Lake View Store

10/11/2026

10/11/26
1:30PM
56 Degrees
Overcast
Wind: 3 Knots SSE
Moon: Waxing Crescent 1%

Deer season is picking up, it seems. I’d like to offer a well-deserved congratulations to Paul on his harvest of an excellent 8 point Buck, weighing in at 185 #. Nice.

10/11/2026

10/10/26
9PM
32 Degrees
Dark & Cold
Wind: 1 Knot SSE
Moon: New 0%

For the October New Moon and the last hours of my 66th Birthday, I offer my congratulations to Mark, who brought in a really nice 115 # Doe. (Indispensable assistance was provided by his Grandson!)

10/08/2026

11/8/26
1PM
53 Degrees
Clouds/Sun
Wind: 2 Knots ESE
Moon: Waning Crescent 4%

We cannot deny that the weather has turned in a cold way. We are putting away the “warm” items and preparing for the best season.

October is a strange month. Now that the incredible foliage season is done, we can enjoy the roller coaster weather that the tenth month always gives us.

Congratulations to Colton on, not only bagging a nice 106 # Doe, but for also bringing in the first deer 2 years running.

09/29/2026

09/29/2026

9/29/26
9:30AM
52 Degrees
Overcast
Wind: 2 Knots ESE
Moon: Waning Gibbous 89%

We are just past the full Harvest Moon and we have received our first frost of fall, so we are now primed for a short Indian Summer at some point. The weather in general has been really great & the amount of moisture that we got was apparently enough. The Forest Fire danger is still low.

I say that because, (I believe), that this is the best foliage that we’ve seen in a decade. It’s most likely peaking this week, so now is the time to check it out. We’ve been riding Canaan Hill Rd on the ATV and it’s been spectacular. Driving the length of 102 through the valley farms to Guildhall has been amazing as well.

The recent purchase of the Defender was advantageous this year, as it is getting some good use. It is also time for some fall food choices to go with the start of cooler weather. I just made my first batch of Clam Chowder with fresh Quahogs. Next, (& all month), will be Bourbon Pumpkin Custard Pies. I don’t sell them…usually I just dish it out if it’s here.

We are still sitting out by the fire at night, but that is probably going to come to a screeching halt soon and we will start storing things and battening down the hatches. There are plenty of other activities upcoming.

Oct 1 is the beginning of Archery Season for Deer. R***e season starts on Nov. 14. Right now is Bear & Partridge. There are new rules this season and I have printouts of them.
I started the Buck Pool early. It’s $10 to enter and it is for highest weight in regular season. If you enter the pool here, you must weigh your harvest here. The deer hoist has been updated & rebuilt.

We are also getting ready for Ice Fishing to start. We refurbished the minnow quarters. There is all new equipment and the room has been updated. I might have a new source for smelt this year.

Gas prices have been all over the board, though they SEEM to be dropping this week. I’ll be getting a full load this morning and hopefully I’ll be able to decrease the $$ amount.

So enjoy the gifts of foliage and the weather for awhile. Averill, Luna & Augie are especially enjoying the cooler weather and Averill’s winter coat is now coming in with a vengeance. We will soon receive our next present of nature, when the landscape turns monochromatic.

10 more weeks until sled season opens! As usual, I have many items needed for the sport. Super gas, oil, plugs, fuses, helmet wires and more.
Can’t wait to see everyone and to enjoy our favorite season and all that comes with it.

09/14/2026

9/14/26
10AM
52 Degrees
Beautifully Overcast
Wind: 3 Knots ESE
Moon: Waxing Crescent 14%

As “summer” recedes into oblivion & Autumn manifests itself here in the North Country, I am gearing up to semi, then daily reporting of conditions headed into sled season. I guess we all know now that I do not post when it’s warm. It makes up for the overload of info later.

We have some time yet to enjoy the weather, ATV trails, hunting and bonfires before the snow flies and we get a bit more serious. The foliage should be pretty good this year, as we received decent moisture. It wasn’t always apparent, but it was enough.

There are a ton of predictions out there this year, as far as winter weather. I’m going to go with nature’s signs and the reports that I get from my friends in the upper air pattern monitoring conclaves.

They are pretty much saying that this year will be mostly like last year, with El Niño pushing the moisture from the south & the coast toward us inland. That would be quite welcome. That and lower gas prices.

Lisa & I decided that it was time to re-enjoy the landscape in a S x S and to utilize horsepower to assist in store chores. We love the new Defender and it is going to get a bunch of usage. We did a lot of renovation and update work here at the Store & in IP. We are prepared to embrace what comes-as always.

The warm spell that some call summer was enjoyed for what was worth by us humans and the canines. I think that Averill, Luna, Augie and Rio enjoyed themselves even more than we did. The new, updated Fire Pit gave us many hours of enjoyment, with a few more weeks left to go. The last big cookout was over the weekend. We call them the Nights of Gluttony or NOG.

We are still ordering the best seafood around every week for many years now. Wednesday order for Friday delivery. Lisa did an amazing job with our flowers, we added a propane exchange out front, there were dog yard improvements and a new Fire Danger sign was added.

That posting coincides that the fact that I am the new Forest Fire Warden for Norton, Averill, Warren’s Gore and Warner’s Grant. A huge thank you goes out to the previous Warden, Roland Vigneault, for the 30+ years that he dedicated to the position.

Please remember to obtain a Burn Permit, (Permission to Kindle Fire), from me before igniting anything larger than a BBQ or Fire Ring. I have lists of materials that are on the prohibited list for burning…such as tires, plastic, painted & treated wood, garbage & oil products. We all want to protect our air and our beautiful forests, as there aren’t many unspoiled places like here.

Hunting season has started with Bear going on right now and partridge/Archery Deer coming next month. The game hoist has been replaced and modified to run even better. Check it out! There have been changes and additions to the hunting rules this year, so stop by and familiarize yourself with them.

OK, so get out and enjoy this perfect weather with zero insects in this place we cherish and call home. Stop by the store to visit. Bourbon Pumpkin Custard Pie is up next.

I can’t wait to hear that sound & reconnect with all of our snow traveling friends.

08/06/2026

8/6/26
7AM
57 Degrees
Clear
Wind: 3 Knots ESE
Moon: Last Quarter 53%

Into August and the insect population “seems” to have relented somewhat. This month will bring a slow but sure cooling trend as the summer wanes. I’ve seen snow on Oct. 1st, so get ready!!

Actually, September & Oktoberfest are some of my favorite times of the year and with it, the store will welcome in some beverages of the season. That and the food. The Derby Line Village Inn already creates authentic German dishes and “Oktober” intensifies the menu.

If you were waiting to take some time off to relax in peace, now is a good time to get to camp, before Labor Day. It’s been a great year so far & it can only improve.

Last night was the last Wednesday by the Water series in Newport & we decided to actually leave the store and hang out somewhere else!!

It was a nice night and Averill was very happy to greet so many new friends.

All those who ordered fish, it will be here tomorrow at around 2PM. Remember, ordering on Wednesday at noon for Friday delivery.’

08/04/2026

8/4/26
4PM
78 Degrees
Clear
Wind: 2 Knots ESE
Moon: Waning Gibbous 66%

A huge thank you goes out to Anthony Lazzara for another excellent example of his incredible woodworking talent.

He creates custom signs & other items, some of which are sold here at the store. He recently fashioned a beautiful Fire Warden’s sign for me. Thx a million.

If you reside in Norton, Averill, Warren’s Gore or Warner’s Grant, I can help you out with a burn permit, when needed.

Grateful appreciation to the previous Warden, Roland Vigneault for the 30+ years that he dedicated to the job.

06/05/2026

6/5/26
8:00AM
66 Degrees
Sun & Clouds
Wind: 2 Knots Southerly
Moon: Waning Gibbous 76%

June is upon us and the black fly & noseeum population has descended with it. Bad this year, but they will move on by month’s end. They have to make room for the Deer Flies…let’s hope they aren’t as bad as last year.

Today is a nice weather day. The temperature is pretty comfortable and it should remain dry until tomorrow. We’ll be out by the fire tonight…cooking & relaxing.

The knee adventure is officially 30 days old tomorrow and I can honestly say that I’m moving forward quickly. If you are on the fence or afraid of doing it, don’t be-just get it done. There is pain in the beginning, but it goes fast. I’m on the cane and riding in the front seat of the car.

Perfect timing for planting this year’s garden. We are going to take a chance and try the first weekend in June. Look for some color to return to the Store. I’m putting the pavilion idea on hold and concentrating on a good firepit/grill.

I have a great grill setup that I’m am going to incorporate it into a lined paver setup which is concept-pictured below. If anyone has any pavers, bricks, or similar stones, please let me know. I’d rather recycle for character, than go brand new. Please let me know if you hear of anything that fits the description.

The store is in full swing. Gas prices are basically coming down, visitors are coming in and the new stocks of food & beverages are here. I have some new food, b**r, soda & ice cream choices and the bag ice cabinet is full.

The doggos are pleased with the human influx, though not so much with temps above 75. Maybe they will stay lower. My girls are definitely winter pups, & just like me, we make the best of the warm spell until we are back in the best parts of the year.

05/27/2026

5/27/26
6AM
59 Degrees
Some Clouds
Wind: 2 Knots SSE
Moon: Waxing Gibbous 88%

It’s been awhile since I posted, but I am begging a good excuse. I’m now 3 weeks or halfway into my supposed 8 week knee replacement journey. I’m doing very well according to the Surgeon & the Therapist. I’m almost rid of the walker….maybe a few days.

The pain was excruciating in the beginning, but it’s ok now. It certainly isn’t the “some discomfort” like the Drs say! Anyway, thanks for all of the well wishes. I am certainly looking forward to getting back into a normal physical life.

The pups have been extremely supportive of the whole thing. They are helping Lisa care for this grumpy, curmudgeonly human. I’m getting a lot of canine love.

Early this morning, the sunrise was very briefly a glowing red/orange and I barely got a pic before it completely disappeared. I think that we are finally going to be the recipients of our usual 99 day warm spell. (Some call it “summer”, but I can’t really bring myself to calling it that.)

We just have to enjoy it every day and spend nights by the bonfire. This week, we will get our last bouts of 50 degree rain, before we break into 60 & 70 degree sun & cloud filled adventures. As usual, no plants go in the ground until 6/12/26. Maybe I can do some of it?

Last weekend, we were pretty busy. A ton of ppl came in to open their camps and generally enjoy the place.
As we slide into June, those numbers will increase exponentially and we will all get to watch the daily portrait of Averill evolve.

A rare Blue Moon—the second full moon in a single calendar month—will appear on May 31, 2026. Because it happens when the moon is near its farthest point in orbit, it is a "micromoon" and will appear slightly smaller than usual. Note that it will NOT be blue, it stems from 16th-century slang that is like to an absurd impossibility. “Once in a Blue Moon.”

I’m getting some indications that gas prices are starting to drop. Hopefully, they will continue to do that…maybe lower than before. I just ordered the Kingston W**e for this year…it should be in soon.

I’ll be posting more as I feel better. If you are in the area, stop by to visit the store, partake in some beverages and visit this basically ambulatory guy.