MEMORIAL DAY, 2006

Here is a link to a very nice article in The Caledonian Record yesterday. Some of you probably know Don Encarnacion who lives with his wife, Mary, on West Shore Road.

I'm sure you will recognize the other veterans honored, as well.

Caledonian Record

Spring Meeting of
Joe's Pond Association
Saturday, May 27, 2006

Summer is here! It's the start of another great season at Joe's Pond. Most of our members are back and many of them were at the meeting today. The schedule of upcoming events promises something for everyone. We're sorry if you missed this meeting; the next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, July 1, 2006. Hope to see you there!
See "Schedule of Events" from our home page for other activities.

AND THE GOOD NEWS IS . . .

We had some sunshine today!

Things are still a bit soggy, but by this weekend we might begin to dry out a little. Today's sun brought out the apple blossoms and brightened everyone's outlook.

We've been busy rounding up local businesses to be on our new web page for business cards. I've had lots of calls from people wondering where to find various services, from carpenters to plumbers, so we decided to try including business cards on the web site. You'll find the link to them on the home page. If a business has a web site, we link to that instead of putting up a business card, so if you're looking for services or any kind of information, you may find it under "Community Storefront" where we've added several new links. You'll find the "Gallery at Loon Cove" on Sandy Beach Road there, also a local B&B, "Fruitlands", and under "Statewide Interest" you'll find lots more very informative links. Want to know how your favorite restaurant rates with the Vt. Health Department? Go to their link!

Have fun exploring the area on your computer before you take to the highway this summer - we have tried to bring you some of the highlights and will continue to add to more. Fred is a great web master, keeping to the high standard Sandy set when she designed the site for me. So let us know how we're doing - if we're on the right track.

A Gallery of ARTWORK at Charlie's Northland

North Hero, Vermont

This spring, Charlie's Northland on North Hero Island, well known as a unique tackle and bait shop, will exhibit local artwork for sale.

Charlie and Dorice Clark have enjoyed 54 years at Charlie's Northland. They are still offering fishing supplies, clothing, gifts, collectibles, Vermont Cabot cheese, Stonewall jams and jellies, used books (many first editions and some copies of the histories of the islands by Allen Stratton). Now Dorice has a gallery of local artists’ work for sale.

To celebrate the new Gallery, Charlie's will have open house Sunday afternoon, May 28th, from 1 to 3 p.m. Art on exhibit will include paintings and crafts by Grand Isle artists:

Still life oil paintings by Brian Welsh; water color paintings by William Walsh and Linda Coffin; digital photography, jewelry and note cards by Susan Alden from The Tongue, in Alburg; June Lynch’s sculptural lamp shades and woven baskets; Biffie Gallant’s silver jewelry and stained glass; and work by weaver Mary Jane Healy.

A recent addition at the Gallery is well known artist, Ernie Haas of the Burlington area, formerly showing at "The Blue Heron". Works by Hass that are on display are a large painting (left) of the Isle la Motte Lighthouse and its residence, along with several mostly historical ships such as the "William (Bill) Walsh" out of Ladd Point, Grand Isle, Vermont, shown below. All are done in acrylic. Charlie and Dorice are excited to have Ernie Hass join the local artisans at the "Gallery at Charlie's Northland".

Charlie's Northland, Inc. is in the heart of North Hero Village. They invite you to visit them at their Open House celebration on Sunday afternoon, May 28th, from 1 to 3 p.m.

You’ll find them on Lake Champlain at 3829 U.S. Route 2, North Hero, Vermont, 056474.

Visit their web site, www.charliesnorthlandlodge.com

Note: Fred and I visited Charlie and Dorice one unusually warm Saturday last January. They were most gracious hosts. They know lots of history of the island area, and it was a very enjoyable visit. This time of the year the trees should be in bloom and I can't think of a nicer time to take a day trip (or an overnight) to North Hero. With Charlie's Northland and the Gallery as a destination, and lots to see on the way, I know it will be a great trip for you.

Words of Wisdom

Every now and then something comes across my desk that somehow rings so true I cannot help but send it on for others. The following is a "forward" e-mail message I received from a friend today. More often than not I don't take time to open "forwards", but for some reason I looked at this one and I immediately not only wanted to keep it, I want to share it. Here goes:

In April, Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 70+ birthday. Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older. And, there on television, she said it was exciting. Regarding body changes, she said there were many, occurring every day - like her breasts. She joked that they seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist, first. The audience laughed so hard they cried. She is such a simple and honest woman, with so much wisdom in her words.

Maya Angelou also said this:

“I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he or she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.

I've learned that making a ‘living’ is not the same thing as ‘making a life.’

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back.

I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

Good Morning, Blog Watchers!

Welcome back to Joe's Pond - once the rain is out of here, I'm betting we'll have a really nice summer. Looks as if there's going to be rain through next weekend, though. I think we're a little behind, getting our April showers in May. The flowers are doing nicely and trees are coming along. I was in St. Johnsbury yesterday and all the ornamentals on Main Street were in bloom. Not much showing up here, but in another week or so . . .

The trees in my back yard this morning, between showers.

Fred and I have had lots of calls from people looking for services - from plumbers to lawn care - so we are adding business cards to our web site. You'll find them under "Community Storefront" and under "Business" - we've called it "Local Services, Business Cards." I hope this makes life a bit easier for you. We'll be adding to the list as time goes on, so if there is someone you'd like to see on the list, please let me know and I'll contact them. Also, if there are services you have a hard time locating, I'll try to search out those businesses for you and get their information on the web site.

MOTHER'S DAY AT JOE'S POND
Photo by Ray Richer

Our mother loon fittingly produced a second egg today, Mother's Day, at about 4 p.m., according to a report from Evelyn Richer. The proud prospective parents are busily attending to their duties taking turns incubating the eggs, and thanks to Evelyn and Ray for keeping a camera's eye on the little family, we can expect word on some chicks in about a month, if all goes well.

Remember, don't disturb the loons on their nest or go too close when you see them in the water.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

A thought for the day, to all mothers (and children), with love.

"No matter how old a mother is, she watches her middle-aged children for signs of improvement." --Florida Scott-Maxwell

LOON NEWS FROM JOE'S POND

Evelyn and Ray Richer announce the arrival of a loon egg as of Thursday, just after 3 pm ... another season begins. Ray will be putting the signs in today if he can. This is early for them. In 2004 it was May 19, in 2005 it was May 18, and this year May 10th...
(Photo by Ray Richer)

THE LOST IS FOUND

Well, we aren't certain, but we think the owner of the section of dock that ended up at Ray and Cyndy Rouleau's last week retrieved it sometime this weekend. If not, it could be floating around out there somewhere. Anyway, we hope it's back in place where it belongs.

*****

A bear very much like the one in the picture sauntered up the driveway at Jamie and Marie Dimick's recently. Jamie said they hadn't removed all bird feeders they'd had up during the winter, and apparently the bear was looking for an easy snack of sunflower seeds. No harm was done and the bear finally climbed the bank next to the house and headed north into the woods. Jamie said he meant to take down the bird feeding stations, but just hadn't gotten to it. They're down now and put away for the summer.

We haven't seen a bear here at our house recently, but that's probably because we weren't looking out at the right time. Over the years we've seen signs in the woods and on our walks along West Shore Road have occasionally seen where a bear has sloshed through the ditch and then crossed the road leaving unmistakeable muddy footprints. A few years ago we spotted a mother bear with two cubs one morning as we walked up Cabot Plains Road. We backed off quietly and cut our walk short that morning. The mother bear watched us, but the cubs paid no attention to us, and playfully bounded along after their mom as she crossed the road ahead of us and disappeared into the woods.

I grew up on Cabot Plain and spent lots of time in the woods, hunting, chasing cows, or just walking for the pleasure of it. There were plenty of bear stories told and retold in my family, and after the stories ended, my father always cautioned, "never get between a mother bear and her cubs." All those years rambling through the woods, and this was the first time I'd ever needed to heed the warning.

Of course, I passed the warning on to my kids when they were growing up - and their grandfather repeated those bear stories to my sons, with the same warning, so I wonder if Jamie thought about that as he watched the bear. It wasn't the first time a bear has visited at Jamie and Marie's. They've had them peering into the windows from their deck. Too close for comfort. Even though they are not far off West Shore Road, and very close to our house, I think they have a lot more wildlife roaming their property than we do.

I've been told the bears awoke very hungry this year; they didn't have adequate food supplies last fall. I don't know if this is true or not, but I'm not going to tempt them. We are careful to not leave anything edible outside, like residue on the charcoal grill or garbage, we don't feed the birds, and our cat gets fed inside the house. We have had ant hills torn up on the lower lawn, and sometimes find remnants of bee's nests, so we know the bears have been around, but I really prefer they keep their distance.

Here's another postscript to our Joe's Pond Ice Out Contest, 2006. I received this note and picture in the mail. The news clippings are a bit too long to post here, but I'll bring them to the spring meeting for members of Joe's Pond Association to see, and they will be saved with our other clippings about Ice-Out 2006.

May 4, 2006
Francoise "Frenchie" Cutting
23 Monument Rd.
Swanton VT 05488

Sorry it took me so long to write back to you. Here is a picture of me holding the check, and also a great story that was in the Burlington Free Press by Ed Shamy. I just loved his column. Thanks for the check, I will enjoy spending it. I will certainly play again next year. It was my first time buying a ticket, beginner's luck, I think!!!!! I also have enclosed the write-up from the St Albans Messenger. They mistook "Frenchie" for a man I guess, because they never called me. But Ed did.

Again, thank you very MUCH - you made Easter Sunday a day I will always remember.

Sincerely,
Francoise Cutting
(AKA) "Frenchie"

Lasagna!!! Lasagna!!! Lasagna!!!

Two choices available!

White Vegetable Lasagna

This is loaded with fresh spinach, broccoli, peppers, mushrooms and onions and layered with a thick, creamy white sauce and your basic ricotta cheese mixture.  If
you've never tried this, you've been missing out on a symphony for your tastebuds!

Cheesy Meat Lasagna

This is the classic lasagna that we all know and love.  Loaded with cheeses, sausage and hamburger, it's just like Mom used to make but better!  (Because Mom didn't
have to make it!)

A pan of Lasagna - $20.00
A half pan of Lasagna - $12.00

All proceeds benefit the Danville Senior Mealsite!

Order your lasagna by Monday, May 29th!
To roder, call Karen Moran at 684-2587.

Both types of lasagna freeze well.  They also make wonderful gifts for relatives, friends, co-workers,teachers....etc.  Lasagnas can be picked up on Friday, June 2 at the Danville Methodist Church between 4-7 PM.

SPRING CONCERT

It is time again for the Montpelier Community Gospel Choir to have a spring concert! There will be two concerts this spring.

The first concert will be in Norwich, Vermont on Saturday, My 13th, 7 p.m. at the Norwich Congregational Church, Rt.5, on the Norwich Green.

The second concert will be in Montpelier, Vermont on Sunday, May 14th, 7 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 137 Main St., Montpelier.

The choir's mission is to share with the community the joy, hope and inspiration that it experiences through music. Central Vermont's only gospel choir and band combines soul, jazz, original and traditional gospel music to produce an exuberant sound. The choir came together in 1993 and has grown to over 50 members. The choir is composed of everyday people who more often than not have no professional training, yet can produce a sound that reaches from deep within their souls to touch audiences in a powerful way. The group, from all religious and musical backgrounds, is the quintessential example of what people are capable of when their spirits are moved through music.

Come hear this wonderful sound, join in as an active community participant, and let the spirit move you! John Harrison of Plainfield, Vermont, directs the Montpelier Community Gospel Choir. No admission charge -- a free will offering will be taken. For more information, call 802-454-1357, or visit the choir's web site, www.vtgospel.com.

Above notice from choir member, Helen Morrison, 936 W. Shore Rd., Cabot VT 05647.