Miscellaneous

	Not all is bliss in Brookhaven Hamlet. Like many communities on Long Island, deer have become a problem. These giant rats are a hazard on our roads and destroy our gardens and vegetation. They are a host for the deer tick which transmits Lyme disease. Since hunting has been largely prohibited in populated areas, and dogs no longer are allowed to run loose and pack, they have no enemies. These deer were seen in a yard along Beaverdam Rd. I often see them in my own little back-yard, munching on hosta and other succulent flowers in my garden. (You may have to click on the picture to see them.)
Encounters with deer are unnerving, and, as I'm sure you know, can do much damage to vehicles. We have hit deer twice in the last 10 years. In one case, more correctly, the deer hit us. We had come to a crawl, and the deer still ran headlong into the side of the car, doing considerable damage. In the other case, it was a glancing blow, and the deer ran off into the wood, probably to later die. Little seems to be being done about this menace, I suppose because of a nambi-bambi attitude about the "cute little critters." (Again, you may need to click on the picture to clearly see the deer.)
	Hamlet Organic Garden is a local Community Supported Agriculture project. The Garden has been growing produce on a 5-acre certified organic field for about 8 years (a/o Oct. 2002). There are over 1000 CSA's nationally. For information, visit HOG's web site. The farm is behind the houses across the street from our house; the entrance is from Beaverdam Rd. This picture is of their Fall Festival in 2002, and shows their barn. [Another Picture] - [Ann Wiswall Drawing]