Presenting a New Blog/ Website Experience!

MPF's Beaton Farm Property with Manchaug Pond in background

Dear Readers,  MPF is making web improvements you will love!

This week Thursday, when you visit this blog, it will automatically bring you to the new Manchaug Pond Foundation/Manchaug Pond website/blog.

You'll not only find this blog section, complete with all eight years of posts and photos, but an easy, expanded format, vivid photos, an expanding calendar of events, and educational sections about the lake, visiting, and living best in its watershed. 

The goal is to put forth a stunning informative educational experience for all our readers both at the lake and away showcasing beautiful Manchaug Pond and the important conservation work of the Manchaug Pond Foundation. 

Over the years we’ve been made aware of how important the blog is to readers around the world:  with our new setup readers can sign up with an RSS Feed Reader if they like, or they can sign up for direct e-mails whenever the blog is updated.  Additionally, if you follow us on Facebook or Twitter you’ll see that new blog posts are automatically updated to both services.  Basically we’re trying to make it as easy as possible for you to stay in touch with us and Manchaug Pond.

We would love to hear from you as we continue to put this together!  We look forward to receiving your comments and suggestions as to what you would like to see. So be sure to comment on the new site!
Contact us buttons are available for more information and you will be able to send in your photos for placement in our galleries.

So spread the word and check out manchaugpond.org...    I'll see you there!

Join us for the Spring Social!

Stop in tomorrow morning after 9 AM to the dining hall at the YMCA's Camp Blanchard for the MPF's SPRING SOCIAL to chat with lake friends and neighbors over a cup of coffee and a delicious breakfast buffet.  This year we'll have the excitement of the reverse drawing of our Big Spring Raffle where the losers are drawn first!  See who will take home either a 55" Bose home theater system or $4,000 ca$h.

MPF t-shirts and more will be on sale,  the water quality exhibit will bring you information on the latest grant project, rain gardens, and more, and all members who have paid their dues will receive a complimentary flare for use during the Lighting of the Shoreline July 3rd!

All are welcome to join the Manchaug Pond Foundation to be part of the effort in the preservation of Manchaug Pond!  Sign up for a committee, offer a new idea, or just come in to say hello!
See you there!

A special thanks to our Events & FUNdrai$ing Committee for organizing.

8 tickets left! MPF's BIG Spring Raffle

Get into a raffle with great odds and for a great cause! With only 100 tickets available, your chances are incredible to win a 55″ BOSE home theater system or $4,000 cash.  Not to mention the great cause you will be supporting with your $100 – Manchaug Pond through the unceasing, formidable work of the Manchaug Pond Foundation. So contact us for a ticket before they are sold out!  Get your family, neighbors or friends to split on a ticket or save the fun for yourself.  The reverse drawing will be held Saturday, June 21st at the MPF Spring Social. Get your number and put your winning number in the pool!

BIG Raffle Drawing

Safe Boating Vessel Check Makes a Difference on Manchaug Pond!

Last Saturday, MPF and the Worcester County Sail and Power Squadron helped many boaters get off to a good start with a Vessel Safety Check at the state boat ramp!

Going from motorboat to pontoon boat to kayak, in the water and on trailers,  Examiner Jim Arpin of the Greenwich Bay Power Squadron gave one-on-one advice to Manchaug Pond boaters from the state ramp, the neighboring campgrounds, and living on the shore and neighboring towns.

This year boaters' big three concerns were:

•  the need to check expiration dates on flares and fire extinguishers
• the use of block letters only for hull registration number
• and the need for a whistles or some other signaling devise for kayaks, canoes, and paddle boats. 

Further, a boater living on the lake shared that he was stopped by Environmental Police last fall, boarded and inspected, and given a written warning for not having a throwable PFD (personal floatation device) for his over 16ft pontoon boat.

This year, all boats passed with flying colors receiving the orange 2014 sticker and their written evaluation sheet allowing them to follow up with the suggestions where they see fit. 

Email ManchaugPondSecretary@gmail.com if you would like an examiner to help you get your boat all safe and legal - we can meet you at the boat ramp or come right to your dock some Saturday morning.  There is no charge and no limit on the boats you have check. It is a great opportunity to assure your boat, canoe, kayak or personal watercraft is safe and has all the right equipment
.

We're back in the boat! VESSEL SAFETY CHECK Rescheduled

We don't let a little rain stop something as important as safe boating!  Get your calendar to save May 31st for the next VESSEL SAFETY CHECK. 

Sponsored by the Worcester County Sail and Power Squadron and the MPF. 

Greater Worcester Gives, Today - Make a Donation to the Manchaug Pond Foundation!

Today, the Manchaug Pond Foundation, is part of Worcester County's first-ever online giving challenge, Greater Worcester GIVES!

Organized by the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, Greater Worcester GIVES is a community-wide online giving challenge to inspire people to support local nonprofits during a 24-hour period. 

Please support the Manchaug Pond by donating to us in the challenge!

How it works:

Click on this link or enter http://gwgives.org/#npo/manchaug-pond-foundation-inc in your browser and follow instructions to make an online donation of $25 or higher to Manchaug Pond Foundation. Your gift is tax-deductible. All gifts are unrestricted unless you specify otherwise. 

You do not have to be a Worcester County resident to participate - all donations are welcome!

Spread the word!  Help us win the $2,500 or $1,000 bonus prizes!

Lake Clean Up - UPDATE, POSTPONED

The weather is just not cooperating in spite of my optimism!  We are forced to postpone the clean up until tomorrow morning starting at 11 AM.

See you there!

Lake Clean Up

Lake clean up is still ON for Saturday AM at 9, rain or shine!  We are hoping the weather forecasters are a tad bit incorrect however, if the rain becomes a washout any time after 9 AM there will be a rain date Sunday AM to finish the areas. 

Thank you ALL for volunteering!

Water level update

The Town of Sutton, our dam caretaker, reports the water level is  4 1/2" from full - we are right where we want to be!

This Saturday, give back to Manchaug Pond!

Earth Day?  Right here in your neighborhood - Manchaug Pond!

Be part of the effort to preserve Manchaug Pond and its watershed this Saturday, April 26th by joining in on the annual Spring Cleanup! We'll meet at 9 :00 AM at the State Boat Ramp on Torrey Road in Sutton - have a coffee, grab some gloves and a trash bags, and fan out from there hitting the ramp, roadsides and shoreline!  

 

A tally of trash collected, volunteer hours of those participating, and area covered will be reported to the state DEP as part of our match for the Phase 2 S.319 Non-Point Pollution Grant for Manchaug Pond.  So be sure to join us for an hour or two!

 For more information contact: Marty Jo Henry, MPF 319 Grant Coordinator Program at ManchaugPondGrant@gmail.com

Water Level Nearing Full

 

 

A look at the flashboards today shows the lake water level is approaching full.  Water continues to flow in from the hillsides of the watershed.

Gearing up for spring on Manchaug Pond!

If you have had enough of ice fishing, snowmobiling, and other winter sports, or have spent the winter just looking out the window longing for summer, take heart! 

The snow and ice are melting fast in and around Manchaug Pond and the Manchaug Pond Foundation has been working all winter on a whole calendar of fun and worthwhile events and projects to involve you and benefit you, the lake, the watershed, and the greater community!

Let's take a look at a few for April:

• Spring issue of SPLASH! our colorful, print newsletter with 8 pages of info is at the printer!  Get on the mailing list by hitting our PayPal donation button for any amount or send a donation to MPF, P.O. Box 154, Manchaug, MA  01526.  Special thanks to our Newsletter Committee: Alice our Editor, and committee members, writers and photographers Andy, Dave, George, Karen, Marty Jo, Wendy, Phyllis, Russ and Paul, Bill L.  Want to join the committee?

• BIG SPRING RAFFLE tickets on sale now!  Get your ticket today with only 100 chances to win a $6,600 Home Theater, the 55" Bose VideoWave III with delivery, setup and installation  OR the CA$H prize of $4,000! Tickets price is $100 and directly benefit Manchaug Pond.  Special thanks to our FUNdrai$ing Committee: Karen our chair, George "Gig" our raffle, and members Andy, Paula, Ted, Mike, Dave, and Phyllis.  There's a seat and a coffee for you at their meetings!

•  Opportunities for YOU TO GET More INVOLVED: 
•  Learn how to take a water sample and do site evaluation once a month as part of a larger river system water quality effort.
• Give a morning of your time on Saturday, April 26 for our Spring Cleanup of Ramp, Roadsides and Shoreline: 9 AM to Noon, State Boat Ramp, Torrey Road, Sutton.  Start with coffee and donuts, work with neighbors and friends, and end the morning with the satisfaction of a job well done!  Rake, pick up paper, boat the shoreline... it's better than a morning at the gym!
• Join a committee or team!  Bring your ideas to help plan the Boat Decorating Contest; develop a learning lake resource "toolbox" for kids of ages; take photos or write for the newsletter; share your time and expertise with us!  We have a place for you just tell us your interest!
• "LIKE" us on facebook @ Manchaug Pond Foundation and post with Manchaug Pond.
• Use GoodSearch on the internet when you search the internet.

Thanks for stopping by!

ICE!

With the large amount of ice still covering the pond,  the low-level gate of the dam has been opened. Rain and snow are in the forecast.  Wind and ice can cause significant damage to docks and walls.

The dam is monitored daily.  Please check back for updates.

Snowmelt!

With watershed runoff from snowmelt and rainfall, the lake waterlevel continues to rise. Low level gate has been adjusted to fill the reservoir!
 

Questions? Concerns? Ask them here with the MPF. (mid-March, 2014)

YOU Can Name MPF to Telegram Outreach for Charities Program

You can help Manchaug Pond through a new program of the Telegram & Gazette.  Subscribers can name the Manchaug Pond Foundation to benefit from the new TOUCH (Telegram Outreach for Charities) program.

When you receive your TOUCH letter and voucher, just fill in Manchaug Pond Foundation,  P.O. Box 154, Manchaug, 01526, and return in the provided pre-paid envelope.

There is no cost to you,  and the benefits to Manchaug Pond will grow with each Telegram subscriber participating.  Boston Globe Media's Linda Pizzuti Henry tells us that Manchaug Pond Foundation will receive free advertising space to help "raise awareness around their mission, recruit more volunteers, advertise events, and create a better Worcester County community for all of us."

Go Manchaug Pond Foundation!

Today's Millbury-Sutton Chronicle Article on MPF

Manchaug Pond Foundation announces water improvement plans

 

MPF Photo/R. L. Charpentier

The Manchaug Pond Foundation (MPF) is going “full speed ahead with their next major initiative”, according to a press release from the organization which will be to complete a “s.319 Nonpoint Source Pollution Grant recently awarded to the nonprofit group by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.”

MPF completed a similar grant in 2011, which is designed to help improve the quality of water entering the pond. The MPF said they will work with Comprehensive Environmental Inc. (CEI), a Massachusetts based environmental engineering firm who will design the stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs), and the Town of Sutton “who will construct it with their generous in-kind commitment” according to the press release.

A real estate acquisition to preserve the 100-acre Beaton Farm Property was completed after they were given a right of first refusal after a group from the College of the Holy Cross last year presented plans to purchase the parcel and build a retreat center on the property.

The MPF release also said they would be working with Whittier Farms on “a number of agricultural related improvements. With over 500 acres of farmland within the Manchaug Pond watershed, the Whittier Family has committed many hours of volunteer labor to help make some unique watershed improvements for educational outreach including modifications to several areas which will include the addition of a dedicated rain garden area at the Milk Store and restoration of vegetated areas around ponds feeding into Manchaug Pond.”

The MPF will “simultaneously be working on a major education effort. Coordinating with local educators and stakeholders, the MPF will work to develop a comprehensive resource of materials for teachers, parents and children that may include web resources, study kits, and portable literature displays.”

MPF said it is also looking for people who may be interested in helping with this grant. Those who are can contact Marty Jo Henry at ManchaugPond319@gmail.com.

Worcester Telegram article tells of grant secured by MPF

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Manchaug Pond Foundation in Sutton receives EPA grant to protect watershed

By Susan Spencer TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
susan.spencer@telegram.com

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SUTTON — Residents around the 380-acre Manchaug Pond bordering Sutton and Douglas are moving forward with plans to restore the lake's water quality with the help of a water protection grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and state Department of Environmental Protection.

The nonprofit Manchaug Pond Foundation announced recently it had received a "Section 319" nonpoint source pollution grant totaling $208,525, according to Vice President Marty Jo Henry. The grant includes nearly $120,000 from federal funds, and the remaining roughly $89,000 reflects volunteer time contributed by the foundation.

Ms. Henry said the grant will fund projects to filter the nitrogen, phosphorus and "total suspended solids," a term for the microscopic flotsam and jetsam from the roads, including bits of tire rubber, that muck up the water.

"All of that, especially after a big rainfall, ends up getting flushed right into the lake," Ms. Henry said. "This will end up capturing and filtering it."

Specifically, the money will go to planting rain gardens and restoring vegetation on public and private property at five sites around the pond to better filter and absorb runoff, and improving storm drains so stormwater will flow from roads to appropriate collection and outflow sites.

In addition, the group is working with Whittier Farms, which sits along tributaries to Manchaug Pond, to plant blueberry bushes and revegetate a buffer zone to catch runoff. The Whittier family will create a rain garden to catch runoff from the roof of its milk store. Ms. Henry said the Whittier rain garden will serve to educate the public about water protection.

The Manchaug Pond Foundation will also conduct public outreach and distribute educational materials about restricting fertilizer use. Phosphorus from fertilizer and animal waste contributes to excessive plant and algae growth in freshwater ponds, which reduces oxygen for other aquatic life and can lead to murky "dead zones." Nitrogen from fertilizer, septic systems and other sources does the same as it flows into saltwater.

Ms. Henry said that the foundation plans to develop a watershed protection toolkit with educational resources for all ages. The group intends to post the material on its website so it will be available after the three-year grant expires.

Engineering plans for the work have been largely completed, and the foundation is obtaining Conservation Commission permits to begin the ground projects in spring.

Anyone interested in helping the Manchaug Pond Foundation with the grant is encouraged to contact Ms. Henry at ManchaugPond319@gmail.com">ManchaugPond319@gmail.com.

Contact Susan Spencer at susan.spencer@telegram.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanSpencerTG.

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Press Release on Water Quality Improvement Efforts by MPF

For: Manchaug Pond Foundation
Contact: Marty Jo Henry, Vice President, 508-667-4349

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Manchaug Pond Foundation Continues Water Quality Improvement Efforts

Sutton/Douglas, MA – With a landmark real estate acquisition to preserve the 100-acre Beaton Farm Property now complete, the Manchaug Pond Foundation (MPF) is going full speed ahead with their next major initiative, completing a s.319 Nonpoint Source Pollution Grant recently awarded to the nonprofit group by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.

    Having successfully completed a similar grant in 2011, the MPF will continue their efforts to improve the quality of water entering the pond. The MPF will once again work with Comprehensive Environmental Inc. (CEI), a Massachusetts based environmental engineering firm who will design the stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs), and the Town of Sutton who will construct it with their generous in-kind commitment.

    The MPF is particularly excited to be working with Whittier Farms on a number of agricultural related improvements. With over 500 acres of farmland within the Manchaug Pond watershed, the Whittier Family has committed many hours of volunteer labor to help make some unique watershed improvements for educational outreach including modifications to several areas which will include the addition of a dedicated rain garden area at the Milk Store and restoration of vegetated areas around ponds feeding into Manchaug Pond.

    While structural improvements are being made within the watershed, the MPF will simultaneously be working on a major education effort. Coordinating with local educators and stakeholders, the MPF will work to develop a comprehensive resource of materials for teachers, parents and children that may include web resources, study kits, and portable literature displays.

    Anyone interested in joining the Manchaug Pond Foundation in helping with this grant is encouraged to contact Marty Jo Henry at ManchaugPond319@gmail.com

    The Manchaug Pond Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to the preservation and correct use of this 380-acre great pond and its 4,288 acre watershed. For over 45 years, the members of the Manchaug Pond Foundation and its predecessor, Manchaug Pond Association, have served a leadership role as stewards of the lake and advocates and educators for its proper use and preservation.

* * *

Weekend Fun

Cold weather brought beautiful sunny skies and the opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy the lake.  There were a couple of future Bruins team members practicing on the ice and plenty of snowmobilers out and about now that we have plenty of fluffy snow.

Happy New Year!

Area two had their own Polar Plunge New Year's day with one hearty soul leaping into the frigid water to start off 2014 with a splash.  You snow birds down south don't know what you are missing!