Conashaugh Courier

WINTER 2015

CLC ASSOCIATION Got Mail? Or Maybe

2

You Didn’t...

Heads Up! Road Ban Ahead

3

Important Reminders Regarding Snow

3

From the Office

4

New CLCA Bulletin Board on the Way

6

COMMUNITY EVENTS Adult & Family Christmas Parties

8

CONASHAUGH NEWS Conashaugh Letters

9

Classifieds 10 Community Survey

10

Fire Damages 2 Homes 11 CLCA Board Meetings 12 Dumpster Day!

Little Explorers

13

SPORT & RECREATION

Bear Cub Scouts Alexander Rodriguez and Joseph Moreno, enjoying warmer days and testing waterscopes at the Conashaugh Lakes Beach Front

Cub Scout Bear

14

Den Meeting Cub Scout Food Drive

15

Winter Gardening

15

LI K E U S O N FA C E B O O K ! www.facebook.com/ conashaughlakes

Newburgh, NY 12550 PERMIT NO. 335

102 Conashaugh Road Milford, PA 18337 570-686-4000

PAID PRSRT STD U.S. Postage

CLCASSOCIATION

CONASHAUGH LAKES PR OP ERTY OW NE R S ASSO C IAT IO N

© Copyright 2014 102 Conashaugh Trail Milford, Pa 18337 P: 570.686.4000 www.conashaughlakes.com BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President/Treasurer Vice President Secretary Director Director Director

Fred Kline John Crerand Bob Weed Reggie Iglesias Joe Kistle Josef Lalor

OFFICE STAFF

Jeanne Calabrese

Administrator

Liz Sori Administrative Assistant Dawn Cuneo Book Keeper SECURITY

Site Supervisor Officer Officer Officer

Ray Kelejian Jamie Walker Freedom Rave Sue Reinhardt

PUBLISHER

Niki Jones Agency, Inc. 39 Front Street, Port Jervis, NY 12771 P: 845.856.1266 E: publisher@nikijones.com Disclaimer: The comments, statements or written opinions expressed in Conashaugh Courier are the sole responsibility of the signed individual/author and/or committee and are not edited. All letters to the editor and paid advertisements do not reflect the opinions or views of the Conashaugh Lakes Property Owners Association.

Conashaugh Courier is not responsible for typographical errors, mistakes or misprints. All advertising, including photographs are the property of Niki Jones Agency, Inc and not that of the advertiser. The advertiser has purchased rights of reproduction in Conashaugh Courier and does not have the right to reproduce ads in any other place or publication without written permission from the publisher. Conashaugh Courier reserves the rights to exercise its discretion in the selection of advertisement.

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Flea Market Success!

CLCA’s Annual Labor Day Weekend Flea Market. Save the date! Our next Market is Memorial Day Weekend 2015 (Saturday and Sunday)

Got Mail? Or Maybe You Didn’t...

by Jeanne Calabrese

There has been an ongoing issue of mail here being delivered to the wrong boxes. We share our members’ concerns regarding this and while missing mail is a U.S.P.S. matter, we have been trying our best to reconnect members with their lost items. We ask that our members help with this effort by doing the following: 1. It is very important that if you have any concerns regarding the delivery of your mail or packages that you express this concern with the Milford Post Master, Juan Calle. His phone number is 570-296-7411.

thing to do. Put yourself in the place of the person waiting for that package.

6. If it’s not yours, please don’t keep it. That’s stealing.

A new carrier was assigned to our community on January 10, 2015. Her name is Rafalina (sp). Please give her a chance. Hopefully things will improve.

2. Please pick up your mail regularly and go through it as soon as possible. If you get something that is not yours, please do not hold onto it. There are outgoing mailboxes in each mailbox cluster where incorrectly delivered mail can be placed.

Please do not put it in the blue US Mail box. It will go on a journey somewhere in Lehigh Valley only to come back this way again.

3. Please do not write, “no such person/return to sender” on items that are correctly addressed but placed in the wrong recipient’s box. The address and person probably do exist, however, the mail was delivered to the wrong mailbox.

4. Please do not leave incorrectly delivered mail on top of the mailboxes. It can blow away or become damaged from the elements or taken.

5. If you receive a package that is not yours, please do not just leave it in the parcel box. Parcel boxes are unsecured once opened. During business hours, please bring parcels to the office. We understand that it’s the Post Office’s job to ensure delivery and not the people living here, but it is the neighborly CONASHAUGHCOURIER • WINTER2015

CLCASSOCIATION Heads Up! Road Ban Ahead! Important Information, Please Read

by Jeanne Calabrese

Winter is past the halfway mark and it is time to remind everyone that road bans are imminent.

This may be old news to some of our members. However, others may not be so familiar with the bans or the restrictions that come with them. These seasonal restrictions were enacted to minimize the impact to roads by heavy vehicles. Some local roads outside the Community have road bans that run between specific months each year during the late winter and early spring. The posted bans limit the weight of vehicles traveling on those roads and vary by location. We too have road bans within the Community and want to make sure that all of our members are aware of that fact.

Unlike roadways outside the Community, our bans do not run for a three month window. We are permitted by law, a total of eight weeks for a road ban during which time vehicles with a GVW(gross vehicle weight) of 10,000 pounds or greater are not permitted to enter the Community. The bans may run eight weeks consecutively or separately and are based on weather conditions. For example, we could get a strong thaw in February where a ban will be instituted and then it is followed by a deep freeze which could put the ban on hold. When the time approaches for a road ban, maintenance personnel will inspect conditions and advise when to institute the ban. Every effort is made to give as much notice as possible before a ban is imposed. While it is only an estimated window, and can be altered by weather conditions, bans can be expected in March and April this year. Ban notices will be posted at the entrances, via the LOOP and on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/conashaughlakes.

Please feel free to call the office if you do not have access to the internet.

United American Security Phone Numbers Guard House at Front Entrance 570-686-1130 Guard on Duty at CLCA 800-682-4722 When paging please advise the operator that you are calling to have the officer on duty located and provide the location where the officer is needed (i.e., your home, compactor or other location). Always call 911 in an emergency!

Please keep road bans in mind if you are ordering furniture, appliances, building materials, nonemergency septic cleaning or services in need of vehicles greater than the prohibited weight. Alert your carriers of the ban. Many if not all delivery companies are aware of road bans and the need to use smaller vehicles during the ban period. Despite annual reminders of the ban, some members schedule deliveries that are not permitted and say they “didn’t know”. There have been past occasions where members were required to meet a prohibited vehicle at the front gate and unload a delivery and transport it to their residence using their personal vehicle. Please note that emergency, fuel, utility company and CLCA Maintenance vehicles are exempt from road bans. Do not attempt to circumvent bans by meeting trucks at the member entrance and permitting entry with your gate card or buzzing them in via the guest gate.

All deliveries and guests are to use the main entrance. This is clearly posted at the member only entrance.

Parties will be held liable for any damage caused to the road by unauthorized vehicles and a trespassing violation will be issued. If you have any questions regarding road bans, please contact the office. Thank you for your cooperation.

Important Reminders Regarding Snow Please note that overnight parking on CLCA roads is not permitted. This is especially important during snow events as doing so creates a hazard to our maintenance workers and a risk of damage to your vehicle. We are aware that the slope of some driveways makes it very difficult to exit and enter with ice and snow. If you need to park at the end of your driveway, please keep vehicles at a minimum of four feet from the edge of the road.

Shoveling and plowing snow onto roads from driveways and cleaning snow off vehicles in the road creates hazardous conditions and Safety Violations subject to fines. All property owners using private contractors to remove snow are responsible to for alerting them of this regulation.

Keep kids and pets safe. Please do not allow them to play on or near snow banks along the roads. Thank you for doing your part to keep our roads safe.

CONASHAUGHCOURIER • WINTER2015

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CLCASSOCIATION From The Office Jeanne Calabrese

Hal Borland wrote "No Winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn". Good words to live by if you are not a fan of Jack Frost. We had an early start with a heavy snowfall on Thanksgiving Eve, Unfortunately in exchange for snow in January we have had quite a bit of ice which proved treacherous for driving and walking. Ice was also taxing on our maintenance staff and snow and ice material supplies. Thankfully there has been a relief in gas prices, with costs the lowest in more than five years. This is especially helpful since taxes on fuel increased. With spring almost on the horizon, please keep a watchful eye for road bans in our Community. There is a separate article on this subject on page 3.

The following are some events, happenings and projects that have taken place since our Annual Courier.

August: Maintenance removed pavement areas at the main and member entrance areas and installed new loops for the gates. Wayco paved both areas.

Project cost $52,227.39. this project was paid from the Capital Improvement Fund.

Installation of a new well to service the Maintenance and Pool yards was completed. The new well is 500 feet deep and was installed by Knight Drilling. CLCA Maintenance dug trenches for new wiring and lines for the well, reducing costs.

Project cost: $9707.12. Payment for this project was made from the Capital Improvement Fund.

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We were informed that the appeal filed by CLCA and Sunrise Lakes Community Associations with regard to Airline Fuel/Jo-Jo Oil's planned transfer station on Route 739 was rejected in the Supreme Court. There haven't been any further developments reported regarding plans for the property. It was learned however, that Airline Fuel is no longer in the propane business and that Keystone Fuel purchased that part of the company.

Maintenance completed removal of dead trees from woods surrounding mailbox area.

Thank you to Reggie Iglesias, the Recreation Committee and all of the volunteers who worked on the Annual Picnic. Musical entertainment for the picnic was provided and donated by Conashaugh's very own Paul Renstrom and Denise Hunter's band.

Members in our Community were very generous donating food, bedding, coats and other needs for the Pike County Humane Society during a drive held in the CLCA Office.

Twelve members were contacted regarding delinquent 2013/2014 dues and informed that referral to Sunrise Credit was imminent. Seven of the twelve members produced payment and the remaining five accounts were sent to collections.

Thank you to our members who make paying dues a priority. Dues are essential to the health and ongoing operations in our Community.

September: Nerves were on edge in our area this month and throughout October while the Pennsylvania State Police and Law Enforcement Agencies from across

the country searched for Eric Frein. For those not familiar with the events surrounding this search, Mr. Frein is suspected of ambushing two State Police Officers outside their barracks in Blooming Grove on the evening of September 12. He was located and apprehended on October 30th. Thank you to our members who generously donated supplies to help sustain those agencies through a collection by Laura Elaro's Girl Scout Troop 52-735 at Conashaugh and other collection sites in Pike County.

The Annual Meeting was held at the St.Vincent dePaul Parish Hall on September 27th where the 2014/2015 proposed budget passed by a majority vote of 83 yes to 36 nay. 4 Members abstained. Candidates Reggie Iglesias and Josef Lalor were elected to the CLCA Board of Directors.

A speed bump was purchased to replace one stolen from Oneida Way in August. Yes, that would be stolen, skillfully removed along with the nine bolts holding it to the road and the warning signage. The new speed bump will be installed for spring/summer 2015.

Maintenance installed a pole and lighting in the bus lot. Cost for materials totaled $652.06.

Maintenance did all labor. A previous estimate to install lighting was obtained from an electrical contractor for $2,000 plus with our maintenance employees digging trenches and installing footings.

Pike County Tax Claim held an Upset Sale on September 24th. A total of 27 properties in our Community were listed for the sale that included 6 developed(houses) properties, 1 partially developed(under construction) property and 20 undeveloped lots. The six developed and one partially developed lots along with five undeveloped properties were removed prior to the sale(taxes paid). There were no bids made on the remaining 15 undeveloped properties. For information regarding tax sales in Pike County visit http://www.pikepa.org/tax.html.

CONASHAUGHCOURIER • WINTER2015

CLCASSOCIATION A major paving project was completed on Conashaugh Trail by Wayco Paving. Prior to that project our maintenance department removed five aging culvert pipes and replaced pipes where needed. The project area stretched from the intersection of Overbrook Run to Bartlett Drive.

Project cost $198,834.10. Payment for this project was made from the Road Reserve Fund.

October: The deteriorating Maintenance yard fence was replaced by American Fence. The original wooden fence had been in place for numerous years. Maintenance dismantled the old fence and salvaged wood where possible. Additional sets of gates were installed with the new fencing to allow for removal of snow within the maintenance yard and safer entry and exit for maintenance vehicles.

The total cost for the project was $10,700.00.

Payment for this project was made from the Capital Improvement Fund.

Treesmiths Company (hired by Met-Ed) completed clearing of branches and dead trees away from power lines in the Community.

Fall Dumpster Day was held October 4th. Four, thirty yard containers were used for the collection.

9.42 tons of trash were collected. The total bill for dumpster day was $1381.50 and the total amount of fees collected was $1225.00. Thank you to our Maintenance Crew who along with volunteers Neil Johnson, Joe Kistle, Fred Kline and Josef Lalor, spent a very soggy day unloading vehicles in the maintenance yard.

The recycle bins were relocated within in the mailbox area to a more discreet location. A number of comments were received regarding the appearance of the bins where they were previously located. The new location along with fencing blinds the view of the bins from vehicles driving into the community. The fence was constructed by Maintenance from wood salvaged during the demo of the old maintenance yard fence.

Trunk or Treat was held by Seneca Lake. Thank you Recreation Committee Chairperson Jessica Olcott for organizing this event and to all of the participants who participated including members of the Dingman Township Fire Department.

November Two homes in the Community were damaged by fire. (See article page 11).

Not something we like to do but, continued inaction to address unpaid dues resulted in three residents losing mailbox privileges. The members made no attempt to contact us regarding repeated requests to do so and left no alternative. On that note, unless you have nothing else better to do with $500.00, lending your address/mailbox to anyone who has lost this amenity is not recommended. It is a violation.

A second hearing took place in Magistrate Cooper's court in the matter of CLCA vs.

Person Who Thought it Was a Good Idea to Deliberately Break Member Gate. The lovely defendant failed to show and a decision including fines and restitution was rendered.

On a more palatable subject, member Ginger Jones held a two night class where she shared her expertise and soup recipes. Attendees reported enjoying the event and getting to meet others in the Community. Thanks Ginger!

December Thank you to Jessica Olcott and Barbara Hamilton for doing a beautiful job with the CLCA Family Christmas Party. There were a number of very happy faces at the event held at the St. Vincent dePaul Parish Hall. Activities included craft stations and a visit by the ever delightful Santa Claus. Member Ginger Jones did a lovely job chairing an Adult Christmas Party at the Rec Building. Ginger and husband Jim prepared wonderful appetizers and refreshments. For something different, ornaments were exchanged between attendees.

Congratulations to the winners of this year's Holiday Home Decorating Contest. The following homes took the top three prize: 195 Oneida, 188 Conashaugh Trail and 104 Hart Court.

On the Horizon Do you need to rid your home or property of some items? As you wait and search for the first signs of spring, start your inventory of items to either dispose of at Dumpster Day(watch for date) or sell at the CLCA Annual Memorial Weekend(Sat & Sun) Flea Market. Members are also free to post items for sale or to give away on Conashaugh's Facebook Page and the LOOP.

570-828-2306 800-634-5964 1506 Route 739 stashlik@ptd.net

www.tashlik.com

1 Sold

Sold

Sold

MAKE TASHLIK A HOUSE Sold WORD CALL FOR A FREE MARKET ANALYSIS CONASHAUGHCOURIER • WINTER2015

Serving Milford Dingmans Ferry and Pike County Pennsylvania

Sold

WANTED REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON CALL STAN TASHLIK 570-828-2306 PAGE 5

CLCASSOCIATION New CLCA Bulletin Board on the Way The CLCA Bulletin Board previously at the Compactor was removed during the Maintenance Yard fence project.

The rolling style and location of the new gate prevented safe reinstallation of the old board in its original location. A new bulletin Board will be mounted in the Mailbox area. Dave designed the board to compliment the Pizza Board housing. He along with the Maintenance Crew are constructing it as a winter/indoor project. The location for the new board is as traveled/used as the compactor area. Benefits include less lingering in the trash area which can become congested just from trash traffic during peak periods. Postings on the new board will be required to be dated to allow removal after 30 days.

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CONASHAUGHCOURIER • WINTER2015

CLCASSOCIATION Conashaugh Kids First Day Back To School

Shop Local SUPPORT THE LOCAL BUSINESSES FEATURED IN THE CONASHAUGH COURIER

CONASHAUGHCOURIER • WINTER2015

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CLCEVENTS

2014 Adult Christmas Party

2014 Family Christmas Party

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CONASHAUGHCOURIER • WINTER2015

CONASHAUGH NEWS

Attention Seniors Each month the Pike County Area on Aging issues a newsletter.

We share that newsletter via the LOOP. Printed copies are also available at the CLCA Office.

CONASHAUGH LETTERS

Thanks for doing a good job clearning the snow We are lucky to have a great crew who do a good job with our roads.

Wet compacting snow is very hard to clear and even on holidays they are out there doing the best they can. The state and county have it hard too. Thanks Conashaugh for all your efforts.

Ed Dewland

CONASHAUGHCOURIER • WINTER2015

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CONASHAUGH NEWS

Got Stuff?

Don’t forget to send your CLCA (non-commercial) Classifieds to clcaloop@ptd.net .

Please include a description of the item for sale along with the asking price and your contact information.

You may also include a photo (jpg). Call the office at 570-686-4000 if you have any questions.

L O T For Sale 1.12 Acre Lot with Well and Septic. 151 Seneca Drive, Lot 1903, Section 9. Owner: George Davila 347-680-2422. Price $30,000. Or, contact John Delessio, Tashlik Real Estate, 1506 Route 739 Dingman’s Ferry, Pa. 570-828-2306.

P roperty for S ale Corner lot (Flatbrook and Pine Grove Circle), 1.26 acres (Lot TR301, Section2), with view of nature preserve. Walking distance to beach and playground. Asking $7,000. Contact Anne Murray at 917-239-6673 or amholly157@yahoo.com.

L ot for Sale

by OWNER. Lot #3508 located on Walton Way in Conashaugh Lakes, PA. Lot size is 1.38 acres.

Asking $17,000. Contact: John D’Antuono 845-325-2522.

Key W est H yatt B each H ouse C ondominium vacation club for sale .

2 Bedrooms. Sleeps 6-8. Overlooking the pool and Bay. Own beach and cabana. Recently renovated. Walking distance from Beach.

Check out the website to view. http://www. hyattbeachhouse.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home. htmlUnit C25 Week 26 (Fourth of July). Points are flexible so you could go any week, split points to go more than one week, weekends, etc. Switch with Interval International to go to other locations around the world. Cheaper than renting a condo. Asking $7000 firm. Contact Michele at hordyboys@gmail.com

Survey: There has been a large down turn of volunteers in our Community. While this seems to not only be a concern here, it is a wide spread situation that affects many including Fire Departments, Churches and other organizations. Participation in Board Meetings, The Annual Meeting and Annual Voting is very low. The Board of Directors is interested to understand why this happens. Please take a moment and complete the survey below. It will assist us in planning for our Community. The survey can be returned a number of ways including snail mail, scanned and email (clcaloop@ptd.net) or drop it off at the CLCA Office.

Returned surveys will be entered into a drawing for a gift certificate from Mount Haven.

Please circle one. I live in Conashaugh: full time

part time

property rented to others

How Long have you lived in Conashaugh?______________________________________________ Have you volunteered in Conashaugh?

yes

no

If yes, what is/was your volunteer involvement? ________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ If no, please let us know why: Other volunteer commitments outside the Community ________________________ No time to volunteer________________________________________________________ 1. work ________________________________________________________________ 2. child care_____________________________________________________________ I was never asked to volunteer________________________________________________ I don’t know what opportunities there are to volunteer ________________________

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

No No No No No No

Other:_____________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ Have you ever attended a Board of Directors Monthly Meeting?__________________ Yes

No

If no, please let us know why: I have no complaints________________________________________________________ Yes Meeting day and time not convenient _________________________________________ Yes I heard Board Meetings are scary_____________________________________________ Yes

No No No

Other:_____________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ Do vote for the Annual Budget and Board of Directors?_________________________ Yes

No

If no, please let us know why: I have no idea what that is___________________________________________________ I forget to mail the ballot____________________________________________________ I forget the meeting date____________________________________________________ I don’t really care___________________________________________________________

Yes Yes Yes Yes

No No No No

Other:_____________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ Do you have any recommendations how to generate more interest in volunteerism within our Community? If so, please share_______________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ Name_____________________________________________________________________________ Lot Number/ 911 Address ___________________________________________________________

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CONASHAUGHCOURIER • WINTER2015

CONASHAUGH NEWS

Got Stuff?

Continued

Fire Damages Two Community Homes The first fire occurred November 3rd and was discovered at approximately 10:00 a.m. by a member driving by 157 Seneca en route to the compactor. Smoke was observed pouring through the roof. The second fire occurred in a neighboring home at 151 Seneca on November 11th. The report of that fire came to Maintenance Foreman Dave Altemier who responded to the scene immediately.

The approximate time of discovery was 8:00 a.m.

Although Seneca is typically busy with traffic at that time of day, November 11 was a school holiday.

Things got tense during the second fire when embers and arching power lines fell to the ground igniting leaves. Maintenance personnel using hand held extinguishers kept the ground fires from spreading towards properties on Cayuga Trail.

While firefighters fought the building flames. Both fires were investigated by the PSP Fire Marshall.

Thank you to the volunteers from companies in Hemlock Farms, Dingman Township, Blooming Grove and Milford who responded to these fires.

Are You Selling Your Property?

Please be advised that Resale Documents are required for all property sales before the property closes. If you are an owner selling your property and have any questions on this subject, please contact the office.

Lot FO R SA LE

Lot 1402, Section 5 – Seneca Drive. Lake view lot. 1.13 acres. $28,999. Contact: Ana Maria Vippolis at 941-592-5764.

2 . 5 A C R E C O R N ER LO T $10,000!!

Originally purchased 3-4 yrs ago for 17,000.00, and we are willing to sell it for $10,000.00.

Beautiful 2.5 acre corner lot with a valid 4 bedroom septic permit. On the corner of Witherspoon and Whipple way.

Please call 845-249-1294 or or email me, rooconnell@gmail.com.

Reminder Have I Become a Part of the Woodwork? These signs are posted at our entrances but apparently some have become blind to them. As a reminder, deliveries and guests are required to use the main entrance and, ATV’s on our roads or any CLCA owned property are not permitted. Thank you

CONASHAUGHCOURIER • WINTER2015

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CONASHAUGH NEWS

2014/2015 Board Meetings All meetings are held on the second Saturday of each month and begin at 10:30 a.m. in the Recreation Building. Everyone is welcome!

March 14th April 11th May 9th June 13th July 11th August 8th September 12th

Need to Pay Dues?

We accept Visa, Mastercard & Discover

No! No! No! Why? Why? Why?

Welcome Times Four!

We have had a number of new arrivals to our Community. A great big hello and welcome to some of our newest members.

Anthony and Yolene Valla along with their children Louise and Iris are from Brooklyn, New York; James and Molly Stage with their children Timothy and Mason from Cornwall, New York; Gary and Angie Linton and their children Vincent and Kelsey, also from New York. And all the way from Mississippi are the McVickers; Jeremy and Genifer and their children Dillan, Emily and Chloe.

If you are new to Conashaugh and would like to share news about your arrival, please return a completed copy of the Welcome form received with your Blue Book or, call the CLCA Office.

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CONASHAUGHCOURIER • WINTER2015

CONASHAUGH NEWS

Dumpster Day!

NOTICE Board of Director applications for the 2015/2016 will be

L IKE U S ON FAC EB O OK! www.facebook.com/ conashaughlakes

accepted until close of business May 1, 2015. If you are interested in running for a position on the Board, please submit your application and any required documents by that date. Criteria for Board Applicants can be found in the CLCA By-Laws. Thank you.

CONASHAUGHCOURIER • WINTER2015

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OUTDOOR & RECREATION Dingmans Ferry Pack 1003 Cub Scout BEAR Den Meeting It’s all about building bridges S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) at Conashaugh Lakes Recreation Center lead by Cubmaster/Den Leader Gary Albaugh, Assistant Den Leader Melissa Joseph, Assistant Cubmaster Elena Luyando and our awesome parent volunteers

Get into the LOOP We continue to grow! The LOOP is to share information with our members. If you are not already signed up but would like to, send your request to clcaloop@ptd. net. Current members, please be sure to let us know if you change your email address. If you no longer to receive emails from the LOOP, please send us a request to remove your name from our address book.

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CONASHAUGHCOURIER • WINTER2015

OUTDOOR & RECREATION WINTER GARDENING The winter garden generally needs less care, as nature seems to go to ‘sleep’ with the arrival of the season. Cold days. Dark nights. It’s easy to go into hibernation. This is a good time to start thinking, planning and designing your dream garden. Cuddle up in your favorite chair next to the fireplace and peruse those garden catalogs or go online early for the best selections.

There are quite a few things to look after in order to preserve your garden’s health and prepare it for the spring. Here are a few things from indoor projects to planning for the spring season you can do to ward off cabin fever: Start indoor seeds of annuals that have slow growth (lobelia, petunia, vinca, snapdragon, verbena and pansies). You can purchase these later from your local gardening center, but it is much cheaper to grow yourself and you can try unusual varieties that may not be available locally.

Prune away storm-damage branches promptly to prevent tearing of the bark and further damage to trees and shrubs. Prune narrow leafed evergreens to improve shape and clean out winter damaged branches such as yews, junipers and arborvitae.

While you’re out there, force a winter bouquet from cut branches of forsythia, pussy willow, wisteria or lilac. Bruise the cut ends and set them in water. Spray the branches frequently, keep in a cool place until they bloom and then move to a warmer area for display.

Re-invigorate your houseplants by removing a 1/2 inch of soil and top-dressing with fresh potting soil. Spider mites are apt to thrive in warm, dry houses. Frequent misting under the leaves will discourage them. Keep in mind that houseplants will be sensitive to overfeeding at this time of the year. Provide lots of sunlight, and frequent bathing for plants that seem a little worse for the winter.

Don’t forget to rotate houseplants so they get even sun and growth. Begin to prune these plants regularly in March by pinching back new growth.

Food Drive Black Bears weren’t the only ones looking for food this fall. Our Bear Cub Pack conducted their Annual Scouting for Food Drive in November. Thank you to our CLCA residents who supported this drive. You’re the best!

Friendly Reminders

Please follow all traffic flow signs for the mailbox and school bus parking lot. These are both one way travel areas. All vehicles must remain parked while the afternoon Elementary and Primary buses are present in the parking lot. The parking lot is not a playground.

Please do not allow children to play there, before or after school.

Thank you CONASHAUGHCOURIER • WINTER2015

Resist the temptation to uncover spring-flowering plants. Mulch may be loosened, but the shoots will still benefit from protection against cold, drying winds. Remove mulch in stages once night time temperatures rise into the 30s. Pull off some of the mulch, leaving some material behind. A week or so later, pull back the rest, but don’t remove it from the area. Leaving it close by the plants will allow you to easily cover them if a late cold snap hits. Mulch removal should be done on a cloudy day. This will allow any early growth to become acclimated to brighter conditions gradually – if you remove the mulch on a clear day, the plants could be scalded by the sudden bright sun light.

With spring just around the corner, the fickle March weather makes it impossible to set exact dates and schedules for gardening, so proceed with caution!

Happy gardening from the Ladybug PAGE 15

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CONASHAUGHCOURIER • WINTER2015