We're finally getting our "January Thaw."  It may be a little late and is forecast to be brief, but we appreciate having temperatures closer to freezing rather than zero - and even though it's overcast, we aren't having snow flurries!  Even without bright sunshine, people are out and about a bit more, enjoying the warmer temps (and probably laying in supplies to be ready for the next onslaught.)
      Don Walker has been part of our Ice Out Contest since the beginning, and he's still coordinating ticket sales in the Montpelier area.  I talked to him yesterday and found out Sunday was his 88th birthday - so just in case some of you Joe's Pond folks want to wish him happy birthday, you can still do so - his address is:  Don Walker, 245 Towne Hill Rd., Montpelier VT 05602, or surprise him with a phone call - 802-223-2484.  Don said the weather kept them at home Sunday, but daughter Shelly brought in a nice birthday dinner for him and Audrey; however, they went for breakfast as usual at the Wayside on Monday morning, in spite of the weather.  
     Don sounds good - we haven't seen him and Audrey since late fall; he said he's got tickets out in the usual places and people are beginning to talk about getting their tickets.  We agreed the ice won't be going out any time soon.  With all this cold weather and the snow to insulate the ice from sun, if we ever get any, may mean there will be a longer than usual wait for the ice to go.  On the other hand, the weather could switch quickly into spring mode . . . well, heck, who knows?  It really doesn't matter if you are living here or are far away - it's anybody's guess when the clock will stop.  That's what makes the contest so much fun.