WIN-12FebMar

February/March 2012Winona Lakes Property Owners Association www.winonalakes.net

WinonaGramWinona Lakes P.O.A.104 Winona LakesEast Stroudsburg PA 18302

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PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

Stroudsburg, PA18360

PERMIT #102

President’s MessageBy Ken Anders, WLPOA Board President

I hope all of you have had a wonderful winter season. The holidays are behind us and Iknow I am looking forward to warmer weather.

I would like to speak a little about the roads; please be patient with our MaintenanceDepartment when the ground and the gravel pile freeze it becomes difficult to repair potholes. At this point the maintenance department’s main focus is to keep the roads clear ofsnow. Please help us in keeping our roadways clear by not parking your vehicle in theroadway.

We have come across an unfortunate delay to the repair of a washed out road inSection 18; the intersection of Stony Hollow and Round Hill. An anonymous individualfiled false complaints to the Pike County Conservation District and the Department ofEnvironmental Protection. This unmindful recklessness to undermine our efforts not onlycreates delays, but could cost our community hundreds of thousands of dollars in extracosts. We have since been notified by these institutions that everything implemented bythe current Board of Directors is adequate. The project will now go forward as planned,and hopefully be completed by the time this issue reaches you. The bridge project willstart up as soon as the weather allows.

Coming sometime in April there will be a vote sent out to the members to open skiingfor the next season. I would like each member to think about this carefully. Skiing hasnow been closed for three years. Have you seen your dues go down? Have your roadsbeen repaired?

Skiing is an amenity that has always been part of our community; therefore, we are notallowed to just close it. The way the ski slope was closed triggered many lawsuits, whichhave cost us a great deal of money.

The only way we can get skiing open is for the members to vote to open it. I believethis could be done without an assessment. If an assessment would be needed that would bedisclosed to the members before the vote. Please do not vote no because you just don’tlike skiing. This amenity increases the value of your home and helps build a strongercommunity.

I would like to extend a special thanks to the volunteers on the Recreation committeefor putting together wonderful Holiday Potluck and New Year’s Eve events, without themthis would not be possible. I would love to see more members come and enjoy some ofthese parties. It’s a fantastic opportunity for you and your kids to meet new people andhave fun! The next event will be Saint Patrick’s Day, look for the flyers.

I would like to thank all other committee volunteers and the members of the Board ofDirectors. These are the people that get things done. We could always use more membersto get involved on committees or to run for the Board of Directors.

Manager’s MessageBy Denise Lavache, C.M.C.A.

This winter sure is off to a slow start with above-average temperatures and not muchsnow to speak of, but it’s not over yet! Before you put your shovels and snow blowersaway for the season here are a few tips for winter power outages:

• To report an outage or downed wire, call 1-888-LIGHTSS.• Have a flashlight on hand with fresh batteries.• Have a portable radio with fresh batteries.• Have candles and matches ready.• Keep a gallon of water, per person, on hand.• Cordless phones require a plug-in power source. Have on hand a cellular phone

or a basic telephone that can operate on power delivered through phone lines.• Disconnect major appliances to avoid possible damage from restoring service.• Keep ready to eat food/drinks on hand (cookies, granola bars, hard candy, etc.)• If you have a well and pump, keep a supply of bottled water.• Keep the refrigerator closed. Avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer.• When indoors, never use a gas stove or lantern that is intended for outdoor use.• Entertainment to keep busy; cards, games, books, etc.

Please use caution when our roads are snow covered and try to limit all non-essentialtraffic while our plows are at work. We ask that all members be patient and rest assuredthat we will get to your road as quickly as possible; please try to keep in mind that wehave 23 miles of roads in Winona Lakes. Calling the association office cannot ensure yourroadway is cleared any faster and chances are if our WLPOA roads are snow covered, soare all major roadways and highways. Please also keep in mind if you just finishedclearing your driveway, we might not be finished clearing your road.

Our Maintenance crew works around the clock during snow storms to keep the roadssafe for our members, so when you see them on the road wave and/or honk to thank themfor all their hard work. Small gestures like that go a long way to keep our crew warmduring the cold winter months. Should you notice a hazardous condition on our roadwaysplease report it to the office, and if you are involved in an accident or other emergencyplease dial 9-1-1 first.

Update on the 911 Readdressing project: Important readdressing information can befound here http://www.monroeco911.com/readdressing.htm. The readdressing project isprogressing in a municipality-by-municipality format with Middle Smithfield Township’sproposed release date of February 17th, 2012. Please remember to keep this is a proposeddate and could change. If you have any further questions regarding the ReaddressingProject, contact the readdressing project staff at 570-420-3466.

For those of you, who have chosen the two payment option, let this serve as a friendlyreminder that the second half dues payment is due now. Payment options are still availableplease call the office for details. As always, if my staff and I can assist you with anythingplease do not hesitate to contact us at the office.

Winona Lakes Communications

Committee Launches Mobile SiteAs part of our continuing efforts to make information available to a wide range

of audiences, the Winona Lakes Communications Committee has launched a mobileversion of the Winona Lakes website that will allow users to more easily accessinformation on their BlackBerrys, iPhones, Droids, and other mobile devices.

Members are increasingly using mobile devices to access the Internet and theWinona Lakes mobile website will enable more users to quickly get to the informa-tion they need. For your convenience, the QR code is listed on the bottom of page 1(< at left). The mobile site can be accessed at: http://m.winonalakes.net

February/March 2012WinonaGram • www.winonalakes.net2

Published six times a year by

Community Newspaper PublishersFOR ADVERTISING and PUBLISHING INFORMATION:

237 Phyllis Court, Stroudsburg PA 18360 PHONE (570) 476-3103 FAX (570) 476-3104

E-MAIL: [email protected]

The acceptance of advertising in the WinonaGram does not constitute endorsement by the Winona LakesProperty Owners Association or Community Newspaper Publishers, Inc. Position of advertisements is notguaranteed. All advertising is subject to acceptance by the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for errorsin advertising or claims made by advertisers.

The official publication of theWinona Lakes Property Owners Association

WinonaGram

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The Young and the Rest of Usis conducting a Food Drive.Please donate what you canin nonperishable food at theClubhouse. All donations willbe given to local food banks.Thank you!

Check out your community website...Visit www.winonalakes.net

Discounted Rates at JFBB2011/2012 season rates for K.A. Diehl/Appletree managed communities and the Villagesat Jack Frost and Big Boulder

Product PriceMidweek Snowpass (youth & adult 5+) $30.00Adult Weekend Snowpass (16+) $40.00Adult Holiday Snowpass (16+) $45.00Youth Weekend Snowpass (5-15) $33.00Youth Holiday Snowpass (5-15) $38.00Midweek Snowpass w/rental (youth & adult 5+) $52.00Adult Weekend Snowpass w/rental (16+) $62.00Adult Holiday Snowpass w/rental (16+) $67.00Youth Weekend Snowpass W/rental (5-15) $55.00Youth Holiday Snowpass W/rental (5-15) $60.00Night anytime BB only 3pm-close $25.00Night anytime W/rental BB 3pm-close $47.00Snow Tubing Weekend (open –close) $38.00Snow Tubing Holiday (open-close) $40.00Snow Tubing 3 hour Weekend $23.00Snow Tubing 3 hour Holiday $25.00

Vouchers are available at the Mountain Resort Villas Rental Office in Blue Heron (32Red Fox Court, Lake Harmony, PA 18624). Vouchers are available to homeowners ofK.A. Diehl/Appletree managed communities and the Villages located at Jack Frost andBig Boulder Ski areas. Owners must have identification for proof of ownership whenpurchasing vouchers.

Request Road Repairs OnlineThe Roads and Maintenance Committee in cooperation with the Communications

Committee has created an online form for members to report road problems in WinonaLakes. Members now have an easy way to report maintenance problems such as potholes,downed signs and shoulder washouts.

The request form can be accessed at: http://www.winonalakes.net/road_request.htm

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WinonaGram • www.winonalakes.netFebruary/March 2012 3

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Do Not Feed Wild AnimalsWhy? You can create an unnatural dependency on your part for their supply of food. If

that is interrupted, they can be in trouble. If it is a bear, you can be in trouble.Once a bear learns food is available at a certain location he/she will aggressively

pursue it. If it is not at the usual site, they have been documented, having destroyedscreened porches trying to find where “their” food is.

Encouraging them to eat from your hand (or even close to you) is like playing Russianroulette. You have no way of knowing what noise or scent or action will cause a bear tofeel threatened and react violently.

WinonaGram • www.winonalakes.netFebruary/March 2012 5

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Show Your Community Spirit!Winona Lakes Clothing

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Stop by the office to purchase these items.

WinonaGram • www.winonalakes.netFebruary/March 2012 7

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Flat screens TV’s go where

TV’s have never gone beforeBy Anthony Valentino

Just when you thought we were at the final frontier when it comes to TelevisionTechnology, we find ourselves outdated with the Flat Screen TV’s we have in our homes.At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) held in Las Vegas in early January. LGElectronics (Soul Korea) introduced a 55-inch OLED TV that is just 3/16 of an inch thickas well as a whopping 84-inch TV with 4K-display resolution. What is OLED and 4K?

OLED, or organic light-emitting diodes, are more energy efficient, thinner and providebetter black levels when compared with standard current LEDs used in TVs today. Alsothey do not require a backlight that LCD TV’s require. LG’s 55-inch OLED TV weighedless than 17 pounds.

4K is an emerging standard for resolution in digital film and computer graphics. Thename is derived from the horizontal resolution, which is approximately 4,000 pixels. Thisdesignation is different to those used in the digital television industry, which are repre-sented by the vertical pixel count; for example 480p, 720p, and 1080p. 4K represents thehorizontal resolution because there are numerous aspect ratios used in film — so while thehorizontal resolution stays constant, the vertical resolution depends on the video source(a.k.a. letterboxing).

1080p refers to TVs with a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels, or about 2 millionpixels. The newer 4K standard refers to TVs with a typical resolution of 4,096 x 2160pixels, or about 8 million pixels.

The end result with OLED and 4K (or 8K) TVs is that viewers will be able to seesharper and brighter images on even larger screens that are lighter than even smaller-screen TVs currently available.

Don’t rush out just yet to be the first on to your block to purchase one of the Hi TechMarvels LG plans to start production in July of this year. However, there is no officialword yet on when we’ll see these on store shelves or at what price. And there is still no 4kcontent available at the present time.

Remotes also go Hi Tech - LG also introduced a new line of remote controls that worklike the Wii remote where you just point and select your function. As stated in theCompanies press release: “Users can easily browse and navigate the Smart TV ecosystemusing LG’s new, ergonomically-designed Magic Remote which now recognizes fourdifferent types of command input: Voice Recognition, Wheel, Magic Gesture and Point.”(http://www.lg.com).

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What is a Mini-Split?Like your refrigerator, heat pumps use

electricity to pump refrigerant and transferheat from one space to another. When wetransfer heat from within our home to the

outdoors, we call it “air conditioning.”Conversely, when we transfer heat fromthe outdoors to within the home we call it

a “heat pump.”

Housekeeper/Cook available asneeded in Winona Lakes -Having a party? Need help cooking/cleaning? Call Gerri at 223-9254.

Advertise in the WinonaGram -Classified or display advertising spaceavailable. Email [email protected] call 570-476-3103.

— Winona Lakes Classifieds —

February/March 2012WinonaGram • www.winonalakes.net8

New Year’s Eve Bash!

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WinonaGram • www.winonalakes.netFebruary/March 2012 9

Winona Lakes 2011/2012

Board Meeting ScheduleAll meetings start at 10:00 am

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Saturday, August 18, 2012 (Annual Budget Meeting)

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Saturday, October 20, 2012 (Annual Election Meeting)

Fire SafetyPLAN TO GET OUT ALIVE✔ Do you have a home fire escape plan with a predeter-

mined location to meet outside?✔ Is there at least one smoke detector, per level, in your

home or apartment?✔ Do you test your smoke detectors weekly?

Replace batteries yearly?

PORTABLE KEROSENE HEATERS✔ Do you use ONLY Grade K-1 kerosene?✔ Do you store kerosene in a container for kerosene

heater use only?✔ Do you open a window approx. one inch, for proper

ventilation, when heater is in use?✔ Do you place heater at least 36” away from combustible

material?✔ Do you make sure exits are not blocked by heater?

ELECTRICAL HAZARDS✔ Are there enough electrical outlets in every room?✔ Are you avoiding the use of multiple attachment plugs

and extension cords?

HOUSEKEEPING HAZARDS✔ Do you keep your basement free of rags, papers,

mattresses, and other combustibles?✔ After using oily polishing rags, do you place them in

metal covered cans for disposal?✔ Do you store paint and/or varnish in tightly closed

containers?✔ Has everyone in your family been warned NEVER to

use gasoline or other flammable fluids for cleaningclothes, furnishings or floors?

Photo I.D. CardsFree to members, replacement cards are $5 each. Four (4)

guest passes are alloted to each voting member per lot owned, freeof charge. Replacement guest passes are $2 each.

Renters are allowed photo I.D. cards at a cost of $5 for eachcard issued, provided that the property owner surrenders his/herrights to the amenities. Renters are limited to two adults and fourchildren per household and do not receive guest passes.

February/March 2012WinonaGram • www.winonalakes.net10

WinonaGram • www.winonalakes.netFebruary/March 2012 11

Going Phishing and Other

Adventures in Internet PiracyA Guide to Avoiding Identity Theft and Financial Ruinreprinted from www.geeks.com

Surely you’ve encountered the “Dear Valued Customer”, “Verify Your Account” or“If you don’t respond within 48 hours, your account will be closed” emails flying acrossthe screen, threatening corrective action unless you take the time to respond. Worse yet,what about those pesky pop-up windows that sporadically appear when you visit yourbank’s website, urging you to verify account details

Welcome to the world of Internet piracy and malware, where phishing for dollars netsmore prize money for fraudsters than Drew Carey could ever give away in a singleShowcase Showdown. Acting as legitimate business entities, phishers flood your inboxeswith emails demanding personal information (i.e., your username, password, socialsecurity or driver’s license numbers, banking or credit card numbers) in order to mollifysome threat of dire financial consequence.

They are responsible for the pop-up messages at legitimate websites, or they can spoofthese same legitimate websites, employing official logos (hijacked directly from officialwebsites) and other company paraphernalia as integral parts of their scams. They deployTrojan keystroke loggers and viruses to your PC in order snatch what you type away fromyour fingertips. They may call by phone, using the same threats and tactics to collecttidbits about your life using “social engineering”. In fact, hackers may even take advan-tage of backdoor security lapses in broadband routers to change DNS settings that re-routetraffic to their own websites, executing malicious JavaScript code to mimic legitimatewebsites and hijack your router. Hackers then have access to any username or passwordcombinations you enter as you surf the web.

Armed with your private information, phishers can wreak havoc on your financialwell-being – applying for credit cards and loans, enjoying shopping sprees at Internetmerchants, and draining bank accounts at the speed of light faster than you can say“identity theft.” Just because something looks and sounds legitimate doesn’t mean that itis, and you’re not alone; even the most Internet-savvy users face the dangers of identitytheft if they’re not careful.

According to a joint report issued by the US Department of Homeland Security and theAnti-Phishing Working Group, online thievery is a billion dollar industry and growing insophistication as technology advances. Between March and April 2010 alone,Antiphishing.org reported a substantial increase (55,643 in April compared to 20,871 inMarch) of unique phishing expeditions targeting email, social networking sites and voice-over-IP (VOIP) applications.

Protecting YourselfThe best protection against Internet piracy is not disclosing any information. If you

don’t know the person, don’t say anything, and don’t click on any links within an emailmessage without first verifying the request with the legitimate entity the messengerpurports to represent. A quick search for the company in Google or Yahoo will give youthe relevant information.

If the alleged entity is your bank or credit card institution, use the contact numberlisted on your statements. As a general rule, reputable companies will not collect personalinformation over the Internet because of lax security. If the emails are indeed spam, thegovernment encourages you to forward them to [email protected],[email protected] and to the company being impersonated.

Before entering usernames and passwords, verify that websites are secure by lookingfor the https:// in the URL and the logo of a closed yellow lock in the lower right corner ofthe browser window (or just to the right of to the URL field in IE8.) One caveat does hold,however: Hackers hover like hawks over new technologies, and they will resort to forgeryof these same digital security measures in the pursuit of wealth. Online job seekers makethemselves especially vulnerable to attack by leaving contact information and personalhistories on bulletin boards. Always verify the validity of a source before uploadingpersonal information.

Thwarting unauthorized access to your desktop or notebook computer should be a toppriority as well as creating a barrier between you and the pirates. Use antivirus, firewall,and anti-spyware software on your system, and update these programs regularly. InternetExplorer and Firefox provide excellent tools to monitor fraudulent sites. The phishingfilter bundled in Internet Explorer 8 and 9 (located under the Tools menu) warns users ofpotentially threatening phishing sites by comparing the website against a confirmed list ofsuspect sites. Firefox’s anti-phishing feature functions in much the same way as the IE8filter (access this feature by going to Tools > Options > Security).

For an extra layer of protection, download EarthLink’s free Scam blocker tool-bar add-on application, which also warns users of the security risks associated with a website.Finally, change the default password of your broadband router and/or Wireless AccessPoint (WAP), remove access to unnecessary services like FTP and Telnet on servers, andblock unused ports to prevent tampering or scanning by hackers. If your wireless networkhardware supports it, enable WPA or WPA2 protection, even if you are currently usingWEP which has been inadequate since 2003.

Careful and frequent review of your financial statements will alert you to any unautho-rized charges against your accounts. Contact your bank or credit card company and alertthem immediately to any suspicious activity. You are not liable for credit card charges youdo not authorize. Remember – unless you initiate the contact, reject all requests forpersonal information.

Damage ControlIf you suspect yourself to be a victim of identity theft, you can take the following

measures to minimize damage to your financial reputation:• Change your passwords. Select passwords that do not disclose identifying

details and cannot be associated with you (e.g., your birthday.)• Contact your financial institution immediately, and close any accounts that have

been tampered with.• If you’ve disclosed any personal identifying information, contact one of the

three credit bureaus to determine whether a fraud alert should be placed.• Contact the Social Security Administration to report fraudulent activity.• Report thefts to the local police.• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.org) and the

FTC’s Fraud and ID Theft Division (www.consumer.gov/idtheft).• If your bills do not arrive on time, receive denials of credit for any unknown

reason or find purchases you did not make, call your financial institutionimmediately.

ConclusionInternet piracy is very much alive and rearing its ugly head. It is important to stay

vigilant and avoid becoming a victim of identity theft and the financial ruin that canensue. Closing backdoor security lapses, avoiding unfamiliar emails altogether, andmaintaining your security and antivirus software will aid in the fight against malicioushackers.

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