Turkeys - they're everywhere! Jason Randall just sent these pictures taken from his house right across the road from us. Obviously, the turkeys were headed in our direction (that's our house on the hill). I'm not sure when he took the pictures, and I haven't seen any turkeys so far today, but they are certainly in the area.

We went to St. J. today to pick up Ice-Out tickets and leave off more wherever they were needed. Sales in St. J. have been a little slow, I'd say, but I'm sure in the next couple of weeks they'll increase. I think most of the locals wait as long as possible to make their picks. I just had a call from our son, Bob, who is just tallying up from the St. Johnsbury Kiwanis Auction that ended last night. I'm not sure, but I think the final count will be about 400 Ice-Out tickets that went to auction participants. Way to go, Bob! Right now, with all the cold weather (4 degrees above zero last night) and still getting snow just about every day, even the dyed-in-the wool, year 'round, native born-bred-and-buttered Joe's Ponder will have a hard time figuring out when the ice will let go. With only 18 days left (contest closes on April 1), folks better put their heads together and make some guesses, though. I left off a few more tickets at Caplan's and St. Jay Hardware, so they should be well supplied for the rush.

Speaking of spring stuff - when we went by Barre Avenue this morning on our way to town, we stopped to take this picture. You folks who are here only in the summer wouldn't recognize this as your lovely little lane to your cozy cottages; it looks more like an alley to Alaska. Having the road broken out like that will help get it passable later on, though, so perhaps you can get into your place sooner. I recall that Easter Sunday is usually a popular time to come out to visit camp, and the folks from Barre or other outlying areas are always surprised and dismayed to find that camp is still piled high with snow and the roads are deep with mud. They forget spring at Joe's Pond arrives at least two weeks after it does in either Barre or St. Johnsbury. Easter is earlier than usual this year, so it's sure to still be winter here on Easter Sunday. If you come this way, bring snowshoes, boots and warm clothing.

If you are beginning to think about opening camp and getting things ready for summer at Joe's Pond, you may want to think about a new patio, rock garden, stone wall or new landscaping of some sort at camp. We have just posted a new service card, so take a look. Joe Cassani is Louis and Maryann Cassani's son. He can make your old flower beds come alive, or perhaps you'd like a nice fire pit as part of your new terrace. Make plans! Live Outdoors Landscaping