant Treasurer

This role assists the Treasurer and helps ensure the financial operations of the association run smoothly. This position may be either a Board of Director role or an Officer position.

Key responsibilities include:

• Reviewing and concurring with payment of invoices and reimbursements submitted by the Treasurer
• Learning the responsibilities of the Treasurer throughout the year in order to serve as Acting Treasurer if needed
• Conducting the annual review of HFCA bookkeeping

If you’re interested in serving your community or would like more information about these roles, please visit
Board of Directors and reach out to the HFCA Board at hfca@hickoryfarms.org.