Alplaus Home Town News June 2003
Editor/Publisher: Art Harris Reporter: Betty Vedder
for Alplaus Dads
You always find a way
To help us out, to give and share
You always find the time
To talk a while and just be there,
And though we may not always
Find the words to show we care,
We hope, within your heart,
You'll always know we're there!
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!
Sunday, June 15, 2003
Remember There will not be a Home Town News for July and August. Your hard-working staff takes a vacation too.
Don't forget the village-wide garage sale on Saturday, June 7th, rain or shine.
I saw a license plate motto the other day that I hope was in jest, although probably not. It read:
"It's All About Me!" I'm glad to live in Alplaus where there are lots of folks who do not act that way, but quite the opposite, looking for nice things to do for others and for our neighborhood.
There is a lot of good news and good stories in this
issue of the Home Town News just the thing for our last issue until
September. Enjoy the good weather that has finally arrived. A great summer
is just ahead...AWH
The post office recently received a letter from Major Brownell thanking those who contributed to the "care Package" he received in Afghanistan from the Alplaus residents. I have posted the letter in the lobby of the post office.
There is still a half filled box waiting to go out if anyone would like to send a card, letter, or item. It was very nice to hear from Mark and it sounds like the items that were donated were appreciated by those really in need.
Please stop by and help support the Alplaus Post Office..FREE COFFEE.and enjoyable conversation with many of your friends & neighbors
Thanks, Kathy Boyle
Bible Crime Scenes Invade Alplaus
Something new is coming this summer to the Alplaus Methodist Church. And Vacation Bible School will never be the same! This year the church will be holding a unique VBS for Middle and High School students. The theme is "Bible Crime Scenes" and it is a new approach to getting the area teenagers grounded in the Word of God. The idea was found on the internet at EGAD Ideas.com.
A Bible Crime Scene takes an episode from the Bible and brings it back to life in a 3 dimensional way. A scene will be constructed somewhere in the church either by using live actors, puppets, or props and clip art characters.
The students first must find the scene, which will be marked off with crime scene tape. The students then study the scene, picking up as many clues as they can from the various articles placed within the scene. Once they figure out which piece of Biblical history they are witnessing, their next mission will be to find where in the Bible the episode takes place.
The students will be working in small groups, with each group competing against the others. Each group will be filling out a crime scene report that asks them to name the Bible story, the people involved, and where in the Bible it is found.
Finally, they must write up what happened in the scene. The more the student understands the fundamental truths that the Bible is speaking through the scene, the higher their score.
Bible Crime Scenes will take place at night from 8:00 - 10:30 pm starting Monday, July 7th and ending Thursday, July 10th. Each night will begin with a "Steak Out" (dinner cooked on the grill). All prospective detectives will be expected to report in at that time and enjoy a night of undercover Bible study.
For more information, or to register your child, please
call Kelly Kissane at 884-9185.
This is the busiest month of the year for us between the Flea Market, Raffle and Fire Company dinner which we prepare and serve. You can read about the Flea Market and Raffle in separate articles so I'll be brief.
First, thanks again to Gary Withey for putting up our flags for Memorial Day in the dreary weather we've suffered through the last two weeks. Thank you also to our beautification committee (mainly Elizabeth Burke and Kathy Boyle) for planting annuals to make "downtown Alplaus" look so lovely. Thank you to all of you who donated bottle and cans to our drive. The final numbers aren't in but we believe we made around $200.
Our next meeting will be September 22nd at the Post office. We will be planning a Glenville Auxiliary get together at the firehouse on the 24th. Our meeting time, due to popular demand, has been moved back to 7:00 pm. We have so many things to discuss we've been running late. Hope to see you at the flea market or call Robin at 399-4911 if you are interested in attending our September meeting.
The annual Alplaus village-wide Flea Market and Garage Sale will be held on June 7th from 9- 4 pm. As always, the flea market will be held at the firehouse and maps to the home garage sales can be obtained there.
Anyone wishing to be put on the map for a home garage sale should quickly put their name and address on the list at the Post Office and give Kathy $5 as signups close Wednesday, June 4th so we can make the map up.
Delicious home cooked food will be served at the cook shack starting with breakfast at 7:30 am followed by lunch until 2 pm. As usual we will have an assortment of home baked goodies, including pies and carrot cake.
We are very pleased to offer flowers just in time for planting which will be sold by Kim Sheely, of Alplaus, and her sister, Char Spetla, who run Green Acres Greenhouse in Ballston Lake. Kim and Char are generously donating a percentage of their profits to the Auxiliary.
We will also be selling raffle tickets for the Glen Hills membership until about 2 o'clock that day when the name of the lucky winner will be pulled. Please see the corresponding article on page 4 for more details.
We were very fortunate to have hardworking Helen Robinson and Vicki Watkins organize the cook shack and they were able to get a number of items donated.
We extend our thanks to them for their hard work and to the following donors who generously donated their products:
BJ's Diamond Spring Water Co.
Stewarts Glenville Beverage
Hannaford Pede Brothers
Pepsi Price Chopper
Sam's Club Freihoffer Bakery
WalMart Save-More Beverage
Dunkin Donuts (Rexford)
The Flea Market is sponsored by, and is the major fundraiser for, the Alplaus Ladies Auxiliary.
Fourth of July Festivities
When you think of the best Alplaus has to offer, I'm sure you think of the Fourth of July festivities. The appeal of our little hamlet is never more in evidence than when scouts and antique cars, marching bands and kids on bikes all join in the parade. The block party is small-town living at its best, with neighbors dancing with neighbors, and the ecumenical service joins those of all faiths in a common spirituality.
If you'd like to be a part of this wonderful happening by helping with set-up or break-down for the block party on July 3rd, OR if you can serve as a traffic monitor before the parade itself (my understanding is that duties end just before the parade starts so that you'd be able to enjoy the parade with friends and family), then we'd love to have you! It's only a couple of hours of your time and a great way to help Alplaus. Call me at 399-5714 or Judy Harris at 399-8320 if you can help.
Donations to help support the festivities or other ARA activities are also welcome. If you'd like to make a memorial donation, please make a check payable to the ARA, along with the name of the person in whose memory the gift is being made and a one-sentence description of the donation. Send memorial and other contributions to the ARA, P.O. Box 185 no later than June 16th if you'd like the contribution included in the program for the Fourth.
And don't forget to buy your Alplaus T-shirts! Sales benefit Skye Farm camperships, plus the entire family gets to sport a t-shirt designed by our own Tom Donlon. Look for them at the block party and at the parade.
Sewer Update
Concerned about water quality? Tired of worrying about your aging septic system? Already on the sewer system and wondering about what the upgrades will mean for your taxes?
The answers are coming soon. We're putting the final touches on a fact sheet and will be asking for some of your time this month as we circulate a petition that decides whether or not those homes without a sewer system will have one after all. ALL homes and landowners will be included in the petition process, including those, like me, already on the system.
We hope to have a fact sheet to you on or about June 16th, with petitions circulated starting the weekend of June 21st. Make sure you read it carefully, since it affects all of us, and have your questions ready when we come by.
Barb Casey, President ARA
Raffle for Glen Hlls Membership
The Alplaus Ladies Auxiliary is raffling off a family membership to the Glen Hills Swim Club on Bruce Drive. It is a lovely facility with both a main pool and a kiddy pool and the best part is it is within walking distance.
Please note this is for new members only (sorry!) This is a $375 value. Tickets can be obtained at the post office, from auxiliary members or we will be selling them the day of the flea market. The tickets are $2/each or 3 for $5.
The drawing will be held at approximately 2 o'clock at the flea market. For $2 even if you took one dip all summer it would be well worth the price or even if you aren't interested what a great gift to a family you know!
Just remember every dollar earned by the Auxiliary goes
back into the events which make Alplaus a great place to live such as the
Fourth of July Parade and the Halloween Party or buys items which enhance
the community such as our flowers and the new sign. As always, we thank
you for your support.
There will be a special table at the Village Garage Sale June 7th, for Samuels. We're asking families and friends to be aware of this as they do their spring house cleaning.
Donations of things which are no longer in use at your
house but still in good condition would greatly be appreciated. Donations
or information can be taken or received at Cherie Vedder's, Dede Bell's
or Betty Vedder's
On Thursday, June 12th from 3 until 5 pm, Harry will have his blood pressure clinic. This, of course, will be at the Firehouse so be sure and mark your calendar and stop by so Harry can do his job.
He does take July and August off as well as your Home
Town News. He intends to be at the Senior outreach picnic on Wednesday,
July 23rd, to take pressures. The Seniors do appreciate this for the Senior
Center closes their blood pressure clinic during the summer.
Alplaus Fire Station
Once again the Glenville Meal Center is sponsoring a four day three night vacation at Scott's Oquaga Lake House. Reasonable prizes include all meals, recreation and entertainment. There is unlimited free golf, tennis, water skiing, swimming, other sports and activities. The dates are Friday, August 22nd through Monday, August 25th, anyone can attend. For information, please call Betty and Bill at 399-0427.
Indoor Picnic
This annual event is put on by the Meal Center and the Social Committee together. This year it will feature the debut of our own Scotia Glenville Entertainers under the direction of Father Gray.
Roger will be there with his keyboard.
The cost is a donation of food to the Scotia Food Pantry of non-perishable food (no glass). Reservations are required by Friday, June 20th; call the Meal Center at 393-1946.
Outdoor Picnic
This is our outreach picnic also put on by the Meal Center and the Social Committee. It is the only outside picnic available to the Glenville Seniors.
Here in Alplaus it is scheduled for Wednesday, July 23rd from 11:30 am until 2:30 pm at our Firehouse pavilion. Roger will again be here with his music and Harry is planning a blood pressure clinic. There will be bingo or cards with prizes.
Reservations are required by calling the Meal Center by Friday, July, 18th at 393-1946 or Betty at 399-0427.
We would sincerely like to thank our Alplaus Fire Department
for allowing the use of the pavilion each year There is always an exceptionally
good turn out of 100 or more people. Everyone really enjoys this activity.
The luncheon will be held on June 10th this month at the Alplaus Church.
Everyone is invited from 11:30 am until 2:30 pm. Please bring a dish to share if you can. Fun, fine food and fellowship is featured!
Here is a list of our local students who have received honors, awards and recognition for their academic efforts. Unfortunately we can mention only those whom we know of.
The HTN is not printed in July and August but in the September issue it would be good to add those who we might have missed. If you have or know someone who has received honors your information can be left at the Post Office or given to Art Harris or Betty Vedder. You have every right to be proud and we want to be proud with you.
Juniors Inducted into the 2003 National Honor Society:
Erica Archer, Emery Chapman, Carrie Down, Christopher Hammond, Aubrey Haushalter, Ashley Mayo, Nicole Stoodley.
Niskayuna High Foreign Language Award:
Keith Schnell - Gold medal and certificate of merit in Latin, Regional winner and National winner in French
Katherine Sheenan - Gold medal winner in Latin
Kristie Francis - Cum Laude in Latin
Tim Zakriski - Excellence in class work in French
Tara Archer - Certificate of merit in Spanish
Lea Vedder - Certificate of merit in Spanish and Latin, National Latin Contest [silver]
Erica Archer - National Spanish contest level
Julia Schnell - National German contest
Jeremy Wolos - National Latin contest [silver]
Ashley Mayo - Certificate of merit in Latin and Spanish, National Latin contest [silver]
Aubrie Esposito took first place for grades 10 - 12 for the Editorial and Advertising in the Student Gazette Contest
Brittany Donlon, Chelsea Mayo and Aubrie are receiving a Niskayuna Art Department Award for a video that was entered and chosen as a finalist in the Reel Teens U.S.A. Film Festival.
Alice Yu is the winner of the Alplaus Fire Department Scholarship for a graduating resident of Glenville Fire District 2 who is planning further education in either fire science or the medical field.
Cheryl and Michael Watkins have been notified that their son, Joshua, will be in the next edition printed of "Who's Who in American High Schools". Selection of students for this honor is based on academics (top 5% of HS students), attitude, participation in school activities, and nomination by a teacher.
Joshua is a sophomore in Bluefield H.S., Bluefield, WV. He is the oldest grandson of Bob and Alice Culver, who are extremely proud of him.
David Culver, son of Alice and Bob, has been recognized as a finalist for the Commissioner's award for Outstanding Programs in Career Technical Education in Vermont. Dave teaches at the River Valley Technical Center in Springfield, Vermont.
The Engineering Pathway - classes in computer - assisted drafting and design and in principles of engineering - involves students from 9th to 12th grade and beyond from three high schools and RVTC. The classes are held with national skill standards. A number of Dave's students enter local, state and national competitions. Some of his students recently competed at the state level competitions, after having won at the local level. They won from gold medals to bronze medals at the state competitions. In June Dave will take those winners to National Competition in Florida.
by Betty Vedder
This is a title of an article which appeared in the May 30, 1999 Sunday Gazette. It was reprinted in the June, 1999 Home Town News and with permission of the author, the former Aimee Bena, I would like to refer to it. Basically, Aimee was speaking of the massacre in Littleton, Colorado and killings in other schools around the country. Why are these things happening and who is responsible? Alienation and lonesome souls can cause violent reactions in some students.
I would like to quote one of Aimee's paragraphs in particular:
"What do we need to do as 'villagers', to help today's kids? As parents and grandparents, we need to know it's our job to set moral and behavioral standards for children - even if we go against popular culture or "the crowd". It means keeping track of our kids, even as they get older and resent that involvement. It may mean reaching out to our children's friends when we see signs of lonesomeness or trouble even when it is uncomfortable for us or when the child is really someone else's responsibility."
As I once again read Aimee's article it did my heart good. Alplaus has always been my Utopia. Through the years friends and neighbors have had close relationships sharing problems and happiness together.
We do not need to kid ourselves; the drugs and alcohol are out there for young people to try if they want to. We must set high limits and standards for them to live up to. We must set desirable targets for them to aim for.
One very meaningful project is the reconstruction of Samuels. On the Saturdays when the kids do not have other activities, they are working side by side with the men. There are usually more boys than men and they are not only learning skills but have an important purpose in mind.
I sincerely think it is and will be great to have a wholesome
and fun and fellowship center for our young folks. We, the people of Alplaus,
can make a positive difference in the lives of our children.
2003
Alplaus Fourth of July Celebration
It seems as though the rain refuses to let us mow our lawns or plant our gardens, yet the Annual Alplaus Fourth of July celebration and parade is almost upon us! Representatives of the Alplaus Resident's Association, the Alplaus Volunteer Fire Company, the Ladies Auxiliary, as well as the Alplaus United Methodist Church, have all been busily planning their contributions to the holiday festivities!
The schedule of activities is as follows:
Sunday, June 29th 10:30 AM
Ecumenical Community Church Service at the Alplaus Firehouse Pavilion. This is a non-denominational service, open to all.
Thursday, July 3rd 8:00 PM until Midnight
Block Party at the Pavilion. Food, drink, conversation, music and friends.
Friday, July 4th 11:00 AM
The Parade: Line-up for marchers, floats and vehicles forms at Glencliff School Road promptly at 10:00 am. Our Citizen of the Year, Kathy Boyle, will lead the column as Grand Marshall.
Joining the fire companies, ladies auxiliaries, marchers, floats and vintage autos, the Sons & Daughters of Liberty, together with the Glenville Pipe Band, will inspire us with their patriotic live music. Trophies and ribbons will be presented after the parade, the ARA will have available an exclusive new tee shirt design, and Andy Coppola & friends will be busy in the cook shack, rustling up the usual great food, including plenty of his infamous, mouth-watering "Alplaus Special".
We still have room for you in the Parade, flyers with details will be out soon (see the next page), so start making design plans for your float, tuning up your car, and polishing your fire engine! Volunteers are always needed; there is much to do behind the scenes. Contact Mike Sheppeck, Parade Chairman, at 399-7115, or via email at sheppeck@earthlink.net with questions, to volunteer, or to let him know you'll be there.
Be sure and invite your friends and relatives to enjoy the hospitality and charm of beautiful downtown Alplaus during our big Fourth of July celebration!