The statement, "Thats the way it has always been" can mean one of two things: a respect for

tradition or a surrender to it. What is the best response? Do we honor tradition and resist change, or challenge the status quo? We think it comes down to finding the right balance between the two. It is important to try new things and imagine new possibilities, but it is equally important to maintain links with our past. Carrying on traditions and providing something for people to rely on is so more important in our lives these days when so much is fleeting. Activities that are observed year in and year out create a sense of stability and provide continuity between generations and an important connection with the past. Tradition meets Fun...

One great way to celebrate a true UC tradition (and have a blast while youre doing it!) is to take part in the Annual Duck Dinner which, this year, will be held on Thursday, November 10th. This annual dinner was first held in 1908 at Kapps in Rensselaer. According to Club history, the members who attended that first event gathered at a tobacco store (then located where the Post Office now stands downtown) and, in a body, crossed the river-some say on foot via the Maiden Lane* Bridge- while others say in a char- Some things have changed since the early days, but the spirit of those first duck revtered trolley by way of the lower bridge. elers lives on. Theres still duck on the Once established as an annual affair, such menu and everything to whet the appetite dinners were moved to the clubhouse. and whet the thirst, but these days you Before 1935 wild duck was provided by might also see some crazy duck or turkey University Club member, Dr. Morton hats and hear the thud of frozen turkeys Van Loan; but, since then, either because hitting the floor and maybe even a duck of a scarcity of the wild variety or fearful call or two. Dont miss it! Drinks (signthat the Entertainment Committee would basis) & hors doeuvres (complimentary) shoot one another, tame duck has been begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner & the infamous Turkey Raffle at 7. $24.95 on the menu. per person. Get there early to get your raffle tickets. The number of frozen turkeys University Club Duck Dinners are truly the stuff of legend. A November 20. 1910 you take home is your badge of honor. article in the Albany Evening Journal *See page 3 for more about the Maiden Lane gives us a glimpse: There was some- Bridge.

thing doing last night across the river, for a merry crew from the University Club had gathered at Kapps hostelry at Dr. Van Loans request to aid in the destruction of su nd ry d u cks which he had bought, shot or stolen for the ocEarly photo from club casion. There archives of Van Loan were 79 high hunting party and brows in all, from some unlucky ducks. big Shorty Bennett to wee Jerry Finch, and everyone present had a wonderful, all consuming appetite. G.W. Van Slyke had invited the guests to meet at his Broadway nicotine depot and it was from there that the hordes made their descent by chartered trolley and trusty Shanks mare on the feast. It is needless to say that there was everything to whet the appetite and whet the thirst...there were no fatalities and only two reported half shot. Pool, bridge and a rousing chorus at the University Club ended the evening.

2011-2012 Board of Directors Officers

President Warren Abriel Vice President Colleen Ryan Secretary Amy Kramer Treasurer Matt Badalucco Past President Tom Pandick

Directors
Calvin Berger Joe Brady Kevin Clancy Jeff Hill David Hochfelder Amy Kramer Nate Maloney Frank Nemeth Bill Ross Timothy Varney

In this issue...
A Taste of Italy Welcome New Member Say Thank You Sonny & Perley Torch Club Dinner Speaker Yoga Classes Lunch Speaker- Rex Smith A Bridge Story Off the Record 2 3 3 2 2 3 2 3 3

Do you enjoy talking...and listening? Do you love to learn? Then come to the next Torch Club meeting. You'll hear an interesting speaker on a timely topic followed by discussion over dinner with people from various professions and backgrounds. Torch meets the first Monday of each month from October to June beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the University Club. Dinner is $30 per person (your first dinner is refunded if you become a member). Reservations are required and made through Torch Club secretary Pat Fishbough: pfishdancer@verizon.net.

The duo of Sonny Daye and Perley Rousseau achieves a rare musical symbiosis. The husband and wife team have spent years developing and perfecting their unique blend of Jazz, Bossa Nova, American Songbook Standards and International Cabaret, which has become their musical signature. Tom Pierce of The Jazz Observer notes that Perleys beautifully rich voice, with the emotional power, swing and improvisational feel of a true jazz singer, enunciates English lyrics with bell like clarity and Portuguese lyrics with an authenticity Brazilians hearing their CDs mistake her for a native. She does all this with a captivating effervescence and saucy stage presence... accented by an intriguing assortment of exotic instruments. Of Sonny he says, his facile, slightly percussive keyboard work and appealing arrangements are key components of their crowd pleasing presentation. Stop by for their return engagement in the Grille Room where they will perform the timeless standards from Berlin, Gershwin and Porter and irresistible Bossa Nova melodies and make plans to join us for dinner as well. Ala carte dining will be available in the Main Dining Room from 5:30-8:30 p.m. and in the Grille Room from 5-9 pm. For reservations call 463-1151.

Upcoming Meetings/Talks:
11/07 Advantages of Single Payer Health Care Richard Propp, MD, Chair, Capital District Alliance for Universal Health Care. 12/05 Kissinger's China or Mine? Meng Lin Liu, President, 20th Century Designs. 01/09 The Impact of an Aging Society: Globally, Nationally and in NY Robert Scardamalia, President, RLS Demographics, Inc. 02/06 Picking Your Battles: Governor Cuomo's Approach to the Budget Robert Ward, Deputy Director, Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government 03/05 The Future of Public Employee Unions Kenneth Brynian, President, Public Employees Federation of NY 04/02 The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: A Balanced View Ethan Bloch, Ph.D., Professor of Mathematics, Bard College 05/07 Why Do Services in New York Cost So Much? E.J. McMahon, Senior Fellow, Empire Center for NYS Policy at the Manhattan Institute 06/04 How Has Television Changed in the 21st Century? Robert Altman, President and CEO, WMHT

Rex Smith has been Editor and Vice President the Times Union since 2002. He had been Managing Editor/News of the paper for seven years before that, and had come to the Times Union after serving four years as Editor of The Troy Record. Mr. Smith came to the Capital Region as state capitol bureau chief and national correspondent for Newsday, where he spent 11 years on various reporting beats. Earlier in his career, Rex was a congressional aide in Washington and editor of the daily newspaper Indiana. He is a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the national Society of Professional Journalists, the World Hunger Media Award, the New York League of Women Voters Citizen of the Year Award and numerous others. The luncheon (hot & cold buffet), which is served from noon until 1 pm is open to the public and the cost is $15, which may be paid at the door. The program begins at 12:30. For reservations call Albany-Colonie Chamber of Commerce at 431-1400 or e-mail albanyroundtable@yahoo.com.

Rex Smith, Editor and VP of the Times Union, will speak on Wednesday, November 9th. As he does on The Media Project, which airs weekly on WAMC, Smith will offer an inside look at media coverage of current events.

Join us on Friday, November 18th for an evening of fine Italian cuisine and wines. Chef Kevin Pagano is planning a smorgasbord of flavors for the evening. Everything will be homemade and delicious. Dinner will be buffetstyle and will feature (among other things) Baked Lasagna, Shrimp Scampi, Chicken Parmesan, Pasta & Clam Sauce, and of course, Italian cookies and pastries. We will also be featuring some delicious Italian wines available for tasting and purchase throughout the evening. $23.95 per person. Reservations are necessary. Call the Front Desk at 4631151.

Continued from Page One...

Maiden Lane Bridge with Rensselaer in background, Albany Yacht Club in foreground

The Maiden Lane Bridge we mentioned as having been crossed by the first Duck Dinner attendees was a railroad bridge across the Hudson River between Albany and Rensselaer. It was designed by Kellogg, Clark & Co., and was one of the largest bridges they designed. The bridge was owned and built by the Hudson River Bridge Company, which was owned jointly by the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad Company. It was often referred to as the "South Bridge", while the Livingston Avenue Bridge was referred to as the "North Bridge". The Livingston Ave. Bridge was used for freight (and throughtraffic passenger trains) while passenger trains used the Maiden Lane Bridge for access to Union Station. Construction began in May 1870, and the first train crossed on December 28, 1871. The bridge consisted of four 185.5-foot long fixed spans, one 274foot draw span, seven 73-foot spans over the Albany Basin, one 110-foot span over Quay Street, and one 63foot span over Maiden Lane. All the spans except the one over Maiden Lane were double tracked. A reconstruction of the bridge, except for the draw span, was done in 1899 by Pencoyd Bridge Company and finished by January 3, 1900. The bridge lasted until the 1960s, when the AlbanyRensselaer Amtrak Station was built in the city of Rensselaer and 787 was built along the west side in Albany, thereby eliminating the need of the bridge.

Join us for the swingin sounds of the 60s with Joanna Paladino, Lou Sansivero and Bob Resnick of Off the Record. The Main Dining Room will be open that evening and will serve dinner from 5:30-8:30 p.m. The Grille room will serve from 5:00-9:00 pm. The performance is free as part of the University Club Foundations support of 1st Friday. Reservations please! Call the front desk at 463-1151.
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YOGA with Ellen Ongoing classes Every Tuesday 10:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. Yoga is good for what ails you. Research shows that it can help manage anxiety, arthritis, asthma, back pain, blood pressure, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic fatigue, depression, headaches, stress and many other conditions. Still not convinced? Sign up for a FREE TRIAL CLASS!
(Pre-registration is necessary)

Besides the great food, lovely events, and friendly atmosphere, one of the nicest things about being a member of the University Club is knowing how well I and my guests will be taken care of whenever I visit the clubhouse. We are fortunate to have a wonderful group of people working for us, making our home away from home a welcoming refuge. They always greet us with a smile, take time to get to know us and our friends and family, and consistently go out of their way, doing whatever needs to be done, to make our club experience a positive one. In fact, they do their jobs so well I sometimes think people dont realize how hard they work! I hope you will join me in letting our employees know just how much we appreciate everything they do for us by giving generously to the Annual Employee Holiday Fund. You will find a pledge card enclosed with this months billing statement. Colleen Ryan Vice President, Board of Directors Chair, House Committee
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Ellens classes focus on basic postures, proper breathing & relaxation. All levels and abilities welcome. No yoga experience needed. Anyone can do it! UC member payment options: $12 per class drop-in fee Pre-paid 5 class card $50 Pre-paid 10 class card $90 Non-member guest payment options: $15 per class drop-in fee Pre-paid 5 class card $60 Pre-paid 10 class card $100 For more information or to sign up c onta ct Ell e n at 463-1151or Ellen@UniversityClubAlbany.com.

The Membership Committee is proud to announce the election of the following new University Club member: Mary Beth Finnerty Ms. Finnerty joined the Club in late September through our special Corporate Membership with Siena College. She is the Director of Alumni Relations at Siena and is a 1985 graduate of the college as well. She was introduced to membership by Nate Maloney and co-sponsored by Tim Varney. Welcome to the U Club family!

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY NOV 1 Grille Room

Lunch & dinner Yoga 10:30 & 5:30 Mixed League 7 pm

WEDNESDAY 2 Lunch in Grille and Dining Room 9

REX SMITH ROUNDTABLE LUNCH SPEAKER Noon

THURSDAY 3 Lunch in Grille and Dining Room 10 DUCK DINNER 5:30 PM 17 Lunch in Grille and Dining Room

FRIDAY 4 Lunch & Dinner Grille & Dining Rm

Sonny & Perley Grille Room 8-10

SATURDAY 5 Private Party Club Closed 12 Club Closed

6 Club Closed

7 Grille Room Lunch & dinner

Bowling 7 p.m. TORCH CLUB

22

8
Grille Room Lunch & dinner

11 CLUB CLOSED VETERANS DAY

Yoga 10:30 & 5:30

13 Club Closed

14 Grille Room Lunch & dinner

Bowling 7 p.m.

15 Grille Room Lunch & dinner

Yoga 10:30 & 5:30 Mixed League 7 pm

16 Lunch in Grille and Dining Room

18 Lunch & Dinner Grille & Dining Rm

TASTE OF ITALY BUFFET & WINE TASTING 6 PM

19 Club Closed

20 Club Closed

21 Grille Room Lunch & dinner

22
Grille Room Lunch & dinner Yoga 10:30 & 5:30

23 Lunch in Grille and Dining Room 30 Lunch in Grille and Dining Room

24 CLUB CLOSED HAPPY THANKSGIVING! DECEMBER 1 Lunch in Grille and Dining Room

25 Lunch & Dinner Grille & Dining Rm

26 Club Closed

Bowling 7 p.m.

27 Club Closed

28 Grille Room Lunch & dinner

Bowling 7 p.m.

29 Grille Room Lunch & dinner

2 Lunch & Dinner Grille & Dining Rm

Yoga 10:30 & 5:30 Mixed League 7 pm

OFF THE RECORD GRILLE 8-10 PM

3 Private Parties Club Closed

This space available. Call Ellen at 463-1151 for details.