I think we can say the countdown for Ice-Out can officially begin as of today. This morning when those of us still residing at the pond looked out from our warm cabins, the lake was white. There's a marked difference once the lake freezes over completely. Our world is quieter. The sound of the water is gone, there's no movement, it looks and feels "still." We feel a bit of excitement - Winter is Here!

That's why Billy Rossi called early this morning to let us know it was frozen solid. We were on our way out and grabbed the camera so we could document the first freeze-over of the year. Old timers vow it has to thaw and freeze three times before it's closed in for good. We'll see.

We got home around 11 a.m. and I found pictures from George Parizo on Sandy Beach Road, taken early this morning from his house. He knew we'd want to know when the pond froze over. We depend on our faithful reporters like Bill and George because sometimes we don't stir from home for several days and we can only see a small portion of the pond from our house - not like those two who live right on the shore, so without the likes of them we'd be left in the dark.

When we do get to town we pick up tidbits of news, though. Like this morning. In St. Johnsbury at Mayo's Glass the conversation was about the robbery at Joe's Pond Country Store last week. Owner, Jeff Downs made the front page of the Caledonian Record on Friday. Article

A store in Calais was hit again last night - that's the second time in less than a week for them and the third time, if I recall correctly, this year. We talked with Julie (Larrabee) Young who works at Mayo's Glass. She has a home business going - Bookkeeping, Personal Assistant & Home and Office organizer. We think it's great there's someone who can help elderly or very busy people get some order in their lives, pay bills for them, etc. Go to "Local Services" on our home page to see her business card.

We learned at W. Danville post office that Jennie (Larrabee) Rafuse, Jane and Garey's daughter, is expecting her and James's first child momentarily. What a lovely Thanksgiving for that young family. We hope all goes well and will keep you posted.

The following notice came this morning.

Public Meeting Legal Notice - Date: November 24, 2008.

A series of public meetings will be held in December to generate interest and actions toward the development of the Vt. Agency of Natural Resources’ Winooski Basin Water Quality Management Plan.

The public is invited to express ideas towards a 5-year vision for the Winooski watershed and learn how they can help protect and restore valuable resources in their community. Meetings will take place at the following locations and light refreshments will be served:

Winooski Basin Planning Public Meetings

Tuesday, December 9, 2008 6:30 to 8:00 pm Old School House Commons Upstairs Meeting room in Jaquith Library 122 School Street Marshfield, Vermont 05658	Monday, December 15, 2008 6:30 to 8:00 pm Barre Town Municipal Offices Meeting Room Upstairs 149 Websterville Rd Websterville, Vermont 05678
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 6:30 to 8:00 pm North Branch Nature Center Meeting Barn adjacent to Nature Center 713 Elm Street Montpelier, VT 05602	Tuesday, December 16 2008 6:30 to 8:00 pm North Branch Nature Center Meeting Barn adjacent to Nature Center 713 Elm Street Montpelier, VT 05602
Thursday, December 11, 2008 6:30 to 8:00 pm Waitsfield Elementary School Music/Art Room 3951 Main Street Waitsfield, Vermont 05673	Wednesday, December 17, 2008 6:00 to 8:00 pm Stowe Akeley Memorial Building Banquet Room Down Stairs 67 Main Street Stowe, VT 05672

For further information please contact:

Ryan McCall - Watershed Coordinator, Vermont Dept. of Environmental Conservation

103 South Main Street 10N, Waterbury, VT 05671

(802) 241-1006

ryan.mccall@state.vt.us