Category: Our Neighbors

The Huletts firehouse was decorated beautifully for the annual holiday party.

Santa and the Christmas Spirit, once again, were present at the Huletts Landing firehouse this past Saturday evening as it was magically transformed into a marvelously decorated “Currier & Ives” holiday setting.

The 2017 Christmas party set a new all-time record for attendance and the friends and neighbors present were treated to a delightful evening of food, beverages, delicious desserts and entertaining music. The main entree offerings, which were catered by the Fair Haven Inn, were outstanding and plentiful.

Chief Jay Vander Plaat and his merry bunch of “North Pole” working elves were richly applauded for all their efforts in planning this splendid evening of activity that was enjoyed by all.

Many thanks to all of the supporting sponsors for their donations of attractive prizes, gift certificates and services that comprised the contents of some thirty “Baskets of Cheer” that were raffled off during the course of the evening. As a result, the funds raised through that effort fully covered the expenses of the event, with no additional cost to the Fire Company.

Chief Vander Plaat expressed the Company’s appreciation for the generous support that has always been received from the Huletts Landing community and extended best wishes to all for a very happy and healthy holiday season.

Here are several photos that capture the many happy scenes of “Christmas good cheer and Camaraderie” on display during this evening of friendship and entertainment.

Many thanks to Dave Richards for emailing in the photos.

The scene of the truck rollover accident the morning of September 15th.

On September 15, 2017, the Huletts Landing Volunteer Fire Department responded to gravel truck rollover accident at the bottom of the Huletts hill on County Rt. 6 in Huletts Landing. The alarm sounded at approximately 8:40 a.m. in the morning. A significantly sized gravel truck, making a local delivery, rolled over at the bottom of the Huletts hill at the intersection of County Rt 6 and 6B. Thankfully there were no serious injuries, although the driver of the truck required medical assistance, initially provided by our HLVFC first responders.

The first responders stabilized the driver until the Skenesborough EMS team arrived at the scene. The victim was subsequently transported to the hospital for further medical evaluation. Both the Dresden Fire Company and units of the New York State Police were also at the scene. The front porch of the home adjacent to the scene of the accident sustained some damage from the wave of gravel spilling from the truck. Luckily at the time of the accident there were no vehicle or pedestrian activity at that crossroads, otherwise this incident could have had much greater tragic results. Here are some photos taken at the scene.

Many thanks to our Fire Company members for their quick response and for remaining on duty, well over four hours, for the major cleanup they performed in restoring the roadway back to safe passage.

On Friday morning September 15th, a truck carrying crushed stone overturned at the base of the mountain. The driver apparently lost brakes and could not stop at bottom of the mountain. He was taken to the hospital by ambulance with a head injury. The road opened later in the day. Luckily no one else was hurt.

The Washington County Beach Pavilion was decorated as an Hawaiian beach to celebrate our volunteer firemen’s dedication this past year.

On Saturday evening, August 12, 2017, the pavilion at the Washington County Park was transformed into a colorful Hawaiian setting that would indeed be the envy of any Hollywood movie back-lot production company. This event marked the 3rd Annual Huletts Volunteer Firemen’s Appreciation Dinner honoring the men and women of our community for their dedicated volunteer services.

It should be noted that each year the State of New York returns to our fire company 2 percent of what is paid in fire insurance premiums in our district. Furthermore, State law dictates that; (1) This money must be spent for the good and welfare of the firemen; (2) Maintained in a separate account; and (3) Regularly certified by audit. In compliance with those mandates, as was done in our two prior annual dinners, the fire company used $1,300 of those funds for this year’s event.

Fire Chief, Jay VanderPlaat, expressed his gratitude to all the members of the Company for their outstanding record of accomplishments in responding to the many emergencies that the HLVFC was called into the past year. He also gave high praise to the men and women responsible for the planning and creation of the many props and decorations that so appropriately supported the evening’s Hawaiian theme. Jay also was also appreciative for the great turnout of family and friends of the firefighters who were able to join in the celebration.

All in all, it was a fun filled evening with guests participating in: “Limbo Contests” … “Passing the Grapefruit” … “Hawaiian Hula Dancing” and “Best Costume” awards. Here are a few of the highlight photos capturing the various activities and moods of this very happy occasion.

Many thanks to all those who made this evening such a great success.

The Skip Linhart Memorial Golf Tournament was this past Saturday. Here are the results:

Winning Team
John Stanton
Matt Despres
Charlie Hollander

Longest drive
Women – Lisa Boland
Men – John Stanton

Closet to the pin
Women – Ginny Lyons
Men – Don Gellentien

To all the winners and event participants: Congratulations!

Theresa Kapusinski

I’m sorry to have to say that my step-mother, Theresa Kapusinski, passed away this past weekend from a short battle with pancreatic cancer. Theresa was last in Huletts in 2010 when my father died. She was a shy, quiet person who never sought any attention. In one of my last conversations with her – she told me she was praying for “everyone in the community.” I list her obituary at the bottom of this post.

“May God support us all the day long, till the shades lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in His mercy may He give us a safe lodging, and a holy rest and peace at the last.”

THERESA (TAFURI) KAPUSINSKI, 77, of Salisbury, MD, and formerly of Cedar Grove, NJ, and Huletts Landing, NY, died Saturday, August 12, 2017 in Salisbury, Maryland after a brief illness.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, she was the daughter of Nicholas and Ida Tafuri. Her father, Nicholas Tafuri, was a renowned artist and animator of the popular cartoon character, Popeye the Sailor for King Features studios. Mrs. Kapusinski held a Master’s Degree in Theology from Mundelein College in Chicago.

She served as a Franciscan sister for 20+ years, helping the communities of Midland / Big Spring of West Texas. She had a love of simplicity and felt called to help the poor and those most in need. She was a teacher and worked with abused women. After leaving her religious order to “grow and serve others,” Theresa worked as a religion teacher at Saint Aloysius Academy in Bayonne, NJ and later at Lacordaire Academy in Montclair NJ. She finished her career as a Professor of World Religions at Caldwell University in Caldwell, NJ.

She married Dr. Albert T. Kapusinski in 1987 and was devoted to him and her local community. After they retired and moved to Salisbury, Maryland, Theresa was active in many church and civic groups.

Theresa was a caring, sensitive person who readily shared her faith with others. She was always willing to listen and help those in need.

Theresa is preceded in death by her late husband, Dr. Albert T. Kapusinski. She is survived by three stepsons, Albert J. (Elyse) Kapusinski, George (Lynn) Kapusinski, and Frank (Doreen) Kapusinski and two step-grandchildren: Margot and Gwendolyn. She is also survived by her brother, Anthony (Loretta) Tafuri and niece, Lenora.

A local memorial service will be held at a later date.

Kerry A. McNelis Memorial Run Award Winners. (Click image to see larger version.)

The Huletts Landing Day to Remember was this past Saturday. Here are the results from the Kerry A. McNelis Memorial Run and golf competition.

15 and Under Women
1. Lauren Keough
2. Rachel Godfield
3. Kylie Shultz

15 and Under Men
1. John McNelis Jr.
2. Patrick McNelis
3. Jake Shultz

16-29 Women
1. Amanda McNelis
2. Erin Godfried
3. Allie Curly

16-29 Men
1. Patrick Keenan
2. John Keenan
3. Matt Ellesio

30-49 Women
1. Kathleen Godfried
2. Kerri Malmgren
3. Krista Derencin

30-49 Men
1. Tom Crawford
2. Colin Kane
3. Bucky Smith

50+ Women
1. Nancy Hurley
2. Christine McNelis
3. Cindy Rogers

50+ Men
1. John Schultz
2. John McNelis
3. Patrick Keenan

Women: Youngest
Mia Godfried (6.5 years old)

Men: Youngest
Widier Smith (5 years old)

Senior Association
Lynn King

Golf Results
Winning Score = 25
Patrick McNelis
Patrick McNelis
Nick Sheuchenko
Nicholas Sheuchenko

To all the winners and event participants: Congratulations!

Pat and Irene McNelis celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with family and friends in Huletts Landing.

Many congratulations were given to Pat and Irene McNelis as they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with family and friends in the Huletts Casino on Friday evening. A large crowd turned out to honor this remarkable couple. Everyone enjoyed the evening of fun which included toasts and remarks by family members. Mr. McNelis concluded with a heartfelt talk which included a remembrance of the first time the couple came to Huletts Landing in 1958.

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. McNelis and their family. You are loved by many!