Fred took these photos at the access area this morning while everyone was waiting for the divers to arrive.

Jacob Grant, a reporter from the Caledonian Record waited as long as he could (shown here with Tom Dente).

About the only activity for quite a while was fishing boats coming and going. Here's one just leaving the access area.

Meanwhile, Pam Hebert, left, Camilla Dente (behind Tom in this photo), and Tom Dente waited patiently. Tom and Pam look pretty worried here, don't you think? It all turned out ok, and Pam sent the following report to me:

I don't have a final report form the divers but they did not find any Eurasian milfoil. They also were not able to locate the boat. One diver was here two years ago and able to pinpoint the location. He told me that with the sediment and depth, they were not able to locate the boat.

So, we will get a more detailed report but the good news is that no Eurasion milfoil was found.

And Ted. Thanks for the pictures of the divers. We are most fortunate that the most significant items that the divers located was a few fishing poles instead of our facing the monumental task of ridding the Pond of an invasive plant that could cost upwards of $100,000. These trained and knowlegable divers gave us a negative inspection for Eurasion milfoil and this is great news. Thanks to everyone who takes this situation seriously and is committed to keeping our "waters" clean.

*****

And on another note, yesterday afternoon I saw a swimmer 100 feet from shore. This is the second time I personally have seen a swimmer in what I would say is a dangerous distance from the shore (two weeks ago I watched a swimmer go to the sunken island and back to the Route 2 side of the Lake.)

I called the Vermont State Police and spoke to Mike Sisino who is the Assistant Director of the Vt State Police Marine Division. He informed me that there are no laws for swimmers in open waters. His exact words were that "there are not laws against stupidity."

He did further explain that it is the boat operator's responsibility to maintain a proper look out and the burden is on the boat operator. I think this is worthwhile to pass on.

Pam

"Against stupidity the very gods themselves contend in vain." Shiller, 1801.

The divers finally arrived yesterday and went about checking for invasive plant species. We don't have a report of their findings yet, but I expect Pam Hebert or Tom Dente will be in touch soon. In the meantime, Ted Decker, West Shore Road, sent these photos he took yesterday near his cottage. Thanks, Ted - nice pictures!

Here's his note:

I took a couple of pictures of the divers this morning [Tuesday] in front of our camp. Thought you might be interested. The man in the boat is not reeling in a diver - just examining one of the fishing rods recovered from the bottom. In the fifteen minutes that I watched they recovered two, so by the end of the day they may have been able to open a used sports equipment store. Ted

HERE'S ANOTHER "MOON SHOT" TAKEN BY STEVE ALLEN LAST NIGHT. (Must be lots of Joe's Ponders were out howling at the moon last night . . . ) Click to enlarge.

Thanks, Steve. These late summer nights are special here on the pond, aren't they? Nothing prettier.

********

I'm expecting a report on the divers who were coming today to examine the pond shoreline for invasive plants. They got a very late start - Fred went down to take pictures for the blog, but came home just before noon when they hadn't arrived. Apparently they had problems with one of the compressors. As soon as I have more information, I'll post it.

Two photos from Diane Rossi - really nice! Thanks, Diane.

She writes -

I looked for the lunar eclipse this morning, but couldn't even find the moon! This was it last night....

This has been a busy blog day!

Yesterday at the Year-End Meeting of JPA, a collection was taken to help defray the expenses of mowing the hike/bike path in the Joe's Pond area. It wasn't mentioned who had done the work, but it has been much appreciated by those who use the path. Here's the message I received tonight from Diane Sherwood:

Yesterday's request for donations from those using the "Rec Path" was wonderful! We will be able to give a nice "thank you" to Donald Glover of Danville who took it upon himself to mow the path a couple of times this summer. Anyone who missed the opportunity to contribute but would still like to should contact either Pam Hebert (684-3655) or me, (684-3397).

Thank you.

Diane Sherwood

I've just had a call from Pam Hebert to let people know four divers will be in the water tomorrow, August 28. These are the same people who were here a few years ago looking for evidence of invasive milfoil or other pests growing in Joe's Pond. The divers are from Aquatic Concern out of Fairlee, Vermont. They will be in the water from about 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., surveying along the shoreline in various likely spots, around Sunken Island, and shallow areas where invasive plants may be lurking. They will also be taking pictures of the large sunken boat that they discovered on their previous dive. They estimated it to be about 30 ft. long and said it had probably been under water many years. This is a mystery we hope to solve one day.

In the meantime, if you see strange activity tomorrow along the shoreline, you'll know it is these divers. Ray Richer will be along with his pontoon boat, and President Tom Dente and others from the JPA will be on hand either on the boat or at the boat access where the divers will begin their search. If anyone has questions, please call Tom at 684-3615.

Here are a few photos of the End-of-the-Year party yesterday at the Joe's Pond Association Recreation Area Pavilion. There were, at least 130 people in attendance - a really good turnout of JPA members. President Tom Dente kept the business meeting short, and the congenial group kept the social hour long - extending into late afternoon.

Members brought appetizers, and such a wonderful array of tempting tid-bits deserved proper attention, and I think everyone was impressed with the variety. Someone mentioned to me that "these ladies sure know how to cook" - and of course everyone who has one of the Joe's Pond cookbooks knows that is very true.

Chef John "Woody" Woods of Cabot did a masterful job of cooking for the group. He brought along two Danville High School students to help serve, and had a young man who aspires to attend the Culinary Institute assist him. The meal was delicious and served buffet style - and while the line leading to the buffet table was long, it moved at a reasonable rate.

The vegetables and salad were made by Garey Larrabee at Hastings Store, and everything was delicious. Garey also made luscious lemon squares for dessert. Evelyn Richer made two huge and beautifully decorated cakes - and I'm sorry we don't have a picture of that table - I think Fred was way more interested in sampling the cake than in taking pictures at that point.

One thing many people had difficulty with was the noise level. Several mentioned to me that in the pavilion it is very hard to make oneself heard when there are so many people talking at once. I was happy to be able to report that the problem was addressed at the last JPA Board meeting and already there are some plans afoot to get that corrected. Larry Rossi has some good ideas, and I'm pretty sure something will be done to make large groups more comfortable.

Unfortunately, quite a few people were confused about when our last meeting would be. We normally have our meetings on Saturday mornings and social gatherings in the evenings. Next year we will try to make arrangements firm when the newsletter goes out so there won't be quite as much confusion. We posted information here on the blog several times, but since some people either don't have computers or don't read the blog on a regular basis, there was confusion.

It was a great party, and we are truly sorry that some members were not able to be there; and we sincerely apologize to those of you who missed the party because you didn't realize exactly when it was to be held.

We hope everyone has a healthy, safe winter, and we look forward to seeing you back at Joe's Pond meetings and activities in 2008. In the meantime, we hope you'll watch the blog for the latest news from the North Country. I'll be posting minutes of yesterday's meeting very soon.

FROM EVELYN RICHER - RE: POND "SLIME"

We received this forwarded message from Neil Kamman, Environmental Scientist VI, VT Department of Environmental Conservation, Water Quality Division.103 S Main 10N,Waterbury VT 05671-0408

Subject: Identification of “Slime” found floating on the pond’s surface.

From: Burnham, Doug
Sent: Friday, August 10, 2007 4:11 PM
To: Kamman, Neil
Subject: Bag-o-Slime

Neil,

Your Bag-o-slime is indeed Oscillatoria limosa. It is filamentous but forms very dark bluish-green mats on the bottom or other substrate. The mats eventually float to the surface and appear as slimy mass of blue-green gunk. Pretty common and widespread, not particularly indicative of anything unless, as with any algae, it appears in excessive growths.

Doug Burnham
VTDEC/WQD,103 South Main St. - 10N,Waterbury, VT 05671-0408
802-241-3784; doug.burnham@state.vt.us

http://www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/waterq/bass.htm

Neil also thanks us all for our efforts in helping them protect our body of water here at Joe’s. Evelyn R.

JPA FINAL MEETING OF THE SEASON
SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 2007
2:00 P.M.
JPA PAVILION
BUSINESS MEETING & DINNER
MEMBERS ONLY
Bring an Appetizer, and your Appetite
(and BYOB!)

MEMBERS, COME JOIN IN A CELEBRATION OF A SUCCESSFUL SUMMER!

The following notices came to me this afternoon from the Cabot Town web site web master. As you do with a picture, you can click on the text to enlarge it.

If you know anyone who might be interested in the job of painting the Willey Building, or serving as auditor, please pass this information on to them. Note the deadline date for each.



You can reach the Cabot Town Clerk, Douglas Harvey, at 802-563-2279, or by e-mail, TCOCABOT@fairpoint.net.

These photos were sent by Sue Quatrini. Sometimes our ugliest weather produces the most spectacular skies, and she caught these two shots just right.
(Click to enlarge!)

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

Visitors' Sunday at the Cabot United Church
Special music by organist/ pianist Steven Morse

This Sunday, August 26^th at 10:30 AM, the Cabot United Church will host its last Sunday of the month Visitor’s Sunday with special music by classically trained and well-known organist/pianist Stephen Morse. Steve will play many special numbers, and will sing at least one solo during this special service.

Lunch will be served following the service.

The Faith in Action Northern Communities Partnership Cabot area parish nurse will be available for free health concern consultations, and routine testing.

Please call 563-2257 for more information.

I've been having lots of fun watching this guy. He won the contest last night, so I can't be accused of padding the ballot box . . . sometimes we just need a chuckle, and I think he provides it. Well, actually, more like a belly-laugh for me, but see what you think. Click on this link . . .

http://comedy.videosift.com/video/Terry-Fator-Final-AGT-performance

This is pretty funny - you might want to watch the show tonight. In the meantime, here's a link to part of the show - one of the contestants on "America's Got Talent." Be sure you have your speakers on.


http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/video/#mea=143857

I saw part of the show last week - all the acts were very good, but this guy was special. I can't imagine what he'll do tonight to top this, but can't wait to see it. I have to be at a meeting, but Fred has instructions to tape it . . . Have fun!

As advertised, Mark Twain visited Cabot on Sunday.

There were about 40 people at the church in Cabot Sunday afternoon to meet Bern Budd, a performer from Marshfield, Massachusetts, as Mark Twain. Mr. Budd gave a remarkable performance, acting and sounding very much as we would expect Mark Twain did when he toured the country speaking to groups of citizens in the 1800's.

The weather was fine on Sunday. Outside the church on the Common, there were still a few vendors left from the weekly Farmers' Market that takes place there each Sunday during the summer. There were wonderful tomatoes, string beans, cucumbers, and other fresh vegetables - and before the program at the church, some of the folks who'd come for Mark Twain visited the market.

We were surprised that many of the people who came for the program were from out-of-state and were visiting in the area. Several came from as far away as Burlington and North Troy. Apparently there are a lot of Mark Twain fans.

The next program brought to you by the Cabot Historical Society is on September 16. David Book who has just published his book about the Cabot men who served in the Civil War will be on hand at the Historical Society Museum to read from his book, talk a bit about his research and experiences visiting cemeteries all over the country where Cabot men were buried, and to sign copies of his book. He has recently come across additional information about one of the soldiers, I believe the name is Morrill, that he hadn't known when he wrote the book. This is exciting information for Civil War buffs and for our historical society. Anyone interested is invited to come to hear David on the 16th at 2 o'clock - he'll be in uniform, and you'll enjoy the hint of southern drawl as he speaks!

What's a southern boy doing writing about Yankees from up north? David is a teacher. He taught many years at Cabot School and was principal before he retired about three years ago. He'll tell you how he got so involved in the history of Cabot's soldiers, and about the hours spent researching in the national archives in Washington, D.C., and the miles covered to visit the graves of the fallen men from Cabot. The families of these men often couldn't afford to bring their loved one home and were unable to visit their graves, so David brought a bit of earth from Vermont to sprinkle at each grave - a bit of home, he said, for those brave men.

His book is titled, "It is Sweet and Honorable to Die for the Fatherland" - a quote from the Latin inscription on the Civil War Monument on the Common in Cabot.

We look forward to welcoming you to an interesting afternoon at the Cabot Historical Society.

UPDATED JOE'S POND ON-LINE DIRECTORY

We just put an updated version of the Joe's Pond Directory on the web site. We try to update every couple of months, or more often if there are lots of changes. While I think I have all the recent changes, I could easily have missed something, so please look at it when you have a few minutes and alert me if you find errors. It is printable - 24 pages total.

We walked to the Cabot Plain School and back this morning instead of our usual route along West Shore Road towards Rt. 2. I particularly like that route because it "takes me home" when I reach the school and look across the plain to the farm where I grew up. The area is much changed, but it still brings back fond memories. We noticed there was little water in the two brooks that flow off the plain. It was probably a good thing we got some rain tonight.

Hasting's Store now has the Cabot oral history book, Cabot, Vermont a Collection of Memories From The Century Past, for sale. It has lots of history, numerous old photos, facts, humor, and life stories told in the voice of Cabot citizens interviewed in 1999. Even if you don't know the people in the book, I think you'll find it represents well rural Vermont life and attitude just before, during, and after WWII. Look at the extensive index of names - you'll likely find references to people you know. The weather report tonight from WCAX indicates the next few days will give us a glimpse of the fall to come. I'm working on our Fall Foliage Day celebration in Cabot that comes up on October 2, so for me the leaves have already turned and I'm waiting for the frost on the pumpkin, sure to follow soon.
Too soon!

If you've taken the road to Cabot Plain, you'll recognize the Cabot Plain School, now a private residence; the former Bolton farm; the Maynard house, and what most think is a garage that goes with that house. However, before it was a garage it was the Cabot Plain School until the new one was built in 1929. My mother's first teaching position was at that old school. She was instrumental in getting a new school built. My Grandfather Bolton donated the land for the new school and everyone pitched in to raise the money to fund it, and neighbors helped build it. My mother met my father while teaching at the old school, left there to teach in Adamant a short time, and then after she and my dad were married, went to teach at West Danville. She finally got to teach in the "new" Plains School during the 1940's until the school was closed in 1948 and she and the students had to go to Cabot Village. She taught in the village for several years before leaving to work for the Department of Social Welfare in St. Johnsbury.

LAST OF THE SUMMER
THURSDAY NIGHT
CORNISH HEN
OR
STEAK DINNERS

THURSDAY, August 16^th

YOUR CHOICE OF CORNISH HEN, GRILLED OR

SIMMERED STEAK WITH BAKED POTATO, VEGETABLE,

ROLLS, BEVERAGE AND DESERT SERVED FROM 5:30 TO 7:00 PM

TAKE-OUTS AVAILABLE.

DONATION $7.00 ADULTS $4.00 UNDER 12 YRS.

TICKETS BY RESERVATION OR AT THE DOOR: 563-2278

We hope you will come to this program. The performance is free and open to the public. There will be light refreshments after the program and a chance to meet Mr. Bern Budd. Click on the image to enlarge.



Earlier this summer someone asked when Nichols Ledge in Woodbury would be re-opened to hikers. The trail had been closed because of the nesting peregrine falcons. For late information on that trail and other hiking spots that may have been closed, go to: VT Fish and Wildlife

Good Morning - sure feels like fall to me!

We walked this morning and the air was crisp and clear. There is a definite "cool down" going on this week. Last night was really quite chilly, and this evening I expect we'll have a small fire in the wood stove. Short summer or not, it's been a pretty nice one, overall. Folks along West Shore Road are getting things done and I'm sure others on the pond are, too. It's always a contest in the summer whether to kick back and enjoy or go for the odd jobs that always need to be accomplished "before winter sets in."

There was activity at the Randy Rouleau site that has remained quiet and unfinished for several weeks; Phil Rogers was busy in his garage, probably on some project that needs doing before snow flies; there were carpenters at the Decker cottage; and work is progressing nicely on the Hamilton's new garage.

We got only a couple of pictures - I needed to get home to eat breakfast. Somehow I always get a better workout when I go before breakfast - I hate being hungry so I walk faster and talk less! The pond was a beautiful blue and the sky nearly clear - we always enjoy seeing Ned's plane and couldn't resist taking a picture; and we were impressed with the rapid progress on Ned's garage since there are only two men working there. Fast workers.

In case anyone has issues to bring before the Joe's Pond Association Board of Directors, we will be meeting this Saturday morning. Let me know if there is something you'd like to have addressed by the Board or Membership.

UPDATES

These messages came from Evelyn and Ray Richer tonight. On the sign that was vandalized at the head of Sandy Beach Road:

Forgot to mention, the left side of the sign where the slats were hit and broken from the sign has damaged spacer bars. They are permanently part of the left post and middle divider. Those have to be replaced and that means nearly the whole sign will have to be disassembled and the new pieces milled. Nearly all the West Shore slats are damaged and need to be redone. The Sandy Beach side of the sign is okay. (Thankfully the sign top is not damaged!)

*****

Here is an update on the recently discussed sludge found in the pond:

The official (or semi-official) word came from Neil Kamman (DNR) who Ray took out to examine the area and the “growth”… he stated that it was indeed “nature happening” and the reason that this decaying material (with some algae in it) was floating on the surface is either it was “kicked up” from the bottom by turbulent activity, or a natural gas bubble (from decaying matter) was released to the surface loosening it from the bottom. It is nothing to become alarmed about, and he took some samples to examine but feels Joe’s is a healthy pond even though it has ‘disgusting’ matter in some of its shallow areas… this is the same material that Kelli and Ray found two years ago on the bottom while scuba diving looking for possible invasive plants. She was not alarmed at the find of this very ‘gross matter’… and Neil was also not surprised at the find… Neil said he could write up an official statement if we wanted, but we told him that we felt he needn’t bother this time as it was such a common find… and he assured us there was nothing to be concerned about…

On the Algae in Joe's Pond

I have been on the Pond since 1945 and beleive this has happened every year. Old timers say it is the Pond turning over.If you have a thermometer in the pond you will notice that the temp drops when this happens and then warms up again. It seems to lay on the bottom in shallow areas until it lets loose or is distubed by boat traffic. I hope I am right in my observations. Ralph Hastings used to speak of this and I took him as somewhat of and authority on Joes Pond . Bryce Montgomery

We walked early Friday morning - it was cooler than usual and nice for brisk walking. We hadn't walked for a few days - too hot for me, but besides that I was getting ready for Saturday's Open House at the Historical Society building in Cabot. I had all the albums with me that I've been working on for almost a year now, and hoped people in town for the Cabot High School Alumni meeting would be on hand to help me identify some of the pictures. Several people came by and were able to identify people in several of the photos, so for me the day was a success.

Back to our walk - we met several people and finally, due to the late hour, hitched a ride home with our neighbor, Elizabeth Weidmer. Fred got some pictures, though.
The Alonzo camp on Barre Avenue seems to be pretty much finished except for possibly some landscaping.


They were drilling a water well at the Dente's on Edgewood Avenue. We could hear the drill and if you enlarge the photo, you can see the setup at the back of the cottage towards the road.


The ladies were out on the tennis court at Ned and Carolyn Hamilton's. Also at the Hamilton's, their new two-story garage going up across the brook from their present garage, is progressing rapidly. The builders, out of East Hardwick, told us they expect to be finished in a couple more weeks. There should be plenty of room for all Ned's toys.

Enjoy the summer weather we have here in Vermont - the rest of the nation is sweltering, as you know. If this keeps up I think we can expect a lot more folks moving north, and more who are already here may decide to hang out with us year 'round. Which reminds me - the Andreoletti cottage on Sandy Beach Rd. has been sold to Richard and Carmen Gagne. We were told they may winterize it for year around use. On the other side of the pond, Carlyle and Theresa Pierce have sold their cottage on Clubhouse Circle to Henretta Splain's parents, Mr. & Mrs. Henry Mills, from Long Island, N. Y. They are looking forward to being year 'rounders at Joe's Pond, and to being near Henretta and their granddaughter, Kelli and her husband, Jeff Merrell, who live in Danville. We are happy to have them here.

ABOUT THE DAMAGED SIGN

Just a little update… We spoke with Bill Ricker last night at the Pig Roast and he mentioned that he found the sign in its damaged condition at 5:30 am yesterday morning… so our time frame is off and it probably did happen during the nighttime hours… Evelyn

JPA Sign Damaged

Evelyn Richer writes:

We just came home this afternoon to find that the sign at the end of our road [Sandy Beach Road] has been hit, by what looks like a baseball bat… all the names on the left side (West Shore names) have been broken…I happened sometime between 12 noon and 3 pm today… thought you might like to put that on the web so if anyone has any idea who might have done it they can report it to the proper authorities … (I don’t know… just thought you might like to know it has happened again…) The sign will need rebuilding (again) … but it won’t be done until next season… (too late in the season and we are right out straight now…)

This is bold - doing this in the middle of the day. I hope someone saw who did this. Please let us know if you saw or heard anything at all in that area today. I haven't talked with anyone to know if it was reported to the police, but I'll let you know what steps have been taken to find the culprit.

From: Bill Bartlett

To: FLVRT List Serve

Sent: 8/9/2007 4:38:31 PM

Subject: [Flvrt] Friends of the LVRT Needs You!

Our Mission: To support the development, maintenance, and promotion of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail as a public resource offering a tranquil and scenic year-round multi-use recreation and transportation corridor; and especially to represent the interests of non-motorized trail users.

The Friends of the LVRT is a not for profit organization created to represent the interests of non-motorized recreational users and the businesses they support in the development and management of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail. At almost 100 miles in length, once developed, this will be the longest recreational Rail Trail in Vermont and one of the longest in New England.

When developed with the needs of non-motorized recreational users in mind, the LVRT will be an important recreational and economic development resource for the communities along and nearby the Trail that runs from St. Johnsbury to Swanton.

The Friends are committed to working to ensure that in the development of the LVRT there is a strong voice representing the interests of non-motorized users including: biking, walking, hiking, equestrian, bird watching, jogging, x-c skiing, snowshoeing, mushing, ect.

We need you to become and remain part of this organization to help us to continue accomplishing projects like these:
Held public meetings in Danville, Johnson & Sheldon in 2006 to obtain public input

Held public presentation on bike trail development in Hardwick, Jeffersonville and Swanton in 2007
Distributed two editions of our newsletter
Held monthly Board meetings in Morrisville since May 2006
Held an annual meeting with a guest speaker focused on rail trail impacts on the local economy
Obtained representation on both the VAST Trail Management Committee and the Trail Advisory Committee and attended all meetings
Developed goals for our organization
Developed a committee structure to assist in implementing those goals

The Friends accomplished these goals in the first year of its existence and will soon have a website all with a limited budget due to devoted volunteers. We hope to expand our accomplishments for the coming year and we’ll need your help!

Here are some ways you can help:

· Renew your membership

· Give a membership as a gift to a friend

· Make an additional contribution to support the on-going work of the Friends.

· Pass this information along to your friends.

Heidi Krantz, President

This reply is from Andy Rudin, JPA Member -

Heidi Krantz,

I own property within a 100 feet of this rail trail. As far as I can tell, nothing is going to happen to cover this trail with a walkable, bikable surface for years to come, never mind what it will then take to maintain it afterwards.

Years have gone by after the plans to create this rail trail began, and it still is not pleasant to walk or bike on. $5.8 million have already been allocated to this project. I wonder where the interest on that unspent money goes.

On the other hand, as soon as it snows, VAST members will be able to use the trail. But us biking-walking-non-snowmobile folks will wait and wait and wait.

VAST is powerful and could pressure politicians, but I don't think they have a vested interest to finish the trail as soon as I want them to.

Andy Rudin

FOUND!

I found some ladder-type pressure-treated wooden dock steps in our boathouse yesterday. I'd love to return them to whoever they belong to.... Diane Rossi, 563-6088.

Another message about the swimmer -

Hi Jane:

Just read the Blog about Nancy B. talking about the swimmer in mid lake Sunday, and couldn’t see him. We were in the lake before Shellie and Nancy on our pontoon. He was very hard to see and if we were looking toward the back of the boat talking to people I don’t think we would of seen him. We had to move out of his way.

So unsafe. Shellie came up next and just put her hands up into the air. That’s the way we felt.

I thought I would also let you know about this swimmer.

Keep up the great work with the BLOG

Karen Morris

This came this morning -

Yesterday my husband Fella and I were out in our ski boat and came upon Michele Parker, who was talking to a swimmer out towards the middle of the big lake. She had just come through the narrows separating the 2^nd and third pond and started to speed up a little when she suddenly saw this swimmier, all by himself, no flag nor spotter around him. Actually he was very hard to spot unless you were right near him. She stopped to talk to him, at which point he gave her a little grief then continued swimming. We arrived on the scene and he said the same things to us. We all were concerned for his safety and watched him until he was finally on shore at a camp off Route 2. While we were watching him another boat came in between him and us and they never saw him at all.

This is a very dangerous practice and thought you might put something out there for swimmers. Thank you.

Love the blog – I read it every morning!!

Nancy S. Buttura

I certainly agree with Nancy. Even if there were no boats on the water, no one should swim alone. We teach our kids that at an early age. If they want to swim across the pond or in deep water they should ALWAYS have a boat alongside, and it's just not safe to swim too far from shore.

I'm sorry this person didn't understand you all were just concerned about his safety. You were absolutely right to caution him - it's good to know our community watches out for one another.

Thanks for e-mailing, Nancy.

This came this morning - another viewpoint on erosion of waterfronts and water safety issues:

As a lifetime Joes Ponder, it concerns me when people write in making remarks about Boaters and Jet Skiers as if they are an irresponsible bunch that are detrimental to the existence of wildlife, and the Joes Pond environment. I took offense to Steve Allens comment "The worst erosion is not from winter ice but from thoughtless - or to give them the benefit of the doubt, uninformed - boaters speeding way too close to shore".

I find it interesting that people are so upset by boat waves and the damage that they cause, while never noticing the effects of a 25MPH wind that blows white caps up against the shore all day. I also can attest to the damage caused by ICE at my Moms place on channel drive, which I have seen over the years.

The slalom course actually does not see much use. For those of us that do use it, I think we need to be mindful of Bob Kimballs' concerns and put plenty of distance between us and his dock when lining up.

Part of what makes Joes Pond such an attractive place is the fact that you can go boating, skiing, tubing, jetskiing, canoeing, kayaking, swimming or whatever. The last thing we need is more rules restricting what we can do on the Lake. I hope that people will be mindful of the 200ft rule, so as to keep a happy relationship between boaters and lakefront owners.

It's unfortunate that some people ignore some of the boating regulations, but lets be careful not to blame boaters for all of Joes Ponds' problems.

Bill Hamilton.

PS. I remember seeing that Algae as a kid (late 70's - early 80's) when the water gets warm. It is nothing new.

Great fair - good fun! Our little camera didn't do too well in the dark, but here are some shots.

I guess most of you know Danville Fair is going on today. Fred and I will be going this evening to hear the BelAires play (son Bob is playing keyboards for them tonight). Bob hasn't played with them for a while, but their keyboard player couldn't be there tonight so he's filling in. It's always fun to listen to them. Turns out, it's "oldies played by oldies!"

Andre LaPrade contacted me today to let folks know there will be lots of special items in the silent auction on Saturday, Aug. 11. One of the items is pretty interesting - Jack "Woody" Woods who is chef at the Creamery, is offering a catered dinner for 24-26 people. I don't know all the particulars of how this works, but it seems like a great opportunity for a party! John, as many of you know, lives out past the Cabot Plain Cemetery. We know he has a rather large portable BBQ/kitchen unit, so the possibilities loom large. There will be details at the auction. If you don't have your tickets for the pig roast that night, better get going and contact Dave Parker and Michele (684-3358).

Cool evening - perfect for fair-going! Did you know it's never rained on Danville Fair? - Well, that's what Jane Larrabee told me once years ago. Could that be?
I've been to lots of Danville Fairs, and I don't remember ever having rain . . . hmmmm.