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!

 

And More EWM News!

Jamie Stewart sent more news on the progress of the Eurasian watermilfoil control group, but I had already posted his report about the party last night . . . so here's the rest of the story!

Hi again,   Sorry for the disorganization.

The focus of Saturday's harvest team was for boat of the snorkelers and SCUBA with 2 kayakers to survey and harvest milfoil in the inlet channel area where milfoil has been found.  We search and harvest every week there to stay on top of the smaller plants still growing.  We do not want any fragments floating down the lake. Every week we find a few plants and 6 were found and harvested.  Included in the survey is the Pearl Island.

 The SNUBA team boat searched the Sandy Beach Road from the Philips camp down to Kurrle's camp to see if any fragments had taken root there.  We also went looking for the 3 benthic barriers placed in 2025 as we have to take them out of the water soon.  No milfoil was found after 3 passes were made.

 

 

Attached is a photo of Saturday's (8/29) harvest team.  Pictured are from left to right:

Jamie Stewart - Boat

Marie Meteer - snorkeler

Doug Paulsen - snorkeler

Scott Burns - snorkeler

Josie Cicia - SCUBA

Aleksey Strokanov - SCUBA

Nick Hallback - snorkeler

Not pictured are:

Jamie Dimick - Boat

Barry Cahoon - Boat

Jim Bernotas - SCUBA

Mark Gerrish - SNUBA

Butch Bouchard - SNUBA

David Porter - SNUBA

Joanne Stewart - Kayaker

Pam Hebert - Kayaker

Sue Bouchard - Kayaker

Pat Rubacalba - Kayaker

Lou Monaghan - Kayaker

Worthy of note is Scott Burns is a West Danville community member, Josie Cicia is a niece of Jim Bernotas, Nick Hallback is the fiance of Josie, Aleksey Strokanov is a ST. Jay Academy student.  So many interested people not in the JPA community.  I do believe Saturday's crew is the largest gathering of harvesters we have ever had.  

End Of Summer

 As September nears, we are feeling change in the air and noticing a few leaves withering or turning color, grass is growing more slowly, and there's an aroma of autumn in the air - a combination of over-ripe apples and dried earth - or maybe that's just at my house where I really look forward to some rain to fill my pond, and have apples decaying under the old tree near my porch. 

Yesterday I sat on the porch and watched leaves floating gently from the trees on my lawn. There was an occasional thud when another apple detached and hit the ground. This morning as I sat in my chair with my coffee I realized I'm beginning to see more of the road below my house through diminishing leaves on the maples and lilac bushes along the front walkway. We haven't had a lot of wind in the past several days, but growing season is definitely closing and trees are getting ready for winter.

Weather forecasters predicted "occasional showers" today, but nothing substantial. Apparently at 6:30 this morning there was a shower southwest of us and Nancy Buttura got this great shot of the rainbows it produced. If you look closely you will see there is a second rainbow just beyond the main one. Thank you, Nancy - this is a really nice shot.

This message came from JPA Secretary Jamie Stewart this morning - a report on the pot-luck dinner held last night to honor all the people who have been working diligently to combat milfoil. Such a nice thing to do! And I heard it was a huge success and everyone had a great time with lots of wonderful food and comradery. 

 Jamie's report:

    There was a potluck dinner last night [September 29, 2026] at the Pavilion where everyone involved with the Milfoil project was invited.  About 56 people showed up with food and it was a convivial group.  There were SCUBA divers there, SNUBA divers, snorkelers, kayakers, boat crew,  people who supplied food for the DASH crew, and boat launch greeters.  Joe Hebert said a few words and introduced the Eurasian Water Milfoil committee who have met monthly since January of 2025 to organize the effort to contain this invasive weed.  

     On Friday 8/28 there were 11 JPA and community members harvesting with 6 people in the water, 2 kayakers and 3 boat crew.  On Saturday  8/29, there were 18 JPA and community members with 10 people in the water, 5 kayakers, and 3 boat crew.  Barry Cahoon said at the potluck that when he was asked to lead the effort to contain this invasive weed he knew this effort needed JPA member's commitment and involvement.  Friday and Saturday's harvest crew and this potluck dinner was proof that the commitment and involvement was there and he thanked everyone for their efforts.

 

Joe's Ponders are definitely united in their resolve to beat this Eurasion watermilfoil invasion. How fortunate we are to have Barry, Joe, and the JPA Board solidly behind this effort. It truly "takes a village" and with dedication and persistence, we may be able to beat this after all. Nothing is impossible when good people work together.

 

 

 

 

  

 

Sunfish Race Results

Sunday we saw the final Sunfish Race for this season. Here is Susan Bouchard's report: 

It was a cool, dreary, rainy Sunday, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of the sailors competing in the final Sunfish race of the 2026 season. With steady winds throughout the race, conditions made for an exciting finish to another season of sailing.

The Single Division came down to a battle between Jack LaGue and Jay Chatot. (Pictured left). The two sailors were close in the season standings, and in the final race, Jack crossed the finish line just a few seconds ahead of Jay. That narrow margin was enough to secure Jack the overall 2026 season champion. It was truly a photo finish to an exciting season!  

 

 

Final 2026 Season Standings

Single Division

• Jack LaGue — 30 points
• Jay Chatot — 28 points
• Jules Chatot — 23 points
• Rob Stewart — 23 points
• Lee Erdmann — 14 points
• Phil Crosby — 6 points
• Sharon Trull — 5 points

Double Division

• David Porter and his sons — 30 points
  Sidney sailed with David in the second and third races, and Henry joined him for the fourth race.
• Scott Spencer and Josh Ventrice — 10 points

Following the races, sailors gathered for the annual Award Ceremony hosted by Mark and Rosie Smith. The Smith family has hosted this celebration since 1970, when the Caledonian Cup races first began at Joe’s Pond. The sailing races were resurrected in 2016, continuing a tradition that has become an important part of the Joe’s Pond summer community. This year’s ceremony was especially significant because 2026 is the final year that winners’ names can be engraved on the Caledonian Cup trophy.

 

The gathering was also an opportunity to look ahead and discuss the future of sailing at Joe’s Pond. Several ideas were raised for making the races more accessible and encouraging more participation. A sailing workshop will be offered in the spring. The goal is to introduce more people to sailing, build confidence on the water, and hopefully encourage new sailors to join the races.

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

 If you are on my list to be notified when I blog, because my computer failed, I wasn't able to send notification as I normally do. But I was able to publish the information provided by Barry Cahoon about milfoil treatment, so if you haven't already seen that, it is posted and you can read it just below this latest post. My computer literally died over the weekend. Jamie took it to Josh up in Lyndonville (Northeast Computer Systems) on Monday morning - and now I have it back with a new hard drive installed - everything is working perfectly again! I have to say, Josh does great work, and I was amazed that I got it back so quickly. He is good!! It was really handy that Jamie was able to get it there and pick it up for me, too. Sometimes things just work our perfectly.

 

Other times, not so much. I've had a bunch of things go haywire recently. It always seems that "troubles come not singly but in battalions," to paraphrase Shakespeare. It's the little things that I take for granted - and suddenly everything needs new batteries, or things need to be updated, cleaned, or serviced. It has something to do with summer winding down, I suppose. There are things that have to be done "before snow flies."   I'm impressed and dismayed at how quickly the summer has passed. I had to go to Hardwick last week and there were trees turning along Route 15 in Walden. No surprise - Walden's growing season is even shorter than here at Joe's Pond! They get all the weather before we do and more of it, I think. But we should have a nice - hopefully long - autumn with sunny days and cool nights. I hope we get some much-needed rain, too, before everything freezes up. 

 

That's it for now - enjoy what's left of summer!