From Jack Marin - Pets, Your Responsibility

Why my grandchildren cannot play around my house:

My granddaughters and I were walking the area around my house, which includes the pond, when one of them bent down and put her hands in a grassy patch. I noticed it was wet on the concrete that surrounded this patch of grass and realized it was the result of one of the dogs urinating. I quickly rushed them into the house trying to keep them from touching parts of their body until I could get their hands thoroughly washed.

When I purchased my house I paid extra for the pond view and still pay higher real estate taxes for that same view. They didn't tell me that what I thought was a scenic pond was really the sewer system for all of the pets (dogs) in the area. I cannot sit down to a meal in my kitchen, which overlooks the pond, without having at least one dog defecate and urinate in front of me. To their credit their owners never fail to bag the results, but, that does not enhance my ambiance. Of course when we have company over they get to enjoy the same ambiance. I should also point out that the constant urinating does damage the grass and landscaping, my view.

The Association has tried sending emails, but, clearly that does not work. I suggested putting up signs, but, that was turned down by the board. I agree with the last association email that requested that owners have their loved pets complete their bathroom needs on their own property and then take the walk. I wonder what they find objectionable about their pets defecating and urinating on or near their own environment?

Community Property and DOGS - From The Sigman's

We have written various e-mails to community management regarding "community property and dogs" - thus far to no avail.
We understand that the appearance of the community is important to everyone including us (Cheryl and Steven Sigman - 3 Devonshire Way). We have been living here for over 5 years and have made many wonderful friends. Unfortunately, we've made a few enemies as well due to the lack of a designated area for our dog, Seymour, and the other four-legged residents that enjoy the over 55 lifestyle here at Four Seasons Metedeconk.
When we moved here we were welcomed to the community with two children over age 19 and one dog. This was one of the few communities in the area which did not limit us to only one adult child nor did they put a restriction on pet ownership. We have done all that we could to restrict Seymour to areas where there are no houses, although, there is NO AREA presently which is not designated as community property. We keep him on our property but sometimes dogs want to walk around and enjoy the neighborhood too. We clean up after him all the time and dispose of his wastes properly. It is not fair to expect us to drive him outside of Metedeconk to relieve himself - especially since, as we all know, the urge may strike more than once a day. Nor is it physically possible to restrain a dog from urinating even curbside and targeting only the sidewalls rather than the adjacent grass (community property, sorry!)
As pet owners and residents desiring to live within an attractive and friendly community, we firmly and vehemently suggest that an area be designated for dog walking and relief! We are just as tired of the negative comments and dirty looks from our neighbors as they are of us walking our pets on "Community Property".

A Neighbor's Family Loss - From Hal Wohl

‘Minyan Prayer Group’
Formed

It was the desire of a number of members of our community to form a ‘Minyan Prayer Group’ that would come to the aid of a Jewish family observing the Shivah (explained below). The group has the necessary materials for the conduction of the ‘Minyanim Service’, and would also supply the number of participants needed.

The driving forces behind the effort to organize such a group were Irwin Schubert, Joel Moskow, Hal Wohl, and Ike Shalom. The group currently has 31 resident members, and their wives, making a total of 62 people. Any member of our community in need of the services of the group, or knowing of a neighbor who is in such need, please call:

Hal & Marsha Wohl – 732 928-5621

An Explanation of Jewish Customs during
The Mourning of the death of a family member

As explained from the writings of Stephen Butterfass, for Religious Living on the Web

The period of mourning, for a Jew, begins as soon as the burial is over. On the first day of mourning, as an act of consideration for the needs of the mourners, Jewish tradition mandated that the bereaved were not to eat their own food as their first meal after the funeral. It is a mitzvah (a blessing) for friends and neighbors or for members of the community, to prepare a meal of condolence to be provided the mourners on returning from the cemetery. This practice is common to all branches of Judaism and should be considered an important act of sensitivity to another's need.

Visiting a house of mourning to comfort the family by your presence and to join together in prayer is also considered a blessing. The Jewish community is expected to join a minyan to honor the dead and comfort the bereaved. You need not have known the deceased or the family. What is required is the performance of the mitzvah. Those who visit a house of mourning should neither ring the bell nor knock before entering. The tradition also frowns on frivolous conversation. Visitors were traditionally not supposed to speak with the mourner until spoken to.

Following the funeral, there are seven days of intense mourning, called Shivah, or "seven". During these seven days, the tradition stated that it was forbidden to wear leather shoes, to work, to cover mirrors and pictures, not shave, and the sit on boxes or low stools, among other customs. The practice of observing shivah for a full seven days is not obligatory in Reform Judaism and should be a personal decision. Reform practice seems to consider three days as the minimum period of mourning and for the holding of minyanim, prayer services, at the home.

GE Gold Dishwasher - Jo Ann Devory

Has anyone had a problem with their GE Gold Dishwasher?

Ours is only 1 ½ years old and the entire electronic panel burned out! During one night, last week, I smelled wires burning and found that the dishwasher panel was lit up and blinking like a Christmas Tree! I pulled the circuit breaker. Since then Sears/A&E repair service came and determined the entire circuit panel is not working and will be replaced at a cost of over $200! If others in our community have had the same problem, we may start an effort to have GE recall/pay for repair. Please leave a message on the Blog or contact me: 732-276-6591 or devory02@optonline.net