Last Call!

  

Only two days away - make your plans now!

Come Celebrate Joe's Pond Community and Friends!

JPA Cocktail Party

Saturday, August 23, 5:00-7:30 p.m., at the Joe's Pond Association Pavilion

Featuring a Silent Auction and Raffle to support Association needs

What to bring: Beverages of your choice, an appetizer to share, cash and checkbooks

Looking forward to an evening celebrating the summer of 2025!

Contacts: Susan Yesalonia (802) 793-3973 or Nancy Buttura (802) 279-4146

 

This is the final social event of the 2025 Social Season. Come celebrate with friends. It's been a busy summer and this is a great way to end it as many will be heading off for the winter. 

 

Next Saturday, August 30th, is the final JPA business meeting for this year. There will be updates on the milfoil invasion, the many achievements of our organization fighting this invasion, and the outlook for the future. You will also have a chance to pick up Ice-Out tickets to take with you to give or sell during your winter away, and to bid friends and neighbors farewell until 2026. We hope to see a good turnout.  

Paint & Sip Party A Success!

The "Paint & Sip" party held at the JPA pavilion Monday afternoon was a big success.Activities Director  Susan Bouchard said that it was well attended and they took in a sizeable amount of money for the milfoil effort. Her daughter-in-law, Jess Bouchard, led the event. Jess is a high school art teacher in southern NH and has organized similar events in her own community. When Susan mentioned to Jess this spring that milfoil had been found in Joe’s Pond—and how costly it can be for lake associations—Jess  suggested hosting a Paint & Sip as a fundraiser. All proceeds will go directly to fighting milfoil at Joe’s Pond. 

Susan told me, "I was truly overwhelmed by the generosity of those who attended and for some who could not attend—we raised just over $2,500! Everyone seemed to have a great time and many suggested making it an annual event. We also sold about $100 worth of your earrings, and my brother donated some of his watercolor sketches, which were a hit."

Well done, ladies. It looks like it was really fun, and even though the weather turned on us (again) and instead of being roasting hot, there was a distinct fall chill in the air, but the pavilion was cozy and with a bit of wine to warm them, everyone had fun. Perhaps some of the works will be available at the silent auction this Saturday?  (Photos by Scott Bouchard)

Today is gloomy, but not terribly cold. Just gray and threatening. We would love to have a really good, day (or two) long rainy spell, but looks like that isn't going to happen. Perhaps a shower this afternoon, but even that doesn't look promising right now. I had coffee with a friend at the Hardwick Restaurant this morning and the river through Hardwick is almost down to a trickle. I noticed a few trees with a tinge of color along Route 15, too. Someone on WCAX predicted that this could be a very colorful fall because of the unusual dry weather putting more stress on the maple trees this year. We'll see. There is still time for a soaking rain, but unfortunately, not in the immediate future in our area.

There have been several reports of fairly large groups of loons on the pond, and this is because they tend to flock together as the older birds prepare to migrate to the coast. Sort of a farewell get-together of family and friends, I guess. The younger loons will follow shortly. 

Jamie mentioned to me this morning that they have been seeing more hummingbirds at their feeders recently, too. I expect they are getting ready to move south, too, however, they do not migrate in flocks. They are solitary migrants, but they are inclined to congregate where there is food on their flight south, so probably Jamie and Marie's feeders are a welcome refueling station this time of year for lots of hummingbirds heading south. I was surprised to learn that they normally fly about 25 miles per day over land, but can manage 500 miles of non-stop flight when necessary over water. That seems amazing to me! Tough, strong little creatures!

Enjoy the mild weather and add some extra time for rain dancing because we really need rain. You just aren't dancing hard enough! 

 

 

 

Reminder!

Come Celebrate Joe's Pond Community and Friends!

JPA Cocktail Party: Saturday, August 23, 5:00-7:30 p.m., at the Joe's Pond Association Pavilion

Featuring a Silent Auction and Raffle to support Association needs

What to bring: Beverages of your choice, an appetizer to share, cash and checkbooks

Looking forward to an evening celebrating the summer of 2025!

 

Contacts: Susan Yesalonia (802) 793-3973 

or 

Nancy Buttura (802) 279-4146

 

Picklefest Results

 

Hello all.  I wanted to thank all the players, volunteers and spectator's who came on Sat and Sunday for making the 2025 Picklefest and Doubles tourney another success.  So far we have received over $1200 for the PB/tennis courts.  There is still time to donate by either cash, check or Venmo.  It was a lively fun bunch both days celebrating the JP Pickleball community!

I wanted to thank Louie C, Pam H, Joanne S, Bob M and Sally W for all the help keeping both days organized.  

And a special thanks to the Erdman/McMann and Kidney/Bravakis clans for giving us lots of players and teams for Sunday’s tourney.  I believe they made up half of the teams!

         Thank you, Paige Crosby for making the trophies. I can personally say they are delicious.  Paige                 made six jars of pickles, even though she wasn’t there.  thanks again, Paige.

Picklefest final had Kim Kidney and Tom Segale barely beating Paul Penar and Scot Burns in an exciting close game. 

In Sundays double tourney we had 4 teams in each division competing.   Mike and Tom Segale just got by the father-son duo of Alex and Tao Bravakis in the advanced division.  The intermediate division featured Grandfather-grandson duo Dave Kidney and Gus Bravakis winning the pickles over Devin Hebert and Betty Le.  

           Thanks also to Joanne Stewart for taking all these great photos. 

Thanks again everyone and see you on the courts!

 

Tom Segale

617.909.0960

  Here are the results of the weekend Picklefest:

Picklefest - Sat 10:15 Start

1. Jamie S
2. Tom S
3. Jane S
4. Dave K
5. Paul P
6. Dorothea P
7. Joe Hebert
8. Bob M
9. Scott b
10. Chris b
11. Maryanne C
12. Pam Collins
13. Betty L
14. Kim K
15. Sally W
16. Joanne/Mark N

Doubles Sunday 10:00 Start

Doubles - Advanced

1. ike S/Tom S
2. James/Paul M
3. Alex/Tao B
4. Joe H/Chris B

Doubles - Intermediate

1. 
   
   
     Norma/Jane
2.   Heidi/Ava/Mattie
3.   Betty L/Devin

Tom Segale

617.909.0960

*********************************

 

Jamie and Marie took Diane Rossi and me for a ride around the pond yesterday afternoon. It was the first time I've been on the water this year - always too hot, or too busy or something else going on. It was a nice day to putt around and I loved seeing all the beautiful waterfronts - almost every cottage on the lake looks great - well kept and neat. We certainly have some beautiful homes here at Joe's Pond. There are still a few of the old, original camps left - but they have been updated and kept up well so it's really just that only old timers who have been around for years who know that they are originals. Many of those old cottages have been replaced by modern, new structures - and that's fine, but it's still nice to see the older cottages and remember who used to be there. Most along the south shore of both the large and middle ponds were built in the early 1900s. The five cottages that Gilbert and Jennie Hastings build are still intact on the middle pond, but along the Point Comfort shore there are a few new ones that have replaced the originals built when there was a dance pavilion and restaurant there. Point Comfort was where social events took place for many years. I remember dancing there when H. Guy Dunbar's orchestra provided music. About the same time the Ambassadors were playing at Harvey Lake. That was the "big band" era, during and for a short time after WWII.

 

There was a fair amount of activity on the pond when we were out yesterday. We were concerned to see a smallish pontoon boat venture into the area marked off by pool-noodle buoys in the cove in front of Camp Swampy at the north end of the big pond. They seemed to stop to read the sign by the island and then went into the off-limits area, but as we headed closer to them, they left, so I don't know what that was about. They definitely should not have been cruising around past the milfoil markers. I got a picture of the boat as it was leaving. 

This morning Jamie and I were talking about how nobody seems to be water-skiing much these days, at least here at Joe's Pond. I'm no longer on the water, so I don't see what's happening, but whenever I've been out on a boat ride or hanging out at camp, I haven't noticed anyone water skiing. My own family has pretty much aged out of that sport - bad knees, sore backs, busy lives, etc. Jamie recalled that Grandpa Dimick celebrated his 80th birthday by water skiing - on two skis and smoking a cigar! I've searched for a picture, but haven't found one. I'm pretty sure one exists of him coming in for a landing at "The Hideout" that day. It's probably in a box someplace waiting to be scanned and digitized. Another project I've been intending to get to. Perhaps later today . . . 

 

Family stories of those early days of water skiing keep us laughing - Uncle Cliff Belknap, who never skied a day in his life, relaxed and encouraged by way many cocktails, managed to stay upright on water skis, fully clad, trousers rolled up to his knees and wearing a top hat, after attending a wedding. As far as I know, nobody got a picture of that, and I wasn't there - it was before I met the Dimick/Belknap family - but it was always a fun story. 

 

We wrote in the west Danville book about some of the antics that went on at Joe's Pond over the years - and of course, some stories didn't make the cut, others were never submitted for consideration. Some stories are best left untold. I'm sure every generation has had plenty of good times, some not so good times, and some downright scary times at the pond, and I hope that tradition is being carried on! I also hope someone is jotting down some of the craziness and details - someone will appreciate reading about those experiences one day! 

 

A Tinge of Fall!

A few days ago I wrote about our Joe's Pond friend, Frank Dolan's passing. Here is his obituary as posted in the Valley News. 

Although I haven't spotted any maple trees turning color yet, I expect we'll begin to see that happening very soon. Our weather has turned more "normal," whatever that is these days, and there is a wonderful cool crispness in the air, especially in the late afternoon and evening. Great sleeping weather! I'm not seeing the haze, smelling smoke, or feeling the scratchy irritation in my throat that I experienced earlier in the week. There is a light wind coming from the southeast that is driving the smoky haze back over Canada. I am not ready for summer to be over, but I am very happy to have relief from the hot, muggy, oppressive weather we've had for so long. Now, if we could only get some rain . . . ! But not too much, please!

Things are beginning to wrap up here at Joe's Pond - except for the Milfoil Management group who are still diving and snorkeling regularly trying to keep track of the progress or (hopefully) obliteration of this invasive pest. Many people are working very hard to keep it from taking over our beautiful lake. There are now more people going into the water and patrolling every day, helping to keep the spread in check, and to everyone being mindful of the markers warning against activity in the active milfoil beds. It is important to continue being careful so we don't spread the stuff. 

Thank you to all who have stepped up in whatever way you are able to help. What began as a small core of dedicated workers has grown to be a really impressive group willing to donate time and effort to this on-going project. Without this kind of dedication and willingness to help, we would soon be overcome by Eurasian watermilfoil; but I have faith that we will win this battle because of so many pitching in to help. 

In the next few weeks, Joe's Pond Association activities will be winding down and many people will be heading home so youngsters can go to school, or older folks will be leaving the cold north country to spend the winter in warmer climes. The end of summer is always sad - our final JPA business meeting is on August 30. However, some folks wait until after the holidays (Thanksgiving and/or Christmas) to leave - and of course there are a number of us who simply stay put and watch the leaves fall, the blue water turn into a broad field of white as snow comes and the ice thickens - this is "home" all year, come what may. Fall brings more than just beautiful colors - we usually have mild, sunny days, crisp nights, a fair amount of rain, and maybe an occasional wind storm. There are always lots of church suppers - chicken pie, turkey dinners, bean dinners, wild game dinners - tourists love it and so do locals. Watch for notifications - I generally get posters from a variety of groups that are hosting these suppers and other fall activities. That's fall in the Northeast Kingdom!

Enjoy this lovely weekend - the weather couldn't be better for just about anything you decide to do. Or be like me and just sit on your porch, lawn, or dock and enjoy! This evening,  
maybe do a little rain dance - we REALLY need some rain! 

Milfoil Herbicide Treatment Report

On behalf of the Joe's Pond Association Board of Directors and the Eurasian Watermilfoil Management Committee, we want to express our appreciation for the near 100% cooperation by the membership, your guests, friends and family in the recommended cessation of watercraft operation during and after the ProcellaCOR herbicide treatment that took place on Wednesday 08/13. This was an important contribution on your part to help ensure maximum efficacy of the treatment to achieve Eurasian Watermilfoil mortality.

 

The SOLitude Lake Management treatment crew reported to us that they felt the operation went smoothly and as intended. We will not be able to evaluate the results immediately as it will take 2-3 weeks before the EWM will "lay down," which will be the first visual indicator of effectiveness of the herbicide treatment. A more detailed post-treatment aquatic plant survey is scheduled to be conducted by Arrowood Environmental in mid-late September which will include a quantitative evaluation of the treatment efficacy as well as identifying any possible effects on non-target aquatic species.

 

As of 3:00 PM today (Thursday, August 14), all water use restrictions recommended under the Aquatic Nuisance Control Permit issued to the JPA for this herbicide treatment are lifted except for the following:

• Plant materials harvested within the next 4 weeks (until 09/10) from the treatment areas should not be composted
• Please refer to the ProcellaCOR EC Specimen Label at:  https://www.joespondvermont.com/uploads/1/3/5/0/135099842/procellacor-ec-label.pdf  for any additional use restrictions related to irrigation utilizing water from the treatment area

On a precautionary note, please do not get the impression that it's OK now for watercraft operation through the treatment areas. It is our understanding that until the EWM is laying flat on the bottom dead it still has the potential to fragment, root, and regrow in a new location. Camp owners bordering the treatment areas (Sandy Beach and Channel Drive) should continue to minimize your trips for lake access and egress and exercise due caution when you do pass through these areas. 

 

Also, this is not the time to relax our vigilance for new outbreaks and emergence of plants in outlier areas

We must maintain this commitment until the end of the aquatic plant growing season (which can't be precisely defined but is tending to extend later and later into autumn as our climate continues to warm).

All this treatment has (potentially) accomplished is to give us a little breathing room. This EWM infestation is a lurking monster with immense capabilities for survival and proliferation that are really quite astonishing. It is at times extremely disheartening to realize what a resilient adversary with which we are struggling, but we will soldier on and we will refuse to lose faith that we can prevail and at least achieve some level of relational equilibrium within which we can sustain our traditional uses of the lake and be able to manage and contain EWM in the long term within our financial and human resource limitations.

 

Hopefully we will have a more definitive update on treatment efficacy by the fall JPA meeting on 08/30.

 

Hope to see you all then.

 

Joe Hebert, JPA President

Barry Cahoon, JPA EWM Management Coordinator

 Here is a picture of the workers yesterday, taken from Sandy Beach Road by Gretchen Farnsworth. Thank you, Gretchen.

Important Information Re. Wakeboat Legislation

 

Members of Joe's Pond Association & Friends of Joe's Pond:

Here is the email address (ANR.WSMDLakes@vermont.gov ) to send written comments in support of the new proposed rule that would prohibit wake sports on Joe's Pond.  The comments are due by August 19th.  It is very important that we get as many folks as possible to write in support of the new rule.   Please do so and get your friends and neighbors to a well.  

Your comments do not have to be long.  All they need to say is  you support the new proposed rule and agree with the DEC that the 3000' run requirement and a minimum of 1000 acres are necessary for public safety and to ensure that wake sports do not usurp the Pond from traditional normal uses.

Thanks,

David Kidney

****************

 

It seems to me that now, since Eurasian watermilfoil has been found in our lake, it is more important than ever before to ban the large-wake-producing wake boats here. The wakes they send out churn water in the shallower shoreline areas even when they are adhering to the present restrictions. Milfoil is easily fragmented and pieces will float to a new location to settle and grow. The proposed 1000A/3000 FT run requirement seems like a necessity if we have any hope of controlling milfoil and getting Joe's Pond back to something close to normal.

 

I also want to remind everyone that tomorrow, Wednesday, August 13, the herbicide is going to be applied to the milfoil patches. Please stay out of the water and do not use your boats. This is to assure that the experts doing this application can attend to the job at hand and not have wakes or interruptions during the process, and that the application stays where it will do the most good. There is no danger to humans or wildlife from this chemical, but you are asked to please stay out of the water on Wednesday.