Nov 28, 2023

Spotting the 'Monarch of the Terrace'

"Monarch of the Glen," which hangs in the Scottish National Gallery.

Some of you may be familiar with the painting "Monarch of the Glen," an oil-on-canvas painting of an impressively large red deer stag completed in 1851 by the English painter Sir Edwin Landseer.

It was commissioned as part of a series of three panels to hang in the Palace of Westminster in London. As one of the most popular paintings throughout the 19th Century, it sold widely in reproductions in steel engraving, and finally was bought by companies to use in advertising.

Well, except for their cool accents, us red-blooded Yanks can always do better than the Brits, and neighbor Ned Alaskey has supplied us with proof of it. Well, sort of. Our resident "monarch" stag is camera shy, so any recorded glimpse of him may be a bit fuzzy, but here it is anyway.


 



Nov 22, 2023

Happy Thanksgiving to all

 


"Freedom From Want," one in a series called "The Four Freedoms" by iconic artist Norman Rockwell who often used locations and people from Troy in his paintings.


Nov 18, 2023

Details on upcoming Terrace Holiday Luncheon

Bring 'em with you!

Thanks to those of you who emailed your RSVPs by today's (Saturday's) deadline for a place at the table at the upcoming Terrace Holiday Luncheon.


It is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. on Friday, December 15, at McGreivey's Restaurant in Waterford, the same venue as last year. Twenty-three people have reserved seats. The price per-person is $34. Please drop off your checks, made payable to Janice Dessingue, at her house (or  mail them to her at 6 Hyland Circle) no later than December 8.

The event will be a sit-down, three-course lunch -- salad, an entrĂ©e chosen from among five offerings by the chef that day, and dessert. Coffee, tea, water, and soda are included. A cash bar will be available.

Once again, rather than stuffing holiday stockings we are asking attendees to bring along new socks to be donated to the needy. Socks, believe it or not, are among the most requested but most overlooked clothing items collected by organizations helping the needy.

P.S. If you had planned to email your reservation but forgot today was the deadline, you can send your "yes" not to Janice right now by clicking on jldessingue@nycap.rr.com . Tomorrow may be too late.

Nov 15, 2023

Report from your THCA Board

As required by the bylaws of the Terrace at Highpointe Community Association (THCA), your elected Board held a reorganization session on Monday, November 13.

Attending were six of the seven members unanimously re-elected at the recent THCA meeting. Absent was Ned Alaskey who was in warmer climes.

For reorganization, the membership votes on members of the Board and, as such governing organizations as the British Parliament does, that Board then decides on who fills each Board seat. In this instance, after discussion the Board unanimously decided to maintain the current slate of officers as follows for 2024-25:

President: Bill Dowd
President Emeritus: Steven Sanders
1st Vice President: Sid Legg
2nd Vice President: Ned Alaskey
Treasurer: Jerry Gordon
Secretary: Ellen Gordon
At Large: Bill Shover

The key takeaways from the meeting:

• Bill agreed to accept yet another two-year term as THCA president, which will result in more than a decade in the position. To help alleviate some of the year-round pressure on such a volunteer position, Steven has agreed to fill in for Bill as needed.

• For example, Bill and Steven will share duties as sole contacts with Skyview Landscaping, Bill for the "green months" and Steven for the "winter months." Any resident who has questions or comments about grounds services is asked to contact them directly via email rather than interacting directly with Skyview employees which has caused problems in the recent past. 

• The Board established a Finance Committee, with THCA Treasurer Jerry Gordon as chair and Peg Savchick as an "understudy" member. The logic is to create a stronger depth of fiscal knowledge on behalf of the THCA which has for many years relied perhaps too heavily on one person.

• Janet Fowler, who spearheaded the recent improvements of the planted area around the mailbox gazebo, was added to the Beautification Committee to succeed Colleen Walsh who resigned. The Board thanks Colleen for her service, as it does for chair Paula Fox Murphy and member Florine Rogers.

• Jim Cotter resigned from the Grounds Committee. The Board thanked him for his service, and found no need to appoint a successor since we have point persons to provide contacts for our grounds vendors (see item above) and returning members Ned Alaskey, Bill Shover, and Bob Malphrus can handle grounds matters not involving outside contractors. Bill Dowd and Steven Sanders can handle communications since they are here year-round

• All other standing committee members have been reappointed. They will be listed on the periodically-updated THCA roster distributed by Jerry Gordon.

The THCA Board thanks those Terrace residents who have volunteered to serve or continue to serve on the Board and various committees. Their contribution of services continues to help us avoid contracting with a professional management company that would wildly increase our dues.

Care about traffic? Make your thoughts heard

The Capital Region Transportation Council -- formerly CDTC -- wants to know where you experience traffic in the Capital Region and what you think about proposed strategies to address it.

To get involved, you can read the report, take the five-minute survey, and even get your friends, family, co-workers and neighbors to do the same.

The deadline for commenting is Tuesday, November 28. Just go online to http://capitalmpo.org/2023CMP to begin the process.

Hoosick St. traffic to be delayed on Saturday


A portion of Hoosick Street (Route 7) will be closed on Saturday so a Department of Public Utilities (DPU) crew can repair leaking underground water infrastructure.

According to an announcement from City Hall, at least two lanes of Hoosick will be closed from 15th Street to Burdett Avenue. The plan is for a 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. closure or until repairs are completed, whichever is sooner. 

"While it is not currently anticipated that there will be a need to do so, the City may close additional lanes of traffic -- up to all four lanes of Hoosick Street between 15th Street to Burdett Avenue -- based on the repair needs of the project," the announcement added.

The Troy Police Department will be on-site to facilitate the safe passage of vehicles near the work zone. Motorists and commuters should plan alternate routes of travel if possible and mind any posted parking restrictions.

Not sure of the side streets in the affected area? Go here for a map that may help you navigate.


Make your reservations now for our Holiday Luncheon

Our annual Holiday Luncheon date is coming up fast -- noon on Friday, December 15, at McGreivey's Restaurant in Waterford.

The party planners -- Janice Desingue and Anne Hunter -- are working on the details but need an advance headcount because the number of attendees could have an impact on the eventual price.

Please email Janice at jldessingue@nycap.rr.com NO LATER THAN THIS SATURDAY to let her know if you plan to attend.

A few notes:

• The price probably will be in the $35 range per person, which will include tax and tip. 

• The menu for the three-course, full-service sitdown luncheon will include a salad, a variety of entrees from which you can choose upon arrival, dessert, plus coffee, tea, soda, or water. A cash bar also will be available. 

• The restaurant is handicap accessible. 

So, please contact Janice ASAP. We encourage as many people to attend as possible. Last year's luncheon was a successful post-COVID resumption of an annual social event we hope to continue for years to come.


2024 dues information

 



Nov 11, 2023

An early 'turkey day' sighting

It's still 12 days until Thanksgiving Day, so this small flock of turkeys obviously didn't feel threatened as they browsed around the Terrace today.

Thanks to neighbor Joan Richardson for sharing this image with us.


Nov 6, 2023

Don't forget to vote on Tuesday

Oakwood Bible Church polling place.

Would you like a say in who will be the next mayor of the City of Troy? 

Or, who will be the next City Council president?

Those and other races for office, along with a pair of questions, are on the ballot in front of voters on Tuesday, November 7.

If you didn't take advantage of early voting which ended on Sunday, you can check in at this year's polling place for anyone who lives in the Terrace neighborhood -- Oakwood Bible Church, located just south of us at 260 Oakwood Avenue.


Troy Waterfront Chili Festival set for Saturday

The 2nd annual "Troy Waterfront Chili Festival" is set for this Saturday in the River Street Market inside the Hedley Building, 433 River Street.

The event, organized by Brown's Brewing, is a fundraiser for Folds of Honor New York. Since its inception in 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded more than 51,000 scholarships totaling more than $240 million to the spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service members. It recently announced it is expanding to incorporate first responders such as police, firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics.

Tickets available online, are $20 in advance, $25 day of (children under 12 free). The festival will run from 1 to 4 p.m., with attendees being able to sample various chilis from a range of eateries including those operating in the River Street Market's food court. 

Participating eateries that operate on the Troy waterfront:

  • Brown’s Brewing Company
  • Troy Beer Garden
  • Ryan’s Wake
  • Oh Corn, Arepas and More
  • Maria’s Healthy Smoothies and Bowls
  • Pataconia
  • Prime Burger
  • Taco Libre
  • Organa Juice Bar
  • Hummucidal
  • The Fox and The Burn

In addition, Joe Aldee and the Lug Nuts will provide live music for the family-friendly event.

Attendees are asked to bring a bag of groceries to donate to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York and be entered in a drawing for a prize raffle.


Nov 3, 2023

Let there be (lots of wintertime) light

As we prepare to turn our clocks back one hour before we go to bed Saturday night, it's a good time to remember the need for proper outdoor lighting when it gets dark earlier.

We have a number of dark areas on the Terrace, so the more proper lighting we have at each residence the better. We already have repaired the lighting fixtures at the Hyland Drive entrance to the Terrace and added solar-powered lights in the planted area next to the mailbox gazebo parking lot.

Please check your exterior lights -- both the pole lights and the bolted-on lights adjacent to the garage doors as well as any lights attached to the rear exterior -- to be sure they are in good working order. 

John Paccione has been making himself available to neighbors to advise them on the most affordable state-of-the-art lights that improve illumination and reduce utility costs. You can call him at 518-577-2200 for advice.


Save the date!

A snapshot of last year's Holiday Luncheon.

Last December, we revived our tradition of a Holiday Luncheon that had been sidelined for a number of years by resident turnover and then the COVID pandemic.

We had such a good time gathering at McGreivey's restaurant in Waterford that we're going to do it again.

So, circle Friday, December 15, on your social calendar and save the date.

Planning has begun, and the details will be shared with the entire Terrace community as they are firmed up.


Nov 2, 2023

City Hall closing two extra days this month

 

The Hedley Building, home to City Hall.

There are 22 non-weekend days this November, but Troy City Hall will only be open to the public on 20 of them.

The city administration has announced that City Hall, located on the 5th floor of the Hedley Building on River Street, will be closed on Election Day (Tuesday, November 7) and on Veterans Day (observed Friday, November 10).

Regular garbage and recycling collection services will not be interrupted during that week.

BULK COLLECTION NOTE -- To schedule curbside pickup of oversized items such as furniture, appliances, carpets, tires, TV sets, and mattresses, can be scheduled on the City's Bulk Trash Collection website. Pickups are carried out only by advance appointment scheduling.

Oct 31, 2023

Mailbox gazebo area upgraded

 

Our new look mailbox gazebo.


If you've noticed activity beyond mail delivery around the mailbox gazebo area in recent weeks, you're not seeing things.

Grounds Committee chair Ned Alaskey contracted for the removal of a large, dying ornamental bush on one side of the site and trimming of trees behind it, as well as removal of a dead ash tree in the planting circle.

In addition, Susan McCabe headed up an effort to place solar-powered lights in the planting circle to provide some measure of security for strollers and dog walkers.

Then, thanks to the strong efforts of Janet and Fred Fowler, a pair of dying small bushes in front of the gazebo were removed and weather-resistant planters installed in their place, complete with fall flowers.

Our thanks to all involved in these improvements, part of an ongoing energetic effort to maintain the appearance -- and, thus, the appeal -- of The Terrace.



Have you cast your ballot yet?

The formal Election Day is next Tuesday, November 7. But, you don't have to wait until then to cast your ballots for Troy mayor and other key offices.

Early voting can be carried out at one of three locations in Rensselaer County through Sunday. (No voting will be held on Monday, the day before Election Day.)

The polls are open to registered voters from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, Thursday, and Friday; noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Locations include:

• Town of Brunswick Office Building

336 Town Office Road (off Route 7), Brunswick

• Social Security Office Building

500 Federal Street, Troy

• Schodack Town Hall

265 Schuurman Road, Castleton


Oct 19, 2023

Troy closing 15th Street for repairs

Troy's Department of Public Utilities (DPU) will be closing 15th Street between Hoosick and Hutton streets on Friday to repair leaking water infrastructure.

Plans call for blocking off that area from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., or longer if required.

The work could affect customers of various businesses in that stretch, ranging from the McDonald's at 15th and Hoosick to Amante Pizza, the Asian restaurant Red & Blue, and the Mediterranean restaurant Ali Baba, all fronting on 15th Street.

DPU says no interruption of water service is expected. Motorists and commuters should plan alternate routes of travel and be alert to any posted parking restrictions.


Oct 11, 2023

Terrace road repairs on the schedule


The City of Troy is expected to patch some of the worst potholes and cracks in Terrace roads this week, just in time for the winter season

Thanks to the persistent efforts of Susan McCabe, who enlisted the assistance of City Council President Carmella Mantello to get the appropriate City departments to respond to her repeated requests, we should have a safer and more attractive status for some roadways.

Susan also was behind the installation of solar-powered ground lights around the intersection of Hyland Circle and the mailbox parking area.

Thank you, Susan, for your continual efforts to improve the neighborhood.




Oct 10, 2023

Troy gets a new two-way street


The City of Troy's North Central neighborhood has unveiled a new two-way street in an old familiar place.

Rensselaer Street, which runs from 6th Avenue to River Street, had been a one-way westbound street. It now has been converted to two-way status.

The change was made to accommodate future development planned for the River Street corridor. 

As the city explained in a statement, “The change will allow Rensselaer Street addresses to accept local deliveries without trucks having to maneuver, and thus interrupt the safe flow of traffic on busy River Street.” 

Oct 1, 2023

The latest coyote sighting on the Terrace

• Neighbor Paula Fox Murphy at No. 12 offers this cautionary tail ... er, tale ... for everyone.

"I am staying home today since I am nursing my first cold in almost three years. As I am sitting in my sun parlor in the back of my house, what do I see but what I believe was a coyote.

It ran through my back yard towards Flo Rogers' home (No. 13) and back into the woods. I’ve alerted Ann Hunter (No. 8) and Tammy Sanders (No. 18), but ... you might want to alert our neighbors.

Although I could not take a picture of it since it moved so fast, I got on the internet to see if I could fine a similar picture and here it is.

I have no idea if it was rabid or not, but we should keep our eyes peeled when we are out walking. Rabid animals do attack people.