The Season for Leaving

Now is the time that there is another batch of Joe's Ponders heading south for the winter. The younger crowd with kids that have to get back to school left a couple months ago, but then there are the older, dare I say "hardier" group, that stay for a variety of reasons: the autumn colors and church suppers; or because it's still a tad too warm at their winter retreat; or there are family, medical, or sentimental reasons for not leaving earlier. Once we've had a sifting of snow and temperatures drop into the freeze zone, the "snowbirds" know it's time to head south.

Sunday night I was invited to a gathering at Sherry LaPrade's - some of us were year 'rounders, but others will be leaving shortly, so Sherry had a going-away party. It was very nice, and great to see my neighbors. I rarely see Butch and Susan Bouchard except at meetings, and they are just down the road from me, so it was very pleasant spending time with them. I do see Ray and Cyndi Rouleau occasionally, and Bob and Dotty Noyes. This year Dotty is retiring, so she and Bob will both be official year rounders. Diane Rossi and I are in touch frequently - we're here year around and are in touch just about every day, especially during the winter.

There are a number of places for sale on the pond, and Walter Ruf's was recently sold. Butch wrote the following about Walter Ruf who, after many years, will not be returning to Joe's Pond next  summer:

 It was more than fifty years ago that a man of 39 years, found an opportunity to enjoy a summertime retreat on Joes Pond in Cabot Vermont. A determined and hard working Walter Hans Ruf, born in wartime Germany who came to America, served in the U.S. Army, worked in and eventually owned his own ski shop in the Mad River Valley, was able to purchase a ramshackle building on Meadow Lane in 1970.

Over the years, Walter put his love and sweat into making his home efficient and comfortable. Walter

retired in 1996 and along with his sister Irmgard, aka ‘Mimi’, spent summers at Joe’s and winters in Nokomis Florida. Mimi passed in 2015 but it was just this summer that keeping up with life became increasingly more difficult for him. Just short of his 92nd birthday, Walter said his final goodbye to his beloved summer home of 53 years. 

 Today, as we pulled out of his driveway heading to the airport for his flight to Florida, he turned and calmly said, “Good bye beautiful Joe’s Pond”.

I don’t recall Walter becoming melancholy as preparations for his departure began to unfold in these past few months. Nor did I witness a tear throughout the sale of his home or final packing of his prized possessions for his return south. He just knew it was time to go. And whenever we parted, out of respect for his culture, it was always ‘Auf Weidersehen’. The photo of Walter as he left Joe's Pond was taken by Butch Bouchard.

Thank you, Butch, for this very touching tribute to Walter. He was certainly a familiar character here at the pond during all those years -- the sleek speedboat in the1980s, his bouncy step as he visited neighbors, bottle of wine in hand. Walter hosted a rowdy group of deer hunters back in the early days of his being here. I don't think he ever hunted, but friends like the Hamilton Brothers, Bill Ward, Homer Fitts, and some others would often end their hunting day at Walter's for drinks and a hearty meal. One year the group applauded Walter for shooting a five-legged deer. I'm not sure exactly how it happened, but apparently Walter accidentally discharged a rifle hitting his dining room table - that had five legs. He took the jokes and ribbing in stride, always with good humor. We hope he enjoys life away from Joe's Pond, whether in Florida or some other warm and friendly spot. Viel Glüc, Walter.

Because it is hunting season - I'm not sure exactly what, but I think bow season for deer and maybe other wild critters are being hunted - I don't like to go outside, even in my own yard, dressed in anything dark colored. I try to haul out my red, hunter orange, or bright turquoise jackets so I won't be mistaken for an animal as I head out across my lawn or down the road to the mailbox. It's a habit I adopted years ago when Fred and I regularly walked on West Shore Road. There seemed to be more hunters around back then, but I don't remember there being as many "seasons," like youth hunting, bow hunting, etc. My point is to remind you whenever you are walking, whether on the trail, in the woods, or along a back road, be sure to wear a color that can be easily seen from a distance - preferably hunter orange or something  equally bright. Be safe.

P.S.- I found this article in my email this morning and thought it worth sharing. I know the wake boat issue is "seasonal" but the agencies having to make decisions regarding their use on Vermont public waters is on-going and it's always interesting to hear different viewpoints. ARTICLE.