Loon Update and Other Things

 We have good news about our Joe's Pond loons: I had a report yesterday that there is a second loon family with one chick in the middle pond!

I also got news that the wounded adult loon was taken first to the VINS center in Quechee, Vermont, where it was examined and thought to be suitable for rehab at the loon rehab center in Maine where we've had at least one other injured loon taken. This one has been transported there and we are hoping it will do well enough to be released back into the wild soon. I hope to have a follow-up report in a few weeks.

More good news, somewhat loon-associated, is that the first Sunfish Race of the season will be this weekend, Sunday June 26, weather permitting, at 1 o'clock. Boaters, please  stay well out of the path of the sailboats as the line up and run the course; but also be on the lookout for the loon family, especially at the north end of the pond. We hope the weather cooperates and there is good wind, but not like the fierce gales we had last week!

Our Annual Meeting of the Joe's Pond Association is on Saturday, July 2 at 10 a.m. at the pavilion. Then, also at the Joe's Pond Pavilion is the Spirits of Vermont tasting event the following day, Sunday, July 3 from 2-5 p.m. That is always an interesting event for tasting all sorts of Vermont-crafted beer and wine, and there will be other vendors there, as well. After dark, the JPA sponsored fireworks display will take place, weather permitting. The rain date for the fireworks is July 5th.

On July 9th, the Italian Dinner is scheduled. That is earlier than we've had in previous years, so mark your calendars, and since It is a very popular event, better call Pam Hebert, 802-684-3655 to reserve your tickets early.

And while I'm on the subject of dinners, tickets are available for the Pig Roast on July 30th. Contact Bo Keach for those, 802-684-3673.

Last Saturday, the chicken pie dinner put on by Marion and Marty Beatty, was delicious. Everyone had a great time in spite of the cold, wet weather and wind that pummeled the curtained pavilion relentlessly, and bent trees to near breaking point, sometimes accompanied by driving rain. We were reasonably cozy during dinner. We spotted lots of winter jackets, wool sweaters, scarves and hats that I'm sure had been put away after the ski season ended, but wisely brought out that night. Folks who are familiar with Vermont summers are prepared for just about any kind of weather. We will hope for more summer-line weather for the remaining events!

I had a note from Mary Whitcomb yesterday. She was out on one of her frequent nature hikes, and of course she took pictures, as Mary always does. She was at the Esqua Bog Natural Area preserve near Woodstock, Vermont. She said there was a wealth of plants and each turn revealed something more special. One of the most beautiful and surprising revelations was this patch of "wild orchids" or lady slippers. Mary said she took at least a hundred pictures, and sent me several of them, which I am sharing with you.  At left, above, the information board at the trail head, and below right, the boardwalk through the marsh.

Thank you for sharing these lovely pictures, Mary. You do find very interesting places to visit! I had never heard of the Esqua Bog, but it certainly looks like a great place to wander through - without getting your feet wet and muddy! I look forward to your next adventure with camera!

That's it for today - unless I have a special news flash!!  I've already had a busy morning, with a quick trip to Danville to do errands, and Bob, my handyman, came to touch up the stain on the inside of my porch. He did the outside a few weeks ago, and I was going to do the inside, but decided against it when I seemed to have just a bit too much going on to fit that in. There's nothing like staying busy after one is retired, and I have never had problems with too much time on my hands. For me, it's still a case of so many projects, so little time! However, I still find time to put my feet up and read a good book - or to take a walk and "smell the flowers." When life gets a bit too hectic, I retreat to the porch and listen to the birds and squirrels.

One last amusing bit - this morning I was greeted with a rather large dollop of dung on my front deck. Handyman Bob is also a hunter, so when he came, I asked him what it likely was. At first he thought it was a bear, but being close to the folding aluminum chairs, with nothing out of place or damaged, he decided it was a raccoon. All I can say is - it must have been a big one! Bob was kind enough to take care of it for me! It was akin to picking up after a Great Dane - or a pony! I won't post a picture, but you get the idea.