Jan 3, 2023
Dec 29, 2022
Happy New Year to all!
As we enter 2023, The Terrace Times and its entire staff wishes to thank the entire community for its neighborliness, energy, efforts, and caring throughout 2022.
As an old Irish toast says:
"May your troubles be less,
and your blessings be more,
and nothing but happiness
come through your door."
Troy suspends bulk pickups for winter months
The pickup service is scheduled to resume on or about March 31. The temporary suspension occurs annually to ease snow removal efforts.
Dec 24, 2022
Dec 21, 2022
Dec 18, 2022
A happy Hanukkah
Today is the first day of Hanukkah.
The eight-day Jewish celebration commemorates the rededication during the 2nd Century B.C. of the Second Temple in Jerusalem where, according to legend and belief, Jews rose up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in what became known as the Maccabean Revolt.The eight candles on the menorah candelabra that are lighted during this celebration symbolize the number of days the Temple lantern blazed. The ninth candle, the shamash, is a "helper candle" used to light the others.
After sundown during the eight days of Hanukkah, families light one candle on the first day, two on the second, and so on, while reciting prayers and singing songs.
Hanukkah runs through Monday, December 26.
2023 dues deadline nearly upon us
A friendly nudge:
If you haven't yet submitted a check for your Terrace at Highpointe Community Association 2023 dues, please do so ASAP.
The deadline is January 1, 2023. (See details of payment possibilities here.)
That said, a Happy Hanukkah and a Merry Christmas to all.
Police cracking down on DWI during holidays
An announcement from the New York State Police said the force is participating in the national campaign called “Drive High Get a DUI” as well as the state's annual crackdown on impaired driving during the holidays.
Emphasis on the enforcement campaign will run through New Year's Day. Drivers can expect to see sobriety checkpoints, along with more troopers on roadways during the campaign.
In addition to the DWI checkpoints and patrols, troopers will be watching for distracted drivers, vehicle occupants who are not properly buckled up, and drivers violating the “Move Over Law” that requires motorists to exercise extreme caution when passing emergency vehicles stopped in or on the side of the road. State Police also will conduct underage drinker enforcement details statewide.
During the campaign, troopers will be using both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) vehicles as part of the operation. The CITE vehicles allow troopers to more easily identify motorists who are using handheld devices -- cellphones, etc. -- while driving. CITE vehicles allow the Trooper to better observe distracted driving violations. These vehicles blend in with every day traffic, but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated.
During last year’s crackdown, State Police arrested 522 people for DWI and issued 35,016 tickets, including 12,285 for speeding, 840 for distracted driving, and 289 for the “Move Over Law.” They also investigated 14 fatal crashes.
This campaigned is sponsored by the New York State STOP-DWI Foundation and funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. The GTSC and the STOP-DWI Foundation remind motorists that their “Have a Plan” mobile app, is available for Apple, Android and Windows smartphones. The app enables New Yorkers to locate and call a taxi or ride-share service and program a designated driver list. It also provides information on DWI laws and penalties and provides a way to report a suspected impaired driver.
The State Police and its partners urge all motorists to follow these simple tips to prevent impaired driving:
- Before drinking, designate a sober driver.
- If you’re impaired, use a taxi or ride-sharing service, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation.
- Use your community’s sober ride program.
- If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact local law enforcement.
- If you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to their destination safely.
Dec 17, 2022
Last snow before Christmas is fading fast
A steady overnight snowfall tapered off in the wee hours of Saturday morning. Our snow removal crew made short work of the cleanup, although hampered at first by the lack of adequate City street plowing.
As we head closer to Christmas week, the National Weather Service tells us there will be no precipitation until Friday, when it predicts a 70% chance of rain.
What we will be having is daytime temperatures in the mid-30s before they dip into the 20s on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Dec 15, 2022
A Terrace holiday tradition is rekindled
From the late-1990s to the early 2010s or so, a December holiday social event was a regular part of life on the Terrace. However, as the residential mix changed over time, and then the COVID-19 pandemic put the clamps on all group activities, that evaporated.
Today, we were able to revive the tradition with a holiday luncheon in the banquet room of McGreivey's Restaurant in Waterford attended by 20 neighbors.
Many thanks to Janice Dessingue, who coordinated the event with the able assistance of Anne Hunter, Ellie DeBonis, and Maryanne Gordon and who, as a group, developed the menu with the McGreivey's staff, provided festive evergreen centerpieces, and led holiday-memory activities.
Along the way, we also collected a large box of new socks to be donated to homeless shelters, one of the most in-demand items at such facilities.
Here are a few photos from the event, taken by Bill Dowd -- which explains why he does not appear in any of them.
Dec 12, 2022
1st real snow, 1st removal -- sort of
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| Terrace snow cleaning. / Bill Dowd photos |
The first real snowfall of The Winter of 2022-23 took place Sunday, when it began snowing at midmorning and didn't ease up until after midnight.
How much did we get? Your guess is as good as anyone's. The final say is up to the scorekeepers at the National Weather Service and the "weatherbeings" at our various local TV stations who love to brag about their accuracy while never issuing corrections -- only "updates."
What is most important is that Tim, our snow removal guru, showed up around 3 a.m. Monday and cleared the driveways. (See photos, and don't ask what I was doing up at that hour. Hint: seeing to your wellbeing.) All seemed to be going well when we spoke, so I finally went to bed. However, like you I awoke to find that the sidewalks were not cleaned. I'm attempting to speak again with Tim to find out what happened.
The City plow truck came through last night and again around 10:45 this morning to clear the main roadways.
Thanks to everyone for being sure the driveways had no vehicles that might have blocked snow removal. Such joint efforts are needed throughout the winter.
Meanwhile, stay warm, stay safe, and -- for those who have signed up and paid for reservations for Thursday's "Holiday Luncheon" at McGreivey's in Waterford -- stay in the holiday mood. We'll see you then!
-- Bill Dowd
Dec 5, 2022
Payments are due for holiday event
Please be sure you drop off your checks, at $27 per person and made payable to Janice, by that date. Then, we will see you next week at the 12:30 p.m. Thursday, December 15, event at McGreivey’s restaurant in Waterford,
And, please remember to bring socks to be donated to the needy.
Dec 1, 2022
Dues deadline coming up -- at zero increase
Thanks to our new landscape service contract, dues for 2023 will remain the same as charged for this year.
As you well know by now, there is a white locked mailbox just below the bulletin board in the mailbox gazebo. You can deposit your checks there without a postage stamp. You don’t even have to address the envelope; I’m the one who empties that mailbox. As a matter of fact, you don’t even need an envelope. You can just drop the check in. Of course, if you’re paying from out of town, you still can use the good old U.S. Postal Service.
You also can use that mailbox to pass along to the THCA Board any suggestions, comments or questions you may have.
-- Jerry Gordon, THCA Treasurer
Nov 30, 2022
New grounds maintenance provider acquired
I am pleased to inform you, on behalf of the THCA Board, that we have entered into a two-year agreement with Skyview Landscapes of Waterford to maintain Terrace residential and community properties for 2023-24.
This is the same company that cares for the grounds at Highpointe, and was recommended by a number of Terrace residents as a potential vendor. The proposal submitted by Skyview was among three bids your Board received and evaluated.
It was the lowest in price -- we actually will save money going forward -- and the most detailed as to what services will be provided. The new contract also should address a number of concerns expressed, sometimes repeatedly, by residents during the past few seasons. In particular:
- Spring edging and mulching with organic dark hardwood mulch are included.
- Fall leaf cleanup specifies that "all leaves will be removed off site."
- All hedges, shrubs, and ornamental trees will be pruned twice a year.
- A granular tick treatment will be applied twice a year.
- Grass mowing direction will alternate weekly or biweekly to insure a smoother cut for healthier lawns.
In early spring, I will join our Grounds Committee in conducting a community walkaround with a representative from Skyview to help the company become familiar with the vagaries of the grounds. That will mean walking through some of your yards, but I will notify you in advance when that will take place.
Thanks for all the input at meetings, in conversation, and via email over the past several years as we worked our way through the existing contract that has just expired. Patience appears to have paid off.
-- Bill Dowd
THCA President
Nov 29, 2022
'Deck the poles' ... and, we're ready for the holidays!
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| Anne Hunter steadies Ellen Gordon's perch. / Bill Dowd photos |
The Terrace is looking festive, two days earlier than planned.
Acting out of an abundance of weather-related caution regarding the scheduled Thursday work event, our neighbors Jim Cotter, Ellen Gordon, and Anne Hunter got together today to hang wreaths, string garlands, and post ribbons that will greet residents and visitors when they enter the Terrace via Hyland Drive during the holidays.
Our thanks to the crew, and best wishes to Ellie DeBonis who was recruiting volunteers for the effort but was feeling under the weather and had to settle for watching them from her window. Get well soon!
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| Jim Cotter hangs a wreath. |
Nov 28, 2022
UPDATE: Join the gang to decorate for the holidays
UPDATE: Due to concern over potential high winds on Thursday, the outdoor holiday decorating project was moved up to Tuesday.
The National Weather Service is forecasting that this Thursday will be crisp and clear, sandwiched between a couple of rainy days.
Why not celebrate that by showing up at the mailbox gazebo at 10 a.m. Thursday where Ellie DeBonis will be assembling a crew of Terrace neighbors to put up some holiday decorations.
It won't take a lot of your time, and the more hands that participate the quicker it will go to make our neighborhood a festive one.
Thanks in advance to all!
Nov 23, 2022
Buttoning up the Terrace for the winter
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| De-leafing nooks and crannies. |
The final fall cleanup took place today on the Terrace in preparation for the coming winter which begins in just 28 days.
The second round of leaf moving and removal, lawn mowing, and some tree trimming were taken care of.
This follows a recent meeting with our snow removal contractor as well as installation of reflector poles around the grounds, all part of the annual "buttoning up" process for the winter.
 |
| That's all, folks! |
No matter how you celebrate it ...
Nov 22, 2022
Friday trash pickup as usual despite holiday
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| The city's official pickup schedule. |
As we all know, this Thursday is Thanksgiving Day. While that means city services -- except for emergency agencies -- will have the day off, the Public Works crews will be back at it on Friday.
That also means you will be able to place your recycling bins and garbage cans at the roadside on Thursday night for Friday pickup as usual.
Nov 21, 2022
Planning exterior work on your home?
A friendly reminder:
Anyone contemplating permanent work on their homes that involves, but is not limited to, such things as replacing windows, roofs, and decks; changing shutter-and-door colors, fencing, or permanent outdoor lighting fixtures; adding sunrooms, access ramps, storm doors, and so forth is required to apply for prior approval.
The approval process, which needs to be completed before any such work begins, is a simple one and has worked well for more than 27 years.
1. Download a copy of the application form from this website, fill it out, and submit it to a member of the Architectural Review Committee (chairman Tom Savchik, Dick Harte, Bill Dowd).
2. The Committee will review the application and make a "yes" or "no" recommendation to the THCA Board for a final decision. (In some instances the Committee may request additional information from the applicant, and/or inform neighbors of the proposed project before making its finding.)
3. Under our rules, the Committee and Board have a total of 30 days to act on the application, even though traditionally they have moved swiftly to accommodate applicants.
These are the main points, but there are other aspects to the process you can read in your "owner's manual."
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