It’s all I can do to keep up with the bizarre fluctuations in gasoline prices, nevermind what appears to be a national shortage of fluoride. In October 2003, our family left New York City, where there’s flouride in the city water, and moved to the Roxiticus Valley , where we have well water and with no fluoride in it. Now, I’ll save the story of Maddie’s pre-school experiences with pediatric dentistry for another day, but let’s just say I became convinced that she was at risk of tooth decay. Worried about the effect of the lack of fluoridated water in our area on London and Maddie’s teeth, we consulted Dr. David Matthews of Far Hills Dental Care in Far Hills, New Jersey. He recommended prescription multivitamins with a fluoride supplement included, and the girls have been taking PolyVitamin Fluoride Tablets for a few years now.

Then, at the end of the summer, we started having problems refilling London and Maddie’s fluoride vitamin prescriptions at CVS in Chester, NJ. The pharmacist suggested a fluoride supplement combined with Flintstones chewable multi-vitamins, and we made the switch around the start of the new school year. When we went back to CVS to refill the fluoride supplement prescription in early November, however, the pharmacist was stumped. CVS (not just in Chester, but apparently nationwide) was now out of the fluoride supplement, the recalled PolyVitamin Fluoride Tablets were still missing in action, and we were out of fluoride options for London and Maddie’s growing teeth.

Looking for clues online, I found an article about the fluoride crisis from the Times Leader in Wilkes-Barre, Pennylvania and will share a few of the highlights and recommendations:

• “If you are a parent attempting to stave off your child’s cavities using fluoride supplements, you may have noticed that filling these prescriptions has been a little challenging lately. Many area pharmacies have experienced shortages or no supply of fluoride tablets and multi-vitamins with fluoride for anywhere from two weeks to sometimes five months.”
• The shortage stems from the Actavis Group’s recent recall of its multi-vitamin/fluoride supplements due to the product being “out of specification results for assay at the stability time point.” Other manufacturers of similar prescription products were unable to increase production.
• “These prescription fluoride supplements are known as systemic fluorides because they are ingested and absorbed by the body to strengthen the enamel of the permanent teeth that are forming. This process makes the teeth stronger and more resistant to cavities and tooth decay.” The fluoride supplements are produced in three different strengths which are prescribed by pediatricians and pediatric dentists based on a child’s age
• Although I’ve considered giving London and Maddie bottled fluoridated water until the Fluoride Crisis is over, the Times Leader article quoted Dr. Richard Brown from the Children’s Dental Center in Kingston, Pennsylvania, who does not recommend using it as an alternative to the supplements “because it is not known how much fluoride is in the water.” Excessive fluoride could cause a complication called fluorosis. It is characterized by yellowing of teeth, white spots or pitting of the tooth’s enamel. In severe cases, teeth may have black or brown spots and/or cracks or pits in the teeth. Eew!!
• Of course, topical fluoride products such as fluoride rinses (my girls use ACT “pink bubblegum rinse”) and toothpaste will also help prevent decay in your child’s existing teeth. Unfortunately, Dr. Brown advises that brushing and rinsing is “not going to help the forming teeth.” Systemic fluoride benefits the formation of teeth because fluoride is easily absorbed by the body. Fluoride works in conjunction with other minerals—calcium, magnesium, zinc and phosphorus — to help form and maintain teeth. Calcium has long been recommended for healthy teeth, but it is digested at a slower rate by the body than fluoride.

Separately, I also stumbled across some statistics from a 1982 article in The New York Times, when there was a shortage of the fluoride additive used in public drinking water. The American Dental Association estimates that every dollar spent on fluoridation of public water supplies saves $50 in dental costs. In 1960 Antigo, Wisconsin, a town of 8,600 people, halted the fluoridation of its water. In the next four years, tooth decay rates among preschoolers rose by 92 percent.  Scary!

What’s a mother like Roxy to do? The Times Leader article advises us not to panic. Some pharmacies are beginning to receive stock of the fluoride supplements. “Even though the orders are being shipped slowly, local pharmacists expect the [fluoride] shortage to be short-lived.” In the meantime, kids’ developing teeth might benefit from an increase in calcium consumption through natural sources such as dairy products or plant sources like tofu, kale, spinach or other green leafy vegetables. Just don’t try to get Maddie to eat “that green stuff.” My girls will stick with an extra helping of ice cream followed by two minutes of tooth brushing and pink rinse.

If you have any questions about fluoride supplements or the recall, talk to your pediatrician, pediatric dentist or pharmacist, or call Actavis Group directly at 800-432-8534. I’m seeing Dr. David Matthews at Far Hills Dental Care next Friday for my cleaning and Invisalign appointment, so I’ll see if he has any new advice and I’ll share it with all of you next week.

Those of you who know my husband Rex know that he’s a terrific cook and he is NOT a pizza person.  For many years, I simply lived without the forbidden food, but now that London and Maddie have “come of age,” we have a plan whenever Rex travels on business.  London actually takes after her father and doesn’t eat pizza, which makes her a challenging kiddie birthday party guest, so we have a standing order with Pizza Brothers of Bedminster, New Jersey, one of the few places that will deliver dinner out here in the Roxiticus Valley:

• One small plain pizza for Maddie and me;
• Six or twelve plain chicken fritters for London, depending upon her appetite;
• Twelve atomic wingers for Roxy; and
• An order of cheddar cheese fries for the three of us to share.

We usually have a coupon for $1.50 off a large pizza or any order of $10.00 or more (watch for them in the mail), so the three of us turn out to be a pretty cheap date.  We spread out an outdoor tablecloth in the family room, London and Maddie set it up for a picnic, and it’s the perfect Girls’ Night In, complete with Hannah Montana reruns on our HDTV.

Every now and then, we’ll even “dine in” at Pizza Brothers in Bedminster…Rex describes it as “a roadhouse,” but we bring our own microbrews and enjoy a casual dinner with something for everyone.

Pizza Brothers of Bedminster, NJ.  Phone:  (908) 470-4457.

Other Pizza Brothers locations include Hillsborough (908-874-0779); Green Brook (732-968-6363), Martinsville (732-469-6611); Raritan (908-526-7474); and Scotch Plains (908) 490-0007.

Please sing along with Roxy to the tune of “London Bridge is Falling Down“:

Roxy’s pants are falling down, falling down, falling down

Roxy’s pants are falling down…. D’Apolito!

My loyal Roxiticus Desperate Housewives readers know that when London and Maddie headed back to school at Mendham Township Elementary this Fall, their out-of-shape mom started a diet and exercise program with the goal of losing a pound per week until I lost 25 pounds and reached my “fighting weight” of 135 pounds. The first three weeks went well, with three or four times per week workouts on the elliptical trainer in our basement gym, healthy foods, and a positive mental attitude.  I was feeling great and losing weight at the rate of 2 pounds per week.  Then the stock market crashed, Wall Street needed a bailout, and I lost my appetite.  I wish I could claim that it was Roxy’s Back-to-School fitness program rather than stress over the U.S. economy that has caused my 15-20 pounds of weight loss since early September, but no matter how I got here, the fact is that I’m looking slimmer than I have in years.

While I have a fine wardrobe of pre-pregnancy 1990’s clothing that I can take out of the closet to show off my svelte new self, I have grown quite fond of many of the newer size 10 clothes I’ve added to my collection over the past 8 to 10 years…but those hot new low rise jeans don’t look quite right crumpled around my ankles or held fast below my waistlne using safety pins on either side.

It’s time for D’Apollito and Son Tailors to come to the rescue! Since Rex has been working out consistently since August 2007 and eating much healthier under the guidance of his nutritionist, Corinne Bush at the Far Hills Pharmacy, we’ve been sending quite a bit of work D’Apolito’s way, and Rex has never looked better in his exquisitely tailored business suits.

Now the only question is when to take my clothes in for alterations.  Weighing in at 140 to 145 pounds, I have about ten pounds to go before I reach my weight loss goal, and despite dropping the weight, I haven’t really toned up my tummy and abs.  Should I wait and see if the pounds and inches continue to melt away over the next couple of months, or should I take it in (pun intended) to D’Apolito and Sons Tailors right away?  I’d appreciate advice from Roxy’s Best Of… readers, and I may just stop by D’Apolito and Sons to see if the tailors have any recommendations for me.

Joseph D’Apolito and Son Tailors, 16 Peapack Road, Far Hills, NJ 07931. Phone: (908) 234-2857

As I posted here on Saturday, it was a gorgeous autumn afternoon for the running of the 88th annual Far Hills Races at Moorland Farms in Far Hills, New Jersey, benefitting Somerset Medical Center Foundation. The serious fans of the Hunt, who come out every year, rain or shine or mud, had arrived hours ahead of the 1:00pm post time for the time-honored ritual of setting up their party and viewing spots, ranging from lavish feasts provided by local caterers, laid out in white tents with formal tables and chairs up on the hilltop…to SUVs loaded with six-foot subs and parked at tailgating spots passed on from generation to generation… to tables, chairs and small tents carried in on people’s backs and set up along the infield fence. The crowd numbered 50,000 or more, and included socialites, local Somerset Hills and Roxiticus Valley families, as well as steeplechase fans and partygoing singles who had donned their elegant equestrian gear (and/or high-heeled boots!) and taken a train or a limo in from New York City. Rex, London, Maddie and I boarded one of the shuttle buses from the Gladstone train station for a quick trip to Far Hills. Not quick enough, though… we made it to Moorland Farms by 1:00pm, but by the time we had made it to our friends’ tailgate party along the infield fence on the back stretch, we had missed the first race, The Peapack, won by Class Shadow.

With about a half hour between races, London and Maddie settled in with their girlfriends, roughing it up with the boys playing football in the grass nearby, while Rex and I analyzed the Official Track Program for the horses in each race…Who did he beat? Who had the mount? How fast did they go? What’s his breeding? We mostly used the short race analysis provided in the program and, when all else failed, picked one of the names that stood out from the rest. The second race was the 2.5 mile Foxbrook Supreme Hurdle, a race that always showcases future stars and included five horses this year. Be Certain was the horse to beat, but he didn’t run, going in the Grand National (fourth race) instead and leaving the race wide open. Classy Brute proved his mettle with two wins this spring and a quality fourth in his most recent try at Kentucky Downs. Rex and I agreed that Classy Brute could pull a mild upset and put our $2 on him to win. The girls climbed up on the infield fence to cheer Classy Brute on, and I snapped a few photos as they jumped the hurdle and passed us on the back stretch. We had high hopes as Classy Brute looked good for a while, but the news came to us from the Jumbotron that Swagger Stick was the winner of the Foxbrook.

The third race was the 2.125 mile Appleton Stakes, with 9 horses running. Last year, Planets Aligned nearly won the Foxbrook with a solid effort despite getting too free on the lead early. The race analysis suggested that if he saved some energy for the finish, he could be tough here, so Rex and I put down our $2 on Planets Aligned. Our air guitar playing hostess, however, was wise to choose Cradle Will Rock, and taunted us with Van Halen lyrics as her horse won the Appleton Stakes.

History was made at last year’s event when owner Michael Moran’s remarkable 10-year-old gelding, McDynamo, won his fifth consecutive Breeder’s Cup Grand National Steeplechase. This feat was even more spectacular as it was his seventh consecutive victory at the Far Hills Race Meeting (2001-2007). Shortly before the start of the Grand National Hurdle Stakes (the fourth race), there was a special ceremony honoring McDynamo (“King of Far Hills”), now retired from racing, who joined the festivities at Moorland Farms to receive the accolades he so richly deserves. Our only disappointment was that the ceremony took place entirely in front of the Officials’ stand… we would have liked to see McDynamo take a victory lap around the course.

At last, it was time for the big race of the day, the 2.625 mile Grand National, in its first edition without McDynamo since 2003. Seven horses ran, including Be Certain, Best Attack, Good Night Shirt, Istibee (New Zealand), Dalucci (Ireland), Red Letter Day, and Orison. We put our $5 on Good Night Shirt for two reasons. Most importantly, “Good Night Shirt!” is an expression my mother always used when I was growing up, her form of “For Pete’s Sake.” I’ll have to check in with my mom to find out exactly where she got that expression that brought us all kinds of good luck at the Far Hills Races and I’ll report back to all of you. The second reason is that the program’s race analysis informed us that “the Grand National showcases a worthy replacement [for McDynamo] in Good Night Shirt. The 2007 steeplechase champion rides a four-race winning streak into today and can set a single-season earnings record with the $150,000 first-place check. He lost this race last year (to a superstar in McDynamo) but avenged that defeat later in the year. A solid favorite.” The race analysis goes on to assume the win for Good Night Shirt and goes on to say, “ The race for second should be heated. Upstart 4-year-old Be Certain deserves a look, though he gets his toughest test yet. Orison looked great in a training flat tuneup for this last week and got close to the favorite once last year. Best Attack is capable of a quality effort and was third here last year.” Good Night Shirt didn’t disappoint, and Rex and I collected our $15 winnings. While I’m sure you can do the math and see that our net earnings for the day were only $2.00, it was still exciting, since neither of us had ever bet on a horse and won before Saturday’s Grand National.

We stayed to see the running of the fifth race, the 2.125 mile Gladstone Hurdle, featuring 9 three-year-old steeplechasers… the equivalent of rookie baseball players – raw and unproven, but potential stars. Class Bopper defeated older horses in a maiden hurdle a week ago, and looked good doing it, so we put our $2 on Class Bopper to win. While Class Bopper was in the lead for a while, our luck had run out, and I don’t think Class Bopper even finished the race. We bid farewell to our gracious host and hostess, and headed back across Moorland Farms to the Far Hills train station and home.

Net proceeds from the Far Hills Race Meeting are earmarked for Somerset Medical Center’s Steeplechase Cancer Center, which contains state-of-the-art equipment, as well as highly trained specialists and technicians to help diagnose and treat this insidious disease. Since my mom is a breast cancer survivor who was and is treated at Somerset Medical Center, this charity is especially meaningful to my family and I’m proud to be able to be a part of an event that enables the Steeplechase Cancer Center to continue the battle to help eradicate cancer once and for all. It’s a great day for a great cause, and I’d encourage all of you to come out and participate in next year’s Far Hills Race Meeting. We’ll be posting all the details here as plans are made for the 89th Annual Far Hills Race Meeting at Moorland Farms in Far Hills, New Jersey….See you there!

50,000 turned out on a great day for the Far Hills Race Meeting this past Saturday, October 18, 2008.

Here’s a shot from the second race.

Two different angles on the third race.

Good Night Shirt wins the Grand National!

They call you Lady Luck.
But there is room for doubt
At times you have a very unladylike way of running out
You’re on this a date with me
The pickings have been lush
And yet before this evening is over you might give me the brush
You might forget your manners
You might refuse to stay and so the best that I can to is pray.

Luck be a lady tonight
Luck be a lady tonight
Luck if you’ve ever been a lady to begin with
Luck be a lady tonight.
Luck let a gentleman see
How nice a dame you can be
I’ve seen the way you’ve treated other guys you’ve been with
Luck be a lady with me.     

A lady doesn’t leave her escort
It isn’t fair, it isn’t nice
A lady doesn’t wander all over the room
And blow on some other guy’s dice.
So let’s keep the party polite
Never get out of my sight
Stick with me baby, I’m the fellow you came in with
Luck be a lady
Luck be a lady
Luck be a lady tonight…

It’s a brisk Saturday, October 18th, and Rex, London, Maddie and I are off to the races! More than 50,000 fans are expected to converge for the 88th running of the Far Hills Races at Moorland Farms in Far Hills, NJ. We’re going to head over to the train station in Gladstone, where shuttle buses will take us back and forth to Moorland Farms for the steeplechase.

Post time is 1:00pm, but the people with the best parking spaces have already arrived and are eagerly awaiting the delivery of their catered treats.

A centerpiece of the National Steeplechase Association season, the Far Hills Race Meeting offers six races with purses totaling $550,000, making it the most lucrative steeplechase meeting in the United States.

Last year, I only had my iPhone for picture taking, but this year, I’m bringing my Canon Digital Rebel and will try to give all of my readers a feel for the races and the tailgating crowd.

I was on the phone earlier today with my favorite butcher, Mario Perrotti at M&M Perrotti’s over in Far Hills, NJ, and he reminded me that (1) his Friday and Saturday are going to be absolutely crazy getting ready for the Far Hills Race Meeting to benefit Somerset Medical Center and (2) I’ve got to get out and buy our tickets!

I’ve only been to “the Hunt” once… in October 2007, when the sun was shining, the horses were running, the beer was flowing, the kids were playing in the mud, and I’ll hope the weather repeats this year on Saturday, October 18th. The weekend weather for Far Hills, New Jersey, promises more clouds than sun, with highs in the upper 50s. I guess I’d better get that sweater out….or maybe a rugby shirt.

More than 50,000 spectators converge each Fall on the rolling hills of Moorland Farms in Far Hills, New Jersey, for the Garden State’s biggest social event of the season — The Far Hills Race Meeting. This year’s race — on Saturday, October 18, 2008 — will mark the 88th running, and the Far Hills Race features some of the finest steeplechasers in the world competing against a backdrop of autumn splendor in the Somerset Hills (and the Greater Roxiticus Valley). I sure hope I can wangle an invitation from our good friends with the perfect parking spot.

Tickets are now on sale online (ONLY in bundles of 10 general admission tickets for $500) and in many local stores, including:

• Bamboo Grill in Basking Ridge, NJ
• Far Hills Pharmacy in Bedminster, NJ
• Kings Supermarkets in Bedminster, Berkeley Heights, Bernardsville, Boonton, Chatham, Florham Park, Fort Lee, Hoboken (2 locations), Livingston, Maplewood, Mendham, Morristown, Short Hills, Summit, Upper Montclair, Warren, and Whitehouse Station, NJ
• Peapack-Gladstone Bank in Bedminster, Bernardsville, Bridgewater, Califon, Chester, Clinton, Far Hills, Gladstone, Green Village, Hillsborough, Long Valley, Mendham, Morristown, Oldwick, Pottersville, Summit, Warren, and Whitehouse Station, NJ
• Willie’s Taverne in Bedminster, NJ
• Gary’s Wine and Marketplace in Bernardsville and Madison, NJ
• Monterey Gourmet in Bernardsville, NJ
• Roman Jewelers in Bridgewater, NJ
• F. Gerald New in Chatham and Morristown, NJ
• Chester Country Furnishings in Chester, NJ
• Chester Wine, Spirits & Gourmet in Chester, NJ
• Butler’s Pantry in Far Hills, NJ
• Joseph D’Apolito & Son Tailor in Far Hills, NJ
• The Garden Gate Garden Center in Flemington, NJ
• Beval Saddlery in Gladstone, NJ
• Gladstone Market in Gladstone, NJ
• Petrocks Liquors in Hillsborough, NJ
• BMW of Roxbury in Kenvil, NJ
• Long Valley Pub and Brewery in Long Valley, NJ
• BMW of Morristown, NJ
• Braunschweiger Jewelers in Morristown, New Providence, and Warren, NJ
• Oldwick General Store in Oldwick, NJ
• Mannion’s Pub in Somerville, NJ; and of course,
• Somerset Medical Center in Somerville, NJ

I’ve only been to “the Hunt” once… in October 2007, when the sun was shining, the horses were running, the beer was flowing, the kids were playing in the mud, and I’ll hope the weather repeats this year on Saturday, October 18th. The weekend weather for Far Hills, New Jersey, promises more clouds than sun, with highs in the upper 50s. I guess I’d better get that sweater out….or maybe a rugby shirt.

Charity begins at home (and a good time is had by all) at the Far Hills Race Meeting to benefit Somerset Medical Center. I’ve only been once… in October 2007, when the sun was shining, the horses were running, the beer was flowing, the kids were playing in the mud, and I’ll hope the weather repeats this year on Saturday, October 18th.

More than 50,000 spectators converge each Fall on the rolling hills of Moorland Farms in Far Hills, New Jersey, for the Garden State’s biggest social event of the season — The Far Hills Race Meeting. This year’s race — on Saturday, October 18, 2008 — will mark the 88th running, and the Far Hills Race features some of the finest steeplechasers in the world competing against a backdrop of autumn splendor in the Somerset Hills (and the Greater Roxiticus Valley). I sure hope I can wangle an invitation from our good friends with the perfect parking spot.

Tickets are now on sale online (ONLY in bundles of 10 general admission tickets for $500) and in many local stores, including:

• Bamboo Grill in Basking Ridge, NJ
• Far Hills Pharmacy in Bedminster, NJ
• Kings Supermarkets in Bedminster, Berkeley Heights, Bernardsville, Boonton, Chatham, Florham Park, Fort Lee, Hoboken (2 locations), Livingston, Maplewood, Mendham, Morristown, Short Hills, Summit, Upper Montclair, Warren, and Whitehouse Station, NJ
• Peapack-Gladstone Bank in Bedminster, Bernardsville, Bridgewater, Califon, Chester, Clinton, Far Hills, Gladstone, Green Village, Hillsborough, Long Valley, Mendham, Morristown, Oldwick, Pottersville, Summit, Warren, and Whitehouse Station, NJ
• Willie’s Taverne in Bedminster, NJ
• Gary’s Wine and Marketplace in Bernardsville and Madison, NJ
• Monterey Gourmet in Bernardsville, NJ
• Roman Jewelers in Bridgewater, NJ
• F. Gerald New in Chatham and Morristown, NJ
• Chester Country Furnishings in Chester, NJ
• Chester Wine, Spirits & Gourmet in Chester, NJ
• Butler’s Pantry in Far Hills, NJ
• Joseph D’Apolito & Son Tailor in Far Hills, NJ
• The Garden Gate Garden Center in Flemington, NJ
• Beval Saddlery in Gladstone, NJ
• Gladstone Market in Gladstone, NJ
• Petrocks Liquors in Hillsborough, NJ
• BMW of Roxbury in Kenvil, NJ
• Long Valley Pub and Brewery in Long Valley, NJ
• BMW of Morristown, NJ
• Braunschweiger Jewelers in Morristown, New Providence, and Warren, NJ
• Oldwick General Store in Oldwick, NJ
• Mannion’s Pub in Somerville, NJ; and of course,
• Somerset Medical Center in Somerville, NJ

The tents are filled with merchandise, and after several weeks of collecting donations, it’s finally time to shop at the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) rummage sale in Far Hills, New Jersey.  The rummage sale opens to customers on Friday, October 3rd at 9:30am and continues through Sunday, October 5th at 3:30pm.

The famous VNA Rummage Sale, held every fall and spring at the Fairgrounds in Far Hills, New Jersey, is New Jersey’s largest and oldest. As a major fundraiser for the VNA, one of the Roxy’s favorite charities, 100% of the proceeds support the VNA’s programs and enable the VNA to care for those who are uninsured or underinsured. If you haven’t been before, prepare yourself! Bargains are everywhere, and the selection, spread out over 75,000 square feet, is incredible: clothing, appliances, antiques, sporting goods, furniture, dishes, books…you name it and you’ll find it there.

Just look for the big, colorful tents on the Fairgrounds on Peapack Road in Far Hills, New Jersey and you’ll find the Fall 2008 VNA Rummage Sale. Fall Sale dates and times are:

• Friday, October 3rd from 9:30am-3:30pm;
• Saturday, October 4th from 9:30am-3:30pm; and
• Sunday, October 5th from 12:30pm-3:30pm.