Southern New Jersey Overlook

State unveils new brochure highlighting the treasures of the Pinelands National Reserve of southern New Jersey.

The natural, cultural and historic treasures found in the 1.1-million-acre Pinelands National Reserve take center stage in a new brochure that was unveiled during the New Jersey Pinelands Commission's meeting earlier this month.
 
"This brochure will serve as a vital tool to help people navigate and better understand an area of southern New Jersey that is unlike any other place in the world," said John C. Stokes, Executive Director of the Pinelands Commission. "The more people discover what makes the Pinelands so special, the more they will want to protect this region."

The Pinelands Commission, the National Park Service (NPS) and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Division of Parks and Forestry teamed up with a writer and designer from the NPS' Harpers Ferry Center to produce the brochure.

The three agencies are partners in the Pinelands Interpretive Program. Congress called for the creation of a Pinelands interpretive and educational program in 1988 to "enhance public understanding, awareness and appreciation of the natural and cultural resources" of the Pinelands.

The project has resulted in the creation of Pinelands themed wayside exhibits and kiosks that have been installed at six state forest areas in the Pinelands and other locations, as well as new Pinelands road signs that have been posted at 22 locations in the region.

"These informative and colorful brochures are the signature piece for the National Park Service, and the DEP is proud to have played a role in producing one for the Pinelands National Reserve," DEP Commissioner Lisa P. Jackson said.

"They serve as guides and keepsakes for tourists who visit famous natural treasures such as the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, the Great Smoky Mountains, and Shenandoah, to name a few. The fact that the Pinelands National Reserve finally has its own inspires us to seek a deeper understanding of the national treasure we have right here in New Jersey."

Copies of the brochure can be obtained at Bass River State Forest, Belleplain State Forest, Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, Double Trouble State Park, the Forest Resource Education Center, and Wharton State Forest, or by contacting the Pinelands Commission at (609) 894-7300 or info@njpines.state.nj.us.

Full Story...

Source: Pinelands Commission


Additional information, including a separate Pinelands Commission Brochure is available online at the Pinelands Commission Information Center.

Click here for additional Pinelands (Pine Barrens) articles.

Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) recently announced the completion and implementation of a new commercial/multifamily real estate property inspection form for various property types including Office, Retail, Multifamily, Healthcare, Lodging and Industrial.

The updated inspection form already has industry-wide adoption by servicers for all funding sources including Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The form will not be used by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA).

Click here to view the new commercial/multifamily property inspection form and reference guide, please click "MBA Master Inspection Form" upon visiting the following Web link.

Full Story...

Source: MBA

Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.

WIC:  Women, Infants and Childern

Burlington County's Women, Infants & Children Program provides supplemental foods and nutrition education to pregnant, postpartum, and nursing women and their children.

The WIC program provides nutritional counseling and supplemental foods to pregnant, postpartum, and nursing women and their children through age 5.  A lactation consultant is available for breast feeding support and information. Children are monitored to ensure proper growth and development.

Eligibility is based on income and nutritional need.  All recipients must live in New Jersey.  

WIC clinics are located at multiple sites within the county (Currently eleven sites throughout Burlington County). Services are by appointment only.

For more information or to schedule and appointment call 609-267-4304 / 4305, Monday through Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm.


Source: BC WIC

Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.

One of the great benefits of living in South Jersey is that the Jersey Shore and it's beaches are within easy reach by car, which allows South Jersey residents the ability to go to the beach for the day or the afternoon and return home in time for dinner and still have the evening.

Friends of ours decided, last minute, to go to the beach for the Sunday afternoon this past Memorial Day weekend with their kids and invited us to go along.   We accepted the invitation, as our original plans had been canceled and we wanted to spend some time with them.

The weather was beautiful and in the 70's, a perfect day to be outside.  So off we went. 

We like to take the scenic route and enjoy the ride as we go -- there's less traffic and we get to our destination in about the same length of time as other routes.    The Jersey Shore is made up of a variety of communities, each having their own flavor.    We enjoy them all, whether it's Long Beach Island, Cape May or even Atlantic City for a show.  Our destination this time was Ocean City, a great place to take families. 

Upon arrival, I was surprised at the traffic and the amount of vehicles that were going into the shore community.  We soon found street parking and arrived on the beach (which is free this time of year). 

While not packed like in July and August, a lot more people than I expected were out on the beach sunbathing.  The ocean temperature was too cold this time of year for most people, but that didn't stop some brave souls from briefly going into the water. 

I'm don't enjoy laying on the beach like my wife does, so I like to walk the boards for exercise.  The 3-mile long boardwalk is a great place to walk or jog while taking in all the smells, sights, and sounds. 

The boardwalk was crowed.  People were out enjoying the sun, visiting the shops, enjoying the food and  amusements.  There was a large audience watching free, live entertainment in front of the Music Pier provided by a local chorus of senior citizens singing Broadway tunes and even tap dancing.  They obviously were enjoying themselves as much as the crowd watching.   

The seagulls were out in force, circling the beach and boardwalk, adding their squawking to the sounds of crashing waves.  Mixed with the smell of the ocean and the aromas coming from the various food stands, it helps create the wonderful ambiance that I associate with the Jersey Shore.

After everyone was finished on the beach, we treated ourselves to snacks and purchased the obligatory box of Salt Water Taffy rolls to enjoy back home.   (My family also enjoys getting refills of Johnson's Caramel Popcorn when they come to Ocean City.) 

We then loaded ourselves in the car and returned home to our friends' house to enjoy a barbecue dinner and relax.

That's life, South Jersey style!


Images of Ocean City during Memorial Day weekend...

 

 



 





Click here for more South Jersey Shore related articles

Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.

I'm not a songwriter, but I've always admired those who could combines words and music in a way that could grab me, cause an emotional response and create images and thoughts in my mind.   

I have to admit that I was one who has thought that anybody can create a song and at one point even tried to write The Song myself.  However, it quickly became painfully evident that writing a song that will have lasting (or even fleeting) value to others is really, really difficult to do.    It requires talent and skill to take concepts and moments of inspiration and then turn them into a great, enduring song.

While admitting I'm not a songwriter, I'm still fascinated by the creative process which births a song that takes on a life of it's own, whether being short-lived or a long and distinguished life-span.    Recently, I came across the New York Times, Opinion section blog, "Measure for Measure," subtitled, "How To Write A Song and Other Mysteries".   It is the thoughts of a group of songwriters that have enjoyed success and the respect of their peers throughout their careers:  Roseanne Cash, Suzanne Vega, Andrew Bird and Darrell Brown.

The first blog article I read was about Roseanne Cash's recent (April 15th) collaboration on a song concept of hers with Kris Kristofferson, Elvis Costello and her husband John Leventhal, entitled, "The Ear of the Beholder" (dated, May 22).    It was a interesting read as it exposed me for the first time to the openness, understanding, passion and intellectual depth that she brings to the songwriting process and her ability to communicate her thoughts and feelings surrounding her songwriting collaboration effort.

The "About The Blog" states that "With music now available with a single, offhand click, it's easy to forget that songs are not born whole, polished and ready to play. They are created by artists who draw on some combination of craft, skill and inspiration. In the coming weeks, the contributors to this blog -- all accomplished songwriters -- will pull back the curtain on the creative process as they write about their work on songs in the making."  

Most of the blogs entries are relatively short and so the incite they are sharing can be quickly grasped.  The first article posted to the blog, was by Andrew Bird on March 26th, 2008, "Words Will Tell".

If you are a songwriter or an aspiring songwriter, or someone like me who enjoys discovering how songs come to be, then you will want to bookmark and look-in on this blog whenever you have a chance.  Since the authors are active in the music industry and often on tour, the writings are sporadic -- so, no need to check daily... once or twice a month will be sufficient unless their posting frequency increases. 

Measure for Measure - How To Write A Song and Other Mysteries

Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.

Yesterday, Medford Township celebrated the holiday it's annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremonies.  It was lead off by the Shawnee High School Marching Band, followed by kids in their decorated bikes, local honorees, officials, community groups and a long line of police, fire and emergency vehicles from Medford and the surrounding communities of Medford Lakes, Southampton, Shamong, Evesham and Tabernacle townships and the Forest Service.   At the conclusion of the parade, the traditional wreath laying ceremony was held at the War Memorial.

VFW Post 7677 hosted the activities in conjunction with Medford Township officials.

Mr. William F. Bielec, World War II veteran and 30 year resident of Medford was honored as the Grand Marshall of this year's parade.  Mr. Bielec fought in Europe in World War II, rising to the rank of Army Captain.  During the war he was part of the 4th infantry serving under Omar Bradley and was part of the initial landing force at Utah Beach on June 6, 1944, for which he was awarded the Bronze Star.  Serving in combat forces until the conclusion of the war he participated in the Battle of the Bulge and witnessed the liberation of Norhausen Concentration Camp.

The ceremonies began with the playing of the Star Spangled Banner, then Prayer by the VFW Chaplain, Welcome/Opening Comments by Medford officials, the Laying of the Wreath, Flag Raising and 21-Gun Salute and ending with the playing of Taps.  Music was provided by the Hobo Band of Pitman.

Images from the Medford parade and ceremonies...

Joe Aramondo, VFW...





Grand Marshall, William Bialec...







21-gun salute...

Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.

Yesterday, Medford Lakes celebrated with it's traditional Memorial Day Parade lead off by the Shawnee High School Marching Band, followed by herds of kids in their decorated bikes, and then followed by local honories, officials and a long line of police, fire and emergency vehicles from Medford Lakes and the surrounding communities of Medford, Southampton, Shamong, Evesham and Tabernacle townships and the Forest Service.

It was quite a large group of kids that participated, Medford Lakes owes a lot of it's vitality to the youth and young families in the community as well as those who are raised families and are still active in the community.

As always, the highlight of this event is when the parade ends up for memorial ceremonies at the Borough's municipal building. The national anthem, playing of Taps, offering of words and a time of silent prayer in memory of those who gave their lives and the sacrifices of their families was made and the lowering of the flags to half-mast was carried out by local officials, VFW veterans and the local Boy Scouts. It was a very solemn and heart felt time for all observing the event.

(Note: Prior to the parade, there was the annual marathon run.)


Images from the parade...

Shawnee H.S. Marching Band leads the parade...

Next the local Boy Scout troop...



A couple of our local heroes...



Then come the bikers...



And more bikers plus strollers with parents...



And of course, the fire, emergency and rescue vehicles...

Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.

Celebrated in most states on the last Monday in May, which this year is May 26th; Memorial Day is a great time for all of us to remember the men and woman who gave their lives in service to our country.

It a great opportunity to join in the celebrations and to help teach our children to respect and appreciate that the priviledges we enjoy today are directly due to the sacrifices of those men and women who were killed in action while a member of the armed forces.

See post for prior year for links to televised programs and links to additional Memorial Day history and information resources:

Memorial Day - Honoring Those Who Sacrificed For Us!


This year The National World War II Memorial will be dedicated on May 29 in Washington, D.C. Located between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, it will be the first national memorial dedicated to the men and women who served in the U.S. armed forces during World War II, including those who died in combat and the Americans who supported the war effort on the home front.

Click here for a special edition of the U.S. Census Bureau's "Facts for Features" that pays tribute to those who served our country in that war.

Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.

Medford Township's annual Memorial Day Parade will begin at 11 a.m. Monday, starting at Memorial Middle School, on Mill Street. 

The parade will proceed through town and finish at the Veterans' Monuments at  21 S. Main St.
There, an official Memorial Day ceremony will take place.   (If it rains, the ceremony will be held in the VFW Hall on Church Road.)
  
William Bielec, a 30-year Medford resident and World War II veteran, will be the Grand Marshall for the parade.  Also participating will be VFW Post 7677, Shawnee H.S. Marching Band, local Police, EMS and fire companies.

There is also an opportunity for bikers with decorated bikes and local scout troops and civic organizations to take part in the parade and celebration.  All area veterans are invited to either march or ride in the parade.
  
For more details, contact the Medford Recreation Department at (609) 654-2512.

Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.

Once again, on Memorial Day, we will be celebrating and honoring our veterans, Medford Lakes style.

"Come out and get involved in a great time - Monday, May 26, 2008 the Medford Lakes Lions are again sponsoring the Annual Memorial Day Parade, which will leave from Wilson Field.  All participants should report to Wilson Field at 9 a.m. where the Junior Women will register them and assign numbers organized by age and gender.  The Women's Auxiliary will judge each category for prizes at the conclusion of the parade.  Children participating should have decorated bicycles, wagons or other. 

The parade will start at 10:00 a.m. so participants should be set up no later than 9:45 a.m."

Source: Medford Lakes Colony Club


Click here for a short highlight of last year's celebration.

Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.

Medford Lakes Colony Memorial Day Run will be held on Monday, May 26, 2008, beginning at 8:00 AM.
Everyone is invited to participate.  It is a 5K run.  If interested, show up between 6:00 AM and 7:30 AM on the day or the race to register. 

Race Day Schedule:
6:00 AM - 7:30 AM - Race Day Registration - Vaughan Hall, Tabernacle Road, Medford Lakes
7:30 AM - Race Instructions and announcements
7:45 AM - National Anthem
8:00 AM RACE START
9:30 AM - Awards - Vaughan Hall

Race Course:
APPROX. 3.2 MILES (5K) - Marked with Bright Green Arrows
Start at the Stop Line Tecumseh/Powhatan
Tecumseh to take a sharp left at Pocahontas onto Neeta
Follow Neeta to Omaha to Blackfoot
Right onto Oak
Cross McKendimen to Chippewa to Beach Drive
Right on Stokes to first right onto Timbo to left on Comanche
Cross Stokes to Bowker to Minnetonka
Go over the footbridge (Quogue)
Go Right onto Natchez and follow to Lenape to Stokes to Aetna Way and back at Vaughn

Pre-Registration: Only in person at the Medford Lakes Colony office, 79 Tecumseh Trail, Medford Lakes, N.J. 08055, between 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM. (609-654-7747)

Cost: To enter - $12 which includes the Medford Lakes Colony "Memorial Day Run" t-shirt.  Make checks payable to "Medford Lakes Colony".


Source: Colony Club News

Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.

The NAHB has identified some helpful links to resources for people that want to purchase green homes and for current homeowners that want to make or keep their homes green.  They include the following:

For Buying A Green Home

Rebates, tax incentives, and loans

Local green building programs

GreenHomesForSale.com

Sustainable Sources Real Estate Locator

Green Living - Making and Keeping Homes Green

Treehugger.com

Good Housekeeping green article

National Geographic

BuildingGreen.com


Green Product Stores

GreenHome.com

BuyGreen.com

Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.

According to a recent U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) news release, preliminary estimates of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels increased by 1.6 percent in 2007. 

The economy, as measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP), grew by 2.2 percent and energy demand rose by 1.7 percent indicating that energy intensity (energy use per unit of GDP) fell by 0.5 percent.  Carbon dioxide intensity (carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP) also fell by about 0.5 percent.  

Factors that drove the emissions increase included weather conditions that increased the demand for heating and cooling services and a higher carbon intensity of electricity supply.

Total U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide emissions have grown by 19.4 percent since 1990.   Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions account for over 80 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

Preliminary fossil fuel consumption data indicate that:

• Carbon dioxide emissions from the residential and commercial sectors increased by 4.4 percent and 4.3 percent respectively in 2007, as heating degree-days rose by 6.7 percent and cooling degree-days rose by 2.6 percent.  The commercial sector includes all non-residential, non-industrial buildings, such as stores, office buildings, schools, hospitals, and government buildings.

• Industrial carbon dioxide emissions fell by 0.1 percent in 2007, continuing a trend of falling emissions since 2004. 

• Transportation-related emissions, which account for about a third of total energy-related carbon dioxide emissions, increased by 0.1 percent in 2007. 

• With combined industrial and transportation emissions essentially flat, all the growth in emissions came from the residential and commercial sectors.
  • Emissions from the direct use of natural gas in the residential sector grew by 8.3 percent, while growth in residential electricity use and changes in the generation mix caused emissions associated with the production of electricity used in residences to grow by 3.9 percent.
  • Emissions from the direct use of natural gas in the commercial sector grew by 6.1 percent, while growth in commercial electricity use and changes in the generation mix caused emissions associated with the production of electricity used in the commercial sector to grow by 4.2 percent.

• When electric power sector emissions are considered as a whole rather than being attributed to the end-use sectors that consume electricity, they are the largest single source of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions, representing 40 percent of total emissions.   In 2007, emissions from the electric power sector increased by about 3 percent, while power generation increased by 2.5 percent.  The increase in the emissions intensity of generation of 0.5 percent reflects, among other factors, a decline in non-fossil-fueled generation, as increased generation from wind and nuclear power of 6 and 19 billion kilowatthours, respectively, did not offset a drop in hydro-generation of 40 billion kilowatthours (kWh).

From 1990 to 2007, the carbon dioxide intensity of the economy fell by 26.6 percent or 1.8 percent per year.  By 2006 (the latest year of data for all greenhouse gases), carbon dioxide intensity had fallen by 26.2 percent and emissions of total greenhouse gases per dollar of GDP had fallen by 27.7 percent. 

EIA will continue to refine its estimates of 2007 carbon dioxide emissions as more complete energy data become available. A full inventory of 2007 emissions of all greenhouse gases to be issued in November 2008 will present revised energy data and provide a further analysis of trends.

The preliminary estimates are on EIA's web site at:
http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/flash/flash.html


Source: EIA-2008-05

The HMVA Festival of Wine, Art & Music has been cancelled because of lock of sponsorship, in part due to the economic conditions.

"Unfortunately, despite several smaller sponsorships, we did not have any presenting sponsors. Without a presenting sponsor it is just not feasible to have a festival.

We would like to thank you for all your support and let you know that we appreciate you having made our festivals successful. We hope that next year we will be able to present our festival once again.

If you sent in a check as a sponsor or as a vendor or artist, we will be refunding your money in the next week or so. If you do not receive it by May 23rd please contact us."

Source: HMVA



For more news, information and resources see 08055.info

Medford hosted it's annual "Blast from the Past" on Saturday, May 17th.  It was a great success with perfect weather, chance to shop and eat in Medford and enjoy live entertainment...  and of course, take in fabulous custom cars and trucks. 


Below are a few pictures for you to share in some of the sights:


Lots of people, including family, groups and individuals of all ages getting out and enjoying the weather, town and cars...

A classic in every sense of the term...

You can't have a classic show without a '57 Chevy...












Classic elegance...


Live entertainment was enjoyed by all...


The young enjoying the old...


'69 Chevy SS396, second only to the '68...

Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.

ActiveRain (AR) is a great resource for people in the real estate industry.  Bedsides the opportunity for general networking at the site level,  AR provides a way for those with special interests within the AR community to connect and share among themselves, though Groups. 

Groups can be started by any registered member of AR for any reason and almost any purpose.  

To create a new Goup, all you have to do is click on "Groups" at the top of any AR page, then select "Start a new page".    You will then see the Create Group entry page:



Fill in ALL the information.  (Note: If you don't have a logo for you're  Group, you can add it later, but almost all groups have a logo and it's how people will find and recognize your Group, especially if you want others to join.  Not having a logo immediately indicates to most people that the founder has little interest and provides minimal or no support of the Group.)

After filling out the Group information, all you need to do is click the "Create Group" button and your Group is live!

Once your Group is live (active), you will have access, as the Founder, to all available Group administrative controls. 

Each time someone joins the group, they will automatically be assigned as a member with the ability to post to the group by default.

You can change that status by accessing your group (from your "My Home" page under "Groups"). 

My Home --> Groups --> <select a group> --> Members --> Role

The group page, if you are a Founder (or Administrator) will allow you to change the "Role" of each group member.   "Role" is a combination of rights and privileges assigned to each member.  

The "Role" image to the right shows what role is available for each member -- what you will see if you are a Founder or Administrator. 

Founder == Administrator, the only difference being that the Founder is the one that started the group and the only one that can delete a group.
That means the Founder and Administrator can feature/remove posts and also make changes to a member's "role" (assigning new administrators, changing member to post/no post, blocking someone from the group).  

Moderators have the ability to feature posts (as do Administrators and Founders).

Members can add a post (i.e, assign their individual blog post) to the group.

For more general information about Groups see the following ActiveRain article:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/24564/Groups

Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.

Register for the REALTORS® Commercial Alliance Online Convention and Tradeshow at CommercialSource.com - here's the link:

http://www.commercialsource.com/onlineconvention.cfm.

This is an online experience and you'll get to network with other real estate practitioners, hear presentations from expert industry leaders, and visit exhibitors in the virtual tradeshow floor. 
What's even better is that it is completely FREE, and all you have to do is log on at home or work.

According to CommercialSource Convention Information, here is what to expect:

CommercialSource, the online convention connecting the commercial real estate community, is unlike any regular convention that you have ever attended. It is being held completely on the Internet! This means that you attend any portion of the convention -networking forums, exhibitor booths, and speaker sessions any time of day, on your schedule and from your own computer.

I've "attended" previous Online Conventions and can confirm that it was worthwhile, with lots of useful information was shared by the speakers and available for you to access at your leisure.

Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.

The National Association of REALTORS®(NAR) has launched a new Web site focused on commercial real estate, which includes a commercial property listing database that offers access to commercial property listings from all 50 states.

The new site will reside at http://www.commercialsource.com/, previously the site for the REALTORS® Commercial Alliance's online convention. 

(Click here for details about the Commercial Alliance's Online Convention and other events.)

About:  "CommercialSource.com has been created to serve as a comprehensive website for all things pertaining commercial real estate. The main feature of the site is the commercial real estate marketplace, where commercial property listings are aggregated from local CIE's and practitioners from all over the country. In addition, CommercialSource.com features the Online Convention and Tradeshow, research and education, industry news and other resources."    (Source: CommercialSource.com)


See my previous article that discussed the initial announcement of the acquisition to allowed this resource to be created.

Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.

A recent article in the Colony News announced that the Medford Lakes Environmental Commission hosted an underground oil storage tank information session at Cathedral in the Woods on March 11, 2008, where subject matter experts served on panel to present information and answer questions of residents.  Since the community consists primarily of older houses, the environmental commission is concerned about the many older tanks buried in the town, especially in a lake and well-water community.  Bear steel tanks placed directly in the soil can begin to corrode in as little as 15 years, according to a study by the U.S. EPA. 

The information session was organized to ensure that residents are aware of state assistance to cover some of the costs of removing these underground tanks through the NJEDA.  A homeowner can receive up to $1,200 for the removal of a non-leaking underground oil tank and up to $3,000 for the removal of a non-leaking underground oil tank and the installation of a new aboveground oil tank. 

Forms are available on the njeda.com web site.  Once the tank has been removed and it is confirmed that it has not leaked, the application package can be submitted along with the $250 application fee to the NJEDA.  Reimbursement checks are usually received in 4-6 weeks.

In the event that the oil tank has leaked, the same fund at the NJEDA can pay for the cleanup costs that are not covered by a tank protection plan and homeowners insurance policy.  The NJEDA Fund can even cover any insurance deductible that the homeowner my have to pay.

In order to qualify for a grant the applicant has to have an annual taxable income of less than $250,000 and a net worth of less that $500,000, not including the value of the applicant's primary residence and retirement savings (401K/IRA/Pension).  The applicant can be the owner or in certain cases the occupant of the residence.  These grants are also available to estates, depending on the equity in the estate.

Source: Medford Lakes Colony News

Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.

According to a past article in the Colony Club News, Medford Lakes is in the process of a Phase I stocking of fish in Upper/Lower Aetna and the Mirror chain.  This is part of the recovery efforts from the 2004 flood that required the dams to be repaired and the lakes refilled. 

Now, based on advice by experts, they will be stocking minnows and bluegills this year to establish the feeder fish population.  In the spring of 2009, they will be stocking bass.  

The programmed was developed with the help of two residents, Bill Find and John Bonk who developed that plan that was submitted to the fishery. 

The Medford Lakes Girl Scouts will also be lending their time to build habitats for the small feeders to hide an reproduce.  They will be placed in several location in the Atena and Mirrors lakes to allow the population to quickly grow, helping to insure a successful bass stocking in 2009.  These habitats will be clearly marked, out of th way, removable and for the most part submerged.  They are recommended by the NJ Department of Fish and Wildlife as essential to the success of the restocking program.  Please make every effort not to disturb the structures.

Source: Medford Lakes Colony News

Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.