Alplaus Home Town News March 2003
Editor/Publisher: Art Harris Reporter: Betty Vedder
Think
Our overseeing office, Rexford, has informed me that the automation process of the Alplaus mail will begin shortly. Each Alplaus Post Office box holder will be receiving an official letter from the US Postal Service explaining the change.
Several people have asked me if this means our Post Office is in jeopardy of being closed. I have been assured by the management that this is not the case. The change is strictly for more efficiency in the sorting process.
Alplaus Post Office box holders should now be using their PO Box numbers as their official mailing address. If you still feel the need to use your street address, just add your PO Box number on the next line above your city, state & zip code. If your mail is not addressed properly, I am told by the Postmaster in Rexford it could be DELAYED a day.
I know from the chatter in the Post Office that making this change is an understandable inconvenience. A few people are discussing going to rural delivery to avoid this inconvenience. Please keep in mind that our Post Office box rent is part of the revenue that keeps the Alplaus Post Office here.
Also the Post Office is a secure environment for your mail to be kept. I have opened several Post Office boxes this winter for people who had their mail and mail boxes scattered by the snow plows.
Kathy Boyle
February is a cruel month it promises to be sunnier and a prelude to Spring, but delivers temperatures often colder than January. This has been such a year. Judy and I returned to Alplaus on Saturday evening, February 15th and woke to 4 below weather the next morning. Obviously, we should have stayed away another week or two or three!
Some thoughts from our 5500 mile jaunt: No convenience store/gas station on the trip was as clean and neat as the Rexford Stewart's at Balltown and Riverview; There are never enough road signs when and where you need them; Every tourist stop has a first and/or best of something; and Texas drivers are the fastest and nerviest around.
Once again, I want to thank the Donlon's, Betty Vedder and all the regular contributors for getting the Home Town News out last month.
..AWH
Art's e-mail address: arthur.harris@earthlink.net
The Homework Clubhouse is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 2:30-4:30 PM for students in grades 2-5. Students can come and get the help they need to do their homework in a fun and friendly environment and parents can take a breather once in a while.
Glencliff students can get the bus from school directly to The Clubhouse which is located at the Alplaus Church on Brookside Place. The fee of $5 per student (which includes snacks and games, tutoring, and use of the computer lab) will not be charged in the month of March. We will be holding an Open House on Wednesday evening, March 19th from 7-8 PM.
Find out more about our drop-in homework help center and how it can benefit your family or call 884-9185 for more information.
Date Alarm Time Situation Found Street Respondents Fire-Fighter Hours
02/03/03 14:51 Other Rescue Hill Street 7 2.2
02/06/03 17:12 Structure Rivercrest Drive 15 64.8
02/11/03 06:20 Vehicle Accident Maple Avenue 7 1.1
02/11/03 07:54 Vehicle Accident Maple Avenue 8 5.8
02/11/03 23:26 Air Boat Search/Rescue Ballston Lake 6 8.6
02/14/03 09:37 Medical Emergency Pinewood Drive 9 4.8
02/17/03 13:13 Medical Emergency St. Anna Street 9 4.3
02/19/03 11:58 Medical Emergency Snyder Drive 4 1.6
02/21/03 11:12 Medical Emergency St. Anthony Lane 5 3.5
02/24/03 15:49 False alarm Fire Hetcheltown road 6 1.6
02/27/03 08:30 Vehicle Accident Maple & Alplaus Avenue 7 2.0
There's a new sign in front of the Firehouse, made possible through the efforts of the Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary and donations in memory of Greg Isles, Jr., a Fire Company member who passed away unexpectedly last year.
It was designed and installed by Olsen Sign Co. of Scotia.
Pat Beaver is the "custodian of the messages". Please make any
suggestions to her for message thoughts. This replaces the sign built by
Bill Vedder several years ago which has served us very well and now goes
to well earned retirement.
Sunday, March 16, 2003
4 to 6:30 PM
Alplaus Firehouse Hall
$7 per person (must have at least 50 minimum)
Call Andy: 372-1124 Please Leave Message
Reservations must be in by Wednesday,
March 12, 2003
MENU
Corned Beef Cabbage
Ham Carrots
Potatoes Rye Bread
Dessert
The Annual Awards Dinner was held in February at the Woodlin Club with over fifty members and friends attending. The highlight of this event is the naming of the Social and Firemanic Firefighters of the previous year.
Social Firefighter was outgoing President (and incoming Chief) Andrew Coppola, left, given for his efforts in every event that occurred through the year 2002, from the Annual dinner on through the Christmas Parade and the arrival of Santa Claus.
Firemanic Firefighter was Assistant Chief Steve Gabris, right, for his efforts in improving the training of our members throughout the year.
Recognition awards were also given to Mike Cuoco for managing the three New York State grants which were received in 2002 and to Bill Vedder on the retirement of the Firehouse sign which he built and maintained for so many years. The top five non-officers in service points were Michael Sheppeck, Robert Culver, Chris Sparano, Carl Nappi and Andimo Coppola.
Anyone interested in joining the Company is invited to
the Alplaus firehouse at 7 PM on Tuesday nights.
We held our first meeting for the year and welcomed new member, Bonnie Teti. We're happy to have you on board, Bonnie!
After a long discussion regarding our budget we, unlike the federal government, declined to operate with a deficit so tough decisions were required to operate within our anticipated means. That discussion necessarily lead into brainstorming about potential fundraisers for the year.
We still have a number of sweatshirts for sale which can be purchased for $22 at the post office. We will be selling summer bulbs starting next month and anticipate having an Alplaus tote for sale in April. Our annual flea market and garage sale will be held on Saturday, June 7th, so please mark your calendars.
We were very pleased to able to, in conjunction with the fire company and some generous donors, provide the sign in front of the firehouse as a memorial to Greg Isles, Jr., the young firefighter who passed away last year. Our plan is to electrify the sign (it's currently plugged into an outside outlet) and plant a garden around it as soon as the snow clears. Our hope is that that momentous occurrence will take place some time in the next few months (we have a lot of snow that needs to melt and somehow I have a feeling we're still due for a nice March blizzard. If so, we will at least be able to brag that we lived through the snowiest winter on record!)
Our Red Cross blood drive will be April 11th from 2-7 PM.
Sign up sheets for donors will be in the Post office next week. Our next
meeting will be March 24th at 7:30 PM in the post office community room.
Please call Robin at 399-4911 for information about our group.
In February, during the final home wrestling meet of the season, students and administration paid due respect for Joe's outstanding achievements throughout his teaching career. He is retiring after 34 years and has been Niskayuna varsity coach since 1976 with 431 recorded wins. He is the top coach in the history of section 11 and second in the history of New York State wrestling.
Joe also taught shop at Niskayuna High. He has always possessed the ability to maintain an excellent relationship of coach, teacher and close friend with his students. Around our own hamlet he has also been a role model and father figure not only to his own children but also some of ours. Joe has always been ready and willing to give his time and ability to any of the young people who needed help.
Friends and neighbors in Alplaus are wishing Joe and Lois
some very happy and peaceful retirement years. We will be pleased see him
around town more often.
On Monday February 3rd Charley passed away in his home on Hill Street. He was a sergeant in the Army from 1953 until 1956 then went into teaching and working with graphics until his retirement in 1992.
He was predeceased by his wife, Mary Jane in 1977. They lived here in Alplaus on Hill Street for many years among us. Their children Joy, Monica, Charlene, Charles Jr., Brenda, and Newton were brought up here.
Friends and neighbors would like to express their sincere
sorrow for this family's loss.
Alplaus Fire Station
Harry has scheduled his March clinic on Thursday, the 13th. This is shortly before the first day of spring. Between 3 and 5 PM you can take a walk to the Firehouse and have your blood pressure checked.
Mary Bee was stricken and died suddenly in her home on Snyder Lane, February the 19th. She was predeceased by her husband, Edward Bee, in 1990.
She lived here in Alplaus for about 35 years. Her daughter Heather and son Eddie were brought up here and attended school with our children.
Mary spent her life working in sales management and marketing. She was the first woman elected president of the Schenectady Chamber of Commerce. She won numerous awards in advertising and was involved with many productions of the Civic Playhouse and Light Opera.
We shall miss her pleasant smile and greetings at the Post Office and would like to express our heartfelt sympathy to Heather and Eddie.
The Glenville Seniors will hold a pot luck Irish Festival in March. In January an Italian covered dish was held and it was so successful we're planning an Irish one. It will be on Sunday, March 23rd at 1 PM. This is within the week of St. Patrick's Day and the first day of spring.
Roger Story will be there early to set the mood. The Serenity Duo will also be performing for this special event. The Duo features Jean and Norm Stoddard playing well known songs from the 1920s through the 1950s. They both sing and play clarinet, saxophone and keyboard. There will also be an Irish sing-along to enjoy.
Visit the Meal Center or call 393-1946 to make reservations;
this is to get a number for set-ups. Mark your calendars, slip on something
green and bring a dish to share. Membership is not necessary and if you
decide to come at the last minute without reservations come ahead, we'll
make room for you.
March Moon Phases
The Old Farmers Almanac for March 2003
Forecasts for Region 6, Upstate New York
Average Temperature: 33F (average) Precipitation: 2 in. (1 below average)
This month's luncheon is scheduled for Tuesday, March 11th. This will be a time to think spring. Everyone is welcome to the Alplaus Church for good food and fellowship.
Lunch is served at noon. Bring a dish to share and a happy
smile for a pleasant afternoon in Fellowship Hall.
On Wednesday, March 5th, a community service will be held
at the Alplaus Methodist Church. This is for anyone who would like to observe
Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the Lenten period.
An ecumenical service will be held on Saturday morning
March 8th at 10 AM at the St. George Episcopal Church at 912 Rte 146 Clifton
Park. It is in observance of the World Day of Prayer. This service is particularly
located for the people around our area and open to everyone.
The Alplaus Resident's Association will be holding its annual general meeting
at 7:30 PM on Thursday March 20th at the Alplaus Firehouse. In addition
to the election of officers and reports from various groups there are several
issues that will be addressed at this meeting. The ARA will also be announcing
the Citizen of the Year. All residents of the Alplaus Fire District are
encouraged to attend. The ARA is a non-partisan organization that facilitates
activities in our community and lobbies for the betterment of Alplaus and
its surrounding neighbors.
While many of us have worked diligently for the opportunity for the citizens to have a right to vote for or against the proposed sewer system, this has not yet been accomplished. Representatives from the Town of Glenville, Kestner Engineering, and Environment One are scheduled to attend our meeting in March. The purpose of their attendance will be to detail the progress of the proposed system and to gain input from the community. Changes were made to the proposal as a result of the meeting last year. This meeting hopefully will be the last meeting necessary to address this issue.
Over the past four years it has been my honor to represent the citizens of Alplaus. So much has happened during this period: The proposal to treat problem youth at Conifer Park, the attempt to close our post office, all of the day to day issues facing our community. I would like to personally thank all of the officers that have served during my tenure as president and I look forward to my new role as past president. Alplaus truly is a special place to live and anyone can be proud to say they are Alplaus residents.
Sincerely, Rick Fleming
The insulation throughout the building has been installed. Presently a crew of good hearted fellows is putting up the wall board. The glass is on order for the front windows.
The complete renovation of this building has been a challenge. It is being accomplished by the hard work of dedicated volunteers. This is very sincerely appreciated by those concerned.
There is yet much to do and we are grateful for any help we can get. Anyone thinking of joining us or seeking information can call 399-0427.