Invasive species of plants are a big problem. I have been concerned about them for over 35 years. The worst are the exotic vines which not only strangle and pull down trees, but also cover the forest floor and wipe out the native woodland flowers, etc. Among the trees, the worst around here is the Ailanthus, or "stink tree," which on the back of my land here in Winchester takes over so completely that no seedlings of any other species survive, partly because of its agressive reproduction and shading, but also because of its alleopathic powers. Compared to these things, it seems to me that the pears, and even the Norway maple, are relatively minor problems. Here in the Winchester area the pears are planted everywhere. I have some pear seedlings coming up in my field, but not to the exclusion of anything else, and in general I see them hardly at all around on the roadsides or in abandoned fields. I have been in the industrial area around dulles Airport outside DC and seen their abundance there. I think we need some kind of concerted and well funded action to try to get rid of the worst of these invasives. I can imagagine a time when all the forests will be simply choked with vines and we will not see any yong trees growing upward without being crushed by these vines. And this Ailanthus problem is really terrible and spreading. Sorry, I apologize to some of you who see the pears to be such a threat, but the overall threat from invasives in general is so great, and so widesperead, that I think we need to focus on the worst problems. I think that we need some real strong community, and perhaps legislative action to fight the Ailanthus problem and the problem caused by the worst of the vines--these will really destroy our native forests. If we make pears public enemy #1 I think we will be taking on too much and will get nothing done. I think it is clear from the discussion of this topic that we will not get everyone to rally around a "ban and destroy the pears" movement. But set up a topic about Ailanthus and the vines, and you may see more widespread support. With that support, maybe something can be done, at least on a local community level. --Spruce

I'm late to the game, but wanted to share an idea we're doing this year. We're starting some local, neighborhood-run produce markets. They're technically grey-market - someone will turn a garage or shed into a produce stand. Anyone can drop produce by, and they list inventory on a whiteboard. Payments are handled through Venmo, so shoppers pay growers directly through a mobile app. It's a grassroots thing meant for neighborhoods, but I think if you had a handful of these going in town, a professional growers could drop off a steady supply of produce to each one. The folks who host it get to keep any produce unsold after a couple of days, so there are definite benefits for them. We wrote down the business model, if anyone wants to steal it :) http://www.hackyourhometown.com/the-grassroots-produce-stand-that-runs-itself/

Hi Dale, I've missed everybody! I had a great summer! Very relaxing and had a lot of fun! I hurt my hand in the beginning of summer and now have to see an orthopedic doctor. I've just been very busy dealing with a lot of serious issues on the homefront like family with terminal cancer, somebody with aids, and somebody very close to me suffering from ptsd. If there is any advice you are Rusty could give me regarding helping somebody with ptsd drop me a line, please! I just figured with military and war experience you guys might know a thing or two! Well, let's see. I didn't see any of those plastic propane tanks but I did see many bald eagles, moose, and of course my favorite, the loons! I felt like I was living in luxury in my new to us camper with heat, hot water, and slide out! I don't think I can ever go back except that I still love remote wilderness tent camping the best! I missed my girl this summer as I'm sure you missed yours! However, the new dog worked out really terrific! He came to work with me, loved boating, and turned out to be an excellent swimmer! He's a big dog, flat coat retriever, but he managed to go kayaking with me without flipping us over! I just kept my fingers crossed we wouldn't see any ducks near us!

Wow! We had a private tour of the home after it was finished but seeing it on TV made it even more special :) I was surprised at the amt of air time his work got and had forgotten about the carpeted "reading corner". The little girl that was mentioned so often, Ryanne...that's my daughter's name. This little girl's grandmother and my daughter's grandmother are friends. When Mrs Carr first heard my daughter's name and the spelling of it (Ryanne), she said "someday I hope to have a granddaughter named Ryanne :) Monica