Manchaug Pond comes alive!

The warm weather brought out fisherman, campers and seasonal residents back to camp and the lake!

Manchaug Boat Ramp on Town Agenda

An agreement concerning the Manchaug Pond state boat ramp has been worked out between MassWildlife and the town of Sutton.  January 17, 2012 the Sutton Board of Selectman reviewed and approved the details as follows:

1. Fee structure of $6 for in state and $12 for out of state users. (no change)
2. User fees collected 24/7 (new- expands from seasonal weekends to daily, year round)
3. Lockbox/honor system for collection (new)
4. Police patrols, with fines for non-payment.

Discussion noted the fees as another revenue source for not only the maintainance of the ramp and quality of the lake but for the maintenance of the dam.  "No dam, no need for the ramp."

The Manchaug Pond Foundation is continuing to work closely with the town on this new arrangement.

Ultralite docks at Manchaug Pond

A 5 gallon jug comprises the gas tank which gives an hour of flying time.

Note the air filter and carbuerator to the right of the pilot's face.

Pontoons can be removed with wheels to land on the ground.



The pilot of this ultralite is also an airplane mechanic.

 

Pan Mass Challenge at Manchaug Pond!

What were you doing early this morning ? 

Manchaug Pond campers at the Old Holbrook Place were up at 6 a.m. hanging posters and standing by the roadside to cheer on the over 5100 cyclist who came by Manchaug Pond as part of the Pan Mass Challenge.   Many a "Good Morning!" were said!

Click on the movie to catch a taste of what it is like to see 5100 cyclists go by!

The 32nd annual PAN-MASSachusetts CHALLENGE (PMC) is the 2 day, 200 mile charity ride which raises money for cancer research at Dana-Farber in Boston. The more than 5,100 cyclists must raise $500 minimum in donations to ride.


Thanks to our resident reporter for catching the news!

2011 Boat Decorating Contest 1st Place Winner

# 17 Captain Bob Cadrin and the Pirates of Manchaug took 1st place in this year's 2nd Annual Boat Decorating Contest!

The judges especially loved the mast and sail, the water cannons (which did not fire on the judges!), the costumes, the music, the skeleton, and the very animated crew and their funny mock sword fight!

Click on the video below to catch them "sailing away" in their jolly boat!

Congratulations!

Tune in tomorrow for more winners!

Boat Decorating Contest a Blast! The unofficial photos...

There were those who didn't enter...

... and then there were those who did!  About 20 entries gathering on Blueberry Island to overwhelm the judges whose task was to choose the 3 best vessels!

All winners to be sure!  With lots of laughs shared by participants and spectators!

 

 

Judges official comments and photos to come!  Stay tuned!  

WHO do YOU think is our BEST effort this year??  Comment below!

Memorial Day Fully Celebrated on Manchaug Pond

An old photo from the files

Memorial Day weekend traditionally finds most of Manchaug Pond's summer population moving in! This weekend was no exception with campgrounds brimming with both seasonal and weekend guests. It was evident that this year brought many newcomers to the water with our old summer friends as we heard of boaters asking directions as to how to get back to a campground, another boater dropping off passengers on the shore who roamed through yards asking directions as to how to get to the other side of the lake by road, and the boating violations could have tipped the scales as happy jetskiers pulled two friends in a tube through the channel around and around the lake while others let their young children take a turn at the wheel of their personal motor craft.  A Facebook friend of Manchaug Pond event found it necessary to send an alert as to a large amount of broken glass on Blueberry Island.

Join us in our love of Manchaug Pond - the fun on the water, the cookouts, the campfires but please be safe and do your part to keep our beautiful lake a beauty.  Leave her better than you found her!

Sacred Sunday: Reflections Before the Rain

from our photographer at Holbrook's cove

Rainy weather to bring us into the summer season

Many of Manchaug Pond's summer residents spent this week and weekend turning on the cottage water, getting the boat out of storage, working on the dock, and moving things .....

... all in preparation for the summer season.

SNOW! Before and after the storm at Holdbrook's Campground

Campers! The Old Holbrook's Place sent in these two before and after shots of our latest snowstorm.  Note the level of the snow around the picnic tables. We definitely received a good foot plus of the white stuff!

 

Thanks to all our photographers in the field for giving us these glimpses of the beauty of each corner of the lake.

More Favorite Shoes on Manchaug Pond

More stylin shoes from Manchaug Pond.  These sent in from Area 2 on the north end of the lake.

In the News: Manchaug Bisque!

It's all in the name!  and "Manchaug" is on the menu at a near-Webster Lake eatery, Bistro Eighty Ates.  A reader wintering in Florida brought this review by Worcester Magazine's Zeke Williams to our attention.  Here's what Mr. Williams had to say ....

"We started with an order of the Crock of Manchaug Bisque – a saffron-kissed mixture of a smooth sherry-cream base made with juicy pieces of lobster, shrimp and scallops. The flavors were fresh and vibrant. I am just not sure why a place looking to be “big city” would name a starter dish after a small lake and/or village in rural Sutton."

 So what do you think? 

Did "a place looking to be big city"  name its now famous "Crock of Manchaug Bisque" after "a small lake and/or village in rural Sutton"?

In the News: Shoes!

Yahoo news yesterday morning had a lead story on a pair of shoes, one green and one pink, worn by an actress to Sunday night's Golden Globe Awards .

Thought I would give you a look at some of the shoes four women of Manchaug Pond are wearing this season when they step out on Manchaug Pond: (photos taken this past Sunday)

  

Ladies, send in a photo of your favorite pair of shoes this season for Manchaug Pond!

Sunshine and clear skies make for winter sports on Manchaug Pond

Clear blue skies and warm sunshine today and over the weekend make snowmobiling, ice fishing for pickerel, and snowshoeing the things to do on Manchaug Pond

Waters Farm Days

The weather is perfect and MPA is looking forward to being at the 31st annual Waters Farm Days. Apple crisp, fall foliage, views of Lake Manchaug, crafts, adorable animals, antique cars, maple sugar demonstrations, antique tractor pull, and plenty of things for the kids. Today and tomorrow from 10 - 4.

From the Window of the Camper...

Each of us has our own view of Manchaug Pond; a portrait of the lake framed by a camper window, the porch of a summer camp, the large picture window of a year-round home, or even more simply from the vessel we launch at the state boat ramp.

the view out the back window of our camper...

Advocating for this natural resource is the mission of the Manchaug Pond Association. Founded in 1967, we collectively work "to promote the welfare and correct use of Manchaug Pond and the contiguous area." To deepen our efforts, the MPA formed a 501c3 last October- the Manchaug Pond Foundation.

If you want to do more than look at pretty pictures of the lake while sitting back in your lakeside lawn chair, stand with the members of the MPA by joining today!  For you convenience a PayPal button has been put on this site.  For  $35.  you can become a friend of Manchaug Pond - receive all mailings and meeting notices as well as our new quarterly newsletter SPLASH - or make a donation of any size to help us in our work. Volunteer now - I look forward to hearing from you!


This photo was sent in on Facebook by a seasonal camper of a local campground.  Thank you for capturing a view reminiscent of a cabin in the deep woods of Maine on a secluded pristine lake. 

Let's work together to preserve Manchaug Pond!

Sacred Sunday: From a Quiet Morning is July

Pan Mass Challenge Passing Holbrook's Campground, Sutton

Just in - video from Holbrook's Campground on Manchaug Pond, Sutton
 of the Pan Mass Challenge!  Campers come out in numbers on this cool clear morning to cheer the cyclists on!!

... and those cyclist keep on coming!!

Check the link for the route from Sturbridge to Provincetown!

http://www.pmc.org/ride.asp?topic=Ride/routes


Special thanks to the owner of The Old Holbrook Place Campground for the just in photo and video!

Christmas in July on Manchaug Pond

Saturday while the campers at King's Family Campground were having a merry old time celebrating Christmas in July with their strings of lights, mistletoe and games, blowup Santas, jolly music into the night, and more.....


..... the Big Guy was flying over Manchaug Pond with his sights on the Christmas Tree at Blueberry Island.

Hmmm... naughty or nice... wonder if he had his list with him.

Tell me... did the campers at the Old Holbrook Place get all the presents?

Beautiful Day is In Store for Manchaug Pond... Join today!

This morning we woke to temperatures in the high 50's, blue skies and sunshine with a slight, cool breeze. Good camping weather! Actually cool enough for the MPA fleece vest or hooded sweatshirt!

If you are a member/friend of the Manchaug Pond Association (MPA)... you received this month along with your dues renewal, an order form to get for your very own embroidered and/or silk screened MPA logo hats, t-shirts, fleece vests, polo and denim shirts AND the MPA newsletter - now in full color and titled Splash!

If you would like to receive our newsletter and all other mailings, take a more active role in our advocacy work for Manchaug Pond, and attend our August annual business meeting and picnic,  just use the new PayPal buttons to the right.  Join us today! The 43rd Annual Meeting of the MPA is 3 weeks away and the fall newsletter - which promises to be bigger and better and only going out to paid members and friends - will arrive just after that in September. It is time you became a member or friend of Manchaug Pond actively supporting the important work of the MPA!

Welcome aboard!