Dec 19, 2017
Dues deadline just 2 weeks away
The dues, at a level unchanged from 2017, are due no later than New Year's Day -- either in full or as part of a periodic payment plan. If you need to be refreshed on the options, just click here.
And don’t forget, 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; Jerry is the one who gets everything in that mailbox. As a matter of fact, you don’t even need an envelope – you can just drop the check in.
You also can use that mailbox for depositing any suggestions, comments, or questions
you may have for the Board. Of course, if you’re paying from out of
town, you still can use the good old U.S. Postal Service.
Grounds Committee success and successor
Most recently Sid was in touch with the City administration and our local councilman, Jim Gulli, to get the work done. While this is not the only road repair we need, it was a priority improvement in both appearance and the safety for our grounds.
Also,
after serving as our Grounds Committee chair for the past two years Ned
is stepping down. John Paccione (#19) has agreed to assume the position
of co-chair of the committee for 2018. I thank Ned very much
for his hard work during the past two years and especially last winter
which was a rough one. I also know that John will do a superb job. He is
one of our community’s rising stars!
Dec 15, 2017
Dec 1, 2017
Your new slate of officers for 2018
From THCA President Steve Sanders:
I
am delighted to report that the Board of Directors met this week for the annual organizational session and
elected the following officers to serve our Association for the next 12
months:
President -- Steven Sanders1st Vice President -- Sid Legg2nd Vice President -- Bill DowdTreasurer -- Jerry GordonSecretary -- Ellen Gordon
I
want to express my deep appreciation, and the gratitude of all the
members of our Terrace Association, to the outgoing officers: Vice
Presidents Joan Richardson and Ned Alaskey and Secretary Collen
Walsh. Their service to our community was exemplary. On a personal note,
each of them was a pleasure to work with.
Nov 21, 2017
Happy Thanksgiving 2017
On behalf of myself and our Board of Directors I want to wish you a joyous Thanksgiving holiday!
We
know how truly fortunate we are to be living in such a unique and
wonderful community. Our lives are made richer because of the good
friendships and genuine caring that we find with each other. I am
thankful for all of you.
I hope that your time with family and friends is special. And for those who may be travelling this week please do so safely.
Best wishes, Steven and Tammy Jo.
Nov 15, 2017
Troy's 'Complete Streets' project gets under way today
"The planned improvements –- including striping of parking areas, bike lanes, left turns, and crosswalks –- seek to increase safety, health and access for all users who utilize the local transportation network," according to the announcement.
The "Complete Streets Ordinance and Policy," adopted in June 2014, was named one of the best by the National Complete Streets Coalition in 2015. It was created by the Transport Troy Complete Streets Citizen’s Working Group, which included members of Capital Roots, Transition Troy, Troy Bike Rescue, the Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley, Troy Architectural Program, and the City of Troy, "served as the first step in developing a policy for planners and engineers to design and build streets which will provide all users of any ability, age, income and method of transport, with safe, accessible and convenient access to destinations across the Troy community."
The program calls for achieving one-, three-, and five-year objectives. If you're interested in the official document, which is Chapter 271 of the City Code, covering the entire project, you can see it online by clicking here.
Nov 14, 2017
What's going on across Oakwood Avenue?
 |
| Dig a hole, fill a hole. Rest, repeat. |
What is it, you ask?
It's the latest Tom Murley project, but one that has largely lain dormant since it was approved by the Town of Brunswick more than a year ago. In the interim, a lengthy list of conditions on continuing its development has been issued by the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).
When I checked today with the Town of Brunswick Building Department, I was told it would not issue a building permit for construction of the four-"suite" structure until all DEC conditions have been met. The work you currently see going on is to meet some of those infrastructure requirements. It is unclear whether actual building construction will be undertaken during the winter.
While the Town does not know which tenants will do business at the location, a spokesperson told me she believes a convenience store will be the major occupant. Initial plans mentioned having a Cumberland Farms store there, but that chain apparently no longer is involved, she said.
-- Bill Dowd
Nov 5, 2017
2018 dues schedule released
Your dues statement for 2018 is below. You’ll be glad to know that the dues are unchanged from last year.
And
don’t forget, there is a white locked mailbox just below the bulletin
board. You can deposit your checks there without a postage stamp. You
don’t even have to address the envelope; I’m the one who gets everything
in that mailbox. As a matter of fact, you don’t even need an envelope –
you can just drop the check in.
You
can also use this mailbox for any suggestions, comments or questions
you may have for the Board. Of course, if you’re paying from out of
town, you can still use the good old U.S. Postal Service.
Your faithful servant,
Jerry Gordon, Treasurer
Terrace at Highpointe Community Association
The Terrace at Highpointe Community Association, Inc.
Dues Notice for 2018
The Maintenance Fee (“Dues”) for 2018 is $1800.00 per year ($1560 for #34). Payment options:
-
• Annual payment of $1800 ($1560 for #34) is due on January 1, 2018.
-
• Semi-annual payments of $900 ($780 for #34) are due on January 1 and July 1,
2018.
-
• Quarterly payments of $450 ($390 for #34) are due on January 1, April 1, July 1,
and October 1, 2018.
Make checks payable to THCA. You can deposit them in the white mailbox under the bulletin board (no stamp or envelope required), or you can mail them to
Terrace at Highpointe
35 Hyland Drive
Troy, NY 12182-3403
If your house number is not printed on your check, please write it in the memo field.
If your bank sends payments automatically from your account, please move the due- date up one week to accommodate often slow mail delivery.
Payment History (keep for your records):
Date paid
|
Check #
|
Amount
|
|
Payment #1 – due January 1
|
|||
Payment #2 – due April1
|
|||
Payment #3 – due July 1
|
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Payment #4 – due October 1
|
Questions? Comments? Address them to Jerry Gordon, THCA Treasurer, 15 Hyland Circle, Troy, NY 12182 or jerrygordon@juno.com or 518-235-8232.
Nov 1, 2017
Terry Page obituary
 |
| Terry Page |
TROY -- Theresa K. Page died October 21, 2017, at Samaritan Hospital in Troy.
Theresa was born in Pleasantville, NY, to Richard and Mollie Barber in 1935. She completed both her undergraduate and graduate studies at SUNY Albany before launching her teaching career in Istanbul, Turkey, and in Athens, Greece.
Theresa was always an activist, seeking to empower those without a proper voice and bring transparency, civility and beauty to the children, women and communities with which she interacted.
Through creating and leading grassroots movements, she got the City of New York to beautify Broadway in the 1960s, and she was instrumental in bringing down one of the last two political machines in the U.S. in the 1970s. She quietly helped many battered women and families and actively campaigned for women's rights, going so far as to speak at an annual Coca-Cola Company shareholders meeting (while in her late 70's) to grill the board of directors regarding the lack of women on the board.
Theresa also served as president of the trustees of the Oakwood Cemetery in Troy, where she implemented volunteer and paid cleanups that pruned back decades of decay and succeeded in getting the chapel designated a National Historic Landmark. She loved quilts and gardening, and had many friends from her time as a Master Gardener. Supporting female artists and projects for social justice were important to her, as was being informed about current events.
Ms. Page is survived by her children, Kimon Skarlatos of New Jersey, Leonidas Skarlatos of Myanmar, and Kirsten Healey of UT; her brother, Richard Barber of Chesterfield, MO, and seven grandchildren. A memorial service will be held in the spring of 2018. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Capital Roots at 594 River St., Troy, NY 12180, a community garden organization. Please visit www.mcloughlinmason.com.
Oct 21, 2017
What's on tap for October 30 annual meeting
Our agenda will include:
- The election of our Board of Directors for the 2018-19 term as designated by our Nominations Committee chaired by Lorraine Bailey, (nominees listed below).
- A financial report by Treasurer Jerry Gordon (per the reports he forwarded to you) as we approach the start of our new 2018 Fiscal Year.
- A report by President Steven Sanders on Terrace matters, including new contracts with our three vendors and the impact on our Terrace budget.
- Committee reports as needed.
- Good and welfare
Bill
Dowd, who chairs our Rules Committee, reports that the work on our
Declaration and Bylaws amendments is ongoing, and that a
number of useful suggestions have been made by various Terrace
neighbors. To complete the work on those amendments and any other input,
consideration by our full membership will be deferred to our Spring
meeting. A new document will be distributed for your further review once
the most recent changes have been incorporated.
Board of Directors nominees:
- Bill Dowd
- Ellen Gordon
- Jerry Gordon
- Sid Legg
- Steven Sanders
Terrace, community lose Terry Page
Dear Terrace Neighbors:
I just learned that our dear friend and neighbor Terry Page passed this morning (Saturday, October 21).Her family was with her and she died peacefully. When I receive further information about arrangements I will let you know.Sincerely,Steven Sanders
EDITOR'S NOTE: Among her numerous neighborhood and community efforts over the years, Terry was instrumental in gaining National Landmark status for the historic Oakwood Cemetery. Click here for a 2011 newspaper report on that achievement.
Sep 29, 2017
Sep 14, 2017
Annual Meeting to vote on officers, rules update
The Terrace at Highpointe Community Association (THCA) will convene its Annual Meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, October 30, at Faith Lutheran Church, 50 Leversee Road.
Our agenda will feature two major topics. One is the election of five members to the Board of Directors. Our Nominations Committee, chaired by Lorraine Bailey has nominated the following persons for election to two-year terms that began on January 1, 2018:
Our agenda will feature two major topics. One is the election of five members to the Board of Directors. Our Nominations Committee, chaired by Lorraine Bailey has nominated the following persons for election to two-year terms that began on January 1, 2018:
• Bill Dowd• Ellen Gordon• Jerry Gordon• Sid Legg• Steven Sanders
Many
thanks to our three outgoing Board members Colleen Walsh, Joan
Richardson, and Ned Alaskey. Each put in much time
and effort ,and their service to our community is very much
appreciated.
We also will consider changes to THCA operating rules contained in
the Declaration and Bylaws. By clicking here you will find the updated product
of our Rules Committee's efforts, chaired by Bill Dowd. The draft is presented in a
pretty easy to read format indicating where the changes appear. If
between now and our meeting you wish to suggest further changes or just
make comments, don’t hesitate to forward those suggestions to me, and I
will see to it that our Rules Committee receives your suggestions. If
you wish to copy all our Terrace neighbors certainly feel free to do
that as well. During the Annual Meeting there will be yet another opportunity to make whatever changes may be deemed appropriate.
4th quarter dues deadline is October 1
As always, you can save the cost of a stamp by dropping your payment in the white lock box below the mailbox gazebo bulletin boards. Checks should be made payable to THCA.
If you are making financial plans for 2018, please remember Treasurer Jerry Gordon will accept dues payments on various schedules -- quarterly, semiannually, annually. If you have any questions about that schedule, please contact Jerry directly.
Thank you.
Sep 4, 2017
'Soft wash' roof service signup deadline is Tuesday
If you have an unsightly roof and want to improve its appearance -- as well as lengthen its lifespan by mitigating damage to shingles from black algae and green lichen growths -- you may want to check the signup sheet on the the Terrace mailbox gazebo bulletin board.
Ellie DeBonis has posted the sheet for those of us who would like to have the service. Usually, when we contract for services, the more of us who sign up, the better a price can be negotiated. The deadline for signup is this Tuesday, the day after Labor Day.
We're told that "soft washing," as it is called, works well without damage to the roof and is guaranteed for three years.
Sep 1, 2017
The origins of Labor Day
"Through the years the nation gave increasing emphasis to Labor Day. The first governmental recognition came through municipal ordinances passed during 1885 and 1886. From these, a movement developed to secure state legislation.For a more complete look at the history of Labor Day, as well as links to related stories and information, just click here
"The first state bill was introduced into the New York State Legislature, but the first to become law was passed by Oregon on February 21, 1887. During the year four more states -- New York, Colorado, Massachusetts, and New Jersey — created the Labor Day holiday by legislative enactment.
"By the end of the decade, Connecticut, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 other states had adopted the holiday in honor of workers, and on June 28 of that year, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories."
A note from our president
It’s hard to believe the Labor Day weekend is upon us and summer is coming to a close. But, autumn in Upstate New York is spectacular, so let’s look forward to that!
And, with the onset of Fall comes our Terrace Annual Meeting. We will be gathering on Monday, October 30, at 7 p.m. in the Faith Lutheran Church located at 50 Leversee Road, so please hold that date.
Our agenda will be a busy one for that evening. We must elect our Board of Directors for the 2018-19 term. In addition, I expect we will be considering amendments to our Bylaws and Declaration. Those documents, with the full agenda, will be distributed to you in advance of our meeting in about two weeks. Of course, comments or suggested changes are always welcome.
In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this holiday weekend. If you are traveling, be safe!
Steven Sanders
THCA President
Aug 30, 2017
Why you're living on legendary land
 |
| An undated Times Union article tells the tale of Diamond Rock. |
Thanks to Janice Dessingue who shared a yellowed newspaper clipping with The Terrace Times, here's an opportunity to revisit a story published in the Times Union about the tales of Diamond Rock, the granite outcropping overlooking the Mohawk Valley and, in the distance, the Helderbergs. The clipping, while not dated, probably was published just before construction began on the Terrace in 1995. It refers to the Highponte development's opening in 1990. It also provides a clue to the namesake of the Moneta Overlook group of homes abutting the Terrace and built well after the Terrace community was created.
Here is the full text of the story.
By TIM O'BRIEN
Staff writer
TROY -- High on a hill above Lansingburgh, hidden away behind the Highpointe housng development, is a large rock where a Mohawk legend says an Indian chief's wife once mourned and waited for her sons. And if you take a good look at its face, they say it's easy to trace the tracks of her tears.
Diamond Rock is the name of this natural feature, once a popular romantic spot for couples to park and now part of the walking path behind the Highpointe town houses.
The legend is recounted in the book "Body, Boots & Britches," by Harold W. Thompson, published in 1940, and in the 1971 history of Lansingburgh, according to information provided by the Rensselaer County Historical Society.
Moneta was the most beautiful woman in tribe and the wife of the old sachem Hohadora, the legend says. Her son Onasqua was captured by a band of Adirondack warriors and taken to the north as a prisoner.
Brokenhearted, Hohadora died and was buried by the riverside overlooking the Hudson River in Lansingburgh. According to custom, Moneta then lit a fire over his grave for four days to guide his spirit home.
Taendra, Moneta's other son, swore vengeance and set out to recover his brother.
At the end of the four days, Moneta moved from the spot where she had buried her husband, traveling through a swamp and up a hill to a large rock that overlooked the whole valley. As her second child left, Moneta kindled a fire on this rock and vowed to keep the fire burning as long as her son was away to guide him back to the camp.
She kept the vigil throughout her life, at the end being helped each day to the spot by younger Mohawks. One night, when she was very old, Taendra reappeared at last, carrying the remains of his brother as he had vowed. As mother and son tearfully greeted each other, their god Manitou sent a bolt of lightning to strike the rock. At dawn, the Mohawks followed the trail to the rock and found only the bones of Onasqua. Mother and son had had their spirits carried away in the lightning and the rock remained, glistening like a diamond.
"Look," cried one woman. "See Moneta's tears!"
Today, Moneta's tears are more difficult to see. They are located on private property, inside the Highpointe development, where one of the streets is named Diamond Rock Circle.
The way to the rock is just off the development's walking path, where a small dirt trail leads to the rocky surface. It looks more like granite than diamond, although a few chipped spots still shine in the afternoon sun. Where once Moneta cried, graffiti that announce "Bill + Caryl 5/23/89 4 Ever in Love" now dots the rocks.
Joseph Manupella, Lansingburgh native and a longtime public official, said the spot was once next to the Dawes Mansion, where gangster Legs Diamond allegedly once stayed.
"We'd go up there when we were kids," Manupella said. "You'd look over the city. Kids would go up in high school, to smoke a cigarette or have a Coke. Diamond Rock was kind of sparkly, nothing that would make you go up there with a pick and shovel."
When building the housing development in 1990, site coordinator Steve Coccetti said, the Michaels Group deliberately made certain that the rock was not only untouched, but that the path to it was reachable. "We brought the path around it," he said.
When the first homes opened in 1990, he said, Troy residents regularly stopped by to share their memories of Diamond Rock.
"I think a ton of them used to come up here and park," he said. "Most people don't even know there is a story behind why it's called that."
Though graffiti-spattered, Diamond Rock still boasts a magnificent, 180-degree view of the Mohaw Valley.
"You can see all the way to the Helderbergs and the Adirondacks," Coccetti said. "It is amazing how beautiful it is up here."
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