Scenic Manchaug Pond's Fall Foliage Begins

An early morning ride around Manchaug Pond gave a number of surprises: a mother deer and her two sets of twin following behind her, one from last season and the other from this spring, crossing near Camp Blanchard; the beauty of the fall foliage putting color to the shoreline; and a flock of turkeys at the forest edge at Lackey Road.

Where do you go when it rains?

As the rain comes down this morning,  a group of cormorants are huddled on the old causeway.

Ready, Set, Go! Register for The Dam Race!

Have you registered for Manchaug Pond's 6k, 
The Dam Race?

Sign-up today in order to get your free tech t-shirt!
 Mail your Registration form to MPF, P.O. Box 154, Manchaug, MA 01526 or use the Pay Pal button to the right of this post or give us a call or email!

This year we have:

• a race during the peak of New England fall foliage!
• the same great scenic course!
• a load of volunteers ready to cheer you to the finish line!
• Central Mass Striders running club of Worcester providing the timing and scoring!
•  sponsors, trophies, goody bags, and more!

Besides having a good time, your participation assists the members and
friends of the Manchaug Pond Foundation (MPF) in promoting the welfare
and correct use of Manchaug Pond and its watershed through initiatives
targeting the dam, the waterlevel, water quality, invasive aquatic
weeds, safe boating, and more!  All dues/donations/contributions are
fully tax-deductible or for this event you may seek reimbursement with
your health insurance company.

Thanks again and see you there!

Cool Manchaug Pond Morning

This photo was posted on Facebook by a seasonal camper at one of Manchaug Pond's campgrounds. It captured Monday's cool morning temperatures and pink sunrise on Manchaug Pond.

Kudos to the photographer and thank you for posting!

Misty Morning on Manchaug Pond

Sacred Sunday: A Picture-Perfect Day on Manchaug Pond!

While the boats are away... the seaplane!

With summer vacations over, the children back in school, and the campgrounds not as busy, we see Manchaug Pond return to quiet with few boats during the weekdays.

The seaplane used the opportunity to buzz down the channe, land on lake and boat around from one end of the lake to another. 

   


It was a grand sight!

TONIGHT: 8:30PM Lighting of the Shoreline

Manchaug Pond Association and now the Foundation have a long history of lighting the shoreline on the eve of July 4th and Labor Day. 

Tonight MPF members and friends will light flares, campfires and tiki torches at 8:30 PM at their beaches and shoreline in a show of solidarity and appreciation.

Join us!

A flight of cormorants!

You've often seen this lone bird on Manchaug Pond, but have you ever seen a whole group of them?







This week, over 20 cormorants  were seen as a group on Manchaug Pond.

Tonight's sunset on Manchaug

Annual Meeting of the Members This Saturday!

Saturday, AUGUST 18TH at 10:30 AM    ~    ANNUAL MEETING  of the MEMBERS

45th Annual Manchaug Pond Association (MPA) Mtg.

3rd Annual Manchaug Pond Foundation (MPF) Mtg. 

at the YMCA Camp Blanchard, Manchaug Road, Sutton

The Agenda:

10:30 AM ~ Welcome & Opening Comments ~ President Dave Schmidt  

• Treasurer's Report
• Committee updates: 
• Dam Ownership and Waterlevel
• Fundraising
• Water Quality 
• Invasive Weeds
• Boat Safety
• Closing remarks ~ President

11:30 AM ~ Guest Speaker ~ Metacomet Land Trust

Noon ~ Lunch served!  This year members will enjoy a new menu of pulled pork sliders, BBQ chicken, coleslaw, baked beans, corn-on-the cob, watermelon & dessert.

Also available:   

• New embroidered t-shirts, fleece hats and vests, sweatshirts, and golf shirts will be on sale!
• Educational exhibit and handouts!
• Committee sign up sheets so you can join the fun! 
• 50/50 Raffle$
• Updated maps
• Tickets on sale for the MONSTER MASH ! Register for The DAM Race
• Pay your dues! All dues and donations are fully tax deductible! 

This meeting is only open to paid members!  Join using the PayPal button on the sidebar,  pay directly at this meeting or send your tax deductible donation to MPF, PO Box 154,  Manchaug, MA  01526

MPF is a 501c3 nonprofit public charity.

7 Years in the Making- DAM ISSUE RESOLVED!

The Town of Sutton, in a unanimous vote of the Sutton Board of Selectman, signed an agreement largely negotiated by the Manchaug Pond Foundation, to acquire ownership of Manchaug Pond and its dam for $1.00 and receive $350,000 from owner Interface Fabrics for future dam needs.  This brings the 7 year issue to a successful close preserving the 380 acre lake for this and future generations.

  

by Russel Spain, MPF Board Member

Last night's signing was attend by MPA/MPF President David Schmidt, Treasurer Andrew Mosher and Corresponding Secretary Phyllis Charpentier representing the 22 member Board of Directors and the membership at-large of the 100-member organizations.  The three formed the MPF contingent who had met numerous times in the last 2 years with Interface representatives from Georgia, Maine and Boston to identify a workable solution for the company who looked to divest of their remaining Massachusetts assets.  Prior options explored by the lake association include the researching of a watershed district, and successful formation of the now formed 501 c3 non profit Manchaug Pond Foundation (MPF).

MPA and MPF appointed a Fundraising Committee, under the leadership of George Cammuso and Karen Bronson, to raise the monies needed to work this issue over these near 7 years: maintaining our waterlevel, researching the district, forming the non-profit, and in the last two years funding the legal team key to mediating negotiations.  Thanks to our members, friends, and the community at large for participating in our social fundraising events, big boat raffles,  road races, etc to make this effort possible.

Interface Fabrics' action in releasing the dam with a strong maintenance fund is commendable as it ensures the preservation of this 380 acre Great Pond of the Commonwealth.  Guilford/Interface dam caretaker Don Rudge and his predecessor Fuddy Colonero are greatly thanked for their 24/7 watch of the dam and waterlevel over these many years.

Read for yourself in today's Worcester Telegram article of the Selectman's meeting: 

Sutton administrator praised as Manchaug Dam, pond are saved

August 8, 2012
SUTTON —  Selectmen wrapped up contentious negotiations that stretched back nearly a decade with Guilford of Maine’s Interface Fabrics Inc. by voting last night to buy Manchaug Dam and pond from Interface Fabric’s Manchaug Reservoir Corp. for $1. 

The town will also receive $350,000 from Interface Fabrics for long-term maintenance of the dam.  The funds will be placed in an escrow account.

Town Administrator James A. Smith said he planned to invest the $350,000 to grow it, he hoped, to $500,000 to protect the town from costs of significant repairs.   Biennial dam inspections and routine maintenance will be paid for out of the town's operating budget.

Interface Fabric representatives had petitioned the state to breach the dam when the company left the area about eight years ago.  The dam forms the 380-acre Manchaug Pond a the headwaters of the Mumbord River, a polpular recreational spot with campers and a state boat ramp.

Mr. Smith said town officials are exploring developing hydropower at the dam.

Selectman Michael Chizy, board chairman, prasied Mr. Smith, his staff and the Conservation Commission.  He said, "It was a tough seven years.  We were threatened by the dam owners -they'd break up the dam... He (Mr. Smith) stood up to these people and called their bluff."

Phyllis Charpentier, secretary of the Manchaug Pond Foundation, thanked the board and town officials for "sharing our vision" of the pond's natural beauty, its wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities.

- Susan Spencer

Manchaug Pond dam

Judges Comments are in...

In the 2012 Boat Decorating Contest, the judges loved all the entries! Trophies and prize money for the top three winners.  The following comments were noted:

1st- Jaws! -Great acting put her in first place!

2nd- Christmas in July -Excellent! well done!
3rd-  Breast Cancer Awareness - Very emotional entry.

Support the Troops- Patriotic presentation!
Bath Time- Good clean fun!
Chaug Vegas- Great energy- but not in the cards this year.
Flintstones- Great car!
Construction- Clever idea!
Blueberry Island cruise ship- Characters were spot on!
Sports- Good regional presentation!

Our Spectators are the Best! in the 2012 Boat Decorating Contest

Our Manchaug Pond spectators were spectacular!

From the shore came salutes and thumbs-up to the lead boat,  more than one Yabba Dabba Doo!, blasts on the air horns, and the D.J. at King's announcing there was a shark in the water!

Here's a few photos of our spectators:

Floating dock at the Old Holbrook's Campground

Holdbrook's Campground and the Bathtime entry.

The floating dock at King's Family Campground.

They loved all the entries and we loved all the enthusiasm!

3rd Annual Boat Decorating Contest 2012

Our 3rd Annual Boat Decorating Contest was another real crowd-pleaser!

The judges have made their decision..

1st Place goes to JAWS!  

The screaming, flailing, "bleeding" victim won the judges with her extraordinary and continuous performance!

JAWS!

JAWS! seen later in the day...

2nd Place goes to Christmas in July with Santa sleigh pulled by two red jetski reindeers!

Christmas in July

Christmas in July

and 3rd Place to Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast Cancer Awareness

and the other great entries...

 beginning with the 28 ft lead boat, Support Our Troops Flag Ship

Support Our Troops Flag Ship

Bath Time

The Flintstones

Blueberry Island Cruise Ship

Chaug Vegas with Elvis

Construction

Patriotic Bentley with Sports!

Stay tuned... judges comments and more details to come  :)

What's your theme? 2012 Boat Decorating Contest - Saturday, June 30th, 2pm

What are you thinking.....  maybe something...

with the flag for the 4th?

  Patriotic?

or a bit nautical and nasty -  like Pirates?

 

Sports related ?

how about a Party theme?

educational or about watershed wildlife?

or let's relive the 60's? or the 70's or some other time?

how about lake-related issues?

Tell us what you are thinking.  Register today!
boat.decorating.contest@gmail.com
Include Captain's name, theme and boat make and model.

Annual Spring Social is ON for Saturday Morning!

Calling all members and friends of Manchaug Pond Foundation!

 

 Come together this Saturday morning at 10:30 am for our Annual Spring Social!

meet old and new lake neighbors and friends;

get an update on MPF issues/action from the waterlevel and dam to the new water quality grant app

and on upcoming events from the Boat Decorating Contest to the Weed Id Training;  

elect the Board of Directors, purchase flares and t-shirts

 and all over a cup or two of coffee and pastry!

Meeting will be held at the YMCA Camp Blanchard Dining Hall, Manchaug Road, Sutton.

Old members and friend may renew their membership while new, may join at this time. :)

See you there!

2012 Boat Decorating Contest

3RD ANNUAL 
BOAT DECORATING CONTEST

Saturday, JUNE 30th at 2:00PM 

Join in on the fun!! 

Get creative and decorate your vessel, big or small! 


All boats are welcome to participate; kayak, canoe, pedal boat, bow rider, pontoon, you got it -- decorate it!


This is turning out to be a competitive, fun lake favorite for participants and spectators alike. Hope you, your family and friends will join in the procession! It'll be interesting to see the decorating themes entered in this year's contest. Competition is imaginative and fierce!


Register your boat to qualify for prizes,
email: boat.decorating.contest@gmail.com or
call: 508.234.9239.

SATURDAY - Vessel Safety Check!

Saturday,   June 9th      VESSEL SAFETY CHECK 

Free, educational and all are welcome!

Does your boat have this sticker?

Bring your vessel(s) - canoe or kayak, sail or motorboat- for a free inspection by the Worcester County Sail and Power Squadron.

Receive your official sticker certifying your vessel is safe.

Manchaug Pond state Boat Ramp on Saturday, 9 June from 9:00 A.M. to around noon.

Boats can be on trailers or in the water. Bring one or bring them all!

The ramp is located on Torrey Road in Sutton MA.

42* 05.473' N

71* 46.118' W

Program brought to you by:
the Manchaug Pond Foundation and the Worcester County Sail and Power Squadron