Ice-Out Press Release

It doesn't happen often that I blog twice in one day, but Michelle Walker contacted me this afternoon to let me know that she did an interview with a reporter from Channel 22 and it will be on this evening's news, either at 6 or 7 p.m. The reporter wasn't sure which newscast would run it. 

Here is a corresponding press release issued by Michelle for the 2023 Ice-Out Contest:

JOE’S POND ICE OUT

Cabot / West Danville, VT— 2/20/2023— Cabot / West Danville, VT— 2/20/2023—  The people of Joe’s Pond and those who follow the Joe’s Pond Ice Out contest worldwide are anxiously awaiting the “official start of spring” when the ice goes out on their 299-acre pond in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. Soon the Joes Pond Association will place the block /flag on the ice that will sink and stop the clock to mark the official Ice Out date and time.  Last spring, the ice went out on April 19, 2022 at 4:51 AM. There were three people whose guess was within 4 minutes of the actual ice out.  Those three split the proceeds after expenses and [each]won a little over $2,000. The remainder of the proceeds will be used by the Joe’s Pond Association to help fund Association activities.         
          Tickets have been printed and are ready for purchase at Hasting’s Store in West Danville and Marty’s First Stop in Danville.  Tickets will also available at outlets in St. Johnsbury, Danville, Barre, and Montpelier by March 1.  Check the Joe’s Pond website at www.joespondvermont.com, for a list of outlets as well as an on-line option to purchase tickets.  Guesses are $1.00 each. Tickets with a date and time of each guess must be returned to the Joe’s Pond Association or postmarked April 1, 2023 to be considered. However, if the ice goes out prior to April 1, that will mark the end of the contest.  Therefore we strongly encourage you to purchase your tickets early this year.
       This winter has been unusually mild and there are a number of places on the ponds where the ice is fragile. Local news outlets have relayed warnings about the safety of the ice across Vermont.  Early this winter a gentleman and his dog fell through the ice on Joe’s Pond.  Fortunately, the incident was witnessed. A resident nearby quickly offered assistance while another person walking nearby called 911.  The emergency response was very prompt. The dog was fine and his owner spent a couple of hours at a local hospital being treated for hypothermia.  During the first part of February, in two separate incidents near Grand Isle in Lake Champlain, three men lost their lives when they fell through the ice.  These situations remind us that no ice is safe ice.