Dan's Papers - October 31, 2008 -

Dear Dan,
I was puzzled by your reaction to Michael Caputo's letter in last week's letters to the editor's page. Michael's suggestion resembles yours of just making an eruv around the whole Island. There would be no objection to either your or Michael's suggestion, if it could be accomplished by any Orthodox Rabbi, or group of Orthodox Rabbis, simply designating whatever landmarks they chose and proclaiming them as the boundary markers for an eruv. No problem.
The problem arises, as Prof. Marci Hamilton's paper clearly spelled out, when one or more Rabbis, or one or more Synagogues, demands that some civil authority recognize and adopt, by an official lease of the area so enclosed, those boundary markers (which, by the way, must meet certain dimensional and other requirements under certain Orthodox Jewish principles - principles, incidentally, which are disputed by other Orthodox Jews).
In other words, Caputo's suggestion would "work" for anyone - except for the Synagogue. Therein, as they say, lies the problem.

Prof. Hamilton may be clear, but no court decision has supported her interpretation. - DR

Dear Dan,
Poor John Chan. Last week (10-17-08) he wrote to you asking where is the current location of "The Big Duck," so his family can visit. But your only response was "Quack."
Rest assured John Chan, there is The Big Duck. He resides not only in the hearts of believers across the Island, but most concretely at Big Duck Ranch in the heart of Flanders, overlooking Reeves Bay. Our 77-year-old wandering "Duck-With-A-Door" will wander no more. Come visit him on Flanders Road. (State Route 24), five miles north of Sunrise Highway, Exit. 65 or two miles south of the Riverside Traffic Circle. You can't miss him. He's forever waiting for the "kid" in you and kids of all generations.
Babs Bixby - your hostess - will greet and enthrall you with the whole amazing story of the three journeys (or waddles!) And Babs will offer you some very ducky souvenirs. The door is open Monday thru Friday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., and weekends too.
The Big Duck is the celebrated centerpiece for all of Long Island.
Come see what the fuss is all about! The nearby barns are soon to be restored to add to the perfect setting for our perfect pal.
The Friends of the Big Duck meets monthly. Our next meeting is Wednesday, Nov. 5t at 7 pm at Phillips Avenue School in Riverside. Membership is free. Our guest speaker will be renowned artist Elaine Thompson, who will display prints of her famous Van Gogh-inspired "Big Duck Ranch" painting, all on sale just in time for holiday gift giving.
Please call Fran at 631-727-5342 for more information.
And thanks Dan for opening the door for us to shamelessly promote our wandering, wonderful, whimsical waterfowl ... right here on Flanders' front lawn. "Quack, Quack!"

We need more Big Ducks in the world. - DR

Dear Dan,
I have spent each and every summer (44 of them) on the North Fork in East Marion. Some years I was only able to go for a long weekend. My most treasured memories are out there.
On my visit in the beginning of August, I picked up a copy of Dan's Papers while at Bruce's in Greenport for breakfast, as is the tradition, and discovered that you had written a book. Off to Burton's Bookstore to get myself a copy of In the Hamptons.
I think the book is wonderful. I truly enjoyed learning so much about the only place in the world I call home. Perhaps we can hope for volume two one day.

Dear Dan,
You write 'em in your beach chair on the beach, and I'll read 'em. How's that for a deal? Please, just one thing! In your interesting, detailed and, many times, outright funny articles, please leave out your political leanings. It seems to make a "large writer" (why would Stony Brook ask for your papers, if not, and congratulations) a bit smaller, to me anyway......
A fan of yours since our moving here in 1969, a very good year and time in our darling Hamptons. But congratulations to your wife, Chris.