Dan's Papers - April 11, 2008

Dear Dan,
I just read your article about your "Dog Named Moo." I Googled 'dog named moo' because I have one such dog...and I found your article, which, I must say is quite funny.
My Moo (a bichon) is rather smart, however I have a poodle-bichon mix that is not so smart. I was laughing out loud at your story, because between my two dogs, I could appreciate every word of your story- envisioning the expressions, etc. My not-so-smart dog, Zeke, just stares at me, panting all the time with this confused look. So I had to email you and say thanks for a good chuckle.

I often have that panting, confused look but that's another story. - DR

Dear Dan,
Dear David,
This is probably not the right department to ask this question, but I will anyway. The Farmer's Bar Restaurant, which was located in Cutchogue, closed. Does anyone know if they will reopen elsewhere?
We loved the food and the atmosphere there. We didn't frequent it every week or month, but it was a top pick on AOL's restaurant list. That is how I found it.

Neither David nor I know. - DR

Dear Dan,
"Another Reason Why We Need Peconic County Now" (Dan Rattiner - March 28) made sense. Residents of Peconic County clearly send more tax dollars to Suffolk County then they receive in essential services. They have far more in common with upstate New York and New England residents than those of western Suffolk County. In the past decades, development of western Suffolk County has resulted in extending suburban sprawl from Nassau County farther east into Suffolk County.
Residents of Staten Island feel the same way about their inequitable financial relationship with City Hall in Manhattan. Nassau and Suffolk County feel the same way about their relationship to Albany and Washington. Ditto for New York City citizens in their relationship with Albany and Washington.
A ballot proposition for self-determination is the only fair way to resolve the issue to establish Peconic County. Sadly, residents of Peconic County are bound to suffer the same fate as those of Staten Island, New York City and most recently Nassau and Suffolk Counties who have also desired change.
At the end of the day, Republican New York State majority leader Joseph Bruno and Democratic State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver would have to allow companion bills out of their respective legislative committees to the floor for a full vote by each side of the house for such legislation to pass. Don't hold your breath waiting for such action to take place.
Self-determination is a basic right going back to the Revolutionary War, when colonialists fought for their independence from England. Will the New York State legislative delegation from Peconic County be able to persuade Bruno and Silver to allow a vote for self-determination? Time will tell.

Dear Dan,
Attention: David Lion Gardiner
Re: Twentysomething, Issue March 21, 2008
The story "Losing A Wedding Ring," recalled an almost disaster of my own. It was summer in the 1980s; I was hurrying to clean up so the family could go to the Maidstone Beach. The kids were antsy and all I heard was "Hurry up mom - come on!" It was our garbage pick-up day and I rushed through the house getting all the wastebaskets, old papers including Dan's Papers (sorry!) and misc. kitchen debris thrown in the outside pail scheduled for pick-up within the half hour.
I dashed to the car filled with impatient kids and made the drive to Maidstone in abut five minutes, As we settled ourselves on the sand, I remembered taking off my diamond engagement and wedding rings and cleaning them at home. I had heard that beach sand would loosen the setting, so you should take off your rings before going to the beach, so I did. I also remembered with a panic that the rings were drying on a paper towel next to the sink. Did I pick up that towel and throw them in the garbage? Not sure, I left everyone at the beach, dashed back to the house and ran into the kitchen. I HAD thrown the paper towel out! I ran to the garbage pail. Lucky for me the pick up was late. Tearing through the papers and "stuff" was a paper towel squeezed together with my rings inside.
My smile could have made a rainbow in the sky. I'll never forget that moment. Thanks for your story - it brought back quite a memory!