Our glimpse of spring-like weather was brief, and we are back to a gloomy 40-degree day with no sunshine to warm the earth and chase the frost out of winter-weary Vermonter's bones.  Yesterday was beautiful, and we could fairly see the ice on the pond receding.  Fred and I spent the day dashing back and forth to the Rossi's, first to monitor and record the finish when the clock stopped, and then, after finding the name of the winner among the 11,699 tickets and alerting the media and our outlets of the outcome, we enjoyed a few hours of quiet time before the phone calls asking for detailed information began. 

We were not disappointed.  At lunch we got a call from Lyndon State College Channel 7 News team they would like to get video footage and an interview, so back to Rossi's we went.  The interview was short and we were home in no time, answering phone calls and e-mails.  I think the last call came in from  Dave Delcore for an article in the Barre Times Argus.

Also, there was a mention on WCAX.

So our 26th Joe's Pond Ice-Out Contest has been successfully concluded except for awarding the check, which we will do in mid-May.  

Changing the subject, this just came from Evelyn Richer: 

I just wanted to drop a line to let you know...(If you don't already)
that Steve (at the Danville Inn) is now open on Thursday nights with a
brand new menu and live entertainment.  In fact, Ray and his two buddy's
Rick Monroe and Bob Carpenter will be playing there again tonight between
6pm-8pm... (Steve is open from 4-8 serving dinner)  He also has put in a
nice (long) bar... a great addition, to add to the night club/dining
atmosphere... I went the first night that Ray played and the place was
'rockin' standing room only... but not too loud to enjoy your meal...
They play music from the 70's (Eagles, Beatles, Neil Young, Moody Blues,
America, Gordon Lightfoot and much more!!)

Something fun and different to do on a Thursday night!!

We're delighted to hear about this.  We'd noticed Steve's sign that he would be open Thursday evenings, but hadn't known about the live music.  We very much enjoy going to Steve's Danville Inn.  We've had great experiences there for breakfast, lunch or dinner, and always enjoy seeing Steve.  We'll try to go on a Thursday night very soon.  First, we both need to shake colds.

While I was being interviewed by the LSC guys yesterday, Fred was taking pictures.  We had

heard machinery operating on the Old Homestead Road side of the pond, and he got this picture.  Some of you will recognize it as the space between the Sherwood and Nicholson properties, where the Maguire cottage used to be.  Mark and Robin Nicholson recently purchased the property and took down the dilapidated cottage.  Once the wall is complete and landscaping done, it will be beautiful.

I'm keeping track of my daffodils.  They are well up and budded, but it's been unusually slow going for them this year.  Cold nights and days like this aren't promoting new growth in anything, much less flowering; although, I've noticed the buds on trees, especially our lilacs, have grown fatter, so I guess things are moving ahead in spite of the weather.  Just to cheer things up, I'm going to put a header of last year's daffodils on the blog . . . and think spring!