Clinton Township Newsletter

1 M a r c h 2 0 1 4 J u l i e F ly n n, e d i t o r "The Waiting Game" b y r u t h K e e s i n g M a r c h 2014 Since 1982 C L I N T O N T O W N S H I P N e w s l e t t e r ® If I added up all the hours I've spent waiting in Doctor's offices, it would probably equal several decades of my life. When I enter waiting rooms I im- mediately take note of how many other patients are already seated in those hard, uncomfortable chairs. I pretend to read last year's Field & Stream, but in actuality I'm checking out my companions, silently diagnosing ailments. Are one of those dudes contagious? Each time the beaming nurse comes in to mispronounce a name my heart skips a beat in anticipation of hearing mine at last. As the sun starts to fade in the West I am finally THE CHOSEN ONE. I glance triumphantly at the others and follow the ungodly cheerful nurse to a smaller waiting room where I am soon to sit on a sheet of brittle paper on a narrow table wearing a short "gown" whose string ties are all missing. The room temperature hovers between 20 below zero to 20 above. By now I don't care if the entire United States Marine Corps marches by to do a preliminary examination. I just want some undivided attention–preferably by the designated doctor. Physician Assistants are better looking by the minute. For those of you who will face similar situations, I'd like to offer a few suggestions to make your next doctor's visit more productive. • If you've ever considered authoring your memoirs, this would be an ideal time to start Chapter One. My guess is that you will complete at least two chapters before seeing the Doctor. • If any of the magazines are more than 2 months old (and they will be) you have my permission to tear out any recipes or articles that might enhance your life. • Compile a list of your current medications. I like mine in al- phabetical order, e.g. aspirin, Benzepril, Crestor, etcetera. • Review your insurance coverage and be sure to know what is NOT covered. That will surely be the very problem you are there for. You could bite the bullet and self-pay or skip the entire prescribed procedure. Either way is unlikely to affect your health anyway. • Make friends with the other patients and share each other's symptoms and diagnoses. I find it reassuring to chat with someone who looks and feels worse than I do. Be sure to tell an other patient assorted tales of relatives who had similar symptoms but have since passed away. • Listen to your iPod, humming or singing loudly to old Henry Mancini selections. You run the risk of being labeled a nut, but think how you will brighten the day for the other patients. As a patient, I have very little patience. As a final suggestion, have a list of specific questions for your physician. Try starting with "Why do I al- ways have to wait so long to see you?" The least he or she can do is answer that one. Be aware that every answer costs $$$. SAFE in Hunterdon's 2014 Evening of Awareness Honoring Lisa and Peter Verniero Fiddler's Elbow Country Club in Bedminster, Friday, April 4 When getting involved with local causes, I've found that my greatest reward is in getting to know more of the fantastic people of Hunterdon County. At SAFE in Hunterdon's "Evening of Awareness" on Friday, April 4 I'm thrilled to help honor two of Clinton Township's nicest and most gracious residents – Lisa and Peter Verniero. The Vernieros are being honored for their many years of service to SAFE and our community as volunteers, fundraisers and advocates for positive social change. In the words of Event co-Chairs Rita Myers and Kathy Oldakowski, "The Evening of Awareness is an important opportunity to give victims of abuse a voice, and to stimulate critical community support. We are thrilled to honor the Vernieros who have so consistently and positively impacted SAFE, the quality of life in our County and in our State." As long time residents of Clinton Town- ship, the Vernieros have a remarkable legacy of service. Lisa has been an active and energetic volunteer for SAFE since 2007, when she was asked by Board Member Judy Dilts to help with that year's Evening of Awareness Gala. Lisa emphasized that "the ask" is important, as so many people are interested in helping in their communities but don't know how to get involved. Since that time, Lisa has led numerous fundraising efforts to sustain the agency's core mission. Without diverting from the needs of SAFE and the many victims it supports, her community involvement extends to include work on the Clinton Township Parent Teacher Association Board of Directors and volunteer posi- tions with Hunterdon Medical Center, St. Joseph's Church, Meals on Wheels and Crime Stoppers of Hunterdon County. Peter's commitment to the protection of our most vulnerable citizens is reflected is his longstanding career. During his tenure as Attorney General of New Jersey, his dedication to protecting children and victims of crime and sexual abuse were far-reaching and included improving handling of sexual assault cases by establishing statewide standards for the treatment of victims, enhancing safety in our schools by creating a manual for localities to prevent violence in public schools and defending Megan's Law. As a justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court, he authored numerous opinions, in- cluding the Court's opinion upholding random drug and alcohol testing for high school students. More recently, Peter served as co-chair for the New Jersey SAFE Task Force, which examined the root causes of mass violence in our society and arrived at recommendations to help mitigate these causes. The task force delivered a report to Governor Chris Christie that explored the role that gun control, mental "No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave." ~Calvin Coolidge EDITOR'S COLUMN b y J u l i e F ly n n & g u e s t c a n d i c e t e u b e r In the midst of the American Revolution, General George Washington issued an official proclamation in recognition of St. Patrick's Day, on March 17, 1780 in Morristown, NJ, in honor of the high percentage of Irish troops under his command. ...continued on page 3

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