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Newsletter: July – December 2014

Categories: Newsletters

Santa to Visit Us at a New Location this Year

‘Tis the Season for Santa to visit Country Lakes.  Due to inclement weather and freezing temperatures resulting in low turnouts in past years, Santa will visit us at Christ Church Parish Hall on Zach Fowler Road in Chaptico this year!

Come see us from 2-4pm in the warmth of the indoors for some holiday cheer.  Your CLHA board members will be on hand with snacks and drinks. Avoid the lines and cost at the mall and bring the kids for a visit with Santa, where you are welcome to snap pictures and chat with your neighbors! We hope to see you on Sunday afternoon!

Trunk or Treat was a Howling Good Time

Thanks to everyone who came out for Trunk or Treat at the CLHA park on October 31. It was a nice evening with plenty of kids, costumes, candy, heat (from the bonfire!), and fun! Thanks to all our neighbors who dressed up, decorated trunks, and passed out candy. View our pictures from the event here.

Join our Virtual Online Neighborhood at Facebook

Have you seen the CLHA Facebook page? It’s an easy and quick way to communicate with your neighbors and board members directly. We currently have 264 followers, but our posts often go viral, extending to “friends” of those followers as well. Our most popular post in the 2nd half of 2014 reached more than 8,000 people on Facebook; It was about a lost dog in the community. Friendly Puggle Winston went viral and found his owners thanks to our Facebook page! Join now.

Reserving the Pavilion and Lighted Message Sign

DID YOU KNOW: As a resident member of CLHA, you can reserve the pavilion and post personal messages on the lighted message sign, both located in the CLHA common area at the corner of Asher Road & Cox Drive?

These are benefits provided to you as a member of the Association. The main requirement for reserving both is that your dues must be paid in full.

To request a CLHA pavilion or lighted sign reservation, select “My HOA” and then click on either “Reserve the Pavilion” or “Reserve the Sign” and follow the stated instructions. A response should follow within a few days.

Please make any pavilion or lighted sign reservation request as early as possible – no later than 2 weeks in advance! Reservations for the pavilion and lighted sign are accepted on a qualified first-come, first served basis.

Requests can also be made by leaving a voice mail message at 301-884-7297.  Please give your name, address, requested dates, and a call back number.

CLHA dues records are listed by address. If you have any questions concerning your membership dues status, please complete this form.

More About the Pavilion 

The CLHA pavilion is a great place to hold a gathering of family or friends and it’s FREE. The common area playground and ball fields are located nearby. An electrical output is available and two fixed charcoal grills near the pavilion can be used for outdoor cooking.

The CLHA pavilion can only be reserved for private, personal get-togethers such as birthday parties, anniversary celebrations, family reunions, and picnics. The pavilion cannot be reserved for organizational meetings or for any fund raising efforts.

 More About the Lighted Sign

Personal, non-commercial messages (for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, graduations, etc.,) can be posted on the CLHA lighted sign.

 The charge is $5 per day for a maximum of 5 days, payable in advance.

Neighborhood Safety

We just wanted to remind you all to be mindful of your surroundings. Get to know your neighbors. Look out for one another. If you see anything suspicious happening in Country Lakes, or witness any crime, please call the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Dept. at 301-475-8008.  If you are interested in joining our Neighborhood Watch Program, please contact Donald “Pud” Graham at 301-884-5236 or 301-717-6474.

Looking for Board Members

We always welcome you to join our board meetings and consider joining the board of directors. We are a group of residents that volunteer to help manage the maintenance and events throughout the community.  It is because of all of our (and your) dues that we are able to maintain the park and have these fun events.  We are always looking for help and volunteers, so please consider participating.  New ideas and suggestions for events and community interaction are always welcome and encouraged. Volunteer here.

Donate Old Vehicles to Charity

If you have a vehicle that you are not using, please consider donating it to a charitable cause.  Many charities may even remove the car for you and and give you a receipt for tax write-off.   Disabled vehicles are considered an eyesore to many in the neighborhood, and possibly deter people from purchasing a home here in Country Lakes.   Additionally, they could cause injury to someone playing in or around them.  Please consider donating them.

Yearly Dues Reminder

The past due dues notices have been mailed out to the delinquent residents.  We need your dues paid promptly as there are a few very expensive projects that the Country Lakes Homeowner’s Association, Inc. will be undertaking this coming year.  All of your paid dues ensures we will be operate at our fullest capacity and offer events to you for your enjoyment such as Trunk or Treat, National Night Out, Santa’s Visit, Meet and Greet,  keeping the park, ball fields, basketball court, and tennis court maintained.  Please drop your check in the mail to us today to avoid possible further action as outlined in the Declaration of Covenants and Conditions and Restrictions. To check your dues status, complete this form.

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS

CLHA Board Meetings

Our Board Meetings are held every four weeks on
Tuesdays at either the park pavilion (during warm months) or the Christ Church Parish Hall on Zack Fowler Rd. in Chaptico (during cold months). Upcoming meeting dates for the first quarter of 2015 are as follows (and will be at the Parish Hall): 

  • Jan 6
  • Feb 3
  • Mar 3
  • Mar 31

All meetings are at 7pm and last a maximum of 2 hours. Please bring your ideas/suggestions/complaints and we’ll try our best to address them appropriately.

Santa Visit – Sun, Dec 14

This year we’ve moved the event to Christ Church Parish Hall on Zach Fowler Rd in Chaptico. Come see Santa from 2-4pm in the warmth of the indoors!

Holiday Decorating Contest – Wed, Dec 17

The CLHA Board will be voting on the best houses in the neighborhood, so be sure to turn on your lights from 7-9pm. Three lucky winners will receive free 2015 HOA dues!

Newsletter: April – June 2014

Categories: Newsletters, Special News & Announcements

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Next Community Event: National Night Out

Bring your family down to the park on Tuesday, August 5 from 6-8pm for National Night Out. Various local organizations will be in attendance, such as the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Department, SMECO, Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department and EMS, MEDSTAR St. Mary’s Hospital, and more. See demonstrations and meet the folks behind the organizations!

CLHA Board members will be on hand to grill hamburgers and hotdogs. There will be various door prizes and lots of fun games for the kids. Special thanks to Laser Lube of California, Md. and Patuxent River Naval Air Museum for donating door prizes. More to come! Let’s all hope and pray for good weather and a great neighborhood turn-out! See you on the 5th.

Protect Your Pets in the Summer Months

While it may be tempting to take your pets along for a car ride, remember that it is too hot during the summer months to leave them in the car unattended (even with the windows down or the A/C on). DID YOU KNOW: On a warm day, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly to dangerous levels. On an 85-degree day, for example, the temperature inside a car with the windows opened slightly can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes. After 30 minutes, the temperature will reach 120 degrees. Your pet may suffer irreversible organ damage or die. Learn more about helping your pets cope with the heat by clicking here.

Recent Local Crimes

There have been several local armed robberies in our part of the county lately. Local crime solvers have identified and charged suspects in these cases; however, please be reminded to be aware of your surroundings at all times. It is the awareness and alertness of our neighbors that aide in helping the local Sheriff’s department solve these crimes and keep our area safe. If you have any information or witness any crime, please call the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Dept. at 301-475-8008.

Neighborhood Watch Program

There are currently 5 neighbors participating in our Neighborhood Watch Program, but we are always accepting newcomers. Please complete our online form or contact Donald “Pud” Graham at 301-884-5236 or 301-717-6474.

Looking for Board Members

We always welcome you to join our board meetings and consider joining the board of directors. We are a group of residents that volunteer to help manage the maintenance and events throughout the community.  It is because of all of our (and your) dues that we are able to maintain the park and have these fun events.  We are always looking for help and volunteers, so please consider participating.  New ideas and suggestions for events and community interaction are always welcome and encouraged. Sign up here.

Help Keep Our Pavilion Clean

We have recently repaired and repainted some of the tables and rafters at the pavilion. Please urge your children to respect all equipment at the common area in Country Lakes. Thank you for your cooperation!

Yearly Dues Reminder

You should have received your yearly dues statement in June. The due date was July 1 to avoid a $5 late fee. Please contact us immediately (and include your name and address) if you have any questions about your dues. Check your dues here or Email: propertymanagement@clha.org

Upcoming Community Events | View Calendar

CLHA Board Meetings

Our Board Meetings are held every four weeks on Tuesdays at either the park pavilion (during warm months) or the Christ Church Parish Hall on Zack Fowler Rd. in Chaptico (during cold months). Upcoming meeting dates for the third quarter of 2014 are as follows:

  • Sept 16

All meetings are at 7pm and last a maximum of 2 hours. Please bring your ideas/suggestions/complaints and we’ll try our best to address them appropriately.

National Night Out – Tues, Aug 5

Come to the park to meet your CLHA board and local community organizations. Food, fun, and prizes! Thanks to Laser Lube of California, Md. and Patuxent River Naval Air Museum for donating door prizes for this event. More to come!

Got Worms? Inchworms aka Cankerworms

Categories: Special News & Announcements

GOT WORMS? Cankerworms – the little inch worms hanging from the trees on silk… Here are some websites to helpful information about these insects:

http://plantdiagnostics.umd.edu/level3.cfm?causeID=1372

http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2558.html

http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/pdf/fallcankerworm.pdf

Probably the best advice is to remember “This too shall pass…” They will be gone soon, as they enter pupation. There is one generation per year. Will they come back next year? Maybe, but insect populations are cyclical and within a couple of years the populations will crash and the problem will go away.

One year of defoliation early in the season is usually not too damaging to trees unless they are under stress anyway. Pesticides will probably not prevent the nuisance factor. For now, try a broom to sweep them away and keep them from hitting you in the face. Large numbers can be washed away with a hose and sprayer with some soap in it.

Hope this helps…

Newsletter: Jan – Mar 2014

Categories: Newsletters

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Community Yard Sale: Saturday, April 26

Gather up your junk! Clean our your closets! Your trash could be another person’s treasure! We have organized our Spring Community Yard Sale event for this coming Saturday, April 26 at 7am.  You are welcome to set up at the common area parking lot or in your own yard (or combine areas with your neighbors and friends)!

We have advertised online at Baynet.com and SOMD.com and included addresses and details from those of you that submitted them to us. We also posted signs at the entrances on Cox Dr and Yowaiski Mill. Feel free to post your own ads and signs as well.
We hope for great weather and plenty of shoppers this weekend.  Good luck to each of you!

Adopt-a-Road Clean-Up Day

Saturday, April 5, was our Spring community clean up day. We had 11 people participate including community service workers and some volunteers from Country Lakes (Thanks neighbors!).  The county Public Works Dept. supplied street signs, bags and trash pick-up sticks for our use.  For this event we cleaned the park area, Asher Rd, Yowaiski Mill, and  Tin Top School Rd from Asher across Yowaiski to the end.  We started at 9:00 am and finished by 12:30 pm.

Thank you to everyone that helped out with the organization, pickup, and hauling of the bags and debris from this event. Contact us at 301-884-7297 or CLHA.org if you are interested in volunteering for the next event in the Fall.

 

Always Looking for Board Members

We always welcome you to join our board meetings and consider joining the board of directors. We are a group of residents that volunteer to help manage the maintenance and events throughout the community.  It is because of all of our (and your) dues that we are able to maintain the park and have these fun events.

We are always looking for help and volunteers, so please consider participating.  New ideas and suggestions for events and community interaction are always welcome and encouraged.

Special Announcements & Neighborhood News

Theft at Vacant Homes

There are several homes in our community that are unoccupied for various reasons and many of them have been burglarized and vandalized. Please be aware of activity at vacant homes that may be near you. Several homes were burglarized in April (West Lakeland, Asher, Yowaiski). If you have any information related to these incidents, or may have noticed something out of the ordinary on these properties, please leave an anonymous message at 301-884-7297 or call the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Dept. at 301-475-8008.

Help Keep Our Playground Safe

We have recently replaced some of the older, more worn and broken swings at the playground. There have been reports of people throwing the swings over the top bar of the swing set causing the chains to tangle and the swings to be unusable. Please urge your children to respect the playground equipment in an effort to keep the area safe for kids of all ages. Thank you for your cooperation!

Call Miss Utility Before You Dig

With nice weather comes outdoor projects and honey-do lists! Please be sure to cover all your bases before starting those decks, additions, and anything else that may require you to dig. You can go online at www.missutility.net/maryland/ or call 1-800-257-7777. Miss Utility is also on Twitter and Facebook.

Springtime Safety

Welcome, Spring! We are glad to finally see warmer temperatures and flipflop weather. When working in your yard, please be mindful of critters and animals that are also emerging, such as snakes, rabbits, spiders, and ants! Wear boots or sturdy shoes when weeding, and don’t forget the gloves to prevent blisters and contact with various poisons (Ivy, Oak, etc.)

Neighborhood Watch Program

There are currently 5 neighbors participating in our Neighborhood Watch Program, but we are always accepting newcomers. Please complete our online form at CLHA.org or contact Donald “Pud” Graham at 301-884-5236 or 301-717-6474.

Upcoming Events

CLHA Board Meetings

Our Board Meetings are held every four weeks on
Tuesdays at either the park pavilion (during warm months) or the Christ Church Parish Hall on Zack Fowler Rd. in Chaptico (during cold months). Upcoming meeting dates for the first quarter of 2014 are as follows:

  • April 29,
  • May 27, and
  • June 24.

All meetings are at 7pm and last a maximum of 2 hours. Please bring your ideas/suggestions/complaints and we’ll try our best to address them appropriately.

Community Yard Sale – Sat, Apr 26

We have advertised on Baynet and SOMD.com and posted signs at our entrances. Set up in your yard or at the parking lot at the park (on a first come, first served basis).

Want to Volunteer? Call 301-884-7297

When calling our voice mail, your phone number must accept blocked numbers to receive a call back.

Newsletter: Oct – Dec 2013

Categories: Newsletters, Special News & Announcements

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2013-14 Board Elections: Meet your executive directors for this year

We held our annual Meet & Greet and Board Elections on Tuesday, Dec 10 at the Christ Church Parish Hall in Chaptico, Maryland.  Only one member of the community, with the exception of the board, attended this event. We hope you will consider joining us for next year’s elections. It is your suggestions and involvement that is necessary to make our community a better place to live.

The Country Lakes Homeowners Association 2014 Executive Board is as follows:
President/Secretary: Elaine Green, president@clha.org
(NEW) Vice President: Mark Pullium, vicepresident@clha.org
Treasurer: James Loveless, treasurer@clha.org

A special thanks goes out to these folks, in addition to the board of directors that comprises our community HOA.  This group of volunteers manage all aspects of upkeep to the park, entrance, and events throughout the year. It is your yearly dues that allow us to maintain the community and for that we appreciate each and every one of you as well. Thanks!

2013 Christmas Decorations Winner: FREE DUES

The winners of the CLHA Christmas Decorating Contest are below. These folks receive FREE dues for 2014. Congrats neighbors!

26869 Kelli Court  •  26372 Tin Top School Road  •  37045 West Spicer Drive

If you are interested in being a part of the voting process, come join the board. It only takes a few hours of your time each month to participate.

Adopt-a-Road Clean Up

Saturday, November 2, was community clean up day. We had seven community service workers and two families from Country Lakes help out.  The wooded area at the Park was targeted, along with Asher Rd nearby.   We then moved to Tin Top School Rd. and picked up between Asher & Yowaiski Mill. The entire stretch of Yowaiski Mill Rd was also cleaned up.  Approximately 30 bags were filled and other larger debris picked up as well.  We started at 9:15 a.m. and finished by noon.

Thank you to everyone that helped out with the organization, pickup, and hauling of the bags and debri from this event. Contact us at 301-884-7297 or here if you are interested in volunteering for the next event in the Spring.

CLHA Board Meetings

Our Board Meetings are held every four weeks on Tuesdays at either the park pavilion (during warm months) or the Christ Church Parish Hall on Zack Fowler Rd. in Chaptico (during cold months). Upcoming meeting dates for the first quarter of 2014 are as follows:

  • January 7,
  • February 4, and
  • March 4.

All meetings are at 7pm and last a maximum of 2 hours. Please bring your ideas/suggestions/complaints and we’ll try our best to address them appropriately.

Event Calendar To Be Decided

The CLHA board of directors will discuss and set the dates for the 2014 community events at our first board meeting on January 7. Stay tuned for the calendar to be updated here and on Facebook as well.

Damage at the Park

There was some damage to the basketball court fence at the park on or around November 6, 2013. It appears to have come from a vehicle. If you have any information related to this incident, please e-mail president@clha.org or leave an anonymous message at 301-884-7297. View pictures of the damage.

Neighborhood Watch Program

There are currently 5 neighbors participating in our Neighborhood Watch Program, but we are always accepting newcomers. Please complete our online form or contact Donald “Pud” Graham at 301-884-5236 or 301-717-6474.

Trunk or Treat 2013

We had beautiful weather for Halloween on October 31st and many of you joined us at the park for our annual Trunk-or-Treat event. We even had a bonfire this year, so we hope you enjoyed it. See you next time.

Santa’s Visit at the Park

While the weather for Trunk-or-Treat was unseasonably warm, the weather for Santa’s visit was the opposite. It was a very cold, very icy winter day at the park on Sunday, December 8.  Unfortunately, this prevented many of you from coming to see Santa. We only had about 20 kids total, but we still had treats, plenty of hot chocolate, a craft workshop, and a special table for sending holiday cards to soldiers.  Thanks to all who participated and braved the icy, cold weather and special thanks to the board for organizing the event. View pictures.

Want to Volunteer?

Call 301-884-7297 or go here.
When calling our voice mail, your phone number must accept blocked numbers to receive a call back.

BELOW ZERO WIND CHILL ALERT

Categories: Special News & Announcements

There is a wind chill advisory in effect for St. Mary’s County starting tonight. Please remember to bring your pets inside!

… Wind Chill Advisory remains in effect from midnight tonight to
6 PM EST Tuesday…

* wind chill… 5 below to 15 below zero.

* Timing… tonight through Tuesday. The lowest wind chills are
expected to occur after midnight tonight through Tuesday
morning.

* Temperatures… falling into the teens this evening… then lows
in the single digits tonight and highs in the teens Tuesday.

* Winds… west 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. Gusts up to
45 mph are possible over north-central Maryland this evening.

* Impacts… dangerously low wind chills could then lead to
frostbite and hypothermia Monday evening through Tuesday.

Precautionary/preparedness actions…

A Wind Chill Advisory means that very cold air and strong winds
will combine to generate low wind chills. This will result in
frost bite and lead to hypothermia if precautions are not taken.
If you must venture outdoors… make sure you wear a hat and
gloves.

See more online at Weather Underground.

Newsletter: July-Sept 2013

Categories: Newsletters, Special News & Announcements

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National Night Out

National Night Out was a huge success.  Many community organizations were on hand to meet us and provide fun demonstrations, including St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Department, Maryland State Police, Mechanicsville Volunteer FIre Department and Rescue Squad, SMECO, and Medstar St. Mary’s Hospital. We had lots of food and games, and even some door prizes. A special thanks goes out to our volunteer board members for organizing this fun event…. and also to our community organizations for taking time out of their busy day to join us.

1st Annual Fall Community Yard Sale

Despite the gloomy weather we experienced in May for our Spring Yard Sale, we continued with resident requests to host a Fall event.  It was a wonderful idea and ended up being a beautiful day for a yard sale.
Many homes in the community were setup and several people were also set up at the parking lot.  It was a busy day for all and we are happy it turned out so well. We will certainly continue the twice-a-year tradition in the future! Thanks for your suggestions!

Remaining 2013 Community Events

CLHA Board Meetings –

Our Board Meetings are being held every four weeks on Tuesdays at either the park pavilion or the Christ Church Parish Hall on Zack Fowler Rd. in Chaptico. Upcoming meeting dates for the fourth quarter of 2013 are as follows:
October 29, November 26 (tentative), December 10 (Board Elections), and December 17 (tentative).
All meetings are at 7pm and last about 2 hours. Please bring your ideas/suggestions/complaints and we’ll try our best to address them appropriately.

Trunk or Treat

Join us at the park for this event on Thursday, October 31 at 6-8 pm. Decorate your car, yourselves, your friendly pets, your kids, and bring candy….and lots of it! This is a very popular event.

Adopt a Road Community Clean-up

Volunteer to beautify your community (or maybe just the road on which you reside) on Saturday, November 2. Meet at the pavilion at 9am if you are interested in joining us or call 301-884-7297 or webmaster@clha.org for more information.

Christmas Party with Santa

Santa will visit the CLHA park pavilion on Sunday, December 8 from 2-4pm. Bring your kids down to meet him and enjoy hot chocolate and other treats.

Special Announcements

Board Elections in December

Each year, we hold elections for the executive positions of our CLHA board. Any resident that has resided on the board for 1 full year is eligible to run for office. All residents are eligible to vote, but must do so in person at our “Meet and Greet” event on Tuesday, Dec 10 at 7pm. Please join us at Christ Church Parish hall on Zach Fowler Road in Chaptico to meet the nominees and place your vote.

Do you need a Thermal Expansion Tank?

Metcom updated our water meters this summer and found that many homes needed backflow prevention devices installed. They installed the devices and alerted homeowners of the possible need for a Thermal Expansion Tank. Please contact Dan Roys at Metcom at 301-737-7400 ext 306 with questions. You should also consult with your plumber regarding the need for a Thermal Expansion Tank. See CLHA.org for a short list of possible plumbers.

Neighborhood Watch Program

We have had our initial meeting of the community watch program. We are always accepting newcomers. If you are interested in joining this cause, please complete our online form at clha.org or contact Donald “Pud” Graham at 301-884-5236 or 301-717-6474.

Too Busy to Volunteer?
Here are some tips for making your home and property less likely to be a target for crime:
Shrubbery /Trees/Outbuildings: Planting bushes or building structures that limit the view of doors and windows may give you a feeling of privacy, but in fact, do the opposite. They prevent neighbors from noticing an intruder and provide hiding spots for criminals as well.
Outdoor Lighting: Well lit approach areas around garages and doors act as a deterrent for robbers. Motion sensor lights work well and conserve electricity as they only light when activated.
Alarms: They are effective against intrusion when properly installed and maintained. Panic alarms that can be activated by a member of your household that emit loud sirens will normally frighten away intruders when activated. A silent alarm allows law enforcement to respond without alerting the intruder.
Know Your Neighbors: If your neighbors are familiar with you and your family, vehicles, etc. they may notice suspicious activity or vehicular traffic that may give the police clues to solving crimes in the area.
Please continue to report all vandalism and crimes to the St. Mary’s County Sheriffs Department. Knowledge is key to preventing and solving future crimes.

Park Pavilion Repairs Postponed

The initial Improvements to the pavilion scheduled for September 2013 had to be postponed due to lack of funds to support the project. Stay tuned for an exact date of construction.

Adopt A Road Program

We have adopted the three entrance roads to Country Lakes in an attempt at beautifying our community. We hope that you will help in this effort to keep our roads and their shoulders free of litter. We will set up 2-3 community service days per year and may ask for your help. Have you noticed the signs on Cox Dr., Asher Rd., and Yowaiski Mill Rd.? Contact us at 301-884-7297 www.clha.org if you are interested in volunteering.

Using Facebook to Communicate

Many of your neighbors (159 as of October 28) are actively using the CLHA Facebook page to communicate about things happening in the neighborhood.  It’s a great way to know rather quickly when dogs are loose, or if you notice suspicious activity anywhere within the community. It’s even been used to located owners of lost items at the park. Feel free to use it to contact us with any questions about the HOA.  We welcome all your posts and work hard to repost and/or answer your inquiries as soon as we are able.

Want to Volunteer?

Call 301-884-7297 or Complete this form.
When calling our voice mail, your phone number must accept blocked numbers to receive a call back.

Thank you for your interest. Complete this form for details.

 

Verification

6 Runner Safety Tips

Categories: Special News & Announcements

It’s summer. That means warmer weather, more daylight, people out and about enjoying the sunshine-it has to be safer to run outdoors, right? Wrong.

Generally speaking, yes, it is safer to run when it’s light out, as opposed to when it’s dark, but there’s something that happens to most of us during daylight-we feel invincible. And this is just as hazardous as running by ourselves at midnight on a poorly lit street.

According to a UNIFEM report, one in three American women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime with the abuser usually someone known to her. If you find this shocking, it is.

If you’re wondering what it has to do with running, I’ll tell you that assailants are no longer waiting for the cover of night to strike. They will surprise you in the early hours of morning, during a midday trail run, or abduct you from the streets of your neighborhood. Just ask the five bay area women threatened while running a popular trail; or the woman who jumped over a cliff in Malibu to escape her attacker, or even Candice Moncayo who escaped Chelsea King’s killer.

It can happen and we want you to be safe. READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE for some of the best tried and true safety tips from police officers, EMT’s, and other safety experts.

Newsletter: Apr-Jun 2013

Categories: Newsletters

MetCom Automatic Meter Reading Project Underway

By now, you should be well aware of the Metropolitan Commission’s activity in our neighborhood. They are undertaking a county-wide project to upgrade our meters. Country Lakes is part of the 1st route of residential sites to be upgraded, with an estimated completion date of August 2013.

In May, elaborate information about the project and how it affects your property was mailed to all residents of the community. If you did not receive this information, or if you have additional questions about the project, please contact MetCom directly at www.metcom.org or 301-737-7400.

Rainy Day for Yard Saling, but Dumpster Day was a Hit

Our community yard sale was May 18 and despite the gloomy forecast, a few folks set up shop in their yards, driveways, and garages!  We received feedback from many that they would like to see the HOA organize two of these events per year. We agree that it is a great idea to host a community sale in the Spring and the Fall months and are working diligently to decide on the perfect date. Stay tuned.

Two weeks after the yard sale was the annual Dumpster Day event on Saturday, June 1. There were three large containers for household junk and two for metal. We nearly filled all five containers that were available.
There were 43 residents that participated, but 58 actual dumps.  That’s right, a few people made multiple trips.  We allowed onsite payments of delinquent dues and appreciate those folks that paid. It is your HOA dues that help us make these events a success.

Next Up: National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug 6, 6-8pm at the park. Come meet your community organizations such as the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Dept., SMECO, MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital, Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, and more.  Food, games, and door prizes!

Upcoming Community Events (view all)

2013 CLHA Board Meetings – Now at the Park

Our Board Meetings are being held every four weeks on Tuesdays at either the park pavilion or the Christ Church Parish Hall on Zack Fowler Rd. in Chaptico. For the summer months, we are currently holding meetings at the park pavilion. We welcome you to join us! Upcoming meeting dates for the third quarter of 2013 are as follows:

  • July 9,
  • September 3.

All meetings are at 7pm and last about 2 hours. Please bring your ideas/suggestions/complaints and we’ll try our best to address them appropriately.

National Night Out

Join us at the park for this event on Tuesday, August 6 at 6-8 pm. Various community organizations will be present. Come meet the folks that help make our community a better place. We’ll have food, games and door prizes.

Special Announcements

Neighborhood Watch Program

We are in the beginning stages of organizing a community watch program. If you are interested in joining this cause, please complete our online form or contact Donald “Pud” Graham at 301-884-5236 or 301-717-6474.

Too Busy to Volunteer?
Here are some tips for making your home and property less likely to be a target for crime:

  • Shrubbery /Trees/Outbuildings: Planting bushes or building structures that limit the view of doors and windows may give you a feeling of privacy, but in fact, do the opposite. They prevent neighbors from noticing an intruder and provide hiding spots for criminals as well.
  • Outdoor Lighting: Well lit approach areas around garages and doors act as a deterrent for robbers. Motion sensor lights work well and conserve electricity as they only light when activated.
  • Alarms: They are effective against intrusion when properly installed and maintained. Panic alarms that can be activated by a member of your household that emit loud sirens will normally frighten away intruders when activated. A silent alarm allows law enforcement to respond without alerting the intruder.
  • Know Your Neighbors: If your neighbors are familiar with you and your family, vehicles, etc. they may notice suspicious activity or vehicular traffic that may give the police clues to solving crimes in the area.

Please continue to report all vandalism and crimes to the St. Mary’s County Sheriffs Department. Knowledge is key to preventing and solving future crimes.

2013-2014 Yearly Dues Reminder

Dues statements were mailed on June 3. Please be aware that payments are due by July 1 to avoid a $5 late fee. Drop your check in the mail today and avoid that fee.

Attention Sellers: Resale Packages

When selling your home, there is a resale package that should be included in your closing process. Most real estate agents will request this directly from us, but if they don’t, you should be aware that you will need to make the request. The fee for the resale package, which includes all of the covenants, articles of incorporation, and dues history for the property will be $50 as of July 1, 2013.

Upcoming Repairs to the Park Pavilion

Improvements to the pavilion will take place in September 2013. Construction will require the pavilion to be closed for at least three days. We will post a message on the lighted sign when this begins. You will also notice yellow construction tape blocking any entrance onto the concrete floor of the pavilion and surrounding areas. Stay tuned for an exact date of construction.

Cicadas and Inchworm Infestation

We didn’t see the expected hoard of 17 year cicadas in Country Lakes (thankfully), but we most definitely dealt with our fair share of inchworms this year. We posted a few useful links on our web site and Facebook page and hope that you were able to learn more about the insects and ways to minimize future infestations and damage to your trees.

Adopt A Road Program

We have adopted the three entrance roads to Country Lakes in an attempt at beautifying our community. We hope that you will help in this effort to keep our roads and their shoulders free of litter. We will set up 2-3 community service days per year and may ask for your help. Have you noticed the signs on Cox Dr., Asher Rd., and Yowaiski Mill Rd.? Contact us at 301-884-7297 or complete this form if you are interested in volunteering.

MetCom Automated Meter Reading Project

Categories: Special News & Announcements

Information on the ongoing Automated Meter Reading Project (AMR):

AMR Fact Sheet
AMR Project Press Release
AMR Information Brochure
AMR Powerpoint Presentation
Questions? Problems? Just want to know more about the project and how it may affect you?

MetCom hosted a public meeting at the Mechanicsville VFD on Monday, June 3 at 7pm. Project leaders were on hand to answer any questions you had about this project.  If you were unable to attend, email your questions and MetCom will respond as soon as possible.