What a great spring day!

The news of the day is that the flag for the Ice-Out Contest is set up on the ice - the countdown has officially begun. There are only a few days left in the contest, but that doesn't mean it's over. The real nail biting starts after April 1st when the whistle blows signaling all bets have to be in. Then begins the waiting - ticking off each day and hour until the ice gives way, the block goes down and the clock is stopped - and we have a winner.

Ray Richer called me just after lunch today to let me know he would be putting out the flag. Fred went down (I'm working on the newsletter) and took pictures. The Lyndon State College Channel 7 News crew, Jeff Bonneau and Josh, his cameraman, were there taping for a feature piece that will run when they get the word the clock has stopped. Perhaps we will be able to capture that and have it available on our web site for you all to see.

Here is a slide show of Ray putting out the pallet today - with cameras rolling. What a celebrity! Way to go, Ray!!
The Flag is Up

A few minutes ago Fred spotted a really nice gobbler down on our lower lawn. There was bare ground next to a maple tree and the turkey spent a long time scratching around and eating there before he crossed the road and went towards Randall's. I think he is the largest wild turkey I've ever seen. I guess after all the snow we've had I expected the turkeys would be really skinny by spring, but he's obviously found good feed somewhere. There were no other turkeys with him.

I just got the following picture and message from Judy Lewis on Sandy Beach Road. This was taken yesterday:
Here's a photo of an otter that poked its way through a hole in the ice in front of our home. The photo was taken about 4:30 pm Friday. Judy Lewis

I guess the animals are glad to have some warmer weather, just like we are.

I also had a note today from Chico Carcoba in Florida. Chico logged in our Ice-Out tickets for about 16 years - from 1993 until this year. I know he reads the blog - Hi, Chico! - and he knows exactly what's going on here right now as we approach the end of the contest. Tickets are coming in fast - every day Diane and I are counting and putting them in order before they go to our new logger, Karl Couillard. We haven't heard much from Karl lately - I imagine he's pretty busy, too. Fortunately, the ice won't go out for at least a few days after the contest closes on April 1st, (according to Iceologist Don Walker, it's never gone out before April 16 or after May 16) so Karl will have time to log them all in. Actually, the ice went out right on April 16th twice, in 1998 and again in 2006; the latest it's gone out was May 6 in 1992.

You can find all that information and more on the web site. Unfortunately some folks who entered the contest had March dates, so we know they didn't look up past winning dates. I guess they didn't put it together that the contest would have to close on a date before the ice normally goes out. It would have to be really freaky weather to have the ice at Joe's Pond go in March. Maybe in 20 years or so . . .

Most folks have April and May dates, but if you don't have your tickets yet, there isn't time for me to send you any, but you can print them from the web site. It's easy and efficient. You'll find them on the home page menu - under Joe's Pond Association, or click on the red flag, and there are complete instructions. Can't miss it, and as long as they are postmarked by April 1st, we can accept them into the game. Good luck!