Alplaus Home Town News January 2003
Editor/Publisher: Art Harris Reporter: Betty Vedder
Give us through this coming year
Quietness of mind,
Teach us to be patient
And always to be kind.
Give us reassurance
When every thing goes wrong,
Let our faith remain unfailing
And our hope and courage strong.
To our Alplaus friends and neighbors,
The folks we hold most dear
May your days be filled with joy and peace
Throughout the coming year.
We now have a complete selection of all sizes of our beautiful heavyweight sweatshirts with the Post Office star and "Alplaus, New York" on the front and "We haven't lost our ZIP 12008" on the back.
They are very warm, make great gifts, and are a fantastic
conversation starter! Please stop by the Post Office and our friendly Postmistress,
Cathy Boyle, would be happy to sell you one (or two, even).
It was the White Christmas of the story books, wasn't it? It was also a Christmas for the record books and (for older folks) one from the memory books. It reminded me of being snowed in for days at a time on the farm in Maine. Judy remembered her Dad getting up every hour during Buffalo winter storms to clear the snow away from the door so it could still be opened in case of an emergency. It was beautiful if you could stay home and not worry about traveling or travelers.
I noted many examples of the "Alplaus Attitude" of good will to neighbors this holiday season. Teens shoveled out a family that was called to sick parent's home in Boston on the day after Christmas. No pay requested it was done because someone needed help and they were there to provide it. Neighbors up down the street helped each other clear snow and get vehicles out and on the road. Once again, it is easy to find "Good News about Good People" in Alplaus.
Judy and I will be away when it's time to get out the February issue of the Home Town News. Our son, James, is getting married in Chicago so we have a winter trip to the windy city this month.
I want to thank Tom and Tammy Donlon in advance for agreeing to prepare that issue.
See you all in February..AWH
Art's e-mail address: arthur.harris@earthlink.net
District #2 Commissioner's Meeting
The meeting will be held Monday January 13, 2003 at 7:30 PM at the firehouse meeting room.
All meetings are open to the public.
Glenville Fire District # two held its election for Fire Commissioners on December 10, 2002. Congratulations go to Mike Cuoco for another three year term as treasurer. Congratulations also go to Carl Nappi who was elected for a five year term.
Jeanne Story and Bill and Betty Vedder helped Betty Burke, District Secretary, with the election. They were all treated with a delicious meal from the Chief's drill party.
Date Alarm Time Situation Found Street Respondents Fire-Fighter Hours
12/03/02 09:14 Mutual Aid Standby Cypress Drive 5 1.1
12/06/02 06:55 Medical Emergency Glenridge Road 7 2.7
12/16/02 15:09 Mutual Aid Scene Air Guard Base 9 4.1
12/16/02 15:41 Medical Emergency C/O Brookside & Alplaus Avenue 14 11.5
12/21/02 08:52 Medical Emergency Woodcrest Drive 8 3.4
12/27/02 07:34 Medical emergency St. Anthony Lane 5 2.2
12/30/02 21:51 Vehicle Accident C/O Maple Avenue & Air Guard 8 6.2
The members of the Alplaus Fire Company have elected new officers for 2003.
Firemanic Officers:
Social Officers:
Happy holidays from the Alplaus Residents Association. If you didn't have a chance to attend the tree lighting and holiday party at the firehouse, you missed a great time. It was nice to see so many residents enjoying each other's company during the holiday season. Santa Claus was a big hit and a thank you to all of you that made this yet again a special event.
I have an apology to the residents of Alplaus. It seems that I can't drive down the street or go to the post office without being asked about sewers. Over the last year I have given you information all along that I thought was accurate and truthful. If that had been the case we would have already voted and determined whether we would have sewers installed. Clearly the information that I gave you, which was being supplied by Town of Glenville officials, was neither. As of this time I really don't know what the status is in regard to this issue. Town of Glenville elected officials refuse to answer questions or phone calls regarding sewers. I therefore am proposing that we do the following: Invite every member of the Town Board, including the Supervisor, to our annual meeting in March. Maybe then we might be able to get a straight answer.
This past year has seen some really nice improvements in Alplaus. I want to thank Kathy Boyle and all of the volunteers that have made the post office into something very special. It truly is a remarkable small town community feeling that has been fostered by Kathy and her volunteers. Super Job.
The ARA is an important asset to the community. This was probably best noted by the spearheading of the efforts to save the post office. This coming March is election time for the ARA and we need volunteers willing to give a small amount of time to serve as officers. Those that might be interested should call Rick Fleming at 384-3707 within the next month.
Some golf sayings:
Alplaus Fire Station
Harry's clinic is scheduled for Thursday, January 9th, 3 until 5 PM. Mark your calendars and be sure to stop in the Alplaus Fire House to be checked over. We certainly don't want Harry to get bored, for he does enjoy visiting with his neighbors.
The luncheon for January is scheduled for Tuesday the 14th at Fellowship Hall in the Alplaus Methodist Church. It is held from 11:30 AM until 2:30 PM, weather permitting.
Winter days can often become dreary. This could be a time
you could get out for fine food and fellowship. Bring a dish to share if
you can and look forward to spending a pleasant afternoon with friends.
On Christmas Eve of 2002 we once again lighted our streets with luminaries. This year the organization which was responsible for the project was the Youth for Christ. We certainly do appreciate their sponsoring it.
Many of you may not know how this all came about. It was almost 20 years ago that Barbara Trask brought this activity to Alplaus from her family's church in Jonesville. Through the years different youth groups have sponsored this so it has become a tradition. It has come to our attention that newcomers might not be aware of what is going on.
We are all very proud of our peaceful little hamlet and
this is just one more way of emphasizing it on a real special night. Hopefully
next year more homes on the streets will join in to make a united effort
for this awesome and meaningful sight in our village of Alplaus.
January Moon Phases
Covered Dish Supper, Italian Style
On Sunday, January the 26th, the Glenville Seniors will hold an Italian covered dish dinner at the Center on Worden Road. This very special event is being carried out by the cooperative efforts of the Social and Humanity committees.
Roger Story will be there with his keyboard as we gather together. There will be more entertainment with Peter Ruzzo's Good Time Band. We are looking forward to a most pleasant afternoon of good food, fellowship and enjoyable music.
The covered dish meals are held in conjunction with the Meal Center, everyone is invited to attend, membership is not necessary. Come join us if you can and bring a dish of food to share.
You can sign up at the Meal Center or call 393-1946 for
reservations. We do set up a few extra places for those who make a last
minute decision to attend.
By Rick Vedder
The news from Youth for Christ (YFC) is very encouraging as well as the progress. This is all because of considerate and charitable people and companies who give their all.
It turned out that the complete roof was irreparable which caused much concern. In the past two weeks Lou Vendetti came forth from Venbro Construction and installed a whole new roof for no charge. Paul Cassella, from Emanuel Electric, has done all of the rough electrical wiring free of charge. Paul is a neighbor from Mohawk Avenue who owns his own business.
Len Gower continues to work diligently week after week. Len, a neighbor on Bruce Drive, owns Gower Construction Company and gives freely of his time and energy. Now there are the "Old Geezers" from Faith Baptist Church. They are in charge of doing the rough plumbing for the two bathrooms.
Dick Flanders has recently retired from GE and is able to spend more time working with us. Dick is from the Alplaus Church. Gordon Gilbert from East Glenville Community Church is an old faithful; we're beginning to consider him an Alplaus native. Dan and Lorry McGuinn from East Glenville Church have also been working with us.
The next project coming up is sheet-rocking the walls and finishing the floors. If there is anyone interested and willing to work on these activities call Rick or Cherie at 399-7093. We would like to suggest that you consider patronizing these companies who give their time, talent and materials for this Christian endeavor.
It is not easy to be sure I have mentioned all those who
have helped. Please do not be hurt if we missed you, we sincerely appreciate
everyone who has given a hand and we thank you so much.
Don't forget the holiday party on Wednesday, January 15th at the 5:30 PM buffet seating at Malozzi's on Curry Road. If you need a ride or would like to carpool please call Robin Driskel at 399-4911.
The next meeting of the auxiliary will be on February 24,
2003 at 7:30 PM at the Alplaus Post Office Community Room. If you would
like to attend our meeting or would like more information about our organization,
please call Robin at 399-4911.
By Betty Vedder
Quite a while ago Dede Bell and I were chatting when I mentioned that a neighboring house up on Riverview Road had once been an Inn. Dede said she had not heard nor knew that, and I should write about these things in the Home Town News. After I thought about it, it really might be a good idea. My Dad was extremely interested in local history; I have much of his printed material and verbal information he shared with me. He enjoyed talking and reading about our area.
The house I was referring to is the second house after the end of Alplaus Avenue on the hill. This would be a large white home, the second house around the corner from Bruce and Fran March. It now belongs to Dr. Arthur Lee.
This story goes back to the Erie Canal which connected Lake Erie to the Hudson River and ran along the Mohawk River. In 1903 the Canal was deepened and widened to become the Barge Canal. The Canal afforded a means of travel by boat; it was open to traffic for business and pleasure.
The village of Rexford enjoyed much prosperity through several years for they had a convenient boat landing. They were busy days and nights with activities because of the Canal. In the village there was McLane's Hotel which some of us older ones can remember. They had a good business but there were some of the wealthier New Yorkers who preferred to use the Inn up on Riverview.
When they left the boat they would come up and spend the night there. In the morning they traveled north to spend their summer vacations in camps, homes or big hotels at the lakes in the Adirondacks. As I write this I'm wondering what mode of transportation was used from the Inn to the lakes? It almost had to be horse and wagon in those days.
Communities like Rexford received a most serious blow when the canal was closed down. It turned from a very self-sufficient busy canal town to a quiet residential hamlet as we know it now.