Reminders . . .

We are coming up to one of the busiest weekends of the year, the Fourth of July weekend, and here are some reminders of events you should mark on your calendar. 

On July 2, please don't forget the Joe's Pond Association Annual Meeting.  It starts at 10 a.m. at the pavilion.  Everyone is welcome.
We will have Ice-Out tickets and tickets for up-coming events available. 

On July 3, friends will be gathering at Nancy Hamilton's home at 669 Channel Drive from noon to 4 p.m. to remember Penny Hamilton, who passed away on November 20, 2015.  All are welcome to join Penny's mom and dad, Doug and Nancy and Penny's family for a celebration of Penny's life.

Also on Sunday afternoon, July 3, don't miss the "Spirits of Vermont" wine tasting & marketing event at the JPA pavilion, 3-6 p.m.  There will be North Branch Vineyards, Caledonian Spirits/Barr Hill, Vermont Spirits, Vermont Distillers, Red Barn Brewery (from Danville), St J Brewery in addition to food from Asian Comfort Foods and Chez Mami (Ariel Zevon), Vermont Chevon, Crooked Mile Goat cheese, Jasper Hill Farms, Cabot Cheese, Burke Mountain Confectionery, Sumptuous Syrups, and Vermont Coffee Company all there displaying their spirits and food for you to sample.  Plus they will have raffle baskets from Diamond Hill Store, Maple Grove, Barr Hill among others.  Also, check out this link from Locavore Today. 

Then, Sunday, July 3, weather permitting, we'll have fireworks set off from the rail trail at the north end of the pond, just off Channel Drive at dusk.  Please pass the word that the beach at West Danville is NOT a good place to be able to see them.  Best to be on the water and in the big pond, but otherwise, look for  some spots on West Shore Road or Route 15, or go high up Davidson Drive or on surrounding hillsides.  Better yet, barter for some space with an acquaintance who has a boat or a good vantage point from their waterfront.  If the weather does not cooperate, they will be set off on Tuesday, July 5.

July 4th is a big day in Cabot Village - the parade, BBQ, tag sales, open house at the Historical Society Museum, and fun for everyone.  This year there will be a special float to display the bell from the Lower Cabot School that was stolen mysteriously in about 1880 and eventually recovered in a local mill pond.  By then the school had had several owners, been used for storage, a business, and eventually was renovated into a private residence by the Bromleys.  The Bromleys acquired the bell in 2006 and began the process of reinforcing the belfry structure with the intention of restoring the bell; however, last year they sold the school to Dana and Susan Robinson, who have finished the restoration and will return the bell to it's proper place at a big celebration on July 9th. 

Also on July 9th is the Joe's Pond Association's Steak Dinner at the pavilion.  Contact Hastings Store (684-3398) or Camilla Dente (684-3615) for tickets. 

On July 10th at the Joe's Pond pavilion (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.) there will be a big yard sale.  I should also remind you that if you want a table at the sale you should get in touch with Dee McKown, 684-3900 to reserve it - cost is $10 per table. 

That's not all that's going on during July - there's the sailboat race on the 17th - there are boats available for you sailors who want to join the fun but don't have sails!  Contact Susan Bouchard to get matched up (563-2716). The Italian Dinner is on the 30th, but I'll try to remember to remind you about those events later.  Your calendar may get pretty crowded, but then, we need to enjoy all these fun events during the nice weather when everyone is here to enjoy.  In a few short months things will be much, much quieter around here.