Black bears are getting a lot of attention these days, for the wrong reasons. They're venturing close to homes, looking for food. Bears that look for food near your home or yard have likely learned bad habits from people who feed them intentionally, or who carelessly leave out food or garbage.

People who feed bears may think they're helping them, but it only invites trouble. Feeding bears can make them a nuisance or even aggressive. When that happens, the bears must be destroyed to protect residents. In New Jersey, it is illegal to feed bears—anyone who feeds bears could face a penalty of up to $ 1000 for each offence.

Here are some things you can do to be a good neighbor by being Bear Aware:
• Use bear-proof garbage containers, if possible, or store all garbage in containers with tight-fitting lids, and keep them inside your garage or basement until ready to set out for collection.
• Put out garbage on the morning of collection day—not the night before.
• Wash garbage containers weekly with disinfectant solution to remove odors. Draping rags soaked in bleach over garbage bags also helps eliminate odors.
• Feed pets outside only during daylight hours. Remove all uneaten food and scraps, as well as food bowls, immediately after feeding pets.
• Clean outdoor grils thoroughly after each use. Grease or food residue will attract bears.
• Do not place meat or sweets in compost piles.
• Feed birds only between December 1sl and April 1st. when bears are least active. Make sure feeders hang at least 10' above the ground. Clean up spilled seeds and shells.
• Pick up fallen fruit from trees daily, and discard it in bear-proof garbage containers.
• Report black bear sightings to the Mendham Borough Police Department, at 973-543-2527. or the NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife, at 908-735-8793.
• Visit www.njfishandwildlife.com for more information.

On Saturday. July 2"cl, at 1:OOPM, everyone is invited to join the Loree Family in honoring their ancestor. Revolutionary War Veteran Pvt. Job Loree. The Loree Family will gather at the Hilltop Presbyterian Churchyard, on 'Hilltop Rd., to rededicate a headstone for Job Loree, who served with his brother, Samuel, in the Morris County Militia.

The brothers settled in Mendham in the 1730's. and are considered to be among the founders of Mendham. For the unveiling of the new tombstone, Loree Family members will have an Honor Guard from the 2"tl NJ Helms Division Re-enactors. There will also be a brief religious ceremony, an historical talk, and a tour of the cemetery.

DAY CAMP
There are still openings in the Mendham Borough Day Camp, for children entering Kindergarten in September, through Grade 5. The Camp will be held in Borough Park, Monday-Fridays, from 9:OOAM-12:30PM, June 27th-August 5th.
The cost is $50 per week. To register your child, phone Helen Cleary. Recreation Secretary, at 973-643-7152. ext. 10. or stop in the Recreation Office, at 6 West Main Street, from 9:OOAM-4:OOPM. Monday-Friday.

LABOR DAY PARADE PREPARATION
This year. Labor Day will be observed on Monday. September 5th. Anyone wishing to participate in the annual Labor Day Parade is asked to phone Helen Cleary. Recreation Secretary, at 973-643-7152. ext. 10, from 9:OOAM-4:OOPM. Monday-Friday.

The Borough Offices will be closed on Monday, July 4"', in observation of Independence Day.

During the summer months the Mendham Garden Club meets on Tuesday mornings to maintain the Oak Tree Triangle and the Phoenix House gardens. Our summer work schedule is as follows: OAK TREE TRIANGLE: 8:30AM, July 5th, 19th, August 2"", 16th, September 6th PHOENIX HOUSE GARDEN: 9:OOAM, July 12th, 26th, August 9th, 23rd, September 13th

If you have ever considered joining the Mendham Garden Club, please stop by during any of these work sessions and introduce yourself. Even better, join us as we tend these gardens. Not only will your help be greatly appreciated, butjou get to know some of our very talented members. You may even pick up a great gardening tip or two! There are also plenty of other opportunities for Garden Club members to work "behind the scenes." Phone 973-543-3445. for more information.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4™, CIA
No, not the Central Intelligence Agency. This is a trip to Hyde Park. NY. for a tour of the Culinary Institute of America, including a wonderful lunch in the American Bounty Restaurant.

The cost is $40/members. $45/non-members. The bus will leave from the parking lot behind the King's Market/Chinese Restaurant, at 9:30AM, and return at 5:30-6:OOPM. The last day for sign-up and payment in full is July 12th.
For more information, or registration, phone Trip Planner. Anne Schmidt, at 973-543-4787.