Community Luncheon

by Margaret Weisl

The Alplaus Community Luncheon, at Alplaus United Methodist Church, will be held on Tuesday, May 10th, from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm in Fellowship Hall.

This will be our last Community Luncheon until the fall. I appreciate all the faithful attendees because we really do have a wonderful time getting together once a month.

It is open to the public and an event to look forward to with Good Food and Fellowship. Bring a dish to share if you can and come and join us.

What's inside

On the Hill……………………………………….2

Alplaus Fire Department Calls - April…………2

Samuel's is Open!............................................2

Alplaus Explorer Post 885………………….….3

Alplaus Residents Association News...………3

Alplaus Historical Society……………………...4

Culver Family Note.….…………………………4

Mary Van Riper…………………………………4

Glenville Seniors……………………………….4

Senior Spring Fling…………………………….4

Memories……………………………………….4

Ladies Auxiliary…………………………………5

Fourth of July……………...……………………6

Floating an Idea……………………..…………6

Day of a Firefighter……………………..……...7

On the Hill

May-flowers are certainly here in abundance. I'm not sure but what nature outdoes the best efforts of our cultivated gardens with the displays of wildflowers and trees in bloom that we see passing through the countryside. As in many other areas of life, the best we can do is often a poor imitation of the natural world around us.

Please remember your mothers and the mothers of your children next Sunday. Our debts to them can only be repaid with love in return. Flowers and a nice dinner out are good too.

…AWH

__________________________________________________________________________________

Alplaus Fire Department

April was an active month as shown by the call report below.

Old Timers' Night

The June 6th meeting of the Fire Company will be the annual Old Timers' Night and Inspection. There will be a "Guest Inspector" followed by a very short business meeting and then dinner prepared by the Ladies Auxiliary. All members and former members are invited to join us for this annual event.

Calls for April 2005


Date	Alarm Time	Incident Number	Call Type	Location	Number of Fire Fighters	Fire Fighters Hours
04 APR 2005	13:11	000043	Vehicle Accident	Glenridge Road	5	2.0
06 APR 2005	14:30	000044	Smoke Condition	Hetcheltown Road	6	1.4
08 APR 2005	10:46	000045	Other Emergency	Woodcrest Drive	5	11.7
11 APR 2005	18:58	000046	Other Emergency	Maple Avenue	8	2.3
14 APR 2005	09:02	000047	Other Fire	Vallywood Drive	4	1.3
16 APR 2005	09:28	000048	Medical Emergency	St. Jude Lane	10	8.0
16 APR 2005	20:56	000049	Other Emergency	Hetcheltown Road	4	1.2
18 APR 2005	22:13	000050	Vehicle Accident	Alplaus Avenue	11	5.5
20 APR 2005	09:53	000051	Medical Emergency	Glenridge Road	3	1.1
22 APR 2005	20:11	000053	Vehicle Accident	Maple Avenue	10	9.0
26 APR 2005	16:28	000054	Other Emergency	Bruce Drive	8	1.9
28 APR 2005	15:56	000055	Other Emergency	Maple Avenue	13	11.9
28 APR 2005	16:56	000056	Medical Emergency	Governor Drive	9	3.0
29 APR 2005	15:53	000057	Grass/Brush Fire	Vallywood Drive	8	7.9

Samuel's is Open!

After 5 long years of effort by dozens of volunteers, Samuel's, located in the old Alplaus Market, is now open for business. The staff says:

"Thank you for your support. Our 'soft' opening on Sunday, May 1st, was amazing. Our Grand Opening is Saturday, June 4, 2005. Please come in and see us."

Their business hours are:

Monday - Thursday 6 am - 9 pm

Friday 6 am - 11 pm

Saturday 8 am - 11 pm

Sunday not yet (need more staff)

Samuel's

258 Alplaus Avenue

Alplaus, NY 12008

518.399.9013
Aplaus Explorer Post 885

by Kathleen Sheppeck

The month of April provided lots of opportunity for training and community outreach. In addition to the usual monthly business meeting and twice monthly drills, the Explorer’s participated with the Fire Company in a 4 hour Sunday drill that covered safety and structure fire response. It gave the Explorers and firefighters alike a realistic scenario to discover their strengths and weaknesses in scene size up and initial attack. First Assistant Chief Haushalter ran a well planned and executed drill and we all took away something of value.

The Explorers also assisted in the Mayfair Daycare’s annual open house and fundraiser. They did a fine job of representing the Fire Company to the community and showing off the fire engine to the little ones. Always a big hit!

New Developments. If you’re interested in Concord Development’s proposed townhouse development, here’s the latest:

· Next step in the town process is the Glenville Environmental Conservation Commission (GECC) meeting on Monday, May 23^rd, at which environmental issues will be considered.

· After the GECC considers the project and assuming they have no questions or concerns that need to be addressed, the Planning and Zoning Commission will discuss the project in mid-June.

· Another P&Z meeting will be held as a public hearing at a later date. More details in the June Hometown News after the GECC meeting has been held. The public is welcome to attend ALL committee meetings; just check the town website for specifics.

Residents have been busy determining the possible impact on Alplaus. Charlie Thompson did an informal traffic survey and feels that a traffic light at Maple and Alplaus will mean even more traffic through our hamlet.

Jim Norton took a hike through Woodhaven to look at the Yates cemetery plot, which is badly in need of maintenance and repair.

Cindy Olsen of Maple Avenue is asking residents opposing the development to sign a petition that is currently at the post office.

Whether you support it or oppose it, get involved and let your voice be heard. Call or e-mail if you want more information on any of the above. Quality of life in our community is at stake.

Barb Casey

ARA President

bcasey@skidmore.edu

399-5714

E. GRAY WATKINS

ATTORNEY AT LAW

GENERAL PRACTICE

REAL ESTATE

WILLS, TRUSTS & ESTATES      371-6125

CORPORATE LAW                      1745 RT. 9

PERSONAL INJURY               Clifton Park, N.Y.



Alplaus Historical Society

by Bob Culver

The regular meeting of the society will be held at the Firehouse at 7 pm on Thursday, May 19th. Anyone with an interest in the history of Alplaus is more than welcome to attend.

Culver Family Note

Allison Watkins, daughter of Mike and Cheryl (Culver) Watkins of Bluefield, WV was recently elected by her teachers to go to the State Capitol in Charleston for a day to serve as page for her State Senator. She was elected on the basis of her academic achievement and her positive attitude toward school.

Allison's proud grandparents are Bob and Alice Culver.

Mary Van Riper

Mary Park Van Riper, 91, formerly of Hill Street, Alplaus, died on April 8, 2005. She was the daughter of the late Aunt Jane and Herb Park and the wife of the late Karl Van Riper. Survivors include two daughters, Betsy Baker and Karla Kennedy, and four grandchildren.

She was a member of Alplaus United Methodist Church for many years. She was also an accomplished cellist and played with the Schenectady Symphony Orchestra.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alplaus church.

Glenville Seniors

Dr. Rudy Nydegger will be at the Glenville Senior Center on Tuesday, May 13th at 1 pm. He will speak on depression.

Dr. Nydegger is a Professor at Union College and Chairman of the Department of Psychology. He has been in private practice as a Psychologist for many years. This is open to the public and planned as a relaxing get together with a cup of coffee and snacks. Anyone interested in this subject is welcome to attend.

Senior Spring Fling

The BIG BAND is back on Sunday, May 22nd from 2 to 4 pm to celebrate our Spring Fling. This will be an afternoon of dancing and listening to great music! Refreshments will be served while we are enjoying a delightful dance party.

Tickets are available at the front desk of the Senior Center. The cost is $5 per person and this, of course is also open to the public.

Memories

by Betty Vedder

A while ago, when I was in the Senior Center, Billy Revel came in. Since we are both Alplaus natives we enjoy talking about the old days. The Revel family lived at 10 Second Street where Mary Jackson now lives. They had three sons, Billy, Norton, and Robin, who was my age. Years ago their Father, Bill, Sr., decided to gather a few musicians together and form a band. This he did, but it wasn't a marching band nor was it a dance band as we might think of it. It was called different names at different times although the most significant name was "The Alplaus Hillbilly Band".

Now you can surmise just what kind of band it was. They played at the Firehouse, out at the Grooms Grange and all around and about the local area. The band players were Billy with his accordion, his father (Bill, Sr.), Lloyd Brinkman, Ray Davis and Judge Bruce. Yes, Bruce Drive was named after him, he lived on Bath Street and he was a Judge, well known and loved by all.

At the time I was in my early teens and knew of this popular band but too young to get out to hear them. I do remember my parents followed them and enjoyed listening and dancing to their music. The two younger Revel sons moved away from the hamlet but as Billy grew older he married Doris Pinckney. They live up on Saratoga Road in her family homestead. Some of you may have picnicked or partied at Pickney's Grove so you know where Billy lives. The next time I see him at the Center I'll see if we can revive some more memories to share with HTN readers.

EDITOR/PUBLISHER Art Harris

HTN web address: http://www.alplaus.org

HOME TOWN NEWS

ALPLAUS, NEW YORK 12008

May 2005 Vol. 129 No. 5

New Developments. If you’re interested in Concord Development’s proposed townhouse development, here’s the latest:

E. GRAY WATKINS

EDITOR/PUBLISHER Art Harris

HTN web address: http://www.alplaus.org

HOME TOWN NEWS

ALPLAUS, NEW YORK 12008

May 2005 Vol. 129 No. 5­­­­­­­­­­

New Developments. If you’re interested in Concord Development’s proposed townhouse development, here’s the latest:

E. GRAY WATKINS

May 2005 Vol. 129 No. 5