The Wood Box (President’s Article)

3D"Montpelier

&n= bsp; = ; Newsletter

January/February 2009

MWHOA Board of Directors:

President &= nbsp; Charles Kortlang

Vice President = Don= na Harding

Treas= urer &= nbsp; Paula Oas

Secre= tary &= nbsp; Kevin Kene= aly

Member at Large Alda Simpson

&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; <= span style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'>

&= nbsp; How to Reach the Board:

Address: = Post Office= Box 2645

&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Laurel, MD 20709=

Voice Mail: = (240) 554-2438 =

E-mail: &= nbsp; mwhoa@hotmail.com

Internet &nbs= p; www.mwhoa.com

MWHOA does not necessarily endorse advertisers’ products and services<= /o:p>

3D"Text

NEXT MWHOA MEETING DAT= E

Deerf= ield Run Community Center

13000 Laurel Bowie Road

Monday, 23 February

Meetings begin at 7:30 p.m.

Pleas= e check www.mwhoa.com

for more information.<= /p>

Homeowners are encouraged to attend!<= /span>

From the woodpile̷= 0;President’s Article

On behalf of the new Board of Directors, I would like to say thank you for voting in the last election. And thanks to everyone who submitted their name to serve on the Board. If it weren’t for everyone&#= 8217;s support we would have been forced to go outside our community for managemen= t, and it would have been at considerable expense. The new board members all h= ope to serve the Montpelier Woods Community satisfactorily. We will continue to finish the wor= k on projects that are on the table.

Our than= ks and a debt of gratitude go out to the retiring Members of the Board: Carol Hayes, Leroy Pipersburgh and Mahesh Yagnik. Their many years of service on the Board have left a positive impact= .

Cold Weather Has Unexpected Consequences

=

Since our last newsletter there have been a few incidents that are worth mentioning. During the recent cold snap, several homeowners suffered through bur= st water pipes due to freezing. = Two of them caused icing conditions on the roads.= A leaking water service line --that was not caused by the cold temperatures-- contributed to this icing.&= nbsp;

We also had two trees fall down, one causing min= or property damage. If at any time you notice something that may not seem right, please don’t hesitate to contact the Board or the appropriate agency. Remember, you are the eyes = and ears of our neighborhood. Our contact information is, as always, posted in the newsletter.

-Charles Kortlang

Volunteers needed

A number of committees are looking for membe= rs. Most of these committees don’t require a lot of time; a small investment can make a big difference. For details, please contact one o= f the members of the board via e-mail at mwho= a@hotmail.com or leave a voice = mail at 240-554-2438.

Neighborhood Fall Cleanup and Beautification

This year’s Fall cleanup was officially cancelled by PG County due to expected hazardous weather. As it turned out,= the expected weather did not materialize, and the beautification crew had an opportunity to do some work. = The County donated daffodil bulbs, shrubs, and mulch for our use. The volunteers cleaned up the land= scaped areas in short order, put in the new plantings, and dressed the area with mulch.

Many thanks to the planting crew:

Gloria and James Schultz,
David and Susan Straney,
Kevin Kenealy, Alina Kenealy,
Betty Ann and Charlie Kortlang.

If you would like to assist with future Community Clean ups or Beautification projects, please let us know. Helping hands are always appreciated.

<= o:p>

COMMUNITY SECURITY: THE NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH

Crime statistics are generally down in District VI of Prince Georges County for this January as compared to last January, except for auto theft, which is up 2%. Theft in general is down 61%, and commercial robberies are about average (two in January). The District VI Commander has incr= eased patrolling service stations and 7-11s to every 30 minutes in the evening and late at night to counter robbers. Current plans to reduce home robberies --which are most often commit= ted by juveniles-- feature increased truancy patrols and working with merchants= and school officials to keep students off the street and in school.<= /span>

Two home robberies occ= urred in our community during the last several months. There was little damage and nothin= g was taken from one home, but there was a considerable loss of property from the second. It is possible that g= reater home security such as an alarm system, locks, etc. could have prevented or discouraged these robberies. Recording serial numbers and putting identification marks on property helps police recover stolen property, but = do not use your social security number as a serial number as the robbers could= use this information.

Our neighborhood watch program has developed a good relationship with the Police Community Response Team (CRT) at District VI. Th= e CRT is designed to interface with the community representatives and work direct= ly with families living in our area. The CRT can be contacted by e-mail at www.policedistrict6.co.pg.m= d.us or through Cpl. Carter at 240-681-8047, and you can count on a response wit= hin 24 hours. Always contact the police directly for immediate response.=

If you call 911, feel = free to follow up with a call or e-mail to the CRT. To report an action or activ= ity that you believe could be a crime, but doesn’t warrant a 911 call or a non-emergency call (to 301-333-4000), another option is the confidential Tip Line at 301-931-3575. If you = notice something suspicious, you could also pass on your observations to your Block Captain, or me at 301-498-3780, but bear in mind that we have no police pow= er: call the police first. I’ll gladly follow up if the police do not respond.

The Neighborhood Watch program continues to develop, and we believe there has been increased police support for our community.

We still need Block Captains: for the West end of Balsamwood Drive, Basswood Drive, Basswood Terrace, Balsamwood Terrace, West end of Bignonia Drive, Blackwood Court, and Bristolwood Terrace. Voluntee= rs would be greatly appreciated. This is an opportunity to meet your neighbors= and help each other. If you are interested, please call Dale Good at 301-498-37= 80 and arrange a time for a short orientation briefing. Being a Block Captain benefits your family, and your community!

-Dale Good<= /b>, Police Advisory Committee Rep.= and Neighborhood Watch Representative

=                     =    DISTRICT VI POLICE

  &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;        911 - Emergency, report a crime that is going on

  &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;

  &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;        (301)333-4000    Non-Emergency Police Response

&nb= sp;            =                    =             &nb= sp;

&nb= sp;            =            (301) 931-3575   Police Tip Lin= e

  &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;

  &nbs= p;         MWHOA Financial Update

<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>        =              Balance Sheet

        =             &nb= sp; As of 12/31/08

Assets

Bank, Savings & Investment Accounts

      Checking A= cct – Bank of Amer.        $ 1,431.66<= /span>

      Money Mark= et – E*Trade        =              8,258.96

      CD –= Risk Free – Bank of Amer.   = ;        9,037.19

      CD – Regular – Bank of Amer.  &n= bsp;           7,036.43

      CDs account – E*Trade        =             &nb= sp; 17,573.24

            Subtotal – Current Assets   &nb= sp;           43,337.48<= /p>


Other Assets

   Assessments Receivable        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;   $1,114.53

   Late Fees Receivable        =                    =        315.00
   Legal Fee Receivable        =             &nb= sp;          1,305.00

   Liened Amt. Receivable pre-2005        =      1,461.24    &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;

   Certified Mailing/NSF Receiv= able         =        271.= 50

   Lien costs receivable –= ; 2005 Dues        =         805.45

   Lien costs receivable –= ; 2006 Dues        =         284.40

   Lien costs receivable - 2007 Dues                711.= 00

        =

Tota= l Assets        &= nbsp;                 =    $ 49,605.60

        =

Liabilities & Owners Equity

       Liabilities

           =   Prepaid Owner Assessments        $    175.01

       Loan= s               =             &nb= sp;            =              =   0.00

       Owne= rs Equity      &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;         =       49,430.59

      Total Liabilities & Owners Equity   $49,605.60

MWHOA Budget 2009

&nbs= p;

RECEIPTS

Ho= usehold Assessments

$19,836.00

Re= sale Packages

120.00

In= terest Received

1,500.00

Ot= her

600.00

Total Receipts

$22,056.00

EXPENSES

We= b Site

80.00

Pr= inting

1,100.00

Po= stage & Mailing

1,000.00

Gr= ounds Maintenance

8,665.00

Be= autification

0

In= surance

2,000.00

Te= lephone

170.00

Of= fice Supplies

200.00

Ta= xes

500.00

Le= gal Fees

6,000.00

Ba= nk Fees & Charges

15.00

Co= mmunity Function

800.00

Po= st Office Box

132.00

Ot= her

50.00

Total Expenses

20,712.00

Net Income<= /b>

1,344.00

In 2008, we ended up with a net income of $= 6,400 instead of a loss of $6,600, as= was projected. This was due to se= veral factors:

In 2008, we moved most of our cash from a non-interest-bearing= checking account into short term CDs, resulting in much higher interest income.

On the expense side, we only had two major tree cuttings, inst= ead of the three we budgeted for, so that saved us $2,000 of grounds maintenance. =

The $3,000 the Board allocated for beautification was not spen= t, but instead

we took advantage of a county program that provided us plants for free!

We delayed in placing 2008 liens on non-paying homeowners, so = that expense was pushed to 2009, resulting in higher legal fee expense in t= he 2009 budget. =

There was no community function in 2008—but we would lik= e to have one this year. If you have an idea for a community function, come to a board meeting= and let us know, or drop us an email.

The budget for 2009 was approved by the Board in November; $800 of the net income projected is the result of increasing the = dues from $54.69 to $57.

As of February 9th, we’ve received 2009 du= es from 242 homeowners. There ar= e 106 of you still to pay! Don̵= 7;t forget to send in your $57 by the end of February. All dues received in March or l= ater will incur a late fee of $15.

I’ve really enjoyed serving you as Treasur= er since April 2008. And, as a s= tamp collector, I really enjoy getting your mail! Keep sending it in!

-Paula O= as, Treasurer

&nb= sp;

FREE IRIS -- If you'd like some pale blue-vi= olet iris cuttings/rhizomes please contact Paula Oas at
301-725-0805, or paulaoas@juno.com. They are= best planted in July-early fall, but I believe they

can be transplanted any time they're not blo= oming. My yard is being engulfed with them!

&nb= sp;

&nb= sp;

&nb= sp;

&nb= sp;

* * * * * * * * * * * *<= /b>

Welcome to our New Neighb= ors!

We’d like to wish a heartfelt welcome to o= ur newest neighbors. Thank you for joining us in Montpelier Woods!<= /span>

Carlene “Tina= 221; Jackson-Booth and Walter Booth  &= nbsp;

        =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp; 10301 Snowden Road

Adam Arciero        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;    10402 Snowden Road

Adrian and Shaniqua He= nry        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       10001 Madronawood Drive

Katyna McGill        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;   11901 Blackwood Court

Ken and Linda Toran        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;     11205 Basswood Terrace

Nelson and Traci Motle= y        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            11801 Bristolwood Terrace

THINGS TO DO IN

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

        =

The Tuskegee Airmen

Sunday, 15 Feb & Thursday, 1= 9 Feb, at 3PM.    =

This award-winning HBO presentation= is the story of four pilots recruited to be the first African American pilots = for the United States Armed Forces. Their success earned them respect and helped win a terrible war.
Fee: $4/adults, $3/seniors, $2/ages 18 & under. College= Park Aviation Museum 1985= Cpl. Frank Scott Drive, College Park. 301-864-6029; TTY 301-864-4765

Three Towns - One Community

Sundays in February, 9:00–5:00. Start at Cedar Heights Community Center for your self-guided walking tour of the town of Fairmount Heights, the largest and oldest black community in the County. View historic homes and buildings suc= h as the former homes of: Booker T. Washington’s daughter, plus the Cha= pel Oaks Fire Station, one of the first all-black fire companies in the U.S= ., located just across Sheriff Road.

FREE for all ages. Cedar Heights Community Center<= /b>

1200 Glen Willow Drive, Seat Pleasant

Information: 301-773-8881; TTY 301-218-6768

Easter Egg Hunt at Snow= Hill Manor in Laurel

Friday, 21 March, 11 am-12:30 pm, R= ain date 24 March

Hunt for eggs, make a craf= t and enjoy entertainment. FREE for= all ages. Snow Hill Manor, 13301 Laurel-Bowie Rd., Laurel, MD. 301-725-6037

Washingt= on, Baltimore & Annapolis (WB&A) Recreational Trail

A 5.6-mile trail along the former Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Railroad. Runs northeast <= span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:8.5pt;color:#272627'>from <= span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:8.5pt;color:#272627'>Route 450= in Glenn Dale to Race Track Road near Patuxent River. Trailhead parking, rest rooms, benches, bike racks, landscaping, kiosks, and boardwalks through wetlands.

Xtreme Teens: Café Groove&nb= sp;

Fridays, Mar. 7, Apr. 4 & May 2= , 8-11 pm

A series of concerts at different locations around the County, allows teens (= ages 12-17) to experience an evening of lyrical sounds. Each concert has an emcee, an open= ing act and a headline act. Light refreshments are served. For details, go to www.pgparks.com or call 301-454-1459.

Jewelry, Mineral & Fossil Show

Satur= day, March 21, 10 am-4pm

Shop from a large collection of minerals, fossils, and jewelry. Enjoy other activities, such as sc= heduled demonstrations of cabochon making, beading, and more.

Fee: $2/ages 7 and up. FREE/ages 6 and under.&n= bsp;

Watkins Nature Center

301 Watkins Park Dr, Upper Marlboro

301-297-4575; TTY 301-699-2544.

Montpelier Mansion

9650 Muirkirk Rd., Laurel, MD 20708

301-377-7817; TTY 301-699-2544

Call for information about these upcoming events:<= /i>

Mar. 1-31 Chesapeake Woodturners Exhibit

Mar. 18 History Lecture: Early Horse Racing in MD

Apr. 15 History Lecture: 18th Century Confections

Get your tickets now! The Montpelier Spring Jazz Ser= ies starts 6 March. Series tickets are $120 for all sev= en, or $20 per concert. The Montpelier Folk and Blues Series starts 1 May. = Get tickets to six concerts for the price of five - just $100. Single tickets are $20.
Members and seniors (60 an= d older) receive a 10% discount. Call the arts center at (301) 377-7800. Visa and MasterCard accepted. Concerts are Fridays at 8 PM.

Montpelier Festival of Herbs, Tea and the Arts Saturday, May 2, 10 am-4 pm

Calling all lovers of the finer things in life. Shop to prep= are your spring culinary garden; enjoy music; participate in hands-on history, = art activities and events for children. These activities are held on the ground= s of Montpelier Mansion and inside Montpelier Arts Center.

All ag= es welcome; FREE

Montpe= lier Mansion & Montpelier Arts Center

Arts C= enter: 301-377-7800; TTY 301-490-2329

<= /span>

Publick playhouse

5445 Landover Rd., Cheverly, MD 20784
301-277-1710; TTY 301-277-0312

Located at the intersection of Landover & Annapolis Road= s (Routes 202 & 450), the Playhouse offers varied programs. Every patron, regardl= ess of age, must have a ticket to enter the theater during an event.

7th Annual World Dance Showcase

Saturday, Mar. 21, 7:30 PM

Exceptional dance companies from throughout the

area present the colorful, rich, cultural diversity of

talent found in metro Washington.

Tickets: $12; $10/seniors & students

Dallas Black Dance Theatre

Friday 24 April, 8 PM; Saturday, 25 April, 8 PM

A wonderful performance, high-energ= y, modern dance.

Tickets: $20 center & side f= ront orchestra; $18 side rear orchestra; $15 DancePass

Spring Break Stomp

Monday 6 April - Thursday 9 April

Registration for these dance worksh= ops for teens opens on Monday at 8:30 AM, with active workshops between = 9:00 and 1:00 PM daily. Schedule is as follows:

Mon - Step Dance; Tues - Salsa Move= s; Wed - African Dance; and Thurs - Hip Hop.

Ages 13-1= 7, $35 per workshop or $99 for all four

&nbs= p;

Walking through Time

Saturd= ay 18 April and Sunday 19 April, 11 AM-5PM

See multi= -period living history encampments from Iron Age Celts and 1^st Century Romany through 20^th Century WWII. Activities include military demonstrations, camp life, period merchants, and food for purchase.

Fee: $8 a= dults; $5 ages 4-18, FREE ages 3 and under

Marietta = House Museum Grounds

5626 Bell= Station Rd, Glenn Dale

301-464-5= 291; TTY 301-699-2544

Ready to plan summer activities?

The Department of Parks and Recreation's Summer Programs offer plenty of options. Choose = from more than 250 camp sessions, 100 summer playgrounds, and 17 summer teen cen= ters in Prince George's County.

Registration for County residents begins 28 = February.

= ;

=

= ;

= ;

= ;

= ;

= ;

= ;

= ;

= ;

= ;

= ;

From the Editor’s Desk:

Would you like to writ= e an article that would be of interest to the Montpelier Woods Community, or contribute to one by providing information? If you do, please submit it for review via e-mail or to the Board’s mailing address found on the first page.

One or two line announcements/ads for services provided by homeowners such as babysitting, yard work, tutoring, etc., may = be included in the newsletter at no charge. Commercial-type ads can also be published, and at an affordable price.

The MWHOA Newsletter is published on a quarterly basis, and the next one will be published during t= he April/May time frame. = Note that it may be a month or two before your i= tem is published. And we reserve the right not to publish any article that is inappropriate. = Please contact the editor for additional informa= tion and/or deadlines, at mwhoa@h= otmail.com, ATTN: Editor.        =             &nb= sp;

        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;                - Deborah Barrett

         &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;      Newsletter Editor         =

RECEIPTS
Ho= usehold Assessments	$19,836.00
Re= sale Packages	120.00
In= terest Received	1,500.00
Ot= her	600.00
Total Receipts	$22,056.00

EXPENSES
We= b Site	80.00
Pr= inting	1,100.00
Po= stage & Mailing	1,000.00
Gr= ounds Maintenance	8,665.00
Be= autification	0
In= surance	2,000.00
Te= lephone	170.00
Of= fice Supplies	200.00
Ta= xes	500.00
Le= gal Fees	6,000.00
Ba= nk Fees & Charges	15.00
Co= mmunity Function	800.00
Po= st Office Box	132.00
Ot= her	50.00
Total Expenses	20,712.00

Net Income<= /b>	1,344.00