We are back in the clouds again today, but the temperature is still 36 degrees, so at least we aren't making ice (and it isn't snowing!).
The snow pack is going down every day and water is running. The back roads are getting a little greasy with mud and in some shaded spots, ice, but all things considered, we're finally in spring mode here at the pond.
     I went to St. Johnsbury yesterday and picked up some great pictures of Joe's Pond from Mark Smith at the Caledonian Record.
Mark's family has been at the pond since about 1916. We are excited to have the pictures and information for the history book.
    I will be back in St. J. to pick up Ice-Out tickets on Tuesday. Monday will be the last chance to get tickets at outlets - until close of business, April 1st. If you are mailing tickets in, please be sure they are postmarked no later than April 1, otherwise they will not be accepted. 
    You can purchase tickets with your credit card until 11:59 p.m. on April 1. Picture Fred, poised over his computer, ready to lock the program at the precise moment the contest is officially over. We always feel a little relief, but also some regret as this midnight ritual marks the end of another Ice-Out year. March always seems to fly by, even with bad weather nearly every day!
    When I stopped at Hastings Store to pick up the mail yesterday, Jenny was just heading out the door and quickly told me she closed on the store on Tuesday. So Jenny owns the store! Congratulations to her - it's so great that she will carry on the tradition started almost 106 years ago. I say "almost" because if I recall correctly, her great grandfather, Gilbert Hastings and his wife, Jennie, bought the store in October, 1913. He ran the store for many years and then his son, Ralph ran it with his wife, Mabel. They passed it on to their daughter, Jane and her husband, Garey, Jenny's parents. Jenny grew up in the store, as her two girls have. Perhaps another generation in the wings who will carry on the tradition?
     I haven't talked with Jenny about whether there will be changes, but I'm sure she will have some great ideas. We also don't know if Garey will still be getting up at the crack of dawn to make the doughnuts and other pastries - but probably he will!