Auto safety information

National Safety Council

Defensive Driving Course

October 6^th and 13^th

6:30 to 9:30 pm

Alplaus Firehouse

$30 - $35

(depends on class size)

Call 399-0184 to register

(Sponsored by the AFD Ladies Auxiliary)

What's inside

On the Hill………………………………………..2

Alplaus Fire Department Calls - August………2

Keller Casey……………………………………..2

Lauren Gene Mazur…………………………….2

Alplaus Explorer Post 885………………….….3

Alplaus Fire Department……………………….3

Alplaus Residents Association News…………4

Glenville Seniors…….…………………………..5

Ladies Auxiliary…….……………………………5

Memories………………………………………...5

Alplaus Historical Society………………………5

Something from…Samuels…………………….6

Community Luncheon…………………………..6

Summer 2005…………………………………...7

Cody's Happy Butt……………………………...7

On the Hill

In June I said: "Have a great summer!" I trust you did because it has been a real old-fashion one with lots of rain, thunder and lightening, days of 90 degree heat, high humidity, plus great weather for our gardens. It is especially hard to get into fall with such a wonderful summer behind us.

I hope you'll consider taking the Defensive Driving Course sponsored by the AFD Ladies Auxiliary - see the front page for details. Judy and I have taken it regularly to renew our certification for insurance savings. Besides the monetary savings of $200 annually on car insurance premiums, we always get some worthwhile tips and suggestions for safer driving practices.

It's encouraging to see the operation of Samuel's as a village coffee shop and gathering place for young and old alike. It's also encouraging to read about the Alplaus Explorer Post scouts and their busy summer learning and practicing fire fighting skills. Our hat is off to both the adult mentors and the young people in both of these ventures. Their efforts continue to make Alplaus the special place we all treasure……AWH

__________________________________________________________________________________

Alplaus Fire Department

Calls for August 2005


Date	Alarm Time	Incid#	Call Type	Location	# Fire Fighters	Fire Fighter Hour
13 AUG 2005	06:30	000114	Airboat Search & Rescue	Crescent Road	10	75.5
20 AUG 2005	23:13	000115	False Alarm Fire	Hetcheltown Road	7	7.2
21 AUG 2005	11:04	000116	False Alarm Fire	Hetcheltown Road	5	1.3
21 AUG 2005	04:26	000117	Medical Emergency	Brookside Place	7	3.7
21 AUG 2005	07:18	000118	Other Emergency	Alplaus Avenue	7	10.0
21 AUG 2005	14:06	000119	Medical Emergency	Glenridge Road	9	4.7
21 AUG 2005	21:39	000120	Vehicle Accident	Maple Avenue	9	6.0
22 AUG 2005	23:23	000121	Vehicle Accident	Alplaus Avenue	9	11.3
26 AUG 2005	12:10	000122	Medical Emergency	Woodhaven Drive	8	2.3
28 AUG 2005	07:03	000123	False Alarm Fire	Glenridge Road	7	2.6
27 AUG 2005	09:09	000124	Vehicle Accident	Maple Avenue	11	6.1
28 AUG 2005	21:17	000125	Medical Emergency	Mountainwood Drive	6	2.9
29 AUG 2005	08:39	000126	Medical Emergency	Maplewood Drive	3	1.3

Aplaus Explorer Post 885

by Kathleen Sheppeck

The summer months were busy for Explorer Post 885. We participated in many exciting activities and events since our last HTN update. Among the highlights of our summer was the Independence Day Celebration. Many of you will recall the great job they did in the Firefighter Skills Competition. Their inclusion this year of Tigger and Darth Vader at the block party and parade was a big hit.

Also in July, our Explorers hosted the East Greenbush Explorer Post for a search and rescue drill, followed by a barbecue lunch. These kids have a lot to learn from each other and plan to conduct more joint training events in the future.

In August, the Explorers traveled to Montour Falls to participate in the NYS Fire Academy’s 2005 Explorer weekend. This year, they joined more than 150 other Explorers from all over NYS to attend courses taught by the NYS Fire Instructors, in Auto Extrication, Firefighter Survival and Search & Rescue. It was an incredible experience. The Instructors really challenged them and our kids rose to the challenge. They did everything from tearing cars apart; to breaking though sheet rock walls, to escaping from a second story window, headfirst down a ladder. They ought to be proud of themselves. I know that all the adult advisors were very proud of them.

Down and Out the Hard Way

Post 885 also had the pleasure of welcoming a new member, Krysten Riley, and welcoming back a former member, Lea Dolan

Alplaus Fire Department

by Bob Culver

Over all a fairly routine summer as far as calls were concerned, with the usual gamut of medical and auto accident calls. There were three requests for the Airboat, two of which had unhappy conclusions. One involved a personal watercraft incident on the Mohawk and one for a search for a missing fisherman at Stony Creek Reservoir; both of which resulted in the loss of the victim. The third was to assist the police in a search for suspected car thieves in a swamp in Rotterdam. None was found however.

We were inundated on July first (literally) by heavy rains, which required over four hours of service and resulted in eight requests for assistance. The one of the most significant was an attempt to keep the water away from the basement at the corner of Alplaus and Belmont Avenues caused by the over taxed surfaced drain system. The other was for the treatment of a Town of Glenville employee who fell in the sewer pumping station on Snyder Lane and suffered a fractured leg. The young man was very fortunate that his injury was not worse!

The annual July 4^th celebration went as planned and was blessed with fine weather.

The Fire Department has been fortunate to obtain grant money (FEMA, bad word these days?) to purchase ten sets of replacement turnout gear and thirteen replacement air packs. These items bring us up to current requirements for the safety of our members.

A new member has joined us in April. Robert Mazur is currently enrolled in New York State Firefighter I training. In addition Kathleen Sheppeck and Scott Runkel are enrolled in Emergency Medical Technician training.

In observance of the 75^th Anniversary of the formation of the Alplaus Volunteer Fire Company, the members, Auxiliary members and the Fire Commissioners will observe the occasion on October 15^th at the Glenn Sanders Mansion. All are reminded to make reservations with Tom Kiernan before October 3^rd for this gala event.

Congratulations to Chris and Kristie Casey on the birth of their son, Keller and to Bob and Michelle Mazur on the birth of their daughter Lauren.

Our concerns are with our members Don Diel, Howard Lester, Kirk Herrick and Tom Donlon, recovering at home from various ailments.

Fourth of July. Many thanks to all those who made our Fourth of July activities such a success. Mike Sheppeck, Drew Coppola, Tom Kiernan, and all those who worked so hard on the parade can once again be proud of a job well done. Congratulations to Samuel’s, which won the prize for best float. Thanks as well to Jessica Evans and Kathleen Schnitzer who sold t-shirts to help pay for the festivities. I was on vacation during the week before the parade, but made sure to come back home in time to stop by the block party and enjoy the parade.

Sewers. I’m sorry to say that as I reviewed my column from this past June, I find that nothing new has changed in three months on the sewer extension. The petition has been in the hands of the New York State comptroller’s office since last November, but because they received two complaints from citizens about the process, they have been slow in granting the approval that will be likely to come eventually.

The town has now scheduled another public hearing as part of its board meeting on September 21^st, and all of you are invited to attend. Look for a notice in the newspaper for details about time and location of the hearing, and please plan to join us. The comptroller’s office feels that with the additional hearing, they will be able to proceed with granting approval to the request by a majority of those who would be affected by a sewer district extension, and the town has been assured that they are moving ahead with that process.

I share your frustration in feeling that the wishes of the majority to improve our community that were expressed 16 months ago have not been carried out, and hope that with the hearing, town officials will hear our frustration and push for action.

Alplaus Runaround. New to town and looking for a way to get involved? We need help with coordinating the Alplaus Runaround this year as well as volunteers and runners the day of the race. The race is scheduled for the Saturday before Halloween. But without a coordinator, it may not take place for the first time in many years. The previous race director, my husband, Charlie Casey, would be happy to work alongside someone new and make it relatively simple. Please give us a call if you’re interested in finding out more about how you can help with an Alplaus tradition.

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.

Glenville Seniors

by Betty Vedder

The seniors are beginning a very busy fall schedule for those who are interested in many different activities. There are important information meetings on Long-term care service and Health-care and Social Security legislation.

The Scotia Glenville Seniors recently purchased a new 2006 8 passenger bright red van. The van has our Senior Center name and phone number displayed on both sides. You probably will see it escorting our friends around town.

Please remember any folks are interested in joining can do so at 32 Worden Road or call 374-0734. The Scotia-Glenville Meal Center is also at the same address and their phone number is 393-1946

Ladies Auxiliary

by Vicki Watkins

I hope that you all had a wonderful summer – it certainly flew by much too fast. I would like to thank our Beautification Committee, headed by Elizabeth Burke, Kathy Boyle and Kim Sheely for brightening up our community this summer with the all beautiful flowers at the firehouse and the Ted Schwarz Memorial Park.

We are sponsoring the National Safety Council Defensive Driving Course at the Firehouse on October 6 and 13, from 6:30 to 9:30. The cost, depending on how many people sign up, will be between $30 - $35. This class is open to the community. Please call me at 399-0184 to register as class size is limited.

Our first meeting for the fall will be on Monday, September 26^th at 6:30. It’s a covered dish supper so we will have it at the Fire House. If you can’t join us for a delicious meal, please come at 7:00 for our business meeting and bring your ideas for fall activities and fund raisers.

The Auxiliary is open to anyone who lives within the fire district. We are always interested in welcoming new members. Please call Vicki Watkins at 399-0184 if you have any questions.

Memories

by Betty Vedder

I have such fond memories of our school house on the hill which was converted into the apartment house that now stands there. Our seventh and eighth grade teacher was also the principal, Mrs. Caldwell.

She particularly enjoyed history and teaching it. She made sure we knew about the house on the hill on Maple Avenue that stood opposite the National Air Guard. At the time a girl in our class named, Dorothy Pierson, lived in the house.

At this spot Jonathan Stevens built his home in about 1690 and was possibly the oldest house in the county. In 1869 it was partially taken down and the parts were used to rebuild the home there by the roadside. There were actual traces of a former tunnel from the house to the river's edge. This was dug for escape in case of an Indian attack at the home.

The house was taken down by the powers that be some years ago. Needless to say many local historians were up in arms with this destruction. You might be interested in stopping to read the historical marker at the sight. Bill has looked for the tunnel but the area is covered with bushes and trees and probably has been closed with fillings.

Alplaus Historical Society

by Bob Culver

The next meeting of the Alplaus Historical Society will be on Thursday, September 22^nd at 7pm at the Post Office. Note the change due to a date overlap with the Alplaus Residents Association.

Thank you from Samuel's Staff

(Jenn Kazmierczak, Zach Kenyon, .Alex Lushpinsky, Kristine Fay, Matt Vedder, Katie .Abrahamson, Matt Hopkins and Cherie Vedder)

Good coffee at a friendly Cafe

THOMAS H. CULVER                       399-5557

   38 SARATOGA ROAD          SCOTIA, N.Y. 12302

                       Residential – Commercial

      HOLLENBECK PAVING CORP.

BLACKTOP

      DRIVEWAY          ROAD       PARKING AREA

__________________________________________________________________________________

Summer 2005

by Cliff Hayes

The summer started with a terrific Alplaus parade on the 4^th of July. Ted Schwarz would have been proud of all the organizers involved.

I attended the Canalfest at Rexford with main interest of the Schenectady Yacht Club clubhouse. Remembering it as a bar managed by the Courtright family in the 1950’s, it became a stop for a pool/shuffleboard game or relaxing in front of a black & white TV with a favorite drink. The bar room hasn’t changed in 50 years.

During the tour of the remnants of the canal area, I met Ruth McLane Janiec whose father & grandfather were founders of the Rexford Fire Company & operated the McLanes Hotel before it was demolished in the 1960’s.

Ruth’s family lived on the farm on Rte. 146 where Robins Nest is now located. Sadly word was received later in the summer that Ruth had taken a bad fall & needed a hip operation with rehabilitation at Sunnyview.

Congratulations to Jennifer Jadwin on her marriage to Joe Oropallo on 7/29. Jen grew up in Alplaus & was educated at SUNY-Plattsburgh. She is presently a guidance counselor for Columbia HS in East Greenbush. Jen’s great grandfather, Chester W. Matthews, was chairman of the board of commissioners when the AFD was organized 75 years ago.

A rude awakening occurred in late August when a huge branch of the 90-year-old maple tree in my front yard broke from its main trunk. The result, a blackout in Alplaus for about 3 hours, good job by the AFD, Glenville Town & NIMO volunteer/employees to restore order. Sorry folks.

Enjoy a pretty fall season.

Cody’s Happy Butt

by Gray Watkins

This is a memory of our dog, Cody, who recently passed on. He was such a loveable and expressive creature. He communicated his joy of life in many ways, one of which is fondly recalled in this short piece describing his inexplicable bursts of energy, which we came to call his "Happy Butt" episodes. Cody was always a gentleman and is lovingly remembered by all who knew him.

First he would saunter around the yard, or, he might just be lying in the grass by the play area, sniffing the breeze and listening to the drone of an airplane taking off or landing at the nearby airport.

Then, he’d see one of us, but he’d not pay too much attention. If we called his name, he’d look to see if we really wanted him to come or not. If not, he’d look away, then back, his ears would twitch, one cocked forward and the other laying flat on his head.His brow might furrow a little and his body would tense-then he’d look again with a piercingly maniacal glance. If we looked his way, or took a step toward him…he was off! Shot out of a cannon, front legs reaching for turf, flying through the yard in dizzying circles, back legs pushing his rear end even faster than his front legs could move, he would throw up huge sprays of mulch as he careened around the bushes in the landscaped area, up the little hill then back down and around, racing toward us at full speed, just missing us as he raced past smiling, disappearing around the corner of the house. Then he was back, racing toward us, slaloming through the trees and racing along the very front of the house between the bushes, just missing the gas meter, and repeating the circle through the mulch, until, finally, exhausted, he would lie back down in the grass, panting and smiling, with his tongue hanging out the side of his mouth.

EDITOR/PUBLISHER Art Harris

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

HOME TOWN NEWS

ALPLAUS, NEW YORK 12008

September 2005 Vol. 129 No. 7

E. GRAY WATKINS

THOMAS H. CULVER 399-5557

BLACKTOP

Community Luncheon

The monthly community Luncheon, usually held on the second Tuesday of the month at the Alplaus Methodist Church, will not be held in September. We hope to start these luncheons again in October.

Summer 2005

by Cliff Hayes