HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM CABOT PLAIN, VT.

We were walking again today and after bumping into some neighbors - Ray Richer and later Greg Keenan (the beautiful new log cabin on the former Clayton Smith property) - and then stopping at Bill and Diane Rossi's for a few minutes, we found ourselves in the dark as we made our way back up West Shore Road. We were impressed with the Christmas lights along the way. The Dimick cottage is lighted, Phil and Joyce Rogers, Homer Fitts always has a fine display, across the way, Jane Milne, and there were lights dotting the shoreline all the way - some obviously for Christmas, some just because folks came for the holidays. On the far hillside we could see more Christmas displays. There was a moon although there were clouds scudding across it, but it gave enough light so we had no trouble finding our way up the snowy road. A truly beautiful night, with the temperature about 20 degrees. I should mention - the pond is finally frozen over everywhere. There have been some pretty cold nights with temperatures down to eight above or so, and unless Monday's foul weather is also quite warm, I would guess the ice is here to stay until Ice-Out.

In case you are wondering we finally have snow (and cold weather to keep it, at least for a few days). We got a few inches here at Joe's Pond so folks were out with their plows and snow blowers. In the mountains skiers and resort owners are rejoicing that there is finally a nice cover of natural snow. Tomorrow is supposed to be a sparkling day, but after midnight we could be back to snow turning to sleet and finally rain. Sometimes the forecast is a bit off the mark, and we can only hope. In the meantime, HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE. Be healthy and safe wherever you are.

Our neighbors down the road a piece, stopped by today to say "Hello" and wish us "Happy New Year." The Randall's hail from Long Island, N.Y., but love being in Vermont and I have to say, they have adapted remarkably well. With two of their youngsters at Lyndon State College and one in college in Keene, NH, their trips north are now a little less hectic, but once here, they move at a fairly frantic pace to keep up with friends and relatives and what the kids are involved in at school. We were delighted today they found time to come the short distance to our house (they are directly across the road from us) so we could catch up on the news.

The good news is, all three children are doing well in college and enjoying it, and their mom and dad are adapting well to being empty nesters. Coming from a long line of farmers on L.I., John has it in his genes, so has managed to not only build a very comfortable second home for his family here, he also plants a big productive garden and really, really enjoys getting out on his tractor. Liz, being the great sport she is, shares John's and the kids' enthusiasm for our North Country.

We woke up to snow this morning! White Christmas a day late - but it's still pretty mild outside so this is probably just a teaser. I'll keep you posted.

HERE'S YOUR REPORT FROM JOE'S POND ON CHRISTMAS DAY, 2006!

We headed off for a walk this morning with the thermometer in the low 40's, and no snow on the ground. We've had rain - somewhat cold rain, actually, and that kept the road crews busy over the weekend. West Shore Road is well sanded, but the wheel tracks are icy underfoot so we found it better walking on the shoulder. It was quiet as we walked down to camp, and there was very little traffic. Most people were probably at home opening presents or otherwise occupied.

We were surprised to see three ice fishermen on the other side of the pond - off the point by the Amidon/Scott cottages. Not far from where they were, there was open water. I have to believe these guys have a "thing" about ice fishing on Christmas Day, or they had a bet going, or maybe they were just crazy wild to get out there no matter what, but it looked pretty dangerous to us.

Last night we were at camp - oldest son Bill is spending the winter there - great fun to have the place open again after about 10 years. Fred and I lived there for about 18 years, year around, before there were very many other "year 'rounders". The whole family gathered for our annual Christmas Eve celebration. Bill said someone was out in their boat yesterday afternoon. They went by our cottage and followed up the west shore near the ice, but Bill couldn't tell where they put in. Not too many years you can go boating on Joe's Pond on Christmas Eve - in fact, I've never seen open water this late in the season. Sort of makes one nervous, though, wondering what Mother Nature has in store for us in 2007 . . .

Here are some pictures we took this morning. I hope your Christmas was a wonderful one.
Above: Marlynn Rouleau's lot that's been clear-cut and filled.
Above right: The view from Helen Morrison's, looking east .
Right: New house above "Pete" Blackadar's across Route 2 from West Shore Rd.

Click on photos to enlarge.

Here's the latest No Snow Report:

We still have a sifting of snow on the higher elevations around the pond, but it's sadly missing at even slightly lower elevations such as Barre, Danville, Marshfield, Cabot or St. Johnsbury, and on the southern slopes. Some folks are saying it's great - I had one lady tell me today she thinks people are better natured than usual for this time of the year and in spite of crowds of last-minute shoppers, folks seem to be very up beat and smiling. I guess she didn't run into any skiers . . . or snow boarders . . . or snowmobilers!

Here are some pictures Fred and I took this afternoon. You can see that the broad lake is still open. The narrows are open, but both the smaller ponds are pretty well iced over. No really cold weather forecast, and only snow flurries probably on Sunday, possibly turning to rain. Go figure. Click on the pictures to enlarge them.

I bet some of you folks who left back in September and October wish you'd stayed for the really nice weather we're getting now! Those of us who hang out here all winter are feeling pretty fortunate that the fuel bills may not be quite as high this year, and the driving has been great. Even on the few days when I need my winter boots here, I don't wear them if I'm heading to St. Johnsbury because I know I'll look very strange to the folks in town who are still in summer sneakers. Today in St. J. I saw an otherwise well-dressed woman wearing flip-flops -- bare feet and painted toenails, just like in the summer. (Sigh!) Merry Christmas!

Okay -
I know, I've been neglecting the blog lately. Well, 'tis the Season! Everyone is busy doing their thing to make the holidays special. That's my excuse. However, now I want to let everyone know I've got the "spirit", so here's one of those really irritating little guys to carry my Merry Message to each and every one!

May you know good health, love, peace and prosperity in the coming year.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS
FROM

JOE'S POND VERMONT

We had this nice greeting "card" from Homer (and his brother) from Venice, Florida this weekend, wishing everyone Happy Holidays and a Happy, Healthy 2007.

Thank you, Homer, and "Right back at ya!" Have a merry one.

ABOUT ICE-OUT TICKET REQUESTS

IF YOU WISH TO HAVE US SEND TICKETS TO YOU OR, AS OFTEN HAPPENS, WE GET MONEY IN THE MAIL WITH A LIST OF DATES AND TIMES AND A REQUEST THAT WE FILL OUT THE TICKETS AND RETURN THE STUBS, ETC. WE NEED TO HAVE A SELF-ADDRESSED STAMPED ENVELOPE TO DO THIS, AND WE URGE YOU TO NOT ASK US TO FILL IN THE TICKETS FOR YOU. IMAGINE DOING THIS FOR DOZENS OF TICKETS FOR DOZENS OF PEOPLE - THAT EQUALS A WHOLE LOT OF TICKETS/TIME. OUR HELP IS ALL VOLUNTEER AND WE REALLY CAN'T ASK THEM TO DO THIS.

SO, REQUEST AS MANY TICKETS AS YOU WANT, BUT SEND YOUR S.A.S.E.

We have a few items of interest that just came to me.

First, Tom Dente gave me an update on Camilla - she's doing very well and continues to get stronger with the aid of cardiac rehab. We're very happy her health is improving.

Tom also gave me a change in the Schedule of Events for Joe's Pond Association. The Italian Dinner will be held on July 28th, one week later than in the past. Co-chairman, Larry Rossi, will be officiating at his niece's wedding on the 21st.

I also rec'd the following notices this afternoon:

The Christmas classic film, "Miracle on 34th Street" will be shown this evening at the Cabot Library, in the Willey Building on Main Street, from 6:30 to 8:30. Children must be accompanied by an adult. This Friday film series is sponsored by the Cabot Coalition and the Cabot Public Library.

*****

There is to be an auction at the Cabot Gym on Saturday, December 8th, to raise money for a trip to Belize by Cabot School students. There will be numerous items, new and collectible, up for bid. Items may be viewed at 9 a.m.; the auction will begin at 10. Plan to come and spend the day. Food will be available.

Here we are in another snowstorm. I took pictures yesterday of the ice forming on the pond. Today there was more ice and lots of white showing up because of snow on the new ice. Most of the pond is frozen now, but that will likely change before it's frozen for good. Temperatures remain cold tonight, but was around the freezing mark earlier in the day. I don't think we had much melting going on, though. St. Johnsbury had some rain showers this morning and there was no snow on the ground there even though we were white at Joe's Pond. Their rain turned to snow this afternoon, so it's wintery just about everywhere tonight.

Apparently lots of people are taking no chances this year and are buying their Ice-Out tickets early. We've already sold a few hundred tickets! While it may seem early to select a date the ice will go out of the pond even before the pond is frozen over, I guess some folks believe a guess now is just as good as one in March. The list of previous winners and the dates they picked is on the web site along with a history of the Ice-Out Contest. Tickets will be distributed to the usual outlets soon, and Hastings Store has them now. It's fun to tuck a ticket in a Christmas card to friends or family - if you'd like a few now so you can do that, send your request and a stamped self-addressed envelope to: JPA Ice-Out Contest, PO Box 111, W Danville VT 05873. I've posted some of the pictures taken Wednesday to show you how the ice is shaping up.

Wedding bells will be ringing in West Danville next May. Garey and Jane Larrabee have announced the engagement of their daughter, Jenny, who will marry James Rafuse of Burlington. Jennie is studying nursing at Norwich University and working at Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin. The future groom is a unit manager for The Napoli Group North in Burlington. We wish the young couple every happiness. (Photo copied from the Caledonian Record.)

The deadline for public comment on the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail is December 7. At a recent meeting held in Lyndon, concern was expressed regarding issues such as motorized use of the trail, enforcement, handicapped access, and spraying of herbicides. ATVs are not presently permitted on the trail and VAST (Vermont Association of Snow Travelers) is currently talking with the sheriffs' department about handling enforcement in conjunction with the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife. There is some concern about spraying herbicides, and there may be "no spray" areas near schools, day cares, crops and water sources. Anyone wishing to comment should contact VAST by regular mail: LVRT MP, VAT, 26 VAST Lane/Berlin, Barre VT 05641, or FAX comments to 802-223-4316 before December 7. The next draft of the plan will be ready sometime after December 15. From then on, the project will be open for public comment every two years for the next 10 years. The proposed plan is available at www.nvda.net/transportation/lvrt.html.

It's a beautiful day here at Joe's Pond - bright sunshine, blue sky, snow on the ground, and SOME OF THE POND IS SOLID! Again. This morning there's solid ice around the islands and in the cove along Barre Avenue. The broader part of the pond didn't freeze, but with temperatures at night falling into the single numbers, we know it won't be very long before the slapping of waves is silenced and the buzz of snowmobiles begins. Ah, winter! Right now it looks very "Christmassy" and I think lots of us are ready, thankful for all the extremely nice weather we've had this fall, wet as it sometimes was.

On Saturday Fred and I walked along W. Shore Road and here are some shots we took: