HARVEST SUPPER
CABOT UNITED CHURCH
Thursday, September 9
5:30 p.m.
MENU
Baked Beans - Ham - Red Flannel Hash
Cole Slaw - Muffins - Rolls
Pie - Coffee
Adults - $7.00 Children - $4.00
Takeouts Available
Auction of Vegetables and Baked Goods

This is a real old fashioned kind of church supper. Always good.
Don't miss it!

This morning I sent the following e-mail to Gary Sadowsky, meteorologist at WCAX:
!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

Gary -

I was just on the National Weather Service site to check the hurricane

situation and saw that Fiona is traveling at approximately twice the

speed as Earl - in the same direction. Is it likely Fiona will overtake

Earl and if so, then what may happen? Seems to me that could result in

a real whopper of a storm.

Here is his answer:

Hi Jane,

Nope, that won't happen.  Although Fiona is moving faster than Earl

right now, it will begin to slow down pretty soon.  And Earl will begin

to speed up.  It will also be tracking farther to the east than Earl,

moving northward just west of Bermuda on Saturday, whereas Earl will be

moving northward very close to the U.S. eastern seaboard, and by

Saturday be up into Nova Scotia.  In fact, it looks like Earl will stay

over the water, just skirting the coast without coming over land in the

U.S.  But it looks like it will make a direct hit on Nova Scotia on

Saturday.  By then, it will have weakened to a Category 1 hurricane

(right now, it's a Category 4 . . . very powerful!).  But still - not

good news for Nova Scotia.

I have often wondered what would happen if two tropical systems

"crashed" into each other.  Every now and then it looks like that could

happen.  But usually, one of the storms makes a turn and they go their

separate ways.  I consulted some of the Weather Service folks to see if

they had any wisdom on the topic, but they also were not sure what would

happen.

The famous, so-called "Perfect Storm" was a case of a strong low

pressure system over the Atlantic (not a tropical system) absorbing the

moisture from a hurricane and resulting in a huge, moisture-laden storm.

Interestingly, last week, one of the longer range forecast models showed

a low pressure system just to our north (the one that's going to drag a

cold front through here on Friday and cool us down for the weekend)

absorbing Hurricane Earl over the Canadian maritimes and turning into

one of those monster storms.  But the problem with those longer range

models is that they have trouble resolving the finer details.  So, as we

get closer in time to the situation, it looks like those 2 systems will

now, in fact, stay separate.  But it sure caught our attention last

week!

Hope that helps explain things rather than just leaving you more

confused.  Let me know if you have any other questions.

Enjoy(?) the heat & humidity!

And Happy Meteorological Fall (which starts tomorrow on Sept. 1)

Gary Sadowsky

This picture came from Diane Rossi this morning. Diane says: "Clearly, it's still summer!!!"

Nice picture, Diane. Thank you.

We're in for another really hot day today. I just sent off my CoCoRaHS report, with no precipitation again, but also noted there was no condensation in my gauge as there has been for the past several mornings. Wh

Publish Post

en the night temperature drops far enough below the day time temperatures, I'll have a good bit on condensation in the tube. Last night was different and the temperature remained pretty much in the 60's, I think. Tube was dry as a bone this morning.

I was interested in what the latest hurricane, Earl, is up to and thought you might like to have a link to check it, too. National Hurricane Center

I noticed Fiona is traveling at just about twice the speed of Earl, in the same direction - so what happens if/when it catches up and they join forces? Does this increase the intensity of the storm? It would seem to me they would feed off each other and that could mean it would be a real whopper when it comes ashore.

Enjoy the nice weather while we have it - we may be in for a bumpy ride later on.

This came in this evening from Dee Palmer: (Photo by Ray Richer.)

Ray Richer's loon photo program "Miracle in the Marsh" which was canceled earlier in the summer due to the exceptionally hot weather, has been rescheduled for this Thursday (Sept. 2) at 6:30 pm at the Pope Memorial Library. Ray will have photos to sell and will also hold a raffle. This program is to help raise money for the Pope Memorial Library, and all are welcome.

I'm sure you'll enjoy the program - Evelyn and Ray Richer have produced several wonderful wild-life programs in the past and I'm sure this one will be not only beautiful, but very informative as well. According to the weather forecast, the heat should be subsiding by Thursday afternoon, so it should be a nice evening.

Here's more news, in case you didn't notice it on the home page under "Comments" -- Richard and Carmen Gagne, 120 Sandy Beach Road (see photo at left), are getting ready to demolish the cottage there and rebuild. On Saturday, they are having a "pre-demolition sale" from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Everything is for sale - furniture, appliances, anything and everything, according to Richard.

I believe we've been told Richard and Carmen will be joining the "Year 'Rounders" when their new home is finished. We welcome them, hardy souls who are willing and eager to brave the wind, snow and howling winds of Joe's Pond. You can still be a year 'rounder and head off to a warm snowless spot for a few weeks in mid-winter, though. Those of us who don't budge, no matter how hard the wind blows or how deep the snow gets, understand that sometimes folks just have to get someplace warm after weeks of below-zero temperatures and blizzard conditions. Sandy Beach Road in particular and Joe's Pond in general seem to be gaining more year around residents all the time. I won't get into how many year around JPA members we have, but there are a lot -- seems like we gain a few every year.

Anyway - head down Sandy Beach Road on Saturday. You'll probably find a bargain.

We thought you'd like to see how the new hedge at the pavilion looks. Joe Cassani, who operates a landscaping business called Live Outdoors, put it in place. It seems to have gone very well, and being cedars, fits in nicely in that setting. It is very nice and should be some benefit for JPAers as well as our neighbors.

When we were there this morning, David Talbot was there with yoga instructor, Susan Murphy, waiting in vain for the rest of the usual yoga class to show up. It was well past the time class was supposed to start. Before we left, Marty Talbot came by, but I guess everyone else thought last Monday was the final yoga class instead of today. But Susan, who comes from Woodstock, NH, was a good sport about it and said she hopes to have a class in 2011. That's David, Susan and Marty in front of the pavilion.

I don't know if the pavilion's side curtains were generally closed for the classes this summer, but with them open, there will be a nicer feeling of privacy with the hedge in place. On windy days, the hedge should give some wind protection, too.

As those of you who where at the last JPA meeting know, the membership voted unanimously for the cedar hedge.

Henretta Splain was visiting her family in Italy earlier this summer and sent these pictures of Burano, an island in the Lagoon of Venice. This certainly looks like a great place to spend some quiet time. Here's what she said about Burano:
They are trying to preserve the hand made lace making but there are very few women that still know how to it. This town/island is also know for its brightly colored homes - each painted a different color. This was done so the fisherman/sailor husbands could spot their homes while they were still a bit out to sea.

Henretta loves Italy and this was her fourth trip. She has lots of family there and is quickly learning the language - plus bringing back some great Italian recipes. She is a great cook even without the first-hand instructions from her Italian family, as some of you who have gone to the fund raisers for the Danville library already know.

Here is a review of what's in the planning stages for the next dinner - but I'm not sure when they will begin taking reservations, so stay tuned . . . !
September 12th:
LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE – MEXICAN MENU
REVIEW:
Expect to be very hungry (and perhaps amorous) after watching this contemporary classic in the small genre of food movies that includes Babette's Feast and Big Night. Director Alfonso Arau (A Walk in the Clouds), adapting a novel by his former wife, Laura Esquivel, tells the story of a young woman (Lumi Cavazos) who learns to suppress her passions under the eye of a stern mother, but channels them into her cooking. The result is a steady stream of cuisine so delicious as to be an almost erotic experience for those lucky enough to have a bite. The film's quotient of magic realism feels a little stock, but the story line is good and Arau's affinity for the sensuality of food (and of nature) is sublime. You might want to rush off to a good Mexican restaurant afterward, but that's a good thing. --Tom Keogh

Tentative Menu:
Red Sangria
Guacamole or Chile Con Queso or Breaded Jalapenos or Roasted Mushrooms and Chiles /w goat cheese on baguette slices
Beef/black bean chili recipe /w avocado relish
Or
Five Alarm Chili
Roasted Pork Tacos /w green mole sauce
or
Roast Pork /w Chayote (outrageously good!)
Caesar Salad (was actually created by a chef in Mexico)
Jalapeno corn bread
Mexican chocolate banana skillet cake

This notice just came today:

Hi there,

Quick reminder for Cabot School parents that Cathleen Maine and Lars Torres will be hosting a parent-teacher mixer at 3292 Main Street from 4:00-6:00pm tomorrow, Sunday August 29. We'd love to see parents and teachers kick off the new school year together, especially new ones!

Lars, Cathleen, & Isabel

563-2757

It was a nice day to be on the water - darn near perfect, in fact. Quite a bit of activity, and tonight we can hear music from across the pond . . . summer fun is still going on!

I just posted my CoCoRaHS reading a few minutes ago (I reported a "trace" of precipitation since there was significant water in the gauge - probably mostly condensation due to the low temperatures last night) and then noticed I had a newsletter from Nolan, the director of the program in Colorado. This bit caught my attention:

As the humidity decreases and the daylength shortens noticeable, we're
beginning to see some very large diurnal (day to night) cycles in
temperature.  Yesterday up in the North Platte valley near Walden, CO
(elevation around 8,000 feet above sea level) the daytime temperatures
rose into the 80s but then dropped overnight down into the 20s only to
rise again up to 80F today -- an impressive 60 degree swing in
temperatures.  I don't think that ever happens in areas close to the
coasts or down at lower elevations.

That does happen here, but not such a large swing as they get in the mountains. I will begin to watch highs and lows and may begin to report them, just for the sport of it. I don't have one of those neat rigs that make a record so I wouldn't need to check the thermometer as often, but I guess taking readings around midnight and noon should be adequate. I'm sure last night got pretty near the 40's, and if we hit 80 today as the forecasters are saying could happen, we're getting a pretty darn good variation here in the Green Mountains. I'm really glad we haven't headed into the 20's yet, though.

If any of you are interested in reading about the nation-wide volunteer reporting system called CoCoRaHS, you can go to this site: CoCoRahs.org
You'll find Nolan Doesken's The Catch, a monthly newsletter there and lots of information, including reports for Vermont, mine included (VT-WS-12).

While Fred was working hard on that ash tree he took down, I was taking pictures. It was an absolutely lovely day today. There were some cloudy spots, but mostly breezy and sunny - slightly cool so it was not too bad if you had to do manual labor - like splitting wood. He did get some moral support from Woody, who hung around only a little while and then disappeared into the underbrush - on a hunting trip, I presume. He's a smart cat and knows to stay well away from flying wood chips and chunks. He does like to be with Fred, though.

I found this last rose of summer out by our memorial bench. When I looked this rose bush this spring I thought it had winter killed, and forgot about it. The grass and other flowers grew up around it and since I don't have anything else there that needs much care, the only way I realized it was there was that it was such a vivid color against the green background. Fred's mom gave it to me many years ago. She loved roses and grew some beauties. She gave them lots of special care and always had a profusion of blossoms.

I have wild pink roses that do very nicely - no attention needed for them - and I've always tried to prune this one and mulch it for the winter like Ila did hers, so perhaps that's what's kept it alive all these years. I was happy to see it blooming and will give it some proper attention this fall.

I meandered about the yard planning what will need to be done this fall before snow flies, but then had to get back to work on a new pile of documents that need to be scanned for the Cabot Historical Society. Some of these go back to 1790's when there were hardly any settlers here and Cabot was first being organized. Some of the old papers are really hard to read because an "s" in the middle of a word was penned more like an "f" and I automatically read it as an "f" which reminds me of a silly routine Victor Borge used to do about punctuation . . . and I smile.

Hot weather coming tomorrow, but the nights will remain reasonably cool so it should be a good stretch of end-of-summer-vacation weather. I feel sorry for those kids and teachers who will have to be in classrooms next week, though!

We've been watching the young robins on our lawn lately. They aren't pretty yet, but fun to watch.

Not much to report today. In spite of the forecast for 80-degree weather coming up this weekend, our temperature this morning is a firm 55 degrees with a southeast wind that adds to the chill but doesn't seem to do much about moving the clouds away. I think our house is set in a basin where the wind changes directions near the ground. The clouds are moving steadily from the north west, but our flag is definitely getting a southeast push. I'm never sure where the wind is coming from except when it comes right out of Walden, north of us. In West Danville, it always seems to be coming right down the pond and straight through town - either a north or northwest origin.

Here is an interesting article by local author, Peter Dannenberg, about Vermont's primary voting process and other interesting information. Take a look:
Dannenberg on the Primary

Fred took down a couple of trees at the edge of our lawn yesterday. A big ash had split in a wind storm last spring and had lodged in some smaller trees, missing our tractor shed by inches. Fred will use the ash for wood, but he's beginning to think about hauling the stacks of dried wood into our garage for the winter. The new supply of green wood will be coming soon. We didn't use as much wood last winter - probably because we didn't have any of those prolonged deep cold spells we usually have once or twice each winter. I think that will mean we won't get all the dry wood under cover, but that is ok. Hopefully we won't need to wade in the snow to reach it because we're having an unusually cold winter and used up our supply in the garage.

I'm watching our tomatoes as they ripen off. I'm getting a couple a day usually, which we can keep up with nicely. We only have four plants, so the supply will be manageable. The garden has been lots of fun this year and we've enjoyed the fresh veggies, planning menus around what is ready for harvesting. I'm going to have turnips for the winter, and possibly some beets. I am still scratching my head trying to figure out why I didn't plant carrots. They just aren't there. I did some dumb things this year, like planting garlic near the lettuce and now I can't find it, either. And the cucumbers have been frozen in time - they blossomed and the blossoms are still there, but there's been no change in the past month. It doesn't look good for cucumber pickles this year.

Summer Thursday Dinners at Cabot United Church

This Thursday August 26th

Take a night off from cooking!

Served from 5:30 to 7:00 with take-outs available.

There is no charge for the dinner.

All donations will benefit the Church Fuel Oil Fund.

We appreciate your support.

Cabot United Church – On the Common, Rte. 215, Cabot, VT.

Call for directions or information: 563-2278

I just had a message from Jamie Dimick who tends to the buoys on the pond. He said the buoy from Sunken Island was loose this morning and has been rescued. Somehow it got moved away from Sunken Island with 8 ft. of chain and 5 cement blocks still attached. It seems unlikely it moved either by wind or high water, so if anyone saw a boat seemingly anchored by that buoy recently, please let us know. That would be the logical explanation for the buoy getting moved into water deep enough for it to float off. There is a temporary marker there now and Jamie will get the buoy back out as soon as possible.

The minutes of Saturday's meeting are now posted on the web site. To view them, go to www.joespondvermont.com and click on "Joe's Pond Assn" and you'll find them on that menu. Or, here is a direct link to them: Aug. 21 Meeting

We went to Cabot yesterday and stopped by the Sousa farm to see if we could talk with any of the workers installing the cell tower on one of their big silos. The work seems to have been completed. Everything is neatly housed and fenced, and a nice gravel approach laid down. We took some pictures and left. We haven't heard from anyone in authority regarding whether the tower is operational or not, or what phones it will serve. Fred is working on that and we'll have something here as soon as we have more information.

We noticed the black cows are back in the pasture just beyond our house. This group isn't as vocal as the ones we had a couple years back, but they are a good looking bunch of bovines. We were coming home at just about lunch time and it apparently was lunch time for the calves, too. We noticed several enjoying lunch--one way or another. This young fella paused in the middle of a munch to watch us, but the fully grown adult next to him couldn't care less that we were there and never missed a bite of grass. A little further up the road a calf was suckling until we stopped to take a picture and then he began backing up and retreated behind his mother. We got a picture as he was edging away.

This herd seems to be a little different from those in the past - not quite as big and heavy, and they certainly don't have much of a coat yet. As the weather cools, they will gain some extra hair to protect them against the cold fall nights; and then, before snow flies, they'll be carted off, and maybe some will be in your grocer's meat case.

Which reminds me. We've been hearing more about free-range animals being raised here in Vermont. Recently there has been a story about pigs that are allowed to roam in large pasture areas. I found an interesting web site you might like to look at. Pig Study

I looked at the comments at the end of the article and the second one was from a Vermont farmer, Walter Jeffries of Sugar Mountain Farm in West Topsham. Here is their web site: www.sugarmountainfarm.com

I particularly liked a comment the woman in the first comment wrote, saying pigs are smarter than some members of her family. Indeed. Trouble is, not many people get to know pigs that well, so may find the comparison troubling. Scientists that have studied pigs claim their intelligence equals that of a three-year old child. I guess we'll think about that next time we eat a pork chop.

We're getting more input about the cell tower issue. Check at the bottom of yesterday's blog for a comment from Tom Morgan, and Angela Buttura sent this to me this morning:

Just wanted to inform you that Verizon has a wireless network extender for those people who have a wireless connection for their computer. You can purchase it from any Verizon store or online. I have been told that until Aug 31 they are running a special. They cost $200, but there is a $99 rebate until then. I have four bars on my cell phone using this device at my camp. It is suppose to be good for 500 feet, so I have been told. Thx Angela

This is good to know. In the meantime, Fred has a call in to the company involved with the installation of the equipment at the Sousa farm and as soon as we have talked with them, we should have more definitive information. I have to go into Cabot later this morning, so perhaps I'll stop by the silo to see what's happening there.

Evelyn Caufield gave me links to a couple of very interesting blogs I think some of you will enjoy. Perhaps you are familiar with this web site:
www.thepioneerwoman.com

Evelyn also sent a link to a blog a friend of her granddaughter's new sister-in-law (I think that's the right connection) maintains. It's quite impressive, informative and lots of good recipes!! Take a look: www.soupbelly.com

A couple of things to catch you up on our final JPA meeting. In case some of you haven't been able to be at any meetings or functions this summer, we thought you would enjoy seeing the new canopy over the BBQ pits. This was added this spring and makes cooking outside in sometimes less than perfect weather much more comfortable. No blazing sun beating on your or rain pelting down.

As you can see, the side curtains on the main pavilion give the benefit of shielding us from the wind and cold and give all the benefits of one of those fancy white tents people rent for weddings, etc., but we have the added advantage of a sturdy permanent roof over our heads that will withstand the roaring west winds, rain, hail and snow - whatever weather is hurled at us and we are cozy inside where the party can continue without concern. Come the end of August, the side curtains come down and are put away for the winter.

At almost every meeting or party, someone mentions how really nice our pavilion is and how lucky we are to have it. As most of you know, the original updating effort was begun by Andre LaPrade when he was president, and our facility has been carefully maintained and continually upgraded by our current president, Tom Dente. Our facility is fully used and enjoyed throughout the summer. We may not have corn roasts under the stars or clambakes around wooden picnic tables like the founders of our Association did, but we have great parties, with food prepared in a clean, functional kitchen and music and dancing; we have congenial business meetings where members offer and are appreciated for their expertise and common sense contributions to the decision-making process; and I think I can safely say members were genuinely sorry that Saturday was our last JPA meeting of 2010.

Not that people disappear now and we don't hear from them again until spring - that just doesn't happen. We stay in touch with many members throughout the cold winter months and enjoy hearing what everyone is doing at their warm, sunny retreats; and we get to brag about how cold, snowy, blizzardy and miserable our weather is here. Please excuse us for that - it is just one of the ways we cope, I suppose . . .

However, it's way too soon to think about cold and snow. The leaves are barely beginning to turn. Just a tinge here and there, so there's time. But it's time to think about getting in the wood supply, harvesting the veggies and putting the garden to bed. I'll want to stake the parsnips so Fred can find them under the snow, and finally we'll put away the deck furniture and give the windows one last washing. And yes, get out the down comforter. So much to do . . .

It's been a rainy, rainy day here. We built a fire for the first time in at least two months yesterday and Fred has kept one going all day today, too. It's not only rainy but the thermometer hasn't moved more than a couple degrees past 60 all day.

I went out and picked up some apples from our two trees - one is a transparent that apparently seeded in by itself, at least we never noticed it until last year and then a bear got the apples before I could and managed to break off one quite large limb, probably by climbing too far out onto it. Big dumb lummox.

The other tree has been there since before my folks built the house here, I think, and that would be about 40 years ago. There are lots of apples on that tree, but they are relatively small and because we don't spray, are inclined to be a bit spotty. Once peeled, they are delicious for pies and applesauce.

We did some sleuthing regarding the cell tower on the Sousa farm, asking the question that came up at the JPA meeting yesterday - whether Verizon phones would work from that tower once it's up and running or if only AT&T phones will work. A reliable source tells us this tower (and the one at the Bothfeld farm on Cabot's West Hill) will only serve AT&T phones. That's not especially good news for people who have Verizon equipment. It was mentioned that if enough people complained, perhaps Verizon could put their equipment on the same tower. That may have been tongue-in-cheek, but it's worth a try. I'm not sure if those companies would agree to something like that - I expect that being competitors, they are like politicians and would rather stick to party lines than serve the public. Even so, maybe we could start an e-mail campaign to both companies and see what happens.

We had a very nice meeting today, the last meeting of the Association here at Joe's Pond. I think we were all a bit sad that the year has ended, but the weather cooperated very nicely to help us over the rough spots being somewhat chilly and dreary. That somehow made it much easier to put equipment away and say our goodbyes. Of course, just because many of our members will be leaving shortly doesn't mean the activities of the Joe's Pond Association are over. There will be no more meetings, parties or suppers, and the place has no more rentals scheduled, but we still have a few dues to collect and then there's the on-going Ice Out Contest. We have been selling tickets since July - not hot items, but there's some activity that goes on pretty steadily throughout the fall and winter. About March or early April there will begin to be a real crush. There are also closing of the season duties like getting the pavilion ready for winter (water off, etc.), and the signs on all our roads put away. Lots of people will still be here watching out for these things; lots of others will be heading south.

I'll have the minutes transcribed in a few days and Fred will get them posted on the web site. I'll let everyone know when they are posted.

I'll be putting together a new directory for members and will have it ready by next spring. If you have corrections or changes, please get in touch with me so I can include the information. Usually as soon as I publish a new directory something changes to make it out of date already; but we do the best we can and members should remember that the on-line directory is updated as soon as we get new information, so that's always current. It is also password protected, so if you are a member and don't know how to access the directory from home page, get in touch with either Fred or with me.

Here's something that will cheer everyone up. Evelyn and Frank Caufield's granddaughter, Michelle Walker, was married at the JPA pavilion early this summer. Evelyn very kindly sent this short video to me and gave me permission to use it here. It's lovely, and you'll recognize a lot of the background, I'm sure. Click here to see the clip: Wedding

What a lovely setting. They are a lovely couple and it looks like it was a perfect wedding day for them. That's our JPA pavilion - pretty nice, right? They did a great job decorating and Evelyn said everything worked out very well. We wish the newlyweds every happiness.

Fall is in the air this morning, for sure. We had a thunder storm roll through last night and now we have a real change in temperature. It's 56 degrees here and the wind is right out of Canada! It's actually pretty refreshing, but there will be a lot fewer shorts being worn today.

I was at Jamie's yesterday and saw the new buoys - one has been stenciled, but I think the plan is to wait for the official decals to come for the others. I think he wants to get at least one of the new ones out by the fishing access this weekend. Next year the three new upright buoys (pictured) will be out as well as the new orange ball markers that have been placed on Smith's Point, and all will be uniform and functioning properly. No more "leaners."

Probably many of you knew what the plane was about that landed here the other morning. I contacted Carolyn Hamiltion, knowing that she and Ned are pros at managing sea planes. Here is her reply:

He was pumping water that had leaked into the pontoons. We have to pump them each time we fly.

Carolyn

We had appointments in both St. Johnsbury and Littleton yesterday, and since we needed a quick lunch in between, went to the new McDonalds, thinking we could be in and out quickly and at the same time see this brand new facility. It is new, alright, and probably because of that there was way too much confusion. It was very crowded - nearly every table occupied - although we did see a couple that had trays with empty bags, cups, etc. that people hadn't bothered to remove to the trash bins when they left. Apparently there were no attendants clearing away the debris or scrubbing down tables between customers. The preparation area was more open than at the old facility, and there seemed to be more people working there, or at least getting in the way of the people who were working. Out front, after making an order, you were expected to move to another line to receive your food - or at least, that's what someone told us. Again, confusion. Later on, at our appointment, Fred mentioned we'd had lunch at McD's and the secretary laughed, saying, "You dared to go there?"

Well, it wasn't THAT bad! I'm sure in another few weeks they'll be as efficient as any other fast-food place. After surveying the possibility of a table in that crowd, we decided to eat in the car, and left to find a quiet, shady spot for our lunch. We giggled as we settled comfortably under the portico at the old McDonald's - nice cool shade in the deserted lot. While there, though, cars kept swing by, having turned in at the empty parking lot, I guess expecting the drive-through to be operating. They must have wondered at us being there - and we wondered if anyone would stop and question us. We were prepared, though - we would have just smiled and displayed the bag our food was in and that would probably have left them scratching their head trying to figure out how we got served.

We will likely give the new place plenty of time to get organized before we go there again.

Don't forget, Joe's Ponders, tomorrow, Saturday the 21st, is our final JPA meeting of this season. We will look forward to seeing a really good turnout - 10 a.m. at the pavilion. You don't have to be a member to attend the meeting; you just can't vote. You can voice an opinion, though, so if there's something you want the Association to consider, or if you have a problem, come and let us know. See you there.