We've had a nice relaxing cloudy day.  There were a few lightning flashes in the early morning hours, but no real storm, and just a few sprinkles overnight and again off and on this afternoon.  This picture sort of says it all.  Not the best holiday weekend weather, but still, it was warm and we shouldn't complain.  We even saw a water skier when we were at camp this afternoon - skiing among the rain drops.  When it's the last weekend of summer, folks just want to make the most of it.

I've had a note from Jack LaGue, our liaison with the Cabot Planning Commission.  Jack wants to let the people on the Cabot side of the pond know there will be a meeting on September 4th at the 2nd floor meeting room of Willey Hall in Cabot, 6:30 p.m., to discuss and review the Shoreland section of the proposed zoning.  Millie Archer from VLCT  (Vermont League of Cities and Towns) will be on hand to clarify the role of the State of Vermont in the new requirements.  This will be a good time for anyone who owns property in the Town of Cabot (or even Danville) to learn more about the proposed changes and how they may impact land owners.  It doesn't matter if you are not a registered voter here; you can attend the meeting, ask questions and voice your opinion based on the fact you own property and pay taxes.  We urge Joe's Pond people to attend the meeting.  Thursday, Sept. 4th, 6:30, 2nd floor, Willey Building, Cabot.

The look of the shore line on the eastern side of Joe's Pond is changing.  The Cassani cottage at 391 Old Homestead Road came down this past week, and on Tuesday the Buttura cottage at 523 Old Homestead will be taken down.  By the time snow falls, there will be new buildings on each site, and by next summer, they will be ready for occupancy.

We were at the Hodgedon/Conlin cottage on Meadow Lane this morning and Diane asked to have the following put on the web site and blog:
For Sale, a Solana Hot Tub - two-person, with cover, in very good working condition.  It's been lightly used inside their seasonal home for a total of about 1 month each year.  It has Hydromassage Therapy and Fresh Water Ozone Systems.  She is asking $900, or best offer.  Call 802-563-2370 or if no answer, 719-486-2772. 

We saw the hot tub, and it's very nice.  Looks like new, actually.  Diane will be leaving Tuesday, but her brother, Bill Hodgeman will be around so you can arrange to see it if you are interested. We have also posted it on the website on the "Items for Sale" page. 

We hope you are enjoying this Labor Day Weekend and even though the great weather we've had is due to falter for a day or so, it looks as though summer is going to be prolonged and we may have some super nice days or even weeks ahead.  Those of you who enjoy late summer or early fall visits to Joe's Pond won't be disappointed.  The maples are beginning to turn and we're looking forward to a spectacular autumn.

A few regular Joe's Ponders have already left or will be leaving within a short time, and already we miss them.  The activity on and around the pond has lessened; lots of boats are being taken out of the water this weekend.  However, I was talking with oldest son, Bill, yesterday and he told me he's preparing to launch his antique (1934) Chris Craft.  He's been meaning to for the past several summers, but as the saying goes, "life got in the way," and he has been busy with other things.  This year, however, he says "Wish" is all shined up, tuned up, gussied up and ready to go.   If the nice weather holds, he hopes to have it in the water perhaps sometime next week.

 
Here are a couple of photos of the boat when it was perhaps 15 years younger.  I will get new pictures when Bill comes to camp to launch this year.  It will be nice to see it in the water, even though it won't be in for long after a late start this year.

Jamie's boat, "Raja," is only about 50 years old, but it's a beauty, too.  He took a couple years off to refinish it, and it looks great.   It's been in the water this summer, but I haven't seen it running.  It just hasn't happened to be out when we were visiting.

There aren't a lot of the old inboards on the pond anymore.  Bill Hamilton has two, I think, that he and his dad, Doug, have restored, and I enjoyed watching Bill in one of his this summer - a real classic, too.  Another one belonged to Jack Allen - a Century, I believe, but I don't know what year it is or even where it is.  Jack died a few years ago and I suspect the boat hasn't been in the water much since.  

There's nothing quite like the look and sound of an old woodie inboard, though - and to ride in one is more than just special.

Evelyn and Ray Richer contacted me today.  First, Evelyn was very pleased their pontoon boat sold so quickly - the day after posting it here on the blog.  I'm always happy to know when we've been able to be of help.

Evelyn said a friend in Williamstown has a very nice canoe to sell.  He has it listed on Craigslist, but in case some of you don't go there, here is a link to it.  You can get in touch with him about it there.

Also, Ray has a couple of outboard motors to sell.  These are also listed on Craigslist, so if you're interested, here is a link for them.  The description sounds as if they'd be perfect for fishing.

Evelyn and Ray have been working hard to get their beautiful home ready to show, and the Evelyn said they will get the For Sale sign out this weekend.  I'm sure it will be difficult for them to part with their place, and they'll certainly be missed.  The Gallery on Loon Cove has been a very nice addition to Joe's Pond, and Ray's photographs and Evelyn's art work well known and appreciated.    Most Joe's Ponders know this, but new comers probably don't know that Ray built the road signs around the pond and Evelyn did the beautiful art work on them. They also were responsible for the sign on the pavilion.  Ray and Evelyn have been advocates for our loons and the "go-to" resource on all sorts of things for more of us than I can count.  It won't be easy to see them leave, but I wish them every success in selling their house and finding the perfect setting for to enjoy the next chapter of their life.

This comes from Helen Morrison, W. Shore Rd.:

Labor Day weekend is fast approaching.  If you have returnable bottles and cans you'd like to donate to the Kingdom Animal Shelter, we would much appreciate it.  Save them over the weekend, and then drop them at my garage or give me a call and I will come get them...563-2488.

Thank you so much.

Helen 

Helen's garage is at 936 W. Shore Rd. - just past the turn for Sandy Beach Road, it is set back from the road a bit on the left, almost directly across from Pupino's.  Leave them in front of the garage.

* * * * *

Those of you who missed the JPA meeting on Saturday can read the minutes on the website.  Here's a direct link to that page:  Minutes.

I just came in from taking a break outside in the back yard.  It's a gorgeous day - much better than I expected from the forecast - and one of the last of the great summer days we'll have before families have to get back home before school starts.  I  know in some places schools have already opened . . . so our Joe's Pond community will be  dwindling sharply.

The weekend doesn't look promising, but a few showers won't be too awful, and I'm sure lots of people will still have great end-of-summer gatherings and cook-outs.  

Our back yard is beginning to take on a real look of fall.  Loads of apples on our tree and on the ground - I made applesauce today, which is about all they are really good for - they're small and we don't spray, so there's lots of trimming before they go into the pot.  I have no patience to peel them for pies - and goodness knows, my waistline definitely doesn't need pie of any kind.

While I was outside, I took some photos and since I haven't made a slideshow for a while, here they are - my Fall Display.  I hope you enjoy it.

You'll find Jack LaGue's report about Cabot's proposed revisions on lake shore properties on the website home page.

Beautiful weather is back to finish off, presumably, a near-perfect summer at Joe's Pond.  We truly cannot expect these 80-degree days and cool nights to last much longer, but it surely has been nice!

All the talk about kids getting back to school made me think today about how it was for me going back to school after a carefree summer.  I remember how restrictive my clothes felt after a summer of shorts and halter tops.  And wearing shoes!  School shoes were heavy and hot and gave me blisters on my heels.  By the end of the summer, my canvas tennis shoes were worn through in spots, giving my toes lots of freedom and fresh air.  I remember how they felt after my cousins and I had to drive stupid Holsteins out of swamps; mud nearly to our knees and we were lucky if our shoes didn't get sucked off our feet in the cold, slithery muck.  I remember, too, how good it felt to wash the mud off in a cold brook - and how we could never seem to get all the grit out of our wet shoes.  The canvas dried quickly and by the time we got to the barn with the cows, we'd forgotten about our uncomfortable feet.

I remember sitting in the classroom at school and watching work going on in the fields - the cows were often let into the hayfield to graze rather than being put in the pasture.  We kids used to think it was because none of the adults wanted to go and get the beasts every afternoon like we'd done all summer.  It didn't seem fair that getting the cows was suddenly a matter of gathering them out of a treeless, dry, level hayfield.  But being inside all day was really punishing after a care-free summer, especially during the first weeks when the weather was still warm.  Once we began to get frosty mornings, we were all getting used to the confinement of school and the lure of the outdoors lessened.

Later, when I was in high school, I rode my bike to Cabot every day, and the frosty mornings turned into hot afternoons during September, and by the middle of October I was having to watch out for icy spots that could send me and my Elgin sideways in an instant.  Eventually it got too cold and when snow threatened, I had to board in town during the week and hitch a ride home with Uncle Bob on weekends.  He lived in town and worked on my grandfather's farm, so went up onto the Plain early every morning and returned after milking at night.  I'd get up early to go home with him on Saturday mornings and ride back with him Sunday night, or sometimes my father would take me to school on Monday morning so I could have a little extra time at home. 

I've been listening to the new "study" just made public that says schools should start at 8:30 - later rather than 7:30 like most do.  I think our classes started at 9 o'clock and we got out of school at 3.  I don't remember being groggy for lack of sleep in the morning - but that perhaps proves the point of this new study.  We didn't have the gadgets or television like kids do today.  There was the family radio, one phone attached to the wall and the only thing we carried around in our hand was a book or magazine to read and the games we played came in boxes or were activities to do outside; and at the end of the day we were ready for bed by 9 o'clock or earlier.  How times have changed!

Now we're also being told that the light from hand-held devices and television can prevent kids from getting to sleep, and there's more bad news - but you can read about the study HERE.  I'm often skeptical about these kinds of "studies," but then again I can see the sense of what the experts are saying. One thing is for sure - it's a lot easier to talk or write about these things than it is to actually implement changes accordingly.  Taking these gizmos away from kids I suspect would be akin to taking a bone away from Fido.  Makes me glad my kids are adults.


 

A little rain doesn't hurt - as long as the sun comes out again for the weekend.  Today has been showery, and it's cooler than expected, but there's a promise it's going to warm up this weekend and next week!

Joe's Ponders, don't forget the end of the year meeting of the Joe's Pond Association is tomorrow at 10 a.m. at the pavilion.  Hope to see you there.

Also there are two garage sales happening tomorrow, Aug. 23rd:

Nancy Buttura at 523 Old Homestead is having a moving sale with a washing machine, beds, bureaus, household and boating items, etc.  As some of you know, the Buttura's camp will be taken down  on Sept. 2nd so they can build new.  Lots of things need to be disposed of.

Karen Morris at 178 Old Homestead also has various items she's wanting to pass on to someone who can use them.

They didn't tell me the hours they will be available, but leave home a little early and stop on your way to the meeting - or plan to stop by after the meeting.    

As near as I can tell, Fairpoint e-mail still is not functioning except intermittently.  I think I was able to send a couple of e-mails this morning, but I've had no messages all day - on any account.  Sort of leaves me wondering what the heck is going on - it's like a vacation on one level, but mighty lonely at the same time.  This breakdown comes right at a time when I would really prefer to have "instant access" to my e-mail, but since I don't, I've been able to get quite a bit of work done and some housekeeping, too.  Both in the office and actually in the house!  I even dusted throughout this morning - not one of my favorite chores, and watered all the plants (which I usually do on Sunday) and in a few minutes I'm going to go out and pick up some apples for applesauce.  There are lots on the ground - most not very good, but if I don't go now and get the best of them, the deer will get them and I'll be out of luck.

We had such a beautiful day yesterday and there seemed to be more than the usual amount of activity.  The town graded our road yesterday - at least down to Sandy Beach Road.  They probably won't do past the rest towards Route 2 until most of the summer folks have gone - too many complaints about noise, dust, traffic being held up, etc., I think.  It does make the road unusually dusty for a few days after they've honed it, and with the amount of traffic on West Shore Road, the summer cottages that are so close to the road really get well "dusted."  We have trees between us and the road, and are well set back, so the dust doesn't bother, usually.  Today the showers will help to settle it.

This is the rail trail, looking good at the crossing on Old Homestead Road.  There was work going on there yesterday when we went by.  We also got this picture of a catamaran about to go through the narrows from the middle pond into the big pond.  Really pretty, isn't it?

Everyone is probably taking a breather today, enjoying the cooler weather, and making plans for the great week of weather promised in another day or so.  Summer isn't over quite yet, thankfully, even though days are getting noticeably shorter and fall flowers are blooming.  The goldenrod around here is lovely, and phlox is gorgeous.  My hydrangea is loaded with blossoms.  It's a pretty time of the year.  Chicken BBQs at West Danville and Cabot churches on Saturday - chicken pie suppers right around the corner.  How cool is that!

Fairpoint Communications e-mail service has been down most of yesterday and still is today.  Anyone who needs to reach either Fred or me can use webmaster@joespondvermont.com.  I can also be reached at joespondwebsite@gmail.com.

If you have sent an e-mail to either of us and didn't get a response, this is likely the cause and please re-send to one of the above addresses.  Sorry for the inconvenience and any delays in response to your e-mails.

We have contacted Fairpoint and were told they are "working on the problem," and apparently it is a widespread outage - most, if not all of their network.  This could be very bad for them - right at the time they are struggling with contract negotiations. We have been well-served by Fairpoint; I know others have complained about poor service, but whenever we've needed help or a service call, the technicians have always been prompt and expert.  I hope whatever the problem is, Fairpoint will be able to recover fully - and soon.

JOE'S POND ASSOCIATION MEETING

10 a.m. Saturday, August 23, 2014

JPA Pavilion

This is the final meeting of the season

-------------------------------

 

The West Danville UM Church Chicken BBQ  

August 23 - Take-Outs only - Serving from 4-6 p.m.  

The menu: 

1/2 chicken, baked beans, potato salad

 cole slaw, a roll and butter and two cookies.  

$12.00

ADVANCE SALE TICKETS (or Reservations) 

AVAILABLE AT HASTINGS STORE 

802-684-3398.  

TO BENEFIT THE NEW CHURCH ROOF FUND.

Help make the BBQ a successful fund-raising event.

Thanks.  See you next Saturday!

MEMORIAL for SUE FITTS MARTIN

 

MANY RELATIVES AND FRIENDS OF SUE HAVE ASKED IF WE ARE DOING ANYTHING HERE  FOR SUE.     WE ARE PLANNING A GET-TOGETHER FOR RELATIVES AND FRIENDS ON SEPT. 14th  AT THE PAVILION AT JOE'S POND.    SHE HAS LOVED JOE'S POND FOR YEARS.    THIS WILL BE AT 2:00 P.M. WITH A FEW REMARKS OF WELCOME AND THANKS.    THEN JUST A FRIENDLY TIME OF REMINISCING UNTIL ABOUT 4:00 P.M.

    WE ARE ASKING THAT YOU BRING AN HORS D'OEUVRE TO SHARE WITH OTHERS AND TO ALSO BRING YOUR OWN BEVERAGES.    WE HOPE IT WILL BE A GREAT TIME OF REMEMBERING SUE.    SHE SURE WAS A HAPPY, SMILING FRIEND TO ALL.    ALL HER FRIENDS ARE INVITED TO COME.

    THANK YOU, ONE AND ALL, FOR YOUR PRAYERS, LOVE AND SUPPORT.

                                                                         HOMER, DOUG AND ELLEN

We all knew we'd get a taste of fall soon, and today was it.  So far we haven't had to put heat on in the house, although tonight a small fire in the wood stove might have been nice.  Trouble is, our soapstone stove is not a "small fire" mechanism; even a small fire in it always seems to overheat us this time of the year and we end up with doors and windows open.  It takes a little time to get going, but way longer to cool down.  Better to add a sweater or some fleece and save our wood.

I have a message tonight from Jim Bernatas.  He may try to clean up the trash in the narrows on Sunday if the weather cooperates, so if you see his diving flag(s) there and probably him as well, as it isn't very deep there, you'll know what is going on. Hopefully boaters will be cautious and give him space.  Jim said he didn't think he would hamper boat traffic, and he will be on the lookout for boats needing to go through the narrows.  Again, we thank him for taking on this task of cleaning up the narrows.

I've been working with the manuscripts of the interviews that were done for the Cabot oral history book, and even though I read each one at the time we were writing the book, there are revelations in nearly every one as I read them now.  Part of this is because in the 15 years since Barbara Carpenter, Amanda Legare and I worked on the book with Caleb Pitkin editing, I have become much more familiar with my home town through working with the Cabot Historical Society.  Names that in 1998 and 1999 were only vaguely familiar are now those of "old friends," some of whom  have donated picture albums, diaries, genealogies and artifacts.   I've also researched any number of those family names for people looking for their roots in Cabot. I've learned about roads that were "thrown up" years ago and who some of the people were who lived along them; where the school houses stood and where there were sawmills or stores or hotels or farm buildings, and whether they burned, were taken down, or simply rotted away.  I've come to know the names of teachers, farmers, merchants and more, most of them now gone from here, but curiously still connected when a descendant contacts us to help trace their family ties.

Today I was reading one of the interviews done with the late Arecca (Gamblin) Urban, mother of my good friend, Velma Smith.  Arecca lived almost her life on what is now called Urban Road on Danville Hill.  Velma, too, grew up there and returned to build a home on her parents' farm.  I knew the Reed School was on their road and that it burned, victim of mice or squirrels playing with matches, it was surmised at the time.  I knew that same road used to come out on my family farm on Bolton Road, before a large section of it was thrown up by the town, and that  Dan McLean had a farm and a whiskey-still in the woods a little off the road - until the Feds finally shut it down.  I was pretty certain the well-known math genius, Zerah Colburn lived somewhere on that road as a child, but today Arecca's interview confirmed it.  In fact, she said the Colburn farm was where she and her husband, Bernard Urban built their house and barn. It was an "ah-ha" moment, for sure.  

These things get passed down through generations, and I'm confident what she told Barbara Carpenter in that interview was correct.  Arecca's parents had lived close by and would have known about Zerah Colburn's family - probably knew some of them personally.  Zerah was born in 1804, and died in 1840, but he had brothers and sisters and children of his own; in fact, his daughter visited Cabot not too many years ago.  I wish I'd met her.  I wonder how she remembered her father - as a math genius, a preacher or his last calling, professor at Norwich University.

We've had a rainy day - and it's still raining, but nothing like New York and southern New England have endured with this storm.  I hope everyone is safe and reasonably dry tonight, wherever you are.

The day started off with lots of excitement when, just as we were finishing breakfast, we spotted a herd of cattle at the end of our driveway.  They crossed our drive and went to the far end of our lawn, then within ten minutes or so, they had all reversed and went back they way they'd come.  We knew they belonged to Dale Tetreault, who pastures them on the lower side of West Shore Road near Deeper Ruts Road.  There were two or three loose yesterday and Sherry LaPrade had stopped to tell us.  We tried to reach Dale, but hadn't had much success.  However, today someone else had reached him and we got to talk with him when he was trying to locate the herd.  He found them and got them back in the pasture - so all ended well.  They are really good looking critters, and like I told Fred - seeing cattle like that sort of dulls my appetite for steak and hamburg . . .  I remember a few years ago when Frank Pastor's cattle got out and hung out most of one afternoon on our back lawn.  They were really big brutes and weren't up for being driven anywhere, but John and Jason Randall finally got them back in Frank's pasture herding them with ATV's.   


Tomorrow will bring more rain here, so be careful, there may be some high water or flooding on the highways in some areas.

This has been another pretty nice day, but tonight we have rain starting, as predicted, and then we can expect a stretch of much cooler, less enjoyable and mostly wet weather for the remainder of the week.  I was surprised this afternoon when I noticed one of the big maples alongside the road below our house has begun to turn.  It's one of those really old maples that has shaded any number of Wilbur Ewen's cows, crackled with ice over horse-drawn pungs headed for West Danville to meet the train, swayed in stormy darkness during hurricane-force winds and withstood January blizzards to survive and offer cooling comfort to summer folks walking for their health.  What tales could be told if only that old tree could talk.  It might have been a sapling when Joe and Molly hunted here before settlers came; and it no doubt was standing tall when wagon loads of goods went by headed for Walden and points north on Market Road.  There were children walking beneath it on their way to school on the Plain - Bernard, Stanley, Phyllis and Athalene Ewen; Freda Maynard and Mabel Bolton passing by on their way to the pond for a swim; Dr. Burbank in his buggy headed for camp with his fishing gear.  There's no doubt the old tree has been around for all of that and much more, and will likely be around for a long time to come.  But today it is showing some stress, perhaps from the hot weather, and the leaves are turning - early, I hope.  It is usually one of the prettiest trees on this road, and tourists often stop on their autumn pilgrimage to photograph it, but I don't recall it starting to turn quite this early.  There are other maples that are usually ahead of it, but I saw no sign of them turning when I looked today.

Cabot Historical Society President Bonnie Dannenberg and I took a "tour" along the Bayley-Hazen Military Road today.  There are markers along the way, a relatively new one put up in the very early 2000's, when sexton Velma Smith and I were locating and recording "lost" burial sites.  This one was for the first person to die in Cabot, Nathanial West, in 1786, "by a log rolling over him;"  Aura Scott, young son of Cabot's first doctor, Parley Scott, in 1813; and all those others who were buried "at home" with a simple wooden marker or a slab of field stone crudely lettered, or like the seven Webster children buried in the shade of a young maple tree near their home. We know people died in "District 1" and we have dates for some, some I'm sure were never recorded.  We know where the tree stood marking the graves of seven children, but it has recently been cut down, the ground leveled.  The graves are lost, but those early settlers are honored with this simple field stone and bronze plaque at the intersection of the Bayley-Hazen Road and Route 215, near the Walden town line.

Bonnie and I went on to find markers for "the first settler" in Cabot, the first school, Smuggler's House - also known as the "Yellow Tavern."  There are other markers, one for the road itself that I forgot to point out to Bonnie, and one in the woods on private property where the soldiers spent the winter, waiting for the British who fortunately never came.  There were some skirmishes, but no big battles.  I expect the British wanted to avoid the icy blast on Cabot Plain that winter as much as the soldiers who camped there - in the protection of a ledge and forest thicket.

Bonnie was somewhat unfamiliar with the side of town known as Cabot Plain, and was an eager "student."  Some of her ancestors once lived on the Plain, and we were able to find the farm and she got pictures.  We had a good time, and tried to imagine what it must have been like when there were houses, businesses and lots of traffic over the Plain - when it was the bustling business hub of town.  

The summer lingers on, but according to the forecast, we're in for a rude awakening starting with rain tomorrow night and the rest of the week sounds pretty dismal.  I heard one of the forecasters tonight suggest doing that "summer reading" we've been putting off.  Summer is waning, for sure, but we still have the beautiful autumn to look forward to.

This is going to be a really super apple year.  Our two trees are loaded with apples.  Sadly, we don't spray in the spring, so the apples tend to have a fair amount of imperfections, and they run small, but I can always find enough for applesauce and an occasional pie and still leave plenty for the deer to enjoy.

We received a nice offer today.  Jim Bernotas (Laperle Drive) is a diver, as many of you probably know, and told us today he noticed some dangerous trash in the upper narrows - broken glass, sharp aluminum scraps, etc., and said occasionally sailors have to walk their sailboats through the narrows and there could be serious injury, so Jim is going to be retrieving those sharp objects at some point.  He didn't say exactly when he might be working there, but said there will be diving flags out (see above photo) and he will be visible most of the time.  So if you see some  unusual activity there, that is what it's about.  

We thank Jim for cleaning that up - it's unfortunate trash gets either tossed into the pond or left on the ice to lodge in places like that, but how fortunate we are to have members like Jim who are willing to take the time to keep our pond clean and safe.   Thank you, Jim.

I don't remember if I mentioned the new buoys that Jamie Dimick put out a couple weeks ago - one in front of Mike Malaney's, behind the islands, and another sort of in front of Dolly LaGue's.  These are "experimental" buoys that warn of shallow water.  The pond bottom changes from time to time, depending on runoff, flooding that causes wetlands to erode, or change of direct channel flow, so if you are boating close to shore with canoe, kayak or fishing boat, there may be new shallow spots you need to be aware of.  Jamie is anxious for comments on the new buoys - either pros or cons - so he will better know what boaters need or would like changed in order to safely navigate our pond.  There are more buoys out now than there have been in the past - most by request of JPA members, and

he needs to know if there are concerns or suggestions for either more or fewer buoys.  He will be available at the next JPA meeting on August 23, or contact him at jamie.dimick@katv.com.

Another phenomenal weekend, weather-wise.  It was crowded at the beach, even though there were lots of other things going on, including Danville Fair.  We didn't get to the fair this year - first time we've missed it in a long time, but we couldn't be everywhere.  We were at camp on Saturday with Bill and family and friends, and it was perfect as long as the sun was out, but as soon as the sun dipped behind the hills, it got chilly and we were all looking for sweatshirts and sweaters to cover up.   

Jo-Ann and her friend, Victoria, enjoyed just hanging out, swimming, listening to tunes and doing girly stuff.  At right, Tangeni joins them after they painted each others' nails.  Later Jo-Ann and Victoria went tubing.  I don't really like the idea of tubing - I think it must be really hard on young bodies, and getting flipped looks like it could really hurt.  Both girls seemed to love it and while they each got dumped a few times, but nobody was hurt.
 
After a day in the sun, everyone was hungry, and even Tangeni, who seems to have boundless energy, was hardly able to stay awake for cake and ice cream after having her supper.  

We had a quieter day today, but we were still both busy.  I worked on one of the chairs I'm re-webbing, but ran out of webbing.  I thought the package I got said there was enough for two regular chairs or one lounge; but what it actually said was that there was enough for one regular chair and two packages were needed for a lounge.  So I've ordered another package, plus enough for the other chairs I'll be doing.  I was disappointed - I was on a roll and could have finished the chaise if I'd had the right amount of material.  I was also exasperated with myself for not reading the directions carefully enough before ordering. 

Did anyone get pictures of the "super moon" tonight?  We didn't think of it as it was coming up and was low on the horizon, which would have been the best time, but Fred went out and got this one as soon as we remembered.  Actually, we didn't think it looked any different than any number of beautiful moons - they are all pretty spectacular, I think.  Click on the picture to see the details.  It is a pretty shot when enlarged.

Woody loves these warm nights and is still outside, presumably hunting.  I have an idea he does more crouching under a tree nearby the house than actual hunting these days, but I could be mistaken.  Even so, there are dangers lurking, and we always feel better when he's safely inside at night.  There's still time.  He may knock on the door any moment, wanting to come in for a snack.  He still hasn't seemed to learn that when he comes in this time of night he doesn't get back out . . . but at least he's become more accepting of that than he used to be when he first came to live with us, but he can still be an insistent pain. 

Here we are enjoying another beautiful day in the North Country!  I love the weather patterns this summer, especially that weekends have been mostly beautiful.  I just heard a rumble of thunder, but the sun is still out and it seems unlikely it will amount to much. 

I guess most of you are aware this is going to be a busy weekend.  Danville Fair is "Back on the Green in 2014" starting tomorrow and running through Saturday.  In addition to that, Cabot's Alumni Day is on Saturday - a big event for those who went to Cabot High School.  Then, there is the author, Grannie Snow reading her books at the Kingdom Animal Shelter (click on poster) and the big Horseshoe Tournament in Marshfield (see poster at right, below.  Then, on Sunday afternoon, there's the Joe's Pond Association's Cocktail Party (everyone invited) at the pavilion ($5.00, BYOB and an appetizer to share is always appreciated) and that will be a very nice social event to sort of wind down the busy weekend.  That is a lot for one weekend, but surely there's "something for everyone".

Already the next week is filling up.
   Jesscott Music Ministries Presents:
                                        PAUL GIBBS
                                           In Concert
                      at the West Danville United Methodist Church
                           VT Rt. 15 across from Joes Pond beach
                                  Sunday, August 17 at 3:00 p.m.
Paul is a Christian singer, songwriter, worship leader and recording artist from Hudson Falls, NY.  The founder of Jesscott Music Ministries, he uses his music to bring God's message of love and salvation through Jesus to the world.  Come and be blessed as Paul shares his music and testimony!

Then: The Chicken BBQ takeout at the West Danville church on August 23rd.


Here's something that could entertain you all summer long, for years to come.  The Richer's are selling their pontoon boat.  It's a really nice one, and if you've been thinking about having one, check out the ad on Craig's List, and then give Evelyn and Ray a call. 

It's sad that summer is winding down - I'm watching the back yard showing shades of yellow and brown as ferns and other summer plants begin to shrivel.  It seems as if the daffies and tulips were just here a few days ago; I hardly remember the peonies blooming, and now there's phlox and a few straggling daylillies, some wild daisies, paintbrush and goldenrod beginning to bloom.  Darn, the summer seemed much shorter than usual - probably because we were really busy - but now I'm reminded I have to gear up for fall activities - both domestic and volunteer.  Whatever happened to being bored?  I don't remember the last time . . . 

Now I need to get back to business.  I have e-mail to answer and some lawn chaises to re-web - three of them, in fact.  I'll tell you the story:  I was trying to find some in stores - the now apparently  old fashioned ones that are light weight aluminum, fold up neatly and can be re-webbed as needed; but they are scarce as hen's teeth.  I found newer designs, tested them, hefted them and then turned them down.  Then, a few weeks ago I mentioned to son, Bob at camp that I was looking for a lawn chaise "like the ones we used to have here at camp," and he brought out three of them - all old friends I recognized immediately that had endured numerous re-dos over the years and were still in pretty good shape except for some silt from being stored in the basement at camp. They were occasionally under water during spring flooding, etc. 

The "kids" at camp use those beach chairs that I find ungainly to lower myself into and nearly impossible to get out of in any ladylike fashion.  I like the "up off the ground" chaises that are easy to navigate into and out of. So now I have three - one I can use without re-webbing, the other two will be challenging due to rusted screws, but I've washed them down, and with a little nut loosener they'll be free of the old webbing and fitted with something colorful (yes, I finally found webbing on-line!), and they'll be as good as ever, ready for at least another couple decades use.  I really love reclaiming stuff instead of throwing it away and buying something new - that's not always better.  Besides, it's projects like this that keep me from being bored.

It is highly recommended that you purchase or reserve tickets.  

We plan to serve 220 dinners to go.

Benefit of the New Roof Fund

 

 

Sue Fitts Martin

We now have the obituary for Sue Martin.  Many people here at Joe's Pond knew Sue - she loved being at the pond and came "home" as often as she could.  We will miss her upbeat personality and engaging smile; and we will remember her dignity and courage.  She was a role model for all who knew her.

If you wish, send condolences to Eric and family at:

1739 Countryside Dr.
Salt Lake City UT 84106

or to Homer and Margaret at:
17 Country Way
Barre VT 05641

Here's another event to consider!  Isn't it amazing how many things are going on for entertainment around here?  Nobody ever needs to be bored!

The lost dog, Ivan, is home!  Thanks to all who were on the lookout for him.

We just received the sad news that Sue Fitts Martin passed away today.  There will be a celebration of her life on Monday, August 11th, in Salt Lake City.  Our thoughts are with the family - Homer and Margaret, Eric and the children, Kallie and Kipp, her extended family and many friends who loved her.  If you'd care to send condolences, the address is:  Eric Martin, 1739 Countryside Drive, Salt Lake City UT 84106.

Well, we've said goodbye to July - it was a really nice month here at Joe's Pond.  Great weather, for the most part, with no huge damaging storms, plenty of sunshine, and only occasionally too darned hot.  I reported a total of 9.25 inches of rain for the month.
Out of curiosity, I went to my reports for the five previous years:
2009, 7.00 in.; 2010, 3.92 in.; 2011, 2.70 in.; 2012, 2.90 in.; and 2013, 8.08 in.  I was surprised that 2010-12 seemed to be pretty dry.  But the figures are pretty accurate, at least for this particular area.  Down the road a few miles the measurements could be quite different.

I have a few activities and announcements for August:

 Click above poster to make larger.

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The JPA Summer Cocktail Party is Sunday, August 10th from 4 to 7:30 PM at the Pavillion. The band is playing from 4:30 to 7:30. This is always a lot of fun and for many people on the pond the final gathering at end of season. It is a BYOB, and we request that people bring an appetizer to share. Tickets are only $5.00 (to help pay the band) and can be purchased by contacting either of the Committee co-chairs, Carmen Gagne (802-498-4225), Bo Keach (802-684-3673), or Sue LaGue (802-476-4505). 

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AUGUST 21st

6:00 PM

Lori Fleurie's Daycare 

performing at the Joe's Pond Association Pavilion

Open to the Public

Come watch the little ones strut their stuff!

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Hear "Katie and The Tall Boys" in concert, go to Katie's website, or www.mayflyvt.com

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LOST DOG

This notice came in this afternoon:
 Hi Jane,
 Kate and Martin Bertolini's dog is missing.  He wandered off this a.m. and has yet to be found.  He is a large bloodhound, wearing a collar but no tags and his name is Ivan.  Dylan Bertolini and his girlfriend are looking for him by kayak and car.  If he is spotted please call the Bertolini camp at 684-3823 or Dylan's phone 751-9410.  Ivan is very friendly but very hard of hearing.  Please be on the look out.

Dee Palmer - Sent from my iPad