Carol Culkin

While driving home from my belated birthday celebration tonight, a few deer friends jumped out of the woods to surprise me! It was dark and we almost didn't see them. My husband hit the brakes just in time. We stopped and so did they - in the middle of the road they stood there staring back at us ...like deer in the headlights!

Yes, the headlights of a car will cause a deer to freeze.

It's THAT time of year once again. It's getting cold at night in the Hudson Valley. Cold months are the peak season for deer-vehicle crashes, especially given a soaring deer population for this time of year.

On the 2 1/2 mile country road approach to my subdivision, I am reminded every day that these animals are as much dangerous as they are beautiful. My son's first car accident occured 2 weeks after he got his license - it was this time of year too. He swerved to avoid a deer just one mile down the road from our neighborhood. He successfully avoided the deer but hit a tree head-on and totaled his sister's car. Thank goodness, he and his friend walked away without a scratch. My son only had to answer to our daughter and fortunately she was away at college. That was 6 years ago!

Don't find out the hard way. Some auto insurance policies do not cover damage to a vehicle for crashes involving deer. Be sure to check with your insurance agent about your policy. Auto accidents involving deer total 1.5 million a year according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports - and they result in 150 deaths and $1.1 billion in vehicle damage.

Avoiding Deer/Car Collisions (The Highway Safety Research Center):

• Slow down! In areas with a large deer population, or where there are deer warning signs, drivers should reduce their speed.
• Always wear your seat belt! It's your best protection from injuries in the event of a crash.
• Watch for eyes reflecting in your headlights. Try to look far down the road and scan the roadsides, especially when driving through field edges, heavily wooded areas, or posted deer crossing areas. The sooner you see a deer on or approaching a road, the better your chances of avoiding a crash.
• Remember that deer travel in herds. If you see one deer cross the road in front of you, don't assume that all is clear. Deer herds can be fairly large, and the animals often move one right behind the other.
• Do not place confidence in "deer whistles" or other "ultra-sonic" devices that claim to prevent deer collisions.
• Maintain control of your vehicle. It is important that you not lose control of your vehicle or veer into the path of an oncoming vehicle to avoid contact with an animal. Loss of control usually results in a more serious crash.

Uh Oh ....Hold On, I See A Cop Up Ahead! I hear this phrase all too often. Don't worry, it's not that I am associated with hardened criminals who are running from the law. But, since 2001 talking on a cell phone while driving in NY is illegal. New York became the first state to prohibit drivers from talking on hand-held devices while operating a motor vehicle.

I admit, it's a good law - I, myself have been distracted while talking on the phone before. I've had my share of near misses before the law went into effect. As a real estate agent, my car is my rolling office. I try my hardest not to talk on the phone but there's always the call I was expecting from a busy attorney who was to get back to me between closings or court sessions. There are times when I need to call my client to let them know I might be running late due to traffic. And, after playing phone tag with somebody all day long I hate missing the opportunity to connect when their number finally pops up. But, this is the law - and one I respect. And, it now makes me furious when I see other drivers talking on phones while driving erratically or simply not paying attention to the road and traffic signals. It's my life they are endangering! It's a law that everybody should respect. And, if I had to get in the habit of refraining, so should everybody else. It doesn't take much effort to switch my phone to speaker (I hate the headset). See, the law only refers to "hand- held devices."

I am afraid the fine is a slap on the wrist for some people. If you use a hand-held mobile telephone in NY while you drive, except to call 911 or to contact medical, fire or police personnel about an emergency, you can receive a traffic ticket and pay a maximum fine of $100 and mandatory surcharges of $60.

And, this is why so many New Yorkers are still talking on their phones when they are driving? To all those drivers who ignore the cell phone law: You can't hide...it's obvious to everybbody who can see you that you are on a phone. Of course, the first sign ususally, is that you're driving erratically and holding up traffic. HEY STUPID! GET OFF THE PHONE AND FOCUS ON DRIVING!

Based on recent years, nature's fall colors will be vibrant here in the Mid-Hudson Valley around the middle of October. Visitors to the area need to plan ahead, as many area hotels are already full. I drove through the Adirondacks on my way to/from Montreal this past weekend. The colors were amazing. But, as we descended to the lower elevation just north of Albany the leaves were green again - and it remained that way as we returned home to the foothills of the Catskills. I had my sneak preview of fall. It won't be long until it's our turn. The night air is crisp. My experience this weekend was just a reminder of the orange, red and gold colors of fall that will be here soon ....and, for just a brief time. Fall is a short lived season, so clear your calendar and make time to enjoy!

Don't let the leaves fall before you've had a chance to enjoy the fall!

Yesterday was a sad day in New York for all Yankee fans. We said goodbye to our beloved Yankee Stadium - "The House That Ruth Built". This is the place where the Yankees won 26 world championships, more than any other baseball team. This was a place where history was made many times over.

Didn't know I was a Yankee fan? Well, I bet you also didn't know that we watched the play-offs on our wedding night from our honeymoon suite! And, that just happened to be 29 years ago today!

As we bid farewell to generations of memories, baseball's legends will remain in-beaded in our hearts as we carry them to the new ball park. Where do I begin? - Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe Dimaggio, Micky Mantle, Yogi Berra, Reggie Jackson. Those are just a few. There was one Yankee who's career I paid close attention to over the years as I followed him to NY when I moved back here from Ohio - that's where he began his major league baseball career with the Cinciinnati Reds. I am not sure if Paul O'Neil ended up being my favorite Yankee because he was a great player and I watched him play for a few years prior to his trade to NY, or because his older brother was my old neighbor and friend in Cincy, and as I remember - Paul's biggest fan.

While there are pages and pages of statistics and trivia I could write about Yankee Stadium and baseball's legends. I'll bring it to present time - The Yankees won their final game last night 7-3. A new generation of legends were on the field for this historical game. The final run in Yankee Stadium was scored by Brett Gardner and the final hit was recorded by Jason Giambi. Jose Molina hit the last Yankee stadium home run and Mariano Rivera threw the closing pitch.

In the eighth inning, Derek Jeter became the final Yankee at bat in Yankee Stadium. "For us out here, it's a huge honor to put this uniform on and come out every day to play," After the game Jeter told fans, "We have the greatest fans in the world. We're relying on you to take the memories from this stadium, take them to the new stadium, and pass them on from generation to generation."

The new stadium's exterior will resmble the old stadium, the interior will be more modern, the dimensions will be the same. But, one thing's for sure, it will never house the memories of the past. Like every historical landmark, there was just a sort of aura about the old Yankee Stadium. Attending a Yankee game in the old stadium was a NY family tradition - will it ever be the same?

Lou Gehrig

For NY Yankee trivia visit http://mlb.mlb.com/nyy/fan_forum/insider_trivia.jsp

For NY Yankee history visit http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/nyy/history/index.jsp

For the history of Yankee Stadium visit http://www.ballparks.com/baseball/american/yankee.htm

Why are 50-plus clients moving? To be closer to grandchildren. They like to live near water and in metropolitan areas where there is cultural activities, things to do, and every day conveniences. They are looking to be close to good hospitals, to be able to confidently and easily address health concerns. The list goes on and on.

Beyond the baby boomers is an older generation - they might be overwhelmed with the maintenance associated with a larger property and are considering a down-size. Or, perhaps they need one-level living. In some cases, this older generation might even be considering assisted living. Unlike the baby boomers who are more energetic, excited and embracing a change - this generation finds the process of moving to be an emotionally and physically daunting task. It might involve leaving behind a lifetime of memories. But, in either case, moving at this time of life is about improving one's quality of day to day living.

Last week I earned my designation as a Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES). This is the kind of distinction which I hope can set me apart from other local real estate agents in Dutchess County.

Earning this designation was not so much about business, but for me it's more about who I am!

...I am baby boomer who is venturing into the senior world myself soon and starting to give consideration about my own future lifestyle transitions. I'm even a grandma now! In the next 10-15 years I will be facing retirement together with my husband who has already crossed that 50+ threshold. And, I have watched my own parents (who are in their 80's and still living independently). They've had to evaluate their own housing needs from time to time. So, I have grown fond of helping others like them.

Finding the right real estate agent is about making the right personal connection. A real estate agent should be able to relate to their clientele. I know from relocating over the years and having to hire my own Realtors in the past - an agent who can relate and/or share similar life experiences is one who can make all the difference when it comes to helping somebody transition into a new and improved lifestyle.

Please call me if you are considering transitioning to a new lifestyle which involves buying or selling real estate in Dutchess County. I will be able to relate as a baby boomer, as the daughter of older generation senior citizens and as your area Seniors Real Estate Specialist!

Carol Culkin http://www.dutchesshomefinder.com/
Associate Broker
Century 21 Anita Ferri Realty
845-297-7707 ext 39
845-430-6543 cell phone