TRAFFIC CIRCLE

I submitted the poll results for "what should be in the center of the traffic circle?" to Jessie Levine and the selectmen. I hope they will choose to comment on the blog (I kinda doubt it though;) A little boy peeing got 38% of the vote, a fountain got 23% wildflowers, post office poles and call it a roundabout got 15% each.  Only one vote for concrete barriers, although one certainly could include landscaping to tie those  barriers to the "natural" environment.  13 whole votes...this blog is really taking off.  Oh, maybe we should have included planting corn in the center as an option...we could get the subsidy!

So, here is a quote from the Alternate Street design website:"roundabouts slow all vehicles, provide refuges for pedestrians and are the only traffic control device in which trees can be planted, fountains can bubble or spray and statues can sparkle into the next century." (and potentially produce the raw material for processed food and earn money for the town in the process:)

  

Mystery Man

Who is Dan and has he been inducted into the Coffee Tank?

DECISION!!

Thank you for your patience with this important decision.  We couldn't have made it without your input, opinions, information and help!  You all are the greatest coffee group ever.  And wonderful friends.  We are very blessed.  

Best Furniture Poll

Sorry, Trish, you are going to have to give up the orange sectional.  

By an overwhelming 66% of the vote, the orange sectional must be moved to Jacks.  Even though the coffee party did not allow Michigan and Florida to vote, the will of the voters must be followed.  Surprisingly, two tables and lots of chairs came in second, with 50% of the vote.  Pundits were shocked that the people continued to support this alternative after the vehement endorsement of Reverend Wright, Geraldine Ferraro and Jack Diemar.  Not surprisingly, no one voted for the so called "April fool's day arrangement" even though Rush Limbaugh urged his listeners to vote for it just to spite the fire side coffee group (otherwise known as the old men swiftboat captains - did you see how quickly they swiftboated the furniture to the other side?)  

On Hardball with Chris Matthews, Andrea Mitchell said "the coffee tank organization is planning to use the pressure of super delegates to get the Tilleys to give up the orange sectional.  I find it fascinating that the coffee tank organization would take this substantive position.  You have to ask why they would put the support of the Tilley Family at risk in this striking move."

The other alternative receiving 16% of the vote was a platform.  After the comments made by Hillary Clinton about her crash landing on a Bosnian platform, voters seem to be concerned about the possibility of sniper fire in an exposed situation.  According to Tucker Carlson, SR MSNBC correspondent,a platform's credibility was hurt by the position it took on key issues.  On the issue of beverage spills, the platform broke with the party, saying beverage spills must be banned, even if it takes a hundred years.  

Crimes against Trees

Well, look at the new approach to 276 KMR.  

Welcome to our new telephone pole landscaping job.  They took down 5 black cherry trees to create this  beautiful effect.  One was about a 12" diameter trunk.  

Its an excellent example of landscaping by subtraction.  By removing the black cherry trees they were able to emphasize the vertical element and artifical aspects of the pole.  The yellow support is a particularly skillful use of color.  What an excellent idea for improving the approach to our home, providing a transition from the impermeable paved surface, through the "gate" created by the power lines into our property.  It aids in the relaxation of visitors, and family members coming home.

Many arborists would envy the half lollipop tree that they left behind.  It is clearly a unique specimen.  It reminds me of a espalier gone wild.  I believe these gentlemen were so excited about the creation of landscape innovation that they forgot to clean up after themselves.  How kind of them to leave us the wood.

New Hampton

Well, we visited New Hampton today.  Its a very nice school, good college placement and we really like the ski coach.  Emma, who was our tour guide, was really great (Lee thought the best tour guide of all the schools we visited).  She had a great answer when Lee asked her about substance use on campus and she answered "yes, there is substance use here, as there is everywhere.  If you seek it out you will find it, but you will only get in that situation if you put yourself into it."  Very good answer for a sophomore.  

There is an academic skills program which all the students participate in, and an arts survey course that includes theater, dance, photography, 2d art and 3d art.  The ski program is just being hashed out, but for us at least the coaching (waterville coaches) is a known variable.  They have a revisit day on Saturday - didn't they know about the t-shirt race?!?!

Its a tough decision now... we are all on the fence.  

APRIL FOOLS

We are a bunch of fools - too bad the picture is mainly of our "new friend"!

Happy april fools day!