Shore Lines Winter Wallop - Saratoga Lake Association
Transcription
Shore Lines Winter Wallop - Saratoga Lake Association
Shore Lines The Saratoga Lake Association P.O. Box 2152 Ballston Spa, NY 12020 www.saratogalake.org http://www.facebook.com/saratogalake/ February 14, 2015 www.saratogalake.cam.com Editors: Julie Annotto, sinnidi@aol.com Sharon Urban, urbans@nycap.rr.com The view from Al and Veronica Aurelio’s house after last snow. Winter Wallop MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT At City of Saratoga Springs Mayor Joanne Yepsen's arranging, I met with Teri Blasko, Saratoga Springs Public Library History Librarian, Margaret E. McIntyre, Chairperson of the City's Brown Bag Lunch Series, Lorraine Skimbo of the Saratoga Rowing Association, and Emmett McCarthy of the Saratoga Lake Sailing Club. Lorraine, Emmett and I will present an overview of the history of Saratoga Lake for the September 15, 2015 Brown Bag Lunch lecture as part of the City's Centennial Celebration. continued page 2 Well, at least the weather didn’t keep my Valentines from coming! Arrest Warrant issued for Punysutawney Phil New Hampshire police searching for prognosticating groundhog (article by Dylan Stableford, Yahoo News) Police in snow-smacked southern New Hampshire have issued an arrest warrant for Punxsutawney Phil, the famous groundhog forecaster who saw his shadow earlier this month, leaving residents of the Granite State to brace for six more weeks of winter. Story on page 7 President, con’t The SLA is also exploring other opportunities to collaborate with the Saratoga Lake Sailing Club, Saratoga Rowing Association, the Friends of the Kayderosseras and members of the Saratoga County Water Quality Coordinating Committee. Board member Jennifer R. Kotch is SLA's liaison with both the Saratoga County Water Quality Control Committee and the Friends of the Kayderosseras. Jennifer and the SLA Outreach Committee met with SLPID and have agreed that SLPID and SLA will work together on testing the lake water for a NYS CSLAP DEC project. SLPID Commissioner for the City of Saratoga Springs Cristina Connelly is working with SLA to identify other opportunities for collaboration such as planning events for the new Waterfront Park. Congratulations to Town of Stillwater Supervisor, Ed Kinowski, and Pete Bardunia, President of the Chamber of Southern Saratoga for being the lead sponsor and promoter of the Saratoga Lake Winterfest. Thanks also to the other sponsors. There were many varied events including Motor Cycle Racing, Ice Fishing and Family Day, all with great turnouts. Don't forget about Pond Hockey scheduled for March 13-15th near Brown's Beach. Board Member Steve Bleznyk has been instrumental in placing a camera on the South Shore of Saratoga Lake. You can access the view 24/7 that refreshes every 15 seconds at the following link: www.saratogalakecam.com. SLA's facebook page has 324 Likes. If you have not already done so, please "Like" our page and ask your friends to do so. Board Member Michelle Merola has worked with me to review our new By-Laws to ensure that we are diligent in our compliance. Michelle is also working with me on a review of our insurance needs as well as planning for the North American Lake Management Society Annual Meeting this November in Saratoga Springs, NY. Belated thanks to former Board member Emily DiSiena and the Furniture House as well Cathy McKenna and Lake Ridge Restaurant for donating the door prizes at our Holiday Party. Cathy McKenna and Carol Dooley have volunteered to be co-coordinators for the SLA Events Committee. The other Events Committee members include: Francine Baker, Judith Banks, Dianne Federonko, Laura Guillerault, Lisa Morahan, June Morier, and Tonya Trombley. If you are interested in joining this committee, please contact either Cathy at cathymck73@gmail.com or Carol at lake744@msn.com. The Mountain Man Outdoor Supply Company will be sponsoring the SLA's Paddle Safety course at Fish Creek Marina on May 2nd and 3rd. Special thanks to SLA Board Member Beau Stallard for making the arrangements. continued Please contact Beau at stallb43@yahoo.com if you have interest in taking the paddle safety course as space may be limited. A tentative course description follows: 2 Adult Kayak Clinic (18 and older) Class Description for Both Days (Sat and Sun) – Advanced Paddling Technique Clinic. Tips and techniques for the advanced paddler to refine your skill and bring back the mid-season form. Advanced Paddling Technique Clinic – Looking to get back to mid season form? This session is designed to help competent kayak paddlers jump start their season through learning and practicing some great training drills and techniques. We will focus on the integration of Body -Boat and Blade for more effective boat control, effortless maneuvers and efficient travel. (Sat and Sun) – Novice Paddler Clinic. Foundational skills for the beginner to help you start out right. Novice Paddler Clinic – Just starting out? Are you a “never ever” or have just a few outings under your keel? Starting right is essential to long term enjoyment. This session is designed to give the new kayaker exposure to some basic skills and concepts that will help build a strong foundation. We use simple language, examples and experiential techniques to get you on the water and on the right path. Participant maximum for these sessions is 10 per class. The law firm of Martin Harding and Mazzotti will be sponsoring our Boat Safety Courses. Special thanks to SLA Board Member Walter Supley for making the arrangements. SLA Vice President Tom McDowell is coordinating the course(s). Please contact Tom at thomasmcdowell@aol.com if you have interest in taking a boat safety course. STEVE’S TECH CORNER Windows 10 is the newest operating system from Windows that will be released at the end of this year. Board Member and SLA's IT guy Steve Bleznyk has been testing it for Microsoft and has provided us with all the details on his blog, including screenshots of the new desktop, features and layout. You won't believe how cheap the new system will cost, and the article is a must read if you use Windows 7 or Windows 8. Be sure to check out the post on eliminating junk e-mail just below it. https://capitalregiontech.wordpress.com/ 3 Officials in Saratoga Springs have unveiled a lineup of events commemorating the centennial anniversary of its incorporation as a city. Saratoga was still officially a village entering the 20th century, but the popularity of its summer thoroughbred racing season and the local mineral springs had spurred growth that led business owners and other civic leaders to push for combining the village and outlying rural areas into an incorporated city. A new charter for the city's form of government was drawn up in early 1915 and approved by voters. In April of that year, Saratoga Springs officially became a city. A series of events celebrating the centennial are planned, including an exhibit at the Saratoga Springs History Museum featuring 200 years of maps from the city's past and rededication of the city's iconic Spirit of Life statue in Congress Park. (Post Star) 2015 SLA Events (these events are scheduled but the dates are subject to change) May — Breakfast at Mangino’s 9:30 am May 3 — Paddle Fest Paddle Safety Course at Fish Creek Marina May 2015 — Spring Road Clean-Up May 2015? — Saratoga Springs Waterfront Park Dedication May 30, 2015 — Official dedication ceremonies for Brown’s Beach June 2015 — Boat Safety Class June 16 — Cocktail Party July 15 — Annual Meeting at Panza's July 2015 — Boat Safety Course August 8, 2015 — Breakfast at Track Visit the website often for current and upcoming events: http://www.saratoga.com/aboutsaratoga/centennial/ events/ September 10th — History of Saratoga Lake at Saratoga Springs Public Library September 13 — Goodbye Summer Party (Location TBD: Malta Park, Brown’s Beach or Waterfront Park?) December 10 — Holiday Party at Panza’s Irish Festival Many of us feed the birds at the lake, and even the ducks join in. Traditional Ceili (Irish Festival with music, dancing, and fun) to be held at the United Church Fellowship Hall in Stillwater, NY on Sunday, March 1st at 3pm to benefit the Friends of the Stillwater Free Library! $5 per person, $15 family max. For more information contact the Stillwater Library at 664-6255. 4 Saratoga Rowing Organization News 2015 is looking to be a very busy and exciting year for SRA. Building on the successes of 2014, we are poised to have a strong spring season on the water. Next week will be our first strokes of the new year as the Middle Schoolers head to Orlando for some fun times at Universal Studio and a lot of rowing. This year the Varsity and Freshmen Boys will be making the trip as well. 53 SRA kids heading to Orlando (and a few lucky chaperones). Meanwhile, while the kids are hard at work on the water, SRA as an organization is hard at work preparing for the future. Given the tremendous success of the regattas over the past several years, and the growth of the organization, we enacted a plan to meet the growing demands of the organization. Much of this plan has been underway for over a year and we are now entering the final phase - renovating the old Lakeside Market building as the new Regatta and Training Center. Thanks to the generosity of several key partners including Stewarts and the Dake Family, Adirondack Trust Company, Frost-Huff Architecture, The LA Group, and Bonacio Construction, we are making great progress toward that goal. Of course funding is the final hurdle, and, to that point, we are going public with our "Pulling Together" capital campaign. We are excited to announce that we are already over 65% raised toward the total goal of $1.25M and we hope the public kick-off event will keep the momentum going as we push for the finish line. The "Pulling Together" event is open to the public and will be held at the Holiday Inn in Saratoga on Feb 26th from 7-9 pm. To register for the event and learn more about the campaign visit www.saratogarowing.com/campaign. As if that is not enough, we, of course have the daily running of SRA in full swing. Though the water is still frozen, somehow we are squeezing our training indoors. We have four 90 minute training blocks each day in our current building, and one over at the Boces School. Interestingly, this winter has been one of growth for our Adult program. We have a lot of new adult rowers joining and would love to see some more of our SLA members give the indoor training a try. The next 6 week session begins Feb 23. Find out more at www.saratogarowing.com or give the office a call at 587-6697. Once we finally get on the water (hopefully earlier than last year!) we have a busy but compact racing schedule this spring. And are happy to announce the arrival of the NY State Collegiate Championships. We have been hosting the NY State High School Championships for many years, and this year were awarded the Collegiate Championships as well. Regatta Schedule April 24, 25, 26 Saratoga Invitational May 2, 3 NY Collegiate Championships & NY Section II Championships May 9, 10 NY High School Championships Submitted by Eric Catalano Executive Director Saratoga Rowing Association 5 Sailing is for Everyone! With our boats covered in snow we are relegated to reading boating catalogs and planning for the summer. The Sailing School, however, is very busy gearing up for another great summer of sailing instruction. If you are planning on taking lessons, or know a child that wants to attend sailing camp, don’t delay. Classes are filling up fast! When I mention I am a member at the sailing club, I encounter many misconceptions about sailing. Let me address a few comments that Resident John Van Horn plowed this Valentine just in time for the weekend, and the decorated tree makes it special. Very nice, John, and very lucky, Sherry! I hear the most: Sailing is for rich people. Not so! It is important to us to make sailing as accessible as possible to anyone who wants to sail. Our dues are very reasonable. You don’t have to be a member to take sailing lessons. Check out the prices for our lessons and kids’ camps. You will be amazed at what a value they are. Sailing is too hard. I tried it once and we didn’t get anywhere and had to paddle in. Anything is difficult if you don’t know how. I promise, after one lesson you will be able to make a boat go. (Well, provided there is wind.) There is nothing as thrilling as the first time you are at the tiller and feel the wind fill the sails and the boat come alive. You will be hooked! I am too old or out of shape. We have sailors from 8-80! Personally, while I had crewed on boats for a couple of years, I obtained my first boat at forty. I took lessons at our sailing school and with the support of the great sailors at the club enjoyed the process of learning a new skill, getting out on the water and meeting new friends. Sailing can be as relaxing or as intensive as you want it to be. I can attest that athletic prowess is not a pre-requisite. So if I have piqued your curiosity, go ahead; sign up for some lessons! You won’t regret it. SaratogaSailingSchool.org to register. Not ready to go all in? Come by and talk to us at the ADK Summer Sports Expo at the City Center March 7-8. You can also try a Taste of Sailing the last weekend in May. Check our website at SailSaratoga.org for more information. See you on the water. (submitted by Samantha Butler) Can you pick out the differences? Thanks, Doc Salvatore, for your sense of humor! Last Chance Walleye All Outdoors by Tim Blodgett We’ve had a real “Old Time” winter testing our north country resolve this year and according to Pauxatawny Phil, we can expect an additional six weeks of winter fun. I like winter as much as any sane person (I’ll leave the definition of sanity up to you), but I’ve shoveled more than enough snow to satisfy my sense of adventure. The two things that keep me from throwing my hand up in defeat are the promise of spring, eventually, and the late season walleye bite. Every year about this time, Saratoga Lake’s walleye start following their instincts and move toward their spawning grounds. Schools of walleye start gathering in the northern end of the lake and prowl the weed lines in search of pre-spawn snacks. They feed aggressively to complete the maturation of the eggs they carry and to build up their energy reserves in preparation for the spawning run. The walleye enter the Kaydeross Creek at ice out, and deposit their eggs in rocky areas and gravel beds as far upstream as Ballston Spa. Time is of the essence because walleye season closes at midnight, March 15th and won’t reopen until the first Saturday in May. The reason for the season closure is to protect them from overfishing during their most vulnerable time because they will bite on anything you put in front of them. Until then, take advantage of a great fishing opportunity. The biggest obstacle to fishing for walleye in the next weeks is the excess snow that covers the ice. Let’s hope for some warmer weather to knock the snow down a little because slogging through knee deep snow is hard work. The reward can make the effort worthwhile though. I like to head out onto the ice late in the afternoon because I find the best bite starts about an hour before sundown and continues through the twilight hours. Get on the ice by 4pm so you have time to drill your holes and set tip-ups. I like to set up in 10 to 15 feet of water on the outside edge of weed lines close to deep water. Walleye spend most of their time in deeper water but move up to the weeds to feed. Make the extra effort to drill a pair of holes a couple feet apart if you’re setting tip-ups or fishing with a partner. The reason this makes sense is that walleye tend to travel in schools and if you get a flag or a bite on a jig, you or your fishing partner can quickly get another jig down to the school. Most of the people I know who are serious walleye fishermen like to bait their tip-ups with small suckers or medium shiners. Instead of steel , use an 8lb monofilament or fluorocarbon leader with a size 10 treble hook on the end. Vary the depth you set your bait starting about a foot from the bottom up to several feet up. Winter Fun 6 Despite the weather this winter, many people are enjoying all the fun to be had in the area. Bob Eastman shared some photographs of the Saratoga Fat Bike Rally at Saratoga State Park on February 7th, and the Saratoga Frozen Springs Classic Pond Hockey Tourney on February 6-8. It just proves what hardy folk we are in the north country! Punxsutawney Phil, continued from page 1 "We have received several complaints from the public that this little varmint is held up in a hole, warm and toasty," the Merrimack Police Department wrote on its Facebook page. "He told several people that Winter would last 6 more weeks, however he failed to disclose that it would consist of mountains of snow!" Like most of the rest of New England, the town, located about 50 miles northwest of Boston, has been pummeled with snow and frigid temperatures over the last several weeks. Earlier this week, 13.5 inches of snow fell in Merrimack; another snowstorm is forecast for Thursday, with a blast of arctic air bringing strong winds and bitterly cold temperatures Friday through Sunday. "Highs for most of the state may not climb out of the single digits this weekend," WMUR-TV said, "and wind-chill temperatures may stay below zero on Sunday and Monday." Merrimack Police Chief Mark Doyle told the Associated Press that Phil, a Pennsylvania native, may be in Canada with Sasquatch. Others say they spotted the suspect in New Orleans. "If you see him, do not approach him as he is armed and dangerous," the department's Facebook post added. "Call Merrimack Police, we will certainly take him into custody!" It's not the first time Phil has run afoul of the law. In 2013, an Ohio prosecutor tired of a prolonged winter indicted the furry prognosticator for predicting an early spring. “Punxsutawney Phil did purposely, and with prior calculation and design, cause the people to believe that Spring would come early,” Butler County Prosecutor Michael T. Gmoser wrote in his faux indictment. But not everyone believes Phil is at fault this time around. "Quite simply, Mr. Phil was asked to predict how much longer winter would last," Peggy Graves wrote on Facebook. "He correctly did so, thus fulfilling his legal obligations. He was not asked to predict details pertaining to the weather; therefore, he was under no legal obligation to provide any. In fact, based on my knowledge of his educational and professional background, detailed weather prediction is outside Mr. Phil's area of expertise, and it would have been highly irresponsible of him to attempt to predict the weather in such detail. "Additionally, how Mr. Phil — or any other citizen — prepares his home for seasonal weather is his responsibility, no one else's," Graves continued. "It's hardly Mr. Phil's fault if others failed to prepare their homes adequately for winter. Mr. Phil is being railroaded by an envious mob…." Spa resident cited for exhibit 7 Ingmire led efforts to fund Civil War display at museum By Terry Brown, Times Union, January 8, 2015 Lance Ingmire of Saratoga Springs received recognition for leading efforts to help finance a Civil War exhibit at the New York State Military Museum in Saratoga Springs. The former president of the Friends of the New York State Military Museum received an Adjutant General’s Award for his five-year work leading the group and for his service to the state Division of Military and Naval Affairs, which is responsible for the museum. Ingmire received the award during a ceremony at DMNA Headquarters in Latham. During Ingmire’s tenure, the Friends group raised more than $100,000. The money enabled the museum to build a permanent Civil War exhibit, preserve battle flags and a historic mural depicting the Battles of Saratoga. Ingmire is credited with establishing relationships with business leaders and service organizations. ……...Maj. Gen. Patrick Murphy, the adjutant general, praised him for his dedication to make the museum an outstanding attraction that tells the story of New Yorkers’ service to the nation. The Adjutant General’s Award is presented to DMNA employees and other citizens who make significant contributions to the state’s military forces. The military museum has a collection of military artifacts that dates to the Revolutionary War. The museum collects artifacts, documents, photographs, pictures and books. Museum events include: • 2 p.m. Feb. 21: Ray Misciewicz, a nuclear engineer and expert on nuclear submarines, discusses the four Navy submarines named Seawolf that span from 1911 through today, chronicling their technological developments and the stories of their submariners. • 7 p.m. March 7: Brian Castner talks about “The Long Walk,” his experiences with an explosive ordnance disposal unit in the Iraq war and his subsequent post-traumatic stress disorder. The book was adapted into an opera and selections will be performed. The program is co-sponsored with Opera Saratoga. • 2 p.m. March 14: Gary Stamm, a President Franklin D. Roosevelt re-enactor, explores Roosevelt’s perspective on how militarily unprepared the United States was when war broke out in Europe. • 2 p.m. March 21: National Park Ranger Jennifer RichardMorrow shares stories of the American Revolution. She will talk about how women and their families served important support roles, including mending and cleaning soldiers’ clothing and caring for sick and injured soldiers. (Lance Ingmire is a long-time resident and member of SLA) 8 Quiz Corner Test your Car Knowledge Questions 1. What was he first official White House Car? 2. The 1953 Corvette came in 3. What was the first car fitted with an alternator, Rather than a direct current dynamo? 4. What car first referred to itself as a convertible? 1. What car was the first to have its radio antenna Embedded in the windshield? 6. What type of car had the distinction of being GM’s 100 millionth car built in the U.S. 7. What’s the only car to appear simultaneously on The covers of Time and Newsweek? 8. What is the fastest internal-combustion American Production car? 9. What U.S. production car had the largest 4 cylinder Engine? 10. What car was reportedly designed on the back of A Northwest Airlines airsickness bag and Released on April Fool’s Day, 1970 Answers 1960 Plymouth Valiant __red__white__black ___1909 White Steamer ___1907 Thomas ___Mustang ___1966 Olds Toronado ___1970 AMC Gremlin ___1960 Plymouth Valiant ___1969 Pontiac Grand Prix ___1904 Thomas Flyer ___1998 Dodge Viper GETS-R Trivia… Ford, who made the first pick-up trucks, shipped them to dealers in crates that the new owners had to assemble using the crates as the beds of the trucks. The new owners had to go to the dealers to get them, thus they had to “pick-up” the trucks. And you know the rest of the story. Answers on page 12. ################# First Foals Arriving at McMahon’s Farm If you are out for a drive, take a short detour to Fitch Road and stop by McMahon’s Horse Farm to see the new foals. Last year, about 130 thoroughbreds were born between late January and June, so you can usually be assured of enjoying these beautiful creatures. Photos taken from Facebook 9 Notable News http://www.saratogian.com/20150203/saratoga-springshorse-show-expanding-to-three-weeks Malta may change its zoning code to expand development opportunities and encourage higher building standards around the busy intersection of routes 9 and 67. Read the full article at: http://tablet.olivesoftware.com/Olive/Tablet/ AlbanyTimesUnion/SharedArticle.aspx?href=HATU% 2F2015%2F02%2F03&id=Ar02304 After three tries, Mother Nature finally held off long enough for Saratoga Springs Mayor Joanne Yepsen to deliver her State of the City Address Saturday. The mayor highlighted her first year in office and what’s to come for the city during its centennial year. Read full article at: http://www.saratogian.com/20150207/mayor-touts-model -city-in-her-state-of-the-city-address February events planned at Spa State Park To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of Saratoga Springs, excerpts from The Saratogian in 1915 will be presented every day this year, in print and online. [1915] On February 10th a snowstorm started at 10 p.m. and developed into a blizzard overnight. It did not stop snowing until February 11th at 6 p.m. All railroad traffic was blocked. Two feet of snow fell in Saratoga County and temperatures dropped to below zero. Congress Park on a cold winter night. Photo by David Mangini. Saratoga National Historical Park Tuesday, February 17 Archeology Presentation: “The Border Wars” 7-8 p.m. New York State Military Museum Rich beautiful natural resources in the Fish Creek area of the Hudson River supported centuries of Native American populations and proved enticing to later Dutch, French and English traders and settlers...and sparked a century of borderland war. Matt Kirk, from Hartgen Archeological Associates, Inc., will present findings on their investigation of colonial-era battlefields in the Fish Creek area. Sponsored by the Friends of Saratoga Battlefield. Update on Water Issues & Protecting Saratoga Lake from Commissioner of Pubic Works, Anthony “Skip” Scirocco Thank you for the opportunity to discuss with you important issues that impact your community and Saratoga Springs at large. Now more than ever, we need to pay close attention to preserving and protecting what makes Saratoga Springs a special place to live, work, visit, and play. I wanted to share with you that I’m staunchly committed to preserving Saratoga Lake as a wonderful recreational resource for members of our community. Under my administration we’ve instead focused on the creation of an alternate water source that leaves the lake in tact. Developing wells on city owned property at Bog Meadow will serve as an additional water supply and supplement our current source capacity. This project met the demands of the NYS Department of Health and fulfills out source capacity requirements. You can be confident that as long as I’m in office, I will champion the preservation of Saratoga Lake and it’s benefit as a beautiful recreational and natural resource. For All of Our Anglers out there ……. Give the website www.fishny.com a try. It’s a great site offering regional reports, a live webcam, a hot topics forum to discuss fishing and much, much more. This may be one to add to your “favorites.” 13 Town of Saratoga News by Thomas N. Wood February 12, 2015 Warm Greetings ! The month of February is short in days but packed with town activities. The meeting of the Town Board was held Monday, February 9th at 7:00 p.m. Some of the items that were covered at this meeting include: zoning officer's report, town clerk's report, supervisor's report, and committee reports. Zoning Officer Gil Albert presented thye board with possible changes to the town zoning ordinance. Members will study the recommendations and continue their review at next month's meeting. The Town Offices will be closed on Monday, February 16th for the Presidents' Day Holiday. 4 pm. The Town Office will be closed Monday, February 16th. Taxes may be mailed to Jim at anytime. If you have any questions for Jim, please call him at 6953644 X 318. Town of Saratoga Emergency Shelter Information In the event of an emergency the primary shelter for the Town of Saratoga will be at the Town Hall Building located at 12 Spring Street Schuylerville. The building is at the intersection of State Routes 4, 29, and 32. Enter the building through the doors adjacent the rear of the parking lot, and follow the signs to the shelter. Secondary shelters will be used if the need arises. They will be located at the David Nevins Fire Station Pine Street, Victory Mills, the Quaker Springs Fire Station Blodgett Road , Quaker Springs and the Schuylerville Central School Spring Street, Schuylerville. The severity and duration of the event will determine when the shelters are opened, and for how long they reNEWS FROM THE ASSESSOR’S OFFICE main in operation. The telephone numbers are — David Nevins 695-6623 The Assessor’s Office continues to update our file for Quaker Springs 584-3349; Town Hall 695-3644 X 325 or the 2015 Assessment Roll.. In looking at our town’s inforX 316, Schuylerville School 695-4127 mation, we find that it is necessary to do a town wide upWhere to call for information — Town Hall 695-3644 date of the Town’s Assessments since sales have been increasing in the Town and to maintain equity and our 100% X325 If a fire or medical emergency dial 911 What to bring with you level of assessment.. If you have a concern about your Bring your own pillow, books to read, and perhaps your property, now is the time to come in and discuss it with the child’s favorite stuffed animal. Bring any important papers Assessor. If you have questions or concerns, please do not you might need - identification, passport, prescriptions, hesitate to contact our office at 695-3644, ext. 312. Our nd insurance policies etc. and any medications you may need. office is located at 12 Spring Street on the 2 floor. The A change of clothes and any personal care items that you Assessor’s Office is open Monday through Thursday in may require are always a good idea. February from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Many exemptions What to expect require renewal applications. Please take time now to fill Shelters can best be described as organized chaos, so be these out and turn them in to the Assessor’s office. prepared to have little privacy and a very small area in Exemption renewal forms are due to the Assessor by which to function. The meals will be basic but wholesome. March 1, 2015. If you will be turning 65 in 2015, please If you have any dietary restrictions please bring these items check with the Assessor as you may qualify for Senior Exwith you. Special need items may be in short supply. All emptions for the next assessment Roll – applications must st will be required to sign in and out of the shelter, and a be filed by March 1 , 2015 even if you turn 65 on DecemCURFEW will be strictly enforced. ber 31, 2015!! If you are new to the Town, please submit all applications for exemptions before March 1, 2015. Oth- All of the residents will be requested to help with the operation of the shelter, and will be expected to treat other resier exemptions available within the town include Veterans dents with respect and kindness. exemptions and Agricultural exemptions. The Town apHow to help proved the Cold War Veteran’s Exemption; so if you have It would greatly help us to help you if we know in adnot qualified for a Veteran’s Exemption because of dates, vance if you have any medical conditions or mobility issues check with our office to see if you qualify for this exempthat may require special attention. RU OK forms are availtion. Certain criteria must be met to qualify for these exable at the Town Hall Emergency Preparedness Office (2nd emptions. Please contact our office to determine if you floor) to fill out for your special needs, or you can call 695might be eligible. 3644 X325 and have one mailed to your home. Questions??? February Tax Collection Schedule During the month of February, Town Tax Collector James If you have any questions regarding this segment of the disaster plan or would like to join us in our efforts, please feel Gorham will be in the Town Hall on Monday's only from free call 695-3644 X 325, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 1:30 pm to Town of Saratoga Emergency Preparedness Office Sherry Doubleday, Emergency Manager 11 SLPID Commissioner Joe Finn has shared the 2014 Adirondack Watershed Institute report from Paul Smith’s College. (see page 128 for Saratoga Lake.) Part of SLPID’s long term plan was to establish a lake steward program, and as such has partnered with Paul Smith’s. The program has achieved great success over the past three y ears and the number of boats inspected has increased every year. Past reports can be seen at SLPID.org. ADIRONDACK WATERSHED INSTITUTE STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM The Year in Review Aquatic invasive species (AIS) continue to be a great concern all across the Adirondack region, demanding increasing attention and resources from communities and agencies far and wide. The Adirondack Watershed Institute Stewardship Program (AWISP) is part of coordinated efforts at the local, regional and statewide levels to detect and arrest the spread of AIS. The Adirondack Watershed Institute (AWI) works year-round with partner organizations, communities and government agencies to understand and manage a range of environmental quality issues through research and education. 2014 marked the fifteenth field season for the AWISP. 2014 highlights: Clean, Drain, Dry! AWISP stewards provided coverage at 31 launches on 26 lakes and ponds this season sharing the message of “Clean, Drain, and Dry!” New Education Program! The AWISP launched an offsite environmental education program called the Water Shield Workshop. The program integrates land-based exercises with on-water activities for participants of all ages. Water Shield Workshops were held at Lake Pleasant, Schroon Lake, and Lower Saranac Lake in 2014. Finding Bythotrephes! Survey efforts by AWISP staff confirmed the presence of spiny waterflea (Bythotrephes longimanus) in Lake Pleasant and Piseco Lake for the first time. See it! Touch it! Learn it! AWISP purchased an Enviroscape watershed model for education and outreach activities. Round-up of accomplishments, by the numbers: AWISP stewards confirmed and removed 834 AIS from inspected watercraft across the Adirondack region. Stewards educated 63,471 visitors and inspected 25,033 watercraft. The AWISP employed 28 full-time stewards, 4 part-time stewards and 2 regional supervisors. continued The AWISP was funded by 7 lake associations, 1 state authority, 1 tax district, 1 federal agency, 1 private foundation, and 1 college. While 94 waterbodies in the Adirondack Park are confirmed AIS sites, there are still 235 waterbodies which remain free of invasive species and need protection! This is just a sample of the work conducted by the AWISP. What else have we done in 2014, and what is to come? Click on the document for entire report. http://www.saratogalake.org/nativepdf.pdf Nadine and Neal Kramer escaped the “winter wallop” just in time. They are pictured above enjoying a day at Gulf Stream Park Race Course. Photo by Julie Annotto. WINTER REMINDER FROM TOWN OF MALTA PLEASE REMOVE ALL OBJECTS THAT ARE IN THE Town’s Right-of-Way for snow removal. These objects include: sprinkler systems, basketball hoops, rocks and landscaping. The right-of-way is about 30 feet from the center of the road. The Town will NOT be responsible for replacing or repairing any objects left within that area. Happy Birthday, Takoda! Are there teens in your home? 12 Takoda Porrazzo celebrated her 8th birthday at the Comfort Inn with her special friends. Takoda, however, This digested clip was printed in a church bulletin and if you have asked that instead of gifting her, her guests bring someteens who know more than you do, this might come in handy for a thing to donate to the Saratoga County Animal Shelter. poster in their rooms! She and her mother were able to drop off a nice assortment of items for the shelter. What a great idea from a lovely You will not make $60,000 a year right out of high young lady. Takoda is the daughter of Tonya Trombley school. You won’t be a vice-president with a car phone and Danny Porrazzo. until you earn both; Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grandparents and parents did similar things to get started. Even flipping burgers is an opportunity. Before you were born, your parents were not as boring as they seem to be now. They got that way from paying bills, putting money aside for you, and for being loving and patient through all the bumps of your life. Before you set out to join the Peace Corps or save the rainforests, clean the closets in your own room. If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read this in English, thank a soldier. If you think your teacher is tough, wait until you get a boss. Be nice to those who don’t fit in. One day you may end up working for them. Answers to Car Quiz If you make a mistake, we did too. Don’t whine. That wastes energy and will obscure the hidden lesson. And 1. 1909 White Steamer don’t blame your parents if you fail. Believe it or not, 2. White we don’t control everything. And remember, we love you. Always will! ####### From another point of view — if your teen wants to know about your growing years………… 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 1960 Plymouth Valiant 1904 Thomas Flyer 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix 1966 Olds Toronado Mustang 1998 Dodge Viper 1907 Thomas AMC Gremlin As a child I saw Tarzan naked Cinderella arrived home after midnight Pinocchio told lies Aladdin was a thief Batman drove over 200 miles an hour Snow White lived in a house with 7 men Popeye smoked a pipe and had tattoos Pac Man ran around to digital music while eating pills that enhanced his performance Shaggy and Scooby were mystery solving hippies that always had the munchies. And after all that, we still turned out “perfect.” Recently we received email with household hints. This one was so unique we thought it worth sharing. Flip a toaster on its side to make grilled cheese!!! Caution—do not leave the toaster unattended. 13 Stillwater Community Center Events Sunday, February 22nd from 1:00 – 4:00pm is the Village of Stillwater’s Winterfest 2015. Look for the different outdoor activities throughout the Village. Consider the SACC the “warming hut” for the day. We are still planning fun activities for community members and will make them public shortly. Please check out the Village of Stillwater's website at www.villageofstillwaterny.org for more information. We would like to mention once again our upcoming fundraiser scheduled for Friday, March 20th….our 1st Annual Wine Pull. This is going to be such a great event. Please note only people 21 and older are allowed in the building during this event due to the liquor license we are issued. Every person that purchases a ticket goes home a winner. Look for more upcoming information and let your curiosity run wild! This is going to be FUN!!! Any community member wishing to donate a bottle or two of wine is more than welcome! Each bottle will be labeled with the donor's name and variety of wine. WomenHeart Celebrates American Heart Month National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease celebrates American Heart Month today by announcing a month long slate of activities designed to help women take charge of their heart health and combat heart disease – the leading cause of death in women. According to recent statistics, heart disease is responsible for approximately 400, 000 deaths every year in women, 8 million women are currently living with heart disease, and 2.7 million women have a history of heart attack. In addition, an overwhelming 35 million women are at risk for heart disease¹. During American Heart Month, WomenHeart aims to expand its education and outreach efforts to more women living with and at risk for heart disease, particularly in high-risk populations, including Hispanic-American and African-American women. As the first and still only national organization solely devoted to women's heart health and supporting women living with heart disease, WomenHeart takes the lead this February by providing education, events, and support that women can be involved in to learn about heart health and help them make healthy lifestyle decisions. Friends of the Kayaderosseras Winter has finally arrived, and brought us cold and snow in quantities! All the brook trout are hunkered down under the ice, as cold as the water, and the creek is covered with waves of snow and ice, instead of water. FoK is hard at work planning next Summer's activities, as well as our Annual Meeting coming up March 2nd. As always, we will be asking our members for ideas and feedback on how we are doing and where we should go from here. If you envision a new program or direction for FoK, please come to the meeting and speak up! As always, we appreciate your membership and hope you join us in our activities to protect and promote awareness of the Kayaderosseras Creek, "The Jewel of Saratoga County". John Battenfield President “Gene and I went over to the nature trails at Global Foundries today and snowshoed in two feet of fresh powder. How nice that someone also decorated a few trees along the trails to add to the beauty of a perfect winter day ! Dianne Fedoronko took this photo of husband Gene. Save the dates: Spring Clean-up Creek Tenders Paddle Saturday, May 2 April, TBA For details on all events: www.kayadeross.org. 14 Carbon Monoxide Detectors CO alarms are available for purchase. They are similar to smoke alarms and are designed to provide warning as CO levels in the air approach dangerous levels. A dangerous level is considered to be anything above 100 parts per million (PPM) and immediate action must be taken to get occupants to fresh air. A CO alarm will provide early warning of the presence of CO, usually before a healthy adult would experience symptoms. Select a CO alarm which is certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and is battery-powered or has a battery back-up. It’s nice to have a detector that actually reads out the CO level in a display, but is not necessary. There are detectors on the market that have 10 year lithium ion battery power and a digital read out. After the 10 years the entire unit is replaced. CO alarms should be placed according to manufacturer installation instructions. It’s very important to read the instructions, the sensors have a limited life. Test the CO alarm frequently, at least twice a year when clocks are adjusted for daylight saving time, and replace dead batteries when necessary. The CO alarm's owner's manual will describe the difference in the warning sounds and how to test the device. Unlike smoke alarms, CO alarms expire after several years and there is a date stamp on the back of the detector. Replace the alarm as indicated by the manufacturer. New York State requires CO alarms in residences including single- and multiple-family homes, and in multiple dwellings such as hotels/motels, boarding houses, apartment buildings, fraternity and sorority buildings, and school dormitories. New laws also require alarms in commercial buildings and restaurants. The requirements apply only to structures that have an attached garage or have appliances, devices or systems that may emit CO. A CO alarm is not a substitute for regular maintenance of fuel-burning appliances or equipment. For assistance with CO alarm placement, please carefully read the manufacturer’s directions, don’t throw them away with the box. CO alarms can only sense CO that reaches the unit’s sensor. It’s possible that CO may be present in other areas without reaching the alarm. The rate and ability that which CO reaches the alarm may be affected by: • Doors or other obstructions. • Fresh air from a vent, an open window or other source. • CO being present on one level of the home and not reach a CO alarm installed on a different level. (For example, CO in the basement may not reach an alarm on the second level, near the bedrooms). continued For these reasons, we recommend you provide complete coverage by placing a CO alarm on every level of the home. Please carefully read all information supplied by the manufacturer on properly installing this CO alarm. Realize that the alarm sound is different for actual detection of CO and when the battery is low or the detector’s sensor is outdated. The fire department is constantly running calls for activated CO detectors, while a small percentage of the calls have resulted in an actual presence of CO, more than 80% of the calls were the result of detectors that are out of date. What we don’t want to do is educate the public on CO detectors, one call at a time. Tom Rinaldi, Commissioner Arvin Hart Fire/Stillwater Fire Distric ATTENTION With all of the snow we’re getting this season, please find your closest hydrant and uncover it. Also, be aware that with drifted snow build-up, high efficiency heating systems will shut down if blocked by snow. What does the color of your car say about you? If the color of your car is: Black: You're a mysterious leader! Black is a power color. White: You exude honesty! White is associated with honesty and purity. Silver: You're a far-sighted trailblazer! Shiny silver is the color of technology and innovation Green: You're a pillar of your community! Green, the color of nature is connected to rebirth. Gray: You're refined! Gray is a sophisticated hue. Poised and refined. Red: You're a passionate go-getter! Red brings thoughts of excitement and momentum. Source: Woman’s World