Well, the old oak tree in Danville has finally been taken down. According to an article in the Caledonian Record, the big old tree that has stood in front of the Dole home, formerly Caledonian National Bank executive Asa Wesson's home, since about 1906 when the house was built, was taken down piece by piece on Thursday. It was necessary to remove the ancient tree in order for work to begin on the highway through Danville. Two small oak trees were planted out of the right-of-way about a decade ago to replace the old one, and they are now about 20 feet tall. After almost three decades, it seems the Danville Green Project is actually going forward - next spring. It seems pretty likely to happen, and that will mean a lot of change in the town during and after the work. The Common, or the Green, as it's known, has served as community park, gathering place for reunions, weddings, concerts, farmers' markets, parades, and of course the annual Fair and more recently, Autumn on the Green. How much all that will change, in the short or long term, remains to be seen.

I am all packed up and ready to go to Cabot Village tomorrow where there will be the Cabot School Alumni Meeting and luncheon (after our tour of school sites which leaves at 10 o'clock sharp), and on the Common there will be Old Home Week festivities including a flea market from 9-3, the Historical Society museum will be open from 1-3, and then on Sunday at the United Church of Cabot there will be a special church service at 10:30 a.m. followed by a brunch. It is hoped lots of people will visit the flea market and the museum. If you went to any of the Cabot schools, stop by and meet some of your former classmates at the Alumni Meeting and noon luncheon, and then wander over to the historical society building and the flea market. Even if you didn't go to school in Cabot, it will be a fun day just seeing old friends or making new ones. The weather promises to be perfect.

Today was nice, too. We are sure having a great stretch of weather - again. This has been a very nice summer, even if perhaps a little hotter than normal. I heard someone from the Vermont Agriculture Department say the apple crop is about two weeks ahead of normal -
and it seems the crop is extra good, as well.

Our garden has performed really well, too. I was looking at the grape arbor today and discovered there are only green grapes - again. The ripe ones have been picked already. This happens every year. The birds apparently keep close track of them and grab them as soon as they ripen. I'd have to cover the vines to protect the grapes from the birds if I wanted to make jelly or wine, but since that's not the case, I have no problem with our feathered friends getting them. Fred took a couple of pictures today and you can see in the close-up the nubs where the ripe grapes have been "harvested." While Fred was outside, Woody was in his favorite spot in the shade next to the garage where he can watch us in the garden. He curls up in the ferns and dozes. Then there are times he'll spend hours just sitting on a rock near the edge of the woods waiting for some small animal to show itself. He appears to be listening - and we admire his patience. But an hour or so of that seems to tucker him out and he then knocks on the door to come in and curls up on the bed for the rest of the day. I suppose he goes through the same thing at night, just sitting or crouching somewhere quietly listening to the activity around him. He doesn't have door service at night, though. He has to use his kitty door in the basement.

I'm going to miss the JPA board meeting tomorrow morning, but I'm sure they can function without me. The final meeting of the season will be next Saturday, the 21st, and I plan to be there for that. By the way, the pig roast and silent auction is tomorrow night, in case you don't have your ticket. I don't know if there are any left, but if you'd like to go, give Hastings Store a call 684-3398, or get in touch with Michelle Parker, 684-3358.