For those of you who missed the Spring Meeting of the Joe's Pond Association yesterday, I've put together a slide show for you.  You'll have to wait a few days for the minutes of the meeting, but they will be posted on the web site - I'll let you know when they are available.  In the meantime, we had a very good, productive meeting, and I'm sure you'll recognize a lot of the people in the pictures.

Late last night I sent off an e-mail to our members - at least, the ones I have addresses for - to let them know Ice Out tickets for the 2013 contest are available at Hastings Store.  Each year we put 10 tickets in an envelope for each JPA member to buy or sell, and those are at the store with a big sign to remind people to pick them up.  For those of you who are not members but who want tickets either for yourself or to sell, they are on sale at Hastings, and will be at the Joe's Pond Country Store later this week.  For those of you who have been so great about selling lots of tickets for us, we ask that you order them from either Diane Rossi (Dmbrossi@aol.com) or me (janebrown@joespondvermont.com).  Each year we have approximately 12,000 tickets distributed, and while we don't often run short these days because we also have tickets on-line on the website, it can happen if people take tickets and then don't use them.  So, members -  please let us know if you will not use the 10 tickets allotted to you, and if you need extras (bless you!!) get in touch with Diane or me.

 I mentioned in an earlier entry that there is a loon nest on the small island, Pearl Island.  Warning signs have been put in the channel between the island and the mainland to let boaters know to keep away from the nest and, if they must travel through there, go very quietly and slow so the loons will not be disturbed.  We have another nest on the middle pond - I'm not quite sure where that is, but I expect there will be signs there soon, if they aren't out already.  This picture is behind the island - you can see the markers in the channel.

As we were leaving the recreation area after the meeting, we noticed the play area was being utilized by several children.  There are new seats on the swings, and the tennis courts are all spiffed up, so it's a great place for children to play.  We do have a concern about dogs being allowed to run loose during the summer.  We ask that everyone not only keep their dogs leashed when outside, but also please clean up after your pet.  We need to keep the play area and walkways clean and safe for people of all ages who use them.

We hope everyone has a safe and pleasant Memorial Day weekend.  The weather promises to be nicer than many years, so there will no doubt be many more people out and about on the roads and playing in/on the water and other sports, so please be careful.  Raise your flag to honor our service men and women, past and present, and perhaps join a parade or memorial service to honor them.

 How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!  ~Maya Angelou