Sad News

I'm very sorry to tell you that  Don Walker, a long-time summer resident on Joe's Pond, passed away peacefully early this morning, December 16, 2021. Don would have been 95 years old on February 8th, 2022. Unfortunately, he had health issues in the past few years, but was able to be at home until this past week, thanks to the care of his daughters, Megan and Michelle, or "Shelly" as many of us know her. Don had been an active JPA member when he and his late wife, Audrey were here with their then  young family. He was involved with the sailboat races in the 1970s, and part of the original group that founded the Ice-Out Contest. He was dubbed the "Joe's Pond Iceologist" by WDEV's Ken Squire who called Don regularly for reports on ice conditions each year when everyone was waiting for the block to go through the ice and end the contest. Don loved Joe's Pond and was an important voice at JPA meetings, with many friends here. We miss him. Our thoughts are with his family. If you would like to send cards or messages, please direct them to Michelle Walker, 1739 West Shore Rd., Cabot, VT 05647. I will post a link to the full obituary as soon as it is available. Shelly told me tonight that the family plans a memorial service in the spring.

Another Joe's Ponder was injured in a fall this past week, according to news I just received. Doug Hamilton had a nasty fall and apparently required an ambulance. Unfortunately, the ambulance went off the road and had to call a backup. I haven't heard how he's doing, but I think he's ok. I'll try to find out more and report here. I suspect icy conditions caused both his fall and the ambulance going off the road. Channel Drive is very narrow and back roads everywhere have been treacherous due to the crazy weather swings.

Last night was a dangerous time for lots of us here in the north country. I measured .37 inch of rain this morning, and there was a misty rain still that was turning the cold surfaces into sheets of ice. This morning my driveway looked just bare and wet, but it was actually covered with ice. I was standing at the top of the driveway talking to Ben Ackermann when he began slipping as he walked towards me on the pavement. I retreated carefully and didn't fall, but I know I was just plain lucky he warned me in time. Ben came as planned on Wednesday and has taken down most of the trees as planned. It has certainly changed the landscape. I now have late afternoon sun on my driveway, and Jamie has a good deal more sun hitting his steep, often slippery driveway. He will probably finish up tomorrow. We will be interested in what the effect will be over time. I'll post "before" and "after" photos tomorrow.

I sure like the view on my lower lawn now the silt fence is gone! If we ever get snow again, it will be nice to see that nice open stretch of lawn clean and white.  Right now it has a ridge of snow that built up next to the fence - or it was there earlier today. It was so warm today, it is probably all melted now. I didn't check this afternoon.

I had a lovely surprise late this afternoon when Jenness Ide stopped by to give me a walking stick to replace the one I broke earlier in the week. It is a perfect fit, and I'm very appreciative. This one even has a neat crook for a handle. My old one had only sort of a knob on it. So now I am all set and will have the security of the stick when I'm walking to the mailbox or on the road when there's snow or ice, thanks to a very kind and thoughtful friend. Thank you, Jenness!