Joe's Pond Winter Traffic

 We've had a lovely sunny day today, but the sun didn't make much of an impression on our temperature. I think the highest I saw on my deck thermometer was 16 degrees. The wind hasn't been bad, and that's always a big break when it's cold. It was nice to see the sun for a whole day! My thermometer had an overnight low of about minus 8 degrees, but Diane Rossi reported minus 17 degrees at her house! Cold enough, for sure.

In spite of the cold, it was such a nice day there were people out and about enjoying the sunshine. Gretchen and Jim Farnsworth went for a walk on the pond and saw three airplanes as they took off from the lower end of the pond. I guess it was just that kind of day when everyone wanted to get outside before the next round of snow hits us beginning on Tuesday. It must have been a great day for flying - clear as crystal and no storms in the area. Our pond gets more popular every year and the traffic builds - walkers, snowmobiles, kite skiers, airplanes - not a dull moment!

If you haven't checked in on the Joe's Pond Association website lately, I suggest  you do so.  The new, updated site is up and running, and it's very, very nice. I know Fred would be very pleased with what they've done with it. The JPA Board has been working with Raphel Marketing on this, and the result is impressive. Everything is there, fresh and easy to use. I think you will all enjoy exploring our new website. I'm happy and very flattered that JPA has asked that I continue with the blog. I'm not planning on changing much here on the blog any time soon, so I hope you will all send me photos and bits of information about what and how you are doing so I can post it - at least everything that doesn't push the boundaries of decency or truth (I reserve the right to edit as necessary to keep it clean and factual!) Really, I'm only joking about this. I haven't had to deny anyone, ever, when they have submitted something for the blog. I have, however, decided not to post comments from time to time, but they were only ones from unknowns who were obviously not in any way connected to Joe's Pond. We are a pretty civilized bunch of people here, I'm proud to say.

Speaking of things like that, have you noticed that Vermont is getting quite a lot of positive publicity lately? Positive AND humorous - starting with Bernie's mittens and his obvious attention to comfort over fashion at the inauguration. Then there's the very senior Senator Leahy who is on more committees than you can shake a stick at - the Senate Appropriations Committee, Judiciary Committee, Agriculture Committee, and over his nearly five decades in Washington, he has served on a multitude of other committees, and sponsored countless bills. He is co-chair of the Senate National Guard Caucus and is ranked as one of the top environmental legislators. (All this from his official website: Biography: About Senator Leahy.) Seems like he's in the news (usually in a good way) every few days. Put these guys together with Peter Welch, who is also no slouch, and our Governor, Phil Scott and his handling of the Coronavirus here, and Vermont has been getting a lot of good publicity lately. I'm thinking a lot fewer people are inclined to comment, "Where's that?" when someone tells them they are from Vermont. Not only that, Vermont has become a haven for people wanting to avoid pandemic hotspots. It's not all woodchucks and wilderness in this state.

Take care, be kind to one another, and be safe.