We promised to let you know when the cell tower at the Sousa farm on Cabot Plain is operational, and that seems to have happened!

We tried in vain to get information this afternoon; this evening we had an e-mail saying that someone was able to get service from Rte 15 today where there had been none previously; we checked with our neighbors, David and Val Covell, and they confirmed there definitely is a signal. Our source said it apparently "kicked in" between 3 and 4:30 this afternoon. He also mentioned 3G service may be available in this area in April. 3G microcell

Since we don't have cell phones, we'll have to depend on others to let us know if there are still dead spots with no signal. We still have not had any response from some of the calls Fred made late this afternoon, but may hear from someone tomorrow, and if so, we'll post anything that is newsworthy.

We're starting off February 2011 with cell service at Joe's Pond!

Super beautiful day today - bright sunshine and brilliantly blue sky - but COLD. I don't think we got out of the single numbers above zero all day, and the temperature is already beginning to fall as the sun gets lower. It will be another cold night. Days are noticeably longer, though, and that's very pleasant.

Fred went to recycle today. He usually goes on Wednesdays - every second or third, this time of year - but because of the possibility of snowy weather hitting our area, he decided to go while the going's good. Bill Rossi went with him. The top picture was taken from the Rossi's driveway, looking across the Rouleau's lawn.

They did a little exploring on their way back. We've had a few queries about the cell tower, so they went up to the Sousa farm to see if the crucial box is in place - and IT IS! That doesn't necessarily mean the tower is working, but it does mean the time is near. Fred has made a couple of phone calls, but so far hasn't been able to find out anything definite. We'll keep you posted. The picture here is the tower as you drive up the hill to the Sousa farm, and in the second picture, the installed "box" at the base of the tower.

While on the Plain, Fred took the picture below of the Cabot Plains School. It is particularly pretty against the bright blue sky. That is the Maynard place in the other picture. We all feel sorry to see how the Maynard farm is deteriorating. One or two more winters will do it in, for sure, I'm sad to say. The barn still seems to be pretty good, but the old house is definitely about finished.









The mountain view below is from the Sousa farm, looking directly north at the Jay Peak area and Canada. You can believe the wind hits full force there. My grandmother Bolton used to complain that my grandfather couldn't have found a higher, colder spot to farm on. I think he had at least two reasons to be there. He really enjoyed looking across the plain, much of which he owned in those days. Of course, there was a higher spot a little above the farm, but for whatever reason, my great grandparents, or someone before them, chose to settle on the cold side of the mountain. There were other farms along the Bayley-Hazen Road, south and east of the Bolton farm, but they didn't have the advantage of the flat, level plain, and that would have been reason enough for my grandfather to prefer the plain side. Archie Stone, who grew up in Cabot's Lower Village and became an educator, wrote about Cabot Plain, " . . . It lies too near the clouds to become dependable tillage land, for there the snow lies deep in winter and lingers long in spring and the autumn frosts come early." Yet there were productive farms on the Plain for many years. They are all gone now, but the land served those early settlers well, and many of them stayed for years on the Plain.

The picture on the right above is the view from the top of the hill at the Sousa farm - the school house and the "flat."

Fred also took pictures of the two new houses being built on Sandy Beach Road. We've neglected them for weeks now that they are all closed in and we can't see what's going on. We could stop by, and we will one of these days, but we hate to bother the men when they are on the job.

It looks as if even the siding is on the LaGue house, but I could be mistaken. One thing I notice about both houses is that they don't have many windows on the south or west sides to take advantage of the sunlight. That would be a priority for me, both for the energy advantage and for the sunshine. I'd have smaller windows and the garage on the north side. Our house gets some of the south and west sunlight, but not as much as I'd like. When my parents built here, they took advantage of the view, which I really appreciate, and had to adapt to the hillside. Besides that, they hit ledge when they started digging for the foundation so decided to position the house a bit differently rather than blast through the mountain side. We are somewhat protected from the north winds by the trees, and that's definitely a plus.

The big house with the Typar wrapping is Gagne's; the smaller, tan colored one is LaGue's.

Diane Rossi sent me this last picture early this morning. She was looking down the pond from her house. The pretty blue shadow of the hillside is hiding all the ice shanties, but there are some there. I thought the picture was so nice I asked her permission to send it to Sharon Meyer at WCAX. Sharon may put it up during her weather report on tonight's six o'clock news. She does that sometimes when there is an unusual picture sent in. I thought it was great that Diane caught it as she did. She said she often sees the sun rise like this and the colors usually stay for a while. I haven't happened to see a morning sun dog that bright before. Really pretty. She said it was about 3 below.

Calendar Listings for the Jaquith Library, Marshfield, VT

Wednesday, February 2 at 7 p.m. – Classic Film:

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre

(1948), directed by John Huston and starring Humphrey Bogart

and Walter Pidgeon. A riveting tale of gold, greed, and violence set against the

backdrop of the unforgiving heat and deprivations of the deserts of Central Mexico.

At the Jaquith Public Library in the Old Schoolhouse Common in Marshfield.
For more information call 426-3581 or e-mail us at jaquithpubliclibrary@hotmail.com.

Wednesday, February 9 at 7 p.m.- “Alnobiaui”, the Abenaki Way: History,
Culture, and Language--A Presentation by George “Peskunck” Larrabee, a
member of the Abenaki Sokokiak Nation of Mississquoi. George will also
include samples of poetry in the Abenaki language. At the Jaquith Public
Library in the Old Schoolhouse Common in Marshfield. For more information
call 426-3581 or e-mail us at jaquithpubliclibrary@hotmail.com.
You can also visit our website at: www.marshfield.lib.vt.us.

Thursday, February 10 at 7 p.m.- New Film Series-Second Thursday of every
month. Sports Movies for everyone, including non-fans. This month: An
out-of-shape lingerie shop security guard (Simon Pegg) regretting leaving
Libby (Thandie Newton) at the altar, enters a marathon with the help of his
slacker friend and his landlord (and a spatula). Hilarious, outrageous and
tender. For the title of this movie and to see the movie listing visit our web site at:
www.marshfield.lib.vt.us. At theJaquith Public Library in the Old Schoolhouse
Common in Marshfield. For more information call 426-3581 or
e-mail us at jaquithpubliclibrary@hotmail.com.

Sunday, February 13 at 2 p.m. – Sprightly Steps: Vermont’s Contra and Square
Dancing Tradition. Join Adam Boyce for this combination of live fiddling and
lecture. Although early settlers frowned upon the merriment of dancing and
fiddle playing as the “works of the devil”’ the tradition found its way to
the Green Mountains. At fancy balls and cotillions, or kitchen junkets or
“tunks”, people of all ages and backgrounds fell victim to the strains of
the fiddle upon their souls. Changes in culture and music have made old time
music nearly extinct, but a few practitioners are keeping the old styles
alive. At the Jaquith Public Library in the Old Schoolhouse Common in
Marshfield. For more information call 426-3581 or e-mail us at:
jaquithpubliclibrary@hotmail.com.You can also visit our website:
www.marshfield.lib.vt.us.

We just had this message from Nate Drown in Herndon, VA:

I spent 9 hours and 45 minutes trapped in traffic last Wednesday. Left home at 3:15 p.m. to do a 4:00 p.m. job at the hospital 15 miles away - normally a 25-minute trip - the snow had just begun. 10-miles in, I hit a wall of traffic. At 12 miles...and 3 1/2 hours...I had to give up and try to get home. Got home at 1:08 a.m. ! Intersections were gridlocked and the interstate was still a parking lot. Untreated roads, impassible slopes, abandoned cars, buses sideways, tractor-trailers off the road, no space to maneuver....it was an unreal nightmare! All that and more than 500,000 people without power! Could have made the trip to Vermont in about the same time.

Aren't you glad you're where winter is sane?









I took these pictures out back this morning.

All the best,
Nate

That is really awful. How frustrating and scary. I'm glad Nate made it back home all in one piece - probably tired and hungry, but okay. I expect those deer are finding this a difficult winter, too. They aren't used to that much snow any more than humans are. However, I expect they adapt better!

Thanks for sending this, Nate. Perhaps you should think seriously of moving back to Vermont permanently . . . ?!

**********

Diane Rossi sent this picture a few minutes ago of the fishing shanties on the lake. She mentioned there are more than usual out there this year. We'd noticed that, too. She said she'd snowshoe out soon and find out for us how thick the ice is. Maybe she can also find out why the big attraction for fishing this year as opposed to other years.

Every now and then I come across something among the old papers and documents I am working with that triggers my imagination and makes me smile. Picture this:
The year is 1941. It was the year Roosevelt's Lend Lease program was signed into law, the war in Europe was raging between Germany and Russia, and there were dark rumors about the Japanese; women wore their hair shoulder length or in smooth buns, Joan Crawford style dresses with big shoulder pads, and never left home without a fancy hat and gloves. In Cabot, the Judith Lyford Woman's Club met regularly - Grace and Mable Bartlett, Goldie Hopkins, Ruth Hawes, Doris Harvey, Eva Perry, Gertrude Wells, Nettie Williams, Jennie Rogers, Sadie Laird, and others - for lunch in their sedate club rooms (picture at right) at Willey Hall. There was a kitchen, a dining room and a parlor where the ladies met, entertained the community on occasion, and worked diligently to raise money to support the town's library, give scholarships to worthy students, or fund special causes.

I came across a little booklet containing the club's calendar that had belonged to Ida M. Barr. (Ida was famous in town for her hats. She went to church every Sunday and always wore a spectacular hat. I imagine she wore the same or similar ones to club meetings - and of course it was customary for women to leave their hats on when indoors, but very poor manners for a man to do so.) The booklet had the Club Prayer, the Vermont Federation Song, a list of officers and members, and a year's worth of planned meeting dates and events. At the back of the book on an unprinted page she had written, "Mrs. Amidon's Recipe, Fluffy Gingerbread." And here it is:
2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/2 cup shortening (butter or lard)
2 eggs
3/4 cup molasses
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup boiling water
Sift dry ingredients, cream butter, add sugar, beaten eggs, dry ingredients, little at a time, add molasses, beat well, boiling water blended.
9x9 tin, moderate oven 350, 45 minutes.

I bet they had gingerbread and whipped cream at their luncheon that day and someone used this recipe. Mrs. Amidon was not listed as a club member, but someone had her recipe and Ida apparently wanted it. What are women's clubs for if not to exchange an occasional recipe?

We've had two nice days in a row, more or less. I say that because this morning started off sunny but really cold. Things warmed up quickly and we got in the range of 30 degrees by afternoon. Tonight it's still only 20 degrees. Nice break. However, we're headed for cold nights again, some snow showers - the usual stuff January and February are made of.

Bill and Diane Rossi spent the day at Burke Mountain. Diane said they had a great day of skiing and the mountain was beautiful. I checked the blog for January 28th last year, just to compare notes on the weather, and we were having a blizzard. Lots of snow and cold temperatures. I had also posted a copy of the Warning for Cabot's town meeting. I haven't heard or seen anything about town meeting yet this year. I've heard rumblings that things don't go smoothly at some of the meetings, but that's normal when boards and committees are trying to get organized, and this will no doubt be a difficult year financially. Nobody will be getting as much money to spend as in previous years.

Cabot School's new Maintenance Director, Peter Ackermann, is scrambling to get up to speed after Patrick Campbell, the former director, resigned at the end of November. Ackermann is faced with needing to replace the bus that was damaged on January 10th in an accident in Lower Cabot. He's also facing problems with some of the school's buildings such as leaking, bad insulation work, and an over abundance of boilers that, a he put it, serve as "backups to backups" for the wood chip power plant. He stated the plant itself is in excellent shape, but there was no mention of whether there have been savings in heating costs. He and the school board have a lot of hard decisions to make.

The Hardwick Gazette reports that the 50 Walden residents who went to the informational meeting last week do not want to close Route 15 while the bridge is being replaced. Closing the bridge completely would be less expensive and take from 4-6 weeks to complete. Another option would be to maintain traffic during the rebuilding process, which would extend construction time to about 1 year and cost more. The new bridge will be wider by 8 ft., leaving room for walkers or bikers at the sides, and longer by about 17 ft. The cost will not be a burden on Walden, as it will be 80% federal dollars and 20% state funds. Since local money is not involved, one wonders how much clout Walden citizens will have in making the final decision. When asked if towns would be reimbursed for damage done to non-paved roads if the bridge is closed, structures project manager for VTrans Carolyn Carlson said there is no money available for that purpose.

Cabot Fire Department is asking the Select Board or the Planning Commission to adopt National Fire Protection code 1141, which would mean projects under site review by the commission would be required to provide 24-foot driveways and 30-foot turnarounds for all single and two-family dwellings and any planned residential developments, or any buildings being renovated. This would make it easier for the new, larger fire department vehicles to have access in emergency situations. It was unclear in the article whether the request will be acted upon in a timely manner or tossed around like a hot potato.

Another hot topic in Cabot has been parking at the Willey Building. At the last Select Board meeting it was unclear if the Cooksons, who are presently using some of the available parking at the Willey Building for their garage vehicles, had suspended negotiations with the town. The board had decided to post signs and put in guard rails defining the town property, thus reclaiming parking at the Willey Building, but according to the report, that has not been done even though the board apparently had had no contact with the Cooksons except for a letter saying they hadn't withdrawn, formally or informally. Some townspeople are asking what's to negotiate? It's clearly the town's property, so take it back and use it. That would leave the Cooksons with little off-street parking space for vehicles although I believe they own a lot on the opposite side of the Willey Building. Perhaps a swap could be arranged? I'm sure there's more to all of it than it would seem, but it has dragged on for months, getting nowhere, and it's beginning to appear pretty silly.

I will get back to the musty records of the 1700's when problems were simpler and decisions swifter, even though participants had to travel by foot or horseback to conduct the town's business.

Lots of you have been waiting to find out exact dates and menus for the next Movie/Dinner events to benefit Pope Library in Danville. Henretta Splain just sent the information for February and March. You will also find information on the menu at the left of home page at www.joespondvermont.com.

Dinner Inspired by a Movie (Spitfire Grill) to benefit the Pope Memorial Library
Feb 12 at 5 pm.
Reservations call Henretta Splain 563 2478 or Susan Tallman at 684 3836
The menu for the dinner will be:
Appetizer: Pears, Pecorino cheese drizzled with warm honey
Entree: Glazed marinated smoked fresh salmon
Roast Prime Rib
Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing
Fresh baked rolls
Dessert: Brandy Alexander Parfait with Pirouettes

We also have a firm date for the March event:

Dinner Inspired by a Movie (Tortilla Soup) to benefit the Pope Memorial Library
March 12 at 5:30 pm.
Reservations call Henretta Splain 563 2478 or Susan Tallman at 684 3836
Suggested Menu:
Appetizer Tortilla Soup (of course)
Entree Tex/Mex creations
Tortillas/Sopapilla
Salad with spicy dressing
Dessert Mexican Chocolate/Kahlua creations

I had a slide show from Liz Randall of the snow they're dealing with on Long Island. It's good to see that John has a good supply of working tractors down there as well as here at Joe's Pond. That's a LOT of snow. Take a look: Snow on L.I.

1 hr. later: I checked my e-mail and there was this from Liz: Plowing
You should turn on your speakers to get the full effect of the "Cub" - here's what Liz wrote:
They just reported the Snowiest January on record for Long Island.
So far we've had 60 inches in 7 storms about once a week since before Christmas.
This is unusual for Long Island and John has never pushed this much snow with his old 1950 Farmall Cub.
...He said the poor thing is getting tired and the clutch was getting hot pushing the snow back.
Looks like VERMONT without the Mountains....
They said the burst from 1-2 a.m. last night was 5 inches in one hour! Tues, we got 3 inches, Wednesday (yesterday) we got about 4 inches during the day and overnight last night was another 16 inches.

John got up to put wood in the stove and looked out the window and couldn't even see the neighbors house. We wish we had our snowshoes!!!!
He's heading down to his parents to plow them....
Be safe and keep warm, Liz

Thanks, Liz - sorry you guys keep getting socked with snow. We have just about enough here, but could use less of the sub-zero temperature thing.

Yesterday we had to go into St. Johnsbury right after lunch and as we approached West Danville, noticed a snow machine sitting idle, nobody around, in the middle of the first pond. We wondered what it was all about, but thought perhaps it belonged to the Turners at Point Comfort. When we came back late in the afternoon, we stopped for the mail and Garey asked us if we knew who it belonged to. He said it had been there for "several days" and nobody seemed to know who left it there or where the driver was. We said we'd put something on the blog to see if we could help find the owner, and we were ready to take a picture when we went by - but it was gone! Garey had said someone had notified the state police and they were going to look into it, so perhaps the owner was located and all is well. Garey hadn't heard any more when I called him this morning, so the mystery remains. Perhaps it just quit in protest to the cold weather - do snow machines still do that? I know the one we had many years ago had a mean little habit of quitting miles away from home. It happened with my dad once and he had to walk out of the woods - fortunately, not too far from his home, but a big chore for him at his age; another time it quit on Fred up on the Roy Lot, way above where Kate and Jay Chatot live now, and he had to walk home, then walk back with the necessary part to fix it and bring it out. We got rid of the thing shortly after that.

All Cabot residents with an interest in the natural resources of their town are invited to attend a public work session on Monday evening, January 31^st at 6 PM, at the Willey Building in Cabot. This is the third scheduled public work session covering different topics included in the 2011 Cabot Town Plan.

Light refreshments will be served.

A hard copy of the preliminary draft of the Natural Resources section is available for review at the Town Clerk’s office -- or return e-mail to request the document in pdf format.

An RSVP is not required, but is appreciated: please respond to Gary Gulka at cabotplanning@gmail.com.

As always, public engagement is critical to the long term success of the Town Plan. We hope to see you there!

WANTED: ORANGE OR WASHINGTON COUNTY CATS

COST: FREE! (includes surgery and rabies vaccine)

WHEN: Clinic is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays

WHERE: VT-CAN! Spay/Neuter Clinic, Middlesex, VT

Call 223-0034 to schedule an appointment!

** Distemper vaccination available for $10

(Eligibility requirements apply. Available only while funds last)

*******

Forum on the Future of the Coalition

was rescheduled for this Wednesday [TODAY]

Please join the coalition directors and volunteers on
Wednesday, January 26th
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
at the Willey Building, upstairs
Dinner provided

All community members invited.

The Cabot Coalition would like to enlist your opinions and wisdom.

We need your help to identify the coalition projects and activities the community values most as we prepare for the end of our funding.

Once we know which coalition services and programs are most valued by the community we can try to identify funding/partnerships to sustain those programs.

The Community Dinner at the Masonic Hall for tonight, January 24 has
been CANCELED because of the extreme weather.

Faith In Action will keep you up to date on their Community Dinners!

Not much to report - we have a bright, sunny, cold day but no records broken as far as I know now. Here at Joe's Pond, the coldest we had was -22 degrees - again, as far as we know. That was what Fred reported at 6 a.m. It could have gone lower, but at Rossi's that was what they had, too. It isn't going to warm up much today, but later in the week it will moderate and give us a break with a little snow and then another cold weekend. Maybe in February the pattern will change.

I was thinking last night about how the roads were kept in the winter here years ago. In the earliest years, people just hunkered down to wait out big snow storms or bitterly cold weather, so the need for roads was minimal. Not many people had horses, let alone sleighs to ride in - they more often used cows or oxen for heavy work. In the early to mid 1800's, there were more horses and sleds or sleighs, and then there was a need for some sort of roads. Snow rollers were used on some of Cabot's back roads until sometime in the 1930's. There were roads that drifted so badly the old crawler snowplow would need to spend hours to break open even a short stretch, so the roller with a four-horse hitch would be used. I've often thought how hard it must have been for those horses to wade through the snow pulling that big, heavy roller. And how cold those guys must have been up on top of the roller. The packed surface must have been nice for sleighs, though. The above picture is from the Cabot Historical Society collection.

We are now at minus 15 degrees and dropping. It's a bit after 10 o'clock, I have the scanner on but it's fortunately very quiet. Probably nobody is driving unless they absolutely have to be out there, so that cuts down on accidents.

Actually, I just had a message from Diane Rossi saying they just got back from the movie/dinner benefit for Pope Library, so at least some people are moving about. Diane said the dinner was wonderful, as all have been. There are more of these to come and you'll now find the schedule on our web site (left menu, home page, towards the bottom). Henretta Splain, who helps stage these movie dinners, has promised to let us know as soon as the date for March is set. In the meantime, if you would like to attend, you could call one of the numbers listed on that page - I don't know if they will take advance reservations, but they can only accommodate a few people at each of these, and they fill up fast once the date is set.

I also had a message from Walter Ruf. He and his sister, Mimi, saw George Karnady tonight (Mimi cooked dinner for him and Pat - she's such a kind person) and Walter said George is doing well and is very happy that he's heard from Joe's Pond folks. Like Walter says, it's always nice to hear from friends when you're not feeling so well. If you haven't sent a card and would like to, George and Pat's address is: 647 Signorelli Dr., Nokomis FL 34275.

Also, if you'd like to send a message to Ned Hamilton, who is recovering from a mild stroke, his address is: 23377 Water Cir., Boca Raton FL 33486. He's doing well, and Carolyn told me last week he's getting about ok but not driving (or flying). If you send an e-mail, be sure to use large print.

I have been working with the historical society website again today. I have a lot of information on the Judith Lyford Woman's Club. The ladies were instrumental in raising money in 1922 to build Willey Hall so there would be a place for a public library, town offices and an auditorium. The name was chosen to honor the woman who snatched a bear cub and predictably, was chased by the mother bear. She was fast on her feet and quick witted enough to secure the cabin door against the raging beast, fling the screaming cub into a corner and hand her husband a gun through a window so he could shoot the mother bear and then the cub. We have to assume the meat and skin of the animals was important to the Lyford's existence in those early days, otherwise it would have been thought of as a fool hardy stunt. As it was, her heroic feat made her a symbol of strength and determination and earned her the honor of having a band of women name their club for her - not to mention that her adventure is still being told, some 200 years later.

It is remarkable that, in 1912, a dozen women came together and from that meeting came the building, the library, and numerous benefits to organizations, individuals and causes over the 59 years the club existed. Those ladies were every bit as strong and determined as their namesake, Judith Lyford.

While I've been struggling with pages on the Cabot Historical Society site, Fred has been working hard on far more complicated stuff. One of the things he's been working on is getting videos to play. He made a short test video starring Otto, Jamie and Marie's dog. Otto is really just a fun-loving puppy, for all of being three years old or something, and really he's pretty smart. But this day he was more clown than student . . . check it out. Got your speakers on? http://www.joespondvermont.com/ottotraining.php

Keep warm and well, and be sure your pets are inside on nights like this.

I have some pictures from Fred's brother, Tom, in Colorado to show you. Tom is a ski instructor at Beaver Creek, so he gets in lots of ski time doing lessons, but then for recreation, he and Ella ski, too. Sometimes Ella goes on her own when he's busy with lessons, but in this slide show, they were both enjoying skiing at Vail. Tom had the camera, as you can see. On their way home to Beaver Creek, where their condo is, they stopped at a Safeway. Great mountain views and it looks like excellent ski conditions. Slides

We had about 2 below zero last night and now it's up to 10 above. We're all getting ready for the cold plunge tonight that will last for several days. It's really pretty outside this morning - bright sunshine and plenty of new snow. I measured another inch this morning - just enough to keep things bright and clean looking. The snow is so light and dry it whisks off the road and driveways quickly so isn't much of a problem, and right now there isn't much wind, so we're good.

Here's an interesting thought. I knew about the bridge proposal on Route 15 in Walden - the bridge that crosses Joe's Brook, by the town garage - but I hadn't given much thought to where/how traffic would be rerouted. David Covell sent us a message tonight - and I'm sure he's right - if Route 15 is closed, traffic will most surely increase on W. Shore Road and Brickett's Crossing Rd.

Even if traffic is officially routed to "numbered routes" as stated in this week's Hardwick Gazette, people who know the area are going to find the most direct route around the work site, and that's obviously down the west shore of Joe's Pond. If we think traffic is fast and heavy during a normal summer, imagine what it would be like if that happens.

Not only will there be extra traffic, there will also be extra wear and tear on the road which is not built for extreme traffic. The Town of Cabot will need to put extra money into the road to keep it passable and property owners will have to foot the bill. Surely there is a better alternative than closing Route 15.

There is to be a public meeting on Monday, January 24, 7 p.m., at Walden School. A representative from Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) will be at this meeting to give background, "explain deficiencies, proposals for construction alternatives, (i.e. phasing of construction, use of a temporary structure, temporary closing of Route 15 to include a temporary reroute of traffic on alternative state numbered routes), and time lines for implementation."

There will be an open discussion session following the presentation to answer questions and address concerns. If you wish to have additional information you should contact Northeastern Vermont Development Association at 748-5181 or the project manager, Carolyn Carlson at AOT, 828-0048.

Homer Fitts sent this message this morning -

SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 2011

50th ANNIVERSARY

BERT AND JINI FRYE

1076 ONEIDA ROAD

DANVILLE, VT. 05828

Thanks, Homer - I bet folks will want to sent them a card.
Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Frye!

We got our bi-weekly shopping done this morning and will be able to tuck in for the duration of the cold weather that's coming up for the weekend. We're due for a stretch of below-zero weather - the forecast is saying the thermometer won't be above zero even in the daytime for a couple days, at least, and as low as -20 at night. And I think there will be a little more snow. We have managed to get a little snow each day so far this month, sometimes only half an inch or so, but enough falling to mostly block out the sun, so we're getting a little sun starved. Even today, that started out bright and sparkly, has become dreary with only a hint of the sun behind clouds and snowflakes. It's 22 degrees, which isn't bad.

We picked up lunch at the Railroad Street Bagel Depot. We hadn't been in since the ownership change. There are some quite nice booths now, and the breakfast menu looks particularly interesting. They still have great bagels and lunch offerings. My roast beef wasn't as good as it could have been, but that was because I wasn't aware I needed to tell them to use mayo and/or mustard, but it had a generous amount of beef and veggies and their whole wheat bread was wonderful - sliced at least an inch thick - and after I glopped some mayo on, the sandwich was very good. Next time I'll know I need to tell them exactly how I want it made. Fred had some potato salad that was very good and he said his veggies on a bagel was very good, too.

St. Johnsbury, as usual, doesn't have as much snow as we do, but it still looks like winter there. We got some pictures along the way and I've put together a slide show: Jan. 20, 2010

We're in the 25 degrees above zero zone today. Feels a lot better outside than yesterday, and it SEEMS to feel better inside, even though the thermostat keeps the house temperature constant. When it gets really cold - in the range around zero - we close the curtains over the big windows in the living room. Our chairs to watch TV are by those windows and there is a bit of a draft as the cold air comes off the windows. When we were burning wood, it didn't matter that much, but we are more conscious of things like that this year because we're doing an experiment burning oil this winter. I'm sure you're asking, why now? The quick answer is that while we have a full supply of wood, after having the house winterized a couple years ago, we wanted to find out how much fuel we may be saving. Last year we burned less wood; so this year we wanted to find out how much less oil we'll need. It's a lot less work, and may turn out to be about the same as buying and burning wood. Last winter we were going to try using just oil, but I missed the wood fire, a lot! This year, I'm being resolute.

Rumors were flying yesterday that Ned Hamilton, who has a cottage on West Shore Road, and lives in Florida, had a stroke or perhaps a heart attack. I have just spoken with his brother, Doug on Edgewood Ave, and he said it was a slight stroke, that happened a week ago Saturday. Ned is home now and doing very well. He has some vision problems that are preventing him from driving, but the doctors say his vision may improve with time. Other than that, he's fine, and that's really good news. Doug talks with him daily and said Ned is very upbeat, even though he won't be driving or flying for a while. Only time will tell if he'll fully regain his vision, but for now Doug said if we send him e-mails, be sure they are printed in larger than normal font. I recently changed e-mail to a larger font, too, when I realized how much easier it is to read.

Fred's been out to snow blow this morning so we're ready for whatever weather is coming in our direction. We had another 2.5 inches of snow during the night, and right now it's just overcast, but the prediction is for more snow later today.

Now I need to get back to the historical society website. I'm working on a page about the Bayley-Hazen Military Road that crosses the Town of Cabot from Rt. 2 at West Shore Road to Rt. 215 very near the Walden town line. Lots of history there.

We have a new entry on the "Comment's" page. Look for it on home page.

Also, you'll find in the side menu on home page the schedule for the planned theme-related dinners to support Pope Library in Danville.

I measured 3.5 in. of new snow at 5 p.m. The forecast update if for some sleet in some areas and they expect the storm to be out of here by 11 p.m. The temperatures will warm up into the 30's and then plunge to single numbers tomorrow. This information came from what I'm hearing on the scanner where the road crews keep close track of what's happening. They are taking a break and will be back on the job at around 8 p.m. with salt and sand.

Some of you may not get the newsletter from Fairpoint Communications - or if you do, perhaps you don't bother to read it. I thought this was interesting information that came in one today:

Warning! – Arm Yourself In The Battle Against Botnets

In the most recent Microsoft Security Intelligence Report, the company warns that computers with older operating systems are more susceptible to infections from bot-related malware. What is a bot? The term is short for robot. It refers to what your computer becomes when criminals distribute malicious software that forces your computer to perform automated tasks over the Internet—without you knowing it. Large numbers of bots form a network called a botnet.

"It's a Robot Download Graphics to View." Criminals use botnets to send out spam e-mail messages, spread viruses, attack computers and servers, and commit other kinds of crime and fraud. It can be difficult to tell if your computer has become part of a botnet but there are warning signs including:

• Your computer slows down and seems sluggish.
• You receive mysterious e-mails accusing you of sending spam.

If you suspect your computer may be infected, you can visit https://consumersecuritysupport.microsoft.com and click on "I think my computer is infected" to access the online Safety Scanner.

To strengthen your computer's defenses in the battle against botnets, Microsoft recommends the following:

• Install antivirus and antispyware programs from a trusted source.
• Keep all software up to date.
• Use strong passwords and keep them secret.
• Never turn off your firewall.

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It seems there's always something new to worry about concerning computers.

I just received this cancellation notice:

Due to the weather and the number of people who have said they prefer not
to travel tonight, the Forum on the Future of the Coalition is postponed.

We hope you can join us on Wednesday, Feb. 2, same time - 6-8 p.m., Willey Building, in Cabot.

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Also postponed:
Tonight's Dramatic Performance by the Cabot Middle School students at the Cabot School Performing Arts Center (CSPAC), based on Vermont Reads novel, The Day of the Pelican. Watch for rescheduling.

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We are getting some pretty serious snow. It's been going on all day - now is up to 24 degrees, and I'm estimating we've had 3-4 inches. I'll measure at around 4:30 or so and make a report so it will get on tonight's weather report on WCAX at 6. I just heard someone on a road crew say it was letting up where he was. I don't always know where they are when I'm listening to their chatter unless they mention a landmark. They are busy plowing and sanding in most regions, and it doesn't seem to be letting up much here, and from what I'm hearing, they are expecting sleet and freezing rain. Not a good night for travel.

Bill, Monika and Jo-Ann came to have supper with us last night after the basketball game at Danville. The Waterford 5-6th grade girls won, 17-7, so it was a pretty good game. Jo-Ann is doing better all the time and scored some point in the tournament at Lisbon this weekend. She didn't score last night, but she loves to play. Unfortunately, the pictures we took came out fuzzy again - Fred said it's time to read the manual to see what we're doing wrong. He did get this picture of the display of retired numbers for Danville star players, Roxanne Carson and Dwayne Lynaugh. Lots of local folks will remember those names!

SCHEDULE FOR
MOVIE INSPIRED DINNERS
Benefit for the Pope Memorial Library, Danville, Vermont

MONTH - INSPIRATION - CUISINE

Feb. 12 - “Spitfire Grill” - New England

March - “Tortilla Soup” - Mexican

April - “Sideways” - Napa Valley

May - “Monsoon Wedding” - Indian

June - “Woman on Top” - Latin

July - TBD - TBD

IF INTERESTED IN ATTENDING ANY OF THE ABOVE DINNERS,

PLEASE CONTACT:

Henretta Splain, 563-2478

Susan Tallman, 684-3836

Pope Library, 684-2256

WE ARE CURRENTLY TAKING RESERVATIONS FOR THE FEBRUARY 12^TH DINNER

SUGGESTED DONATION IS $25