Already it's Memorial Day Weekend. Summer has officially begun. We anticipate the summer season with enthusiasm and high expectations, knowing we need to get lots of outdoor activities done in the next three months of nice weather. Although fall can be beautiful and sometimes lasts through all of September and October, kids need to be back in school so families aren't able to spend as much time together. Not only that, but here in the north country we are busy laying in our fuel supply (ours is wood) and harvesting vegetables and fruit if we have gardens. With fuel prices up and the resulting higher food prices, I expect people who have the know-how and the space will be planting gardens like never before this year. Some things should already be planted, but we could still get a frost, so one needs to be careful.

Here at our house we are looking forward to mowing the lawn for the first time. I should point out the the "we" is actually me; Fred actually does it and I don't think he's looking forward to it. We don't mow as often or as short as some folks. There's a lot of lawn to take care of here, and some of it is pretty wet, even in the middle of summer. I'm for letting it go back to hayfield and then mow it once in late summer. Or we could get some goats . . . or cows . . .

We went to eat at "Sweet Basil" in Lyndonville last night with Bill and Diane Rossi. It's very nice and we had wonderful food. Take a look, if you're interested: Sweet Basil Cafe and Catering. The food came to the table looking just as nice as the pictures - and we enjoyed everything. We left pleasantly full, but we didn't get by the ice cream stand at the old railroad station - both Fred and Bill are ice cream junkies. Diane and I couldn't pass it up either, but next time I think we'll remember to get mini cones. We ordered small cones, and there must have had a pint of ice cream in each of them. I can't imagine what a large would be like. Way too much cholesterol there!

Have a wonderful, thoughtful Memorial Day celebration. We owe a great deal to those who have served and who are still serving to keep our country safe. You might want to visit this web site - you may be surprised at what you can do to show support for our service men and women. www.anysoldier.com

We set another record here in the north country yesterday. Not only did it snow here at Joe's Pond - no big surprise there, we expect snow in May - but on Mt. Mansfield they got 3 1/2 inches of snow at the stake, and that's a record of some sort, for the day or latest in the year. I searched the weather in several places but didn't find any reference to that report. I did hear it yesterday on the noontime news, though and also that while the road through Hazen's Notch had opened for the season a few days ago, it was closed again yesterday - you guessed it! Because of snow! Today has been cooler but no snow, and we're being promised a nice weekend. But we have to earn it by enduring rainy cool weather off and on this week until about Friday, and then we'll be warming up maybe even into the 70's.

Perhaps you've heard that there has been damage to homes by bears again this spring. People need to be aware this is a tough time for bears; they awake hungry (as a bear) often with young to feed, and there's really not much food out there in the wild yet. They learn quickly where the easy meals can be found - bird feeders, garbage left outside - and their sense of smell will lead them for miles to find it. They are inquisitive and have battered doors and broken into homes in search of food. So be careful, keep your home free of garbage, and give the big brutes lots of space if you come across them.

According to the Caledonian Record, the state is asking the Town of Danville to make more cuts to the proposed Route 2 Project that involves the Green. With the cost of energy and materials going up rapidly, it doesn't look good for getting that project started any time soon. There have been cuts - fewer trees and fewer lights which will result in scaled-down landscaping and construction/engineering costs, and some "roadway modifications" are being considered, but apparently more are needed.

We're being told that St. Johnsbury seems to have turned the corner after several decades of struggling to keep businesses in town. The organization, "St. Johnsbury on the Move" is being credited with revitalizing the business district and St. Johnsbury is beginning to enjoy popularity again as a tourist and upscale shopping destination. There are some very interesting shops along Railroad Street, and Main Street continues to be a showcase of Victorian homes and with the Athenaeum Art Gallery and the Fairbanks Museum open to visitors, there's no shortage of interesting things to see and do. Eastern Avenue is looking perkier, too, and some great restaurants scattered about town. We have links to more places of interest in the area listed on the web site - go to "Links" on the home page, www.joespondvermont.com.

I thought I was through with snow pictures, but here we are in the middle of a mini-snowstorm - big sloppy flakes and sometimes swirling little guys, depending on how much wind is behind them, I guess. I took some pictures - of course! That's not just fog over the pond, that's SNOW. All those little dots on the pictures below - SNOW. The thermometer outside my window is right on 32 degrees and it's a little past six o'clock, so I've been out and rescued some potted flowers I had sitting on the deck - I knew it was too early, but with the nice weather I took a chance. It's never safe to put tender plants out until after June 12 here at Joe's Pond. The cherry tree just off the edge of our deck seems to love the cool weather, but I'm not sure how the apple trees will do. The buds are formed and some of the blossoms are out, so I guess there could be some damage to the apple crop if the temperature goes too far down tonight.


Just when we thought we had seen the last of the cold.

Not so unusual, though - there have been a few Memorial Day weekends in the past that have been anything but warm. We'll hope things warm up before then.

Need a Friend?

Meet Wilson !

Wilson is currently being fostered in Vermont!!!!.

Wilson was turned in by his family and we think his age is anywhere around 18 months to 2 years old and weighs about 80 pounds. Wilson is a sweetheart and LOVES to be around people. He is fine with other dogs but really likes his people most!. He walks okay on a leash but insists on being right beside you as if he were a piece of Velcro. So even though he is a lab mix he sure has that golden Velcro personality trait. Wilson will need a fenced in yard as he has a tendency to escape. He needs to be a family member to that special family looking for a love bug in the disguise of a dog. Wilson is up to date on his vaccines, neutered, heartworm negative and looking for his new forever home. Wilson is housetrained. If you would like more information about him please contact Brigitte at 802-238-0535. Find an application by going on line to www.goldenhuggs.org

IMPORTANT NOTICE!

A reminder to all members that water skiing shalom courses need a permit from the State of Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR). There is a newly created course parallel to West Shore and Meadow Lane which has caused a few calls to me and others. The State Agency of Natural Resources has not issued a permit for this course and it should be removed.
Tom Dente, JPA President

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IT'S AGAINST THE LAW TO BURN TRASH IN VERMONT! Any burning of brush, leaves, or UNTREATED wood MAY be allowed, but requires a permit. Check with your town clerk or fire warden. Burning TREATED wood is against the law.

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Something new for you.

I thought you might like to listen to some music instead of seeing more slide shows, so turn on your speakers because I'm going to connect you directly to MySpace.com where you'll find JPA members, Bob, Theresa, and Jamie Dimick playing their music. This is their hobby - well, actually it's their winter hobby. All winter they write music and work on arrangements in Bob's studio at his home in St. Johnsbury. In the summer they prefer to be at Joe's Pond, not so much in the studio.

They used to be Jamatone and you'll still find a link to their old web site on www.joespondvermont.com, but recently they decided to change the band's name to Ricksha Radio. When I asked why the change, I think it was Jamie that told me nobody got the jam-at-one thing they'd picked because practice was always on Saturdays at one o'clock. So why, I asked, Ricksha Radio? Because it sounds cool, was the answer.

Anyway, Fred and I really like their sound - we've heard them live, on tape, in practice, noodling at camp, etc., and for many years we were first in line when Bob was on the road with the TANK band, then later for his one-man show, BB and the Phantom Band. Jamie used to do lights for various bands, but now plays a mean guitar; Theresa, Bob's wife, has wanted to play drums since she was a toddler, and now she's a force to be reckoned with - for a little gal she sure packs a great beat. Bob is on keyboards and does most of the vocals although Jamie and Theresa are strong backup singers. Like any proud mother, I love to talk about my kids, and I hope you like them. If not, it's ok. The good news is you can turn down your speakers - or leave the site. I'll never know! Here they are: Ricksha Radio

Just heard from Homer Fitts this afternoon and the dock that he has at his place by the fishing access has not been claimed yet. He thought it might be Keenan's, but it isn't. Someone is missing at least some of their dock, so if you hear from anyone that they're looking for it, let them know it might be at Homer's and also I want to remind folks there were some docks caught in the marsh at the north end of the pond near Billy Hamilton's and Nancy Hamilton's cottages. We hope everyone gets together with their missing property. In the meantime, keep a sharp eye if you're out on the water as there may be submerged docks or parts of docks still floating around and you could severely damage your boat if you hit it.

Saturday is recycling day. Fred is packing up to go to the Hardwick recycling center. It's a beautiful sunny day - good for working outside or just enjoying the budding trees, flowers, birds and the sparkling blue water of the pond.

Yesterday was mostly cloudy and a bit chilly. Not having much else to do, Fred and Billy Rossi decided on to go see how the new cottage is progressing that Jamie and Joanne Stewart are building on North Shore Road. But before they got to their destination, they made an ice-cream stop at Hasting's Store. I'm not sure just how the sheriff fits into the pictures, and I won't ask too many questions. At Stewart's they met up with Ray Rouleau, the Rossi's next-door neighbor on W. Shore Rd. From across the pond, Ray had seen the activity on the waterfront where Jane Milne is building a new boathouse, and came to look it over. Not much gets by these guys.

Here is a slide show of the pictures Fred took on their tour yesterday.

Slides

The weather is better today, so I expect yard work will resume and lawns will get mowed all around the pond.

We were saddened to learn of the death of Gladys E. Mason, Ken Mason's mother. Mrs. Mason was 94, and died on April 29 at the Woodridge Nursing Home in Berlin. Many of you may have known her and will want to send a note to Ken and Nancy at 147 W. Shore Rd., Cabot VT 05647.

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There is to be another meeting in Cabot on Monday evening regarding the possible installation of a cell tower on one of the silos at the Sousa farm on Cabot Plain. If a permit is granted, the area around Joe's Pond, Walden and Marshfield that now has no cell phone access should have coverage. We will let you know the outcome of that meeting.