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Community Corner

Lake Parsippany Day 'A Great Time to Meet Our Neighbors'

Property Owners Association kicks off its annual open house at Drewes Beach.

Despite a chilly afternoon on Saturday at Drewes Beach in Lake Parsippany, members and friends of the Lake Parsippany Property Owners Association gathered to enjoy the lake at the annual day-long open house.

The Open House is a prominent day for the organization to invite the community and expose them of LPPOA and its many branches.

Debbie Orme, a member of the LPPOA, said the open house event—always held the first Saturday in June—has been around for as long as the association has existed.

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The event, although free and open to the public, also serves as an "early-bird special" to offer a one-day discounted rate for families interested in joining. Dues from the membership benefit the maintenance and quality of the lake and surrounding properties.

Rose Dury, an LPPOA board member, said the membership is open to all, even to those who reside outside the area.

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"Everybody's welcome to join," Dury said. "You don't have to live here to play here."

The association is home to various clubs and recreational activities. Featured guests from branches of the LPPOA included the Sailing Club, the Women's Club, the Book Club, the Mom’s Club, the Men’s Club and the Dragon Boat Team, among others.

The community event featured swimming, face painting, food, music, kiddie races and its annual Dragon Boat eye-dotting ceremony.

The eye-dotting ceremony’s significance is said to “awaken the dragon,” to give the dragon strength to win all the races for the LPPOA Dragon Boat Team. The honors were done by Mayor James Barberio and members of the town's governing body.  

“Growing up in town, a lot of my friends come from the LPPOA,” Barberio said. “They’re very community-oriented and I think that’s very important that they keep that alive. That’s the fabric of Parsippany.”

Barry Howard, steerer of the Dragon Boat Team for four years, appreciates this annual  community event.

“It’s a great time to meet our neighbors,” Howard said. “They share our lake with us and we love to share our experiences with them.”

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