Editor/Publisher Art Harris

e-mail address: arthur.harris@earthlink.net

HTN web address: http://www.alplaus.org

HOME TOWN NEWS

ALPLAUS, NEW YORK 12008

April 2007 Vol. 131 No. 3

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Celebrate Spring!

What's inside

On the Hill………………………………………..2

March AFD Calls………………………..….......2

Alplaus Fire Department News………….…….2

Ladies Auxiliary………………………………....3

Explorer Post 885………………………………3

Alplaus Post Office News……………………...4

Alplaus Bird Line………………………………..4

ARA News……………………………………….5

Yates Farm Townhouses………………………5

Sewer Update………………..…………….……6

Samuel's Coffee Talk…...………………………6

Samuel's Music Lineup for April...……….….....6

Step It Up - Alplaus…..…………….……………7

Summer Flower Bulb And Perennial Sale

Orders Due by April 16^th

Please see Kathy @ Post Office or a Ladies Auxiliary Member to Order

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On the Hill

How quickly the snow goes under the late March sun! Global warming occurs locally every spring and we all could not be any happier. Which reminds me to point out the flyer on page 7 of this Home Town News. We are invited to attend a program about Climate Change at the Alplaus Methodist Church on Saturday evening April 14th. The film "An Inconvenient Truth" will be shown. It should be interesting, whatever your personal opinion of V-P Al Gore and his campaign regarding global warming and the danger thereof.

We add our congratulations to those heaped on Barb Casey at the ARA Annual meeting as the Alplaus Citizen of the Year 2007. She has worked hard and long for our hamlet these last four years as ARA President; especially on the issue of sewer expansion and tie in with the Schenectady sewer plant. Let's all hope 2007 sees that project get to the "shovel in the dirt" phase…….AWH

Alplaus Fire Department Calls for March 2007

Incident #	Date	Alarm Time	Call Type	Location	# Fire Fighters	Fire Fighter Hours
000071	29 MAR 2007	15:48	Other Emergency	Glenridge Road	9	3.3
000070	29 MAR 2007	14:52	Medical Emergency	Woodcrest Drive	7	4.0
000069	29 MAR 2007	00:48	Water Rescue	Alplaus Avenue	8	7.1
000068	28 MAR 2007	16:54	Mutual Aid Scene	Evergreen Boulevard	8	13.9
000067	23 MAR 2007	13:34	False Alarm Fire	Riverview Road	12	14.0
000066	23 MAR 2007	13:08	Medical Emergency	Butterfield Avenue	2	0.8
000065	22 MAR 2007	16:09	Mutual Aid Scene	Riverview Road	10	2.7
000064	21 MAR 2007	11:28	Mutual Aid Scene	Homestead Road	13	26.0
000063	20 MAR 2007	17:17	Medical Emergency	Helen Court	12	4.4
000062	18 MAR 2007	19:47	Medical Emergency	Bruce Drive	9	5.6
000061	15 MAR 2007	15:07	Water Rescue	Brookside Drive	8	5.7
000060	13 MAR 2007	12:46	Medical Emergency	Hetcheltown Road	6	3.0
000059	12 MAR 2007	17:42	Other Fire	Hetcheltown Road	16	22.7
000058	08 MAR 2007	08:01	Medical Emergency	Bruce Drive	5	2.2
000057	07 MAR 2007	16:13	Other Fire	Hill Street	12	9.6
000056	06 MAR 2007	14:03	Medical Emergency	Glenridge Road	9	4.5
000055	05 MAR 2007	16:38	Medical Emergency	Glenridge Road	10	3.2
000054	05 MAR 2007	12:40	Mutual Aid Standby	Alplaus Avenue	8	12.1
000053	04 MAR 2007	21:32	Medical Emergency	Glenridge Rd	10	2.7

Alplaus Fire Department News

by by Kailyn Sheppeck

The Alplaus Fire Department was busy again in March with calls that ranged from simple assistance requests and alarm drops to structure fires and water rescues. Fortunately, most of Alplaus made it through the spring flooding without too much damage; however, the airboat was utilized for one evacuation on Brookside Drive.

The Fire Department got an opportunity to welcome our new neighbor at 29 Hill Street (Jim Norton's former residence). The circumstances of his introduction could certainly been better had his porch not been in flames. Thankfully, the fire was confined to the porch and we all hope that there will be no great delay with the ongoing renovations.

Other highlights of the month included five firefighters completing the New York State Fire Training Certification in Ice Rescue and four firefighters completing Fire Officer training.

You may have seen our personnel in the Daily Gazette, which carried stories with photos of the ice rescue course as well as the airboat evacuation. It was nice to see our department getting the attention it deserves!

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Explorer Post 885

by Kathleen Sheppeck

COMING SOON! Explorer Post 885 is planning an information night for prospective new members and their parents. We hope to set a date in June for all those interested who will be completing the 8th Grade this year and anyone else between the ages of 14 and 20.

Please look for more detailed information in the coming weeks. We are excited by the interest from a new group of young people and look forward to speaking with anyone who thinks they might like to join this rewarding group.

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Ladies Auxiliary

by Vicki Watkins

Happy Spring! We had a very busy meeting this past week making plans for many spring and summer activities. We hope to see you at some of these upcoming events. We are pleased to welcome Gail Shakeshaft as our newest member to the Auxiliary. It’s wonderful to have our membership continue to grow.

Beautiful summer flower bulbs and perennials are now available for ordering. A brochure is on display in the Alplaus Post Office. You can place your order there or from any Auxiliary member through April 16^th. Your purchases will be delivered by mid-May.

The Village Wide Flea Market and Garage Sale is scheduled for Saturday, June 2^nd from 9 am to 4 pm. There are three ways that you can participate: set up at the firehouse either by renting a table for $15 or bringing your own table and renting the space for just $10 (the prime real estate, tables under the pavilion, is reserved on a first-come first-serve basis so get your reservations in soon), put your home garage sale on our village map ($5) and/or come to the firehouse on June 2^nd for some great sales and delicious home-made food. If you know of any one outside of Alplaus who might be interested in being a vendor please ask them to call Vicki at 399-0184.

The 2007 Alplaus calendar was such a success (over 110 copies were sold) that we decided to plan another one for next year. The 2008 Alplaus calendar theme will be "HOUSES OF ALPLAUS". Enter your best photographs of your home or your neighbors’ (with permission). Feel free to be creative. Seasonal shots would be great and they can be current or historical, color or black & white, and a minimum of 3x5. Please add a short biography of the home including any interesting facts or history. The deadline is October 15, 2007. Enter as many photos as you would like for the $5 entry fee.

The photographs will be judged and the best 12 photographs will be selected for the calendar. You can mail in your entries to Alplaus Ladies Auxiliary P. O. Box 43 Alplaus, New York 12008 or drop them off at the Alplaus Post office.

Last, but certainly not least, we WILL be sponsoring the 2^nd annual Paddle for a Cure this summer. Kathy Boyle and Shawna Thompson are already busy making plans and a date will be set soon. Stay posted for details……..

Our next meeting will be Monday, April 30^th, at 7:00 PM at the Firehouse. Please join us if you can or if you would like some information about the Auxiliary call Vicki at 399-0184. We are always interested in welcoming new members.

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Alplaus Post Office News

The Governors of the U. S. Postal service approved an increase of a First-Class stamp to 41 cents, authorized the issuance of the Forever Stamp, approved shape-based pricing, and set May 14, 2007 as the date for the implementation of these changes.

The Forever Stamp will sell at the new 41 cent First-Class Mail one-ounce letter rate. The value on these stamps will always be the one-ounce letter rate and can be used for any future one-ounce letter mailing without extra postage.

The Postal service will continue to issue the popular commemorative stamps as well as holiday stamps. Postcards will be 26 cents. Don't panic, I will have plenty of 2 cent stamps to add to any 39 cent stamps you may already have.

The new pricing approach (shaped-based pricing) is based on the shape of the mail, not just the weight. The new prices will reflect the fact that the costs for handling letters, large envelopes and packages are different.

As more information becomes available to me I will be sure to let you know.

Happy, Happy Spring,
Kathy Boyle

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Alplaus Birdline

by Shawna Thompson

March 11 was the arrival date this year for the flocks of Red Winged Blackbirds in Alplaus. And March 16 was the date of the snowstorm that always seems to follow the arrival of these noisy birds. But signs of that snowstorm are quickly receding and the air is filled with the spring sounds of all our favorite birds.

Kim Sheely was pleasantly surprised to see the “White Robin” survived the winter and has been frequenting her yard. Although a lot of Robins wintered-over here in Alplaus, many of the travelers are back and all of them are singing their cheerful spring song now.

Jessica Evans knew spring was here when she spotted the Great Blue Heron in her yard. She was also treated to a flock of about 12 Wood Ducks. These handsome ducks have to be among the most beautiful of all birds. They tend to be a bit shy, and are usually spotted in pairs or small groups. In recent years they seem to be more common along our creek. If you spot a duck that appears to have a ponytail, it is probably a “Woody”.

The birds at this time of year are busy showing off new plumage, finding mates and building nests. Watch for interesting activity, then call it in to the Alplaus Bird Line at 399-0490, or e-mail me at swanalaka@aol.com

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