Thursday, July 25, 2013

90 days later... Done Deal: Beaton Farm Property Preserved!


MPF President David Schmidt signs final documents preserving 100 acres for Manchaug Pond.
Treasurer Andrew Mosher at left and attorney James Vevone look on.



The signing of final papers by MPF President Dave Schmidt and his report of "done deal!" marks the end of a gallant and incredibly successful and intense effort to preserve 100 acres of Manchaug Pond watershed with 875 ft of shoreline.  MPF ownership of the Beaton property has been realized.  

The current tenants and agricultural use will remain long-term, complimenting the neighborhood's focus of agriculture, and preserving the current use.  No sale, no development, and contrary to reports by the Telegram,  no thoughts or plans for a visitor's center by the MPF - respect to the privacy of our tenants and preservation of the natural state of the property to enhance Manchaug Pond and the watershed is our sole focus.

Our deepest gratitude:
  • to the MPF Board of Directors - 20 individuals whose vision, leadership and hard work make Manchaug Pond a better place.
  • to the Sutton Town Administrator and Board of Selectman for giving us their right of first refusal and the chance to try our hand at the conservation of this significant parcel.
  • to the seller for accepting our purchase and sales agreement on not just the 73 acres of Chapter 61A land but the entire 100 acres.
  • to our legal team at Seder & Chandler who kept up and helped us pulled off "the improbable, if not impossible," all within deadline:  Attorneys Todd Rodman, James Vevone and Judge Mel Greenberg.
  • to Telegram reporter Mark Blazis and Susan Spencer for getting the word out early stressing the importance and urgency of our effort to the wider community.
  • to the many who called bringing words of encouragement, options, and finally the funds needed for success.
  • to our gracious and most generous donors: our "white knights" whose selfless acts of great generosity enrich our community and made this preservation possible.
  • to our MPF Board of Directors and members, old and new, who make our organization a true and formidable advocate and steward of Manchaug Pond.
  • to future donors who will help us with the necessary funds of closing costs, etc and the tools to be good stewards of this property.

All 100 acres of watershed spanning two towns with 875 feet of shoreline has been preserved - no sale! no development!  All to enhance the water quality and environment of Manchaug Pond.


 Bravo Manchaug Pond Foundation!

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Deserving a Standing Ovation - Our Dam Caretakers!

LOOK AT THAT! 
      Here it is July 15th and the lake waterlevel is at FULL!


Three cheers to our dam caretakers from the staff at the Town of Sutton for their diligent work at the dam!
  • For getting those flashboards in early!
  • For keeping the waterlevel safe during tropical storm Andrea!
  • For maintaining FULL through the season!
  • For checking the dam and controls daily and being on call 24/7!

All of us with homes, cottages, and camps around the lake, campers at Manchaug Pond's many campgrounds, the near 180 children who visit the YMCA each day for day camp, the many recreational boaters who dock here, those that come to the campground for day swimming,  the boaters and fishermen who access the waters through the Boat Ramp, those who ride by and love the view, and those that live downstream ALL extend our hearty thanks in appreciation!

Bravo!

Monday, July 15, 2013

Next Issue of SPLASH Is In the Making!

Do you love our newsletter? Well, the next issue of the MPF's Splash is slated to hit your mailbox within a month.  It is currently in committee with our officers and committees putting together articles, updates and notices of future events with plenty of photos for your information and enjoyment.

If you have a photo you would like to share, a story from the days of old, a great cookout recipe, a lake joke, or fishing tip - whatever!  send it in to MPFsplash@gmail.com.

If you are not on our mailing list, let us know or send a donation large or small to MPF, P.O. Box 154, Manchaug, MA  01526 with your name, address and email address (so you can receive our email notices!)

Looking forward to hearing from you!

When you're away from Manchaug Pond, her beauty remains!

Monday's sunset:


Sunday, July 07, 2013

WATERLEVEL UPDATE: July 7th - FULL!

The waterlevel is at FULL, right at the top of the flashboards.  1 1/2" of rain fell with today's downpours.


Dam caretaker's goal is to maintain FULL through the season - weather permitting.  Questions? Concerns? Ask them here with the MPF.

Saturday, July 06, 2013

Judges pick their favorites in the 4th Annual Boat Decorating Contest!

1st Place:  

Captain Bob Cadrin's Manchaug Pond Fire and Rescue Team 

Clearly this year's winner! This entry not only had a theme clearly visible from the shore but had all the details and plenty of action from a smoking fire, to water squirting from the Dalamation and firefighters, to costumes, props, music and singing, lights and sirens and more. The judges love a boat that is fully involved and this one "had excitement, fun, costumes, action and a theme that stuck out right away." Bravo!
 and a three way tie for 2nd place!


2nd Place: 






Radio Flyer   
by Captain Karen Bronson    
No question this entry was a winner for the very unique and highly visible "great exterior!"
 The captain even sported pigtails!




Manchaug Pond Country Club's
 19th Hole  
by Captains Paul & Patti Eklund    
The judges found the 19th Hole to be a hole in one!  "Having a lot going on,"  the country club bowrider had all the props from the golf clubs and quiet sign to the drinks at the 19th hole to the golfers with visors and even a big cigar!



 
Blueberry Island  
by Captain Rose Charpentier

The judges found this a winner for its creativity in the choice of theme and the great acting.  "She had it all!" ... painted her boat with sand and waves, blueberry bushes, flag, Christmas tree, and a lawn chair with all the props from a cooler to litter flying out of the boat!


3rd Place:






The 80's
by Captain Ted Demeo

 This entry was also a real pleaser as the judges found "plenty of action" with Van Halen and Journey on this boat! 





 
And an Honorable Mention goes to the  Sutton Police Dept. for Lake Patrol boat which just happened to be on Manchaug Pond during the judging.  Thank you for their service to Manchaug Pond and commitment to safe boating!






Here's more photos of all of the participants: PacMan, gangsters, pirates, Support of Troops Flagship and more!  Thank you for making July 4th week the best for Manchaug Pond!















Wednesday, July 03, 2013

Lighting of the Shoreline!

Remember!  Tonight is the LIGHTING OF SHORELINE - 9 PM. Flares or tiki torchs, light your beach or shoreline showing solidarity with the Manchaug Pond Foundation.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Register Today for the 4th Annual BOAT DECORATING CONTEST!

What would summer and July 4th holiday be without the MPF's BOAT DECORATING CONTEST!

Our judges have been selected, the Board of Directors appropriated the ca$h for the prizes, now all we need are the participants and spectators!

Those of you who have participated in the past know the competition is fun and fierce!  All are invite to enter their vessel in the competition or just meet at Blueberry Island and join the fun!    This year the contest will be held on Saturday, July 6th at 2:00 PM.    To be eligible for prizes, register today at boat.decorating.contest@gmail.com

Be creative!  All vessels are welcome - in past years we've had entries from paddle boats and kayaks, to rowboats and jetskis, to ski boats and pontoon boats - we've had them all.  So join the fun!


 Here's a few of our past entries!





WATERLEVEL UPDATE Wednesday, June 19th: Lake waterlevel at FULL+.

This morning the Town reports 6" of water is flowing over the flashboards as we keep ahead of the rainfall and runoff.

With yesterday's forecast of scattered showers bringing more than expected the level has increased. Goal is to bring down to 1-2" of flow over the boards to maintain full. 5-6 day forecast calling for no rain.  Our dam caretaker remains diligent both at Manchaug Pond dam and downstream.

 Long-term plan is to maintain FULL through summer season - weather permitting.  Questions? Concerns? Ask them here with the MPF.

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

All Smiles as BIG Raffle Winner Takes the Ca$h Prize!

Congratulations to our BIG Raffle Winners George and Lynn Carlson-LeBlanc!  Lynn's winning ticket, # 22, was drawn at the recent MPF Spring Social in our reverse raffle surviving over 99 pulls in the losers first drawing.  Given the winner's choice of a trip to anywhere worth up to $5,000 or a check for $4,000 cash,  Lynn took the cash!   Her ticket was purchased from her neighbor Dave Schmidt, MPF President.
Lynn Carlson-LeBlanc with her husband George, receives her prize winnings on the shores of Manchaug Pond from  George "Gig" Cammuso, MPF Fundraising Committee Co-chairman 
The MPF thanks all those who sold and all those who purchased tickets in this fundraising event.  $6,000 was raised to further our work in the protection and enhancement of Manchaug Pond.

Monday, June 17, 2013

The Storm - during and after!

In the afternoon, all sunshine, blue skies and calm water was lost to a sudden storm which came in from the north. Boaters were caught by surprise as thunder and lightening brought rain and wind.   


Once the storm was done, blue skies resumed and a rainbow blessed the skies over Manchaug Pond.



Saturday, June 15, 2013

A Turkey Vulture on Holt Road Sutton

This week a large turkey vulture, with a large fish in its talons, blocked traffic on Holt Road in Sutton on the shores of Manchaug Pond.



Friday, June 14, 2013

WATERLEVEL UPDATE: Friday, June 14th: Waterlevel stable and lake at FULL+

Waterlevel was stable this morning with another 2 1/4" of rainfall received overnight. Level did rise during the day but our dam caretaker remains diligent both at Manchaug Pond dam and downstream. 


Long-term plan is to maintain FULL through summer season - weather permitting. 
Questions? Concerns? Ask them here with the MPF

Flag Day on Manchaug Pond

Flag pole at Blueberry Island
Check this link for information on proper hanging and flag etiquette.   Be ready for July 4th!

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Calm with more rain clouds moving in.

This morning the lake remains calm and quiet - a welcome change from yesterday's gale force winds.  Overnight the waterlevel has come down a few inches as our dam owner works to bring the waterlevel to full and address the continued rainfall and runoff.

It is before 11 AM and the raindrops are falling here on Manchaug Pond... rain which the forecast expected to start later this afternoon.

We hear sunshine is the word for the weekend!


WATERLEVEL UPDATE Thursday, June 13th: Low-level GATE OPEN, Waterlevel coming down to FULL.

Overnight the waterlevel has come down with less than an inch of flow over the top flashboard. Raining now with 1 to 3 " expected. Low-level gate is wide open.

Long term plan is to maintain FULL through summer season - weather permitting.  Questions? Concerns? Ask them here with the MPF.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

WATERLEVEL UPDATE: Weds, June 12th

An additional 2 1/4" of rain was received yesterday. Low-level gate is wide open and water running over the flashboards to bring waterlevel down to full.  Long term plan is to maintain FULL through summer season - weather permitting.  

Question? Concerns? Ask them here with the MPF.

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails