Newsletter — September 2026

Please find the September 2026 edition of the Mason Hill Citizens Association Newsletter below. Hopefully everyone had a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

MHCA Website Migration is Complete

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The new MHCA website https://mhca.us is operational and ready to accept residents who still wish to sign up for an account. We sent out a mailer to every resident with details on the functionality the new website offers and as a friendly reminder to sign up:

1. 43 members signed up for the new website thus far.
2. Reminder: Signing up for the website is FREE and available to ALL MHCA households (regardless of dues status)!
3. Please check out the Classifieds, Discussion Board and the Tool/Equipment Exchange sections of the site!
4. Don't forget to add your pets to the Pet Directory — and share those cute pet photos!

Update on the Mason Hill Front Entrance Sign Replacement

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The special committee, consisting of Stevan Jackson, Lee Robertson, Alona Ayer-Ziegler, and Ashley Gunn, is planning to meet with the MHCA Board in late September to review the options from the sign vendors and the DIY option and finalize what will be presented to the community for selection and approval. As mentioned previously, the one-time cost will exceed the $600 threshold requiring approval by a majority of the households (per MHCA Bylaws). More to follow on when and how the community will vote on which front entrance sign approach we choose.

MHCA Reincorporation

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Under the direction of MHCA Secretary, Michael Blonsky, MHCA has now reincorporated as a Virginia Non-Stock Corporation. This provides a pathway to obtaining a high-yield savings account for our Reserve funding while maintaining a simple annual filing with the IRS. This also provides Mason Hill residents limited personal liability protection when performing activities on behalf of the Association.

2026 MHCA Dues

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Annual dues payments of $50 per household provide MHCA with the revenue necessary to accomplish the following:

1. Maintain the grass and landscaping at the front entrance to our neighborhood
2. Conduct neighborhood social events
3. Perform the desired capital upgrades the Mason Hill residents vote for
4. Pay for the expenses needed to operate continual activities in support of the community - such as the MHCA website, Welcome Wagon, fees to state/local organizations, etc.
5. Maintain reserve funding in the event of a contingency

Dues payment status - as of September 2026, there are 69 of 112 homes that paid 2026 MHCA dues. Please make your 2026 dues payment by using one of the three following options:

1. Mail $50 check made out to MHCA to Nadine Wren at 2009 Windmill Lane, Alexandria, VA 22307
2. Drop off your payment at 2009 Windmill Lane — for drop off use the small black mailbox just below the primary mailbox.
3. Venmo - contact Shawn Lucas via email to arrange for payment. Please note that one of the features we are working on for the new website is for online payment of dues via Venmo. More to follow on this.

MHCA Financial Report

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Budget — the annual budget is currently $5,000 per year (subject to revision at the start of fiscal year based on dues received and projected expenses).

Expenses — MHCA expenses include:

• Front entrance mowing on Mason Hill Drive, Rippon Road, and the area on both sides of the stone wall along Fort Hunt Road.
• Front entrance clean-up and planting and mulching each spring and fall with volunteers helping with that effort.
• Mason Hill website hosting costs
• Annual dues for membership in the MVCCA and Fairfax Federation
• Mason Hill Welcome Wagon
• Community Social events

Balance — As of September 1, 2026, the MHCA Wells Fargo Bank account balance is $26,474.32.

At the 2026 Annual Meeting it was approved that we move $10,000.00 from the MHCA checking account and put it in a high-yield savings account for it to serve as our reserve account.

Action — MHCA Board has completed the reincorporation of MHCA as a Virginia Non-Stock Corporation. The next step is to establish a high-yield savings account with SoFi to give MHCA the benefits of holding our Reserve funds in an interest-bearing account while maintaining necessary liquidity.

Mount Vernon District Updates

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Mount Vernon Community will be one of numerous communities remembering those affected by the attacks of September 11^th. There will be a 9/11 Honor Walk at the Army Museum at Fort Belvoir (https://armyhistory.org/calendar/9-11-honor-walk/) and a ceremony at the Fairfax County Government Center that will be livestreamed on their website starting at 10:10am.

A reminder to all that there is an emphasis by the County and the Police Department on school zone safety. Be aware of your speed when in a school zone and be on the lookout for crossing guards at select crosswalks and intersections (i.e., near Hollin Meadows Elementary School).

Many neighbors may be aware of the buzz regarding Flock cameras. Fairfax County Police has prepared a Fact Sheet for community awareness.

For more news and information in the Mount Vernon Community check out this webpage.

MHCA Social Committee Updates

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Thanks to the Social Committee for planning a wonderful Movie Night on August 29^th. A special thanks to Tamar and Brian Senior for hosting this event and bringing great weather. A good time was had by all the kids (and adults too!)

The social committee continues to plan neighborhood events for the remainder of the calendar year. More to follow soon on:

• Halloween — the community will support trick-or-treating on Halloween evening by designating houses that are open to handing out treats.
• Community event this fall — the social committee is exploring the feasibility of a community get together later this autumn, when the weather is nice and the leaves are colorful.

MHCA Golf Outing

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Those interested in participating in a community golf outing this fall please email Shawn Lucas (abn_arty@yahoo.com) to express your interest. This event will likely be on a suitable weekend day in October or early November (before it gets too cold). More to follow as we determine if there is interest in getting out on the links.

Meet Your Mason Hill Neighbors - Algis and Kathy Penkiunas

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Algis and Kathy bought their home on Hollinwood Dr. in March 2000. When they moved in, they were the youngest couple on the street. Many of their neighbors were retirees or empty nesters whose children were grown and had moved on.

That was about to change. By December 2000, their first child, Anna, was born. Less than two years later came Mia, followed by twins Kaz and Lydia in 2007. Along the way, the family grew in another direction, too, with the addition of Oliver, their handsome “chocolate Lab-looking” hunk (he’s actually a Boykin Spaniel/Chesapeake Bay Retriever/Chow Chow mix), and Penelope, their very friendly redbone coonhound.

Penelope has always been something of a neighborhood adventurer. She has been known to sample strawberries from neighbors’ gardens and occasionally show up uninvited at dinner parties.

This past October, the Penkiunas family grew once again when Mia married JT, an Army Ranger currently serving in the Middle East. Mia and JT have a puppy named Honey, making Algis and Kathy official grandparents! Their hearts are fullest when the entire family is together.

Fun Fact: Now empty nesters themselves, the Penkiunases have an apple and peach orchard in Rappahannock County, Virginia, where they also raise and sell their own grass-fed beef. This fall, the farm will feature live music, hard cider on tap, apple cider donuts, a pumpkin patch, and cut-your-own flowers.

Follow F. T. Valley Farm on Instagram or Facebook, or visit their website for updates (https://ftvalleyfarm.com/). And if you’re looking for a reason to take a drive into the country, go visit Kathy and Algis!