We're certainly enjoying spring here at Joe's Pond. The temperature is barely 10 above and the wind is howling out there. From time to time the sun breaks through and we have hopes the day will get warmer/better/brighter, but even if it does, the forecast is for a nor'easter to arrive sometime Monday, so the reprieve won't last long. Makes one wonder about global warming and such, doesn't it?

I took a few pictures (again) of Fred snowblowing this morning - and I sure hope this is the last time he has to start off his day that way. Here are my pictures, as a salute to the first days of spring, 2008: Slides

After that, he came in to get ready to capture Dave Parker's interviews on KIX Radio and WSTJ radio in St. Johnsbury. The interviews went very well - Dave did a super job, and we were able to get it all so we can have it available on the web site for those of you who couldn't hear it this morning. We have a little trouble getting WSTJ clearly here sometimes, particularly when the weather's bad or after dark, so the quality of the WSTJ interview isn't quite as good, especially at the beginning because we were trying to turn the radio and adjust the mike to improve reception. We didn't accomplish anything except we made the recording a little rough at the start, but then it was ok.

Dave called after the show - he has a really bad cold and felt awful during the interview, he said. Nobody would have guessed. Great job, Dave! Could it have been Garey's freshly made doughnut you picked up on your way to the station that got you through?

We were pleased that Dave was able to announce on the air that we now have printable Ice-Out tickets available on the web site. Did anyone notice the little red flag on home page? That's where you go to find the printable tickets. We're hoping this is a way we can avoid some of the postage expense of mailing out tickets.

The Hardwick Gazette had the picture I sent of Walter Churchill in Cabot buying an Ice-Out ticket from Walt Ackermann in this week's Wednesday issue, and we appreciate that. As far as I know there's been nothing in the Times Argus. Perhaps they'll send out a reporter later.

I hope you'll let all your friends know how easy it is to get in on the fun of the Ice-Out Contest now that they can print as many tickets as they want to enter in the game. As long as the post mark is no later than April 1, we can accept them. We sold just over 9,000 tickets last year, and we'd like to surpass that this year, with your help.

Check the home page on www.joespondvermont.com later this morning to hear the interviews. They should both be on by noon.