Autumn Leaves

 Today has been another beautifully sunny autumn day that drew me outside, mostly because I knew tomorrow will be rainy and cooler - and Saturday we can expect more rain with a little snow mixed in! Autumn is, indeed, leaving! The trees around my house have dropped their leaves differently this year. Some are absolutely bare, some are bare on the top, and some still have a lovely dressing of orange and yellow. I expect some of that is because not all my maples get the same amount of wind, depending on the direction the wind is blowing. We have had lots of wind recently. In the photo here you can see the maple closest to the camera and the one on the right of the photo are bare while the one towards the front of my house still has lots of leaves. My apple trees have lost all their leaves, but the white birches still have some. The hillsides are looking grayer every morning.

I was pleased that the thundershower and downpour that came at us around midnight Tuesday dumped over two inches of rain on us. We need the rain so badly. Even with all of that water coming off the hillside in back of my house, I have only a trickle of water coming from the upper, auxiliary pond that collects  runoff and feeds it into my bigger pond. When I checked this afternoon, my big pond is up maybe 8 or 10 inches, but it is supposed to be filled to the top of that green overflow pipe at the far right of this photo. It is still down perhaps four feet. It is normally about 12 feet deep at the deep end where the overflow is. I didn't go up to look at the upper pond - it is sort of out in the puckerbrush and I didn't feel like heading up there. I suspect ticks are looking for a warm place about now, and I don't want to be that! I wear my "barn boots" when I go up into the woods where the pond is, but didn't have them on today.

I took care of a few items still outside this afternoon so no there's only the picnic table and benches and the Adirondack chairs to put under cover before snow flies in earnest. I think we are in for a short stretch of really nice weather next week, and it's still very pleasant to sit outside, so I may use the chairs again before snow comes. Jamie and Marie will take them in for me later. At right, my front deck is littered with leaves - I enjoy the colors on the gray boards,even though they track into the house! They will blow off when they dry out.

This has been a busy week for me. I've had meetings and appointments - October is when I get all my health checkups. And Tuesday we had a lovely party for Bob and Dotty Noyes (left) and Cyndi and Ray Rouleau (below right) - both couples are leaving Joe's Pond to begin new adventures in senior communities where life will be easier than pulling in boats and docks, mowing lawns and shoveling snow. I know they will miss some of that, at least, but I hope they also miss us here at Joe's Pond sometimes. I know we will miss them - a lot!  Our West Shore Road community won't be the same without them here. While they haven't always been here year around, in recent years they have been, and it was wonderful having them nearby to enjoy winter, Ice-Out Contests, and seeing them out walking or driving by - and lights on during dark winter evenings.

Sherry LaPrade hosted a very nice going-away party and everyone had a wonderful time. It's best that I don't repeat some of the stories, but Bob and Ray both had some interesting ones to tell! Cyndi practically grew up at Joe's Pond, so she had a few stories, too! Such funny and wonderful memories of silly things that happened, and people from "back in the day". Bob and Dotty's daughter, Jen, was with us - and she had a few stories to tell, too! Lots of laughs and a delicious meal. I left before there were any tears. I don't like saying goodbye to dear friends, even though they are making happy moves, like now. There is a group picture out there somewhere, but I don't have it yet - hopefully, when the dust settles, I'll get it and post it here. In the meantime, I took a few pictures with my phone. 

 An finally, the five of us in the "Birthday Bunch" one last time. Birthdays won't be the same without Cyndi and Dotty. I'm sure we'll keep in touch and remember birthdays, just probably not all of us together at the same time. 

Bob and Dotty closed on their home yesterday, but Cyndi and Ray will be here for a couple more months. Cyndi said their home will be on the market soon. It's been a pleasure knowing all of them.

Be healthy and happy, stay safe. 

Sad News

 I'm saddened to report that a dear friend of many Joe's Ponders has passed away. Thierry Guerlaine (Old Homestead Road) on September 30. Thierry was passionate about life in general and was instrumental in bringing Pickleball to Joe's Pond. He will be remembered for his enthusiasm and generosity, good humor and energy. He had many friends here and will be deeply missed. Our thoughts are with Julie and their family and friends.

We are getting a much needed soaking rain today. There are still lovely colors, deepened by the wetness, but now fewer on the trees, more on the ground in golden carpets and treetops beginning to show bare branches. Last night I had a meeting in Cabot Village and when I came home around 8 o'clock, the whole of Cabot Plain was engulfed in a thick fog. As well as I know that road, I wasn't sure I could find the turn after the cemetery and might end up down on Dubray Road; but I found it ok, at a crawl. I met only one other car - also moving slowly and carefully. Wat a peasouper!

I am off to Lyndonville this morning for errands and a dentist appointment. It is gusty and squally and the forecast is for snow perhaps this weekend. It wouldn't surprise me if we got a little today - the temperature is only 41 degrees.   

 Well - Happy Birthday to Me! I've made it through another year and almost to the anniversary of tearing the ligament in my knee a year ago. Things change in a year's time - I now take a cane with me whenever I leave the house. I have canes (more favorably known as "walking sticks") located in strategic spots. I keep my folding cane in the car and use that if I'm heading into town; I have a wonderful all-wood walking stick that Jenness Ide brought to me several years ago and I used to use only in the winter when I went down to the mailbox, but now I grab that whenever I head out the garage door for almost any reason - it's reassuring to have it with me. This summer I found I needed to have something handy for heading out on the back lawn from the porch. I frequently wanted to walk around the pond just to check on things, and when I do that I usually end up down on the lower lawn, too and it's a hike back up to the house - hills in every direction, so I keep a cane handy for that, too. It's a sturdy old-fashioned one with a big crook that hooks over my arm nicely when I don't need it. So in the coming year, who knows - I hope I can just remain upright! 

Yesterday the West Shore Road Birthday Bunch took me out for lunch. This was the last time all five of us will be celebrating a birthday together as both Cyndi and Dotty are moving away soon. We will miss them very much. We've celebrated countless birthdays together, and last year when my leg was in a cast, they all came to my house and brought lunch. They are cherished friends and I'm going to miss both Cyndi and Dotty very much. Yesterday I picked the Grill by the Mill in Bradford to celebrate. Bob and I had been there a while back and enjoyed it. We had a nice lunch, a table by the window overlooking the stream, and the weather cooperated beautifully. And the ladies brought a cake from Bentley's for me! Such a nice surprise. It was dark chocolate with raspberry filling - my absolute favorite! So good!! There was a brief shower as we were finishing up, so we lingered a bit, but then the sun came out and the trip home was very nice with lots of color to see - but not as far south as Bradford. We didn't begin to get nice color until Wells River area. From Groton home (we went the back way instead of up Route 5 or on the Interstate) through Peacham and home, it was beautiful. The only thing missing yesterday was a photo - which we usually do, but fortunately, nobody thought to do it! I'm always grateful not to have my picture taken.

I just remembered the reaction of an elderly woman in Bucharest years ago when I tried to take her picture. She was sweeping the street in the middle of the city, and without giving it a thought I got out my camera to take her picture. She took after me with her broom!  I couldn't understand what she was yelling at me, but I imagine it wasn't very complimentary. Of course I retreated - and never did get the picture. My friend and I were exploring that day on our own, but later our tour guide said some older people were very superstitious about having their picture taken. Me, too, only not from superstition - just because I never look like I feel at the time, and I'm always surprised and disappointed at how  awful I look.

Recently I had to get my driver's license renewed. I did it at the satellite office at the mall in St. Johnsbury. There was a very pleasant young woman working there and when she did the photo, she discarded the first shot and took another. I didn't pay much attention - photos on your license are never good, are they? However, this time was different. This one isn't half bad and I won't cringe every time I have to show it. Of course, at my age, who gives a darn anyway, and how often will anyone ever see it?! I don't remember the last time I had to get out my license for anything. Certainly nobody questions that I'm old enough to buy alcoholic beverages - although I remember the years not too long ago when clerks had to check and record the number for everyone, no matter how obviously old and gray. It was very irritating and inconvenient. Now, apparently, the law has changed.

So - the foliage is being ripped off our trees with more wind today. I expect we'll have rain later on, thanks to the current hurricane action down south - and we still need rain badly. That will probably end our foliage season. Diane was saying yesterday that it seemed as if the season came upon us very quickly and really hasn't lasted very long. It has been beautiful, though, and I hate to see the trees becoming bare. I still have nice color around my house, but on the hillsides it's beginning to look more gray and gloomy every day as the wind never ceases. Late October and all of November is such a dull, naked period. No leaves and usually no snow. The long - long-range forecast is for an unusually heavy snow season in our area this year. We'll see how that turns out! 

Stay safe and dry, wherever you are. 

P.S. - Dotty sent me this photo the day after I posted the above. I had no idea she took this picture of me cutting my birthday cake. Thanks, Dotty - it was a lovely cake (and delicious). I'll keep this photo to remind me of what a nice day it was and how much I appreciate the friendship the five of us share. 
 

 

Milfoil Update

 FROM BARRY CAHOON:

To all who have selflessly and tirelessly volunteered their time on multiple occasions throughout this past summer and early fall to help contain the Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM) infestation in Joe’s Pond:

Every Joe’s Pond Association member and all others who enjoy the countless gifts of this precious lake owe a profound debt of gratitude to all of you.  Thank you so much. Your dedication and persistence is of immeasurable and irreplaceable value.

This past Sunday, October 4th marks the final day of hand pulling and in-water EWM control operations in 2026. After finding fewer than 10 EWM plants in 2 hours by 5 divers and 1 paddle boarder it was decided that the team had reached a point of diminishing returns past which it makes little sense to continue. Water temperatures falling into the 50s with progressively colder nighttime air temperatures forecast this coming week made this an even easier decision.

Thanks again to all of you. We are hopeful, even confident, that all your efforts this year will make next year’s task much simpler, less onerous and significantly less time consuming.  Because of you, complete eradication of EWM from the waters of Joe’s Pond remains within reach and achievable.

See you in the spring.

Barry Cahoon, JPA EWM Management Coordinator

 

                                                                    **************** 

 This is really good news, and we thank Barry and the whole crew who have so diligently (and apparently  successfully!) grappled with controlling this awful weed. It would be wonderful if we are, indeed, able to finally conquer the infestation. Our weather is definitely cooling every day and the water temperature is probably rapidly going down, too, so it's time to hang up the flippers and be happy things are looking so much better in our lovely lake. A successful summer and a job well done!

 

Our beautiful leaves are taking to the air today! The wind has been relentless and there are clouds of leaves being ripped from treetops. Some of the lower branches are not as bare, but around my house, the tops of my Washington hawthorn and some of my maples are naked. We have had a few rain drops this afternoon, and that's good. We do need the rain, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if tonight we get some snowflakes mixed in. 

 

I'm sure I've mentioned before that not many years ago we always expected snow during the first week of October - at least on Cabot Plain. Of course, it didn't stay long, but was enough to show white on the ground and keep the air frosty for bird hunting and woods walking.

 

Last week middle son Bob and I did a "First Thursday" lunch date to Groton. We took every back road Bob could find on the way there - even got lost for a few miles between Mosquitoville and Boltonville. We were on the old Bayley-Hazen Road for a short time, and came out eventually on Rte. 302. We then had to travel a few miles west to our destination, but every mile was a delight. The foliage was better than I've seen it for at least a couple of years, and the weather just perfect for a road trim in the back woods of Vermont. We were happily welcomed at one of our favorite lunch spots, The Upper Valley Grill, and I believe we got extra large portions of carrot cake because we're "regulars" there now. We came home over the Groton State Forest Road and the back road past Peacham Pond to South Cabot. Pretty drive. The photo above is just a small sample of the really beautiful foliage this year - looking south from somewhere in Peacham or Ryegate - who knows exactly where we were!!

 

This morning was sunny and I enthusiastically dashed onto my porch thinking, "coffee in the morning sun." But even though my southeast facing porch is somewhat sheltered, the swirling gusts of frigid wind turned me around immediately and I had my coffee in my recliner, warm and watching the leaves flying off the trees outside my big windows. For just an instant I wondered, when did I become such a wimp? Windy, 45-degree weather never used to bother me. I just dressed for it! But that option didn't appeal to me this morning and I was very happy to sip my coffee inside my warm house. I'll bundle up and head down to the mailbox later, once the mail has come. Or I should say, IF the mail comes. Mail delivery these days is spotty here.

     

I just finished an article for the November issue of our local monthly publication, Cabot Chronicle. The editor asked for something pertaining to veterans, so I began researching. Turns out, our country has had very few stretches of peaceful years. We have gone from one conflict to another, and another, and our small town has contributed more than the normal number of "boots on the ground" in most of them. Being independent Vermonters, they sort of "sat out" a few skirmishes, like the War of 1812, the Indian Wars out west, and the Mexican altercation over the border with Texas. A few Vermonters may have participated, but I didn't find evidence that many from Cabot left their farms and families to join those  battles. They turned out remarkably for the big ones, though! The Civil War and WWII, even Korea and Vietnam saw lots of Cabot men (and women) going into the military. Of course, there was compulsory military service, so that no doubt accounted for many signups.

 

I knew some WWI veterans. My uncle Ray Bolton served with a cavalry unit after graduating from Michigan State Veterinary School, and our neighbor, Ashley Barnett served. Uncle Ray was unscathed, as far as I know - I remember him as jovial and kind, and a role model for his younger brothers, including my father, who always looked up to him. Ashley was deeply affected, and I recall my father telling stories about Ashley reacting badly to loud noises after his return. He always seemed fine to me, but Dad often referred to Ashley as "all out of fix." I think the common diagnosis was he suffered from "shell-shock". Ashley was only 53 when he died in 1948. He had a large family -  nine children -  and several were in school with me on the Plain. His wife, Sarah, died in 1946, and I remember how difficult it was for Ashley and the children after she passed. The older girls cared for the younger ones as best they could, but life was hard for them. My mother sent meals to them most weekends and in the winter I often took the food down on my sled. Their farm was at the intersection of Deeper Ruts Road and West Shore Road. After Ashley died, they all moved away and I lost track of them, but some of them that my mother had taught in school visited my parents from time to time for many years.

 

Right now I'm seeing 45F and it's definitely heading downward. The mail just came - at almost 6 o'clock! I'll scoot down and get it between rain (or snow) drops!

 

It's a "hot soup and warm fireside" night! 

 

P.S. - The wind is still blowing hard but it was kind of invigorating! I wore my winter jacket and it was reallly good to be outside. Lots of fresh air! And it's always nice to have mail delivered.

 

View from East Hill in Peacham. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...

It's Autumn in the Kingdom!

First of all, I goofed last week and somehow a message from Barry Cahoon with an update on our milfoil successes this summer failed to get posted. I found it a few minutes ago in my drafts. I quickly updated it and you will find it posted below this post. Now - on to more recent news! 

Lots of fun events going on here this weekend and for the following week(s) - as long as the foliage lasts, I guess! Saturday was the start of festivities with dinners in both Cabot and No. Danville. But some of us got going earlier, celebrating Sherry Laprade's birthday on Friday. Her birthday was earlier last week, but Friday was the day our West Shore Birthday Bunch could all get together. It is up to each one where we go for lunch, and Sherry wouldn't disclose our destination --  only our driver, Diane, knew. And even she wasn't sure - she just put the destination into her phone, connected with her car's navigation, and off we went. It was a very nice day and a great ride east to Littleton, then on to Bethlehem and what turned out to be the Rek-Lis Brewing Company. They are located in a charming old house right on the main street - plenty of parking near the brewery and storage area. We chose to eat inside because there was a cool tinge to the mountain air. It was dark and a bit noisy, with lots 
going on and people coming and going. The food was really good and we had a nice time. It was a fun day and we properly wished Sherry a very happy birthday - topping everything off with a huge warm chocolate-chip cookie with ice cream and whipped cream! Delicious! Photo, left to right, Cyndi, Diane, Sherry, Dotty, Jane. We asked a very nice young woman passing by to take the photo after several tries for a "selfie" were unsuccessful.

We were not impacted by the nor'easter this weekend - except we got a little rain here and there. And there was some wind, but that is not unusual. I was wondering about some of our Joe's Pond friends who live in the areas that were hit - I heard from Liz Randall on Long Island, and she said they were not severely impacted but some of the coastal area was. They are in Miller Place, inland and on the westerly side of the island. There was some dune damage and power outages on the eastern coast near Southampton where Don and Diane Sherwood live, but apparently not as much damage as officials had feared.

We had really nice weather until Saturday afternoon, and then it clouded in and there was a misty rain Saturday night and off and on Sunday. Today - more of the same. The weather didn't stop those of us who wanted turkey or chicken pie suppers! Cabot's turkey dinner was delicious and I look forward to having the chicken pie from North Danville tonight. Yep, Sherry, Diane, and I got both dinners - we've had both before and never been disappointed! Jamie and Marie joined us on Saturday and it was fun. We were at my house - but I forgot to take pictures! Next time!

We have lots of out-of-staters in the area and the foliage is performing nicely. I haven't been on the road to anywhere after Friday, but someone told me today the foliage around the Cabot and Marshfield area is really spectacular. I think having everything wet brings out the colors even more than on a dry, sunny day. However, there's nothing better than warm sunshine and autumn leaves. 

I'm doing my seasonal changeover - brought in my plants from the porch and put away the hummingbird feeder. I will put out my winter bird feeders soon. It's a little early, still. On Saturday a flock of geese flew low over my house - heading north! They made a lot of noise - arguing with their leader about going in the wrong direction, I suppose. And yesterday the robins were flocking on my lawn and acting foolish. I suspect they'd been eating fermented apples and were a bit loopy. One flew into my bedroom window with a loud thud, but apparently wasn't seriously hurt as I didn't find it when I looked. Just a bit of downy feather on the window. 

We are expecting a cloudy and probably somewhat wet week ahead. My pond is really the lowest it's been ever. There is still enough water for the frogs to be happy, but I do hope it gets filled up before it freezes over so they will be even happier. I saw a prediction today on a national weather forecast that showed our section of the country is expected to have heavier than usual snowfall this year. I guess we're due some excessive weather. Fortunately, we know how to deal with snow.

Stay safe and well. Happy Autumn! 

 

 

 

Good News!

 Here is a report received last week (sorry - I thought I sent it out but just found it in "drafts") from Milfoil Management Coordinator, Barry Cahoon:  (Apologies to Barry and the others for the delay.)

A preliminary evaluation on the effectiveness of an herbicide treatment in Joe’s Pond has indicated complete mortality of the Eurasian watermilfoil population within the treatment area as observed in an aquatic vegetation survey conducted by Arrowwood Environmental on 09/18/26.

The treatment applied by SOLitude Lake Management on 08/26/26 utilized ProcellaCOR which is the only aquatic herbicide approved by the State of Vermont for control of Eurasian watermilfoil.  The treatment area included about 90% of the shallow water areas of the First and Second Ponds; approximately 32 acres.

Post-treatment water quality monitoring showed a slightly elevated residual element of ProcellaCOR at one of three monitoring locations 48 hours after the treatment.  A follow up test showed all residuals to be below detectable levels (<1 ppb).

Anyone with questions or interest regarding Eurasian watermilfoil management activities in Joe’s Pond can visit the Joe’s Pond Association website: joespondvermont.com or email Barry Cahoon, JPA Water Quality Director and Eurasian Watermilfoil Management Coordinator at bear817@hotmail.com

***********

 

That is really good news. We owe Barry and his group of merry workers a huge vote of thanks for all of the hard work they have done this summer (and previous summers) to get to this point. We can only hope that there are no dreaded plants hiding somewhere, waiting to burst forth in the spring. Perhaps with careful monitoring and increased vigilance we can stay ahead of this stuff. 

 

Jamie (Dimick) manned a pontoon boat for a dive group yesterday and told me this morning they worked in the shallows at the head of the pond and found only two small plants near the mouth of the channel. It is particularly difficult to search that area because so much of it is very shallow, making it difficult or impossible for divers or anyone else to get in there without riling the muddy bottom and making visibility impossible. They have  explored that area as best they can, and fortunately found no milfoil. 

 

Today is cool and blustery. We are expecting rain any minute - and it will increase in intensity throughout the day. Unfortunately, it isn't going to let up until about 6 p.m. Unfortunate for the beanhole supper at Greenbanks Hollow. It has happened before and they no matter what the weather, the beans come out of the ground steaming hot and delicious, and everyone has a good time. 

 

If you have never visited the Cabot Historical Society museum building on Main Street, you should do that. This photo shows the second floor of the museum. It was a school room that also served as a town meeting hall, later club rooms for various civic organizations, and finally storage space for a plumbing shop that Mr. Brimblecombe ran on the first floor. Now it has displays of old-time household goods, a traverse sled, Civil War uniforms and memorabilia; articles from the Judith Lyford Woman's Club, Dr. Wiswell's and Dr. Burbank's medical practices; memory quilts, and much, much more.  The overstuffed blue velvet sofa and matching gold chairs shown in this photo are NOT Cabot artifacts and are going to be disposed of to make room for more exhibits pertaining to Cabot's history. The set is in beautiful like-new condition, and I'm sure someone would love to have it in their home. Make a reasonable donation and it's yours! 

 

We have a large collection of photos, news clips, and other paper records on the first floor, and space for meetings, and sale items as well as lots of artifacts. We will be reorganizing as time allows, but sometime in October, we will need to close for the winter. 

 

I'm presently working with old photos that have recently been donated to the historical society. I've sorted through lots of school-related photos, Fourth of July shots, and the pile of "miscellaneous" stuff that grows with every box or envelope I open. Much has been donated and not properly acknowledged or accessed into our collections, and it's going to be my winter project to sort it out, I guess. Last week I found a packet of photos that had been donated in 2022. I got in touch with the donor to let her know I have them and they are being added to our collection. She was thrilled to know they were not lost, as she had not received any previous acknowledgement. This was because we were in a state of disarray at that time. It was just after the Covid pandemic, our long-time president had passed away, and we were not in good shape. Now we're functioning well with energetic new committees ready and willing to dig in and spend time getting things done. 

 

And now - back to work! Those photos aren't going to scan themselves!

 

 

 

Buttoning Up for Winter!

When I mentioned a couple days ago that there will be a turkey dinner served in Cabot on Saturday, September 26, I didn't have all the information - but I do now!! 

 Saturday Sept. 26 - Cabot Church Turkey Dinner .  5 - 6:30.  Turkey, Mash Potatoes, Stuffing, Gravy, Squash, Rolls, Cranberry Sauce, Desert.  Dine in or dine out.  $15.  802-793-6486 to reserve a meal.

This is always a delicious dinner. I'm hungry just thinking about it! Two great church suppers on the the same night - that's a hard choice to make - chicken pie in North Danville or turkey dinner in Cabot. So Diane and I are going to do both. We've had that dilemma before and getting both just means the most important choice we have to make is which one do we eat on Saturday and which one is saved for another night! I usually put one in the freezer for a night when I'm needing something really good and don't have the energy to cook. (I have a few of those, especially if I'm working at my computer and lose track of time. It gets to be 7 o'clock and I realize I'm really, really hungry, but also really tired. Getting out one of those dinners from the freezer is so rewarding. Way better than the packaged frozen dinners I usually keep on hand for such nights. 

I've been very busy today doing what would have taken me only a couple of hours a few years ago. Today with frequent stops to "rest and reconsider" I managed to get all my house plants in from the porch - inside for the winter. That doesn't sound like much, but there are three very large "trees" and two smaller ones, plus three "normal size" plants like my sansevieria, oxalis, and a peace lily. I had a couple others out there that I brought in a while ago - a spider plant and a small hoya. These plants get moved outside gradually each summer - the bigger ones go out every summer as soon as we're safe from frost, but the smaller ones get put out when I think they need some extra sunshine or fresh air - or I just want to get them out of the house. I can mist all of them with the hose out there, and that's really convenient. Taking them in is usually done almost all at once - when there's danger of frost. Some years I've covered them for a week or two when nights got really cold, but that's a lot of work, especially the big ones that are taller than I am. So I decided to just haul them back inside. They are all on rollers so it's easy except for getting them over the track for the sliding door. 

Tomorrow is recycling day, so I had to get that ready for Jamie and Marie to pick up, and in between, I've answered some emails and worked on some archival stuff for the historical society. It's been a full day and I'm ready for a bite to eat and some TV - I am mainly interested in the weather. Now that I have my plants all inside I expect we'll have some really nice, warm weather! You can thank me later!