Happy New Year!
Welcome to 2021!
It’s been a difficult 2020 but we more or less made it through. We have lost some of what makes our neighborhood so desirable – sense of community. Housebound and masked is not our preferred method on interaction. We missed new neighbors, new owners, new babies, new jobs, new partners, new businesses. Hopefully we are out and about again soon, making new connections.
Death of Long Time 2nd Street Homeowner
Long time 2nd Street homeowner Elizabeth Thompson dies peacefully in Sacramento, CA on Dec. 26, 2020 of heart failure after a long battle with lupus.
In the late 1980’s, as a young woman, Elizabeth came to the US from Liberia in the midst of a bloody revolution. She attended Sage College, but without resources, she dumpster dived & for a short time secretly lived in the library. On graduation, she was hired as a bookkeeper for a small company, had medical insurance & a promising life. Then the business closed. After losing health care, Elizabeth developed lupus & lost kidney function, requiring exhausting 3 day a week dialysis. For years she was hospitalized with some regularity; friends, on occasion, regarded her death as imminent. Her illness limited her life, though after more than 20 years of dialysis, she outlasted all expectations but her own. Her illness limited her life but not her spirit.
In the 1990’s she bought a vacant, deteriorating city owned property on 2nd Street, demolishing outbuildings & renovating with style. She was tiny, tough & proud. Elizabeth had grit & was an unapologetic force of nature who alone determined her environment.
Elizabeth came home from dialysis on Aug. 5, 2019 to find Troy police & fire department surrounding her house with clouds of smoke & flames billowing from her 2nd story windows. The result of an electrical fire, the house was unlivable & her life in Troy became even more difficult, Elizabeth sold her home & moved in with family in a variety of locations across the country.
Elizabeth passes having shared a tenacious will to live large.
Ekologic Relocated
Ekologic relocated to 184 4th Street, the heart of the Pottery District. The former St. Anne’s Church is now a design studio & production facility. Kathleen & Charlie Tesnakis saw the property as perfect for their recycled clothing business. While Ekologic does not have a traditional storefront, they are still open for business via virtual or in person appointments. Visit the store at www.ekologic.com. Their recycled cashmere is perfect for your pandemic party wear.
Demolition of St. Jean’s Church
St. Jean’s Church, one block south of the Park on 2nd Street, has been demolished after years of wishful thinking (probably some prayers also) for a positive transformation.
Materials such as the slate roof were salvaged for reuse.
2020 Caroling
Thanks to the 30 hearty carolers who braved the very cold December weather to continue our annual tradition. We missed the piano, the fabulous foods & beverages & the usual large turnout. However, we did raise our voices in song.
Troy Farmers Market –
The Troy Market in its new temporary indoor location –865 Second Avenue, Lansingburgh (the former Price Chopper). Saturday from 9 to 2!
St. Mary’s Lighting
St. Mary’s Church came alive on Christmas Eve & Day with illumination & bells. Thanks to the Park’s Gabe Schaftlein for the idea & owner Peter Jenkins for embracing it. The large round front stained glass window was lit & the bell was rung at 6pm & noon. Technical issues are still being worked out so the window can be lit each evening.
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.
Coronavirus: Our Neighborhoods Respond Information on COVID19, prevention tips, & govern-ment recommendations can be found at various websites including federal, state & local officials’ sites, local newspapers such as the… O Night Divine Caroling around the piano was a joyous event. Thanks to Arlene Nock for hosting; Laura Teeter, Michael Zwack, & Elizabeth Kasius for playing. Historic Sage’s Peter Grimm… VOTE ON NOV 5 Find your polling place & cast your vote for Troy Mayor and City Council members. For info, call the Board of Elections at 518-270-2990. Keeping the… Park Picnic Wed, Aug 21 @ 5:30 Use the 2nd St Park gate. Park will supply paper goods & some beer, wine & soda. Bring food! Drinks! Your energy! We… ALLEY RALLY Neighborhood “Garage” Sale In the alleys between 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Streets from Ferry St. southward (Riverside, Washington Park, Little Italy, Osgood Neighborhoods) Unload unwanted stuff cluttering… Friends of Prospect Park Annual Hidden Garden Tour Thursday, May 23, 4-7:30 pm Register at Sage Parking Lot @ 1st & Division. $10. Death of Long Time Park Resident Rosemary… Egg Hunt Saturday, April 20 @ 10 am We welcome our neighborhood kids (and parents) for the annual egg hunt in Washington Park. Earth Day – Mon, April 22 Troy… Death of Nina Pattison Downtown’s Nina Pattison died in her sleep on March 1 while visiting friends in Florida. Nina was born in Troy, moved to Ossining & Boston, &… Death of Tom Kello Third Street’s Tom Kello died of heart disease on Jan. 22. Tom was a man for all seasons – an IT professional, homebrewer long before it… O Night Divine Caroling around the piano was a joyous event. Thanks to Arlene Nock & daughter Alex for hosting; Laura Teeter, Michael Zwack, Elizabeth Kasius & Nina Pattison for…April 2020 News Letter
January 2020 News Letter
November 2019 Newsletter
August 2019 Newsletter
July 2019 Newsletter
May 2019 Newsletter
April 2019 Newsletter
March 2019
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January Newsletter
Coming Soon
An End to the Pandemic?
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: Easter Egg Hunt, Summer Picnics, Omelets in the Park, Christmas Caroling
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.