We awoke to a frosty world this morning - sparkling white frost on the grass - but now the sun is higher in the sky, everything has melted and even the leaves on my summer squash plants seem to have survived ok.  I took in all my tomatoes and the summer squash that were large enough to use - but there were some smaller ones still on the vines and a few small cukes I didn't bother with.  They may continue to grow for a few more days, if not weeks, before we get another hard frost.

On days like this, the pond is an unbelievable blue.  The air is crisp and there's a nice wind that seems to be blowing up the pond out of the southeast.  It's a good day for sailing, I expect. 


We had a call last night from Gina Kurrle on Meadow Lane asking that people keep an eye out for a Sunfish sailboat tiller/rudder that was blown into the pond during our recent storm.  Gina said it should float, but will probably be difficult to see, but asks that people keep a lookout for it.  It may wash up on someone's waterfront, or you may spot it if you are out on the water.  She will be very relieved to have it back, so please watch for it.  Give her a call at 563-9905.

I noticed an obituary this morning for Emile "Mimi" Chatot, who was Jules Chatot's brother.  I expect some of you may have known him, and certainly many people around the pond are very familiar with Jules, one of the founders of our Ice-Out Contest, and know Jules "Jay" and Kate who are JPA members and live on Chatot Road.  We extend sympathy to the Chatot family.

I mentioned a few days ago that we were seriously considering going solar.  I say "were" because yesterday, after Fred and Rich from Solartech had crunched numbers and consulted with Bill Powell at Washington Electric (WEC),we have decided not to move ahead with the project.  We are very disappointed, but turns out it's a situation where we don't actually use enough electricity to make it viable.  We've done lots of things in the past to cut down on our power consumption, and the way WEC bills its customers, giving a lower rate for the first 200 kwhs, changes the advantage we'd have.  We weighed doing it "for the good of the planet," but being frugal Vermonters, we also wanted it to be "good for our pocketbook," and the numbers just weren't adding up.  We haven't given up entirely, and will still have the big trees cut to clear the southern exposure just in case things change.  Besides, those big trees would be bad news if they came down on the house, and some of them are certainly tall enough.  We have lots of trees around us, and more coming all the time, so this will give us an opportunity to manage them a little better.  

This has been an interesting experience, and we've learned a lot from it.  Over the years we've explored solar and wind as alternative energy sources, but this is the first time we've come so close to finding a viable option.  I told Fred this morning I can't remember ever feeling this disappointed over not spending money.

Speaking of options, perhaps this is a good time to tell you about the new way people will be able to buy Joe's Pond Ice-Out tickets this year.  Within a few days we will have a new page on the website where Ice-Out tickets can be purchased directly, paying with a credit card.  The tickets will still be $1 and there are no additional fees to take advantage of this.  However, to make this possible, it is necessary to purchase ten tickets.  The printable tickets that you can print and send in the mail will still be available, and you can print one or more of those and send with your check or cash as before.  We're hoping this works well for people who don't want to bother with mailing them.  Full instructions will be posted on the ticket pages.  For now, I'll just say it's "coming soon."

We are also moving ahead with relocating and updating the setup for the Ice-Out.  For over a quarter of a century nothing much has changed about the Ice-Out Contest.  Organizers have served and moved on, but the original concept and equipment has stayed pretty much the same as Jules, Homer, Don and the others set it up.  We won't change those basics, but because Homer is no longer living at Joe's Pond year around, we're going to move the setup up the west shore to a spot in front of the Rossi cottage.  Ray Richer has taken care of putting the pallet out and taking it in for many years, but this year he decided to retire from that job, so we've found another year 'rounder, Larry Rossi, to take over that job.  Coincidentally, our data specialist who logged in all the tickets had to give up that job for health reasons, and JPA member, Henretta Splain will take over that job.

Last year the old clock began to look a bit frail and we decided we'd best avert a potential disaster and invest in a new clock.  The new one is specially made for outdoor use and will operate in below-zero weather if necessary - however, we sincerely hope that won't be needed.  Along with the new clock, we hope to have video cameras watching the flag and the clock 24/7 so you'll be able to go to the website to see the clock and keep track of the flag out on the ice.  How's that for hi-tech and moving into the 21st century?  

The concept of the contest remains the same, but we all know that over time, change is inevitable.   The first major change was when a spreadsheet replaced Jules' shirt pocket for keeping track of picks.  There have been other "tweeks" along the way, but this is the first time there has been such a turnover of both personnel and logistics all at the same time.

We'll keep you updated with more information and photos.  In the meantime, tickets (like the one on the right) are available and tourists and even a few locals are already in the game.