Clinton Township Newsletter

2 F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 8 www.ClintonTwpNewsletter.com Somehow I thought getting to be 90 years old would take longer. Wasn't it only last month that I was celebrating 75 years of age? Recently I was looking for an old classmate's telephone number in my well worn telephone/address book. No other single item chronicles the passage of time as thoroughly as that little green book. These days there are more cross-outs than new additions. The book is almost full, mainly because of all those names crossed out – friends, classmates, acquaintances and even a few doctors who have passed away over the years. Some, thankfully, have just changed addresses. I marvel that I am still alive and kicking, maybe because there are an uncanny number of "ologists" listed. The "G"s take a lot of pages. I used to be "Ruth Gilbert," so my son and his family are carrying on the Gilbert name and fill many pages. The grandkids keep changing their residences. Just when I'm certain everyone has settled down they up and move, so it's no wonder the "G"s are a messy jumble. My daughter and her husband keep a Morristown address, but their daughter has changed husbands and addresses with no regard at all for my "D" pages. If she decides to move again I will have to replace my repository of information with a new version. I keep in touch with Fred's two grandchildren and their pages are in constant need of editing as well. A dear childhood friend from out-of-state was a recent cross-out and it broke my heart to lose someone I've known for decades. Two friends from the 1930's are alive and well in California and I thank goodness for the telephone and e-mails. So many Christmas card addresses that started out as apartments then went to single family homes. Over the years there are a lot of assisted living facilities and, in a few cases, nursing homes. Of course I have added quite a few newer names and addresses of younger friends who have happily joined my life. No doubt I will soon be a cross-out in their address books. Do people still keep Rolodexes with that kind of vital information? I guess smart phones contain addresses and telephone numbers and when someone exits this earth all you have to do is press "delete". Now that's a chilling thought! It's just too simple and much too fast. At least I can still browse through the last few decades of my life by thumbing through that little green book with all its memories of lives lived and lost. Being 90 probably has its disadvantages so I hope you won't press "delete" for a while on the Ruth Keesing page. www.RetireStrategically.com Don't Just Retire... Retire Strategically. Mark Chioda Managing Director/CEO • Income Planning • Insurance • Social Security Planning • Annuities • LTC ...and more! Call 908.797.3881 We'll Make Your Money Work For You! retirement planning services Shirley (Sherry) Havens CRS, GRI, SRES ® Sales Associate Because the Right Realtor Really Makes the Difference. Questions About Real Estate? Ask Sherry Over 30 Years Serving Huntercon, Somerset, Warren and Morris Counties cell: 908.507.4927 office: 908.735.8080, ext. 145 shirleyhavens@gmail.com sherryhavens.com Locally Owned and Operated by Phil & Diane Koury 185 Center Street Clinton 908.735.4499 www.MyLocalMcDs.com/11829 NOW HIRING SMILING FACES! (14 years old and up) $1 menu items Sausage Burrito McChicken Cheeseburger Any Size Soft Drink $2 menu items Sausage McGriddles 2-piece Buttermilk Crispy Tenders Bacon McDouble (Sm) McCafé Beverage** $3 menu items Sausage McMuffin w/ Egg NEW Classic Chicken Sandwich Triple Cheeseburger Happy Meal Happy 90th Birthday, Ruth! – Julie "Dear Julie, A word of thanks for including us in the Newsletter! Not only has our attendance grown these past three months, but we've begun to host experienced headliners who "saw us in the Newsletter" January's open mic was a landmark event! Thanks so much!" – Mark Fresolone, First Friday Open Mic So glad we could help, Mark! Readers, look for info about the First Friday Open Mic for February in this issue! Ruth Keesing has published a revised edition of her booklet "What Do I Do Now?" – a practical guide for surviving the tasks associated with the death of a loved one. It addresses Probating a Will, Social Security, Military Benefits, Funeral Information and other relevant subjects. And, most importantly, What To Do While Everybody is Still Alive. If you're interested in purchasing a copy, email Ruth @ ruth.ella@comcast.net. Also available at the Clinton Book Store!

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