Wasington Park Neighborhoods April 2021 Newsletter
New Washington Park Neighborhoods Website
Downtown resident & PR miracle worker Duncan Crary & Riverside resident Molly Eady are working on developing the new website for the Washington Park Neighborhoods of Historic Sage, Osgood, Pottery, Little Italy, Riverside and more. The focus will remain the same as the former site – in other words, it recognizes the value of collaboration and cooperation among all of us to strengthen our neighborhoods and know our neighbors. The website will provide information and contacts for historic rehabs, mundane maintenance work (those leaky faucets!). There will be the usual links to art and cultural events (Troy Music Hall, Hart Cluett Museum, Arts Center, etc), Downtown happenings (Troy BID keeps us up to date on restaurants, boutique shopping, coffee shops and more), & Troy Public Library (there is nothing like a well read resident). Of course we will need your input on services and events. The new site is www.wpn-troy.org.
Earth Day
Each year, the City of Troy sponsors a citywide cleanup event coinciding with Earth Day. This community event brings together residents, families, and business owners to improve community parks, green spaces and neighborhoods across the city. For more info on Troy’s annual Earth Day cleanup, or to organize a cleanup project in your neighborhood, please contact Renee Panetta, City Recycling Coordinator, at (518) 279-7171 or Renee.panetta@troyny.gov
Egg Hunt
The 2021 Egg Hunt is in a new venue this year – Sage Park at the corner of 2nd and Congress Streets. Saturday, April 3 at 10:30 am. Wear masks; social distance. Bring basket for the eggs. Gather at the Emma Willard statue. Thanks to the Park’s Arlene Nock & daughter Julie for stuffing 500 eggs!
Death of 5th Avenue’s Peter Fox
Peter Fox, a data science & Semantic eScience researcher at RPI, died unexpectedly at his home on March 27. Peter was a beloved friend to many in Troy & a friend, colleague & mentor to students & faculty at RPI. To his friends, he was like family. A great man with a brilliant mind & a gentle soul, Peter was nothing short of priceless. Shocked & heartbroken, we fully expect Peter to walk into a party with a bottle of wine while we know very well that he is beyond us. In his lengthy & acclaimed career, as Professor Fox, Peter inspired many with his teaching and expertise in data science as well as free spirited risk taking. He was witty, clever and a supportive colleague, influencing our thinking that shaped how we work. We extend our deepest sympathy to his longtime and beloved partner, Erica Veil.
New Homeowners Downtown
Lynn Momrow-Zielinski & Mark Zielinski are thrilled to join the Troy community as owners and caretakers of 62 2nd Street (the former home of Paul & Alane Hohenberg). The Zielinskis are history buffs and have always dreamed of owning a townhouse where they could walk to cultural & dining venues. They love the preservation of the original architecture that makes Troy so unique. Lynn is a native of Rensselaer County, having grown up in Averill Park. She graduated from RPI & is the founder and co-owner of Extreme Molding in Watervliet. Mark grew up in Batavia, NY, graduated from Alfred University and retired from NYS Tax & Finance. He enjoys acrylic painting, curling, relaxed golf, and volunteering in the archives at Albany Institute of History & Art and with the Historic Albany Foundation. Lynn is an avid golfer, an amateur curler, a lifelong learner (currently pursuing an online MBA), serves on the Albany Rural Cemetery Board and leads the Fort Orange Club Literary Society. The Zielinskis are pet lovers and have 2 orange cats Divot & Hobie and a white Schnoodle Winnie.
Welcome
Welcome to Sophia Vastek & Samuel Torres at the former St. Nicholas Ukrainian Orthodox Church on 2nd Street in Osgood. The couple is undertaking an extensive adaptive reuse project – their new home.
Welcome to Bridgit Hrubecky and Keith Lane in Historic Sage. Bridgit & Keith arrived in Troyin April 2020 as the pandemic was raging. They are looking forward to finally meeting their neighbors. Both are from the Capital District. Bridgit attended RIT, then returned here to work at Regeneron in Quality Control, Keith attended RPI and works in the lab at the Neural Stem Cell Institute (across the street from Bridgit!). They love drinking wines, traveling and trying new foods/recipes. They have a spoiled cat named Skeeter who loves the big windows and afternoon sun.
Welcome to Maria Thompson on River Street. Maria is a native of the Berkshires in Massachusetts and lived in NYC for many years. She relocated to Troy in early 2020 and is employed as an Interior Designer at Mosaic Associates on 3rd Street. Maria is a resident of the newly converted factory lofts on River Street.
Parchment Baking Company
The Times Union recently reported on baking as a side effect of the pandemic. Washington Place’s Isabel Burlingham is reaching down to her Scandinavian roots by way of baking. Influenced by the Swedish & Norweigan food of her grandmother, Isabel ventured into the kitchen & a star was born. She operates the Parchment Baking Company full time, leaving her chemist job. She makes dainty, petite desserts such as kardemummabullar and kramsekaker (you will have to sample them to find out the main flavoring – just know they are delicious). Isabel sells at the Troy Farmers Market, Schenectady Greenmarket, Delmar Tuesday Farmers Market, Honest Weight Food Co-op, Electric City Food Co-op and online.
Masks Belong on Faces
While we have picked up some colorful & creative masks from the streets and sidewalks, we prefer that they be disposed of properly.
COVID19 Protocols
News of the virus continues to be less than positive. New strains. Overwhelming demand for vaccinations. Please protect yourselves and others by following the mask & social distancing guidelines. We will continue to offer shopping assistance.
Scoop Your Poop!
Stolen Packages
Be alert for package deliveries. Packages are disappearing from stoops. Report all stolen packages to Troy Police. The Troy Mart at Hill & Adams will accept delivery of packages & hold them for pick up. Please contact the Troy Mart staff for information.
Website Update
Please check out the website – www.wpn-troy.org – to be sure your postings are up to date.
Apartments, Etc.
Park - 195 2nd St, 1st floor, 1BR, LR, DR, kitchen, bath w/W/D. Good closet space. Hardwood floors. Owner occupied quiet bldg. Private entrance. No smoking/ no pets. Perfect for 1. $1500 inc. heat. Call Lynn 518-322-1872.
Goods, Services, Help
Patronize Local Businesses
Take out is available at most downtown restaurants. Other boutique businesses are open. Check the Troy BID website for details. While some businesses have closed, others have opened. Lots of choices for coffee! Plenty of books to read (maybe those easy beach reads at the actual beach this summer) at Market Block Books at River & 3rd. Check out the Trojan Horse for antiques, contemporary & modern furnishings & collectibles (1 Fulton St, corner of 3rd, former Frear Dept Store).
Troy Night Out
The last Friday of the month. Check the Troy Night Out website for details.
Troy Waterfront Farmers Market
The Troy Waterfront Farmers Market moves outside into Riverfront Park this Saturday, April 3. 9 AM - 2 PM.
Compost drop off at the Market or the Atrium on 4th Street, Saturdays 10 AM - 2 PM.
SAVE THE DATE
Concerts? Art events? Sporting events?
Time will tell. Check the various arts & cultural websites for events. COVID19 restrictions are loosening and events are happening.
Coming Soon
An End to the Pandemic? Movie Theaters Open??Follow CDC guidelines to reduce the transmission of COVID19. Wear masks. Social distance. Wash hands. It’s a community effort and we are a pretty terrific community. We are looking forward to seeing our friends and neighbors out and about again. All the News & Then Some
Get your news to Lynn @ lkopka13@gmail.com or 518-322-1872. You too can be a media darling. Remember that the website is effective only if all listings are up to date. Please let us know of changes.