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On the Hill

Lots of news in this issue from a new postal rate structure for packages (page 4) to expansion at the rowing center (page9) to a preschool fair (page3) and more. Further development of the rowing center is especially great news for Alplaus, enhancing our waterfront.

Please note Kathy Boyle's article on postal rules and rates - they could change the way you prepare holiday gift mailings. Discuss this with the girls at the APO.

A Happy and festive Thanksgiving to one and all from Judy and me….AWH

Alplaus Fire Department Calls for October 2007

Incident #	Date	Alarm Time	Call Type	Location	# Fire-Fighters	Fire-Fighter hours
000246	31 OCT 2007	15:09	Air Boat Search & Re	Mohawk River	12	11.2
000245	30 OCT 2007	11:16	Mutual Aid Scene	Saratoga Road	7	1.9
000244	30 OCT 2007	06:39	Medical Emergency	Mountainwood Drive DDriveDrive	8	3.3
000243	30 OCT 2007	00:37	Mutual Aid Scene	Tryon Place	4	0.1
000242	23 OCT 2007	16:06	False Alarm Fire	Hetcheltown Road	5	1.7
000241	23 OCT 2007	13:03	False Alarm Fire	Saratoga Road	8	0.5
000240	23 OCT 2007	09:03	Alarm of Fire	Woodcrest Drive	7	1.5
000239	20 OCT 2007	11:15	False Alarm Fire	Hetcheltown Road	9	1.5
000238	18 OCT 2007	08:30	Medical Emergency	Elmwood Avenue	7	3.4
000237	18 OCT 2007	08:09	Water Rescue	Mohawk River	7	4.7
000236	16 OCT 2007	11:54	False Alarm Fire	Hetcheltown Road	7	2.5
000235	14 OCT 2007	14:47	Vehicle Accident	Maple Avenue	3	1.5
000234	14 OCT 2007	01:12	Medical Emergency	Woodcrest Drive	5	1.2
000233	13 OCT 2007	15:18	False Alarm Fire	Saratoga Road	4	0.5
000232	11 OCT 2007	18:24	Medical Emergency	Glenridge Rd	8	3.5
000231	11 OCT 2007	12:06	False Alarm Fire	Maple Avenue	6	0.5
000230	09 OCT 2007	15:21	Medical Emergency	Maritime Drive	5	3.5
000229	09 OCT 2007	13:24	Medical Emergency	Mountainwood Drive	8	4.3
000228	06 OCT 2007	15:36	Water Rescue	Mohawk River	9	9.2
000227	05 OCT 2007	19:53	Medical Emergency	Second Street	8	3.9
000226	05 OCT 2007	02:55	Medical Emergency	Elmwood Drive	7	4.4
000225	04 OCT 2007	21:42	Vehicle Accident	Maple Avenue	9	1.5
000224	03 OCT 2007	09:32	False Alarm Fire	Glenridge Road	4	1.3
000223	02 OCT 2007	13:17	Medical Emergency	Glenridge Road	5	2.4
000222	01 OCT 2007	13:40	False Alarm Fire	Glenridge Road	6	2.0

Please remember Veterans Day on November 11.

We owe our freedoms to their service and sacrifice

Explorer Post 885

by Kathleen Sheppeck

The Alplaus Fire Department welcomed another new member, Cassandra Coppola, to Explorer Post 885. The Explorers were busy this month helping out with the Fire Company's Annual Fund Drive, the Alplaus Run-Around and the Halloween Party. It's always great to see these young people so willing to give of their time to support the Fire Department and the community.

With a crop of new members we have also begun their basic training, starting with the physical science of fire behavior. This presents a great opportunity for the new comers to learn some unfamiliar concepts and for the senior post members to take a leadership role.

It's also great for the Fire-Fighters to review the basics like the fire tetrahedron. Most of us were taught in high school that the components of fire are oxygen, fuel and heat, graphically represented as the fire triangle. This is not technically correct and is now taught and represented by the fire tetrahedron (a bit more formidable for the geometrically challenged). The components necessary for combustion to occur are oxygen (oxidizing agent), fuel, heat, and a self sustained chemical reaction. This is a key concept for students of fire suppression. Removal of any one component the fire tetrahedron will extinguish the fire.

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Wendy [Michelle Mazur] with Tinkerbell [Lauren] & Peter Pan [Matthew] and other assorted Lost Boys [& girls] at the firehouse 2007 Halloween Party.

BH-BL MOMS Club Hosting Preschool Fair

by Kristi Casey

The Moms Offering Moms Support (MOMS) Club of Burnt Hills - Ballston Lake is hosting a preschool fair at the Burnt Hills Public Library on the corner of Lakehill Road and Lawmar Lane on Tuesday, November 13^th from 6:30 – 8:30pm.

There will be preschools from Scotia, Glenville, Burnt Hills, Ballston Lake, Ballston Spa, Schenectady and Niskayuna represented. Parents interested in finding a preschool will be able to speak with all the schools to get a better idea of what schools might provide the best fit for their child.

For more information or to have your preschool participate, contact Kristi Casey at 370-4401 or MOMSClubBurntHills@gmail.com.

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Ladies Auxiliary

by Vicki Watkins

We held a going away party in the tradition of an English tea to honor Alice Culver and Robin Driskel who will be moving away soon. As a charter member, over the past 39 years Alice has been a dear friend to all and a major contributor to our many endeavors. Robin was our President for seven years and her inexhaustible energies and ideas will surely have a lasting effect on our group. They both will be sorely missed.

The Holiday Cookie Sale has been such a success that we will be baking again this year! Come to the Post Office on Saturday, December 8^th from 10 am to 2 pm to stock your pantries with our delicious holiday treats. If you don’t have the time to bake during this hectic time of year, let us do it for you!

The winners of the Alplaus Photo Contest have been selected and will be featured in our 2008 Houses of Alplaus Calendar. This wall calendar is just beautiful and we thank all of you who submitted photos. You will be able to view the calendar shortly on the Alplaus website and the Post Office bulletin board. They will be available for $14 at the Post Office or can be ordered by phone at 518 399-8048 (shipping can be arranged for out of town orders).

November is when we traditionally prepare fruit baskets for our neighbors in need of some cheer. We will deliver these baskets a little later this year and include some of our holiday cookies. Please let us know if you have any names to add to our list.

Our next meeting will be on Monday, Nov 26^th at 7 pm. If you are interested in attending or learning more about us, please call Vicki at 399-0184.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

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Alplaus Post Office News

by Kathy Boyle

The holiday mail season has arrived. I should have holiday stamps by November 10th. For many of you mailing holiday packages, it may be the first time you may be made aware of the May 14, 2007 changes such as First-Class Mail shape-based pricing, Priority Mail dimensional-weight pricing, and International Mail product redesign.

Proper packaging plays an important role in this year's holiday shipping. First, choose a box that is suitable for the contents and weight of your item(s). Using a larger box than needed - even though the contents may weigh the same may cost you more at the counter. Practicing "right-size" shipping will help you avoid additional costs of Priority Mail dimensional-weight or balloon-rate pricing. If you are reusing a box, obliterate or cover all previous labels and markings. All packages must have return labels. Make sure parcels are securely packaged and taped and that the address labels are large and legible.

Many of us send greeting cards this time of year. Be sure you have the correct amount of postage on them so they are not returned to you. Greeting cards are more available then ever in various shapes and weights and include "musical" cards. Many of these cards weigh more than 1 ounce, and, if the card appears to be square, it may be subject to an additional surcharge of $0.17 in addition to the applicable letter-size First - Class postage. Due to there size, many square greeting cards exceed letter-size standards and are priced as large envelopes. With many people sending gift cards instead of parcels, I get asked about insurance for them. Gift cards can only be insured for full value if they are sent registered mail service.

I have a supply of flat rate priority boxes $8.95 (domestic mailing) and regular priority boxes in stock. Heavier mail items may benefit from the flat rate prices. I will also be getting in more padded packaging products.

If you have questions regarding your parcels you can go to www.usps.com. There will be explanations of all the pricing criteria now in effect. You can also get zip code information and a ton of other info. The site also has a calculate postage section that you can click on. All kinds of forms are available for printing. You can also take advantage of the click & ship labels as well as pick up service.

This time of the year I get a lot of people coming in with "old" stamps to use up on their packages. Some of these stamps have no denomination on them. If you go to http://pe.usps.com, click on quick service guides. Type in on search QSG 604a Basic Standard for all mailing services-Non denominated postage. They have a list of stamps going back to 1975 that will give the value. If that whole search thing is too complicated or you don't have a computer I have a list in the Post Office.

International rates:

First class one ounce:

Canada & Mexico $0.69 flat rate boxes $23.00

All other countries $0.90 flat rate boxes $39.00

Please remember: All mail that weighs over 13 ounces and that uses postage stamps as postage must be presented to us at the counter and not deposited in the mail can outside on the porch. If you put it in the mail can it will be returned to you. (See attention label on mail can & inside by drop window.) This is an ongoing security measure established by the Postal Service, in cooperation with other government agencies, to keep the public, customers, employees and mail safe.

With the office getting so busy this time of the year. We would really appreciate everyone doing their best to use their P. O. box number as their correct mailing address for cards, letters and packages. It saves us a lot of cross referencing and keeps the sorting/delivery in Rexford more efficient. Using your postal box key is another big help. Cards, letters, packages, magazines, flyers, and dreaded catalogues pile up quickly so you

may want to check your post office box more often.

Please welcome Kathy Casey as another helper at the post office. She will join Elizabeth and Shawna as an extra set of hands during the busy holiday season and when I am out of the office.

Thank you for your continued support.

Happy Thanksgiving from all the girls at the Alplaus Post Office

ARA News by Keith Abatto, Pres. ARA

Please make sure to read the Sewer update from Barb Casey.

Run Around. The annual Alplaus Run Around took place on Saturday, October 27^th. Despite some very rough weather – it was a tremendous success. Thanks to Andy Gilpin for promoting and managing the race and many other volunteers for making this race one of the best in quite a while despite mother nature. More detail will be posted to the Alplaus web site in the near future. One thing is for sure - the runners this year were hard core athletes, or at least tough New Yorkers that don’t mind some cold rain.

‘Tis the Season. The annual ARA tree-lighting will be held on Saturday, December 8^th from 5-6 pm at the firehouse. I hope you’ll join us for Santa’s arrival, great refreshments, and Christmas carols. For anyone not celebrating Christmas, please feel free to come anyway. It is a nice way to spend time with your neighbors. I learned from Barb’s article last year that the lighting of the tree is rooted in pagan traditions, but commonly thought of now as a Christian celebration. Whatever you celebrate – enjoy the season - Thanksgiving and plans for a Happy New Year.

kabatto@eone.com 399-6624

Sewer Update

by Barb Casey

Our project is supposed to start this fall, and the only thing we have to show for it so far are e-mails and phone calls between me and the town. However, Town Administrator Tony Germano said that a fall start is still planned for the Alplaus sewer project.

On Wednesday, I sent an e-mail request for an update to Tony and Commissioner of Public Works Rick LeClair because a phone call I placed to Rick last week went unanswered. Tony replied yesterday by e-mail: "I appreciate the fact that several of the residents are anxiously awaiting final details regarding an actual start date for the Alplaus sewer project. At present, the Contractor has ordered required piping and will soon be placing the final order for high-lift pumps and other related materials. As you probably are aware, we are still in process of obtaining the last few required property easements for this project. Unfortunately, the easement process has taken considerably more time than we all anticipated and we are glad it is almost completed. Also, the re-design to accommodate Clifton Park and the Glencliff School flow rates, which is almost completed, will need to be reviewed by State DEC before any actual digging can occur. We do however, anticipate a short turn around time for this review and final approval by the DEC."

After receiving this response, my question to him was: "Will the project start this fall as promised, or not? I understand and appreciate the complexities of the project, but need a simple answer to share with the people of Alplaus."

His answer was: "Barb -- All of us (Carver, Kestner and the Town) are expecting the project to start this fall (the weather is certainly accommodating such). We should have a better time frame for you when we meet with Carver."

My understanding is that the easements he mentions are for not for any residents' properties. Keith and I (and others, if interested) will meet with the Town, Kestner, and Carver to discuss the timetable. We've been requesting that meeting for more than a month now, and we've been promised a few times that it will be "soon." Rick Fleming plans to go to the Town Board meeting Wednesday night, November 7th to express his frustration and to ask for stockade fencing to be put up around the pump stations to improve the look somewhat. I'm sure he'd welcome some resident support at that meeting.

Let me know if you have any questions or if you have another course of action that you'd suggest we take.

One last thing: please be sure to vote on Tuesday. Local elections typically have the lowest turnout, but it's where your vote makes the most difference. I know that for me personally, I'll be making my decision based on who I feel is working hardest for Alplaus.

bcasey@skidmore.edu or 399-5714

Samuel's Coffee Talk

by Jason Watt

Hello again from Samuel's!! It's November (wow the year is flying by). With Thanksgiving right around the corner, don't forget to pre-order your pies and cookie platters. We also offer coffees and teas which will be a compliment to any evening (especially The Evening…). Or just stop in and say hello.

Check out this month's art submitted by Jane Alund and sample some of our delicious mulled cider, here for a limited time. Thank you all again for your continuous support.

Music Schedule:

11/2 Susanne Stratton (acoustic)

11/3 Bright light Motion (rock)

11/9 Lynn Rossini (acoustic)

11/10 Dan Simon (acoustic)

11/16 2 Late (acoustic)

11/17 Nova (rock)

11/23 Await the Atlantic (rock)

11/24 OPEN MIC!!

11/30 CJ Aho (acoustic)

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Alplaus Bird Line

by Shawna Thompson

Darlene and Lindsay Devine showed up at my door cradling a very interesting bird found on their lawn. At first we thought it was a Whip-Poor-Will, but closer inspection revealed it was a close relative instead: a Common Nighthawk. Not a hawk at all, these members of the goatsucker family fly around with their huge mouths wide open to catch thousands of flying insects each night.

Judy Harris had another interesting hawk tale to relate. She was sitting on her porch watching two squirrels playing and foraging in her front yard. Suddenly, a hawk swooped down, leaving only one bewildered squirrel on the ground. It all happened so fast Judy didn’t get to see just what kind of hawk it was, though.

Andy Kennedy also spotted a hawk in his yard. This one had apparently tried to catch something running across a tarp covering a pile of dirt. The hawk's talons got caught in the tarp! After a moment or two of shaking his foot, the talon was freed and he flew off.

The weather may not be fall-like, but the huge V’s of geese flying overhead are a sure sign of autumn. They can be heard from far away, and often include up to 100 birds! If you notice this, or any other interesting bird action, call the Alplaus Bird Line at 399-0490, or e-mail me at swanalaka@aol.com.

27^th Annual Alplaus Run-Around Results

October 27, 2007

Weather: 54 F, cool, lots of rain, and overcast

One-mile Run

Name, gender, and time

1. Christopher Murphy, M, 5:58

2. Ryun Murphy, M, 6:03

3. Andy Casey, M, 7:11

4. Jillian Carr, F, 7:17

5. Bryan Matthews, M, 8:12

6. Cathy Murphy F, 8:18

7. Morionne Shrader, F, 10:12

8. Patricia Platel, F, 12:04

9. Bill Shrader Jr., F, 12:11

10. Sandy Busino, F, 14:49

11. John Busino, F, 14:50

5 K Race

Name, gender, and time

1. Anthony Giuliano, M, 16:13 15. James Azzaretti, M, 25:54

2. Dominic Tocco, M, 18:47 16. Chris Breslin, M, 26:39

3. Alex Coppola, M, 19:13 17. John Lane, M, 26:46

4. William Kowal, M, 19:43 18. Angela Vasilakas, F, 26:48

5. Mike McHale, M, 19:59 19. G.L. Brady, M, 28:01

6. Bryan Carr, M, 22:05 20. Gail Hein, F, 28:38

7. Chris Nerney, M, 22:21 21 John Dinius, M, 29:05

8. Joseph Repicky, M, 23:14 22. Collen Raney, F, 29:14

9. Gwen Williams, F, 23:45 23. Tim Raney, M, 29:20

10. Tucker Sheely, M, 24:42 24. Chris Moore, M, 30:23

11. Roberto Pacheco, M, 24:45 25. Mary Breslin, F, 32:31

12. Robyn Salvin, F, 25:02 26. Cindy Leveille, F, 32:31

13. Donna Gigliotti, F, 25:14 27. Karyn Raney, F, 32:31

14. Joe Hein, M, 25:50 28. Charlie Matlock, M, 33:41

This year’s race went really well despite the weather not cooperating, again! What it is about the Runaround that attracts the rain? However, the weather didn’t dampen the spirits or dedication of the runners or the volunteers, and we had a strong showing this year. The community really showed their support and braved the elements to welcome the runners, catch up with friends and neighbors, and to volunteer around the course to keep everyone safe. I really want to thank all of the course marshals who spent their Saturday morning standing in the rain and helping make sure this year’s race went smoothly. Special note: We were able to hand out free t-shirts this year and there are still some left. Please check at the Alplaus Post Office if you would like one. Only $ 6.00 per.

Start of the 5K

Here are the results:

The winner of the One-mile was Christopher Murphy, twelve years old, and with a great time of 5:58. He was chased very closely by his brother, Ryan Murphy who turned in a time of 6:03. The winner of the 5K was Anthony Giulliano with a blistering time of 16:13. The first Alplaus Fire District runner to cross the line was again Alex Coppola with a good time of 19:13. The first female Alplaus Fire District Resident runner was Robin Salvin with a great time of 25:02.

I wanted to give a special thanks to Mark Quinn and Chris Koetzle for being honorary starters for this year’s race. Again, I just want to thank everyone who came out to support the race and reiterate what a great little community we have here. Also, the tag line for the t-shirts read “I ran around the best little town around”.

Finally, I would like to give special thanks for the generous contributions of Lake Side Farms (donuts and cider), Samuel’s (great coffee), Goldstock’s (gift certificate), Eastern Mountain Sports (water bottles and clothing), Price Chopper for the donation of food, CWX Running Gear (huge donation of running equipment), Buhrmasters (donation of pumpkins), Electric City Rock Gym (gift certificates), and the Casey family and their wonderful donation of honey.

Sincerely,

Andy Gilpin

Burnt Hills Rowing Association Dedicates New Facility

by Harry J. Darling

On October 7, 2007, the Burnt Hills Rowing Association dedicated the new Patrick C. Breslin Strength Training Facility. About 300 rowers, families,

towns folk, volunteers, and contractors were in attendance to participate in the festivities. This was a most joyous occasion which culminated a year long effort to design and construct this facility in memory of Mark and Patty Breslin’s son who passed away a year ago at college.

Patrick Breslin rowed with the Burnt Hills Crew since early middle school and during his senior year was the Boy’s Varsity Co-Captain. He loved the sport of rowing, but never participated in the winter training season due to the inadequate facilities that Burnt Hills had to use during the winter. These places included the Town of Ballston, Town Hall basement most recently. Shortly after Patrick’s passing, his parents consulted with rowers and coaches from the team and asked what the program really needed. The universal answer was a heated training facility specifically designed for rowers. This dedication completes that dream.

The facility is a 4,500 square foot addition to the existing boat house. The main gym area is 2,500 square feet with an additional 900 square foot mezzanine for all the rowing machines. Adjacent to the gym area, men’s and women’s change rooms and bathrooms, all heated for winter use. To insure that the appropriate equipment was installed for the strength training of rowers, the strength training consultant to the Canadian National Rowing team developed a complete training program for youth, collegiate, and master rowers. Based on this training program and the number of people expected to utilize the gym, exercise equipment was ordered that implemented the program. Finishing touches to the facility are expected to be completed within the next month in time for the winter season.

A new patio was constructed next to the gym with plenty of benches for tired folk to sit down and names in the bricks representing various donors. The new strength training facility was made possible by the generous donations of material and labor by the Breslin family, Turner Construction Company, their contractors, and members of the community. Burnt Hills Crew expressed their appreciation by christening a new rowing shell “The Spirit of Henry C. Turner” in memory of the founder of Turner Construction, who considered community service to be paramount.

HOME TOWN NEWS

November 2007 Vol. 131 No. 9

Alplaus Historical Society

by Cliff Hayes

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

Web input address: Alplaus12008@yahoo.com

HTN Editor/Publisher: Art Harris

PO Box 57

Alplaus, NY 12008

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Ladies Auxiliary

HOME TOWN NEWS

November 2007 Vol. 131 No. 9

Alplaus Historical Society

by Cliff Hayes

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

Web input address: Alplaus12008@yahoo.com

HTN Editor/Publisher: Art Harris

PO Box 57

Alplaus, NY 12008

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Ladies Auxiliary

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