Message From Barry

After observing, this past summer following a downpour, 
erosion, sediment and debris runoff into Joe’s Pond at the Joe’s Pond Association dock, JPA Maintenance Director Larry Rossi and Water Quality Director Barry Cahoon determined to implement a water quality protection project to eliminate the discharge into the lake.

Larry arranged with local excavator Garren Calkins to install a French Drain.  This project was completed on 11/04/26. A French Drain consists simply of a trench lined with filter fabric and filled with crushed stone so that surface water runoff (in this case from the outlet of a culvert under Clubhouse Circle) is captured and will infiltrate into the ground before reaching the pond.

The photos show the pre-installation condition (top left); the excavated trench (top right), the fabric lining and partially filled drain (aleft) , and the finished project (below right).

Garren donated his excavator and operator time and trucking of materials.  He charged only for the cost of the stone and filter fabric which came to less than $400.  Garren was assisted on site by Barry.

JPA members should take note that this type of  water quality protection project has widespread application and can provide a simple and inexpensive method to reduce or eliminate sediment and phosphorus discharges from lakeshore properties.

Take a look around your property to identify where surface runoff is carrying sediment and debris into the pond and whether a French Drain or other treatment may be appropriate to address the issue. If you have questions or would like to have a technical evaluation and recommendation on how to address a water quality issue on your property, contact Barry Cahoon, JPA Water Quality Director, at bear817@hotmail.com 

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Yesterday middle son, Bob, and I did our "First Thursday Lunch" date. We went to the "Busy Bee Diner" in Glover. I've written about this little gem before, but it is so unique, I want to mention it again. If you've never been there, you should go. It is tiny - I'd say it's a little larger than our little library by the Joe's Pond public beach, but not by much. I'm guessing they have about six stools at the counter - all of the cooking goes on in the open, behind the counter, as near as I can tell, and at the north end there is a small table for two and a small picnic table arrangement with two benches that might seat four adults or six if they were very small. When the door opens, it clears the butt of anyone sitting on a stool by about ten inches, max - not really enough room for anyone to go by if the door is open. Everyone seems to know the two lovely ladies who operate the place, and appear to know most of the folks who come in. If they don't know you, they smile, nod, and are quick to engage in conversation, as we always are. It's like they are actually glad to make new friends.

The food was great. We had a delicious broccoli and cheese soup - served nice and hot and in a bowl that held the heat and was just the right size. I had a ham and cheese sandwich - done to perfection. The ham was thick and tender, and the cheese melted just right with the bread lightly toasted so it wasn't hard and crunchy or laden with grease. Bob had a wrap - I don't recall what was in it, but he said it was perfect, too.  While we were there, two men came in who were obviously "not from around there" and took seats at the little table with benches. With barely room to get around the place to serve us, the waitress was attentive to all of us and very pleasant. She actually remembered us from when we were there a little over a year ago, and seemed to keep an ear on our conversation, joining in occasionally! 

When two young women edged in when all the spaces were filled, I wondered how it would be handled or if they would have to wait for us to leave. However, they were there for takeout! It was ready for them and they were there less than five minutes. 

I should mention - there is not restroom available from inside - one has to go outside and around the corner to a little annex to the main building. There were two or three small tables with chairs outside, but with parking at a premium, there wasn't much room for those, either. However, good food and such a pleasant, homey atmosphere makes up for any slight inconvenience. I took a picture from our table in the far corner - what you see is pretty much all there is! We look forward to going there again - and perhaps we won't wait a year to do it! Did I mention - the prices are very reasonable!

On these trips we always try to find a back road to get us home. I knew there is a road from Greensboro Bend over the hill to Walden, so we took a left at the "Bend" and found it had changed a lot since either of us had been there. Bob has biked
 on the rail-trail through that area, and of course we had Google mapping to guide us, but still, it was an adventure. We came out on the road to Cole's Pond and just before coming into Noyesville on Route 15, Bob took a crossroad that comes out near the Frannie Foster place not far from tje junction with Route 215. There is a farm on the Coles's Pond end of the road, but just past their barnyard, the road turns into a Class 4 road - or probably better described as a "trail." It hasn't seen a road machine in years, and there were places where it was badly washed. But it wasn't impassable, as long as we proceeded cautiously. There were a few logs to dodge, and deep washouts, but we got around them ok. It was a good thing we were in Bob's pickup. What a nice old road, though. Great views west from there of broad fields, forest, and mountains. Unfortunately, the day had clouded over by the time we were there, so I didn't try to take pictures. 

Before we were on that road, though - not far from Greensboro Bend, we came to acres and acres of beautifully trimmed trees and manicured fields. There was a house, also beautifully landscaped, a pond, and gardens. I got a few photos, but it was already dreary and we didn't stop. Of course, I'm curious who owns this beautifully kept spot. Someone certainly has spent a lot of time trimming all those trees - and we noticed that there was a row of obviously newly planted cedars. It was close by a field of Christmas trees, so although I didn't see a sign, it was probably the Fontaine Tree Farm. Really beautiful landscaping.

The sun is shining, it's time to take a lunch break, and perhaps get outside to enjoy the warm weather and sun! I couldn't resist taking the cover off my porch recliner on Wednesday, and enjoyed about an hour sitting in the afternoon sun on my porch. Probably the last time I'll get to do that until spring, but it was like summer! Our temperatures are going to drop soon. It's 63 in the shade here right now.