Another really rainy day today.  It has rained pretty consistently this afternoon, sometimes coming down pretty hard.  I didn't go out to measure what had fallen - I'll wait until tomorrow morning to find out.  This morning I measured .30 in.  That's was from the past 24 hours until 9 a.m. this morning.  I'll check again at 9 a.m. tomorrow.

We've heard the water level in the pond has come up during this rainy period.  I guess that has to be expected since the power plant is out of commission due to last year's washout and they are not able to release water through the penstock until it's repaired.  The dam is as flat as it can be to release as much water as possible and GMP is trying to keep the water level within the limits prescribed by ANR and the PSB.  It seems as if whenever things settle and are operating smoothly, another storm, wind, rain or whatever, hits and GMP has another crisis on to deal with.  It's tough on everyone, and property owners around the pond have legitimate concerns, but perhaps if you write a letter to  the Agency of Natural Resources and send copies to the Public Service Board and state representatives, eventually they'll get the message that the limits within which GMP has to operate are too narrow and more damage is being done to wetlands and personal property every year.  It probably won't work - JPA has tried to reason with ANR and so far hasn't made any headway - but it won't hurt to keep trying.

Here's a fun fund-raising event for Kingdom Animal Shelter happening at the Pet Parade in St. Johnsbury on June 22.  As some of you know, Helen Morrison (W. Shore Rd.) is a volunteer at the shelter, so if you have questions, want to make a donation, or want to adopt a feline friend, Helen can help.  I guess you know how we feel about our cat, Woody.  He not only rules the household, he brings new meaning to the saying that "Dogs have owners, cats have staff."  We are beginning to think we made a mistake in teaching him to knock at the door to come in.  For a long time, he seemed to be unable to grasp the concept of knocking at the front door, even though the arrangement is basically the same as the one on the kitchen door; but after I hung the string with a rock attached on the metal storm door this spring, he began to use it.  Trouble is, when the inside door is closed during these cooler, damp days, we don't hear it very well.  Woody apparently gets impatient, but knows to go to the kitchen door and rap there.  We generally hear that right away as it's a metal door and the heavy iron sap spout bangs loudly.  However, if we don't come right away, he takes another swipe at it, and apparently listens for us and if he doesn't hear us coming, gives it a stronger whack so it's louder, and keeps it up until he gets our attention.  I do believe he thinks quite clearly sometimes.  Other times, I think it's purely instinct that drives him.

We've had a new comment - you'll find it on home page - and President Tom Dente has responded.  We hope the problems described can all be addressed one way or another.  We appreciate hearing about any issues our members may have.  The Comments Page or the Blog are useful forums for airing concerns or submitting suggestions; however, if there is something you wish to address more privately, we can do that, too.  Every now and again I get an e-mail asking that a particular issue be addressed, but not publicly, and I then direct it to the proper person without posting it.  So feel free to contact us.

We just learned Hardwick's First Friday (of the month) fireworks were cancelled tonight due to the rain.  Instead, they will be on July 5th.  Our Joe's Pond fireworks are planned for the 3rd, with a rain date of the 5th.  We'll hope plans work out for both celebrations.

Did you know Hastings Store will soon be licensed to sell beer and wine?  Garey told me he expects to have the license within days.