Air Boat

We have breaking news about the air boat:  JPA Vice President Don Sherwood went to the boat access and met the people with the loud air boat.  He took their registration number and has sent it to the Fish and Wildlife people.  The boat owners said they will not put the boat in at Joe's Pond again. 

Kudos to Don for doing this.  I'm sure everyone on the pond is very appreciative of his efforts.  Thank you, Don, from all of us!!

Air Boat

We had another visit by an air boat this evening.  Those things are incredibly loud and unfortunately, whoever owns it stayed longer than the two or three other times they have visited the pond this summer.  

Several people have been in touch with me tonight complaining about the awful sound, but because the pond is public water, I doubt there are any laws being broken - although I did have a report that it "blasted through the narrows" when it was here one other time.  Apparently it throws up quite a wake as well as being loud, and that is bad for the shoreline.  There are mufflers available, according to what I've read on line, but apparently this boat does not have any such device installed on it.  Even at our house, well away from the pond, it sounded like an airplane flying very low  and actually interfered with our hearing the news on television.  I can only imagine what it would be like for people right on the water.  These boats are made for large expanses of shallow water, like the Everglades in Florida - although they are being phased out there - and certainly are not a good fit for a small body of water like Joe's Pond.  As far as I can tell, there is no noise ordinance in either Danville or Cabot - and it might not apply to the pond anyway, because it's public water.  

If you know who has this airboat, it would be much appreciated if you would tell us so someone could contact the owner and perhaps work out a compromise.  Or perhaps someone has been able to get the registration number on the boat.  For now, we can only hope whoever it is turns out to be considerate enough to not visit here often.

Having had a few "days off" from writing on the blog, I now have a few items to share with you.

First, you will remember that Amanda Adams asked some time ago to share some of her bloggings (is that a real word?) on this site, and I posted a few.  Amanda just sent another I think many of you will relate to - I think she may have read my little story about granddaughter Tangeni's appetite for molasses cookies during her sleepover last weekend - anyway, here is Amanda's post about "Life in a Candy House."

Tangeni will be visiting us again tomorrow, but just for the day.  We did our bi-weekly shopping today and I found myself buying grape jello and some other fruity flavor that was vivid blue - give her a choice of colors, right?  And we carefully selected seedless strawberry jam (I don't like seeds, Grammie!) We also laid in a good supply of fruits and veggies to eat raw, and that's what we'll offer first.  Fortunately, she does like lots of what I consider "salad" food, but no dressing on anything, please, unless it's ketchup.  I have decided feeding girls is way different than feeding boys.  My biggest problem when my three boys were growing up was not so much finding what they liked as it was having enough to fill them up.  Seems like they were bottomless pits and I could chuck almost anything at them.  When they were growing up they all helped out in the kitchen and could put together a pretty decent meal by the time they were in junior high.  Granted, we ate very differently then than any of them do today.  We weren't avoiding red meat or carbs or fats or salt, and like Amanda's family, after they cleaned their plates, there was usually some kind of dessert.  I still always crave just a little sweet to seal the meal. 

We're looking forward to having Tangeni for the day tomorrow, and we're "armed and ready" so I won't have to worry about sending her home hungry, I hope.

I just had a very nice call from Jerome Keating, who lives in Waitsfield and has just purchased "Kilcare," the Lucenti's camp.  Jerome and his wife, Lauren, are excited to be coming to Joe's Pond and will be taking possession in mid-September. They are looking forward to joining Joe's Pond Association, he told me.

  "Kilcare" was built in 1919, and that makes it one of the oldest cottages still left on the pond.  I believe Elwin Scott, a Barre attorney, built it.  Mr. Scott owned it in the 1920s, which was about the time the Association was trying to work out an agreement with the power company as to water levels. Mr. Scott was representing JPA and an attourney named Devitt represented E. Bertram Pike, owner of the Power Company at the time.  In the minutes of the Aug. 29, 1926 meeting of the Association, it was noted an agreement between JPA and Eastern Light & Power Co., had been reached establishing a minimum and maximum water level at the pond.  This agreement had been signed by both parties and Lawyer Scott was to file the document with the State of Vermont.   

That fall the water level was drawn down below the agreed-upon level, and apparently that was when the Association discovered Lawyer Scott had not filed the document with the State, as directed.  Lawyer Scott sent a bill for his services, but after some discussion and consulting with another lawyer, there was a report by to the Association in 1933, and after it was read, Dr. Farmer made the motion that "not another cent be paid to Mr. Scott," and it was so voted.  At that same meeting, Mr. Scott's resignation from the Association was read by the secretary and accepted by members.  Mr. Scott returned the notice for dues payment that year with a note to Adalena Farmer, secretary and treasurer of the association, saying:  "Associations that don't pay their bills don't interest me.  The Cabot and Barre sides of the Pond need an association of their own.  I am sorry but believe this is the fact."

 Another agreement with the power company was later signed and recorded with the Public Service Board soon after the above fracus.  

Jerome Keating was wondering about the origin of the name, "Kilcare."  My guess was it was a way of saying that when at the cottage, the Scotts felt all their cares were gone - with the possible exception of 1933.

What a Great Picture!

This picture came this morning by way of Tom Dente.  It was taken by Mike Bertrand - Tom said sometime last week.  I have never seen such a vivid and complete rainbow.  Imagine - TWO pots of gold!

Very nice picture, Mike, and thanks to both you and Tom for sending it for the blog.  Click to enlarge - beautiful!!

We had our five-year-old granddaughter, Tangeni, for a sleep-over this weekend.  She arrived Saturday morning, fully equipped with several gifts from her birthday a couple weeks ago - a teepee to be set up in the living room; a large yellow winking smiley-face pillow; three dolls - two mermaids and one princess; a very large watermelon; a really large nightlight with fish swimming in a beautiful underwater world (I'd like one of those myself!); a toy tyrannosaurus and a wooley mammoth that made the most awful noise; but no tablet. Oh, yes, I forgot the bubble wand and squirt gun.  Armed and ready for action.

Woody (our cat and Tangeni's "best friend,") immediately investigated the teepee and found it quite comfortable.  None of the other things got much play except the bubble wand, but after a few big bubbles broke on and near Woody, he decided to ignore that game and then Tangeni lost interest, too.  What held her interest was making jello for lunch (we had to speed up the process by putting it in the freezer), and making molasses cookies for dessert for supper - frosted with "rainbow frosting."  We mixed and measured together, and waited impatiently for the dough to "chill" in the refrigerator before rolling and cutting.  Tangeni wanted to sniff each spice before it went in, and tasted a tiny bit of molasses, which surprisingly she didn't like.  Well, not a big surprise - I didn't like molasses when I was a child, either, but I thought her sweet tooth would love it.  The rolling and cutting went very well - she got the hang of keeping the dough and roller well dusted with flour, and joyfully announced that we'd "made a LOT of cookies!" when they were all in pans ready to bake. She was patient about letting them cool before frosting them, and while Grandpa did dishes, we frosted some of the cookies.

Without food coloring, I could only produce pink and green using the juice from a couple jars of red and green cherries I happened to have in the fridge and got a sort of mauve color using grape jelly.  If you've ever mixed pink and green and purple, you know you get  "mud."  I'm not sure molasses cookies really need frosting (but then, I'm not five years old with a sweet tooth), so I made only a little of each color - enough to do about 10 cookies.  However, the result was worth the effort.  It didn't matter that my rainbow colors collapsed into gray-brown puddles as she enthusiastically slathered the pink, green and light purple daubs over each cookie.  I told her I was sorry I couldn't make prettier frosting, and she cheerfully reassured me with, "That's ok, Grandma - it TASTES GREAT!"
Actually, Grandpa agreed.  I may have to frost a few more for him since Tangeni took the three that were left home with her, of course.

A fun sleep over, and we won't mention to mom and dad that two frosted molasses cookies were "breakfast."
  
 

Don't Forget the Italian Dinner Next Saturday!

Tickets still available for the Italian Dinner Sat. July 30th.  Please call Pam at 684-3655.

Andy Rudin sent met a couple of videos that I want to share:
Here is our Fourth of July Fireworks Show on July 3, 2016 - be sure you have your speakers turned on!  And don't miss the finish! 

And this one is the start of last Sunday's sailboat race. 

Thanks, Andy, for sending those to us.  I'm sure everyone will enjoy them. Next best thing to being there.

Julouise Paulsen

Sadly, we learned that Julouise Paulsen, 96, (Old Homestead Road) passed away this week.  She was known by family and friends by the nickname, "Polly," and dearly loved the family cottage here at Joe's Pond.  Polly's father, Dr. Martin Paulsen, built the cottage on Old Homestead Road sometime around 1919, and it is still owned by members of the family.  Condolences may be sent to her brother, Dr. Malcolm Paulsen, 10 Maplewood La., Essex Jct VT 05452, or her nephew, Douglas Paulsen, 16 Perkins Dr., Essex Jct., VT 05452.  Our sincere condolences to the Paulsen family.

Our day started off with an overdose of anxiety after Fred discovered a lot of soft gray fur scattered on the ground down by the road.  We had both seen our cat, Woody, meandering near there a little earlier, and when we looked closely at the fur, we both knew something dreadful must have happened on that spot - but there was no blood, and that was a good sign.  Except maybe not.  Fred began calling Woody - whistling and shouting his name.  We stood quietly and listened for any response, but there was nothing.  After calling and searching along the hedgerow, we started climbing the hill back to the house.  Neither of us said what we were both thinking.  About half way up the driveway, Fred said, "Look up there," and pointed towards the garage.  There was Woody, sitting calmly by the door, probably wondering what all the fuss was about.  He stretched and came to greet us and we tried to examine him to see if his underbelly was missing any of its soft, gray fur, but he wasn't having any of that.  He dashed up the steps, obviously expecting the usual treat he always gets for coming when we call, and definitely didn't show any signs of having experienced any sort of trauma.  (This picture was taken another time, but this is how he looked when we first spotted him this morning.

We were soooo glad to give him his treat.  We don't know what happened down there on the lawn - some animal lost a good deal of fur, but we'd like to think it was perhaps shed naturally by grooming.  Or it could have been a tussle of some sort.  I suspect it was rabbit fur we found - so soft, just like Woody's belly fur.  We will probably never know.  But we are relieved it wasn't our Woody.  Being an outdoor cat, we are always fearful he will meet with some disaster, but it's a case of his being way too unhappy if he's not able to go outside in nice weather. We long ago decided it was best for everyone to let him have his way.  After all, he survived a whole summer out in the woods by himself before he came to live with us.

T

The remainder of our day was relatively calm.  Fred is redoing some of the website pages to make them more user-friendly for people who have cell or smart phones, I was researching for the West Danville history,  pulling together some of the information we've found in old issues of the North Star.  I was interested that merchants in the early 1800's took wood ashes in trade for goods.  I knew ashes were used for tanning hides and soap making, but then there was reference to potash, and I didn't know much about that.  

The internet is wonderful - there is information on just about everything imaginable, including details on how to leach wood ashes to make lye or take the process a step further and make potash.  Potash was kind of an industry back in that time - a way to use the unwanted hard wood that was a result of clearing the land.  One thing about the folks back then - they didn't waste anything.  The bristles of the pigs they slaughtered for food were saved, cleaned and used as barter (the bristles were made into brushes); the fat rendered from the pork was used to make soap; the skins were  tanned and sold to be made into gloves, shoes and wallets.  Oh, yes, and potash had many uses, including fertilizer for crops.  Too much information for our book, I suspect - most people would be bored to tears reading about all of that, but I can't help being fascinated. People managed to do almost everything themselves.  It was a hard life.  

Meet Phil Scott!

Nice picture from Sonja Decker taken yesterday.  She calls is "Fire in the Sky!"

Thanks for sharing, Sonja.  Beautiful shot.
This morning is clear and cool and there was a touch of fall in the air last night.  I know, it's way too early, but last night was in the 40's (44 degrees on one thermometer and a low of 42 on another here).  Great night for sleeping and today promises to be pleasantly cooler for doing whatever outside.  Once we get into August, we can expect more of these cooler nights and warm days.  Another sign the summer is almost gone is that fairs are beginning.  There was one advertised someplace in upstate New York and our local fairs will get going very soon.  Danville Fair is only a little over a week away, on August 6, and from then on it's only days until schools open and our summer is over.  

In case anyone is interested in hearing the Hitmen, they will be at the park at Island Pond Friday evening from 6 to 10 p.m.  Take a picnic and your folding chairs and enjoy an evening of classic oldies.  

Lost Live Preserver

Jane Milne called to let us know a yellow adult size life preserver was lost during the race yesterday.   She said it was aboard the boat her son, Jamie was sailing with Pam Hamilton, and was lost near the start of the course.  If you spot it, please let Jane know (684-3343) or drop it off at her house, 400 N Shore Road.  Many thanks for any information.

Sunfish Race Results

Here are the official results of yesterday's Sunfish Sailboat Race:

In the Singles Division, the top four winners were:

1. Bill Hamilton
2. Jack LaGue
3. Cathy Morrison Dodge
4. Jay Chatot

For Doubles Division, the top four winners were:

1. Jamie Milne and Pam Hamilton
2. Jake Hynes and Maryna Hynes
3. Lee and Ginger Erdmann
4. Bob Steward and Brian Hynes

We had a total of 17 boats with 13 racing single and 4 racing double.  It was a beautiful sighe with all the sails!

Tom was a superb Commodore ~ it was fun being on the Committee boat watching the race.   We had the Rubalcaba boat available to help anyone who needed it during the race.

Susan Bouchard

Organizer

Several people have asked about the history of Sunfish Racing on Joe's Pond.  I've gone back in our JPA minutes, and as near as I can tell, Sunfish Races began somewhere around 1971.  Ned Hamilton was instrumental in making the boats available at a reasonable price for any of us that wanted one, and at one time there must have been at least a couple dozen on the pond.  The picture above was a postcard, I think taken around 1978.

There were years when interest waned, like in 1993 when it was suggested that if there were sailing lessons available, would-be sailors might take advantage and feel more comfortable entering the races.  I believe several veteran sailors said they would be glad to work with anyone interested, but I don't know if anyone took them up on the offer.  Then, in 1999 it was suggested that perhaps youngsters would be interested in having a Junior Race - but I don't know if that actually happened.  The last mention of sailing I found was in 2002 at the August meeting when Tom Dente reported the races were down to only three or four boats.  The request for someone to continue organizing the event was made, but there were no volunteers.  It would seem that 2002 was the last year we had Sunfish racing.

I'd say yesterday's turnout was a very good indicator there is interest in having sailing competitions back in some form - perhaps not weekly, as it used to be, but at least a few races a season, and it would be great to see more sailors out on the water practicing - or just sailing for the fun of it.  

Yesterday after the race we were sitting on the dock at the Dimick camp (used to be our year around home!) and Patti Powell Nichols stopped by.  She had borrowed a boat from someone further up the shore and was walking home after returning it.  When Patti was a teenager in the 70s, she taught me to sail (at least, she tried!) and we sailed in the races together a number of times.  We did pretty well - I think she would have done much better completely on her own, but we were a team.  I don't think we ever came in first, but we were up against the likes of Fred Silloway and Burt Morrison.  Yesterday when we asked Patti how she did, and she laughed and said, "I came in dead last!"  That was a surprise, but it took me back to several years after Patti and I sailed when Al Zeller was always last, and he used to say he didn't mind - somebody had to be last and he just enjoyed being part of the race.  There's a lot to be said for trying - and being a good sport about it. 
 
Thanks to Susan Bouchard and the helpers she mustered in order to make this happen.  Jamie Dimick came up with markers for the race, Tom was Commodore, and the Smith family generously sponsored the race, and I'm sure there were  others who helped Susan. The whole event seemed to go exceptionally well, and I know lots of folks hope it continues.  

Sunfish Sailboat Race, July 17, 2016

What fun to have a Sunfish sailboat race on the pond again!  I think lots of people were thrilled to see all those boats out there - we counted either 17 or 18 - pretty darn good when you consider it's been about 14 years since the last race and lots of folks sold their boats (we did!) eventually.  I will have names of the official winner and runners up from Susan Bouchard who organized the event by tomorrow, but in the meantime, I have heard Billy Hamilton took first place and his sister, Pam Johnson may have taken second place.  We'll post more when we know for certain.

This came tonight from an enthusiastic observer:

HI SUE AND JANE,

    WHAT A WONDERFUL DAY WE HAVE HAD.   AFTER CHURCH WE CHECKED ON THE JOE'S POND WEATHER.

    THEN WE CALLED BUTTURA'S AND WENT TO THEIR HOME.     WATCHED THE BEAUTIFUL COLORFUL SAILBOATS.     WENT FOR A PONTOON BOAT RIDE.   NEXT CAME A LATE LUNCH AT BUTTURA'S.    ANOTHER PONTOON BOATRIDE.     THEN DESERT AND WE NOW HAVE ARRIVED IN BARRE AT 8:30.      CHARLIE AND LINDA LIVENDALE WERE WITH US ALSO.

    WE SURELY SAW LOTS OF FRIENDS TODAY !   JUST A WONDERFUL DAY !

    THANKS TO SUE BOUCHARD FOR GETTING ALL THESE SUNFISH BOATS IN THE RACE.   AND THANKS TO THOSE THAT RACED ALSO.

                                        HOMER AND MARGARET [FITTS]

Frank Dolan sent some great photos: 

Left, the start.

Right, downwind. . .

The committee.

 

The finish!

And more pictures, these taken by Fred Bown:

(Click on the photos to make them larger.)

 

Yep, we were stopped by Auxiliary Trooper Abigail Serra for a boat inspection, (which we passed with no trouble), but it did delay us so we missed the finish of the race.  Trooper Serra asked if we were race officials, saying she would delay the inspection until after the race, but we told her let's do it now.  She was very pleasant - probably loves her job, being out on the water in the summertime - and she had lots of boats to inspect today.  There were lots of observers on pontoon boats, and that's Doug and Billy Hamilton's woody shown above - great way to be on the water!!  It was a fun day all around, and we hope there is enough enthusiasm so the races may continue in the future.  More on that later.

Well, this is building into a really busy weekend for us.  We had a nice chat over breakfast on Friday morning when we met Cousin Ora and Kate in Lyndonville.  We went to - I think it's called "Everybuddy's Family Restaurant" - and as usual with Kate and Ora, we needed lots of time to catch up since we only see them once or sometimes twice a year, so we lingered over coffee and looked at family pictures on Ora's tablet.  They are always doing interesting stuff and we love that they take time to spend with us.  

Today was granddaughter Tangeni's birthday bash - and I say that with utmost sincerity. Those little tykes know how to party!  Tangeni turned five on July 5th, but since some of her buddies were away, her party was delayed.  It was a perfect day for an outdoor birthday party.  There was a big trampoline and pool for swimming, lots of snacks and lemonade.  After they'd frolicked in the pool for a while, her dad brought out water balloons.  Dozens of them!!  These little kids are not bashful about going for the adults as well as each other.  That's me above dodging rapid-fire water balloons delivered by one of Tangeni's classmates.  I think she

was firing with both hands!  All of them had pretty good aim and most of the adults (there were lots of moms and dads there) at least got wet feet from the balloons breaking on the paved driveway, and some got wetter than others.  Tangeni targeted her Grandfather - he thinks she has a really good arm - I liked her concentration and follow-through.  Then, as we were leaving, she was back in the pool and took dead aim at Grandpa Fred and he came away pretty well soaked.  He got that last picture just before the direct hit.   

We had lots of fun, they are a pretty amazing group.  There were a few boys, but the girls were definitely the rowdy ones.  They were definitely more persistent in chasing down their targets.  I guess the boys preferred to keep in the background, knowing they were seriously outnumbered.  Everyone had a good time - including Grandma and Grandpa.  (Click on the pictures to make them larger.)


Tomorrow is the sailboat race - not to be missed, of course!  And in between everything, I'm working on the West Danville History manuscript, preparing for our meeting on Monday.  

When I came on the blog site just now I noticed there is a new comment that Kyle Johnson left this morning.  I'm copying it here:
 Missing our gray kayak (Emotion Stealth Angler) it's a "sit on top version with a rod holder. It was on our dock Thu night July 14 and missing the next afternoon - Friday July 15. Please call with any info. 802-274-8048 Thanks!
 
We had some pretty hard rain/wind going on I think on Thursday, so it likely got knocked off the dock into the water.  Give Kyle a call if you have seen it.

I also had a message from Amanda Adams - Marti and Dave Talbot's daughter.  Here's what she wrote:

I’m Amanda Adams, daughter of Marti and Dave Talbot on West Shore Road. I’m a writer and frequently write about life on the pond.

I was wondering if you would consider posting a few of my blog posts on the Joe’s Pond Blog from time to time for others to read.

Here are a few posts I have written that might be interesting to others here on Joe’s Pond…..

Post about our annual Joe’s Pond Olympics

Post about kids playing in the pond on a hot day

Post about these camps that we call home for the summer

I'm happy that Amanda got in touch, and I'll be posing her "guest blogs" from time to time.  I think you will enjoy a little variety and a break from my ramblings.

We'll no doubt see some of you at the race tomorrow - good luck, and have fun!

 

If you were planning on going to the concert in Marshfield tonight, you'll be happy to know the concert is still on - rain or shine! It will be held in the gym.  Cold Country Blue Grass and Susan & Dana Robinson are scheduled.  If you need more information, get in touch with Susan Green, Jaquith Public Library, 122 School St., Marshfield.  802-426-3581. jaquithpubliclibrary@gmail.com

This came this morning:
 

Hi Jane

We had a large multi person tube wash up next to our dock this AM. Maybe you could post on blog as I know someone will be looking for it.

Thanks

Richard Gagne

Sandy Beach Road

MEET  AND  GREET................

 

                            PHIL  SCOTT

 

            SUNDAY, JULY 24, 2016

 

                               3:00   -   5:00

 

     AT  JOE'S  POND  PAVILION

We hope you remember to check the "Services" link on home page of the website when you are looking for someone to help with chores around camp like cleaning, remodeling, lawn care, etc.  We just added another business card for house cleaning services - Randilee Raynor, on Cabot Plain.  You can click on her business card and send an e-mail - or give her a call. 

Want a real lift of your spirits?  Check out this link to a project by Cabot School's music director, Brien Boyes, working with "Up of Learning" and students across Vermont - including Cabot and Twinfield students.  LINK.  Be sure to scroll down to the video and have your speakers on.  Really nice - thank you, Brien Boyes and students!

I received this link from Mary Whitcomb this morning - we had both noticed the drone over Cabot's 4th of July Parade a week ago, and here is what that drone produced:  Cabot 4th of July Parade, 2016.

We've had great reports about the steak dinner at the Joe's Pond Association pavilion last night.  Everyone so far seems to have had a wonderful meal and a really good time.  Actually, Jamie and Marie brought us some of the cake that was dessert, and we both enjoyed that!  Sorry we weren't able to make the dinner.

This morning Tom Dente sent this picture of the cake - really nice!!  

The weather today has ranged from pouring rain to gloomy to almost sunny.  It hasn't been a very nice weekend, but the forecast seems to indicate things will clear up and warm up later in the week.  That's good news - we needed the rain, but now it's time to get back to some sunshine.  

I got a chuckle out of this picture that was sent to me this morning.  I have no idea who thinks up this stuff, and lots of it I don't bother with - especially if it's politically biased, but I thought this was just plain funny.  I hope you find it so, too.  Seldom have presidential candidates offered up such rich material for comedians as this year's bunch . . . it's all part of the vetting process, I guess.  Aren't election years fun, though?!

What a rainy, coolish weekend this has been!  Lots of neat events happening today, but it must have been hard for people to enjoy in between showers and then the temperature dropping significantly (it's only 56 degrees as I write this).  We turned on the heat late this afternoon, just to take the damp chill out of the air.  I suppose we'll get back to 80s and possibly 90s as forecast for next week, but for the bell raising at Lower Cabot School today, the outdoor festival in Newport where the "Hitmen" were playing, and the steak dinner at the JPA pavilion, it would have been nice to have had a little less rain and "fresh" air. 

Jamie and Marie said the steak dinner was really good.  Sorry we missed it!  We had planned to go to Newport to hear Bob and the Hitmen, but with it raining so hard, we decided to try to catch them at Island Pond on the 22nd, instead.  By the time we made up our minds, we figured it was too late to get tickets for the supper.

This has been a sad week - not only did we learn Buggy Morse passed away, but also a friend in St. Johnsbury, Doris Damon, died.  Then this afternoon we learned our former close neighbor, Don Encarnacion, died today.  Many people here at the pond will remember Don and his late wife, Mary, who lived just below us on West Shore Road in the house now owned by Jay and Kate Chatot.  Don has been very sad ever since Mary died, and has been in an assisted living home in St. Johnsbury - the same home where Mary spent her last months.  Don and Mary were good neighbors, and we had many great times with them.  We celebrated our anniversaries together - they were married in June only a couple days from us, but of course years longer - so we frequently went out for dinner to celebrate together.  

The years take a toll and things change.  The older we get, the more funerals and memorials there are to attend, unfortunately. 

On a happier note, I understand there are about 15 sailboats signed up for the race on the 17th.  That's really good news - it will be nice to see all the sails out on the water.  It is shaping up to be a really nice event.  We'll hope the weather cooperates, but if it doesn't, the race will be held on August 14th.  

I had a message yesterday from Mary Whitcomb, who I have had e-mail correspondence with for several years.  Mary has from time to time alerted me when I've made an error on the blog and more than once come up with answers to questions about flowers or birds or just things in general.  Yesterday she shot me an email with some great pictures taken at the Cabot Fourth of July parade on Monday!  She was near the judges stand by the Willey Building, while I was a few rods up the street at the Historical Society Building.  Now, that would normally not be noteworthy, but we've never met in person, and it would have been so much fun if we had each known the other was so close by.  I could easily have left for a few minutes and gone down the street to where she was; however, of course I wouldn't have known her, having never met her or seen a picture.  Oh well, opportunities are often missed, but I'm hoping next year we can connect.  Now we both have a question about who the two WWII veterans are in her picture.  Mary said she was quite moved that the two of them were in the parade.  They were mentioned in Will Walters' account of the parade, but not by name.  I would very much like to know who they were, if anyone reading this knows. Email me:  janebrown@fairpoint.net.

We read in the newspaper today about the death of a long-time Cabot resident and former neighbor of ours, Cecil "Buggy" Morse.  Buggy owned the Christmas tree farm out on Brickett's Crossing Road, and later built a little home on Danville Hill and had some Christmas trees there, along with berries.  Years before he got into the Christmas tree business, he owned the general store in Lower Cabot.  We are sorry he will no longer be with us.  I hope he knew that the Lower Cabot School belfry has finally been readied for the bell to be put back in place tomorrow.  I think Buggy would be very happy about that.

There will be a big party and short ceremony tomorrow as the bell is hoisted into place at about noon.  Everyone is invited to bring a picnic or have some BBQ and join in the fun from 11 to 3.  Click on the poster to make it larger to read.

Also, don't forget the Steak Dinner at the Joe's Pond pavilion. If you don't have you tickets, you may be out of luck, but just in case, contact Tom Dente at 684-3615, or Hastings Store at 684-3398.

 

Something Fun to do Tonight!

Come one come all to the first concert of the summer!! Rain (in the gym) or Shine (outside in the gazebo)!

July 7   Cajun Double Fiddles with Katie Trautz and Alex Ellsworth

 
Alec Ellsworth and Katie Trautz are a Vermont based duo, playing traditional old-time and Cajun music.  Both musicians are fiddlers who weave harmonies and melodies together with their instruments and voices.  As multi-instrumentalists, they integrate accordion, triangle, and songs into their sets.  They have traveled to Louisiana numerous times, where they’ve learned and shared Cajun and Old-time music, bringing the southern traditions back to their home-state of Vermont. Chris Hollis will be accompanying them on guitar.

Susan Green

Director

Jaquith Public Library

122 School St. RM 2

Marshfield, VT 05658

802-426-3581

I'm finally settling down after a very busy couple of weeks - and especially the Fourth of July weekend.   Our Joe's Pond Association Annual Meeting was on July 2, and of course there were the fireworks on the 3rd., then I spent most of the Fourth at the Cabot Historical Society museum.  In between, I needed to pack up the flowers I've been working on and get them ready for the long trip to Namibia, Africa, in time for the wedding on August 18.  I had to wait for the flowergirls' baskets and ring bearer's pillow to arrive so I could put finishing touches on, but everything finally got here in plenty of time and will be on their way shortly.  Now I just hope everything arrives in good condition.  Shipping to Africa can be a problem - often packages simply never arrive.  Monika says the workers at the air terminals sometimes help themselves to anything they want and it's virtually impossible to ever track it down.  FedEx is a reliable carrier, however, and although they will only take the package as far as Windhoek, they have equally reliable carriers that can be relied upon to get it to Oshakati - we hope.  I miss having all the flowers spread out on my dining room table, but on the other hand, it's nice to have the table back, too.  Fortunately, we haven't had any dinner guests while I was in the flower business.

This message came from Steve and Bev Allen:   Our Son found an iPhone under water in the Channel yesterday! If you think it might be yours give us a call to identify it.
Bev and Steve, 563-6048.

Liz Sargent sent me some very nice photos of our fireworks display.  Click on each to enlarge - really pretty, aren't they?  Thanks, Liz for sharing.

 

I took some pictures of the parade in Cabot on the Fourth.  There were the usual kids on motor bikes and ATVs, horseback riders and old vehicles, all of them really fun to watch.  What I was most excited about was the float with the bell from the Lower Cabot School that was stolen many years ago only to be found years later in a mill pond in Lower Cabot.  By the time it was retrieved, the school had closed and had been sold to Charles and Barbara Carpenter.  I don't know for certain, but I expect the Carpenters kept the bell at the school and it stayed there through a couple more owners of the building.  Now new owners, Dana and Susan Robinson, have completed restoration of the belfry and the old bell will be raised to its proper place on Saturday.  Anyone interested is invited to stop by, watch the raising, have some BBQ and listen to some music as the community celebrates the bell's home-coming.

Here's a little bit of the parade at Cabot:  Click for video.

Jaquith Public Library Summer Programs

July 6 at 10 a.m. Story Time followed by Fun and Games with Cassie Bickford and a Free Lunch!!!

Learn some fun games from around the world like the Scottish game “Wee Bologna Man” and the Australian game “Wallaby, Wallaby Kangaroo”.  Make “Light up Butterflies" to take home.

July 6 at 6:45 p.m. The Noble Sport: Falconry with VINS

Join VINS for a family-friendly adventure in falconry! We’ll explore a sport that has fostered relationships between humans, animals, and the environment for 4,000 years. Learn how falconers train their birds of prey and meet three live raptors up close!

Summer Concert Series

Old schoolhouse Common Gazebo in Marshfield

Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.

Come on down and hear some music, visit with neighbors, dance and have a good ole’ time! We will have our book and bake sale and if you don’t have time to pack a picnic, the barbeque will be sizzling with hamburgers, hot dogs and veggie burgers for sale.

 July 7   Cajun Double Fiddles with Katie Trautz and Alex Ellsworth

 Alec Ellsworth and Katie Trautz are a Vermont based duo, playing traditional old-time and Cajun music.  Both musicians are fiddlers who weave harmonies and melodies together with their instruments and voices.  As multi-instrumentalists, they integrate accordion, triangle, and songs into their sets.  They have traveled to Louisiana numerous times, where they’ve learned and shared Cajun and Old-time music, bringing the southern traditions back to their home-state of Vermont. Chris Hollis will be accompanying them on guitar.

Susan Green

Director

Jaquith Public Library

122 School St. RM 2

Marshfield, VT 05658

802-426-3581