Mike Rubalcaba just sent a heads-up about an article in the Boston Globe that mentions Hastings Store right here in West Danville.  Hastings is on page 2 of the article.  Willey's Store in nearby Greensboro is also mentioned, and I'm sure some of you will be familiar with some of the other Vermont stores mentioned.  They sure had their information right about Garey's blueberry cake and doughnuts . . . !

There's another interesting article about Island Pond, Vermont, in the Globe's regular column, A Tank Away (I expect it's a reference to a tank of gas).  I haven't been to Island Pond in a few years, but a lot of snowmobile enthusiasts know it well - it's become a destination for snowmobilers.  There have been some interesting eating spots there in the past, and sounds like it still has good choices.

 Now - how about the change in our weather?  From hazy, hot and humid to sunny, cool and dry.  My thermometer is reading 54 degrees right now, and I just went through the house closing windows.  It seems really good to have it cooler, and we're going to enjoy this kind of weather for a few days, according to the forecast.  Actually, within a couple of weeks, we may see a more pronounced change, especially in nighttime temperatures.  August always begins the wind-down of summer and the air takes on a definite feel of autumn.  Since our weather has been anything but "normal" this year, it will be interesting to see what our fall will be like.  I'm not quite ready to give up on summer, though.  It's been nice, and sometimes a little too hot, but I'd like to store up a little bit more of all of it before cold weather sets in.  

We've had an inquiry about the water level in the pond being lower than normal; however, I contacted Green Mountain Power and they tell me earlier in the week it was actually higher, and yesterday it was back to normal.  I guess that could fool anyone - we've had a couple of pretty heavy rains lately, and that could account for the level to be higher than usual.  I haven't heard how the repairs to the power plant are coming along, but I'll try to find out and let you know.  I can't imagine that it will be running again anytime soon - just too much damage.