WYNFIELD WINDOW

By now you should have received your statement for payment of 2007 WHOA annual dues.

As a reminder, pay-ments not received by the due date will be subject to late fees.

Through extra efforts in 2006, WHOA collected payments in full for a number of homeowners more than a year behind in dues. Thank you for bring-ing your accounts up to date. But there are some who still have yet to pay in full. If you are more than a year behind, be aware that you may be subject to legal action by the Associa-tion to collect those dues, as well as any associated attorneys fees and late fees.

MESSAGES FROM THE WHOA BOARD...

Homeowners Barry & Charlotte Richard, victims of some unfortunate septic circumstances this fall, were kind enough to pass along some extremely helpful information for all of us regarding septic sys-tem guidelines.

This info has already proven useful to many other homeowners. Many of us are completely un-educated about septic sys-tems, their care and needs, where to find out more information about them…and the results can some-times be costly and time-consuming.

A reader-friendly septic system homeowner’s guide is available online from Forsyth County, contain-ing a wealth of information regarding how often you might need to pump your t a n k : h t t p : / /w w w . f c h d . u s / p a g e s /environmental/Sewage/Sewage.html

Make an easy call to the Forsyth County Environ-mental Health Department and you can have the county fax to you the offi-cial original installation permit and plat of your property, to illustrate the exact size of your tank, where it’s located on your property and the layout of the drainfield. This is good information to have handy when it’s time to have your system pumped. Following is the county’s web link: http://w w w . f c h d . u s / p a g e s /e n v i r o n m e n t a l /E n v r i o n m e n -tal_Health.html

As there are every year, three Board positions will be up for election at the Annual Meeting in March. No experience is required, only a willingness to serve in the neighborhood’s best interests. Anyone inter-ested or with any questions may contact Mac Aylin at (678) 566-1627,

mac.aylin@wynfield.org or Lisa Cleland at (770) 7 5 1 - 9 5 3 4 , lisa.cleland@wynfield.org.

The Wynfie ld Homeowners Associat ion Newslet ter

Inside this issue:

Septic system info 1

Holiday decorating winner 2

Sawnee EMC rebates 2

People 3

Fall Festival 4

Mailbox refurbishing update 6

Fall/Winter 2006

This Wynfield Window was printed courtesy of Missy Sterritt at Keller Williams Realty Around Atlanta.

WINTER EFFICIENCY TIPS

Courtesy of Sawnee EMC

Take steps now to winterize your home before harsh Janu-ary weather sets in and you can save money on your monthly energy bill over the next several months. Lower your energy bills by following these simple tips:

• Add insulation to the attic – Upgrading your attic insulation to an R-38 will help to stop heat from escap-ing through the ceiling.

• Install a programma-ble thermostat – Why heat your house when nobody’s home? By using a program-mable thermostat, you can adjust the times you turn on the heat according to a pre-set schedule.

(see pg 5)

Congratulations to Kim Hughes - 7150 Wynfield Court, winner of the inaugural Holiday Decorating Contest! Kim received a $25 gift card to Pike’s for her efforts.

Many dozens of homes in Wynfield were decorated for the holidays, making for a fes-tive drive through the neighborhood. One couldn't help but feel the holiday spirit after seeing all of our beautiful decorations. Many thanks to all - your hard work in decorating was a gift to everyone who saw your homes!

HUGHES WINS

HOLIDAY DECORATING CONTEST

Page 2 Wynfield Window

Creative Innovations “If you can imagine it, we can build it.”

Jeff Sumen (678) 895-1437

418 Atlanta Road Cumming, GA 30040

Congratulations to Dan & Micaela Brady – 7810 Wynfield Circle - recipients of Wynfield’s "Yard of the Month" award for September.

Dan & Micaela are proud new parents – their son Jackson was born in early September - so their landscaping efforts are even more remarkable! The Bradys received a $25 gift card to Pike Family Nurseries and displayed the exclusive "Yard of the Month" sign during October.

HONORABLE MENTIONS went to Jim & Tami Estep - 7640 Brentwood Court – and Joe & LeighAnne Creighton – 7210 Wyngate Drive. The “Yard of the Month” program will begin again in April so give your yard the TLC it needs over the winter season and you may see your name here next spring!

Energy Grant Rebates Available from Sawnee EMC

Making your home more energy-efficient will not only make you more comfortable, but will also save on your monthly electric bill, says Sawnee EMC. Sawnee will help its cus-

tomers pay for a portion of certain upgrades:

• Insulation - Increase attic insulation to a R-38 and receive a rebate of half the cost, to a maximum of $200.

• Ventilation - Add attic ventilation through turbines, ridge vents, turtle backs or power ventilators and receive a rebate of half the cost, to a maximum of $75.

• Install programmable thermostat - Replace your manual thermostat with a programmable one and receive half the cost back, to a maxi- mum of $25.

• Residential lighting - Replace a minimum of 10 incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lighting and receive half the cost back, to a maximum of $20.

• Heat pump upgrade - Replace your existing air conditioner or install a new 14 SEER heat pump and receive $75.00 per ton, to a site maximum of $375. This rebate does not apply to an upgrade to a pre-existing heat pump system.

Applying for these grants from Sawnee is easy! For additional informa-tion, contact Mandy Love, Residential Marketing Representative, at (678) 455-1579 or via e-mail at mandy.love@sawnee.com.

“A successful person is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him.” - David Brinkley

WYNFIELD “TOOK IT TO THE STREETS” IN OCTOBER

Page 3 Fall/Winter 2006

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”

- Anne Frank

ROLL OUT THE WELCOME MAT!

Introduce yourself today to Wynfield’s newest residents:

Cheryl Andrews 7920 Wynfield Circle Josephine Soriao 7035 Wynfield Drive

If you are new to Wynfield and have not been listed here, please contact juliamurray@bellsouth.net or call (678) 333-5529. We also have a small gift for you!

The weekend of October 14-15, many Wynfield home-owners were "Takin' it to the Streets." The perfect fall weather beckoned for all to attend to those outdoor "to-do" items that kept getting kicked to the bottom of

the priority list: mowing, edging (especially curbside), pulling weeds around mailbox bed & electricity/cable/phone boxes and trimming vegetation grown into the street.

Nearly a dozen Wynfield homeowners also volunteered to help their neighbors check off those things on their lists. Needy yards were edged curbside, vegetation was trimmed back and rusted mailboxes were painted, along with their faded address plates, for those who are unable to attend to them. Volunteers also drove the streets passing out iced bottles of water and homemade goodies to those working in their yards. A prize drawing was even held from those found working outside. Congratulations to Alex Messervy, winner of a $25 gift card to Pike’s!

It was a great chance to meet neighbors as home-owners worked to spruce up the neighborhood for the winter season!

Edgar Midencey gives the complete refurbishing treatment to a mailbox in need

Sent from above...

These Wynfield families have added a branch to the family tree:

Charlene & Rob Padgett (grandson) Ethan Elijah August 21 Jeff & Amy Behrhorst (and sister Erin) Evan Jezrel February 7, 2004 Joined the family December 22 Niki & Andy Farbotko Audrey Claire December 14 Jennifer & David Tate (and sister Addison) Avery Elizabeth December 26 :

IN MEMORY...

Our sympathies are extended to Gerry Smith and family after the death of her husband, Ralph, on December 11.

Page 4 Wynfield Window

“It’s common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.”

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

More than 60 children and their families attended the Wynfield Fall Festival on Sunday, October 29 at the pool-house commons. Even a last-minute postponement from Saturday - due to excessive wind - didn't seem to dampen at-tendance. Children enjoyed pumpkin-painting, a cakewalk with countless homebaked goodies, carni-val games, fresh popcorn, storytime by a costumed teller and a festive hayride.

Many homeowners - including some who moved to Wynfield fairly recently - met someone new & visited with neighbors while the children played. By request, watch for more WHOA social ac-

tivities coming in 2007! Congratulations to Staffonie Weaver for winning the Toys R’ Us gift card from the candy corn esti-mation station (there were 1008, if you're curious)!

Many thanks to the homeowners who stocked the cake-walk with dozens of goodies or donated other items for the event's success! Also thanks to Lisa & Bella Rainwater, Leila & Lauren Fondo, Chris & Staffonie Weaver, Marsha Irons, Susan Shirley, Jimmy & Carolyn Purcell, Dani Roland and Michele Downton for supervis-ing the games and activities. Special thanks to Marsha Irons and Susan Shirley for the hours of set-up and take-down.

Left: Michelle Downton (Wynfield Drive) holds court as children gather for story time at the Fall Festival.

Erin Behrhorst feels quite comfortable in her skin...

Above: Board member Norb Schmidt is a man of many hidden talents. Left: Petey Goddard bobs for donuts with messy — but sweet — results. Below: Painting pumpkins takes concentration!

FALL FESTIVAL DEEMED A SUCCESS BY ALL Planning already begun for 2007

Visit www.wynfield.org often for

up-to-date neighborhood news and announcements

January sermon series—”Life’s Toughest Questions”: Why isn’t life fair? January 7 How much money is enough? January 14 What happens after I die? January 21 How can I be happy? January 28

Clean Comedy Night with Charles Marshall Friday, January 19, 2007 7:30 pm Comedy, music, dessert & coffee

Page 5 Fall/Winter 2006

Each Keller Williams Realty® office is independently owned and operated.

MISSY STERRITT

Cell: (404) 886-0474

Office: (678) 341-2900

E-mail: missysterritt@kw.com

WISHING ALL OF WYNFIELD A PROSPEROUS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

DOG OWNERS: DOO UNTO OTHERS...

(cont. from pg. 1) • Caulk and weatherstrip doors and windows – Seal all cracks and openings to the outside and you can prevent warm air from leaking out of your home. Pay special attention around windows where siding, bricks or wood trim meet.

• Change furnace filters every 3 months for maximum efficiency.

• Let the light shine in – Keep draperies and shades open during the day to allow the sunlight to heat your home. Be sure to close them at night to reduce any chill that you may feel from the windows.

Get started today and make your home more energy efficient! For questions regarding the information above, contact Mandy Love, Residential Marketing Representative with Sawnee EMC, at (678) 455-1579 or mandy.love@sawnee.com.

Many thanks to those who walk their dogs with a plastic bag in hand!

WHOA has received several complaints from homeowners who either see dogs relieving themselves in others’ yards or who have found a dog had done so in their yards and their owners had failed to clean it up. The result-ing mess when the kids come out to play or owners attend to gardening is not printable here.

Please be reminded – cleaning up after your dog is not only neighborly and courteous…it’s the law.

Simply take a plastic bag along, use it like a glove, then turn it inside out & carry it home to your trash can. ALL dog walkers should carry a bag with them at all times.

SEE PAGE 2 ARTICLE ON REBATES FROM SAWNEE FOR ENERGY-EFFICIENCY UPGRADES!

THE WYNFIELD HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION

6805 Wynfield Way

Cumming, GA 30040

WE’R E ON TH E W EB !

W W W . W Y N F I E L D . OR G

Keeping in touch with your neighborhood.

MAILBOX REFURBISHING UPDATE To date, more than 35 address plates and nearly two dozen mailboxes/

posts have been re-painted, improving curb appeal across the Wynfield. But there are many more in need of refurbishing or repair.

Wynfield Homeowners Association has confirmed a vendor to replace broken mailbox posts and missing address plates if needed, to ensure the consistent look of all mailboxes, as our covenants require. The information is posted on www.wynfield.org under “FAQ” but in summary:

Part of Wynfield’s charm is in its common elements so if a mailbox post is damaged, it should be re-placed with the same model used throughout the neighborhood. If your post and/or address plate need to be replaced, please contact Strickland Metalcraft at (770) 732-9391 to order a replacement(s). The post (including filigree corner bracket of oak leaf design) is $175 and the address plate is $45 (including tax). Delivery and installation/removal charges may apply, so please ask Strickland for details. Though you may order the mailbox itself from Strickland, as well, you can save money by purchasing it yourself at Ace Hardware or a similar store (“Standard” size, satin black steel). Strickland will install it for you at no charge when they install the main post, drilling the holes to match the hanging brackets. Most home-owners also install a smaller rubber o-ring or liquid silicone around the bolts attaching the box to the post, to prevent against possible leakage. Should you need ONLY the filigree corner bracket, the least expensive way to replace it is ordering it directly from the manufacturer in Dallas, TX for about $20 (including shipping): www.kingmetals.com, item code 45-23-A.

If your mailbox is in need of refurbishing, but you are physically unable to attend to it, please con-tact juliamurray@bellsouth.net or (678) 333-5529 for information about a volunteer who can help. There is no charge, but donations are gladly accepted to offset the cost.