Sacred Sunday: Sunset

Today's photo was taken by an MPA member with his new Nikon DSLR camera. Keep those photos coming!

Sacred Sunday

A snapper swimming Manchaug Pond.

Busy on Manchaug Pond!

Today a comic in the Telegram, Rhymes with Orange has three prisoners checking out the yard bulletin board for their work detail assignments with "Highway Clean Up," "Farm Detail," and "License Plates," the only jobs posted... we see one inmate sighing "No canoeing or archery."  

This morning there is a beautiful cool breeze off the lake, with temperatures in the low 70's.

Yesterday at mid-day and in full sun, that same thermometer showed 127.9 degrees.  On Facebook, the Millbury-Sutton Chronicle asked, "Its the middle of summer and it's hot, where are peole going to stay cool? Any suggestions?"  One said Lake Singletary, the other Manchaug Pond.

Earlier this week and the past few weeks, Manchaug Pond's water level and the future of the dam has been the topic of discussions at a number of meetings and conference calls. Your officers and directors from the MPA remain diligent on this issue.

Also the FUNdrai$ing Committee is planning a Halloween costume party and the 2nd annual DAM road race/walk. The purpose is not only to provide a great community social event but also to raise more money to continue our push to preserve the waterlevel and oppose the breach of the dam.

The MPA Board has formed a new committee to look into private grants sources and reports new members working on the newsletter, the August annual meeting, and the weed issue.

A second grant application was submitted to the state 319 Stormwater Grant program which looks at another 5 problem sites on Manchaug Pond which contribute to the fouling of our water quality and promote weed growth. We should hear late this year on whether or not Manchaug is selected to receive some of those federal Clean Water Act funds.

Thursday's sunset on Manchaug Pond.

Each and every one of you is personally invited to get involved - serve on a committee, work an issue, be a member or friend, attend an event.  Let me know if you are interested, have a few moments to donate or need more information.  Any donation to Manchaug Pond Foundation gets you on the mailing list. A newsletter is in the making as we speak. Use paypal or send a bit of a check to MPF, P.O. Box 154, Manchaug, MA  01526


The next blog posts will star more winners on Manchaug Pond:  the winners of the BIG BOAT RAFFLE!, the winner of the grill raffle at King's Family Campground, and more boats in the boat decorating contest!  Tune in!

Our 2nd Winning Boat Sports the Fenway

Catching 2nd place in the 2011 2nd Annual Boat Decorating Contest is #9  Captain Dave Schmidt's Fenway Park!

The judges noted the originality of the entry, and the theme's hometown pride and promotion of the great Amerian pasttime. Which they felt was in keeping with the July 4th holiday.

The scoreboard especially earned points with the judges who also loved the Citgo sign!



 CONGRATULATIONS!







Stay tuned.... more winners to come!

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!

July 4th Weekend - Manchaug all aglow!

 

A Request for Flag Etiquette... How do I hang the flag on my house?

Display of the American flag
Behind a Speaker?	Display horizontally behind and above the speaker's head.
Flat against a wall?	Display horizontally or vertically with Canton at flags own right. (or to viewers left)
In a window?	Display vertically with Canton at flags own right. (or to outside viewers left)

Displaying an American flag outside my House
On a Pole attached to the wall?	Hang Flag at the top of a pole either horizontally or diagonally from the wall with any other flags below it on the same staff or another staff.
On a horizontal rope from a building?	Hang flag vertical with the Canton farthest from the building.

Displaying an American flag on a Flagpole
More than one flag on a pole?	The US Flag should always fly above other flags and should be the same size or larger than the others.
One flag each on many poles?	The US Flag should always fly on it's own right. When flying with other country flags all flags should be the same size and fly at the same height as the others.

Can I leave my American flag out at night?

The US Flag should always fly in light. If you can see the flag clearly either by mounting a light directed towards it or because of street lights or house lights than it can remain outside during the night. It may also be economical to bring your flag in during harsh weather to save it from excessive tearing. Most flags are considered all-weather however if you buy a 2-ply polyester flag it is the industries strongest and longest lasting flag available.

Sunset on Manchaug Pond

Beautiful evening for a boat ride - turtles, heron, osprey, and mallards were also enjoying the lake.

Everything I need to know I learned from Noah's Ark...

 A Douglas resident found this in Sunday's church bulletin and thought we on Manchaug Pond would enjoy it!

Everything I need to know I learned from Noah's Ark...


1.  Don't miss the boat.  

2.  Remember that we are all in the same boat.  

3.  Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark. 

4.  Stay fit. When you're 600 years old someone may ask you to do something really big. 

5.  Don't listen to critics,  just get on with the job that needs to be done. 

6.  Build your future on high ground. 

7.  For safety's sake, travel in pairs. 

8.  Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs. 

9.  When you're stressed, float a while. 

10.  Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs, the Titanic by professionals. 

11.  No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.

Sacred Sunday: Deer in the Watershed

Thanks to our newest photographer for sending in today's photo!

Did You Enter Yet? Manchaug Pond Boat Decorating Contest!

Register your boat today!

Any boat, any theme!  Cash prize for 1st, 2nd 3rd place winners!
  Join the fun either on the water, as a judge on the judges' boat or on the shore cheering them on!

Take a look at some of last year's entries:

Boat Decorating Contest

Sunday, July 3rd ~ 2nd Annual 

Boat Decorating Contest 

 Break out the garland, streamers and your imagination!

The Second Annual Boat Decorating Contest is scheduled for Sunday, July 3rd starting at 2:00pm.  

Pick a theme, decorate like crazy, and parade around the lake for all to see. We’ll follow the same route as last year, starting at Blueberry Island. We hope to have judges on the water this year so they can get a birds-eye view of your decorating skills!

To participate, you will need to register. You’ll be issued a number that must be prominently displayed on the starboard and port sides of your boat.  If you don’t want to be a contender for the cash prizes, feel free to bypass the registration and simply decorate and join in the procession.

To register, email boat.decorating.contest@gmail.com or call 508.234.9239. Please provide the following information:
Captain’s Name:
Telephone #:
Boat Make/Model
Decorating Theme:

Everyone had a lot of fun last year and the turnout was great with at least 18 boats decorated and parading around Manchaug Pond! 

Cash prizes will be awarded!

WANTED: JUDGES -- We’re looking for people to volunteer their time to judge this contest. Please contact me at the email or telephone number above if you’re interested in being a judge.

Certified Safe Vessel Performs Rescue on the Water!

Late yesterday afternoon a pontoon boat which had participated in the Vessel Safety Check co-sponsored by the Manchaug Pond Association and the Worcester County Sail and Power Squadron performed its first rescue.   Lake residents commonly help inexperienced boaters in trouble on Manchaug Pond.

The Captain wrote on Facebook:  "Rescued two women in a capsized canoe today. The younger of the two, my age, thought if they could just get help with righting the canoe they could get back in and be on their way… the 83 year old nun she was with was already in our boat, happy to be rescued, and wanted nothing to do with getting back into the canoe -- another time, I'm sure."

The canoe went over in choppy water.  The glare of the setting sun made it difficult to count heads and determine if the people were just taking a swim or in need of help.  But our new Captain, 1st mate, and crew, jumped in, rescued the two in the water, and hauled the canoe on board and took them safely home.

Heading off after their Vessel Safety Check on Saturday.

Well done!

* Canoes and kayaks are required to have a signaling devise, a whistle around the neck or attached to the life jacket is very accessible.  A life jacket for each person is also required. If your canoe has a motor of any kind, it must be registered.   

Sacred Sunday

Ahoy Mateys ! Get your boat to the ramp for the VESSEL SAFETY CHECK this morning!

Let the inspectors help you get your boat ready for the water this season! This FREE Vessel Safety Check helps you know exactly what your motorboat, kayak, canoe, rowboat and jetski needs to be safe and legal on the waters.  Do you need a horn, a fire extinguisher or 2, a flare, lights?  What!?

No fines, no fees!

Come today to the Manchaug Pond state boat ramp between 9-12, tell the gatekeeper you are just here for the vessel check - no launch, no fee.

Feel confident this summer when the police boat pulls up aside of you for a check!    I'm told Environmental Police love to see the Safe Vessel sticker!

Here's a few photos from last year's event!

Special thanks to the Worcester County Sail and Power Squadron for organizing and cosponsoring this event with the Manchaug Pond Association! www.usps.org/worc

June 18th VESSEL SAFETY CHECK!

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. Inspectors will tell you just want you need to be legal on the water!

The inspection is free and all are welcome.

Manchaug Pond Boat Ramp on Saturday, 18 June from around 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 Association and the Worcester County Sail and Power Squadron

And the winner of the 2011 BIG Boat Raffle/$10,000 Giveaway is.....

three ducks remaining.... with only a representative of ticket holder #96 at the event.

The Fundraising Committee chairman and M.C. for the event offers #96's daughter the option to split the prize money with the other two remaining.....

.....#96 says no split, "Go for it all!"

So the children pull the losing ducks first....

first to go is #22.    AAHH!

next to go is #96.  AAAHHH!!

leaving the winner #117,          who is happily taking the $10,000 cash!     Congratulations!




A HUGE thanks to the 120+ who bought raffle tickets, the 82 who attended the Saturday event, the YMCA for use of the facility, to the many MPA volunteers who designed, printed and publicized the raffle or was involved in shopping, setup, served food, etc, and to our 9 member FUNdrai$ing Committee and our Board of Directors which is 24 strong who sold tickets and oversaw the whole program. 

Great day!  Great event!  Great fundraiser! Great cause!

Tomorrow is here! 120 tickets sold.... who will be this year's Lucky Duck!

The ducks are numbered,

the chicken dinners are ordered,

the tickets are sold out!








See you tomorrow at the Spring Social for the reverse drawing of our BIG Boat Raffle/$10,000 Giveaway!

Great odds for a great cause!  

ALL proceeds benefit the Manchaug Pond Foundation.