Wind Tinkering with Ice-Out Contest!

Those of you who regularly read this blog have heard me mention many times how the wind blows at Joe's Pond. This is a perfect example of what can happen: When Diane Rossi checked the block and flag early this morning, she sent me this photo. It didn't look much, if any, different than the one I posted yesterday, so I didn't rush to post it. However, later on Diane texted me with another photo saying, "Look what the wind did to our flag!"

As you can see, in the second picture, the block is there, but the flag has blown over. Diane gave Larry a call (Larry sets up the block and flag each year) and he said it was hard to explain because he and his helpers had been very careful to secure the flag to the block well. Given that the ice is not safe for anyone to venture out there, it will remain down, and we'll just have to wait until the block goes through the ice and pulls the plug on the electric clock. That is really the only thing that counts - when the clock stops - but the flag is there so people can visually check easily from various vantage points around the pond. 

So - if you look out and don't see the red flag, don't rush to the phone to find out what time the clock stopped. It is still running! You can depend on Diane and neighbors, Cyndi and Ray Rouleau, to keep a close eye on things and they will let us know as soon as the block actually goes through the ice and stops the clock.

One thing we know: every year is different. Nothing ever stays exactly the same. Fortunately, the Ice-Out Committee is used to dealing with all sorts of changes, unusual situations and would-be catastrophes. That's why there is a committee - so a single person doesn't have to shoulder all the responsibility of this ever-growing, simply/complicated guessing game. It's my understanding the contest may have had more entries this year than last year, so it takes a devoted crew of volunteer workers to keep it running smoothly.

There have been bumps like this in the past. Just to mention a few "situations" I can recall, the committee had to deal with a runaway block and flag when the tether rope was accidentally cut by a snow machine; another year the block and flag was blown ashore when the wind changed direction and moved the ice; another time, the hands on an old clock began slipping on the spindle near the end of the contest and a substitute clock had to be provided; they have had to deal with possibility of the clock stopping before April 1, the official date after which no more tickets are sold (it hasn't happened, but there's a "Plan B" in place if it does!); and of course, power outages. Over the years equipment has been updated and the process refined considerably. One thing the committee cannot control or be totally prepared for is the weather. As I've said many times, Joe's Pond and West Danville are known to have a unique "climate" that differs from nearby towns.  It is unpredictable and relentless. And that's what makes this contest so much fun!