& Albany County Post - The Altamont Enterprise

The Altamont Enterprise – Thursday, December 20, 2012 3
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Deadline for letters is Tuesday at noon.
To the Editor:
I write this with a broken
heart.
Twenty angels and six guardian
angels were taken from us
on Friday.
The price for our Second
Amendment right is just too
high. We can’t let this insanity
continue. We allow the insane to
buy guns but they’re too crazy to
stand trial for their crimes.
We need to put an end to all
of this. I left the National Rifle
Associations years ago because it
wouldn’t help ban Teflon bullets
To the editor
Federal ban on assault weapons needed
(cop killers). Now, it’s the assault
weapons.
As a hunter, I see no reason
for such guns let alone the largecapacity
magazines. There is no
place or reason to have these
weapons.
It’s our duty to let our representatives
in Congress know
we support new legislation to
ban all assault weapons and
large-capacity magazines. We
also need longer waiting periods
for all sales of any firearms so
better background checks can
be made.
The federal government has
to step in and implement new
restrictions.
We live in a state that has
among the most strict gun laws
in the country yet guns flow in
from other states.
And, finally, we must let the
people of Newtown, Conn. know
that they won’t be remembered
for this act of violence, but that
love, compassion and courage
will be their legacy.
Dan Hughes
East Berne
Do we hear the pleas and
the need for food, toys, clothing, and shelter?
To the Editor:
With the holiday season upon
us, the frenetic rush to finish
our Christmas shopping list hit
us full force.
We are running around from
one store to the next to get that
last gift, the perfect gift. We are
fighting traffic, trying
to find that parking
space close to the
store’s entrance.
Once inside, we are
overwhelmed by the
number of people running
around, worrying
about the same thing
as we are. Once we get
what we are looking
for, we stand in long
lines, but do we take
a look around and see
the needs of others this
holiday season?
Do we hear the Salvation
Army bells ringing?
Do we hear the pleas and
the need for food, toys, clothing,
and shelter? Do we react to
the people who have lost all or
been displaced by Superstorm
Sandy?
Do we feel sickened or saddened
by events in our news and
media? Sandy Hook Elementary,
By Mary Neumann
I don’t know about you, but for
me, the time between Thanksgiving
and Christmas feels more
like two weeks than four. Even
though our kids are grown up and
living on their own, I still seem to
have more things on my list than
can possibly be accomplished.
This year, things feel a little
different though. One of our
daughters and her husband
bought a house and I’ve been
pondering the changes in their
lives — and mine. For them, the
tradition of busy holidays is just
beginning. They’re decorating
and baking cookies and having
people over. And, when they have
kids of their own, the holidays
will be even more hectic. Wonderful,
but hectic.
Naturally, I’ve come up with
some sage advice for them. Take
time to smell those cookies. It’s
not about spending on gifts, it’s
about spending quality time
together.
As they get busier, the holiday
pace will slow for my husband
and me. What will that be like?
Thankfully, our kids live
nearby and we see them often.
But that doesn’t mean they might
not relocate someday. What will
it be like if they aren’t close by
during the holidays?
Somalia, to name a few. It is
overwhelming — the need and
suffering we see.
It is simply too much for one
person to bear. But, one person
can make a difference and a
few can make an even bigger
impact.
“It is simply too much for
one person to bear.
But, one person can make
a difference and a few can
make an even bigger impact.”
So, when it came down to how
to celebrate this holiday season
here at Altamont Sunoco, we employees,
of course, thought about
a party or doing a Secret Santa,
but we took the time to look
around and we saw a few people
in this community who needed or
could use a little help.
Caregivers’ corner
Keeping the holidays happy and bright
Gifts of time
Seniors are susceptible to
periods of loneliness any time
of the year. But the feelings
often worsen during the winter
holidays. What was once a time
of joyful celebration becomes
instead a sad and stressful time.
The holiday season can be a painful
reminder of how their lives
have changed.
If you have a neighbor (of any
age) who might be feeling lonely
during the holidays, see if there’s
something you can take off your
list so you have time to drop by
and visit. You don’t have to take
cookies or a present; your time
is the most valuable gift you
can give.
If you would to like to reach
out to help a neighbor but you
don’t have anyone in mind or
you aren’t sure how you can help,
call Community Caregivers. The
need in our community is growing
and we are always looking
for volunteers.
Gifts that keep giving
We have another need you can
help fill. In addition to needing
volunteers, we also need financial
support.
Why does an organization
that uses volunteers to provide
services need money? Because
without a staff and an office, we
We decided, as a group, that we
would put some money together
and try to make a difference.
With the help of a few of our
everyday customers and the staff
here, we were able to come up
with $264 in 10 days. We then
divided it by three and purchased
three gift cards
to Falvo’s Meat Market
in Slingerlands, and
helped three members
of this community.
One is a volunteer
firefighter who has been
recently laid off, the
second is a local woman
who has been in this
community her entire
life, and the third is a
recent transplant from
the city with young
children to feed.
We know it is not a lot
of money, but we know
we did what we could,
and the smiles and appreciation
we got from these people for
the small gesture we did was
priceless.
Happy holidays to all.
Jim Beach
Manager
Altamont Sunoco
can’t provide services.
Yes, we do receive grants and
funding from various agencies
and organizations. But we also
depend on gifts from individuals
to make ends meet.
You can give your gift even
more meaning by making a donation
in honor of, in memory
of, or in celebration of a loved
one or a Community Caregivers
volunteer.
You can also recognize significant
occasions and milestones —
your own or someone else’s — by
contributing to Community Caregivers.
Instead of trying to buy
presents for those who seem to
have everything, why not mark
a special anniversary, birthday,
or retirement in a meaningful
way by making a donation in
their name?
Donations to Community Caregivers
are tax deductible and
the tax year is ending soon. You
can get more information and/or
make a donation at our website:
www.communitycaregivers.org.
We also have a “wish list” on
our website, and we accept gifts
of stocks or securities. Feel free
to contact us at 465-2898 if you
have any questions.
Our very best wishes to all for
a wonderful holiday season!
Back In Time. . .
1912 100 Years Ago 2012
Altamont Enterprise Dec. 20, 1912
McKownville: Gus Gimlick had a narrow escape from serious
injury one day last week while riding in an elevator where he is
employed in Albany. His foot became caught between the elevator
and the floor and only for the quick action of the elevatorman, Mr.
Gimlick would probably have lost his foot, as it was, his shoe was
torn from his foot.
****
Voorheesville — Village Notes: Elsbree Jones is recovering from
a slight concussion of the brain, sustained several days ago while
unloading a car of grain. Mr. Jones was inside the car when an
engine took the switch without warning, striking the car so hard
that he was thrown against the side. At first his injuries were not
considered serious, but it developed that he was severely shaken
and bruised. He is still confined to the house, but expects to be out
and about in a few days.
****
Clarksville: Harry Allen, employed by the Clarksville Telephone
Co., had a serious accident last Thursday while working on a pole
near the residence of John Fuller. The pole gave way and he jumped
about 15 feet, striking on the frozen ground and breaking a bone in
each foot. Dr. Holmes gave his injuries temporary attention and took
him to the Albany City hospital, where Dr. Elting set the broken
bones and put his feet in casts. He will probably have to remain at
the hospital for some time. Much sympathy is expressed for the injured
man and his wife and four children. All hope that his recovery
may be a speedy one.
****
ENTERTAINED AT DINNER — Board of Education and Faculty
of High School Entertained by Dr. and Mrs. Jesse Crounse: A
highly enjoyable social event took place at Hotel Altamont, Friday
evening last, when President and Mrs. Jesse Crounse entertained
at dinner, the faculty of our Union school and the Board of Education
with their wives.
The feast of good things prepared and served by landlord Voss
were heartily appreciated. After the feast had been dispensed with,
President Crounse, in a few grateful remarks, addressed the guests
of the evening and then introduced the teachers, who responded
with humorous and mirthful anecdotes. The members of the Board
and the Principal of the school were each introducted and responded
to toasts as follows: Mr. Brownell, “What I Know About Hiring
Teachers”; Mr. Sturges, “The Board of Education”; Mr. Ogsbury,
“The Faculty”; Mr. Shannon, “The Proper Method of Administering
Punishment”; Prof. Atwood, “How I Rule the Roost.” Each of the
gentlemen entered in with the general good spirit that prevailed
and the responses sparkled with wit and good feeling.
Leaving the banquet board the company adjourned to the parlor,
where music and good fellowship prevailed until midnight when the
guests departed wishing the genial Doctor and his good wife many
returns of the happy occasion.
Published continuously since July 26, 1884
“We seek the truth and print it”
JAMES E. GARDNER
Publisher
MELISSA HALE-SPENCER
Editor
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