Our summer weather continues, but according to the forecast, it will end tomorrow and then be colder than normal for a few days.  However, we will be getting some very much needed rain as a result of the cold front moving in.  I will welcome a rainy day - I'll feel better about staying inside to do some housework instead of concentrating on the outside.  I took this picture early this morning when it was still a little hazy from a light fog over the water.  You can see that our trees are beginning to leaf out and the grass is getting a little green, in spite of no rain.

On Saturday, we went to granddaughter Jo-Ann's dance recital.  It is put on by Jacque-Lynn Mackay who has Dance Express studios - this was the 21st Annual Spring Performance.  It was the third recital Jo-Ann has been in, and we enjoyed it every bit as much this year as we did the first year.  She was in three numbers, one of perhaps 75 students who performed, ranging from about three years old to high school seniors.  There were almost more youngsters than the stage could hold gathered for the awards at the end of the performances.  The dance classes range from pre-dance for the littlest through tap, jazz, modern, ballet, pointe and hip-hop with a group of very energetic boys.  I made a short slide show using just a fraction of the pictures I took.  The picture above is Jo-Ann (in front) and one of her dance classmates on stage.  She's also in some of the other pictures in the slide show.  It's a huge production and takes lots of planning, choreographing and back-stage help to pull it off, but it was very nicely done.   

They start dance lessons very early - Monika said Tangeni will probably go when she's about three.  It was fun to watch the babies going through their routines with the assistance of older students.

I was in West Danville this morning to pick up the mail and leave off the sign-up list for people who want to pick up free tablets to test their septic systems.  We are continuing to urge our members to test their systems - it's easy to do and could help to identify any problems with sewage getting into the pond.  If the dye shows up in the pond after you've flushed the tablets, you should call a professional to check your system.  Catching it this way now may mean less expensive renovations than if you wait.  If there is a problem, it should be reported to the health officer in the town where you live.  In the past there has been some assistance if replacement is needed.  The tablets are available at Hastings Store, or you can ask B&B Septic to come and check your system if you suspect there may be a problem.  We are all hoping to eliminate the source of excessive E.coli bacteria counts this year.  I heard from Chico and Sharon Carcoba today.  They have a cottage on Woodbury Lake where there is also a problem with geese.  Apparently there are few ponds and lakes that don't have a problem with them.

Lots of people are back for the summer, and within a couple weeks there will be lots more activity around the pond.  There haven't been many boats out yet, but the buoys will be out soon and our boat inspectors will be on duty at the fishing access, officially announcing the start of Summer 2013.

We will be awarding the Ice-Out winner check in a short ceremony on Sunday, May 19th at 1 p.m. at the State Fishing Access just off Route 2.  I spoke with our winner, Gary Clark, today and we're all set.  We invite media and anyone else who would like to come.  We'll be taking pictures, of course, and will post them here.  JPA President Tom Dente will present Gary with a certificate and a check for $4, 942.