Pride in Alplaus

John Bena Wins News Award

Lois and Joe Bena on Alplaus Avenue have let us know that their son John, who works for CNN as a photo journalist, has received an award for his part in CNN coverage of Hurricane Katrina. He made three trips to New Orleans and was part of the award-winning news team that covered Hurricane Katrina.

   The award reads: "2005 Peabody Award for significant and meritorious achievement in broadcasting and cable".

   Congratulations to you John! And to your parents as well.

Kailyn Sheppeck Wins AFD Scholarship

The Alplaus Fire Company announced in June that Kailyn Sheppeck, daughter of Kathleen and Mike Sheppeck on Alplaus Avenue, won their annual college scholarship. She has been very active with Explorer Post 885 which operates out of the Alplaus Fire House. In fact Kailyn became a fire person in training as soon as she turned 18, the minimum age to volunteer as a full-fledged fire person.

   Congratulations to you Kailyn on this award of a scholarship and for your service as a fire person protecting all of us in life, limb and property! And congratulations to your mom and dad too.

Goodbye to Summer

The Alplaus website, www.Alplaus.org, has been updated!

                                                                                    by Bud Watson

It is very different from the old site that housed only the Hometown News.  Right now it offers links to web pages for each of the distinct and special features of Alplaus, such as the Firehouse and the Post Office, as well as links to important sources of information in the Glenville/Schenectady County area.

   Currently, we are in need of information and material that would apply to the website and the various pages it contains. For example, one of the links is to the Alplaus Firehouse. We can highlight, on their homepage, their Explorer's program as well as other programs that are offered by the Firehouse in greater detail. In addition, we would put any event in the "Upcoming Events" section.

Because of this need for information, we have set up an email address. Alplaus12008@yahoo.com will be the official email for Alplaus.org and will take any information that you would like posted on the site. 

Ladies Auxiliary

by Vicki Watkins

The Auxiliary typically takes a rest during July and August but this summer was different because of “Paddle for a Cure.”  Please see the separate article detailing the incredible success of this event that was spearheaded by Shawna Thompson and Kathy Boyle.

Our first meeting for the fall will begin with a covered dish supper on Monday, September 25^th at 6:30 at the Fire House.  If you can’t join us for a delicious meal, please come at 7:00 for our business meeting and bring your ideas for fall activities and fund raisers.

Goings On Around Town

by Barb Casey

“Resolved that Kestner Engineers be authorized to advertise for bids on behalf of the construction of contact 1-06G sanitary sewer main and pump station construction and contract 1-06E electrical construction for pump station for Alplaus sewer district.”

   With those simple words and a unanimous positive vote by the Town Board on September 6^th, the Alplaus sewer project is going out to bid.  Mark Kestner informs me that he will ask for bids to be returned by October 10^th.  Many details, especially regarding the pump stations, still need to be worked out, but likely locations will be the existing sewer treatment plant at the end of Snyder, the west side of Hill Street (not the location discussed at May's walk around, but across the street), Riverside near the Alplaus Church, and the end of Mohawk near the marina.

   As you might suspect, the project would not be completed by winter, but some work would start this fall with planned completion in the spring.  Work beginning is contingent on the bid coming in at the amount indicated on the petition many of you signed a couple of years ago, and with today’s prices that will be difficult. 

Alplaus Run-a-Around.  Race Director Andy Gilpin is looking for volunteers and runners for the Alplaus Runaround, to be held on Saturday, October 28^th.  Look for entry forms later this month at the post office and in next month’s Home Town News and let Andy know if you’re interested in helping.

Sidewalks in Alplaus. I made a quick inquiry today about the Safe Schools Initiative and sidewalks in Alplaus. The grant criteria are due out this month, but haven’t yet come out. More soon, I hope!

Barb Casey

ARA President

bcasey@skidmore.edu

399-5714

Alplaus Post Office News

                                                                                                     by Kathy Boyle

The Alplaus Post Office sign was given an "amazing makeover" by Tom Donlon. By the time the September Alplaus Hometown News is circulating, the new and improved sign should be in place. Thank you sooooo much Tom. The sign is better then ever.

"Paddling for a Cure" are posted in the back room.

Korean Language School

We are offering a free Korean Language class for adopted children in kindergarten though 6th grade.

 You will:    Learn to speak Korean.

                    Learn Korean letters and numbers.

                    Sing Korean songs.

                    Watch Korean videos.

 Dates:       Saturdays, Sep. 9th through Dec. 16th, 2006

 Time:        11:00 am - 12:00 noon (Every Saturday)

 Place:        Alplaus United Methodist Church

                     1 Brookside Ave.  Alplaus NY 1200

Glencliff School

                        By Cliff Hayes

Fifty years ago this month Glencliff elementary school on Riverview Rd. opened to accommodate the children in the Alplaus-Rexford area.  The school replaced the older Alplaus & Rexford schoolhouses during the organization of the newly created Niskayuna school district in 1953.  The new school included seven classrooms (K-6), a combination auditorium and cafeteria, gymnasium, library and staff offices.  The one-story design concept by the architects allowed future expansion to be accomplished with maximum efficiency. 

   General contractor was Sweet Associates and the cost of the school was approximately $500K including the land purchased from the McKain family.  According to Kirk Herrick longtime Alplaus resident, the school name was derived from adjoining towns, Glenville & Clifton Park, with little opposition from the school district board members.

   The first principal of the school was Miss Mabel Richert.  Dr. John F. Youngblood who resided at 244 Alplaus Av served as president of the board of education.  The president of the Parent Teachers Association at the time was Mary Herrick.

   At present, the school serves kindergarten through grade five.  Principal is Miss Fran Reinl as stated in http://www.nisk.k12.ny.us/glencliff/index.html.  With the introduction of the computer age during the last quarter of the 20^th century, one of the rooms of the school incorporates a computer laboratory.  In addition to the increase in population in the school district, plans are being made to add five new classrooms next year as the whole district expands.  Surely the administration is foreseeing the need for high quality education programs in future years. 

“Paddling for a Cure” Update

                                                                                    by Shawna Thompson

   History was once again made on the shores of the Mohawk River in Alplaus on July 16. Maybe not quite as influential as the eve of the Schenectady massacre, but big nonetheless! That was the day “Paddling for a Cure” finally took place.

   As the day broke, 53 Paddlers and countless volunteers were ready. Pledges were handed in, kayaks, canoes and rowing shells were launched, and the river blossomed with brightly colored boats, shining smiles and pink balloons.  While the paddlers traversed the 5-mile course, there was a great bustle on land as refreshments were prepared, raffles were readied and money was counted.

   Hundreds of names were written on the “In Memory Of/ In Honor Of” board, which was a touching reminder of the reason for the event.  (The Memory Board and many photos are on display in the back room of the Post Office and t-shirts are still available.)

 “Paddling for a Cure” was also successful for the Ladies Auxiliary, which raised $150 through sales of t-shirts, refreshments and a Chinese Auction. Bob Culver was the lucky winner of the Kayak, so look for him paddling down the creek in that fancy pink boat! Prizes were awarded to those collecting the most money in pledges, and Bob and Rosemary Carney of Carney’s Restaurant took grand prize for collecting $1200. Our own Elizabeth Burke won second prize for raising $600.

   An event like this truly does take a whole village! It was only possible because of the support and help from so many. The Alplaus Volunteer Fire Company donated the money to pay for the insurance coverage and had their well-trained volunteers on hand in the Air Boat and on land, just in case. Gray Watkins and Mike McGarry spent hours hashing over insurance needs and contracts. Ladies Auxiliary members baked refreshments and sold raffle tickets.

   The most popular volunteers, according to the paddlers, had to be the Explorers, who cheerfully carried kayaks up the ramp at the end of the trip. Niskayuna Rowing loaned their radios and collected $120. Other neighbors and friends helped with set-up, clean up, registration, organization, escort boats, and myriad other needs. And of course, all those hardy souls that paddled on such a hot day, or gave pledges to paddlers.

   Thank You All so very much for your contributions of time and effort that made this such a successful event!!!

Alplaus Bird Line

          by Shawna Thompson

Probably the only thing that wasn’t extremely busy over the summer was the Alplaus Bird Line! There was an interesting story relayed to me this week, though, that people may find interesting.

     Faith Weldon used to live here in Alplaus, and is still in the area. In her new home she has installed a large pond, complete with water plants and lovely koi goldfish. Her attempt to duplicate nature in her own backyard may have gone a little too far, since a pair of Great Blue Herons mistook her pond for a buffet and came every day to feast on the fish!

Explorer Post 885

                                    by Kathleen Sheppeck

Despite the fact that no regular meetings were held during the summer months, Explorer Post 885 still managed to have an active and productive season.  Once again our Explorers participated in our Independence Day festivities including the fire fighter skills competition and the parade. Many of you who joined the Ladies Auxiliary for their Paddle for a Cure may have seen the Explorers helping out, carrying kayaks for tired (and grateful) paddlers. 

   We also had six explorers and three advisors travel to Montour Falls in August for the NYS Fire Academy’s Explorer Weekend. The State Fire Instructors really put them through their paces.

   The highlight of the weekend for our third year students was rappelling from the top of the training tower.

   Congratulations go out to two of our Explorers. Omar Hay was recently voted in as a Member of the Alplaus Fire Company and Sean Young, now a member of the Rexford Fire Department completed the Certified First Responder course in Emergency Medical Services. Great Job!

Samuel’s Coffee Talk