Clinton Township Newsletter

1 N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 6 November 2016 Since 1982 – Julie Fl�nn Jie Fly, Edit Jie Fly, Edit This Thanksgiving I am mostly thankful to be alive and functioning. With both my parents only making it to their early 50's, I never expected such blessed longevity. I'm thankful for so many wonderful, loyal friends. Two I've known since kindergarten days and one is brand new this year. They make my social life a series of enjoyable occasions. I am thankful for a family that guarantees me lots of love and support when I need them (which is pretty regularly). Thanks to Joe who never fails to make me feel young again. But this column is dedicated to some of the folks who make it possible for me to remain in residence at 29 Charlotte Drive in spite of growing infirmities. Larry Wuest takes care of all things related to lawn and landscaping and weeding and snow removal in the Winter. He always seems to be grooming the old homestead for a cover of "Better Homes & Gardens". His wife, Anita, bakes the best Christmas cookies since Betty Crocker. They treat me like an adopted Grandmother. Ron Loalbo is my man Friday (Saturday, Sunday, etc.). Do I need to replace a light bulb? Dump a heavy bag of salt into the water softener? Assemble a stick vacuum? Whatever the task is I know Ron is only a phone call away and ready to share a cup of coffee and interesting conversation. Marguerite Andres makes the inside of the house shine and I would be truly lost without her. Maybe not "lost", but probably in great pain from trying to dust low chair rungs. Mike Ramsey is johnny on the spot when my "johnnys" or sinks or pipes need attention. I call. He comes. Like his Father before him. Tony Maglio solves electrical disasters quickly and efficiently. And Ron Dietrich is my master mason. I'm even grateful for Van Doren Oil and Stryker Cooling because "rapid response" is their modus operandi. My furnace and AC hum with contentment. All of my neighbors on Charlotte Drive make me thankful. Nancy keeps track of the weather and never fails to keep track of me as well. Katie and I share lunches and coffee klatsches and manage to chat for hours on end. Next door and across the street my neighbors are all winners. And last, but never least, there is Julie Flynn who publishes this 34 year old Newsletter in a way that would make Fred proud. She is more like an adopted daughter to me! I must certainly mention my thankfulness for 27 years of volunteering at Hunterdon Medical Center. Thanks for morning coffee, nightly Scotches, bubble baths, Netflix, e-mails, Harold (my faithful Honda) and all the joys of everyday life. And Great Grandchild #3 is due soon. Could things be any better? I used to be one of those p e o p l e w h o c o u l d easily say the phrase "Everything happens for a reason." That terrible Tuesday in September of 2001 changed m y t h i n k i n g p e r m a n e n t l y . My philosophy is now one of "Everything has a way of working out." This past weekend I had, as they say, one job to do (consisting of several parts). Register my child for the SAT: check. Print out ticket: check. Buy #2 pencils and a snack: check and check. Wake up early on test day to cook my son a healthy breakfast: check. Make sure he's awake as well: check. Drive my son to the test location early: check. Patting myself on the back for a job well done, I chatted (of course) with a neighbor in the parking lot and then made my way home, knowing that my son had studied for this test for months and he was well prepared. When I returned home I discovered that I had dropped off younger son at the wrong test location. Having battled allergies (my best excuse for this situation) for a week left me on auto-pilot. I failed to check the ticket carefully and, I suppose, drove to the test location that just "felt right". Of course, this was way-wrong. I then sped back to North, picked up my younger son and sped to the correct school, arriving 5 minutes after the doors closed. The look that the door monitor shot me was one that Lucy gave Charlie Brown a million times. I felt pretty block-headed after that, but then found out the next day that the proctor at my son's correct test location, upon finding out that she had no official method of keeping the time, seemed to follow the lyrics of the band Chicago's song, "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" which continues, "I don't... Does anybody really care... about time? If so I can't imagine why..." The kids then raced to a different classroom, left parts undone and experienced extra aggravation during one of the more (arguably) most important tests of their lives. Perhaps it's a good thing my younger son missed that one. Speaking of making the mistake of going with the choice that "just feels right", I probably don't need to remind you that we have an important election coming up this month. (Like how I accomplished that segue just now?) I urge you all to do your research, read everything you can, make an informed decision and remember to vote on Tuesday, November 8! Speaking of which, North has an important message about the referendum vote (on page 3 of this issue) that I hope you'll all take the time to read and research. Last but not least, we have a great American holiday this month! While I know that you all have suffered tragedies and your share of conflicts over the last several years, I also believe that we in Hunterdon County are truly blessed. And, as always, I'm grateful for all of you this Thanksgiving... "I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual." ~ Henry David Thoreau I hope you have a wonderful one! Clinton Township's Leaf Pickup Program is on page 6!

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