Images from a summer picnic

The Umpteenth Annual Terrace Summer Picnic went off with nary a hitch Sunday afternoon under the big tent on the Common Lawn.

Special thanks to our clever and hard-working Picnic Committee: Nadeen, Amy, Rosie and Joe.

The theme was celebrating our individual ethnicities -- with Irish being the overwhelming background. Here, Julia and Harvey display their connections.

PHOTOS BY BILLDOWD

 

Nadeen started the event off with some yodeling, Wisconsin style, and announcements.



Then, it was off to an afternoon of FUN ...





... FOOD ...



...and FLAMES.





And here are a few random shots, taken by Bill Dowd.

April and Jerry appear mesmerized by the table sparklers.



While in another attention-getting moment, Jerry explains to Joe that what he found on the lawn was not a deposit from a very large animal.



A whole bunch of this from Lorraine and Amy ...



... led to a tentful of atmosphere for Tom, Julia, Bob, Polly and others.



Meanwhile, Rosie was snapping shots of all the attendees.



A study in very different facial expressions between Mary Ann and Paula.



Shirley seems to be making her point in a chat with Julia and Polly. (In the background is Bill Engeltke, Rosie's dad and inventor of the Put-and-Take game.)



Bob in action for the winning team (Bill, Bob, Paula and Joe) in the annual boccie tournament.



Claire chats with Rosie's mom, Rose.

Property reassessment being considered

The City of Troy is considering a full reassessment of all properties within the city as a way of updating its tax base.

However, according to a staff member of the Assessor's Office with whom I spoke today, nothing has been decided about properties in the 12182 ZIP Code.

She suggested residents of the ZIP, which includes the Terrace, familiarize themselves with the issue and keep watching the newspapers for an announcement of any public informational hearings that specifically pertain to 12182.

Literature is available at Window 3 on the first floor of Troy City Hall that includes a presentation titled "Fair Assessments for Every Property Taxpayer" and a pamphlet titled "Reassessment Frequently Asked Questions."

You also can obtain information online from the state's Office of Real Property Services.

FYI, the state's Real Property Tax Law does not require assessments to be at 100% of market value. It does, however, establish a standard that assessments be fair at a uniform percentage of market value.

-- Bill Dowd

Picnic weekend is almost here

In case it slipped your mind, this weekend marks our annual Terrace Summer Picnic, set to start at 2 p.m. Sunday under the tent in the middle of the circle.

Just $5 per person and a pass-around dish. As you know, this will be an ethnic celebration, so wear your national colors.

And, don't forget the traditional, informal PPPP -- the Pre-Picnic Pizza Party at 5 p.m. Saturday night. It's a pay-as-you-go event.

Food and fun at area festivals

If ethnic festivals or local-produce events full of food, music and entertainment are your thing, our community is loaded with them.

• THE 21ST ANNUAL SHRINE FESTA ITALIANA will bring a wide range of ethnic food, music, displays and activities to the Italian Community Center (right), 1450 5th Avenue in Troy.

The event, scheduled for Friday through Sunday, September 11-13. Hours are 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 5 to 10 a.m. Sunday, with a 10 a.m. Sunday mass.

Traditional Italian wines with peaches, Sambucca-laced espresso and anisette as well as draft beer, sodas, coffee and tea will be available to accompany the traditional foods such as eggplant and chicken Parm, pasta fagioli and other meat and pasta dishes.

As part of the tradition sharing aspect of the event, attendees are asked to bring old photos and documents showing their families' history to be scanned and returned, for eventual use in the organization's book.

Live music will include the Good Time Band and singer Al Bruno. Parking will be available in the former market lot. Additional details: (518) 274-0508.

• THE 4TH ANNUAL LITTLE ITALY STREETFEST is set for noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, in Schenectady.

This will be an opportunity for visitors to sample foods being sold by local restaurants at tables featuring such items as sausage and peppers, eggplant, calamari, zeppole, chicken Parmesan and pannini sandwiches. A variety of beverages will be available to complement the foods.

Italian music, cultural exhibits, art, genealogical information and films will all be featured.

The Little Italy neighborhood is on Jay Street off the north side of Union Street between the 400 and 500 blocks. Parking is available in nearby lots and streets.

• Most people stay once removed from their primary food sources, settling for the middleman -- restaurants, stores and even farmers markets -- to supply them with the goods.

That can be remedied by attending the annual COLUMBIA COUNTY FARM FESTIVAL, being hosted from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, September 19, at Golden Harvest Farm, 3074 Route 9 in Valatie.

Wines, beers and ales will be supplied by Goold Orchard's Brookview Station Winery of Schodack and Chatham Brewing.

Participating farms supplying locally produced products this year will be Kinderhook Farms, Tierra Farm, Katchkie Farms, Fix Brothers Orchard, Mocosta Enterprises, Hawthorne Valley Farm and Store and The Farm at Miller's Crossing.

In addition, live bluegrass music and square dancing, along with pumpkin painting, tractor rides and other activities for children will be part of the festival.

• Restaurateurs as well as home cooks will be able to vie for bragging rights when the annual HUDSON VALLEY CHILI COO-OFF is held next month.

The competition this year returns to Waterfront Park in Hudson, Columbia County, after a year across the Hudson River in Catskill. It will take place from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, October 10, as part of the Riverfront Farm Fest.

A beer and wine tent, live music and children's activities will be included in the event, sponsored by Columbia County Bounty. I've been a judge for several years, and can recommend the event.

'Water, water everywhere ...

... and not a drop to drink."

That line from "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" by the English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834) came to mind on Sunday afternoon when I stopped to gaze at the Cohoes Falls and found someone with a much better view.

A lone bicyclist left his wheels close to shore (see background when you double-click on the image to enlarge it) and somehow managed to make his way to the edge of the falls where he sat down and looked around. He also outwaited me. I presume he got back safely.

An 'Olympian' ethnic picnic is in the works

---

ANNUAL TERRACE PICNIC SCHEDULE

Advance Registration: On the mailbox gazebo bulletin board no later than Wednesday, Sept. 9. Needed for the headcount.

PPPP: The traditional Pre-Picnic Pizza Party will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday night before the picnic, under the tent.

Picnic Day Registration: 2 to 2:30 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 13. $5 per person.

Introductory Activities: 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Games: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Eat: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

---

The picnic theme this year is the Olympics, focusing on ethnic diversity and pride.

Even though it's September, we won't let summer end and defiantly say, "Let the Games begin!"

(1.) How many national origins are represented in the Terrace population? (Is there anybody not Italian?)

• Time to display your national colors at the picnic. Wear an item of clothing, a scarf, a banner, a flag, an accessory to represent your ethnic background.

• If you have an ethnic recipe, please consider making it to bring as your dish-to-pass.

(2.) To learn more about our neighbors we will open with an activity designed to discover their hidden talents, hidden life experiences, hidden contributions to society.

• There will be pencils and index cards at each table, and you will be asked to write your name on the index card and then list two unusual, fascinating facts about yourself that people would never imagine about you. In the larger sessions we will read the cards and try to match the descriptions to the individuals. So, be thinking of two amazing and unique things from your background that nobody would relate to your stoic veneer.

Your Picnic Committee:

Amy Willard (#32)
Nadeen Thompson (#2)
Rose Hastings-Weaver (#13)
Joe Claeys (#17)

Apartment complex hearing set Thursday

The latest residential construction proposal for our neighborhood is scheduled to come before the Troy City Planning Board at 6 p.m. Thursday, September 10.

The project is for a large apartment complex off Oakwood Avenue and Farrell Road, directly opposite the southern entrance to the Highpointe community. It would include a new road, called Stoneledge Drive, to be built.

The land was sold to a developer by Oakwood Cemetery.

Residents of the Terrace are encouraged to attend the Thursday meeting of the Planning Board to obtain first-hand the current details and status of the project.

The first hearing was at the Planning Board's August meeting. As noted in flyers being distributed by the owners' associations representing the various Highpointe entities, "The Planning Board was told over and over by our residents of the immense traffic problems already in place on Oakwood Avenuye. We emphasized how the apartments, mostly two bedrooms, could have at least two drivers with perhaps two automobiles. We asked that a traffic study be done before any approval to rezone the land."

Obviously, adding several hundred cars to the daily mix of traffic already clogging Oakwood Avenue (Route 40) will create a problem of exit from, or entrance to, the two Highpointe/Terrace/Moneta ends of Highpointe Drive and will create safety, air-quality and noise problems.

In addition, the length of construction would add to disruption of the legitimate expectations of peace and quiet. Wear-and-tear on public highways maintained -- such as they are -- by our tax dollars also is a worry.

Some of us also are concerned about the nature of such a large complex that would have transient residence rather than property owners.

City councilman to visit Highpointe Monday

John Brown, an at-large member of Troy City Council who is running for reelection, will hold a public meeting from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Monday, Labor Day, at the parking lot adjacent to the tennis courts on Highpointe Drive.

A flyer provided by the "John Brown for Troy" campaign says the session was scheduled to allow you to "speak to your city-wide representative about issues important to you and your neighborhood."

I suspect the main issue will be the proposed rezoning of a 50-acre plot of land at Farrell Road and Oakwood Avenue now before the city government. If approved, it would allow an apartment complex to be constructed there.

Congratulations to the Hartes

Dick and Betsy Harte recently celebrated their 50th (!!!) wedding anniversary. They were married on June 20, 1959, in Pittsfield , MA.

They marked the milestone by renewing their vows at St. Bonaventure's Church, then enjoyed a family vacation on North Carolina's Outer Banks.

Betsy retired from Tectronix in 1992. Dick retired from Westchester County BOCES the same year.

Quarterly dues coming up

A reminder to all Terrace homeowners:

The dues for the 3rd Quarter of 2009 are due by Wednesday, July 1.

Please send your payment to Treasurer Kathy Murray.

Thanks for your cooperation.

Spring cleanup spruces the Terrace

Despite the fact it was a holiday weekend, a solid turnout for the annual Terrace Spring Cleanup led by Grounds Committee Chairman Harvey Bailey once again left the community in great shape for the warm weather months.

Thanks to all who pitched in.

And special thanks to Nadeen Thompson who supplied these photos of the activity:

Minutes of May 4, 2009, meeting

The Terrace at Highpointe Homeowners Association

General Membership Meeting Minutes

May 4, 2009


I. Roll Call: 29 units were represented. Absent: 5, 18, 20, 27 and 33.

II. Introductions & Announcements

· New homeowners Rose Hastings-Weaver (13 Hyland Circle) and Ed and Elaine Riley (19 Hyland Drive) were introduced.

III. Minutes of October 2008 Meeting


The minutes were approved as submitted without dissent.

IV. Report of the Treasurer


Due to the clean-up costs following the ice storm and the costs of snow removal, the reserve fund needs to be restored. Treasurer Kathy Murray reported that for 2010, there will probably need to be an increase to the quarterly fees by perhaps $20.00 per quarter. This will be discussed at the October Meeting.


V. Reports of Committees


• Grounds: (1.) Harvey Bailey reported there will be no increase in the cost for fertilizer and lawn care for next year because terms were frozen in the current contract. (2.) The remaining tree stumps from the ice storm will be ground-down and reseeded.  (3.) The annual Spring Cleanup will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 23.  A notice will be posted.

• Beautification: Lorraine Bailey, after many years, announced she is resigning from this committee.

• Architectural: No new requests.

VI. Old Business

· Summer picnic 2009 committee: The event is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 13. The volunteers for the planning committee are Amy Willard (Chair), Joe Claeys, Rosie Hastings-Weaver, and Nadeen Thompson.

VII. New Business


• National Grid cut down trees behind Nos. 1-4 Hyland Circle and did not remove the debris. Bill Dowd reported he had checked with the utility and was told it had no intentions of removing debris from its right-of-way. Tom Chichester added that National Grid workers have told him they do only cuts, not removal. He also said Jeff from Vantage Landscaping has expressed an interest in removing the fallen trees for his own use.
• Bill Dowd reported that since the change in ownership at Diamond Ridge, we have heard nothing about any building plans.
• Tom Chichester reported that Rose Golino is going to change her pole light and garage light.  If anyone else wants to change their lights, please contact Tom. (Note: The Architectural Committee several years ago pre-approved replacement of the original lights for all homes as long as they remain uniform with the newest style in use on the Terrace.)
• Teri Page said she wants to move her house number to make it more visible for emergency calls. Bill Dowd said he will have the Architectural Committee long into the subject.
• The next meeting will be held Monday, October 5, at Faith Lutheran Church.

Meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m.



Submitted by John Milliren, Vice President of the Board.

National Grid won't remove debris

• The extensive piles of fallen trees, brush and debris behind homes at the start of Hyland Circle prompted me to inquire of National Grid -- the European company that a few years ago took over our power needs and uses the motto "The Power of Action" -- what it planned to remedy the situation. (Scroll down for a copy of my letter.) Here is National Grid's response. Obviously, we will have to continue looking into a remedy for the matter:

Dear William,

A storm can damage a few trees in a small neighborhood, or it can affect thousands across a wide area. Regardless of the size of the area impacted, National Grid is responsible for only clearing storm damaged trees and/or limbs from our electric lines and facilities in order to: restore service, allow reasonable access for emergency service restoration, and ensure future service reliability.

The disposal, processing and cleanup of storm generated tree debris removed from, or over National Grid facilities, or to provide emergency access, remains the responsibility of the owner of the tree (or trees).

Sincerely,

National Grid Customer Service

Because the area in question is a National grid right-of-way, we're stuck with that decision. However, there is a possibility some of the wood will be removed by a third party which should help mitigate the problem.

The overall topic will be part of the agenda for our Monday, May 4, meeting.

Membership meeting coming up

A reminder:

Our spring membership meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, May 4, at Faith Lutheran Church, opposite the city water facility.

See you then. If you have any agenda items, please contact Secretary Pat Whitman no later than Thursday of this week.

Tree debris problem being addressed

A large swath of land running roughly behind Nos. 1-4 on Hyland Circle has been laid waste by grounds crews working for National Grid.

Nadeen Thompson said she had asked the crews when the debris would be removed, but was given a non-commital answer.

I called National Grid today and was asked to put the problem in writing. I did so, hoping that isn't just a stall tactic on the part of the utility. Here's the text of the e-mail complaint I registered today:

I am writing as President of the Terrace at Highpointe Homeowners Association, located off Oakwood Avenue (Rt. 40) in Troy, NY.

An area of woods was clear-cut behind the homes of several of our members in the aftermath of the winter ice storm. What was left behind by your crew is both an esthetic and public safety issue.

Huge tree trunks, some as much as four feet in diameter, and untold amounts of brush and debris have created a tinder box situation, and the condition in which the area was left -- by the crew, not the weather -- will potentially affect the value of the homes.

We would appreciate immediate cleanup of the area, which is near your Oakwood Avenue facility. Please contact me at the number listed above to ascertain a date for this cleanup so I may share that information with the other Terrace homeowners.

Thank you.

Quarterly dues deadline is April 1

A reminder to all Terrace homeowners:

The dues for the 2nd Quarter of 2009 are due by Wednesday, April 1.

Please send your payment to Treasurer Kathy Murray.

Thanks for your cooperation.

Storm cleanup at last

After several postponements, mostly due to -- irony of ironies -- bad weather, the cleanup of debris caused by this winter's largest ice storm on The Terrace was cleaned up.

Our grounds crew gathered up cuttings from damaged trees that had to be taken down as well as broken limbs and branches some of you hauled out to the roadside.

Next up: Crossing our collective fingers for sustained warm weather and then the annual Terrace Cleanup, with a date to be set, Mother Nature willing.

Radon venting in progress

In case anyone notices some venting work being done at No. 13, it's safety-related.

During the building inspection prior to the sale of No. 13 (Leona Lohnes' former home), unsatisfactory radon levels were noted. Thus, the owner has scheduled remedial work to be done and informed the Terrace board about it.

If you are curious about radon in homes, as well as removal methods and other details, click here to go to the Radon Information Center.

Tree debris pickup Tuesday

The several-times-delayed pickup and chipping of Terrace tree debris left over from the ice storms of earlier this winter now is set for Tuesday, March 10.

As noted in earlier e-mails and Website postings, the workers also will be hauling away any tree debris you have dragged out to the road -- broken branches and limbs, any pieces you may have trimmed off, etc.

REMEMBER: While the cost of that, as well as the felling of several severely-damaged trees, is being borne by the Terrace Homeowners Association treasury, if you engage the workers to do any additional work -- for example, taking down any trees or doing any additional trimming on your private property -- THE COST IS YOURS.

Thanks for your patience during this period in which weather has delayed having this work done.

Tree debris cleanup set

The work crew will be on the Terrace tomorrow (Tuesday, Feb. 17) to begin taking down several Terrace-owned trees severely damaged by the recent ice storm.

They also will be hauling away over the next week or so any tree debris you have dragged out to the road -- broken branches and limbs, any pieces you may have trimmed off, etc.

The cost of all that is being borne by the Terrace Homeowners Association treasury. However, if you engage the workers to do any additional work -- for example, taking down any trees or doing any additional trimming on your private property -- the cost is yours.

Thanks for your patience during this period in which weather has delayed having this work done. And, for you non-skiers, wish hard for spring.

Guess who?

This photo was e-mailed to me yesterday by a certain gloating neighbor. I'll leave the identification of this winter-challenged quartet up to you.

Keeping up with local news

In case you missed the notice, this site offers you a 24-hour-a-day link to the top news stories for Troy and Rensselaer County.

Just click on the links in the right-side "rail" to connect with online sites from local newspapers, magazines and TV stations from throughout the Capital Region. Plus, updated weather reports and statewide news headlines.

'Winter Toyland,' the 2009 holiday party

Our third straight year at The Epicurean at Sterup Square was another success in a string of Terrace holiday parties.

The December 14 event drew 33 people, and literally dozens of toys were donated to our Toys For Tots outreach.

Here are some images captured at the event by Bill Dowd, who co-chaired the event with April Dowd.

Ice storm damage being cleaned up

We lost a number of trees to the recent ice storm -- one on each side of the Terrace entrance and one in the common area -- and are having their remains carted away this week, weather permitting. As always, thanks to Harvey Bailey and Tom Chichester for jumping on the situation.

If you have broken limbs, branches, etc., from the storm, please put them on the road in front of your house Wednesday and Thursday. They will be picked up and fed into a chipper as part of the cleanup service for which the Terrace is paying.

However, if you do not put the debris out this week and a service call is required in the future, you will be individually charged for the service.

Questions about the process should be directed to Harvey, our Grounds Committee chairman. If you can't reach him, call Tom.

Terrace ducks major ice damage

The overnight ice storm of December 11-12 that left tens of thousands of Capital Region homes and businesses without power did a bit of damage at the Terrace, but it apparently was confined to trees and shrubs.

We lost several trees near the entrance up from Oakwood Avenue (thanks to Harvey Bailey and Tom Chichester for cleaning up tree debris). Mary McKeever found a downed tree on her deck. Nadeen Thompson lost a tree, Shirley Fischer reported some water damage. And, a quick trip around the Terrace showed that we have split branches and limbs here and there.

Speaking of Nadeen, she shot these photos for us of National Grid crews working in the trees behind the first "block" of Hyland Circle where sagging crossarms on several telephone poles needed bracing.