Things to Do, Places to Go

 I recently had a notice from Joanne Stewart letting me know that she has been in touch with Eric Hansen (loon biologist for the State of Vermont) and he is going to do a piece for our Joe's Pond spring
2025 newsletter. Eric goes back to the very early years of helping loons reestablish here at Joe's Pond, so I'm sure he will have some interesting information for us.

Also, he will be doing a loon program at Peacham Library on Sunday, Oct 6 at 3 p.m. So mark your calendar and take a drive over to Peacham on that Sunday afternoon. It will be a lovely drive - the foliage is usually really nice in that area, and Peacham is a lovely little village any time, really. Eric will be happy to answer loon questions you may have.

We finally got some rain last night. I measured 1.19 in. this morning and it has rained quite steadily all day, although mostly lightly. I think it must have been particularly beneficial being light instead of a torrential cloudburst. The ground was very dry and absorbed it quickly.My pond was down almost two feet, but this morning it was nearly back to normal level. I didn't look at it before dark, but I'm sure it has reached the overflow pipe and is at capacity level now.

I wonder if our lack of very bright colors this year (again) is a result of such hot weather and so little rain in the late summer. For all of the early start which seemed to have very nice color, most of the trees I've seen were dull and many have already lost their leaves. Then there are some maples that are still green. Our foliage is just one more weather-related event that is unusual. This photo is of one of my maple trees in October, 2021. Not so vivid this year - in fact, many of the leaves turned brown and the wind took most of them off this year. Other trees are still green.

I'm watching the weather in Florida and I am very worried for all those people in the path of Hurricane Helene. I don't understand why anyone would refuse to leave when told the storm may have an "unsurvivable storm surge." That would sure send me running for the hills. The devastation this will probably do to that state is unimaginable. I hope those people change their minds before it's too late. One report I heard was that even coastal areas not in the direct path of the hurricane, including some of the east coast, would have damage from wind and storm surge. 

Wherever you are - pay attention to the weather and heed official directives. These are unusual times, with unusual storms. Better to be safe. 

This is the start of our region's annual Fall Foliage Season. There will be all-day festivities in Cabot on Saturday, Sept. 28th. This is Cabot's  Fall Foliage Day, with a mini-revival of our Apple Pie Festival, and  Cabot Cheese and Culture Festival - all rolled into one super-fun day. Head over the hill and through the dale to enjoy fall at it's finest. 

And a reminder: There will be a turkey dinner at the Cabot church starting at 5 p.m. - takeout and seating on the common under tents; and a chicken pie supper at North Danville church, too late to order take-out, and probably to get tickets for dining in - but worth a try. See the poster in the previous blog.