We're sort of waiting to see what the weather turns out to be.  Yesterday was pretty warm, but not much sunshine; today is warmer and we've had some very welcome sunshine this morning, but now clouds are beginning to roll over us.  The forecast is for "snow showers" tonight, tomorrow and Thursday.  It's sure nice to have spring-like weather today, though.  The temperature is in the high 30's - might even have been in the 40's earlier - I was at Danville Health Center having a regular checkup  to be sure everything is running smoothly (everything is!), and had several errands to do at Larrabees, Hastings, Dane's Upholstery, etc., so I forgot to pay attention to the temperature.  I just enjoyed the mild weather.

I've had a communication from a woman in Kansas who is related to the Cabot Wheelers and to one of our WWII veterans, Leroy "Clare" Knapp, who was killed in action in June, 1944, as I recall.  She had a copy of a list of American soldiers from the "Wall of the Missing" in Rome, Italy, with his name.  The records there were apparently not updated, for shortly after he was reported missing, his family in Cabot, Neil Knapp and sisters, Lois Knapp Paquin and Alta Knapp, (his mother, Susie (Stone) Knapp had passed away in 1935) received word he had been killed on June 2, 1944.  I believe Clare Knapp was the second soldier killed during that war.  Our neighbors' son, Ernest Maynard, a marine, was the first, killed in Europe in March, 1943.  Two others were killed, Arthur Bartlett in June, 1942, and Oliver Wheeler, in 1945.

I've always been impressed that the small town of Cabot, population about 1,000 at that time, sent more than 100 men and women to the service during WWII.  That seems like a lot, but other towns in Vermont had many young men and women serving their country, as well.  There are lots of stories and quotes about Cabot's servicemen and women in the book, "Cabot, Vermont - A Collection of Memories From The Century Past," published in 1999, and we have lots of information on file at the Cabot Historical Society.  We pulled information from the monthly newsletters called  "CONTACT" which were put together by the Rev. E. H. Nickerson and a staff of volunteers who faithfully typed, copied and mailed them to everyone in the service from Cabot and some from surrounding towns.  The community sponsored the project, with families contributing money for postage and supplies.  

A couple weeks ago I was able to purchase for the Historical Society a ribbon from the Cabot Grange.  I will try to research when the Grange was flourishing in Cabot - I don't think we have much information on that - but in the meantime, I contacted the seller who was in Kansas, asking her how she came to have the ribbon.  She wrote back that she didn't have any record of where it came from or from whom, so that's a dead end.  It's strange how things show  up like that every now and then.  We like to find them and bring them "home" whenever possible.  This ribbon is a nice addition to our display of memorabilia from various clubs and organizations in town.

I learned today of the sudden death of Russel Langfield (135 Pt. Comfort Rd.) in January.  His nephew, Dana Turner, told me this morning he had fallen and hit his head, and died in hospital.  We are so sorry this happened.  Russell and his wife, Mary, purchased one of the condos at Point Comfort a few years ago.  Our sincere condolences to his wife, Mary and family. 

This message is from Homer & Margaret Fitts, Social Directors Extrodinaire:

 

PLEASE.... ENCOURAGE  EVERYONE  YOU  KNOW  TO 

                        ATTEMPT TO BE  AT  BARRE  DAY .

 

            " BARRE    AREA    DAY    PICNIC "

 

ALL BARRE AREA PEOPLE IN FLORIDA ARE URGED TO ATTEND.   THIS IS OUR 16th YEAR.

 

   FIRST WED. IN MARCH.......MARCH 6, 2013...11 - 2:00

 

AT NORTH JETTY PARK PICNIC SHELTER AT NOKOMIS BEACH, FLORIDA.     BRING YOUR CHAIRS, LUNCH AND BEVERAGE.     QUESTIONS? ...941-451-0011

 

    LOOKING FORWARD TO A GOOD CROWD.

 

                                                        HOMER AND MARGARET

Here is a message from Helen Morrison, who volunteers at the Kingdom Animal Shelter in St. Johnsbury.  If you live in the Joe's Pond area and have something to donate, let Helen know and she will make arrangements to have your items picked up.  Click on the poster to make it larger so you can read it easily.

We've been getting a little snow today, but there hasn't been much buildup.  Just enough to make the roads a bit slippery.  It's been pretty mild - in the high 20's, low 30's most of the day.

Diane Rossi just let me know she talked with an ice fisherman today who told her he figures the ice is about 16 inches thick.  That's less than the last figure we heard, which was 18 inches a couple weeks ago.  It's really hard to measure, though, and a couple inches one way or another wouldn't be an unusual variance.  There is still lots of activity going on out on the ice, but Diane said she didn't think the man she talked to had caught much.

She sent a picture of their otter - the runoff from their water well.  I haven't seen it from the lake during winter, so I'm not sure what we're looking at, but perhaps Diane will elaborate for us and I will pass the information on to you.  In the meantime, maybe you can figure it out.  I don't know if she was looking down at the snow or straight on - it's just a complete mystery for me.  I'm not seeing anything I recognize.



 

 The wind seems to have died down a little and there is still cloud cover, so perhaps we won't have a severe drop in temperature tonight.  It got pretty cold during the day, and the wind was fierce.  You can sort of see what it was like - the top picture was taken on Route 2 just before Point Comfort at about 10:30 a.m.  The snow was sifting off the trees in the wind, and blowing across the highway.  The roads were relatively good, but slushy with snow wet from the salt.

I measured about 4 inches of snow in my collection tube this morning.  That's about the same as we got yesterday.  It is very dry and light because it's been so cold.  It hadn't built up that much on the measuring stick in the back yard which was probably due to the wind blowing it away at that location. 

The second picture of West Danville was taken minutes later, and there seemed to be a lull in the wind.  We didn't stop at the store, but I'm certain it was very cold in the village with the wind right off the pond.  There wasn't much moving except snow - a few cars on the highway and one snowmobile was all the activity we saw in West Danville. 

St. Johnsbury was just as quiet.  It didn't seem to be as cold there, and in fact our car showed 24 degrees as we were driving along Railroad Street.  When we had been in West Danville just a few minutes before, we noticed it was 12 degrees.  It's now a few degrees above zero and I've put the quilts across the big windows in the living room.  It's cozier that way, and I don't see the snow whipping by.  From my office window I can see the clouds moving overhead - being blown south at a pretty good clip, and the tree tops out back are waving at me, so there's still plenty of wind.  It will be a cold night.

Lots of you know Kelly Gamble, who owns Rebel Rubbish out of Walden.  Kelly contacted us recently to have a business card on the website, and we were very happy to do that.  I had no idea he can provide rolling dumpsters.  I guess I knew he does light hauling in addition to trash pickup in our area, but I had no idea of the large area he covers.   Every now and then someone new to the pond or this area asks about rubbish removal, and we always mention Kelly.  I knew he has been working this area for a long time.  Turns out he's been in business 36 years!  Hardly seems possible. 

I don't know Kelly well, but his father and some of his aunts and uncles went to the Cabot Plains School when I did.  They lived about where Walt and Julie Ackermann's house is now, on Cabot Plains Road.  Kelly's great grandfather lived where David and Val Covell live - they were Rose and Jim Gamble, and I think they might have come here from Ireland.  His grandparents were Ed and Gertie, and they had a fairly large family of which Kelly's father was the youngest.  His name was Robert, but we always called him "Pete."  They were good neighbors, and I remained friends with Pete's older brothers, Richard and Bill over the years.  Richard lived in St. Johnsbury when I did, and he and his wife used to stop by my house occasionally. Bill married a Cabot girl and lived in Cabot, and I saw them fairly often, especially after I retired.  They are all gone now, but I think one or two of the girls may still be living.  The girls moved away and I lost track of them, but we were all students in the one-room school which made us closer, I guess, in spite of age differences.

There isn't a lot going on here right now, but that could change quickly.  I believe we're due a pretty nice day tomorrow, and something of a warmup trend.  Then back to stormy weather.  

We've had a mix of weather today - a little sun, some snow flurries, quite a bit of wind, and temps in the 20s.  A little more snow tonight and tomorrow, and then Friday a break with sunshine and temperatures in the 30s and 40s, no less.  Spring has to be right around the corner.

Fred took a hike up into the woods this afternoon to see how our logging project is progressing.  I was tied up with some computer work, so didn't tag along, but I asked him to take the camera so he could record the changes for me.  He said it's entirely different and difficult to place exactly where you are because most of the landmarks are gone and the lay of the land without all the trees is completely different.  The top photo is looking at our house through the woods and was taken in 2008.  This next one Fred took today from approximately the same spot.  Wood lots always look awful right after they've been cut off, but within a short time, and with a little help, the area will be really nice, with a few young trees here and there, and lots of vegetation that will spring up now it's exposed to the sun.  We're also hoping some of the really wet area will dry out a little, but perhaps that's too much to hope for, with all the springs along the hillside. 

One thing I'm looking forward to seeing from the house is a big granite rock that's alongside our walking trail.  I've always admired that boulder, and hope I'll be able to see it from the house - at least for a while before vegetation begins to hide it again.  There are also ledges along the hillside in a couple of spots, and those will be nice to see, too.  I have a feeling the deer will follow the ravine past the big boulder and may enjoy having easier access to our lawn and apples.

It will be interesting to see the area after the snow is gone.  There are still piles of brush that will be picked up for chipping, but for now, it makes for great hiding places for bunnies.  It does change the look of things, though, and from just a little way past our back lawn, there's a great view of the pond!  I'm hoping some of the trees below the house that block the view will be removed, but because it's so wet there, John said he might not be able to get to them.  We'll see how it goes.

We got an e-mail from Don and Diane Sherwood today.  They got together with some other Joe's Pond folks in Florida and sent a picture:
Hi Jane !!!!

 "Hello from Sunny Florida!!!!!!" A group of folks from Joes Pond [Aimis, Rickers, Rouleaus and Sherwoods] met for lunch at the Captain's Table on the Fisherman's Wharf in Punta Gorda on February 17th. It is a fabulous place to eat and we all had great meals. We had a good time catching up with each other. One thing that we all agreed on was that we can't wait to be back at the Pond!!!!!

We all say "Hello" and look forward to seeing everyone this coming summer.

Don and Diane Sherwood

PS: Sunny Florida was 38 degrees on Monday morning!!!!!!!!

That 38 degree temperature reading takes the edge off our envy of those folks basking in the sunshine in Florida while we hang onto our hats and brave the blizzards here in New England, don't you agree?  Of course, their weather will be much nicer much sooner than ours, but all the same, that's pretty cool for them.  

Here's the photo:  From left to right, Ray and Cyndy Rouleau, Charlie and Alice Aime, Sandy and Bill Ricker, Diane and Don Sherwood.

We received an update from Dotty Noyes today on their grandson, Nicholas.  You'll find it by following this link and clicking where it says "update." 

Seemed like spring today.  We had bright sunshine to start the day and temperatures got well above freezing, although with the south wind, there didn't seem to be much melting going on.  The weather people were talking about rain, but I don't believe we got any at all here at Joe's Pond.  We did have low hanging clouds most of the afternoon, but I don't believe any actual rain.  The temperature has slipped into the 20s now, and there's a skimming of new snow on our deck.  

I had intended to get out on snowshoes today to take a closer look at how our logging operation is going, but instead, I took a nap.  That happens from time to time - especially on dreary days.  I was inside all morning when it was nice, and then after the weather changed, I lost interest.  We've been doing inside painting, and for me that's strenuous work, going up and down ladders and whatever tool I need always seems to be down in the basement.  I'm inclined to be the "go-fer" on projects like this, mainly because I can usually find whatever we need quicker than Fred can.  That's because I'm constantly moving stuff around when he's not looking.  I have a need to tidy up other people's things.  My own office is a complete disaster, but I can usually find what I want, even in the piles of files and papers and other "stuff."  I would never let anyone else touch anything in my office, and I respect Fred's similar office space; but when it comes to the workbench we both use downstairs, drawers and closets, I reserve the right to organize.  Anyway, we now have most of our projects inside done, and the next good day, perhaps I'll have enough energy to get out on snowshoes.  In the meantime, I have other, smaller, less demanding projects to attend to.

Today I spent considerable time on the phone with a writer who is doing an article on the Joe's Pond Ice-Out Contest for Yankee Magazine.  She said it won't be published until 2014 - that's a lot of lead time, but good for us since this year is the first experience we'll have with our new clock, location, and web cams.  Jeff at Joe's Pond Country Store said tickets sales are picking up, so it looks as if this will be a good year.  All it takes is some warm weather to get people thinking about the ice melting.  We still have over a month to go, so if you haven't picked up your ticket(s) yet, there's still plenty of time.  I think Larry Rossi will be getting the flag out pretty soon now, and that will make the web cams a lot more interesting to watch.  I'll let you know as soon as the flag and pallet are all set.

Here's a picture of Dottie Noyes and her sister and some pretty darn good lookin' friends.  It's hard to resist a man in uniform, but five??  And where the heck was the fire??  I can't wait to hear what this was all about.   Way to go, Dottie!

 

We're close to the end of a blustery day, but I doubt tonight will show much improvement.  Right now my thermometer is reading zero and there's a strong gusty wind blustering down the valley from Walden direction.  The snow has been swirling off our roof all day, making it look worse than it really is outside, but even so, it's mighty cold in that wind.  I opted not to walk today.  Fred went as usual.  Perhaps the weather will be a little better tomorrow.  I've found it isn't good to miss more than a day or so, otherwise, it's really hard for me to make it up the hill without stopping.  As it is, I sometimes go so slowly it's hard to keep my balance - it's called barely moving.  It reminds me of when I was taking some skiing lessons years ago and the instructor kept telling me if I would only go a little faster, I could make my turns better and wouldn't risk falling down as much.  I always liked to feel I was in control, and not at the mercy of the skis.

This morning we saw a couple little beagles in our back yard.  Pretty soon a carload of men dressed in hunting gear showed up, and we learned the dogs had gone to Jamie and Marie's and they were able to find a phone number on the little female's collar, so called the owner and they came to get the dogs.  Marie said the female seemed cold and was glad to get inside, but the male wouldn't go in.  He stayed around, though, so they are both back home now, I imagine.

Otto, Jamie and Marie's dog, got into a porcupine on Friday.  Fortunately, the quills were small ones, so he may have found some remains rather than connecting with a live one.  If he'd been hit with a tail, the quills would have been big and much harder to get out.  As it was, Jamie and Marie were able to get them all out right away, and when we saw him a few hours later, he didn't even seem to have a fat lip.

Yesterday we had a very pleasant surprise when Monika and the girls stopped by on their way home from a basketball game at Harwood Union in Hardwick.  They had lunch with us and we had a great time watching Tangeni interact with Woody - or maybe it was the other way around.  She chased, he avoided, but he seemed to like the attention and let her pat him.  He was wary when she screamed with excitement, and kept just out of her reach when she chased him, but he hung out pretty much all the time they were here.  Tangeni gave him a good workout, and he had a long nap after they left.

Did you know winter storms get named, too?  I hadn't realized that.  This one is Plato.  Check it out.  Looks like Cape Cod got really socked with lots of snow.  Sounds like there's another big storm forming on the west coast that will be heading in our direction later this week.  Winter isn't over yet, for sure, and we still have March ahead of us.

We are excited that we're getting some customers buying Ice Out Contest tickets with the new PayPal arrangement.  It's pretty easy, but they do have to buy ten tickets in order to have the convenience of paying on line.  People who don't want that many tickets can still go to the printable page and fill out whatever number of tickets they want and send them to us with the money by regular mail.

Now I'm going to go into the living room and put up the window quilts.  When the temperature gets down in the zero range, there's a lot of cold air that comes off all that glass, even though it's double paned.  The window quilts have proven to be effective in stopping that draft.  Since we both sit near the windows, we feel the difference, and even though I miss being able to watch the lights across the pond and cars on West Shore Road, it makes sense to use them.  We had an oil delivery this week and Fred figures we've saved perhaps as much as 40% less oil this year compared to a comparable period before we did the winterization and installed the new boiler.  We've made many changes, so it's impossible to know what exactly has made the difference, but we're happy that what we've done seems to be paying off.  

 

We are enjoying snow squalls this morning.  When I first looked out around six o'clock, there were only a few flakes coming down, now I can scarcely see the trees in the back yard.  But it will calm down soon - I can see blue sky in spots overhead.  It's a little more like March weather than mid-February.

We surely can't complain, though.  I had an e-mail from Tom and Camilla Dente in Connecticut this morning.  They are still digging out and, as Tom says, moving about very carefully because of the high snow banks hindering visibility.  Here's Tom's note:  

Well we are finally getting out after the blizzard. Our road was opened  after 3 days and is still one way but at least we can get out. I measured 38 inches of snow. If we had an antenna on the car we could put an orange ball on it so other car drivers would be able to see us at corners. As it is we are just very careful. There have been many accidents. We had to have a pay loader clear our driveway. A plow could not do it. Even the roads could not be cleared by a plow truck. Pay loaders and a huge snow blower were used. Spring is coming and this will be another memory.

Tom and Camilla live in Middletown, and our nephew lives in Guilford, which is on the coast.  Even in Guilford, they got 32 inches of snow in that storm.  Our paltry 8-10 inches over all pales in comparison.  

Friends of the Friberg family here at Joe's Pond will be saddened to learn of the death of Merilyn Friberg. Merilyn's children, Peter and Sally Friberg, Nancy and Bob Pope, and Cary Friberg and Carl Yalicki own a cottage on North Shore Road.  She will be sadly missed by her family and many friends.  

I delivered Ice-Out tickets to our outlets in St. Johnsbury and the general store in Cabot, so now all our outlets have tickets, ready for another banner year.  Someone asked yesterday if the ice at Joe's Pond is as thick as other years, and I believe it is about the same as many years in the past.  There have been years when we've had upwards of three feet of ice, but more often it runs a bit less than that.  Last report I had was 18 inches, but since then we've had a warm spell and a very cold spell, so I'm guessing it hasn't changed much.  The weather for the next several days will be about normal for this time of year, days in the 20s and nights in low 20's or teens, so the ice is probably going to remain about the same.  No real warming trend yet.  We still have about six weeks before the contest closes on April 1, and a lot can change during that time.  Stay tuned.

"  HAPPY   VALENTINE'S   DAY "

 

                            WITH LOVE AND BLESSINGS,

 

                                            HOMER AND MARGARET

Just before what we all thought was going to be a BIG storm last week, I received this photo from Evelyn Richer.  Then I got busy and it hung out in my picture file until I realized yesterday that I hadn't posted it.  While the image of the "Happy House" on Sandy Beach Road has no doubt disappeared from view with the snow we got and keep getting, I still want to share it.  Here's what Evelyn wrote about it: 

"Good morning Jane! Yesterday I looked out our window and saw this 'happy face' smiling back at me! Since I figured it was going to be leaving by today it needed to be recorded! (And I was right! As Ray would say, "There it is, gone!") (The image is of the shadow of our house and the edge of our watergarden.) Enjoy the storm!! Blessings from this "Happy House" Evelyn and Ray

I love these unexpected images that show up only when we kind of think outside of the box.  Thanks to Evelyn for making us smile - even as we're getting more snow.  They may not see that happy house smile again until March or April!

Ice Out ticket sales are picking up.  We've had our first on-line purchase using PayPal.  Directions to use that method of joining the Ice Out Contest are on the Ice Out Page.  Actually, we've had a couple of sales come in that way - one was someone in California, and I'm not sure where the other one was.  To use that method of payment, one must purchase 10 tickets.  It's easy and secure, and we immediately have the ticket information so those tickets are in the contest as soon as you hit the "send" key.  You can still print tickets and send them by regular mail, and of course our regular outlets are mostly stocked now - I admit I need to get more out in the St. Johnsbury area, but Don Walker has tickets available in the Montpelier area, Diane Rossi has distributed tickets to outlets in Marshfield, Plainfield and Barre, and there are tickets available at Walden Four Corners, and Cabot will have them within a day or so at Bobby Searles's general store.  I just need to get down there to deliver them.  Diane will also get tickets to outlets in Danville, and of course West Danville has had them available since July.

By the way, did you know that the folks at Hastings Store are celebrating 100 years as a family-owned business?  Jane's grandparents, Gilbert and Jennie Hastings purchased the store on October 13, 1913 from Burt Wells.  Some of you will remember Gilbert and Jennie, but more will remember Jane's father and mother, Ralph and Mabel.  Now Jane and Garey run the store with the help of daughter Jennie and her husband, James Rafuse.  Last night, WCAX had a short clip about the store with the latest generation, James and Jennie's daughter Alyssa, operating the cash register - learning the business and ready to lend a hand.  Later in the year I expect Garey and Jane will come up with something special to celebrate their 100 years as a family business.  Congratulations, Jane, Garey, Jennie and James!

We got a couple inches of new, pretty wet snow last night and it's been snowing this morning - or a mix of snow and rain.  The temperature is hovering right around freezing - sometimes a little above, sometimes a little below, and the wind is gusting so it seems to bite through your clothing.  I walked up Jamie & Marie's driveway, but I was really glad to get back inside this morning.

The snow at our backyard stake is measuring 16 inches today - it was 15 yesterday.  I think the heavier snow overnight packed it down somewhat.  I've had the scanner on this afternoon, but there isn't much activity, so I'm guessing the road crews have taken care of the highways earlier in the day and now the driving is ok.  We haven't been out on the road for a couple of days.  The Town of Cabot has been keeping West Shore Road in good condition, plowing and sanding.  They can't do much about some of the ruts that developed during the warm spell and now have frozen hard, but the snow is packing into them and making a pretty nice road.  The stretch belonging to Danville just before Route 2 has been very rutted, and that is still a rough ride.

I just heard the forecast for the road crews that comes regularly on the scanner, and they aren't expecting much snow overnight or tomorrow.  Highs will be in the 20's, which is about normal.  

Fred is in the garage laying a "board walk" over the salt residue that is left as the car drips after being out on the roads.  We've tried to keep it swept up, but there's a thin layer that just has to be washed away - only now is not the time to be doing that.  I don't like having it tracked into the house or on our feet when we get into the car, so we're trying this to see if it will get us through the rest of the winter until we can wash out the garage.  It's always nice when warm weather comes and we can get the sludge from winter washed away.

 

We got a little more snow today!  I was surprised at lunch time when I looked out onto our deck where my snow gauge is.  There seemed to be a couple inches of snow captured in it. There was a fair amount of wind and we had snow squalls throughout the day, but I guess I thought most of the snow was moving horizontally and there wasn't that much actually landing on the ground.  I had measured 15 inches at my back yard stake at 9 a.m. today.   I'll check the stake again in the morning, and also will measure what's fallen on my snow board on the front deck.  Getting two measurements from different locations helps, especially when it's been windy and may have drifted in some places.  Measuring the snow is certainly not an exact science.  We are instructed to take measurements in several locations and then average it.  Most of the time the measurements I get in the two locations are just about the same, so I haven't ventured out with my yardstick yet this winter.  There have been winters when I did that regularly, and one winter in particular I had a hard time finding a way to get up over the snow banks, with or without my snowshoes, the banks were so high.  I finally shoveled steps up the bank at the end of our driveway.  I think I measured about four feet of snow that year.  I took a dishpan to empty the measuring tube into, and had to empty it three or four times to get down to grass.  The cylinder is about 14 inches tall and 4 inches across.

We enjoyed a bit of a warm-up today, but the wind made it feel colder than it was, especially with the snow blowing around.  Some areas are expecting rain - either tonight or tomorrow - but I expect we'll have snow instead.

There are some messages on Front Porch Forum I'm going to relay to you here, in case you haven't joined FPF:

 Skating Party! Feb. 17

Ry Hoffman – West Hill Pond Road

Cabot Community -

There will be a Skating Party at the rink on the Cabot Commons this Sunday, February 17th, from 1:00 - 4:00. Please come join us, strap on a pair of skates (we have a crate full of extras for those who don't own their own pair), and have some fun. All levels of skating experience welcome - for those who need some assistance, we'll have some people available to help.
Anyone interested in bringing some warm/cold drinks, some snacks, or simply helping out, please let me know - you can contact me via email at ryhoffman4@yahoo.com.

Thanks -

Ry Hoffman
West Hill Pond Road

 #####

Town Meeting - Main St Project - Corrections

Tara Rogerson – Town Clerk, Cabot

I need to correct some opinion statements made on Front Porch Forum regarding the 2013 Town Meeting Warning. The hearing to discuss Australian Ballot issues will be held on February 27, 2013 at 7pm. As always, I encourage people to attend and ask questions, or feel free to contact me directly at 917-2992 (cell). You can see the full content of the School and Town Meeting Warnings at www.cabotvt.us

Article 26 is a Plan amendment request from the UDAG Committee and was not suggested as a way to circumnavigate the SB's decision to ask the voter's opinion of the Main Street enhancement project. It is my understanding that UDAG has a vast array of economic and community development projects for their consideration and this change would allow UDAG to better meet those needs outside yearly grant requests approved at Town Meeting.

Article 28 is the request from the SB for voters to advise whether or not to continue looking at enhancements for Main Street. These enhancements may include curbing, lighting, tree planting, or none of these... It should be noted that the scoping study was a prerequisite to be eligible for grant funds for future enhancement projects. The study was a fresh look at the *possibilities* and, while the SB has the authority to decide whether to go forward, they're requesting voter input as to whether some of these additional improvements should be considered for our village.

This summer is going to see a bit of disruption to Main Street with the culvert project to help mitigate future flooding. In conjunction with the grant to cover most of that project expense, the Town has already received other grants to 1) pave the length of Main Street from the Creamery to the South Walden Road intersection, 2) replace portions of the sidewalk that were destroyed during flooding, and 3) install granite curbing to combat long term wear/erosion of the sidewalks. Also, a grant was received to replace a bridge on Mack Mountain Road. These grants are part of the Town’s continual cycle of paving and structure improvements.

Personally, it was my hope the Town would have applied for the enhancement grant in January to continue the sidewalk from the Miller house to the recreation field and place a couple radar signs for traffic entering the village.... This work would have been done this summer while the road was already being repaved.

I would encourage FPF bloggers to sit down and talk with the SB or me to really understand these project and future goals. Worse than not being informed, is being misinformed...

Tara

# # # # #

Bless You!

Rita Copeland, E.G., Twin Valley Seniors, Inc. – School St

The posting that I did for a senior that is ill and in need of a lift recliner was so well received, thanks to your responses the senior will be having a chair, his family is so grateful, it will help them make him be more comfortable in his time of need. I cried with the responses knowing there are so many, kind, caring and loving people in our communities (and outside the communities). I had no idea what there were going to be for responses but I am so happy that I posted the need.

In saying that I am going to share information on another senior that myself and others have tried to help to no avail. If you can at all offer any help with his need would you please contact him. Any vehicle that runs and is not rusty would be wonderful as I know he gets very depressed about not having any luck. Following is his note:

My name is Dennis , I live in Marshfield Vt. and receive Meals on Wheels and sometimes attend Twin Valley Seniors. Rita Copeland and I were talking regarding a problem that I have been having regarding my vehicle. I have tried many different avenues to try and get help so I can have transportation to get to my physical therapy, doctors, etc. We thought someone may be able to help me so that I can be independent again and not have to rely on others, who are not always available when I need assistance.

I am 63 years old and have lost my right leg in May due to complications with Diabetes. I have to put a left foot pedal in my car.The cost for the pedal is $995.00, I have no money but was able to get a loan for $500.00 and my case manager helped me get the other half ($495.00) which I am forever grateful.

I had an appointment with Ride Away in Essex Junction, VT. in December to have my pedal put in my car. I had an appointment and when I got there they had to look at my car, when they were done they told me my car was too rusted to put a pedal in the car and needed a vehicle that did not have so much rust.

I am on social security and I have very little to live on now, I can't afford another loan to get a car.

Before I lost my leg I was driving students to the Barre Schools from Cabot. I not only need a car for my own use but would like to drive the students again to Barre from the Cabot. I live alone and driving students and getting out of my apartment makes me feel so much better by giving me the opportunity to have a social life.

The reason I am writing this email to you is to see if you could help me get a car that has little or no rust that I can have the pedal put in so that I may drive again. I have advertised for a donated car to no avail. My case manager has tried to help me as have my friends. I have explored all the channels I know with no luck. If someone has a car they could donate to help me out I would be willing for them to take my exisitng one which certainly has lots of rust.I have asked everone that I can think off, I can't afford a loan and live, I am saving the money to have the pedal installed into a car if I could get one.

I don't like to ask for help but I need it now, I hope you can help me out and I will aniouxsly await hearing from someone.

Thank you for your time and God Bless you.

Dennis 802-426-3006

I've been doing some catching up today.  I seem to suddenly have several "projects" pending, and got a bit behind in my computer work.  I heard from Don Walker yesterday that someone in Michigan wants to set up an ice-out contest like ours, so was able to get some info out on that; then someone else needs photos to do a calendar, so I needed to go through files to find photos that could possibly be used, plus there were several e-mails I needed to answer.  

 We walked this morning, climbing the hill to Jamie and Marie's - well, Fred ran, I walked, or maybe "chugged" up would be a better word.  When it was so cold and blustery, I skipped the hike up the hill a few times, and it doesn't take many skips before I lose muscle and stamina making it extra difficult to climb the hill when I finally get back to it.  The air was nice, but the wind was really cold this morning, in spite of the bright sunshine.  We didn't get much snow - about six or eight inches total - but it blew around, packing down and drifting some.  Just before the storm, we watched our logger picking up brush to be chipped.  We wondered that his load stayed in place to get down through the woods to the landing, but apparently it all went well, and he took several loads of brush out, cleaning things up pretty well so it wouldn't get lost under all the snow we expected.

 I'm still getting used to the view from our bedroom windows since the logging began.  This morning the sky was bright and beautiful, but our skyline out back is completely different now.  The top picture is how it used to look; the bottom photo is how it looks now.  It's roughly the same view, but the big trees close to the house are gone.  We saved the small oak tree shown at the right of the top picture picture, and a small maple to the left of it that has a red tag on it in the bottom picture.  Looking in the other direction, towards the pond, is quite different, too.  It's amazing how I'm seeing the contours of the land now in a way I never did before.  We have walked the area so many times, I thought I knew just about every knoll and rock, but now it looks entirely different to me, and I have to think hard about what I'm looking at - is it where the lower trail was, where the apple tree was or where the big maple with Don Encarnacion's sign, "Mary-Jane Junction" stood?  Soon I'll be able to see the big white rock above the house, and the ridge where the old logging road was.  The encroachment of the trees has been so gradual, I really hadn't noticed, but I'm sure noticing now.  I like to think of it as "redecorating the land around us."  It's like cleaning house and putting everything in order ready for a new start.

I'm going to enjoy seeing beyond the tree line around our property.  It's amazing how it has opened it up.  I'm still waiting to see if we'll be able to see way down the pond towards Route 2.  When my parents built this house, they were able to see the pond, but it has gradually disappeared behind the trees between our house and Don Encarnacion's.  Could be as the view gets broader, the neighborhood will seem smaller - we might even be able to see lights at Don's and perhaps Pupino's.

NOTICE:  Jaquith Library sponsored Contra Dance in Marshfield VT has been canceled due to storm:

The Friday, February 8, 7 p.m. Contra Dance at the Fritz's  Barn in Marshfield with has been canceled. We will reschedule so watch for our announcement.  

* * * * *

Indeed, we're expecting a foot or so of snow tonight and into tomorrow.  At 9 a.m.,  I measured three inches that had fallen in the past 24 hours.  There isn't a lot falling, but it's been very steady all morning. And it's still pretty cold.  The highest I've seen on the thermometer at the back of our house is 15 degrees, so the snow is very light and when the winds pick up later on, there will be lots of snow in the air to cause white-outs.  We are being warned of blizzard conditions as the storm picks up momentum. 

Yesterday there was a newsletter from Burr Morse in my e-mail.  I didn't get to read it until this morning, and was surprised when he mentioned that they are already about 1/3 tapped in their sugar woods.  Seems early, but like Burr says, they'll be ready for the next warm spell.  I expect the Morse Farm's orchard is at least a week or maybe two ahead of most of the orchards in Cabot and Walden area, so they may have a run well before anyone around here does.  Used to be most folks around here planned to be tapped by town meeting day.  Like everything else, global warming has probably had an effect on the sugaring season.  Here's an article written on the subject last year:  Vermont Maple Season.

It doesn't look or feel much like sugarin' weather today, for sure.  But we are well into February, and as someone pointed out to me the other day, we're "on the other side of winter."  Maybe.  However, I had to counter his statement with a reminder that March can still deliver some significant winter-like weather on occasion.  We'll have to wait to see.

 

 

We started off our day with bright sunshine, but shortly after noon, the sun was blotted out by a dense layer of rippled clouds towards the north and east, and a darkened threatening sky opposite, at the south and west overhead.  We are, of course, awaiting a big snowstorm with possible blizzard conditions.  The change will come overnight and we'll be getting snow all day tomorrow, if the forecast is correct.  Last prediction I heard was for 8-16 inches in our locality - about 1 inch per hour from Friday afternoon into Saturday morning.  I guess plow and road crews will be kept busy, as will Fred and his snow blower.  

I just saw on Front Porch Forum that students from Cabot School 8th graders will be canvassing town for returnable bottles/cans on Saturday morning.  I hope the storm doesn't interfere with their plans.  They are earning money for a trip to Washington, D.C. in the spring.  They hope to be picking up between 9 a.m. and noon on Saturday, so have your bottles ready if you live in Cabot.  If they don't make it on Saturday and you'd like to help support their effort to raise money, get in touch with Lynn Maxfield on Whittier Hill Road, 563-3244 - she may know when or if they will be able to pick up your donation.  
 
I just looked at some pictures we snapped as we were coming home late yesterday afternoon, and thought you might like to see this one taken from Dole Hill as we approached Danville.  The sun was just dropping behind the hills on the other side of town - beautiful cloud formations.

Today, Johnny Doyon, who is cutting logs on our property, was busy all day picking up the logs he had cut a few days ago.  We decided he was probably racing against the approaching storm, wanting to find the logs before they got buried under a foot or more of snow.  He can actually take quite a good sized load of logs out with his all-in-one rig.  Neither of us gets tired of watching him operating that machine.  I think he might be able to pick up a toothpick the way he's so adept at navigating the grapple.  We watched him pick a log up and actually shake off the snow before placing it perfectly onto the load.  I wouldn't be surprised to see a truck come early tomorrow to pick up as much as possible of the logs he has ready at the landing.  Depends on the weather, of course.  

We're expecting an oil delivery tomorrow, too.  However, the storm may change that.  We're anxious to find out if we're using less oil this year after the weatherization we've done and the new boiler.  Trouble is, we won't know exactly which the benefit is coming from, assuming we're using less this year, but we think we're noticing an improvement at least so far.  With temperature change and weird weather patterns lately, it's going to be really difficult to make a good comparison, but at least we'll get some idea of whether we're headed in the right direction.

Now I need to locate a map of the Town of Cabot from the 1800's for a young student who is doing a project on early Cabot.

Another cold night.  My weather station registered a low of -12.8 degrees.  We have bright sunshine, so it is warming up gradually, although the old mercury thermometer outside my office window is showing -10 degrees still. 

Woody was raising ructions last night wanting to go outside.  He apparently thought he saw or heard something.  He rushed into the bedroom and onto the windowsill to peer out into the darkness, but of course we wouldn't let him out - even if it hadn't been below zero.  This morning he was anxious to go out, so I let him into the garage, but of course he only stayed a couple of minutes before knocking at the door to come in.  He has gone to bed now, resigned to another dull day inside with his humans.  It livens up his existence when we begin some project - even running the vacuum will get him up from a sound sleep; but fixing something or cleaning a closet is really interesting, and he's immediately in the middle of whatever it is, helping.

Fred found this article about an ancient Alaska mega flood which we thought was interesting, but in addition, Michael Wiedmer, who is our neighbor, Elizabeth's son, contributed much of the information.  Michael just spent some time here with his mother, and we very much enjoyed his stories about some of his experiences with bears while on scientific missions in Alaska.

We're getting close to town meeting time.  Cabot voters will find the articles in the Warning posted on the Cabot website,  www.cabotvt.us

Subject: JOB OPPORTUNITY: Farm to College Project Manager RFP

FINE is looking to hire a project manager for our new Farm to Cafeteria project, funded by the Jane's Trust, focussed in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and greater Boston. Please see the attached RFP and forward to individuals that you think might be interested, post on appropriate lists.

Feel free to contact me with questions as well.  Our submission deadline is February 15, but we are looking to fill the position as soon as possible. 

 Peter Allison, Coordinator

Farm to Institution New England (FINE)

http://www.farmtoinstitution.org/

Peter@FarmtoInstitution.org

802.436.4067 (W) | 802.291.2019 (M)

* * * * *

We have a cold, frosty morning, but what beautiful sunshine.  The trees are glistening with white frost - gorgeous.  I took this first picture when there was still a thin layer of frost fog at our level.  We had a low of about two above zero last night, but at this point I think we were at about six above.  Just a few minutes later I took the next picture of the same scene after the sun was a little higher in the sky and the frost was only in the valley.

 

The next picture shows how the frost fog remained over the pond while most of the surrounding hills were clear.  I then took a picture up the valley towards Walden, looking just about exactly north from our living room window. 

Now there is not a cloud in the sky.  I believe we are in for some snow later on today, but for now, things are "lookin' good!"

Some of you know that Butters Restaurant in Cabot is closing today and moving next door to the building that was Harry's Hardware.   When Julie and Walt Ackermann owned it, Julie had a lunch room at the back of the hardware store, and now Stan and Kathy Lincovich will be there with most of the same fare they had next door, but will be part of the developing new space planned by Bobby Searles and his family.  The Searles family also owns the general store in Cabot.  

We wish them well - Stan plans to have the new restaurant/lunch room open by early March, and is in the process of transferring to the new location his license to serve alcoholic beverages. 

We are happy to wish Ben Harris Happy 100th Birthday!  Ben and Rosalie have been Joe's Pond Association members for many years, and still occasionally come to enjoy warm days and sunsets at their camp on Old Homestead Road.  If you would like to send Ben a birthday greeting, their home address is:  66 Dundee St., St. Johnsbury VT 05819.

It's been a cold and blustery day with temperatures in the single digits above zero.  A far cry from the last two or three days of 40's and rain.  Everything is pretty well frozen up tight.  We lost power for about three hours last night on the Cabot side of the pond.  We were told by the folks at Washington Electric that it was "town wide" - we are guessing meaning Cabot, but didn't question further.  We hadn't had supper yet, but I was in the middle of getting it together - consequently, we ended up with an entirely different menu than I'd originally intended, but Fred started a fire soon after the lights went out, and we enjoyed eating in front of the fireplace, watching the fire and listening to the wind.  Lamp light is really fun, but every time this happens, I find myself wondering how people read or did fine needlework by kerosene lamp light or candle light.  

When the power came back on, we were warmly settled in bed and debated whether to get up or not.  It was only a little after 10 o'clock, so we decided to check e-mail and perhaps watch the news at 11 o'clock since we'd missed most of the 6 o'clock news.  That was a good decision because when I walked into the kitchen I smelled something cooking and realized I'd left a frying pan on the stove and hadn't turned off the burner when the power went off.  We usually try to remember what lights or gadgets were on and turn them off, but last night neither of us thought about it.  I shudder to think of what would have happened if we hadn't gotten up and that pan was left on the stove. 

There was some danger of flooding along rivers yesterday from all the rain and melted snow, and another accident on Route 2 in Danville due to white-out conditions.  It was not a good night to be on the road.  The weather is going to behave a bit better for the next few days, but looks like we'll be in for a pretty cold week ahead with more below zero nighttime temperatures and daytimes only in the teens and low 20s.  The real spring is quite a way off, I'm afraid.

Here are some announcements:

Join Senator Bernie Sanders and Vermont/National Experts for a
Protect Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, & Veterans Programs

We are delighted that one of the nation’s leading experts on Social Security, Nancy Altman, will be giving the keynote address. Nancy is the co-director of Social Security Works and co-chair of the Strengthen Social Security coalition and campaign.

Saturday, February 9th
12 noon – Free lunch in the cafeteria
1:00 pm – Meeting begins in the auditorium

Please RSVP to:
Montpelier High School, 5 High School Drive, Montpelier, VT

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Cabin Fever Buster!

Dance & Raffle Fundraiser

to benefit the Cabot 8^th grade trip to Washington D.C.

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Willey Building, Cabot, VT

Minimum of $4,000 Cash prizes ($2,000 first prize, $1,500 second prize, and $500 third prize as well as other prizes, as well as BONUS raffles, including a chance to get back in the drawing for the big prize)

DJ playing from 7:00 to Midnight

Snacks provided

BYOB

Donation: $100 (Must show ticket at the door)

Do not need to be present to win!

Reserve your number today! Only 100 tickets available!

Contact: Susan Celley (susan.celley@cvmc.org)                         

                PO Box 241

               Cabot, VT 05647

               563-2727