Terrace Wildlife Watch

PHOTOS BY BILL DOWD

The turkeys are on the prowl ...


... The smaller birds are smart enough to stay indoors ...


... and the people are, too.

Photos by April and Bill Dowd

Board, committee seats available to you

TO TERRACE RESIDENTS

We have several great opportunities available for residents to become involved in the operation of the Terrace Homeowners Association.

Due to the recent resignation of Kathy Murray, HOA treasurer, we have an immediate seat available on the Board of Directors. Our practice is to have an uneven number of board members to avoid ties in voting.

The current board consists of:

• Bill Dowd, President
• Harvey Bailey, Vice President/Grounds Committee Chairman
• Jerry Gordon, Treasurer
• John Milliren, Secretary

In addition, we have places available on several committees:

Architectural Committee: One person to join Chairman Bill Dowd and member Tom Chichester to review applications for exterior permanent modifications to individual homes, as well as the condition of permanent Terrace items such as retaining walls at the entrance.

Beautification Committee: Two or more persons to join Chairperson Betty Looney on the committee that handles mailbox gazebo decorations and other activities to seasonally improve the Terrace.

Nominating Committee: A three-person panel to create a slate of board candidates (a duty that will not become necessary to carry out until the fall of 2011).

THIS IS AN EXCELLENT chance for Terrace residents who have not been involved in the operation of the Association to join those of us who have been doing it for years. New energy and new ideas are both welcome and necessary to the continued vitality of our community.

There also is a financial bottom line. As long as we can continue handling Terrace business with volunteers, we can minimize any increases in our quarterly dues. However, lack of volunteer help at all levels will force us to consider hiring a professional management firm to handle Association business. That would cost, conservatively speaking, in the neighborhood of $15,000 or more per year, which would mean hundreds of dollars more per resident on top of what we already pay. And, it would be a price that would only escalate as time goes on.

PLEASE CONSIDER joining us in one capacity or another. Contact Bill Dowd at 238-1950 as soon as you can to discuss it.

-- Terrace Homeowners Association Board of Directors

What would Dickens have thought?

We may have been left with nothing but a Ghost of Holiday Party Present after cancelling this year's event due to dwindling interest, but we can share a Ghost of Holiday Party Past.

Those of you who attended the 2000 party may remember this clever party favor created by event chairperson Polly Hayward and her crew.

April came across it when we were decorating our Christmas trees (yes, we have two) this weekend.

Wonder what will become of Holiday Party Future? Another ghost?

It's completely up to Terrace residents to write that chapter next year.

Holiday Party called off

The planned December 13 Terrace Holiday Party has been cancelled.

Poor response to numerous requests for reservations (by e-mail, by Web site postings, by bulletin board notices, by word of mouth) led to the decision.

This follows weak response to the annual Summer Picnic which, luckily, went on as scheduled despite perhaps the lowest attendance ever.

Apartment complex prompts residential reaction

More than 100 people attended Thursday night's Troy City Council meeting, the majority of them to listen to, and comment on, plans for a proposed apartment complex at Oakwood Avenue and Farrell Road.

The site, which would be built on land recently purchased from the Oakwood Cemetery, would be opposite the south entrance to Highpointe. Many Highpointe residents objected to potential traffic problems that could be caused by such a residential complex, and asked that an impact study be conducted before the project received any city approvals.

You can read The Record's report on the meeting by clicking here. The Times Union also reported on the meeting in today's editions, but relegated news on that project to a passing mention.

Holiday Party nears; sign up now

Inside the dining area at The Epicurean
By popular demand, we again will hold the annual Terrace Holiday Party at The Epicurean at Sterup Square, this year on Sunday, December 13, beginning at 4:30 p.m.

For those of you new to The Terrace, you'll surely enjoy the warm French country atmosphere of this café, located just 10 minutes east of the Troy city line on Route 7 in Raymertown.

Hosts Claire Lussier-Pogue and Sandy Pogue and award-winning Chef Dominique Brialy have again designed a sumptious spread of hors d'ouevres, entrees, salad and dessert for us, as you'll see below.

The price per person this year is $45, plus whatever you care to spend at the wine cash bar. (Note: One of the three entree choices carries an additional $5 charge.)

Please let us know no later than Saturday, November 21, whether you are attending. There is no need to submit payment until a week before the dinner.

A dozen Terrace residents already have responded to our earlier e-mail announcement asking for reservations, so we're off to a great start.

We hope to see everyone at The Epicurean to share the holidays.

Best wishes,

Bill & April Dowd
Your Holiday Dinner Committee, as usual

THE MENU

PRE-DINNER HOUR EUROPEAN SIDEBOARD

• Feuilletés d'Escargots
Warm, light, puffed pastries filled with escargots

• Fromages Artisanaux & Paté du Chef
Assortment of farmstead cheeses and chef's artisanal paté, served with French bread and crackers

• Spécialités du Chef -- Senteurs de Provence
Four Provençal sauces -- aioli, tapenade, pistou and tartare -- served with fresh seasonal vegetables and toasted French bread

DINNER ENTREES (Choose one)

• Basa Meuniére
A mild white fish filet reminiscent of sole, with a lemon butter sauce, served with brown basmati rice and market fresh vegetables

• Vol au Vent au Polet
Chicken and mushrooms in a white wine béchamel sauce, served over a puff pastry with vegetables

• Filet Mignon Australien (additional $5)
Australian filet mignon with shallot zinfandel sauce, gratin dauphinois and market fresh vegetables

SALAD COURSE

• Salade de Mesclun
Delicate field green salad served with 12-year-old balsamic vinaigrette

DESSERT

• Pudding Charmeur
Warm cake with caramel-maple sauce, served with vanilla ice cream

• Beverage
Epicurean coffee or Harney teas

Council seeks comment on project

If you have any questions or comments about a multi-residential complex to be built at Oakwood Avenue and Farrell Road opposite the southernmost entrance to Highpointe, your time has come.

The Troy City Council has scheduled a public hearing for 6:30 p.m. this Thursday, November 5th, on the second floor of City Hall, to amend the zoning ordinance to allow for the 50-acre development.

The Highpointe Political Awareness Commitee, according to co-chair Lin Delaney, says the Highpointe community -- which does not include the Terrace -- wants an environmental impact study completed before any rezoning is approved.

If you have questions prior to the meeting, you can contact Lin Delaney at 233-7776.

Save the date!

This year's Holiday Party has been scheduled for Sunday, December 13, at The Epicurean, located in the Sterup Square commercial complex on Route 7 in Raymertown, about eight miles east of the Troy city line.

Bill and April Dowd again are handling the arrangements for the dinner and for the event program.

Please mark your calendars. And, please e-mail or call Bill or April ASAP if you plan to attend.

While no money is needed at this time, we do want to get an early idea of how many people will attend. Another good turnout would be a great thing.

If you haven't attended past such events at The Epicurean, talk to anyone who has and you'll get a very good recommendation.

Minutes of Oct. 5, 2009, meeting

The Terrace at Highpointe Homeowners Association

General Membership Meeting Minutes

October 5, 2009


Proof of meeting announcement: E-Mailing, website notice, postbox gazebo bulletin board postings.

Roll Call: Quorum of 24 units in person (2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 25, 26, 30, 32 and 34) plus written proxies for three others.

PRESIDENT'S ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Bill Dowd asked residents to please be sure all outdoor lights on lamp posts or exterior parts of structures are always in working order as a matter of community safety.

2. He also asked residents to keep the Association informed if they planned to be away for a protracted period and keep contact information current in case of emergencies so they can be kept informed.

3. He also noted that many homes had accumulated exterior mold, probably as a result of the unusually wet summer, and that he could recommend a good powerwashing service for anyone wishing it. The service already has been done on units 7, 8 and 10.

OLD BUSINESS

Summer Picnic: Bill expressed the thanks of the community for the innovative planning the Summer Picnic Committee did. He noted, however, that despite extensive discussion about the date of the event and the consensus of the community that it should be held in September rather than in July or August as in prior years, attendance was disappointingly low. He suggested considering moving the date back to July or August when the topic comes up at the next meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

Minutes: The membership voted, without dissent, to waive the reading of the previous meeting's minutes.

Current Budget Review: In the absence of Treasurer Kathy Murray, President Bill presented the current budget review, which showed all expenditures within acceptable scope. It was moved and seconded to accept the report as presented, and passed without dissent.

2010 Budget Proposal: Bill presented the budget proposal, which is identical to the current budget and required no increase in dues for 2010.

In discussion before a vote, Harvey Bailey expressed his view that the proposed budget should have more money allocated for snow removal in case we have a bad winter.

Bill responded that, as he has said at numerous meetings, as a non-profit organization the Terrace at Highpointe Homeowners Association is not supposed to accrue a "slush fund" or "just in case" account. He noted that, while he respects Harvey's concern, it would be a simple matter of issuing a one-time assessment divided among the Terrace residences if extra cash is needed. Even if we need, for example, an extra $1,000, an assessment would be only $29 per residence rather than an additional dues hike that would come due every quarter.

Acceptance of the budget as proposed then was moved, seconded, and passed without dissent.

Committee Reports:

• As head of the Architectural Review Committee, Bill reported that no major requests were submitted to the committee and that the only approvals given were for such things as storm doors which already have a standing approval if residents use pre-approved equipment.

• As head of the Grounds Committee, Harvey reported that all contracts for lawn care and snow removal services are signed and up to date.

• Bill expressed the thanks of the Terrace community for Harvey's consistently outstanding service and to the Beautification Committee for the autumn decorations.

Election of Officers: President Bill, Vice President John Milliren and Treasurer Kathy stood for re-election to a third term each. Vice President Betsy Murphy said she would do likewise if we had no other candidates. Secretary Pat Whitman had earlier announced she would not stand for reelection.

Jerry Gordon, a member of the Architectural Review Committee, and Harvey Bailey volunteered to stand for election. Betsy then withdrew and Bill thanked her for her service to the community.

The five-person slate -- Bill, John, Kathy, Jerry and Harvey -- was elected by acclamation. A reorganization of the board positions will be made at the board's December meeting, at a date to be decided later.

Holiday Party: A brief discussion concerning this year's Holiday Party resulted in a consensus that it would be held once again at The Epicurean in Raymertown where it has been held the past two years. In the absence of any volunteers to head the party committee, Bill said he and April would handle the arrangements once again.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

The next membership meeting was scheduled for Monday, May 3, 2010.

About that house-washing service ...

A number of people in need of a house washing -- after a miserably wet summer that helped create moldy conditions on a lot of exteriors -- have been asking me for the contact number for the service that did our house, as well as Julia Austin's and Donna Williams'.

The company is called Doug's Precision Power Washing. The phone number is (518) 465-4138.

The company's website, which lists other services as well as a variety of other companies that deal in services, can be accessed by clicking here.

4th Quarter dues are coming up

Have you paid up?

The fourth and final installment of your 2008 Homeowners Association dues is due on October 1.

Dues are $355 per household. If you haven't yet paid, please get your checks to Treasurer Kathy Murray ASAP.

Thank you.

Meeting set, candidates needed

The next Terrace Homeowners Association membership meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, October 5, at Faith Lutheran Church, 50 Leversee Road.

This meeting is important for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the need for volunteers to come forward to serve on the HOA Board.

We know we'll need a secretary, since Pat Whitman's schedule no longer will allow her to serve. She has said, however, that she will help train a successor.

Our bylaws require us to elect people to the board on an at-large basis, and the board then decided who fills the positions, including president, vice president(2), treasurer and secretary.

However, our practice has been for candidates/volunteers to specify which position interests them. In no instance is any position a particular taxing one, timewise. This is a perfect opportunity for residents relatively new to the Terrace to become involved in our community. What we try to avoid is having the same people doing the work all the time, while others provide little or no input.

We hope to see you on October 5, and bring your "running" shoes, Mr. or Ms. Candidate.

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.