Altamont

Super Bowl XLIX has been the main topic of conversation for football fans for weeks. Now that the game is over, the real enthusiasts will continue talking about the game with discussions about good plays that their team made, bad plays, good calls by the referees as well as bad calls.

Some people will relate statistics about the players while others will talk about the stadium, which is a wonder by itself with its retractable playing field and retractable roof. Of course, there will be a lot of talk about the Super Bowl parties and the food that was served. The advertising and half-time entertainments have become a large part of this national event and have also become more entertaining as well as becoming more costly.

In the past, I have talked about the Super Bowl parties that our family attended at the Haviland's each year, before they retired and moved to Florida. We received a call just the other day that our good friend Bev Haviland had a heart attack and died, which brings to an end a longtime friendship. However, the family tradition of Super Bowl parties continues with our daughters going to their friend’s house with a dish or two to share and a strong shouting voice to cheer on their favorite team.

In addition to the football conversations, there has been a lot of talk about the weather. Regardless of where we live in the Northeast, the winter has been able to sneak in a new record or two. It has been cold and snowy, and there has been too much sleet and, of course, the spells of rain in winter makes driving and walking awful.

What is most amazing is the inability of drivers to properly negotiate the roads in winter. Come on folks – its winter.  It comes around once each year with the snow and ice and poor driving conditions.  The advice to watch out for other drivers is very good. It is not enough to be careful and drive safely, but you must be aware of other drivers who are being careless and make the road unsafe.

Car manufacturers are making great strides to provide us with safer automobiles. Not just the construction of the vehicles has improved, but also special new features like an alarm that sounds when you drift across the center line, automatically braking the automobile to avoid an accident when you get too close to the car ahead of you, headlights that turn in the direction of a curve in order to see better, sensing a person or animal at night and displaying the silhouette on the windshield, and making tires that will not go flat immediately when punctured to avoid an accident. 

There are always new inventions that make the automobile safer, but they should not substitute for being alert and being a safe driver yourself. The way you drive can reflect the way you act at other times and the type of person that you are.

We were visiting some friends recently who are the type of people with whom we like to surround ourselves. They traveled around the country visiting other family and friends by automobile, and Marcia decided she wanted to learn to fly so they could get to their destinations faster. Rudy decided that he should learn also just in case they were flying and Marcia needed help.

They took the necessary lessons and both received their license.  After they were qualified, they took the next step and decided to buy a plane. I will leave out all of the conversation about buying a hanger, gas, repairs, storms, etc. because they are not

relevant to their decisions about safe travel.

Marcia was not feeling well one day and decided to see her doctor. The next few weeks wound up being just a blur to her. She had tests, was admitted to the hospital and ended up with a pacemaker. Not too long after that, Rudy was beginning to have problems with his eyes and could not see well at night. They made the decision to sell their plane because they felt unable to be safe in the sky. They also decided not to go out at night unless they had another person driving.

We all want to be independent. It is difficult to have to depend on others for transportation, meals, or many of the other things that we may have to give up because of health or age. However, we do have to consider the effect our inabilities have on our family, friends, and even people we do not know.

I said that Marcia and Rudy were the type of people we like to surround ourselves with because they are caring, responsible people. They are more concerned with their safety and the safety of others than with the convenience of indolence. I only hope that everyone will be able to make those hard decisions when the time comes. Others will appreciate the decision, and life will be better because of your choice.

Caregivers

The next Caregivers orientation will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 11.  The class will be held at the Caregiver's office located at 2021 Western Avenue, Suite 104 in Guilderland. If you are interested, would like additional information, or to sign up for the class, call the office at 456-2898.

Report Cards

Parents are advised that Elementary and Middle school reports cards were posted on Wednesday, Feb. 4. High School report cards will be posted on Friday, Feb. 6.

School Tool and Portal

Parents have been advised to create a School Tool Parent and Student Portal account. This can be obtained by visiting The School Tool home page on the district website to learn how to create or access your account.

Garage Sale

Save the date.  On April 25,  The Farnsworth Middle School will hold a garage sale for the benefit of the Organic Garden and Butterfly Project.  Please stay tuned for more information regarding what will be accepted and where the drop off spots will be.

Second Semester

The second semester for Guilderland High School students began on Monday, Feb. 2.

AARP Aide

The Guilderland Public Library has announced that volunteers from AARP will be at the library on Mondays and Saturdays now through April 13.  Appointments are required. To make an appointment, call 456-400, ext. 2.

Guilderland Seniors

The public is invited to join the Guilderland Senior Citizens on a bus trip to the Turning Stone Casino on Wednesday, Feb. 18.   The cost is $30.  Call 872-2448 to make a reservation.

Honor Flight

Looking for a place to donate your returnable soda bottles and cans?  The American Legion Riders are collecting bottles and cans. They must be returnable.  Your donation will help give a veteran an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. to visit the monument that honors the veteran for his or her service. Donations can be left by the shed in back of the American Legion Post on Altamont Boulevard.

Anniversary

Happy Anniversary wishes are extended to Jackie and Jack McClintock, who will celebrate their special day on Feb. 6.

Birthdays

Happy Birthday wishes are extended to:

– Tom LaPorte and Tracy McGann on Feb. 6;

– Francis Xaavier Anetzberger, V, Bob Richards, and Dennis Schager on Feb. 7;

– Chris Whalen, Lizzy Whalen, and Lisa Peck on Feb. 8;

– Riley Ableman and Nicole Hoogkamp on Feb. 9;

– Nicole Rose Munroe and Sarah Trencansky on Feb. 10;

– Rosemary McGowan and Karen Winters on Feb. 11; and

– Dan Blake, Patricia Boyce, and Mike Liegeot on Feb. 12.

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