Alplaus Home Town News January 2002
A number of ready volunteers put the Alplaus community Christmas Tree up on the firehouse on Saturday, December 15th. This included Gray Watkins, Gary Withey, Keith Abato, Andrew Coppola, and Mike Sheddick. John Kulak, of Kulak's Nursery & Landscaping on Rte 146, donated the tree.
Santa (aka Tom K.) made an appearance for the young folks. Tom Donlon drew pictures for those who wanted a keepsake of the event. Paul Esposito led a karaoke session for the kids (and the kids at heart).
Thanks to all who took part.
As you can see on the previous page, I am "thinking snow" for this month. I want to ski on real snow this winter! It looks hopeful for Sunday night so we may have snow by the time you read this. (But not as much as Judy's home town of Buffalo Seven feet would be way too much!!)
Good news for our fire company sale of the old fire truck over the internet and the award of a grant toward special medical equipment for first responders. Persistent efforts on the part of Bob Culver and Mike Cuoco paid off.
I encourage you to remember the Alplaus post office when you need stamps or have a parcel to mail, even if you don't have your mail delivered to your home. The post office means identity for our special village and the income helps to keep the office open next to the firehouse. Besides, there is hot coffee always waiting, usually tasty treats, and a chance to visit with neighbors is practically guaranteed. AWH
PS Monday AM, Jan 7: Be careful what you ask for, you may
get it! Twelve inches of wet snow changed Alplaus to a winter wonderland
overnight. AWH
Alplaus Community Post Office News
December was a very busy month at the Post office. The holidays brought a sizable sales volume. People from Alplaus as well as surrounding areas came in to purchase stamps and mail packages. Several people came to Alplaus after viewing the long lines and crowded parking lots of the Rexford and Glenville post offices. Hopefully many of these customers will remember us and return in the future.
As many of you now know, box rent fees have changed. The annual fee is now $20 per year down from $55 this past year. This reduction in box rent is great news. However, please keep in mind that this reduces the Post Office's revenue by about $3800 a year. Which means that to keep the revenue just even with last year, the Alplaus Post Office must increase sales about $256 per month. I know we can make up this loss of revenue, and even increase sales, if we ask family members, friends, and business acquaintances to help support us. Remember the reason that the USPS tried to reduce our hours and possible close us was because of low sales figures.
I would also like to thank again all those people who generously donated their time and their many skills to help beautify the Post office, especially when they donated their efforts during the busy holiday season. What a job they did!!!!!!!!!!!!! From painting, to building shelves, installing lights, recycling early 1900 materials for walls, making a mail slot, carving a plaque the list goes on and on. My heartfelt thanks to all of you.
The lending library is back up after the installation of new shelving. I have weeded through and eliminated books that were in bad shape or just not read. That still left four very long shelves of romance, murder, and conspiracy. Something for everybody I hope.
******The first set of historical photos is now on display at the Post Office. The photos are from a photo album compiled by Jack Quiqley and Francis Spoonagle lent to us by Bob Culver and reproduced by the Ciancettas. The first is a 1910 photo of Jacob Boyce's Store, now the present Post Office, but previously also the Alplaus Bicycle Shop, Riverside Gallery/Post Office, and Judy Winsow's Bountiful Ewe. The second is a photo of the railroad crossing on Alplaus Avenue, a real safety blooper by today's standards. The third is a picture of the old trolley bridge at the end of Snyder lane, where piers still stand today. Many more of these classic photos will hopefully be added in the future. If you have any of these beauties in your attic and would like to reproduce and donate them that would be wonderful.******
In speaking to several residents, there appears to be a real interest in perhaps starting Alplaus's very own historical group. If anyone is interested in discussing and perhaps working on getting Alplaus some historical recognition, please let me know.
REMINDER The retirement party for Lorie is Saturday, January 19th at the Post Office from 1 to 3:30 PM or until we are done gabbing. Please call 399-8048 or stop by and see me at the Post Office for further details.
by Kathy, APO Postmistress
The annual Fire Company and Fire District elections were held in December.
Fire District Officers:
Chief Kurt Haushalter
1st Asst. Chief Drew Coppola
2nd Asst. Chief Steve Gabris
Captain Dave Tucci
Capt. Fire Police Mike Cuoco
Lieutenant Norm Mullins
Lieutenant Jim Majewski
In the Fire Company:
President Drew Coppola
Vice President Andy Coppola
Recording Secretary Norm Mullins
Corresponding Secretary Kirk Herrick
Financial Secretary Carl Nappi
Treasurer Joe Beaver
Trustee for 3 years Harry Casey
In the Fire District Election, the residents of the District
elected Don Cartwright of Glenridge Road, to a five-year term as Fire Commissioner.
Don will replace Harry Casey as a Commissioner. Harry chose not to run for
reelection having served a five-year term.
On Christmas evening at about 7 PM the Fire Department was called to a reported "structure fire" at 13 First Street in Alplaus.
Before leaving the fire station it was evident that this was not a "false alarm" as the dispatcher was reporting by radio that he was receiving numerous calls for this and a motorist pulled up on the ramp to report it also.
Upon arrival fire was coming through the roof of the family room on the north end of the Mark Delos residence at that address. The fire was quickly "knocked down" by the first arriving crew using two handlines.
There was considerable damage to the home, especially the kitchen and family room, since the fire had been burning for some time before being observed by neighbors.
One of the first to report the blaze was new AFD member Chris Sparano's brother who was just leaving Chris's home when he noticed the flames. Since it was Christmas, there were a number of cars blocking his driveway. Chris had to run all the way to the fire station in order to respond with the apparatus!
No one was at home at the time of the fire and there were no injuries.
Thirteen Alplaus firefighters responded with two engines and the rescue truck. Mutual aid was received from Stratton Air Guard Base and Thomas Corners fire departments.
The Schenectady County Fire Investigators determined that the fire originated around a fireplace in the family room.
This was the first structure fire in the village itself
for some time.
It's finally gone!
After fifteen months the Fire District was able to sell the 1975 pumper that had been replaced by the new American LaFrance pumper in September of 2000.
The truck had been listed for sale by a company called Firetec, which lists used fire apparatus on their website. As everyone saw, it was also offered for sale with a sign in the parking lot as well as on Time Warner Cable Channel 7. It was the website that brought about the sale.
It was sold to the Cascade Community Volunteer Fire Department from Cascade, Virginia. Cascade is located in southeastern Virginia between Martinsville and Danville, for the refreshment of the reader's geography! It is their intent to use it to replace a 1957 pumper that they currently have.
Two gentlemen from Cascade drove up on December 14 and
did a thorough examination of the truck, including oil samples from the
engine and transmission, road tests and pump tests. On December 19 they
made an offer which was accepted by the Board of Fire Commissioners and
on December 27 they were back with a large flatbed trailer, loaded the truck
and drove away!
Glenville Fire District No. 2 Grant
Mike Cuoco submitted a grant to Time Warner Cable for our District No. 2 Fire Company. A $250 grant was received toward the purchase of special medical equipment for First Responders.
On behalf of our community and surrounding area, your HTN would like to express appreciation and gratitude to Time Warner for its donation. We would also like to thank Mike for his awareness and the time taken for his submission.
When you think about this, the medical equipment and First
Responders are very important to each and every one of us. These are well-trained
persons with the proper supplies to work with. They are right there for
our emergency calls to 911.
| Day | Time | Situation Found | Street | Respondents | Engines | Other Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 03:19 | Service Call | Governor Drive | 7 | 2 | |
| 3 | 14:57 | Service Call | Air Base | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| 5 | 17:03 | Service Call | Riverwood Drive | 11 | 1 | 2 |
| 7 | 09:02 | Unintentional | Glenridge Road | 5 | 1 | |
| 10 | 19:27 | Good Intent Call | Glenridge Road | 10 | 1 | 1 |
| 12 | 19:47 | Emergency Medical | Mohawk Avenue | 6 | 3 | |
| 14 | 07:44 | System Malfunction | Glenridge Road | 6 | 1 | 1 |
| 22 | 17:14 | Emergency Medical | Woodcrest Drive | 7 | 3 | |
| 23 | 04:00 | Unintentional | First Street | 6 | 3 | |
| 25 | 19:02 | Structure Fire | First Street | 13 | 2 | 1 |
In December, at the Board Meeting of the Seniors, Mike Cuoco was presented with a special award from the Scotia Glenville Seniors. This was in appreciation for the many hours he has devoted to making this a great community asset and happy place for so many residents.
Mike has scheduled and completely reorganized the senior
Trips and Travel policy. Changes were made in reservations, signs-ups concerning
members and non-members, payment dates and cancellation policy. The changes
have brought about a more effective running committee and members are happier
with it.
The midwinter covered dish dinner will be held on Sunday, January 20that 1 PM Everyone is welcome to the Senior Center on Worden Road. These covered dish dinners are specially noted for the delicious food brought in. The chefs have many years of experience so they cook like pros.
Roger will be there to sing and dance with. There is a special program planned, "Tales of the Happy Wanderers" with Jean Hinman.
Come join us to chase the winter blahs away. Bring a dish
to share if you can. Since the Center's office is closed on Sunday, if the
weather is questionable please call Betty at 399-0427 and we'll decide if
the event should be called off.
Alplaus Fire Station
Harry's blood pressure clinic is scheduled for Thursday, January 10th from 3 - 5 PM. It would be good to make a New Year resolution to have your blood pressure taken every month by Harry Casey.
You can mark your calendar for the second Thursday of each
month and plan it now.
Recently Ruth was taken to the hospital for surgery. The operation was successful and she is now back home with Howard.
Friends and neighbors have been concerned about her and are happy she is home here in Alplaus. We're wishing her a speedy and comfortable recovery.
The monthly covered dish luncheon is scheduled for Tuesday, January 8th
in the Fellowship Hall at the Alplaus Methodist Church. This is weather
permitting.
Everyone is invited. And please bring a dish to share if you can. The meal is served at noon with good food and fellowship.
From Harry Casey's Home Page: Alplaus Weather
December 2001 Summary
January Moon Phases
The Old Farmers Almanac for Jan. 2002
Forecasts for Region 6: Upstate New York
We have been busy through November and December beginning with voting for officers for next year. The current officers will continue in their positions while adding a new trustee, Antoinette Olsen.
We have welcomed two new members: Kathy Boyle and Helen Robinson. We were pleased to purchase 10 new tables for the firehouse and voted to buy a number of flags to mount on the poles in the village.
Our bake sale was a success thanks to all our loyal customers. We prepared fruit baskets for those who needed some cheer through the holiday season. We adopted a needy family for Christmas, as always.
We plan to enjoy our holiday party on January 15th at 6 PM at Brandon's Restaurant. Our next meeting will be Monday, February 25.
Actual comments left for the US Forest Service by hikers: