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!

 

Choices to be Made!

 Here are some of the upcoming activities in our area. Things are ramping up now for Fall Foliage! There are a few signs of color here and there - and so far what I've seen seems more vivid than last year. We'll see how it turns out in a few more days. The color happens quickly most years, and while we haven't had a frost yet, we've had some pretty cool nights and the days are definitely shortening, so leaves are turning, birds are heading south, and we are getting ready for winter!

Here are more events to look forward to. First, this Saturday is Bulky Item Disposal Day at Cabot Recycling. See poster for details. This is for Cabot residents only, so only those of you along West Shore Road (or otherwise located in Cabot) are eligible. 

And just a reminder - the Bean Hole Supper at  Greenbanks Hollow is this Sunday. If you don't have your ticket, better get in touch with Danville Historical Society right away. I bet they won't turn you away if you show up without a ticket, but they need to plan for how many people will be there so they won't run out of beans and side dishes. It's all good -- better go!

Then, on September 26, there are two really special dinners going on. In North Danville, their delicious Chicken Pie Supper, and in Cabot, a fabulous Turkey Dinner (with turkey from the Bothfeld farm!!) See poster on the left about the North Danville Supper, and there's more information about the Cabot event during Cheese & Culture Day in Cabot - all coordinated with the area Fall Foliage Week. There will be lots going on in Cabot that Saturday. Contact Rose Bothfeld for reservations for the turkey dinner at the church - they have takeout and usually both inside and outside seating is available.  

Get your reservations in soon for the dinners, Liz Sargent told me that the seats in the dining room at the N. Danville Baptist Church are filled, but takeouts are still available.

On Sunday, the 27th the last Lamplight Service and Hymn Sing will be held at the Old North Church in North Danville. This is a moving experience, and if you have never been to one of these services, you should go. Dress warmly and take a flashlight with you - the old church is drafty and has no electricity, inside or out, so be prepared! 

That's it for the moment! I just checked the forecast and it doesn't look great for this weekend - but there will be shelter at the Bean Hole Supper - just wear an extra layer and enjoy Vermont's fresh, clean air - bring some friends or meet old and new ones there!

 

 

Lost & Found

A few days ago I reported that a water ski was lost on one of those very windy days - kicked off in the middle of the pond and then they were unable to find it because of the wind and waves. Please keep an eye out for it - blue and black (see photo, left), so it will be hard to see, but it has likely washed up somewhere by now. The Randalls had to leave to go home, but you can let me know (email) if you find it and I'll come pick it up and keep it for them - they are my neighbors! 

Yesterday I had a note from Nicole Begin (Narrows Drive):  We have a float that was stuck under our dock in second pond weeks ago. I tried to find the owner by texting a few neighbors and posting on Facebook but to no avail. Would you mind posting it? 

If you lost this tube/float, please let Nicole know - her number is 802-535-4916, and she is at 108 Narrows Drive.

We got a little rain this past week and some overnight - but it hasn't put much back into my pond. I checked this morning and there isn't any coming from the upper reserve pond, either - which means none of the brooks are running off of the hillside in back of my house and above my pond. All the water is being absorbed into the ground! That's a good thing - we really need it, and my pond is going to be fine even if there isn't much water in it! The frogs will adapt. And November is usually pretty wet - sot there's still time for it to fill up!

Our Cabot Historical Society Annual Meeting went well last evening and we now have a brand new executive board and five additional trustees to guide us through the coming months of fund-raising and repairing our 1810 year-old building. My hope is that we will be able to not only fix the foundation, but while we're digging around underneath it, connect to town water so we will at least have running water at the building. Ideally, we'd like to have some sort of central heating in at least part of the building so we could be open year-around. Now we have only an old-time wood stove and problems closing and locking doors when the temperature drops and the ground begins to freeze! We'll see how it goes! In the meantime, I'm very happy that we have gained at least two dozen new members this summer and now  have some experts willing to volunteer their time and energy to get the collections identified and reorganized, and spend time to keep the place open for the public on a regular basis. We are entering a new era!

Area Happenings

 'Tis the time - for fall dinners!!

 Yesterday I mentioned the Harvest Supper at Cabot this coming Saturday - 5 to 6:30, at the church. It will be good - Red Flannel Hash, Ham, Baked Beans, Salad and Dessert. $15.

There is also a meeting of the Cabot Historical Society on Saturday - our Annual Meeting - that evening, at 6 p.m. I'm going to take a dinner home with me. 

Yesterday I heard from Patty Conly at the Danville Historical Society, and their famous Bean Hole Supper is coming up soon on September 20. (See poster!) This is always a great meal and you'll meet some interesting neighbors  and make new friends. There are  great cooks who prepare their favorite bean recipes put the beanpots in a hole in the ground with hot coals, cover 'em up and let 'em bake for hours. This is the way our ancestors cooked, and the Danville folks (mostly men, I think) who do this every year have it down to a science. There are lots of side dishes and wonderful desserts (mostly made by ladies, I think), so I promise you won't come away hungry. I'm always amazed at the different flavor of each pot of beans - some done with molasses, some with maple syrup, and most of those guys would rather wrestle a bear than tell their secret recipes. 

We've had some unusual weather. Yesterday it was gloomy and chilly, and then it rained most of the night. That was a good thing as we really need the rain. I measured exactly 1 inch of precipitation this morning. Today has been sunny and warm - then sunny, warm, and windy - and now it's gray and gloomy and getting chilly. A tree was blown down above my place on Jamie and Marie's - part of it split off and is caught on another tree, leaning towards our neighbor's house and the electric lines Those are called "widow-makers" by loggers. The power company has been alerted - it's too dangerous for Jamie or our neighbor to attempt getting it down. It was a tall poplar, and they are often troublesome.

It was very windy when I was in Cabot Village around noon today - it seemed to be a southwest wind and had flags and signs flapping wildly up and down Main Street. It also took most of the leaves off my old apple trees - I've decided it's time to cut the two old ornamentals down. They are no longer producing blossoms or even many leaves, so they are beyond saving. My parents planted them when they built the house here over 60 years ago, so they've had a good run.

At the moment, the air is very still - almost too quiet out there. I always worry a little when everything outside goes quiet. Even the birds aren't singing - so something is probably brewing, and clouds have covered the sun. I'm going to close up the house and get ready for whatever is coming at us - could be just a cool, quiet evening ahead, or could be a storm. One thing I know for sure - there isn't much we can do about the weather. Be happy and safe, wherever you are! 

 

Sure Sign of Fall!

It's official! Fall is here! Labor Day Weekend is over, the air is crisp and smells of dry leaves and ripe apples! And locals are gearing up to entertain visitors looking for autumn colors. Cabot's church is hosting their wonderful Harvest Supper this Saturday:  

Saturday - 5 pm to 6:30 pm - eat in or dine out.  Red Flannel Hash, Ham, Baked Beans, Cole slaw, rolls and deserts. A bargain at $15, and you won't be disappointed! It's old-fashioned fare made by really good cooks - from recipes learned and kept through generations. Traditional and delicious. Comfort food - perfect for a cool early fall evening. It will be worth the drive to get there! Take the scenic route over Cabot Plain!

 And here's a photo from my neighbor across the road, Liz Randall. I had just been there and who shows up after I felt but a mother  bear and her two cubs! The dust had barely settled from my driving through, so they were probably watching us, waiting for me to leave. I'm sorry I missed seeing them. Perhaps they will visit me and eat up some of the apples under my old tree that really had a bumper crop this year! Jamie said a bear visited them last night (perhaps the same trio) and tipped over a bucket of apples they had left on their deck. They are inclined to be curious, especially the cubs. 

We had our final meeting of the Joe's Pond Association for this season on Saturday. Barry Cahoon brought us up to date on our battle with Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM), and for those of you who could not attend the meeting, here is a report for you from Barry: 

To the Members of the Joe's Pond Association:

This message is being shared with all JPA members for the benefit of those who were unable or chose not to attend the fall meeting this past Saturday 09/05/26.

While the JPA feels it has, through the 2026 season, achieved significant progress toward potential eradication of the Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM) infestation, members need to be aware that we remain at a very critical juncture that may constitute the difference between complete eradication or struggling to contain EWM far into the foreseeable future.

The three attached maps show the progression of EWM proliferation and the results of JPA EWM management activities from 2024 to 2026

If we assume that the ProcellaCOR treatment recently applied in August, 2026, on the First and Second Ponds has been 100% effective (not confirmed yet), the only other area on the lake at which we are currently aware of active EWM growth is in the area of the inlet channel. 

At first glance, this may seem like we are out of the woods and in very good shape.  However, the reality is that we could not have chosen a less desirable area for EWM to be persisting nor one in which EWM growth poses a greater danger of reinfestation on a widespread scale.

The reasons for this are:

1.  The EWM is concealed by dense beds and stands of native vegetation, thus, is extremely difficult to find.
2. The EWM is growing in very shallow, densely vegetated water (6"-1 ft.) inhibiting searching for the EWM by kayak, paddleboard, SCUBA, SNUBA or snorkeling
3. If EWM plants are found, in such shallow water, harvesters cannot swim to it, they must crawl through deep muck and then work to remove the plant by feel only because it will not be visible due to the turbidity.
    
    

   4. Mature plants are being observed growing horizontally as much as 5 ft. along the water surface becoming highly vulnerable to fragmentation by wind, high flows, turbulence, or even wildlife movement, especially this time of year when EWM reaches the end of its growth cycle and becomes brittle and much more susceptible to fragmentation
   5. This infestation is ideally positioned to contribute potentially hundreds of plant fragments that can drift downstream and re-infest the areas along the Sandy Beach shoreline and between the Channel Drive shoreline and the islands.  A plume of EWM plants growing from drifting fragments that have sunk to the bottom and regenerated can be seen on the attached 2026 map downstream of the inlet toward Pearl's Island.
   6. If this re-infestation scenario were to occur, we would be right back to where we were at the beginning of 2025.  It could be as if we had accomplished nothing over the past two seasons.

   
   

   This message is being shared not to discourage anyone.  The purpose is to alert all members that this battle is far from over, yet if we can sustain our commitment, our energy, and our fortitude, we can still prevail.  Total eradication is within our grasp.  We simply must not let this opportunity slip away.  It may never be offered again.

   
   

   The JPA Dive Team and Surface Supporters have tirelessly attacked the infestation in the inlet area throughout the 2026 season.  However, due to the advancing season, there is a limited number of surveying and harvesting operations that can be conducted before it gets too cold.  It's almost a guarantee that EWM will survive in this area into the 2027 growing season at which time the JPA will renew its efforts to contain and eliminate this threat; but it won't be easy.

   
   

   This area is highly unlikely to be treated with ProcellaCOR due to a number of factors, most importantly, the widespread existence of native vegetation species that are sensitive to this herbicide.

   
   

   In 2027, the JPA will be asking for a renewed level of commitment to monitoring and surveying over the entire Joe's Pond littoral zone by JPA Lakeshore Section Coordinators and other volunteers.  We must not relax our vigilance.

   
   

   The JPA expresses deep and sincere appreciation to all who contributed to our EWM management efforts and/or made financial contributions in 2026.  Please stay positive, aware, and totally committed to this campaign for EWM eradication.

   
   

   For the Joe's Pond Association

   Joe Hebert, President

   Barry Cahoon, EWM Management Coordinator

   

   
   

   

   
   

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Thanks to Barry and the EWM team - and everyone who has worked so hard to get control of this awful weed. They have worked long and hard to get to this point and they are truly amazing.
    
   Once we have eradicated it (and it looks like we have a good chance of that!), we need to be watchful that it doesn't get re-introduced here. I expect there will be regular inspections of the littoral zones for years to come - and hopefully, a boat wash station to prevent spreading the stuff from one body of water to another. Convincing the State of Vermont to be more supportive and use common sense in their decisions will be key to keeping our lake (and others) clean and EWM free. 

Lost Ski!

 Good Morning Everyone!

Another windy day at Joe's Pond! We are noticing the temperature drop more with the wind coming out of the north or northwest lately! The milfoil crew was out yesterday in the channel area and had to tie up to a dock (with permission) because the anchors wouldn't hold the pontoon boats in place in the wind.

Jason Randal lost a water ski int he broad lake yesterday - he kicked one off and then, because of the wind, couldn't find it. If it ends up on your waterfront, please let him know (lizrandall@optonline.net) - or get in touch with me and I will let him know. Thanks so much.

End of Summer!

 Here we are at Labor Day Weekend, generally considered the end of our summer season. We have been seeing (and feeling) hints of fall for a couple of weeks - so we know on several levels that our summer is about over. The air is crisp most mornings, there is a tinge of color on a few maples here and there, there are mini-showers of leaves falling when the wind picks  up, and television ads are featuring back-to-school and Halloween stuff instead of hiking gear and swim fins. We expect to have some nice fall days ahead, but they will be getting shorter and cooler each week.

I had a lovely note from my friend, Mary, this week. She has had a busy summer and I haven't had many photos from her, but she send some lovely ones the other day and I will share them - another sign of fall is butterflies. They love zinnias!

I've had a few butterflies around my house - they feast on phlox, bee balm, and milkweed. I have quite a bit of "natural" area around the perimeter of my lawn and where there are rocks and ledges that are hard to keep mowed. So they are inclined to hang out there where they have lots of variety. 

I have a late-blooming yellow mini-sunflower or daisy-like plant that grows about four feet high and  attracts butterflies and bees, but that hasn't bloomed yet. I think it's called ox-eye sunflower. And I used to have purple asters in several spots. One large bush was by the back corner of my garage, but it was lost when I had the garage foundation done a couple years ago. There are more clumps in other spots, though - just not near the house. I rather miss it - it was a favorite to grab for a quick bouquet to pair with the yellow ox-eye sunflowers. Now I have some new plants by my porch and they are just beginning to show flowers. I have some sedum and astilbe that are looking good in there, and we'll be filling in with a few more varieties to keep color there from spring to fall.

Tomorrow is the final meeting of the Joe's Pond Association - 10 a.m. at the pavilion. We will have an update on Eurasian watermilfoil and whether the application of herbicide a few weeks ago has done its job. If you plan to come, it could be cool, even with the side curtains on the pavilion, so dress accordingly!

In the afternoon, I'm scheduled to be at the Cabot Historical Society from 1-3 p.m. That is always interesting - we've met a number of new people there this summer. We will continue to be open until mid-October; after that it is too cold in the building and once the temperature gets below freezing, the front door is difficult to open and close. We don't need the security alarm going off!

So we're heading into autumn and preparing for winter. The ground is very dry right now and if we don't get rain soon, I'm afraid it could mean some folks will run short of water this fall or winter. There is a danger of forest fires, too, as the trees begin to shed their leaves. We normally get plenty of rain during late October or early November, and hopefully that will happen this year. I'd rather have it come as rain than later on as snow! We have been lucky not to have the severe weather incidents that most of the country suffered this summer. We've had a fair share of severe weather over the years and we try to be careful what we wish for - not that we're superstitious, but we also know we're not immune to these things! Enjoy the nice weekend as we say "good-bye" to summer!