Milfoil Committee and More

 This message came from Barry Cahoon this morning: 

The Joes Pond Association has formed an Eurasian Watermilfoil Committee for the purpose of supporting JPA efforts to contain and, if possible, eradicate the current invasive milfoil infestation. 
The EWM Committee held its first meeting via ZOOM on Tuesday 01/14.

To find out more about the committee organization, membership, efforts to achieve the EWM related goals of the JPA, and learn how JPA members and members the the wider Joes Pond Community can get involved to support the work of the committee, the meeting minutes are now viewable on the Milfoil page of the JPA website.

Here are the minutes of that meeting. Eurasian Watermilfoil Committee

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I had another computer "experience" a couple of days ago. While working on my desktop computer, I went to research something on line and suddenly my computer froze so I couldn't click out of the site I was on, an alarm began sounding and a message came up warning me to NOT turn off my computer as that would damage it, but to call a Microsoft number that was displayed prominently for help. I immediately turned off my computer. I've had this happen before. It startles the bejeebers out of you when this happens with all the noise and warnings, but I knew that calling that number would open a pathway for whatever scam this was, probably to get money for "fixing" the problem. I left the computer off for about an hour, and when I turned it on again, everything was normal. In case you want to know more about this pretty clever scam, click HERE.

Our weather has moderated somewhat today and we even had a glimmer of sunshine earlier this morning. Now my thermometer is registering 28F and I notice there are a few random snowflakes in the air, but they are kind of lazily floating downward with no wind at all. All of that is fine since we've had a fair amount of blowing snow and deep cold in the past several days - but only one night below zero here.

I'm saddened to report that Larry Gochey passed away this week. He was 77 years old. Larry grew up in Cabot and took public service to his town very seriously, serving on the Select Board and as Road Commissioner in past years. Even when not holding an office, Larry watched over his town and saw to it that things got done. I knew him through the Cabot Historical Society, which Larry always supported vigorously. We will miss him, and our thoughts are with his wife Cherry and the family. Condolences may be sent to Cherry at P. O. Box 2, Cabot, Vermont 05647.

Good News!

 The following was posted on tonight's Front Porch Forum - good news for Cabot folks, indeed!

Cabot Post Office

Betty Ritter • Town Clerk, Cabot

Announcement

I have some very good news for postal patrons. The Cabot Post Office will be resuming all retail operations on Saturday, January 18th, 2025 for retail and POB services.

Hours will be the same:
POB and Lobby Access:
Monday-Friday: 24 hours
Saturday: 24 hours
Sunday 24 hours

Window Retail Service:
Monday-Friday: 7:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. and 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Saturday: 8-11 a.m.
Sunday closed

 Our post office has been closed for many months after asbestos was found in some of the building. The natives in town were beginning to get pretty restless so it's really good news that it is finally open again. Our mail has been going through the Marshfield post office, and that was not a very good solution for either patrons or employees. I'm sure this will be a time of celebration for everyone involved. It seems those of us who receive our mail by rural delivery were less inconvenienced than  people in the village who had boxes at the post office they couldn't use.

For many years the post office in Cabot was at the back of Earle Rogers's store. Earle was postmaster then and later his son, Jack served. Much like Hastings Store in West Danville is today, it was very convenient for folks to get their mail and pick up whatever groceries they needed all in one stop. Our post office today is located next door to that same store, now owned by Bobby Searles. The present post office is
the small white building beyond the Cabot Village Store.

Raymond Peck was the rural delivery person when I was growing up. As far back as I can remember, he delivered our mail every day - sometimes with his horse and sleigh when the roads weren't plowed as regularly as they are today. We probably had more snow back then, but also the roads were not as wide and there were places where the wind just packed snow into the road so it was next to impossible to keep them open for wheeled vehicles. A horse with a small sleigh could usually easily navigate the drifts. It could be a cold ride, though. I remember Mr. Peck had a big fur robe that covered him and most of the mail, and he wore a heavy helmet type fur-lined cap with ear flaps. I don't know how long it took him to make the rounds, but I expect most of the day. Some places would be out of the wind and not so cold, but he must have dreaded going over Cabot Plain. I don't recall seeing him using a sleigh often, but when the roads were really bad -- the mail must go through! He delivered mail in Cabot for 50 years, retiring in 1968. He is shown here receiving a certificate of appreciation from then postmaster Warren Barnett.

It is getting really cold tonight - I've felt the difference in the house and around 3:30 lowered the insulating shades. It was about 13 degrees then with some wind; now it's down to 10 degrees but the wind seems to be subsiding. We saw a glimmer of sun once or twice, but not enough to warm things up. I measured 2.5 inches of new snow this morning and we've had a few flurries during the day, but not much accumulation.  Looking ahead into next week the forecast looks like more of the same - only colder. This is good - we can perhaps look forward to maybe a "January thaw" getting back into the 20s later this month and then improved temperatures in February!

Be warm and safe.

Catching Up and A Mystery!

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It's been a few days since I blogged, and it seems like I've been really busy; that said, I can't actually say I accomplished much. I avoided going out in the cold, windy weather we had last week, but of course there were a couple of appointments that had me out regardless, and at least one extra run to Cabot for milk and a Manghi's Bakery re-stock. I've also discovered that the doughnuts from Connie's Kitchen in Hardwick are pretty darn hard to resist, too. 

When I went into Cabot for a meeting on Monday, it was still blowing and cold, (see picture left, the Plain at Dubray Rd.) but not quite as cold as it had been over the weekend. There are only three members of the original Cabot Oral History Committee left - Amanda Legare, our editor Caleb Pitkin, and me. We needed to tidy up some odds and ends regarding the book we published in 1999, Cabot, Vermont, A Collection of Memories From the Century Past. I know, that's a mouthful. But it sort of says it all. We hadn't met as a committee for literally years, but now all but one of the nearly 100 individuals interviewed for that book have passed. The other author, Barbara Carpenter, passed away a few years ago as well. We still have copies of that book available and it's interesting that there seems to be some renewed interest in it, mainly I think by people new to town
who want to know some of the history. 

Ten years ago, I put together all of the transcripts of those interviews in a hardcover volume in order to preserve all of that history. We had only a few printed as the book is nearly 800 pages and cost quite a bit to produce. Now, there is also some interest by some family members of people interviewed in reading the whole interviews with all the hiccups, bloopers, and secrets exposed. We were very careful about what we used from those interviews for the 1999 book as we didn't want to offend anyone orcause problems. Now, with everyone gone, it is what it is! We are reprinting the hardcover book with all the transcripts - word-for-word, no editing, and copies should be available in a few weeks. 

My kitty house guest, Thor, went home on schedule. I still find myself looking down at my feet before I move so I don't trip over him, and I really miss his warm purring body stretched out on my
lap every evening as I watch TV. He was good company, but also extra work. I noticed this morning when I raised the blinds in the guest room where he camped out, there is "kitty spit" on those windows just like the ones in the living room. I'll get to those later. This is a picture of my granddaughters Jo-Ann and Tangeni when they were in Jamiaca. Tangeni is only 13, but she is already a good bit taller than her older sister - and still growing, I expect! They came home to frigid weather, which they were not quite ready for. But it's back to school and work for everyone, and Thor is back home with Tangeni, getting lots of petting and belly-rubs, I expect. He has a hard life!

Now to the mystery: Yesterday I received a small package in the mail, but no indication of who sent it to me. It was correctly addressed to me, but the return address was Guangdong, China, with a phone number under my address that I Googled, and turns out this is some sort of scam. Lots of people have experienced the same sort of mysterious packages - some like mine with actual products, some containing only mysterious seeds. I'm not sure how it works, but I will be watching my accounts carefully to be sure nothing is charged that I haven't ordered. The information on-line is that the phone number (1-347-448-3190) is always the same, although the extension number varies, apparently. Scammers are in NY, Texas, California - all over, and the products come from China. I actually thought someone was sending me a gift when I opened it and found it was a small silver bracelet. Since I've opened the package, I'm not going to try to return it, at least not for the present, but I will mention it to the post office. If I receive any similar mailings in the future I will not accept them. Now I'm wondering what will happen next. This is apparently connected to Amazon.com in some way as they deal with sellers all over the country and lots of items come from China. This is apparently called a "bad buyer" scam by someone who has somehow hacked into Amazon's accounts for addresses.

Here is a link that explains the above scam practice and seems to make at least a bit more sense about what is going on.

Be safe, be warm, be healthy!

 

RWVL Update and Winter Memories

 We are enjoying a beautifully sunny day today. The outdoor temperature is currently 25F and there is a mean west wind that makes it feel much colder. Still, it is a big improvement over yesterday's weather which was blustery and cold all day. We got a fair amount of snow (I measured 8 inches this morning) and it was blowing all day with temperatures feeling like only a few degrees above zero. I was only outside long enough to measure and shovel about three inches off the deck. Today was different, but the snow was light and easy to handle.

Even though Joe's Pond is snow-covered and cold right now, work is still going on by the Responsible Wakes for Vermont Lakes (RWVL) folks to get laws changed to eliminate the use of wake boats on ten additional Vermont lakes, including Joe's Pond. Their newsletter in the above link sums up progress.

I hope everyone is settling into our New Year well. I usually write the wrong date a few times when we start a new year, and there are end-of-the-year things I have on my to-do list; but mostly it's a pretty unremarkable switch. This year it seemed the new year came defined by more typical wintery weather - 2024 ended as rather mild and gentle, but January has brought snow and cold as if to remind us we're in a new year and this is what winter is all about! We had lots of drifting yesterday, and most of the day there were white-outs as the snow whipped off of banks and trees. I could barely see the mailbox  and West Shore Road at times.

I was reminded of winters when I was growing up on the Cabot Plain. The wind up there is ferocious. There is nothing between there and Canada to slow it down. My Grandmother Bolton used to complain that my grandfather couldn't have found a colder, windier place to settle. She was right. The road leading past the farm (part of the original Bayley-Hazen military road) came down off a hill southeast of the farm, went between the barn (pictured above) and house and down the hill to "the flat" that was a long, clear sweep to the schoolhouse. The flat routinely filled with snow, solidly packed from on bank to the other. I remember a few times when even the big old plows couldn't break through and men with shovels had to blaze a trail so the plow could finally move big chunks of packed snow to make a narrow path so a team of horses could pass through with a sled load of milk cans to meet the milk truck at some point further on the road. Most of the time the plow made it to the corner by the schoolhouse, and farmers brought their milk there on sleds.

There were always big snowdrifts in front of our houses on the Plain. on the life, that's me on a snowbank in front of the farmhouse, and several years later with my mother and two cats I don't recall having, but there were several feline friends in my life when I was growing up. My mom was probably shoveling a path through that drift in front of our house - it got fairly well packed down during the winter and most of the time we kept it shoveled kind of up and over, taking out what we could of the new snow. As long as we stayed on the beaten path and didn't step off the side, it held up well, but sometimes a misstep on one side or the other meant sinking knee-deep in snow. Some winters we gave up and did dug us a tunnel. That was really more efficient - we only had to shovel snow from the openings.

The photo of the snow on the right was when the road was changed for a few years. It had originally been where it is now, a straight shot between the house and barn down the hill to the flat. But for some reason the road crew decided to change the location and moved it east along the road that went below the barn and came out on West Shore Road near where I live now. That road was not kept open in the summer, but by moving the approach to our farm a bit east made a gentler incline, but was not great because then there was a fairly sharp corner that was not always easy to navigate in slippery conditions. I think that move was made in the 1940s, perhaps, and it was changed back maybe 10-15 years later, perhaps when that summer road which was a shortcut to W. Shore Road was thrown up.

My house guest, Thor, panics whenever I head outside. I think I have a clue about what's going on. The closet where I keep my winter jackets is noisy when I open the bi-fold door, and then I come out wearing a big green jacket, either big furry earmuffs or a white ski hat and floppy black gloves - pretty scary, right? Thor takes off and keeps his distance until I come back in and put my winter garb away. The good thing about all of this is that I don't have to worry about him diving through the door to get outside. He's never experienced the great outdoors more than tip-toeing onto my screened porch a few times, and snow and cold do not appeal to him at all. So, curious as he is, he stays safely away from scary stuff associated with outdoors. His favorite spot is high on the corner cupboard in my dining area. He gets a perfect view of TV from there! I'm not sure exactly how he manages to get up there - or down, but I'm thinking it's probably better if I don't know. So far he hasn't broken anything during any of his daring investigations!

Happy January, 2025!

Wishes for the New Year!

 Here we are, getting ready to usher in another year. In reality, 2025 will probably be pretty much like  years past. There will be drama, disasters, good days and bad, and most of the New Year's resolutions made will probably never be honored.

I was just reading the usual article in the Caledonian Record citing brief interviews with a variety of people in our area asking them what they wish for in the New Year. I thought the majority were pretty normal and what we all hope for, but it seemed to me there was little enthusiasm. What does one say when a microphone is trust into your face and you are asked to speak off the cuff? Most of us need time to think about such a weighty question.

My wishes are pretty basic this year - good health, continued treasured friendships, and a whole lot less anger and disrespect among people everywhere. I wish I thought that would happen with a new president and new administration in Washington - but too much to hope for, I'm afraid. I wish more youngsters might somehow learn to be kind to others, and how to navigate the real world without anger, self-doubt, and violence. I wish parents had better values to pass on to their children - more loving thoughtfulness and guidance so kids wouldn't feel so angry and resentful that the turn to destructive behavior such as drugs and violence. And that harmful drugs cold be eliminated.

I wonder why it is that humans act so horribly toward one another. How in the world did we get to this place? I have lots of questions, but darned few answers. I don't envy young parents trying to bring up their children in this "new' world.

There are a few things I think many of us here at Joe's Pond would put on our "wish list" for the New Year - relief from wake boats, and eradication of the Eurasian water milfoil infestation and a few other invasives that have cropped up to cause concern at the pond might be top contenders. Fewer blistering-hot days and torrential rainstorms next summer and better snow-pack for winter sports without the deep cold to unseasonably warm temperature swings might be right up there, too. 

By the way,David Kidney is doing a great job getting the facts out to the public about the JPA petition to the state to have the law changed so Joe's Pond will be off limits for them. He recently did an

interview with WCAX. He also spoke to local Select Boards and both Danville and now Cabot are supporting the change.

I'm kitty-sitting Grandaughter Tangeni's cat, Thor for a few days while  she and her family are away on vacation. I've had Thor before, so we understand each other pretty well. He's older this time and not quite as rambunctious, but he's bigger and heavier, stronger, and just as inquisitive as ever. He has found all the high places in the house, even spots way too small to accommodate him - sometimes at the expense of whatever is on that high shelf. I only investigate the crashes now - the occasional thumps and bumps can wait. I moved all my toxic plants into my bedroom to keep him (and them) safe.

When I was growing up I think we almost always had a cat. I remember bringing home a barn cat one time and what chaos that caused. The poor thing was terrified when I released it in the house. My mother didn't help. I think that was one of the few times I saw her really upset. The cat was literally flying around our living room from window to window - clinging to the curtains, and bouncing off shelves and furniture. We finally captured the poor thing and returned it to the barn.

Then there was the time I disobeyed the rule and let our cat in from the shed where she normally was at night and she had kittens on the pillow next to me. That was a lesson learned!

Cats always were free to go outside, and while there wasn't much danger that they would be run over by traffic, there were other dangers. One of my cats lost a foot to the mowing machine when my father was mowing the field in back of our house. She survived and lived a long life, navigating well on three legs.

We had a big yellow make cat that came with my Grandfather McAllan to live with us. "Foxy" and my grandfather were inseparable. When my grandfather went for a walk, Foxy was with him. He waited patiently until my grandfather was settled in his chair smoking his pipe after a meal, then it was lap time. Foxy tolerated the rest of the family but he was clearly my grandfather's best friend. The day after my grandfather died, Foxy disappeared and we never saw him again.

Many years later when I had my own family and was  living in St. Johnsbury, Jamie brought a kitten home against my wishes. We had a rule that rooms could be messy up to a point - just close the door until you make it presentable. I was in and out of Jamie's room numerous times before I discovered the kitten. It was several days before I discovered her. She was warm and well fed and had a litter box, and everyone knew she was there except me. Jamie explained that she was the last of a littler at a friend's and he didn't want to leave her alone in their cold garage. She was truly an ugly cat. Jamie named her "Hideous." She was strange. She'd lash out unexpectedly when we were petting her, bite and claw us in attack mode - and then would march off like she was offended. She was with us a long time and had a good life. We just learned she had limits.

And then there was Woodpile. He was a stray that hung out one summer by our house. Fred and I "captured" him that fall when the weather was getting really cold. Long story there, but Woody became my buddy. He was a gentle giant and accepted baby Tangeni as soon as she was brought into the house. As she grew older, he tolerated her investigating his tail, ears, eyes, whiskers - and later loved playing with her - never rough, always patient. She loved him dearly, and I think he loved her. When he was killed by some animal one night while sitting in the driveway, she sent a balloon skyward with a note to him in kitty heaven. I decided I didn't want to have another cat to love and mourn. I'm happy to have Thor here for a few days, but he's Tangeni's cat, well loved and content, another gentle giant.

My wish for the New Year to all of my readers is that the year brings you good health, love, great happiness, security, and peacefulness.

Holiday Wishes!

 Wishing everyone Happy Holidays!

I wish you simple joys and pleasures,

Love and laughter in big measures.

I hope that your wishes and dreams come true

And good health and prosperity come to you.

I thank your all for your friendship and loyalty.

That you continue to read this makes me feel like royalty!

 

A Reminder

 It's Holiday Time! Christmas is almost here and then we'll be getting set for a New Year, with lots of interesting stuff going on, no doubt. We love the holidays, but there is also the very serious undertone of concern over problems here at Joe's Pond. We have been watching closely (and actively participating in discussions) about whether wake boats may be eventually banned here. I think it's safe to say that a large majority of people around the pond would like to see them gone. Here is a reminder message from David Kidney (North Shore Road):

Friends,

The hearing on our petition to prohibit wake sports on Joe's Pond went great.  Every speaker, and we had a good number,  supported our petition.  Thank you to all who spoke.  You all were terrific.

It is time for the final push.  Written comments are due by December 23rd.  the more we have supporting our petition the better.  So, please write a comment and get your spouse, kids, and friends write one.  Send it to anr.wsmdlakes@vermont.gov     Make sure you put "Wakesports" and "Joe's Pond" in the subject line.

I submitted my comments today.  A copy is attached.   Please do not be intimidated by the length of my comments.    If anything, mine are way too long.  The more typical comment would be a paragraph or two.  Anything to let the ANR know that you support prohibiting wake sports on Joe's Pond.   If you have had negative dealings with wake sports, (while on the water in your vessel or swimming, to your shoreline, to your dock, or ...) make sure to include these experiences.

A number of you have sent me the comments that you have already submitted.   Thank you for doing so.  Now I'd ask you to encourage others to do likewise.

I know we are all busy with the Holidays.  But here is our chance to do something good for our beloved Joe's Pond.   

Thank You,

DavidDavid Kidney Comments On Petition to Prohibit Wakesports on Joe's Pond

So take a few minutes to write a letter expressing your concerns (whichever way you lean). It doesn't matter if you live on the pond, visit occasionally, or have warm feeling from having spent time here in the past - if you have any connection at all to Joe's Pond and appreciate it's charm, please consider voicing an opinion. To relative outsiders, it may not seem that important, but for those of us here, having wake boats banned would mean waterfronts will be less damaged, the pond's bottom won't be continually churned to spread contaminants, people will be safe swimming, canoeing, fishing, or kayaking, the buoys Jamie Dimick puts in place each summer will be less likely to be knocked off their mark or their chains broken, he will not have to watch out for super wakes when he's trying to set the buoys from the pontoon boat, and we might even be able to launch our wooden inboard again. It has been about three summers since that has been in the water because it got battered from being tossed by the wakes when it was tied up in our boathouse. 

It is important for as many people as possible to weigh in with personal stories, complaints, or comments. It may help secure a real "gift" for the health of our lake and peace of mind when in or on the water here - a change in law so that wake boats are no longer allowed here. 

Right now we have a very "Christmasy Joe's Pond" - completely frozen over, and already there have been an ice fisherman out on the ice, a hang glider, cross-country skiers, and even a skater on the ice yesterday before we had another three inches of snow overnight. They are all living dangerously, I think, but this happens every year. People get out there way before some of us watching from shore feel it's safe. With the warm weather swings and few very cold dips in temperature, there can't be much ice out there.

Today has been in the low to mid-twenties and quite windy. I was outside briefly this morning to shovel off the deck and measure the snow. The mail didn't come until late this afternoon and I decided I would leave it in the mailbox until tomorrow. The temperature began going down at about noontime and is now 17 degrees now. I expect it will be in the single digits overnight. We had some very welcome sunshine today, but boy, that wind! Since I started writing here tonight, the temperature has dropped about 4 degrees - and still heading downward.

I'm busy with the few preparations for Christmas I still do. Everything seems to take longer now than it did ten years ago. I have totally missed the deadline for getting mail out, so my holiday greetings will be emails to friends and family this year. Sometimes that happens - my excuse is that it was an unusually short period between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year.  I'm definitely not as good at scheduling my time as I used to be. Things like lunches with friends, runs into town for appointments or whatever (and more frequent nap times when at home), have seriously interfered with getting things done in a timely fashion. It's a good thing I'm not responsible for hosting the family Christmas Eve gathering - I probably wouldn't be ready until New Year's Eve!

Stay warm, healthy, and safe. Be happy.