The fertilization program this year includes the trees and the evergreen pines on the perimeter of our neighborhood, a chore that had been long overdue. In addition to the bush trimming, the landscaping beds should be replenished with cedar mulch beginning the week of June 14, 2010. If you added any additional landscaping and would like new mulch, you can contact Todd at Mastercut (708-878-1831) or purchase your own. You must use natural color shredded cedar mulch. Any other mulch is a violation and will need to be removed and replaced with natural color shredded cedar mulch.

Regarding the bushes in the front landscaping, if you choose to trim your own, please let Peter Bylen know (pbylen@1stpropertymanagers.com or 219-464-3536, ext. 310) no later than June 9, 2010. The Association is not responsible for trimming of landscape beds added to the sides or rear of homes, or for plants planted privately in the front landscape bed. This does not guarantee that a privately planted item will not be trimmed. It is the homeowner's responsibility to notify Peter of any items that should not be trimmed in the front landscaping.

The Landscaping Committee has been very busy developing a landscaping plan for the waterfall area which they are eager to implement. Our Social Committee is also busy gathering input from our neighborhood through a questionnaire enclosed, so please return your questionnaires, it will provide needed input. Timely feedback is a vital element of success in any organization. And finally, we’re pleased that our financial health continues to improve under the watchful eye of the finance committee.

Now here's what's going on in the neighborhood:

The Driveway resealing project for 2010 will begin the week of May 31, 2010. Attached is the schedule, which is subject to change due to weather conditions and/or unforeseen situations. This year a schedule of 16-20 driveways per day is being used to allow for a quicker recovery should a delay occur.

As was the case last year, the contractor will place a flyer in your mail box the night prior to your driveway being resealed. PLEASE REMOVE YOUR CAR(S) FROM THE GARAGE AND PARK ON THE STREET ON YOUR SCHEDULED RESEALING DATE.

No driveways will be done on Fridays due to mowing, and the irrigation system may have to be turned off on some days during the resealing project.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this time.

Phase Two of the painting project is set to start May 24. As you may remember from last year, with the exception of the models, the closing date of the unit was used to determine the order in which the homes will be painted. You will be receiving a letter from 1st American if your home is in the second phase. The painting will start at Ludington Lane, move to Pentwater Lane, then proceed to Charlevoix Way, they then go to Grand Haven Way, and finish off on Mackinaw Place (this route is subject to change by the painting contractor). Weather permitting, and if sufficient funds are available, an additional five units may be painted this year.

The work will consist of painting of the exterior cedar, including cedar in the rear of the homes. Mailboxes, shutters (front shutters only), caulking and the white door trim are included. Screen doors must be left unlocked to enable the painter to paint the white trim around the door frame. If you would like your front door painted, please let the painting contractor know, or notify Peter Bylen. If you choose to have your front door painted, you must be present, as the door must be left open for at least several hours to allow it to dry. If you cannot be home when your front door is painted, you should make arrangements with a trusted friend or neighbor to be there for you. The contractor cannot warranty the work unless the door is given sufficient time to dry. You need not be home for the painting contractor to paint your exterior, but it would be helpful to remove any hanging plants/flowers on or near the surfaces to be painted. Your help will facilitate the painting process.The painting contractor will also move the address numbers from over the door to above the garage. Your irrigation system may be temporarily turned off while the contractor is painting your unit. Please exercise care while the contractor is in our neighborhood, including extra care while the contractor is painting your unit. This is a large project and please keep in mind that our normal maintenance, lawn mowing, fertilization, etc., will continue during the painting.

The cost for the above work is already included in your monthly assessment.

PLEASE do not allow children to play on the rocks in and around the waterfall area. They can be slippery and can move under your feet causing one to fall. There are some beautiful parks in Schererville, Dyer and Munster that have facilities to climb and play without danger of injuries.

A big thank you to all who walk and pickup after their dogs. However, it would be greatly appreciated if you would confine the dog-walking area to the parkway next to the street, not in the front yard of homes.

Unfortunately keeping your dogs on a leash must be mentioned yet again. When your dog is out of your home the dog must be under the control of a competent person, restrained by a chain, leash or other means of adequate physical control for the safety of others. There was an incident recently where a big dog was not on a leash and went after two small dogs on leashes. The big dog just wanted to play, but the person walking the dogs didn't know that. There was another incident where a little dog was chasing a car and the driver only heard the dog, she didn't see it. No matter how cute or friendly your dog is, it must be kept on a leash at all times when it is outside.

All solicitors MUST have a permit to solicit in Dyer and Schererville. On occasion we have been approached by solicitors who have no Schererville or Dyer permits to sell their wares. Please call the respective Police Department when the solicitors cannot produce a permit (Dyer Police-865-1163; Schererville Police-322-5000). You will help the neighborhood in general and especially neighbors who have a difficult time getting to the door.

Please don't feed the wildlife by broadcasting food - scattering seed or food on the ground. Only use appropriate bird feeders as anything else invites undesirable vermin. The feeding of geese not only encourages them to return but to nest in our community. The feeding of geese is one of the major reasons why geese are attracted to certain areas. Feeding also increases the susceptibility to avian diseases.