Altamont

<p>When I spoke on the phone to our daughter Elizabeth her voice sounded like she was out of breath. As a typical mother, I was concerned and asked if she was OK. With a slight laugh in her voice she replied that she was fine. Again, being a typical mother I felt the need for more information than just fine, and pressed the issue.</p>

<p>“Are you sure you are OK?” I asked. At that Elizabeth laughed out loud and replied that she was a little out of breath because she and her son Nathan had just come inside. They had been outdoors playing in the snow.</p>

<p>With all of the snow, sleet, and freezing temperatures we have had this winter most people are looking forward to spring, and some relief from this winter’s attacks.</p>

<p>Elizabeth, however, has been in Oklahoma for long enough to miss the beauty and recreation possibilities of a snowy winter. Nathan returned to Oklahoma at age 8 after just a taste of winter and was ready to reinvestigate recreation possibilities that surround us.</p>

<p>Before returning to Oklahoma for a few years, Nathan had taken a few lessons in skiing and snowboarding. Part of his excitement was because of Elizabeth’s experiences around Altamont.</p>

<strong>Winter camping</strong>

<p>As part of the YMCA Indian Guide Father Daughter Program, Elizabeth, Cindy, and Christa all went winter camping with Jim. One of the spots they liked the most was Camp Hebron in Connecticut.</p>

<p>Camp Hebron was fully equipped with everything that they needed for an outstanding winter experience. They had skis of all sizes for those who wanted to try cross-country skiing. During the summer the staff trimmed and prepared the trails and when snow fell they groomed the trails to make them safe for the novices who would travel on them.</p>

<p>Everyone was willing to try the experience and with rosy cheeks they returned to the main cabin, put away the borrowed equipment and joined other families with a cup of hot chocolate while standing in front of the fireplace to warm up.</p>

<p>Altamont is nicely located for those who wish to ski. Within a short distance are trails for cross country skiing and also places for the more adventurous who enjoy downhill skiing or snowboarding.</p>

<p>Another sport they encouraged at Camp Hebron was ice fishing. Also stored in the equipment shed were: tip-ups, lines, bait, and manual augers to drill through the ice.</p>

<p>Most of the children and their fathers were interested in active sports that kept them moving, but there were a few who were willing to cut through the ice, set up a tip-up, and wait for something to happen. Jim said he felt that ice fishing was as exciting as watching paint dry.</p>

<p>There are a lot of people who have used Warner’s Lake and Thompson’s Lake for winter sports who would disagree with Jim. When the ice is thick enough the ardent ice fishermen will venture out with their equipment and try their luck at ice fishing. Because they are more serious about it than my husband, they may also wear special winter clothing that will protect them from the cold and from melting ice.</p>

<p>Others might also set up a temporary shelter around the hole in the ice to protect them from the wind, cold and snow. Inside that shelter could be a heater and more comfortable seats to wait for the fish to take the bait.</p>

<p>Some of our area residents may even remember the old icehouse in East Berne. It was a remnant of a former business of ice cutting. Ice cutting was a winter occupation of icemen who would collect surface ice from lakes for storage in icehouses and sale as a pre-refrigeration cooling method. The ice was preserved for all-year delivery to residential and commercial customers with ice boxes for cold food storage.</p>

<p>In order to harvest the ice they generally had to wait until approximately a foot of ice had built up on the water surface in the winter. The ice would then be cut with either a handsaw or a powered saw blade into large individual blocks for transport back to the icehouse. Snow on top of the ice slows freezing. If the temperature is cold enough, a snowy surface could be flooded to produce a thicker layer of ice. This occupation became obsolete with the development of mechanical refrigeration and air conditioning technology.</p>

<p>Another activity that the girls enjoyed with their father at Camp Hebron was downhill tubing. When Jim and our daughters, were first starting their trips to the Camp, downhill tubing was a fairly new activity. The equipment shed was filled with old, patched truck tire inner tubes. It has since become such a favorite winter activity that downhill tubes are made specifically for winter with handles to hold when racing down the slippery slopes.</p>

<strong>The ride</strong>

<p>Elizabeth remembered one particular trip when they were at the top of the hill and she had a toboggan for her father and a couple other friends to ride down with her. While getting ready for the others to board, Elizabeth slid onto the toboggan and it started down the hill. She was out of reach in and instant before anyone could grab the sled to stop it and let others board with her. All of the onlookers were helpless as she went zipping down a very fast slope.</p>

<p>Because the road into the camp was a private road there was no danger of being hit by a car because everyone was already on the property. That road was at the bottom of the hill with all of the snow that had been plowed off of it piled alongside the road making a slight ramp. As Elizabeth picked up speed, she approached that ramp and held onto the sled with as tight a grip as she could. Then with a lurch, she hit the ramp and was airborne.</p>

<p>Gliding silently over the road she landed on the other side in the middle of a field. The impact slowed the sled so it was able to stop before hitting the row of trees on the other side of the field.</p>

<p>By the time Jim was able to catch up with the errant sled containing his daughter, he feared that she might have been hurt. What he saw upon his arrival was a great relief. There was Elizabeth, still sitting on the toboggan, laughing uncontrollably. She said that it was the best ride she ever had.</p>

<strong>Other opportunities</strong>

<p>Winter may be a difficult time for many people because of the cost and inconvenience, but it can also be a great time if you look for the things to enjoy regardless of the temperature. Festivals for ice and snow sculpting are held all over the world. Dog team sled races are held in many northern regions. Loggers can take advantage of the frozen ground to move heavy loads from the forests.</p>

<p>We hope that all of our readers will remain safe and not slip and fall. We hope that all drivers will be careful of others on the road. We hope that when someone makes a snow angel in their yard during a fresh snowfall that snow angel will watch over everyone until the weather once again warms us.</p>

<strong>Adult ed</strong>

<p>Adult students who are currently enrolled in the adult education classes are reminded that when the schools in the district are closed due to bad weather, the Continuing Ed classes are also canceled.</p>

<strong>Cyrene Temple</strong>

<p>Members of Cyrene Temple 18 met on Valentine’s Day at the Masonic Temple in Latham.&nbsp;Those in attendance enjoyed a&nbsp;special Valentine dinner&nbsp; that was&nbsp;served following the session.</p>

<strong>Grand officers</strong>

<p>The Grand Officers Association of the Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady District will meet on Sunday, Feb. 22, at the East Greenbush Masonic Temple. The meeting will be held at 3 p.m. followed by a covered dish supper.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Those attending are asked to bring a covered dish, enough&nbsp;&nbsp;to feed approximately eight people, and all attendees are also asked to bring their &nbsp;own place settings.</p>

<p>Reservations should be made with your chapter's representative.&nbsp;</p>

<strong>New officers</strong>

<p>Congratulations are extended to Edward Mosso of the George Hope Chapter and to Stacey Wright of the Helderberg Chapter who have accepted the positions of president and vice president respectively of the Grand &nbsp;Officers Association of the Albany/Rensselaer/Schenectady District.</p>

<p>Appreciation is extended to Gerry Irwin and to Betty Spadaro, both of Helderberg Chapter in Altamont for their service as president and vice president of&nbsp;the above mentioned organization during this past year.&nbsp;</p>

<strong>Course selections</strong>

<p>Students at the Guilderland High School and Middle School eighth graders are reminded that 2015-16 course selections are now available to view on the School Tool.</p>

<p>Course&nbsp;override forms are now available through the Guidance office.&nbsp; Students are reminded that they must be returned no later than March 13th.</p>

<strong>Potentate’s Ball</strong>

<p>Members of Cyprus&nbsp;Shrine are reminded that the Potentates Ball is&nbsp;scheduled&nbsp;for Saturday, Feb. 28. The annual event will be held at the Shrine Center in Glenville.</p>

<strong>Ladies auxillary</strong>

<p>Ginny Woods, president of the VFW Ladies&nbsp;Auxiliary&nbsp;in Altamont announced that the meeting scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 15th was canceled.&nbsp;The next meeting will be held on&nbsp;March 15, at 1 p.m.</p>

<strong>Welcome</strong>

<p>According to Mayor James Gaughan, Glenn Hebert has been appointed to the position of Altamont's Building Inspector&nbsp;and Zoning Administrator.&nbsp; Hebert can be reached at 772-9006 regarding building permits, etc.&nbsp; Welcome Mr. Hebert.&nbsp;</p>

<strong>Sidewalks</strong>

<p>The Village of Altamont&nbsp;has cleared snow from sidewalks.&nbsp;However, it is the responsibility of owners to keep the sidewalks free of snow, ice, and debris.</p>

<strong>No parking</strong>

<p>Residents are reminded that during the winter months there is no parking on the streets between the hours of midnight and 7 a.m.</p>

<strong>Camper and counselor </strong>

<strong>reunion</strong>

<p>LittleNotch Camper/Counselor reunion will take place this weekend, Feb. 21, from&nbsp;noon to 3 p.m. For more information call 306-8990 or&nbsp;e-mail Becky Dixon&nbsp;at <a href="mailto:Becky@friendsof/cln.org">Becky@friendsof\cln.org</a>. The event will be held at</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>110 Spring St. in Saratoga Springs.</p>

<strong>Breakfast</strong>

<p>An all&nbsp;you&nbsp;can eat breakfast&nbsp;will be available to the public on Sunday, Feb. 22, at the VFW&nbsp; Post on&nbsp;VFW&nbsp; Drive&nbsp;off of Route 155,&nbsp;This breakfast will be in support of cancer research.&nbsp;Tickets are $8&nbsp;and includes a full breakfast consisting of eggs, home fries, pancakes, bacon, French&nbsp;Toast. juice and coffee.</p>

<strong>Birthdays</strong>

<p>Happy-birthday wishes are extended to:</p>

<p>— Nancy Barkley, and Peter Ramo on Feb. 20;</p>

<p>— Kyomi Bakley and Kelli LeClair on Feb. 21;</p>

<p>— Janet Farrand on Feb. 22;</p>

<p>— Amy Buess Dyer, &nbsp;Michelle Delaney Romano, Colin Schager, Kerra Schager, and Greg Smith on Feb. 23;&nbsp;</p>

<p>— Allison Ciupek, Jeremy Hoogkamp and Jack McClintock &nbsp;on Feb. 24;</p>

<p>— Scott Armstrong and&nbsp; Aleisa Barkley on Feb. 25; and</p>

<p>— Matthew Randal Taber on Feb. 26.</p>

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