We had bright sunshine for a while today, but the thermometer didn't get out of the teens. It's about 15 degrees now, but this morning was in the single numbers - again.

Fred went into town to pick up the mail and do a couple of errands. On the way back he took more pictures of the ice fishermen. There was a lot of activity out there today. The shantys get pretty creative. There's one with a vista-dome effect like Amtrak cars have, and one that's a cute little red bubble tent, plus the one we pictured yesterday that looked a little like a fort with its narrow bottom and expanded top. I can only guess, but perhaps it was built that way in order to fit into the body of a pickup and the expanded upper section provides seating. I don't know - haven't been inside any of them, but it would seem to make sense.

Someone e-mailed me this week asking if the ice is safe for snowmobiles and I replied that it is, but I mentioned I hadn't seen any trucks or cars on the ice yet. Fred got a picture of one just off the fishing access this morning.

Some of you will recognize Woody's (John Woods) Trolley in the picture above. It is parked by the entrance to the public beach in West Danville, and right beside the rail trail. We've been told it is for sale - I believe the figure was $17,000, but I don't know if that is correct. Woody is a chef at a resort in Stowe, we are told. The Trolley was open off and on last summer and fall after a tentative start in the spring. The food was good, but it was hard to know when the place was going to be open.

I was curious about just how long the Rt. 2 Project has been on the horizon, so I went to my files and pulled some notes and clippings. They are by no means complete, but I got a chuckle out of looking back from where things are now. I guess I lost interest after a while because there were no clippings or notes after 2003. I remember the elaborate plans for the green and that they gradually became more realistic. With lots of information left out - perhaps some of you will still be interested:

Sept., 1980 - Danville rejected all three routes: North of Village, South of Village, or through Village. Joe Peck said if it went south, his farm would be destroyed. Garage owned by Michael Brown would be destroyed; Winston Brown and Arthur Valentine’s houses would also go.

Jan., 1981 - St. Johnsbury Chamber of Commerce endorses Rt. 2 Plan west of St. Johnsbury to Dole Hill. Fill either side of road at top of Dole Hill; scenic turnaround accepted (LaBounty’s proposal) as designed by Arthur Aldrich. Depth of cut 5-8 ft. [Unknown if this is in reference to Dole Hill or west of the village.] Paul Chouinard said to just take both his and Joe Peck’s places rather than leave them close to the road. Cut near school superintendent’s office will put road at tennis court level.

Feb., 1, 1981 - Citizens’ group asks for a delay until after all road routes through Danville have been planned and approved. Catherine Beattie warned that while people are not concerned now, they will be when the road is planned and it’s too late.

Mar. 1982 - In town meeting, voters pass a bill to modernize Rt. 2. Phase I (easterly section) Dole Hill, passed 199-104.

Nov. 22, 1982 - Tim Ide is quoted as saying the project is “crazy” – reference to the double curve designed into the road near Joe Peck’s.

April, 1995 - Brainstorming session re. design options. Speed controls, road surface changes, landscaping, signal lights, crosswalks, parking. Many residents in favor of requesting a bypass study from the state; Steve Parker of the Rt. 2 negotiating committee stated that while a bypass might solve some of the problems, it is at least 20 years away and reminded people they are looking for a more immediate, 7-8 year solution.

May, 2001 - Martha Dole’s oak tree to be removed; the pre-Civil War Smith house opposite, has federal historic designation and will be saved. Disagreement over the tree could hold up project, scheduled to begin in 2006. [The tree was taken down las

July, 2003 - AOT gets $300,000 allowing Rt. 2 Project to move ahead. Planned: parking spaces on east side of green and green space on west side. Select board accepted new plan.

I bet this brings back lots of memories for a lot of people - I know it did for me. Here's another website that gives a lot of information, if you are interested: Vermont Arts Council, Rt. 2 Project, Danville

And here's a paper done by Christy George in 2002 at the University of Colorado: Rt 2 Project Analysis

I came across another bit of information - when the battle over the oak tree was going on, some school children collected acorns with the intent of raising seedlings that could be used to replace and commemorate the old oak. I wonder if any of those acorns actually grew . . . ?