Sailing Into Summer!

 We are having some hot, wet, windy, and sometime confusing weather to start off our official summer. Here at Joe's Pond, our Sailing Season got off to a great start this afternoon. Here's what Sailing Director Susan Bouchard has to say about today's race: 

Sailboat Race Recap – A Surprising Day on the Water

After a morning of heavy downpours and gloomy skies, the weather took a welcome turn—rain stopped, and the sun even peeked through the lingering dark clouds just in time for the race.

Today’s race featured seven participants in the Single Division, while no boats competed in the Double Division. At the starting horn, the wind was strong, but it quickly became unpredictable—gusty one moment and still the next. Many sailors described the experience at the finish line as “fun but frustrating”, “weird winds” that kept them on their toes.

It was a close contest among Jack LaGue, Jay Chatot, and Lee Erdmann, who stayed tightly grouped throughout much of the course. Jack ultimately crossed the finish line first, followed by Jay, then Lee.

We also welcomed a new face to the race—Phillip Crosby, who shared that he hadn’t sailed in 15 years! It was great to see you out there, Phillip, and your vibrant blue, green, and white sail added a beautiful splash of color to the lake.

Results – Single Division:

1. Jack LaGue
2. Jay Chatot
3. Lee Erdmann
4. Rob Stewart
5. Phillip Crosby
6. Jules Chatot
7. Sharon Trull

The next race is scheduled for Saturday, July 13th—just three weeks away. If you're interested in joining the fun, please contact Susan Bouchard. We’d love to see more sailors on the water.

Sailboat Race in the 1970s, Joe's Pond, VT.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A couple days ago I mentioned that Eurasian water milfoil (EWM) can be used as fertilizer. Turns out that's exactly what happened to all that was removed from Joe's Pond recently. Here's a note from Barry Cahoon who is spearheading our Milfoil Control/Eradication Program:

 Hi Jane
In answer to the question about the final resting place for the harvested milfoil, I trucked it to our place in Danville where Alicia and I grow a fairly extensive vegetable garden and dumped it in one of our compost bins where it is well on its way to its final purpose of enriching the soil.
Might’s well derive something good from the darn stuff.
In the future, assuming we will be harvesting again, anyone else who would like to take possession of it is certainly welcome as long as your site is high and dry and well isolated from any surface water body.
Barry Cahoon

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We have some severely hot weather ahead of us this week. Please be careful and heed the advice set forth by the State of Vermont Department of Health. This kind of intense heat is becoming more common here as global warming continues to heat up our planet. We can probably also expect more frequent and more intense storms, and more frustrating swings from hot to cold to hot again. And wet! Especially wet weekends! According to WCAX Weather, we've had 25 in a row - I think today makes 26? I measured .40 in. of precipitation this morning, and we had a quick shower after that. And thunderstorms are predicted for this evening.

Stay safe and do whatever is necessary to keep yourself, your family, and your pets cool and comfortable during these next few days. Dipping in the pond is great, but remember that the sun is really intense and will burn your skin quickly, especially when you are in or near the water where light gets reflected and becomes more intense, so do be cautious.