ELDER LAW FAQS

A few weeks ago I attended a Somers Lions Club meeting. It was my first meeting and I had a chance to meet many Somers residents, entrepreneurs and community builders.

A guest speaker, Tracy Christen Reimann, Esq. gave a very interesting and informative presentation regarding Elder Law and it's impact on the family. Ms. Reimann persented this information using common scenarios and giving easy to understand solutions. The following is taken from that presentation. I hope you find this information as helpful as I did.

Go to www.elderlawfaqs.blogspot.com for the facts!

Ice Fishing Tips & Safety Hints

1. Charge up your batteries
It's recommended that during storage in the off season, you periodically charge batteries used in flashers and underwater camera systems. If you've been neglecting your batteries, charge them right away. While you're at it, give your electronics an overhaul and make sure everything is in working order. Without these tools you'll be fishing blind.

2. Give your auger an overhaul
Whether you use a manual or a gas-powered auger, give it an overhaul before the ice hits, checking blades and tightening screws. For a power auger, start it up, make sure you've got a spare spark plug and enough oil for the season. If there's anything wrong with your gas auger get it serviced right away by an authorized dealer.

3. Spruce up the shelter
It's a good idea to check your portable shelter and get it out of storage to make sure everything is in working order. Things that you might have forgotten about since your last outing (like a tear in the material) or storage surprises (like mice nesting in the unit) are problems to be dealt before your first ice trip of the season. Simply assemble the hut and check for tears in fabric, tighten bolts and nuts, ensure the tow rope is ok, and so on.

4. Get your accessories ready
Take some time to ponder your past trips and stock up on items you need for ice fishing. Here are a few suggestions: a headlamp with fresh batteries, a thermos, a warmer pair of boots, a new ice scoop, a minnow bucket and net, a tackle storage bag and see-through plastic tackle boxes.

5. Get your safety gear in order
Don't neglect your safety gear. Make sure you've got ice picks, a throw line, a 2-way radio batteries with fresh batteries, a first aid kit, and a bag of spare clothes in case you get wet.

6. Scout out lakes
With open water season still here take the time to investigate some lakes you plan on ice fishing. Mark good-looking spots in your GPS or on a hydrographic map and pay close attention to where there are still healthy weeds; these spots are prime at first ice.

7. Check your rods.
Did you bust a rod last year that you haven't replaced yet? Well now's the time to carefully inspect all your fishing rods, replacing any broken ones and adding to your collection. Also, to keep your rods organized and protected consider buying a rod carrying case, like HT's Rod Locker or Tackle Tote.

8. Spool up your reels.
Put some fresh line on your reels. Remember to first put a layer of mono backing on if using braid. You might also want to lube reels up with a cold temperature grease.

9. Get your tip-ups ready
Hopefully you didn't store tip-ups in the heat over the summer. If so, and you're using underwater models, they might have leaked grease and will need to be lubricated. Also, check that you've got enough line on the spools.

10.Organize and overhaul your tackle.
Go through your tackle and make a list of what's missing (do you have enough lures as well as terminal tackle). Stock up on these items now before tackle shops run short once ice season is in full swing. Once you've got your tackle, get it ready by popping paint out of lure eyes, sharpening hooks, and organizing it in storage cases.
__________________

Lets Talk Turkey!!!!

As a Somers resident for the last 14 years, I have had the opportunity to encounter some pretty interesting wildlife. For instance, my back yard in West Somers Park has been crossed many times by raccoons, cayote, snapping turtles, frogs and of course, deer. However, one day I stepped outside to see the invasion of turkeys. They stayed for a few hours and left as suddenly as they arrived.

The USS Somers - A Clemson Class Destroyer

USS Somers (Destroyer # 301, later DD-301), 1920-1931
USS Somers, a 1190-ton Clemson class destroyer, was built at San Francisco, California. Commissioned in June 1920, a few weeks later she was given the hull number DD-301. Following a brief period of active service that ended in October 1920, she was in reserve status. In March 1922 Somers resumed fleet duties, undertaking a steady program of exercises and training that lasted for the rest of the decade. During a transit from San Francisco to San Diego on 8 September 1923, she was lightly damaged when seven of her companion destroyers were wrecked in the Honda Point disaster.

Somers mainly served along the West Coast for the rest of her career, but several times went to the East Coast, Caribbean, Hawaii and Panama areas for major U.S. Fleet maneuvers. In July-September 1925, during the inter-war Battle Fleet's longest cruise, she crossed the Pacific to visit Australia, New Zealand and American Samoa. USS Somers was decommissioned in April 1930 and scrapped at the Mare Island Navy Yard in 1930-31.

This Article Courtesy of the Department of the Navy - Naval Historical Center

SOMERS AYSO SOCCER GOING TO NATIONAL TOURNAMENT!

Three teams from our Somers AYSO Soccer league have been invited to compete in the AYSO National Tournament. It will take place this coming July in Florida. Somers AYSO participated in this tournament in July 2007 when it took place in Hawaii.

There will be many upcoming fund raising events that are run by the teams themselves and is strickly volunteer driven.

On Friday November 13th from 7:30 to 9:00pm there is a Wine Tasting Event taking place at Somers Discount Wines which is located in the Somerstown Center, Route 202/100. Somers Discount Wines will be donating 20% of all wines sales to the team. A generous gesture indeed. Tickets are $10.00 per person and are raffle tickets for a $300.00 prize.

This is a perfect opportunity to purchase your Holiday wine, etc. and to help a wonderful organization, which by the way is run by wonderful people who work very hard and volunteer so much of their own time for these kids (my 14 year old son being one of them). It makes me proud to live in Somers, NY.

Donations are tax deductible.

For more information about this years AYSO Fundraising efforts please email fwright@nwhc.net

Destination Imagination - Somers Students Compete Globally

I recently attended the Somers AYSO Soccer end of year barbeque and found out that 2 groups of students from the Somers Middle School and Somers Intermediate School had competed in the Global Destination Imagination competition held in Knoxville, Tennessee back in May. This event includes students from just about everywhere. Using imagination these students prepare a presentation and are graded on content and performance. The students from the Somers Middle School won the Project Outreach - Take Charge competition, besting all comers. The Somers Intermediate students placed 16th in a group of about 70. Congratulations to both squads for a job well done. You have made our Town of Somers, New York proud! One of the really fun things the students were able to participate in was PIN TRADING. I had the pleasure of seeing Lauren Chirabogas' awesome pin collection. There must have been 100 of them from everywhere. Naturally the one I liked the best was the Somers "CUTIE PI" (Get It?). For more information please go to http://globalfinals.org/about_knoxville.htm to view results and all of the other happenings at Global Destination Imagination.

The North County Trailway - Now our Bicycle Trail

The North County Trailway on the right-of-way of the former Putnam Division of the New York Central Railroad. The "OLD PUT" provided service from 1881 to 1958 between the Bronx in New York City and Brewster in Putnam County. In the Town of Somers, the railroad traversed the western part of the town through Amawalk, Granite Springs and Baldwin Place, just over the Putnam County line.

The Granite Springs Old Put depot brought new life to a Hamlet, originally known as West Somers that had been in existence since the Revolutionary War. A hotel and two stores were build next to the depot. The post office was moved from its original location a mile east to take advantage of the improved mail service the railroad ushered in. The Hamlet had its own district school (the schoolhouse is now a private residence)for the education of its elementary school students. The older students commuted to Yorktown on the Old Put. In 1904 the Episcopal Church was erected on land opposite the depot. The Church of the Good Shepherd is still an active congregation woprshipping in its second building located on Granite Springs Road, about a quarter mile south of the former church.

This excerpt is taken from the North County Trail sign that is at it's Mahopac Avenue intersection near the post office.