Alplaus Home Town News November 2002
Editor/Publisher: Art Harris Reporter: Betty Vedder
It's time to get together;
It happens every year.
We gather all our family,
All those from far and near.
To Alplaus friends and neighbors,
We're wishing here to say:
Have a joyous time together,
And a happy holiday.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
From your HTN staff
Reminders from the Fire Company
Fire Company Fund Drive
In October, during fire prevention week, the members of the Alplaus Fire Company held their annual fund drive. Information with printed envelopes was passed out.
This is a reminder, if you intend to send a donation please use the envelope to do so.
Fire Department Designation
Each year, money from "foreign" (out-of-state) insurance companies is paid to fire districts to be used for the benefit of the firefighters. This is done through the New York State Insurance Department.
If a policy reads something other than Glenville Fire District #2, designating the Alplaus Fire Department, our district will not get credit. This year we received $3,227.46 and turned it over to the fire company.
So, please check those policies and inform the insurance company if a correction is necessary. Thank you.
Joan Mullins
Our community suffered a great loss when Baxter Josselyn died suddenly on Saturday, October 26th. It was an amazing coincidence that we held the 22nd Alplaus Run-Around on that very day wasn't it? I'm sure he would have appreciated the irony of it. The firehouse sign said it best: "Dear friend of everyone."
The Alplaus Run-Around went well under new directors, Charles and Barbara Casey from Second Street, despite the cool wet weather. The 5K race included a Dad, Mom, and baby in a carriage. Quite inspiring for all to see. Unlike many joggers that I see out for the exercise, they all were smiling and looked to be enjoying the experience.AWH
Art's new e-mail address: arthur.harris@earthlink.net
My children planned a wonderful surprise party for my 60th birthday. I had been a little suspicious but I had no idea who would be there. It was wonderful to see the Herricks and the Donolons. I was embarrassed that I did not recognize Tammy. It has been a long time since we have been in Alplaus for the July 4th festivities. It was a big surprise to see my parents and my sister-in law.
The best part of the day was "Over the Hill Lil". You really had to be there. A little old lady walks in calling "Dorothy, Dorothy, Is there a Dorothy here?" She had on a red dress, red hat, and half glasses and seemed to be very padded. She walks over to me and says, "I am 'Over the Hill Lil'".
I looked at her and said, "Do I know you? Am I supposed to know you?"
I was puzzled. Who was this strange person? I looked around the room to see if anyone knew her. I saw a lot of smiles but no one helped me. I said to her again "Do I know you?"
Her response was "I am Over the Hill Lil." She put her red hat on me and said "You have two brothers who are not here, right?"
She handed me some balloons and some flowers. She also gave me a book by Dr. Seuss. It is called: You Are Only Old Once, Book for Obsolete Children. At my mother's suggestion, the book was passed around the table so everyone could sign it. Everyone had a great time.
Hello to everyone. Fondly, Dorothy Ziegler
Dear friends in Alplaus,
We wish to thank all the people of Alplaus for their love and support during this difficult time for our family.
We especially appreciate the recognition and tribute paid to Baxter by the Fire Company.
Sincerely,
Shirlee Josselyn, Michael, Pam, and Jerry
November 2002 forecasts for Region 6, Upstate New York:
To Alplaus Post Office box customers: I have recently been notified by the Rexford Post Office that they are in the process of automating portions of the Alplaus postal route. They have kindly asked that all Alplaus Post Office box customers use their post office box numbers as their correct mailing address. This will speed up the sorting process from their office to ours.
If you reside in Alplaus, and are on the rural delivery route, your mail is sorted and delivered from the Rexford Office. If you have any questions regarding your mail delivery, you should contact the Rexford Post Office.
Christmas and holiday stamps are available for purchase now.they are lovely this year.
Kathy Boyle, APO Postmistress
The community luncheon for November will be held on Tuesday, November the 12th. The meal is served at 12 Noon in the Fellowship Hall of the Alplaus Church. Everyone is welcome to attend.
It is a pleasant time of fellowship and good food. Bring
a dish to share if you can. Beverages and desserts are furnished. Mark your
calendar and try to join in.
The Alplaus United Methodist Women have pecans for sale again this year. The cost is $6/lb. They will be available early in November. You may place your order by calling Mary Herrick at 399-2113.
Glenville Seniors Veterans Day
The Glenville Senior Center will again observe Veterans Day, this year it will be held on Sunday, November 10th. To commemorate this day, professor, Karl Barbir, a history professor from Siena College, will speak. He specializes in Mid- East history. He should have interesting remarks to make considering the present time activities. Mementos and souvenirs of past years will be displayed.
Of course light refreshments will be served at the conclusion
of this program. The public is invited to attend.
JR's restaurant will cater a special chicken barbecue at the Senior Center on 32 Worden Road. This will be held on Saturday, November 16th at 1 PM. Tickets for $5 can be picked up at the Center by Wednesday, November 13th.
Roger Story will begin with familiar music on his keyboard.
Later, entertainment will be presented by The Harmonica Club.
Harry will his clinic on Thursday November the 14th from 3 to 5 PM. His physical problem with his back has somewhat been relieved so he can carry on. Let's stop to have our blood pressure checked and have a visit with Harry.
Alplaus Fire Station
Once again we want to mention the Senior Craft Fair on December 7th from 9:30 AM until 3:30 PM at the Center on Worden Road. Lunch will be available.
Registration blanks for tables are in the Senior Moments.
Anyone interested for more information or tables can call Jeanne Story at
399-6401.
Greetings to all of our village friends! We are excited to see so much progress
on the physical building over the last several weeks. Soon the new roof
will be finished along with the deck at the rear entry. It seemed like the
work was crawling over the summer but we are pushing forward with renewed
vitality now.
Looking forward, we expect to wrap up electric work with the help of Paul Casella, plumbing led by a group called The Old Christian Geezers, and insulation directed by Pete Collisson. There have been many volunteers who have worked tirelessly with the common goal of completion so that we can reach out to the youth and the community.
You are all invited to a Brunch Celebration on December
1st from noon until 2 PM at Samuel's. Sandwiches, sweet rolls, cakes and
desserts will be served. Please mark your calendar and stop in to see how
far we've come and share in our vision for the future. God Bless All.
Alplaus
Fire Department: Calls in October 2002
Date Alarm Time Situation Found Street Respondents Fire-Fighter Hours
10/01/02 06:53 Mutual Aid Scene Riverview Road 5 1.0
10/01/02 07:12 Medical Emergency Butterfield Avenue 6 2.7
10/03/02 11:45 Other Emergency Stratton Air Guard Bas 7 2.5
10/04/02 08:02 Medical Emergency First Street 4 1.7
10/05/02 15:34 Medical Emergency Maritime Drive 6 3.5
10/11/02 17:22 Vehicle Accident C/O Bruce & Glenridge 5 2.6
10/12/02 15:41 Medical Emergency Maple Avenue 10 5.2
10/14/02 19:19 Medical Emergency Pinewood Drive 9 3.8
10/16/02 09:09 Medical Emergency Butterfield Avenue 4 1.5
10/16/02 11:33 Medical Emergency St. Anthony Lane 5 4.9
10/16/02 12:46 Medical Emergency St. Anthony Lane 5 2.2
10/19/02 12:10 Vehicle Accident Maple Avenue 6 9.9
10/23/02 09:39 Medical Emergency Butterfield Avenue 2 1.0
10/26/02 21:29 Medical Emergency First Street 4 2.3
10/28/02 12:05 False Alarm Fire Maria Court 3 1.3
10/30/02 10:37 Other Emergency Maritime Drive 7 1.3
10/31/02 14:03 Medical Emergency Hetcheltown Road 4 2.8
___________________________________________________________________________________
John Bena, son of Lois and Joe Bena, has recently taken a job as a videographer
for Capital News 9. Capital News 9 is a new Time Warner 24 hour local news
station that is located in Albany, NY. The news station employs over 100
people and John has become a charter employee as he was involved in the
initial set up of the news channel.
This is certainly an interesting item to print and we are
very pleased with the good news about John, who is one of our own.
It was with great shock and deep sorrow when many of us from Alplaus heard of Baxter's sudden and unexpected death. About forty years ago he and his wife, Shirlee, bought the house at 241 Alplaus Ave. They quickly settled in to become close friends and important members of our community. They had their three children Michael, Pam and Jerry who were brought up here among our own.
Baxter was known for his many sports achievements throughout high school and college. He was president of his Scotia Glenville Senior high school class and has organized a class reunion every five years since their 1945 graduation.
He has always been active in local community services. He was an Alplaus fire commissioner and first to establish the "Alplaus Run Around". While working on these projects he also enjoyed outdoor activities being an avid biker, canoer, skier, golfer, and runner. Baxter and Shirlee had joined the Glenville Seniors and were members of the Bowling League.
A few years ago they sold their home and property here in Alplaus and moved to an apartment on Van Buren Road. Baxter will always remain in our happy memories; he was a very special person. We sincerely share the sorrow with Shirlee and her family.
On October 5th Eddie Casey and Colleen Reilly were married at the Birch Hill Banquet House in Schodack. Eddie is the son of our neighbors Kathy and Harry Casey on Alplaus Avenue. Colleen is the daughter of Susan and John Reilly of Scotia.
Colleen's Maid of Honor was Michelle Kudsen. Her Bridesmaids were Katie Reilly, Kerry Atkins and Kristi Casey. Eddie's Best Man was Chris Casey and Groomsmen were Chris Adkins, Russ Capito, and Mark Harris.
Colleen is assistant manager of the Peter Harris store
on Saratoga Road. Eddie is one of our dedicated Glenville policemen. We
wish to express our heartiest congratulations with many happy years together.
Each June the Fire Company awards a small scholarship to a member of the graduating class at Niskayuna High School who is a resident of Glenville Fire District No. 2 and who expresses an interest in going further in the fire protection, emergency medical or health related services.
The selection is made by a committee of Fire Company members from applications received from the Guidance Office. Carl Nappi has been chairman of this committee and a prime mover n the program.
This year two plaques were purchased to record the winners,
one for the firehouse and one for Niskayuna High School. Recipients have
been: Mrinalini Sharma, Nicholas A. Fraley, Sharif Amin, and Brenda V. LaRow.
Another meeting chock full of activities but most important we welcomed a new member, Kathleen Sheppick, who jumped right in and volunteered to help set up our Election Day bake sale. Welcome, Kathleen! You can see our lovely ladies with our lovely baked goods from 6 AM to at least 2 PM or whenever we run out on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5, 2003. We will have several pies to purchase as well as other goodies.
We've received a new order of sweatshirts which are available for purchase at the post office. We also anticipate having aprons and totes for sale for Christmas with the Alplaus star design. Watch for more information at the post office.
We will once again be distributing welcome baskets to new neighbors who've moved in within the last year. We don't have a scientific process for determining when someone new has moved in so if you have new neighbors give me a call and we'll arrange for them to receive a basket.
Our flags will be coming down after Veterans Day and we'd like to once again thank Gary Withey for all his help. Unfortunately the flags have really taken a beating since we purchased them last year. We've replaced many of them already, which is getting to be an expensive proposition. Please support our fundraisers so that we can display the flags again next Memorial Day.
Finally, we are very excited that in the next month there will be a new sign in construction in the front of the firehouse that we have needed for some time. Be sure to be on the lookout for construction there and an article in these pages next month.
At our next meeting, November 25th at 7:30 PM at the post office, we will be making fruit baskets for our neighbors who are shut-ins or just in need of some cheer. Please call Robin at 399-4911 if you would be interested in attending our meeting or in receiving more information about our organization.
Report by Charles Casey
With a steady rain pouring down an hour before the Alplaus Run-Around, a woman approached a soaking race volunteer and asked the obvious question: "Is the race still on with all this rain?"
"Yes, ma'am," came the answer. "This is Alplaus."
The Alplaus Run-Around, an event for runners, is also something of an elaborate excuse for the folks who put it on to get together, drink some coffee, and catch up on all the gossip. No downpour could possibly stand in the way of that.
But there were runners on October 26, though less than usual due to the weather 15 in the one-mile, 21 in the 5K.
In the one-mile, Wilford Podus and Ellie George took top honors for men and women. Niall Williams, 8, third overall, was the first male fire district finisher. Ashley Devine, 9, was the first female fire district finisher.
In the 5K race, Brian DeBraccio set the pace with a 19:26 finish. Audrey Trainer, the first female, finished ninth overall in 23:56. Gray Watkins was the first fire district finisher. (There were no women in the category.) Dominic Weeber, 9, was the youngest finisher and first in the under 13 male category.
One-mile run results:
Female 12 under (also female fire district winners):
Ashley Devine, 9:15; Lyndsey Devine, 9:21; Caitlin Ironside, 10:13
Female 13 over:
Ellie George, 8:00; Catherine Murphy, 8:38; Marianne Shrader, 9:51
Male 12 under:
Christopher Murphy, 6:46; Niall Williams, 6:47; Ryun Murphy, 7:20
Male 13 over:
Wilford Podus, 6:45
Male fire district: Niall Williams, 6:47; Nick Collisson, 7:53, Nolan Tunny, 12:10
5K overall results:
The race was made possible by about two dozen volunteers and the cooperation of the Alplaus Fire Department and the Alplaus Residents Association. Goldstock's, Riverview Orchards and Stewart's donated prizes.