Catching Up

 First of all, if you haven't sent your comments about the proposed changes to rules that would eliminate the use of wake boats on more of Vermont's smaller ponds, you still can do that by going HERE. You can sign up to speak at the meeting or you can scroll down to Written Comments and send a quick email. It is important to speak up. From what I've heard, the wake boat community has gathered a lot of support to keep this from happening. If you feel strongly that Joe's Pond would be better without large vessels, even in the present restricted area, say so. Your opinion is important, and legislators need to get information from people most impacted by the outcome. 

Now to everyday stuff - as I sit in my warm house, waiting for the outdoor temperature to show signs of moving upward. Not happening. Not even a little. Going in the other direction, now at only 3 above. I don't think it's been more than 5 above all day. Brrrrr! Nose-pinching weather, indeed. The mailman just brought a package up and the pedestrian door into my garage was frozen shut. I opened the overhead door for him and then went down and kicked the door from inside until it let go. Then the overhead door didn't want to stay down when I tried to close it, so I had to go back out and shovel away some snow that had fallen in front of the gadget that receives a signal from another gadget on the opposite side. Now everything is closed and hopefully will open again when needed. Everything is frozen and creaking in this unrelenting cold. At least we haven't added anything more to our snow pack today.

 We can't help wondering if this being the end of January will also mean the end of this severely cold weather.Seems like the whole nation could use a break from cold weather. At least we still have electricity and roads are open. I truly feel for all the people dealing with enormous amounts of snow AND cold without electricity and unable to drive their cars because roads and streets are iced over or filled with snow. 

Gene Danis came yesterday morning and took the snow off the roofs of my house and garage. It was drifted about four feet deep in spots on the back side - the front gets more wind that sweeps the snow over the ridgepole where it settles on the back side of the roof. Gene worked in below-zero weather but he said he was well layered with wind and water-resistant outer garments that kept him warm and dry. If you need snow shoveled - give Gene a call: Able American, LLC,  802-473-6257. Take a look at his Facebook page. I think you'll agree Gene is a great all-around craftsman and handyman and a good guy to know. I've known Gene for about five years, and he has always been great to work with - shows up when he says he will, and gets the job done well and timely, and his rates are reasonable. I hadn't realized he was available for all sorts of odd jobs beyond snow, but you can bet I'm keeping his number handy.

Above are before and after pictures of my back roof, and this last picture is what I see from my back door and my office window, seen on the right of the photo. I guess I won't be using my back door or the side door into the garage until about June. I hope the deck under that pile of snow holds up. If not, I know a guy who can fix it . . . ! (Maybe the same one that piled all that snow on it!) He knows I don't use those doors in the winter, and I'd already told him not to worry about it. There was another pile almost as high in front of the garage door that he had to move. There's a lot of snow to melt - banks are getting higher just about every day.

Diane and I went to Littleton yesterday. We had lunch at "99" and then we stopped at Walmart briefly before heading home. We were detoured off of I-93, and at the time we had no idea what was going on. Later Diane texted to let me know there was a high-speed chase involving a stolen pickup and the state police that ended in an accident. When we were redirected from the interstate just after leaving Littleton, there was some confusion and we ended up on the road to Gilman. I hadn't been on that road for literally years, so it was a fun adventure. The roads were good and there was hardly any traffic - but it did take us extra time getting home. Neither of us had to be home for anything special, so it was ok - and gave us both a welcome diversion from the normal routine of just following the interstate. Little hiccups like that are usually great fun. We could have turned around and made it to Route 18 easily, but Diane is a really good driver and doesn't get flustered about anything! We weren't sure where we would come out, but it was an adventure. I knew it would be somewhere on Route 2, and sure enough, we landed in Lunenburg. Most of the time the sun was out and it was very pleasant, but by the time we got to St. Johnsbury, we had lost the sunshine - and it was still only a few degrees above zero. We had a good day, though. 

Today had been a quieter day - I needed to catch up on emails and some other computer stuff. Everything I do seems to take more time than it used to - even keeping up with computer stuff. Actually, perhaps I just do more "computer stuff" these days than I used to! 

Stay warm and safe.

 

 

A Bit of Essential Homework

Barry Cahoon recently sent the following message to Scott Beck, Vermont State Senator. Take a look and then here's your "homework" --  draft your own letter or contact Scott by some other method if you agree that the State should rethink their priorities when it comes to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife. 

Ammendments as proposed by Barry Cahoon:

 Specific to the provisions of S.224 and the amendments suggested by FOVLAP: 

 Page 11, following line 12, the following provision replacing the FOVLAP suggested amendment should be added:  (4) The Fish & Wildlife Department shall work collaboratively and to resolve any conflict with any entity, as defined under Section 1453(2) of this Title, proposing establishment and operation of a boat inspection station for the purpose of aquatic nuisance spread prevention, so that the lake protection facility and other authorized uses can reasonably be accommodated.

 Because of the essential priority of preventing introduction of aquatic invasive species into VT lakes is of paramount importance in long-term protection of fish and wildlife aquatic and associated wetlands habitat, the listing of an aquatic nuisance inspection station as an authorized use of a state-controlled fishing access areas listing in Rule as the lowest priority authorized use does nothing to resolve the refusal of the DF&W to recognize this absolutely necessary hierarchy of priorities.  By not collaboratively achieving AIS spread prevention, the day will come when very few, if any, parking spaces will be required at a boat access because of profoundly diminished and degraded aquatic habitats, native species populations and natural resources.  When this occurs, the short sighted nature of disallowing an AIS spread prevention facility to preserve a few parking spaces may finally become crystal clear.

 Therefore, S.224 as introduced should be amended to delete lines 1-3 on Page 14 and be replaced on Page 13 at line 8 as follows: 4.1  Approved aquatic nuisance inspection stations for inspection of vessels entering or exiting lakes pursuant to 10 V.S.A. Section 1454.  With this change, boat inspection stations will become the highest priority authorized use and will help provide the lake protection operations which are most vital to lake associations and ought to be to the DF&W.

 The most profoundly distressing aspect of the current situation is that DF&W's resistance to working affirmatively with a lake association to facilitate and enhance AIS introduction, is that it not only represents an abdication of their responsibilities (and what the public expects of them) but then also just leaves all the costs, efforts and sweat equity at AIS containment and management to the lake associations once the invasive has arrived.  Sacrificing a few parking spaces seems to me not a lot to ask nor a lot to give.

 Thanks Scott.  Your support for these amendments will be greatly appreciated.  Please call me anytime.

 For the Joe's Pond Association

Barry Cahoon, Water Quality Director

Eurasian Watermilfoil Management Coordinator

Bear817@hotmail.com

802-535-0049

Priorities have changed over the years - dramatically, in the case of Joe's Pond where we are in what seems to be a losing battle with Eurasian watermilfoil, if we don't get some backup support. Your letter can be brief or personal - however you want to present your case to Scott. His home address is 93 Overlook Dr., St. Johnsbury, VT 05819, or reach him by email: sbeck@leg.state.vt.us  

Now here's your "homework." Get busy and write your own message to Scott - let him know what we are facing here at Joe's Pond and urge him to use any influence he can on his fellow legislators to do the right thing and make the suggested amendment changes that FOVLAP outlines. It seems to me changing priorities to allow better control through inspection stations at State Fishing Access areas makes sense. Like Barry said, if something doesn't change, we won't need any parking spaces at access areas because there won't be any fishing or boating in weed-infested ponds and lakes. Thank you for taking a few minutes to voice your opinion. We have to work together to save Joe's Pond from being forever clogged with EWM.

 

 

Reminder and Remembering

 I hadn't really thought about snow removal from roofs this winter. The snow has been so light and fluffy it didn't occur to me that shoveling the roof might be needed. However, Jamie had some roofs shoveled - at camp and at his house, and I had him ask Gene, who has worked for me other winters, to stop by and look at mine. He agreed that the snow is light, but said it is on top of a really thick layer of frozen ice and slush created from the rain/snow/ice storms we had just before the temperature got so darned cold. That makes a huge difference. Combined with a couple feet of snow, no matter how light it is, is a lot of weight. Gene is coming on Friday to take care of my roof.  It will be good to get that taken care of. I took this picture from a bedroom window this morning - there is about 2 ft. of snow on the roof, and that isn't the one that has drifts on it!

If you haven't had someone check your roofs here at Joe's Pond, maybe you should think about doing that. If our weather turns warmer any time soon - and it will, we just don't know how soon - that mass of snow and ice could mean trouble.The snow acts like a sponge collecting moisture, getting really heavy, and can put a lot of stress on roofs, especially older buildings and those without much pitch to them.

I saw in the Caledonian Record that a classmate of mine from schooldays at Cabot Plains School died. Theresa Maynard Remick. The Maynard family was large and boisterous. I was in school with some of the younger ones - Frederick and Martin were in 8th grade when I was in 1st, I think. Then there was Kenneth, Theresa, Virginia, and Darcy, all there when I was. Ernest, the oldest son, and three or four older sisters were out of school by the time I was in 1st grade. Ernest went into the Air Force and was the first soldier from Cabot to be killed in WWII. Martin joined the U. S. Marines and later lived in Danville. 

I was surprised that Theresa was the last of that generation. Not mentioned in the obituary is Shirley Maynard, her sister-in-law, who is my neighbor. Theresa was always called "Tressa" when we were in school. I think later she may have preferred being called "Terry." The Maynards, Fred and Julia, lived across the road and beyond a large hayfield from our house. Back in the day it was a picturesque spot. A large porch was on the south side of the house, and a woodshed, chicken coop, and outhouse was on the north or back side of the house.They had an indoor bathroom installed perhaps in the 1940s. A sturdy barn stood a little apart from the house. I used to go to their house sometimes when we were all kids. I remember their large dining room table set with tin plates and cups -  china and glass were too fragile for all those youngsters. I'm sure Julia had nice things that were kept for "company."

Fred and Julia, with the help of some of the older children, took care of the school for as long as I can remember. They saw to it that there was a supply of wood for the furnace, paths were shoveled through the snow, and the inside was kept clean and tidy. Fred was tall and skinny, Julia was sturdy and rounded. They were hard workers and good neighbors. Their children were smart and all good people. 

"Tressa" held onto the family farm as long as she possibly could. It finally fell into severe disrepair - the buildings literally caved in - and she eventually sold the property. The old farmhouse and other structures were removed. By then, the Plains neighborhood was completely changed - no farms, the school was a seasonal home, and any neighbors left were strangers. I'm sure it mad her very sad as she watched her childhood home slip away, with all the memories she cherished.

I remember they had an old gas powered washing machine and every week on wash day, we could hear that put-put, put-put-put, and over it all, Julia shouting directions to the kids and sometimes cursing. She didn't hold back, and we understood. Her life was hard. Fred always seemed to be a very mild-mannered man and I never knew him to lose his temper. Julia, on the other hand, seemed perpetually cross. In later years, after I had moved away, I got to know her differently, and she was kind and jolly, always anxious to know how my family was and where everyone was living. She and my grandmother Bolton had been good friends and both worked to keep the Plains community together for as long as possible. My grandfather had some agreement so that Fred could use some of the Bolton land to pasture his cattle. As far as I know it was that Fred or his sons would help on our farm when needed; however I don't recall that happening often. Perhaps during corn harvesting. But the families were always good friends, and I'm sure my grandfather didn't need to use that pasture.

Here is a photo of "Tressa" and me when we were in some school event in 1938 - dressed in costumes from my dance class. Clara Harrington is in the background - she would have probably been in 8th grade, we were probably in 2nd. I'm sure "Tressa"was overwhelmed by it all - and I was probably pretty bossy. But we remained friends through our grade school years.

Every time I go over the Plain, I have a wave of nostalgia. Growing up there was wonderful. There was still a solid community of farmers throughout most of my school years there, and it wasn't until my parents moved "off the hill" and built the house where I now live, that everything began to change quickly. The school closed in 1948, four years after I graduated from 8th grade there. After that, nothing was quite the same

As the years pass, the ache in my heart lessens a bit as I drive over the Plain. Those were good years, but other good ones followed, and I am happy to remember - and write about those memories. It's sad to realize that there is no one left in that generation of the Maynard family. But gone also are the Stones, the Desmaraises, the Gambles, Barnetts, Harringtons, Fosters, and Shatneys, to name just a few of the families that once made their way through the doors of the school on Cabot Plain. So many good times, so many stories, so many years ago.

Stay warm, safe, and healthy. Remember the "good old days," but enjoy the present. It goes by quickly. 

Lots of Snow!

We now have at least a foot of lovely, light powder on top of a substantial snow base - skiers and riders must be ecstatic if they are lucky enough to be able to get out on the slopes and trails. It is still chilly, but warmer by a lot than it has been, and very little wind today. I's at  13 above right now - about as high as I've seen all day. It is really pretty - trees are loaded with snow, and it is so light and fluffy, clearing it is really no chore at all.I got my whole front deck cleared easily this morning after measuring 15 inches on it. That was an accumulation over the past three days because it was just too darned cold to go out there this weekend with the wind blowing a gale. I decided I'd wait for it to warm up, so when I saw 5 above early this morning and no wind, I knew I couldn't put it off any longer. This is the first time for a couple years that I've had to get out my yardstick to measure the snow. It happens. I think this last storm amounted to just about a foot of snow - the rest was from squalls this weekend.

Here are some photos I took early this morning: top is the steps up to my porch and the back lawn; before I shoveled the deck; and then after Jamie came and cleared the driveway. 

Snow banks are getting getting up there - even though he uses the snow blower to get the snow away from the drive as much as possible.

I have decided I must be jinxed when it comes to computers. It seems every day I have a new problem to solve. This weekend I got a message that I was out of cloud storage. I have put off doing "housekeeping" chores to remove old files, etc, so I decided to concentrate on deleting as much as possible and storing seldom used files on auxiliary USB drives. It was going so well - I deleted lots of old photos and carefully collected precious ones I wanted to keep in a separate file to transfer to the USB drive. After I made the transfer, I decided I should check to see what might be deleted from the USB drive to make room if I needed it, but I got a message that I had to reformat it in order to use it/ I knew reformatting would wipe everything, so that wasn't an option.

So I spent most of Sunday afternoon trying desperately to retrieve the files on that USB drive using AI assistance called "Copilot" in Windows 11.  I tried two different programs, neither of which worked. The  conclusion was that I need a professional help. I've reached out to Seth O'Brien, but haven't heard back from him. The thing is, I had just said to someone recently that I don't worry about losing stuff on my computer because I know it's somewhere - in a hidden file, with a different name, in recycling, or floating in the clouds. But this is different. I might be able to find the files I was loading onto the stick from my computer, but the stuff already there was from other computers, some not even mine, so that is just gone and I really don't know what I've lost until I go looking for it someday and can't find it. 

In the process, I learned that USB drives are notorious for failing. They apparently have moving parts or chips that wear out. I have a lot of files stored on those things - so now I'm going to put all of that onto little SD cards (not the mini ones - they are way too tiny to keep track of!). Fortunately, you can buy special cases (of course) for storing SDs, but I'm not at that point yet - I only have a couple. Each little SD gadget can hold an enormous amount of data so I've decided I'll just give each a number and keep a list somewhere of what's them.That should be fun -- I can't imagine anything going wrong in that process, right?

And so it goes. Stay warm and be safe. 

 

Still Cold -- And An Important Action Item

We are now getting a little snow - it's been pretty light all day, just very fine, dry, squalls moving through. The temperature hasn't moved up much - it was about -11 when I first looked this morning and I don't think it got above zero all day. I'm seeing -3.5F right now.

I had the following message from David Kidney (N. Shore Rd.) regarding proposed changes to the Wakeboat regulations. Here's what he said: 

I am writing to ask for your help in getting the word out that we need folks to weigh in and support the new proposed rule regarding wakesports.  The new rule, if adopted, would prohibit wakesports on Joe's Pond.  We are nearing the finish line and we need one final push to make this happen.  I have attached a document that sets out how people can make their voices heard on this matter.  If you could please publish it in your blog, it would be much appreciated.  The  more people who submit comments the better. Thanks.

David Kidney

 

JOE’S POND : VOICES ARE NEEDED FOR NEW WAKESPORTS RULEMAKING —ACT NOW!

The VT Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is proposing changes to the Use of Public Waters (UPW) Rules, regulating wakesports. DEC has stated that these changes are needed to address safety concerns—an issue not addressed by the 2024 Rules. Wakesports advocates are expected to push back hard against these Rules. Safety should not be compromised to accommodate the few wakesports users. Your support is crucial to protect Vermont’s lakes and to ensure they remain safe for all.

If Adopted, DEC’s Proposed Rule Changes Would Prohibit Wakesports On Up to 13 of Vermont’s 30 lakes Currently Allowing Them By:

● Increasing the minimum wakesports safety zone (WSZ) from 50 to 100 acres

● Requiring a minimum wakesports run of 3,000 feet

● Expanding the safety buffer from other users and structures from 200 to 500 feet

● Eliminating the Home Lake Rule, which reduces spread of invasive species & replacing it with hot-water ballast tank decontamination for wake boats traveling between lakes

 Responsible Wakes for VT Lake’s (RWVL) Proposed Rule Changes to Strengthen DEC Changes:

● Increase the required minimum water depth from 20 to 30 feet

● Increase setback distances from shorelines, loon nests, structures, & lake users from 500 to 700 feet (for more information, see SaintAnthony Falls Lab study & DEC Staff email.

● Clearly state in UPW Rules that wakesports are not a “normal” (i.e., traditional) use of public waters and thus require the rule changes that RWVL proposes.

● Add Precautionary Principle language in UPW Rules to prioritize safety & the environment

 When Writing Your Comments to Submit, Please Emphasize

● The need for a minimum 100-acre WSZ & 3,000-ft run as THIS WILL PROHIBIT WAKESPORTS ON JOE’S POND

● Large wake boat waves can unexpectedly overwhelm boaters, paddlers, swimmers, etc.

● Your own personal experiences with wake boats on Joe’s or elsewhere (super helpful!).

● Your support of DEC’s proposal, but ask that it be strengthened by adopting RWVL’s rule changes.

 - Note: You can reuse your 2023 or 2025 DEC comments, but please update them.

 Public Hearings (In Person or Online) (For details see link in *footnote below)

● January 27: Brandon Town Hall, 49 Center St, Brandon, 5:30–8:00 PM SIGN UP to speak

 ● February 4: VTrans Dill Building, Barre, 5:30–8:00 PM SIGN UP to speak

 Written Comments: Deadline February 20th at 4:30 PM (For details see link in *footnote below)

● Submit using the DEC’s preferred online comment FORM

● For longer comments and/or attachments submit via email: ANR.WSMDLakes@vermont.gov

● Include “Wakesports” in the subject line

 For questions or help contact: David Kidney davidfkidney@gmail.com or 802-522-7775

*For details on public hearing & written comments visit VT Lakes & Ponds Rulemaking webpage: click HERE

 

 If you would like a copy of the above, let me know and I will send it to you in an email. I think I have activated all the links, but if something doesn't work, let me know and I'll try to fix it. I know it may be difficult to work here. Blogger.com hosts my blog, and it gets really obstinate sometimes about what it will or won't accept. It is very fussy about pdf files, so I have to convert them and activate any links. I hope I got everything up and running for you - please either join one of the meetings and speak up, ow write your comments as instructed above. 

 

 Thanks, David, for alerting us about the very important proposed changes.

 

 ****************

As I finished this I notice we are at -1.5F now! We just hope it doesn't warm up too much - that will mean a heavier snow accumulation which is more troublesome than the really dry, fairy-dust we get with colder temps. Stay safe and warm! Spring will come!! 

Cold and Colder

Today has been chilly - the thermometers never got out of the teens, but tomorrow is going to be a whole lot colder, according to the forecast. We've had a few snow flurries during the day, but not much accumulation. We have been getting around 3 inches each day for several days, but it is very light and fluffy - the fairy snow that falls when the air is really cold and dry. The driving hasn't been awful, but I went to Cabot Village yesterday and in some spots it was hard to tell where the road ended and the snowbanks began. Fortunately, there had been other traffic, but away from the tire tracks, everything just looked white. 

I was able to pick up a few things at the Cabot grocery store so I don't have to go out again for a few days. By the way, their pizza is really good. I picked up a turkey sub for my lunch yesterday (and today - one is plenty for two lunches!) and that was excellent, as well. I enjoy going there - everyone is really friendly and I always see someone I know. Yesterday I was hailed by Tim, who used to deliver my mail. He lives across the street from the store. I miss him. He once told me that when I got old, he would bring my mail up to the house for me. Unfortunately, he got an injury and I believe has retired. However, the present mailman brings packages up to me from time to time -  some others have left packages on top of the mailboxes at the end of our drive if they wouldn't fit inside. For a while we had different people delivering, but now the same guy seems to be on the route regularly; however, he doesn't come every day. He told me there just aren't enough people to deliver everywhere every day.

Here's a bit of news - Henretta Splain fell a couple of weeks ago and broke her hip - she is in rehab and told me that she expects to be home in 10 days or so. In the meantime, if you'd like to send her a card, her address for the next week or so is Cedar Hill Continuing Care Community, 48 Cedar Hill Drive, Windsor, VT 05089. 

There have been more than the usual number of injuries from falls this year, for whatever reason. Not only our friends at Joe's Pond, but several in Cabot have taken tumbles, too. I haven't dared to walk around much outside this winter - only from my car to wherever I've had to go. I am hoping to tackle my driveway soon, but it's been either too slippery or too cold, so I depend on Jamie to bring me my mail, or if there's something I need sooner, like the prescription that came yesterday that I didn't want to leave in the cold, I go down with my car. My cooperative mailman doesn't bring up packages that will fit inside the mailbox - just the bigger ones. 

I've been struggling with on-line stuff for the past week or so, trying to pay one of my credit card accounts. Turns out the company recently changed their system and in the process, information got dropped. I've tried unsuccessfully to reestablish access to my bank, but it is just not happening. I think I broke their "system" somehow! I waited about half an hour to talk with an actual person yesterday, and she assured me everything was good and I'd get confirmation soon. Nothing today, and I don't expect anything will happen over the weekend. I also managed to lose a document I was working on - and along with it, Word disappeared. After several days of frustrating "fixes" as described by AI, I finally got Word back. But I still haven't found that document, so I've had to write it again. And today I was informed that I've run out of Cloud space. So this weekend I'm purging files and photos I no longer need, or removing large files I need to keep to other storage. It's tedious stuff, and I'm always afraid I'll dump something I will need later, but a lot of it is old photos that I'll never need. It just takes a lot of time to go through everything. I refuse to pay for more Cloud storage!

In the meantime, lots of organizations are cancelling activities this weekend because of the bitterly cold weather we're expecting. With wind, the chill factor could put us in the -40 degrees category. An then we are expecting a foot or more of snow. Not totally unusual for January - and I don't think it's going to last more than a couple of days, but everyone is getting prepared to hunker down for at least the weekend. If you have plans to go somewhere, better call ahead to be sure wherever you need to be is going to be open. I saw lots of closures and notices of rescheduled meetings and activities on Front Porch Forum this afternoon. With intense cold like that, cars will not start, water pipes will freeze, and stoves will overheat. We are warned to not leave any skin exposed - ears, noses, toes and fingers can get frost-bitten within just a few minutes. 

I know just about everyone reading this has either been experiencing this massive storm that's now coming at the eastern states - or you are preparing for it. Be safe, stay warm, remember to keep pets inside and warm, too, and check on your neighbors - just to be sure everyone stays safe. January is almost over!

(I just realized - since I sat down to write this about an hour ago, the temperature has dropped about 10 degrees - it's 4.8 above, and heading down rapidly. It's an "all shades down" night, for sure. 

Cold & Snowy

 We've had such a mix of weather in the past several days, it's really hard to keep up. I've had to check the thermometer before going outside to know whether I could head out in shirt sleeves or had to bundle up. Today is a bundle up day, for sure. It was zero this morning and hasn't moved out of the single digits yet even though the sun has poked through the clouds and snow flurries occasionally. The snow on the trees was beautiful a couple of days ago - then some really warm weather settled the snow pack and melted some of the ice - my deck was actually free of ice and frozen slush for a couple of hours yesterday. Now there's a fluffy coating of very dry snow on everything. It does keep our landscape looking clean and fresh, though. (Photos taken yesterday morning.)

I thank our Joe's Pond Association treasurer, Jack LaGue, for sending me the following about the recent post about fireworks.

 Jane, I’m writing to clarify two points regarding the January 13th blog post about the 2026 fireworks.

At the August 30, 2025 JPA meeting, the members voted to spend up to $15,000 on the 2026 display. The motion passed via paper ballot (48 in favor; 36 against) as noted in the Meeting Minutes on the JPA website.  The decision to cancel was made by the Board after Northstar’s proposal came in at $20,000, exceeding the $15,000 voted for by the members as explained in the Notices on the JPA website..

I am grateful that Steve and the others stepped in to ensure we have fireworks to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

There is an important nuance regarding donations that donors need to be aware of.  While contributions to the Town of Danville for fireworks are tax-deductible, qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) from tax-deferred accounts cannot be made to the Town of Danville. Under IRS rules, QCDs must go to a 501(c)(3) organization and the Town is a municipality, not a 501(c)(3) charity

I mention this only because I would not want to see a well-intentioned donor's QCD become a taxable event due to this technicality. This distinction was noted in the minutes of the August meeting and on the Donations and Support page of the JPA website.

I have let Steve Larrabee know about the possible tax glitch, but in the meantime, best to check with your tax preparer. Again, thanks, Jack, for making these points.

After I posted the video of the pictures taken by John Donahue when Molly's Falls Reservoir and dam were being built, I had a lovely note from his granddaughter, Anne, with some family photos and a bit of personal history about her grandfather. She said the Molly's Falls project was his first dam project as an electrical engineer. She though that might have explained how he happened to take so many photos. He moved his family to Cabot, renting a house on Main Street while he worked on the dam. Anne's father, John, Jr., was about 7 years old, his twin sisters, Frances and Margaret, were 4 when they lived here.  Left, Anne's grandmother, Katherine, with John Jr. and the twin, Right, the house on Main Street in Cabot, 1926-7.

Anne lives in Northfield and has been a state representative for Washington County since 2003. The complete collection of photos will can be seen at the Cabot Historical Society when it opens in the spring

I had some evening grosbeaks visiting my feeder this morning. There were at least 6 or 8 of them and they dominated the space so the smaller birds had to pick up the spilled seeds on the ground. The grosbeaks are not neat eaters like the chickadees and nuthatches, so there was plenty for everyone. The grosbeaks usually raid the small fruit on the ornamental apple trees, but in addition to my trees being very old and not producing much fruit in the past years, whatever is on the trees was solidly frozen this morning, so perhaps that discouraged the grosbeaks. 

I gave Jamie a ride to Berlin yesterday afternoon so he could pick up his Honda that was in for repairs, and on the way home, I saw a good sized flock of turkeys near Plainfield. I came home through Cabot and expected to see more along the flat in Lower Cabot or by Burtt's Apples, but by the time I got to Cabot there was quite a bit of fog, so if there were turkeys out there,  I wouldn't see them. I usually have turkeys visit my apple trees, but I haven't seen any this year. Winter is hard on animals and on humans. Some years are worse than others. Our ups and downs are probably good for animals because the snow doesn't get to be too deep and there are nice warmups in between the bitter cold, but it seems to be pretty tough on humans, with colds, flu, and other "bugs" making us ill, and long, dark, cold, or rainy days making us a bit grumpy sometimes. I'm glad the days are getting longer and, once we're into February, we will have finally turned a corner - and then there's March and mud season! Aren't we glad we live in the Kingdom!?