Guide Me Home to Chatham, NJ

This year’s Harding Township Holiday House Tour will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on December 8, 2011.  The day kicks off with a breakfast at Spring Brook Country Club in Morristown, New Jersey from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., followed by a tour of selected houses in the Harding area. The homes chosen have been decorated for the holidays with the help of local florists and home décor businesses.   Proceeds from this event benefit the Kemmerer Library.

If you are unable to join the tour, you can head directly to the Kemmerer Library’s lower floor for a Holiday Boutique opportunity. The following stores are participating:

• East End Foodies
• Jardiniere Fine Flowers
• Mia Dennis
• Pamela Cassidy Designs
• Patchpoint
• Seasons
• Seasons Gift and Home.com
• The Candy Store of Harding

So come out and enjoy some pre-holiday cheer--you might even cross some gifts off your list! Plus, you will be supporting a wonderful community service, our public library.

Posted by:  Lois Olmstead

Halloween is approaching fast! This year’s spectacular fall weather is perfect for a drive in the country to visit local farms to enjoy some apple picking and fresh cider, or visit a pumpkin patch to get the perfect jack-o’-lantern for Halloween.

Take a relaxing drive through this beautiful part of New Jersey to witness the lovely fall foliage. It’s all happening right now in Harding Township, New Jersey. For those of you in pursuit of these fall activities and in need of the perfect Halloween pumpkin, we have many choices in the area.

Below are some popular spots in or near New Vernon, New Jersey:

• Wightman’s Farm in Harding Township is always a good place start. They have apple orchards for picking, a pumpkin patch, country pies, cider and a corn maze for the children to roam.
• Hillview Farms is in nearby Gillette on Meyersville Road. They have wonderful tractor rides to the apple orchards and pumpkin patch. You can get cider there too!
• Melick’s Farm and Cider Mill in Oldwick is on King Street. They sell apples, pumpkins, and cider made on premises.

Posted by:  Lois Olmstead

Well, none of us will soon forget Irene! It’s doubtful anyone ‘weathered’ the storm without some kind of problem: be it water in basements, trees down, power out, contaminated water, no telephone service, roads closed….. did I forget any big things?

There are stories of near misses and real stress:

Here is one is about a friend whose house was severely damaged by a large tree. Imagine this: The tree fell right on the house leaving a gaping hole. It was a BIG surprise at 4 a.m. with glass flying, house debris, hurricane winds and rain showering in on them. Quite the alarm clock! They are lucky the tree stopped a few feet from them as they lay in bed. A guardian angel story, as no one was hurt! People are irreplaceable, but things and buildings are.

There are funny stories as well:

This is one I couldn’t resist mentioning!

A friend told me she is still out of power, but not a problem. They have a generator. I asked what was running on the generator, this was the response, “The refrigerator, the kitchen lights, the powder room, the well and an outlet for the hair dryer!” I never laughed so hard! She made sure there was a dedicated outlet in the bedroom for the hair dryer, not for the coffee maker, microwave, or toaster.

The funniest story:

This story was retold to me as follows: Friend #1who had no power, water or phone service calls friend #2. Friend #2 offers to have friend #1 stay with them but her washing machine does not work. Friend #1 one says, “Thank you, let me call you back. “ A few hours later Friend #1 does call back. This is what she says, “Thank you so much for your offer, but I won’t need your help. I decided to book a trip to Paris and bring my laundry along. I will ride it out in Paris and return in a few weeks!” Now that is a great solution to the problem!

Stay safe, until next time.

Posted by:  Lois Olmstead

Turpin Real Estate, in partnership with the Summit Red Cross through the Regional Red Cross, is sponsoring a Blood Drive at the Chatham Library on July 8th from 10-3pm.

We hope that many of you can join us in this much needed community service. There is always a pressing need for blood donations. Those of you who have needed blood in the past know the joy of receiving. Those of you who donate would experience the joy of giving!

The national average for donating blood is just 5% of the general population. In New Jersey the number is a paltry 3%. Let’s all join forces and turn these statistics around! We all watch the news and see things we can’t change but which move us.

This is an opportunity to do something local that will make a huge difference in the life of a neighbor, a friend, a family member or maybe even you in the near future.

The Important Points to Remember

WHEN:

July 8 10AM-3PM
Please give two available times throughout the day. The schedule is set for 15 min. intervals on the hour.
Please provide both email and phone contact information.
Appointments Are Preferred!
For an appointment, please call the Turpin Chatham Office at 973-635-5555 or sign-up online at: redcrossblood.org and enter Sponsor Code:15201.
Walk –in’s are always welcome!

WHERE:

The Chatham Library
214 Main Street
Chatham, New Jersey

WHO:

Anyone over 16 can donate. Those 16 years of age need written parental permission and must be over 110 pounds. You can learn more at redcrossblood.org.
It takes total of about 45 minutes to 1 hour, start to finish.
The actual blood donation takes 5-8 minutes.
You should eat a healthy breakfast or lunch: include proteins and iron rich foods like red meat, fish, poultry, beans, fortified cereals and raisins.
Drink a few extra glasses of water or fluids in the days before donating. Start the day with a glass of water or OJ. If you drink water within 10-30 minutes before donating you may be less likely to experience dizziness and lightheadedness.

What Happens During the Donation

REGISTRATION:

Bring a photo id.
List of medications you are taking.
List of places traveled outside the US and Canada in the last 12 months.
Read material given and ask questions.

HEALTH HISTORY AND PHYSICAL:

You should feel well and healthy.
They will take blood pressure, temperature and blood count.
They will meet you in a private setting to take a confidential interview.

DONATION:

They cleanse your arm and insert the needle.
You can read, talk or listen to music.
They remove needle and cover with bandage.

POST DONATION:

Sit and relax for 15 minutes or more and have a snack.
Take a few extra glasses of fluids to stay well hydrated throughout the day.

I thank you all in advance as I have full confidence we can gather enough people to make this a great drive. If you have any questions, or just need information, please call me or email me.
973-635-5555

Posted by:  Lois Olmstead

Looking for delicious Jersey Fresh produce? Check out these great local farmers markets. You can enjoy Jersey fresh foods from Tuesday through Sunday in the following towns, or search the New Jersey Farmers Market Directory for a farm market near you.

Tuesdays:

Millburn/Short Hills Farmers Market

Runs: June 14 until October 25, 2011

Time: 8 a.m.to 2 p.m.

Place: Municipal Lot # 1 corner of Main and Essex Street.

Thursdays:

Madison Farmers Market

Runs: June 23 until October 29, 2011

Time: 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Place: Waverly Place off Main Street

Saturdays:

Chatham Farmers Market

Runs: June 25 until November 19, 2011

Time: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Place: Railroad Plaza South off Fairmont Ave.

Sundays:

Summit Farmers Market

Runs: June 5 until November 20, 2011

Time: 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Place: Park and Shop Lot #2 Maple and Deforest Avenue.

Posted by:  Lois Olmstead

I guess it was daylight savings time that really gave some confidence that spring is really coming. Also the daffodils pushed up a few inches this past week. Just today, I saw some crocuses too, all great signs that nature is moving on from the difficult winter we all experienced.

I’ve been thinking about a few issues related to selling a house that might be worth mentioning to those thinking of putting their house on the market this spring. One of these issues is oil tanks. I am not an expert on oil tank removal, but I wanted to discuss some of the related problems that a tank on your property can cause. From the start, it is important for all sellers to know that most buyers, as recommended by their Realtor and Attorney, will test for the existence of an in-ground oil tank located on the property. Additionally, they may be advised against purchasing a house with an in-ground tank. A seller, when working with a Realtor, will be asked to fill out a disclosure form which asks about the existence of oil tanks, among other things. It is expected that the majority of homeowners will fill out the disclosure form honestly, but it isn’t always a given. That is why the NJAR Standard Contract of Sale form includes the right of the buyer to inspect for oil tanks. This is a clear-cut environmental issue that every seller will need to address.

The process of checking for the existence of a tank is straightforward and simple. There are licensed companies who perform this service. These companies usually do not remediate a problem if found. To avoid a conflict of interest, you should ask the testing company if they do remediation work. If they do, do not use them for removal. Once the testing is complete and if it is determined that a tank exists, the best course of action for a seller is to remove the tank before listing the property. The main reasons for addressing the issue of an in-ground oil tank removal before listing is to save time and money. By resolving the issue ahead of time you will likely ensure a smoother and more rapid closing.

The process of removing a tank can be straightforward as well. When the tank has been taken out and it is determined that the tank is intact and no soil has been contaminated, then that is all that is needed. However, if the tank is not intact and there is soil contamination, then a clean up follows. This can be small or large. It can make the process more complicated, time consuming, expensive and stressful. But it is important to know that it can be done and there are reputable companies who do this everyday.

The real problem with in-ground oil tanks comes into play if knowledge of a tank comes to light after an offer is accepted but before closing. There are two reasons this would occur: an owner chooses not to disclose the existence and/or doesn’t know of the existence of a tank. With regard to the latter, most often this is not a problem and is taken care of easily by the owner. It can be a huge problem however, if the owner refuses to remove the tank. A buyer has the right to walk away if it can’t be resolved. If the tank is pulled and found to be intact with no contamination, the time is usually reasonable from beginning to end. If there is a contamination, the time needed to receive a No Further Action (NFA) letter from the state can take months. It can include the need to hold money in escrow until the NFA letter is received from the state as well as additional costs for landscaping if affected.

I will discuss septic tanks in my next post.

Posted by:  Lois Olmstead

Happy New Year everyone! I hope the holidays provided an enjoyable time with family and friends.

Old man winter came early this year and Harding is blanketed in winter splendor. The pond in Bayne Park is frozen over, which of course means outdoor skating! It’s always a wonderful sight to see skaters of every age and size floating across the ice. Nearby Loantaka Brook Reservation or the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge  offer opportunities to enjoy cross country skiing or hiking.
 

A stop for dinner in Madison is a great way to close out the day. We like 54 Main Bar and Grille a casual, neighborhood place or Poor Herbie’s. I’ve also tried a newish place in town called, Hey Cupcake! They have wonderful desserts and friendly service, check it out.
 

That’s it for now, get out and enjoy this glorious winter.

Posted by:  Lois Olmstead

As the excitement of Halloween costumes and candy ebbs, thoughts of the holiday season start to emerge. It seems far away, but before you know it we will be sitting around the Thanksgiving table giving thanks while Christmas is close behind! With this in mind, Madison has a tradition of festivities throughout the holiday season.

November 26th is a big day starting with free musical performances throughout the day. There is also a Christmas Walk and Parade where merchants will be offering free hot cider, cookies, popcorn, hot dogs and a scavenger hunt. The Christmas Parade and tree lighting are the highlight of the day beginning at 5:30 pm.
 

Other events sponsored by the Madison Chamber of Commerce:

Gift certificates redeemable at any Madison business may be purchased at reduced rates while supplies last: $50 gift certificates for $45 are available for purchase at Cramers Carpet One on 73 Main Street. $20 gift certificates may be purchased for $19 through the elementary school PTO.
 

Holiday Shopping Days allows for extended holiday hours, special in-store incentives, strolling carolers, visits from Santa and the Morris County Park Police Mounted Unit. There will be a holiday savings book and shopper of the day prize patrol. If you have a shopping bag and button, you could be the next winner!

Santa’s hours:

December 1-20 12:30-5pm Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday

December 21-23 12:30-5pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

Until next time.

Posted by:  Lois Olmstead

A recent article in the Madison Eagle, Chatham Courier and Florham Park Eagle discussed a new public communications program called Nixle. This free service provides residents and business owners with vital, local real time information. For information about the service, click on the links above, or contact Patrolman Chad Rybka at 973-593-3000 or rybkac@mpd.rosenet.org.

With safety in mind, we are now in the midst of hurricane season. It’s advisable to think about emergency preparedness and how to plan accordingly. The Colonial Crossroads Chapter of the Red Cross offers a complete list of what to include in your home Disaster Supply Kit.

And lastly, now is the time of the year to get a flu shot. However, be sure to follow your doctor’s advice.
 

Until next time.

Posted by:  Lois Olmstead

On Saturday, September 25th, the New Vernon Volunteer Fire Department will host its 58th annual country auction. The auction starts at 9 am and ends at 6 pm.  Tickets may be purchased at the door at 7am. Refreshments will be available for purchase. If you are in the neighborhood, check it out, they have wonderful offerings.

The Friends of the Harding Township Library will kick off their Annual Concert on the Lawn to benefit Kemmerer Library Harding Township on Sunday, October 3rd. It starts at 4 pm with pony rides for the kids until 5 pm.  From 4-6 pm the Monday Night Jammers will perform. All proceeds support the programs the library provides year round. Oh, the rain date is Sunday, October 10th.

Until next time.

Posted by:  Lois Olmstead

On my way to work today I saw the cutest real life moment. A group of young moms, their husbands and baby brothers/sisters were waiting at the corner bus stop. It’s the first day of school. Big brothers and sisters went bravely onto the bus, it happened in a flash, in a flurry of smiles and waving by everyone. Then the troupe turned away from the departing bus and started to walk back home, smiling, talking, pushing the stroller.

So, to everyone starting out a new school year and their families who are waiting at home for their return, I hope it’s a great year! There is nothing like a fresh start, a new beginning.

New Vernon and Madison students attend Madison High School. This year, Madison was ranked #15 by New Jersey Monthly magazine in their Top High School Report.

Posted by:  Lois Olmstead

Even though we’ve had the hottest summer in recent memory, I still love the summer time. I love the way the shade trees line the streets. I love the sound of kids at the pool. It seems like endless enjoyment can be had just jumping into the pool, swimming, and playing Marco Polo for hours.

I love the smell and freshness of a summer day, garden’s in full bloom, fresh cut grass, butterfly bushes covered with swallowtails, and darting hummingbirds. Our area towns; Madison, Chatham Borough, Chatham Township, Summit, Harding Township and Bernardsville are all well situated for a quick getaway or vacation.  There are many pools, parks and golf clubs in these areas to enjoy as well.

In other parts of our area, the Jersey shore beckons to the south, or the great city of Philadelphia, home of the Phillies. North in the Bronx, you will find the Yankees, the famous Bronx Zoo, the Catskill Mountains and destinations in New England. The east will take you to New York City, Long Island beaches and the Mets. West on Route 80 offers great rafting and wonderful Pocono Mountain destinations.
 

Barbecue’s, baseball, ice cream and movies also remind me of summer. A little closer to home is the Somerset Patriots minor league baseball stadium.

There is no greater summer pleasure than relaxing in a special spot to read a book. While most students have summer reading lists, a host of titles may be found at your local library. Why not ‘check out’ the Madison, Harding, Summit and Chatham libraries.

Posted by:  Lois Olmstead

The Madison Farmers Market is now open on Waverly Place every Thursday from 2:30-7pm. Stop by and check out the fresh local produce, plus they have added a few surprises this year!

The schedule for farmer’s markets in other towns may be found by clicking here.

A rare treat in Madison is the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. This summer they are running several interesting shows. Click on the link above for more details about the entire season. I did want to highlight the outdoor presentation which is running from June 23 to August 1. This years’ play is Moliere’s: The Servant of Two Masters. The show is performed at the Greek amphitheatre on the College of Saint Elizabeth campus in Morris Township right next door to downtown Madison. Last year, we saw people picnicking before the show, playing Frisbee and just enjoying the night while waiting for the show to start. Some people brought pizza, while others went upscale with chairs, blankets and more elaborate food choices. It pays to get there early to claim a spot on one of the rows surrounding the stage as it is first-come first-served. The atmosphere was friendly with some late arrivals bringing food to their seats. If you keep the weather in mind, bring a blanket to sit on and food/drink, you may be pleasantly surprised by a live performance under the stars. We look forward to going again this year.

Until next time,

Posted by:  Lois Olmstead

Turpin has just listed a wonderful property located in the premier Old Short Hills section within the Deerfield grammar school district. Short Hills is a lovely community with a stellar reputation located on the Midtown Direct train line to NYC. Access to Route 24 and major highways provide a convenient commute to the Hoboken path terminal and ferry lines to NYC as well as Newark International Airport.

Within close proximity to this listing is a wonderful public historic garden called Greenwood Gardens. Presently, they have a restoration project going on which is in line with the main goal of the gardens to promote conservation and preservation of historic homes and gardens. They provide public tours of this project as well as the gardens. This interesting and beautiful public garden is one of the many fun things that the Millburn/Short Hills area has to offer. In addition to the quaint downtown area featuring many restaurants, a park, and a movie theater, is the unique Papermill Playhouse. Also nearby is the well-known Short Hills Mall with the Short Hills Hilton across the street.
 

For more information on the Short Hills area, click on these links; public school system, community information and general information. 
 

Cindy or I would be happy to assist if you have any questions: Cindy Edgar or Lois Olmstead at Turpin Realtors. 

Until next time,

Posted by:  Lois Olmstead

As the weather continues to show all the talisman of spring, I started thinking about the soon to come dog days of summer. This got me thinking about my many friends and family members who have dogs as pets. Recently, a potential client looking in the towns of Chatham, Madison and Summit asked me if there were any dog parks nearby. There are several dog parks in nearby communities. To view them, visit Doggeek.com.

Along these canine thoughts, I read with interest two articles on dog park etiquette by Allison Deeb, President and Founder of MARDOG, Inc. Her discussion centered on the basic rules that dog park users should consider before taking their dogs to the park. Check out her site for an amusing and instructional discussion.
 

Last but not least is the question of where to board your dog when he/she can’t join in the family fun. The following are just a few of the many choices in the area:

Morris Animal Inn

Elizabeth Ann Kennels

K9 Resorts

Until next time,

Posted by:  Lois Olmstead