Cold, Wintery

 It is COLD out there this morning! I was just out to measure and collect, and the wind is brutal. It is only 8 degrees and the sun is shining brightly - then there is a really strong, gusty wind out of the north that makes it feel like at least 10 below zero! I measured one inch of new snow - but that is really just a guess because the wind has blown it around all night. There was quite a bit in the measuring tube, and when melted, it measured only .06 inch of precipitation. Very dry because it's so darned cold. It is supposed to warm up today.

I just heard that V-Trans on Route 5 by the State Police Barracks in St. Johnsbury is handing out free Covid rapid testing kits. Anyone who wants to be extra cautious for the holidays can go there and pick some up - depending on how many there are in your family, I was told. It's worth a swing by there to check it out. I think on the news it said that there are about 50,000 being handed out by the State of Vermont.

Don Walker's obituary is available now in the Times Argus - Don passed away on the 16th, at age 94. Many of us remember him fondly from his summers here at Joe's Pond, always supportive of activities and active in the Joe's Pond Association. I have probably mentioned this before, but he and Audrey (his late wife) used to put on fabulous pancake breakfasts back in the day. They were neighbors, two camps up from ours on West Shore Road, and my boys grew up with Wade, Megan and Shelly. We have great memories of those carefree summers, and watching as Don came home to camp from work each day, immaculate in business attire, and about five minutes later we'd see him in his swim trunks, plunging into the pond. It didn't matter what the weather was - he swam every day. I think it's very nice that he daughter, Shelly, is carrying on that tradition. 

I am off to sign more books this morning. Sales have been good, and I think there will be a lot of people happy when they find a copy of the West Danville history book under their tree on Christmas morning. I was very happy to have a note from "Pete" Blackadar yesterday telling me how much she is enjoying the book. Pete's lat husband, Archie, and his family are mentioned several times in the book. She gave us transcripts from Archie's father's diary that are quoted - it was a valued source of information for us, along with other diaries we were fortunate to be able to search. The book is available at the Danville Historical Society, Hastings Store in West Danville, the Corner Stop Inn Shop in Walden, and the History and Heritage Center in St. Johnsbury. I also have some copies for people who cannot get to those places. I'll try to work something out to get the book to you.

Be safe, stay warm - it's really winter out there!!