Next Issue Golf Outing Time Again!

Page 2
Deadline for August and September 2010
Submissions is
September 15th Dutchland Woods At Home
Because Home Is Where One Starts
www.Dutchlandwoodsathome.com
Lakota Local Schools Places Levy on Ballot… What It Means To You…
And The Kids!

Neighbor to Neighbor
There are many needy children who
may not have enough to get started
back to school with everything they
need. Please consider helping fill 5
back packs for needy children in our
SELECTED NEWS STORY area. See page 5 for details.
July 13, 2010

Lakota Places Levy on Ballot -- First of Two Votes

The Lakota Board of Education took the first of two steps necessary to place a 7.9 mil Emergency levy on
the November ballot. The levy will raise approximately $21,750,000 per year for ten years for the dis-
trict, and is estimated to cost approximately $231 per year per $100,000 home valuation (or
$19.29 per month).

Lakota is facing an expected negative cash balance of $10 million in 2012, and the funding received from
this levy will ensure that Lakota is able to maintain basic classroom instruction for the 18,500
students who attend 22 Lakota schools. The Board will approve the second vote later this month to
meet the requirements for placing a levy on the ballot.

Since 2008, Lakota has cut $13 million from its daily operating budget in an effort to tighten
its belt in these tough economic times. The reductions have included the elimination of over
75 positions, changes to services such as transportation, and fee increases. Additionally, while working
to maintain the classroom, administrators are now splitting buildings in some cases as well as the educa-
tional support staff across the district being significantly reduced. Student offerings such as athletics and
extracurricular activities have also been reduced in an effort to remove dollars from the operating
budget.

“While a 7.9 mil levy will help us in maintaining our programs, unfortunately, in order to re-
main solvent as required by the state, we will need to continue our reductions and remove
even more from our budget,” remarked Superintendent Mike Taylor. “We have already under-
gone many painful rounds of budget reductions which is leading to the dismantling of the ex-
cellent educational programs that this community has built over time, and I am not looking
forward to the continuation of this. Should this levy not pass, we will be forced to offer Lakota
students state minimum education.” He continued.
Ladies sewing circle coming soon…. Look in-
Contact: Laura Kursman, 874-5505
side on page 3 for more information!
Date: July 13, 2010 From www.Lakotaonline.com
P a g e 2
Dutchland Woods At Home Page 3

Dutchland Wood’s Social and Rec Proudly Presents “Papa John’s Pizza Night”!
The First Monday of Every Month
Swing by the White House between 4:30 and 7:00 pm
Pick Up Your Choice of:
Medium Pepperoni or Extra Cheese Pizzas
Or Breadsticks! Any of these items are $6.00 each!
All proceeds benefits the Social and Recreation Committee’s Activities!
DID YOU KNOW?…..
These fundraisers pay for the social and rec committee activities for the community!
For More information Please contact Jodi Strutz at 254-0301
Sharon Mohan–Pierce 759-4160

Ladies Sewing Circle….

Bring what you are working on and let’s just enjoy
and learn from one another! Opportunity to begin
crocheting, knitting, quilting and more.
Looking for ladies to who need a break for two
hours a week to support one another and create com-
munity friendships. How about creat-
Availability to meet at each other’s homes or possi- ing a Halloween
bly The White House. costume from a
Ladies Sewing Circle to begin in September. pattern this year?
Call or email for details. Brenda 755-9597 The group could
help you get
brendaswigert@gmail.com
started or finish.

Call Tracy @777 -1147 or 324-0339

*Room special is for one coat (second coat $25),
14’x14’ room max, 9’ ceiling height max, and does
not include ceiling, trim, or cost of paint.
Tracy grew up here in Dutchland Woods and contin-
ues to donate time to improve our White House.
Her parents still reside here!
 Nicholas D. Perrino, Esq. President
8080 Beckett Center Drive, Ste. 324 Cell 513-604-8149
West Chester, OH 45069 Fax 513-870-9034
Phone 513-870-9033 Nick@ProdigyTitle.com

Preparing a Will

Not enough people have prepared their will.

A fairly simple estate can turn into a complicated mess for heirs if someone passes without
a will, especially when there are minor children involved.

When a Court cannot look to you for direction, they look for the right path by using Statutes.
Often, what the Statutes recommend is far different than what you would have preferred. Can
a Statute say who is the right person to take care of your children?

The lack of a will can also lead to bitter fights between the heirs. When there is no clear di-
rection, heirs are forced to raise the volume to be heard, and unfortunately the quietest heirs
are probably the ones you want to have the most control.
So its time to stop procrastinating. Get your will finished and marked off the things-to-do
list. You can prevent a lot of problems in the future with just a little effort today.

Call Nick Perrino at Prodigy Plus Title Agency to prepare your will.

Did You Know?

Realtor.com is the #1 Real Estate Web site for both buyers
and sellers? This is the only website supported by The Na-
tional Association of Realtors.
On Realtor.com you can see all homes listed across the USA
regardless of who they are listed with. Enhanced Listings
allows agents to feature up to 25 pictures, post open house
information and messages to buyers that scroll across the page.
Did you know that homes with more than 6 pictures have a Jack Lewis Insurance
greater chance of being viewed online?
How do you know if your Realtor has their listings 8585 Mason Montgomery Rd
enhanced? Mason, Ohio 45040
You’ll find all featured listings highlighted in yellow with Office: 513-229-8928
the agent’s personal contact information. Why is that so Fax: 513-842-4361
important? I want my listings being serviced by myself. No
Cell: 513-505-7654
other agent in the office will know as much about the list-
jacklewisinsurance@yahoo.com
ing as the listing agent. I’m passionate about Dutchland Jack Lewis,
Woods and love having the opportunity to speak about what Agent
“Advice...not simply insurance”
all we offer in our neighborhood. This is just one of many ser-
Auto-Home-Life-Health/Medicare-Business/Benefits
vices that I offer to my clients to showcase their homes.
Realtor.com is an important tool in your listing to potential Everyone wants to save
relocation buyers. Tapping into the relocation market can money these days! Let’s
bring you more qualified and motivated buyers, helping you compare rates! Save money!
achieve your goal of sold faster!
 Page 5

5 Back Packs For 5 Wonderful Kids.

Dutchland Woods Gives Big!!
Donate Please… Buy An Item, Pledge it online through email and we’ll cross it off! Bring all items
and drop off at the pool area (box will be there) for you to leave your donations from 12 noon to 9 pm.
the week of August 16-22. Or call me and I’ll pick up your contributions.
If you would like to help put these together call me!
Our Mission: 5 Back Packs for 5 Wonderful 2nd graders
We need 5 Backpacks and the items listed below.
The items below are needed for each back pack!
(1) Spiral Notebook—wide ruled (3) dozen #2 pencils sharpened
(1) each—2 pocket folders (blue, red, green, yellow, purple, black) (1) pencil box-plastic
(2) packs of crayons (24/set) (2) pair of scissors-5” pointed tip
(11) washable glue sticks (1) washable markers-(8/set)
(1) pack of 12 pencil cap erasers (1) set of 24 colored pencils
(1) pack of 3” x 3” yellow post-it-notes (1) Zip Lock Gallon size storage bags
(20ct)
(1) box of tissues
Email me with your choice of donation and we’ll let you know if that item is already taken.
brendaswigert@gmail.com
Back Packs will be given to students along with a card signed by any DW resident who
wishes to encourage these wonderful chil- dren.
Cards will be at the pool daily!
Together we will get through this!
Thank you for considering this mission
to the children at our local school.

Housing Myths Busted!

Two e-mail chains are spreading misinformation about pending legislation, according to The National
Association of Realtors. One claims that the energy bill that’s working its way through Congress would
require home sellers to obtain an energy audit or make energy retrofits before they can sell their home.
In reality, the bill includes a provision that requires new construction to be energy labeled but prohib-
its states from requiring new ratings when the house is resold.
The second e-mail states that the health care bill contains a 4 percent transfer tax on home sales. The
truth is that the bill imposes a 3.8 percent Medicare tax for some high income households that have
“net investment income.”
The tax. Which goes into effect in 2013, applies only to households with adjusted gross income of more
than $250,000 ($200,000 for individuals). Also, since the capital gains exclusion rule is still in effect, the
tax would be charge only on home-sale proceeds that exceed the exclusion amount of $500,00 ($250,000
for individuals). That’s an amount that touches few households.
By Erica Christopher and Robert Freedman
Realtor Magazine July/August 2010 Issue
 P a g e 6

What’s Going On In Dutchland Woods?

Interim Pool Manager...Bob Bailey!

Thanks to Bob Bailey for stepping
in to lend a hand. We appreciate
that Bob is always willing to help
our homeowner’s association and
folks, we shouldn’t take that for
granted. Most of us would like to help until well… we’re asked to do so and then
we realize the commitment of showing up and following through means time out
of our schedule and believe me when I say it also means stress! Bob has been a
trustee for many, many years and stepped down this last year and yet of course he
is still called upon often and thankfully answers the calls as much as possible.

Did you receive the new edition of The Highlights? Sharon Mohan (seen below)
is now the editor of the official Dutchland Woods newsletter.
She gave us a lot of information about what is going on in
our neighborhood and beyond and for the first time that I can
recall we had the scoop from the meeting minutes! I felt like
I was there at the meeting! There were also a list of the cur-
rent board members and a list of phone numbers or con-
tact information for each. Please consider keeping that so
that you can know how to reach a trustee when you need one. Great job
Sharon!! Look forward to the next issue too!

So why are there two newsletters??? For some time prior to Sharon writing this
new edition we didn’t have anyone who was writing regular newsletters. When I
left the board I didn’t want the communication to stop so I chose to pay for the
newsletter myself and continue editing it. I love doing this and for now, we’ll take
a wait and see approach. I hope that you’ll welcome the news from both of us. We
both love our neighborhood and want you in-
formed.
Need to reach The White House? Want to in-
quire about a rental? You can reach the secre-
tary Vicki Bailey at dutchlanwoods@gmail.com
or 8-12 M-F 779-2568
 P a g e 7

Order Your
Children’s
Back to School
Books
Now!

SMALL-$20.00
LARGE-$30.00

Irons Fruit Farm Louden Family Farm

1640 Stubbs Mill Road
Lebanon, OH 45036
Bill Irons (Parents: Ron & Gayle)
513-932-2853
ironsfruitfarm@gmail.com
www.ironsfruitfarm.com
576 North State Route 560
Urbana, OH 43078
Phil Louden
937-653-4558
There are normally 20+ varieties available throughout the season.
The season begins with Paula Red in mid Aug and ends with Granny
Smith in early November. Our cider mill squeezes fresh
“unpasteurized” juice a couple of times a week. Many, many
of our customers have been with us for 15-20 years.
Brenda Swigert CDPE, e-PRO
Your Neighborhood Realtor®
7395 Kingsgate Way
West Chester, OH 45069
Office: 513-874-3300
Cell: 513-378-1461
Follow me on Facebook and Twitter!

I’ve moved to Keller Williams! The greatest compliment I can

receive is a referral from my
Keller Williams is the 3rd neighbors!
largest real estate company in the
USA. They are the fastest grow- New Listing! Enclosed Porch! Lovely Home!
ing real estate company and most
importantly I love that they are a
family centered business. Keller
Williams also is very active in the
community, giving back. Those
are qualities that I admire and
want to be part of. Just wanted
you to know. The office is on
Kingsgate in West Chester! Stop 7169 Tylersville Rd 7208 Shirley Dr.
by and say hello! Brenda West Chester, OH $124,999 West Chester, OH $325,000

New Listing! New Listing! New Listing!

Great Front Porch!

1515 First St 4804 Holly Drive 7985 Ivory Hills

Middletown, OH $88,800 Middletown, OH $95,000 West Chester, OH $239,500

New Listing! New Listing! New Listing!

7601 Mansions Circle 1317 Meadow Vista 8268 Haskall Drive

Mason, OH $105,000 Hamilton Twp, OH $294,900 Colerain, OH $99,999

www.BrendaSwigert.com If you are moving please consider interviewing me.