Alplaus Home Town News April 2004
Editor/Publisher: Art Harris Reporter: Betty Vedder
April 22, 2004
Let's celebrate Earth Day as a community!
On Thursday, April 22nd, walk along your property or down the street and bring a garbage bag.
If you have kids, have them put on gloves and come along.
Summer Bulb
& Flower Sale
Place Your Order
@ Post Office
Until April 30th
Bob and Alice Culver spent an enjoyable five weeks touring the south, from daughter Cheryl and family in West Virginia, to Florida, and back through West Virginia, and driving home in a snowstorm on March 17! Welcome back to the Great Northeast!
One of the many highlights was the opportunity to visit two of our old time residents, Harry "Sheepy" Christiance in Venice, Florida and Gil and Jean West in Bradenton.
We had a very pleasant visit with all and they send their best to all in Alplaus.
We've had a busy month making plans for three major events for this spring: a summer flower and bulb sale, a Red Cross Blood Drive, and the Village Wide Flea Market and Garage Sale.
During the month of April you can order summer flower bulbs and perennials from any Auxiliary member or at the Alplaus Post Office. Your order will be here in time to plant, bloom and enjoy for this summer.
The Red Cross Blood Drive will be held at the Firehouse on Friday, April 30th from 2-7 pm. Giving blood is a way to give back! Anyone of us could need your blood. Your donation could help your family, a friend, a neighbor, or even yourself. It takes less than 30 minutes of your time to donate. To be eligible you must be at least 17 years of age, over 110 pounds and in good health. Please make an appointment by calling Robin Driskel at 399-4911 or the Post Office at 399-8048. Walk-ins will be accepted but we can only guarantee you no wait if you make an appointment. If you need any more incentive, delicious cookies will be provided to each donor! Please call today.
The Village Wide Flea Market and Garage Sale will be Saturday, June 5th so mark your calendars and keep this event in mind as you do your spring-cleaning!
Many thanks go out to Kim Sheely for decorating our street signs with yellow ribbons last week. The flags along Alplaus Avenue will be going up again in May.
Our next business meeting will be Monday, April 26th, at
7:00 pm in the Alplaus Post Office. The Auxiliary is open to all
women who live within the fire district. We are always interested in welcoming
new members. Please feel free to attend any of our meetings. Call Vicki
Watkins at 399-0184 if you have any questions.
By Barb Casey,
399-5714 bcasey@skidmore.edu
As you might know, we have petitions for the proposed extension of the Alplaus sewer district. Thanks to all of you for your patience, advice, and hard work over the past year as we moved toward this point. Thanks also to ARA sewer committee members Art Harris, Gary Withey, Gray Watkins, and Rick Fleming for all they did to advance the process. Sheets with more information about specific costs are available at the post office.
Residents have already started signing petitions, and your neighbors will be going door to door asking for your decision on this initiative. Gray and Vicki Watkins, Gary Withey, Charlie and Deb Story, Bob Winchester, Jon Rich, Tom Kiernan, Alyson Hendrickson, and I will be circulating the petitions. We hope to get an answer from each resident by Monday, April 19th. For the petition to pass, we need to have more than 50% of property owners sign, along with more than 50% of the assessed value of all the properties included in the proposed extension. If we get that, the petition will go on to the Town Board for their approval of the project.
A few notes:
Those in the existing district will NOT be signing petitions, and this includes those on Rivercrest Drive. Upgrades to the system and connection to the Maple Avenue line (and resulting increased costs) will happen to the existing system regardless of the result of the petition.
Consulting engineer Mark Kestner has repeated his offer to meet with residents about trees that might be removed as a result of the construction. If you are interested in this (or talk to others who are), please let me know. I will set up a time that is most convenient for the majority of people.
Although I've been quite clear that I personally think sewers for all of Alplaus is the best solution, I want to be equally clear that I respect each homeowner's decision. I trust that each resident will weigh their own issues and those of the entire community carefully and make the best decision they can make. Please try to be as fully informed as possible about the costs and implications of either decision and if you have any questions, ASK. Those circulating the petitions will either have the answers or will get them for you.
We live in a truly wonderful community. I feel fortunate
to count all of you as neighbors as we work through this process. Please
contact me with any questions you or your neighbors have.
By Barb Casey, ARA President 399-5714 bcasey@skidmore.edu
ARA Annual Meeting
It's always a pleasure to get together with my neighbors at our annual meeting. I love hearing about the gatherings at the post office, all the hard work the Fire Department has done on our behalf, and how the ladies auxiliary is helping our community.
It was wonderful to hear as well this year a report on the newly-formed Alplaus Historical Society. Who would believe so much is going on in our little hamlet?
Thanks to Betty and Bill Vedder for coordinating refreshments and to those members of the ladies auxiliary who prepared the treats for us.
Citizen of the Year. Congratulations to Drew Coppola, who was named this year's Citizen of the Year. As Chief of the Fire Department, Drew works tirelessly for all of us. I learned that evening that he petitioned the state of New York to join the Alplaus Fire Department as a junior firefighter when he was only sixteen. Not many of us can say they've done as much service to the community as Drew has, and we were thrilled to present the award to him this year.
Thanks. Thank you to ARA board members who have served us in so many ways and will now be moving on to other things. Rick Fleming, who served as president and spent a tremendous amount of time and energy for Alplaus; Judy Harris, who served last year as vice-president and was a great source of advice and help for me; Dede Bell, Jim Norton, and Dolores Dodge, who will move on to other commitments; and Fran Marsh, who plans to leave Alplaus sometime during the next year. Thanks so much to all of you. We appreciate your service.
2004/5 Officers. The Alplaus Residents Association officers for 2004-2005 will be:
Barb Casey, President
Kathleen Sheppeck, Vice-President
Debra Story, Secretary
Mike Sheppeck, Treasurer
Elected directors who will serve on the board are:
Keith Abatto (continuing)
Jessica Evans
Art Harris
Matt Hopkins
Gray Watkins
Gary Withey (continuing)
Bob Culver (appointed)
If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions, please contact one of your representatives. We will meet in late April to discuss Fourth of July festivities, among other things. We invite any of you to join us at the meeting or in helping with plans for the Fourth. If you're interested, call me and I'll let you know when the meeting is set.
Monday, April 26, 2004 will begin the Town of Glenville's Annual Spring Clean-up. The truck will make ONE pass to each street. All acceptable items must be placed curbside by 6:00 AM Monday, April 26th. County Waste will be assisting the Town with pickup this year.
ACCEPTABLE ITEMS INCLUDE: (items that will be picked up by county Waste, beginning April 26th)
Furniture upholstered & unupholstered
Rugs & Carpets 4' or less, rolled & tied
Mattresses & Box springs
Wood no longer than 4', no bigger than 3" diameter, bundled & tied
Grills - no propane tanks
Sinks, toilets, tubs
Trash or rubbish in plastic bags
Appliances - Must be placed in separate pile from the above for pick up. Washer, dryer, freezer, refrigerator, hot water tank, stove, dishwasher, air conditioner. Doors must be removed from refrigerators and freezers.
Metal items no longer than 6 ft.
UNACCEPTABLE ITEMS INCLUDE:
Tree stumps, Limbs, Branches
Tires
Paints, Stains, Sealers, Solvents
Chemicals; wet or dry
Propane tanks
Loose trash or rubbish
-Be ready for the truck no return trips will be made.
-Remember that it is illegal to place anything in the road; all items must be placed on the edge of your lawn.
The Society met Saturday March 20th at the firehouse. It was deemed necessary to move from the Post Office due to the number of attendees!
Ruth Peterson has given copies of a number of her articles which had appeared in the Daily Gazette referencing Alplaus. She also gave a set of photographs of the construction of the bridge on Alplaus Avenue.
Our featured guest for the meeting was Charlotte Stearns, who is Cliff Hayes' sister. She reminisced about her childhood adventures attending the Alplaus School and going to Burnt Hills High School via the trolley. No school busses at that time.
The Society notes with regret the passing of Jack Donlon who was our guest in January. We send condolences to his family. We were fortunate to have made tape recording of his remarks, a copy of which will be given to the family.
In the process of cleaning out his dad's home, John Vogel found a photograph of "The Alplaus Baseball Team 1938", which he has given to the Society. With a lot of help, especially from Cliff Hayes, we are trying to identify the young men in the picture.
We are in need of a proper file cabinet to hold the various items given to us, if anyone has one they would like to donate, it certainly would be appreciated.
The next meeting will be on Thursday May 6th at 7 pm (note
the change from Saturday afternoons) at the firehouse
Each day as we pick up our daily newspaper we read about the terrible activities some young people are involved in. It can become very discouraging. We do realize that there are many good kids around but we seldom read about their activities and what they're involved in. We would like to print about the good guys in our paper, the Home Town News.
Eleven of our local teenagers are leaving for Joshua Tree National Park in California on their spring break. They are traveling under a division of Y.F.C. called Shiloh's Edge. This division features self-reliant expeditions to wilderness areas.
Their days will be devoted to climbing and climbing skills. Joshua Tree is a world-renowned climbing area and backpackers dream. The mild off-season climate, along with interesting rock formations, makes it a perfect place for a spring get-away.
These students will learn the basics of camping from tent rigging and kitchen set-up to travel and "leave no trace" ethics. Because of unpredictable weather they will learn to handle times when they are hot, cold, wet or tired.
The consistent practice of rush management and assumption of responsibility for themselves and other members should make this expedition in this wild and beautiful park healthy and enjoyable.
They will have three adults with them, including Cherie
Vedder. We send our blessings with the group for a safe and memorable experience;
we are proud to call them ours.
Your HTN would like to issue an update on our long time friends and neighbors, Ruth and Howard Lester. Lately there has been much concern about Howard who has had difficult surgery behind the eye. We are pleased to report that Howard is doing very well and improving with rehabilitation in Sunny View at the present time.
Ruth has had her own health problems lately, but is making out all right. Her family and friends have been standing by to help. We are wishing them both well and suggesting a "card shower" to express our care and concerns. Their address is:
Howard and Ruth Lester
Box 7
Alplaus, NY 12008
The Alplaus Methodist Church will be holding their Good Friday service on April 9th at 7:30 pm. This candle light service is open to the community.
There will be a sunrise service at the Church on Easter
Sunday, April 11th at 6:30 am. A pancake breakfast will be served following
the service. This is also open to the public. There will be no Sunday School
on Easter and the regular service will be the usual time of 10:15 am.
The Youth Fund Raising Committee is planning a spaghetti dinner on Friday, April 30th from 4:00 until 7:00 pm. Let's make an effort to support these young people who are such a good and active group of our own kids.
The cost of the dinner is $6 for adults, $3 for children under 12 years and free for those under 3 years. Reservations are not necessary.
Harry has scheduled his blood pressure clinic for Thursday, April 8th at the Alplaus Fire House. You should stop in some time between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. for your monthly check up.
We in Alplaus are fortunate to have the convenient place,
time and willing person to do this so take advantage of it if you can.
Alplaus Fire Station
The monthly covered dish luncheon will be held on Tuesday, April 13th in the Alplaus Methodist Church. This will be following the busy and important Easter Season.
It will be and enjoyable time for an afternoon of relaxing
with good friends and delicious food. The event takes place in Fellowship
Hall from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm. Come and join us with a dish of food to
share if you can.
Glenville Senior Anniversary Party
The Glenville Seniors group is celebrating their 28th anniversary this month
on Sunday, April 25th at 2:00 pm. The event will feature special entertainment
and delicious refreshments throughout the afternoon.
Our Alplaus neighbor, Roger Story, will be there with his keyboard to dance and sing with. The program will also include "2 Girls with A Lotta Sound". These girls were highly recommended by some who have seen them.
Our Anniversary Celebration is an outreach program; membership
and reservations are not required. Come join us at the Center on 32 Worden
Road for an enjoyable afternoon of fun and fellowship.
By Cliff Hayes
About 30 years ago a house stood at 342 Alplaus Avenue, East of the Hayes residence. The house was occupied for approximately 20 years by the Rosman family. Jerry and Florence Rosman's family consisted of seven children: Kathy, Jim, Andy, Mark, Danny, Lisa, and David. As one can imagine, there was plenty of activity in that area of Alplaus in those days. Many days in the summer the clothes lines were full of freshly washed apparel. Autos and bicycles were plentiful. The family was great neighbors and the kids were polite and respectful, representing their parents' upbringing in the fine town of Alplaus.
Tragedy struck in the year of 1975 when Florence succumbed to cancer at the young age of 46. Then, a short time later, the house was destroyed by fire. Jerry with his strong faith, picked up the kids, remarried and moved to the state of Washington. Some of the kids had graduated from high school and remained in the area for a short time.
I had maintained contact with the family for numerous years, but hadn't had any correspondence in the past 5 years. Recently on one of those cold, but sunny winter days, the doorbell rang and on the other side of the storm door was Kathy with her father and stepmother. Trying to gather about 30 years of updates in about 20 minutes is quite a task, but the following is some news on the family.
Jerry & Eileen (wife) have moved back to Kingston, NY to be closer to her elderly mother. Jerry has some medical problems, but is dealing with them in a cheerful way. Kathy has 2 children; Lisa has 2 children, and David all live in the Seattle area. Mark lives in Wisconsin and Danny (who I believe has 4 kids) has a 2500 acre game farm and RV park in Michigan.
Jim, who always had a love for the ocean, resides in Hollywood, Florida and works in the marina field. Andy has some kind of air service business in South Carolina.
Jerry and Eileen have two children, Jeremy (26) & Heather (24), who remain in Seattle.
It was a short but a nice visit with previous neighbors.
Date Time Call Type Location # FireFighters FF-Hrs
01 MAR 2004 11:13 Water Rescue Butterfield Drive 5 0.8
07 MAR 2004 05:43 Other Emergency Brookside Drive 10 16.7
07 MAR 2004 08:56 Medical Emergency Hetcheltown Road 9 3.9
07 MAR 2004 14:38 Other Emergency Brookside Drive 9 6.5
08 MAR 2004 17:39 Vehicle Accident Hetcheltown Road 8 1.7
10 MAR 2004 07:15 Other Emergency Glenridge Road 7 4.3
16 MAR 2004 13:57 Vehicle Accident Mohawk & Alplaus Aves 5 2.9
18 MAR 2004 13:07 Other Emergency Elmwood Drive 7 2.7
19 MAR 2004 05:46 Medical Emergency Maple Avenue 8 4.4
21 MAR 2004 09:04 False Alarm Fire Hetcheltown Road 11 2.9
21 MAR 2004 14:44 Air Boat Search/Rescue Mohawk River 9 6.0
26 MAR 2004 07:58 Vehicle accident Glenridge Road 7 5.4