A Valentine WishAlplaus Home Town News February 2002
Hope Valentine's Day is
Great from the start;
A wish that we're sending
Straight from the heart.
To the hamlet of Alplaus,
All you folks who are there;
From your HTN staff,
With warm, loving care.
We seem to get snow this season just when I am putting the Home Town News together. In fact, the weather has been the most dependable topic of conversation all year. January has gone by without a single morning of below zero temperature! Today (2/02/02) Punxsutawney Phil, the Pennsylvania Groundhog, came out of his hole, saw his shadow and ran back in, dooming us to six more weeks of winter, according to legend.
Lorie Esposito's retirement party at the post office was a village highlight this past month. Fifty neighbors showed up to thank her for her work in keeping a village tradition alive and to wish her well in the years ahead.
.AWH
As most of you know, our old general store is being renovated to become a coffeehouse as part of the Niskayuna Campus Life division of the Capital District Youth for Christ. We are starting to move forward again with the help of the Alplaus area community. Many folks have already stepped forward to lend a hand.
If you have an area of expertise and are willing to share it we would appreciate your time. We need volunteers, materials, and cash donations as the renovations get underway.
If you would like to donate your time and talents, please
contact Lorie Esposito at 399-0598. If you would like to donate building
supplies please contact Rick Vedder at 399-7093. Cash donations may be made
out to Youth for Christ, designating use for Samuel's and sent to Youth
for Christ, 1098 Parkwood Boulevard, Schenectady, N.Y. 12308
As I sit here to write about the issues involving the Alplaus Resident's Association the first thing that comes to mind is the potential sewer system for residents not currently served. It seems like it has been forever since we asked residents to sign a petition asking for a feasibility study. As Keith Abatto pointed out to me in December, it's been over 800 days since we presented our petition to the Town Board. There is real movement in this area as of February 2, 2002.
After meeting with town officials and the engineers in December, I was promised that in time for our annual meeting in March all residents will receive their individual assessments of what the project will cost each household. While this has taken longer than we were told last year, the engineers assure me that they have been working every angle to keep the project costs to an acceptable number. At our March meeting we will have a panel to answer any and all questions concerning this proposed sewer district. After that point in time a vote will take place in which 50% of assessed value property and 50% of households in the proposed district must approve the project in order for the project to proceed. If residents agree to the proposal, quite possibly sewer construction could be in full swing by the fall of this year. A large part of the delay to this point has been the engineers taking every precaution to minimize impact to our hamlet during potential construction.
A second issue that has been initiated by the ARA has been the current petition for a traffic control device at the corner of Maple Avenue and Alplaus Avenue. Several people asked that we initiate this proposal to the Town of Glenville Board. The town has requested that we do a petition. As a result there is currently a petition at the post office for interested parties to sign. I must admit I never expected much opposition, but there seems to be a number of people who are opposed. As a result of this, the ARA will be welcoming comment on this issue at our upcoming meetings. The next ARA Directors meeting is scheduled for February 13th at the firehouse. The meeting time is scheduled for 7:30 PM and everyone is welcome to attend. Plans for the annual meeting agenda and reports from the nominating committee are currently on the meeting agenda.
Congratulations to Kathy and all of the people that worked to make the post office look so fantastic. I don't know of any post offices that have the charm and appeal of the one right here in Alplaus. Look for some changes to the exterior over the summer. Anyone interested in helping with the restoration project should speak with Kathy. I look forward to seeing everyone at the annual meeting in March.
Sincerely, Rick Fleming
Alplaus Community Post Office News
by Kathy, APO Postmistress
I am happy to say that the holidays brought in a few new faces that have continued to show their support for our Post Office. Just a reminder, Valentine's Day is coming up, a good reason to come in and purchase some love stamps to send those mushy cards to those special people in your life.
The retirement party for Lorie turned out about 50 of Alplaus' residents and friends. There was plenty of delicious food and laughter. It was great to see so many people showing their love and appreciation. A few pictures are at the Post office if anyone would like to see the guest of honor, guests, and all the munchies.
A few new additions to the Post office deserve a mention. Robin Driskel made and donated the most adorable cafe curtains. Everyone has commented on how beautiful they are. Thank you Robin. Husband John helped with the installation. Lorie brought in several newspaper articles of Alplaus' past and also some framed photos of Dolly Park, a photo of the Alplaus Girl Scout Troop from 1937, and a great picture of some of our own Firemen.
These photos and articles are priceless. More articles
and pictures will be showing up in the future for everyone's enjoyment.
Please come in and see.
Lorie and her Parents, Betty and Bill Vedder
The Goodies Table
Lories's husband, Paul, on the left
Friends at the Post Office: Bob and Jim
By Elizabeth Burke
The following is a schedule of the Glenville Fire District #2 Commissioner's Meetings for the next twelve months.
All meetings are open to the public and scheduled for the firehouse meeting room.
January proved to be a difficult and sad month for several hometown people.
Kathleen Casey lost her Mother who had recently moved to an apartment on Glenridge Road. This was unexpected and quite a shock.
Two days later Kathy Boyle, our postmistress, lost her father. He had been suffering with heart problems and was apparently taken in his sleep.
Clifton McConnell passed away January 23d at Ellis Hospital. Some years ago Cliff and Esther McConnell lived at 318 Alplaus Avenue, upstairs over Don and Lou Diel. Through the years they moved to Callaghan Boulevard in Charlton but maintained all of their Alplaus friendships and remained members of the Alplaus Church. Cliff sang in the choir for 25 years and regularly attended the monthly covered dish luncheons. His daughter, Shirley, and son, David were brought up in the Alplaus Methodist Sunday School. A memorial service will be held at a time to be announced. Cliff's friends may send caring thoughts to his family in their time f sorrow.
We would like to express our sincere condolences to these
families. Bereavement is very difficult to contend with.
Former Alplausian Francis Bundy will be inducted into the Soaring Hall of Fame at the SSA Annual convention in Ontariao, California on Friday, February 9th. This word comes from old friends Cathy and Ed Joynson.
Through January and February there are not so many planned social events because of the weather conditions. On Sunday, March 3rd,
there is a covered dish dinner scheduled for 1:00 PM. Roger will be playing his keyboard and everyone is welcome to attend. Membership is not required. Please bring a dish (with food in) to share. There will be bingo with prizes.
On Thursday, March 7th, the Meal Center will be celebrating their 27th Anniversary. The next day, Friday, March 8th, the
Humanities Committee are having an Irish Story Teller perform
at 1:30 PM.
This is a contest for hunters to enter at the Guan-Ho-Ha Club. This year's winner is Raymond Story who got his deer up at Speculator on November 3rd.
It was a 10 point buck, weighing 215 pounds and had a 128 1/8 Boone and Crocket measurement. The prize is the head to be mounted, plus cash to be determined at a later date.
Ray is an Alplaus native, son of Roger and Jeanne Story from Hill Street. Your HTN would like to congratulate him and mention that we are very proud when our hometown folks are winners.
Paul and Joan Holtermann have sold their house in Alplaus, packed up their belongings and moved to 223 Spring Road, Scotia.
They have lived here on Mohawk Avenue for 27 years and claim you can move yourself from Alplaus but you can't move Alplaus from yourself. They'll be here for all occasions and get-togethers. Their move was to a smaller house all on one floor. Their telephone number remains the same.
We're wishing them the best and are pleased that they will
still be around.
Alplaus Fire Station
Harry Casey has scheduled a very special day for his clinic this month. It will be on Thursday, February 14th from 3 until 5 PM.
That's Valentine's Day! It seems quite appropriate to have your blood
pressure and heart checked that day and Harry will do it. He is a sweetheart!
Ed and Cathy Joynson have sold their home at 251 Alplaus Avenue and have moved to 201 Glen Eddy Drive in Niskayuna. This is a
Senior Retirement Center, which they are enjoying very much already.
Ed is particularly pleased to look out at the snow that he doesn't have to shovel.
The couple lived in Alplaus for 34 years and both have been very active in the Fire Department. Cathy has been the presiding official of our Fourth of July Parade for many years. She has always done a terrific job with it and leaves a difficult act to follow.
They do expect to remain as social
members of the Fire Department. We shall miss them on the street but
look forward to seeing them at all our activities. We wish them much happiness
in their new home. Their telephone also remains the same.
"Do you believe in life after death?" The boss asked one of his employees.
"Yes Sir," the clerk replied.
"That's good," the boss said. "After you
left early yesterday to go to your grandmothers funeral, she stopped in
to see you"
From Harry Casey's Home Page: Alplaus Weather
January 2002 Summary
February Moon Phases
The Old Farmers Almanac for Feb. 2002
The monthly covered luncheon will be held on Tuesday, February 12th, weather permitting. Everyone is welcome to join the group at 11:30 AM at the Alplaus Methodist Church in the Fellowship Hall. Please bring a covered dish to share if you can and enjoy fellowship and good food.
There will be an Ash Wednesday vegetarian covered dish
supper at 6:30 PM in Rexford Church on February 13th. The event will feature
fellowship, delicious food, communion and distribution of ashes.
We held our holiday dinner at Brandon's in January and had a wonderful time.
Our next business meeting is February 25th at 7:30 PM in the Alplaus Firehouse.
We will begin planning our spring and summer activities such as the annual
Garage Sale and our Fourth of July float.
We would like to extend a heartfelt to Gary Withey for all of his efforts regarding the flags now flying on Alplaus Avenue. He made it possible to actually fly the flags after NIMO refused to let us put them on the poles, then installed them and has been performing heroic efforts with
duct tape and wire to keep them flying.
Thanks so much Gary!
We are always interested in welcoming new members. Call
Robin Driskel at 399-4911 if you are interested in attending a meeting
| Day | Time | Situation Found | Street |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 03:25 | Hazardous Condition | Governor Drive |
| 7 | 13:20 | Emergency Medical | Glenridge & Bruce |
| 9 | 21:27 | False Call; Malicious | Glenridge Road |
| 10 | 11:14 | Refuse Fire | Glenridge Road |
| 11 | 07:44 | Emergency Medical | Woodcrest Drive |
| 11 | 19:27 | Emergency Medical | Glendridge Road |
| 13 | 15:21 | Emergency Medical | Redwood Drive |
| 13 | 16:06 | Hazardous Condition | Maple Avenue |
| 14 | 16:50 | Emergency Medical | Maple & Alplaus |
| 14 | 19:15 | Emergency Medical | Maplewood Drive |
| 17 | 07:45 | Emergency Medical | Elmwood Drive |
| 21 | 07:06 | Emergency Medical | Saint Anthony |
| 25 | 17:53 | Emergency Medical | Hill Street |
| 27 | 07:28 | Emergency Medical | Saint Anthony |
| 30 | 08:07 | Emergency Medical | Brookside Drive |
| 31 | 22:34 | Emergency Medical | Glenridge Road |