Clinton Township Newsletter

2 M a r c h 2 0 1 8 www.ClintonTwpNewsletter.com 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 For decades after Fred and I moved into 29 Charlotte Drive there were countless families of mice vacationing in the basement and attic during the cold Winter months. I wouldn't have minded these temporary residents except for the SMELL they exuded which permeated every nook and cranny of our living area and which no amount of air freshener would get rid of. Sometimes they hid in the walls so there was nothing to do but wait until they departed the premises (one way or another). I prepared for the hunt by shining a huge flashlight into every known space – half hoping I wouldn't find another disintegrated body to dispose of. Yes, we got an exterminator, but even he couldn't track down Mickey and Minnie and their odoriferous relatives. Eventually, I switched to Cavanaugh's and lo and behold my mouse visitors disappeared. Or rather they devoured the bait in many well-placed boxes and left with full stomachs and a serious thirst that sent them outside on a quest for water. My purchases of Febreeze air freshener slowed almost to a halt and the ambience in the house went to a "10". Years ago a very sick and foaming raccoon camped out next to the hot water heater in the cellar. We'll never know how it got there. We called the Clinton Township Police Department and a very nice policeman came and offered to shoot it. I think his words were "to put it out of its misery". The caveat being that he just might accidently shoot a hole in the water heater as well. We declined his well-meaning offer and Fred ended up whacking the critter with a shovel. To this day I don't know all the details and I don't want to. I've dealt with bears on several occasions. Calling Fish & Wildlife is a futile endeavor. They definitely favor a bear over a person. They asked me to check behind the bear's left ear to see if it was tagged. I kid you not! This is the absolute truth. They reminded me that he (or she) was in the neighborhood long before our house was built and we needed to learn respect for the wildlife. To this day I carry a loud whistle when I take my morning walk in case I encounter a big brown bear with territorial rights. It somehow makes me feel safer... which may be "famous last words". The deer chew up the shrubs but they are so sweet and docile and I enjoy seeing them roaming the yard at sunrise and sunset. Contrary to what you may have surmised I do like animals and was the mother of a Boston Terrier (Peggy) for many years when the kids were little. But let's face it – animals are animals and people are people. I have a stuffed dog who looks a lot like Peggy did but doesn't bark or pee which makes her so much more lovable. I once had a goldfish and a turtle but that's another sad story. Even plants seldom survive in my home. 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! Locally Owned and Operated by Phil & Diane Koury 185 Center St., Clinton | 908.735.4499 www.MyLocalMcDs.com/11829 Don't Miss the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Downtown Clinton on Sunday, March 11 at 3:00 pm and the Aer-Party following the Parade at the Historic Red Mill! Info and party tickets: www.FSSPHunterdon.com Read the article in this issue for more information

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